Where Courage Calls: A When Calls the Heart Novel by Janette Oke & Laurel Oke Logan

Author:Janette Oke & Laurel Oke Logan [Oke, Janette]
Language: ell
Format: epub
Tags: Women pioneers—Fiction, Western Canada—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441264459
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2014-06-20T04:00:00+00:00

Beth felt the evening went fairly well. By reading the Bible stories aloud, the children were becoming familiar with Scripture, and despite the fact that they were clearly enjoying themselves, both their reading and oral skills had shown vast improvement. Additionally, most of them were much more comfortable in front of others. As Beth pushed the company hall’s chairs back into straight rows after Bible club was finished, she knew that all the hubbub was worthwhile. If only she could manage to feel rested once more.

Then she noticed that Frank had joined Molly and Frances in setting things back in order. She had not even seen him among the audience of mothers.

“Hello,” she called down the row. “Thanks so much for helping.”

He smiled his acknowledgment. They worked together until the room could be left as it had been found—perhaps even a little tidier. Then they moved toward the door.

“I’m so sorry I missed the first of the English classes, Frank. Molly told me a little about how it went, but she doesn’t exactly—well, she doesn’t exactly gush.”

Frank chuckled. “Miss Molly, she dont’a waste no words.” Then he quickly added, “How you feeling, Miss Beth?”

“I’m much better now, thank you.”

“Good. That’sa good.”

“So . . . how do you think class went on Saturday?”

“It was’a good beginning. Paolo, he did a fine job teaching the men. I think’a the men, they will all come back.” Then he broke into a wider grin. “An’ Paolo’s papa, he was’a so proud.”

Just then little Emily Stanton rushed back into the room, obviously in search of something she had left behind.

“Little one,” called Frank. “Is that what’a you need?” He pointed toward a small jacket that he had laid on a table beside the door.

Emily nodded her relief. Then she smiled warmly and said, “Thank you, Grandpa Stub.”

Beth felt a shiver run all through her. She dared not even move. Is that what little Emily gleaned from the conversation today? How had things gone so awry? Beth slowly lifted her face toward Frank’s. His wrinkled countenance was still frozen in a smile, but there were tears forming in his eyes. Beth reached for his arm, not able to speak.

Emily snatched up the jacket and rushed out of the room. At last Beth found words. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Russo. I don’t think—I’m sure she didn’t mean to be cruel.”

He waved away her apology and brushed at his eyes self-consciously. “No, no, Miss Beth. It’sa not what you think.” She could tell he was also struggling for words, and she forced herself to wait while he gained his composure. “It’sa—” He smiled again and cleared his throat. “It’sa the first time I been called grandpa.” Then he turned toward her. “I like’a the sound.”

For one moment Beth stood silent—rethinking and sorting his statement. She realized how tenderly the simple, childish address to the elderly man had been received, and her breath caught in her throat. When she felt controlled enough again to speak she patted his arm. “It suits you well.

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