by Linda Ford
She regretted that they had overheard the conversation.
Gus cleared his throat. “You are a blessing, indeed and if Sam won’t keep you, I will.” He waved his arm about to show how his pain had subsided.
Sam groaned. “No one is keeping her. She isn’t a pet. But she is staying.” He faced her. “If you will.”
She couldn’t keep her smile from widening her lips and filling her eyes. “I don’t figure on leaving.”
“Good,” Sam said.
“Good,” Gus echoed.
“I keep ball?” Joey asked.
The adults laughed and assured him the ball was his.
She glanced back over her shoulder toward town. “I suppose two trips to town in two days is too much?”
“Depends,” Sam answered. “What did you have in mind?”
“I’d love to go to church.”
Sam stared straight ahead.
Elin watched and waited. But she must know. “Are you like Harry? Someone who doesn’t go to church? You say grace but is that only a tradition? What do you believe about God and His Son, Jesus?” She could continue keeping house for him even if he wasn’t a believer. Perhaps that was what God wanted for her. To be the one who showed him what it was like to trust God. If only she found it easier to do so, but she’d always felt she had to fix her own problems.
“Elin, stop twisting your hands like that. I am a Christian. But are you sure you want to go to church? The Scanlons are pillars of the church in town.”
“You are saying they will have gossiped and given me a bad name?”
“It’s likely.”
“Will the preacher agree with them?”
“He seems a reasonable man not given to heeding gossip.”
“Then I would like to go. I would like to meet people who are willing to seek the truth and not listen to gossip. Besides, I miss having sisters, aunts, and cousins around.”
“You are lonely at the ranch?”
She laughed. “How could I be? There’s Gus and Joey to keep me company and you.” She smiled at him, happy to see him smile back. “I am not lonely, but one can never have too many friends.”
“Then we will go to church tomorrow. Gus, you want to come?”
The old man chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Elin looked over her shoulder at him. “You sound like it’s going to be circus entertainment.”
He nodded. “Just might be.”
She sat up straight, her hands folded in her lap. “No, it won’t. I will conduct myself with dignity and restraint. No matter what the Scanlons say or do. After all, what can they do?”
But the next morning, she prepared for church with extra care. She slicked Joey’s hair down. He had a cowlick in the front that wouldn’t stay flat and after half a dozen tries, she gave up.
They’d all bathed the night before. Elin and Joey in the kitchen, Gus and Sam in the barn. Now the men came from their rooms in clean, white shirts. Each wore a vest and a corded tie.
“Oh my.” She pressed her palms to her warm cheeks. “You are all so handsome I am overwhelmed.” She did her best to give each of them the same amount of study, but her gaze lingered on Sam. He leaned back on his heels and grinned at her.
“We need to look our best if we are to face the Scanlons.”
She made a disapproving sound. “We are going to church to worship God with those of like faith, not to confront the Scanlons.” Not wanting to pursue that topic, she indicated the picnic basket. “I wasn’t sure if we’d be back in time for our noon meal so I prepared food to take with us. Nothing fancy, but we won’t starve.”
Sam grinned. “Sounds good to me. We’ll enjoy the day before we have to get back to work.”
Elin pressed her gloved fingers to her face. “I don’t mean to keep you from your work.”
Gus grunted. “No one is making Sam do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
Sam crooked his arm toward her and they went out the door. “Let’s be on our way. I hope we can enjoy the day without the Scanlons spoiling it but…”
They reached the wagon and he didn’t finish.
She was glad he didn’t. Her insides rolled like a ship on the ocean at the idea of coming face to face with that pair and seeing the judgment in their eyes.
Could she hope the criticism would go no further than their eyes? She knew it wasn’t likely they hadn’t used their mouths to spread their opinions.
They headed for town. Several times she told herself to stop twisting her hands together. She was going to tear the seams on her gloves if she kept it up. Town lay before them, the street seemed to have narrowed, the buildings pressing in on the travelers.
She saw a number of conveyances and several saddle horses tied in the side yard of the church. She forced her gaze to the entrance. A man in a dark suit stood at the bottom of the steps. To one side, stood the Scanlons. “Looks like they’re guardians of the place,” she murmured.
“Only in their own minds,” Sam assured her. He helped her from the wagon, then drew her arm around his.
She might have clung to his forearm for courage though she would never admit it to anyone, herself included.
As they made their way toward the door, the Scanlons sniffed loudly, drawing the attention of those nearby.
Mrs. Scanlon lifted a fan to cover her face but it did nothing to block out her words, even though they were whispered. “How dare she show up here? We don’t need the likes of her and that”—sniff—“nameless boy.”
It was on the tip of Elin’s tongue to say the boy’s name was Joey, but before she could speak, Joey ran from her.
“G’ma,” he called loudly, making a beeline toward an older woman with a man about the same age at her side. Joey reached the woman’s side and grabbed her skirts. “G’ma.”
The woman turned. She pulled her skirts free and waved her hand to dismiss Joey.
Joey stared at her, tears pooling in his eyes, his face wreathed in shock and sorrow as he realized the woman wasn’t his grandmother.
Sam reached the boy in three strides and swept him into his arms. Joey buried his face against Sam’s neck, his arms tight about the man. Sam held Joey tightly and murmured, “It’s okay. It’s okay.” As he turned, Mrs. Scanlon hurried to the side of the other woman.
“You poor dear. How awful to have that little boy attack you like that, especially after your own loss.”
Sam rejoined Elin, his eyes hard. “Let’s go inside.”
Elin rubbed Joey’s back. “I’m sorry it wasn’t your grandma.” She met Sam’s gaze. “What did Mrs. Scanlon mean?”
“The woman is judgmental beyond imagination.”
“She said, ‘after your own loss.’”
“The Hillmans’ daughter and little granddaughter drowned last year.”
Elin longed to speak her condolences to the woman, but Mr. and Mrs. Scanlon guided the older couple toward the door. Mrs. Scanlon glanced back at Elin, her eyes full of condemnation, her mouth hard with disapproval.
Gus pulled Elin’s arm through his. “Come along, young lady. Didn’t you say we were here to worship God? Let’s do it and ignore those with petty minds.”
With Joey in Sam’s arms and Gus at her side, Elin let them lead her toward the door.
They stopped in front of the black-suited man. His blond hair and blue eyes were familiar enough to comfort her. He was old enough to provide her courage. He nodded and smiled.
“Reverend Sharp, may I present Elin Hansen and Joey?” Sam said.
“Please, I prefer Pastor Sharp. I am pleased to meet you. Welcome to our community. I hope you enjoy your stay.” He reached for Elin’s hand and she withdrew from Gus’s side to take his.
“Thank you.” At least he sounded welcoming and had shown no surprise or curiosity at being given no surname for Joey.
His handshake was quick and then he turned to Joey. “We are glad to have you here.” He cupped
Joey’s head as if offering a blessing.
Elin glanced down the aisle, visible from where she stood. Too bad the Scanlons were too far away to hear Pastor Sharp.
Sam caught her arm and led her to a pew halfway down. He stepped back to indicate Gus should go in first then Elin follow. Sam came next, so Elin was guarded to her right and left by the men. She adjusted her skirts and let peace flow through her veins. What could be better than to be at church with people she cared about? And for this blessed day she would not analyse how much she cared.
Pastor Sharp closed the doors and made his way up the aisle to the pulpit to welcome everyone and announce the first hymn. A woman at the pump organ began to play. The tune was familiar to Elin but she struggled with the English words. If she didn’t think it would bring curious and condemning glances her way, she would sing in Norwegian.
It has half relief and half regret for her when the organist left the front and Pastor Sharp began to preach. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice. What have you to rejoice about today?”
The preacher spoke of material and spiritual blessings and Elin nodded. She had so much reason to rejoice.
The service ended and the congregants rose to leave. The Scanlons steamed by, sniffing as they passed Elin. Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she held herself tall. She would not let these people steal from her joy.
They made their way down the aisle. Elin wanted to hurry to the wagon and escape the curious eyes and the Scanlons’ sniffing but someone caught her arm. She turned to see a woman about her age in the company of a young man who carried a boy of about four.
“Don’t slip away before I can say welcome. I’m Sarie Winter. This is my dear husband, George and my equally dear son, Georgie.” Both Georges shook Elin’s hand.
“We live between town and Sam’s ranch. Perhaps we could get together sometime. You come visit us anytime you like. I’d welcome a friend.”
“Thank you.” Elin wanted to extend an invitation to likewise visit her any time. She longed for a friend. But it wasn’t her right to invite people to the ranch.
“Feel free to visit,” Sam said. “I’m sure Elin would enjoy the company.”
“Thanks,” Sarie said.
At that moment, Elin could have hugged Sam for his generosity.
Several others came to greet Elin and Sam and smiled at Joey. All the while the Scanlons watched with scalding gazes.
Elin smiled at them.
They jerked away.
Two young men hovered nearby, their hats taking a cruel beating in their restless hands. They both had black hair and black eyes. One was marginally taller and broader than the other but they looked so much alike, Elin wondered if they often got mixed up.
Sam turned to them. “Al, Bart, did you get my message?”
“Yes, sir.” They spoke and nodded in unison. The bigger one spoke. “We can come right away.”
“Tomorrow morning will be fine.” Sam shook hands with them both.
Gus sat in the wagon and waited.
Sam put Joey beside him, helped Elin to the seat, and climbed up beside her. “I’m starving,” Sam said as they drove away. “Where should we have the picnic?”
Elin chuckled, her insides relaxing now that they had left the Scanlons’ stares behind. “You can’t be starving after the breakfast you ate, and I don’t know where a good place for a picnic is. I’m a newcomer, remember?”
Sam glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, Gus, where should we go for a picnic?”
Gus rubbed his knee. “Better not go too far. I feel a storm coming up.”
Sam whispered to Elin, “He’s been saying that for days.”
“I ain’t never wrong,” Gus called. “Why don’t you go to the river? It’s close to home and a pleasant place.”
“Okay, Gus.”
They rattled along the road toward the ranch. The trail to the buildings lay just ahead when Sam turned the wagon aside and headed toward the line of trees where he had pointed the first day.
Elin leaned forward. “What’s the name of the river?”
“Canoe River.”
“Really?” She tried not to squirm with impatience. “Why that name?”
“Seems someone in early history lost their canoes when they drifted away. They found them on the shores of this river.”
She chuckled. “I expect that story has grown and expanded over the years of telling. Just like some Norwegian tales.”
Sam grinned at her. “Could be. I only tell you what I heard.”
She let herself enjoy his warm gaze for a moment then turned back to study their destination. “How big is it?”
“Well, now.” Sam drawled the words. “Did you see the Missouri?”
“Yes. It’s deep and wide.”
“Well, let’s just say that Canoe River is nothing like the Missouri.”
She leaned back. “Oh.” She envisioned a muddy little stream with muddy banks.
Sam pulled under some trees and jumped down to help her then grabbed the picnic basket. Gus and Joey scrambled out. The four of them walked through the trees toward the sound of running water.
The path narrowed and Sam went ahead, holding her hand to guide her through the crowding bushes and overhanging trees. He stopped and pulled Elin forward.
She gasped. “It’s beautiful.” A narrow stream danced over rocks, so clear she could see the bottom. The banks were sand and gravel with a grassy edge. Trees hung over the stream, their reflection forming green slashes in the water.
“Glad you like it.”
She laughed and nudged his arm. “Don’t act as if you’re responsible for it.”
Chuckling, he nudged her back. “I can, at least, take credit for bringing you here.”
“Yes, you can, and I thank you for it.” She drew in a deep breath and lifted her arms. “It’s a balm to my soul.”
“You didn’t find church to be that?”
“Mostly. But the pastor said to rejoice, and I think he’d agree that this is something to rejoice over.”
Gus and Joey caught up to them and they found a spot where they could sit on the grass and watch the water flow by.
Sam took tossed his hat aside before he asked the blessing.
Elin smiled as he thanked God for the river and closed with, “We rejoice in all Your good gifts.”
The Scanlons’ disapproval faded like an old rag left out in the sun.
They enjoyed sandwiches and cookies and water from the stream. Gus lay in the shade and slept. Joey examined rocks and chased bugs while Sam and Elin sat side by side on the grass.
Sam leaned on his elbow and studied her. Elin kept her gaze on the river and Joey playing nearby. Anywhere but Sam. But it was no use. She slowly faced him. His gaze was so warm, so inviting. It was like watching the sun dance off the moving water. Like the music of the river. Like the song of the leaves.
She told herself she was being fanciful. She was imagining it, but her heart believed her eyes, not her head, which shouted loudly that she needed to be careful of where she let her feelings go.
Harry wasn’t here and what she’d heard of Harry didn’t make him sound like a good prospect, but Sam wasn’t interested in marriage. And then there was Joey. If Harry came back, he’d claim his son. Wouldn’t Joey need a mother? She forced her gaze to the boy.
He deserved to be loved and cherished.
Wasn’t that really what she wanted as well?
Something about Sam made her wish she could find it with him. He was steady, and kind, and a man one could count on.
He was also so guarded he would never consider marriage for any reason and certainly not for love.
Would she ever find what her heart desired?
Chapter 8
Sam sat up, his heart sinking as Elin closed off and turned away. For a moment, he’d thought they might have shared a special, tender moment. He sighed. Good thing she pulled away, for he seemed incapable of thinking clearly.
He stared at the running water, watched Joey picking up rocks and tossing them down again.
“He’s a content child, especially considering the circumstances,” Sam said.
“I thought the same thing. I was just now considering that he needs so little—food and shelter, of course, but apart from that, stability and affection.”
Sam wondered at the firmness of her voice. “What if Harry—” He didn’t finish. Truth was, he didn’t want to think about Harry returning. What would happen to Joey? To Elin? To him?
Elin continued to stare at the water. “The child needs his father.”
“I’ve known Harry a long time.” Again, he stopped before he finished the thought. If Harry returned and decided to marry Elin as he had promised, Sam didn’t want to be guilty of acting like the Scanlons and spreading condemnation. Even if it was true.
Elin let out a long sigh. “A person can’t know the future. Can’t undo the past. That leaves today.” She jumped to her feet and laughed. “I’m going to enjoy the present.” She held out a hand to pull him to his feet. “So should you.” She glanced toward Gus, who had his hat over his face and snored and then she went toward the water. “Come on, Joey. Let’s see more of this beautiful river.”
Somehow Elin and Sam continued to hold hands as they followed Joey at a leisurely pace, stopping to look at a rock Joey liked, watching a mama duck swim frantically away with her newly hatched babies in her wake, and then Elin fell to her knees.
Sam went down beside her. “What’s wrong?”
“I saw something flash here. Like a little jewel.” She pushed aside several rocks. “There it is.” She picked something from the sand and, holding it in the palm of her hand, showed it to Sam.
Joey leaned over and looked at it. “Pretty.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Elin might have found the mother lode of a gold mine, the way she grinned.
“It’s just a bit of glass,” Sam said, mystified as to why it triggered such a reaction in her.
“It’s been cut for a piece of jewelry, perhaps an earbob or a pendant.” She cupped her hand over it. “I am going to keep it as a reminder of this day.” She stood and looked into his eyes.
He got the feeling she was trying to tell him something. Or trying not to tell him. He couldn’t say but he wanted to know. “Is this day special in some way?”
