“Would you have remained to be lynched, Mr. Jacobs?” returned the judge. “Avoiding that seems to me to be a sign of great intelligence and good judgment.”
“I still argue Mr. Sawyer should have come forward about this as soon as he knew of it.”
Judge Purchase asked quietly, “Did you ever believe your wife was guilty of these crimes, Mr. Sawyer?”
Noah held Belinda as he stood. “No. I admit I was shocked when Emma told me the truth and hurt that she hadn’t been willing to share this with me before she did, but I never believed she was guilty. How could anyone who has seen how she deals so fairly and honestly at her store believe she had been part of a scheme to rob banks?”
The judge hit his gavel on the table. “I’ve heard enough. Sit down, Mr. Jacobs, while I give you my judgment.” He waited until the room was silent before saying, “In light of what I’ve heard here and what I heard when Mr. Gilson was brought before me last Sunday, I judge there is enough evidence to send this custody order back to Illinois to be reheard. In the meantime, I believe it would do great damage to Miss Sawyer to have her in anyone’s custody but Mrs. Sawyer’s until the custody can be reheard. So, until that time, temporary custody of Miss Belinda Sawyer is with Mrs. Noah Sawyer.”
Cheers came from every direction but the table where Gilson and his attorney sat. They stood and tried to walk out as the spectators rushed forward.
Emma stood and said, “Thank you so much, Judge Purchase.”
“You didn’t make it easy for me.” He smiled at her sister and brother. “Thank heavens you got here when you did.”
“The train was late coming into Haven,” her brother said.
“You were the ones Noah was looking for?” Emma looked toward the table where Noah had sat, but she could not see him through the crowd gathered around it.
Leatrice began to weep as she flung her arms around Emma. Howard put his arms around both of them. Hoping that this was not a dream that had come to banish the seven-year-old nightmare, Emma clung to them.
“How did you know where to find me?” she asked.
Handing a handkerchief to Leatrice, who was sobbing loudly, Howard said, “We didn’t find you. Noah Sawyer found us.” He looked past her. “We’re more grateful than you know, Mr. Sawyer.”
Emma whirled to discover Noah behind her. “You did that for me after all the horrible things I said?” she asked.
“Actually I started looking for them before you said all those things.” He grinned. “But what you said was not entirely untrue.”
Her happiness foundered. “You married me because—”
“I thought you’d make a good mother for Belinda. I told you that.”
“Yes, you did.” How could her heart be joyous and sad at the same time?
He put Belinda on the chair where Emma had been sitting. “And I married you because I love you, Emma. I know you have no reason to believe another man you think has been using you for his own ends, but, if you believe nothing else in your life, believe that I love you.” He framed her face with his broad hands. Tilting her face up toward his, he whispered, “I don’t think either of us can deny that what we share is love, Emma.”
“I do love you.”
“If you think I am saying this only because of Belinda, you’re wrong. I know it will help in the custody battle still ahead that Belinda has a father and a mother, but that isn’t the real reason I asked you to marry me. I could have found other ways to defeat Gilson. If I wanted to hurt you, Emma, that could be the way, but I don’t want you hurt ever again. I accused Sean of being a thief, but you were the one who stole my heart with the gleam of your green eyes and your impish smile. I love you, sweetheart.”
“And I love you. More than I ever thought I could love any man.”
“Really? No doubts this time?”
“Really. No doubts.” She laughed. “But I’m going to need you to keep convincing me of that, Noah, for the rest of our lives.”
“Something I will be glad to do, sweetheart.” He bent to kiss her.
Before he could, Sean rushed up with a squeal to hug Emma, then Noah. Belinda jumped down from the chair, giggled, and threw her arms around Emma.
Over their heads, Noah cupped her chin and said, “Let’s go home, sweetheart. We’ll celebrate with everyone and then we’ll celebrate alone.”
Smiling, she took Belinda’s hand and Noah’s. He grabbed Sean’s and led the way out of the courtroom.
“Noah! Noah!” Kenny pushed his way toward them. “The message from New York City finally came through.”
Noah took it and read it quickly. Handing it to Emma, he smiled. She read the few words and, for the first time since she had left Kansas, surrendered to tears. Even when the others asked her what was wrong, she could not speak. She put her arms around Noah and wept for all the times she had given up on ever finding happiness. As Noah’s lips found hers, she feared her heart would burst with happiness.
“Are you going to be able to stop crying long enough to share the good news with everyone?” he asked quietly.
She shook her head, then nodded with a laugh as he kept his arm around her when she looked at the children staring at her in amazement. Her family. Excitement glowed on their faces as she gave the slip of paper to Sean to read.
All the rough times were not behind them, she knew, but she never would have to fight her battles alone ever again. The good tidings and the trouble would be shared. As she looked up at Noah, she drew his mouth to hers and lost herself in the exquisite joy that had been hers for longer than she had trusted herself to believe.
EPILOGUE
Through the warm rain, the train pulled into the Haven, Indiana, station with a cloud of steam and a ringing bell. The conductor jumped down from the third car back. Turning, he held out his hand to help a woman and a child down the steep stairs to the platform. The woman thanked him as she adjusted her stylish bonnet and looked in both directions along the seemingly empty platform.
A door from the station burst open, and another child raced out. He paused, then turned and motioned to a little girl. Grabbing her hand, he almost pulled her off her feet as she tried to keep up with his longer legs. He did not let her hand go as he threw his other arm around the child who had stepped off the train.
As the three of them twirled about in a merry dance and collapsed into a giggling pile, the woman smiled at the wide-eyed conductor and stepped around them. She walked toward the station and held her hand out to another woman who was watching the children with a happy smile.
“I am Miss Black,” she said. “You must be Mrs. Sawyer.”
“Yes, I am.” Emma took the woman’s hand and shook it. She knew she should introduce the woman to Noah, but she could not pull her gaze from the jumble of children on the damp platform. This week had brought the news that Gilson was abandoning his claim for custody of Belinda because he could not afford to have his crimes made public in Chicago and all charges against Noah had been dropped and the tidings that this train was finally on its way. Once she had not believed she could be blessed with so much happiness, a family and a husband who loved her. This week she was being twice blessed.
Sean untangled himself from the pile and led both children back to where Emma and Noah stood. He grinned widely, although he was crying at the same time, and said, “This is Emma, and that is Noah. Emma is my mother now, and Noah is my father.” He sniffed, wiped his nose on his sleeve, and then said, “Emma, this is my sister.” He smiled at Belinda before correcting himself. “My other sister, Maeve.”
Squatting in front of the little girl, Emma put one hand over the fingers Noah settled on her shoulder as she said, “Welcome to Haven, Maeve.”
“Haven?” the little girl asked, uncertain.
Emma blinked back her own tears. From the moment Kenny had come to the courtroom with the telegram that the Children’s Aid Society had found Sean’s little sister, they had been waiting eagerly for Maeve’s arrival. Now, at last, the little
girl was here.
Emma held out her hand to Maeve. When Sean grinned and picked up Maeve’s hand and put it on Emma’s palm, he also grabbed Belinda’s hand, setting it atop the younger girl’s. Noah put his hand under hers as Sean put his over Belinda’s.
“We’re a family,” he announced. “Forever and ever.”
Emma looked up at Noah and knew it would soon be time to tell the children that Maeve would not be the last one to become a part of their family. When he smiled, she wondered how she could ever have believed she understood what love truly was before she met this man who was the father of the child growing within her.
Smiling at the little girl, who regarded her with the beginnings of a bashful smile, Emma whispered, “Welcome to Haven, Maeve.” She looked up at Noah and added, “Welcome home.”
Turn the page to continue reading from the Haven Trilogy
One
River’s Haven Community
Indiana
1876
The Assembly of Elders enjoyed drama. Rachel Browning had seen examples of that, time after time, when they had been asked to rule on a request by the residents of the River’s Haven Community.
As the trio of men and one woman filed back into the simple room that was filled with enough backless wooden benches to allow seating for all members of the Community, they sat at a table set between two tall windows. On the wall behind them, on either side of a clock, were the American flag and a picture of President Grant. Those were the only items of decoration in the otherwise plain room. The men’s black coats and the woman’s simple dress were as undecorated.
Only one man wore a beard, the eldest man, who sat in the middle. Mr. Carpenter was one of the founders of the River’s Haven Community.
The man on his left, Mr. Johnson, was also a founder. Miss Stokes, the woman on his right, had been the third founder. Recently, Mr. Foley had joined the Assembly of Elders, the first person chosen by the Community to do so in the seven years since River’s Haven’s establishment near the banks of the Ohio River.
Rachel had been amused in the past by the show of sagacity and ritual. Today she wished they would just announce what they had decided during their hour of deliberations in the small room beyond this one.
“Don’t fidget,” her older brother muttered, not taking his gaze from the front of the room.
Rachel did not reply. Merrill sat as motionless as the bench beneath him. His hair was black like hers, but his intense eyes were a much lighter shade than her brown ones. In his sedate black frock coat and gray trousers, he resembled the trio of men sitting at the table.
She folded her hands on her skirt that reached no farther than her knees. When she had first arrived in River’s Haven Community, she had tugged endlessly at the hem, which was as high as she had worn when she was a child. But in the past few years she had learned to appreciate the shorter skirt and the pantalets beneath it. Her work took her everywhere in the Community, from the sheepfold to the weaving rooms and the metal shop, and it was made easier because of this sensible outfit. As the person in charge of the Community’s finances, she was responsible for making the various industries profitable.
Glancing at the clock, Rachel was glad to see that there was still almost an hour before the youngest children would be released from their play. The older children had chores to do, but during the time before supper the ones as young as Kitty Cat were allowed to be with one of their parents.
She watched the Assembly of Elders as they whispered together. Were they still debating the reason that had brought her here today? Rachel’s request to the Assembly of Elders had been on behalf of Katherine Mulligan, who preferred the name Kitty Cat. Over three months had passed since Rachel had brought the little girl here from the orphan train that had stopped in the nearby village of Haven. Rachel guessed the little girl was almost seven years old. Kitty Cat knew she had been born on Independence Day, but she did not know which year.
“Miss Browning,” said Mr. Carpenter, “we have reached our decision.”
She nodded. No one but Mr. Carpenter was allowed to speak during the meeting unless he asked a direct question.
He tugged on his beard, glanced at the others at the table with him, then looked back at her. If some silent message had been passed among the Assembly of Elders, she was not privy to it.
“Miss Browning, we have reviewed your request for Miss Katherine Mulligan to be granted permission to go to Haven to visit the children she traveled with on the orphan train.” He paused, and Rachel held her breath.
Kitty Cat had brought more joy to Rachel’s life than seemed possible. This chance to see her friends from the orphan train was so important to Kitty Cat, who had been pining for the other children. Kitty Cat spoke of them endlessly, especially two of the older boys named Sean O’Dell and Brendan Rafferty. The little girl had pleaded, over and over, for the chance to visit them and discover if they were happy with their new families. Kitty Cat was content living at River’s Haven, but she had spoken over and over of needing to be certain that her friends were happy, too.
“After much discussion,” said Mr. Carpenter, “we wish to inform you that your request is denied.”
“Denied?” Rachel asked, shocked.
Beside her, Merrill ordered, “Hush, Rachel!” He stood and took her arm, pulling her to her feet.
She yanked her arm out of his grip. Since Merrill had brought them to River’s Haven, she had accepted each of the edicts from the Assembly of Elders, even the ones she had believed were ridiculous. This she could not accept, not without an explanation of why the Assembly of Elders was about to break a little girl’s already well-patched heart.
“Why are you denying Kit—” She halted herself, knowing that the Elders did not approve of nicknames. All the adults in the Community were supposed to address each other as miss or mister. “Why are you denying Katherine the chance to go into Haven for a single day to visit her friends? Such a visit will do no harm to River’s Haven, and it’ll do much good for Katherine.”
“There’s no room for debate, Miss Browning. The Elders are in unanimous agreement about this.”
“But why?” She ignored her brother’s tug on her arm. She could not leave until she understood why they had made this absurd decision.
“It isn’t our way to encourage our children to create friendships with those beyond River’s Haven.” Mr. Carpenter frowned. “You should know that by now, Miss Browning. You have been living here almost three years.”
“But she isn’t creating a friendship. These children are already her friends. She traveled with them from New York City on the orphan train.” She edged around the bench and took a step toward the table. Hearing the sharp intakes of breath from both in front of her and from behind her, where Merrill was standing, she halted. She clasped her hands in front of her as she begged, “Please reconsider. It is only one visit, and she’ll be so relieved to know that her friends are all right in their new homes.”
“The decision was unanimous, Miss Browning.” Mr. Carpenter continued to stare at her as if he believed he could daunt her with his gaze.
“Rachel,” warned her brother in a near whisper. He took her arm again. This time, when she tried to shake off his hand, his grip tightened. She looked at him, but his eyes were focused on the table where the Assembly of Elders sat as he added in a louder voice, “Forgive my sister for her outburst. She cares so deeply for Katherine Mulligan that I fear she has let her emotions overtake her, making her forget the ways of this Community. She appreciates the Assembly of Elders taking this time to consider her request.” He jabbed her with his elbow. “Don’t you, Rachel?”
Rachel nodded, although she seethed inside. How could the Assembly of Elders—and her brother—be so shortsighted? Kitty Cat would be completely happy here if she had this single chance to see her friends.
Merrill steered her toward the back of the room. She did not protest. It was useless. The Assembly of Elders had made their decision, and they w
ould not be talked into reconsidering, no matter how many facts she offered them.
“Kitty Cat is going to be terribly upset,” Rachel said as they walked out of the building that was dwarfed by the common house where all currently single and childless members of the Community lived. For the married couples and those with small children, there were small cottages on either side of the massive building and the stables. When the final wing of the huge brick building was completed, all members of the Community would be able to live within the common house.
“She must learn to live with River’s Haven’s rules.” Merrill paused on the walk and faced her. “As you must, Rachel. Another outburst like that one, and you will cause the Assembly of Elders to ask us to leave.”
“I was simply expressing my opinion.” She did not lower her gaze from his angry eyes. “You know that everyone in River’s Haven is encouraged to offer opinions.”
“But not as you did. You questioned the authority of the Assembly of Elders.”
She shook her head. “I most certainly did not. I only requested that I be given an explanation for their decision. That was not unreasonable.”
Merrill strode toward the common house, then turned and walked back to her. Jabbing a finger at her, he said, “Bringing that child here was a mistake.”
“She needed a home, and we have a home here. The Assembly of Elders has said so often that we should reach out to those who need River’s Haven and will embrace its principles.”
“When are you going to embrace our principles?” he fired back.
“I already do.”
“Do you? You haven’t agreed to any marriage arrangement offered to you.”
Rachel hoped her bonnet concealed her flush from anyone who might walk by. “Merrill, I would prefer to speak of this in private.”
“Why?” His eyes narrowed. “The arrangement of compound marriage here still bothers you, doesn’t it?”
Twice Blessed Page 29
