Embers of Love

by Tracie Peterson

  Deborah shook her head, but Sissy didn’t seem to notice. “Are you happy, Sissy?”

  “Gracious – I’m blessed through and through, Miss Deborah. Why you ask?”

  Deborah shrugged. “I just wondered. You always seem happy.” She smiled. “It encourages me.”

  Sissy laughed. “It be the joy of the Lord. Never forget God’s joy, Miss Deborah.”

  Nodding, Deborah found herself longing for the confidence and happiness that Sissy had found in God. She supposed that Sissy’s situation had left her with few choices. She could forsake God, thinking Him cruel for allowing her oppression, or she could turn to God for strength.

  Sissy began humming again and then broke into song. “ ‘There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead, to heal the sin sick soul. Sometimes I feels discouraged, and think my work’s in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. Oh, there is a balm in Gilead . . .’ ”

  She stopped and gave Deborah a big smile. “God always knows what dis old woman needs. Hard times or good,” she said, as if reading Deborah’s questioning mind, “He be a balm to my soul.”

  “But do you find yourself longing for more?”

  Sissy chuckled. “Folks can always be longin’ for more, Miss Deborah. It’s the learnin’ to be content what gets the soul through. Whether there be more or less – the Lord is my strength.”

  Ten minutes later, they arrived at the edge of town. It was good to see the bustling activity that suggested Perkinsville was very nearly back to normal. Deborah climbed down from the wagon almost before Sissy had brought it to a stop.

  “I’ll meet you back here shortly. I promise I won’t be long.” Sissy nodded and set the brake.

  Deborah hurried down the still-muddy road and made her way to Dr. Clayton’s. There were several people waiting outside the establishment, and a half dozen more greeted her when she entered.

  Deborah greeted each person before approaching the office door. She peered inside but found no one. Slipping into the room, she closed the door behind her. No doubt Dr. Clayton was busy with a patient. She’d just write him a note and leave the journals.

  Sitting at the desk, Deborah quickly located some paper and took up the ink pen. She thought for a moment on what she’d say, then began to write. She’d gotten no further than “Dear Dr. Clayton” when the examination room door opened and the man himself accompanied Sally Stevens from the room. In her arms was a small infant.

  Dr. Clayton’s face lit up when he spied her. “Miss Vandermark. This is a pleasant surprise.”

  Sally turned and smiled at Deborah. She held the sleeping baby up for Deborah to see. “Come meet my daughter Matilda. Doc says she’s perfect.”

  Deborah got up from the desk and came to where Sally stood. “Oh, she’s beautiful. I’m so happy for you.”

  “I was afraid John might be disappointed that she wasn’t a boy, but he said he’s mighty pleased.”

  “And how could he not be?” Dr. Clayton said. “Now, Sally, you remember what I told you about keeping things clean.”

  “I will. You can count on that.” She looked to Deborah. “You’ll let your mama know ’bout Matilda, won’tcha?”

  “Of course.” Deborah knew it wouldn’t have taken any longer than attending church on Sunday for everyone to be caught up on the happenings of this small community, but she’d share the news just the same.

  Sally left the office and Dr. Clayton turned to Deborah. “What brings you here?”

  “I brought back your journals. I was just leaving you a note.”

  “Do you want to look through the stack and see what’s there that you haven’t already read?”

  “No thank you. I’ve decided to put medicine aside and focus on my job.” As he opened his mouth to respond, she hurried to change the subject. “What happened with the typhoid epidemic? Did we lose more folks?”

  His expression revealed he wished to return to the subject of her decision, but he addressed her question instead. “We had two more deaths, for a total of ten. Everyone is on the mend now, and hopefully there won’t be another outbreak. Folks have started following my instructions on cleanliness and boiling water.”

  “Good. I’m so glad to hear that. I don’t suppose you’ll ever convince Mrs. Foster, but at least others can see the good of it.”

  “On the contrary.” He opened the examination room door and revealed Margaret Foster wiping down the exam table. “Mrs. Foster has become a great asset. Once she recovered, she began to work with me.”

  Deborah tried not to look too surprised, but she couldn’t imagine the two people working together. “Hello, Mrs. Foster,” she managed to say when the older woman made her way over.

  “Afternoon. Your family escape the typhoid?”

  “Yes, ma’am. We’re all doing just fine. I must say, I never expected to find you working with Dr. Clayton.”

  The woman nodded. “God done a work in me, to be sure. My pride nearly cost me my life – other folks, too. Now I’ve mended my ways. Helpin’ here is my way of makin’ it up to the doctor.”

  “Like I told you before, Mrs. Foster, your apology was enough. Please call the next patient.” Dr. Clayton turned to Deborah. “So as you can see, I’m doing much better than the last time we spoke.”

  “I’ve been praying that God would send someone to assist you.” Deborah held further comments about never imagining it would be Margaret Foster who’d answer that need.

  “Well, He certainly did that. Now, however, I’d best get back to work. As you saw out front, folks are making up for lost time.” He grinned and escorted her to the side door. “It’ll be easier to go this way.”

  Deborah turned to meet his gaze. She felt a strange emptiness at his dismissal. He obviously didn’t need her – not that she’d expected that he did. “I’m glad folks have come around to seeing the good you have to offer.”

  He smiled. “Me too. I hated sitting around, taking Mr. Perkins’s money without earning it. Guess those days are behind me.”

  As Mrs. Foster brought in another patient, Deborah knew there would be no opportunity to speak her mind. She supposed it wasn’t really necessary that Dr. Clayton understand her situation. After all, he seemed perfectly content to work on without her.

  She bid him farewell and made her way back to the commissary without so much as a backward glance. I’m doing the right thing, she told herself. The necessary thing. Then why did it leave her feeling so uncomfortable?

  Sissy was already waiting in the wagon when Deborah climbed up. Neither made a comment as Sissy guided the horses toward the road home.

  “Wait! Deborah Vandermark, don’t you even think to leave without first speaking to me.”

  It was Harriet Decker. The woman was positively huffing and puffing like a steam engine as she bounded out from the boardinghouse. She came to a stop on Deborah’s side of the wagon.

  “Come down here immediately,” the woman ordered.

  Deborah looked at Sissy. “Excuse me.” Climbing down, Deborah wondered exactly what she should say to the woman. She didn’t have long to contemplate, however.

  “I’ve heard the most appalling rumor – that my Elizabeth ran off and married your brother. Is it true?”

  “It is.” Deborah said nothing more, feeling the need to guard her words.

  “She’s already married to Mr. Albright! She cannot give herself to another.” The woman’s voice seemed edged with hysteria.

  “She is not married to Mr. Albright,” Deborah replied. “Mr.

  Decker arrived a short time back. He announced that he’d checked into the matter, and there was no real marriage. He secured Lizzie an annulment, just to satisfy any further protests, and that left her free to marry my brother.”

  “This is preposterous!” Harriet waggled a finger in Deborah’s face. “This will not be tolerated.”

  Deborah shrugged. “Lizzie and G. W. are man and wife. The ceremony was legally completed in Lufkin an
d witnessed by the family. Your ex-husband even gave Lizzie away, so you see it was all done properly . . . this time.”

  Something between a moan and a wail broke from Mrs. Decker’s lips. “I cannot believe how he goes out of his way to do me harm. You have no idea what you’ve done.”

  “Lizzie is the one who has stood up for herself and made her own way – just as you’ve always suggested she should. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to make my way home before the light is gone.” Deborah stepped up and seated herself in the wagon.

  “This isn’t the end of the matter,” Harriet Decker called out. “Mr. Albright will never allow for this.”

  “Mr. Albright will need to take it up with Lizzie’s husband, then. Good day, Mrs. Decker.”

  Sissy snapped the lines and the horses continued past the boardinghouse. Deborah shook her head. Mrs. Decker wasn’t known to back down from a fight, and this time would surely be no exception.

  CHAPTER 24

  Lizzie had known her mother would waste little time before making a scene at the Vandermark house. After Deborah reported their encounter in Perkinsville, Lizzie had steeled herself for what was sure to come next. When her mother and Stuart arrived the next day, Lizzie invited them into the front room as if nothing were amiss. She allowed her mother to be the one to bring up the topic. Which, of course, she did.

  “I want to hear the truth from your own lips,” her mother began.

  “The truth of what?” Lizzie questioned, as if genuinely taken off guard.

  Her mother’s face turned several shades of red before she very nearly exploded her declaration. “You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. The matter of you marrying the Vandermark man while already being married to Mr. Albright.”

  “Oh. Well, the truth of that is quite simple. Stuart and I were never legally bound. Father checked into it and discussed it with some of the best legal minds in Philadelphia. Even so, he figured you might feel better if a formal annulment was filed. He did just that. I have copies of the papers, if you’d like to see them.”

  “Where is your father? I’d like to take this up with him. No doubt this is all part of some underhanded scheme of his. Legalities are never resolved so easily, and certainly not in a manner to benefit a woman.”

  “We parted in Lufkin after the storm passed through. He needed to get back to his family. He said you could contact him once you returned home if you had questions.”

  “You are a selfish girl. You have no idea what harm you’ve caused.” Lizzie’s mother turned to Stuart. “What of your father? Can he come to our aid? Can this situation be reversed?”

  Stuart narrowed his eyes as he looked hard at Lizzie. “I would not have it reversed, madam. I do not want the leavings of another man.”

  Lizzie felt her cheeks grow hot, but she held her tongue. She was glad G. W. was away working; otherwise Stuart might well have suffered a broken jaw.

  “Oh, this is most outrageous. You had no thought except for yourself. I cannot believe you would cause so much suffering, Elizabeth Cady Decker.”

  “Vandermark.”

  Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t care what you call yourself; you had a marriage first to Mr. Albright.”

  “And he clearly does not want me. He said so himself. Not that he has a choice in the matter.” She smiled and got to her feet. “I suppose now you will want to return home?”

  Mother stood, as did Stuart. “Stuart, I am sorry that you had to come all this way and lose important time with your business dealings. I know you needed to marry in order to receive your inheritance. Perhaps you will find another suitable prospect – someone who does not care about love. As for me, I could not marry for anything less.”

  “You’ll have a lot less when I get done with you and your beloved Mr. Vandermark,” Stuart stated matter-of-factly. “You think this to be over and done, but I assure you, I’m not one to stand for such treatment. You gave your word to me – accepted my proposal and planned a wedding with me. I will not forgive you for making me the fool.” He picked up his hat and headed for the door.

  Fear washed over Lizzie as Stuart’s threat began to sink in. Her mother only gave her a smug look.

  “You should have known better than to insult a man of means,” her mother said. “You have sown the wind, and now you will surely reap the whirlwind.”

  –––––––

  Deborah sat beside her mother, while Rob and G. W. sat to the left with Lizzie. Uncle Arjan had said that it was important they all be at the gathering and give their honest opinions, but as of yet, Deborah wasn’t at all sure what this was about.

  “After careful consideration,” Uncle Arjan began, “I decided to call this meetin’. I already talked to your mother about this, and we’re in agreement. However, we won’t move forward if there are any objections from you.”

  “Objections about what?” G. W. asked. “This isn’t makin’ a whole lot of sense.”

  Arjan gave a small chuckle. “I s’pose I am backin’ into this rather than just going headlong. This is the situation: In order to build the company and expand the business to meet Mr. Perkins’s contract, I’m of a mind to take out a loan. It’s not somethin’ I’ve considered lightly, but I think it’s necessary. We need new equipment, extra mules, and workers. We’ll need to work fast, too. My thought is to secure the loan, usin’ the land as collateral. The risk is minimal to us, given that we have the contract with Perkins. However, should something happen to Perkins, I believe we’ll have little trouble selling the wood to other mills.”

  G. W. nodded and looked to Rob. “Makes sense to me. What about you?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Mother took that moment to speak up. “I believe this is what your father would have wanted. He had hopes of expandin’ the business.”

  Uncle Arjan nodded. “There are other considerations, too. The house could use some repairs and expandin’. We’ll have to work those things in as time allows or hire someone to help.”

  “I think it sounds like a good idea,” Deborah offered. This expansion would keep her working harder than ever.

  G. W. leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Seems we’re all in agreement. So what’s next?”

  “I’m thinkin’ to go to Houston. I’ve already had word from a bank there. We shouldn’t have any trouble gettin’ the loan.”

  “When will you go?” Deborah asked.

  “I figured to leave on Saturday. I can meet with the bank folks on Monday and set home that night if everything is worked out.”

  “They’ll probably want to see a copy of our contract with Mr. Perkins,” Deborah said thoughtfully. “I’ll have that ready for you.”

  “They’ll want the deed to the land, too,” G. W. added.

  “Your mother has already provided it,” Uncle Arjan replied.

  “Will you bring some new workers back with you? We’ve had a hard time with David not well enough to work, and like you said, when we go to cuttin’ even more trees, we’re gonna need extra help,” G. W. said.

  “I ’spect to bring at least five men back with me. They’ll need a place to live, and your mother suggested we could bunk ’em at my cabin temporarily. It’ll be a bit snug, but I think it will work out until we can help ’em get another place to stay. If they’re family men, I’ll speak to Zed about what’s available in town.”

  “I prefer family men,” Mother interjected. “They’re more reliable – not so likely to go drink away their wages.”

  “If the weather holds and don’t get too cold, they could use the tents,” G. W. suggested.

  “That’s a good idea,” Uncle Arjan said, nodding. “The other issue at hand is the growing problems we’re having with the rooters. The razorbacks are startin’ to be a real nuisance, eatin’ the young trees and destroying any new growth.”

  “We’ve been thinkin’ about ways to stop them, but it just ain’t that easy,” G. W. added. “Can’t lay traps or somebody’s livestock is
likely to walk right into them.”

  “Can’t fence, neither,” Rob added. “You know how folks feel about that ’round here.”

  “Still, we have to find a way to protect the new growth,” Deborah said, giving it serious thought. “When I was in school, I attended several lectures that discussed the idea of replanting. I realize most logging companies like to clear the land and move on, but we’ve always thought differently. This is our home.”

  “Our living, too,” Mother agreed. “Your father always said it was important to be a good steward of the land.”

  “Are there other options for getting rid of the rooters?” Lizzie asked. “I mean, what about just shooting them and using the meat to feed the crew?”

  “That’s a good idea, but the rooters are mostly out at night. It would be tricky to have someone hunt them,” Uncle Arjan replied.

  “I think we should ask around and see what other folks are doin’,” G. W. suggested.

  “Dinner’s on the table,” Sissy announced from the hall.

  Mother rose. “Thank you, Sissy. I suggest we head in to lunch.”

  Deborah got to her feet and the others followed suit. “Uncle Arjan could easily explore the matter while he’s in Houston. Other logging industries must be dealing with the same problem. There might already be a ready solution.”

  “It’s worth tryin’,” her uncle agreed.

  –––––––

  Christopher Clayton took a seat toward the back of the church and suppressed a yawn. He’d been called to deliver a baby in the middle of the night and this, added to the busy week he’d already endured, had left him exhausted.

  Brother Shattuck stepped to the front of the church with a troubled expression. “Brothers and sisters, I’ve had some sad news come to me this morning. Apparently a group of troublemakers attacked a black man last night down by the mill pond. No one knows who the men were, but I suppose we can imagine why they felt the need to do this man harm. It comes as no surprise to anyone here that many whites hold a great deal of animosity toward those of a differing color.”