Love Finds a Home (Love Comes Softly Series #8) by Janette Oke Page A

finally consented," Belinda commented. "Ya wantin' more coffee?" Marty asked suddenly.
    "No. No thanks. I've had plenty." Belinda laughed lightly. "I guess Aunt Virgie and I have taken more to drinking tea. I'm not so used to much coffee anymore."
    "Well, I sure can fix a pot of tea," Marty replied, jumping up from her chair.
    "Mama," Belinda said quickly, reaching out a restraining hand to her mother, "I don't need tea, either. Why, I've been eating and drinking ever since I set foot in the door. I won't be able to even move in six weeks if. . ." Belinda stopped.
    The shadow darkened Marty's eyes again. "Six weeks, is it?" she asked slowly.
    Belinda nodded, toying with her cup.
    "I thought as much," said Marty. She pushed her cup back listlessly.
    "It's . . . it's that I can't . . . can't feel comfortable just leaving Aunt Virgie," Belinda began, sensing that some kind of explanation was needed. "She . . . she is so alone. She really has no one . . . no family who cares about her. Her grandsons are in France, busy with their own lives, and she gets so lonely. I can see it in her face. I . . . I . . ." Belinda faltered to a stop.
    "'Course," said Clark, reaching for Belinda's hand.
    "Is there . . . is there . . . anyone special in the city?" Marty asked.
    Belinda smiled but shook her head.
    "Ya know," Marty remarked slowly, "it really would be easier iffen there was. I mean . . . fer me. Ya wouldn't seem so . . . so alone yerself then."
    Belinda was surprised at her mother's comment but understood.
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    "I'm not an old maid yet, Mama," she reassured Marty with a smile.
    "We-ll," responded Marty, "yer not gittin' any younger, either. All the other girls was. . ." but Marty dropped the sentence. Belinda well knew her sisters had married when they were much younger than she was now.
    "No one ever said thet everybody has to marry," Marty quickly amended. "Thet's somethin' each person has to decide fer herself."
    Belinda nodded.
    "It's not so much I want ya married. It's jest I don't want ya all alone an' lonely . . . ya understand?"
    Belinda nodded again.
    Marty reached over and patted the hand Clark was still holding. "Are ya lonely?"
    Marty's question surprised Belinda. For a moment she could not answer. A lump in her throat threatened to choke her. She blinked back tears and nodded slowly.
    "Sometimes," she admitted, dropping her head. "Sometimes I get dreadfully lonesome. I'd come home--so fast--if I could see my way clear to do it."
    Belinda lifted her face to look from her mother to her father. Their eyes were wet, as well.
    Marty patted the hand again.
    "Well, ya know what ya gotta do . . . an' ya know thet ya can come home again . . . anytime . . . anytime ya be wantin'
    to."
    Belinda fumbled for her handkerchief. "I know," she nodded. "And that keeps me going during the really lonely times. Thanks. Thanks. . . both of you."
    For a moment their eyes held, and then Marty pushed back from the table. "An' now you'd best be off ta bed afore ya fall off yer chair," she urged. "Yer pa and me have kept ya up long
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    enough. We needn't say everything tonight. We have six weeks to catch us up."
    "You have anything thet needs carryin' up?" asked Clark, rising from the table.
    "Luke took my suitcase up," answered Belinda.
    "Ya go on, then," Marty continued. "Yer room should be ready fer ya. I dusted and freshened it up just last week. I'll jest gather these few cups in the dishpan. We'll be right up ourselves--yer pa and me."
    Belinda kissed them both and climbed the familiar steps to her room. The door stood ajar, the suitcase at the foot of the bed.
    She entered the room and stood looking about her. It was a simple room. The bed was still covered with the same spread Belinda remembered so well. At the window the matching curtains breathed in and out with the slight movement of the night air. Braided rugs scattered here and there brightened the plainness of the wooden floors. Belinda couldn't help but remember that at one time she