Curled into the depths of a well-cushioned sofa, Beulah shut her book, smiling. Snow drifted upon the balcony outside her window, mounding on the railings like fine white sugar. Closing her eyes, she sighed in contentment. Thank You, Lord. Married life is better than I ever imagined.
The Van Huysens had opted to stay in one of the older hotels in the city. Its old-fashioned splendor was sufficient to please Beulah without overwhelming her. At times, especially around the holidays, she had suffered pangs of homesickness. But Myles’s adoration, combined with the knowledge that this tour was temporary, soothed her occasional feelings of inadequacy and loneliness.
She slipped a letter from inside the book cover. There on the envelope her new name, “Mrs. Myles Van Huysen,” was written in Mama’s neat script. Beulah ran her finger over the words. She was eager to share family news with Myles that night after the concert. He was currently at the theater, practicing.
“Beulah?” A familiar voice called from outside the hotel door. Virginia did not believe in knocking. Beulah hurried to let in her new grandmother.
Virginia bustled into the room, her arms filled with packages. “I’ve been shopping. Wish you had come with me, but I still managed to spend a good deal. I want you to try this on.” After dropping several boxes upon a table, she shoved the largest in Beulah’s direction.
“What have you done, Gram?” Beulah chuckled. “What will Myles say?”
“I don’t care what that boy might say. It’s my money, and I’ll spend it as I like.” Spying the letter in Beulah’s hand, she said, “So you’ve heard from your mother again? How is everyone back home?”
The crisp inquiry warmed Beulah’s heart. She kissed Virginia’s cheek. “I love you, Gram. Mama says to tell you ‘hello.’ They are all well. Daniel is pulling up to stand beside furniture now. Sheriff Boz and Miss Amelia have set February fourteenth as their wedding day, so we should be home in time for the wedding. Um, let’s see…Eunice found homes for all four of Pushy’s kittens. Mama and Papa are letting her keep the black one, Miss Amelia chose the black and white girl, and Mr. Thwaite picked the gray boy. Believe it or not, Al decided to take the black one with white feet! After all his teasing Myles about liking cats, he now has a pet cat of his own.”
“That’s so nice, dear.” Virginia smiled fondly at the girl. “Only a few days now until we’ll all be on the train headed for Wisconsin.”
“Will you be sorry to leave New York? You must miss your old house. Didn’t it hurt to see strangers take it over?”
Virginia pursed her lips and gazed through the window at blowing snow. “For many years now New York has not seemed like home. Ever since the boys left me, I’ve been a lonely soul. My friends are all gone, and sometimes when I walked around that old house, I missed my dear husband, Edwin, so much…. I could picture John and Gwendolyn chasing up and down the stairs—they were our only children, you know. John was killed in the war, and Gwen died of cholera at age fifteen.”
Shaking her head, she said firmly, “Dwelling in the past is detrimental to one’s mental and spiritual health. Now I have Myles, you, and many friends in Longtree.” Her expression brightened. “My life is in the future now. First in Wisconsin, then in heaven!”
Seeing Beulah dab at a tear, she started back into action. “Now take these boxes and try on the gown. It’s only a short time ’til we must leave for the theater. Don’t want to be late! I had a note from Mr. Poole this morning—he will be at the concert tonight. The man seems to take personal pleasure in Myles’s success, which is not too strange considering his role in the boy’s return to the stage. I hear it’s another sold-out house. Myles’s agent has been begging him to reconsider and stay on permanently.”
Arms loaded with boxes, Beulah turned back to grin. “Poor man! He hasn’t a chance against Cyrus Thwaite’s farm.”
Beulah perched on the edge of her seat, absently fanning herself. Her emerald taffeta evening gown rustled with every movement, but it was impossible to keep entirely still.
“Hard to believe it’s snowing outside, isn’t it?” Virginia leaned over to ask. She smoothed a bit of lace on Beulah’s shoulder and smiled approval.
Beulah nodded in reply. The old lady’s whispers were sometimes louder than she intended. Myles was singing a heart-wrenching aria from Aida, and Beulah wanted to listen.
“Hard to believe this is the last week of Myles’s tour,” Virginia commented a few minutes later while Myles performed Schumann’s A Minor Piano Concerto. Again, Beulah nodded briefly.
After weeks of attending her husband’s concerts, she still had not tired of hearing him sing and play. Each night Myles varied his repertoire. Always he sang opera, usually Verdi or Mozart; often he performed a few ballads and popular songs; most nights he took requests from the audience. Beulah’s favorite part of each performance was discovering which hymn he would choose for his finale.
Tonight he sang “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Beulah closed her eyes to listen without distraction. No matter how cross, irritating, or obstinate Myles might have been during the day, each night she fell in love with him all over again. He was so handsome, charming, and irresistible up on that stage!
“I think I’ll head home now, dear,” Virginia said while Myles took his bow.
Beulah stopped clapping long enough to return the old lady’s kiss. “Thank you so much for this marvelous dress, and the gloves, and the reticule, and everything! Your taste is exquisite. You are too good to me.” Beulah smoothed the ruffles on her bouffant skirt.
“Child, it was my pleasure. I trust Myles will approve. I hope you know how thankful I am to have you for a granddaughter. Myles has excellent taste, too. Good night.” She patted Beulah’s cheek and bustled away. Although Myles often requested her to let him escort her home, Virginia maintained independence, insisting that she was perfectly capable of hailing a cab and returning alone to the hotel.
As soon as the red velvet curtain fell, Beulah gathered her things and hurried backstage. Myles waited for her in his dressing room, smiling in welcome.
“Do you like it?” Beulah twirled in place. “Gram bought it for me. Isn’t she wonderful? Not that I’ll find much use for an evening gown back in Longtree. Gram fixed my hair, too.”
Myles’s eyes glowed. “You are beautiful, my Beulah. More than any man deserves.” His voice was slightly hoarse.
When he closed the door behind her, Beulah wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed him. “Thank you, thank you for bringing me with you to New York. I wouldn’t have missed this experience for the world,” she murmured against his lips.
“You say that every night,” he chuckled, pressing her slender form close.
“And every night I mean it,” she insisted. Framing his face with her hands, she studied each feature. “Sometimes I miss your beard, but I do love how your face feels right after you shave.”
“You’re standing on my feet.” He rubbed his smooth cheek against hers.
“That way I’m taller.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss him.
He took her by the waist and lifted her off his feet. “How about if I bend over instead? These shoes were expensive, and my toes are irreplaceable.” Smiling, he kissed her pouting lips.
Consoled, Beulah snuggled against him. “Darling, sometimes I don’t want this honeymoon to end; other times I want so much to be back in Longtree, setting up our new home. But it will be hard to return to ordinary life after all this glitter and glamour.”
“This has been a marvelous honeymoon tour, but I think we would soon tire of such a hectic lifestyle. Think of snowball fights, ice-skating on the beaver pond, and toasting chestnuts. We need to hike up the stream and visit our waterfall while it’s frozen.”
“And I am looking forward to experiencing everyday things as your wife,” Beulah added. “Cooking breakfast for you in our own kitchen, washing your laundry, collecting eggs from our own chickens.”
Myles hugged her close and rocked her back and forth. Secure in his arms, Beulah felt entirely loved.
“Yes, each day offers its own pleasures,” he mused aloud. “Be content with the joys of today, darling. This tour has been successful beyond my wildest dreams. I know God paved the way, and I’m sure we can trust Him to plan the rest of our future as well. We’re making memories right now that we’ll treasure for the rest of our lives. God is very good.”