Sanctuary

by Alene Adele Roy

  “So, on Wednesday wear the very best frock you’ve brought with you, Viola,” advised Phoebe.

  “Directly, I wish to go down there. John and I were to meet before bedtime,” explained Rachael.

  “Oh, no, you can’t go down there and leave us, for we have much to discuss,” Phoebe told her.

  Rachael sighed. “What about your plans, Amber? Will you accept a proposal from Cousin Emery Davis, for I saw him on his knees tonight?” She took the liberty of asking, as the four still gazed at the lantern-snuffing party below.

  Moving to sit on a bed, Amber motioned to the others. “Come and relax. You can’t go down there now, anyway. It’s late, and I need your best advice. I have loved Emery since primary school. We grew up together, went on picnics, read books, did our studies, fished, cooked, hunted rocks, took walks together, spent holidays with each other’s family, until I was married, that is. I do love him dearly,” she admitted, as the others gathered around her.

  “We won’t tell!” A laughing Viola came to bounce slightly on the bed where Amber was resting.

  “But if you love him, why not accept him?” asked Rachael. “We’ve all seen the way he looks at you. He is astounded by your beauty, charm, willingness to help others, and enthusiasm for attending our gatherings, Amber,” Rachael confided to her. “Truthfully, I would love for him to marry you before Dr. Callahan proposes, since the latter has spoken to me of his interest in you. Then, we shall be related, almost, since our loves are cousins. We shall share holidays, Christmas, birthdays, picnics, and other things.”

  “Oh, Rachael, I’m so flattered that you wish for us to be family, but know that Dr. Buddy Callahan is not interested in me, honey. Besides, I may not be over my first husband. I loved him, too.” She spoke softly and her words were met by hugs and hands upon her ringless ones.

  “You are allowed a life, however, Miss Worthington,” Viola informed her, adding, “and a ring!”

  “You are entitled to love,” Rachael whispered. “You are a fine friend.”

  “You are his darling,’ Phoebe explained. “I noticed that at Fernhaven when Monty was ill.”

  “You did? I certainly didn’t. Of course, he has always been wonderful to me. He includes me in absolutely everything, even his decisions, like starting the mill and going out on the Snagpuller North.” Amber was amazed by what Phoebe had noticed and revealed to her. “Now, it’s off to bed for our beauty sleep, girls.”

  “Don’t forget to dream tonight,” Phoebe said softly.

  A breeze blew the curtains allowing moonlight into the cheerful room, as each unpacked and dressed in their summer gowns. Silently, they chose the bed they would sleep in, with Rachael and Viola settled in the double bed, Amber and Phoebe in the single ones. “Goodnight. We’ll each find our prince,” Rachael assured them.

  “Yes, I am his darling, and he is mine. Truly, I have found my other prince.” Amber acknowledged about Emery. “I am most grateful to you three Hathaway sisters for giving me your best advice and a chance to be your friend. Thank you. The three of you have convinced me tonight that I cannot do without my Emery in my life.”

  “You’re quite welcome,” Rachael replied. “Why did you think we Hathaways invited you to join us this evening? We wanted to settle the matter for you,” she laughed happily, and the others did, too.

  “Now, Miss Phoebe, it is your turn to be in the hot seat,” Amber happily announced just before she blew out the candle. “Have you accepted the handsome and eligible Lieutenant Monty Graham, yet?”

  “Yes, Phoebe, we noticed he filled your dance card quite nicely, and quickly,” informed Viola.

  “He is a lovely man,” Phoebe admitted, removing a jeweled comb in order to brush her hair.

  “Is that all you can say about that handsome, sincere, charitable, responsible, intelligent, witty, charming suitor?” Rachael wanted to know. “Did I say eligible?” she giggled. “He was on his knees, too, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes, he was and I am enchanted with him. Yet, I haven’t known him very long. But I do want you all to know that he was a perfect gentleman when we went to Fernhaven for flowers, escorted.”

  The others left it at that, understanding her dilemma. Discussions ended, as they settled into the comfortable beds provided, each with their own sweet dreams and cotillion memories. However, they were kept awake for a few minutes longer, while the men outside quietly discussed railroads and farming.

  In the morning, as Rachael was regretting not telling John goodnight last night, they all met downstairs for breakfast. But, before they could even sit, the women were suddenly astounded that John could hardly walk. He leaned heavily on a cane Monty had brought with him.

  “What’s wrong?” Rachael whispered, as he slowly came to the table. When she saw him last evening, he was happily spending time with his friends in Indigo Gardens. “We saw you blowing out the lanterns last evening. You seemed fine.”

  “Unfortunately, my leg hurts,” was his weak reply, though he tried not to alarm them. “I may have overdone it yesterday.”

  “I would say so,” his grandfather acknowledged.

  “I checked. There is still some swelling and infection,” Monty informed the guests and family members.

  “Oh, John,” was Grandmother Hattie’s cry of concern. Grandmother Andrea came to him and silently put her arm around his shoulders, then pointed to a chair at the table. She sat next to him, preparing his plate.

  “I shall stay and attend to John, if you don’t mind, Mr. and Mrs. Davis,” Monty explained.

  “Of course, you may stay, Monty,” Grandfather Davis insisted. “We won’t have it any other way, will we, Hattie dear?”

  “It will give us more time to visit,” she declared, while placing hot biscuits onto the table.

  “Thank you, because he really should not be moved. I believe the walk to Magnolia Gardens could be harmful, in this situation,” Monty further explained. “It could tear tissue, especially if he fell.”

  “Everyone, please come and eat heartily. We all used much energy and enthusiasm last evening,” Mrs. Davis reminded them, while trying to be cheerful. “We shall have a nice, quiet day of bird-watching today.”

  “You really should have taken breakfast upstairs in your room, John,” Rachael, who sat on the other side of him, whispered, then thought better of it. “I did not mean to sound harsh or bossy, though.”

  “I know you didn’t,” he said, taking her hand. “We have wedding plans to make.”

  “Let me get you a beverage. Do you prefer tea, coffee, milk, or warm chocolate?” Rachael asked.

  “I’m afraid I enjoy letting you attend to my needs, Miss Hathaway, and orange juice is my preference, please.”

  “Oh, sure, the very one I forgot to mention is your selection,” she laughed. “Perhaps, I don’t know you very well, John.”

  Monty interjected, “We’ll clear that swelling and infection up in no time, John. Don’t you worry. Just be patient.”

  Phoebe smiled at the lieutenant, and everyone enjoyed and complimented the meal. Yet, Cousin Emery and Amber ate quickly, thanked their host and hostess, and promised to check on John soon. They had stock to attend to, as did the Hathaways. Viola and Phoebe were to be escorted home by Monty and Buddy, but those plans changed, too, due to John’s predicament. Hence, the two Hathaway sisters were invited to an extended stay at the castle, and they were all delighted.

  “Could you please stay here for awhile, too, Rachael?” John’s Grandfather John then asked. “We believe our grandson needs you here, at this time of healing. The baby will be well cared for by other family members for a time. We shall entrust her Lightfoot grandparents and John’s parents with her care and well being for now,” he said with a smile, then whispered, “while we just relax and get John well.”

  She immediately agreed, and so it was that many of the guests stayed at
the lovely, renovated Black Woods Castle and gardens after the Summer Cotillion, to be with the ailing John. His parents, John and Cloie, who had gone early to check John’s livestock at Magnolia Gardens, returned later that morning, when they received word about John from Crane, who had visited the castle to see if he was needed. “What can we do?” John’s mother asked. Concern was etched on her face and in her voice.

  “If you could take turns caring for Lily, Mother, it would be wonderful. This just takes time, unfortunately.”

  “Of course, it does, John,” Cloie agreed, in a soothing tone.

  “We can either stay right next door with her for a few days, if you wish, or we can take her home,” was the word from his father. “We’ll make sure little Lily keeps us busy,” he laughed. “Oh, and tomorrow Arthur and I shall bring Butterscotch and Chocolate home. We would have today, but your mother and I wanted to check on you first. So, don’t worry about a thing.”

  The next day, they did just that, even bringing the precious animals to Black Woods Castle for John and the others to see. Gazing happily from the upstairs window, John made a stab at humor by sending word that he would bring them all a carrot as soon as he was able, horses and his parents. To top off the visit, they placed Lily upon Butterscotch’s back, and carefully holding her, led the horse toward its home stable and pastures. The three Hathaway sisters even accompanied them to make sure of the toddler’s safety, and to enjoy the horses, gardens, and visiting.

  “Where shall we have our wedding, John?” Rachael asked cheerily, upon her return, thinking that he might be feeling downhearted after the visitors left. “Here?” she asked.

  “It’s up to you, Rachael. I would suggest here, the church, or Magnolia Gardens.”

  Concern covered her face, since she could see that he was fatigued or hurting. “Right now, you need rest, my dear.”

  That evening, he did not come down to dinner. Instead, Monty suggested that Rachael take him a plate and he would bring the lemonade. Sadly enough, this became the mealtime ritual, since John’s leg did not immediately respond to treatment. Plans were put on hold, and the Hathaway parents sent a letter of concern, since their daughters had not returned to the farm as scheduled, in a few days. Therefore, Monty and Phoebe took his buggy into town to send a telegram of explanation to them. While there, he and Miss Phoebe Hathaway enjoyed spending some time together.

  “I hate John being ill, Phoebe,” he said with a sigh, after they had done some shopping. “However, it does give us some time together.”

  “That shall be ending soon, dear Monty M,” she advised, and it at first put a frown upon his face, as well as hers, until he realized that she had whispered to Rachael that the ‘M’ stood for mine. “I am but a visitor here, you know.”

  Just to be certain, he asked for clarification. “M is for mine, isn’t it, Phoebe? Please say it won’t end soon.” He paid a vendor for a snack for each of them.

  “Yes, it is. Yet, I must return to my home soon, Monty, for I can’t live here,” she confided, accepting the offered food.

  “But, Rachael needs you now, and I surely do.” He pointed to an outdoor bench where they could sit and rest.

  “Viola wants to go soon, though,” she informed the lieutenant, as they sat close, touching arms.

  “Let Buddy or Antonio take her home, then. Our courtship is very important and it must continue. I’m falling in love with you.”

  “Oh, you are just now falling in love with me, although you proposed marriage at the cotillion?”

  He put down his food and turned serious. “Phoebe, I do want to marry you. Will you marry me? Will you allow me to court you? Will I see you again after you return home or not?”

  “You shall see me again, dear one. I shall ponder all of your questions and give you answers.”

  By mid-week, Antonio Bradshaw came as planned, and was devastated to find John down with infection and fever. He asked to visit his upstairs bedroom, since John was no longer able to negotiate the stairs. Keeping his visit short, they spoke of weather and haying, but not of the award ceremony or future travels. When he came downstairs to speak with the family, he was encouraging. “These things take time, but he will rally. Count on it. However, if I may be of service to you in the meantime, please do not hesitate to let me know, for I shall stop by frequently.”

  “Oh, we sent for his friends, Doctors Evans and Callahan. We know Monty is doing a wonderful job. Still, he may tire, and they needed to be informed and were quite shocked, actually, to learn of John’s condition. Both of them were here at the party on the weekend and he seemed fine then,” Grandfather Davis explained to Mr. Bradshaw. “At that time, we had no idea that this would occur, of course. So, we’ll have all the best of medical advice within the territory, and excellent care for our John.”

  “I shall check in often, as well, in case I may be of assistance. What might I bring you when I come next time?” asked Antonio.

  “A courtship for you would be nice,” Phoebe whispered to Viola, and they both left the room abruptly, in order to stifle their laughter.

  “Oh, we’re fine here,” John Senior responded. “We have a great deal of food left.”

  “John, we could use some fruit, though,” Hattie softly replied, with thoughts coming to mind of Viola accompanying Mr. Bradshaw to town.

  “Fruit, it is.” Antonio gladly accepted her hint. “I shall bring it by tomorrow, Mr. and Mrs. Davis.”

  “Oh, sir, don’t you live quite some distance from here?” their host then asked, with a puzzled look upon his kind face. “It would be such an imposition.”

  “The distance between home and friends is never far, sir. It is no trouble at all.” Then, he turned and became quite specific. “Miss Viola Hathaway, would you care to accompany me on a stroll in the lovely Davis gardens today and to the village tomorrow for fruit?”

  “Yes, I’d like to accompany you in The Indigo, as Mr. Davis refers to it, and tomorrow, as well.”

  Her sisters nodded their approval and instantly busied themselves with tidying the table.

  “Take your sun parasol, Viola,” Rachael advised, over her shoulder. “It’s in the stand by the door.”

  “Take your time, Viola,” Phoebe jokingly counseled, with a wink, whispering, “It’s a necessity.”

  In a few moments, Rachael climbed the stairs and glanced at the pair from a window. They seemed to be involved in an engrossing conversation, and absorbed in what he was pointing to, garden plants, the woods, and the fields. Viola was listening intently. Rachael lingered, happy at the thought of her sister becoming happy again after her broken engagement. Turning away from the window, she wondered if John was asleep, since she did not wish to disturb him. His fever made him tired, yet thirsty, which she was trying to quell by giving him sips of water often. But she suddenly heard horses, and glancing saw Monty arrive with Pastor Hoover. Phoebe went to greet them. Food was then unloaded from a wagon they were pulling. Rachael knew the ladies of the church must have been in their kitchens preparing casseroles, salads, and desserts for them, and she greatly appreciated their kind gestures.

  Within moments, the lieutenant suddenly bounded upstairs and surprisingly came to Rachael. Taking her hands into his own, he led her away from John’s door, whispering, “Pastor Albert will be here soon.”

  Gazing at him with wondering eyes, she waited for an explanation, reminded by her engagement ring from John that she would have to discourage this friendship. “Monty, I …”

  “Sit down, please, Rachael, my dear. I have something to say to you.”

  Quite surprised, she let him lead her to a comfortable window seat. “What’s on your mind, Monty? If you are here to ask for Phoebe’s hand, I gladly approve the courtship.”

  “No. I am sorry to say that we may need to amputate John’s leg, Rachael. Time will tell us.”

  Placing a hand over her mouth,
she tried to quell the sobs which followed his startling announcement. Looking out the window, her vision slowly blurred as tears filled her eyes. She hated crying and hated for him to see her this way. Instantly, Monty took her into his arms to comfort her and she cried as if her heart would break. “How could this happen? What can I do? I must tell Mother. Will Viola and Phoebe stay with me during this terrible time of crisis? Oh, Monty, I just can’t bear it, for John is such a wonderful man,” she insisted, before another round of sobbing racked her body.

  “Rachael, I’m here. Your sisters are here. If need be, John’s family will be summoned, too. For that matter, we can send for your family, if you need them. We shall all get through this together,” he informed her. But then, brave as he was, he shook his head slightly, as tears welled and he broke down, too, sobbing into her long, brunette hair gently curling to her shoulders. “Oh, Rachael, he’s like a brother to me.”

  “I know.” Luckily, they had a few moments to console each other before Albert Hoover arrived with flowers from Minnie and Quinny. He saw by the distraught look upon their faces that Rachael and Monty were grieved. So, he stepped inside John’s room to deliver the bouquet.

  Within a few moments, Crane arrived, his face stricken, too. Immediately, he came to shake Monty’s hand and kiss Rachael’s. “Chief Morning Star is downstairs,” he finally whispered. “He waits on the porch for you, Miss Rachael. He said he learned of the circumstances from his son. Yet, he does not know how dire the situation is. I didn’t think it was my place to speak of it.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Monty told her. “I can’t have you fainting and falling down those stairs.”

  She laughed a trifle. “I don’t fall down the stairs all that often, I’ll have you know, Dr. Monty Graham.”

  He handed her a handkerchief. “Please dry those tears before we go,” he whispered. “Mrs. Davis must not see them. She does not know of this.”

  “Oh. Crane, please don’t tell my sisters, either. I won’t spoil their visit with dread, or have you told Phoebe yet, Monty?”