From This Day Forward

by Margaret Daley

  Her eyelids drifted closed finally, the crackling noise of the fire comforting in the silence. As Rachel felt herself sink toward sleep, she sensed someone standing over her.

  Rachel’s eyes eased open, taking in the dirty bare feet not far from her. She rolled over and stared up at the child, who held the blanket against her chest, fear in her gaze. Rachel threw back her cover and patted the pallet next to her. The child hesitated, glanced toward the door to the house, then back at Rachel.

  “It is all right. You are safe.”

  Her teeth biting into her lower lip, the girl sank down onto the pallet near its edge. Rachel spread the blanket over the child, who lay stiff, staring at the ceiling. Slowly her eyes closed and the tension in her relaxed. Even through the dirt, Rachel glimpsed the youthful innocence in the little girl. At least at her age, Rachel had felt loved and protected. Until she had thrown it all away because a man had spoken lies that she had believed.

  In that moment Rachel realized she would care for this child—at least until she found her family. No one should live in fear.

  Eleven

  A warm body plastered next to her awakened Rachel with a jolt. She started to bolt upright when she realized it was the little girl curled against her. Not Tom returning to demand his rights.

  Rachel heard Faith fussing in the cradle. She eased away from the child and crept toward her daughter. After changing Faith’s nappy, she picked her up and held her for a few minutes. Thank You, Lord, for giving me Faith. She is the reason I hold on when things seem impossible.

  While the house was quiet, Rachel sat in the chair and nursed Faith. Sunlight streamed through the two windows, announcing the start of a new day. Rachel relished the quiet serenity, purposely not thinking about what needed to be done that day. What were they going to do about the child?

  Jasper growled and sprang to his feet, facing the door.

  Rachel placed Faith in the cradle and snuck up to the window closest to the door to peek outside. Nothing, not even the leaves on the trees stirring from a breeze. The dog snarled, the rumbling continuing deep in his throat.

  Maddy came awake with a start. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know. I think someone is outside, but I don’t see anyone.” Rachel scanned the empty yard in front of her house then angled to look toward the barn. The door was slightly open. “Stay here and make sure she does not leave.”

  Rachel hurried to the trunk and retrieved Tom’s gun. As she rushed into the yard, she realized it was not even loaded. At the barn door she squeezed through the opening, letting her eyes adjust to the dimness inside. The hens clucked. She tiptoed closer to the stall where they were kept.

  Five feet away, she saw the henhouse door open, then arms locked around her from behind.

  “Dr. Stuart, wake up.”

  Maddy’s frantic voice reached into the fog that captured Nathan’s mind. “What’s wrong?” He opened his eyes but did not move.

  Maddy hovered over him, worry darkening her plain features. “Mrs. Gordon went to the barn with a gun.”

  Nathan sat up straight, the movement causing the bedchamber to swirl. “Why?” he bit out between gritted teeth while he tried to right his world.

  “Jasper starting growling and snarling. I think someone is in the barn.”

  Nathan whipped back the blanket and swung his legs to the floor. “Where is the girl?”

  “She’s asleep by…” Maddy glanced over her shoulder. “She’s gone.” She whirled about and raced out to the main room.

  Nathan clenched his jaw. The pounding in his head made even thinking difficult. With his hands on either side of him he struggled to stand. When the room stopped spinning, he strode forward as quickly as he could.

  Maddy started for the door.

  “You stay here with Faith.”

  When he emerged from the house, the sunlight blinded him momentarily. He looked toward the barn, the brightness obscuring most of his surroundings. As he headed toward the structure, the sight of the barn door completely opened riveted him to what he had to do: save Rachel. With every step he took the hammering against his skull increased. He gritted his teeth and kept going.

  At the barn, he reached out to balance himself before he fell. Raised voices coming from inside demanded his full attention.

  “Ben, let her go,” the young girl shouted.

  “You ain’t hurt?” A male voice cracked.

  “I am fine. They gaves me food last night to eat.”

  “They did?”

  Nathan stepped into the barn, assessing the situation. A boy, perhaps twelve or thirteen, grasped Rachel, pinning her arms to her sides, the gun lying on the dirt near her feet. He saw Nathan and pulled her back with him toward the stall, bringing one arm up across her neck.

  “Get back or I will hurt her,” Ben yelled, scouring the area for a way to escape. “Emma, get out o’ here.”

  The boy nearly had the voice and body of a man, but his face still revealed a youth, although hardened from life. But what persuaded Nathan to speak was the expression of fright in the boy’s green eyes. “Emma is not going anywhere and neither are you.”

  “Go, Emma. Now.”

  “I ain’t goin’ without ya.” The little girl swung her attention between Ben and Nathan. “Don’t hurt her,” she finally said to the boy. “Papa is dead. I’m tired o’ runnin’.”

  “I can help you two.” Rachel’s gentle gaze honed in on the girl’s and held it. “If you are hungry, I have food I can share with you both. You don’t have to steal it.”

  “There is bread and cheese.” Emma started toward Ben.

  When he saw that the boy ease his tight hold around Rachel, Nathan relaxed his tense muscles. Then all of a sudden a large gray wolfhound sprinted past Nathan and launched himself at Ben, who had released Rachel.

  Rachel stepped in front of the boy. “Jasper, sit.”

  The dog came to a halt, alert, his eyes fixed on the boy.

  Rachel rubbed Jasper behind his ears. “Good boy.”

  Nathan strode to Rachel and positioned himself between her and Jasper, with his hand resting on the wolfhound’s back. “’Tis time we all talked. Come up to the house and break the fast with us.”

  Rachel slipped her arm around him, and he didn’t refuse the help. The brief adventure had taxed his strength.

  “You ain’t sendin’ for the constable?” Emma asked, placing herself next to Ben in a protective gesture.

  “I would have to take you in, and frankly I don’t have the time to do that. Unless you want to hang around until I can.” Nathan leaned into Rachel.

  Ben blinked then grinned. “No, sir. But I’m right hungry and wouldn’t mind breaking the fast with you all.”

  “Good.” Rachel turned to the dog. “Jasper, stay here.” Then she walked to the stall door and secured it. “Are there any more of you?”

  Emma shook her head. “We are on our own.”

  The hint of desperation in the girl’s voice and expression reminded Nathan he was dealing with children, even if they stole from Rachel. “Not any longer.”

  Breakfast of eggs, bread, mush, and cheese on the table, Rachel poured tea for everyone and passed them their cups. After setting the pot down, she bowed her head and said, “Bless this food and our guests, Lord. Help us to figure out what is going on around here. Amen.” When she lifted her head, all eyes were on her. “In order for us to do that, I need you both to tell me how you ended up here at my farm.”

  Ben and Emma exchanged glances. The young girl hung her head while the boy looked directly at Rachel and said, “We are brother and sister. Our ma died a couple of years ago. We lost our farm during the war. None of our neighbors could help. They had nothing.”

  Rachel fingered her cup. “What happened after that?”

  The boy shrugged while wolfing down a slice of bread. “We traveled ’round. Pa worked when he could.”

  “How much was that?” Nathan cut off some cheese and wrapped his bread a
round it.

  Ben studied his almost empty plate. “Not much.”

  “So you resorted to stealing?” Rachel asked.

  With their heads still down, they both nodded.

  “Where is your pa?” Nathan took a bite of his cheese and bread.

  Ben fixed his gaze on Nathan then Rachel. “Dead. A few weeks ago. He was the man you found in this house.”

  Nathan straightened. “How did he die?”

  “Someone shot him.” Ben frowned, his brow wrinkled.

  “Who? Where were you?” Nathan rubbed his fingertips into his temple.

  “Don’t know. Hidin’ in the swamp.” Ben’s gaze narrowed on Nathan.

  “Did you hit me over the head yesterday while I was in the swamp?”

  Ben’s direct expression did not waver. “No.”

  “Do you know who did?”

  The boy slid his attention away, centering it on Emma. “No. And I don’t know who killed our pa. Knowin’ wouldn’t change nothin’. Emma and me would still be alone.”

  “What was your pa’s name?” Nathan grimaced and wiped his hand across his eyes.

  “Ben, like me. Ben Adams.”

  “Who were you hiding from in the swamp?” Rachel cut Nathan off before he could say anything. The pain on his face emphasized the difficulty he was having remaining focused on the conversation.

  Another shared glance passed between brother and sister. “We don’t know. Pa told us to lay low while he came heres to meet someone. Never said who.”

  “That’s the truth,” Emma said right after her brother spoke. “We don’t have no one now.”

  Although Rachel felt there was more to their story, she would not turn them away. What if Nathan had ridden right past her on the road after the wreck? What would have happened to her and especially to Faith? “You are not alone any longer. You can stay here. I don’t have a goodly amount, but what I have I will share with you, if you will help around the farm.”

  “No constable?” Ben asked, taking his sister’s hand.

  “No. But if you two didn’t hit Dr. Stuart, then who did? If you know anything, you should share it with us. If someone means us harm, we need to be prepared.”

  “There are bad men everywhere. That is why Pa kept us hidden in the swamp.” Ben tore off a bite of his bread.

  “But there are good men too.” Rachel touched Nathan’s arm. “Are you all right?”

  “Nothing a little work will not make better.”

  “You should not work today in the field.”

  “I will be fine.”

  “If it was me hurting, you would insist I take it easy. The same should go for you.”

  He furrowed his brow. “I am a doctor. I know how hard I can push myself. The last field needs to be planted.”

  “Then I will help you. Maddy and I finished planting the corn yesterday.”

  “Don’t you and Maddy have to work on the vegetable garden?”

  “I can help ya,” Ben said while chewing his last piece of bread. “I ain’t afraid of hard work.”

  Nathan shot him a long, assessing look. “Fine.”

  “I can help in the garden.” Emma rose from the stool she shared with her brother and started clearing the empty plates.

  As the children assisted Maddy with cleaning up, Nathan motioned for Rachel to follow him outside. A few yards from the house, he shifted toward her and said, “When we go into town, I will talk to the constable and see if he knows of a Ben Adams.”

  “Are you going to tell him about the children?”

  “Yes, but not the stealing. If they have family somewhere, they should be with them.”

  “But in the meantime they can stay here.”

  “If you are sure.”

  “Yes. I don’t think they have any family, or else why are they not with them? Their pa has been dead for several weeks.”

  “Perhaps they live too far away for them to make their way to them. You know taking on the responsibility of these two children will not be easy. There is something going on here. I don’t know what yet, but I will be keeping my eye on them. They are not telling us everything. I don’t even know if they are telling us the truth.”

  “They don’t know if they can trust us. They will tell us when they feel they can.”

  “And what if whomever attacked me decides to do something else? Come after you?”

  “Teach me to use my husband’s gun.”

  Thunder descended over his features as fast as the storm that first day she was in South Carolina. “I should tell you no. But after this morning, when you took a weapon you did not know how to use to the barn, I know I cannot. I will give you lessons, and I will ask John if we can keep Jasper for a while. At least until we know what is going on here.”

  “I’m glad. I am becoming quite fond of that dog.”

  “Do not get too attached. Jasper is John’s favorite dog. I know he bred him and has a litter of his pups. Perhaps we can get one of those.”

  The use of the word we, as though they were in this together, accelerated Rachel’s heartbeat. It had been a long time since she felt really connected to another—since she had left her home. For a moment she let herself give into the feelings he generated in her—ones she had no business having. He was only here because he felt responsible for her and Faith, and ultimately she wanted to learn the skills she needed to be able to stand alone and not have to depend on others. That was all she needed from him.

  Sitting next to Nathan as he drove the cart, Rachel peered behind her at Emma and Ben, dressed in the new clothes she had made them. Their grins warmed her heart and reconfirmed her decision to spend some of her money for shoes for the children. She had burned the rags they wore the minute she finished a simple dress for Emma and a shirt and trousers for Ben. After she completed another gown for Mrs. Bridges, she would have scraps she could fashion into more outfits for the two of them.

  “I cannot believe we are goin’ t’ a party,” Emma whispered to her brother so loud everyone in the cart heard.

  “And stayin’ overnight at a fancy place.” Ben’s eyes grew round as Nathan neared the front of his sister’s house.

  “There will be other children at the celebration.” Rachel angled around and faced forward, her arm brushing up against Nathan. “Do you think they will be all right at your sister’s?”

  “Do you want me to turn around and take them back to the farm?”

  “Oh no. I am just worried about how they will get along with the others. I have been working with them on their speech. They are a little better.”

  He slanted a look at her. “You are becoming too attached to them.”

  “The constable didn’t know a Ben Adams. We have heard nothing from him about any family.”

  “ ’Tis only three weeks since you took them in.”

  “Nothing else has happened. Perhaps you surprised a poacher or someone passing through.”

  “Perhaps.” His tone conveyed his doubts.

  Whereas with her, she had hope for the first time in a long while. The hens were producing eggs, enough to keep up with their needs. The pig would give birth soon. She was earning extra money with her sewing. All the vegetables in the garden were coming up, although the children had to spend much time chasing away the crows and other pests. Mr. Baker had become a good friend and suitor for Maddy. Faith was gaining weight and becoming more alert each day.

  Nathan brought the cart around to the stable at Liberty Hall then dismounted to assist Rachel down from the seat. The children leaped from the back. Emma took Faith from Maddy, and Ben helped the maid down. For a brief moment Rachel wondered if this was what a real family could be like. An attentive, loving husband. Adorable children.

  Then thoughts of Tom and his brutality invaded her mind, putting a pall on her musing. She knew the Lord wanted her to forgive Tom, but she could not do it. He had caused her so much pain.

  “Where are the puppies?” Emma came around to the front of the cart.

&nbs
p; “In there.” Nathan pointed toward the stable.

  “We can pick any one out to take back to the farm?” Ben’s green eyes clouded with uncertainty.

  Rachel put her hand on the boy’s shoulder, and for the first time he did not flinch away. “That is what Mr. McNeal said.”

  “Can we do that now?” Emma nibbled on her bottom lip.

  John came out of the stable. “Yes, you can. I want you to be sure before you take it home tomorrow. The litter is in the last stall.”

  Emma and Ben scurried into the building.

  “I will go and make sure there is not a problem.” Maddy went after the two children.

  “Leave this. I will have a servant take care of your bags and horse.” John gestured toward the cart then started toward the house. “How is Jasper? Has he caught any more thieves?”

  “No. Finding Emma and Ben took care of our missing food.” Nathan glanced back at the stable as if he were not sure if he should leave the children there.

  “But nothing else about whom might have attacked you in the swamp?”

  “It has been quiet for the past three weeks.” Rachel fell into step next to Nathan.

  “Quiet. I am not sure you and I define quiet in the same way. The children are constantly talking and asking questions. Ben wants to know everything about the crops. He is a quick learner.”

  “Has he had any schooling?” John opened the back door into his house.

  Rachel stepped inside. “I don’t think so. He mentioned his mother teaching him some before she died. I am thinking of working with him on reading. Emma too. I have a few books I brought from England I can use.”

  Nathan frowned. “When are you going to find time for that, between keeping house, tending to the animals and garden, sewing for Mrs. Bridges, and taking care of Faith?”

  John chuckled. “I will leave you two to talk. I’m sure Sarah is in the parlor. A few of our neighbors have already arrived.”

  The moment John left, Rachel rounded on Nathan. “You don’t need to worry about me. Everything has been fine lately. I have managed to keep up, and I am learning every day more of what I need to do so you will be able to leave with a clear conscience. If Emma and Ben stay, I will have a lot of people around me. A lot of help. You cannot deny they are doing their share of the work without us even asking half the time.”