Bridal Veil Page 15

  “I notice you have the ribbon and Laurel’s picture as a bookmark in there,” Tobias said.

  “I promised Laurel I’d read a Psalm each morning and the New Testament at night.” He didn’t mention how he’d used the picture as his bookmark so Laurel’s face was the last thing he saw each night. “I haven’t gotten to tonight’s stuff yet.”

  “What part of the New Testament are you reading?”

  “I started at the beginning. I’ve read Matthew, Mark, and Luke. I got started in John last night. Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again. I stopped reading when I hit John 3:16. It was sort of like being a kid in Sunday school—I remember memorizing that verse.”

  Tobias grinned. “I remember that one, too. Dad almost choked to death on the popcorn he was eating when I recited it for him because I said God so loved the world, he gave His only forgotten Son.”

  Gabe chuckled. “My brother, Stanford, thought the Israelites all had to eat eleven bread.”

  “It’s easy to see how kids get stuff like that mixed up. Fact of the matter is, I think adults also get mixed up. We think we have a grasp of what the Bible or preacher says, but when it comes to getting through life, we don’t always have the facts straight.”

  “Until you folks came to Yosemite, I thought I had a handle on everything.”

  “Do you?”

  Gabe sat in silence. Finally he shrugged. “Part of me wants to say I do. The other part is calling me a liar.”

  “What’s right in your life?” Tobias eased into a more comfortable position.

  “My mom and brother are fine. I’ve got more than enough money to see me through. I’ve got free rein in Yosemite.”

  “Now the other side of the coin—what’s not right?”

  Gabe shifted uncomfortably. “Laurel. I’m breaking her heart, and it’s killing me. Her dad told me tonight to stop paying attention to her feelings and to focus on myself. I’m trying, but it’s hard. He said the restlessness I feel is because I lack peace in my soul.”

  “Do his words ring true to you?”

  “I never even paid attention to my soul until Laurel pointed out that I lacked any personal commitment. Being around you Chances—I see you’re different.”

  “Is it a difference that you want for yourself?”

  Gabe leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I’ve read the Bible before—it was like a big collection of stories. Sort of like mythology and fairy tales. In my head, I figured they were basically true. Now I’m reading it with the intent of figuring out if Jesus is someone I’d want as a partner.”

  Tobias didn’t say anything.

  Gabe rested his chin on his palm. “To begin with, I’m not sure I want a partner. I like controlling my own life. So far I’ve done a good job of it. It may sound proud, but I’ve been honest and moral. The other thing is, I don’t cotton to the notion of having God tell me what to do.”

  “If you’re already living an honest, moral life, why would you expect God to direct you to do something outside of what your heart would lead you to do?”

  Gabe let out a rueful chuckle. “Can’t say I ever thought of it like that.”

  Tobias hitched a shoulder. “To take it a step further, we’re only flesh and blood. We slip up. There are times we don’t make the right choices. Christians still sin. When that’s the case, I figure we deserve to be chastened, to confess, and to ask for forgiveness. God grants that grace to us through the blood of Jesus.”

  “But what kind of partnership is that? Jesus is perfect, but He pays the price. Man messes up and keeps getting the benefits.”

  “It’s the most lopsided deal of all time. The truth is, we have a choice: We can be proud and live life on our own, or we can yield and accept.”

  “No in-between ground, huh?”

  “Nope.” Tobias shook his head. “We have nothing to bargain with. Man can’t earn his way into eternity.”

  “That woman at church last Sunday testified all about feeling God calling her. What if He’s not calling me? I don’t hear or feel anything.”

  “The Holy Spirit works in different ways. Some people make their decision to follow God based on an emotional tug. Me?” Tobias spread his hands wide. “Practicality always wins out. I came to the point where I realized I had no call to be proud—Christ did more than I ever could. For me, in my life, I wanted Him to take charge and lead the way.”

  “I can’t believe you ever did anything very sinful.”

  Tobias rubbed the toe of his boot on the calf of his jeans. “Growing up in a family like mine, I had plenty of people keeping an eye on me. I’ve never gotten drunk, had relations with a woman, or murdered someone. But I’ve been mean to my brothers and cousins. I’ve shaded the truth and shirked my chores.”

  Gabe made a scoffing sound. “Those are ordinary things. Everyone does them.”

  “They’re still sins.” Tobias looked him in the eyes. “Everyone does them because everyone sins. We all do. It’s why we’re all separated from God. Man tries to justify those actions by pointing to the fact that other wrongs are worse—but sin is sin.”

  “I’ve always figured humans are entitled to slip up. I didn’t think of it as sin.”

  “Where do you draw the line? When is it merely a ‘slip up’ and when is it a sin? First John says, ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ ”

  Gabe winced. “That doesn’t pull any punches. It condemns me because any wrong I’ve done is sin.”

  “No matter how ‘good’ we are, we still fail. God loves us and sent Christ to redeem us.”

  Gabe sat in silence. Memories assailed him. All along, he’d considered himself an upstanding man; but by this measuring stick, he was nothing but a sinner. He buried his face in his hands.

  Tobias reached over and took the Bible. He read aloud the first verses from the Fifty-first Psalm that Gabe had read that morning. “ ‘Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.’ ” He paused, then quietly added, “God’s forgiveness is there. All you have to do is confess and ask Him into your life.”

  Gabe nodded. “I need to do that.”

  They knelt by the bales of hay. Tobias wrapped his arm around Gabe’s shoulders. “Do as the verse said. Confess that you’ve been a sinner and claim salvation through the merciful blood of Christ.”

  For all the times he’d bowed his head, Gabe had never felt like this. Throat tight, heart pounding, he rasped, “God, I used to think I was good enough; but I’m not. My heart was full of pride, and I’ve sinned.” Tears seeped from his tightly shut eyes, and his voice died out.

  Tobias squeezed him.

  “I’m asking You, Lord, to forgive me. It’s only through Jesus’ death on the cross that I can beg that of you. Change me, God. Help me be the man You would have me be. Amen.”

  ❧

  Gabe couldn’t wait. He strode across the barnyard and rapped on the door.

  “Just a minute,” a sleep-husky voice called. A few seconds later that same person grumbled, “This better be important.”

  Gabe grinned as Paul Chance opened the door. “Yeah, it’s important. I know you’ve been praying for me. Thought you might want to move your attention to a different soul who’s lost since I’m found.”

  Paul let out a whoop and yanked him inside. “ ’Lilah!”

  Delilah knotted the sash of her robe as she came into view. “What’s wrong?”

  “Not a thing.” Paul wrapped his arm around Gabe’s shoulder and pulled him close. “Tell her, son.”

  “I asked Christ into my heart tonight.”

  Laurel’s mother burst into tears as she dashed across the room and enfolded
him into a hug. “How wondrous!”

  “It is,” Gabe agreed. “I figure I have a lot to learn about living as a man of God. I was hoping I could ask for some guidance.”

  “I’m honored you’ve asked. I’d be happy to disciple you.”

  Delilah wiped her eyes. “You couldn’t ask a better man. I’ve been blessed to have Paul as my husband.”

  “Speaking of husbands. . .” Gabe straightened his shoulders. “I’d like to ask the two of you to allow me the honor of being Laurel’s husband.”

  Paul and Delilah exchanged a look Gabe couldn’t interpret. Paul then turned to him and said, “There’s a problem.”

  Twenty

  “Do you know what’s going on?” Kate asked Laurel as they prepared breakfast.

  “No.” Laurel cast a worried look through the window, over at the bend in the creek. All of the Chance adults sat in a circle there. They’d called a meeting.

  “This is Caleb’s first time to get to vote,” April said. “As soon as they’re done, I’ll see if I can worm any information out of him. I know just how to convince my brother to talk.” She waggled her brows and set aside a sticky bun.

  Laurel didn’t laugh. She couldn’t. Gabe sat in the circle with her parents, aunts, and uncles. His presence at that meeting constituted a complete departure from family tradition.

  “This is so odd,” Kate said as she cracked eggs into a bowl. “Tobias is strutting around today with the biggest smile you ever saw, but he’s not saying a word. He’s never like that.”

  “What do you mean? Tobias hardly ever says much,” April disagreed.

  “Well, he’s only three months from his twenty-first birthday. I figured he’d be put out that they didn’t ask him to be part of the vote.”

  Laurel dropped the rasher of bacon she’d lifted to turn. “They’re voting? On what?”

  “I don’t know. I just assumed they were voting.” April grimaced. “I shouldn’t have said anything—not when they asked Gabe to be there. Oh. Wow! Caleb’s hot about something.”

  Laurel and Kate gawked out the window and watched as Caleb stood, gestured emphatically, and stalked off. A few moments later, he rode away.

  “Oh! The bacon’s burning!” Kate cried.

  Laurel ran back over and hastily saved most of it. A few rashers were like strips of black leather. She dumped them into the swill bucket for the hogs as April and Kate both opened the doors to get rid of the smoke. Tears ran down Laurel’s cheeks. She hoped her cousins would attribute them to the smoke.

  Lord, prepare my heart for what’s going to happen. I’m so afraid. They’re going to send Gabe away. I put this all in Your hands last night, but it’s so hard to leave it there.

  “Laurel?” Gabe’s voice stopped her cold. “I’d like to speak with you.”

  “Let me wash my hands.” She kept her back to him and tried to gather her courage. After washing up and taking off her apron, she turned around.

  Gabe held out his hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  She closed her eyes to block out the sight of that potent temptation. “I can’t. You know I’m not allowed to be alone with you.”

  He drew closer, and his hand closed around hers. “Your father gave us permission. Come on.”

  She couldn’t bear to look up into the face of the man she still loved. Laurel dipped her head and nodded. He squeezed her hand and led her out the back door. As she passed by her cousins, April silently shoved a hanky into her hand.

  Gabe didn’t say anything as they walked along the dusty path toward a stand of trees. Once under their canopy, he halted and leaned back into one of them. Reaching down, he took Laurel’s other hand in his. “I need to tell you something.”

  Laurel braced herself.

  “Look at me,” he commanded in a gruff tone.

  Trying her hardest to look composed, Laurel tilted her head back.

  “Much better,” he said. The smile on his face took her off guard. “I asked Christ to be my Lord and Master last night.”

  It took a moment for his words to sink in. When they did, Laurel squealed his name in delight.

  He chortled and pulled her close. Hugging her, he whispered into her hair, “Princess, I wouldn’t have ever known I needed Him if you hadn’t taken a stand.”

  “I’m so happy for you.”

  He tipped her face up to his. “I’m happy for me, too. But there’s something else. I’m happy for us. Your father gave us his blessing.”

  Laurel burst into tears.

  Gabe clasped her to his chest as she soaked the hanky and his shirt. Finally, he said, “I’d hoped that would make you happy.”

  “It does.” She sniffled. “You don’t know how much it does. Last night, I decided I needed to trust God instead of telling Him what I wanted. Today, when they had the meeting, I was afraid they were going to tell you to leave.”

  “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” He stroked her cheek. “We had to work out a little problem, though.”

  Laurel’s heart skipped a beat.

  “I’ll get to that in a minute.” He smiled at her tenderly. “I love you, Laurel.”

  Finally free to confess it, she whispered, “I love you, too, Gabriel.”

  Gabe pulled her out to a small patch of sunlight, lifted her by her waist, and spun her around as he let out a laugh. Once he set her down, he went down on one knee. “Laurel, my love, will you marry me?”

  “Yes!” She couldn’t believe he’d asked. Through tear-sheened eyes, she watched as he drew a ring from his pocket.

  “This was my grandmother’s ring. I’d like you to wear it as a symbol of our pledge to wed.”

  “Gabe, I’m honored.”

  “Rutlidge tradition holds that I grace your hand with an additional ring on the day we marry.” He slid it onto her finger and rose. “Now about that little problem.”

  “Nothing could be a problem on a day like today.”

  “Yes, it could.” He crooked a brow. “I’ve been informed that before you all left for Yosemite, it was with the understanding that no one would get married until autumn of next year.”

  “Oh, no.” Laurel covered her mouth in horror as she recalled the agreement. She hung her head. “I forgot all about that. We all thought it was just a way to make Caleb and Greta wait awhile longer. I’m sorry, Gabe. I had no right to make a promise when I wasn’t speaking just for myself.”

  He chuckled. “I’m going to have to plead guilty to the same crime.”

  “There’s nothing funny about this.” She looked up at him.

  “Yes, there is. Or at least I hope you’ll see it that way. They took a vote. Your parents, aunts, uncles, Polly, Eric, and Caleb all agreed to release you and Caleb from that pledge on one condition.”

  “What?”

  “Actually, it’s two conditions.” Gabe’s eyes sparkled.

  “Don’t you dare keep me wondering. Tell me!”

  “First, Greta has to accept Caleb’s proposal.”

  Laurel let out a laugh. “I’m sure she will.”

  “The other thing—well, Caleb and I made a pledge.” He paused. “I spoke for both of us without consulting you. I won’t make a practice of it, Laurel, but under the circumstances, I hope you’ll understand. I know women are touchy about things like this.”

  She couldn’t stand it. “Just tell me.”

  “Caleb and I told them if we could get married in three weeks, we’d talk you girls into a double wedding.”

  “Three weeks!” she gasped.

  “And I thought you were going to be upset about a double wedding.”

  “Why would I? We’ve told you time and again, Chances share.”

  “You won’t be a Chance much longer, princess.” He pulled her close and dipped his head. “But right about now, how about if we share a kiss?”

  ❧

  “Where’s my shirt?” Gabe looked around the cabin in a panic. “I can’t find my shirt!”

  “It’s gotta be around here,�
� Caleb muttered as he yanked a comb through his hair.

  “Caleb, I have your shirt here,” Miriam called from the other side of the door.

  Gabe and Caleb both stared at the shirt Caleb was wearing and burst out laughing. Gabe opened the door, grabbed the shirt, and said, “Thanks!” as he shut it again. As he shrugged into the freshly-ironed shirt, he said, “You Chances—your policy for sharing is going to make me crazy.”

  “Don’t you dare let on about this.” Caleb craned his neck as he knotted his tie. “We’d never hear the end of it—not after the way we’ve teased the women the past three weeks.”

  The day he’d proposed, Gabe had given Laurel the bridal satin and lace. He’d also given the crate with all the other fabric to her family. They’d been delighted with the material and each claimed a length for a dress to wear to the wedding. Since then, the women had spent every moment they could in the girls’ cabin. Discussions about sewing, the plans for the wedding, and countless details filled their conversation. The men all sat back and found the whole thing amusing.

  Caleb announced just one week into the preparations, “I don’t know what the fuss is all about. Greta’s seen me in dusty, ripped jeans, and I’ve seen her looking like a drowned rat after a downpour. Our marriage would be just as strong if I dragged her to the altar this Sunday and we said our ‘I do’s.’ ”

  Gabe counted himself fortunate that he’d not opened his mouth. Every woman on the ranch scolded Caleb. He’d been called “unromantic,” and they’d listed all of the essential preparations that included everything from gowns to trousseaus, flowers, cakes, and any number of other details. Gabe nodded solemnly, as if those things actually mattered. The way Laurel beamed at him made him feel dishonest, so he leaned over and confessed, “Princess, I want our wedding day to be all you ever dreamed of. None of this matters to me—but I know it’s important to you.”

  Only now, as he and Caleb got ready to go to the church, did Gabe realize he and Caleb were both less than collected and calm. He’d never tell a soul that he’d crammed his right foot into his left shoe. Finally dressed, combed, and ready, he turned to Caleb. “Well, let’s get this done.”

  ❧