Providence

by Karen Noland

  “What are you thinking about?” Luke asked.

  “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” she replied cryptically. “I’ll see you all at the house in an hour or so. C’mon, Jo, I’ll race you home!”

  ***

  Kate filled Jo’s pitcher from the pump in the kitchen and carried it to the loft. “Wash up as best you can, Honey, and get those filthy clothes down to me. Nana plans to wash tomorrow.”

  “Ugh! Do I have to help with laundry?” Jo asked wrinkling her nose in distaste.

  “Yes, of course you do, but then so do I,” Kate sighed, rolling her eyes. Laundry was the dreaded chore in the Shaughnessey house.

  “I’d rather be doing hay than washing.”

  “I don’t know, right now, I think I’d even take the laundry if it meant I didn’t have to go back into that hayfield again,” Kate decided. “I’m going to wash up, too, then get some sandwiches made if you want to help.”

  “Okay, Momma, I’ll be down quick.”

  Kate descended to the kitchen, filled her own pitcher, and went to her room, closing the door behind her. She cherished these few moments of solitude. Pouring the water in the basin, she dipped her fingers in grimacing at the chill. There just wasn’t enough time to heat any right now, the cold would have to suffice. She sat in the hard chair behind her desk, and tugged off her boots, then slipped out of the shirt and pants she wore, shaking out enough hay and weeds to start a small meadow in her room.

  Approaching the basin of frigid water with a clean rag and a bar of lye soap, she glanced longingly at the small copper tub sitting in the corner of her room. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a good long soak in there. Soon, she promised herself, I am going to fill that old black kettle, boil the water scalding and sit in there until it’s cold. Kate could almost feel the soothing warmth radiating through her, perfumed water wafting a gentle aroma, pure soft soap to caress her skin.

  She had a sudden inspiration. Tossing aside the rough cake of lye in her hand, she knelt beside the trunk at the foot of the bed. Rummaging through the camisoles and petticoats, she found what she had been looking for, the box from Martha. Had it really been over three months since the trip to Fallis? Selecting a lavender scented beauty bar, Kate decided she might not have a hot bath, but she didn’t have to smell like a farm hand tonight.

  Kate scrubbed her skin until it glowed pink, and all she could smell was clean, fresh lavender. She brushed her hair with vigorous strokes, shedding the dust and hay. Soon it was gleaming mass of curls again, caught up in a ribbon at the nape of her neck. Selecting a rose colored calico dress with delicate white edging, she dressed with a delight she hadn’t felt in ages. She sighed at the callouses on her hands as she tugged the long sleeves snugly down over her wrists, but like the scars, the callouses represented a sense of honor.

  Satisfied with the transformation from farm urchin to respectable member of society once more, she returned to the kitchen to prepare a light supper for the others.

  “Oh, Momma, you look beautiful!” Jo clapped her hands in delight as Kate entered the kitchen.

  “Why thank you,” Kate replied crossing the room to Jo.

  “And you smell good, too.”

  “I’ll second that,” Luke spoke from his seat in the corner.

  Kate whirled around, “You startled me. I didn’t see you. What are you doing here already?”

  “You said dinner in an hour, didn’t you?”

  “Has it been an hour already?” Kate asked in alarm.

  “Hour and ten minutes to be exact,” Luke said. “But then, who’s counting?”

  “Oh, no, the Insleys will be here any minute, and I don’t have a thing done.”

  “Where’s the ice cream freezer?” Luke asked.

  “In the shed by the smokehouse, why?”

  “You get the ice cream mixed up, and start on the sandwiches. I’ll get the freezer and the ice, and I can be cranking while you finish up dinner,” Luke said, hurrying out the door.

  “Jo, can you get the cream from the spring house?”

  “Yes, Momma.”

  The fast approaching dusk cast shadows through the kitchen. After lighting the lamp, Kate built up the fire in the stove, measured sugar, set out vanilla and separated the eggs beating the yolks into the sugar. When Jo returned, they carefully scalded the thick cream, stirring in the yolk and sugar mixture along with a generous dollop of vanilla.

  “We’ll let this cool until Luke gets back with the freezer,” Kate said. “Let’s get the rest of supper ready.”

  “I can slice some bread,” Jo offered.

  “All right, but be careful, that knife is sharp.”

  “I will.”

  Kate set out jars of pickles, jams and corn relish, a stack of plates and some forks.

  “Are there any apples in the larder?” Kate asked searching through the cupboard.

  “I think Nana and I used them all for the tart.”

  “Well, I’ve got to get some meat from the smokehouse, I can gather a few apples on the way,” Kate decided. “Are you finished slicing the bread?”

  “Uh-huh,” Jo answered. “Here you are.”

  A loud clatter on the porch took them by surprise. Opening the door, Kate saw Luke struggling with the freezer, a stool and a large block of ice wrapped in a piece of canvas.

  “Wouldn’t it have been easier to chip the ice at the spring house? There’s a pick, and you could have put it in the freezer there,” Kate laughed.

  “Oh, sure, now you tell me! That would have been just too easy,” Luke said depositing the unwieldy block on the porch.

  “Is that the last of the ice?” Kate asked.

  “There’s one more small block, don’t know how much longer it’ll last.”

  Every winter they froze large blocks of ice and packed them underground in layers of insulating straw. During the warm summer months, the ice cooled the spring house enough to store some perishables for short periods. They used the precious ice for rare treats like ice cream or lemonade.

  “Oh, well, winter will be here before we know it,” Kate sighed. Picking up a basket from the nearby bench, she continued, “Jo can get the ice cream mixture for you whenever you’re ready. There’s rock salt in the pantry. If you wouldn’t mind lighting the lantern, I’d sure appreciate it, it’s already starting to get dark. I’m going to the smokehouse to get some venison.”

  Luke nodded as he set about chopping the ice into small enough chunks to fit in the freezer.

  ***

  Jo brought out the bowl with the cream and a box of salt. “I love ice cream, don’t you, Luke?”

  “It is indeed a treat.”

  “My momma makes the very best ice cream. She uses five eggs, but just the yolks. She says it makes it richer.” Jo wrinkled her nose in thought. “Luke, how can ice cream be rich? It doesn’t have any money, and eggs aren’t money. Well, I mean, momma sells eggs for money sometimes, is that how it makes it richer?”

  Luke laughed out loud. “Jo, in this case ‘rich’ isn’t anything to do with wealth, it just describes how something tastes. I guess you could say it has better taste than another kind, so that makes it richer in flavor.”

  “Oh, I see.” Jo watched in fascination as Luke placed the chunks of ice in the outside freezer, poured the ice cream mixture into the container, and fitted it down into the ice, making sure the lid was secure. Then he added the rock salt over the ice, placed the handle in its slot and began turning the crank.

  Kate returned carrying the basket laden with smoked venison and fresh apples picked along the way.

  “Aren’t the Insleys here yet?” Kate asked with a note of concern in her voice.

  “No, as a matter of fact. It’s not like Nana to be late, is it?” Luke said. Not liking the worry he saw in Kate, he quickly added, “Though they were pretty tired after all that work today.”

  “Look, here comes Jonathan,” Jo chimed in.

  “Jon, wh
at is it, what’s wrong?” Kate asked.

  “Nana’s had a spell,” Jon said, his face ashen. “Papa put her to bed, and he’s sitting with her. He said to go ahead and have our party, anyway.”

  The stricken look on Kate’s face tore at Luke’s heart. “Well, if they can’t come to the party, maybe we can take the party to them,” he said cheerfully.

  “Oh, that’s a great idea,” Jon said. “Surely that’d perk her right up.”

  “I don’t know,” Kate’s voice trailed off.

  “Please, Momma?” Jo pleaded.

  “You could take your medicine bag,” Luke added in a low voice.

  “You’re right,” Kate said, relief flooding her face. “I’ll pack the food.”

  “I’ll carry the freezer.”

  Kate packed the sandwich makings, fruit and her medicine bag in a large basket, covering it all with a large cloth. Headed for the door, she stopped and returned to the pantry, searching the shelf. The jar of strawberry preserves was tucked in a corner. Grabbing it, she placed it gently in the basket and rearranged the cloth. Within minutes the small party set off toward the Insleys cabin.

  Jon walked ahead carrying the lantern high to light the well-worn path. Jo skipped along beside him chattering about the hay, ice cream and bemoaning the laundry day ahead of them. Luke struggled with the freezer now laden with ice and the cream mixture. Kate carried the basket of food and her medicine pouch.

  “Has Nana had these ‘spells’ before?” Luke asked.

  “Twice. The doctor says that her heart is weakening. He gave her some medicine for it last time. Luke, it scares me so. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost Nana or Jake.” In her pale countenance, Luke could see the struggle she faced to keep her fears in check.

  As the children entered the cabin, he set the freezer down and turned to Kate. “Will you pray with me right now for her?”

  Kate stopped, the amazement written plainly over her features dissolving in a soft radiant smile. “I’d like that,” she whispered, reaching out to take his hand.

  Her hand was small within his. He could feel her warmth, smell the faint soothing scent of lavender emanating from her. Closing his eyes he began, “Lord -- dear Lord, I - we ask that you protect and heal our Nana. Um, well - and be with us tonight, Ah - in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Amen,” Kate echoed.

  “Sorry, I’m not real good at that yet.”

  “You will be,” she said her amber eyes glowing softly in the shadows. “Thank you.”

  The love he thought had been lost forever flooded over him in a palatable wave. The emotions that filled him were pure and strong with their roots in a source beyond himself. “Thank you,” he whispered, placing a gentle kiss above her brow. And thank you , Lord, he added silently.

  Picking up their burdens, they hurried into the Insleys small soddy. Nana lay propped on pillows, covered in a faded quilt, a cool damp rag folded across her forehead. Jake sat beside the bed holding her hand, his face a mask of worry. Jo took Kate’s basket to the table while Kate hurried to Nana’s side.

  “How is she, Jake?”

  “I’m right here, you could ask me you know,” Nana barked irritably.

  Jake shrugged and rolled his eyes, as Kate tried to hide a smile.

  “Then, how are you, Nana?” Kate asked.

  “I’ve been better.”

  “Did Jake give you the medicine the doctor left from last time?”

  “He did, nasty stuff,” Nana said, struggling to sit up.

  “Now, Nana, you just lay still there,” Jake ordered.

  The old woman settled back, taking the cloth from her head. “Here, this isn’t doing anybody any good,” she said handing it to Kate. “I want a cup of tea.”

  “That I can do,” Kate answered.

  Luke was busy cranking the freezer, as Jo made sandwiches for everyone. Kate set the kettle to boil on the stove, and retrieved her herbs from the medicine bag. Selecting chamomile and adding a pinch of valerian, she placed the concoction in a tea ball as she waited for the water to heat.

  “Would you like honey in your tea, Mrs. Insley?”

  “That’d do right nice, and maybe just a slice of bread with butter, Jo.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Jo answered.

  As fast the supper materialized on the table, it was devoured. Luke and Jonathan ate heartily, Kate snatched a bite here and there as she made sure Nana drank the tea and ate something light. Assuring himself that his wife was in good hands, even Jake ate two of the hearty venison sandwiches.

  “Who’s ready for ice cream?” asked Luke.

  “Oh, I am.” Jo clapped her hands in delight.

  “I’d sure take a scoop,” agreed Jon.

  “I think you can make it unanimous, except for Nana,” Kate said, smiling tenderly at the woman now fast asleep. The herbs had done their work, and Nana now slept peacefully.

  “Is she going to be all right?” Jake asked.

  “We need to make her rest for a few days, then just ease her in to some light work, but I think she’ll make it,” Kate replied.

  “Nana’s tough as old shoe leather,” said Jonathan. “How do you think we’re going to keep her from doing too much?”

  “I guess we could always hog tie her if we have to,” Kate said with a grin, taking her bowl of ice cream dripping with strawberry preserves. “Mmmm, doesn’t that look wonderful.”

  “What about laundry tomorrow, momma?” Jo asked. “If Nana’s sick, I guess we’ll just have to wait.”

  “Oh, I think you and I can manage just fine. That laundry needs to be done, and I don’t want Nana fretting about it when she gets well.”

  Luke had to turn away to hide his amusement at the look on Jo’s face. “Kate, I was wondering if you wanted to ride the herds early tomorrow?” he asked between bites of the delectable treat. “We haven’t been out for quite a while now, but if you’re going to be busy B“

  “Oh, I want to ride the herds,” Kate interrupted. “We’ll do it early. I’ll have plenty of time to get back and do the wash with Jo.”

  “Will you be riding the medicine hat?”

  “Yes, she’s turning into a pretty good mount.”

  “I’ll have them saddled at first light then,” Luke said with a nod.

  “As nice as the evening has been, I guess we really need to get back,” Kate sighed. “Nana should sleep through the night, but if she needs me, please send Jonathan, won’t you, Jake?”

  “That I will,” he answered, gazing at his sleeping wife.

  “Jo, can you carry the lantern? I’ll get the basket if you can manage the freezer, Luke.”

  “I’ve got it. Jake, I’ll see you tomorrow. Are you going to start harvesting the oats?”

  “That was the plan. Jon and I usually do it, but I could sure use the extra help if you’re offering.”

  “I am. I’ll meet you there after we get back from the herds.”

  “That’d be right fine,” Jake said, clapping a hand on Luke’s back.

  ***

  Kate kissed her sleeping daughter fondly as the faint dawn light played against the window. She had left breakfast laid out on the kitchen table in case Jo woke before their return. In the kitchen, Kate shivered from the cold morning air. The wind had turned to come from the north sometime in the night, bringing with it a taste of the winter to come. She knew the air would warm again before noon, but dug out a heavy woolen vest for this morning’s ride. Buttoning the vest, she headed out the door, reveling in the brisk fall like day.

  Luke had the horses saddled and ready by the time she reached the barn. Taking the reins she mounted the white mare, who snorted and danced, feeling the weather in her blood.

  “Easy, girl, we’ve got a lot of riding to do today,” Kate spoke calmly.

  Luke mounted the buckskin colt, and they turned to head out to the east.

  “How’s she doing for you?” Luke asked indicating the new mare.

  “I like her. She’s smooth and f
airly responsive. I wish I had more time to work with her, but so far we’re doing fine,” Kate said. “How’s that buckskin working out?”

  “He’s great, a little strong minded sometimes, but that’s part of being young.”

  “You want to let these two get a little of this pent up energy out?” Kate asked, fighting to keep Hawk to a walk.

  “You’re on,” Luke replied, loosening his rein slightly.

  Kate touched her heels to the mare’s sides, moving her rein hand slightly ahead of the saddle horn. An intense surge of power flowed through her as the mare leapt forward covering the ground in long strides. Kate’s body moved in rhythm to the undulating gait of the horse as the landscape rushed by in a blur of green, amber and blue. She was vaguely aware of Luke and the buckskin matching them stride for stride. The very energy of life seemed to be caught in that ride, blowing away the fears of the past as the wind blew her hair streaming behind her.

  The horses slowed their pace as they crested the rise. Sitting deep in the saddle, Kate reined the mare to a stop. Luke stopped beside her and they drank in the beauty of God’s creation. The cattle grazed on the new-mown grass in the valley before them, the homestead lay bathed in mist behind them, the sun just beginning to gild the edges of leaves and buildings in the golden glory of an autumn morn. After the exhilaration of the ride, the peaceful silence descended over Kate like a gentle dew, nourishing her soul and bringing a deep seated joy that filled her completely.

  Turning to Luke she saw the same joy reflected in his eyes as his gaze swept over the idyllic scene, then came back to rest on her.

  “Kate, will you walk with me a bit?” he asked.

  “I’d like that.”

  They dismounted, dropping the reins allowing the horses to graze.

  The sun continued its gradual arc across the eastern horizon, bringing the rich red hues of another dawn and the promise of warmth for the coming day.

  “Words just don’t exist to describe a morning like this,” Kate mused.