Tracie Peterson - Dawns Prelude

Kjell shook his head. "He was never absent, Lydia. Neither was He pleased with what was happening. But whether you realized it or not, He never left you to face it on your own. He was there for you then, just as He is here for you now. He wants to be your comfort and salvation, and He's the only one who can truly heal you from all the hurts and wounds given you over the years."

Something in Lydia 's soul craved the truth he spoke-longed for the hope he offered. Could she trust God-love Him as Zerelda promised He loved her?

She felt like a child taking a leap from a hayloft. "I want to try," she whispered. "I want very much to know Him."

Kjell's eyes dampened with tears, surprising Lydia. "All you have to do is ask. Believe in Jesus and trust that He will save you, and He will."

Lydia considered his explanation for a moment. For much of her life, she had blamed God for her troubles. Could she really let go of the past and press on with a new heart, a new hope? She felt a warmth spread over her-a wonderful warmth that felt like nothing she'd ever known before. Her heart seemed to leap for joy. It was the right thing; it was the true thing. Looking up at Kjell, Lydia let her own tears come. "I believe, Kjell. I do believe."

Oh, but this is wonderful news!" Zerelda fairly danced a jig. Her pleasure at the announcement that Lydia had made peace with God and accepted Kjell's proposal was clearly evident.

Kjell grinned. "I thought you might approve." He put his arm around Lydia. "Not only that, but Liddie's hid for the property was acceptable to the agent."

"And does that meet well with you?" Zerelda asked, looking back and forth from Lydia to Kjell.

"Why wouldn't it?" he questioned.

Lydia looked at her aunt curiously. "Yes, why wouldn't it be acceptable?"

"Well, Kjell is a man, and he might find that it hurts his pride to have his wife provide the money to buy their home." She fixed her gaze on Kjell. "If that is something that bothers you, you should work. it out now."

He shook his head. "It doesn't bother me. God has always provided for me in one manner or another. I have nothing that hasn't been given me through Him. I'm not at all concerned about this transaction. I know Lydia has a great deal of wealth. It doesn't interest me, except that she is happy and has what she needs for the baby"

Lydia smiled. Floyd would never have agreed to such a thing. He might have taken her money and then conducted his own purchases, but he would never have allowed her to make any decision about their future.

It touched her deeply that Kjell was so different from the other men she'd known. If he could be different, then other men could, as well. The world wouldn't necessarily have to be filled with cruel tyrants who only wanted to use and hurt women.

"When will you marry?"

"The sooner, the better," Lydia said, surprising herself as well as the others.

Kjcll laughed out loud and gave her shoulders a squeeze. "I'm such a great catch, she's afraid I'll get away."

Zcrclda nodded with a smile. And well she should be. You are the best man in Sitka."

"Yes, but I have eyes for no one but Liddie. She needn't worry about me slipping away.-

"My honest concern is to marry before the baby arrives. I'd like for him or her to have the Lindquist name," Lydia declared.

"And so he shall," Kjell replied. "We'll marry tomorrow, if we can. The Russian priest can probably do the job, since we really have no other men of the cloth in Sitka. Then we can all move into the main house before the weather turns had."

"Oh, it would probably be best for the two of you to move into the main house on your own," Zerelda countered. "A couple needs time to themselves, and I have lived quite contentedly in this cabin for many years."

A know you have," Kjell told her, "but I have other reasons for wanting you close. I don't want Liddie alone-cspccially with Gray still in town. I don't want you alone, either, for that matter. The threat he presents is real, and I don't want something hap- pcning to you."

"Do you think he will dare come here again?" Lydia asked. He'd done nothing to again impose himself at the cabin.

"I think he's capable of about anything. I'm not going to risk him showing up while I'm working one day when you're alone. Together, you and Zee are capable of holding off a small army."

"Mainly because of Zerelda," Lydia said with a smile. "She's a fierce foe to be encountered."

Zerelda laughed. "Well, I have shot my share of beasts in the past. None were two-legged, but it could happen, I suppose. I usually find that men are willing to reason with the end of my shotgun."

Kjcll nodded. "So that is why I want us all under one roof. At least until Gray leaves. Would you be willing to do that, Zee?"

The serious expression on Zerelda's face left little doubt in Lydia 's mind that she fully understood the gravity of the situation. "I will do whatever you think best, Kjell. Especially if it means keeping Liddie safe."

Lydia slept very little that night. She thought of how things would he after tomorrow. She was about to marry again, and she had more than a little fear of what that would mean. Was she making the right decision?

She turned over slowly and tried to soothe her aching back with extra pillows. The thought of praying came to mind, but Lydia still felt awkward about trying it.

"I don't really know what to say," she whispered. "I know that I desire safety for myself and the child. Oh, and for Kjell and Zerelda, too." She thought for a moment. "I want to know you better, Lord. I know that my faith is weak right now, but Zerelda tells me that in time it will grow."

Thoughts of Marston gave her a shiver. "I wish you'd make him go away. I wish you would send him back to Kansas City and make him realize that he cannot force me to return with him. He frightens me, Lord. I can't help it." She rubbed her hand over her bulky stomach. "I fear for my child."

For a moment, Lydia paused. Praying was so very foreign to her. Was God really listening? Did He really hear the prayers of unimportant people? She frowned and closed her eyes. She wanted to feel as sure of her faith as Zerelda and Kjell did, but how did that happen? Was there something more she needed to do?

Lydia awoke the next morning feeling a sense of anticipation. For a moment, she didn't know what it was all about, but then Kjell's proposal came hack to her. They were to marry today! She drew a deep breath and cautiously maneuvered out of bed. She studied her wardrobe and knew there was little choice to he had. She had a simple navy-colored skirt, as well as a brown one, both of which had been styled to accommodate her pregnancy. There were also several full-cut pleated blouses that Zerelda had made for her.

"Not exactly like the grand wedding gown I wore when I married Floyd," she mused. But then, that marriage didn't turn out well, so apparently the finery didn't help."

Choosing her best white blouse to accompany the navy skirt, Lydia dressed and then styled her hair. She arranged the straight brown mass into a simple bun at the back of her neck. There was no full-length mirror to study her reflection, and Lydia could only hope that her efforts would suffice. Kjell would think her beautiful no matter what, and that thrilled her heart as nothing else could. Floyd had never thought her pretty, but Kjell looked at her in such a way that she had no doubt of his appreciation and approval.

"There you are," Zerelda said as Lydia exited her bedroom. "I thought maybe you'd changed your mind. My, but don't you look lovely"