by Lynn Landes
Anika jerks in surprise and when she tries to hand over Quinton, Glenn pulls her to her feet. “Not without you,” he whispers. Daisy hands over baby Allen and they guide her forward.
Not wanting to cause a scene she walks forward to the pulpit. “Glenn, you stand here on the left and hold him.” He smiles at Anika and explains, “I will do this while you each hold a baby.”
His wife holds the bowl of water as he dips a cloth and squeezes it over the dark newborn head. Quinton fusses a bit, but soon settles and the church members chuckle.
“Heavenly Father, in your love you have called us to know you, led us to trust you and bound our life with yours. Surround these boys with your love, protect them from evil. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and receive them into the family of your church. Show them how to walk in the way of Christ and grow in faith and love. Amen.”
Pastor Donegal takes Quinton, and his wife takes, Allen. They turn to the congregation and walk through the aisles. “We welcome to our church, Quinton and Allen Ward.” His voice booms out, “Will you protect them, love them and guide them.”
“We will!” The congregation says with one voice.
Glenn draws Anika close and feels her trembling. She smiles up at him and wipes a tear. He looks so proud in that moment. “Thank you,” she hears him says softly.
Anika smiles out at the congregation, and her smile fades a little when she sees Martha glaring at her. She nudges a friend and whispers in her ear, before grinning. Thankfully, the service is short, and when the boys start to fuss, they make excuses and collect Delaney. Daisy is quick to spread the word about the quilting bee while Anika walks Delaney to the wagon.
“Mama I made new friends!” Delaney is glowing with excitement.
“I’m so proud of you, Delaney.” She smiles as Allen lifts her into the wagon.
“It was fun, Mama and they prayed for Daddy and Rosie.” Anika jerks as if slapped.
“What?” she whispers.
Delaney walks to the edge of the wagon and cups Anika’s face in her hands. “Don’t be mad, Mama. Mrs. B said I can talk to them when I miss them by praying and then they prayed with me.” Tears flood her eyes.
“Of course, I’m not mad at you, Delaney. You pray anytime you want to.”
Delaney throws her arm around her neck. “Thank you, Mama.”
“You’re welcome, now let’s go home.”
Glenn is walking back from the front of the church when he hears his name called. “You lucked out, didn't you Ward.”
George, Albert, and Rhemi are standing together and staring at Anika as Allen helps her climb in the wagon, followed by his sister, Savannah.
“What does that mean?” his glare should be warning enough, but part of him hopes they step out of line.
“Only that your new nanny is luscious,” Albert says leering at her.
Glenn grabs Albert by the front of his pressed shirt before he can finish his lewd statement.
“The question you should ask is how lucky do you feel right now?”
Pastor Donegal interrupts with a frown and steps between them. He pries Glenn’s hand free and pushes the three men back.
“None of that now, Glenn your family is waiting for you. Let's not mar this beautiful day with violence.”
“I didn’t mean anything by it, Glenn,” Albert stammers.
“I think you meant exactly what you said.” Glenn tries to grab him again only to be pushed back by the Pastor. “Having just buried the mother of my children I don’t exactly feel lucky. You should be thankful we are in God’s house. Keep your eyes and your vulgar comments to yourself. Next time, I won’t be so restrained.”
Glenn storms back to the wagon. He doesn’t trust himself to speak.
“What was that about?” Daisy asks.
“Nothing,” he replies shortly.
Chapter 11
“I’ve never canned so much in my life,” Anika says with a satisfied grin.
“Applesauce, apple butter, cherry preserves, peaches and more. We did great. I couldn’t have gotten this done without both of you,” Daisy smiles at them and watches Savannah stack the last of the mason jars into the tray.
“Perfect. We have earned a few days off before we start baking for the bake sale. It’s all everyone is talking about at Church,” Savannah says with a grin.
“I’m really pleased to see how everybody has stepped up to help, and all the proceeds are going to the Orphans Home,” Daisy replies.
“I am excited to see how well the raffle works,” Anika says.
“The finished quilt is stunning, Anika. It will be fun to see how much money it raises,” Daisy yawns.
“Thanks to your sewing machine, it went together much faster than I had hoped,” Anika says. “It will make the smaller quilts easier to make as well.”
“The Quilting Bee is going to be the social event of the year! Just wait, Savannah, so much food, and laughter.”
“Until the men show up,” Daisy teases.
“It will be great fun, and Anika can meet all the church members in a more informal setting.” Savannah glances at her mother, “Mama, you look tired. Why don't you go get cleaned up, Anika and I will put these in the root cellar,” Savannah insists.
“Okay, I am a mess.” She wipes her hands on a stained apron and hurries from the room. Savannah glances out the window behind her mother and smothers a grin of delight when she sees her brother, Glenn walking from the barn towards the back door. These two could use some time together, she thinks. They have avoided each other since the incident at Church.
“I'll get the first tray, while you fill the other one.” Savannah grabs a wooden tray and carefully pushes through the door walking across the yard, through the garden, and towards the cellar door. The fresh autumn wind blows across the yard, and Savannah smiles at Glenn.
“Need help?” Glenn asks when he looks up and notices his sister struggling with a heavy wooden tray.
“What a great brother. Could you take this to the root cellar?”
Glenn pushes his wide-brimmed hat back on his head and takes the tray. “Why do I feel like I’m being duped? Did you plan it this way?”
“Why, whatever do you mean brother? Of course not.” She bats her long lashes and giggles when he glowers and heads to the cellar beside the barn. It is a heavy trap door, leading down into an eight by ten-foot, limestone-lined cellar. It stays a cool fifty-two degrees year-round.
Glenn descends into the darkened space, careful not to hit his head on the low ceiling. The sun is setting, and it's getting dark, so he drops the tray on a shelf and moves to the right side where he knows the lantern is kept. He stoops down to dig around for a match.
Savannah passes Anika on the way towards the cellar door. “I left it open for you. I'm going to grab a bath. Moms got the boys.” She hurries past Anika and ducks behind the wagon to wait for her opportunity.
Anika frowns but is preoccupied with the trap door. Built into the ground, it looms ahead, taunting her. She takes a deep breath, “You can do this,” she murmurs as she starts down the stone steps, carrying a wooden tray full of rattling glass jars. The scent of damp earth strikes her nose, and she frowns at the dark interior. Her heart beats harder with each step she takes.
“It's just a cellar, Anika,” she tells herself, but why does it feel like stepping into a nightmare. Her hands are sweaty and shaking, and she tells herself, “Just drop it and go.” She places the tray on the closest shelf and turns to leave.
“Need help?” Glenn smothers a laugh when she screams in terror. Her large blue eyes are wide, and she whirls in a panic to run. The door slams shut above them casting them into total darkness.
Savannah slams the door, ignoring the startled scream from below and slides the lock into place. She whistles and walks back to the house. One cup of coffee should be enough time, or maybe two? These two people need a little push in the right direction. What harm could come from giving them a little alone time? She is chuckling
as she walks up the back steps into the kitchen.
“Damn!” Glenn snarls and places the lantern on the nearest stone ledge. It creates a soft glow. “Don’t move, let your eyes adjust.”
“No, no, no,” Anika mumbles and turns looking past him for an escape. “Not again, no…” she moans and runs her hands along the wall, looking for a way out. Panic flows in and she gasps for breath.
Glenn realizes quickly that she’s in trouble. “Anika, look at me. You’re safe here.” He reaches for her only to leap back when she shouts at him.
“No! I can’t breathe!” She tries to run back up the steps and push on the door, but it is too heavy. “Oh, God!” She lifts her skirt and runs down the steps, gasping for breath.
“It’s okay, Savannah is just playing a trick on us. You’re safe.” Glenn approaches her slowly, like a wounded animal, only to stop moving when she backs away from him shaking her head in terror. When her hand goes to her throat, he realizes that she is in a full panic.
“I can open it,” he runs up the steps and pushes hard, but it is latched shut. “Damn.” He shouts for help, praying someone will hear him. Most of the pickers have left for the day, even his Father is at home. The sounds coming from Anika terrify him.
When he turns, she is looking around desperately for a way out. Her hands are running along the walls pushing at the limestone blocks praying for an escape and begging someone to help her. “Please, oh... please, let me out, not again…”
Glenn corners her in the back of the cellar. “Stop!” He shouts. Anika pushes back against the cold stones and sees a large, looming, dark shadow of a man. “It’s Glenn. You know me. I would never hurt you,” he calls to her softly.
“Anika, I'm here. See me,” he whispers, and steps towards her. One hand reaches out drawing her towards him. “That's right, you aren't alone.” Tears stream down her face, and she seems to understand for the first time.
“Glenn?”
“Yes, come here,” he pleads, and she rushes into his open arms and sobs.
“Don't let go,” she begs. Anika balls her hands into his shirt and holds on for dear life. In that moment she doesn't care about propriety, only that he is holding her, and it feels like heaven.
“Not a chance.” Finally, his soul shouts, she is where she belongs. When she looks up at him, he wipes her tears away with his thumbs, and she is lost.
“Glenn…” she whispers and drags his mouth to hers, knocking his hat to the dirt floor. Neither resists the pull as if they could. He kisses her like his life depends on it. Deep, ravenous, hot and intense and she's swept away. Glenn lifts her against his body and spins, pressing her against the cold limestone walls.
All her panic is forgotten as her body responds to his touch. He groans and rips his mouth away from hers. Anika stares at him in total shock, intending to apologize but he isn’t ready just yet to let her go. This time his mouth takes her slowly.
“Anika, you taste like Heaven,” he murmurs as his tongue traces her lips. Moist heat, hot and heady, flows through them and she buries a hand in his long hair, praying he never lets her go. She kisses him back, memorizing the flavor that is his and groans when he pulls away.
“Are you guys okay?” Savannah calls and struggles with the weight of the door.
Glenn slides her to the ground and takes a deep breath. He grabs her hand, pulling her along behind him. “It’s jammed, Savannah…” he starts to say, but she has managed to pry it open allowing light to flood in. His eyes narrow in fury.
“I’m so sorry, it must have blown shut.” Glenn drops Anika’s hand and stomps up the steps, causing his sister to back away from him.
“Our lives are not some game for you to play with, Savannah!” he rumbles in a low voice.
Savannah’s takes another step back from her brother. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble, Glenn.”
“I think you meant to do exactly what you did. Mind your own business from now on.” Glenn leaves without looking back, and Anika has yet to emerge from the cellar. Slowly she ascends, one step at a time, and when Savannah sees her, she gasps. The tracks of her tears can't be erased, but the haunted look in her eyes is heartbreaking.
“Anika, are you okay?”
“I, I don’t like enclosed spaces.”
Savannah hugs her and guides her to the steps. “Oh, let’s get you inside.”
After the children have been fed and tucked in, Anika walks out to the side porch. It has a swing which she loves to relax in. Tonight, she desperately needs to be outside. The blanket should keep her warm enough, that and the thought of his kiss. Her attraction to Glenn has only grown stronger with the passing of time. It's only been two months, she tells herself. They barely know each other, and she is wishing for things she shouldn't hope for.
Glenn watches her walk past his study and decides to follow her. Anika walks into the small porch and draws the blanket around her shoulders.
“Can I join you?”
Anika jumps at the sound of his deep voice. “Of course, it’s your home.” She sits and swings softly laying her head back on the wooden swing. It creaks beneath his weight and instantly she wishes she’d said no. The heat radiating from his body is tempting, and she struggles with how to talk to him. They swing in silence for a moment before she draws in a deep breath and gets her speech over with.
“Glenn, I owe you an apology for today, I was way out of line. If you wish to find someone else to care for the boys, I will understand.”
Glenn stops swinging and turns to look at her in complete surprise. “What are you apologizing for?”
“You know why,” she hisses.
“Anika, it was just a kiss,” he runs a hand over his face while she interrupts.
“Two kisses.”
“Exactly,” two amazing kisses he thinks. “The point is that you were upset, and I was trying to distract you.” The lie falls easily from his lips, and she stares at him in embarrassment.
“Distract me?” Shame has her head dropping, “That is one way to do it, I suppose,” she murmurs. “I’m sorry you had to witness my break down.” Anika stands and wraps the blanket protectively around herself. “I’m embarrassed. Saul thought it was funny to torment me in varied ways.” Images flash, running through her mind and she closes her eyes against the onslaught. “Sometimes he would lock me in closets if I was lucky.”
“If you weren’t lucky, what did he do?” Glenn asks gruffly.
“Games, he called them.” Her eyes open and she glances at the dark land in front of her, not able to bring herself to meet his stare. “It doesn't matter, does it? He's dead, and I'm free of him… I thought I was free, but I think that maybe I'm still broken.”
A Bible verse strikes his heart and he is surprised by it. “God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All you need is faith.” He quotes the verse given to him from Joel 2:25.
Anika stares at him in surprise. “I hope so, Glenn.”
Glenn stands up and forces himself to leave her, stopping at the door, he glances back at her. “I’m broken too, Anika.” He takes a deep breath and gives her the truth she deserves. “This shared attraction between us can’t go anywhere. I can’t give you what I wish I could. It wouldn’t be fair to any of us. You deserve a whole man, not a shell of one.” He leaves her staring after him in confusion.
Chapter 12
“This is going to be the best harvest we’ve had in some time,” Allen boasts proudly.
“I should hope so, you all have been working nonstop these last six weeks. Did the last shipment make it out on time?” Daisy asks, handing him a fresh cup of black coffee.
“It did. Glenn’s suggestion of using this new Rivers refrigerated shipping method was genius,” Allen tries to steal a cookie only to have his hand slapped.
Anika laughs at the sad look on Allen’s face. “Don’t give me that look, Allen Ward these are for the bake sale. As well as those two pies cooling on the table.”
“Don'
t worry, Allen, I'm taking over the kitchen tonight, and I promise to save some treats for you,” Anika says.
“I knew I liked you.” Allen steals a kiss from his wife and swipes a cookie from the unprotected side with a laugh.
Anika giggles, drawing a satisfied smile from Daisy. Her health has rebounded, and the color has returned to her cheeks. “Is Glenn still working?” Anika asks as she begins gathering her supplies for the deserts she'll be making.
“He is. Hopefully, now that picking season is slowing down, he will rest.” Allen says with a worried glance at his wife. “I'm sorry you've had to postpone the bake sale and quilting bee until after Harvest, but now that we have finished up, we should have a great turn out.”
“October is my favorite time of year.” Daisy turns to Allen, “This apple harvest has been amazing, and we finished early. Once we get through the bake sale and Quilting bee, we can enjoy the holidays with our family.” Daisy grips her husband’s arm.
“The boys are sleeping, and Delaney is down for the night. Why don’t you two go spend some time together?” Anika suggests.
“I think she wants the kitchen to herself, wife.”
“No, it’s just that...”
“He's teasing you, Anika. If I'm honest, I could use a rest.” Daisy stifles a yawn and takes her husband's hand. Before she gets to the door, she turns, “Savannah is listening for the boys, while she works in her room. She'll come get you if you are needed. Enjoy the quiet.”
“Thank you.” Envy fills her heart as she watches them leave together. Three months spent with them has taught her that the love they share runs deep, and they are well suited. Her parents loved each other too. She is so thankful that Delaney gets to see this kind of love in action. It’s a surprise to find that she longs for that companionship and love. Glenn’s face pops in her mind, but she pushes that secret desire away, he made it more than clear that he isn’t interested.
The first dough needs to be refrigerated overnight before rolling out. All three batches were made last night, tonight she is assembling and baking.
