[Canadian West 05] - Beyond the Gathering Storm by Janette Oke Page A

it. Talk to my folks.”
    “If it’s just my being alone, Boyd will soon be home.”
    Christine shook her head. “I’m sure that would not fix it.”
    “Then bring someone with you. What about that ... that Miss Easton? I’ve seen you talking with her. Bring her.” He slapped the desktop and swore. “Bring the whole typing pool.”
    Christine rose to her feet on trembling legs and wondered if they would work well enough to take her from the room. “I’ll ... pray about it,” she repeated through stiff lips and turned to go.
    “Pray about it,” she heard her boss mumble disgustedly to himself, but she did not turn back.
    As she opened the door, Miss Stout looked up. Christine could feel the woman’s eyes on her but refused to look her direction. And you, she fumed inwardly, annoyed, I suppose you thought you’d be invited for supper every day of the week.

    Christine did pray about it. Honestly. On the one hand she realized how pleasant it would be to live in such an opulent home with so much room, along with the pleasure of spending time in the kitchen each night. She would be preparing meals for Mr. Kingsley and herself. Then Boyd when he returned home from school. She did not even consider Miss Stout as a dinner guest. As far as Christine was concerned, the woman deserved no more free suppers.
    She wrote a letter to her parents telling them of Mr. Kingsley’s proposal. She included the fact that he had said she could bring her friend Miss Easton along with her. That would be fun, she told herself as she penned the words. Built-in companionship in the big house. They could work together in the big kitchen. Read books before the library fire. There was even a player piano in the drawing room.
    But each time Christine’s enthusiasm began to grow, she felt an inner disquiet. Abstain from all appearance of evil came back to her mind as she sealed the envelope. And how would it change things at work? With diligence and care, she had finally earned her spot in the typing pool. She had now been accepted as skilled and hardworking, not “the boss’s favorite.” What if she moved into the boss’s house? Would she be shunned all over again? Christine was certain she did not want that.
    But to refuse. How would he take her decision? Would he be miffed? Downright angry? Might he terminate her employment? Christine continued to pray and anxiously checked her mail until the response from her folks arrived.
    “This is a most unusual circumstance,” her mother wrote. “We have talked about it at length and prayed about it many times. We have come to the conclusion that not knowing the man, nor the full implications of the situation, we must trust God to lead you to the right decision.”
    This was little comfort to Christine. She appreciated her parents’ faith in her, but she wished they had made the decision for her. Mr. Kingsley was waiting for her decision. Boyd was soon due back from the university. She knew she had to decide one way or the other. But what was right? She had not brought it up with Jayne. She did not need the complication of pressure from another source. The week dragged by with Christine’s heart nearly stopping every time Mr. Kingsley’s office door opened. She knew she could not avoid the inevitable forever.
    On Monday morning she slipped into her desk as uncertain as ever. Then she noticed Miss Stout grimly cleaning out Jayne’s station.
    “What—where’s Jayne?” she asked.
    “Foolish girl,” Miss Stout said with tight lips. “She went home for the weekend. Phoned in this morning to say she would not be coming back. She’s getting married to some ... some country yokel. Never even gave proper notice.”
    Getting married The words rang in Christine’s ears. Jayne getting married. So her young man had not taken up with Bessie—whoever she was—after all. Jayne would be so happy. Christine could not help but smile.
    Then came the realization that Jayne would no longer be available