Love's Enduring Promise (Love Comes Softly Series #2) by Janette Oke

included as his girls.
    Marty began to notice little things concerning Nandry and wondered if indeed the young girl maybe "overcared" for her benefactor. Clark's appearance was the only thing that ever brought a change of expression to Nandry's face, and Marty often caught her watching Clark as he went about the yard. She noticed as Nandry set the table that Clark's plate and
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    cutlery were arranged with special care.
    "I think thet I'll be plum glad to git thet girl off to school," she told herself one day and immediately reprimanded herself.
    "Ya silly young goose," she scolded, coloring in spite of herself. "Here ya are havin' jealous pangs over a mere child."
    It surprised her somewhat to discover her jealousy. She had never been in a situation to feel threatened before, never having had to share Clark with anyone but her children.
    "God, fergive me," she prayed, "an' help me not to be selfish with the man I love. Nandry is growin' up, perhaps too quickly, but it be by no choice of her own. She didn't have much to look up to in her own pa, an' now seem' a man, thoughtful an' carin', hardworkin' an' with humor in his eyes, no wonder she admires 'im like. Enyway, Lord, help me to be wise an' to be just. Help me to love Nandry an' to help her through these painful years of growin' up. Help Clark, too. Give 'im wisdom in his carin'."
    Marty made no mention of her observations to Clark. There was no use drawing his attention to something of which he seemed to be completely unaware. It could accomplish no good, and perhaps would only serve to put an unnatural restraint between the man and the girl, and Nandry so much needed to be able to reach out to people. Secretly, Marty hoped that Clark would never realize that the young girl was nursing a "crush."
    For the most part Clark was away in the fields, and though Nandry cared for the chickens and the little ones in comparative silence, Marty still observed the looking-off in the direction that Clark was working, and the flush of the cheeks when he entered the house. Clark never did seem to notice and teased each of his girls equally.
    Missie was still number one and being only "goin' on six" could still climb on her pa's knee, insist on combing his hair, or curl up beside him under the shelter of his arm.
    Clare was his "helper" and followed his father wherever his young steps were able. It often meant a piggyback return, for the young Clare played out quickly.
    Arnie's tottering steps determined to follow Pa also, and
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    Marty, looking out of the window, often shook her head at the patient Clark trying to chore with two small boys assisting him, making his tasks most difficult, yet enjoyable.
    Though patient and loving with his family, Clark was very firm, and Marty at times had to bite her tongue when she felt that Clark was expecting a bit much for their tender years. She would have coddled them, Clark would not, for he had a strong conviction that what was learned through discipline in early years would not have to be learned through more painful lessons later on.
    Clae seemed almost to forget that she had ever lived elsewhere but with the Davises; and though she did not call Clark and Marty Pa and Ma, Marty felt that she truly looked on them as such. She openly admired Clark and enjoyed his teasing, even teasing back in return, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
    So they adjusted to one another and began to feel as a family. Morning worship was a special time. The two oldest girls listened carefully to things that they had never heard before, while Missie and Clare coaxed for their favorite Bible stories.
    The days passed quickly. Enough of the sewing was done so that the girls at least could start school dressed appropriately. Marty would finish the rest as she found the time.
    Missie's excitement grew. Marty felt that she was on the verge of hysteria and tried to slow her down. Clark just laughed and said to let her enjoy it. Daily, Missie changed her mind about what