He inhaled and continued. “You have questioned my integrity with regard to Arthur’s mother. My only defence is that it was the way of things back then between slaves and masters. I have attempted to right my wrong with the boy since his mother’s passing, making sure the lad was happy with the work I assigned him. And believe it or not, I do not allow my eyes to wander too far from my wife. Age is a good teacher.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” Gwen said, “but I think you are telling the wrong person. Your wife and sons surely suspect the adulterated union and have carried the shame in their hearts for an entire lifetime. Arthur and Daniel were childhood friends, and they deserve the right to call one another brother if they so desire. Your wife needs to hear your apology. There is a price to pay for our sins, sir, but seeking forgiveness will set you free from the bondage I see trapped behind your eyes.”
“I did speak to the preacher after Daniel came home—I felt so lost. He’d been taken from me in a far worse way than death. The man of God advised me to take the same action.”
“And will you move forward now and let the pain of the past rest in forgiveness?” Gwen asked.
“I shall.” He pushed to his feet. “Right now, before I lose my nerve. Will you stand by to encourage me?”
“That is not my place, sir. You need to do this alone.”
“I knew you’d say that.” He moved toward the bedroom. “Pray for me then?”
“I certainly shall pray for all of you.”
For the next thirty minutes, no one stirred from the room. The air was hushed, and Gwen felt a peace and knew that, somehow, everything would be all right.
When Mr. and Mrs. McAlister came out, the man nodded in Gwen’s direction, and contentment marked his countenance.
The woman was the biggest surprise. She headed straight for Gwen and pulled her into an overwhelming embrace.
While the woman held Gwen by her shoulders at arm’s length, the beaming Mrs. McAlister spoke. “Thank you for giving my family back to me. I’ve been rude and ungrateful. You are indeed an angel sent from God.”
“Not an angel, ma’am. His willing servant is all I can claim.”
“I’d like to meet my grandson. May I come by tomorrow?”
Excitement filled Gwen to see the entire family reunited. Even the unexpected child was included in the healing. “Yes, please. Come to the cottage for tea around two. Jacob will be up from his nap and ready to play by then.”
“I cannot talk my son out of this false sense of obligation he feels toward the child’s mother. He doesn’t love her, and he should leave her for the man who will cherish her.”
“It is something Daniel will have to work through. You taught him to be honorable.”
“To sacrifice one’s life for a marriage without love is too much to bear, and I told him so. For it is only after twenty-nine years that my heart swells with pride for the man I wed. I believe my latter years will be better than our beginnings.”
“I am pleased to hear that. I shall pray for you all, even after I leave.”
“I will not hear of it. I have an idea I want to run past my husband that I think you will enjoy. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow. Now, get some rest before you pick up the baby. My son is on his feet, and there is nothing we can say that will keep him in bed. Hopefully, the doctor will have some ideas.”
“I’ll stay here until after the physician comes, then go back to my cottage and resume our regular routine – until Daniel returns with his wife. I’ll not stay past then.”
“Oh, we shall see. You will like my idea, I can guarantee it, Nurse Gwendolyn.”
Chapter 13
The doctor came and went, declaring the patient fully recovered and leaving a remedy to help him with his headaches until they also subsided. When Gwen went into his room, Daniel was shuffling through his drawers and throwing clothes into a duffle bag.
“What are you doing?” Gwen asked.
“I must go to find Shannon and do what is necessary to settle the score with her.”
“Why did you not feel this same urgency when she brought the child?” Gwen asked.
“Suppose I was in shock, and without a memory, had nothing to offer a child or a wife.”
“You said yourself that appreciation was all you felt for the woman who helped you through a depressing time. Gratitude is not something to base a marriage on.”
“But a child is.” He took Gwen by the shoulders, and the intensity of his gaze exposed her heart. “I realize we have feelings for one another that have not yet been explored or discussed, but I hope you can see that I can’t just abandon Jake’s mother. What will he think of me when he grows up and fully understands his origin?”
“But she was heading off to be married, Daniel! What part of that don’t you understand? She didn’t choose you or Jake.”
“If I see her happily wed and not missing her son, I will return satisfied. Until then, I must settle my conscience.”
“You are a stubborn man, Daniel McAlister, and she can have you for all I care.”
He wiped away a tear that refused to stay hidden behind her angry eyes. “My dear, sweet Gwen—I fear I have hurt you, and don’t know how to make it right.”
She pulled away. “No, you have taught me a valuable lesson. A woman with a career
