“But there was money aplenty to have someone else play nursemaid. You could have sent me to the hospital.”

“Hospitals are places where people go to die.” She shook her head and helped him back into his shirt. “I have some willow bark tea that you need to drink. It will also help bring down the fever.”

Carson reached out, fumbling for her. Gloriana frowned and took his hand.

“What is it?”

“I gave you no reason to help me, and yet you do.”

“God laid it on my heart. I can hardly marry Luke and then stand by and let his father die.”

“I don’t deserve . . . your mercy.”

Gloriana frowned again. “I have to admit I didn’t understand why anyone would want to tear a family apart. When I heard you had come, I was afraid. I love Sally and couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her.”

“I can see that now.” He chuckled and started to cough again. When it passed, he shook his head. “Maybe I had to be blind to see.”

“You said you never believed in God, Mr. Carson.”

“Not much, anyway. Why do you ask?”

“God has gotten me through all of this. JT’s sickness, my father’s and Scott’s deaths, Sally’s death and the baby’s birth, and now you being here. When the boat went down and Papa and Scott died, I was so angry at God. I felt He was cruel. Then Sally went into labor and had the baby but could summon no will to live. That convinced me all the more that God didn’t care. But He did. Sometimes His way of doing things seems so foreign to me. It makes no sense, and I have to remind myself that I’m not God. I don’t have to understand. I have only to trust. That’s where you are right now. We neither one understand why you have gotten sick, much less become blind. Nor why it had to involve me. But as I have cared for you in your sickness, my heart has softened. I no longer feel hatred or anger toward you. I’m no longer afraid. I feel God’s presence as I act in mercy. I know that I am doing His will.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you. I’m glad my son has found such a woman to wed.”

“Even though I’m not rich? Or a part of society? I’m just a fisherman’s daughter.”

“No, you’re so much more.”

“So was Sally.” Gloriana hadn’t meant to speak the words aloud, but now that she had, there was no taking them back.

“Yes. She was a much better woman than I gave her credit for. I am deeply ashamed of how I acted. Deeply ashamed.”