The next three days were a time of joy and laughter for Sean and his father. They talked almost nonstop. Sean learned of his sisters’ activities and those of his beloved nieces. Aunt Maureen had sent her love also, and Sean had even taken time to write to her.
Patrick also spent time getting to know his daughter-in-law, and joined the family with renewed purpose in prayers for her salvation. But it was obvious that something had changed between husband and wife.
That Charlie was trying to give Patrick and Sean time together was clear, but she seemed to be doing so at the expense of her own marriage. Patrick said as much to Sean one evening when they were alone in the living room.
“It’s time for me to go, Sean.”
“So soon?”
Patrick nodded. “It is soon, but my presence is not helping your marriage, and I think that needs to be a priority right now.”
Sean’s face was a mask of confusion. Finally he spoke. “She seems to have drawn farther away from me every day you’ve been here, and yet I know she likes you.”
“Have you had a chance to ask her about it, like when you retire for the night?”
Sean hesitated for only a moment. “We don’t share a bedroom.”
Patrick was not surprised at the lack of intimacy in the marriage. He had been happily, intimately, married for over 20 years himself, and he knew the signs. He had seen Sean touch Charlie, but they never looked at each other the way Rigg and Katie did—in a way that told how one found the other to be wonderful and desirable.
Patrick decided to keep most of his thoughts to himself, and when he spoke his look was kindness itself. “You’re nearly strangers, Sean, but I can see she cares for you, and unless I miss my guess, you’re in love with her.”
“You’re right. I do think I’m in love, but how can I be?” Sean voiced the question that would not leave his mind. “As you said, we’re practically strangers.”
“I’ve always believed that love can happen very fast. Believe me, love is what gives a marriage joy, but the factor that’s going to stand the test of time is your—”
“Commitment,” Sean finished for his father, and Patrick’s eyes grew suspiciously wet.
“Yes, commitment. Some people feel this is some sort of duty, but in fact it gives a marriage very real stability.” They talked for the next hour and then spent another hour in prayer.
Sean went to bed in a quandary of emotions, at peace with God and his father, but saddened to see the parent he had come to love all over again leave. He knew Patrick planned to tell Charlie the next day that he would be leaving the day after.
Suddenly Sean didn’t feel quite so sad. He was more than ready to work on his relationship with his wife, and his father was right—his presence was something of a hindrance. If only he and Charlie had already come to the point of conversing as husband and wife should, Sean would have felt on more stable ground. As it was, he felt only confusion.
Charlie had constantly put Sean and his father together as though she approved of the relationship, and yet she suddenly seemed to disapprove of Sean. The smiles he had begun to see more and more frequently had disappeared altogether, and in the evenings when they had some time to work on the reading, Charlie would take herself off to her room and not come out before morning.
Sean prayed about the time he could approach Charlie, wanting desperately to lean on God for this. He fell asleep as he always did, asking God to bring his wife to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
“I really would like to pay you for the room and board.”
“I won’t even discuss it with you,” Sadie told Patrick in a no-nonsense voice. “You’re Charlie’s father-in-law, and that makes you family. I don’t charge family.”
Sadie’s hands were on her hips, her eyes daring Patrick to argue with her. Patrick eyed her for just a moment before he spoke graciously.
“Then I thank you, Sadie, for your hospitality.”
“You’re welcome,” Sadie told him simply and turned away, looking for something to do with her hands. He was the most handsome man she had seen in years, and for some reason, Sadie felt a bit flustered in his presence. But flustered or not, she felt it was a pity he had to leave.
Sadie’s wayward thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Sean and Charlie. They were there to walk Patrick to the train station. Patrick, his manner once again quiet and gracious, thanked Sadie for the last time. He was unaware of the way she stood in front of the boardinghouse and watched him leave.
“Charlotte, I can’t thank you enough,” Patrick said as he pulled his daughter-in-law into his sturdy embrace. The walk to the train station had been very quiet. Charlie realized in that instant how much she’d come to care for her husband’s father.
“Do you really need to leave?” she asked in all sincerity.
“I’m afraid so. Taking the afternoon train like this will make for a long evening and a sleepless night, but I really must be on my way. I’ll write, and you know I’ll be praying for you.”
The words made Charlie feel like crying, and she nearly broke down as she watched Patrick and Sean embrace unashamedly for long moments. She moved a few yards down the platform to give them some time alone.
“I know that God is going to do mighty things in your life, Sean, and I believe one of the first will be the salvation of your wife.” Patrick’s voice was low, but Sean caught every word.
“I’m praying you’re right.”
“Pray believing, Sean.” Patrick spoke with conviction. “God loves her more than you do, and nothing would give Him greater joy than to bring Charlotte to Himself.”
Sean wondered how he’d gotten along for so many years without this man. The thought caused him to put his arms around his father once again.
The next few minutes passed in a flurry of activity as last-minute passengers boarded and the final whistle blew. Patrick hugged his beloved children one last time, and they stood waving after he boarded and until the train was out of sight.
Both husband and wife were very quiet as they headed home for the evening. They were done working for the day, but the hour wasn’t at all late. Sean’s thoughts turned to his marriage, and he hoped they might be able to talk as soon as they were home. Charlie, however, surprised him and put an immediate stop to any such plans.
Just as they approached the back of the livery, Sean watched Charlie veer off.
“I’ve got some things I need to do in the livery, Sean.”
The young husband was so surprised that he didn’t speak for a few seconds. “Is there something I can help with?” he finally asked.
“No,” Charlie answered a little too emphatically as she moved toward the barn. “I’ll be in later.”
Sean didn’t have a clue as to what he should say to that, so he stood still until she disappeared into the rear door of the livery. He spent a few moments in prayer before turning and going on to the house.