Chapter 11

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1904

Carter studied the ledger and read the figures listed. Losing the train service was causing headaches for everyone, but trying to create a viable solution that wouldn’t eat away all the profits was making for a bigger one.

Freight service costs had gone up overnight. And no wonder. Roads would have to be worked on. More wagons were needed. The costs of hauling freight had to figure in the difficulty of the terrain, the speed in which the supplies needed to move, and the type of product being shipped. A freighter might have asked for anywhere between eight and ten dollars per hundred pounds. To move the same freight over land?

Those prices doubled and, in some cases, tripled.

His and Dad’s plan was strong. It was a huge investment, but the right one. Not just for them, but for the community. Everyone would have to rally together to keep Kalispell alive. Brunswick Farms and Mill would do their part. God had blessed them with so much, they could afford the wagons and teams. Things would be tight for a while, but they’d make it.

They had to.

Carter leaned back in his chair. It was nearly three o’clock. He might as well ride out to the farm and let his father know all the numbers. He grabbed his hat.

“Jack, I’m heading out to the farm.” He passed through the receiving room. “You have everything you need?”

“Everything under control. No problems. And I’ve got Bill here to help.” Jack nodded at the young man standing to his left.

Bill ducked his head, but Carter didn’t miss the way his chest puffed out a bit. It was good to see him growing in confidence around the mill. And to have someone to help Jack when Carter was away. “Well then, I’m definitely not needed.” He chuckled. “And before you remind me, I’ll check and see when Dad thinks he’ll be harvesting, and let you know tomorrow.”

Jack gave a nod, then turned back to instruct one of the men regarding something. Thank the Lord for Jack. The man had never let him down.

The walk to the livery wasn’t far, but the wind was chilly. June had come in with hotter temperatures than anticipated. But now things were cooling off with a little rain. Not enough to make trouble, however, and the spring melt was going slow due to the cooler days and nights. Hopefully the slow thaw wouldn’t result in flooding.

One day recently had gotten up to the seventies, but for the most part the temperatures stayed in the sixties during the day and forties at night. He grinned. How was Ellie Briggs enjoying camping up in the mountains? Her days and nights were no doubt a whole lot colder. He hoped they had planned accordingly.

Carter had heard at church that they were due back in a day or two. Mrs. Ashbury had told him that there would be a formal dinner held very soon after that and that he and his folks were invited. He really didn’t care much for dressing up, but the thought of seeing Ellie in all her finery gave him cause to look forward to the event. Mrs. Ashbury promised they would be seated together, too.

Carter smiled. The Judge’s wife loved to matchmake. And this time, he really didn’t mind. With any luck at all, maybe he’d get a chance to know Ellie Briggs and find out if she’d realized yet that she liked him.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1904

“It’s so good to have you back under our roof.” Marvella handed Eleanor a teacup and saucer. “You take it without cream, don’t you?”

“Yes, please.” Eleanor glanced around the room. It was lovely to be back in Kalispell. Though she would cherish the trip in many ways, it was a relief to have a private bathing space, her own bedroom, and even her serviceable skirts and blouses.

“So tell me everything. Was the trip worth the time for your father and George?”

“I believe so.” Eleanor held her cup steady while Mrs. Ashbury poured tea.

“And what was the most interesting thing that you discovered?”

Marvella took her seat and then poured her own tea while she waited for Eleanor’s response. Eleanor took a sip, savoring the rich flavor of the black tea, then rested the cup on the saucer. She wanted to bring up her father’s decision to remain in the area, but how to start?

Marvella held out a plate. “Cookie?”

Sir Theophilus, who had been sleeping in a most contented manner until that moment, perked up. He came bouncing across the room to jump and yip until Marvella emptied her hands and could take him in her arms.

“Before I talk about the trip, I did wish to speak to you about something else.” Eleanor took another sip of tea. “Father is considering settling here in Kalispell. He wants to get on with writing a book—his life’s work.”

“That would be wonderful!” Marvella seemed more than a little excited. “Oh, my dear, you could not ask for a better place to call home. Kalispell is picturesque, as you know, and the people are so kind. I know there are worries about the train services being removed, but between you and me, there will always be a way to come and go, and such things do not worry me. Once Louis Hill realizes the money to be made with a spur line between Whitefish and Kalispell, we’ll have regular service again. Until then, our men are capable of figuring a way to keep us moving. Never fear.”

“That wasn’t a real concern of mine. What I have seen of town seems pleasant and, like you, I don’t believe the people here will allow Kalispell to become a ghost town.”

“Mercy, no. We shall continue to thrive. And if you remain, it will be very beneficial to finding you a husband.”

“I wasn’t really concerned about that either.” She needed the older woman to focus on real estate for the moment. “I was hoping that you might have some properties in mind that we could consider for a home.”

“Oh, I surely do.” Marvella’s expression grew thoughtful as she considered the matter. Theophilus settled into her arms as if concentrating with her.

“There are three properties that come to mind right away. They aren’t very far from here. In fact, I could arrange for you to see all three as soon as you’d like. It will take nothing more than a word to the owners. They’re all good friends.”

Eleanor smiled. Perfect. Marvella would pave the way for them to settle and help take the panic out of trying to find a house to suit their needs. Normally, people who took control annoyed her, but in Marvella’s case, she couldn’t find fault. The woman enjoyed helping people, and even though her own agenda was often benefited, it was not done with any sort of malice or self-focus. “That sounds wonderful. I’m sure Father will be able to take a few hours to consider the possibilities.”

“All of the houses are spacious and have gardens and a carriage house. Of course, you’ll need a carriage and horses.”

“Of course.” Eleanor chuckled.

“However, if you are soon to marry, your father might not prefer a large estate.” She frowned and tapped her chin. “I don’t know of any smaller houses.”

“That’s all right. I don’t have a plan to marry right away. Even if you managed to find a good match.” She added the latter to keep the older woman from launching into a soliloquy regarding why Eleanor should be looking to wed immediately.

Marvella’s gaze fixed on Eleanor for a moment, as if she were about to do that very thing, then she seemed to think better of it. “The larger places are also far more fitting when considering company. No doubt you’ll be having plenty of visitors as your father writes his book and continues to help George with plans for the national park. At least for a time, he will want to be able to host guests and probably fundraisers.”

“Yes, you are right on that fact.” Perfect. That would keep Marvella’s focus off her marital state. “Father will want to have George come to stay, as well as others. There are many who have been helpful to him over the years, and I’m sure he’ll want to invite them to visit once we are settled.”

“You know, I just thought of the perfect house. It’s only two blocks away and has a little more land than most places. Given your father’s love of the land and plants and such, it would be perfect. The Hennessys own it, and she told me only two days ago that her husband’s health is failing and they need to move to a warmer climate. Let me get in touch with her immediately and arrange for you to see the place.”

“That sounds like just the thing, thank you! I’ll let Father know.” She got to her feet, which prompted Sir Theophilus to take notice. He lifted his head and wagged his tail, no doubt hoping for a little attention.

“Before you go, my dear. There’s one thing that has greatly troubled me. I’m generally not so remiss in my duties, but there were a variety of things that took my focus.”

Her tone seemed odd. “Whatever is wrong?” Eleanor reclaimed her seat. Having been gone for three weeks, she couldn’t imagine that she’d done anything to offend the poor woman.

“It’s just that, well, it is apparent that you and your father are struggling with your faith, and I believe that must be fixed straightaway.”

Eleanor almost choked on her tea. It was obvious? To whom? Why? “Well ... that is to say ... I...”

Marvella gave her a worried look. “I assure you that you can tell me about it. I’m the soul of discretion.”

“I wasn’t ... worried ... that you wouldn’t be.” Better choose her words carefully. “I won’t speak for my father, although I can say that he does believe in God. My mother was a strong believer.”

“Yes, you’ve told me that. And her loss is why you walked away from God?”

Straight to the point. An admirable trait. If there was anything Eleanor couldn’t stand, it was people who beat around the bush. “It was. I watched my mother suffer a terrible death, and yet her faith in a loving God never wavered.”

“You found that appalling.”

Heat rose in Eleanor’s chest. Stay calm ... “Of course I did. I saw nothing loving or kind about the way my mother died. It was stomach cancer, and she was in extreme pain. Even the medicines given to her by the doctor couldn’t help much.”

No doubt Marvella would now scold her for her tone. Or, even worse, defend God. Instead, the older woman fell silent, and when she raised her eyes to meet Eleanor’s gaze, tears glimmered there.

“That must have been so hard for you ... just a child.”

It took every bit of Eleanor’s self-control not to burst into tears herself. When she finally managed to speak, her voice was rough. “It was the worst thing I have ever known.” She shook her head. “Mother was so faithful to God. She told me there had to be a reason for her suffering ... but what reason could God have had to make a loving woman suffer such pain and misery?”

Marvella’s tender gaze brought Eleanor’s tirade to an end. After a moment, Marvella sighed. “Life in this world is full of sorrows to be sure. There is not only pain and suffering physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as well. Still, when we belong to God, we do not bear those things alone.”

But she had. “Mother said her faith was liberating, but I cannot see how that was true. She wasn’t spared the burdens of life, nor was she kept from the bondage of death.” Eleanor struggled to continue speaking. “How was any of that liberating?”

“Perhaps she spoke of the liberty that comes through knowing you will never truly face anything in life alone. Ellie, Satan has been given certain powers over this earth. Sin entered into a perfect place God created through the devil’s interference and mankind listening to his lies. The struggle has been going strong ever since. Satan even attempted to turn Jesus away from the truth through his temptations. Satan worked to turn Job away from God by taking everything Job loved. No doubt Satan would have loved to turn your mother away from her faith in God.”

“But why should Satan care?”

Marvella didn’t even pause for breath. Her words were fierce. “Because he hates God. He hates that God is love and shows mercy to His children. He hates more than anything that God gave mankind His Son to save us from eternal death. Folks tend to forget that there is a very real spiritual battle going on for your soul.”

What was she talking about? None of this made sense. “My soul? Why would Satan even care about my soul?”

“Because it’s one less that God gets if he wins it.”

“But I haven’t given my soul to Satan.” It was time to end this disturbing conversation, and yet ... she couldn’t. “The truth is, I haven’t given it to anybody.”

“By refusing to accept God’s free gift, you make a choice, my dear.”

Eleanor swallowed. How could that be possible? If she didn’t want to choose God, she was choosing the devil? What a horrible thought!

She needed to escape.

Her cup and saucer clattered as she put it on the table and stood. “Thank you for your help with the house, Mrs. Ashbury. I’ll let you know Father’s schedule.”

The older woman smiled and selected a cookie off the tray in front of her. “And you’ll consider what we discussed just now?”

Eleanor nodded and practically ran from the room.

Considerthat conversation?

She raced up the stairs as if her dress were on fire.

She’d hardly be able to think about anything else!