Free Like Gold Refined by Janette Oke Page A

looked over to where Francine sat with Dalton. He had stood to his feet, face flushed, mouth twitching. Virginia had never seen the self-assured young man look so nervous before.
    “This … ” He tugged at his shirt collar and took another deep breath. “This seems to be a good time … a good place to … to … ” He flushed a deeper red and reached for Francine’s hand and pulled her up beside him.
    “Francine and I … Francine has honored me by promising to become my wife. I have her permission—in fact, it was her idea that we announce this to the family tonight.” Once he finally got started, he seemed in a big hurry to get everything said. He did not even pause when the family members began to clap and cheer. “We are planning to be married at Christmastime, and we know that Danny and Alvira will be many miles away. We will be thinking of them, but I’m not prepared to wait longer than that for this lovely young lady”—he turned to the blushing Francine—“until they get home again. I’ve waited much too long already.” He pulled her closer.
    At another round of clapping, he fished in his jacket pocket and came up with a black velvet box. Then he turned to the young woman beside him.
    “Francine,” he said, and his voice was now steady and mellow. “I love you. Have loved you since the day we met, I think. I have appreciated getting to know you over the many months we have been keeping company. My love has continued to grow. And I know that it will not stop growing in the many years we have together—whatever God blesses us with. I’m … I’m so happy that you have already accepted my proposal of marriage. But now … I am asking you again in the presence of your family, whom I have also learned to love and respect—my future family—will you marry me?”
    Francine, whose lips were curved in a trembling smile, leaned against the man beside her, her hands clutching his arm. “Yes,” she said, and her voice was strong and sure. “Yes. I will.”
    Dalton removed the ring from the box he held and slipped it on Francine’s outstretched finger. Then he kissed her gently. Right in front of the entire assembly.
    “Are they married now?” Martha’s clear, puzzled question broke the spell. Laughter rippled around the circle until it was magnified and shared by all.
    “No, they are not married yet,” answered her Uncle Danny.
    “Then why did they kiss?”
    There was more laughter. Martha’s frown deepened.
    “That’s just a … a silly thing that grown-ups do,” teased Danny, ruffling her hair. “You’ll understand … someday.”
    Virginia looked at her child. Oh, please God, not for a long time , she found herself praying silently.
    Then she turned her attention back to her younger sib? ling. Francine was passing around the room, proudly giving a close-up look of the new ring on her finger. She looked so happy. So radiant. So beautiful. Virginia’s breath caught in her throat. Her little sister. To be married. Imagine.
    Her eyes went to the young man who followed closely at Francine’s side. He looked … triumphant. As though the most exciting thing in the world had just happened to him. The most priceless gift just placed within his possession. Virginia blinked back her tears. Yes , her heart responded as her gaze again fell on her little Martha. I would wish this for you … someday. The happiness. The sharing. The blending of two lives. Nothing is more beautiful. Nothing. But please, my darling … please don’t be in any hurry. Your mama needs you .

CHAPTER 6
    T he Simpson family’s few days together ended all too soon, and the group gathered on the platform of the train station to bid farewell to Danny and Alvira. There were no tears. Danny was far too excited to allow the family to express sorrow over his departure. Virginia guessed that there may be more than one damp pillow that night after he had gone. But not now. Now there were only well-wishes and promises of letters