Chapter 24:

Promises Kept

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are (all answered) “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 (AMP)

A hard knock shook the front door of Apple Muffin Cottage.

“I followed somebody’s tracks in on the road, then I found a stranded car with New York plates, but I couldn’t find anybody,” Dr. Mac announced with concern as he let himself in.

“Then, I followed the fence in until I got a glimpse of that red door. Everything alright here?”

“We had a scare with Dinky. He was lost in the snow, but Maggie found him.” Gracie was proud that her mother was home. So many times she had confided in Ian about her, and now she could introduce them.

“Maggie?” That explained the abandoned Lexus.

“Dr. Ian McVicker, meet my mother.”

“I’m very glad to meet you, Maggie.” Ian nodded toward the lady sitting by the fireplace. He could never have imagined having this opportunity but certainly was pleased for Gracie. He couldn’t hide his surprise and kept nodding and smiling at her.

“Doctor,” Maggie stood up to shake his hand, “I know I’m a total surprise to everyone.”

“A very pleasant surprise,” Ian stated.

“Thank you,” Maggie said, grateful for the pleasantries.

“I was concerned about Dinky, Gracie. I promised you I’d check him over.”

“He’s sleeping peacefully now.”

“He’s got a pretty high fever, though,” Dr. Mac surmised.

“I know. He decided to go outside in just his long johns and boots without telling me and got lost in that whiteout. Maggie found him outside the fence holding on to Pop’s old black hat. It was a bonafide miracle because we had no idea where he was. ”

“Yes, indeed, it was Mrs. LeMaster.” Pastor Al was glad that he had followed the prompting of the Lord to come to Spirit Creek Farm. He’d been some help to her.

“I’d say so, too. In that whiteout, without that black hat, you may never have found him. I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I was thankful for the tracks and the fence to guide me in. He must have had a little delirium from the fever,” Ian said.

“We’re grateful you both made it in. Since nobody knew you were coming, we wouldn’t have looked for you had you gotten lost,” Pastor Al said. “Me, either, for that matter.”

“Hello, pastor. I’m surprised to see you here, too.”

“Hello, doctor.”

“Gracie, was that J.T. I saw walking off the porch as I came in?”

“No. He’s at Viney’s helping Marv.”

“Well, I just saw a blur. I really couldn’t see much of anything.” He downplayed seeing a man in an army field jacket and a cap step off the porch after having peered into the living room window. He’d definitely seen someone, but it wouldn’t be necessary to alarm the others. There was a man seen walking through town earlier in the week that fit his description who was carrying a violin case and was wearing a large backpack. And there’d been some reports of a possible trespasser on some properties. Things had been reported missing. Hopefully, whoever it was—likely a homeless veteran—found shelter—maybe in the barn or the cellar house until they could move on.

“I’m glad you’re here, Ian. Pastor Al carried Dinky into the house, and I changed his wet clothes. We laid him next to the fire to keep him warm.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll be alright. Let’s get him undressed and cool him down. I think he’s a little too warm.”

“Thank God you’re here, Ian,” Gracie said again with relief.

“I promised you I’d take a look at him. I had to keep my promise.” He smiled and winked at her and continued to examine Dinky.

“Looks like both ears are infected, and we have some bronchitis going on. I’ll give him a shot—an antibiotic—and something for the fever. He’ll be okay, Gracie. You can take a deep breath now.”

“I’ll try.” Suddenly, her knees felt like jelly, and she was exhausted.

“Mrs. LeMaster, is there anything I can do?” Pastor Al noticed she seemed weak and pale.

“Just continue to pray for my son,” Gracie said, smiling. “I’m glad you’re here, too.”

“I am, also,” answered the young minister. She felt a slightly familiar connection to him that she could not explain and wondered what he wanted and why he had come here.

Maggie got up and stood silently by the dining room doorway with her arms folded across her chest, her purse on her shoulder and stared at the floor.

“Maggie, Mama, please make yourself comfortable,” Gracie addressed her lovingly, “come back and sit down.” The last time they’d been in this room together, her mother told her she was going to New York City to find her daddy. Five-year-old Gracie asked her if that’s where heaven was and if she was going there, too. She’d seen her lay something on Grammy’s sewing basket. Ah! Her quilt top!

“Thank you,” said Maggie, taking off her coat.

Elizabeth came through from the kitchen with a tray and set it down on the coffee table. She handed her grandmother a cup of hot chocolate and smiled at her sweetly, noticing how much they looked alike. She thought she was beautiful. Maggie smiled shyly at her.

“Pastor Al, hot cocoa?”

“Thank you, Elizabeth,” he said, reaching for the cup.

“You’re welcome,” she answered and then served a cup to Ian and her mother.

“I heard you come in, Dr. McVicker.”

“Thank you.” He smiled at her and took a sip. He seemed nice. She knew her mother liked him, and she could see why.

Gracie looked at her gratefully through misty eyes and thanked her.

“I’m glad everything’s okay, Mama,” Elizabeth whispered.

“Me, too, Bethie, me, too.”

The blizzard continued throughout the rest of the evening, dumping snow on Farmwell Valley. Mounds of snow continued to pile up in drifts around the house and all of the other structures on Spirit Creek Farm while strong winds blew and shook the windows of Apple Muffin Cottage. With the exception of Dinky, all of its occupants had a supper of soup and cornbread around the living room fire.

Around nine o’clock, the power went out. By the amber glow of the fireplace, Gracie made her way to the half door underneath the staircase in the hallway, where she found several flashlights and batteries.

“Mrs. LeMaster, let me help you with those.” Rev. Al took the things from Gracie’s hands.

Earlier, she’d made up beds for all her guests. There were two cots in the living room for Ian and Pastor Al next to Dinky, and there were clean sheets on Dinky’s bed for Maggie.

“Mom, your cell phone is ringing!” Elizabeth yelled soon after the lights went out. She handed Gracie her phone.

“How you doing? Did you lose power? We just did. And phone service has been out for a while now, too.” It was J.T.

“Yeah, power’s out, but we’re fine. You’re not going to believe what happened here today, and you won’t believe who’s here.”

“Maggie,” J.T. answered flatly. Gracie was dumbfounded.

“How did you know?”

“Michael called me earlier this afternoon before the blizzard started. He’s been in contact with her secretly for a while now, trying to help her come home. Apparently, she called him when she started for the farm. I didn’t want to say anything to you just in case she backed out.

“Wow! Well, how’s Viney with all of this?”

“It’s a big shock to all of us, but we’ll adjust. She’s okay.”

“Good. So, I guess you’ll be there for a while, huh?

“A couple of days, probably. Have Bethie put some wood in the stove.”

“Don’t worry about us; we have some help. Pastor Al and Ian are here and snowed in, too. I have lots more to tell you when you get home. Love you!” Gracie felt like her brother was on the moon tonight, so near but yet so far away.

“Elizabeth, would you put some more wood in the kitchen stove?”

“Sure, Mom.”

Gracie was glad the heat would rise and warm the second floor. Thank God for Grammy’s old wood stove.

At about ten o’clock, the storm stopped, and the night sky cleared.

“Maggie, I know you’re exhausted,” said Gracie, “let me show you to your bed.” Maggie slowly followed Gracie up a very familiar stairway. As they passed the window on the first landing, a full silver moon shone on the huge drifts, making them sparkle.

“Look, Gracie,” Maggie stopped, “do you see the diamonds in the snow?” Gracie shook her head yes but found it hard to speak for holding back tears. She reached out and took her mother’s hand.

“I remember the diamonds in the snow, Mama. You promised me you would show them to me again one day. Somehow, deep inside me, I always believed you would. Thank you, and thank you for saving my son’s life.” Gracie sobbed as she threw her arms around her mother’s neck.

“I’m so sorry I left you,” Maggie cried.

***

Morning dawned cold and still. Every now and then, a tree branch broke from the weight of the heavy snow and sounded like the crack of a rifle.

Once again, there were Grammy’s apple muffins for breakfast, thanks to Elizabeth, who’d baked some a few days ago and warmed them up in the warming drawer of the old stove. Pancakes would have to wait until tomorrow.

Gracie sat, once again, at the kitchen table, looking out her window, drinking Darjeeling tea from a beautiful china cup. This was the day the Lord had made, and she was rejoicing in it. New fresh snow, as far as she could see, covered the farm, and the red and white curtains still framed the meadows and the barn. Her heart was full of the faithfulness of God. She couldn’t help but softly sing:

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed Thy hand hath provided:

great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

“Thank You, precious Jesus!” Gracie prayed while Callie Ann rubbed against her ankles.

“Thank You for saving my little boy and for bringing my mother home.” Her Bible lay open to the 23rd Psalm.

“Are you having your morning devotions, Mrs. LeMaster?” Pastor Al interrupted gently as he entered the kitchen.

“Yes, I guess you could say that,” she answered. “Would you like some tea or coffee?”

“Yes, coffee, please. It smells so very good. How did you manage with no electricity?”

Gracie took down one of Grammy’s best mugs and poured the young man a cup of coffee.

“Cream and sugar’s in front of you,” she directed him as he sat down at the table with her, and she poured from an old coffee pot she’d filled with coffee grounds and water. “This old wood stove comes in handy if you don’t mind ‘camp’ coffee.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Pastor,” Gracie began, “why did you come here?”

“I was hoping to get some alone time with you this morning so we could talk.”

“I thought so,” Gracie said.

“Mrs. LeMaster,” he started.

“Please call me Gracie,” she interrupted.

“Let me first say that I’m so happy for you and your family that your mother has returned and for the rescue of your son. Both are miracles, I’m convinced.”

“Thank you. I agree. Praise the good Lord for both. ”

“Next, I knew your husband, Ben, and of course, I am a friend to your brother, Michael.”

“Really? You knew Ben? And Michael? My brother seems to be full of surprises these days.”

“I was a product of Ben’s missionary work in Honduras.”

“I see,” Gracie said as she started to tense up. “I always resented Ben’s trips to Honduras. I’m sorry about that now,” she told Pastor Al and smiled sweetly. “How did you end up here?”

“It was a favor to your brother Michael, who is my presbyter, and also, it was because of you.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Because I made a promise to God that I would help take care of you and your children someday.”

“But why?” Gracie asked again with intensity. “And if that’s the case, why were you so rude to me?”

“Forgive me for that, Mrs. LeMaster. I just couldn’t face you.”

“I want to hear your story, pastor.”

“Well, my whole family was converted to Christianity during Ben’s first trip to Honduras. I was eleven. We helped him build his mission.”

“Al. Ben’s friend Al. That’s who you are!” Gracie said with excitement.

The young man smiled and shook his head yes.

“I’m the reason that your husband died, Mrs. LeMaster.” Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at Gracie.

“Ben died in a plane crash. Why do you think you’re responsible?”

“I received my call into the ministry at eighteen. Pastor Ben was very happy and felt obligated to help me get into Bible College in Florida.”

“I remember that now,” Gracie said. “He was very excited about it.”

“When everything was arranged and it came time for me to leave Honduras, I became very afraid. And, I’m ashamed to say, for a few short days, turned my back on God. I was in rebellion. I got drunk and went into my grandmother’s house and wouldn’t come out. ‘Alejandro,’ my mother would call to me, ‘please come out and get ready to go to Florida.’ But I wouldn’t answer her.”

“Then what happened?”

“My mother sent my father to the mission to call your husband to come and help me. He got on that plane for me, Mrs. LeMaster. And because of me and my fear and rebellion, he died when that plane crashed in Honduras. And I am so very sorry.”

“Oh, Al,” Gracie said as she placed her hand on his arm.

“I promised God that I would go to Bible college and come where you were someday and help see to you and your family. Michael called me and said that he needed a temporary pastor for Hope Springs until he could take it over himself in July or August. I jumped at the chance, especially when he mentioned that you had come back from Brotherton to Spirit Creek Farm. But I was even a coward about that, and when I ran into you for the first time, I was too afraid to face you. I was ashamed. Again, I’m sorry.”

“Wow,” Gracie said, “what guilt you’ve had to deal with since then.”

“Yes, a lot,” he said, “but no more than I deserve.”

“Al, let me tell you something that I’ve never told anyone before,” Gracie said. “And because of my children, I would appreciate it if you would not tell anyone.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t. What is it?”

“A few days before Ben left home, I told him that I was going to have another baby. He didn’t seem very happy about it and didn’t say much. He was a quiet deep thinker. We had been struggling with our marriage. We were unequally yoked. I was a lukewarm Christian with a career of my own that I thought was more important than what he was doing. When we had Elizabeth, I started nagging at him to stay home. He had wanted me to go on the mission field with him, but I didn’t see it as my calling.

Certainly, after I had her, I wasn’t going with a new baby or giving up my career. So, when I told him about another baby, I asked him again if he would consider staying home and finding a church to pastor. He said he had already decided that it was time to do that, but he wanted to go back to Honduras to tell his parishioners and his staff that he would be resigning and help them find a replacement. I asked him not to go, but he said it was something he had to do. So, I agreed. He made his plane reservations and flew out the next Monday morning. He’d only been gone about half an hour when I got a call from your father at the Honduran Mission wanting to talk to him. I told him that Ben was on his way back and gave him an ETA. So, you see, Al, it had nothing at all to do with you; it was just circumstances.”

Al was startled. “My father never told me. He never knew I thought I was to blame. But, are you sure, Mrs. LeMaster?”

Bruised fruit. That’s what Grammy would have called him. Pick him up quickly and gently.

“I’m certain. You were never to blame.”

The young, handsome minister straightened his back and took a long, deep breath, then breathed out slowly and calmly as if the weight of the world had just been lifted from his shoulders and light came back into his eyes.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Nothing to say. Try one of these muffins. And put lots of butter on it,” she said, grinning as she watched joy come into his face.

“I think I will—lots,” he chuckled.

“And there is something you can do for me.”

“Anything.”

“Be my friend and my pastor.”

“Always!”

“So, Michael is coming back to pastor Hope Springs Church?” Gracie giggled.

“I really wasn’t supposed to tell that,” Al said, wiping the last tears from his eyes.

“I won’t say anything,” Gracie promised, “if you’ll have two muffins.

“Deal!” The young man grinned. The guilt had gone, and Gracie was glad.

“Wow! This muffin is delicious, Mrs. LeMaster,” he exclaimed with butter on his chin.

“Call me Gracie.”

How’d I do with the bruised fruit, Grammy?

***

“Excellent muffins, Elizabeth!” Ian bragged on Gracie’s daughter.

“Would you like another?” Elizabeth offered.

“No. No. Watching my waistline.” Ian sat back in the dining room chair and patted his stomach.

“Mom, what about you?” Gracie asked Maggie.

“No, thank you. I’m stuffed. I haven’t had a breakfast that good since I ate Grammy’s cooking.” Maggie’s eyes seemed to wander off to another time.

Gracie had managed to cook some sausage links to go along with their muffins after she and Al had their talk in the kitchen and he had scrambled some eggs for the other guests. She enjoyed cooking in Grammy’s kitchen on the old wood stove with her new friend while he sang praise songs in Spanish. Apple Muffin Cottage was better than a Bed and Breakfast. Like the sign by the back door said:

THE BEST FOOD AROUND

“Al, another?” Gracie asked her new friend.

“I’m just going to have some more of your wonderful coffee.” He brought back the coffee pot and heated Ian’s cup. Maggie and Gracie were having tea.

“Dr. Mac, is Dinky well enough to eat anything yet?” Elizabeth asked about her brother.

“Sure. Just give him what he’ll eat. His fever broke around four this morning, and I think he’ll sleep for a while, though. He might not be too hungry yet. What he needs most now is plenty of rest and lots to drink when he wakes up.”

“I’ll make sure he gets it,” Elizabeth assured the doctor.

“Are you going to eat anything else, Bethie?” Maggie asked her granddaughter.

“Maybe later, thank you,” Elizabeth grinned slightly and answered this strange but beautiful older woman who’d just popped into their lives out of nowhere. It was incredible, almost surreal. This was the “looker” who had ridden out of town with the old hippie in the Corvette all those years ago and left her four children. How was she supposed to feel about her, and how was she supposed to act? Elizabeth was confused, but somehow, she felt a connection to her and knew that there must have been a reason why she left. She liked her and was glad to have a grandmother now.

Maggie smiled at Elizabeth as she headed back into the living room to sit by her little brother.

“She’s a beauty, Gracie,” Maggie said.

“She looks like you.” Gracie smiled at her mother.

“Maggie, I want to tell you something. Ian and Al know our situation. We’ve talked and decided it’s best for now to not expect too much from LaVinia.”

“I understand completely.”

“Thank you,” said Gracie, “but I’m afraid she might not, though. You see, I’ve never mentioned to any of the others that I thought I had found you. I wanted to be sure it was you. And it’s probably been a pretty big shock to her. And this early in her pregnancy…”

“Oh,” Maggie groaned slightly, “do you think it best I go? I don’t want to cause problems.”

“No! No!” Gracie said loudly. “Please stay. I just want to figure out the best way to handle all of this. It will be okay. If we can just be patient…”

“However you think best,” Maggie said, her eyes wide with concern.

“Thank you.”

“It’s okay,” Maggie said softly and almost little-girl-like. She knew this wouldn’t be easy, but she was ready to deal with things—good or bad. She’d already received far more understanding than she ever deserved.

“I’ve met her, Gracie.”

“How’s that?”

“I’ve been living at Brotherton Arms for several months. One day last fall, a pretty young woman came in to decorate the mantel and the stairway in the lobby for Christmas. I’d been sitting on the sofa reading a book, and she apologized for interrupting me. I told her it was no problem at all. I enjoyed watching her work. It was absolutely gorgeous when she finished. Red bows, silver bells, pine cones, and greenery. I complimented her. She seemed so familiar to me—her mannerisms, her smile. Then her helper came in and called her by name—LaVinia. Then I knew but thought it best I slip away and say nothing. After New Year’s, she came back and took down her decorations. She seemed so pale, and I could tell she was very sick. I had her take a seat until Amy, her helper, got back. I got her a drink of water and felt so helpless. Amy finished taking things down, and they left.”

“LaVinia told me about the beautiful lady that was so kind to her there. Of course, she didn’t know who you were. Oh, she’ll come around. Everything will be alright. She’s just stubborn and pregnant. That’s not a good combination. That’s like the woman with the bumper sticker that said, ‘Warning! I’m out of estrogen, and I have a loaded gun.’” Gracie laughed until her sides hurt. It felt so good to laugh.

“Oh, my goodness, Gracie girl, you’re so funny,” Maggie giggled, “I’m so glad I came home.”

“Mama, please never leave us again.”

“I want to stay, Gracie,” Maggie confessed, “if they’ll all have me and forgive me.”

“They will—in time,” Gracie reassured her mother.

***

When Dinky woke up, he found striped Callie Ann beside him on the couch.

“Callie Ann, I sure was cold outside. Would you believe I saw Pop? He gave me back this old black hat after it blowed away. I couldn’t find it, but Pop did.”

“What do you mean you saw Pop?” Gracie heard him talking to Callie Ann and was astonished at what she heard. “You were dreaming, sweetie. You were too young to even remember him.” By this time, Elizabeth and the others sitting around the crackling fire were listening intently, too.

“I’ve seen his picture. I don’t fink I was dreamin’. I was gonna make a snowman, and that hat flew out of my hand when it started to snow and the wind blowed real hard and I went lookin’ for it, but I couldn’t see a fing. I couldn’t make a snowman without Pop’s old hat. But I got so cold and tired and sat down by the old fence post to rest a minute. I heard somebody say somefin’ and I looked up and there was Pop. He said, ‘Boy, you better keep this old hat on your head and don’t take it off.’ So I said fanks, and he said, ‘I see somebody coming to get ya, so leave it on so they can see ya.’ Then I fink I did go to sleep until that angel lady found me.”

“And I never would have seen you without that black hat,” said Maggie. Gracie had her hand up over her mouth to stifle a cry. Tears flooded her eyes and poured over her cheeks. She remembered the day Pop came to see her when Dinky was born. She handed the tiny infant to her grandfather, and he looked down on him with love and concern and said, “Davis, my boy, you’re such a dinky little feller. I think I’ll call you Dinky.”

As he held his great-grandson in one arm, he reached with the other hand and pulled the baby’s little knit cap over his ears and said, “Boy, you’d better keep this hat on your head and keep warm.”

Then he looked up at Gracie and said with a sweet smile, “Now, I know you’re concerned about this little feller not having his daddy around, but I promise ya I’ll always help you take care of him.”

“Wow, Dinky, I think the Lord allowed Pop to be one of your angels today.”

“But he didn’t even have any wings or a helmet, though. Just an old green coat and a hat.”

Ian stepped nervously to the window and looked out through the blue and white curtains onto the porch.

Gracie knew that Dinky had heard her tell stories about Pop a hundred times or more, but she knew also that whatever circumstances saved him, the good Lord had orchestrated them.

“Thank you, dear God!” Gracie whispered.

The day passed slowly in Apple Muffin Cottage without electricity. Dinky had a nap. Then Elizabeth brought him a plate of her brownies and a cold glass of milk in the late afternoon. Pastor Al and Ian sat at the dining room table, drinking coffee and discussing the Bible. Gracie and Maggie were in the kitchen sitting at Grammy’s table, “catching up” while the vegetable beef soup and cornbread were being reheated on the wood stove. While looking out at the rolling fields so white and pristine, Maggie’s heart was thrilled just to be back in Grammy’s kitchen—again.

She’d loved her mother-in-law and father-in-law dearly, along with this house, her husband Joshua, and their children. They’d had such high hopes for their lives, but life took an unexpected turn—a detour for her of more than thirty years, but she was home now, and there was peace and joy here at Apple Muffin Cottage along with her Gracie, who was faithful, gentle, loving, kind and good.

***

Thud!

“What was that?” Dinky said with his mouth full of a last bite of chocolate brownie. He hopped up on his knees on Grammy’s old couch and looked out the window into the yard just in time to see Elizabeth throw another snowball.

Thud!

She smiled and waved to her little brother, who was grinning from ear to ear with chocolate-covered teeth and red cheeks. His hair was in a mass of strawberry-blonde curls. He was feeling much better and giggled as he watched his sister roll up a huge snowball on the ground. Every now and then, his warm breath fogged up the cold window pane, and he would wipe it clear again.

Dinky clapped his hands with joy when Elizabeth held up Pop’s old black hat and the bag of snowman fixins that contained two pieces of coal for eyes, Pop’s old glasses, a pair of red wax lips, and an old corn cob pipe. And right there, in front of Apple Muffin Cottage’s living room window in two feet of snow with a big bright orange carrot in her coat pocket, Elizabeth kept a very important promise: she taught Dinky how to make a snowman.

All the while, she heard another faint promise of forever on the wind through the orchards—a violin softly playing:

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river;

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God…