The first time he'd set foot in Palmer, it had seemed to be nothing more than a tent city, up to its armpits in mud and mosquitoes. Now the tents and piles of sinks and hardware were gone. There were new buildings. This corner of civilization sitting in a white wilderness had a sense of order and peace.
He walked into the depot. A thin, balding man looked up from behind a counter. “Can I help you?”
“I was wondering if I could get a ride out to the Hasper farm. I'm willing to pay.”
“Well, Jeff Hutchinson was here a while ago.” The man rubbed his chin. “I don't know if he's gone yet though.” Walking slowly and methodically, he crossed to the door and opened it. Stepping outside he called, “Hey, Jeff! Can you give this fella a ride out to the Haspers'? He says he'll pay.” The clerk walked back inside. “He's coming.”
A moment later a man wearing an overly large fur coat and peering out from beneath a puckered hood stepped inside. “Need a ride?”
“Yes. Do you know where the Hasper farm is?”
“Not sure. I'm kind of new around here. You know the way?”
“Yes. I'll show you.”
“All right then. Let's go.”
Adam followed Jeff to his car, dropped his bag on the back seat, then climbed into the front beside him.
They drove in silence for a long while. Finally Jeff said, “Looks like we're going to get more snow. We've had a gentle winter so far, but I heard January and February can get pretty bad.”
“I don't mind snow.”
Jeff glanced at Adam. “You aren't from around here, are you?”
“No.” Adam didn't want to explain. He just wanted to see Laurel. He prayed she was still Laurel Hasper.
They bounced over the wooden bridge just before the Hasper driveway. Adam told him to slow down and showed him where to turn.
“Oh, yeah. I think I know them. Seems I heard they were having a wedding or something out here.”
Adam's stomach tumbled. He made no reply. The car stopped, and Adam stepped out, wondering why he was bothering. Handing Jeff a dollar, he said, “Thanks.”
“Thank you.” Jeff stuffed the money into his coat pocket.
Adam grabbed his suitcase and closed the door. He stared at the house. No one came out. She's not here, he thought dismally. If she were, she'd have come out to greet me.
Jeff backed around and headed down the driveway. Adam walked toward the porch, snow crunching beneath his city shoes. He felt sick and wished he hadn't come. Gripping his suitcase handle, he headed for the door, unaware of anything but his pounding heart.
The door flew open. Luke jumped past the step and ran to Adam. “Hey there! Adam! I heard you were coming! It's good to see you!”
Adam clasped the young man in a tight hug, then stood and looked at him. “You've grown.” He smiled, but all he could think of was Laurel. “That beard makes you look like a real mountain man.”
Luke grinned. “Thanks.”
Adam saw movement at the door. Laurel stepped onto the porch. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Long, soft curls cascaded over her shoulders, her cheeks were flushed, and her amber eyes looked like warm gems. She didn't speak.
“Laurel.” Adam's voice caught in his throat. He felt like a schoolboy.
Unaware he was moving, Adam walked to the porch. Dread filled him, but he grabbed hold of his usual confident charade. It was a safe place for him. Stepping up to the porch, he asked casually, “Did you get my telegram?”
“Yes. You said you were coming. Why? Why are you here, Adam?”
All the way from London, he'd practiced the words; now they failed him. He looked at the ground, his stomach knotting, then lifted his eyes to Laurel's. “I told you in the wire.”
“No, all you said is that you loved me and were coming here.” Her tone was sharp.
Adam swallowed past the lump in his throat and glanced at her left hand to see if she was wearing a wedding ring. Her hand was hidden in the folds of her dress. “Are you Laurel Hasper, or Laurel Lundeen?”
Laurel stared at Adam. Her voice controlled and reserved, she asked, “Why?”
“Laurel, you're tormenting me.” He stepped closer. “Why do you think I came all this way?”
“Why did you?”
“I love you. I want to marry you.”
“You've told me that before. What's different now?”
Adam remembered the paper he'd been carrying. He'd stuffed it into his coat pocket before leaving the train. Now he grabbed it. Opening to the front page, he held it out so she could see the headline. Leaving his façade behind, his eyes filled with tears, and he choked out, “This earthly king helped me to understand what the heavenly King has been trying to tell me. The world's riches are like refuse when compared to the riches God wants to give us. Faith and love are what matter.”
Laurel gazed at the headline, her eyes shimmering.
“Please tell me you haven't married Robert. I'll do anything, be anything. Just say you're not Mrs. Lundeen. I was stupid and stubborn, Laurel. But now I understand. And I'm trying to listen to God. I know he wanted more for me than I wanted for myself.” He dropped the paper and grabbed her hands. “Are you Mrs. Lundeen?”
“You must be awfully special. God doesn't usually use royalty to speak to people.” A slow smile emerged. “No, Adam, I didn't marry Robert. I couldn't. I'm in love with you.” She glanced at the snow-covered ground. “It would have been unfair to him. He deserves someone who's crazy about him.” Tears glistened.
Relief and joy flooded Adam. He pulled Laurel into his arms. “Thank God.” He stepped back, cradling Laurel's face in his hands. “I love you, Laurel Hasper. Together we can seek God's will for us. I don't want to do it on my own anymore. I want to do things God's way. And nothing in this life matters without you.”
