An hour later Mari pulled into a short gravel drive, stopping in front of a small cedar shingled cottage. It had a wonderful view of the lake beyond, and was surrounded by a variety of wild flowers lending a splash of color against the brown background of the house. She sat behind the wheel for a moment staring into the distance, gathering her wits about her. When she finally stepped out of the car, she was greeted by a large black lab, wagging tail setting the whole back of his body in motion. “Hey, Smokey, what’s up?” she crooned, bending over to scratch behind the dog’s ears. After he had his fill he dodged out from under her hand, running in circles around her, tongue lolling out of his mouth, barking joyfully.
“Look what the cat, or dog as the case may be, dragged in,” came a warm, male voice from behind her. Mari swirled and immediately launched herself into the man’s arms.
Andrew McCarty wrapped the daughter of his best friend tightly in his arms, a frown marring his smooth brow. He was a large man in his late sixties, with dark hair just touched with gray and a body as fit as a man nearly half his age. On the outside he appeared to be the epitome of a retired business man intent on golf and fishing. But that hid a sharp intelligence, quite helpful as he had made his living getting into the heads of his country’s enemies. He glanced down at the slight woman in his arms, and admitted ruefully to himself that taking down enemy spies might be an easier occupation then trying to calm his weeping goddaughter.
Mari was as close to a daughter as he was likely to get. Although he had been married at one time, he and his wife had never been blessed with children. Her death before the age of thirty caused a hole to form in his heart which had taken decades to heal. Gordon and Susan had been an anchor for him at a time when his world was falling apart, and had gifted him with a friendship that had lasted through good and bad times. When they were blessed with the birth of a daughter, he was the first person they had contacted, even before their own parents. He had loved that squalling, red-faced infant like his own since he first laid eyes on her. Sitting in the hospital room the day after her birth, holding her in his arms, he looked down at her and made a silent declaration that he would do all he could to protect her. Gordon and Susan, knowing what was in his heart, had asked him to be their daughter’s godfather.
As her godfather Andrew had been an active part of her life whenever his job permitted. It had been no hardship to promise Mari’s parents he would take care of her if something happened to them although he never imagined it would come to that. When he received the call informing him of their death, Mari had been a freshman in college. Andrew had been working in the Middle East , deep undercover, but his government contacts had made sure he knew of the accident mere hours after it happened. He flew home immediately, leaving the investigation he was working in the hands of his partner, then drove to Mari’s college campus to break the news to her in person. She stood in front of him, dry eyed, posture ramrod straight, as he explained what had happened. They drove back to Michigan
Over the ensuing years she often called him to tell him what was happening in her life, including the man she professed to love. But she had never called on him in distress, needing his support. It appeared that she needed him now. He moved his hands to rest on her arms and set her away from him. Warm brown eyes full of concern met tear-drenched hazel ones as he gazed down into her face. “Whoa, there! I know it’s been awhile since we saw each other, but you’ve never greeted me like that before.”
Mari could not begin to stem the tears racing down her cheeks. Even as she sobbed Andrew was pulling her back into his strong, comforting embrace. He held her for a few more moments, resting his head on hers, letting the storm of tears run their course. When the worst was over, he kept one arm wrapped around her shoulders, leading her into the small house. He guided her to the couch, gently pushing her to sit down. “Stay there. I’ll be right back,” he commanded, leaving the room.
Mari sat, hands gripped tightly together, trying to get a grip on her emotions. Never in all these years had she so totally lost control in front of Uncle Andrew. Not when she was a little girl and had fallen off her bike in front of him. Not even when he had come to tell her that her parents had died in a car crash during her first year in college. She took the news stoically, determined that she would be brave for her parents’ sake. But she was thankful Uncle Andrew had been there to help her those first days. He had driven her back to Michigan
Andrew returned to the living room carrying a tray loaded with cheese and crackers along with some vegetables and dip and a tall bubbling glass of Diet Coke. Mari lifted questioning hazel eyes to his and he replied, “I try to keep a few things on hand just in case. Besides, my lady friends seem to like the same things,” mentioning a fact that was sure to focus her attention on something other than what was troubling her.
“Lady friends? Who?” Mari allowed herself to be distracted.
“Just some friends I’ve come across the last few months. For some reason they seem to think I’m a good catch. But we’ll talk about them later,” Andrew said when he saw Mari had her tears under control. He settled down on the chair across from her. “Right now, spill. What brings you out here, so far from home on a Sunday?” Glancing at his watch, he gave Mari a look. “Even with the way you drive you won’t make it back in time for church tonight.”
“Yeah, I know.” She hesitated for a moment, working out what to say. She met his direct gaze and decided the blunt truth would be best. “I’m pregnant,” Mari blurted.
Andrew’s eyes opened wide in shock. He was like a second father to her. Mari had told him about Joe’s sterility shortly after Joe had told her. Andrew had actually tried to talk her out of marrying Joe knowing how much Mari desired children. His response was a long, drawn out, “Oh.”
“Yes, oh.” Mari picked up her glass of diet soda, taking a long drink to calm her fluttering emotions. “I found out Monday.”
“Is everything okay?” At Mari’s look he clarified, “With the baby, I mean.”
Mari sighed. “Yes. Thankfully everything seems to be all right there.” Putting the glass back on the tray, she leaned back on the couch, resting her head on the soft cushion. “Everything with the baby is fine. Everything with Joe is a mess.” She turned her head to look at Andrew, waiting for him to comment.
“I guess he didn’t take it very well.”
“You could say that. But it would be an understatement.”
Andrew rose from his chair and came to sit next to her on the couch. He took her small hand in his. “What do you want me to do?” he asked.
“I have no idea,” Mari answered sadly. “Joe thinks I had an affair.” His hand gripped hers a little tighter but he remained silent, waiting for her to explain. “I tried to tell him that I didn’t, but he wouldn’t believe me. He said since he couldn’t father a child, I must have had an affair.” A fresh tear tracked its way down her cheek. “I’ve prayed for a child for ten years, Uncle Andrew. The answer had always been ‘no’ before. I was finally at peace with that. Why now? Joe is so angry, so hurt, and it makes me so mad that he just can’t believe God would grant us a miracle.” She slipped her hand out of his and stood. Mari began pacing the small room. “Why can’t he just believe? He makes me so mad.”
“Well, Mari, your prayer wasn’t exactly some little request. Not, I pray that God will let me have a good day, or God grant me a raise. If you didn’t have an affair, then this is truly divine intervention and a lot harder to grasp.”
“If I didn’t have an affair!” Mari rounded on him, hazel eyes fierce with indignation. “If I didn’t have an affair!” she shouted, astounded that he could believe she had dome something so vile. “You actually think I would have an affair just so I could have a baby?” She stood stiffly in front of him, hands fisted at her sides. She wanted to pummel him, she was so angry.
Andrew’s lips twitched, remembering that same stance when she was three and he would not let her go out on the boat with him because at the time he thought she was too little. Mari saw that smile and the scowl on her face deepened. Andrew burst out laughing. “Calm down, calm down. I know you would never do that,” he soothed. “And, deep down, I think Joe knows it, too.” He took Mari’s hand and pulled her down next to him. “But this is a hard thing, Marilee. It’s not going to go away overnight. In fact, it’s never going to go away. This child will always be there between the two of you unless you guys can work this out.”
“But how, Uncle Andrew?” Mari sighed in defeat. “He won’t even talk to me. He avoids me whenever possible. I told him I was pregnant Monday night and since then I’ve seen him a total of maybe two hours and they were spent yelling at each other.”
“That does pose a bit of a problem, doesn’t it?” he commented. “You can’t push him to accept this, Mari. You’re going to have to be patient.” Mari heaved a big sigh at that. Patience was not her strong suit. Andrew grinned. “Yeah, I know. You’re a lot like your dad that way.” He got up from the sofa and pulled her up after him. “Let’s go out on the boat. I want to do some fishing and you look like you could use some rest. Grab one of your old suits from the spare room and I’ll meet you down at the dock.”
A short time later, Andrew’s boat was skimming over the water out to the middle of the lake. Mari lounged back in a deck chair, her body finally beginning to relax. It was a beautiful day and the sun beating down on her felt so absolutely wonderful. It warmed her tired body and her eyes drifted shut. Within minutes she was sleeping.
Andrew looked down at her from his position at the wheel. This little girl, the child of his closest friend, the daughter Andrew had never had, was having a baby. And by the looks of things she might be having it alone. He knew a few things about Joe that he was sure Mari did not know, but it was not his place to share them. He was not even sure Joe was totally aware of the amount of information Andrew had. What was the use being a government agent if he could not pull a few strings to investigate his favorite girl’s soon-to-be husband? Even knowing what he knew, Andrew had given Mari his blessing and kept most of his reservations to himself, believing the young man his Marilee had chosen would eventually become the strong Christian husband she needed.
He slowed and stopped the boat, dropping the anchor. Picking up the novel he kept on board, and took a seat next to Mari. He pulled a soda out of the cooler and settled down to read. He might not be able to change things for her, but he could give her this time to rest.
Time passed. The shadows on the lake lengthened. Andrew glanced over at Mari, who was still sleeping soundly. He hated to do it, but he would have to wake her up shortly. There may be problems at home, but Mari was never one to run from a difficult situation. Strategically withdraw for a while, perhaps, but not run. He could do little for her but offer her prayer, but he would make sure Mari knew he was there whenever she needed him.
“Hey little girl,” he crooned softly, gently shaking her shoulder.
Mari stirred when she felt the touch on her shoulder. She stretched languidly before opening her eyes to see her Uncle Andrew watching her, a grin on his face. “What are you grinning at?” the raspy tones of sleep still filled her voice.
“You haven’t changed much since you were little. Still wake up crabby.”
“I am not crabby,” she laughed. “I was having a perfectly wonderful dream and then I feel this earthquake…”
“Oh, please,” Andrew snorted. “Anyway, it’s time to go in.”
Mari sobered. “Okay.” She sat up, drawing her legs up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Andrew rose and headed towards the wheel. In no time they were docking outside Andrew’s cottage and Mari realized this time of rest had come to an end. Working together they tied up the boat and walked up to the cottage, Smokey running around them. In the house, Mari changed back to her street clothes then came out into the living room where Andrew was waiting.
“Thanks for letting me come out, Uncle Andrew.”
He grabbed Mari up in a tight hug. “Any time, little girl.” Mari smiled at the nick name Andrew had given her years ago. “The Lord is with you, Mari. Remember that.”
“I will Uncle Andrew.”
“And let me know what’s going on. I’ll come knock some sense into the boy if I have to.”
Mari was pretty sure he was kidding, but also knew Andrew would literally knock some sense into Joe if he thought it was necessary. “I’ll keep in touch,” was her only comment before sliding into her car.
The ride home was quiet. Instead of turning on the radio she spent the time in prayer and thought. Although Mari still had no definitive plans by the time she reached home she felt calmer than she had earlier. The long nap on the lake helped, plus letting Uncle Andrew know eased some of the burden. Because the circumstances of this pregnancy were so unbelievable she determined to let as few people know as possible. As much as she wanted to shout from the rooftops about this miracle, Joe did not share the feeling and she was determined not to put any more pressure on him than there already was.
When Mari pulled into the drive, she noticed the light on in the guest room and was relieved that Joe was home. She let herself in the house and after locking back up, headed up to bed. Looking up she saw Joe standing at the top of the stairs. His face was in shadow hiding his expression, but if his body language could be believed, he was not very happy.
What now? Mari groaned inwardly as she finished trudging up the stairs. But Joe did not say anything as she approached him. He moved slightly as she passed, so she would not touch him, and Mari sighed, irritated at his childishness. When she reached the door to the master bedroom, Joe finally broke the silence.
“Where were you?” the question was growled out, accusation heavy in his voice.
Without turning around Mari answered. “If you must know, I went out to see Uncle Andrew. I’m sure if you give him a call, he’ll vouch for my whereabouts.” She entered the room and closed the door with a decided snap.
Yeah, like he was going to call Mari’s Uncle Andrew. It had been bad enough when he asked the man for Mari’s hand in marriage. No way was he going to call him and accuse his goddaughter of having an affair. Andrew would probably snap Joe in two and throw him in the lake to feed the fish. Although in the last ten years Joe and Andrew had had a very congenial relationship, Joe was in no doubt where Andrew’s loyalty lay. Unless there was definitive proof of Mari’s infidelity, Andrew would give Mari the benefit of the doubt. And since Mari insisted her pregnancy was a result of marital relations with Joe, there really was no definitive proof until the baby was born. Joe just was not sure he could wait that long to be proven right. It was already killing him to see Mari, imaging her lying with some other man, then growing large with child. What he was going to do when she really started showing Joe had no idea.
Joe went downstairs and entered the kitchen. He sat at the table, resting his chin in his hands. He wished he could blank his mind, or better yet go back in time to before he left for Houston
Pushing himself up from the table, he grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and went back upstairs to his self-imposed prison.
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