by Bonnie Leon
Rebecca’s pulse throbbed in her throat. Would the house hold together if it were hit by a cyclone?
The storm raged for hours, but finally just before midnight the winds quieted and soft mists replaced driving rain. Exhausted, Rebecca carried Joseph to her room and placed him in the cradle beside the bed. Her eyes heavy, she burrowed beneath her blankets and immediately fell asleep.
Early the next day reports of the storm’s damage moved through the gossip chain. Servants chattered about the dozen or more cyclones spotted about the district and the damage done to several areas in and around Melbourne. When Rebecca walked to the window and gazed out, she was shocked at what she saw. The grounds barely resembled the tidy quarter she’d grown accustomed to. It looked as if the neighborhood had been ransacked. Leaves and branches and other debris littered the streets and yards. There were toppled trees, their roots upturned and limbs torn away. A house across the lane had a part of its roof missing. Splintered boards and tattered shingles were all that was left of the north side of the house.
Rebecca felt unnerved and wondered how close they might have come to disaster. She longed for home, for Douloo and the safety she felt in Daniel’s arms.
When Rebecca walked into the kitchen, Willa sat at the table, staring outside. “It’s devastating, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Horrifying.” The smell of brewing tea and baking biscuits penetrated Rebecca’s senses, giving her a sense of calm. “I pray all is well at home. Will we be returning soon?”
“Possibly next week, dear. But you needn’t worry. I’m sure the storm didn’t touch Douloo.”
“I thank the Lord for that,” Rebecca said, wishing they could leave immediately.
“What is it, Rebecca? You sound let down.”
“I’m just missing Daniel . . . and Douloo. Right now it seems like a safe haven.” As she spoke, Rebecca realized how important Douloo had become to her. It truly felt like home. “Is it possible for us to return right away?”
“I can contact the rail station and ask about the schedule.” Willa smiled. “I must admit to missing it too. But Douloo is not any safer than here. We live in a dangerous world.”
“Yes, of course. It just seems safe there, is all.” Rebecca studied Willa. “I wish I had your faith. You’ve always seemed strong, always trusting.”
“Not always. I dare say, like everyone I have my fears. When I’m worrying or I’m frightened, I think over all the times God has watched over me and my family, even delivering us from calamity. Even so, we live in a world full of tragedies.”
Rebecca felt her heart thump extra hard. “Do you think something bad is going to happen? Or has happened?”
“Oh no. Not at all, dear. I was just thinking about how a place or a person can make us feel safe, when it’s really God we ought to rely on.” She turned her gaze outside. “And no matter how much I trust God, it hurts to watch Daniel and you go through trials.” Willa’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I love you both so much.”
“We love you.”
Willa managed a smile.
Rebecca sat in the chair beside Willa and placed an arm about her. “Thank you for loving us. I don’t know that I would have been able to adjust to living in Queensland without you.”
Willa placed a hand over Rebecca’s. “You have been such a blessing. From the first day I saw you, I knew you were special. And that God had been good to my son and to me.”
Rebecca squeezed Willa’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “I’m the one who has been blessed.” She stood. “Now, would you like more tea?”
“I’d love some.”
Rebecca walked to the cupboard and lifted out a teacup and saucer. Closing the door, she said, “I hope there’s no difficulty in changing our tickets.” She carried the teakettle to Willa and refilled her cup, then poured some for herself and set the kettle back on the stove. She carried her cup and saucer across the room and sat at the kitchen table.
Ada shuffled in. “Oh my, I slept so soundly. I can hardly believe the time. I can’t remember when I’ve slept so late.”
“Aunt Ada, it’s only nine. Not at all late.”
“You know me, six o’clock on the dot.” Leaning hard on her cane, she lowered herself into a chair. “My, that was a frightful storm. It’s been many years since I’ve seen one quite like it.”
“When I lived in Boston we had nor’easters that roared quite loudly,” Rebecca said. “But I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced a squall as fearsome as this one.”
“These storms are rather unnerving. I’m grateful my home is intact, unlike my dear neighbor’s.” She glanced out the window. Shaking her head, she continued, “The cleanup will take weeks.”
The following afternoon Rebecca traveled to the Sullivan property. She wanted to see the colt once more before leaving and make certain he hadn’t been injured by the cyclone. She’d heard the storm had hit the area hard. And as distasteful as the idea was, she needed to tell Brandan Sullivan the truth. Her deception had been childish and wrong.
When the carriage moved down the lane near the farm, Rebecca’s apprehension grew. She stuck her head out of the window to get a better look at the devastation. Trees were down everywhere. Some lay flat against the ground, their roots exposed, as if they’d been pushed over. Others lay on top of the earth with no root base at all, looking like they’d been cut down and tossed aside.
When the carriage turned into the lane of the Sullivan estate, Rebecca’s apprehension turned into outright alarm. There were no barns. Instead, piles of sticks and debris lay where barns had once been. The drive was littered with pieces of buildings, tree branches, greenery, and mud. More than once the driver had to stop and clear the road before continuing.
Lord, no. Please no, Rebecca prayed. The horse had been in one of the barns. What had become of him?
The carriage stopped, and the driver climbed down from his seat. Opening the door, he said, “Sorry, mum, but this is as far as we can go. There’s too much debris.” He glanced up the drive at a heap of a barn. “I doubt there’s much reason to continue anyway. I can take you back to town if you like.”
Rebecca stepped out of the carriage. “No. I’ll walk the rest of the way.” She took a few steps, then stopped. “Please wait, would you?”
“Right.” The driver closed the door and stood at the head of the team.
Rebecca picked her way through and around the farm’s remains. There were horses wandering about freely. She didn’t see the colt.
As she approached the house, she could see it had withstood the storm better than the barns. There were trees down in the yard, and windowpanes, shingles, and boards were strewn about, but the manor stood.
Brandan sat on the top step of the porch. When he saw her, he pushed to his feet and walked down the steps. “G’day,” he said. His voice sounded empty. He picked up a panel of wood and tossed it. “Cyclone hit us straight on.”
“Are you all right, Mr. Sullivan?” Rebecca asked, anxious over his ashen complexion.
“Yes. Fine.” He glanced at one of the damaged barns. “Wish everything else had fared as well.” His eyes rested on Rebecca. “We lost several of the horses.”
“The colt?”
“He made it. Got a bit bruised up, but he’ll come ’round.”
“Thank the Lord.” Rebecca blew out a breath. “I must admit that as I came up the drive I was afraid that . . . well, that he’d perished.”
“No. He was one of the lucky ones.”
Rebecca needed to tell him the truth about her ruse. “I must apologize for my dreadful behavior.”
Brandan looked at her with a questioning expression.
“I wasn’t completely honest with you, sir.” Rebecca paused, putting off the inevitable a moment longer. “I hadn’t intended on buying the colt.”
Brandan narrowed his eyes. “Then why did you act as if you were?”
“I wanted to purchase him. In fact, I hope you’ll consider selling him to me one day in the
future. That is, if you still have him at that time.” She glanced about. “Just as this storm has struck you down, so has the weather at Douloo Station. A drought is draining the life from our home. Buying fine horses is presently considered an unnecessary luxury.”
Brandan sat on the bottom porch step. He shook his head slightly and rested his arms on his thighs. “You were pretty good,” he said with a grin. “You had me fooled.” He chuckled. “You might want to consider going into horse trading one of these days. You know horses, and you can fool a bloke as good as any I’ve seen.”
“I hope this doesn’t ruin hope for further transactions,” Rebecca said, taken aback at Brandan’s reaction.
“No. Not at all.” He pushed to his feet. “In fact, it would be an honor.” He gazed at his devastated property. “I’ll put the place back together again. And if the colt is still here when you’re ready to do business, we’ll talk.”
“Thank you for being so understanding. Of course, we can’t know when the drought will end, but we pray soon.” She extended her hand. Brandan shook it. “I’m sorry for your losses, sir.”
Brandan nodded slightly and then walked toward one of the littered pastures.
Rebecca returned to the carriage and dropped onto the seat. She needed to go home. She needed Daniel.
Elvina Walker headed straight for Rebecca. Wishing there were some way to avoid the busybody, Rebecca glanced about the church. There must be someone she could visit with. Before she could make a move, Elvina stood in front of her. Ready for an assault, Rebecca straightened her spine and put on a smile.
“It’s good to see you, Rebecca. You’ve been missed these past weeks.” Elvina glanced about. “I don’t see Daniel.”
“He had business to attend to. And as for my not being here for several weeks, I thought everyone knew I was away. Willa and I took a holiday in Melbourne.”
“Right. I remember now. I did hear that. I hope ya had a fine time.”
“As a matter of fact, we had a grand time. It was lovely there—green and lush. We visited the opera and the ballet and even picnicked at the seashore.”
“I heard there was a bad storm.”
“Yes. It was rather frightening.”
“Everyone fared well though, eh?”
“Yes.” Rebecca looked about to see if Cambria had arrived. She’d missed her friend, and now would be a perfect time for her to make an appearance. She looked at the white-haired woman. “It’s good to be home.”
Elvina nodded. “Daniel missed church a few times while you were gone. Seems he’s busy these days.”
Rebecca could feel herself growing angry. “I’m sure you must understand how much Daniel loves this church and would never miss unless there was no other alternative. He has a lot to do. The drought has hit us hard, just as it has everyone.”
Again Rebecca searched for someone to save her from Elvina’s interrogation. Cambria stepped into the sanctuary but was engaged in conversation with her mother. It would be rude to interrupt them. Willa was already sitting. She looked back at Elvina. “I’d better get seated. I’m sure the service will begin at any moment.” She edged away.
“Tell Daniel hello for me. I feel badly that he’s been unable to attend.”
Feeling as if she were tethered to Elvina, Rebecca said, “Of course. I’ll tell him. I’m certain he’ll be here next week.”
“Well, let’s hope so.” Elvina sniffed. “G’day ta ya.” She sauntered toward the front pew, her Bible clasped against her stomach and her ample hips rotating from side to side.
Exhaling her frustration, Rebecca moved toward the pew where Willa sat. She sidestepped into the row and dropped down beside her mother-in-law.
Cambria strolled down the aisle, and wearing her usual bright smile, she slid in next to Rebecca and threw her arms about her friend. “Good ta see ya. Where’s Joseph? Is he all right? I heard Melbourne was hit by a terrific storm.”
Rebecca laughed. “I don’t know which question to answer first.” She smiled. “Joseph has the sniffles and is out of sorts. I thought it best to leave him home.”
“Sorry ta hear he’s not feeling well.”
“Willa assures me he’s fine. She said little ones are often down with something or other.” Rebecca tucked a stray lock of hair back in place. “And Melbourne was hit by a ferocious storm, but no one in the family was injured.”
“That’s a blessing, eh?” Cambria settled back and placed her Bible in her lap. “What do ya think about us going riding this afternoon? It’s been far too long since we’ve been out.” Her expression sincere, she added, “I’ve missed ya.”
“I’ve missed you too. And I’d love to go riding, but Rev. Cobb is taking our afternoon meal with us. I dare not be absent.”
Cambria pouted. “Yais, well perhaps one day during the week, then?”
“Absolutely. I’d love it.” With a sigh, Rebecca added, “We’ll have to ride while we can. The way things are, I’m wondering if we’ll have any riding horses left for use in another month.”
“Having ta sell off stock, eh?”
“Yes. It’s frightening.”
“Us too. Things are pretty sparse at our place. Me oldest brother is droving for another station, so there’s more work than ever for me.” Her cheery expression was replaced by gloom. “The drought’s gotten so bad, I’m not sure we’ll be able ta hang on. We’ve lost a lot of sheep; more are dying every day. The water holes are dried up, and the stream on our place is nearly gone. Don’t know just what we’re gonna do.”
“Will your family move away?”
“Maybe. Me aunt Elle is already packing ta go.”
“No.”
“There’s no one ordering dresses these days,” Cambria said sadly. “She’s got ta make a living.”
Rebecca searched the sanctuary for Cambria’s aunt. She sat near the back, and when she saw Rebecca she flashed her a smile. Rebecca waved. “I’ll miss her dreadfully. She’s a dear person. I’ve always admired her.” She laid a gloved hand over Cambria’s. “Is there anything I can do? I just couldn’t bear to lose you and your family.”
Cambria’s eyes teared. “I wish there were something that could be done. Elle won’t be so far away though—just Brisbane.”
“What will she do there?”
“She’s a grand dressmaker. I expect she’ll open a shop.”
“I can’t believe she’s going. Elle belongs here.”
Cambria blinked back tears. “She said when the rains come she’ll be moving back.”
“And you? If your family moves will you go?”
Cambria shrugged. “What else would I do? Dad said that if things don’t get better he has a mate south of the Downs he can work for.”
“And what of Jim?” Rebecca whispered.
“He’s not made his intentions clear. I guess I’ll be saying good-bye ta him too.” Cambria sounded like she was trying to keep from crying.
Grief settled over Rebecca. Life was so unfair.
The sanctuary hushed as Rev. Cobb walked to the pulpit. “G’day,” he said, smiling at the parishioners. “Good to have you ’ere this morning.” His eyes settled on Rebecca and Willa. “And welcome back, ladies. We thank God for bringing you home safely.”
Rebecca felt protected. The reverend was a kind man who truly cared for the people in his congregation. Elvina’s sharp opinions came to mind, and Rebecca marveled at the differences in Elvina and the reverend. One said she cared, but the other one truly did.
He hooked a finger inside his cleric’s collar and tugged slightly. “Bit warm today.” He glanced out the window. “And dry. I know there are a lot of ya who are suffering. It’s in times like these that we need to pray for each other and reach out to one another, bearing up together. If yer struggling, let us know so the people in the church can help.”
Leaning on the lectern, he continued, “For some, this might seem a harsh land, but for those of us who know this territory, it’s a place of splendor. Course, the
se days it’s stubbornly withholding its bounty, which means we need to hang on to our faith. Especially as the Christmas season descends, we may feel disheartened, but we must keep Christ and his blessed gift before us.”
“It doesn’t feel like the Christmas season. I’m supposed to sing on Christmas Eve, but I don’t feel much like it. I’m having trouble holding fast to my faith,” Cambria whispered. “Why doesn’t God bring the rain, eh?”
“I don’t know,” Rebecca said, wishing she did and wanting to bolster Cambria’s diminished faith. However, her own faith was too feeble to give confidence to someone else.
As Rebecca walked toward the surrey, Cambria fell into step beside her. “Eh, how about we go riding tomorrow?”
“I’d love to. What time?”
“Early, before it gets hot.” Cambria smiled. “What ya think of inviting the gents?”
“I wish that were possible, but Daniel won’t take time off. And he can’t spare Jim.”
“Yeah, I knew that. It’s just that I never see Jim these days. I’m beginning ta think he’s never gonna let me know his real intentions. I fear I’ll die an old maid.”
“That will never happen. He’ll come around. He’s smitten.”
“Hope yer right,” Cambria said. “Bein’ an old maid was never my plan.” She grinned. “Tomorrow, then.” She walked off to join her family.
Rev. Cobb and Willa approached Rebecca. The reverend smiled warmly. “It was good to see yer lovely face in church again, Rebecca.”
“Thank you, Reverend.” She felt a need to excuse Daniel’s absence and added, “Daniel wanted to be here, but there is so much to be done . . .”
“No worries. I understand. Times like these call for leniency.” He smiled, and the lines at the corners of his eyes deepened. “I know he’d be here if he could.”
“I enjoyed your sermon very much, Reverend,” Rebecca said. “It was heartening.”
