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Authors: Tracie Peterson
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never be enough to support their current style of living.”
“I would never see them put from this house. As far as I’m concerned, this is their home. I have even thought of buying my own home of late.”
“I would rather you stayed on—at least for a time. Let us see what might happen with this . . . this problem.”
Garrett shook his head. “Father, I insist you see the doctor tomorrow. We need to know what the problem is. Mercy needs to know. Then I want you to rewrite your will to give your shares of the business to Mercy and the girls. I have more than I will ever need. I have invested my profits wisely and they are paying a good dividend.”
“You are a godly and compassionate man,” his father said, his voice breaking. “I could not have asked for a better son.”
Garrett reached out and touched his father’s hand. “It is by your example that I have become the man I am. Your wife and children have been a blessing to me. I will see them well cared for in the future should you be gone.”
“No man could ask for more.” His father pushed back the bowl and got to his feet. “I will do as you have asked and speak to the doctor. But I beg you, say nothing to your stepmother. She has been so happy of late. I would like to see that sustained for as long as possible.”
“I promise to remain silent for as long as I can,” Garrett replied. “I would do nothing to cause Mercy pain.”
“Thank you. I will retire now.” His father took up a candlestick by the stove and lit the wick. “You have always made me proud, Garrett, but perhaps never so much as this night.”
Garrett watched his father go and felt an uneasiness grow inside. To imagine his father so very ill was difficult. The man had always been a pillar of strength. Perhaps it wasn’t as critical as it seemed. Garrett tried to think of the situation in a positive light. Many people suffered because of their rich diets. The Wilson household was well known for its sumptuous, heavy meals. Garrett would speak to the cook about eliminating some of the rich sauces and fatty meats. Perhaps if his father were to alter his diet, he would feel better. It was at least worth a try.
But then Garrett knew if he said anything to the cook and the meals changed, Mercy would know there was a problem. He ran his hand through his hair and bowed his head.
“Lord, I don’t know what to do. Mia is in danger and Father is ill. It would seem I am the bearer of a great many secrets tonight. Secrets I can neither understand nor withstand on my own. Please show me what to do. Show me how I might best help.”
He tried to imagine his world so drastically altered as to find neither his father nor Mia in it. The thought was most unbearable, yet there seemed nothing he could do.
“Well, one thing I can manage is to send for Rodney.”
Rodney Eckridge was the man his father had hired to be in charge of some of his many properties. This included tenements down by the docks. Garrett was certain there was no problem with their own properties, but perhaps Rodney could find someone with information about those places where the landlords were being overbearing. They might even offer information about the debt collectors and the conniving that was going on to threaten the lives of the women and children Mia cared so much about. At least he could offer this. He hoped it would be enough to appease Mia’s anger and put him back in her good graces.
Mia paced her bedroom, enraged by the conversation she’d had with Garrett. How can he be so insensitive as to demand I stand by and do nothing? How can he simply offer the excuse that the poor will always be with us?
“That man is so . . . so . . .” She couldn’t finish her sentence. There were simply no words for it. Garrett had disappointed her and never before could she remember that having happened.
“He acts as though he has some right to command me. He’s being an overbearing big brother without regard to my
“I would never see them put from this house. As far as I’m concerned, this is their home. I have even thought of buying my own home of late.”
“I would rather you stayed on—at least for a time. Let us see what might happen with this . . . this problem.”
Garrett shook his head. “Father, I insist you see the doctor tomorrow. We need to know what the problem is. Mercy needs to know. Then I want you to rewrite your will to give your shares of the business to Mercy and the girls. I have more than I will ever need. I have invested my profits wisely and they are paying a good dividend.”
“You are a godly and compassionate man,” his father said, his voice breaking. “I could not have asked for a better son.”
Garrett reached out and touched his father’s hand. “It is by your example that I have become the man I am. Your wife and children have been a blessing to me. I will see them well cared for in the future should you be gone.”
“No man could ask for more.” His father pushed back the bowl and got to his feet. “I will do as you have asked and speak to the doctor. But I beg you, say nothing to your stepmother. She has been so happy of late. I would like to see that sustained for as long as possible.”
“I promise to remain silent for as long as I can,” Garrett replied. “I would do nothing to cause Mercy pain.”
“Thank you. I will retire now.” His father took up a candlestick by the stove and lit the wick. “You have always made me proud, Garrett, but perhaps never so much as this night.”
Garrett watched his father go and felt an uneasiness grow inside. To imagine his father so very ill was difficult. The man had always been a pillar of strength. Perhaps it wasn’t as critical as it seemed. Garrett tried to think of the situation in a positive light. Many people suffered because of their rich diets. The Wilson household was well known for its sumptuous, heavy meals. Garrett would speak to the cook about eliminating some of the rich sauces and fatty meats. Perhaps if his father were to alter his diet, he would feel better. It was at least worth a try.
But then Garrett knew if he said anything to the cook and the meals changed, Mercy would know there was a problem. He ran his hand through his hair and bowed his head.
“Lord, I don’t know what to do. Mia is in danger and Father is ill. It would seem I am the bearer of a great many secrets tonight. Secrets I can neither understand nor withstand on my own. Please show me what to do. Show me how I might best help.”
He tried to imagine his world so drastically altered as to find neither his father nor Mia in it. The thought was most unbearable, yet there seemed nothing he could do.
“Well, one thing I can manage is to send for Rodney.”
Rodney Eckridge was the man his father had hired to be in charge of some of his many properties. This included tenements down by the docks. Garrett was certain there was no problem with their own properties, but perhaps Rodney could find someone with information about those places where the landlords were being overbearing. They might even offer information about the debt collectors and the conniving that was going on to threaten the lives of the women and children Mia cared so much about. At least he could offer this. He hoped it would be enough to appease Mia’s anger and put him back in her good graces.
Mia paced her bedroom, enraged by the conversation she’d had with Garrett. How can he be so insensitive as to demand I stand by and do nothing? How can he simply offer the excuse that the poor will always be with us?
“That man is so . . . so . . .” She couldn’t finish her sentence. There were simply no words for it. Garrett had disappointed her and never before could she remember that having happened.
“He acts as though he has some right to command me. He’s being an overbearing big brother without regard to my
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