Luke met Ray's eyes. He could trust him to speak plainly and truthfully. “Why didn't my father run from that bear? He didn't owe you anything. Did you beg him to stay?”
“Nope. I told him to leave…I wish he had.” Ray looked at the night sky. “That's what I mean. Your father wasn't like other men. He cared about someone like me—someone who'd belittled and slandered him and done just about everything possible to bring him down.”
Letting out a long breath, he lowered his eyes. “I didn't understand it then, but I think I do now. It wasn't that I deserved anything good from him, it's just that he wanted to give it.” He smiled softly. “Kind of like God.” He focused tear-filled eyes on Luke. “I swear, I want to do everything in my power to be like him.”
A crooked smile emerged. “Your mother keeps reminding me I have to be like me, not him. I guess I agree, but your father was the kind of fella who believed in living what he believed. I'll always be grateful to him—not just for saving my life, but for showing me what it means to be like Christ. I aim to try too. I'm just not as good at it.”
You're doing a pretty good job, Luke thought, but wasn't ready to say anything.
Ray stared at the flickering flames, then turned his gaze on Luke. “I want you to know I fought my feelings when I realized I loved your mother. I figured it was wrong. I didn't deserve someone like her, especially not Will's wife. I felt like I was betraying him…Sometimes I still do,” he said softly.
Luke could feel the years of bitterness wash away like a tide sweeping out the dirty foam from a beach. He felt better, cleaner.
“You know, you're like your father. You came out on that ice to get me, not thinking about yourself. I owe you.” Then he saluted…again.
“Why do you keep saluting me?”
“Respect. I respect you, Luke.”
“Oh,” Luke said, feeling small that the gesture had irritated him. “Thank you. And you don't owe me.” Luke knew he was the one who had taken rather than given. “When I saw you out there, I knew you had to live. I didn't want you to die.” He pushed his booted feet closer to the flames. “My life would be emptier without you…I didn't know it until that moment.” He looked at Ray. “I don't hate you anymore. I'm free from it…at last.” He smiled. “Sorry it took me so long to see the truth.”
“Your father would be proud of you.”
Neither man spoke for several minutes.
Ray broke the silence. “Your mother and I have been doing some talking lately, and we have made a decision.” He settled serious eyes on Luke. “We've just been waiting for the right time to tell you. I figure this is it.”
Ray stood. “Celeste and Robert are getting married…finally. He'll be home for a few weeks, and until the war is over Celeste will live with his mother.” His eyes sparkled. “My cabin's going to be empty soon…”
Before Ray could finish, Luke interrupted. “Thanks, but no. It's a nice gesture, but Mattie and I couldn't take your cabin.”
A crooked smile appeared on Ray's face. “You didn't let me finish.”
Luke shut his mouth.
Taking a deep breath, Ray continued. “We, your mother and I, were thinking that since I'm no farmer and you are, well, that you should have the farm. We can live in the cabin.”
Luke stared at Ray. He thought he must have misheard.
Ray laughed. “I don't think I've ever seen a more stunned look in all my life.” He sat close to the fire.
“I don't know what to say.”
“Say yes. It belongs to you. It was your father's, and now it should be yours. He'd want you to have it.”
Luke couldn't answer.
Ray smiled. “You and Mattie and the baby can have a real good start there, and the Haspers will continue to farm in the valley.”
Luke still didn't reply. He was afraid that if he did he'd blubber.
“Well, what do you say?”
Pressing down his emotions, Luke sputtered, “Yes. Yes. We'll take it!” He grasped Ray's hand and said more quietly, “We'll take it.”
Luke understood that God's blessing had been waiting. It had been his own sin that had kept it from him. He shook Ray's hand. “Thank you. You're a good man. My father would've liked you. I'm proud you're my family.”
Silence settled over the two men.
Ray stretched. “Well, I guess we won't win that prize money. It's a cryin' shame.”
“Nope. Guess not.” Luke grinned. “I'd say we won something a whole lot better.”
Dear Reader
When I started this project I could not have imagined that as I finished, the news would be filled with images of the attacks of September 11th. Our country mourned, but people gathered strength from God and drew close to one another.
President Bush's words “A Day in Infamy” took me back to another time, another president, another day. Those events are presented in this book, which seems beyond coincidence.
We are at war today as we were then. We've lost our innocence, yet we are stronger, more resolved, and ready to stand up to the enemy. We do not stand alone, however. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.
We do not need to be afraid. God has not forgotten us. He waits for us to bring our heavy hearts to Him where He will restore broken spirits and make forgiveness possible.
America has been in this place before, and sadly, war sometimes cannot be avoided. There are causes worth giving our lives, such as freedom and providing a future for our children and grandchildren. We can be assured God will not send us out alone.
As we fight this war, let it not be one of the heart. Do not cling to anger, which breeds hatred and bitterness. I pray we will not lose sight of our God and Father who first loved us. May we seek His will and His way.
Especially in these troubling times, may God bless you and fill you with peace and joy.
