Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek Series #2)

by Sharlene MacLaren

  Sarah didn't know what Rocky had told the man to convince him, but when they both emerged from the back room of the preacher's small farmhouse, Jonathan Atkins gave Sarah a brief smile and a nod of approval. The wedding date was set for Thursday, a mere two days away.

  Now, dressed in a coral silk gown, Sarah stood beside Rocky, holding tightly to a small bouquet of dried flowers and praying that the ceremony would hasten along. Her heart took a giant leap when Reverend Atkins asked her if she promised to love, honor, and obey her husband.

  Love? She'd always supposed she would marry for love, had even dreamed of it. Now look at her. Still, she couldn't deny the overwhelming sense that she was doing the right thing, that God Himself had brought her to this point. She'd experienced His peace amidst the uncertainty, and no one could take that away from her.

  Out of the corner of one eye, she chanced a hasty peek at her groom. Clad in black, he looked more appropriately attired for a funeral than a wedding, particularly when she sought out his expression and found the clear-cut lines of his profile surly and stern. He hadn't even gifted her with a single smile the entire morning, which greatly perturbed her.

  Despite all that, she couldn't deny his handsome looks. Tall and well-muscled, his mile-wide shoulders filled up the coat he wore, and although Sarah was of medium height, she felt small in comparison. Thick, black hair, needing a good trim, fell in wavy disarray over his damp forehead, while his taut, square-set jaw clenched. He was nervous, of that she was certain-perhaps even regretting his decision to marry.

  "Miss Woodward?" the preacher asked, stealing her from her moment of reverie. "Do you take this man?"

  "Oh, yes-I do," said Sarah, jumping to attention, aware of Rocky's impatience when he shifted his brawny weight from side to side. Her eyes caught his and held for just the briefest of times, and she visibly shivered under his cold stare. Oh, Lord in heaven...

  When the reverend coached the couple to kiss, Sarah objected with a curt shake of the head, but her groom ignored her silent protest and hastily turned her into his arms, planting a hard, insensitive kiss square across her lips, leaving her breathless and dizzy on her feet. Just as quickly, he released her, set her back from him, and granted her the first of an attempted smile. "Hello, Mrs. Callahan," he murmured, one eyebrow slightly arched, his tone mysterious.

  Rounds of congratulations followed, as the few guests came up to wish the couple well. "I'm happy for you, Sarah. I hope that we can be friends." Liza Broughton, the woman who'd replaced Sarah as Benjamin's bride, smiled while squeezing Sarah's hand. Petite, pretty, and exuding warmth and kindliness, she was impossible to dislike.

  "Thank you," Sarah returned. "I shall look forward to it. Would you pay me a visit one day soon? I'm afraid I'll need some help decorating." She looked around the small farmhouse and whispered, "As you can see, this place needs some freshening up."

  Liza giggled and wrinkled her nose. "You should have seen Benjamin's house when I first moved in. At least this house appears clean enough."

  Sarah nodded her agreement. "I heard his mother came over and gave the house a good cleaning."

  "Lucky you. I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Callahan are fine Christian folks. Rocky's father is ailing, from what Benjamin tells me. Poor man."

  Sarah glanced across the room to find her new husband engaged in conversation with his father, a shorter version of his son, weathered and frail-looking. Only briefly did Rocky's eyes meet hers before she quickly averted her gaze, the impact of what had happened mere moments ago only now beginning to register in her mind.

  Oh, Lord, I am a married woman.

  Emma, Jon Atkins, and the elder Mrs. Callahan stood in the center of the room exchanging polite conversation, their hands wrapped around glasses of punch as they visited.

  Rachel and Seth hovered quietly in a far corner, Rachel in her usual morose state, Seth naturally following her lead. Sarah frowned at the pair, wondering how she would go about reaching them.

  "They've suffered a great deal," Liza said, seeming to read Sarah's mind.

  Sarah worried her lower lip. "Yes. And I've a feeling it's going to take some doing to bring them both around."

  Liza placed a comforting hand on Sarah's silk-covered arm. "I've no doubt you are just the person to do it, Sarah. I don't know you as well as I would like, but from what I've seen, you are a woman of understanding and compassion. I believe the children will sense that."

  "I appreciate that. Now if I can just figure out how to go about it."

  Liza gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. God will provide the answers."

  Just then, Ben came alongside Liza and pulled her tightly against him. "What sort of nonsense is my sweet little wife filling your head with, Sarah?" He was an attractive man, tall and strapping like Rocky, but with a gentler, kinder look about him. His dark eyes sparkled as they danced from Sarah to Liza.

  Sarah laughed. "Actually, your wife was filling me with words of wisdom."

  Arched brows rose in question. "Ali, on being the perfect wife, I presume."

  Sarah laughed, as did Liza. "Not quite, but I'm sure she could give me some fine pointers."

  It seemed odd, if not ironic, to be talking to the man she'd intended to marry and not to hold ill feelings. After all, he'd as much as made an oath to her when he'd sent for her by way of the Marriage Made in Heaven Agency. Of course, he'd also attempted to stop the proceedings, and he would have, had it not been for the agency's failure to keep the business running. No, she held no animosity toward the young couple. How could she begrudge them the love they so obviously had for each other?

  "I'm sure you and Rocky will do just fine without any pointers," Ben said, nodding at her groom, who was now engaged in conversation with the young minister. "He's a little reserved right now, but he'll come around."

  It embarrassed Sarah to be talking about her new husband, but she was curious. "Have you known him long?"

  "A good share of my life. We grew up together, attended the same school, and," he took a breath and leaned in closer, "got into our share of trouble as boys, I'm afraid." He threw his head back and let forth a peal of laughter. "As we grew older and both married," he gave his new wife a penitent look, "we did things together as couples. He was a different man back then, full of life." His faraway expression gave way to a trace of sadness, but he quickly brightened. "I'm certain your marrying him is for the best. He's a good man."

  Sarah longed for his confidence. "Right now, I'm mostly concerned for the children."

  All three cast their eyes on Rachel and Seth. The youngsters hadn't moved from their spot in the corner. "They seem extremely quiet," Ben said.

  "And very scared," Liza added. "I still remember when they got off the stagecoach several weeks ago. The children and I were watching from the classroom window. I swear Rachel and Seth's eyes were big as boulders when they first arrived."

  "Yes. I rode with them from Toledo to Lexington, and I don't think they spoke more than five sentences the entire ride, although I did my best to coax them into conversation. They clung to each other, frightened as a couple of baby birds who'd just been forced from their nest."

  Just then, Rocky approached from behind, making his presence known with a slight brush of his hand in the center of Sarah's back. She gave a jolt then prayed her husband hadn't noticed. "Am I interrupting?" Rocky asked the small gathering.

  "Not at all, friend," offered Ben, giving a warm smile and pulling his wife snugly up against him. "We were just talking about the children. They're looking a little glum today."

  Rocky glanced in the direction of Rachel and Seth and frowned. "They're quite the pair. I don't know what goes on in their heads, and I'm clean out of ideas as to what to do with them. The girl is downright cranky. I'm hoping my wife will have some fresh insights." He presented Sarah with a genuine smile, revealing straight, white teeth.

  "I'll do my best," she promised.

  "I'm afraid my sister failed to teach them proper manners.
Ma says they're just being kids, but I'm not so sure," Rocky said. "Truth is, I'm not used to girls, particularly sassy ones."

  Benjamin laughed and gave his pretty wife a sideways glance. "I know what you mean, Rock. I've had to learn firsthand how to live with a sassy female." To that, Liza slapped him playfully on the arm, which brought a round of laughter from everyone present.

  "What's so funny over here?" asked Jon Atkins. The handsome young minister approached, Frank and Mary Callahan coming alongside him, and then Emma.

  "We were just discussing how difficult my wife is," Ben said.

  Liza turned cautioning eyes on him. "Oh, stop it. We were not discussing anything of the kind." Although her tone denoted scolding, her eyes held bounteous amounts of love. It was clear the two were used to good-natured badgering. Sarah could almost feel a twinge of envy for their outward show of intimate camaraderie.

  "If anyone has a right to complain, it'd be Liza," Jon said. "What do you say, Rock?"

  "I'd agree with that. Ben Broughton has always been a stubborn mule as far back as I can remember." Everyone chortled, including Liza.

  "Hey now," Ben cut in, "let's be fair."

  "Fair's got nothin' to do with it. We're speakin' facts," Rocky continued. "Remember the time we three thought to take the trip down south byway of the Mississippi? Jon and I were bound and determined to pack plenty of supplies, whereas Ben here thought it best to pack light and live off the land."

  "We couldn't have been more than fourteen," Ben said with a hearty grin.

  "We left in the morning and were home before nightfall, hungrier than coons," said Jon, recollection showing in his clear blue eyes. "Weren't too smart, as I recall. We didn't take enough blankets and hadn't planned on rain. Came back wetter than skunks swim min' upriver."

  "Why don't I remember anythin' about this trip?" asked Mrs. Callahan, her squinty blue eyes revealing fine wrinkles at the corners.

  "Well, Ma, we figured it best not to tell our parents. We didn't plan on being gone much past three weeks. Figured you'd hardly miss us," Rocky said in a joking tone.

  "I'd've missed ya come morning when it was time for the milkin'," said the elder Mr. Callahan, his grey eyes glinting with humor, his voice craggy with age.

  Everyone laughed. Sarah noted that Rachel and Seth had approached the circle of adults and were snuggling up on either side of their grandmother. The roundish woman pulled them up snugly against her, taking the time to smile down at each. Only Seth returned a hint of a smile, his face disappearing in his grandma's full skirts. It was clear they loved her and she them.

  As the celebration waned and folks had had their fill of conversation, food, punch, and cake, Mother Callahan suggested that Sarah and Rocky open their wedding gifts. Although the idea of gifts seemed somehow superfluous in view of their contrived marriage, Sarah obliged the group by accepting each gift with enthusiasm. There was a linen, flowerprint tablecloth with silver napkin rings from Ben and Liza, a pair of silver salt and pepper shakers and matching sugar bowl from Emma, and a cake basket, ice cream knife, and full set of cast-iron pans from Sarah's new in-laws. Lastly, Jon presented them with a large family Bible. "It's beautiful," Sarah exclaimed upon taking the lovely leather-bound edition from its box. Even Rocky reached across her and stroked the fine leather. "Thank you, Jon," he murmured solemnly. "We didn't expect you to give us a gift since you already did us the honor of performing the ceremony."

  "I gave the same gift to Ben and Liza a few weeks back. Wouldn't want to leave you out. You are to fill in the family tree as you add new members to your family," he said. "You can see that I've already included both your names at the top." There was a definite hint of mischief in his eyes as Sarah's face went from pale to crimson in the space of a few seconds. Would there ever be more to their family than the two of them and Rachel and Seth? It seemed unlikely since they'd both agreed that this would be a marriage in name only.

  Emma broke the moment of awkward silence. "I'm sorry to break up this party, but I must be getting back to my boardinghouse. I have a couple of vacancies that I need to see to."

  "And I have a Sunday sermon to prepare," Jon said. "I expect I'll see you all at the Winthrop's lovely home for services this coming Sunday?"

  Sarah glanced at her unresponsive husband then answered for both of them. "I cannot guarantee that we will make it this week, but you may count on us thereafter." To that, Rocky scowled, although she doubted anyone else had caught his wrathful look. Sarah couldn't help but wonder what had so embittered his heart toward God. Yes, he'd lost his wife and son, but others suffered losses and didn't automatically wrap themselves in bitterness.

  The guests said their good-byes, making their way to the door after offering their final good wishes to the newly married couple, Rocky going before to open the door for them and to see them out.

  Mary Callahan hugged Sarah tightly, then pulled back and rewarded her with a pleasant smile. "You are to call on Frank and me very soon, and, of course, bring the children."

  "Thank you. I'm sure I'll need your advice from time to time." Sarah noted how both Rachel and Seth hung on the skirts of their grandma, refusing to let go.

  "You'll do just fine," she whispered, then, leaning in, added, "The children will grow to love you, as will my son, you'll see. Now that you're here, their hearts will heal."

  Sarah felt a burden of responsibility. Was her mother-inlaw expecting more than she was able to give?

  "I appreciate that, Mrs. Callahan."

  The woman's seasoned face creased into a sudden smile. "Please, if you wish, call me Mother or, at the very least, Mary. I know you lost your true mother just recently, so perhaps it won't come natural, but just so you know-I'll think of you as a daughter-particularly since I just lost my own dear girl." A faraway look swept across Mary's face and Sarah's heart went out to her.

  ,Just then, Frank Callahan approached, looping his arm through his wife's. Deep lines etched his weathered forehead and the corners of his eyes, revealing years of squinting at Kentucky's punishing sun. He wasn't as tall as his son, but his broad shoulders, now sagging from age, revealed his former strength.

  "Welcome to the family, my dear," he said, his mouth turning up in a kindly smile. "I 'spect my Mary has already invited you for supper next week." He arched a white eyebrow and winked.

  Mary Callahan giggled. "I've given her an open invitation for now. We'll save the formal invite for later. Don't want to overwhelm the poor girl right off."

  Mrs. Callahan bent to hug the children then set them to the side to whisper something in their ears. Both gave solemn nods. Frank tipped back on his heels and waited for his wife. "They miss their ma somethin' fierce," he muttered, pulling on his white beard.

  Sarah's throat tightened at the sight of the forlorn little imps. "These things take time," was all she could manage.

  -6h-a%2eA 2t eve

  arch stared at one lone spot on the ceiling, pulled the scratchy wool blanket up under her chin, turned over on her straw mattress, and breathed in the scents of musty walls and dusty curtains. It was well past midnight, but her mind was still too cluttered with thoughts of her wedding day for sleep to come.

  She glanced out the single window of the small room that had once belonged to Rocky Callahan. Although she'd insisted she could sleep on the sofa, which she'd discovered during the course of the evening wasn't bad, save the spring that jutted from its center, he'd insisted a woman needed her own place. It seemed he'd fashioned a spot for himself out in the barn, for when night fell, he gathered up his bedroll, a book, and a couple of other items, mumbled a solemn good-night, and headed out the door.

  The cabin, while cozy enough, needed a good scrubbing. Of course, her mother-in-law had tended to the surface cleaning prior to the wedding, but when Rocky and the kids had given her a tour of the little house, she'd noticed rugs, bedding, and windows treatments all in need of an overhaul. She hoped her husband wouldn't mind when she handed him a list of wants for fixing up
the place.

  She could use her own money, she supposed, but she wanted to accustom herself to depending on her husband. Besides, what would he say if he learned of her large inheritance? Their marriage arrangement was precarious at best. Telling him he'd married a very wealthy woman might sting his ego or even give him cause for sending her back. From all appearances, Rocky Callahan was a man of strength and great pride. I won't be beholden to ya, he'd stated. That being the case, she could hardly picture him accepting so much as a dime of her inheritance.

  Rocky. She tried his first name on her lips and liked the feel of it. Still, it would take practice before it came off sounding natural to her.

  While she lay there contemplating, the scuffle of tiny feet scampered past her doorway-a mouse?-and she pulled her blanket up closer, shuddering. A wealthy city girl, she could not abide the notion that a wild creature, no matter how small, roamed free within the confines of her home.

  In the space of a few days, her life had changed dramatically-from a wealthy, pampered socialite to a farmer's wife. If nothing else, the house alone demonstrated her drastic shift in status. Whereas her home in the heart of one of Winchester's prestigious neighborhoods was spacious and airy, with windows aplenty, this little house stood alone amidst acres of rich, rising farmland, boasting only two small windows on either side of the front door, one in each of the two bedrooms, one over the kitchen sink, and another one overlooking the back.

  Built of whitewashed wood slats and a primitive shingled roof, the house had a small front porch as its only welcoming feature. The yard and various outbuildings-a large barn, two sheds, and a chicken coop-made up the cabin's surroundings, along with the rich, grassy hillsides, framed by a large whitewashed fence, undoubtedly intended for her husband's livestock.