Cora's Deception (9781476398280)

by Colvin, Mildred

“One who commits his life to the Lord.”

  “Mother, I have work to do, and I know you’re tired. You’ve scarcely touched your food.”

  She stood, closed the Bible, and put it down. “I’ll think about what you’ve said. I’m not angry with you, though.” She smiled. “I’m not even angry with Aaron anymore. Maybe believing a lie is easier than believing the truth sometimes.”

  “I’m praying for you that you’ll find the way.” Mother closed her eyes.

  Cora took the scarcely touched breakfast and slipped from the room.

  She couldn’t get the conversation with her mother out of her mind. Mother didn’t know, but the lie she was already a Christian, a good person, had started crumbling the day Esther told her she needed to be born again. Maybe that’s why she’d become so angry. More crumbled away when Ben changed and even because of some things Father said. And now mother. Aaron had taken away a large chunk of the lie when he’d been born again. That’s what they all called it. As if it were a new beginning.

  The lie all but crumbled into dust as she moved through each day and thought about her mother’s words. In its place remained an ugly, scary void.

  Cora sat beside Mother’s bed when she could throughout the next few days, searching her Bible for the truth. She found John 14:6 where Jesus spoke. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

  The words stayed on her heart all during the next day until finally, Cora found the truth. “Mother do you feel like talking?”

  “Of course.” Mother smiled, her eyes searching Cora’s face.

  Cora slipped from the chair by Mother’s bed to kneel beside her. “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day. I think I’ve found the truth.”

  Mother nodded.

  “Everything in the Bible seems to point to Jesus. He said a man cannot come to the Father, except by Him.” Cora watched her mother’s expression. “Jesus is the truth, isn’t He? His truth has pointed out my sins of rebellion, envy, anger, and even neglect to come to Him.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “There’s so many and I want them gone. I’m tired of fighting. I want to know Him. I want to be born again, Mother, but I don’t know how.”

  Mother’s face brightened as her eyes shone. She stroked Cora’s hair. “I promise to tell you the truth this time, Cora. I can tell you how to be born again.”

  Later, Mother laid back, a smile on her lips. “Cora, you and Ben are safe in the fold now. The others will come in soon. I only wish I could see it.”

  “You will, Mother.” Cora clung to her mother’s hand. If only she could give her strength.

  Mother’s hand in Cora’s was hot. “We’ve had enough lies, Cora.”

  Cora touched her mother’s forehead. “I’ll get a damp cloth, Mother. You’re burning up.”

  “I know.” Mother closed her eyes, but a smile clung to her lips.

  Two days later, Cora cried with the rest of her family when Mother slipped away to go home with her Lord.

  Chapter 26

  Cora sat on the sofa beside Eliza and Nora. Father gripped the arms of Mother’s rocker where he sat, his head down, his shoulders slumped. He rocked back and forth as if the others weren’t there. Cora wiped a tear from her eye.

  Vickie knelt by his side. “Father, I want to take Nora home with me.”

  His head lifted, but his eyes didn’t appear to focus.

  “No.” Eliza pulled the baby close. “We can take care of her.”

  Cora’s heart went out to Eliza. She didn’t want to give their little sister up, either. The sweet, innocent baby had filled all their hearts with love. She deserved the best they could do for her. Would she be better off with Vickie where Father’s sorrow wouldn’t touch her?

  Eliza turned to Cora. “Tell her, Cora. You and I can take care of Nora.”

  Cora met Eliza’s gaze. “I know it hurts, but Vickie won’t take her far. Father doesn’t need a baby to worry about right now. Let’s give him time to heal. Just a few weeks until we all feel better. Nora needs to be away from the disruption she’ll feel if she stays here.”

  “Cora’s right, Eliza.” Vickie looked across the room. “It won’t be permanent. I’m offering this for Nora. We want what’s best for her.”

  Tears welled in Eliza’s eyes. “All right, but as soon as we can establish some sort of normal life again, she comes home.”

  Eliza hugged her baby sister close, then Cora took Nora. With her snuggled in her arms, Cora buried her face in the baby’s soft neck and blinked away her own tears.

  Vickie stood and crossed the room. She lifted Nora from Cora’s arms. “Can you gather her things?”

  Cora nodded. “Eliza, come and help me.”

  After Nora left with Vickie and John, the house seemed empty, as if no one remained. For the next few weeks, Cora tried to hold to the love her mother had given the family and to bring peace from their sorrow.

  Lenny began disobeying even the smallest order. He refused to wash his hands before he ate unless someone made him. When told to do something, he acted as if he couldn’t hear. One day he ran outside to get away when Cora asked him to fetch a pail of water.

  Cora stood at the table trembling after a hard won battle with her little brother. “What’s wrong with him?”

  Ben shook his head. “He doesn’t understand what’s happened. Only that Mother’s gone. We’ll have to continue praying for him. He’ll come around.”

  “I feel as if I’ve about prayed out.” Cora shook her head. “No, that isn’t true. I’ll keep praying. It’s all I have.”

  Father came in from outdoors and stood in the middle of the floor. He turned from one side to another then sighed. Finally, he looked toward them. “Ben. Esther.”

  “Is there something we can do for you, Father?” Ben stepped forward.

  “I want you to have the bedroom. I can’t sleep there anymore.” His face twisted with emotion. “If you don’t want to trade with me, I’ll sleep in the barn.”

  Esther crossed the room and touched his arm. “Of course we’ll trade. If there’s anything else we can do to help, just let us know.”

  Father nodded. “When I’m gone, the farm will be Ben’s. I want you to consider the house yours now. If you don’t like the way things are, just move them until they suit you. The girls will want to divide their mother’s keepsakes, but we’ll turn the rest over to you and Ben.”

  Esther gave him a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug. “Thank you, Father, but everything is fine the way it is. I’ll switch the bedrooms this afternoon.”

  Father’s defeated tone brought fear to Cora’s heart. Surely, they wouldn’t lose him too. Lord God, please don’t take him away. He doesn’t know You, and we still need him. Touch his heart and bring him peace.

  Cora and Eliza helped Esther trade the bedrooms, wiping even more of their mother from the house. If Esther and Ben took over, where did that leave the rest of them? How could they live in their brother’s house?

  With each day that passed, the house Cora loved became less and less her home. Not that Esther made any changes, but an unsettled feeling that everything had changed occupied the place. How many times had she asked Esther what to prepare for dinner? Eliza did the same thing, no doubt feeling as displaced as Cora.

  Christmas would soon be upon them. It’d been more than four months since Aaron left. Mother had been gone over two months. Cora’s heart longed for both, but she set aside her feelings, and tried to enter into the holiday preparations. One cold, snowy December afternoon, while the house was quiet, Cora climbed the ladder to her room. Her heart ached. She needed comfort that only her Mother’s Bible could bring.

  Muffled sobs reached her as she stepped on the higher rungs. She peeked into the room to find the crumpled heap of her sister on the bed.

  Cora sat beside Eliza, placing her hand on her sister’s back. “Eliza, what’s the matter?”

  “Nothing.” Eliza’s answer came garbled and muffled.
>
  Cora rubbed little circles on Eliza’s back. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  Cora pulled back as Eliza rolled over, her face wet with tears. Damp hair clung to her cheeks. She brushed at it. “Oh, Cora, everything’s wrong. I miss Mother so much.”

  Eliza had always been closest to Mother. As much as Cora missed her, Eliza must miss her even more. Cora’s heart ached for the pain on her sister’s face. “I know it’s hard, but Mother’s in heaven. Someday we’ll see her again.”

  Tears rolled down Eliza’s face. “Every morning I wake up expecting to see her, and she’s not here. Father is hurting too. It’s so hard to watch him pull inside himself.” Her eyes closed for a moment. “Cora, I haven’t seen Ralph since Mother’s funeral. When I need him the most, he isn’t here.”

  Cora hadn’t noticed Ralph’s absence. “I don’t know why Ralph hasn’t been here. I don’t know why Mother had to die. Eliza, I do know Someone who can give us comfort in our troubles.”

  The longing in Eliza’s eyes touched Cora as she whispered. “Who?”

  “Jesus.” Please let her accept Your salvation.

  Eliza looked away. “I know. Mother told me before she—went away. I’ve watched you and Ben, and I do see you’re different from before.”

  Cora smiled. “Eliza, are you ready for a change in your life?”

  Fresh tears fell as Eliza nodded. “Yes, please help me.”

  Joy from the Lord filled Cora’s soul as she explained God‘s plan of salvation and prayed with her sister. They shared a hug while both cried cleansing tears. Cora laughed and wiped her eyes. “We may never be sisters-in-law like you wanted, Eliza, but now we’re double sisters. What more could anyone ask?”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all.” Eliza laughed. “I feel so different from before. As if my heart is full now, when it was empty.”

  ~*~

  Early the next morning, Cora caught Ben alone in front of the barn. “Isn’t it wonderful about Eliza?”

  He grinned, an empty bucket in his hand. “That leaves Father and Vickie, and I think Father’s not far from receiving his salvation.”

  “Don’t forget John, and Lenny’s young, but he needs the Lord. Mother said they’d all be brought in. That was her wish and her belief.” Cora touched Ben’s hand. “We’ll continue praying for them, but I’m still concerned about Eliza.”

  His eyebrows lifted.

  Cora sighed. “It’s Ralph. He hasn’t been to see her since before Mother’s funeral. Now that Ivy’s married, Ralph’s living alone in their cabin. You don’t suppose something’s happened to him, do you?”

  Ben frowned. “It’s possible.” He nodded toward the creek. “Tell you what. As soon as I get the stock watered, I’ll head over that way and see what I can find out.”

  Cora smiled. “Thank you, Ben. I won’t tell Eliza you’re going. Let’s wait until we know something.”

  ~*~

  Just before noon, Cora looked out the window and saw Ben riding through the field toward the house. She slipped her coat on and met him at the barn, where he was unsaddling his horse.

  “What did you learn?” Cora closed the barn door. The musty smell of hay and warm animals assailed her senses.

  Ben’s brows drew together. His jaw clenched as he jerked the saddle from the horse. He hung it on a nail before he spoke. “Ralph’s fine. He’s not living alone.”

  Cora’s heart slammed against her ribs. What did that mean? Was Aaron back? Why hadn’t he let her know? His name slipped past her lips. “Aaron.”

  “No.” Ben reached for her. “No, Cora. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. Ralph’s married.”

  Cora stepped back as if Ben had pushed her. “Married? Ralph?”

  Ben sighed. “Right after Mother’s funeral. He and Anna Hanson went to Brother Tim and had a very private ceremony. They haven’t told anyone. I doubt if Ivy even knows.”

  Cora’s mind whirled, trying to understand everything he said. Poor Eliza. How would she take the news? “I don’t understand. Why would he marry Anna? I thought he liked Eliza.”

  Ben closed his eyes. “He didn’t have much choice.”

  “Why not?” Even as she asked, the answer dawned on her. Anna was carrying Ralph’s child. Her heart sank. She turned toward the door. “Don’t bother answering that. I understand. I’ll tell Eliza.”

  “Cora, Eliza will be fine. Be sure to tell her for me, everything works together for good to those who love the Lord. Tell her I’m praying for her.”

  Cora nodded and slipped from the barn. As soon as the cold air hit, she began praying for her sister. Eliza would be hurt, but she’d be fine, just as Ben said.

  ~*~

  The early spring sunshine warmed Cora when she stepped from the house. Aaron had been gone nearly nine months, yet he was constantly on her mind. Ben and Father stood talking in a field not far from the garden where Cora and Esther had been working all morning. They seemed to be having quite a discussion. As Cora watched, her father knelt in the plowed ground behind his team. Ben knelt and placed his hand on Father’s shoulder. Both bowed their heads.

  Tears sprang to Cora’s eyes, and she began praying for her father. Aaron would be so happy for her and her family as one by one they came to the Lord. However, Aaron wasn’t here. With each month that passed, her longing for him became stronger. Where was he? What was he doing? Did he have enough to eat? Did he have shelter? A place to sleep? Was he still serving the Lord? Had he found someone else to love? Her heart ached for him and the love they’d once shared.

  Her father stood and threw his arms around Ben. Praise God. Father claimed Jesus as his Savior.

  She ran toward the field to share the joy. Surely, Mother was also rejoicing in Heaven. Her feet sank into the soft soil as she raced across it. “Father. Ben.”

  “Cora, come and celebrate with us. Father’s found the way home.” Ben called out.

  Father opened his arms for her, and Cora fell against his chest laughing and crying at the same time. “Oh, Father. I know Mother is so happy. We all are. She said we’d all be born again. Only Vickie and John remain.”

  “We’ll pray them in.” Father’s face beamed with the wide smile Cora thought she’d never see again. “I waited too long to do this. Too stubborn and thought I knew more than I did.”

  Cora nodded and stepped back, wiping her eyes. “Yes. I’m so happy for you. I came out to tell you we got the early garden in this morning. I think I’ll take a walk before noon. I feel as if I’ve been closed up all winter long, and I need some fresh air.”

  Ben grinned. “Planting a garden isn’t enough air for you?”

  Cora laughed. “It helped, but didn’t do much for stretching my limbs. Besides, I love walking in the woods.”

  Father chuckled. “That’s my Cora. Just be careful.”

  “I will.” Cora tied the dangling bonnet strings under her chin and set off across the open fields. She entered the woods, taking the familiar path toward the Stark’s home place. It’d been a long time since she’d gone this direction. Even before Aaron left. Sometimes, they’d walk here together and stand above the spring to look out over their special meadow. A bittersweet longing rose within her as she remembered those times. She’d like to see the meadow again.

  Father’s salvation brought happiness and a lightness to her step. The trees were full and green with their tiny new leaves. Squirrels scampered through the dry leaves and ran up the trees to hide at the top and scold her for invading their domain. Wild rabbits and other small game fled before her. The forest was cool, forcing her to draw her shawl closer about her shoulders.

  Her feet carried her to the hollow sycamore. She peered through the opening, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness within. It all looked familiar and dear. Everywhere in the forest she saw Aaron, but she couldn’t leave without going to the meadow.

  Before she reached the flat rock overshadowing the spring, the bubbling water called out a welcome. She smiled and stepped onto the rock. At the edge,
she gazed out over the beautiful green meadow.

  “Oh, no.” Her heart constricted.

  Someone had started a cabin in her meadow, hers and Aaron’s. This was where they’d wanted to build their home. Aaron’s words came back to her. There’s a perfect place for a cabin up in the meadow where you can still see the spring.

  He’d been right. The half-built cabin stood in the very spot they’d picked for their home. The walls were nearly as tall as a man. Movement behind the back wall caught her attention. Someone was there now working. A new family moving into the area, no doubt. Otherwise, they would’ve asked for help. A man and woman alone couldn’t put a roof on a cabin. They’d still need help.

  Cora swallowed her disappointment and turned toward the gentle slope that led down into the meadow. She would ignore her hurt long enough to meet the new family and welcome them to the community. Her feet moved through early wildflowers, setting them waving in a colorful display. She rounded the cabin. The care and expertise in fitting the logs together stood out. One thing was certain. The man building this cabin was a craftsman. Even Aaron couldn’t have done better.

  With a deep breath for courage and a smile of welcome on her face, Cora turned the corner and stopped. A soft gasp escaped.

  Aaron looked up with an ax lifted above his shoulder, one foot on a log.

  ~*~

  Cora. Aaron blinked. Either his dreams were becoming more real, or Cora stood in front of him. Her name slipped out with a rush of air. “Cora?”

  “Aaron, is it really you?” She appeared as stunned as he felt.

  “How’d you know I was here?” Aaron tossed his ax to the side and looked past her. Where’s Merrill? “I never even told Ralph.”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t know.”

  “Where’s your husband? Are you visitin’ your folks?”

  “My husband?” Cora took a step toward him. “What are you talking about? I’m not married, and I never will be. The only man I could ever love deserted me nine months ago.” Her eyes narrowed. “He didn’t even have the consideration to tell me he was going.”

  Aaron’s brows pulled together. So Merrill left her high and dry, had he? What kind of man was that dandy, anyhow?