The Pattern by Jane Peart

Author:Jane Peart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Zondervan

Burton’s emotional plea for her to reconsider her decision to marry Ross was not the only such experience Johanna had after her engagement was announced. A visit from her paternal grandmother proved even more difficult. The old lady had arrived one morning, earlier than she usually went out anywhere. Johanna was called down to the parlor to find her father’s formidable mother seated by the fireplace, one hand clutching the top of her gold-headed cane. Her small, bright eyes pierced Johanna as she entered the room.

Hardly before Johanna had kissed her withered cheek and greeted her, Melissa Shelby demanded, “What’s this I hear about you, young lady? I couldn’t believe my ears when your father came to inform me that you were to be married to someone I never heard of!”

Johanna had tried to explain that Ross was Dr. Murrison’s assistant and a doctor, but her grandmother waved her ringed hand in a dismissing gesture.

“Tut, tut. Alec Murrison, what does he know? I’ve known him since he was a lad, and never did think him too bright!” she had said sharply. “Being a doctor don’t give him insight or the ability to make a good match.” She shook her head, making the silver corkscrew curls under the black lace widow’s cap bob. “His say-so don’t make it the right thing for you.” She glanced over at Rebecca. “Neither does your mother and father’s reluctant approval of this engagement. In my day, daughters married whomever their parents picked out for them. Not just any Johnny-come-lately that happened along.”

Patiently Johanna attempted to placate the indignant old lady. “Grandmother, I truly believe that if you met Ross, you’d change your mind.”

The old lady’s chin had risen disdainfully. “Well, young lady, I’d planned that you would have my Georgian silver tea set when you married, but I thought you would chose someone from one of the Hillsboro families I know. What’s wrong with some young man from among your parents’ friends?” She turned to Johanna’s mother accusingly. “I just don’t understand young people these days—or their parents, for that matter. My papa ruled with an iron hand, and we all snapped to, I’ll tell you.” She tapped her cane sharply on the floor.

“We certainly intended to bring Johanna’s young man to call on you, Mama-in-law,” Rebecca had replied. “It did all come up rather unexpectedly. We thought—” She never got to finish what she might have said, because Melissa interrupted.

“Intended? What good does that do now? As I told my son, everyone knows what is paved with good intentions.”

“I’m sorry,” Rebecca had murmured, then sent Johanna an angry glance that said, Now, see what you’ve done?

Impulsively Johanna had gone over to her grandmother, knelt down in front of her, and looked up into the frowning face.

“You want me to be happy, don’t you, Grandmother? I’m sure if you allowed yourself to know Ross, you’d see how very kind and good he is and you’d see that I was making a good choice, the right choice for me.

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