The High Calling Page 6

  He thought about the ornate kitchens that were operated by servants in his own home. The family never gathered there, and Parker felt a sudden twinge, for there was a hominess about the Winslow house that appealed to him greatly.

  “What all have you been doin’ since you’ve been gone?” Missouri Ann asked.

  “I’ve been looking over cattle down in Texas.” He shook his head. “Texas is so big. Anywhere you go you can see for miles—farther than anyplace I’ve ever been. And it’s so dry—the rivers are nothing but dust right now.” Parker continued to tell about his travels, and finally he fell silent.

  “I reckon Brodie and Kat will be back pretty soon,” Missouri Ann said.

  “Is he serious about her, Mrs. Winslow?”

  “First of all, I don’t feel comfortable being called Mrs. Winslow. Why don’t you just call me Missouri Ann? And to answer your question, I don’t think he is. Of course, Brodie is a lot of fun. He was raised in these parts. His family didn’t amount to much, but Brodie’s different. He’s got lots of ambition. I reckon it’s pointed in the wrong direction, though.”

  “Aviation is a good profession for some.” Parker shrugged. “He’s skilled at what he does.”

  Missouri Ann understood why Parker was asking for her opinion of the relationship between Kat and Brodie. She hesitated, then said, “I don’t think Kat’s really interested in Brodie. He’s a Sunday man. Not much good for everyday work. Women like him, though. They’ve always chased after him, even when he was just a yonker.”

  She took a sip of her coffee and looked at Parker with a grin. “I ask most everybody I meet how they stand with the Lord, and I can’t make any exceptions, even if you are a baron.”

  Parker smiled. “I’ve been wondering when I would get your sermon. I felt a little sad because you didn’t preach to me as Kat says you do to everyone.”

  “Well, I always like to know where a body stands.”

  “I’ve always believed in God,” he said simply. “And I remember going to what you would call a revival when I was just ten years old. It was an outdoor meeting that I went to with a friend of mine, and the minister preached like no one I’d ever heard before. All of our ministers are such scholarly men, and as a boy I was very bored by their sermons. But this man had something special about him. I didn’t know what it was. It was as though he were speaking directly to me.”

  Missouri Ann leaned forward and nodded. “He had the Spirit of God. That’s what he had. What happened?”

  “He preached about the death of Jesus, and I found myself crying. As I think back on it, it might have been pretty embarrassing for a lad of my age, but I didn’t care. He finally asked everyone who wanted to follow Jesus to come forward, and I did. There were only three of us, and he prayed with each one of us. I’ll never forget it, Missouri. It’s just as clear in my mind as if it happened today. Since then I’ve tried to follow the Lord and be obedient to Him.”

  “Well, that’s mighty good, Parker. I’m pleased to hear you’re a man of God.”

  Parker stared into his coffee cup as if he expected to find some answer there. When he looked up there was a troubled light in his eyes. “I’m afraid there’s going to be a war in my country. I think most men of vision see that. All of us will be called upon to fight.” He hesitated and twisted the cup around nervously. “I may be called on to kill men. I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know if I should do it.”

  Missouri Ann suddenly felt a great affection for this fine young man. He was different from the men who grew up in this area, refined as he was in his speech and manners, and there was a goodness and firmness and honesty in him that she appreciated. “A man has got to do what God tells him to, and a man that won’t fight for his folks is no man at all. No Christian enjoys having to shoot other people, but it’s happened in our own country and in yours too, I reckon.”

  Missouri Ann got up and brought back her worn black Bible. She began to read to him, moving from the Old Testament to the New, barely glancing at the words. It was as if she had memorized the entire book! Parker had never met an individual who knew the Bible as this woman did.

  “I reckon as how you can be sure of one thing,” she said. “Whatever happens, I’ll be praying for you, young man.”

  “That’s good of you, Missouri. I need it.” He rose then, saying, “Is your husband around? I’d like to ask him some more questions about his livestock.”

  “No, I’m afraid he’s not. He should be back in a couple hours.”

  “I’ll come back later, then.”

  “That’ll be fine. Come back anytime.”

  She walked out to the car with Parker and watched as he drove off, then shook her head. “That’s one fine gentleman. His country is headed right into trouble and he knows it, but he’s trustin’ the Lord.” She turned back toward the house and spoke to the chickens that had gathered there. “Get out of the way, you fool chickens! Get back in your pen where you belong!”

  ****

  When Kat entered the house with Brodie a while later, Missouri Ann noticed that her daughter was flushed and excited. She was laughing, and words tumbled out of her as she told her stepmother about their latest flight.

  Missouri Ann shook her head. “I wish to goodness you’d stop goin’ up in that contraption. You better be careful with my girl here, Brodie.”

  “You can believe I am careful, Missouri Ann.”

  “Parker stopped by while you were gone,” Missouri told Kat. “He was sorry to miss you.”

  “Is he coming back?” Kat asked quickly.

  “Yes. He’s coming back later this afternoon to talk to your dad.”

  Brodie shifted his weight. “I wish that Englishman would go home. He’s trying to steal my girl.”

  “No he’s not,” Kat said. “He’s looking for cattle. And besides, I’m not your girl.”

  Brodie made a face, squeezing his eyes together. “But you will be before long. I ain’t educated like he is, but I reckon I know about men. He don’t look at you like a man interested in Black Angus cattle.”

  “Oh, don’t be foolish, Brodie!”

  “I’m not foolish. I guess I know when a man is interested in a woman. I’ll see you later.” He turned and left the room abruptly.

  “Brodie’s workin’ up a bad case on you, daughter. I hope you’re not encouraging him.”

  “Oh no, we’re just having a good time.”

  “That’s not the impression I get from him.”

  Kat stared at Missouri and then changed the subject. “I need to go change clothes. I got some oil on me. We were working on the engine.”

  She went upstairs to her room, changed her clothes, and then sat down to read her Bible. She found she could not concentrate, though, for thoughts of Parker Braden kept coming back to her. She was disturbed that she was thinking of him so much of the time. She began to pray, but again her thoughts were jumbled, and she found herself thinking back to Parker’s embrace. She had been kissed before, but something about this man was different.

  Frustrated with her lack of concentration, she went over to the window and surveyed the farm. She noticed that Clint was mending a fence, so she went outside to help, hopeful that the physical labor would clear her mind.

  ****

  When Kat came back to the house, she noticed Parker’s car in the driveway and smiled. She went inside and found him talking with her father in the parlor.

  He got up at once and greeted her. “I’ve missed you,” he said with a smile.

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  “Big news, Kat,” Lewis said. “Parker’s going to buy the beginnings of a herd from us.”

  “What about Hercules? Are you going to buy him, Parker?”

  “Oh yes. And you don’t have to worry about his being made into beef steaks. He’ll be a stud.”

  Her eyes danced, and she hugged him. “Oh, that’s wonderful! I’ve been so worried about him.”

  “Well, you don’t have to worry anymore.
He’ll have an easy life.” Quickly he added, “Why don’t you and I go out to the pasture and we can talk about which of the cows I need to take back with me. Then perhaps you’d like to go into town with me afterward.”

  “That would be wonderful! Just let me go wash my hands. I’ll be right back.”

  Lewis watched his daughter leave and shook his head. “I’m glad you’re buying that bull. She loves him like he was a cat or dog or something.”

  “I’m glad for her. She’s very sentimental, isn’t she?”

  “About animals she is.” Lewis grinned. “If she loves a husband like she loves that steer, she ought to have a good marriage.”

  ****

  Kat and Parker were lingering over their meal at the Colonial Grill—Summerdale’s fanciest restaurant—when the waitress came over and refilled their coffee cups. “Will there be anything else?”

  “No. I think we’re fine,” Parker said. He waited until she left and then leaned across the table toward Kat. “I’ll miss American cooking when I get home.”

  “Isn’t English cooking good?”

  “I don’t think it’s as good as yours. The cooks just put everything together and let it simmer. It’s not seasoned like yours. I may have to change their minds.”

  Kat basked in the warmth and security of his smile. She had been pleased beyond words at the news that Hercules was going to lead a long and happy life, and she had been excited to talk with Parker about which of the cows to take with him. She knew them all by name, as well as their every flaw and virtue.

  Parker interrupted her thoughts. “I’ve got something to ask you, Katherine.”

  “I’ve been curious about why you always call me Katherine. Everyone else calls me Kat.”

  “You don’t mind, do you? I think Katherine is such a beautiful name.”

  “Actually, I like it,” she said. “Especially the way you say it. What did you want to ask me?”

  “I’d like you to make the trip with me to take the cattle back to England.”

  Kat stared at him. “Why, I can’t do that!”

  “I don’t see why not. You’ve got some time before your fall classes start.” He leaned forward and put his hand over hers. “I’d also like you to meet my family. And it would be helpful to have you with the animals to get them settled, you know.” He laughed and shook his head. “I’m being devious. I really want to be with you. It would be a nice trip. The ship wouldn’t be fancy at all—just a cattle ship—but we could have fun and have lots of time together. You’ve never been on a ship like that, have you?”

  “Oh no—never!”

  “It’s so relaxing. The world feels far away, and we could talk. I could find out all about what you did as a little girl, and you could pry into my boyhood secrets.”

  Kat was stunned by the enormity of his offer. She had never entertained any such idea. He was looking at her with an expression that told her how much he wanted her to come. She tried to think of reasons to refuse, but before she had time to answer, she heard footsteps and turned to see Brodie advancing toward their table. His hat was pushed back, and his face was flushed. He’s been drinking, Kat thought, angry that he had spoiled the pleasure of the moment.

  “Well, limey, I see you brought my girl to town for me.”

  “Brodie, go away,” Kat snapped. She had discovered that Brodie did not often drink, but he had a reputation for making trouble and becoming aggressive when he did.

  Brodie ignored her and stood glaring down at the Englishman. “I reckon you think you can come over here and take our women anytime you take a notion.”

  “I had no such thought,” Parker said quietly.

  “You and your fancy talk and fancy clothes! I don’t care what you say—you ain’t takin’ my girl!”

  “I don’t think this is the place to discuss it,” Parker said. He was aware that everyone in the place had turned to watch them. “Perhaps we could talk somewhere else.”

  “Right here’s good enough for me.”

  Kat was alarmed, and she tried to interrupt Brodie, but he persisted.

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave,” Parker said quietly. “Your behavior is not that of a gentleman.”

  “I’ll gentleman you!” Brodie yelled. He grabbed Parker by the jacket and hauled him to his feet. He swung wildly and Parker blocked the blow, but Brodie was an accomplished fighter. Even drunk, he had the skills developed over years of fighting. His next swipe caught Parker high on the temple, and Parker went down into his chair, dragging the tablecloth with him.

  He jumped back up and tried to protect himself, but Brodie waded in swinging.

  Kat could not believe what was happening, and she cried for help. The manager of the restaurant was already running toward them, and a couple of men dining nearby had jumped up to grab Brodie and subdue him.

  “Brodie, you stop at once!” Kat cried out. “Are you crazy?”

  Brodie struggled to shake the men off who were holding him tight, but then he blinked his eyes and quieted when he saw the blood running down the Englishman’s face. “I-I’m sorry . . . I don’t know what got into me.”

  “Get out of here! Go away!” Kat cried, her face pale and her lips trembling. “I’m ashamed of you, Brodie Lee. Now leave!”

  The manager intervened, “You’re not going anywhere, young man. We’ve called the police and they’ll be here any minute.”

  Brodie gave Kat an anguished look and allowed himself to be led to the foyer to wait for the police.

  Kat went to Parker at once. “I’m so sorry, Parker. He was drunk.”

  “Yes. I noticed that.” His mouth was bruised and his eyebrow was bleeding.

  “Come on. We’ll have to go clean you up.”

  “It’s not that bad,” he protested as he straightened up the table and chairs and apologized to the other guests, feeling mortified more than injured.

  After paying for their dinner and making more apologies to the restaurant manager, they went outside to speak to the police, who wanted to know if they wished to press charges. Parker merely suggested that they lock him up overnight to let him sober up, figuring that a night in jail and a stiff fine for disturbing the peace might be enough to teach Brodie a lesson.

  “I’m sorry about all this,” Kat said as they walked to Parker’s car. “Brodie’s not like that except when he’s drinking. And he doesn’t do that often. He’s had a hard life.”

  Parker pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and held it over his eyebrow. “Actually,” he said slowly, “I don’t blame him. He’s in love with you, Katherine.”

  “No he isn’t.”

  “I think he is,” Parker said as he started the car.

  She tried to ignore his statement. “When we get home, I’ll put something on that cut.”

  The two said little on the way to the house, but when he stopped the car Parker said, “I won’t go in. This isn’t a bad cut, and I’d rather not have to explain to your parents.”

  “I understand. It was such a good evening until Brodie came.”

  Parker got out of the car and walked around to open her door. When she got out, he said, “I hope you’ll think about making the trip to England with me.”

  She had forgotten about the trip in the confusion. Now she still didn’t know how to answer him. “I’ll . . . I’ll pray about it, Parker.”

  He grinned ruefully. “Well, there’s no way a man can argue with that. I’ll pray about it too. I think it would be a wonderful thing for us.”

  She saw him lean toward her, and she took his light kiss. He smiled and said good night, then got into the car and drove off.

  Kat went into the house and found the boys already in bed, but her father and Missouri Ann were waiting for her.

  “Did you work things out with Parker?” Lewis asked. “About the cattle, I mean?”

  “He wants me to go to England with him, Dad, to help with the cattle.”

  Lewis shot a quick glance at Missouri Ann. “Are you
going to do it?”

  “I don’t know. I need to think about it and pray about it.”

  “Would you like to be Lady Braden someday?” her father asked.

  Kat stared at her parents. “No. The title would mean nothing to me.” She turned and hurried upstairs.

  “She’s troubled about this, Missouri.”

  “Yes, she is. I’m thinkin’ she’s in love with that Englishman.”

  “I hope not. I would hate to have my daughter living so far away.”

  “She wants to do God’s will, Lewis,” she said. “We’ll have to pray that she finds it.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Yellow Light, Red Light

  The story on the front page of the newspaper fascinated Kat—as it did almost everyone in the western world. For weeks now she had been reading of the scandal concerning the former king of England, who had romanced and finally married an American divorcée. Last December, for the first time in English history a king had stepped down from the throne “for the sake of the woman I love,” as the article quoted.

  As she read the story curiously, Kat wondered what Parker thought of all this and decided to ask him. He had been persistent in his pleas for her to return to England with him, and she had been in agony over her indecision.

  Tossing the newspaper down, she rose to go check on the bread she was baking. Her parents and the boys had left for the day, so the house was unusually quiet. As she turned to go down the hall toward the kitchen, however, she heard a car pulling up in the driveway, and she went to the door. It was Brodie. Her lips tightened and she greeted him coolly.

  “Hello, Kat. Can I come in?”

  “I suppose so.” She reluctantly opened the door.

  He followed her into the kitchen. Bending over the stove, she tested the bread with a broom straw. Seeing it was still not done, she closed the door and turned to find Brodie twisting his hat in his hands.

  He blurted out, “Hey, Kat, I came to say I’m sorry—you know, for what happened the other night.”