All she could do was pray that Geordie’s family and their home would be all right. If only they’d managed to make a wide enough fireguard around their buildings. If they hadn’t, she didn’t want to think about their fate. The stone shell of the house would still stand, but everything else could be destroyed.
When at last Emily neared the yard with the stone house, and the smoke cleared enough for her to see, she scoured the area for Geordie and Molly and the other family members. The fire had swept all around the buildings, leaving them surrounded by black earth. The yard looked like an oasis in the desert. But the garden was decimated and the corn patch reduced to blackened rubble.
Emily shed tears of joy when she saw the buildings intact, and couldn’t stop a little scream when she saw Geordie emerge from a bluff with Molly in his arms. His parents ran to greet them.
“Not Molly too!” she heard Geordie’s mom wail, fearing she had lost a second child. She sobbed with relief, realizing Molly was only sleeping, when she reached them. As she embraced the pair in one sweep, the little girl woke up and hugged her mother tight around her neck.
“Don’t worry, Mum,” she said, “I’m safe. Geordie and Emily saved me.”
As she held her youngest daughter close, Geordie’s mom looked out across the yard towards Emily and shivered. As she brushed Molly’s tangled hair from her face, she said, “Thank heavens for your brother. And, well, whoever else saved you, I’m so thankful they did.” Then she hugged Geordie tight to her again.
George Sr. patted him on the back. “You’ve done a man’s job today!” he said. “I’m proud of you, lad!”
The others joined them then, coming from the south side of the house, along with Sorcha. They carried brooms, shovels, buckets, and wet sacks, sagging against one another as they stumbled across the yard. Smudged with ashes and smoke, their dishevelled appearance was a sight of beauty to Emily. All the Elliotts were safe.
Creeping closer, she could hear them talking about the frantic time they’d had putting out the sparks that jumped the cultivated circles around their home and ignited the dry grass close to the outbuildings. As their conversation died down, George Sr. and Jack walked the perimeter one last time, making sure all the sparks were out.
“Come Geordie,” said his mom, “We need to get you and Molly into some warm, dry clothes.”
She turned to the girls. “Kate, heat some water,” she instructed. “I think we could all do with some good strong tea down us.”
Emily thought then about the Elliott’s sod house. All their personal belongings were there. She hurried over the burnt prairie towards their original farmyard, halting as she reached the edge of the burn’s path. The soddy was just beyond it. She sighed with relief. The fire had changed direction before reaching their home. She turned back, watching Duncan mount one of the Clydesdales and head out across the land. Another rider, probably a neighbour, was silhouetted on a hillside to the north. Emily watched as they met and stopped to converse. Then a third rider joined them from the direction of the sod house and she knew it was Sandy.
Emily headed back then. She noticed that Molly’s bluff of poplars still stood and she smiled at the little girl’s confidence in knowing she would have been safe at her special place. Emily arrived back in the yard as the others headed for the well to clean themselves off. Geordie had already washed and changed into clothes that looked like his older brothers’. She caught his attention. He ambled over to her and they slipped around the corner of the house.
“I’m so glad you and your family are okay!” Emily felt the tears sliding down her cheeks.
“Aye, lass, they are because of you!”
“I didn’t do anything,” Emily protested. “If only I’d come sooner! Maybe I could have helped save something.”
“You warned me about the fire. And you helped save Molly!”
“And you gave back the stone and made me the carving,” she said. “Without that I wouldn’t be here.”
“If I’d have listened sooner, maybe we could have saved more,” He grimaced and kicked at a stone. “And if I hadn’t been so stupid in the first place, stealing that stone, maybe Emma would be alive too!”
Stunned, Emily reached out to him. “Don’t ever say that!” she said. “You know I couldn’t have saved her. “
Geordie said nothing, as he looked out across the prairie.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” Emily demanded.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“You must promise me you won’t blame yourself. There’s nothing any of us could have done!” Emily spoke softly, for the first time believing in her own heart that what she said was true.
“I miss her so much,” Geordie whispered.
“I know. I do too,” Emily said, pulling Geordie in for a hug.
He clung to her then for a few moments, then his body relaxed and he became calmer, as if his guilt was drifting away. Emily found her heart becoming peaceful too.
“It’s been grand having you here,” he said, stepping away. “Almost as if Emma were here.”
Emily smiled. “Being with you helped me feel close to Emma again,” she said.
“Our lives and our buildings are safe, at least here.”
“Your other place is fine too,” Emily told him what she’d seen.
“The garden’s gone here, but Mum and the girls had most of it picked. We may still be able to dig up the root crops, if we can locate where they are.”
“You’ll do fine, Geordie,” she said.
“That’s right, lass. The main things are safe.”
Just then, the other riders reached the yard. She and Geordie rushed over to hear what they had to say. They were thrilled to see that Sandy was safe.
Before he or Duncan could say a thing, the third young man started reporting his findings. “The Millars lost everything. The Fergusons’ sod house is okay and the family is safe. They’d wet it down well, so the fire swept right over the top, but the sod didn’t burn.”
“Thank goodness they had enough sense to stay inside,” Duncan added. “What about Susannah’s family?”
“The fire didn’t come that far west,” Sandy said. “It missed us all completely, but I couldn’t get through it to get here any sooner.” He bowed his head. “I didn’t know how any of you were faring. It’s missed the soddy, too, thankfully, but so much of the land is destroyed.”
“Yes, the fire was so hot in places, it burned deep into the roots of the prairie,” said the young man. “The Davis’s field of wheat stooks and their flax fields are burned to a crisp.”
“Some of our crops are gone,” Sandy said. “The last of our wheat and some of the oats.”
George Sr. came up then and heard the last of what they said. “It’ll be a tough winter for the animals, but we’ll make it.” His face was grim. “We’ll have to band together to see what we can do for some of the folks who didn’t fare as well as us.”
The young man nodded. “Some are talking about meeting at the Moffat Kirk tomorrow evening.”
“We’ll be there,” Geordie’s dad said.
Duncan, Sandy, and Jack indicated they would be there too. The other rider nodded his assent, then continued on his way. Duncan and Sandy dismounted and the men gathered around them to hear more, but the women headed for the house. Geordie drew Emily to the side of the henhouse.
“I have to go back with Jack to get the oxen before they wander off.”
“I must go too,” she said. “I have no idea what is happening back at home, or what time it is.” She looked down at herself, and chuckled. “Or how I will explain this.”
Her clothes were tattered and grimy and her hair hung in straggly clumps. She imagined that her face was probably dark with soot and maybe even green slime.
“I’ll never forget this day!” Geordie exclaimed.
“I won’t either,” Emily laughed.
“When will I see you again?” asked Geordie.
“I’m not sure,” she answe
red. “My mom may never let me out of her sight again, especially when she sees how I look right now.”
A well of sorrow rose inside her as she realized that she really might not see him again. She and her mom would be leaving the farm soon, and she had no idea when they’d be back. Suddenly, Geordie gave her a bear hug, as if knowing this might be the last time they’d meet.
As he stepped back, he said, “Come when you can, lass. You are always welcome...as a friend and a relative!”
Emily caught the sadness in his eyes. He strode back around the corner of the house.
“Wait,” Emily called after him.
He stopped and came back.
“I need to know about the secret hiding place for the box.”
He shook his head, amused. “I don’t really know. All I do know is that my dad loves to hide secret drawers and compartments. He likes to challenge people, and hide things within things.”
“But we’ve already found the spot at the bottom of the fireplace and the box wasn’t there,” Emily reminded him.
“I’m sorry, lass. Then I don’t know,” he said.
As Emily thought this through, Jack hollered for Geordie.
“Can’t you give me any other hints?” Emily pleaded, knowing this might be her last opportunity.
“I can’t think of anything. It must be something that he’s not yet done.”
“I suppose that could be it,” Emily said, disappointed.
“If I do discover something, I’ll let you know somehow.” He smiled. “I’ll write you a note!”
“Do you promise?” She smiled back at him.
“Aye, I do! Now, I must go, lass.”
“Say goodbye to Molly for me.”
He nodded and Emily watched him until he was nearly back with his family. Then he turned and gave her a salute. She waved goodbye, her throat aching from more than smoke.
As she straightened her backpack, she found Molly’s doll. Where could she leave it for Molly to find again? As if in answer, the back door opened and two tired dark eyes peeked out at her. Molly stood there clean and tidy, in bare feet and wearing a fresh dress. She reached for Jane, and clasped her to her chest.
“Thank you for saving her, Emily. I knew you’d take care of her. You have a big heart.”
Molly gave Emily a quick hug. Emily felt loving warmth surround them, and she knew that Molly – her gran – was going to be fine. Molly was surrounded by a family who doted on her and she was going to have a wonderful life, full of adventure and love.
As Molly disappeared back inside the house, Emily realized that just as Molly’s growing up was natural and right, Gran Renfrew’s death was also a natural occurrence. She had lived life to the fullest, with splendid people around her, in a place that she loved. In another flash of knowing, Emily understood that if Emma had grown up, she would have been much like Grandmother Renfrew – someone who worked hard and cared for her family and knew the joys of nature. And just as her grandmother lived in her heart, so would Emma.
Her thoughts turned then to making her way home. There was no more time to contemplate the past or search the interior of the house for possible hiding places. She’d been gone far too long. Although she was sad to be leaving the family, she felt uplifted that the house would still be part of her life, at least for two more days.
She stepped back and took one more long look at it. The stone house stood majestically overlooking the prairies and Emily felt proud that it was part of her heritage. She touched the stones, seeing in her mind again her great-grandfather and great-uncles working on it. She felt its comfort and such a strong connection that she never wanted to give the house up.
With sudden determination, Emily decided there had to be a way to keep the house. She simply had to get back and deal with it. But thoughts of home made her tremble. She’d have to face her mom. She’d been gone so long that her mom and aunt must be up and searching for her. Not one idea popped into her head as to what to say.
Checking that she had everything she needed, Emily fished the carving out of her pocket and reluctantly bent towards the foundation hole. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and let it go.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A moment later, Emily opened her eyes to bright sunlight and two pairs of eyes staring at her. A groan escaped before she had a chance to stifle it. She had to face them right away.
“Oh, good heavens!” Her mom came to her. “Emily, what’s happened to you?”
“You’re a mess, kiddo,” Aunt Liz said kindly, wrinkling her nose at the pungent odour.
Emily grimaced and scrunched her eyes shut, her mind whirling over how she was going to explain herself this time. Her head ached, and she felt overwrought. The next thing she knew, tears were rolling down her face, but she was smiling, happy to be home and safe. She clung to her mom, wrapping her arms around her. Kate hugged her, and with Aunt Liz on her other side, they walked her into the house. She was limping and her whole body felt like cooked spaghetti.
“I’m okay, Mom,” she insisted when they reached the kitchen and tried to deposit her into a chair.
“I think I should call the doctor.” Kate looked over at Aunt Liz for confirmation.
“No, Mom! I’ll be fine!”
“Can you at least tell us what happened?” her aunt’s concerned face hovered near her.
“Give me a few minutes.” Emily pointed upstairs. She needed to clean herself up. She couldn’t stand the smell of herself and her yucky clothes were beginning to dry onto her skin. A nice long soak in the bathtub seemed like a great idea.
“At least tell us something,” her mom said firmly.
“I fell into a slough,” Emily shook her head. “I’ll explain it all as soon as I clean up.”
“I’ll get some fresh towels.” Aunt Liz bounced up the stairs ahead of her.
Her mom followed behind as Emily limped and groaned with each step. Emily let her mom run the water into the tub, while Aunt Liz poured in some bubble bath crystals. They stood staring at her, until she ordered them to leave. As she undressed, she threw her clothes into the garbage. They were so badly tattered and scorched and stained, she’d never be able to wear them again.
She sank into the warm, bubbly water, letting its healing powers soothe her. She soaked for a long time, then shampooed her hair several times. The water was greyish green when she let it go, so she rinsed herself under a hot shower. The steam helped soothe her sore throat. By the time she was done, almost an hour had passed, and she could hear her mom and aunt discussing her plight outside the door.
“Can we get you anything, Emily?” Aunt Liz asked.
“Do you need any medication or bandages?” Her mom tapped on the door.
“No, I’m fine, Mom,” Emily replied, checking herself out in the full-length mirror hung on the door.
Although she had a few sore muscles and a headache, the only other damages were scratches on her arms and legs. She looked much better, except for her singed eyebrows. Wrapping her hair in a towel turban-style and her body in a bathrobe, she stepped out of the bathroom and found herself being examined by her mom and aunt.
“Honestly, I’m okay!” Emily said. “I sure could use something to eat, though.”
“Coming right up,” said Aunt Liz, giving her a hug.
As she and her mom slowly descended, Emily thought again of how she was going to explain her condition. She decided the truth would be best, but who would believe her? Whatever she came up with, she knew she was facing some serious reprimands, and she’d have to take her medicine in whatever way her mom decided to dole it out. She’d deliberately disobeyed her.
Once settled in a chair at the kitchen table with a sandwich and a glass of milk in front of her, Emily decided to deal with the situation head-on.
“Mom, Aunt Liz, I’ve just experienced a prairie fire...”
Before she could go on, Aunt Liz jumped up and rushed to the window. “My heavens, I thought those days were over!”
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p; Her mom dashed for the phone, “Why didn’t you say something right away? We’d better call the fire brigade.”
“Where is it?” Aunt Liz said, stepping outside to look for smoke in the other directions.
“No, wait, you don’t understand,” Emily tried to calm them down. “It’s not here, well, it is, but just not now. It’s in the past.”
Emily hadn’t planned what to say. She just let the words tumble out, explaining the past few days as best as she could. Her mom and aunt stared at her intently, absorbing everything she said. She felt relieved when she finished. Now she didn’t need to sneak around anymore or tell any half-truths.
Suddenly, Kate felt Emily’s forehead. She glanced over at Aunt Liz.
“I think she has a fever.”
Aunt Liz nodded with a worried look. “You get her tucked into bed, I’ll bring the Tylenol.”
“Then we’ll call the doctor,” Kate hustled Emily out of her chair.
“Stop,” Emily demanded. “There’s nothing wrong with me – well, at least not with the functions of my brain. I can prove that everything happened.”
Emily told them about the homestead papers and their mention of the prairie fire.
“That doesn’t prove anything,” her mom shook her head.
Aunt Liz added, “Except maybe that you are delirious.”
“But you saw my clothes. And look at my eyebrows,” she pointed to them.
“That doesn’t verify what happened to you or where. Maybe you were just over at the neighbours where they’re burning stubble,” Kate argued.
“That’s right. I heard Arnie Kippins talking about doing that yesterday at the auction,” Aunt Liz confirmed. “Donald Ferguson got into a heated discussion with him about how it was ruining the environment and not necessary.”
The Secret of the Stone House Page 13
