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The Long Road Home Romance Collection

Page 8

by Judi Ann Ehresman


  Somehow, with Rebecca beside her, Bess summoned the courage to say yes. “But, Miss Rebecca, do you know what I am? Do you know where I’m from?”

  Rebecca’s beautiful lavender eyes opened wide, and there was warm acceptance in her gaze. “Bess, God knows. And He loves every one of us just the same, no matter what or who we are. Can we, His children, do any less?” And with that she guided Bess up the front steps of a little brown cottage tucked in behind the church.

  Chapter 16

  Everything had changed so quickly that day. Well, it had been most of the day that they had spent talking with the kind pastor. Mrs. Lewis had brought a lunch and some good coffee in and had taken away the scraps without them even hardly noticing. By afternoon they were all on their knees, and when Bess had finished praying, she knew she was indeed a new person. The old had been washed away, and she truly felt “whiter than snow.” No one had coaxed. No one had chided. The pastor simply explained it all to her and answered her questions—even the questions she didn’t know how to ask. Such a huge weight was lifted from her shoulders that she felt she could float away.

  Mrs. Lewis had quickly offered, “Bess, would you like to stay here for a few days? Our children are grown so we have a spare room, and we’d be glad to have you.” That’s when Bess realized she could no longer live like she had always lived. What would she do? Where would she go? Who would have her? As doubts surfaced, the Lewises and Rebecca reassured her that God had a plan for her life and would not leave her alone. They were all available to assist her in any way they could.

  So it was settled. She moved in with the Lewises, and Rebecca visited her regularly. Bess could hardly wait from one Bible study to the next. She wanted to learn everything she could. Mrs. Lewis taught her some housekeeping skills and a bit about cooking. And Rebecca Taylor became a very close friend.

  Bess saw Ethan at the church, but other than a friendly greeting, they had not really spoken to one another. Somehow Bess had lost all interest in men and thought nothing of her lack of conversation with Ethan. She wasn’t in church to see Ethan but to soak up all the teaching she could from God’s Word, to praise Him with the beautiful songs that were becoming familiar to her, and to fellowship with all of her newfound “brothers” and “sisters.” And what wonderful fellowship it was!

  One Sunday after the service, when they all stood around talking, a gentleman asked Rebecca to introduce him to Bess. At first Bess was shy about the introduction, but he reassured her quickly. Robert Sheldon was rather shy himself, and Rebecca hurried to explain that Mr. Sheldon’s wife was bedridden from polio, and that they were looking for someone to come live with them and help out with the four young children. Delighted with the opportunity, Bess could hardly wait to meet his wife and children. It was arranged for Mrs. Lewis and Bess to go out to the farm to meet the family the next afternoon.

  The meeting at the farm was strained at first. Bess had never been around children, but she couldn’t help liking nine-year-old Paul’s red hair and freckles. Conner had black hair like his dad, dark brown eyes, and another generous helping of freckles. He had just turned eight. Phillip was six years old and had more teeth missing than in, or so it appeared from his shy smile. There was nothing at all shy about Anna. The four-year-old girl was all smiles and dimples and curls and sky-blue eyes.

  When she met Anita Sheldon, Bess realized that Anna was a carbon copy of her beautiful mother. The polio had left Anita’s legs useless, and the pain she suffered was evident in her drawn face and blue, blue eyes, but only gentle words were on her lips. Bess knew she would have her hands full with an invalid, four energetic children, and a farmhouse, but she longed to be given the position. Though she didn’t know the first thing about raising children, much less keeping house and cooking, the arrangements were made, and she soon found herself settled in and running a household.

  Chapter 17

  After their fun Christmas with the Brownings, Mandy and Deidre settled into their comfortable routine once again. With the little boys to care for, they decided to take turns again doing the chores in the barn. Mandy would do the outdoor chores one day while Deidre cooked and watched the boys, and then they would switch responsibilities the next day. Both women enjoyed the time spent with the little ones, cleaning the cottage, and cooking. Even laundry day was fun with all the baby things to wash and iron. Neither of them was particularly fond of the barn chores but knew they had to be done. This arrangement made life most tolerable for both women.

  In spite of the fun times they had together, keeping house and caring for the little boys, both women often felt the weight of having their husbands gone. Mandy wondered what they would do when they ran out of Ethan’s money. How would she buy oil for the lamps, sugar, flour, and other staples? Ned had brought them a couple of deer in November that he and his boys had killed, and that meat and tallow had served them well, but Mandy knew she could not always depend on Ned to provide for them. He had his own family to care for.

  One day Mandy decided it was time to make soap for the next year. As she began mixing her herbs and oils for softness and fragrance, Deidre commented that Mandy’s soaps were much nicer than any she had seen the wealthy women in the South use. She was eager to help Mandy and see how it was done.

  An idea formed. “Deidre,” Mandy said slowly, “do you suppose we could make soap to sell at the store? My aunt made me make all the soap for the family because she hated doing it. I experimented with the ashes until I learned the best way to make my lye, and I also learned to add salt to my soaps to make them firm enough to cut into bars. Then I started adding fragrant herb oils I had created from the herbs I grew, and soon my soaps were nicer than what could be purchased at a store. Do you suppose the owner of the store here at Canton would buy my soap, or at least let me trade for some of the goods we will need when we run out of money?”

  “Oooh, Mandy, we surely could try. Most women would love to bathe with your soaps. They’re so soft and smooth on the skin. If they have money, they would surely buy some. And once they have used your soap, they will be back for more, that’s certain. Let’s make extra soap. Then as soon as it’s spring so we can get out, you can take it to the store and ask the man if he would sell it for you or buy some to sell.”

  So soon the two young women were busy making different kinds of soaps. The entire cottage smelled of soaps and fragrant herbs. After the soap had been cut into bars, Deidre and Mandy went through the scrap bag and cut pretty strips of fabric to tie into bows around each bar. Into each bow they tied a small piece of the fragrant herb used for the fragrance in that particular soap. The soaps were not only fragrant, but beautiful.

  One morning Deidre was bursting with another idea. She could teach Mandy how to weave the grasses to make the little woven boxes she had made for the Browning girls for Christmas. They would make each box the same size as a bar of soap, then tuck a soap into each one. What a nice way to sell their special soaps. Mandy learned quickly, and so each day they diligently wove one box after another.

  The winter passed rapidly as the two women worked industriously on their soaps and boxes between chores and caring for the boys. By the time they had fifty little boxes made and soaps in each one, spring was just around the corner, and they realized that Daniel was crawling and sitting up and growing from an infant into a pudgy dimpled baby who laughed and cooed and loved to play with Jedediah. Jedediah was a wonderful help sharing his toys and entertaining Daniel while the women worked on their projects.

  As Mandy watched Daniel grow, she missed Ethan more and more. She would see Ethan’s dimple in Daniel’s chin, or Ethan’s eyes and brows whenever she looked at her son. How her heart longed after her husband, and even more now, knowing how much Ethan had longed for a son. She realized now how very much she and Deidre had in common. Deidre, too, missed her husband deeply and wondered if she would ever see him again. The fact that Jeremiah had been sold as a slave to another slave owner made it seem even more impossible that he cou
ld ever be found.

  Once again Mandy ended her ponderings with a prayer of thanksgiving that God had brought the two women together and a prayer for Deidre’s husband—wherever he might be. She prayed that God would protect Jeremiah, somehow let him gain his freedom, and allow him to find Deidre and Jedediah. Mandy already had a strong faith that, with God, all things are possible.

  Chapter 18

  As Mandy turned the beautiful calendar the Brownings had made them for Christmas to the new month, she realized it was just over a year since Ethan had left to work on the railroad. She remembered how very difficult it was to see him going off through the woods, and how she had longed to run after him, beg him to stay, and tell him about the baby. She couldn’t help but wonder if her life would be different today if she had told him. Would he still be with her? Would he still be alive?

  She reminded herself once more, as she frequently did, that she had felt right keeping the secret to herself. She also knew Ethan’s life was in God’s hands. There was nothing she could do to change God’s plan for a person’s life. It was not for her to understand, but to accept God’s will. She squared her shoulders, pushed her mouth into a smile, and turned to start her day. Above all else, she did not want to be a sad, grumpy mother for Daniel. She wanted him to grow up happy and contented, and she knew she would be the influence for the atmosphere of their home.

  How often she’d thought as she was growing up in her aunt’s miserable, unhappy home that if her aunt could simply have seen the good in those around her instead of always criticizing and degrading them, her home would have been a much happier place. Also, if her aunt had not always complained about everything, the home would have been much more pleasant. Mandy had decided when she was young that she did not want to become like her aunt—unhappy and making all those around her unhappy. No matter how unpleasant your circumstances, Mandy had mused, surely there’s always something to be happy about. So she had tried to always do just that—find the good, the beauty, the gift in everything. But even after all those years of practice, there were still occasional days when she had to remind herself to choose to be happy. And she truly did have so very much for which to be thankful. So she decided not to think about Ethan being gone, but of the happy years they had had together, and of the beautiful gift he had left her, who was going to want his breakfast soon.

  Mandy hummed softly as she prepared breakfast. When she heard Daniel gurgling and cooing, she quickly brought him out by the fire, changed his diaper, and was nursing him when Deidre came out to get a cup of hot coffee before heading for the barn. “I’ll be finished here soon, Deidre. Why don’t we eat before you go out?”

  “That sounds mighty good to me. My insides were making so much noise in the bed I was afraid it would wake the children.”

  By the time Mandy was finished nursing the baby, Jedediah was awake, so they all had their breakfast together.

  “I know it’s only the middle of April,” Mandy said hesitantly, “but what if we see if we can till up the garden plots? I know how to hitch Flops to the plow, but I’m not certain I can guide the plow. It may take several days to get the ground worked up. What do you think?”

  Deidre agreed she was ready to start working in the soil as well, so the two decided that as soon as their regular chores were finished, they would try their hand at plowing. Mandy knew it wasn’t going to be easy and that the garden would not be as nice as usual, because Ethan had always plowed the dead vines and such under in the fall to let them rot down into the soil over the winter months. This year she and Deidre had not been able to do it with Mandy’s advanced pregnancy last fall. She hoped it would still be possible to make a nice garden.

  In spite of the chill in the air, the women soon had worked themselves into a sweat trying to hold and guide the plow while not falling down from turning an ankle on the broken-up sod. Soon they devised a way for one of them to walk by Flops’s head and guide her that way while the other would follow behind, keeping the plow upright and trying to guide it into straight rows. It was slow work with keeping an eye on Jedediah and carrying Daniel alternately on their backs. They’d had an early lunch before starting the plowing, but before they knew it, the sun was dipping behind the trees. They were far from finished, and it was well past chore time and suppertime.

  When they finished the row they were on, Mandy helped Deidre with the chores in the barn. Then both trudged up the hill to the cabin, almost too exhausted to eat. They set out some boiled eggs, bread, cheese, and milk, and used what energy they had left to eat a bite before tumbling into their beds as soon as the boys were taken care of. Just before sinking into a deep sleep, Mandy thought, We are only about a quarter of the way finished with the plowing. With a groan she was asleep.

  The next day both women were so sore they could hardly pick up the babies, but they knew the plowing had to be done. They took turns massaging one another’s sore muscles, then went out to do the chores together. Afterward, Mandy put some vegetables into the kettle with a bit of venison and herbs to simmer over the fire all day while they worked outdoors. It would taste good to have some stew ready when they came in exhausted at night.

  The plowing went even slower the second day. Daniel was tired of being carried in a pack on the back and was teething and fussy. The women took turns plowing and watching Daniel play on a blanket in the grass. When he napped, they would both plow again for a time.

  On the third day, as they headed out to plow, they heard horses tramping through the woods with Ned’s cheerful songs ringing out loud and clear. They quickly changed their plans and prepared for a visit, deciding that the plowing could wait for tomorrow. They put the coffeepot back on to boil, added more vegetables to the soup pot, and went out on the front porch in time for the Brownings to arrive at the edge of the clearing. Mandy wasn’t sure who was more excited for the visit—she and Deidre or the Brownings.

  After the greetings were over and the coffee cups emptied, Ned said they had just finished their plowing the day before, and he and Thomas had come to help Mandy and Deidre with their plowing. He was astonished when he heard that they had already been plowing for two days. Mandy was so relieved to not have the heavy plowing to do she felt like crying. Edna assured her that Ned and Thomas were only too glad to help out. And, oh, how they enjoyed taking up the knitting needles and settling into the rockers for a good chat. It was wonderful to feel like a woman again.

  Edna told Mandy and Deidre that, since Thomas, Edward, and even Nicholas were old enough to take on a lot of their farm responsibilities, she and Ned almost had time on their hands and were very glad to help out on this farm as well. They were all certain that God had planned their lives to become so close because of the needs both families had, as well as for the wonderful fellowship. Both Mandy and Deidre were speechless with gratitude to God and to the Browning family.

  When the sun moved toward the west, Mandy quickly stirred up and baked some cornbread to go with their soup and was just putting it on the table as Ned and Thomas brought the milk in from the barn. They had been able to get the rest of the sod turned and the gardens all ready for planting, as well as doing the evening chores. Mandy felt like a queen not having to worry about the barn and the chores.

  As soon as they finished eating, the Brownings prepared to head back through the woods before the sun completely vanished. It had been a wonderful day, and it was harder than ever to say good-bye. Mandy told the Brownings about her plans to sell her soap, so they made arrangements for them all to come to the Brownings’ cabin as soon as they were finished planting the gardens. Then Deidre and the babies could stay with Edna while Mandy and Ned went to the store to see if they could find a market for the soaps.

  Daniel was rubbing his eyes as the wagon disappeared through the trees. The two women took the boys into the cabin, washed them, and dressed them for bed. While Mandy nursed Daniel, Deidre rocked and sang to Jedediah. Both little ones were sound asleep in only a few minutes and were tucked snuggly into
their beds.

  While Mandy and Deidre washed the dishes and straightened up the cabin, they chatted and planned and giggled like two schoolgirls. They’d had such a wonderful day, and now all the plowing was done and the gardens were ready to plant. After having the whole day to rest their sore muscles, they could hardly wait to get their seeds sorted and the gardens laid out and planted. They planned to start the very next day as soon as the chores were finished.

  It was later than usual when they finally put the last clean dish in the cupboard and hung the broom on its peg in the pantry. In spite of the late hour, Mandy said mischievously to Deidre, “If you’ll brew some tea, I’ll go get the seeds, and we can get them all sorted tonight so they’re ready as soon as chores are done in the morning.”

  Deidre grinned back. “I was just thinkin’ I was too wound up to go to bed. I’ll get that pot on right away.”

  So over cups of tea the women sorted and planned their gardens. After a while the long day caught up with them. Between yawns they told each other good night and went to their rooms. What an exciting, full day it had been.

  Chapter 19

  In her sleep, Mandy thought Deidre was popping popcorn. Fuzzily, she wondered how her friend could be popping it in her room, and so loudly too. Must be some large kernels. Mandy could hardly wait to taste it. Mmm, I really should see if I can help….

  What? What’s that noise? Did Deidre drop something? Mandy tried to pull herself out of her deep sleep.

  At the next loud crash, she was awake. It took a few seconds to realize what the noises were. It wasn’t popcorn; it was hail, and it had to be huge. But what was the loud crack? There it was again. Thunder so loud the cabin shook and the windows rattled. She pulled a blanket around her shoulders because the temperature had dropped drastically.

 

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