Sanctuary

by Alene Adele Roy

  With Affection,

  Your Favorite Cousin, Wren

  P.S. Many are returning home looking for work now. Therefore, you and I are very fortunate to have such fine employment opportunities in hand. I wish you the very best with yours, and I shall stick with mine until which time I can think up a business of my own. (Laugh, Rachael)

  P.S. #2 I was amazed to learn recently from local tribe members that clay balls or marbles have been found in some of their people’s burial sites and other places. I shall bring along some of my glass marbles and challenge you again to some rousing games whereupon I arrive for my next visit. (Laugh Rachael)’”

  She did.

  “Wren’s a funny fellow,” remarked John, while studying her intently. “Come, let’s walk in Kitty Lane. The hawthorns are blooming.”

  “Yes, he is. Are you jealous?” Rachael wiped away happy tears, while wondering if she did detect a hint of jealousy in John’s words. “You’ll like him. You must engage in a rousing game of marbles or horseshoes with him, too,” she suggested. “Oh, I see there are rabbits, birds, and squirrels here.”

  “I will engage in a few games with him, and you. Perhaps I should ask him for your hand.”

  “Do.”

  The moon was rising over Dragonfly Pond and the outback or bottomland, as John called it, when they strolled in the lane. So, they decided to stay awhile longer to discuss archaeology and astrology ~ comets, shooting stars, planets, constellations, the moon, sun, and stars. Soft laughter filled the evening air, as the couple got to know each other better. Once, silently, their lips met for an unexpected kiss. Finally, together, they walked hand in hand back down Pond Path to the vine-encircled, roofed, porch. Rachael assumed she saw a contented look upon John’s face. Still, he didn’t say anything except, “Goodnight.”

  There seemed to be pain there, as well. “Goodnight,” she responded. However, inside, when she was a mere few steps across the room from him, headed for the hall, she, thankfully, heard him call.

  “Rachael.”

  She quickly turned, wondering what he was about to say now, since he had opened her mind to so many new subjects tonight. Moonlight lit his hair. He was a fine figure of a man, she noticed. Her heart did a strange flutter, causing her to wish to spend more time with him.

  “Will you join me for a late night snack in the kitchen?” he asked, with a smile. “Let me light our way.” He deftly lit the oil lamp on the table beside the door.

  “Why, yes, I dare say, I will. I was meaning to talk to you about your kitchen, anyway.”

  Next, he moved across the room to join her, offering her his arm. Making their way to the kitchen, they soon found meat, vegetables, and sourdough bread. Soft laughter filled that large room, echoing off its white cupboards that evening, as they enjoyed themselves and the food tidbits. Carefully, he poured them some milk to toast to “missions.”

  “You were saying something about Miss Callie’s kitchen,” he whispered, thrilled with her presence.

  “It is actually your kitchen and I wish to continue learning to prepare some of Miss Callie and Miss Mariah’s favorite dishes. In return, I thought I’d show them some of our family favorites. I’ve already learned some of yours.”

  “You have? That’s encouraging.” A thrill encompassed him. “You are now giving me hope for our future together. I’m very impressed.”

  “I am? I also have yet to bake your return reunion teacakes and I hope I’m not being too forward again.”

  “Please do. It is merely a gesture of friendship, Rachael.” He gently swept some strands of hair which had come loose and fallen across her delicate face.

  “Is that all?” Another subject crossed her mind, though, troubling her some. She just had to speak of it. “I have something serious to discuss with you now. To be blunt, Lily doesn’t like me, you know.”

  His hand lingered on her hair. “Don’t say that, Rachael. Don’t even think it.”

  “We both know it’s true, but I may have a solution. However, I will need your help.”

  “Oh?” John questioned, taking her hand. “Anything you wish, Rachael, is yours. You know that.”

  She had to take a deep breath. He was sitting very close to her at the kitchen table, stroking her hair. Lamplight created a beautiful atmosphere, a glow in the dark room, warming it, giving his face a healthy, rose tone. “Your face is the color of roses. It looks as if you are so healthy and well now,” she explained.

  He drew closer, so close. “Good. Get a good look,” he advised, his eyes studying her lips.

  Rachael looked away, yet he brought her face to look upon his again. “You were saying.”

  She felt weak, yet happy. She liked this feeling he created within her. “I was saying, oh, yes. It was about Lily,” she stammered and laughed, trying to regain her thoughts. She cleared her throat.

  “Here, you must be thirsty.” He carefully gave her a sip of milk and wiped her lips with a linen napkin. “You were saying,” he whispered again. His hand touched hers, gently rubbing it. He enjoyed this lady and wanted to spend more time with her. He had to, and he also had to convince her of that. He’d make plans for the three of them often, daily, perhaps.

  She felt a burn come across her cheeks and wondered why. “I have an idea, which may make Lily change her mind about me,” Rachael continued, surprised to be enjoying his gentle touch so much.

  Passion and admiration suddenly filled her employer’s heart and he breathed deeply. “Rachael, I can’t even explain what I am feeling for you. I have this wonderful feeling when we’re together. I know that you will be good for my daughter, also,” he said, implying that she would also be good for him.

  She picked up the embroidered napkin in her lap and wiped his lips, cheeks, and forehead. They both laughed.

  “Rachael, call me John, always. Even if Lily never loves you, I do. It doesn’t matter to me if she can’t accept you. I need you.” He blurted it out and then sat quietly, anticipating her reaction and response.

  She rose. “Sir John always, I can’t let you speak this way.” Promptly, she turned to leave the kitchen, but realized the hallway was very dark and she needed to maneuver the stairway. “Mrs. Worthington is more suited to you.” Actually, Rachael was beginning to wonder if that was true after this evening, realizing all they had in common and had shared. “Does she like old bones, too?” Rachael asked on the spur of the moment, trying to be funny, enjoying the laughter. “I meant fossils and archaeology?” She tried to explain amidst her laughter. Yet, John did not find it amusing.

  “Rachael, you are not to state again that she is well suited for me. I have no interest in her and have only been helping her with some military papers she needed to do for her widow’s pension, that’s all.” He spoke with passion in his voice. Next, he went to her and encircled her in his arms. “I love you.”

  “I was referring to the dinosaur bones you found, John,” she explained quietly, looking up into his serious eyes, perhaps a bit nervous.

  “She and I have never even discussed fossils. Believe me. I have no feelings for the woman. She was Rose’s friend and her husband was my friend.” He was adamant about it. He bent to kiss her tenderly, as if to prove his point and love. This lovely young woman would understand him and his feelings eventually, someday, he hoped. In the meantime, he would have to prove it to her and alleviate all of her fears and false notions, one by one.

  Rachael was powerless to resist his kiss and embrace. In fact, surprisingly, she delighted in both, returning his affection. He knew. Still, when their lips parted, she had to speak her mind, and she knew that the truth would bring an immediate chill to their relationship. “I’m sorry, but I saw you kiss her in the foyer the other day, sir. The two of you looked so perfect together, to me. I’m so confused by that and you, and my own feelings.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, I didn’t kiss her. She
kissed me on the cheek, unexpectedly. There’s a difference. I have no love for her, other than as a friend.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I was only trying to be a gentleman. I had no idea that you were watching us. I should not have let her kiss me. I should have pulled away. Now I know that, after being here with you, like this.” John tried desperately to explain that one embrace from Amber Worthington. But, to his horror, Rachael began to sob.

  “Don’t cry, darling. All we need is time to work this out. I’ll do anything to please you.” Her tears dampened his shirt sleeve, yet, he didn’t mind. In fact, he would hold her tenderly until they dried. “What can I do or say to help you see that I am sincere in my love for you, Rachael?” He asked, pleadingly, waiting for her sobs to subside, while worried.

  Finally, she got her breath back, composed herself, and spoke her mind. “Just hold me, John.”

  All at once, he was shocked and delighted beyond belief. He let out a breath he’d been holding, in a huge sigh of relief. “Oh, Rachael, of course I will, my love,” and he did for the longest time, savoring their embrace. Silently, their hearts were now in agreement, as he picked up the lamp to guide them to their rooms. At her door, he leaned to rub his leg and moaned slightly, since the stairs had been a difficult climb this time.

  Instantly, she turned back to him from her doorway. “Have you another fever?” Moving to John, she gently placed her hand upon his damp forehead and nodded the affirmative, in compassion and concern, as he pulled her close. “It’s to bed for you, doctor. Yet, first, where’s your little brown bottle?”

  Puzzled, he kissed her. “It’s in my room. Why? Does your foot hurt? Do you need another foot rub?” He quickly showed his compassion.

  “No, you do. Let’s go.” Once inside, she removed his shoes and socks, delighting him with a foot rub.

  “I am more than surprised. Evidently, I’ve taught you well, my love,” he declared, just before their final goodnight kiss.

  That evening, Rachael dreamed of him. She hadn’t intended to at all. He had just crept into her dreams and his handsome face made her wake up smiling. Her heart was happy once again, for in her dream he was making her tea, speaking about Lily, without any pain.

  Not surprisingly, he had a dream about her, too. “You were in the garden wearing white. Moonlight lit your hair, fair face, and garment, a bridal gown. It appeared as if you were ready for a wedding ~ ours,” he would explain, yet, not until later.

  But, in the morning, life was a bustle and they hardly had time to speak. Rachael had dressed and hurried to the baby’s room next to hers, only to be dismayed and disappointed.

  “Lily. You are home. I’m your nanny, Rachael,” she whispered, holding out her hands to the child. Unfortunately, the baby would still have nothing to do with her. Instead, Miss Callie and Miss Mariah surprisingly appeared just at the right time to dress her. Rachael had stepped away, tidying Lily’s layette and dresser top, fighting back tears, trying not to show her disappointment.

  “We’ll help this little lady downstairs, Miss Hathaway,” Miss Callie informed her, with a friendly note of authority, “and take her to breakfast. Come on, sweetheart. We’ll help you. We’ll use the handrail.” The child giggled, while accepting her help.

  Rachael’s heart sank, as she went to the child’s bed and straightened the blankets after she had been lifted from them.

  “We love helping her,” Miss Mariah added, speaking directly to the baby, while kneeling before her.

  Just the tone of her voice and the excitement in her mannerisms, as she took the toddler’s hand, made Rachael feel better, for she knew that this pair of lovely women, her new friends, dearly loved the little Davis girl. “Thank you, Miss Callie and Miss Mariah.” Rachael closed the door behind them, following them down the hallway and staircase, knowing full well that this was hindering the cook and maid’s work. They didn’t seem to mind, however. Truly, they doted on Lily and she loved them. It was quite evident to Rachael. The cook picked up the toddler at the bottom of the stairs to carry her to the dining room, since her short legs were getting tired after descending those stairs Rachael had fallen on.

  At the smell of breakfast, upon entering the dining room where Crane was exceedingly busy, the four ladies all hummed their approval, even tiny Lily. During their meal, everyone was merry, except for Rachael. She certainly could have been, since John had surprisingly revealed his true, innermost feelings about her last night, and also his lack of feelings for Mrs. Worthington. It seemed as if, after that sweet, unexpected confession, Rachael now had the loving devotion of the physician who was her trusted employer. That should have made any young woman happy.

  How could she make friends with this little one seated next to her, though, ignoring her, his daughter? “Here, Lily,” the young nanny quietly spoke to entice the young one to eat her meal. Lily simply turned her head away and leaned on Miss Mariah. Suddenly, Rachael’s idea resurfaced. As she tried to give Lily a bite of fruit, Rachael decided to speak to John about this soon. She had to in order for peace to reign here. But first, she had something else to do. So, she excused herself from the table early, explaining she’d return in five minutes.

  John stood and excused her, yet there was a definite concern and unanswered questions in his mind. Where was she going? Why? “Miss Hathaway, are you alright?”

  “Yes, very well, sir. I shall return soon to speak with you.” She saw the concern on his face and noted it in his voice. Despite those facts, she hurried away, and planned to quickly return to ease his mind.

  She smiled as she slipped into the kitchen, grabbed food for three lunches, and hurried to the oak grove near where the soldiers were making camp. Relieved to find them still there, she was happy that the weather was mild, so as not to give them a chill. Calling their names, so they would know she was coming, she remembered their great fear the first time she had spoken to them and how they had quickly vanished into the marsh grasses. Today, after handing them the food and containers of milk, she was satisfied she’d helped them, and turned to go back to John and Lily, expecting never to see the three again.

  “Wait!” Jay called. “We have a small surprise for you, miss. In a way, it’s a thank you.”

  “I’m Rachael Hathaway. Call me Rachael. I’m about your age. But the thank you should go to our cook.”

  “Maybe we can sing for her someday. We’re nineteen, Miss Rachael,” Joshua informed her.

  “So, am I. I’m from Bower Farm, visiting here.” Why did I say ‘visiting,’ she wondered?

  “Hey, there are hard boiled eggs in here!” Jason quickly exclaimed, while looking into his lunch bag. “Thank you. Thank you very much, Miss Hathaway.”

  He had caught her name, Rachael noticed. “You’re welcome, and I meant to say I work here.”

  “I found a carrot! I haven’t had a carrot in a while,” Joshua sighed. “I do appreciate it!”

  Then, Jay announced, “I like it all. Thank you. Maybe we’ll meet again someday, Miss Hathaway.”

  “I hope so. May you all have a safe journey home.” Carefully, she lifted her calico skirt and turned to go back to the manor, her duties, Lily, and John, with a new contentment in her heart, because so much had occurred since last evening ~ John’s unexpected declaration of devotion, and these three being sent happily on their way today.

  But Jay saw her ankle bandage and called to her. “Miss Rachael, you have injured your foot and you still did this for all of us?” His amazement was apparent in his voice. “You don’t even know us.”

  She stopped and turned back to them. “A wise man recently told me to listen to voice and watch mannerisms, and you’ll know the heart. I know your hearts are good,” she explained with a sweet smile, remembering Monty’s words. “I hope that you will enjoy bright futures, happy lives, and missions galore; then someday, come to visit us once more.”

  “She’s a poet! We should h
ave had her write our song,” Jay declared. At that, they let her hear their voices. Huddled together over a piece of wrinkled, white paper, the three soldiers, returning home after who knows what, suddenly burst into glorious song. With all their voices in a surprisingly, beautiful harmony, they kept Rachael spellbound when they sang her a gift song. At once, they had found perfect pitch, and oh, could they sing.

  Their song and its sentiments, a true thank you from their hearts, brought happy tears to Rachael Hathaway’s wondering eyes. These three young men she’d met by chance and expert observation, just her age, had already endured so much, and she was so very thankful for this musical gift she was experiencing with them now ~ their melody. While they sang their ballad, she noticed emotion in their eyes, as well as tears forming. Their gratitude spilled from their voices, mannerisms, and hearts, exactly the things Lieutenant Graham had told her to watch for, and she was grateful to them all.

  Camping In The Lowlands

  While camping in the lowlands,

  A meal came to me.

  It was unexpected,

  A sweet opportunity,

  And I am very grateful,

  As grateful as can be,

  And I will always thank you,

  With much sincerity.

  This will help my body,

  To send me on my way,

  Giving me much nourishment,

  And I wish that I could say,

  Not only will I thank you,

  Since you helped me toward home today,

  I’ll remember you with fondness,

  And for you I shall pray.

  I must be off and running.

  The course is a long one,