West From Fair Hill (A Refuge in Fair Hill Book 3)

by Faith Elizabeth Cummings

  “I’ve been reading the gospel of John,” she told him, slowly coming back to her surroundings. “I am struck by the kind of love that God has for us, in spite of our sinfulness.”

  “Yes, it is pretty awe-inspiring!” he agreed. “I’m so glad I can share this with you now!”

  “I am too, Alan. I never believed we could be this close.”

  “marriage is something completely different if Jesus is in the center of it. WE will pray together whenever you like, and build our relationship on Him.”

  “Have you ever joined the Meeting as a member?” she asked him after a pause.

  “No, but I’ve thought about it many times. Worship here is something wonderful!”

  “Let’s go with the family this Sunday,” she suggested.

  He said he thought it was a great idea, so the following Sunday, they went with the family to the meetinghouse, each of them carrying a Bible.

  It was much different in the meetinghouse with all of the meeting present. Sheila was sure that every resident of Fair Hill was here, except Doc, who had never become a member of the meeting. His daughter Maria was there though, with her family. They sat with the Becker family, the women on one side, and the men on the other. Sheila was between Lisbeth and Amy, with Martha and her child next to Lisbeth. Anna, the daughter of Lisbeth, sat with them too, and was very well behaved during meeting. Sheila imagined that they were taught from babyhood to be quiet and reverent during this time.

  Some of the older members and some younger ones took places on the bench facing the Meeting. Amy told Sheila quietly that these were the elders and recorded ministers.

  “Is Paul a recorded minister?” she asked softly.

  “Yes, he was recorded before he left Fair Hill.” Everyone centered down then, and Sheila felt the same lifting of her spirit and the same peace stealing over her. There was something special about this type of service, and she found it calming and uplifting at the same time. Several folks spoke out of the stillness, reading a Scripture verse or giving a commentary on something the Lord had shown them in the past week. Before meeting ended, Sheila was surprised to see Molly rise from the facing bench.

  “I’d like to tell thee that Sheila Scott has become a believer in the past week. I know all of us were praying for her for a long time, and now the Lord has answered our prayers. So I believe we need to celebrate with her, and thank the Lord for showing her his light.”

  Nothing was said in response at the time, but when meeting was broken, one of the elders, and many of the members of the meeting gathered around Sheila to say how happy they were that she was now a member of God’s family. She had never felt so welcome and so cared for. It was a new and almost overwhelming feeling.

  “What did you think of Meeting for worship?” Alan asked her later as they sat around the kitchen table eating dinner with the family.

  “It was a very peaceful experience,” she answered. It is great to see so many generations worshiping together with such unity.”

  “Yes, we are a strong, close knit meeting.” Amy agreed, passing her the potatoes. “I’m glad thee found it peaceful.”

  They all spent the afternoon in quiet pursuits. Sheila read a few chapters of John, and then helped prepare a light supper.

  A few weeks passed then, and Christmas was celebrated in Fair Hill. There was more emphasis here on the Holiness of Christmas than the more commercial aspects. Sheila did give small gifts to the family and a gift to Alan, which was not their usual custom. They were not extravagant, as they might have been in the past, as she knew that everyone here had simple tastes. They all seemed to appreciate them, and gave her small things as well, things that she would treasure. In the time before the beginning of the new year, Sheila got a surprise in the mail. Andrew brought it to her one afternoon, as Amy and she sat around the fire, each doing some handwork or mending. She had learned to sew as well as to knit and crochet, and loved using the soft wool that came from the Becker sheep. Amy also taught her how to clean and card it, and then spin it into yarn. She Loved seeing a project from its very beginning to the end.

  “I have something for you, Sheila,” Andrew said as he entered the house after a trip to the village. His coat was white with snow, and they knew there was another storm coming.

  “I’m glad thee made it home safely,” Amy said after they kissed in greeting. Showing one another affection was normal here, and even Alan and Sheila had become more at ease with one another.

  Andrew handed Sheila a letter, sent from Mapleton North Dakota. It was from Barbara.

  ‘I wonder why she’s writing to me,” she said as she tore it open. She took several sheets of paper from it, and opened them to read.

  Dear Aunt Sheila, it began, I am writing because I just got the news in a letter from Mother Becker that thee has become a believer. I am so excited and happy for thee that I had to write! I have prayed for this for a long time, as has Paul and everyone else here. I so wish thee and Uncle Alan could come and visit here for a time. WE would love to have thee, and we would like thee to meet our children and the other members of the meeting here. I know that we had some difficult times in the past, but that is all over now. Paul and I are rejoicing with thee now, and would love to share in thy joy. Please at least write back to us, even if thee cannot come out west.

  Barbara went on to tell Sheila of her life in North Dakota, and of each of the children. When she finished her letter, Sheila turned the page to find a note from Paul.

  Dear Aunt Sheila,” he too began, I am so happy to hear of thy coming to Christ. I am sure Uncle Alan is also very glad that thee and he can now share more of thy lives together. He has written to me and told me of thy progress, and how happy he is with the change thee has undergone. We would truly love to see thee both, if Mother and father will let thee go. Sheila knew he was teasing about this, and smiled that he was that at ease with her. She read on.

  Even if thee cannot come, we would love to hear from thee, and know how thee is doing. We wish thee all the best in the coming new year, and hope thee will keep in touch. It was signed, Much love and prayers, Paul.

  So they really had forgiven her. She handed the letters to Amy who read them swiftly.

  “And will thee go and see them?” she asked looking up after she had finished them, and handing them back to Sheila.

  “I don’t know for sure yet, I need to talk to Alan, but I think it would be a good thing.” “I’d like to get to know them now.” She admitted, slipping the pages back into the envelope.

  It was the custom now for Alan and Sheila to talk for a while in their room before settling in to rest. So that evening, as they sat in their chairs near the fireplace, she showed him the letters from Barbara and Paul. He read them, then handed them back to her.

  “Do you believe them?” he asked quietly.

  Yes, I believe they are sincere.” she admitted.

  “What do you think about a trip then?” he asked after a pause. “You said some time ago that you wanted a change of scene and that would definitely be one.”

  “Yes, I think it would be good to see them again and meet the family.” she agreed, and she could tell by his face that he was somewhat surprised.

  “I’m glad to hear that, Sheila,” He said, reaching for her hand. “When would you like to go?”

  “We’ll have to wait for spring, won’t we?” she asked and now it was her turn to be surprised.

  “Yes, we probably will, but we could start making plans, closing the house in Newport for a time, and getting tickets for the train and things like that.”

  “You may do that, if you like, and I’ll see to closing the house,” she agreed. “We’ll start working on It tomorrow.”

  They sat on, talking for a while in low voices, so as not to waken the family, then went to bed, and she fell asleep almost instantly.

  They woke early the next morning, both of them excited by their decision the night before. Alan went to help Andrew and Jeremy in the barn, while Shei
la went to help Amy and Martha with breakfast.

  Before long, they were all gathered around the table, eating a hot meal.

  “Sheila and I have made a decision.” Alan announced to everyone after the grace was said.

  “What’s that?” Jeremy asked, taking some eggs and a biscuit.

  “We’re going to visit Paul and Barbara.”

  “Oh, I must get some things together for thee to take to them, if you can,” Amy said excitedly.

  “Thee won’t leave us till spring though, will thee?”

  “No, not till then, if we’re not in the way here,” Alan said.

  “Thee could never be in the way, Alan, thee and Sheila are family after all.” Jeremy said squeezing Sheila’s hand as she sat beside him.

  “thank you, Jeremy, That means a great deal to us,” she told him gratefully.

  “So we’ll have time to gather some things to take.” Alan said to Amy.

  “Will thee take the train then?” Andrew asked.

  “Yes, I think so, it has gotten at least close to where they are and they can get us from the end of the tracks to their home.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be glad to see thee,” Martha put in.

  “And we’ll be glad to see them,” Sheila agreed.

  She waited a week to go to Newport and close the house, but on a bright but cold day in January, she left the farm in their carriage, driving it herself, and went to the house where she had spent most of her life.

  When she reached it, she found that all that was left were ruins. It looked as if a fire had burned the entire house to the ground. The estate was in disarray too, and it seemed that nothing had been left untouched.

  She knew where her maid Lavinia’s family lived, so she went there to see what had happened.

  She was glad to find her with her family in their home on the other side of Newport.

  Lavinia was surprised almost beyond words when she opened the door to find Sheila there.

  “What brings you here, Ma’am?” she asked as Sheila entered the house.

  “I came to make sure you were all right, Lavinia.” Sheila told her as they greeted one another warmly.

  “But we weren’t sure where you were.” Lavinia said as they seated themselves near the fire.

  “We’ve been in Fair Hill for some time now,” Sheila told her as Lavinia’s sister brought some tea.

  “Thank you, it’s very cold out there,” Sheila said taking the cup. “This is very cozy here.”

  “Have you been to the house?” Lavinia asked with trepidation.

  Yes, was anyone hurt or killed?” Sheila asked after a sip.

  “No, the only one there was the housekeeper, and she got out safely. She’s with her family here.”

  “I’m very glad to hear that no one was injured.”

  “But that beautiful estate is completely gone, and all the things in the house!” Lavinia said sadly.

  “Yes, everything is gone now as far as material things. But I found something much more valuable, in Fair Hill, Lavinia.” Sheila told her.

  She looked at Sheila in disbelief, so Sheila went on to tell her what had happened in the last few months. When she had finished, Lavinia sat in silence for a few seconds, then hugged Sheila close.

  “I’ve been waiting for this and praying for it for a long time!” she said through fast falling tears.

  “I know. I’m sure you’ve been praying for me!” Sheila said through her own tears.

  “I have never been so happy, Lavinia!”

  “I don’t believe I have either.” She said wiping her eyes. “I think this is a miracle.”

  “Yes, and I think god allowed this to happen because he knew I didn’t need the estate anymore.” Sheila told her.

  “We’re going to see our niece and her family in the spring, and then we’ll decide what to do from there.”

  “So you were here to close the house?” she asked.

  “Yes, for a time. But now we may just sell the land, or give it to the city to build on.” Sheila said thinking aloud.

  “That would be very good for Newport. She said, and Sheila knew she was amazed at her generosity.

  “Yes, better for Newport than for us.” Sheila said. “I don’t think I want to rebuild there.”

  When they finished their visit, Lavinia asked her to keep in touch so that she would know where they were, and to tell her of their lives from this time forward. Sheila promised she would, and wrote down their address.

  Before she returned to Fair Hill, Sheila had gone to the bank and closed her account, putting everything there into Alan’s account, which was now very large. She also talked to them about the estate to see if it was insured and found that her father had seen to that. She filed a claim and then went to the City hall, to tell them that the land was theirs to use as they wished. They were incredulous, but she signed the appropriate papers, and got them notarized. It was finished. She no longer had any ties to the estate or anything that had been in it, including the memories. She felt free and clean for the first time in her life, as she drove back up into fair Hill.

  That evening at supper, when they were all gathered around the table, and grace had been observed with the usual silence for personal prayer, Sheila told them of her time in Newport. When she finished, there was stillness for a few seconds, and then Andrew put a light hand on her arm and spoke quietly.

  “I’m sure that was difficult for thee, Sheila,”

  “Actually, I thought it would be too, but it wasn’t. It’s like the Lord closed that part of my life and now my new life can truly begin,” she told him calmly.

  “That might be just what happened.” He agreed with a brief smile and a squeeze of her hand. “That’s a very good way to look at it.”

  “So what will they do with the land?” Alan asked from across the table.

  ‘I’ve given it to the city of Newport to use as they wish,” she answered, hoping he would not disapprove.

  “I think that’s a good idea. There are a lot of things they could use it for, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, it’s a pretty good sized piece of land, and has a lot of potential.”

  “So now thee only has a home either here in Fair Hill or out in North Dakota.” Jeremy put in, holding his son so that Martha could eat more comfortably.

  “Yes, that’s true,” she agreed taking another biscuit. “So we’ll visit the family out west and then decide where to settle.” “We can always build another house.”

  “Yes, I’ll make the plans and oversee it.” Alan agreed excitedly.

  “Yes, then it will be ours, not my father’s.”

  “I wonder how the fire happened,” Martha put in between bites.

  “Lavinia said that it was a problem with one of the fireplaces, a complete accident.”

  “I’m glad no one was hurt,” Amy said, bringing dessert to Andrew.

  “Yes, that’s the best part.” Sheila agreed. “No one was hurt and all we lost were things.”

  “I got the tickets to North Dakota,” Alan announced after a pause. “So we can go when we like.”

  Winter came down hard after the New Year arrived. There were days of snow and many times the family was indoors except to tend to the animals on the farm. Sheila continued to help Amy and became more and more comfortable with the work. She soon was doing chores and household tasks without waiting for Amy, and Amy found that there was less and less for her to do. Martha and the baby thrived amid the love and care of the family, and Sheila did as well.

  She and Alan continued to grow closer, and now shared a full and happy marriage. He worked beside Andrew and Jeremy to keep the animals warm and fed and he too grew stronger and healthier.

  In the middle of February, Sheila, feeling a bit tired, and not quite herself, went to see Doc in the village. She went alone, not wanting to worry Alan before there was anything to worry about.

  “Sheila, I’m surprised to see you here,” Doc said as she entered his office one morni
ng.

  “I know, this is a first,” she said taking off her wraps and enjoying the warmth of the fire in his wood stove.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, coming to help her with her coat.

  “I’m not sure, Doc, that’s why I’m here,” she said. “I feel somehow not myself.”

  “Is this physical r emotional?” he asked, giving her a chair.

  “Physical.” she answered, sitting gratefully.

  ‘“You look a bit pale, perhaps, and a little tired. Tell me how you’re feeling.”

  She explained her symptoms and he was silent for a moment.

  “I don’t want to bring up an uncomfortable subject, knowing your past history,” he began then. “But are you and Alan living together now as husband and wife?”

  “You’re talking about a physical relationship?” she asked, in spite of the blush that stained her cheeks.

  “Yes, that’s what I’m talking about.”

  “Yes.” She answered smiling. “We are now truly married. We’ve been that way since before Christmas.”

  “Then could you be pregnant?” he asked.

  She looked at him in surprise and wonder.

  “I hadn’t thought of that.” she said softly.

  “Well, maybe you’d better. May I examine you?”

  She said yes, so they went into his inner office, and did so. When they had returned to the outer office, and were seated again, he spoke.

  “I believe that you are pregnant, Sheila.” he said gently, a smile lighting his face. “How do you feel about this?”

  “I’m amazed!” She said, her voice and her face clearly showing her feelings. “I never even considered having children before you and I talked bout it earlier.” “And now it’s happened.”

  “Yes. Alan’s going to be fit to bust!” he said laughing with her. “I’m so happy for both of you. You deserve this after all you’ve both been through.”

  “Am I all right though?” she asked.