Mercy's Promise (The Promise Series Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  “What’s wrong,” Glenn demands.

  “I wasn’t prepared, I mean, I know about her past, but I wasn’t ready,” Savannah stammers. “I don’t know how she can put pressure against her ribs, and she holds both boys!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The bruises, Glenn. They rain over her back and around her ribs. How could he do that to her?” Tears stream down her face as he curses and stalks out of the room. “What are you... Glenn don’t you dare!” Savannah races to the opposite staircase and runs up holding her skirt high and leaps in front of him.

  “Damn, I forgot how fast you are,” He grins and tries to step around her.

  “What is wrong with you?” Savannah hisses and shoves at his chest. “You can’t go in there!”

  “It's my home, Savannah.” He once again tries to sidestep her only to find her still blocking him.

  “Yes, but she isn’t your wife.”

  Glenn pales, and Savannah whispers, “I'm sorry, Glenn, but Dr. Parker will be here soon. He will check her over and make sure she's healing properly. I just wasn't aware of how bad it was. Now, please go back downstairs.”

  Glenn glowers at her and nods, before turning and stomping away. Savannah sighs in relief and follows slowly thinking about Glenn's reaction to her words. To say it was unexpected would be a severe understatement.

  A smile lights up her face, ‘He has feelings for her!’

  Martha glares at Savannah’s retreating back from the hallway. She returns to the small hole they stuffed her in. As she sews, she begins to plan. “Feelings! I’ve waited months for that woman to die and now some whore thinks she’s going to take him from me.” Martha hisses in frustration when the thread jams in the machine. “No, this won’t do.”

  All the women at church talk about what a great catch Glenn Ward would make. His business is booming with the advancements of the refrigerated rail cars. He can ship fruit all over the country. It will afford her the lifestyle she has dreamed of for herself. If this Anika hadn’t rushed in to save the day, she would be consoling Glenn over losing his family, the way she had been planning. Now things will have to change.

  “Is it finished yet?” Delaney asks entering the bedroom at a run causing her to jump in surprise.

  “Do you run everywhere, child?” Martha snaps.

  “Yes. Mama says I’m lucky I have long legs, it makes me fast.”

  “Perhaps your Mama could teach you that a lady doesn’t run.”

  “I run, and I’m a perfect little lady, Mrs. Daisy says so.” Delaney spins and claps her hands with excitement.

  “Well isn’t that something.” She says sarcastically and returns to her sewing while Delaney plays in the room.

  “Mama and I are going to help with the bake sale for the church. Do you cook, Miss Martha?”

  “No, I have people who cook,” she says, suddenly interested in the child's yammering. “You could wear this new dress. Let's try it on while you tell me all about this bake sale.”

  “Tea is served in the living room, Mrs. Flanagan. You and Martha should join us downstairs while Anika changes,” Daisy offers.

  Anika waits for them to leave and tries on a black bustled skirt, white shirt and matching short, black, jacket which Mrs. Flannagan was able to fit to her body. Glancing in the mirror, she frowns at the reflection staring back at her.

  Her pale skin stands out even more strikingly against such a dark color. Savannah was able to convince her to let her do her hair. She pulls up the sides, and curls it, leaving her natural curls about her shoulder, and a black choker completes the final look. Clean, professional and… boring. “Perfect. Exactly as it should be. You're not here to win the affections of anyone, Anika. Just you remember that.”

  Dr. Parker and wife, Clara are waiting in the sitting room for her along with Daisy, Savannah, Mrs. Flannagan, and Martha. Delaney is spinning around in her new dress, showing off in excitement.

  “Oh, Mama! Watch my ruffles! They spin with me!” Anika laughs at the delight coming off, her daughter in waves.

  “Delaney, you look beautiful!”

  Dr. Parker and Clara stand to greet her. Anika hugs Clara who is holding Quinton. “It’s lovely to see you both.”

  Allen fusses a bit as Dr. Parker hands Allen to Daisy. “You look well, Anika. How are you feeling?”

  “Better, thank you.”

  Glenn and his Father walk into the room and Delaney runs straight to the elder Allen. “Mr. Allen, look what Miss Martha made for me!”

  “Excuse me, do I know you?” Delaney giggles and spins for him as he continues teasing her.

  Glenn smiles at Delaney, but his smile fades when he looks at Anika. His eyes skim her figure from head to toe and Anika raises an eyebrow as if daring him.

  Martha watches with a cold eye, quietly assessing the family.

  Clara turns to Martha, “Would you like to hold the baby?”

  “Oh, no, thank you.” Martha turns, walking to the fireplace.

  “Glenn, I’m sorry for your loss.” Mrs. Flannagan rises to take his hand and squeezes them tight.

  “Thank you. Will you stay for supper? I'd like to thank you and Miss Martha for coming today.” Glenn smiles at Martha who seems to be talking to Clara.

  “Well, we’d love ta have a home cooked meal.”

  Daisy hands baby Allen to Anika, “I’ll check on dinner. Tea is ready ladies, please help yourself.”

  “Anika why don’t ya let me hold the little dumpling, you should eat something,” Mrs. Flannagan teases her.

  Anika laughs and shifts the baby to her arms, “Thank you. I am hungry all the time.”

  “That's excellent news, Anika. Just take care that you are drinking enough water, fluids are vital right now,” Dr. Parker insists.

  “I will, Dr. Parker.”

  Clara joins her and pours tea while insisting that Anika put two biscuits with jam on her plate. Delaney happily munches on hers. Anika makes a plate for Martha and walks over to offer it to her while she talks to Glenn.

  “Martha would you care for a plate?”

  “Oh, no thank you. I need to watch my figure, some of us can’t afford to eat so much.”

  Anika’s smile falters as she remembers all the times, Saul called her fat, sow, heifer, etc. It started off harmless teasing but turned into much worse.

  “When you are the lifeline for two other lives you can afford to eat as much as your body demands. In fact, I insist on it. I want my sons to grow big and strong,” Glenn retorts.

  Allen laughs, “As if any grandson of mine would have a choice.”

  Martha is speechless. She glares at Anika who blushes and walks away to join her daughter. Sitting down they eat and enjoy tea, while everyone talks.

  Dr. Parker waits for Anika to finish eating before bringing up the subject of the contract.

  “Glenn, why don't we go over the contract, while we wait for supper?” Dr. Parker asks.

  “We will watch the boys for you,” Clara offers.

  “Ladies, excuse us for a few moments.” Allen shows Dr. Parker to the library, and Glenn walks over and stops in front of Anika.

  “Delaney, can I borrow your Mama for a few minutes?” Delaney looks at her Mother and back at Glenn.

  “Yes, Mr. Glenn, but you gotta promise to keep her safe.”

  “I cross my heart, Delaney.” He offers his hand to Anika, and she remembers his midnight promise.

  Anika grips his hand and is not surprised by the strength she feels. It is warm, sturdy and comforting just like the man. “Thank you.” Glenn tucks her hand in the crook of his arm and guides her from the room.

  “Such familiarity,” Martha snaps. “For an employee, I mean.”

  Savannah glares at her brothers’ retreating back. They will have a serious talk later, but for the moment, this needs to be dealt with. Jealousy and envy are dangerous, and Martha has had her eye on her brother for quite some time.

  “Anika is more than an employee. S
he is a gift. They simply have found each other in similar circumstances, having both lost their spouses,” Savannah says quietly.

  “Delaney, I have a surprise for you.” Clara takes Delaney to look at a doll she brought for her to play with.

  “The lass has been through a great deal of trauma, Martha. We will add them to the prayer chain. They need to be lifted up. Glenn seems changed to me.” Mrs. Flannagan notes.

  “He's angry and hurt. Glenn will need time to heal, and I pray that his walk with the Lord will not be damaged,” Savannah murmurs, laying the baby in a wooden cradle.

  “It looks like what he needs is a distraction. Perhaps you’ve all forgotten that we aren’t meant to be alone. He needs a young, healthy, wife,” Martha snaps.

  “Martha! Now is hardly the time for this discussion,” Mrs. Flannagan hisses at her.

  “Really, if not now, when? I’m only saying what everyone else is saying. He’s a War hero and should be treated as such.”

  Savannah is disgusted with this young woman. She has no idea what they faced in the War. Her beauty is only skin deep. “You just tell them to mind their own business, Martha. What he needs is time to heal, not to be set upon by every desperate girl, trying to secure a good match.”

  “Desperate!” Martha stomps over to grab her wrap, “Mrs. Flannagan, I believe we’ve overstayed our welcome. You’d do well to remember, Savannah, you’re as desperate as the rest of us. Though I’d wager that soiled spinsters like yourself are no threat.”

  Mrs. Flannagan watches her stomp out of the sitting room and to the front door. “Please forgive her, she’s young. Give our excuses to Mr. and Mrs. Ward. You can pick up the dresses next Thursday at my shop.” She hands the baby back and sighs before leaving.

  Daisy returns to find Savannah murmuring to herself and pacing with the baby in her arms. “Did Mrs. Flannagan just leave?”

  Clara returns, just in time to hear Savannah’s explanation.

  “That girl is disgusting,” Clara hisses.

  Daisy sighs and sits on the couch. “No, she’s only telling the truth. Rumors spread quickly. I’m rather afraid of how Anika and Delaney will be received when we return to church.”

  “We will just make sure she is surrounded by the Ward family,” Savannah snaps. Glenn isn’t the only one that can promise to protect their new family members.

  Anika glances around the study and is not surprised to find a room that looks like the man. Dark wood paneling with bookcases full of books. A leather sofa and two sitting chairs flank a large fireplace with a wood coffee table. A large bay window overlooking the back garden has a large mahogany desk with two chairs facing it.

  Dr. Parker takes a seat at the couch with the other men opposite her and draws papers out of his black case. He hands one copy to Glenn and one to Anika. “Anika these are the documents we discussed. They detail the arrangement for you to stay on with the Ward family as their nanny for two years. Would you like me to read them to you?”

  A soft smile curves her lips as she looks at him. “I can read, Dr. Parker.” At his surprised look, she laughs. “I often forget that no one knows me or my history. I was educated by my parents. I can read, paint, sew, play the piano, and I can even shoe a horse if I need too.”

  Allen laughs out loud at that quip, nudging his son. Glenn smiles at her and asks, “Where are you from, Anika?”

  Anika takes the papers from Dr. Parker and begins to scan them, “Virginia.”

  No one moves for a moment, as that bit of news settles between them. “Is that going to be a problem?” Anika asks Glenn.

  “Of course not. The war is over, but I wouldn’t spread that around. It could cause trouble for you and Delaney.” Glenn explains.

  “I understand.” She lifts the contract and begins to read.

  The first page details the duties of a Nanny and live in wet nurse for twin boys. She is to be paid thirty dollars per month for each child. That is sixty dollars a month! Her eyes widen at the number, and she glanced at Dr. Parker, before glaring at Allen and Glenn. The real caveat is on the last page, where she finds the deed to property! One hundred acres, with a small house for her to do as she wishes.

  “Are you serious?”

  “Is it not enough?” Allen asks softly.

  “Not enough,” Anika stares at them incredulously. “This is unthinkable.” She leaps to her feet, “I’ll not take your charity. We agreed that I would be hired as a...”

  “Charity!” Glenn leaps to his feet, ignoring the warning hand from his father. “You saved my sons lives woman. What price would you put on Delaney’s life?”

  “Don’t you shout at me!” Anika surprises them all by facing Glenn’s anger. Turning to the two men, she points to the door. “You need to give us a minute please.” Both men look at them and then hurry towards the door.

  “Anika are you sure?” Dr. Parker glances uneasily at Glenn. His angry outburst is a shock to him.

  “I’ll be fine, Glenn won’t hurt me, he promised my daughter.” Glenn stomps to his desk and pours a glass of whiskey, downing it quickly he savors the way it burns.

  “We’ll be right outside the door,” he says. When the door clicks shut behind them, Glenn spins around to stare at her.

  “Anika, you will let me do this for you and Delaney.”

  “I understand that you feel like you owe me, Glenn, but I owe you just as much. I will accept the pay, and the title of Nanny is very generous of you. The land and house are unacceptable. I won't consider it.”

  “Then you’ll not have the job,” Glenn snarls and turns back to the desk to pour another whiskey.

  Watching him drink in anger is the final straw for her. “I will pack our things, and we will leave with Dr. Parker tonight,” she snaps.

  “You would leave us?” Glenn turns in shock and stops her with his next words. “Anika, I’ve watched you with my boys. You love them already and its only been four weeks. How can you walk away from them?”

  “That’s not fair, Glenn.” Tears fill her eyes, “I do love them, but did you even think what people will say when you put me up in a house?”

  Slowly, he sets the glass down on the desk and walks to the chair to sit down. Running a hand over his tired eyes, he sighs heavily. Exhaustion beats at him, and a headache that won't stop.

  “To hell, with people, Anika. The house and land are from my parents. It was the original homestead. It needs a lot of work, but I thought, with time we could fix it up and I, they want you and Delaney to be taken care of.”

  “I’m sorry. I do not have the luxury of not caring what people think. I must think of Delaney. I should’ve asked for clarification before I flew off the handle. Will you forgive me?”

  Glenn stares at her, “Does that mean you’ll stay?”

  “I’ll stay, on one condition.” She sits in the chair next to him, longing to touch his hand but knowing she can’t. “I would ask that you not drink spirits in front of Delaney. It scares her.”

  “Only her?” His blue eyes stared hard at her, daring her to deny it.

  “No,” she wrings her hands together in her lap not able to meet his eyes.

  “Of course. I have a request of my own. I would ask that you not wear widows’ clothes for a man who doesn’t deserve it.”

  Anika’s mouth falls open in shock. No one male or female has ever pushed her buttons the way he does.

  “You have no right to judge him, Glenn,” she hisses and points to the black stripe on his arm, “while you drape your life in the colors of death?”

  “He beat you...” Glen jumps in surprise when she leaps up from her chair.

  “Yes, he beat me, took me away from my family, dishonored our marriage vows and much more, but I wear this for my daughter. To show her that only God gets to judge her father.”

  “How long?” He glares up at her, ignoring her impassioned speech.

  “How long what?” Anika glares at him, tempted to pinch him, and her impulse shocks her. Glenn makes her fe
el that she can say or do anything. Is that a consequence of a growing friendship?

  “I’m going to give Sue one more month of my life before I try to find peace and move on. I think Delaney would understand if we had the same time frame, don’t you?”

  Anika gapes at him, “One month, is all she’s worth to you?”

  “Now who’s judging. You think because we have a big house and money that we didn’t have problems. It looks like we have a lot to learn about each other.” Glenn reaches out and takes her hand, staring at it in awe. “For instance, tell me, how is it that such delicate hands could ever shoe a horse.”

  Anika freezes, eyes leaping to his and Glenn laughs. She jerks her hand away from his and can’t help but laugh with him. Soon he is wiping a tear from his eye that threatens to open a damn.

  “You're right, we do have a lot to learn about each other,” she teases and reaches out and tucks his blonde hair behind his ear. Glenn's smile fades, and his eyes latch onto hers, and her heartbeat accelerates.

  Anika drops her hand and walks away, gathering her composure.

  “I’ll just let them back inside.” Glenn jumps up quickly and opens the door to allow the men back in the room.

  “Do we have an accord?” Dr. Parker asks.

  “We do,” Anika turns away to sign the documents and Glenn leaves without another word.

  “Allen, you and Daisy didn’t have to make me such a generous offer, but I’m not stupid enough to refuse it. I thank you for it.”

  Allen looks out the door and back at her, “No thanks are necessary. Now we can get back to the business of living.”

  “That sounds nice,” Anika says. “Excuse me, I’ll go see to the boys.”

  Dr. Parker waits until she leaves before speaking. “Glenn is headed for trouble, Allen. You need to get him to sleep and not work so many long hours. His anger grows stronger every time I see him.”

  “I know, I’m not sure what to do about it.”

  “Perhaps now that the stress is gone, it will abate somewhat.”

  “We will just have to pray that is true. Let's go eat. I'm starved.”