Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly #4)(65)

Willie and Missie decided that Nathan would be allowed to join the school-bound crowd. As Melinda would be driving right by their ranch, she agreed to pick up the young scholar.

Marty took special note of each day as it ticked by. A little clock ran in her mind: This is our last Friday. . . our last Saturday . . . our last service in the little church. She prepared with extra care. Clark had already shared with her some of his thoughts on the scripture portion for the day. Marty felt them to be most appropriate on their last day with the congregation that they had learned to love. There was no better message that Clark could leave with them.

When Clark stood before the group on that last Sunday, he read solemnly, yet triumphantly, from the Word: "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (Jer. 9:23,24).



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As she listened, Marty prayed for each individual who sat in the seats around her. Her desire, and Clark's, was that each one of them might deeply live the truth of the Scripture, this one in particular.

After the service had ended, Clark asked Henry to speak to the congregation. It was common knowledge that when Clark left, Henry would be leading the group.

With tears in his voice, he expressed his thanks to Clark and to Marty for their leadership and encouragement over the months they had been with them, the congregation echoing his appreciation. Then Clark and Marty, taken completely by surprise, were guests of honor as the whole fellowship gathered around to give them a farewell party. Food was spread out on makeshift tables, and ladies served while the men and children dug in with relish. Underlying the festivities and laughter was a feeling of sadness because of the fact that in just two days the Davises would be leaving them. Clark and Marty appreciated each one who came with a special thank-you shining from his or her eyes and warm handshakes. They were special, these people. They were special because they were Christian brothers and sisters. Clark and Marty both knew they would miss them.



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Chapter Thirty-two




Homeward Bound



When Tuesday arrived, Marty was packed and ready to go. Willie brought around the team and, as Missie prepared her sons for the trip to town and Clark went to say a last farewell to the ranch hands, Marty slipped out of the house and made one last trip to the little soddy.

She was not as nostalgic about the small shack for her own sake as for Missie's. Marty had spent the one winter in the soddy by choice. Missie had made it a home because it was all that was available to her.

Marty stood and gazed around the little room once again. In her fancy she could see Missie as a very young bride bending over the tiny stove with its cow-chip fire, preparing the evening meal. In the cradle at the end of the bed would rest the tiny baby, Nathan. Willie would return from his long, hard day of herding cattle to be greeted with love and concern and a simple meal.

Marty could picture, too, the growing Nathan, the Christmas gathering of ranch hands, the visits with new neighbors.



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Marty would cherish her mental pictures of the little shack. Her own winter spent there helped her to more clearly picture Missie in the soddy.

Yes, she and Clark had been happy in the soddy, too. Those long evenings as she sat sewing and Clark pored over his Bible, sharing with her special truths as he found them and getting her thoughts on particular verses--these were memories to treasure. Perhaps it would be many days until she and Clark would have so many hours of each day to cherish as their own without interruption from the daily demands of farm and family.

Marty retraced her steps to the house--Missie's beautiful home. Marty had never seen a home that was more comfortable or more tasteful. She was proud of Missie and her homemaking ability.

They were loading the wagon when Marty rounded the corner. She stepped forward to take her place. All the ranch hands who were not on duty were present to shake her hand, and Marty spoke to each of them. Cookie was the last in the line.

The old ranch cook stepped forward, his hand outstretched.

"Cookie," said Marty, with tears in her eyes, "we are jest so thankful to God fer yer choosin' to follow Him. Ya're jest so special to us in so many ways."

Cookie changed his mind and gave Marty an affectionate hug instead.

Lane moved forward and took Clark's hand. He said nothing in words, but his eyes spoke volumes.

Just as the wagon was about to move out of the yard, Wong came running, waving a bundle in his hands. It was some of his fresh doughnuts, a treat for the trip. Marty and Clark thanked him warmly and he beamed as he bobbed his head.

"Much thanks," he said. "Much thanks for the special joy that you brought to this house and to Wong's kitchen. Come again, maybe?"

The wagon pulled away amid hat-waving and calls, and then they were on their way.



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Marty's view was blurred with tears as she looked back from the hillside where she had taken her first look at Missie's home. So much had happened there to endear so many people to her heart.

Josiah crawled on her knees, and she held him close all of the way to town. Nathan chattered excitedly, feeling that Grandma and Grandpa were privileged indeed to be passengers on a real, moving train.