26

JUNE 1890

We are here today to open the new facilities for the indigent and homeless,” Brother Mitchell declared. “The church is proud to sponsor this endeavor, and with the funding and pledge of ongoing support from so many in the community, we feel confident that this shelter will offer hope and biblical counsel for all who seek its refuge. Pastor and Mrs. Ackerman will now cut the ribbon.”

Wade looked at Abrianna and handed her the scissors. She took them, and Wade closed his hand over hers as they cut the ribbon together. Cheers went up from the gathering of church congregants, members of the community, friends, and family. Perhaps the most unexpected attendee came in the form of Priam Welby’s father, Vernon Welby, who, upon hearing of his son’s grievous deeds, had come to Seattle on several occasions. First to see his son convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, and then to oversee the dissolution of the younger Welby’s holdings. He had even made a healthy contribution to the shelter, with the promise of regular support. Even more surprising was that he and Aunt Poisie seemed to have taken a liking to each other, and Abrianna couldn’t help but wonder if her aunt would soon find herself a married woman, after all.

“This is going to be a great help to our city.” The mayor stepped forward to offer Wade and Abrianna his congratulations. “I must say, Mrs. Ackerman, your devotion to the poor has put me to shame.”

“We all have our calling, Mayor. However, it is also our duty as Christians to see to the needs of the poor and orphaned.”

Just then, several of her beloved orphans appeared at her side. The eldest, Toby, had recently told Abrianna how he and the others had pooled their money to rent a small apartment. “Looks real good, Miss Abrianna,” Toby said, nodding toward the two-story building. “I’m thinkin’ folks will be real happy to stay here.”

“I think so.” She gazed at the brick structure with pride. “There’s room for everyone. Sleeping quarters for women and children only on the upper floor. Rooms for the men, as well as the dining hall and kitchen, on the first floor. I believe it will adequately serve the intended purpose.”

Toby smiled. “I know it will. Now nobody will have to sleep out in the cold and rain.” The other boys nodded, and their admiration of Abrianna was more than evident.

A couple of old sailors made their way to Abrianna and Wade. They pulled their caps from their heads and smiled. “This is a right good place, Miss Abrianna,” one of them declared.

“I’m so glad you like it. I hope it will be a haven for you and the others when they have nowhere else to go.”

“You’re wonderful, Miss Abrianna,” thirteen-year-old Bobby said, rushing her with a bear hug. “Now none of us will have to be afraid ever again.”

Her heart melted at his declaration. “No, you don’t have to be afraid. But please remember, I’m not wonderful. I’m just trying to be obedient to the calling God put on my heart. I haven’t done this because I’m a good person. It was and will continue to be a lot of work, but it isn’t about me, and I don’t want you putting me up on a pedestal.”

Bobby stepped back and nodded. “It’s about serving God and loving our fellowman.”

Abrianna was glad he remembered what she had been telling them all along. “It is, and I am very glad that you boys have all chosen to volunteer to help us. We wouldn’t be able to keep on top of a place this size without volunteers.”

Lenore and Kolbein came to offer their congratulations. Kolbein held their six-month-old son, Daniel Kolbein Booth. The boy looked a great deal like his father, with wavy brown hair that formed tiny ringlets near his neck.

“I can’t believe this day has finally come.” Abrianna couldn’t help but smile. “And I have you to thank as much as anyone. You have always believed in this cause, and I know God will bless you because of it.”

“He already has, Abrianna.” Kolbein smiled at Lenore.

“I’m so proud of you,” Lenore said, leaning to kiss Abrianna on the cheek. “You have remained faithful to what God wanted you to do.”

“I couldn’t have done it without all of you and, of course, without Wade.” Abrianna smiled at her husband. These past months together had proven one very important thing to her. Life was full of conflicts and ordeals, but they were much better borne with someone else.

Wade put his arm around Abrianna. “Don’t let her fool you. She didn’t need me at all. I’ve never seen anyone more organized and capable of commanding not only the city officials, but also the contractors and inspectors. Abrianna wouldn’t tolerate anyone slacking in their duties. She’s pretty amazing.”

“I’ll say,” Kolbein replied. “I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not met this beautiful redhead. But for her and the Madison Bridal School I might never have married Lenore.”

Wade extended his finger to Daniel, who quickly latched on with a squeal of delight. “He’s sure gotten big. Before you know it, he’ll be walking.”

“And then we’ll be in for it,” Kolbein said with a smile. “I’m certain he will be just as rambunctious as I was as a child. My mother used to regale me with stories of my adventures.”

“Well, before long,” Wade said, giving Abrianna a conspiratorial wink, “perhaps we can provide him with a playmate.”

Lenore’s eyes widened. “Are you . . . expecting?” she asked Abrianna.

Abrianna had looked forward to sharing the news with her dear friend and nodded. “We are. The baby should be born sometime around Daniel’s birthday.”

Lenore hugged her tightly. “Oh, what joy! Of course you will have a son, and he and Daniel shall be the best of friends.”

“It might be a girl,” Abrianna offered with a giggle. “And maybe they will grow up to fall in love and marry. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

“Amazing isn’t the word that comes to my mind,” Wade said with a moan. “I don’t want to even think of having to keep control on a miniature Abrianna.”

Kolbein laughed and gave Wade a slap on the back. Daniel tried to take that opportunity to lunge from his arms. “Oh no, you don’t,” Kolbein said, pulling Daniel back securely.

Lenore reached out and took the boy in her arms. “So long as you both deliver safely and remain in health, we shall be glad for either one. This is such a happy day.”

Abrianna caught Wade’s prideful gaze and felt her heart nearly burst with love. Her life was almost perfect, and gone were all those nagging doubts about whether their friendship would endure marriage and whether or not she might make an adequate wife.

“Look, your mother and father are motioning for us to join them,” Kolbein said to Lenore. “It looks like they have someone for us to meet.”

“Don’t they always? Father is so determined to see you as the next governor or senator of the state,” Lenore declared. She looked to Abrianna. “Please excuse us for now but promise me you’ll come to tea on Monday. We have a great deal to discuss and plan.”

“I will do my best,” Abrianna assured. “It will all depend on how busy we are here.”

Once they had gone, Abrianna wasn’t surprised to find Aunt Miriam and Aunt Selma had come to join them. “I presume you told them about the little one?” Aunt Miriam asked.

“Wade did, actually. I didn’t even have a chance.”

Wade shrugged. “I figure the father has just as much a right to be proud and make such announcements.”

“Indeed,” Aunt Miriam replied. She glanced around the grounds. “It would seem the shelter is a great success. There have been large donations made to the church for the funding of the day-to-day operations.”

“God will provide. He always has.” Abrianna felt a deep sense of joy in the assurance that God would always guide her so long as she allowed Him to.

Wade lowered his voice. “It would seem Miss Poisie is quite enthralled with Mr. Welby. I wonder if we will soon be enjoying a different kind of celebration.”

“It is possible,” Aunt Miriam said in her stoic manner. “However, we must first get through the annual ball this evening before we give ourselves over to too much thought on that account. Thankfully, Eloise has organized the girls to handle the decorating and refreshment preparation. Otherwise, with Poisie so clearly distracted and my rheumatism acting up, I’m afraid poor Selma would be on her own to see to all the details.”

“Not that I couldn’t manage if needed,” Aunt Selma replied, “but I am grateful to leave it in the hands of others. I find that having free time to explore some of my own interests, such as reading for pleasure, has been most beneficial.”

Abrianna stepped closer to her aunt. “I heard about an interesting novel called Kit and Kitty by R. D. Blackmore. The heroine is the daughter of a scientist.”

Aunt Selma shook her head. “That is certain to lead to sorrow.”

“But it’s a romantic story. Perhaps the hero helps her to overcome the negative influences of science.”

“I suppose I could look into it,” Aunt Selma replied. “I do enjoy a good love story.”

“Nevertheless,” Aunt Miriam interjected, “we are most blessed that your father and Eloise have taken on so much of the daily operations of the school. I find it far more enjoyable to teach a class or two and worry about little else. In the past few days—”

Several startled screams disrupted whatever Aunt Miriam was about to say as a soaking-wet Flora flew past them in a cacophony of squawking and barking. In her arms she battled two rather unhappy hens that flapped wildly against captivity. Behind her, causing equal distraction, were four rather worked-up mutts, who seemed to have an undue interest in the chickens.

Throwing an apologetic glance over her shoulders, Flora continued through the crowd with the barking dogs very nearly on her heels. Abrianna couldn’t help but giggle. Flora reminded her much too often of herself. She looked at Wade and could see he thought much the same.

“That girl is even more difficult to settle down than you were,” Aunt Miriam admitted. “It will be a long while before Miss Flora can be presented for courtship.” She shook her head, making a tsking sound.

“She is our greatest challenge,” Aunt Selma added. She looked to Abrianna. “I am so glad you left your wild ways behind you.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say she exactly left them behind her,” Wade said with a devilish gleam in his eyes. “Abrianna will always be given to her whims and wild ways. I find myself frequently having to keep an eye on her. She is constantly plotting and conniving to do something that she knows none of us would approve. Why, just the other day she—”

Abrianna pulled his face to hers and kissed him in a most public display. Aunt Miriam gasped, causing Abrianna to finally release Wade. She looked at her aunt with a shrug. “I’ve found this to be one of the best ways to shut him up when he tends to ramble on and on about things that are of no concern or interest to anyone but himself.” She smiled sweetly at Wade.

He drew her back into his arms and threw her aunts a wink. “I have found that being talkative has its rewards and intend to improve upon my oratory skills in the future.” He looked down on Abrianna. “So you should prepare yourself, Mrs. Ackerman. You may very well spend a great deal of time silencing me.”

“An arduous task, to be sure,” Abrianna said with a sigh, then happily yielded to her husband’s kiss.