Tracie Peterson - Dawns Prelude

"I don't recall asking for your opinion," Marston said. He had received enough beatings at the hand of his father to completely agree with Robinson, but he wasn't about to let him know.

"Very well." Robinson glanced down at his papers. "At this point in time, Mrs. Gray is quite willing to make arrangements with the Gray family However, should I feel that it is in her best interest to do otherwise, say should she seem under threat of harm, then I would not hesitate to dissuade her from her generous suggestions."

Marston was no longer able to contain his rage. "Of all the underhanded threats… And you suggest that we are the ones who bully. You have not yet won this, Mr. Robinson. The will is still under consideration."

"But I don't believe it will be for long. I am confident it will be resolved within days."

"Has someone given you information to suggest such a thing?" Marston asked.

"As a matter of fact, they have." Robinson fixed Marston with a stern look. "I believe your lawyer will he receiving word of a meeting, even now.

This wasn't good news. Marston knew that if the judge had resolved the matter this quickly, it most likely would not go in favor of his family. He said nothing, however. There was no sense in letting Robinson see his distress.

"There's no reason to remain," Marston suddenly declared.

Mitchell looked at his brother in surprise. "But we haven't yet learned of Lydia 's whereabouts."

"Nor will we. Not here, at least." Marston headed for the door. "I will say this, however." He turned and gave Robinson what he knew to be his most disturbing glare. "You and Mrs. Gray would do well to remember that we will not take bad news without a challenge. You haven't won yet, and if I have anything to say about it, you won't win-ever."

Zerelda pulled on gloves and gave Lydia a smile. "It's a good day to work in the garden." She worried about Lydia. Her complexion was still quite pale, and while she was finally able to keep food down, she was still so thin. "We have a beautiful sunny day, and in Sitka, you don't get too many of those. You have to take advantage of them when you can."

Lydia nodded. "I'm glad it's turned out nice."

"You don't seem happy. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

The younger woman looked toward the dining room window with such longing that Zerelda had to look, as well. What was going through her mind? She acted as though there were prison bars keeping her in.

"This is really the first day I've felt strong enough to be up," Lydia said. "But I still feel so very weak. Will I ever recover?"

"Of course you will. I hate being sick. I always wonder if I'll ever get any better." She pulled on a thin leather apron to cover her serviceable brown skirt and calico blouse. "Take heart, you will soon he hack up on your feet. You'll be out there hiking with me in the mountains."

"I hope so." Lydia 's voice was wistful.

"Look, why don't you sit out on the porch for a time? We can bundle you up so you don't catch a chill. I think the fresh air and change of scenery will do you good."

Lydia seemed to perk up at this. "Do you truly think it would he all right?"

Zerelda laughed. "I'm the nurse here. Of course it will be all right. What I say goes."

She helped Lydia to stand, then walked her slowly to the front door. To her surprise she found Kjell on the other side, just about to knock.

"That's timely," she told him. "I was just taking Lydia outside to enjoy a sit on the porch. Why don't you help her to the rocking chair while I get some blankets?"

Kjcll smiled and took hold of Lydia 's arm. She pulled hack momentarily, then relaxed. He didn't frown or otherwise acknowledge her action, which led Zerelda to believe he understood and knew more about her niece's feelings toward men than most would. Kjell had always been the kind of man to notice things, however. Zerelda had come to truly appreciate the man's kindness.

Bringing the blankets, Zerelda couldn't help but laugh at the way Kjell fussed over Lydia. "She's not broken, Kjell. Just a hit weathered."

This actually made Lydia smile. "I'm a great deal weathered."

YOU look no worse for it," Kjell said. "In fact, I was just going to comment that your color seems much better than when I saw you two days ago."

Lydia said nothing, as if embarrassed at the compliment. ZcrcIda took that opportunity to tuck blankets around her niece and question Kjell about the events of the past couple of days.

"What's the news?" she asked.

Kjell leaned back against the porch support. "Not a whole lot. The Neu'beriz has finally unloaded all the supplies. That's why I've come. There's a load of goods for you out there." He pointed and Zerelda noticed the wagon for the first time. "There's more at the dock."

"Mercy, did you bring all of that up here?"

Lydia nodded. "I didn't know what you might need. I thought maybe I should bring a lot of food and such. I didn't know what you'd already have, so I just purchased a little of everything."

"Must have cost a fortune to ship," Zerelda said, shaking her head. "I3ut we'll make use of it don't you worry."

"Where'd ya like it, Zee?" Kjell asked in his singsong cadence. Sometimes his Swedish ancestry made itself very clear in his comments. Swedes had a way of almost bouncing their words up and down when they spoke. Zerelda had always enjoyed that about them.

"There ought to be room in the storage shed. We'll put the food in the cache, then store anything else down below."

" Ill take care of it."

Zerelda noticed that Lydia was watching him cautiously. She decided to put off the gardening for a few moments and talk to her niece. You know, he's a very good man. He's not like what you're used to. Not all men are that way, you know."

"What way?" Lydia asked, her voice barely audible.

"Like your husband. Like his sons."

"How can you be sure?" Lydia looked at Zerelda, her gaze searching for answers.

"Some men are lost souls who care nothing about the Lord or their fellow man. But some are given to listening to God to putting others first. Kjell is the latter kind. I've never known him to raise his voice. I've seen him offer the best he has to those in need. He doesn't deserve your suspicion."

"I wasn't truly offering it. I suppose that's just the way I tend to be. I'm sorry. Should I apologize to him?"

"Kjell probably never even gave it a second thought. I think, however, it would suit you well to spend some time just talking to him. Get to know him. Restore your opinion of men in general. They aren't all like those you've known."

"I hope not. But please understand," Lydia said, turning back to Zerelda, "I didn't come here seeking romance or a husband. I want only to live out my days in peace. There was never any peace in Floyd Gray's home." She grew thoughtful. "I remember the joy and contentment I had when I was a little girl. That's really all I want now."

"I hope you'll find it here, sweetheart." Zerelda patted her hand. "Sunday, if you're well enough, I'll introduce you to my friends at the church. I think you'll like them very much."

Lydia shook her head. "I'm not much interested in church. Floyd was a firm believer in being seen at church every Sunday. It promoted his social standing with the community to be known for his attendance and supposed benevolence. Sitting there week after week and seeing the mockery he made of such institutions left me with little desire to participate. Especially since I don't believe God cares about me anyway."

Zerelda could hardly comprehend the gravity of her niece's words. Never in their correspondence had Lydia made such a declaration. "You really believe that God doesn't care about you?"