Chapter Thirty Two
"Dear People of God, I am blessed to address you today from the book of Genesis, the story of Rebekah and Isaac…Let the maiden to whom I shall say, 'Pray let down your jar that I may drink,' and who shall say, 'Drink, and I will water your camels'—let her be the one whom thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac. By this I shall know that thou hast shown steadfast love to my master."
"As it was with Isaac it will be with you—-God will show you your path. Who to marry? Who to work for? What your mission is—-"
Grete's palms grew wet with perspiration at his sermon.
She thought back to her conversation with Cousin Adolf the night before.
Cousin Adolf had told her that God told Brother Jehu to marry Grete and he would wait until she was ready. She had been a widow a year but it was "noble" of her to still pine for her husband.
"Cousin, I have been talking with Heath Barkley. I feel he has taken an interest—-and I have shared the interest."
"Pah, they are the richest family in the Valley. I shall end this dalliance. He would not marry so far below his station, my Grete. Has he taken advantage of you?"
"No—a perfect gentleman."
"Has he made you promises?"
"Nah."
"He hasn't spoken to me—-you have been mistaken. Women often are by a man of the world like Heath Barkley. You misunderstood the Barkley kindness because of Kai. He was just being helpful."
She bit her lip in frustration. She would never argue with Cousin Adolf. He had saved her from a miserable existence as an old man's wife in a lumber camp. He was her kinsman and she had been raised to believe that men should lead women in the family.
"Grete? Have you been alone with him?"
She took a deep breath and lied to him, "Nah. Just with Kai"
He looked relieved, "Good get this out of your head. A good man of God has chosen you. I have given my blessing. Take your time. He says he will wait until you are ready."
Grete couldn't concentrate on the sermon. She wished they were at Reverend Stacy's church so she could talk to Heath. But what words would I use? What if I am just a dalliance as Cousin Adolf says? He said we were all equals in the west—-was that to soothe my hurt about Davina or did he mean it?
She trembled at the thought, "What do I tell Heath?" she whispered in her prayer.
Adolf looked over at her whisper, unable to discern her words.
She shook her head, "just prayed", she whispered back. He smiled at her devoutness.
She found out after his hour-long sermon that Adolf had accepted an offer for lunch with Mistress Parks—-several others and Brother Jehu. Her cousin was quite proud of his matchmaking.
Brother Jehu rode out to the ranch with Adolf, Grete and Kai. She was quiet the whole way as he conversed about sin and hellfire in the valley.
Kai looked concerned several times as he described fire and brimstone that was to consume the unbaptized and the heathens.
Grete put her hand on his shoulder and whispered, "It's ok."
They had a long lunch at the Parks ranch with all of her family and the five visitors from church.
Grete was very quiet and spoke when she was spoken too. She helped Mistress Parks clear the table.
"Grete, are you ill?"
"No, ma'am."
"Is it this business that Brother Jehu had a dream to marry you?"
She nodded yes.
"He's a fine man and a preacher to boot. He will be a good husband. He's young and has all his teeth. I know he doesn't have land but Adolf says you can have the whole third floor of the bakery to live in and remodel like you want."
Grete sickened again that so many plans had been made without her knowledge and people knew.
"I have been spending time with Heath Barkley."
"Oh honey, I didn't know. Just tell your Uncle and he will understand."
"I did." she barely whispered and the tears flowed.
"Well well, well. Adolf. We aren't in the old country anymore and many of my people moved here for freedom. He can't make you marry the preacher."
"But he is my kinsman. I owe him. I respect him and love him."
"But this is your life, honey." and she hugged her.
They came out of the kitchen to see Adolf and Jehu drinking their coffee at the table. Kai had gone out with the older boys and her grandsons to see the stables.
"Grete, Brother Jehu would like to take you on a walk. Mistress and I will follow as chaperones."
"Yes sir."
He took her arm and they walked down the path to the small stock pond. Mistress and Adolf sat on the bench.
Jehu would pat her hand as they strolled through the wildflowers.
"I feel very convicted to wait until the Lord convicts your heart."
"Thank you," was all she could say.
"We have a home with your Cousin, a rig and I am starting to get a salary from the church. You can keep working, of course. We will need some income and babies will come soon. The boy is old enough too to start earning his way doing jobs around town."
She swallowed and said a simple gasp, "Oh my stjerner!"
"What does that mean? It sounds kind of mystic or something."
She frowned at him, "It's my native language Danish—for stars."
"Good. You have good English. Use it. Don't want people in town thinking you are conjuring or something. Wait—-stars? Like astrology? You don't consult the stars do you?"
"Like a witch? No, I do not." She asked incredulously.
"Scripture says they are among us. It's an abomination. It wouldn't look good to have a wife that speaks unintelligible words. Even if'fn it's Danish."
"What?"
"I didn't mean to say you were a witch. I would know if you were—-just saying try to speak English like the King James good book."
"Ok."
They walked around the pond a few more times as Jehu spouted declarations of love for her and their future plans.
Cousin Adolf and Mistress Parks sat on the bench.
"Adolf, we are old friends and your wife was my best friend. Have you asked Grete if she wants to marry the preacher?"
"She will do as I say. My parents picked my wife and we had a happy, good life—-they will be fine. She's just too new a widow. Her first husband was chosen by my cousin. Kai's father. It worked well. It will happen once again."
"Adolf, listen to her. Please."
"We shall not discuss this again. I beg your pardon but it is none of your concern."
"Hmpf," and she flounced into the house.
They left soon after and she found her oldest son, "Take me to the Barkley ranch. It's very important."