By
Donna and Toni
As
the party continued well into the evening, some of the men became a little
rowdier, and definitely freer with their hands. The gentle Faith found the
raucous atmosphere a little intimidating, and so withdrew, sitting by herself of
to the side, Hope on the other hand, was having the time of her life, dancing
with one man after another.
Grace
saw her youngest sister sitting by herself, which did not really surprise her.
Faith had never been a very outgoing child, preferring more solitary pursuits.
She thanked the man she was dancing with and excused herself, making her way
over to where Faith was sitting quietly, watching everything going on around
her.
"I
don't blame you for taking some time to sit things out, Faith; this certainly is
a lively party! Hope seems to have recovered well from her
misgivings about being so far from home." The eldest of the three watched
her middle sister dance; she'd been trying to keep an eye on her all evening,
which had been a bit difficult considering how much she'd "come to
life" all of a sudden. Who would have known all it took was a party?
"Aye,
sister, she has," Faith said with a soft sigh. "Sometimes I can almost
envy the easy way she can mix with others. But crowds like this frighten me. If
I knew where the church building was in this town, I would run and hide in it
right about now."
Grace
reached out and gave her sister a hug, still keeping one eye on Hope, who was
now dancing with one of the men from the fort. It was then she caught sight of
one of the priests that had been introduced to them earlier in the evening.
Perhaps he would consent to take Faith under his wing, so to speak.
The two women got up
and went over to him together, and Grace smiled, "Excuse me, Father; I hate
to take your attention away from the party, since you seem to be enjoying the
music so much, but would you be able to tell us where the church is from here?
My sister is in need of a bit of quiet meditation at the moment."
"I
would be happy to take her there," Father Alec said gently, looking at the
shy young woman standing with her more out going sister. She looked tired, but
he somehow knew there was something more to her request than to just have a
place of rest. "Come my child, its not far. You can sit and enjoy the peace
there for a long as you like." He assured Grace that he would stay with her
younger sister until she felt up to returning to the celebration.
Grace thanked him,
and, with a last hug, headed back over to keep tabs on Hope. Yes, she was
certainly enjoying this party!
The
other two left the party, and headed off for the church. As the priest had said,
it wasn't far at all. Faith didn't talk much at all as they walked, and Father
Alec respected her silence. When she was ready, he was sure she would open up to
him. He opened up the door to the little mission church, and Faith sighed
happily. "Thank you, Father," she said as she stepped in side.
"It's a beautiful church. I feel like I've come home."
"For
those who find comfort in their faith, any House of God should feel that way.
Can I get you anything? There is a small kitchen, of sorts, just off the main
chapel, and I have managed to find tealeaves nearby. A small fire wouldn't take
long to start, and we can have one of the comforts of the world we left
behind." His eyes sparkled as he looked at her; he wanted to put her at
ease.
"Maybe
later, Father," she said with a shy smile. "There is something I need
to do first." Leaving his side, she walked up to the bank of candles on the
wall. Faith dropped to her knees in a smooth, graceful motion, and after draping
her shawl over her head, she lit a candle, crossed herself and started to pray.
He
smiled at the sight of her devotion, and walked quietly up the aisle at the
opposite side of the church that would lead to the door to his study. He'd be
able to hear her if she needed him from there, and it would give him a chance to
work on that Sunday's sermon.
As
the party continued off in the distance, young Faith gave her thanks for the
safe deliverance of all the girls on the Bride Ship and Father McBain, and
prayed for his continued guidance in all of their lives. "I dinna ken why
we be here," she said quietly, lapsing into a soft Scottish brogue.
"But I'm sure that Ye wa’ be the one to take us through it. If there be a
way to be of service for Ye here in this Kirk, may it be so.
If Ye wa' that I marry, lead the man that Ye wa' have be with me into me
life. Yer will, naught any o' mine be done," she prayed fervently. Crossing
herself, she ended her prayer. "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost. Fer aye and fer ever, amen."