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

by Faith Elizabeth Cummings

  “Yes, you’re fine. You are strong now, Sheila, and healthy again. You can do this, and you’ll be a fine mother.”

  She rose to put on her coat, and after she was wrapped warmly against the cold, he gave her a hug, and she hugged him back.

  “You have become a very dear friend,” she said gently. “I am glad I could come to you with this.”

  “So am I,” he agreed. He walked her to the carriage and helped her inside. “Take care of yourself and the little one,” he said smiling as she prepared to leave.

  She said she would, thanked him again, and started home.

  When she reached the farm, everyone was gathered in the living room, doing indoor tasks and talking.

  “Where were you?” Alan asked as she entered.

  “I went to the village for a little while.” She said simply. “I had a visit to make.”

  “Thee looks like it was a good visit.” Andrew said noting the color in her cheeks from the cold.

  “It was a good visit,” she agreed, taking her place beside Alan and taking up some mending from Amy’s basket.

  She was glad when no one pursued their questions. She wanted to share her news with Alan first and when they were alone.

  The day went on as usual and as they finished the evening chores, the snow began to fall again in large lazy flakes.

  “Looks like it was a good thing thee went out earlier and not later.” Amy said as they fixed supper.

  ‘Yes, it was fairly warm and sunny then.” Sheila agreed.

  The men reentered, wiping snow from their boots and clothes.

  “Looks like it could be another storm,” Andrew said glancing out the kitchen window.

  “This is a winter for snow,” Alan agreed.

  After supper, they spent the evening in quiet fireside pursuits. As always, there was lively chatter around the living room concerning the happenings in Fair Hill and Alan and Sheila’s coming trip to North Dakota. She and Amy were deep into making things for the family there, and for Alan and Sheila.

  The weeks since Christmas had flown by in a flurry of sewing and knitting. Sheila made herself a small but adequate new wardrobe, as most of the clothes she had worn in Newport were not appropriate for traveling and much too fashionable for everyday work. Amy and she cut and sewed the simple dresses from fabric she had gotten in Fair Hill.

  When the talk ended, and everyone went to rest, Sheila hoped that Alan would still be awake enough for some talk. She found him there, lighting the fire when she entered their room, and she was glad to see him take a chair near the fireplace after the fire was lit.

  “Come here,”” he said as she entered.

  She came to him slowly, and he drew her close, seating her on his lap, his arms around her.

  “Where did you go earlier?” he asked, but his lips were smiling.

  “I went to the village,” she answered, kissing him lightly.

  “No distractions.” he said gently. “Are you all right, Sheila?”

  “Oh, Alan, are you worried? I didn’t intend to worry you,” she said hugging him. ‘I’m fine.”

  “Then why didn’t you tell us where you went?” he asked.

  “Because I wanted to tell you first before the others,” she answered, touching his cheek with a light hand. “I went to see Doc, because I’ve been feeling a bit tired sometimes, and had a few other symptoms too. He examined me, and says I’m fine.”

  “Just working more than you’re used to?” he asked, concern in his voice.

  “No, there is something that is causing the symptoms, but it’s not illness or anything to worry about.”

  “What then?” he asked, “Sheila, what is it?”

  “We’re going to have a baby.” she replied, a radiant smile lighting her face. “We’re going to be parents.”

  He drew her even closer, speechless for the moment, and so full of joy that tears filled his eyes.

  ““Is he sure?” he finally managed.

  “Yes, he’s sure. He says I’m strong and healthy and should have no problem.”

  “How do you feel about this?” he asked after a moment of silence.

  “Oh, Alan, I’m so overjoyed, I can’t contain it. I never thought I would have children, and for a long time, never wanted them. But now, now that we’re so close, and love one another so much, it is perfect!”

  “That’s how I feel too,” he told her gently, kissing her fervently. “I think it’s another miracle.”

  “Yes, one just for us.” she agreed.

  The next morning, they told the family and everyone rejoiced with them.

  “God is so good,” Amy said hugging Sheila. “We’d better add a few baby things to our knitting and sewing list,” she added. “How is thee?”

  “I’m fine, Amy, just wonderful!”

  “If thee needs to rest, just stop and do it.” Amy urged. “I don’t need thee to do too much.”

  “I will be careful.” Sheila promised. “I will rest when I need to.”

  So, life continued happily through the rest of February and March.

  After meeting for worship on the last Sunday that Alan and Sheila would be in Fair Hill, they were surprised to find that folks were gathering near the Meetinghouse for a picnic. Jared Johnson brought everyone to silence then, and spoke to Alan and Sheila.

  “We know thee are leaving us soon to go to Paul and Barbara in North Dakota. We want to celebrate with thee before thee goes, and send thee to them with a few things to start thy new life with out there. So this is your picnic.” Sheila and Alan noticed then that there were also gifts on and around another table nearby.

  “This is so kind of all of you!” Sheila said. “Thank you all so much!”

  “Thee both are very welcome.” Molly put in. “Thee are part of the meeting and we will miss having thee here.”

  After grace was said, and the meal enjoyed amid happy talk, The gifts were put into a wagon, and Eric Hansen drove it to the Becker farm for them. Sheila and Alan decided to leave them wrapped until they arrived and were settled. They were all packed for shipping in the coming week, and sent on ahead to the family near Mapleton.

  Finally, on a clear and sunny April day, they were ready for their journey. Their things were all packed in two trunks, and ready for the train. They said a tearful goodbye to those on the farm, then Andrew drove them to the train station. They had sold the carriage in Newport weeks before, so all they owned was in those two trunks that they saw safely aboard. Alan had reserved a car, so they traveled together in luxury to Mapleton, and alighted from the train to find Paul waiting for them.

  He hugged them both then smiled through a few tears, and said that the whole family was in the wagon, waiting to see them. Alan and Paul got their trunks and they followed him from the station. Sheila was surprised to find that Mapleton was a growing and busy place. As they neared the wagon, she could hear the laughter and excited chatter of children, and suddenly felt eager to meet them and be a part of this young vibrant family.

  Paul put their trunks behind the last seat in the wagon, and after greeting Barbara warmly, as she had climbed down from the front seat to hug them both and kiss Sheila’s cheek, they got in among the children who made room for them with happy greetings.

  On the way home to their farm, they met the children and all of them said how happy they were that they had come at last.

  “I’m sorry to hear about the estate burning down,” Barbara said wen the children had grown quieter.

  “Yes, it was a horrible accident, but no one was hurt. The only thing lost was the estate.” Alan said with a little laugh.

  “And we don’t need it now,” Sheila added firmly, Holding a little tighter to Paul-Michael, who sat on her lap. He was the youngest one and was only three. Paul had taken a turn into the farm and she had been afraid he would fall.

  He smiled up at her, thanking her for keeping him safe.

  They all alighted from the wagon then, and Paul and Alan carried their things into
the house.

  “Once thee is settled, we’ll show thee the farm,” Barbara said, and ushered them upstairs to a guest room.

  “I have wanted both of thee to be here for such a long time! She said, as they entered it.

  “Make thyselves at home and let me know if thee needs anything that isn’t here.” “Aunt Sheila, I can’t believe the change in thee. I’m so glad!” She added with another warm hug.

  “Thank you, Barbara. I am a different person now.” Sheila admitted. “God still works miracles.”

  “Yes, He certainly does.” She agreed.

  She and Paul, who had carried up one of the trunks, then went downstairs, leaving them to themselves.

  “They’re wonderful, aren’t they, Alan, Sheila said beginning to unpack and put away their things.

  “Yes, they are. It is so good to see them, and the children, other than in pictures. “They all look so well and happy.” he agreed. They talked a bit more as she finished settling them in, then gathered the things they had brought for the family. They both came down with their arms full of gifts, made by Amy and Sheila.

  They joined the family in the sitting room, and distributed gifts to each child and adult.

  “Some of this is from us, and some from your grandparents in Fair Hill.” Sheila told them quietly.

  “We have cold weather for a time yet out here, so those warm things will be welcome.”

  Barbara said, holding up a shawl made from the soft wool she remembered fondly. “This is beautiful! Mother Becker must have spent hours on it.” She wrapped it about her, enjoying the warmth.

  “Your Aunt Sheila made that for you.” Alan told her with a smile.

  Barbara came to her Aunt swiftly, and there were tears in her grey eyes. She hugged Sheila close, and spoke shakily. “I have wanted something like this from you for so long!” She said, as Sheila stroked her hair.

  “There’s a lot more where that came from, my dear,” Sheila said soothingly. “I want to make up for lost time.” She kissed Barbara’s cheek as she let her go.

  “I can’t tell thee how happy I am to have thee both here! I hope thee never leave us.” She announced firmly.

  “Well, we just might not leave you.” Alan said, rising to stand beside her, his arm around her shoulders.

  “That would be fine with us, wouldn’t it, children?” Paul asked, and he got a resounding yes, from each one.

  That evening, over supper, Sheila felt as if she were back in Fair Hill. The children chattered among themselves, while the four of them talked about their lives and their plans.

  “Is thee truly considering staying out here?” Paul asked Alan during a short lull in the conversation,

  “We’re thinking about it. We could build a house and settle in.”

  “There aren’t too many pieces of land near us now,” Paul said, and Sheila could hear the sadness in his voice.

  “We may build in town, and we could still see all of you any time.” Alan said, thinking aloud. “Sheila might prefer to live in town since she has not lived on a farm except when we were in Fair Hill.”

  “But she could do it now, Uncle Alan.” Barbara put in. “She knows so much more now about keeping a house and such.”

  “Well, we’ll see what we can find for land, and go from there.” He told her. “I am just happy to be here, under this roof after all this time.”

  “Yes, and thee is welcome to stay with us as long as thee likes.” Paul assured them. “It’s good to have family with us.”

  They talked then of all of those in Fair Hill. Alan gave Paul some recent sketches from his father, showing the newest member of the family, and other scenes of Fair Hill.

  They kept the tour of the farm until the next morning, as the light was almost gone by the time they finished supper and put the kitchen to rights.

  The children were soon in bed, and the house grew quiet around them.

  “You built a great house,” Alan commented as they sat around the fire in the living room.

  “We had good plans, and great materials, thanks to thee,” Paul said laughing a little. “I can’t tell thee how much we appreciate not being in the Soddy.”

  “Yes, those winters were long in the Soddy,” Barbara agreed, but it kept us warm and safe.” She added. “I was glad to have it when the blizzards came.”

  “We will start with a wooden house.” Sheila said firmly, but her face was anything but stern.

  “Yes, we figured that,” Paul said, his eyes full of teasing.

  “Only the best for Sheila,” Alan said nudging her playfully.

  “It is amazing how both of thee have changed,” Barbara said. “I never would have believed how close thee both are if I hadn’t seen it myself.”

  “When both of us have Jesus in our hearts, how can it be any different?” Sheila asked softly. Barbara said nothing, but her face said a resounding yes.

  “We have some more news too.” Sheila said after a short silence. “Alan and I are going to have a child.”

  Paul and Barbara turned stunned faces to Sheila.

  “Is thee serious?” Barbara asked.

  “Yes, absolutely.” Sheila said laughing. “I heard it from Doc himself.”

  “Oh, Aunt Sheila! How is thee?”

  “I’m fine.” Doc says I’m doing great, and says there should be no problem.”

  “This is so wonderful! Paul put in, slapping Alan on the back fondly. “Congratulations!”

  “We’re very excited.” Alan said as Barbara went to hug him and then Sheila.

  “This is the best thing I’ve heard since thee told us thee were coming.” she said excitedly. “I can help thee give birth, and make sure thee has everything thee needs. I have a few things that the children used if thee doesn’t mind secondhand,” she added.

  “I would love to borrow them.” Sheila said. “I brought some things from Fair Hill too.”

  “And we have all of the things you shipped to us from the folks there.” Paul added. “I’m storing them safely for thee until thee has a place to put them.” Sheila told them then, about the picnic and all of the gifts and well wishes.

  “That’s fair Hill. Barbara said sighing. “Sometimes, I miss it.”

  “I do too, but we have a good meeting here too.” Paul agreed.

  ‘Yes, we do. “I think thee both will like it.”

  Alan stretched and yawned. “Time for sleep.” he said rising. “Thank you both for such a warm welcome.”

  “It’s going to be great having thee here,” Paul assured him. “And with the baby coming, well, things just couldn’t be better.”

  They all rose then, and wished one another good night, as they climbed the stairs.

  Sheila woke the next morning to the sounds of breakfast being made downstairs. She dressed quickly, after waking Alan, and went down to help. Barbara was putting biscuits in the oven when she entered the kitchen, and she asked what she could do to help.

  “Thee can put some water on, and make tea if thee likes, and I’m planning on oatmeal.” Barbara said, putting her youngest into a high chair near the table.

  Sheila went about the tea and oatmeal making watched by Paul-Michael as she worked. Mercy and Elizabeth set the table, and the other girls waited quietly in the living room.

  “You have a lot of good help here,” Sheila commented.

  “Yes, the girls have been great help,” Barbara agreed. By the time they had breakfast ready, the two men had returned, and washed up, then taken their places.

  “After we finish, we’ll take both of thee around the farm,” Leticia put in as they started eating after the prayers.

  “Yes, we’re looking forward to seeing it.” Sheila told her. She sat across from her and looked very much like her Aunt Lisbeth and her grandmother Becker.

  “Do you know that you are named for my mother?” Alan asked her.

  “Yes, and Mother too,” she answered.

  “Yes, I never knew Grandmother Scott,” Barbara put in. “But f
ather spoke of her often.”

  “She was a fine person,” Alan agreed. “I think you would have liked her.”

  When they finished the hot, hardy meal, Barbara and Sheila did the dishes while everyone else waited to go with them.

  Then they all went together for a tour of the farm. The children pointed out the animals they were raising, and Paul showed them his orchard and the pastures and wheat fields that were almost ready for planting.

  “What is the nearest town?” Alan asked as they looked about them at the prosperous farm.

  “Mapleton is the closest. That is where we met thee yesterday. It is a very welcoming town. It has been here for a while, since 1870, long before North Dakota was a state.” Paul explained. Some of us who came from Fair Hill settled there and some on farms around it. Carl Meyers has a store there.”

  “Doesn’t his father have a store in Fair Hill?” Sheila asked.

  “Yes, he does.”

  “And Eric And Sarah have a son here, and Isaac and Ruth a daughter?”

  “Yes, Mike and Lyddy.” Paul agreed, and he was evidently glad that she made these connections.

  “How are the Hansens?” Alan asked more seriously.

  “They’re doing okay. We told thee about Serenity?”

  “Yes, but I don’t know if Sheila knows about her.” Alan answered.

  “Yes, she’s the little one who cannot walk, right?”

  “Yes, she was born with a birth defect and doesn’t have the use of her legs.” Barbara said.

  “But other than that, she’s okay.” Paul added.

  “I look forward to meeting her soon.” Sheila told them. “I have something for her from Sarah.”

  ‘Oh, that’s very sweet.” Barbara said squeezing her hand. “What is it?”

  ‘It’s a small doll that Sarah made. She can carry it with her.” Sheila explained. “I’ll show you later.

  The next day was Saturday, and after the chores and Breakfast were finished, Barbara, Sheila and the younger children went to see the Hansens. Alan remained on the farm with Paul to help with some work, and the older children remained with them.

  When they arrived at the Hansen farm, they were warmly greeted by Lyddy, who had just finished her morning chores.

  “It is so good of thee to come and see us.” She said taking Sheila’s hand to usher her inside. A small girl sat in a wooden wheelchair near the fireplace in the living room, and her elder brother, whose name was Eric, sat nearby, reading a book.