Chapter 18
Saturday, December 10, 1836
With her own shawl wrapped snug about the both of them, Ella carried Rosemary on her left hip. “You’re sure about this?” She matched her steps to the slow stride of the pregnant woman.
Velma nodded. “I’m sure. I wouldn’t wants to miss the weddin’.” She walked with her eyes on the rough path. Her left hand rested on the rounded mound of her belly.
Their footsteps took them beside the rock-strewn edge of Pelter’s Creek and through the bare-limbed woods. The gurgle of water, flowing over slick rocks, accompanied their hike—drowning out the rustle of dry matted leaves under their feet. Mae, Scott, and Remy followed single file behind their mother and Ella, but Carrie took the lead and marched on ahead.
“I could’ve gotten word to someone ‘bout giving us a wagon ride, by way of the cove.” Ella dropped back to walk behind Velma. The narrowing of the trail forced them between four boulders.
“No, this is fine. Not bad walkin’ weather. The forest blocks the wind. Besides, I don’t wants people to talk about me not havin’ a farm wagon no more,” Velma said.
Ella rolled her eyes. “But they mostly know. We walk to church.”
“Don’t matter. I want to walk today, not ride.”
“But you’re not feelin’ your best.”
The last of the oak, maple, and poplar leaves had shriveled and released their stubborn grip on dark limbs. Fall’s brilliant colors had vanished, replaced with monotonous brown and black undertones of the bare tree trunks, gray boulders, and clay-colored rocks holding back the mountain’s sharper sides.
Ella hugged Rosemary’s feather-light body to hers and felt the girl’s fingers dig into her shoulder.
“Me skeered,” the child whispered. Her round eyes darted and watched the dark tree trunks along the dim trail.
“Don’t be. Mama and me are with you.” Then with a sigh of exasperation, Ella called out, “Carrie, wait for us. You’ll run into a bear or panther. They like the rocks.” She felt a shiver of fear run across her own shoulders at the thought of the stealthy tan animal stalking them.
Carrie flashed a look of defiance over her shoulder. The expression said the nine-year-old was in one of her unpredictable moods.
“I don’t know what to do with her.” Velma kept her comment low, but it overflowed with anxiety. “She’s worse—finds ways to stir up trouble. Can I trust her arounds a baby?”
“I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“I think Carrie likes you.” The woman ducked under a low-hanging branch and held it out of the way so Ella could come through with Rosemary.
“I hope so. We need her to like somebody.”
Lightning fast, Scott squeezed past them. He headed toward Carrie, dodged the hand the girl threw out to stop him, and laughed. He whirled and faced the rest of them. With an air of cockiness, he marched backward. The gap between his front teeth showed when he grinned.
“Carrie, you’re trapped,” he said.
His mother gasped. “Scottie, you watch your steps.”
“Now, I’m in the lead.” His freckles fanned across the bridge of his straight nose, and his bare head appeared tousled, with sun-touched brown hair sticking out over his prominent ears.
“If you stumbles sideways, you’ll flop in the creek.” Velma clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth and gave a huff of breath, showing her frustration at not being able to run and get her hands on him.
“I won’t.” He checked over his shoulder and slowed his steps until he blocked Carrie from moving forward. The creek hemmed her in on one side, and a pile of wedged rocks formed a solid wall to her right side. She couldn’t get past him.
Scott gave a whoop of glee and pointed at her.
Carrie lifted her hands and hit him hard in the chest. Her impulsive attack caught Scott by surprise, pushed him backward, and caused him to lose his balance. He landed on his bottom in the middle of the bumpy trail. The fall carried him onto his back, and his left shoulder smacked the edge of a rock.
Before the astounded expression on Scott’s face cleared and he could get his feet under him, Carrie doubled back and hid behind their mama and Mae. Velma stopped and turned. She snatched her daughter’s right hand and applied a firm slap to the top of it. The sound duplicated the crack of a branch breaking under the tread of a grown man.
Carrie cried out in pain and jerked her hand away.
Scott rolled sideways and scrambled to his feet. He ran at his sister, his face twisted with anger.
Ella threw out her left hand to block him. “No, Scott. Stop.”
“You saw what she did.” He used both hands to rub his bruised backside, which brought a bubbling giggle from Mae. “I’m gonna hurt her!”
“Your mama did that. No need for you to tend to it.”
Remy stepped past Ella and closer to his big brother. “You was funny sittin’ in the dirt. Your legs stuck up in the air.”
“Stop.” His mother motioned him to shut up and shook her finger at Scott. “Get on with ya. You wanted to be ahead of us—now gets to it. You betta pray there’s no bear on the trail.”
“I’m not afeered of bears.” Scott fingered his hurt shoulder, but didn’t tempt his mother to punish him. He turned on his heels and walked ahead of them. He kicked at everything moveable.
Velma summoned Carrie. “Comes here. Ends the cryin’. Walk betwinst Ella an’ me.”
Sniffling, the girl shuffled along with her head bowed. She rubbed at the reddened spot on the back of her slender hand.
Ella felt sorry for her. She had already figured out Scott’s motives. He continually irritated his sister, baiting her into fights—so he could have the satisfaction of getting the girl into more trouble. Gently, she touched Carrie’s thin shoulder.
The girl jerked in her direction. Her wary eyes seemed void of any inner feelings, but Ella spied a glimmer of pride.
Velma winked at Ella over Carrie’s head. “And to think—I’ve got one more one on the way.”
“Yes, that’s so.” She grinned. “Velma, when we get to the church, may I go to Naomi’s house? I hear that’s where Grace will be.”
“I’m sure you’d be welcome.” The woman pulled her wrap closer to her chest and swollen belly. “That wind’s now got a bite to it. Hurry, children.” She paused long enough to catch her breath and shoo them on ahead of her. “Go fast.”
“Rose, lift the shawl over your head.” Ella switched Rosemary to her other hip and ignored the soreness in her arms. “Hug my neck.”
While they completed the three-quarter mile hike along Pelter’s Creek, the air turned colder, and the breeze stiffened. The modest sized log church was a welcome sight.
To Ella, the interior of the building felt warm and cozy, but as soon as Velma and the children took seats on the rough plank benches, she darted out the door. She ran through the field of dead grass to the Chesleys’ sprawling cabin. The workmanship on the square-logged building represented a testament to Leigh’s industrious nature.
She ignored the bumpy wagon path. It did a winding loop around the large field, but she was in too much of a hurry. The growing wind snatched at loose strands of her hair and tangled them about her head.
Her noisy knock brought a squeal of panic.
The door edged open. Katy peered around it.
“It’s just Ella.” The younger girl stepped out of the way and motioned her into a huge room—Naomi’s kitchen.
“Ella Dessa, you startled me,” Grace laughed. “I thought it was Leigh coming back.”
“Come join us.” Inez waved. “We’re helping Grace get dressed.”
The smiling bride stood in her undergarments, with her arms hidden in a billow of dark-blue material. Laura Stuart supported the gathered skirt of the wedding dress. Inez and Naomi lowered the bodice over Grace’s full bust and adjusted the long sleeves. Peggy waved at Ella and continued to stir liquid in a stoneware jar near the fire.
The scent of apple ci
der drifted through the air.
“It feels so nice in here.” The warmth from the wide stone fireplace drew Ella. “The weather’s changin’.” With cold fingers, she pulled the black ribbon from her hair and retied it.
“Okay, you can let the skirt drop,” Inez said to Laura. “Ella Dessa, can you tie Peggy’s bow? Katy, please set out the baskets of bread.”
Peggy laid aside a wooden spoon. “I couldn’t reach it, and they’re all busy.” She turned her back to Ella. “Mother made this new dress for the wedding, because I’m the next oldest girl.
“Peggy, I love your hair pinned up like that. You look older.” Thrilled to be included, her fingers trembled as she fashioned a large bow.
“Ohh, Mother had an awful time making my curls lay smooth. Do you like my dress?”
“Yes, it’s a lighter color than Grace’s.” The medium-blue material felt like silk in her chapped hands. “I’ve never seen the likes of it. It reminds me of a bluebird’s feathers. There, it’s tied.”
Peggy whirled and presented her back to Inez. A white ribbon controlled her rebellious auburn curls and secured them in place on top of her head.
“Did she do good?”
“Perfect.”
“It’s store-bought goods—the material, that is.” Katy sounded jealous. “They ordered it from Richmond. Konrad has relatives there.” Bending closer to Ella’s ear, she continued to whisper. “We know they’re rich. Who else has weddings like this?”
Ella shrugged and watched Naomi hand Inez a small package of folded muslin.
“Here, I think it’s time you arrange this on your daughter’s head. We need to walk to the church.” Her voice held a tremor of breathlessness. “I’ll probably never have the honor of helping a daughter prepare for her wedding. Inez, I envy you. I just have the boys.”
Laura sighed. “I dread the day Katy marries. I don’t want to lose her.”
Katy rolled her eyes, nudged Ella, and whispered, “I already know who I’m marryin’.”
“Who?”
“Not tellin’.” She sniggered and covered her mouth.
“I bet I know.” Peggy wagged a finger at the girl.
“Shh. You’re the only one who knows. Oh my! It looks like white frost.” She pointed toward Grace.
Inez lifted delicate white lace from the package. Varying lengths of the filmy material hung from a curved bone comb. With a trembling hand, she pushed the teeth of the comb into the beautiful curls on top of Grace’s head. The longest section of lace slipped over the bride’s glowing eyes and nose. It hid most of her youthful features, except her lower cheeks and curved lips.
Ella immediately thought it a shame. How would Konrad know he married the right girl? She recalled her mama reading a Bible story about a man fooled into marrying the wrong girl—a sister to the one he truly loved—all because her face was hidden.
Feeling a bit confused, she studied the expressions of those congregated close to the bride. Even Naomi smiled. No one seemed sad or troubled about the lace. Ella had never attended a wedding so she kept silent about her uneasy thoughts.
Peggy clapped her hands with immediate approval. She edged in closer and fingered the texture of the lace. “Mother, I want one just like this. Please, tell Papa.”
“When your time comes.” Inez shook her finger. “It better not be for years and years. I don’t want to lose all my girls.”
“I can’t believe Papa ordered this from Richmond. You did a wonderful job of gathering the lace.” Grace’s eyes showed through the delicate material as she kissed her mother’s pale cheek.
“My child, you make a beautiful bride.” Inez sniffled and pressed a soggy handkerchief to face. “Oh, I can’t cry no more.”
“No, you musn’t.” Naomi playfully slapped at her arm. “Your daughter wants to recall this December wedding as a wonderful day. Besides, you’re not losing a daughter, you’re gaining another son. Konrad Strom doesn’t know how lucky he is.”
“I hope he knows.” Inez sniffled and folded the handkerchief into a small square. “He’s taking my firstborn from me.”
“Oh, Mother.” Grace gave her a hug. “You’ll make me cry.”
Laura pushed the door open a crack and stared across the field. “Don’t cry, Grace. You’re tears might freeze on your face.” Her bulky figure blocked the wind coming in the door. “I’ve never seen such ornery weather.” She shut the door and bent to retrieve a colorful braided basket from the floor. “Here, Katy.” She tossed her daughter a gray shawl.
“We must hurry.” Naomi lifted a brown woolen wrap from a peg on the wall. “I’m covering my head and shoulders against a chill. If Leigh had known about the change in the weather, he’d have had the wagon waiting outside.”
“Will it snow?” Katy said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we have snow by evening. Did you see the clouds gathering over the mountains? There’s snow in them—after such a balmy fall.” Naomi patted her chest, where she knotted her long wrap. “Grace, do you want one of my shawls? That wind’s cutting a path right through the center of the cove.”
With an anxious laugh, the bride shook her head and caused the veil to move from side to side.
“The material in your dress is thin, and Naomi has extra shawls,” Inez said.
“No. At the moment, I feel like I could walk through a blizzard barefoot and not feel a thing.”
The small group of women and girls laughed and hurried for the door.
“I think weddings are scary.” Peggy grabbed Ella’s hand. Her breath held a hint of apple cider.
“Why?”
“I wouldn’t want to go live with anyone other than Mother and Papa.”
Ella nodded. She understood better than most what it felt like to live without parents. But she also observed the expression of pure joy on Grace’s face. Intuition told her Grace might miss seeing her parents every day, but she wasn’t going to miss living with them.
Jim’s smiling face popped into her mind. She wondered how it would feel to walk down the aisle facing him the way Grace would soon face Konrad.
“Ella Dessa, come on. Why are you standing there?” A blast of frigid air whirled in at the open door and compressed Peggy’s dress against her legs. “We’re being left behind.”
“Sorry.”
Ahead of them, she saw Grace grab the sides of her dress and raise the dark-blue skirt above the waving yellow grass. Her movements exposed the white underskirt, layered with handmade lace. The contrast of color made it a perfect picture and caused Ella’s eyes to blur with tears. If only the seconds could be saved.
Almost running, the bride led the way across the rolling field between the Chesley house and the log church. Her full skirt billowed behind her. Inez and Naomi kept up with her, their heads bent to the wind, but Laura lagged behind them. Her stocky figure hindered her from moving any faster.
“Go on, I’ll catch up,” Laura yelled.
Ella and Peggy sprinted past her and caught up with Katy. The freezing wind gusted over the clearing and flattened the grass. No one tried to talk. They concentrated on moving as fast as possible.
“We made it.” Grace went up the steps, as the wind moaned past the corner of the building.
“And not too soon,” Naomi muttered.
Grace stood close to the wide door and lightly tapped on it. “I hope they heard my signal. I can’t hear anything but the wind.” She placed a hand on her head and held the lace.
“Oh, it’s cold.” Ella gasped for breath, tucked her chin into the folds of her shawl. Her teeth chattered. They mounted the steps and followed the bride’s mother, but Peggy’s grip on her hand didn’t loosen.
“Girls, get in close to Grace,” Naomi said.
The brightness of the sun failed to provide ample warmth. Naomi locked her elbow with Inez’s as Laura joined the group. The women huddled on the steps, protecting Grace from most of the wind. Bunched lines of hoary clouds poured over the mountain and filled the cove.
“Me, too. Velma wasn’t feeling good walking here.”
“You walked?”
“Yes. It felt warmer then.”
Peggy shivered. “I wish they’d let us in.” She bent her head and cuddled close. “My hair’s getting fuzzy!”
Despite the cold, Ella gave Grace a smile. “Konrad won’t figger it’s you behind the lace. He might be scared it’s a strange woman comin’ to marry him—like Leah in the Bible.” The wind caused the fragile veil to flap and move. She caught a glimpse of the bride’s flushed cheeks and bright eyes.
Grace laughed at her. “He won’t be scared. I feel like it’s a dream. I’m finally becoming Mrs. Konrad Strom. I’m going to be married.”
“Yes, my dear, that’s why we’re standing here, freezing, and waiting to enter the church.” Inez tapped Ella’s shoulder. “You better scoot on in. Velma might need help keeping the children quiet. That way they’ll know we’re out here.”
Ephraim pushed on the door just as Ella tried to pull it open.
“About time,” he whispered. He tucked Grace’s hand through the bend of his elbow. “Let’s get my baby girl out of this cold.”
Ella ducked into the warmth of the log building and squeezed between Scott and Mae, appreciating the heat from their small bodies. Konrad stood at the front of the church. He gazed at his bride clinging to Ephraim’s elbow, as Inez and the others found their respective seats.
Leigh nodded his head, indicating it was time for Grace to come forward.
Ella saw Josie and Anna sat with their four brothers. Jim held Phillip on his lap. Her heart beat double time when he caught her eye and winked. Samuel stared at Grace. His face held such a sad expression, Ella felt sorry for him.
He’s worried about losing his sister.
A collective gasp and a sigh of amazement whispered through the crowded building. The tall trim woman fulfilled her name. The home-sewn gown of dark blue had delicate tucks and pleats extending from the neckline to the slender waist, which opened downward and became a full long skirt. The hem swept the rugged wood planks of the floor. The bodice had no collar, but managed to be both modest and beautiful with a high, curved neckline.
The Girl Called Ella Dessa: Will she ever be cherished for the inner beauty beneath her scars? Page 20
