by Lynn Landes
“Just remember to support the head with the crook of your arm or if you lift him to your shoulder, support the back of his head. He isn’t strong enough to do that, yet.” As she moves to step away Allen’s fist closes tightly in her curls.
“Oh!” She laughs as she untangles her hair. “He has developed a thing for my hair, he buries his fist in it every time I hold him.”
Glenn steps forward and grins. “I can’t say I blame him. It looks like spun gold when the light hits it.”
Anika straightens in shock, blushes, and stammers. “I, I, I'll leave you to visit and go save Daisy from Delaney's help in the kitchen.” She hurries from the room.
“Glenn!” Savannah stares in open-mouthed shock at her brother. “You can’t speak to her like that.”
“Like what? It was just an observation.” He pats Quinton and sits near his sister in the window seat. “I meant no harm, Savannah.”
“No harm! If someone else heard, you speak like that… well, you know perfectly well the conclusion they would jump to. You just keep those kinds of thoughts to yourself.”
“People can get stuffed.” He glowers at her. “Those same people did nothing while her husband beat her. I don’t give a da…”
“Glenn!” Savannah gawks at him. “You need her to stay, and if you scare her, she might leave.”
“I'm sorry.” Glenn stares out the door after Anika. “You have a good point.”
Savannah nuzzles the baby and smiles. “Tell me everything you know about her.” Savannah watches his face as he tells her story. His voice grows hoarse as he shifts Quinton to a pillow on his lap.
“There are no words to explain her selfless act, Savannah.” She listens to how they met and the way he speaks of her has her heart sighing.
Glancing out of the bedroom window she wonders what God has in store for these two broken souls. At that moment her decision is made. “I've come home for good, Glenn. I want to be here to help and watch the boys grow. Do you mind?”
He grins with excitement. “Of course not, I’ve been praying for you to come home. I’d feel better having you here. It would allow Mom and Dad to move back to the main house.”
“Good luck with that. I can't imagine they will want to leave these two.”
Glenn laughs and touches his sister’s hand. “I’ve missed you, Savannah.”
“I missed you too. How are you handling things?”
Glenn’s smile fades and he clears his throat. “I’m okay. We should go tell Dad and Mom the good news. Don’t drop him.” He stalks from the room holding Quinton and she watches him go.
“Daddy’s hurting little man. War, death and destruction have stained his soul. We have to pray hard that God will wash him clean.” She presses a kiss and follows him from the room.
Anika watches Daisy work with Delaney, mixing the cookie dough and laughs as they tease each other. Her heart clenches at the thought of her mother teaching her how to make the family recipes.
“Come help, Mama,” Delaney calls and lifts a flour-covered hand.
“Oh, no. Last time you got it all over my dress.” Laughing she looks at Daisy. “I do miss baking though. I used to bake with my Mother.”
“Really? What did you make with your Mama?” Delaney calls as she presses the cookie down out the way Daisy showed her.
“We would make so many things, Delaney. Mama would sell her pies, cakes, and cookies in town. Every year we would spend a few weeks baking, and the house would smell heavenly.”
Daisy smiles wistfully. “I used to cook with Savannah too.”
“True, but Savannahs weren't exactly edible,” Glenn says from the doorway.
Savannah shoves past him and snaps, “Don’t listen to him Delaney, the cows loved my cookies.”
Delaney isn’t sure what to think of the light-hearted banter, but she can’t stifle a giggle at them.
“I'd love to have some help in the kitchen, Anika. We are about to have a bounty of apples. Picking season starts soon, and we usually have a bake sale,” Daisy suggests.
“Oh, maybe I should have come back home after picking season.” Savannah sniffs and explains, “Picking season is our busiest time of year.”
Anika grins, “What do you bake, Daisy?”
“Anything and everything. The proceeds go to the church.” Daisy pulls the first batch of cookies from the oven while Delaney dances around the grownups.
“I'd be glad to help. I have my Mother's recipes, and I'd love to bake again.”
“Don’t forget my favorites…” Glenn starts to say, but Allen steps into the room and calls out loudly.
“Oh, no you don’t, Son. My favorites first.” Daisy smiles at her husband as he presses a loud kiss to her cheek. Delaney has moved to the back wall to watch quietly. Anika moves close to her and smiles when the little hand presses into hers.
“Storytime, Delaney?” Anika murmurs softly. Delaney nods and pulls her gently from the room.
“Excuse us, please.”
Glenn watches them go and the teasing nature of the room changes. “How’s Anika doing, Mom?”
Daisy pulls the second sheet of cookies from the oven and sighs. “Dr. Parker said she needs to rest, eat and heal. The true problem is keeping her from cleaning and chores. I've told her we have help, but she is used to doing that herself to earn her keep. I offered to hire a nanny to help care for the boys, but she wouldn't hear of it. You, of all people, know how hard it is to let your body heal.”
Glenn rubs his arm absently, thinking of the gunshot wound that brought him home from the war after serving two years. He was lucky that it only winged him. Many weren't so blessed. For a moment he is back on the battlefield, and he can smell the metallic scent of death. Daisy touches his shoulder gently and reaches for the baby. She takes him with a sigh of contentment.
“I remember, Mama. It reminds me daily, but Anika will have to learn that she doesn't have the final say in everything. I will have a talk with her. I'm sure she will agree to assistance a few days a week, to let her heal. We will make sure she doesn't overdo it. I will be busy during the next few weeks with picking. Dr. Parker will be here tomorrow evening to go over the contract. I believe we are all in agreement that Anika and Delaney should stay. In fact, I asked him to make one change, and I hope Anika agrees. I had him list her as the Nanny.” He turns to his father to grab coffee and cookies. “Speaking of picking, how many pickers will we have this year?” Father and son drift to the front porch to talk business while Savannah stays to visit with her Mother.
“Nanny?” Daisy thinks about this change and can barely contain her smile. “I like it. It will give her a better standing in the community, and it gives all of us a sense of security.”
“Do you think she’ll agree to it?” Savannah nibbles on a cookie.
“I think she is a smart young woman. She has become attached to the boys already. It will make it easier on all of us.”
“I imagine it is uncomfortable having a stranger living in your home and taking care of your sons.” Savannah sits at a small table and shifts the baby to her shoulder.
“It isn’t, actually. Every time I look at her, I see a miracle and Delaney is a delight. Savannah, we were so close to losing them all,” she explains huskily.
“Oh, Mama. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to help, but I’m home now. I’m staying for good.”
Daisy gasps and reaches out a hand to clasp her daughters tightly. “Truly?”
“Truly.” She smiles and presses a small kiss to the baby’s head. “I’ve seen enough death and destruction. I want to see life now. To watch them grow and spend time with my family.”
“That is the best news, Savannah. What about your photography?”
“I've spent the past four years taking pictures of Soldiers, wounded or dead. Even families rebuilding after the war and I've seen things that have changed me.” Her eyes seek her mothers.
“I can only thank you and Dad for allowing me the gift of this time. It has m
ade my walk with the Lord that much stronger. When Glenn is ready, I will show him some of the images.”
Daisy sighs, “He’s angry, Savannah. Angry at Sue and her Mother, God rest her soul. Angry at God and even more so at himself. I’m not sure what it will take to help him get over that.”
Savannah smiles, “I’ve learned Mom, that God’s plans are not possible to discern. The best way to fight a battle is on our knees in prayer.”
“Now my youngest is quoting Bible verses. Thank you. I needed to hear that. We should put these two to bed, and get you settled. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Why busy?” Savannah asks as she follows her Mother upstairs.
“Tomorrow, Mrs. Flannagan is coming to help dress, Anika and Delaney. You’re just in time to help with that.” Daisy grins as Savannah laughs.
“Poor Anika, she won’t know what hit her.”
“I want her to enjoy the experience. I’m hoping once they are all strong enough, she will join us at church. Her husband didn’t leave her with much and its one small way I can repay her for… everything.”
Savannah nods thinking of her own trunks. “I'd love to help. I may have some dresses that could be altered to fit her until the new ones are ready. Delaney will need dresses as well. This will be fun, and we will make sure they are taken care of.” Daisy tucks the boys into their beds and smiles down at them.
“God has blessed us. We may have lost Sue, but he gifted us with Anika and Delaney. We will make them feel cherished.”
“That’s your specialty, Mama.”
Chapter 8
Delaney dances around her mother in excitement. “I get a new dress too, Mama?”
“Daisy, this isn’t necessary.” Anika tries for the third time to change her mind. Daisy set up her prized sewing machine in the small bedroom across from the Master. “We shouldn’t be in here.” They are currently standing in the Master bedroom as it is the largest of the rooms and has the most windows. Daisy ignores Anika and places a step stool on the wood floor.
“Of course, it is. Winter is coming, and this wee lass has outgrown that frock, to be sure.” Mrs. Flannagan’s Irish accent is strong and Delaney giggles.
“You talk funny. What’s a frock?” Delaney announces while Mrs. Flannagan looks properly shocked.
“Do I now? Step up here for me so I can take your measurements.” Delaney jumps up on the stool and claps her hands in excitement.
Savannah covers a grin and looks over her coloring. Delaney has chocolate, hair, hazel eyes and a beautiful complexion. “Four-day dresses with undergarments, two tea dresses, shoes, stockings, nightclothes, a coat, and one Christmas dress,” she recites. “She’s lovely. I would think a beautiful rose-colored silk,” Savannah asks Anika.
“Like this?” Martha, her twenty-year-old assistant, holds up a bolt of the silk and places a darker tone, velvet across it.
“Oh, that’s lovely,” Anika replies.
“A Christmas dress! Mama, did you hear that?” Delaney's eyes are wide with excitement and Anika can't help but smile in response.
“Yes, love.” She looks at Savannah, who nods and continues writing down the measurements Mrs. Flannagan calls out. Anika glances at her own tattered brown dress, knowing the image she represents and remembering what it was like to feel proud of one’s clothes. There was a time when she lived at home that she had the most beautiful dresses.
“Don’t fret so, Mrs. Coltrane. The undergarments and shoes will come from the general store in town, they’re carrying them in stock this time of year. The dresses will be custom made, though I took the liberty of bringing one or two that I thought might work for Delaney. We were lucky that Miss Martha volunteered to help today. She is amazing with a sewing machine.”
Anika turns to look at Martha and can't help but smile slightly. She is overdressed for a seamstress and can't stop looking out the windows. Glenn will find her lovely with her dark blonde ringlet curls pulled up on the sides with bangs. Anika doubts she is wearing a peach, low-cut, calling dress for her sake. It's beautiful with the lace trimmed ruffles, tiny waist, and bustle. Jealousy curls inside her, and she is quick to stomp it down.
The past week has been eye-opening with the number of women callers bringing food to the house. Glenn just buried his wife; do they really think he is ready to start courting? Anika isn't sure if they were coming to check her out or flirt with Glenn, but they let her know that she was no threat. With the war, so many women were left widows, and if he is ready then it’s none of her business, she reminds herself again.
“It’s my pleasure. I’ll get started on those, straight away,” Martha gives a pinched smile and takes the two dresses then moves across the hall to the small room to get started.
“Now, it’s your turn, Mrs. Coltrane.”
“Please, call me Anika.” She chews on her bottom lip and stares at Daisy. “You’ve done so much already, I’m not sure,” Savannah loops an arm through hers and guides her to the stool.
“It won’t hurt a bit. If it makes you feel any better, I’m next.”
“May the Saints save us, not you too?” Mrs. Flannagan teases loudly causing Daisy to giggle.
“Savannah is particular,” she explains.
Savannah gasps in feigned indignation. “Whatever do you mean?” Anika laughs at their behavior knowing it is for her benefit.
“Do ya remember the denims?” Mrs. Flannagan demands.
“Remember, I still have them. A sheer work of art, Mrs. Flannagan. In fact, I may need to have you make me a few more.” Savannah presses a quick kiss to her cheek
“Hm, we’ll see,” she swiftly begins to take Anika’s measurements. “You and Savannah are almost the same size, she is taller than you with a few more pounds on her, but I’m sure Daisy’s cooking will fix that up.”
“I will ignore that jab at my weight, Mrs. Flannagan,” Savannah sniffs and claps her hands together. “I have two dresses that I am hoping you could alter for Anika today. I know they aren't perfect for nursing, but one is a two-piece dress, and the other has a short jacket that fits over the top. I think it could be lovely on Anika.”
Savannah brings over a lilac colored dress day dress with cream lace trimming and a second visiting dress made of colonial blue silk.
“Yes, that could work. Anika will have to try them on.”
“They are lovely, though, I should wear the proper mourning colors,” Anika exclaims.
“Of course, we thought of that.” Mrs. Flannagan shakes her head to reassure her. “I brought separate skirts, one black, one navy, with matching fitted jackets for you to wear over top of white blouses. These blouses are made for nursing mothers. The new corsets are padded for comfort and protection.” Mrs. Flannagan shows Anika how they work and reassures her that it is what all the new Mothers are wearing.
“I had no idea. This will make nursing the boys much easier.” Anika inspects them and smiles excitedly. “I don’t see why I would need anything else.”
Savannah is quick to stop her.
“You will, of course, be joining us for church when the boys are old enough. We will have the bake sale, Thanksgiving and Fall Carnival all coming up, not to mention Christmas. This is our busy social season, and we want you to feel like part of the family.”
“Anika, Glenn is insisting that the clothing for you and Delaney be part of your salary. You will be representing our family when we have guests or go out. It is quite common, according to Dr. Parker,” Daisy explains. “I’m sure he will go over the details with you this evening.”
“I see. If that is the case, then, of course, I accept your generous offer,” Anika smiles.
“Perfect. Let’s get on with it. I have something in mind for you, it’s the Midnight blue silk, Savannah.” Mrs. Flannagan gestures to Savannah who digs through a trunk and pulls out a five-piece outfit.
Anika gasps and touches the soft silk.
“Mourning colors have changed. Ya no longer have ta wear only black
or brown. This will complement your hair color and your eyes. Try it on, I will be able to pin it and make the alterations.”
Daisy helps unbutton the back of her dress, and when Anika walks over to the master bed to strip it off, she is unaware of the look on the ladies faces. Her old corset and undershirt drop, causing her bruises to stand out harshly against the paleness of her skin. She misses Daisy shaking her head at Savannah, who is quick to wipe a tear from her face.
Anika has lost all the baby weight, she looks almost frail standing in the mid-morning sun. She keeps her back to the women while she undresses. Her spine has a mottled look with yellow and green bruises. The largest of the injuries wraps around under her ribs and is still light purple though it, too, is beginning to fade.
“I’m going to get us some refreshments,” Savannah says hoarsely and rushes from the room. Anika pulls on a cotton top with a new corset, followed by the bustled petticoat before she turns around slowly and looks at the two older women.
In a soft voice, “I’d nearly forgotten, forgive me, ladies. The bruising is much better now. They're merely yellow and green, not purple and black. Dr. Parker said it is normal to heal slowly after childbirth and nursing two babies. I seem to be asking a lot of my body, but soon they will be forgotten altogether.”
“You must have been in so much pain, Anika, how did you ever manage to hold the boys against you?” Daisy asks softly.
“Pillows help. They are tiny yet. I plan on remedying that soon,” Anika teases.
Mrs. Flannagan looks at her with new eyes. “Ya have a mighty spirit for such a wee thing,” she walks over to her and begins tugging the strings. “This corset straps on the sides which allow for growth. If ya lose weight, not that ya need to, or gain weight, you can adjust it for comfort. Keep it loose until you heal.”
Savannah rushes into the kitchen and struggles to regain her composure. She pours juice into glasses and adds biscuits with trembling fingers onto a serving tray. When Glenn enters from the back door, she is quick to wipe at her cheeks. His eagle eyes miss nothing.
