Sarah Anne's Faithful Friends (Unshakable Faith Book 4)

by Cathy Lynn Bryant

  George revealed much of what was in his mother’s journal to Daniel and his father. They were so happy that at last the younger Mr. Hoyt seemed to be at peace.

  When Sarah and Daniel were alone in their bedchamber a short time later, she stated that she wished Joanna could have seen her brother so happy. “Would she not have been amazed at the turn of events in this family?” For the first time since her marriage to Daniel, Sarah had not been plagued by guilt at having married her friend’s husband.

  Daniel smiled at his wife. It was good to be married to someone who had also loved Joanna. “Yes, she would have been quite amazed. Sarah, I know I have said it before, but I am so glad you have come home.” He reached over and put his hand on her middle.

  They both began to laugh when Daniel started at the movement under his hand. Until now, he had not had the opportunity to feel his child move. “I say, be careful, little one; that is your mother you are kicking.”

  It would not be long before the Thompson family would be joined by yet another member.

  Chapter 47

  Over the next several weeks, Sarah received more than one missive from her brother. He had become quite the protective sort, always asking if she was eating well and getting enough rest. Sarah hoped that one day he would live close by.

  Mr. Hoyt had very much enjoyed wintering in Boston with his family. The thought of returning to Amesbury displeased him, for he would be, once again, separated from everyone he loved. One afternoon, he mentioned to Daniel that he was thinking of selling his home in Amesbury and coming to Boston to live.

  “Joseph, I would not do that just yet. You see, I have been contemplating a move myself. To Amesbury.”

  The two men laughed at the thought that, if they had not spoken to each other, they may have merely swapped towns.

  “But what of the folks who depend on you here in Boston?”

  “I am certain they shall be all right in the care of another. My family has to be my first concern. We are soon to have another child in this house, and Sarah’s Amesbury home is much larger. More importantly, there would be servants to assist Sarah in rearing the children and taking care of the home.”

  “When you put it in those terms, I see your point. Well, then, it seems I shall not be moving.”

  Daniel smiled and then warned his father-in-law not to mention a word to anyone until he had spoken to Sarah.

  Once Sarah and Daniel were settled in bed that evening, Daniel told his wife what he had been considering. “The house in Amesbury is much larger, and there are servants there to help out with keeping the house and caring for the children. Furthermore, a move to Amesbury shall put a halt to your tendency to flee from difficulties, for you shall have no place to run.” This he said with a wink.

  Sarah pretended to be affronted by Daniel’s comment about her propensity to run from trouble; however, with an expression that showed she was clearly amused, she asked, “When would we go, Daniel?” Living with Martha and Esther again suited her just fine.

  “Well, there is the house to sell, and winter is not exactly the best time for moving. I would say, not before spring, anyway.”

  “We should speak to the boys about this. I would not wish to go if they have any objections.”

  Daniel adored his wife, particularly when she so unselfishly put the needs of others above her own. “We shall discuss it with them; however, we have the final say. When they are grown, they may decide where they wish to live.”

  Sarah merely nodded. She loved the boys and had no desire to upset them.

  “Sarah, I was speaking in jest about you running off, but the possibility of it happening, if something were to upset you again, is not far from my mind.”

  Sarah felt ashamed at hearing her husband’s concerns. She knew he had good reason to fear she would do that very thing. “Daniel, I do apologize; I should not have gone off like that.”

  “If you have a concern, you must come to me.”

  “I shall, Daniel, from this moment on.”

  It eased his mind a bit just hearing her say that. Leaning in close, he kissed her brow. “Rest now. Morning shall be here before we know it.”

  “Very well, but if I could have but one wish it would be that George would move to Amesbury as well. In the past, I could not be far enough away from him, but now I miss him dearly when he is not here.”

  “Indeed, what a miracle of God that the two of you should find each other and the unbearable relationship mended to this degree,” he replied while leaning over to blow out the candle.

  ◊◊◊

  When morning came, Sarah could hardly contain her excitement over moving to Amesbury, her beloved home. Impatiently, she made it through breaking the fast with her family, all the while hoping Daniel would speak to Dan and Joseph about removing to Amesbury.

  Daniel had observed the rushed manner in which his wife had prepared and served breakfast. He chuckled to himself, knowing he had made the right decision about moving. He rose from his chair and teasingly stated that he had to call upon a few people and would be gone until nightfall. In truth, things had been quiet and he was not needed anywhere, other than at home with his impatient wife.

  Sarah looked for all the world like a little child pleading with a parent over a supposed need when she asked, “Do you not have time to first speak with Dan and Joseph?”

  With his back turned to her to hide his laughter, he replied, “It shall have to wait.”

  Dan and Joseph spoke up then, wondering to what Sarah was referring. Looking at each other, they silently questioned whether they were about to be reprimanded.

  Observing their worried faces, Sarah reassured them they were not in any trouble. All at once, she heard her husband break into laughter. Realizing he had only been jesting when he said he had to take his leave and would be gone until late, she stomped her foot. “I do not see what is so amusing!”

  Seeing the tiny woman stomping her foot, the boys began to laugh as well. Once they settled themselves, the eldest inquired, “What is it, Father?”

  Daniel then rejoined his family at the table. Over the next hour, he discussed the move with his sons. In the end, everyone had agreed to a move to Amesbury. It was an easy decision for the Thompson boys since they would be living closer to their grandfather.

  Chapter 48

  Sarah was awakened in the middle of the night by an unexpected and extreme pain. Her physician husband had indicated their child would not arrive until late December. This was only the final week of November. She was thankful when it passed as quickly as it came. Soon, she fell back to sleep.

  The next morning, once her husband had set off to see a child under his care for a broken leg, the pains began again. This pattern continued for a time.

  Scarcely able to stand, with much difficulty Sarah made her way to the kitchen, hoping to find Mr. Hoyt. As she entered, she found Dan sitting at the table.

  “Have you already finished in the barn?” she inquired while grimacing from pain that was waxing just now.

  “Yes, I had trouble sleeping so I began early.” Dan then noticed the difficulty Sarah was having. “What is the matter?” Making haste to assist the doubled over woman, he led her over to a chair. “Is it the baby?”

  “I believe so. I hope your father returns soon.”

  Then Mr. Hoyt came into the kitchen. In seeing his grandson’s worried expression as he hovered over Sarah, the elderly man’s eyes shifted to Sarah. “Have your pains begun?”

  As Mr. Hoyt approached her, she replied through clenched teeth, “They have indeed, but it is too soon. The baby should not be coming for another few weeks.”

  Observing the worried look upon Sarah’s face, he replied. “Everything is going to be all right. Let us get you back to bed, and then see what can be done about locating Daniel.” Mr. Hoyt helped Sarah back to her bedchamber while Dan went out to the barn. Within minutes the eldest Thompson son, atop their fastest horse, went to find his father. He was pretty certain he k
new where to look.

  Upon his arrival at the home he had rightly suspected as being the one to which his father had gone, he spotted his father’s horse. He hastened toward the house.

  When the physician learned of Sarah’s condition, he hurriedly gathered up his medical bag and followed his son out to the yard, where both Thompson men hopped on their horses and were off.

  Daniel and his son arrived at home a short time later to find Mr. Hoyt sitting beside Sarah’s bed, holding her hand. Joseph, looking fearful, was seated by the window on the far wall. Daniel suspected his youngest son was thinking about his mother and that she had been lost to them shortly after giving birth. Wishing he had the time to comfort his son, Daniel sent him from the room, with his older brother right behind him. He would speak to them at the first opportunity, but for now Sarah required his full attention.

  As Daniel approached the bed, he asked Mr. Hoyt how long it had been since the pains had begun. After hearing how many hours it had been, he sent his father-in-law from the room so that he might examine his wife. When it was only the two of them, Sarah shared her concerns about the baby coming too soon. Daniel reassured her that, in his experience, it was common for mothers to go a little early. He suspected his wife’s earlier injuries had something to do with the child coming sooner than expected.

  With her physician husband there, Sarah’s concerns subsided a bit. Looking carefully at him, she wondered if Joanna and the child they lost were on his mind, as they were hers.

  As his wife had suspected, his thoughts were also on Joanna and the day he lost her and their child. Not allowing fear of losing Sarah as well to distract him, Daniel forced himself to focus on the here and now. For hours he successfully pushed all worries aside; however, that ended when Sarah began hemorrhaging. As he had thought, her previous injuries were most likely the reason the child had come this early as well as for the excessive blood loss.

  Finally, the baby made its entrance. Daniel whispered to his wife, who was in a weakened condition, that the child was a girl. His wife smiled as he placed the child next to her. Not long after, he heaved a sigh of relief when the excessive flow of blood had subsided. It now appeared that Sarah would be all right.

  As Daniel stood there looking lovingly at his wife and new daughter, he silently thanked God for allowing him to have another daughter. The daughter that went on to heaven with her mother could never be replaced, but having another to hold would ease the loss, if only a little.

  ◊◊◊

  Over the next few days, Daniel had no worries about his wife overexerting, for the other men in the house had not allowed her to set foot out of her room while taking care of her every need. The girl child’s siblings also relieved Sarah of much of the care of their sister, as they could not get enough of her.

  When Sarah’s strength had returned and she felt well enough to venture out, the family made plans for when they would go to the meetinghouse for the baby’s christening. Father and mother had bestowed the honor of naming their daughter upon Mr. Hoyt, who loved her as a granddaughter. The older man was moved to tears at the thought of naming his grandchild.

  Mrs. Findley had asked if she might make the silk gown for the occasion. As soon as mother and father saw the gown, they were astonished at the impeccable flowered embroidery along the edge of the sleeves, down the front, and across the bottom. When the day of the blessed event arrived, Simon conveyed his mother to the meetinghouse.

  Another very welcomed guest at the christening was the baby’s uncle. When he was last in Boston, he paid a visit to Mrs. Findley and her son, apologizing for all that had happened. The Findleys also learned that day about George and Sarah’s connection and were amazed at the news. The three stood together on this joyous occasion, observing the ceremony.

  George was overjoyed at seeing his new niece. In the moments before the formalities were to begin, the younger Mr. Hoyt whispered suggestions to his father for what to name the child. The Findleys, who were standing next to the jubilant uncle, chortled at the sight of the younger and older Mr. Hoyts bantering back and forth.

  Mr. Hoyt had kept his decision about the child’s name to himself right up until the minister requested it of him; at which point the proud grandfather replied, “Abigail. Her name shall be Abigail, for she has brought so much joy not only to her father, as the name implies, but also to the rest of her family. Additionally, the Abigail in the Bible—who was married to Nabal—was wise enough to make good decisions and strong enough to see that they were carried out despite what ramifications she might face. I pray that our little Abigail grows up to display such wonderful qualities.”

  Beaming, Sarah thanked Mr. Hoyt for giving such a suitable name to her child. She had been praying for her daughter to grow up to be wise and strong—both spiritually and physically—so it would seem Mr. Hoyt had chosen the perfect name.

  Chapter 49

  It had been several months since Abigail joined the Thompson family. Never had a child brought so much joy to one family. For Sarah and Daniel—where they once had been merely friends—she served to strengthen their relationship as husband and wife.

  With the close of spring, the Thompsons would soon be removing to Amesbury. They had found someone to purchase their home, and the physician had informed the town of his impending departure.

  The family’s excitement grew as the day for the move approached. Their church had surprised the Thompsons with a picnic on their final day to worship with them. With all the fuss, there was no doubt they would be missed. To Sarah’s great surprise, many of the ladies who had previously slighted her for marrying Joanna’s husband so soon after her death made it known that she would be missed as well.

  Knowing the day of their departure would be very soon, Sarah sent a missive off to Martha so she would be prepared for their arrival. As pleased as she was about the move, she was certain her elderly friend’s joy would surpass her own.

  As she gathered up her daughter’s belongings, she thought about her Amesbury home and her first husband. Her marriage to Alexander had been arranged by her father. The plan had been for her to live with only the servants while her husband resided in England, which was the case for nearly two years. Alexander had returned to Amesbury in hopes of having a real marriage with her. She then recalled how stunned she had been when she learned he had changed his mind and wished to have a traditional marriage. In the end, she too thought differently about her marriage. As Daniel and Joanna had, they had loved each other dearly. If anyone had told her after his tragic death she would love as deeply again, she would not have believed it; but here she was, not many years later, very much in love with Daniel.

  It is better not to know these things ahead of time, she reasoned. Just as her mind went to Daniel and how much her life had changed, he came sauntering into the room.

  “I have been looking for you. The boys are ready to begin loading yours and Abigail’s things on the wagon.”

  Thinking about how much God had blessed her in giving her yet another wonderful husband, she smiled at him and said, “You are a blessing from God, and I love you so very much.” Then, having no desire to become overly emotional, she directed her attention back to the task at hand. “I am almost done.”

  “If you believe you are simply going to finish packing after a statement like that, you are very much mistaken.” Leaning down, he lifted her into his arms and then slowly twirled her around. As he snuggled her close, he chuckled at her protests. All at once, he heard someone coming and placed her back down next to the satchel she had nearly finished filling. Just as his youngest son came into the room, the amused husband cleared his throat. “You are through, then. Very good,” he said to his wife.

  Pretending he had not been aware of his son’s presence, he stated, “Oh, Joseph, here you are. I believe this is the last of Sarah’s things. You may load them, if you wish.” Once Joseph had gone, Daniel bent down and kissed the top of his wife’s head. Then, spinning on his heels, he left the
room.

  A few days later, the Thompsons arrived in Amesbury with their first wagonload of belongings. Daniel and his sons would return to Boston in a couple of days for the remainder of their things. They were planning to leave a good deal behind—in the way of furnishings—for the new owners, as the Amesbury home was well supplied.

  Martha was delighted to see Sarah and her family, but when her eyes caught sight of little Abigail, there was no holding her back. She quickly reached out and gently took her from her mother. After kissing the child on the cheek and giving her a squeeze, she turned toward the house. Other than when she needed to be fed, Abigail was not in her mother’s arms for the remainder of the day. Martha had reluctantly passed her off to Esther when the young maid insisted it was her turn to hold the child. Even Peter had gathered the child in his arms a time or two that first day.

  Sarah had sent Peter to inform Mr. Hoyt—who had returned to Amesbury a couple of weeks after the final snowfall of the season—they had safely arrived. As she had expected, the elderly man was not long in coming, in fact only minutes behind Peter.

  The first person he wished to see was Abigail, who seemed to grow and change by the day. As he lifted her, she pulled on his beard. Laughing loudly, he drew her close.

  As was common for siblings, though rare for the Thompson boys, there had been jealousy between them when it came to vying for attention, but not once had they felt anything of the kind for their sister thus they both smiled at the sight of their grandfather hugging their baby sister.

  As Sarah observed the sight, she realized there was one missing from the happy reunion, Mr. Swyndhurst. Saddened at the thought that she may never see him again, she determined to send off a missive to him as soon as possible. Perhaps he would return if she made it known that he was greatly missed. When she had mentioned the idea of Mr. Swyndhurst coming to live with them to her husband, he had encouraged her to do what she could to convince him.