A Song for Silas Read online

  LORI WICK

  A SONG

  FOR

  SILAS

  HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

  EUGENE, OREGON

  All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  Music and lyrics for “My Rock, Refuge and Savior” by Timothy Barsness and Lori Wick. Used by permission.

  Cover by Terry Dugan Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  Cover images © IMAGINA/Atsushi Tsunoda/Alamy Images; eStock Photo/PictureQuest

  Except for certain well-established place names, all names of persons and places mentioned in this novel are fictional.

  A SONG FOR SILAS

  Copyright © 1990 by Harvest House Publishers

  Published by Harvest House Publishers

  Eugene, Oregon 97402

  www.harvesthousepublishers.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Wick, Lori.

  A Song for Silas / Lori Wick.

  Sequel to: A place called home.

  ISBN 0-7369-1534-6

  I.Title.

  PS 3573.I237H6 1990

  813'.54—dc20

  90-33476

  CIP

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  Printed in the United States of America

  05 06 07 08 09 10 11 / BC-MS / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  To Mary Vesperman,

  secretary and dear friend.

  I couldn’t have done it

  without you.

  Contents

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Books by Lori Wick

  Foreword

  Neillsville, Wisconsin

  February 1889

  “Amy!” Grant Nolan called from inside the house and waited for an answer from the front porch.

  He raised his voice and tried again. “Amy!” When there was still no answer, he walked to the porch from the living room. Grant stood and stared at his daughter a moment before speaking. “Amy, are you alright?” His brows drew together in a sharp V as she again failed to respond.

  He tried again. “Amy, where is Thomas?” Grant watched as his daughter turned to look at him as though seeing him for the first time. Seeing he finally had her attention, Grant repeated, “Where is Thomas?”

  “He left.” Her voice was oddly flat and she turned her head once again to stare out into the yard at nothing in particular.

  “Did you two have a disagreement?”

  “No, he just came by to tell me he can’t marry me because he’s in love with Debra Wheeler.”

  Grant stared at his daughter’s sober profile. The wind tossed her hair and she lifted her left hand to remove a few strands from her cheek. Grant’s eyes were drawn to that hand. Empty. He felt his throat tighten at Amy’s loss of the small ruby ring which had belonged to Thomas Blane’s mother.

  The empty ring finger confirmed the words his daughter had spoken. The sparkle the ring had brought was completely snuffed out.

  Two months ago Amy had nearly floated into the house after she and Thomas had been on a Sunday afternoon ride together, her eyes sparkling, her face shining with happiness.

  “Dad.” Amy’s voice had been hushed as though afraid that uttering the words aloud would somehow break the spell. “Thomas asked me to marry him.”

  She then had held out her left hand to show the lovely ruby set in a thin gold band. “It was his mother’s, and he wants me to wear it so the world will know I am his.”

  Staring at his daughter with a mixture of emotions, Grant had risen to take her in his arms. Pain had mingled with overwhelming joy as he realized that his daughter had grown up and found a Christian man to spend her life with, his sorrow was over the fact that her mother wasn’t there to see and share this special moment.

  As though able to read her father’s thoughts, Amy had raised her eyes to meet the loving ones above her. “I feel like Mother can see us and we have her blessing.” Grant could only nod, his heart overflowing with joy for his daughter.

  But now that peace had been shattered in a moment’s time. Grant struggled to control his feelings of anger at the thought that anyone would reject his daughter. She had suffered more than enough pain and loss in her young life.

  He knew some adults who would not have stood as strong as she had. But Amy was special, gifted and loving, taking each blow in stride, as she placed her small hand in the all-encompassing grasp of Jesus Christ as He had led the way through the dark tunnels of pain. Emerging from each trial more refined, Amy grew stronger and lovelier with every passing year.

  Realizing he was still just standing and staring at Amy, Grant noticed absently the way the sun turned her golden hair to a fiery glow. As he walked to join his daughter on the porch swing, he prayed, wanting to comfort but not to intrude. He asked God to help Amy turn to her Lord for comfort as she had always done in the past.

  As Grant shifted and settled his weight on the swing, Amy reached for his hand. Father and daughter sat side by side and were comforted with one another’s presence.

  Grant Nolan knew without a trace of prejudice that his daughter was the most wonderful one in the world. “Please God,” he prayed silently, “please let Your will for Amy be as special as she is.”

  1

  Baxter, Wisconsin

  April 1889

  Luke Cameron rolled onto his side to better see the little person in bed with him: his son…six months old…Joshua Luke Cameron. Luke’s eyes moved over the cap of dark curls and down to the fan of equally dark lashes that lay still in sleep.

  Joshua slept with his chest against the mattress and his little round bottom in the air, one tiny fist pushed into his flushed cheek.

  It had been last year, Luke reflected, when Christine was still pregnant, that he and Mac had been talking on Grandma Em’s front porch. Mac’s words came back to him as he looked at the miracle of his son. “God is still faithful even amid our foolishness.”

  September 1888

  John MacDonald stretched and flexed his massive back and shoulders, causing the chair on Grandma Em’s porch to creak in protest. Luke Cameron was settled on the porch railing, letting the afternoon sun warm his back. It was warm for September—Indian summer—but no one was complaining. The snow would be upon them soon enough.

  Mac, short f
or MacDonald, watched as his two sons, Calvin and Charles, charged out of the house. He followed their progress as they raced down the front porch steps and off to the willow tree to swing on some of the bare switches. His face reflected the pride he felt.

  “It’s hard to believe Cal is nine years old.” Luke nodded as he also followed the progress of the boys—his nephews—as they raced around in the autumn sun.

  “What’s even more amazing,” Mac replied, “is all your sister went through to get him here.”

  “I don’t remember Julia having a hard time with labor and delivery,” Luke answered, with a puzzled look on his face.

  “She didn’t have a hard time having Cal, just carrying him, and I’m afraid it was all my fault.”

  Luke stared at his brother-in-law, wondering what in the world he was talking about. Mac met Luke’s stare and confessed, “I was scared to death for Julia to have Calvin.”

  Luke squirmed a bit at hearing these words. They so closely echoed his own thoughts now that Christine, his wife, was nearly seven months along with their first child.

  Mac, seeming not to notice Luke’s discomfort, went on. “Julia was over six months along before I realized she knew I was scared.” Mac shook his head at the remembrance.

  “Everything was fine with Julia and the baby and she knew it, but to give me peace of mind she worked twice as hard as she needed, carefully not showing me her exhaustion and never complaining about the way her body ached. But I didn’t see any of it. The worst part was, I stopped touching her. I was afraid that if I even hugged her, I’d hurt the baby. Julia was over two-thirds of the way into her pregnancy, and I had never even felt the baby move. I can’t believe how much I missed. She was working like a horse, and I was treating her as though she were made of glass. She told me later she had never been so hurt, thinking I was repulsed by her pregnant shape.”

  Mac again shook his head at his own stupidity. “Sometimes God allows us to go through some painful times. But we learned from it, and the rest of Julia’s pregnancy was wonderful. God is still faithful even amid our foolishness.”

  Later that night, Luke knew he had to confront his wife. The lamp was blown out, and Luke lay in the darkness gathering courage to speak, knowing if he waited too long Christine would fall asleep. Wordlessly he moved and took her into his arms. Christine was so surprised by this action that for a few minutes she uttered not a sound, but lay in tense silence. When was the last time Luke had held her like this? How many times had she begged God, “Please, Lord, let Luke’s affection for me return after the baby is born”?

  But his touching her so suddenly like this was not a comfort. Her back began to ache with the tense way she held herself, waiting for whatever bad news he must have to tell her. When she could no longer stand it, she asked in a shaky voice, “Luke, is something wrong?”

  Luke knew this was his chance. She was waiting and ready. All he had to do was explain to her about his fear and how much he loved and wanted to take care of her. But Luke decided foolishly not to burden her with all his fears. “No, Christine, everything is fine.”

  The next week was torture for both husband and wife. Luke, having decided to show Christine how he felt, only managed to confuse her by the change in his behavior. By Sunday of the next week, Christine’s confusion had turned to anger and, after serving breakfast, she had quietly informed her husband she would not be going to church that day.

  Christine was in the bedroom when she heard the horses move away pulling the wagon, so she was very surprised to hear someone walking down the hall.

  Luke stopped just inside the doorway and found his wife in the rocker by the stove. Her eyes met his for just an instant before returning to the mending in her lap. “I thought you went to church with Si.”

  “You’re angry.” It was a statement and not a question.

  “What makes you think that?” Christine asked as she viciously jabbed the needle into the shirt in her hands.

  “Christine, we’ve got to talk.”

  Something in her husband’s tone made Christine look up. Their eyes met and she knew he was as miserable as she. What followed were hours of soul-baring. Fear, pride, anger, hurt—they all were confessed to each other and then to God. The fear Luke had felt about losing Christine in childbirth, and the rejection Christine felt because of that fear, turned to love and new commitment.

  Later, as Luke’s hands lay on Christine’s stomach feeling their child move within, Mac’s words came back: “God is still faithful even amid our foolishness.”

  The sound of booted feet coming down the hall brought Luke back to the present. He rolled to his back and watched his wife enter the room.

  Christine Cameron, even in denim jeans and a man’s shirt, was poised and lovely. Luke smiled at the sight of her.

  She sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned to kiss her husband.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “No.”

  Husband and wife spoke in hushed tones even though they knew it was unnecessary. The high activity level of their son caused him to sleep deeply whenever he slowed down long enough to let slumber claim him. Saturday had developed into a routine of Luke and Josh taking a nap together giving Christine a bit of free time. Most days she went riding with Julia.

  Christine reached across her husband to tenderly pat her son’s bottom. She smiled as he moved and shoved his balled-up fist into his mouth.

  “You weren’t out for very long. Would you care to join us?”

  Luke’s inviting smile was tempting. The bed was plenty big enough to hold them but she felt dusty from her ride. Luke saw her hesitation and began to pull gently on her arm. Christine had just settled comfortably in Luke’s embrace when they heard the front door open and close.

  “Anybody home?”

  Luke and Christine were out of bed in a flash upon hearing that deep voice from the living room. Silas was home.

  2

  Chicago, Illinois

  Silas Cameron stared in stunned silence at the man across from him. The beautiful book-lined study with its elegant chairs and tables faded from view. He couldn’t believe Frank Chambers had just asked him to come and work for him.

  “I can see you’re surprised, Silas, but I can assure you the offer is genuine.” The older man’s voice was slightly amused.

  “Surprised is putting it mildly, Frank, and I’m very flattered but…”

  “No, no, Silas. I don’t want an answer right now,” Frank cut him off. “You owe it to Luke as your partner, as well as your brother, to discuss it with him. I also realize the thought of leaving Baxter has probably never occurred to you, so I want you to give it some time. Think on it. I’ll tell you exactly what I have in mind, and after you go home, I’ll wait a few weeks to deliver your horses. I’ll get your answer after I get to Baxter.”

  Frank then went on to explain the position in detail. Captivated, Silas listened closely.

  “I delivered your horses last year because I liked Luke immediately upon meeting him, as well as all he had to say about his home. But, it is not normally my job. You can understand our operation here is too big for me to handle all the traveling.”

  “You deliver all the horses you sell?”

  “Yes, we do. It has always been our policy. There have been a few times over the years when I have returned with the horses. No amount of money will make me leave my animals in a place where I feel they will be mistreated. I realize this is an unusual concept, but I’ve never been sorry and my reputation has been all the healthier for it.” There was no boasting in his tone as he stated these facts, just a certainty he was doing the right thing. Considering the success of the Chambers’ stables, Silas couldn’t help but agree.

  “What I have in mind for you is to deliver to our special customers. You have a calm way about you and can deliver our most valuable animals with the utmost care. Of this I’m sure. You would be traveling all over the United States and abroad probably at least once a year.”

&
nbsp; “Abroad? As in Europe?”

  “Right! As I say, it’s not very often, about once a year, but the job needs someone with your skill.”

  Frank talked on as Silas listened. He explained the other duties he had in mind and, when he named a salary, Silas had to work at keeping his mouth closed.

  Silas went to bed with visions of travel and money floating through his head. He did not sleep well.

  As Silas expected, Frank brought the matter up again on the way to the train station the following morning.

  “There is one more thing I want you to understand, Silas. The salary I named is completely above and beyond any travel expenses you may have. We, of course, pay train fares for both you and the horses, and any time you must stay the night we’ll cover that bill.

  “Also, Silas, I am not insensitive to the close bond in your family. Anytime you are in the Baxter area with nothing urgent pressing here, you are more than welcome to stop and see them for a few days.”

  Silas was aware that Frank was talking as if he’d already accepted the job. It made him uncomfortable, and he was glad when the train station came into sight.

  Frank’s parting words as Silas stepped on the train were, “Think on it, Silas. I’ll be up in a few weeks.” Again, Silas had the impression Frank was already sure of the answer.

  As the train moved along at a steady pace, the restless night began to catch up to Silas. He settled in and was nearly asleep when a child’s crying woke him.

  Across the aisle sat a woman with an infant and a toddler. The woman and the baby in her arms were fast asleep. The woman appeared to be literally limp with exhaustion. On the seat beside her was a little girl in a panic because she couldn’t rouse her mother or fit into her already-full lap. Silas moved to the edge of his seat and held out his arms. There was a moment’s hesitation, and then the little girl was in his arms.

  With some coaxing, he discovered her name was Laura and that she was thirsty. When the tears were all dried and the thirst was quenched, Silas found her mother still sleeping, so he settled Laura in his lap.