Donovan's Daughter Read online

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Cover photos © Justin Horrocks, Sharon Meredith, akaplummer, and Loic Bernard / iStockphoto

  Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota

  DONOVAN’S DAUGHTER

  Copyright © 1994 by Lori Wick

  Published by Harvest House Publishers

  Eugene, Oregon 97402

  www.harvesthousepublishers.com

  ISBN 978-0-7369-1948-7 (pbk.)

  ISBN 978-0-7369-3141-0 (eBook)

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Wick, Lori.

  Donovan’s daughter / Lori Wick.

  p. cm.—(The Californians: bk.4)

  Sequel to: Sean Donovan

  ISBN: 1-56507-129-8

  1. Frontier and pioneer life—California—Fiction. 2. Women teachers—

  California—Fiction. I. Title. II. Series: Wick, Lori.

  California Series; bk. 4

  PS 3573.I237D66 1994

  813'.54—dc20

  91-41226

  CIP

  All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author’s and publisher’s rights is strictly prohibited.

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated with love to my nieces, Jessica Wick, Julie Kolstad, Katharine Arenas, Johanna Wick, Barbara Wick, and Mary Wick. I praise God for each of you, and pray that you will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  About the Author

  LORI WICK is one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers in the market today. Her works include pioneer fiction, a series set in Victorian England, and contemporary novels. Lori’s books (more than 4 million copies in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with “the three coolest kids in the world.”

  Other Books by Lori Wick

  A Place Called Home Series

  A Place Called Home

  A Song for Silas

  The Long Road Home

  A Gathering of Memories

  The Californians

  Whatever Tomorrow Brings

  As Time Goes By

  Sean Donovan

  Donovan’s Daughter

  Kensington Chronicles

  The Hawk and the Jewel

  Wings of the Morning

  Who Brings Forth the Wind

  The Knight and the Dove

  Rocky Mountain Memories

  Where the Wild Rose Blooms

  Whispers of Moonlight

  To Know Her by Name

  Promise Me Tomorrow

  The Yellow Rose Trilogy

  Every Little Thing About You

  A Texas Sky

  City Girl

  English Garden Series

  The Proposal

  The Rescue

  The Visitor

  The Pursuit

  The Tucker Mills Trilogy

  Moonlight on the Millpond

  Just Above a Whisper

  Leave a Candle Burning

  Other Fiction

  Sophie’s Heart

  Pretense

  The Princess

  Bamboo & Lace

  Every Storm

  White Chocolate Moments

  Contents

  Dedication

  About the Author

  Other Books by Lori Wick

  Willits and Santa Rosa Families—1881

  Dear Marcail

  prologue

  one

  two

  three

  four

  five

  six

  seven

  eight

  nine

  ten

  eleven

  twelve

  thirteen

  fourteen

  fifteen

  sixteen

  seventeen

  eighteen

  nineteen

  twenty

  twenty-one

  twenty-two

  twenty-three

  twenty-four

  twenty-five

  twenty-six

  twenty-seven

  twenty-eight

  twenty-nine

  thirty

  thirty-one

  thirty-two

  thirty-three

  thirty-four

  thirty-five

  thirty-six

  thirty-seven

  thirty-eight

  thirty-nine

  forty

  forty-one

  forty-two

  forty-three

  forty-four

  forty-five

  forty-six

  forty-seven

  forty-eight

  forty-nine

  fifty

  fifty-one

  fifty-two

  fifty-three

  fifty-four

  fifty-five

  fifty-six

  fifty-seven

  fifty-eight

  fifty-nine

  sixty

  epilogue

  Books by Lori Wick

  Willits Families—1881

  Alexander Montgomery (Willits’ doctor)

  Marcail Donovan (Willits’ schoolteacher)

  Cordelia Duckworth

  Sydney Duckworth (Cordelia’s grandson)

  Allie Warren

  The Austin Family

  Husband—Dean

  Wife—Kay

  Children—

  Marla

  Daisy

  Santa Rosa Families—1881

  The Riggs Family

  Husband—Marshall (Rigg)

  Wife—Kaitlin (Katie)

  Children—

  Gretchen

  Molly

  Donovan

  Dear Marcail

  March 25, 1881

  Santa Rosa, California

  Dear Marcail,

  Happy Birthday! It’s hard to believe that we’re not together on your nineteenth birthday; it’s the first time I can remember our being apart. You know my love and prayers are with you and Father. Let me know what the two of you did that was special. Tell Father I hope he baked you a cake!

  Rigg sent your birthday box in plenty of time, so when you read this, you should be able to write and tell me if the dress fits. I know all-white is impractical, but you look so pretty in white.

  The girls talk about you constantly. I tell them that you’ll come to see them when you can. Donovan is growing like a weed, and I so wish you could see him. The girls were nowhere near his size at this age. I think he’s going to rival Rigg before he’s done. And speaking of Rigg, you can’t believe the joy in his face when he holds his own little son. God is so good, Marcail.

  I just couldn’t resist writing to you on your birthday. Write back soon and catch me up on all the news. I don’t know about you, but it feels to me as if you’ve been gone for three months, not three weeks.

  Love, Katie

  April 6
, 1881

  Visalia, California

  Dear Katie and Family,

  I love the dress. It’s beautiful and fits like a dream. Thank you so much. I’ve been saving a white ribbon, and now I have a dress with which to wear it. From whom did Rigg order the dress?

  I wanted to take my time to tell you about Father’s gift to me, but I’m so excited I can’t wait. Father told me I could start taking the special studies class with my teacher, Miss Wilkins, and get my teaching certificate. It means staying after school every afternoon, but I should be done by midsummer and be able to apply for teaching positions this fall!

  I can hardly believe it’s true, Katie—I’m finally going to be a teacher! It’s what I’ve prayed for and dreamed about for as long as I can remember. I think it was hard for Father when I told him I did not want to be married right away, but after he took some time to get used to the idea, I could see he was going to wholeheartedly support my decision.

  I think his change in attitude might have something to do with his watching me tutor. He can tell I love to teach. I’m not sure if he can understand that it’s not the same as having my own class, but I am really enjoying it. Mitchell, the little boy I tutor every afternoon, has a crush on me and tells me he’s going to marry me. Renee, the little girl I teach, is just the opposite. She resents my presence, and I have to coax nearly every word out of her. Please pray for both of us.

  Give Rigg and the girls my love, and kiss Donovan for me. I’ve found a pair of matching dolls for Gretchen and Molly, but I’m not going to send them. I’d rather bring them when I can visit, to see their faces when they open them. I might hold onto them until Christmas.

  I wish I could tell you I’ll see you soon, but with my studies intensifying, I just won’t be able to get away. I hope this finds you all well.

  Love, Marcail

  May 28, 1881

  Santa Rosa, California

  Dear Marcail,

  Well, summer is upon us. The weather is hot in the extreme and all the grass in Santa Rosa is already brown. Every window in the kitchen is open as I write this letter.

  Rigg’s mood has been nothing short of nonsensical tonight. He keeps coming through the kitchen and giving me messages for you. The last one was that a man was here, a doctor, seven feet tall, and he was asking for your hand in marriage. Honestly, Marc, he certainly can be outrageous when he makes up his mind!

  Business picked up at the mercantile, and I was able to order a new rug for the girls’ bedroom. You remember how worn the old one was. I know Rigg hated to see it go since it had been his grandmother’s, but Molly’s foot catches on the loose threads time and again, and I’m afraid she’s going to hurt herself. I cut them, but I can’t seem to stay ahead of it.

  We painted your bedroom a soft peach color. It really brightened things up. Wish you could see it. (That was a hint, in case you didn’t catch it.)

  I’m glad your studies and tutoring are progressing well. We’re praying for you, Mitchell, and Renee. I have every confidence you’ll have your certificate in record time. I’m so proud of you. Write me soon.

  Love, Katie

  June 17, 1881

  Visalia, California

  Dear Katie,

  I stood at Miss Wilkins’ side today and watched her sign my teaching certificate. I can’t really explain the way I felt, except to say that I was excited and scared all at once.

  I knew that the Lord would want me to trust Him, as you trusted Him so many years ago the first time you taught in Santa Rosa without Mother’s help. I loved the schoolhouse there, and I love thinking back to your gentle way of teaching; so often you reminded me of Mother. I think she would be thrilled with the decision I’ve made.

  I don’t believe for a moment that I would be receiving my certificate if you hadn’t been such an encouragement to me. Thanks, Katie, for all you’ve taught me, and for being the pillar of love and strength you’ve been in my life.

  Love, Marcail

  July 25, 1881

  Santa Rosa, California

  Dear Marcail,

  I prayed this morning about the perfect teaching position for you, and then found myself asking God to open the doors here in Santa Rosa. Then I realized that I was trying to help God with your life, and I was not trusting.

  This letter is to inform you that I’ve given you over to the Lord and His tender care. Here are some verses that I know you love and have shared with me in the past. As I read them this morning, I found them a real comfort. Thanks, Marcail.

  Isaiah 55:8,9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

  All my love, Katie

  August 12, 1881

  Visalia, California

  Dear Katie,

  I’ve received letters from three school boards who have seen my credentials and want to hire me. Father and I talked and prayed before finally deciding on the school in Willits, which is only about five hours from Santa Rosa by train.

  I’ll be coming through Santa Rosa on August 25, on my way to Willits. I can’t stay any longer than the train does, but if you’re at the station around 10:00 a.m., we’ll have a few moments.

  The conduct and dress code laid down by this school board is very strict, but I think that’s part of the reason Father liked it; that and knowing how close I’ll be to you and Rigg. I know he wants peace of mind over how I’m being cared for.

  Father can’t get away to come up with me, but he asked me to tell you he’s planning on coming to Santa Rosa for Christmas, and we’ll all be together then. If this won’t work for you, be in touch. I won’t write again before I leave, but don’t forget to write me once I get to my new home. Thanks for all your prayers.

  Love, Marcail

  prologue

  Santa Rosa, California

  August 25, 1881

  Marcail Donovan waved from the window as the train pulled away from the Santa Rosa station. Her sister, Kaitlin, brother-in-law, Marshall Riggs, and nieces, Gretchen and Molly, all waved furiously in reply. Her nephew, eight-month-old Donovan, sitting comfortably on his father’s arm, was too busy working on the thumb in his mouth to notice his aunt’s departure.

  When the train station was out of sight, Marcail settled back against her seat with a smile and a sigh. How good it had been to see them, however briefly. It was an unexpected blessing amid numerous blessings of late from the Lord.

  If Marcail had had the luxury of time, she would have loved to stay and visit, but knowing her teaching position awaited her further up the tracks was enough to keep Marcail’s mind from how deeply she missed her family.

  Marcail suddenly thought of her father, Patrick Donovan, and again she smiled. It wasn’t every girl who had a full-time father for the first nine years of her life, saw him only occasionally for the next ten years, and then had him come back into her life to stay when she was nearly 19.

  It had taken some weeks, but father and daughter had become close. At first Patrick had struggled with the fact that his little girl was now a grown woman, and there were times he had treated her like a child. But he was always swift to apologize when he saw the disappointment in her eyes. He soon saw that her manner of life, and the loving way she responded to his affection and counsel, showed that Marcail was level-headed enough to know what she wanted.

  And what Marcail wanted was to teach school. Patrick’s first reaction when she expressed this desire had been enthusiastic, until she informed him that she was willing to travel anywhere in the state to acquire a position.

  “Wouldn’t you like a teaching position here in Visalia?” he’d asked her in some surprise.

  “Yes, I would. It would be wonderful to teach close enough to live here, but if nothing is available, then I’m going to look for a position somewhere else.”

  Marcail could see that her words surprised her father, and she did not push
the point. She also did not tell him that she felt it was time to be on her own. Marcail knew that if he was totally against the idea of her teaching elsewhere, she would drop the subject, but as she hoped and prayed, he came to her a few days later and told her to follow her heart.

  And follow her heart was just what Marcail did. She began submitting her resume whenever she found a school board advertising for a teacher, and in a surprisingly short amount of time, several responded.

  Marcail had been careful to consult her father on all the correspondence she received, and in just a matter of days, Patrick advised her to take the job in Willits. It was a long way from where they were now living in Visalia, but not too far from Katie and Rigg. And with the strict code of dress, Father was certain the townspeople would be upright and moral.

  Marcail had plenty of time to grow nervous as the train drew ever closer to her destination. She had prayed for most of the journey and worked at overcoming her anxieties. There was so much she could panic over if she allowed her mind to wander; little things, like living alone for the first time, taking care of all her own finances, and being the sole authority in the classroom.

  Marcail had known responsibility for numerous tasks over many years. She had always risen to the occasion and seen to every need, but she suddenly found herself asking, what if something entered her world that was beyond her control? What if she became sick or the schoolhouse burned down?

  Marcail realized she was working herself into a fine frenzy and immediately prayed for calm. It was true that any of those things could happen, but worrying about them would change nothing. If and when the time came to handle any and all disasters, she knew the Lord would lead and guide her to His good work.

  She was completely calm by the time the conductor called Willits as the next stop. As the town came into view, however, Marcail’s heart began to pound once again. This time there was no fear, only excitement.