The Proposal by Catherine Marshall

Author:Catherine Marshall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc.
Published: 2010-06-18T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

How’s your mother?” Christy asked David a few minutes later.

“Miss Alice is tending to her on the couch. You’ll have to forgive Mother. I told you she takes things very seriously.” David sat down at the dining-room table with Christy. She could hear Ruby Mae and Miss Ida in the kitchen, talking in shocked whispers.

“Apparently I’ve caused quite a sensation,” Christy said.

“You certainly have where I’m concerned. I’m not going to ask you why you made this decision,” David said. “I’m only going to tell you how very glad you’ve made me.”

“I’ll tell you, anyway,” Christy replied with a smile. “It was your sermon today. Listening to you, I realized that even if I have lost my sight forever, I can still be a teacher or a wife. I don’t have to give up on my dreams. There are many ways to see. You’re right about that. And now I’m going to prove it.”

David fell silent for a moment. “So I’m a sort of experiment? Is that it?”

“No, no, not at all!” Christy cried. “It’s just that today, listening to your beautiful words, I realized how deep my feelings really are for you, David. You’re a strong and kind and gentle man, a good man.” She smiled shyly. “And of course, you’ve got an awfully cute smile.”

With trembling hands, David cupped Christy ’s face and gently kissed her.

“Oh. Oh, my. Excuse me—” It was Miss Ida, sounding very embarrassed.

“It’s all right, Ida,” David said. “Come on in. I am allowed to kiss my fiancée, aren’t I?”

“Miss Ida,” Christy said, “I’m so glad that we’re going to practically be sisters.”

“Welcome to the Grantland family,” Miss Ida said stiffly, and then Christy heard her march off.

“Don’t worry,” David said. “She’ll warm up to the idea.”

“But she knows me,” Christy said. “If Miss Ida’s that set against it, how will I ever win over your mother?”

“With your incredible charm,” David teased.

“Don’t hold your breath,” Christy said. “Why did you suggest she take my place teaching, anyway? Wasn’t it obvious what she’d say?”

“Wishful thinking. I suppose I was hoping that if she got to know the students, she’d see why we love it here so.”

“It’s hard to imagine her having the patience to teach.”

“Actually, she was quite good at it. But after my father died, she just sort of closed herself off. I know it’s hard to believe, but she used to be much more . . . tolerant.” David sighed. “I’d better go check on her. Want to come?”

“You think she can handle the strain?”

David took Christy’s hand. They settled in the living room on two chairs across from the couch. “How are you feeling, Mother?” David asked.

“She’ll be back to normal in no time,” Miss Alice said.

“I’ll be fine, with the grace of God,” Mrs. Grantland said in a quavery voice. “No thanks to you two.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Christy said.

“Miss Huddleston, my dear,” said Mrs. Grantland. “Come here.”

David helped Christy over to the couch, where Mrs. Grantland took her hand. “My dear girl, you must understand,” she said.

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