The Long Road Home Romance Collection

by Judi Ann Ehresman

  Ethan was thankful in his heart for the strengthening he received from these brothers and sisters. But what lay ahead for him was still daunting. God alone could see him through this.

  Chapter 23

  That evening Ethan had a warm, comfortable time with the Taylors, thanking them for their kindness to him and visiting with them. Both were sad to see Ethan leave and assured him of their prayers for him. They were also quick to welcome him back, should he ever decide to return to the territory. They assured him that as far as it was possible with them, he would always have a job at the store. He asked Rebecca if he could purchase a loaf of bread and some cheese and apples to take with him on his journey.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll have food ready for your journey, and you will not pay for it,” Rebecca stated firmly. “It will be a small gift from us to help you on your way.”

  Before going to bed, Ethan packed his belongings and his beloved Bible so he’d be ready for a swift departure the next morning. He prayed for God’s blessing on his journey, as well as on his mission. Something deep inside knew that other church people were also praying for him. Laying his head on his pillow, he slept peacefully.

  Ethan awakened as dawn was lightening the sky. As he dressed, he could hear Rebecca in the kitchen below and smell the tantalizing aromas wafting up the stairs.

  “I don’t want to weigh you down with food, so I have some breakfast prepared that you can eat quickly before you set out.” Rebecca smiled and nodded toward the table. He saw a place set for him, and from the steam wafting upwards, could tell the coffee had just been poured and the biscuits had not been out of the oven for long. When his stomach rumbled, they both laughed.

  “Guess I can’t pass up an opportunity like this!” Ethan pulled out the chair as Jason joined him at the table. While the men ate the biscuits and gravy and drank the hot coffee, Rebecca finished tying up a parcel for him to carry on his journey. And just as he lifted it all to his shoulders, they heard a knock at the front door of the store.

  Walking through the store, they could see Pastor Lewis waiting on the front steps.

  “I won’t keep you, but I wanted to send you off with a blessing and a prayer,” he said as he wrapped Ethan in a fatherly hug. Together they all prayed and then sent Ethan on his way with tears and warm handshakes.

  As Ethan traveled, he both dreaded and eagerly anticipated the reunion ahead. But because the knots in his stomach were less bearable when he thought about Mandy, he decided to think only about the good things God had brought into his life in the past winter. He shivered. Even though spring was here, today’s cold wind let him know that winter had not yet completely given up its grip. He walked as rapidly as he could. He was thankful for the warm new coat and gloves he had purchased last fall. Now and again he encountered rain as he traveled; the cold, gray, and damp filled him with dread. He was thankful it didn’t rain the whole day, but neither did the sun ever really shine.

  That evening, as Ethan sat by a fire and leaned on a large log eating some of the food Rebecca had packed for him, he could no longer stop himself from thinking of Mandy. It had been just over a year since he had left her home alone. Was she still there in the cabin? Had she made it through the winter alone? It broke his heart to think that she might have been cold or hungry, but he expected that she’d have found a way to stay in the cabin alone, instead of going back East where she was not welcomed and had no place of her own. She was a strong, hard-working woman, but also wonderfully feminine through and through.

  He remembered her mouth when she smiled and how she also smiled with her eyes when she looked at him. Mandy was just shy enough that she smiled with her mouth only with most people, but when she smiled at him, her eyes smiled too, and she seemed to sparkle all over. He remembered what it was like to kiss her and thought of her lips and how one of her eyeteeth crossed over the tooth beside it ever so slightly. It gave Mandy’s smile so much charm. He loved the little dimple in one cheek only that was not too far from the corner of her mouth. He could close his eyes and see her smile and the way she tipped her head slightly to the side when she teased him. His heart seemed to swell as he thought of her, and he found himself begging God to let her forgive him. He knew he did not deserve her forgiveness, but he prayed for it all the same. He knew for a fact that God was a merciful God and the giver of all good gifts.

  Chapter 24

  The spring days were growing longer as well as warmer. Mandy and Deidre kept busy with the new animals that had been born to them, as well as planting their gardens and keeping track of Daniel, who wanted to crawl and explore everywhere. He and Jedediah were very good friends already. Mandy was thankful for the way Jedediah helped watch over the baby even though he was not much more than a baby himself.

  As Jedediah learned more words and linked the words into sentences, Mandy smiled as she heard Deidre teach him to structure his sentences correctly. She was proud of Deidre’s sharp mind and the way she had learned so quickly, no longer speaking the language of a slave but of a free, intelligent woman. Now both women planned to teach their sons together to give them access to any book they could get their hands on and thus all the knowledge they could grasp. But most of all, they read and discussed and put into practice the words of Deidre’s little worn New Testament.

  Mandy lay in her bed watching the sun rise one morning. Since it rose earlier each day now, she was still awakening right before dawn many days. Today she lay on the edge of sleep—not quite controlling her wandering thoughts—and found herself dreaming about how pleasant it would have been if she and Ethan could have raised Daniel together. With that thought, she was suddenly wide awake. She looked over at Daniel in the cradle as he sucked his fist and made his early morning noises, and was amazed all over again at the strong resemblance to Ethan in his tiny features.

  Sighing and reaching for the baby, Mandy felt an unusual heaviness about the prospect of raising her son alone. She was more thankful for Deidre and Jedediah than words could tell, but she longed for the companionship and intimacy of her husband. She missed being loved the way only a husband could love. A new frustration and almost anger rose in her at Ethan for leaving them. But before the mood could get a good hold on her, Mandy made herself stop and pray. It was certainly going to be a discipline to be kind and joyful today, but with God’s help, she would do it.

  Just as she finished nursing Daniel and put him back into his crib to play while she made breakfast, she heard Deidre putting wood on the fire. Buttoning her dress, she went out to start the day. Before she could say much more than “Good morning,” Deidre said, “Doesn’t today feel different some way? I can’t explain why, but it just feels like an expectant day.”

  “An expectant day?”

  “Yes, like the day is expectin’ somethin’ new. Or somethin’ different. Somethin’ good, I think. What do you suppose it would be?”

  “I don’t know, Deidre. But I think you’re right. I find myself needing to look for something good in today, so let’s name all our blessings throughout the day and watch to see all the ways God blesses us, okay?”

  “Sunshine!”

  “What?”

  “I named the first thing. Sunshine. He has blessed us with sunshine today.”

  “Oh, okay. Friends.”

  “Little boys.”

  “Food.”

  “Strong bodies. Health. And freedom.”

  Mandy smiled at Deidre. “I’m glad you can thank God for health and freedom and sunshine and not worry about where your dear Jeremiah is and if you will ever see your husband again.”

  “Mandy, I have to leave him in God’s care. Somethin’ in my heart feels strongly that I’ll see him again. I don’t know where. I don’t know when. I just know that I believe God is takin’ care of him and will bring us back together someday. God knows where Jeremiah is, and God knows where I am. I believe that from way up there in heaven, God sees a clear path between us. He will bring us together in His own good time. And until He doe
s, I am thankful He has led me to you. And I am thankful for this home for Jedediah. I know God will bless you for the way you have shared with us.”

  “Oh, Deidre, you have been my lifesaver. Don’t ever think I have given to you. It doesn’t begin to compare with what you have given to me. We’ll just continue in the way that is before us and thank God for providing for us both. And we’ll continue to pray for Jeremiah.” But Mandy’s stomach wrenched again as she thought of the possibility of Jeremiah coming and taking Deidre away from her. In her heart she silently prayed, Oh, Lord God, please take care of me and my son. She couldn’t help adding, And please don’t let me be left alone again.

  During breakfast, the two women agreed to share all the chores that day instead of dividing them up as was their usual habit. So they finished the dishes together, then took the boys with them to the barn. After the barn chores were completed, they decided to hoe and weed a bit in their gardens before the sun became too warm, so the four went down to the gardens together. Jedediah’s most difficult chore was helping baby Daniel stay on the grass and not eat the dirt.

  Mandy had brought the little tomato and green pepper plants that they had started in the house earlier in the spring. The women decided to plant them now. They were excited about all the fresh vegetables and could imagine the sweet, yet acid taste of a tomato still warm and just picked from the vine. Mandy loved to rub the hairy little vines with her thumb and forefinger and sniff the tomato smell on her fingers. Watching her do this always made Deidre giggle, even though she said she enjoyed the smell herself.

  Now and again, Mandy still sighed. She couldn’t help it. But she wouldn’t let herself think of Ethan today. It wouldn’t work. She just would not let herself….

  As Ethan drew nearer and the woods looked familiar, he slowed instead of hurrying. Yes, he could hardly wait to see Mandy again, but he was incredibly tremulous about seeing her for the first time after more than a year and after his horrid deception and lies. How would she react? How should he present himself? Should he have sent someone else in his place first?

  Finding a fallen tree, he sat on the log to think and to pray. His stomach was tied in knots, and tension stiffened his shoulders and neck. He prayed over and over, “God, please give me wisdom to know what to say, and soften Mandy’s heart toward me and toward You.” Tears ran in rivulets down his cheeks as he pounded on heaven’s doors.

  As the morning turned into early afternoon, Ethan knew he must not tarry. He was out of food today and was feeling hungry and weak. While he sat on the log praying and listening for God’s voice, he realized he was hearing a brook. Being thirsty and also knowing he had not been able to wash for a few days, he followed the sound and found a small stream flowing merrily with the spillover from the spring rains. It splashed and danced its way over rocks and fallen logs and was so clear he could see the tadpoles darting this way and that. When he dipped his hands in, the water was cold and clear. He drank thirstily and felt refreshed. He splashed the water on his face and neck, and then, looking around to be certain there was no one in the woods, took off his clothes and waded into the icy water to wash himself completely.

  When he was finished washing and lay back in the water a bit before getting out, he noticed the bright sunshine glinting on the water. Then he saw it: a beautiful rainbow shimmering in the sunshine on a small waterfall right above the pool where he was bathing. A rainbow had been God’s promise to Noah of a new beginning—a new life in a fresh new world. Was God promising him a new beginning also? Did forgiveness await him?

  With faith that God would be with him in this, his new beginning, Ethan climbed out of the stream and shook as much of the water off of himself as he could. He took clean clothes out of his pack to replace the ones he’d been wearing on his journey. He was thankful that when it rained, he had been able to find some shelter by huge rocks or trees and that his pack had stayed somewhat dry. His clean clothes still smelled of the strong lye soap with which Rebecca had last washed them and the spring sunshine from her clothesline. Again he was reminded of and thankful for the many ways in which God had provided for him and directed him. Oh, how he prayed that God had also been watching over and protecting and guiding Mandy. He prayed with all his heart that she would still be in their cabin…that she would not have left.

  The boys began to get tired and hungry before the garden work was quite completed.

  Deidre straightened her back and squinted at the sky. “Mandy, look at that sun. It’s past noon already. No wonder the little ones are fussy. Why don’t you take the boys back to the house, give them lunch, and put them down for a nap? I’ll finish this in an hour or so and then come on up. I ate such a nice breakfast this mornin’ that I hardly feel hungry yet, but your little one is goin’ to want what only you can give him.”

  “I think you’re right, Deidre. When they’re asleep, I’ll bring food and water to you and help you finish.”

  Mandy finished the row she had been working on before gathering up the young ones. Jedediah was eager and danced and pranced at her feet. Chuckling, she picked up Daniel, placed him on her hip, and reached for Jedediah’s hand as they started back up to the cabin. Daniel sucked on his muddy fist and tugged hungrily at her shirt. “Won’t be long now, wee one. Be patient,” Mandy crooned to him as they walked.

  While Jedediah drank his milk and ate his bread, jelly, and cookies, Mandy nursed Daniel, who was as sleepy as he was hungry. With talking and bouncing him, she was able to keep him awake long enough for him to finish his lunch, and then she took him into her bedroom to lay him in the crib. When she returned to the main room, she smiled when she saw Jedediah’s head drooping as he tried to sit tall and finish his last cookie. She gently removed the remains of the cookie from his chubby black fist and washed each finger carefully, then washed his face and other hand. Picking him up, she carried him into Deidre’s room and laid him on his big boy bed. Covering him lovingly with a quilt, Mandy knelt beside the bed to kiss his pudgy little cheek.

  What a precious child he is. I will not stop praying for you to find your daddy, little one, Mandy pledged softly.

  Just as Mandy was getting back to her feet, she heard a noise near the front of the cabin. She didn’t really expect Deidre to be finished so soon, so she left the bedroom expectantly. Was it Ned or Edna or one of their boys? Or was Deidre coming back to the house for something?

  When Mandy first entered the main room, she looked toward the back to see if Deidre was coming but then heard a knock on the front door of the cabin instead. Excited about an unexpected visit from their friends, Mandy quickly opened the front door to greet them.

  She stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw.

  There, standing in front of her, was Ethan! He was alive, and tears streamed down his face.

  Chapter 25

  Mandy couldn’t think. She was speechless. Her eyes widened, and one hand covered her open mouth. Finally, she said quietly, “Ethan?” That was all for a moment, and when his head dropped and the tears continued to flow, she said again, “Ethan, is that you? Is it really you?”

  “Yes, Mandy. It’s me.” He paused to draw a shaky breath. Lips trembling, he said, “I lied to you, and I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But may I talk with you?”

  For what seemed like an hour to Ethan but was really only seconds, Mandy stood still and just looked at him. Then she pulled herself together and, pushing the door open, fell into his arms. “Ethan! Where have you been? What’s happened? I was told you were dead. Oh, Ethan, come in, come in. Tell me everything. I can hardly believe it’s you!”

  Ethan stood still with his arms clasped around his Mandy. While joy bubbled out of her now, he knew in his heart she might not so readily welcome him when she heard that it was not a misunderstanding but a deliberate lie. And when she heard about his life while he was away, what then? While he held her, he shuddered with fear and dread. She must not have heard what he’d said to her…that he’d lied.

  Suddenly,
Mandy straightened and, taking his face in her hands, kissed him. Her hands slid behind his head, pulling him ever closer, and the kiss lingered.

  But Ethan felt so unworthy of her kisses that he finally gently moved her away from him. “Mandy, I haven’t eaten since yesterday morning. Could I have something to eat? And then we will talk, and I will tell you everything.”

  “Oh, how foolish of me. Come—I will make you a sandwich of boiled eggs and ham and fresh bread. I have coffee ready for my own lunch, and we will eat together.”

  After Mandy tugged him inside, she bustled about, bringing food to the table. Ethan lingered in the doorway, scanning the cabin. Oh, it was good to be home, yet he couldn’t really allow himself to feel at home here. He didn’t deserve to be forgiven and accepted back, and he was unsure how Mandy would react when she heard the whole story.

  “Come, Ethan,” she urged, “sit down. I have so much to tell you, and I can’t wait to hear of all your experiences. Oh, what a joyous day this is!” When she finished pouring the coffee and placing it back on the stove, Mandy laid the dish towel on the cupboard and sat at the table.

  Ethan slowly walked over and sat at the place he had always sat when the two of them lived here together.

  Mandy was used to thanking God before she ate, but now she hesitated. Deciding quickly that she wanted to tell the whole story in order, she omitted the prayer so as not to cause questions before their time.

  “Mandy, I will tell you everything in a few minutes, but I must have food first,” he said between bites and gulps.

  Mandy just smiled and ate quietly. She could wait forever since he was home. She didn’t have much appetite, but she took several bites. Mostly she just feasted her eyes on this wonderful man who had come back into her life. In her heart she kept saying over and over, Thank You, thank You, thank You, God!