Once again, Delaney Adair found himself praying on behalf of his only child. In the course of the past twenty-five years, he had come to believe that God gave people children equally as much for what the children would teach their parents as for what the parents would teach their children. And being a father had certainly kept Delaney on his knees, depending upon God’s help and guidance.
No matter how many times or how many ways he’d asked Shannon to tell him what happened between her and Matthew, she only shook her head, refusing to answer.
“Lord, was I wrong to give my consent to Matthew? Is he not the man I thought him?”
That was difficult to believe. No, Delaney was quite sure Matthew was a decent man and that his daughter loved him. He was also certain Matthew was trying to mend whatever rift had torn the two young people apart. He’d come to the parsonage on three separate occasions, asking to see Shannon. She’d refused to see him every time.
“She can be stubborn, Lord.” He released a humorless chuckle.
“As can I.”
If Adelyn were still alive, she would be able to find a way to make Shannon open up to her. Alas, she wasn’t still alive. Delaney would have to try harder, pray more, listen better.
“I’m not giving up,” Matthew said to Jack. “I’m going to change her mind about marrying me if it takes a month of Sundays to do it.”
The sheriff leaned back in his desk chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “I believe you will.”
“If she’d just listen to me. If she’d just give me five minutes.”
“Never pictured you the sort to moon over a woman.”
“Never pictured it myself.”
“You know what you need? A few days away. Give her a chance to realize she misses you.”
Matthew grunted. What good would going away do? She wasn’t missing him now.
“Did you know there’s a big shipment of treasure going down to Boise City on Monday?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Hadn’t heard. I haven’t been into the office this week.”
“Well, it isn’t general knowledge. Good to know the word hasn’t gotten out. The stage is due in tomorrow night from Idaho City, then it’ll head south on Monday morning.”
Matthew waited. His friend wasn’t given to talk for talk’s sake, so there had to be a point to telling him this.
“Bill Washburn asked me yesterday if my deputy could ride along.
Wells, Fargo has a messenger riding along, of course, but Bill’s anxious about it. I can’t spare Horace right now. Tempers have been rising right along with the temperatures, and it seems like more troublemakers arrive in Grand Coeur every week.” He motioned with his head toward the jail in the back of the sheriff ’s office. “Our cells are full up this morning.”
Matthew nodded.
“Maybe you could go along on Monday as an extra guard.”
“You’re forgetting my nephew. I can’t just take off the way I used to.”
“You’d be back Tuesday morning. You could find someone to look after the boy until then. What about that gal you’ve got cooking for you? ”
“Sun Ling? She’s already doing more than I hired her to do.”
“He could stay with Bill for a night.”
“I don’t know. Bill’s never been much on kids.” Matthew rubbed the back of his neck. It might be good to go. Take his mind off his troubles with Shannon. Maybe give him a fresh perspective.
“Or what about the reverend and Miss Adair? She might be mad at you, but sure as shootin’ she still cares about that boy.”
Matthew sat straighter in his chair. His friend might have hit upon something there. Might be the best thing in the world, leaving his nephew in Shannon’s care. Maybe God would use Todd to bring Matthew and Shannon back together.
He stood. “I’ll see what I can arrange, Jack. I’ll let you know.”
He left the sheriff ’s office feeling more hopeful than he’d felt since Shannon broke their engagement. His feet carried him straight to the express office. Fortunately, no customers were there when he arrived, so he and William could talk plainly. “Jack told me about the special shipment coming in tomorrow.”
“Yeah, and I don’t figure I’ll draw a decent breath until they get here from Idaho City, and then I’ll feel the same way after they leave the next morning.”
“How about if I go along as an extra guard for the trip down to Boise?” Matthew said.
“You? Messengin’ again?”
“Why not? I’m almost as good pointing a rifle and shotgun as I am holding the reins.”
“What about the boy?”
“I think I can arrange for someone to keep Todd for one trip.”
“If you can, maybe I could relax a little.”
Dearest Katie,
The wedding is off. I have broken my engagement to Matthew Dubois. It seems he only wanted a woman to care for his nephew, and he thought I was the best choice.
I know you would tell me that many a good marriage has begun for similar reasons—a widower needing someone to care for his children—and that many of those marriages turn into happy ones. Maybe I am silly and selfish. But I want to be loved the way that I love. Is that so very wrong, my dear friend?
I’ve told myself a thousand times that I no longer love Matthew, but that isn’t true. I do love him. I can’t stop loving him, and my heart is breaking. Today I wanted to plead with Father to take me back to Virginia. I thought I could be happy here, but I cannot. Not now. Sometimes I think I will never be happy again.
Matthew has asked Father and me to keep Todd while he takes a stagecoach down to Boise City on Monday morning. Father agreed to do it without asking my opinion. I would have refused. I don’t think I can bear the reminder of what was to be.
Oh, Katie. Whatever am I to do? How I wish I could see you and talk to you and ask your thoughts. My heart was wounded when Benjamin was killed on the battlefield. But this is worse. Much worse.
Your devoted friend,
Shannon Adair
Shannon folded the letter to her friend and was slipping it into the envelope when a soft rap sounded on her bedroom door. “Yes, Father,” she said, twisting on the chair.
The door opened a few inches. “May I come in?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t you think it’s time you told me what’s caused the trouble between you and Matthew?”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Wounds exposed to the light heal more quickly.”
“I’m sorry, Father.” She looked down at the envelope on the writing desk. “I’m not ready to talk about it.”
“I have the feeling he will keep trying to see you, Shannon. He doesn’t seem inclined to give up easily.”
“I hope you’re wrong.”
“Do you, my girl? I’m not convinced. Whatever he said or did, he seems determined to make it up to you. If what he’s done is a matter of integrity, then that’s one thing. But if it’s merely your hurt pride that is keeping you from hearing him out, that is keeping you from healing the rift between you, that is something else again. Pride is cold comfort, dear girl.”
She nodded, fighting tears, and was glad when she heard him take a step back and close the door.