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

by Cathy Lynn Bryant

  Later that night, once his wife had put Abigail to bed, Daniel watched as she composed a missive to Mr. Swyndhurst. He knew it would mean the world to her if her elderly friend returned. Leaning back against his pillow, he glanced around the room. Knowing it was the one Sarah had occupied before Alexander returned from England and not the one they had shared as husband and wife, caused him to feel more at ease. Other than in this room, he had found many of Alexander’s belongings still in the home, which had served to remind him of Sarah’s life before her marriage to him. The thought then came to him that Sarah must also at times have felt uncomfortable in the home he had shared with Joanna.

  Seeing that she had finished writing, he said, “Sarah, I believe I now understand a little of how you must have felt living in the home I shared with Joanna for so long.”

  “Oh, Daniel. I do apologize for being so insensitive. This must be difficult for you, being here in this home where you are surrounded by Alexander’s books, keepsakes, and such.”

  Daniel had not brought up the subject to gain that kind of a response. “Sarah, though being in this home is somewhat of a reminder of your life with Alexander, I shall be perfectly fine living here.”

  “Are you certain, Daniel? Perhaps we should sell this home and look for another here in Amesbury.”

  “That will not be necessary. I shall grow to love this home, I am certain of it. It suits our needs perfectly. We should rest now. Abigail is sure to be up long before we wish her to be.”

  Sarah nodded and then blew out the candle. The next morning, Hannah and Jonathan came to call. Mr. Hoyt had seen Jonathan in town and had informed him of the Thompsons’ arrival. Though they knew they should wait a little longer before coming to call, Hannah could not wait. She was anxious to see Sarah’s child.

  Martha led them into the parlor where Sarah and Daniel were presently sitting in the middle of the floor, on a blanket, enjoying time with Abigail.

  Sarah looked up as Hannah approached. After jumping to her feet, she quickly embraced her friend. “It is wonderful to see you, Hannah, and you as well, Jonathan.”

  Daniel stood then. Before he could properly greet either of the Bleasdells, they had both plopped down on the blanket with Abigail. He glanced over at his wife and found her smiling at the pair now taking turns squeezing their daughter.

  Hannah and Jonathan became better acquainted with Daniel as they conversed over dinner. The Bleasdells had adored Sarah’s first husband. When it came time for them to take their leave, they were sure Sarah had made as good a match with Daniel.

  When Daniel walked them out, Jonathan promised to take him to call on the town’s surgeon by week’s end. The two medical men had met in Boston on more than one occasion at events related to their occupation. Daniel hoped he might lighten the work load for the surgeon who attended folks not only in Amesbury but, from time to time, in the surrounding towns as well.

  As Daniel watched the wagon disappear into the night, he felt a peace about having moved to Amesbury. If the Bleasdells were any indication of the kind of people living there, he was certain he would form deep and lasting attachments.

  Chapter 50

  Sarah hoped that any day now she would receive word from Mr. Swyndhurst regarding her invitation to return to Amesbury. To her dismay, the reply to her missive was long in coming. When at last it arrived, she discovered the reason for the delay. Mr. Swyndhurst had been unwell, as the letter from his head-servant, Robert Hamilton, informed.

  She hurriedly studied the communication for further information concerning Mr. Swyndhurst’s condition. Towards the end, she learned he had been struck down by apoplexy but, thankfully, had been slowly regaining the use of the left side of his body; however, with his right leg incapable of moving, he was rendered unable to walk.

  Tears came spilling from Sarah’s eyes at the thought of what her dear father-in-law had suffered. Hearing a sound, she looked up and saw her husband coming into the room.

  Seeing his wife’s wet face and red eyes, Daniel quickly made his way over to her. “What has happened?” Sobbing, Sarah handed him the missive. Once he had read it, he took hold of her hand and led her over to the settee by the window. “Let us pray for him.” They did just that for the next few minutes.

  Sarah felt more at ease after praying. “I know it shall not be very long before he joins Alexander and Joanna in heaven, as he is not a young man, but I wish I could see him once more.”

  While caressing his wife’s hand, Daniel thought to himself, Perhaps we shall make a journey one day. “From what Mr. Hamilton offered for information, it sounds as though Mr. Swyndhurst may yet recover.”

  “Oh, that he would. He has yet to see our little Abigail.”

  Martha knocked on the door at that moment. Hearing Sarah call for her to come in, she entered. “Our little miss is in need of her mother.” While handing Abigail to Sarah, Martha noticed her red, puffy eyes. Not wanting to meddle, she turned and left the room. As she made her way down the stairs, she prayed that all would be well, whatever the trouble may be.

  Seeing Abigail’s smiling face lightened Sarah’s mood. Once Sarah had seen to Abigail’s needs, she and Daniel decided to take her out for a walk. As it was a rather windy day, Daniel wrapped his child in a quilt and the three were off.

  As they neared the home Matthew Raymond had formerly occupied, Sarah became agitated and asked to return to the house. Daniel had seen her countenance change from one of joy to what he would describe as almost fearful. Peering over at the house that seemed to have upset his wife, he rightly guessed to whom it had belonged. He knew full well the injury his wife had suffered at the man’s hands, as she had come to his home not long after. Not only had she suffered the worst kind of injury for a woman, she also later lost the child conceived at the time of the attack. Daniel pulled his wife close, turned, and started for home.

  When Sarah was safely home, she felt foolish for having become so emotional, for the man was dead and could no longer be a danger to her. Deciding to take a rest, she asked her husband to see if Martha could watch Abigail for a little while.

  Once he had placed Abigail in Martha’s care, Daniel made his way up to his bedchamber, where his wife was currently resting.

  After quietly closing the door behind him, Daniel glanced over to see his wife lying on the bed, awake. “Are you well, Sarah?”

  Mortified at her earlier show of emotion, Sarah responded, “Yes, of course. Just a little tired.”

  Daniel came toward her. Taking a seat on the bed next to her, he touched her hand. “Sarah, the house we passed by belonged to Matthew Raymond, did it not?”

  “Ho…how did you—”

  “It was not all that difficult to guess what had unnerved you so.”

  Turning her head away, she muttered, “I thought I was over it. When I was last in Amesbury, I believed I had put it all behind me.”

  “Sarah, you have been away for a time. Coming back was sure to bring up old memories. These feelings shall pass as they did before; however, I dare say, not completely. The kind of thing that happened to you is not easily forgotten.” Daniel stood and walked around to the other side of the bed. Once he had climbed in, he slid his arm under his wife and pulled her into his arms. The pair soon fell asleep.

  Over the next few days, Sarah did not venture out. Knowing the young woman’s love for walks where she could enjoy the out of doors, Martha wondered at the reason.

  Finding a moment alone with Mr. Thompson, she inquired, “Is there something amiss with Sarah? She has not set foot out of the house in days, which is very unlike her.”

  Having now been acquainted with Martha’s great love for his wife, Daniel freely responded, “She seems to be afflicted with unpleasant memories following our walk a few days ago.”

  “I see, and in which direction did you walk?” She was certain she knew the answer.

  “Yes, Martha, we went by Matthew Raymond’s former home. Had I known, I would not have led us by there.”<
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  “Oh, I had hoped she would not think of that despicable man ever again; but of course one does not forget—” Even after all this time, Martha still could not bring herself to speak aloud what had happened.

  “Indeed, she could not. Since you asked in which direction we walked, would she have been all right had we gone the other way, or is it your opinion that returning to Amesbury is going to be problematic for her?”

  “When she was living here, after Alexander’s passing, she went out for strolls on a regular basis, but each time I noticed it was not in the direction of that particular house.”

  “I am happy to hear it. I shall keep her attention away from that home in the future.”

  After his conversation with Martha, Daniel made his way to the parlor. Selecting a book from Sarah’s stack on the little table by the window, he took a seat. Opening the book, his eyes went to the first page. Unable to focus, his mind wandered to the time when he had first met Sarah. The small woman was as white as a sheet except for the bruises she had acquired at the hands of Matthew Raymond. At that time, she had also had a great fear of going out of doors. To his amazement, though, she had quickly overcome her fears.

  I have married a very brave, albeit little woman, he thought to himself. She has been through so much. Just then, Sarah came into the room. Turning his head in her direction, Daniel smiled and came to his feet.

  “I thought I should like a walk and wondered if you would wish to join me.” She knew she could not let her fears take over, or she might once again be self-confined to her home.

  “Indeed I would,” Daniel replied. Yes, I have married myself a very courageous woman.

  Chapter 51

  Late spring, the year 1737, Amesbury, Massachusetts Bay Colony

  To the great delight of everyone in the Thompson home, Uncle George arrived, prepared to take his nephews out on a hunt. A bounty had been established for wolves once again at fifty shillings per animal, as they had become bothersome to the sheep. He had sent word of his coming and that he was to stay a few days.

  Sarah was possibly the most overjoyed of the group at seeing her brother. As he entered, he hastened toward her, scooping her up, nearly squeezing the breath out of her. “George, I am so glad you have come. I have missed you so, and the boys are anxious for the promised hunt.”

  George, so different than he once was, appeared quite peaceful and happy. Nudging his brother-in-law, he asked where he might find little Abigail. His sister then informed him that the child was down for a nap. Feigning a pout, George gathered up his satchel and followed after his sister to the room in which he would be staying.

  Once settled, he went in search of his nephews. It was time they set off on the hunt. They were to meet up with a few of his father’s acquaintances.

  Late in the day, the threesome strolled toward home. They had killed two wolves during the hunt and had already collected their reward, to be split between the two young men. Truth be told, it was their uncle who had made the precise shot for each kill.

  As they were passing by Matthew Raymond’s home, their father came strolling out. He was there attending the new owner, who had burned her hand while cooking. The boys were surprised at seeing him. Once they had greeted him, their father sent them on ahead.

  Daniel explained to George why he had held him back. As they stood in front of the home once owned by Matthew Raymond, Daniel disclosed the entire account of the terrible event that had happened there. George had already heard a little of the story, but he had not, until now, heard it in its entirety. His eyes filled with tears at what his sister had endured. He was also, yet again, overwhelmed by guilt at what she had suffered at his hands as well.

  “George, I know what you are thinking. Sarah has long since forgiven you.”

  With his head hanging low, George responded, “I know. I do not deserve such a sister.” Then, growing angry at the dead man, he burst out, “If Matthew Raymond was still alive, he would feel my wrath.”

  Daniel smiled at his brother-in-law. “Spoken like a true older brother.”

  “I shall spend the remainder of my days looking out for my sister. I only wish our relationship had begun as it is now. I have much to regret when it comes to my sisters. I used them both abominably.”

  “As I said, Sarah never thinks of such things, and you know Joanna loved you dearly.”

  The men then continued on towards home. Sarah greeted them as they came into the parlor. She instantly knew something was amiss with George, for when he looked at her, his eyes were tear-filled.

  Later, when they were alone, after everyone else had gone to bed, her brother stated once more his regret at his earlier treatment of her. With a fierce tone, she replied that she never wanted to hear him say such things again.

  To see his sister’s stern countenance caused George’s mood to lift. “Sarah, if you could but see yourself. You are too adorable.”

  A little frustrated that he was not taking her seriously yet still glad to see her brother’s mood had altered, she replied, “I am in earnest. I never wish to hear that kind of talk again. You are a blessing to me.”

  “Sarah, as long as I am around, I mean to see you happy and protected.”

  Hearing his words brought joy to Sarah’s heart. She had a brother looking after her now. How good it felt.

  By the time George was ready to take his leave a few days later, he and his sister had grown an even deeper bond.

  Daniel stood with his wife by the door, waving as George’s wagon set off down the road. “He has become the best of brothers, has he not?”

  “Yes, Daniel. I could not wish for a better one. In fact, I have several wonderful men in my life.”

  Teasing, Daniel tried to appear hurt at her words of having several men in her life. Not taking the bait, his wife poked him.

  “No matter the men in my life, you are the most treasured.”

  Daniel glanced downward at his wife’s smiling face. Unable to resist, stooping, he kissed her. There was a time he believed he could never look upon this tiny person as a fully grown woman. But in seeing her strength of character and her perseverance in the face of adversity, he had come to see her not only as a woman, but one of great worth.

  The couple began their union as merely friends, but in the end their marriage had blossomed into one of deep and abiding love.

  Postscript

  The first poor house was established in Boston in 1735.

  Hannah and Jonathan Bleasdell are part of the authors’ family history, including certain details about the children and Jonathan’s and David’s occupations.

  The Sack Posset recipe was taken from The Yankee Chef: Feel Good Food for Every Kitchen, by Jim Bailey. Jim Bailey’s ancestors journeyed with the authors’ ancestors on the Angel Gabriel in 1635. http://theyankeechef.com/

  Genealogical outline provided by: http://www.blaisdell.org/

  Epilogue

  Sarah had welcomed the arrival of her brother’s first child. George had married a lovely, Christian woman a year after learning he and Sarah were siblings. It had been two months since the child’s birth. Her brother and his family would be arriving in Amesbury on this day. When the wagon pulled into the yard, little Abigail toddled alongside her mother as they made their way out to greet their guests.

  Daniel and his sons came strolling out of the barn to receive George and his family. Mr. Hoyt would be joining them as soon as Peter went to fetch him. The family spent a lovely evening conversing together in the parlor. Everyone adored George’s new wife, Rebecca, and their baby son, Mark.

  Later, after everyone had gone to bed, Sarah read the missive she had received from England to her husband. Mr. Swyndhurst had passed and, as Joanna and Alexander, he was now with the Lord. The couple then talked about the fact that, because of God’s great love and sacrifice, they would one day all be together again. They then thanked the Lord that George had become the “new creature in Christ” the Bible talks about in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
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  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

  Other Books by Bryant and Dorman

  Lost Love and Shipwrecked

  Madeline Pike Finds Hope in the New Land

  Grandmother’s Namesake

  Sarah Anne’s Expedient Marriage

  http://www.bryantdormanbooks.com/