Chapter
25

Arm in arm, Hope and Mercy walked to the house, where Grace anxiously waited. When she saw Mercy, she ran across the lawn to greet her and crushed her in a fierce hug.

“I feared I’d never see you again.” For several minutes, Grace did nothing but hold her.

“You’re going to squeeze the life out of her, Grace,” Uncle Edward finally said, coming up behind them.

Grace released her hold and stepped back. “I’m just so glad you’re all right. I kept worrying that I sent you off to your death.”

“You didn’t send me anywhere. I’m a grown woman capable of making my own decisions.” Mercy fixed her sister with a look that dared her to refute that statement. Uncle Edward laughed heartily, and even Hope had to smile.

Grace gave a reluctant nod. “I suppose you are. And married! How could you go off and have a wedding without us?”

“I knew I’d never hear the end of that.” Mercy crossed her arms. “We exchanged vows on the steamer as the sun set over the ocean. It was very beautiful and romantic, even if we were starving and filthy from the siege.”

“And you love him?” Grace asked.

Mercy rolled her eyes. “I think you know me well enough to know I wouldn’t marry for any other reason. Yes, I love him. I love him dearly. He’s all I could ever want in a husband. Kind and considerate, generous and wise, and He loves God.”

Grace’s expression relaxed. “I’m so glad. When Eletta told me she intended for the two of you to meet and fall in love, I didn’t dare say anything about it.” She put her hand to her mouth with a gasp and then lowered it slowly. “Oh no, I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

“Faith already spilled the beans, and it’s all right. I’m glad, in this instance, that someone was planning out my life.”

Grace glanced toward their uncle. “He said you left Faith and Adam in town. He said there was a very good reason, but he wouldn’t say what it was.” Her green eyes narrowed. “Who’s going to tell me?”

“I will,” Hope answered. “Mercy wanted to see us first. She wanted me to know that Faith realizes I’m her mother.”

“What?” Grace looked from one sister to the other. “How?”

“I’ll explain later,” Hope said. “Given the hour, I’m sure Mercy and Uncle Edward want to get back to town.”

Mercy glanced at her uncle. “We’ll come back in the morning. Uncle Edward gave us his cabin to use tonight. Tomorrow we’ll come to the farm with everyone, and you can all get to know each other.” She smiled. “I think you’ll be very pleased.”

The ride back into town was easier on Mercy’s conscience. Now that things were cleared up with Hope, she’d rest much easier that night.

“I’m glad things went well,” Uncle Edward said as they approached the town.

“I am too. More than I can say. I never wanted either Faith or Hope hurt in this matter.”

“I can tell you have something on your mind, though.”

“I do. I’m praying about it and hope you will as well.”

He glanced over. “And what is it I’m to pray about?”

“Hope accepting Faith into her family as her daughter.”

“I’ll pray God’s will in the matter, but this won’t be easy, no matter the decision.”

“I know.” A light rain began to fall, and Mercy rubbed her hands together to ward off the damp chill. “I’ve been praying about it a lot already, and I’ll continue to pray. But I think they belong together. They share so much that they don’t even realize.”

“I’m sure that’s true, Mercy, but you can’t force it.”

“I won’t. Faith will always have a home with me and Adam, and if Hope needs more time to come to terms with this, then she’ll go on living with us.”

Uncle Edward looked ahead to the road. “I’ll definitely be praying. Ain’t never known anything that wasn’t made better by prayer.”

Back in Oregon City, Mina insisted Mercy come inside and eat supper before they returned to the cabin. “I won’t have it said that any of my guests went hungry,” she told Mercy as she served her a plate. “I kept this warm for you.” She straightened and smiled at her husband. “And I kept two plates warm for you.”

He rubbed his stomach. “Good. I’m starved. All this rescuing of wayward relatives has given me a big appetite.” He sat at the table as Mina went to the kitchen for his food. “Adam, I hope you’re always as happily married as I have been.”

Adam had taken the seat opposite Mercy. He held a cup of coffee and met Mercy’s gaze with a smile. “I’m sure we will be. We’ve already had so much conflict and trouble that the rest of our lives will be calm and serene.”

Edward laughed. “If you say so.”

Mercy looked around the room. “Where’s Faith?”

“She’s upstairs with the children,” Mina answered. “She’s quite smitten with the baby and Maribelle. In fact, she asked me if she could stay with us tonight. I assured her it was all right with us, but we would have to talk to you and Adam.”

Mercy shrugged and looked to Adam. He merely raised a brow as though it were entirely up to her. She lost herself for a moment in his eyes. “I’m sure . . .” She shook loose of Adam’s gaze. “I’m sure she’s delighted to be with children again. I think that’s fine. Adam and I can just walk here from the cabin in the morning to collect her, then make our way to the farm.”

“First you’ll have breakfast with us,” Mina declared. “Then you may go.”

“You might as well not protest,” Edward threw out. “Mina is used to having her way.”

There were chuckles all around the table. Mercy sighed happily. It was so good to be with her family again.

It wasn’t long after that when Faith skipped into the room with Maribelle doing her best to keep up. “Did you ask them?” she questioned Mina in a conspiratorial tone.

“Did do ask dem?” Maribelle did her best to mimic.

“I did, and they agreed you could stay,” Mina replied.

Faith’s face lit up. “Did you hear that, Mari? I get to stay tonight.” The little girl clapped her hands while Faith went to Mercy and nearly choked her with a hug. “Thank you.” She let go, then leaned down to whisper in Mercy’s ear. “Did you tell my first mama about me?”

“I did.” Mercy touched Faith’s cheek. “She’s looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.”

Faith’s eyes widened. “Truly?”

Mercy smiled and nodded. “Truly.”

An hour later, after bidding her aunt and uncle good night, Mercy looped her arm through Adam’s as they walked back to the cabin. The rain had stopped, but it left a definite chill to the air.

“I wonder if you’ve realized something,” Adam said after they’d walked nearly half the distance in silence.

“What?” Mercy snuggled closer.

“This is our first night alone.”

She straightened and stopped midstep. She felt her heart skip a beat. “No. I hadn’t even thought of that.”

He put his arm around her. “It’s all I’ve been able to think about since Mina announced that Faith wanted to stay the night with them.”

Mercy couldn’t think of anything to say. She wasn’t completely unaware of what this night would mean to them, but she suddenly felt shy.

He cupped her chin and tilted her face upward. “It’s been worth the wait. Now I have you all to myself, and we have the entire night together.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

For a moment, Mercy forgot all about where they were. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. The warmth of his touch spread like wildfire through her body as the kiss deepened. The wonder of the moment filled her mind with all sorts of thoughts and feelings that until now she’d not allowed herself to consider. Intermingled with those thoughts, however, came the realization that they were kissing in plain sight of anyone who cared to watch.

She quickly pulled away. “Goodness, you made me forget my upbringing. I won’t have it gossiped that we were spooning and making moon eyes at each other in the middle of Main Street. Let’s go, unless you mean to stay here all night.” She started down the street, doing her best to keep her wits about her. All she could really think about was the man behind her and the love she bore him.

Adam easily caught up with her and pulled her hand through the crook of his elbow. “You can be a bossy little thing at times.”

She laughed at his teasing. “Only when I’m determined to have my way.”

“I see. Well, since our thoughts are obviously leaning in the same direction, I suppose I can overlook it this time.”

“Are you all right?” Lance asked Hope. “I’ve been worried about you ever since you told me what Mercy had to say.”

“I’m fine.” She sat looking in the mirror as she combed out her long brown hair. Lance stood behind her with an expression of grave concern. She put the brush down and turned. “Really, I’m fine. I don’t know how things will be tomorrow or what I’ll say to . . . Faith, but I feel strangely at peace.”

He pulled a chair close and sat down. “As long as you’re sure.”

She looked past him, fixing her gaze on the bedside lamp. Flickers from the flame caused shadows to dance along the wall. Not far from her bed, Eddie slept soundly in his cradle, while Sean was in the room next door. How she loved her little family. They meant so much to her. Could she risk their happiness by including Faith?

“I’m not sure about anything except that God is in control of everything, and therefore I have to rest in that and trust Him for the outcome.”

“I’d do anything to keep you from reliving the pain you went through.” He took her hands. “Anything.”

She looked into his eyes. “I know you would, and I love you for that. Sometimes I think you’re the only person who truly knows me. We have no secrets, you and I. I can’t say that about anyone else.”

“I pray you never feel the need to keep things from me.”

“You’ve seen me at my worst, when I was about to shoot Tomahas. I can’t imagine there could be anything quite so bad after that.”

“That wasn’t your worst—it was one of your better moments, Hope. You came face-to-face with the man who had killed your friends and taken your innocence, and you didn’t kill him. That took a lot of courage.” He smiled, and for a moment Hope could only sigh.

“This is going to take even more courage,” she finally whispered. “I want it to happen—I really do. I didn’t want Faith to know who I was just yet, but now it seems wiser that we meet on an even footing. Still, I can’t help worrying about how it might affect our family.”

“Just remember, nothing has to change unless you want it to. I will support your decision no matter what and never think less of you for your choice. If you want to raise Faith as our own, I will do that. But if you find you cannot, I will understand and abide by that as well.”

“Thank you.” Hope stood, and Lance did likewise. She put her arms around his waist. “I love you very much.”

Lance pulled her close, and Hope laid her head against his chest and listened for the steady beat of his heart. So many times she had done this when she was afraid. It always offered comfort and reassurance.

“You are my life, Hope. Nothing would make sense in this world without you.”

Mercy could feel Faith trembling as she presented the child to her extended family. Leaning down, she whispered, “Don’t be afraid. They already love you.” She straightened and smiled. “And this is Faith.”

Faith looked around the room at the gathering of people and then looked back to Mercy and Adam. “There’s a lot of people. Are they all part of the family?”

“They are.” Mercy took Faith’s hand and led her to Grace. “This is my sister Grace and her husband, Alex.”

The couple smiled, and Grace bent down. “I’m very glad to meet you, Faith. These are our children, Gabe and Nancy. Our baby James is sleeping just now, but you can meet him when he wakes up.”

“I’m five,” Gabe said, coming close. “How old are you?”

“I’m seven.” Faith sized him up. “Can you read?”

Gabe nodded. “My mama said it was important to know how to read.”

“It is. I love to read.”

Shy Nancy peeked out from behind her brother. She watched Faith with dark eyes that seemed to miss nothing.

Mercy knelt and held out her arms to Nancy. “Surely you haven’t forgotten me.”

Nancy considered Mercy for a moment, then skittered behind Alex. She took hold of his leg and peered around him.

Mercy shook her head. “Well, that’s what I get for going away.”

“I remember you, Aunt Mercy!” Gabe threw himself at her so quickly that Mercy fell backward and landed with a thud on her backside. Everyone laughed, including Mercy.

“I’d forgotten how strong you are, Mr. Gabe!” She hugged him close, then got to her feet with Adam’s help.

Faith was already looking across the room to where Hope waited with baby Eddie in her arms. It was clear that Faith realized who she was, so Mercy took her hand and led her to her mother. Hope handed the infant to Lance and smiled.

Slowly, as if fearing she’d frighten Faith, Hope sank to her knees. For a moment, the two just looked at each other as if trying to figure out what to say. A hush blanketed the room, and even the children were silent.

Mercy felt Adam come up behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders as if to give her strength.

Finally, Faith spoke. “You’re my first mama, aren’t you?”

Hope nodded. “I am, and I’m very glad you’ve come to see me.”

Adam found Mercy standing by one of the rail fences, looking out across a field of peacefully grazing sheep. The evening air was chilly, but she hadn’t thought to bring a wrap, so Adam pulled off his coat and put it around her shoulders.

“Out here contemplating the events of the day?” he asked.

She turned, pulling the coat close as she did. “I am. I think things went well, don’t you?”

He pushed back an errant strand of her brown hair. “I do. I think everything is going to be all right.”

She nodded. “It felt like all the pieces were finally in place.”

“Do you think Hope will be able to love her?”

“I think so. I know Faith already loves her and the rest of the family. She seemed so happy this evening, playing with all the children. It’s like she should have always been a part of us.”

“Yes. I can see that too.” Adam studied her face for a moment. “You know, I can never get enough of you. Those beautiful turquoise eyes have captivated me from the beginning. Do you suppose our children might have eyes that color?”

“It’s possible. Look at Faith, she has blue eyes just like Hope.” Mercy smiled. “But I wouldn’t mind if our children had dark hazel eyes like yours. I think they’re very handsome. They’ve always made me feel as if you could look past all my pretenses and see the truth in my heart.”

“I’ve never known you to put on pretenses. You’ve always just said what you were thinking.”

“I suppose that’s true, but I haven’t always wanted to reveal my feelings. Like when I first realized I was smitten with you. I thought it was a bad idea to fall in love with a man I hardly knew.”

Adam chuckled. “Some things are just meant to be.”

“I was just thinking about that before you came.” She looked back at the field. “I spent a lot of time out there praying and thinking about life and what I wanted. I thought about the past and all that had happened. There are so many things I wish might have been different, but then I wonder—if they were different, would everything I know and love now also be altered?”

“I’ve contemplated the same thing. While there were a great many difficulties and some deeply felt pain in my past, I wouldn’t risk what I have now by altering what happened then.”

Mercy nodded. “Nor would I. Even the attack at Whitman’s, because had it not happened, Faith wouldn’t exist. I can’t imagine my life without her in it.”

“Will you be able to part with her if Hope decides to raise her?”

“I’m not pretending it will be easy, but I remind myself that she’ll still be a part of our family. Even if we do go to Grand Ronde, it’s not so far away that we won’t be able to come back here for visits.”

“True enough.” Adam pulled her into his arms. “Besides, by then we might have some of those babies with turquoise blue eyes, and you’ll be far too busy to miss Faith.”

Mercy lifted her face to him. “I hope we have a lot of children together, Adam. I think you’ll be an amazing father.”

“And I know you’ll be the perfect mother.” He gave her a chaste kiss, then turned her loose. “I nearly forgot why I came out here in the first place. Grace said supper is ready.”

Mercy looped her arm through his. “Then we’d best get back. Grace runs a very orderly house. She’ll soon be bossing you around with the rest of us—making you take your morning vinegar and drink plenty of boiled water. You will find her in every detail of your day.”

Adam laughed. “So long as you’re there beside me, I can bear up under just about anything.”