Jason Taylor was helping a gentleman and a young woman with some grocery purchases. Over to the left, beyond the crates stacked in rows, she saw shelves along the side wall with bolts of fabrics lining a shelf. It had been months since Bess had been in the store, but not much had changed at all.
Rebecca Taylor was behind the counter talking with a lady who was finding fault with each bolt of fabric. Bess could tell that Rebecca’s patience was being tried sorely, but she never stopped smiling and spoke kindly to the critical lady.
To the lady’s right another woman was bent over the counter seeming to be very absorbed with something on the countertop. She was certainly transfixed by whatever had her attention. Slowly Bess drew near her, but she couldn’t see the object of the lady’s attention. Without realizing she was doing so, Bess leaned forward to see, then looked up at the lady.
“Clara!” Bess whispered joyfully. She realized now why Clara had kept her head turned away. It was the way the prostitutes always behaved in public, as they would only end up embarrassed if they were to meet another’s eyes.
Clara looked at her, but Bess could see she was troubled. “What is it, Clara? How are you?” Bess wondered.
Clara backed away from the other people in the store until she and Bess were alone in a corner. Again the slight frown. “I’m doing well. How are you keeping yourself? Are you happy?”
“Oh, Clara, God has been so good to me! I have never been happier in my life. I miss you terribly, but I don’t miss our life at the saloon. I have real good friends, and best of all, I have met Jesus and He has changed my heart. Clara, come outside with me where we can talk and I will tell you all about it.”
“Girl, you don’t want to be seen with the likes of me no more. Why would you talk to me?”
“Because I love you, Clara. You have been like a mother to me. Nothing will ever change that. And nothing would make me happier than talking to you again, unless it would be seeing you make the same change I made.” Bess was astounded to realize that Clara thought she would not still love her.
The two women headed out of the store, walking down the boardwalk to the edge of town and then down an alley where they could talk out of the hearing and sight of others.
Bess had told Clara about her change of heart the day she moved out of the saloon. But it was all so new to her then that she hadn’t really understood completely what had happened to her. So her explanations at that time had been quite vague.
Today, however, she told Clara all she knew. Bess encouraged her to visit Pastor Lewis and ask him all her questions. In fact, since she had to be ready to go when Robert was ready, she volunteered to talk to Rebecca for Clara. She knew Rebecca would be glad to help her.
Clara, however, seemed hesitant.
Saddened by her old friend’s lack of interest, Bess determined in her heart to talk to Rebecca and to not stop praying for the woman. She hugged Clara and kissed her painted cheek that was beginning to soften and droop a bit with age. “I will never stop loving you, Clara.”
Clara smiled a lonely smile but didn’t reply. She merely looked down.
Bess turned back toward the store, knowing she’d need to hurry now or she would keep Robert waiting. But when she returned to the store, she had a few minutes to tell Rebecca about Clara and ask her to watch out for her old friend and help her if she could. Rebecca promised to do so, as Bess knew she would.
Clara stood, alone, as Bess’s steps retreated back toward the store. She couldn’t help but wonder at the change in dear Bess. But the saloon life was all Clara knew. She had always been content with her life—until Bess’s change and the loss of their friendship when she’d moved away from the hotel. The last several months, with Bess gone, Clara’s life had seemed empty and heading nowhere.
Suddenly it mattered to Clara that she would die alone in a saloon with no one to care. But she had no idea what to do about it.
Chapter 5
The day was already warm as Bess prepared to help Anita bathe before moving her from her bed to the wheelchair for the day. Anita would be warm sitting in the chair all day long, and a cool, refreshing sponge bath in the mornings helped her feel much more comfortable for the day. Anita was always gentle with her, but this morning Bess thought she felt a slight push as she washed Anita’s foot. She looked up at Anita and said, “Do that again.”
“Do what again?” Anita asked.
“Push me with your foot.”
“I can’t push with my foot,” Anita replied.
“I know you pushed me with your foot. Just slightly. Try it. See if you can push against my hand.”
As Anita tried to obey, she felt nothing, but Bess excitedly said that she could feel the muscles tighten ever so slightly in Anita’s leg as she tried to push. Bess encouraged her to try again and again, until Anita was exhausted. Finally Bess laid her leg back on the bed and said, “Okay, we will stop for now and work on it again tomorrow. Maybe we can get your legs strong once again so you can use them. For now, let’s not tell anyone in case it doesn’t work.”
So they agreed. Day after day they worked and worked until Anita could tell she was pushing firmly with her feet whenever she wanted to. Throughout the day she would push on the wheelchair with her feet, until she was actually developing muscles once again in the backs of her legs.
After a number of weeks of this, one day she asked Bess, “Will you help me try to stand?”
“Do you think your legs can hold you if you were to stand?” Bess asked.
“If you hold on to me, I think I can stand for a bit. Will you try?”
“Absolutely. I know you are gaining strength, and it will be good to help strengthen your legs also. Let’s try it.”
So together they pulled Anita into a standing position, and she stood! It wasn’t for very long, and her legs began to sag, but she had stood with her weight on her legs.
Both women were so excited they hugged and cried.
“Now I know how the lame man in the Bible must have felt when Jesus told him to get up and walk,” Anita said. “Someday, Bess, I am going to walk again. I just know it!”
Bess had never loved anyone in her life like she loved this sweet woman and her family, and there could be no greater gift than to see Anita be able to walk and do things for herself once again. And so Bess worked and prayed, and worked and prayed.
The two women decided to keep the secret from the rest of the family for a while longer, and they continued to work at strengthening the muscles and bringing some life back into them. The challenge was very fulfilling for Bess. As she became more and more a part of the Sheldon family and stronger in her daily walk with God, contentment became her constant companion.
July was warm as it pressed in on the lives of the happy household. The home so generously shared with Bess was much cooler than the saloon where Bess had lived her life before. Out here there were large shade trees and always a gentle breeze wafting through the open windows. Bess was amazed that she had only moved a few miles to find this whole different world. Her heart was full of joy and fulfillment as she learned to love the Sheldon family and her church family.
Then the hot, hot days of August finally turned to the hotter days of early September. Bess was kept busy with the housework and gardens and care of Anita and the children, but she loved every minute that she labored for these dear friends. Anita worried that Bess was working too hard, and Bess heard her encouraging the children to work harder and help Bess with the chores. But Bess’s heart was full of joy with the tasks at hand and the love of this family.
Bess and Anita continued working and exercising Anita’s legs, helping her stand and even take a few steps. Finally they could contain their secret no longer. One evening during dinner Anita told the family that she had a secret she wanted to share with them. The family all quieted and looked toward her.
When she slowly stood, Robert’s chair fell over backward as he jumped to his feet to catch her. But she didn’t fall. He stood beside h
er as she took a step, and then another. The house was very quiet for a few seconds, and then the explosion of young voices filled the air. Bess caught Anita’s eye, and the two chuckled together. Finally Robert made everyone sit down so Anita and Bess could tell the story.
And so Anita told of Bess’s encouraging her to press with her feet and then massaging her weak muscles. She told how Bess had exercised her legs and feet for weeks before they tried having Anita stand, and when she did stand, Bess was right there to hold her and help her. Now they had been practicing her steps, and she could not keep the wonderful secret from her family any longer.
Of course the children wanted to help her walk. They wanted to show her everything new on the little farm. While the boys chattered, coaxed, laughed, and talked with their mother and each other, little Anna quietly came to Bess and climbed into her lap, from where she proudly announced, “I think Miss Bess is wunnerful. I love her, and she loves me, too!”
Anita smiled at Anna and then over her head at Bess. “Yes, God did a wonderful thing when He brought Miss Bess into our family. We all love her and are thankful for her,” Anita said with a quiet smile.
The two women exchanged looks weighted with their love for one another, and Bess prayed inwardly that God would accept her deep gratitude for the gift of this family. She had never enjoyed such perfect peace of heart in her life.
Each day Anita’s legs became stronger. Robert had made a cane for her, but at first she still needed to hold on to someone. However, with work and lots of practice, by the end of the summer she could walk carefully with her cane. Her first Sunday back at the church was a celebration for all. Anita knew they all cared for her, but she was overwhelmed by the shouts of joy from the men and the tears and hugs from the women. Oh, it was good to be back among these dear friends.
Bess was happy for her. Several people had been speaking with Bess and the little group quieted simultaneously as often happens in time for them to hear Anita saying to someone behind them, “Oh, of course we will always need Bess! She is part of our family, and we hope she will stay with us always. I would be lost without her, as would the children. It is her choice, of course, but we certainly intend for her to stay with us, as I will always need her help.”
Bess blushed and smiled quietly as she moved to her seat for the beginning of the service. She had wondered if there would come a day when the Sheldon family no longer required her help. Her heart was comforted and joyful to have overheard Anita’s comment and Robert’s assent.
Chapter 6
Clara missed Bess. There were just no two ways about it. Her life seemed totally barren of happiness when Bess left the hotel. She knew when Bess was staying at the pastor’s home, but she sure didn’t feel like she dared go there for a visit. And then they moved Bess out of the town to the home of a family that needed her help.
She was truly happy for Bess. She loved the girl like she had been her own and was glad she had found a life where she could have more social contact and be content and happy. But without Bess to nurture and guide, Clara’s life suddenly felt very empty and lonely.
Many times she found herself staring out the window and replaying the conversation she and Bess had had while Bess packed her things to move. Bess had seemed like an entirely different person. Something in the very core of that girl had changed. And it was good. Clara was surprised that she could admit that to herself, but she truly saw it in Bess’s face and knew with her whole heart that it was good.
Bess had tried to explain it to Clara, but her words didn’t all make sense to Clara, so Bess promised to pray for her—when she learned how to pray well. Clara smiled at the memory. Bess’s eyes had twinkled like Clara had never seen before. Oh, how she missed that girl…
Then she had seen Bess at the store and Bess had tried to explain things more to her. But Clara still didn’t understand. She really did want to understand what Bess was telling her, and her heart longed to have the same peace that Bess had found, but she felt so alone and alienated from the others in the town.
Lately Clara had actually started thinking about talking to that woman at the store—Rebecca Taylor. She was curious what could have made such a happy change in Bess. Bess had encouraged her to talk to the Taylor woman the last time Clara had seen Bess at the store, and now Clara found herself contemplating the idea.
Oh, that’s ridiculous. She would laugh in my face. Or spit in it! Clara told herself. But immediately she remembered the lady’s patience with the complaining patron. Well, maybe she wouldn’t. She does seem like she would be a kind person who would be easy to talk to. Clara allowed the thought to float around while she watched an orange leaf twirl and dance its way to the ground outside her window.
Falling leaves meant winter was right around the corner. Suddenly the four walls pressed in on Clara, and all she could think of was getting out of the saloon. Oh, how she longed to have a different life—a life where she could hold her head high and smile and chat with other women as they passed by.
Clara grabbed her shawl and was soon walking rapidly toward the general store. Just before she got there, though, she saw some people standing on the boardwalk in front of the store talking. So she turned and walked away, back another street lined with houses on both sides.
As she walked, she heard a mother calling her children to come in for supper. She could hear children laughing and calling to one another. Walking on a bit farther, she saw two women intently talking over a fence between the two yards. The women did not see her, and Clara could not understand what they were saying, but she couldn’t help but smile at their chatter and laughter. It all looked so real. So meaningful. So loving.
Suddenly she found herself turning around and walking back toward the store once again. She realized deep inside she was saying over and over, “Please, please, please…” Please what? To whom was she pleading? Was she praying? She tightened her lips in a determined expression. Somehow she had formed a resolve, and she wanted—no, needed—some answers.
As Clara reached the store this time, she saw a wagon pulling away from the front, and a gentleman with armbands sweeping the boardwalk in front of the store. Clara hoped this meant the store was occupied only by the lady—Rebecca Taylor.
She pushed the front door open hastily, setting off the clanging of a bell hanging on the back side. She closed the door and gently quieted the bell. Standing just inside, she looked around but saw no one at all. Walking to her left, she peered back into the area where the fabrics and other feminine goods were found, but no one seemed to be there.
She jumped when she heard a soft “May I help you?” Then the lady said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Her smile was in her eyes as well as on her lips. This had to be Mrs. Taylor. But Clara didn’t really know what to ask. So she simply said quickly that she needed some buttons.
While Mrs. Taylor showed her the buttons, she looked carefully at Clara, which made Clara uncomfortable, so she snatched the first card of buttons she found. Then Mrs. Taylor said joyfully, “I know! Aren’t you friends with my own good friend Bess?”
Clara could feel her cheeks flaming as she nodded in a bobbing motion.
“Oh, Bess misses you so very much. She has told me what a dear friend you have been to her. Let’s see…is your name Clara?”
She didn’t seem to be prying—just caring. So Clara said, “Yes, my name is Clara Johnson. Bess and I have been friends her whole life.”
“You must miss Bess. Clara, would you come to tea with me tomorrow afternoon? I would love to know you better.”
Clara wanted to ask her, “Do you know who I really am? What I do for a living?” But all she could do was nod and say, “Thank you. I would be delighted.”
So they set a time. Clara took the buttons she didn’t need and left hurriedly as Mr. Taylor stepped back into the store with his broom.
It was a sunny and warm fall day as Clara prepared herself for tea with Rebecca Taylor. Over and over she scolded herself.
What were you thinking? What kind of conversation can you carry with this kind of a lady? But deep in her heart Clara knew she was going so she could ask about the change in Bess.
After dressing, Clara went down to the kitchen and gathered a small basketful of cookies that Gertie had cooling on a towel. It didn’t seem proper to go to tea without some small gift. So she wrapped the cookies in a clean towel and tucked them into the little basket. Then, heart pounding, she headed for the store.
When she arrived, Mr. Taylor was the only one there. He looked up and smiled his question.
“Is Mrs. Taylor in today?” Clara spoke hesitatingly.
“Yes. Are you her friend Clara Johnson?” At Clara’s nod, Mr. Taylor pointed to a door in a far corner. “She’s back preparing tea for you and asked me to send you on back. Go right through that door and you’ll find her easily enough. She’s looking forward to getting to know you.”
What a strange bunch of people! Did they not know everyone ignored or turned away from women like her? Why were they being so friendly? Was it a trap of some kind?
If it wasn’t for her strong love of Bess and curiosity about the change in the girl, Clara would have turned and run. But she forced a smile and ducked through the door to which he had pointed.
Mrs. Taylor was pouring cups of steaming tea as Clara entered. She was a very friendly lady, and soon the two women were chatting as though they had never been strangers. She eagerly answered all of Clara’s questions. When the afternoon was turning toward evening, Clara knew she must go.
Rebecca (as she had asked to be called) asked Clara if she would like to borrow a New Testament to read. Then she suggested she come again and talk to her friend Mrs. Lewis also. She told Clara she would be praying for her.
The Long Road Home Romance Collection Page 15
