The Long Road Home Romance Collection

by Judi Ann Ehresman

  At the stable, Jeremiah waited until there was no one else around and asked the man there where he could buy some clothes.

  “They ain’ nowheres in this here town that a nigger can shop. Wher’ you from?”

  “I live and work at Rose Hill Plantation.”

  “Why cain’t ya git yer clothes out thar?”

  “Well, I do get my clothing there for the most part. But I’m leavin’ on an important trip and was hopin’ to purchase a tailored suit and some other things and thought it would be quicker to get some things ready-made.”

  “Well, it ain’ gonna happen in this here town fer sure. Better git—”

  His sentence was cut short by a carriage pulling up to the stables. Looking around, Jeremiah was surprised to see Mr. Bart jump down. At this point Jeremiah was so confused he didn’t quite know what to expect, so instead of greeting Mr. Bart, he stood quietly to see if he was spoken to first.

  Mr. Bart came around his carriage and handed the reins to the man to whom Jeremiah had been speaking. Suddenly his face broke into a large smile, and he reached for Jeremiah’s hand. “Well, look who’s here. What brings you into town on this fine day, Jeremiah?” He clapped Jeremiah soundly on the shoulder in his joy and began walking out of the stables with Jeremiah at his side.

  Jeremiah stopped outside and explained what had happened to him.

  Mr. Bart’s face turned red and he looked at Jeremiah seriously. “How badly do you need a suit of clothes, Jeremiah?”

  Jeremiah told Mr. Bart about the letter and the pending trip and why he had wanted to purchase new clothes. But he turned back toward the stables with heavy shoulders. “Guess it doesn’t really matter. I’ll see what Claudette and her girls at the plantation can get stitched up for me before we go.”

  “Yes, it does matter, Jeremiah. It matters a lot. Come with me, and let’s see what we can do about new clothes for you.”

  “Nah, Mr. Bart. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

  “You’re not the one causing trouble, Jeremiah. You come with me and let’s see what we can find for you.”

  Together they turned toward town, but Jeremiah hung his head reluctantly. He really didn’t want to cause a disturbance, and he sure didn’t want to smudge Mr. Bart’s good name.

  Mr. Bart steered him toward the same store from which Jeremiah had come. Mr. Bart entered and held the door open for Jeremiah. Jeremiah was reluctant to enter, but Mr. Bart called out loudly to the owner while continuing to hold the door for Jeremiah, “Donald, my friend here needs some clothes for an upcoming journey. Do you have some things that will suit him? Or will I need to take my family’s business somewhere else?”

  The same man who had spoken to Jeremiah earlier came over and looked at Mr. Bart somewhat apologetically. He hung his head slightly and murmured, “Now, Bart, you know we serve good people here, but we don’t serve niggers in here. If there is something you need, I’m glad to help you, but tell your friend to go back out to the farm to get his clothes.”

  “Donald, I’ve purchased a good amount of clothing from you, as has my brother and many of my friends. I’m afraid if you refuse to sell to my friend here, I will have to take my business elsewhere. I’m certain you will miss the business of my family, Wally’s family, and our friends. By the time I’m finished with you, you may even have to open your store in a different town.”

  “Well, now, we don’t mean to be difficult. I suppose if he’s a friend of yours. I just don’t want those people to start thinking they can come in here anytime they want.” He looked at Jeremiah and moved toward the clothing. “How was I to know he had money? And where did he get his money? What sort of clothes does he need?”

  Mr. Bart motioned for Jeremiah to come farther into the store, and Jeremiah did so reluctantly. Mr. Bart spoke again to the owner with exaggerated patience. “Well, I guess if you want to know what he needs, you will just have to ask him, don’t you think? And where he got his money is his business, not yours or mine.” Mr. Bart shook his head subtly at Jeremiah to indicate he should not respond until the man spoke to him.

  Jeremiah caught himself before he smiled at Mr. Bart. This might be fun after all.

  After they left the store, Mr. Bart headed back toward the stables with Jeremiah, who was carrying his new clothes. They continued their conversation about the letter.

  Mr. Bart looked at Jeremiah thoughtfully. “Isn’t it great the way God works? I am so thankful that we were able to purchase Deidre’s papers this past spring. Now the two of you can decide together how and where you want to spend the rest of your life.” He paused briefly, but Jeremiah knew he had something more to say, so he waited. In a short time, Mr. Bart continued. “And Jeremiah, I want to tell you that I know my brother-in-law and sister will miss you terribly if you decide to stay up North, as would Adele and I and all the folk on our two plantations, but you must realize that things are only going to get harder for the Negroes in the South. What we experienced this afternoon is only a sample of what is to come. What we all want for you is what is truly best for you and for your family. Think about it and pray about it before you decide.”

  Mr. Bart stopped in the street. His eyes met Jeremiah’s squarely.

  Jeremiah nodded solemnly. “I guess things are changin’. I’ll pray about it, Mr. Bart. Yes, I’ll pray about it.”

  They stood for a moment in companionable silence, and then Mr. Bart said, “I really didn’t have anything important that I need to do today. I think I’ll ride out to Rose Hill with you. Let’s tie your horse on behind and you can ride in my carriage. The clothing will ride better in the carriage than on horseback anyway. And I could use some of Eliza’s good lemonade.”

  Chapter 25

  It was on the train that Sue Ellen realized that she had not taken the time to respond to Delaney’s letter. No one knew they were coming to Indiana! Things had happened so fast on the plantation that she had not even thought of it.

  When she told Wally, he patted her hand and smiled. “Well, perhaps it’s best this way. Just in case it really is the wrong woman, we will not have raised her hopes needlessly.”

  “Yes, I suppose. But I don’t know how it could be the wrong woman. And I think Jeremiah feels the same way. There are too many indications to be a coincidence. I believe I feel the hand of God working, don’t you?”

  Wally smiled. “Yes, I do feel the hand of God in this. And I do believe that Jeremiah does also.” He sighed heavily. “I wish so much that he could have ridden in this car with us. There’s just no good reason that he can’t. I am going to put up more of a fight to get him up here with us. I’m going to miss that good man if he decides to stay in Indiana, but I do believe Bart is right. He and his family would be better off there than in the South. I fear some hard times are coming in the South, and I believe he’ll be safer in the North. Did you know that in Indiana all blacks are free? I hope I live to see the day when it is that way everywhere. And that it will not be profitable to be bringing them over from Africa anymore. I hope I live to see the day.”

  “I am thankful that God gave you the heart and the ability to free as many as you have through the years, Wally. And that you teach them to be independent and how to live in this country as free people.”

  “I am thankful that God has blessed us in such a way that we have the means to free as many as we have. And I pray that we can continue to do so in the future. It never fails to amaze me at the way God has blessed our land and crops since we have been doing this. I am convinced that He is making it possible for us to free more and more.”

  They were silent for a little while, and then Sue Ellen spoke again. “I am thankful that God has blessed us with this trip. I feel like Jeremiah is one of our own children. I’m happy that we have the opportunity to meet his wife ourselves and know what kind of family he will have. I do hope she is as good a woman as he thinks she is.”

  Wally looked at his wife’s face. “You are worrying like a mother hen over her baby chicks.”
He smiled. “Better stop it, or you’ll soon be fretting over those wrinkles between your brows.” He paused while she smiled and then added, “I pray he has made as wise a choice for a wife as I have. And I hope he will be as happy as I am.”

  Sue Ellen kissed her husband and then patted his hand.

  Suddenly there was loud clanging, and the conductor entered their train car. “We are stopping at this next station if anyone needs to get off the train to refresh yourself or get some fresh air. There is a store around the corner from the station if you wish to purchase snacks and a restaurant on the other side of the store. We will be loading some freight at this stop, so we will be here for one hour before leaving. Please be certain to be in your seats and have your tickets available for checking in one hour. Are there any questions?”

  Sue Ellen nudged her husband and whispered near his ear. “Where are we?”

  Wally cleared his throat and asked the conductor, “Where are we and how much farther to Brownsville, Indiana?”

  “We have just entered Ohio Territory, and will be in Brownsville in approximately ten hours.” He glanced briefly around the car. Apparently satisfied he had answered all questions, he left the car.

  Sue Ellen whispered to her husband again. “I have a plan. Let’s get off the train and watch to see if there might be a change of personnel. If there is, and if we can find Jeremiah, let’s suggest to him that he get on our car for the rest of the journey. Isn’t Ohio a free territory?”

  “Hmmm…well, that might not be a bad idea. What can it hurt to try? But we’ll ask Jeremiah what he thinks of the idea. More than anything I don’t want to cause further embarrassment or harassment for him.”

  “Yes, of course you’re right.”

  Soon they were stepping into the warm sunlight of the late afternoon. There was a nice breeze and the air felt refreshing. They stood together for a little while watching the train and soon saw their conductor leaving the train and even leaving the station. They were debating whether to go to the restaurant for a snack when they saw Jeremiah walking toward them. Sue Ellen motioned for him to join them so she could tell him about their plan.

  “I don’t want to cause any trouble, but I’m willing to do whatever you all want. It certainly would be nice to have the time to visit and be together.”

  Wally interjected. “I think since we’ve seen the conductor leave that you should just get on with us and we won’t ask any questions. If they make us separate, we will and not cause any trouble, but how will the new conductor know but what you are supposed to be in our car?”

  After enjoying dishes of cold custard and fruit, they returned to the train. They were encouraged by the fact that Jeremiah had been served at the restaurant at their table and no comments had been made at all. They had seen two other Negroes eating at the establishment, so apparently it was not an unusual sight in this area.

  When they reboarded the train, Jeremiah retrieved his bag from the car he had ridden previously and got in the car with Mr. Wally and Miss Sue Ellen. Before long other people began filling the car, and there were a few new faces. Soon the new conductor began making his way through the car checking the tickets. When he checked their tickets he looked at them and asked, “Are you traveling together?”

  Wally responded in a friendly vein, “Yes, we are visiting some friends in Indiana.”

  “Indiana is beautiful,” the gentleman replied. “I trust you will enjoy your visit.” And with that, he moved on to the next group of seats.

  Sue Ellen nudged Wally’s ribs gently, while Wally and Jeremiah smiled at one another. This was the way it should be. As they rode, Sue Ellen realized that she really wanted this for Jeremiah. Even though she and all of Rose Hill would miss him terribly, they longed to see him be treated with the respect that he should have. Her heart swelled with the fear that Jeremiah might be moving away from them permanently, but her great love for him would not allow her to wish him back to the way he would always be treated at home.

  Chapter 26

  Deidre smiled as she finished stitching the binding on the blue and yellow quilt. Her wing of the house was looking very lovely. Ever since her conversation with Delaney a few weeks back, she was filled with hopes and daydreams of someday bringing her Jeremiah here to live with her. It seemed each day her heart grew lighter.

  She had never been as happy as she had been since coming to live here with Mandy and Ethan. She had felt content, but always there was that nagging concern in the back of her heart—that sense of loss at being so far from Jeremiah. Now, to quiet her heart, she tried to reason that the possibility Delaney knew her Jeremiah could all be a mistake, but still something told her to have faith. Was God really answering her prayers? She had thought she had faith, but why was she so surprised at God’s ways?

  Ethan had placed windows on two sides of her room. This afternoon as she completed these final stitches, she sat in the rocker, which she had moved away from the fireplace to catch the breeze between the two windows. Mandy had been helping her but had left to feed the girls and tuck them into their bed for their afternoon naps.

  Deidre paused and looked toward her windows. The white lace curtains that hung there fluttered in the afternoon breeze. How lovely her room would be when she finished the quilt and put it on her bed. Throughout the past winter she and Mandy had braided a beautiful brown and blue rug that she kept by the fireplace and another like it by her bed. Yes, this quilt would be the finishing touch. Oh, if only Jeremiah could share this place with her!

  Her hands stopped sewing and rested in her lap. She leaned her head against the back of the rocker, closing her eyes as she thought of her husband. She believed with all her heart that God would answer her prayers. Being patient was the hard part.

  “Is it finished yet?” Mandy’s cheerful voice preceded her into the room. “Oh, did I waken you?” She had a cold glass of apple cider in each hand.

  “No, just woolgatherin’.” Deidre glanced up and smiled. “Oh, that looks good.”

  “Yes, I’m glad Ethan tried making it with the drop apples. It’s not as good as fall cider, but it sure is a good reminder of what’s to come.”

  “Come sit with me while I finish. There isn’t enough left for both of us to sew, but I’d love to have your company while I finish.”

  “Deidre, didn’t you have a piece of that blue fabric left over?” Mandy pointed to the piece in the quilt that had small yellow flowers on a blue background.

  “Yes, there was a good-sized piece.”

  “Why don’t I make a small tablecloth that we can edge in the yellow gingham for on the small table that sits by your window?”

  “Oh, that’s a splendid idea.” Deidre set her glass on the windowsill near her elbow and got up to get the material for Mandy. Looking back over her shoulder as she opened the bureau drawer, she said, “Mandy, Ethan has spoiled me terribly with all this lovely furniture. I feel like a queen every time I open the bureau drawers or sit in the rocker or dust the little table or lay in my bed. Who would have ever thought I’d have such a life?”

  Mandy giggled. “We truly do have lovely furniture, thanks to my husband’s talent. I am certainly glad he loves making things with his hands. We both get to benefit.”

  Deidre laid the piece of fabric in Mandy’s lap. Mandy fingered it lovingly and then sat still, drinking her cider slowly. The two women sat together enjoying the cool breeze, the sweet cider, and the contentment of friendship.

  Deidre’s eyes opened slowly. Something had awakened her, and she tried to get her bearings to determine what it was. Then she heard it. At night she often left the door between Jedediah’s room and hers slightly ajar. She smiled to herself as she heard the whispers next door that had awakened her.

  Often since she and Jeddy had moved to this side of the cabin, Daniel would sneak over and crawl into Jeddy’s bed as soon as it was light, and the two would whisper and giggle like two teenage girls. How precious it was to see the love between those two friends in spite of
nearly a three-year age difference.

  Deidre smiled as she thought of the way Jeddy loved and protected his little friend. He could be quite solemn, taking Daniel’s side if he thought there was any injustice being served to his friend. Daniel looked to Jeddy for the final word on any decision or thought. Their friendship was indeed a thrill to a mother’s heart. And Deidre knew that Mandy enjoyed watching it grow as much as she did.

  Soon Deidre was dressed and pulling up the new quilt on her bed when she heard thunder rumbling in the distance. “Oh, no,” she groaned. “I wanted to weed and prune the flower gardens today.”

  Mandy’s head came in the doorway. “I was just walking by—what did you say?” She bounced Christy on her hip, holding Callie’s hand in her other hand. The girls were just over a year old now and were walking everywhere, but Christy still preferred to be carried.

  Deidre smiled. “I was grumblin’ because I heard thunder, and I had wanted to work in the flower gardens today.”

  “You must have slept well last night. It rained all night and thundered and lit the place up with lightning. You didn’t hear it?”

  Deidre dropped the corner of the quilt she’d been holding, staring at Mandy’s grinning face in consternation. “No, I didn’t hear any thunder. Mandy, are you playin’ with me?”

  “I am not. Look outside for yourself. I think the rain is past, and by the time we’re ready to go outdoors it should be an excellent day to work in the flower gardens. The ground will be soft, and I think the rain lowered the temperature considerably.”

  Deidre had walked to the window while Mandy spoke and was shaking her head. “Things sure are different on the west end of the house. I did not hear that storm at all, but the world sure looks washed clean and fresh. I love it when it rains at night and the world is fresh in the mornin’.”