[Canadian West 02] - When Comes the Spring by Janette Oke Page B

The world in Toronto and here
in Calgary would continue to go on without Elizabeth Delaney, and I
must accept the fact.
    I felt a bit teary inside as I turned my face into my pillow. For a
moment, I was afraid I was going to cry; and then Wynn reached for
me and rubbed his cheek against mine.
    "Are you ready for adventure, Elizabeth?" he whispered to me, and
I could detect excitement in his voice.
    "Um-hum," I murmured, reaching up my hand to feel the strength
of his jawline. I smiled into the darkness, and Wynn could feel the pull
of my facial muscles as they formed the smile. He kissed me on the
temple.
    "I've never been so excited about heading north, Elizabeth," he
confided. "Always. before, I've known how much I was really leaving
behind. This time I can only think of what I am taking with me."
    I stirred in his arms.
    "I hope I never disappoint you, Wynn."
    "I'm not worried about that." His voice was very serious now. "I
only hope and pray that you are never disappointed. The North can be
cruel, Elizabeth. It's beautiful, but it can be cruel, too. The people they are simple, needy people-like children in many ways. I guess it's
the people who draw me there. I love them in some mysterious way.
They trust you, lean on you, so simply, so completely. You sort of feel
you have to be worthy of their trust."

    `And I'm sure you are."
    "I don't know. It seems as if I've never been able to do enough.
What they really need are doctors, schools, and most of all missions.
Missions where they can really learn the truth about God and His plan
for man. They have it all so mixed up in their thinking."
    A new desire stirred within me, a desire not just to teach Wynn's
people how to read and write, but how to find and worship God as
well. Funny. I had never met them-not any of them-yet I felt as if
I already loved them.

     

~e ourney jr3ey1;,s
    After a teary last farewell, we were on our way. I felt sad and excited
all at the same time. I couldn't really understand or sort out what was
going on inside of me. Wynn sensed my feeling and allowed me some
quiet thoughts. On occasion he did point out things of interest, but he
didn't push me for enthusiasm. The first several miles of the trip I had
seen many times, as it took us through Red Deer and Lacombe. As the
train stopped in Lacombe, I looked closely for someone on the street
whom I might know; I was about to conclude that there was no one
when Phillip, Lydia, and young Phillip-Wynn's brother, sister-in-law,
and nephew-came aboard, ushering Wynn's mother down the aisle.
    "The conductor says they will be here for a few minutes, so he will
give us warning when they are about to leave," Phillip informed us.
    We soon became busily engaged in conversation, catching up on
all of the area news. It was no time until the conductor came to tell us
that the train would be ready to leave again in about five minutes. We
hated to see them go but were so glad for the time we were able to
spend together. It was the first I had been able to call Mrs. Delaney,
Sr., Mother, and I took pleasure in doing so.
    "God bless you, Elizabeth," she said. "It isn't as hard for me to let
Wynn go this time, knowing he will be well looked after. You take care,
though. From what Wynn has said in the past, the North can be a
lonely place for a woman."
    I tried to assure Mother Delaney that I would be fine and was quite
prepared for all that lay ahead. I wasn't quite as sure of myself as I tried
to sound. With every mile of the whirling train wheels, my stomach
tied into a little tighter knot. Had it not been for Wynn beside me, I'm
sure I would have panicked and bolted long before we had reached
even Lacombe.

    I tried to concentrate on the small settlements through which we
passed. It was not easy. My mind was on other things. Even when
Wynn spoke cheerily, pointing out this or that, I still couldn't get
enthused-though I did try.
    I finally decided I must be tired and