Shelter in Seattle by Rhonda Gibson Page B

church doors. Julianne slipped back inside. Everyone was standing, so she took her place beside Caleb.
    He leaned over and whispered. “Is the baby okay?”
    Julianne tucked her hand into his. “He’s fine. Everything is fine.” She rocked Jonathan in time with the beat of the song.
    For the first time in her life, she felt free. The song ended and Julianne handed Jonathan to Caleb. She quickly gathered their things and joined the loggers and the few families as they made their way out of the small church.
    She hurried to help the other women set the food on the tables for the picnic. Julianne wanted to tell Caleb of her new commitment to God and to confess her lie to him so they could go back to being comfortable with each other. He hadn’t said anything, but Julianne sensed he knew she was hiding something from him.
    “You’re awful chipper.” Maggie commented, setting a large potato salad on the table.
    Julianne felt the older woman studying her face. She tried to hide her newfound joy from her friend. Caleb should be the first one to be told.
    “You’ve changed. There’s a sparkle in your eyes that weren’t there this morning.” Maggie moved in front of her.
    Julianne was forced to look the older woman in the eye. She opened her mouth to deny the truth of Maggie’s words and then stopped. Her lying days were over.
    “I really want to tell Caleb first, Maggie.” She whispered, leaning toward her friend.
    Maggie clapped her hands with joy drawing attention to them. “You’re with a wee one, aren’t you?” She grabbed Julianne and hugged her to her breast.
    Over Maggie’s shoulder Julianne watched as Caleb’s face turned as white as new fallen snow.
    One of the men from the sawmill burst into the churchyard, yelling, “We need every man on the west side. A fire is blazin’ and it’s headed this way!”
    His shout drew everyone’s attention from Julianne, except Caleb’s.
     Maggie ran to where Caleb and the men stood. “I’ll come and help.”
    Caleb handed Jonathan to her. “No, Maggie we need you here to send food and water up to us. Would you see my family gets home okay?”
    “You know I will.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 14
     
    Julianne watched Caleb leave with the men. What must he be thinking? She had to explain it to him. She felt momentary panic as her thoughts jumped ahead. Surely, he didn’t really think she was with child. Silently she prayed. Implored was more like it. Lord, what a mess this is. Please, please, dear Lord, comfort my husband and keep him safe as he fights the fire.
    Maggie carried Jonathan back to Julianne. “I’m sorry. I wish it had been a better time to tell Caleb about the babe.”
    “I’m not having a baby, Maggie.” Julianne took Jonathan.
    “You’re not?” Concern filled her voice. “But Caleb… he heard me… I’m pretty sure Caleb thinks you are. Maybe you are and just don’t know it yet.” Maggie offered as she began filling a plate with food. “But since you don’t know fer sure, it will be a simple thing to straighten up when he gets home. Who knows, maybe he’ll think about it and decide he likes the idea.”
    Julianne felt tears prick the back of her eyelids. She refused to cry. Maggie had no way of knowing their marriage wasn’t real or of the anguish she had just caused Caleb.
    She followed Maggie to one of the many trees that surrounded the churchyard. Maggie spread out an old blanket, and the two women sank down on it to eat lunch.
    Jonathan fell asleep to Julianne’s gentle rocking. She laid him down on the blanket beside her and looked about.
    The two women that arrived on the boat with her sat together talking in soft whispers. Julianne couldn’t hear what they were saying but was pretty sure they were voicing their concern for their husbands. The older woman sat by herself, she held a new baby to her breast and sang Amazing Grace in a quiet soothing way.
    “Well, if you weren’t happy cause