To Have and To Hold by Ruth Ann Nordin Page A

breath and nodded. “Yes.”
    He helped her to her feet and walked with her to the door. “I told her that I thought you would,
    but I wanted to be sure first.” He opened the door and she stepped onto the hal way. He
    fol owed behind and motioned to the door furthest away from them. “Your mother says he’s in
    there.”
    Mary wasn’t sure what she expected when it came to her father. Wiping her hands on her
    dress, she joined Dave in strol ing down the hal . “Wil you be coming in with me?”
    “He asked to speak to you alone first.”
    “Oh.” Despite her apprehension, she pushed forward and stopped at the closed door to her
    father’s room. With an uncertain glance in Dave’s direction, she knocked on the door.
    “I’l be right here,” Dave assured her. “When you’re both ready for me, just let me know.”
    She nodded again and turned the doorknob which felt unusual y cool to the touch since it was
    the middle of summer. Forcing aside her unease, she pushed the door open and peered into
    the dim room. The curtains were drawn but a kerosene lamp was lit on the smal table by the
    bed. A light breeze blew past the curtains to cool things off a bit but not nearly enough. Her
    gaze went to her father who rested in the bed with the covers up to his chest. She wanted to
    ask him if he was hot, but he shivered and pul ed the covers up to his neck.
    He turned his head in her direction and smiled. “Mary, is it real y you?”
    Immediately, she got the memory of her father’s support and care for her. Relaxing, she
    entered the room, shut the door behind her and stepped toward him. “Yes, Pa, it’s me.”
    His eyes watered as a smile crossed his face. “Wel , aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
    Smiling in return, she sat in the chair next to his bed. “It’s good to see you, too, but I don’t
    remember anything from my life here. I had a fal and—”
    He raised his hand to stop her. “I know. Your mother told me. I’m sorry, but it might be just
    as wel .”
    It might be just as wel ? That seemed like such an odd thing for him to say. “Why?”
    He pointed to her face, and his smile grew wider. “You look beautiful, Mary. That husband of
    yours is good to you.”
    “Yes, he is. I’m fortunate to have him.”
    “Then it’s good you went to Nebraska. I’m sure some day the men in this town would have
    understood what a good wife you’d make them, but there was no sense in you waiting for years
    until it happened.”
    Curious about his choice of words, she got ready to ask him to explain what he meant when he
    had a coughing fit. She quickly stood up and handed him a clean handkerchief before she
    propped him up so he could get the phlegm out of his lungs. When he stopped coughing, she
    helped him get comfortable and sat back in her chair.
    After he took a cleansing breath, he continued, “You have two children?”
    “Yes. A boy and a girl. Isaac is almost five, and Rachel’s one.”
    His eyes twinkled. “I remember how much you wanted children when you lived here. I’m glad I
    got to see the day when you had them.”
    “Did I think I wouldn’t?”
    “You didn’t think there was a chance as long as you stayed here.” He reached out for her hand,
    so she clasped her hand around his. “You must remember that no matter what anyone says,
    you made the right choice. You had to do what was best for you, and staying here wasn’t it.
    There’s nothing here to miss.”
    Her eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t understand. Was I unhappy here?”
    He nodded. “Yes, you were. You never complained, though. Complaining wasn’t your way.
    You were always such a gentle soul. That’s the kind that gets taken advantage of, you know.
    But it’s also the thing that makes for a good wife. Speaking of which, I’d like to meet that
    husband of yours who’s been good to you.”
    “Of course.” She released his hand and stood up so she could open the door. Peering around
    the doorway, she saw Dave leaning