Tender Love Page 12

  Alice’s hands moistened as she set the casserole on the kitchen table. Inwardly nervous, she smiled encouragingly. “Good news, I hope.”

  “Wonderful. Somebody anonymously paid thirty thousand dollars on my house loan today.”

  “That is good news, Mark.”

  “The best. I tried to find out where the money came from, but the bank officials don’t know. It was handled secretively, but they’ve verified the authenticity of the loan, so it isn’t a hoax.” He sat down at the table. “You can’t imagine what a relief it is to me. I feel like a bum taking the money, and if I knew who did it, I’d refuse. I’m assuming that it’s one of my former parishioners, but there’s no way for me to find out.”

  “I’m sure whoever donated the money wanted to do it anonymously or it wouldn’t have been handled in this way. Just enjoy it, Mark. That’s the only return your benefactor would want. Will this make a difference in your plans to move?”

  “Oh, yes. If I have several months’ grace on my house loan, I won’t have any difficulty paying the rest of my bills, and I can do repairs around here that need to be done. It’s wonderful to know that those debts have been canceled.”

  “Does this person’s generosity remind you of a spiritual application?”

  He smiled. “It reminded me of a sermon text I often used. I like to preach from the Old Testament, and I referred often to a passage from the book of Joshua when I wanted to stress the grace of God, and how we could do nothing to deserve it. ‘I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’”

  He paused thoughtfully, and Alice said, “That’s a favorite verse of mine, too.” She often thought of the words when she reaped the benefits of John Larkin’s wealth.

  “I’m not trying to justify myself for forsaking my vows to God,” Mark continued, “but my life has been in such an emotional turmoil that I couldn’t face people from a pulpit. I needed help more than others, and I felt like a hypocrite to preach on how to trust God for all your needs when I couldn’t follow my own advice. I almost stopped praying, but one day I cried out in despair, ‘God, I’ve given up—I don’t know which way to turn. Send me a sign that You still love me.’”

  Alice’s hand gripped the chair back in front of her. One of the things she’d prayed for was coming to pass. Mark’s hardened heart was opening to the leading of the Spirit.

  “The day I prayed that, He sent you, Alice, and everything has improved since you came.” He waved his arm to encompass the house. “This place that was almost like a tomb for a couple of years has become a home again. My children are happy. I look forward to coming home in the evening, when before, I dreaded to walk through the door. Although I’ve thanked God for sending you to us, I can’t thank you the way I want to, but consider yourself kissed.”

  After she went to bed, Alice couldn’t sleep, wondering if she’d made the right decisions about helping Mark financially. Was she putting him under such an obligation to her that he’d feel obliged to marry her, whether he wanted to or not? Would she be accused of buying a family? Could she keep her benevolence to Mark a secret? She felt as if she’d boxed herself into a corner without any means of escape.

  For the sleepover, Kristin requested some special cookies that Alice had often made for the Tanner family, but she left the rest of the menu up to Alice. Since Alice had often attended parties for her sister’s children, she knew what to prepare to make the girls happy. She cooked low-fat hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, to be served with vegetable sticks, mixed fresh fruit, and coconut cream pie. For a snack, while they watched videos, she made a mixture of granola, dried fruit and nuts, and she had a good supply of fruit juices in the refrigerator.

  Gran requested a tray in her room, and Mark carried it up while the others ate at the picnic table in the backyard. When the guests finished, Mark helped Alice bring the utensils and extra food into the kitchen, and left the girls to entertain themselves with active games and playing with Buffy. Alice put a video about the Creation into her television for Eddie to watch while she straightened the kitchen and made advance preparations for the girls’ breakfast. Alice had rented a game for Eddie to play on the computer and she showed him how to operate it when the video ended. It was entertaining as well as educational. While they were still at the computer, Mark came to the door holding the newspaper in his hand.

  “I can’t find a place that isn’t overrun by girls. May I join you?”

  With a smile, so he’d know she was joking, Alice said, “Have you tried your office?”

  “Yes, but it reminds me of the work I have to do. Besides, it’s lonely in there.”

  “You’re welcome to join us. Take the rocking chair—I believe it came from your room anyway.”

  When Eddie progressed until he could handle the game by himself, Alice sat down on the bed and picked up her embroidery.

  “Don’t you want to sit here? I feel mean to take the only chair you have. We haven’t made you very comfortable.” Mark looked around the room with distaste. “And there isn’t any heat out here. Some other arrangements will have to be made before winter.” When she didn’t answer, he said, “What’re you doing?”

  “Embroidering a tablecloth for my sister. I hope to have it finished before Christmas.”

  “My mother does a lot of needlework, and so did Gran before she had the stroke,” Mark said.

  “I didn’t know that. I’m sure Gran is lonely, and I’ve been trying to think of something she could do to occupy her time. The next time I go to a fabric store, I’ll look around and find an easy sewing project for her. Maybe I can find some items she can make for the children.”

  “She would like that.”

  His tender gaze flustered Alice, and she turned her attention to the embroidery.

  “Is your mother still angry at you for coming to work here?”

  “I shouldn’t have told you that. Please don’t worry about it. Mom irritates me at times, but I soon get over it.”

  “How old are your sister’s children?”

  “They’re teenagers now, and quite a handful for their mother. Nancy worries that her ex-husband might entice them to live with him. I try to encourage her all I can—that’s why I’m making this tablecloth. She loves handmade things, but she’s never been good with needlework.”

  “Do you want to play the computer game, Daddy?” Eddie asked.

  “Not tonight, Eddie. It’s time for you to go to bed, and if I can find some earplugs to keep out the giggling and girl talk, I’m going to bed, too.”

  Eddie slid off the chair and came to Alice. He threw his arms around her neck and kissed her. “Thanks for letting me use your computer. Good night.” He looked at Mark. “You gonna kiss her good-night, too, Daddy?”

  Mark grinned. “Might as well,” he said, and leaned over and kissed Alice on the forehead. For a moment their eyes connected warmly, and he was the first to turn away. “Don’t let the girls keep you awake all night, Alice. Thanks for planning the sleepover.”

  The day after Kristin’s sleepover, Alice went to see Betty.

  Betty laughed when she entered the office. “Now, what’s the problem? I may rue the day I ever sent you to the Tanners.”

  “I’m sorry to bother you so much, Betty, but you’re the only one I can talk to about this. And don’t think I’m sorry you talked me into being a nanny for the Tanners. It’s an experience I wouldn’t have missed, and you know why.”

  “And I’m not sorry either, for I’ve wanted you to know how wonderful it is to love that special man in your life. And why you’re depressed about it, I can’t imagine. Mark isn’t going to mourn his wife forever—and if he doesn’t fall in love with you, I’ll be surprised. It seems a perfect setup to me. As their nanny, Mark and his kids have the opportunity to learn what a blessing you can be to them. It should be easy to move into the role of wife and mother.”

  “But
does it look like I’m ingratiating myself into their favor to trap him into marrying me?”

  “I wasn’t going to mention this to you, but Ethel Pennington is spreading a rumor that you’re doing just that.”

  “I’m not surprised—I don’t know what Mark may have told her, but she seldom comes by the house anymore, and she would naturally blame me.”

  “You see, the problem with Ethel is that she tried the very thing she’s accused you of doing, and she thinks you’re succeeding where she failed.”

  “I’ll admit I sometimes imagine myself as Mark’s wife, but he’ll be very hesitant about marrying again because his first priority is his children, and I can’t blame him for that.”

  “Don’t you get along well with the kids? It seems that way to me.”

  “I’m sure it wouldn’t make any difference to Eddie because even now he clings to me more than to Mark, but I question how Kristin would take it. She’s very possessive with her father.”

  “Spiritually, how is Mark doing? I’ve noticed he’s coming to church now.”

  “He’s seeking. He spends a lot of time reading the Scriptures, and he’s having prayer at the dinner table. I’ve been praying for him to take up the cross he laid down.”

  “You and hundreds of other concerned people! He’s God’s servant, and He won’t allow Mark to wander much longer.”

  “The main thing that’s bothering me right now is that Mark has no idea about my financial situation, and I wonder how long I can keep him from knowing. Also, I feel deceitful not telling him, but it isn’t very modest to say, ‘I’ve got a lot of money.’”

  Betty’s eyes danced merrily. “I agree it isn’t the best way to begin a conversation.”

  “Without going into detail, I’ve helped him quite a lot financially, but he doesn’t know it. When I took the children to the farm, he accepted my comment that it was my childhood home and had no idea that I own the place. Next week, I’m going to take Gran and the kids down to my beach house. Mark will be there for a few days, and it’s going to be difficult to keep him from knowing that I also own it.”

  “Do you still keep a housekeeper there?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Guthrie has been in residence for several years, and she’s very forthright. If nothing else, she and Gran will probably hit it off really well, and Gran will soon know my life’s history.”

  “You shouldn’t go to the beach.”

  “That may be true, but I want the children to have the opportunity, for I may sell the property before another season. The ill health of Eddie and Clarice kept them from ever having a family vacation. I’ve already made plans, so I can’t back out now.”

  Betty looked at her for several minutes. “Am I to understand that you want advice from me?”

  “I suppose so,” Alice said with a grin, “as long as I don’t have to take it.”

  “The longer you put off telling Mark that you’re financially well-off, the more it’ll irritate him. I’m surprised he hasn’t already figured it out.”

  “He has so much on his mind that he hasn’t given it any thought. I did tell him that I have an income from my husband—I just didn’t tell him how much. Now, I’m concerned about how he’ll feel to know that he’s obligated to me.”

  “I can’t give you an answer to that, or even any advice. I feel that God’s hand has been in this all the way—that you’re what Mark needed to get back on his feet spiritually and financially. I’ll be praying during the next few days that you’ll come to some kind of an understanding with him. I want you and the Tanners to find happiness, and I fully believe that you can find it together. And, Alice,” she added firmly, “there is such a thing as turning your worries over to God. You might try that.”

  Alice hadn’t been home from Betty’s office more than an hour when her sister, Nancy, telephoned. After they chatted for a few minutes about family affairs, Nancy came to the point of her call.

  “Alice, I have the opportunity to buy a fabulous house. You know how we’re cramped for space, and now that the children are older, it would be nice if they have their own bedrooms, and more space to entertain their friends. Can you let me have the money for the down payment?”

  “How much do you need, Nancy?”

  She named an amount near to the payment Alice had made on Mark’s loan, and remembering what Mr. Haycraft had said, Alice’s heart plummeted.

  “Actually, Nancy, I can’t help you now. A few weeks ago when I was talking to my accountant, he told me that I couldn’t give away any more money this year. Some kind of federal regulation, he said. I could possibly help after the end of the year, but I can’t promise for sure.”

  “But that’s months away,” Nancy wailed. “This house won’t be on the market that long.”

  “But there might be another house available that you’ll like even better. I can’t do anything for you now. I don’t have too much savvy about handling my finances—that’s why I hire an accountant, and I follow his advice.”

  “You said you couldn’t give away ‘any more’ money this year. What have you been doing with your money? You haven’t given us much.”

  Not for the first time, Alice was sorry she’d inherited John’s fortune. It had been a source of friction between her and her family, who seemed to resent every dime she gave to anyone except them, even the substantial amount Alice had donated to the community hospital in John’s memory.

  When Alice didn’t answer her question, Nancy said, “Then you will help me buy a house after the first of the year?”

  “I’ll be willing to talk to you about it then—that’s all I can promise.”

  Nancy’s goodbye was hardly gracious, and Alice sighed as she replaced the phone receiver. Had she been justified in helping Mark’s family only to refuse to help her sister? Betty’s advice about trusting God with her worries popped into her mind.

  Less than an hour passed before Alice’s mother telephoned. Norma’s voice was high-pitched, which Alice recognized as a sign of her anger.

  “I can’t believe that you’d actually refuse to help your sister buy that house,” Norma said indignantly. “The way God has blessed you, why can’t you be generous with your sister and her children?”

  Alice didn’t remind her mother how often she’d been generous with her parents, as well as her sister, but it stung that they were so demanding and ungrateful. The Tanners, on the other hand, seemed to appreciate everything she did for them.

  “Did Nancy explain why I can’t help her right now? It isn’t because I don’t want to.”

  “What have you done with your money? Spent it all on the Tanners, I suppose. Alice, you haven’t been the same since you went to work there.”

  Alice couldn’t deny that, so she tried to change the subject. “How’s Dad?” she asked.

  “He’s all right,” Norma snapped. “You’re avoiding the issue. Have you given any money to the Tanners? They should be paying you.”

  Tears stung Alice’s eyes. She’d always given her parents the financial help they requested rather than to have any trouble. She wouldn’t tell her mother to mind her own business, but she wasn’t going to reveal what she’d done for Mark.

  “Mom, I don’t want to discuss this. I can’t give Nancy any money now, so there’s no use to talk about it. Did you have a nice family vacation at the beach?”

  “It would have been better if I could have had both of my daughters there, but, no, you’re taking care of your new family.”

  Norma terminated the telephone conversation without saying goodbye, and Alice prayed, “God, don’t let me become resentful over my mother’s attitude.” But it did rankle that her parents and Nancy’s family could enjoy two weeks at her beach house, free of charge, and not even be grateful for it.

  Alice tried to put her despondency aside as she helped Gran and the children pack the items they’d need for the beach.

  “Now you’re sure that I’ll be all right, Alice?” Gran asked over and over. “I don’t want to be
a burden.”

  “Gran, there’s a bedroom on the first floor for you, so you won’t have to climb stairs as you do here. There’s a boardwalk from the house to the water, and you can go down to the beach without trouble, or you can stay on the deck, watch the water and listen to the waves.”

  “It sounds like fun. I’ve always wanted to see the ocean.”

  “It’s time you did, then. And you’ll like the housekeeper, Mrs. Guthrie. She lives alone much of the time, and she’ll enjoy having you for company.”

  “You say this is a family house?”

  “No one except my family uses it,” Alice evaded the question. “My parents and sister’s family have just spent two weeks there.”

  The extra activities didn’t lessen Alice’s distress over the rift with her family, but she tried to prevent her poor spirits from dampening the enthusiasm of Gran and the children. She couldn’t fool Mark so easily, and she felt his gaze upon her during dinner.

  Before dark, they loaded their luggage in the van and station wagon, so they could get an early start the next morning. Buffy had submitted well to training, and since the two children had taken care of him, Alice agreed that they could take the pup with them to the beach. She went to the pet store and bought a carrier for Buffy, and she planned to haul the dog and his supplies in the van.

  When Mark and Alice were alone for a few minutes, he said, “What’s wrong, Alice?”

  “I’m sorry you noticed. I’m having a little difficulty with my parents. I’ll get over it soon.”

  He put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Alice. When you’re so warm and loving, I can’t imagine why your family doesn’t appreciate you as much as the Tanners do.”

  Alice leaned against him, and he tightened the embrace. How wonderful to have Mark’s concern, even if she couldn’t tell him the reason for the friction between her and the family!