by Lynn Landes
Mercy’s Promise
By: Lynn Landes
By:
Lynn Landes
Published by:
Landes Publishing
Edited by:
Shane Landes
Cover art by:
www.roseannawhitedesigns.com
This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, and events portrayed in this novel are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 by Lynn Landes
http://[email protected]/
All rights reserved.
Other titles by Lynn Landes:
Dust & Dreams
Stolen Dream's
Perilous Dreams
The Angels Covenant
Covenant Breakers
Blood Covenant
Fae Queen
Shadow King
Serenity’s Song
Arctic Moon
Chapter 1
Psalms 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Heavy footsteps vibrate the pine floor of the one-bedroom room rental in the boarding house. “Open the door, woman!” Cursing, stumbling and fumbling he pounds on the door screaming.
Anika whispers to Delaney, “Hide Angel. Don’t come out unless I call you.” Delaney runs and cowers in the corner behind the chair. Anika smooths her shirt over her swollen belly and walks to the door. “Coming Saul,” she opens the door, and the slap sends her stumbling backward into a table.
“What the hell took you so long? You gettin’ so fat with child that you can’t even walk?” He laughs at his own joke as she wipes the blood from her split lip. Anika straightens up and slowly closes the door. Saul Coltrane stands five foot eleven inches tall, just five inches taller than her, but he is all muscle. Once, her husband was good looking, but now his cheeks are sunken and yellow. His beard is as long and unkempt as his hair. The most significant change is his eyes. Any affection he once held for her is gone and replaced with a simmering hatred.
“I’m sorry, Saul,” Anika murmurs covering her pregnant belly. The baby isn’t due for another four months. “I kept your dinner warm for you.” She moves to the small woodstove in the corner and pulls a plate of food from it. After placing it on the small table, she backs away, careful to avoid eye contact.
“Good, I’m starving.” He stomps to the table and sits, stuffing down the potatoes and a piece of meat she managed to get during dinner. Food goes quickly in the boarding house. It is served promptly at seven pm, and if you aren't early, it goes fast. Anika helps prepare the meals, and they give her a discount on food.
Anika stares at him with caramel colored eyes and pushes her strawberry blonde hair back. Her face is swelling quickly, and she winces when she licks her lip. Saul wasn't always abusive. Before the war, her husband was kind and loving, but after he couldn't stay in one place very long. He was quick to anger and drank to help ease the pain. Nightmares plagued him, and the easy access to cheap whiskey became his solution. The latest move brought them to Pennsylvania, six months ago where he started working at the mill.
The first time he hit her she was shocked. With no family to turn to Anika was alone, except for their daughter, seven-year-old Delaney. After the first time, his rage seemed to grow. Everything seemed to set him off, and Anika began to wonder how long she would survive. They moved from town to town, before settling here and the church became her refuge. Drinking became his medicine to numb the pain of whatever ate at his soul. The one saving grace was that he never hit Delaney. He has a soft spot for his daughter, and Anika hopes for this child as well.
“Did you make any money today?” Saul demands not even bothering to look at her. Rising from his chair, he moves to the small table where he keeps his whiskey and pours another cup.
“Yes. I made a dollar fifty, doing laundry.” It was a reasonable sum, the men and women who board often used the laundry services. Saul grunts and glares at her.
“Well, where is it.” The bottle is drained dry as he drinks the last of it, before swaying on his feet and stumbling towards her.
“We were behind on the rent, Saul. They kept the money for this week’s payment and said if we can’t pay on time...” The blow to her face sends her sprawling on the floor. Anika grunts and tries to cover her belly.
“You, stupid, bitch,” he starts kicking at her, grunting with each word. Pain explodes in her side and stomach, she can’t catch her breath as the blows drive it from her.
“No, the baby…” Anika shouts. Her only thought is to protect herself and keep his focus on her, not Delaney. Fighting for survival now, she grabs his pant leg, causing him to stumble back into the small table and chair.
“I’ll kill you!!” He spits, stumbling to his feet.
“No, Daddy!” Delaney screams flinging herself on top of her mother. Saul steps back and stares down at them. Anika groans as she tries to sit up, but the pain in her back and stomach is ripping around her midsection.
Saul stumbles backward and trips over the chair, then kicks the table across the room. Flinging open the door, he runs from the boarding house towards Schmidt Bar and Saloon, the local drinking hall. Anika feels her water break and begins to pant hard as the first contraction hits.
“Mommy,” Delaney sobs out.
“I’m alright, Angel. I need you to be strong now. Go get Mrs. Daniels, tell her the baby is coming. I need Dr. Parker.” Delaney scrubs her face and nods.
“Yes, Mama,” she runs from the room crying and yelling for Mrs. Daniels.
The next few hours pass in a blur as the Doctor comes with his wife and her daughter is born. Anika holds her in her arms and sobs as she draws her first and only breath in this life. “Nooo…” she moans and rocks her daughter, “I'm so sorry.”
Dr. Parker wipes a tear and looks up at his wife. Josiah and Clara Parker have patched her up more times than she cares to think about and right now they are at a loss for words. “This isn't your fault, Anika. I can give you some morphine for pain,” Dr. Parker offers, but she immediately shakes her head.
“No, Delaney needs me. Where is she?” Anika glances around the room in a panic.
“Easy, now. Mrs. Daniels has her, and we are going to take her home with us so you can rest,” Clara insists.
Anika looks up, and her tears roll down her swollen bruised cheek. “Thank you, I think that would be a blessing.” Her eyes look down at the tiny bundle who entered the world too early and presses one last kiss to her little face.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Perfection,” Clara replies softly.
“Are you ready?” Josiah says a prayer asking for guidance and waits for her to hand the child to him. He knows the longer she waits, the harder it will be to let go.
Trembling arms hold up the newborn and Anika moans a heartbroken sound as he takes her gently into his arms. “Would you like to name her before we go?”
“Her name is… Rosie Coltrane,” Anika whispers and wipes her eyes.
“Rosie is a beautiful name.” Clara sits with her and hugs Anika while her husband leaves the room quickly. When he returns a half hour later, he brings a dropper of morphine.
“Anika, Mrs. Daniels is going to stay with you tonight, and we are taking care of Delaney. I insist you let me give you something for the pain.” Anika looks up at him and laughs a sound bordering on hysteria.
“Will it heal the chasm in my soul, Dr. Parker?” No more tears fall, she is cried out for the moment. “Tomorrow I must tell my daughter that he
r sister is dead, and I can’t promise that we won’t be next. Thank you, but no thank you. If he comes back, I… I have to be ready.”
Josiah is livid. He has already spoken with the Sheriff, and he is out looking for Saul. Something has to be done to help these wounded soldiers. Too many women and children are paying the price. With all the men coming home from the war Saloons are on the rise. The church is trying to counsel families and push for change. In the meantime, they do what they can. He reaches over and pats her hand.
“You won't be alone this time. The Sheriff is going to put him in lockup for a little while to help get his head straight. We've already spoken with the Pastor, and they are going to help you and Delaney. I don't want you to be afraid tonight. Just rest and let your body heal. I think you have a few cracked or bruised ribs. Unfortunately, that could take a few weeks for the black and blue bruising to fade and heal. I don't see any reason why you can't have more children in the future. Please reconsider the drops for pain. You will heal quicker if you rest.”
“All right then, just this once.” Dr. Parker sighs with relief and quickly gives her the morphine before she changes her mind. “Thank you,” Anika's eyes are already closing as true exhaustion hits her. They file out slowly, and Mrs. Daniels promises to call if the bleeding gets worse or her pain increases.
Clara waits with Josiah while Mrs. Daniels goes to get Delaney and hugs her husband tightly. “Josiah,” she whimpers.
“I know, my love. We’re going to pray hard and find a way to help them.” Delaney comes quietly down the hallway and stares up at them with her beautiful hazel eyes.
“Is my Mama dead?” She asks suddenly.
Clara gasps and squats down immediately. “No Delaney, your Mother is sleeping. Dr. Parker took excellent care of her. We would like to take you home with us for the night though, so she can heal and sleep. Is that okay with you?” Delaney stares hard at her and glances at the door, chewing on her lip. Each time her mother is hurt, they let her stay with them.
“Okay, can Buddy sleep with me?” She asks hopefully thinking about their dog.
“Buddy wouldn’t sleep with anyone else,” Clara laughs and takes her hand, leading her to the carriage outside. “Let’s go see him.”
Chapter 2
Anika wakes to whispers and footsteps, but she can’t seem to force herself to open her eyes just yet. “What do we tell her?” Mrs. Daniels whispers.
“Is it too soon?” Another voice asks.
“The poor lass won't be able to bare it,” A third voice says a little louder. Anika's heart begins to pound as she thinks immediately of Delaney. Adrenaline rushes through her body, and she jerks straight up in bed and stares at the three women.
“What’s wrong? Is it Delaney?” She demands through her swollen, split lip.
All three women jump, and Mrs. Daniels gasps, “Merciful heavens!”
She rushes to prop a pillow up behind Anika and reassures her. “No. Delaney is fine, she is with Dr. Parker and Clara.”
A cup of water is pressed into her hand, and someone hands her a fresh damp cloth for her face. Anika drinks it gratefully and washes her face and neck before running out of patience. “Mrs. Daniels, I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me, but you said you needed to tell me something.”
The other two ladies immediately excuse themselves grabbing linens to wash and swiftly leave, promising to return later. Mrs. Daniels sits slowly on the side of the bed, patting her silver hair. Ever so gently, she takes Anika's hand.
“Sweets, you need to steel yourself. Be strong for Delaney,” taking a deep breath, she spills it as quickly as she can. “Your husband was shot and killed last night at the saloon.”
Anika stares at her as all the color fades from her face, making the bruises stand out even more shockingly. She falls back onto her pillows and presses a fist to her mouth, closing her eyes.
“Be strong, Mrs. Coltrane,” Mrs. Daniels pleads, hugging her tightly and soothes her as Anika struggles to contain her reaction.
“How?” She manages to choke out. Tremors roll over her body as she listens to the story.
“He was drunk on whiskey and lager you see, he accused someone of cheating at cards. A fight started, they shot him dead in the ruckus.”
“I see.” Dead, he’s never going to hit her again. They are free! “I… thank you for telling me. If you don’t mind could I have some time… alone?” Anika asks quietly.
“Of course, I will have some breakfast brought to you. Just rest now.” She watches the poor woman rush from the room as wave after wave of mirth rolls out of her. Anika laughs until her tears turn to sobs.
“God, forgive me,” she cries. Relief rushes through her body as she thinks about her freedom. All cried out, she sleeps until the sun is setting and manages to get up and start walking.
What sound does a heart make when it breaks? As she slowly cleanses her body and changes into a gown the sight of her empty belly causes her to double over in agony. Anika wonders how it is possible that the world does not hear the screams of her soul. Slow, deep breaths and she stands back up to finish dressing. Her breasts are full, within a few days the first of her milk will come in. She tries not to think of her sweet angel. Dinner is broth and bread, and she forces herself to eat, grateful to have the nourishment. Delaney will need her to be strong.
“I have to bury my husband and my daughter, then figure out what I’m going to do.”
Delaney leaps from the carriage the next morning and rushes into the boarding house as fast as her little legs will carry her. Bursting into the room, she stops and stares at her mother in the rocking chair. “Delaney,” she opens her arms and waits for her to rush to her.
Piercing hazel eyes travel over her mother’s bruised and battered face and land on her stomach. Tears glisten, as she glances around the room, “Mama?” She pleads. It is a plea of denial, but Anika can only give her the truth.
“It’s going to be alright, Delaney, we need to talk.” Delaney runs forward and drops to her knees, putting her head in her mama’s lap.
“No, Mama,” she whimpers as Anika strokes her head.
“As long as we have each other, everything else will work out.” Together they cry, and when she tells her of her sister, more tears follow.
Chapter 3
Four days later, dressed in a borrowed black dress from Clara, Anika smooths her skirt over her trim waist. She took particular time to look lovely this morning, allowing her strawberry curls loose around her shoulders and pulled up on the sides. It was her way of rebelling against Saul one last time. He hated when she did her hair and threatened to cut it off the last time that she didn't pull it straight back into a tight bun. Glancing at her, you would almost not know that she had lost a baby just a few days earlier. Weight gain was not a problem with money scarce during her pregnancy, and her body was quickly recovering.
They ride with the doctor and his wife to the gravesite and Anika blocks out the voices around her. The warm August air blows across her, but even the morning sun can't warm her soul. Delaney holds tightly to her hand, and she can't help but think about the future. Now when she envisions it, there is no pain or fear only hope that things will get better, so she can give Delaney a better life. As the caskets are lowered into the ground inside the cemetery outside of town, the pastor’s voice pulls her to the present.
“The Bible says, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.' Seek first the word of God and understanding will follow. Thank you for coming.” The pastors seized the opportunity for a quick sermon on serving our neighbors before he concludes. Thankfully, the church paid for the funerals. A few members from the boarding house came, all had kind words of encouragement and sympathy, but Anika is relieved to see them leave. After the last person leaves, she asks to speak to the Pastor privately. Clara leads Delaney to the wagon as her husband waits nearby.
“Mrs. Coltrane, if there is anything I can do for you and Delaney just say the wor
d.” Pastor Donegal is Irish with a brogue that makes her smile. Standing next to the fresh mounds of dirt, staring at the tombstones Anika can’t bring herself to look at him.
“I think we should pray for my soul, Pastor. I’m so full of hatred towards him. Does that mean I’m evil?”
“Evil?” He looked at her face swollen and bruised before he speaks. “No, Mrs. Coltrane. Human? Yes. You lost a child you loved, from the man who was supposed to protect and honor you. Hatred is a normal feeling, but you must not let it taint your soul. In time you should seek to forgive him, for the demons that rode his soul were many.”
“Forgive him?” Anika looks at him in surprise. “How, if I can’t forgive myself. If I were stronger…”
“Nay,” he takes her hands in his and squeezes gently. “From what I have heard you protected Delaney and honored your husband. It is impossible to forget what has transpired, you lost a child and a husband. If it were easy to forgive, we would simply remove it from our memories. The first step is accepting that God is in control. He commands us to forgive and forget, in our faith, we must obey our Father.”
Anika stares past him to her daughter staring solemnly back at her. “I want to, but I’m not sure how to do that.”
“That's easy, seek him first. Pray, and love your daughter. Feel the anger, but don't let it take root in your soul or it will blot out all the love you have. If that happens, you will isolate Delaney and leave her alone in this world.” Pastor Donegal watches his words sink in. “She needs you now to guide her, can you try to do that?”
