Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) (36 page)

"But Joey, I want you to listen to me very carefully. I wouldn't have known that about the Lord if I hadn't made a decision to trust Him for my salvation when I was young. When I was about your age, I understood that I needed a Savior. Without my believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, I would go to hell. I didn't want to go to hell, Joey, I wanted to live forever with God.

"I was sick with grief right after my husband died but God reminded me of His love and that changed everything inside of me. I was no longer afraid or believed I'd been deserted. I knew that God loved me and died for me and that meant there was nothing more to fear. Not being alone, not dying, nothing.

"Joey, do you have that peace, that special quiet inside of you because you know God is your Savior? Have you faced God and confessed your need for a Savior?"

There were tears puddling in Joey's eyes as he shook his head no. She went on to ask him if he wanted to pray right at the table. He then voiced his second fear.

"But what if Pa never believes in Jesus?"

"Oh, honey, I can't promise you that he will. But I do know that you are not responsible for your father. When you stand before God, He's not going to say to you, 'Joey, why didn't you save your father?' Only God can take care of that and right now the best thing you can do for your father is to trust God yourself.

"God died for your father too, and he might see the change in you and want that change for himself. But even if that doesn't happen-"

"I'd still be God's child," Joey broke in and May nodded, her own eyes beginning to fill.

The people in the room watched in awe as Joey looked up at the ceiling with his eyes wide open. His voice was clear and without hesitation as he spoke to God.

"I know You're up there. I've known it for a long time. I'm ready now to be Yours, if You still want me. I'm ready for You to take away my sins and live in my heart."

The look on Joey's face was indescribable. The peace of God had descended upon this small child and there was almost a visible difference. He didn't say anything for a few minutes and all in attendance found themselves afraid to breathe. Rigg, May, and Kate were in the kitchen with him. Just out of sight in the living room, sat Sean, Marcail, Jeff, Nate and Gil.

"Can I tell Marcail?" Joey finally asked. 'And Sean too?"

"That's a wonderful idea Joey," May said. "They're in the living room; go right in. Then maybe you'll want to go in and tell your father what's happened." Joey nodded and left the kitchen.

Upon Joey's departure, Kate surrendered to the battle with her tears. She and May embraced for a long time and when they broke apart, Rigg hugged his mother.

"Thanks for stepping in Mom."

May's smile was still watery but her face was radiant as she made her way to the back stairway. As soon as she left, Kate and Rigg began to pray for the man to whom Bill was ministering. They both had a premonition that there would be a long road ahead for all of them when it came to Parker and his attempts to bury the past and present in drink.

fifty-five

Parker was sitting at the table eating when Rigg and Kaitlin left the farm. Joey was beside him and, as Kate thought back, she wondered if she would ever forget the poignant scene of Joey telling his father he'd trusted in Christ.

Parker had stared at his son for a long time before nodding and going back to his plate. Parker, with his forehead bandaged and wearing clean clothes, looked like a new man. Kate found herself praying that he would soon understand that he needed to be clean on the inside, too.

Sean did not have to work the next day but May did. So, thinking Sean might like the change of pace, May asked Sean to stay at the farm the next day so he and Nate could care for Marcail.

Rigg thoroughly enjoyed having Kate to himself for a few minutes and told her so.

"I like it too," she admitted softly.

"How are you feeling about Burt Kemp's offer?"

Kaitlin immediately remembered Sean's words about discussing that subject with Rigg if she was going to make Santa Rosa her permanent home. The thought made her blush, turning her face a fiery red, so red that Rigg noticed in the gathering dusk.

"You're blushing." He stated the obvious as he lifted her down from the wagon. He dipped his head to look her in the eye since she wouldn't raise her gaze to his. "What did I say?"

Kaitlin didn't answer him.

"Let me see." Rigg spoke quietly and continued to watch her. "My last words were about Burt's offer-oh! There she goes again."

Kate hated her lack of self-control as her face began to heat all over again. She wished it had been darker when they arrived back at the house.

"Please don't tease me Rigg." The words were spoken softly and Rigg took both her hands in his own as they faced each other.

"I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me."

Kate was silent for a moment. She could feel Rigg's eyes on her but kept her face averted. Finally, "May I ask you -a question?"

"Sure."

"What would you do in my place?"

"I can't tell you what to do Katie."

"No, I guess you can't but you must have some feelings about it. I'm just asking you to share those with me."

"All right. Answer some questions for me. What do you want to do, teach or work at the store?"

"I love teaching but I think I might like working in your office just a little more, but then I feel guilty because I know they need a teacher. I also have guilt because you hired me and I can't just walk out on that job. And if Father returns I'll probably have to quit, no matter what position I take."

"But you need work now. And don't feel guilty on my behalf. Do what you feel the Lord would have you do. I'll be praying that you'll know His will and follow it."

"Thanks Rigg."

They stood for a moment longer and then Rigg bent and placed a soft kiss on Kaitlin's forehead. Her heart nearly burst at his tenderness. But she wasn't prepared for his next words.

"Kaitlin, I'm in love with you." The words, spoken in Rigg's soft, deep voice, were humble and sincere.

"Oh, Rigg." Kate breathed, wanting to tell him of her love also but being so unsure of her future, she held back. "If only I knew-"

"Shhh." Rigg's voice was gentle as he stopped her. "You don't need to say anything. But I wanted you to know how I felt and I also want you to be secure in my love, not intimidated by it."

Once again Rigg kissed her brow and then placed his arms around her. Kate held tightly to him, thinking that nothing had ever felt so-wonderful.-

We need to be together, she told the Lord as Rigg pulled away from her and climbed into the wagon. He loves me and I love him. I've prayed so long to know Your will. Show us Lord, show us Your path for our lives. Give us Your blessing heavenly Father, to build a marriage in You.

As though he could read Kate's mind, Rigg prayed as he drove home. He too longed to be with her and felt it was God's will. He also knew what a weighty thing it was for Kate not to hear from her father. Rigg sternly told himself that he needed to bide his time in pursuing her. In the light of his belief that it was God's will they be together, he needed to wait for God's timing.

"I'm completely caught up on the past books, Rigg. Would you like me to start on this month?" It was Friday afternoon, and Kate and Rigg were in the office.

The week had sped by. Burt Kemp had checked with Kaitlin one more time but again she had put him off. It was as though her life hung in the balance until she heard from her father.

Rigg told Kate she could go home for the day and plan to start the next journal on Saturday. As she'd done every day that week, she headed to the post office. Today was different; today there was a letter from Father.

Kate noticed that, for the first time, it was addressed to her alone. She clutched it to her chest and hurried home. Kate prayed as she sat alone at her small kitchen table and asked God for help in dealing with the contents of the letter.

My darling Kate,

I write to you today with a bittersweet feeling in my heart. Bitter, because I'm so far from you at this wonderful time when you've fallen in love, and sweet, because I know-I remember so well how you are feeling.

Katie, I can't urge you strongly enough to follow God and your heart. If this young man desires you for a wife and you know that to be God's will, do not hesitate.

My words may surprise you, but your mother and I talked about the possibility of you meeting someone on our furlough and not returning to Hawaii with us. We both wondered how we would ever survive the separation but a child is not meant to live with her parents forever. Your desire to want a husband and a home of your own is completely normal. We would never have stood in your way.

Now, I'll admit to you that I always assumed I would know the young man, but you've introduced him in your letters, as have Sean and Marcail. And I will make this request: If he does want to marry you, that he write and ask me. I don't expect you to hold your plans until I reply. In fact, Marshall can tell me the date in his letter, but I would like this small courtesy if he's sincere about marrying my precious Katie.

If things have not progressed this far in your relationship, let me know. But I think now is a good time to warn you that I'll not be coming in the fall, as I'd hoped. It will be some time after Christmas.

Kate had to stop reading at this point. Her eyes had flooded with tears until she couldn't see the print.

She had been ready to deal with Father telling her not to get involved, something he hadn't done. But she wasn't ready to deal with his continued absence, even though he had warned them that it might be fall or later until he returned. Kate had not really believed him. She had not wanted to believe him. She needed him here.

There was no more doubt in Kaitlin's mind as to whether or not Rigg was going to ask her to marry him; it was just a matter of time. But this was August! How could she ever tell him they had to wait until after Christmas to be married? And then there was still no guarantee that Father would be home. The letter said sometime after Christmas.

It also said "do not hesitate." Kate pulled herself together and finished reading.

It hurts me to write this to you, but my reasons are joyful. There is tremendous revival going on here and the need for spiritual leadership is greater than ever.

When we left Hawaii I felt it would be good for the mission to be without me, and then in San Francisco I was not certain I could return as a ministering pastor. There are no words to describe my loneliness for you, but God is using me and I feel I must stay on.

Maureen has been in touch, she hopes we'll all be in San Francisco for the holidays. She will be keenly disappointed when I write her. Maybe you can see her? If not for Christmas, then possibly Thanksgiving. But do as you think best.

Having to communicate like this, with miles separating us, is difficult at best. I am praying for you as you knew I would be, and trusting God to guide your heart.

Give my love to Sean and Marcail.

Love,

Father

Kaitlin read the letter over a second time, knowing when she was finished, what her next course of action would be. This was what she'd been praying for. The uncertainty was gone; she now knew what direction to take.

With the letter tucked safely into the pocket of her skirt, Kaitlin went to find her brother.

fifty-six