Kathleen Morgan - Child of Promise

Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Hebrews 10:36

Contents

The plains east of
Colorado Springs, Colorado
December 1903

Today was the worst day of her life.

Today the world, as seventeen-year-old Beth MacKay had known it and had expected it to be, had turned upside down and inside out. Today her heart would surely break, her romantic dreams would be permanently crushed, and her love would shrivel and die.

Noah Starr was getting married.

Dear, sweet, magnificently handsome Noah would wed another woman. Another woman would carry his name, bear his children, and be his lover and lifelong helpmate.

With a sigh, Beth turned over in bed and buried her face in her pillow. How in the world was she going to live through this miserable, heart-wrenching day? How was she to attend the wedding, pretend to a happiness she didnt feel, and offer her congratulations to the married couple?

It was too much to expect of anyone. Shed just have to plead a sick headache and beg off going.

Abby would understand. Beths stepmother knew of her love for Noah, a love that had begun three years ago when Noah had rescued her from a rattler at a church picnic. As he had held her in his arms to comfort her after he had killed the snake, Beth had fallen in love.

Not that she had been the only female in Grand View to have lost her heart to the young, blond, and eligible pastor of the towns Episcopal church. Since that day seven years ago when he had first arrived from back East to assist his ailing uncle with his priestly duties, Noah Starr had been the source of much feminine speculation and maternal matchmaking.

But in Beths mind, Noah had always been meant for her. Why else had he waited so many years after coming to Grand View to take a wife, if the good Lord hadnt intended him for her? And why, oh why, couldnt he have waited just another six months until she finished high school? Surely Pa wouldve allowed Noah to begin courting her then, even if she wouldnt have been eighteen for another two months. For all practical purposes, she wouldve been considered a woman, free to make her own decisions, go off to college, or marry.

Beth sat up and tossed her pillow across the room, striking the door. Then with a groan she climbed from bed. After a quick ablution in a washbasin of icy water, she dressed, brushed her hair, scrubbed her teeth, then headed downstairs to the kitchen.

As always on a cold winters morn, Old Bess, the ever-faithful, if temperamental, cast-iron cookstove, warmed the room. Abby, her chestnut brown hair pulled up in a neat, high bun, her cheeks flushed from the heat rising from the stove as she expertly flipped flapjacks, turned and grinned.

Good morning, she said cheerily. Could you finish up the rest of the flapjacks while I see to your sister? Besides buttoning her dress, Ive still got her hair to brush and her shoes to put on, and Seans too busy chasing her around the parlor to be of much help.

Beth forced a bright smile onto her face. Sure. Sorry I took so long to come down. I was just... well, never mind. It doesnt matter much anymore.

Abby paused in her journey toward the hallway separating the kitchen from the parlor. I know this will be a hard day for you to get through, Beth. She glanced over her shoulder with an understanding look. Just remember youve always got your family to love and support you.

And what a family it is, Beth thought, comforted by the realization. Besides her older half brother, Evan, who was married and the proud father of two children, there was six-year-old Sean and three-year-old Erin, the two children of her father, Conor, and his second wife, Abby. Having such a high-spirited half brother and half sister certainly made for a lively household.

Still, Beth reveled in the warm sense of close-knit, affectionate family that had grown from her father and Abbys love for each other. Even their home, Culdee Creek Ranch, had prospered and bloomed in the years since they had wed. In addition to Evan, his wife, Claire, her brother, Ian, and Evan and Claires two children, there was also her cousin Devlin, his wife, Hannah, and their four children. And when one added in the ranch hands who lived in the nearby bunkhouses, Culdee Creek nearly qualified as a little community in itself.

Yes, Ive always got my family, Beth agreed softly, and Im ever so grateful for it, too. I just wish it were me getting married today, instead of Alice Westerman. I wish I were the one whod soon be Mrs. Noah Starr, rather than my teacher. How am I ever going to face her when she and Noah return from their honeymoon?

The Lord will provide the strength, just as Hell provide the right man in due time, Beth. Abby smiled. You have to believe that.

But who could be better than N-Noah? In spite of her best efforts, Beth couldnt keep her voice from quavering.

Not many men, thats for certain. Her stepmother turned and walked back to stand before her. Nonetheless, there are a few good ones still left out there, I promise you.

And theres no rush, is there? I thought you still planned on becoming a doctor. Has that changed all of a sudden, and Im now the last to know?

A doctor . . .

Beth had wanted to become a doctor for years, no matter what obstacles were thrown into her path, no matter how difficult it still was for a woman to be accepted in such a role. Even nowadays, lady doctors were suspected of being involved in feminist causes, dress reform, sex education, and other inappropriate activities. Many were even accused of wishing to be men, of being little more than emotionally stunted women incapable of striking up social relationships or matrimonial links.

But none of that had mattered to Beth, not since she had read about the first woman doctor in America, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, who had graduated from Geneva Medical College in New York in 1849. Dr. Blackwells profound love of medicine and heroism against opposition had inspired Beth from an early age. She had dreamed of following in Dr. Blackwells footsteps and enrolling in the very same medical college.

And it seemed now, after today, there was no reason not to pursue that dream. Noah had betrayed her, even if unknowingly, and she couldnt conceive of ever loving another man enough to sacrifice medical school. For Noah, and only Noah, she had been willing to compromise her dreams. But never for any other man, and never, ever again.