by Diann Hunt
“Like I wanted to protect Ma and Jenny from what I thought you had done to our family.”
“Well, something like that,” Mr. O’Connor replied. “When I came to the Lord, I should have told Lavina the truth about Abigail. I should have trusted our faith was strong enough to keep us together. Now she’ll struggle with trusting me because I kept something from her.” He looked at his callused hands as if seeing something there. “It’s best to talk things out. Let the people you love know how you feel about them.” Mr. O’Connor looked at Titus in such a way, he felt there was a hidden message in the words.
Titus nodded. Just then Barnabas’s top lip curled, baring his teeth. A low growl sounded deep in his throat then rolled forth into a full fit of barking. Suddenly the clatter of horses and a carriage sounded outside.
“I can’t imagine two callers in one day,” Mr. O’Connor said as he strode toward the door. Titus decided he had better leave since company was coming. He pulled on his hat and stepped just behind Mr. O’Connor as the man opened the door. In the doorway stood three women. Lavina O’Connor’s face, at the sight of her husband, revealed her surprise at his shrunken appearance.
“Hello, Thomas,” Lavina O’Connor said.
He stared at her, speechless.
“Aren’t you going to let us in?” she asked.
Titus watched as Lavina, Abigail, and Eliza O’Connor entered the room.
Chapter 19
Once they entered the room, Mrs. O’Connor turned to Titus. “You might as well join us,” she said. “We all need to talk things out.” Titus gulped, not at all sure he was ready for this. Still, he obediently followed the others. Once they settled in their chairs in the drawing room, Mrs. O’Connor took a deep breath as if to begin, but Eliza jumped in.
“Before you say anything, I want to apologize to everyone in this room. I brought this whole mess about, and I’m deeply sorry. I’ve explained everything to Abigail and Aunt Lavina, and I want you to know I’m truly sorry, Uncle Thomas … and Titus.” She averted her gaze from Titus.
Mr. O’Connor shook his head. “No, it’s not your fault, Eliza. I should have been up-front with my dear Lavina from the beginning.” He looked at his wife, and she at him. His eyes seemed to beg understanding. “I never meant to hurt you. I thought I was protecting you from the pain of my sin.”
A single tear spilled onto Mrs. O’Connor’s right cheek, trailed off her chin, and dropped into her lap. She lowered her eyes and nodded.
Mr. O’Connor stood and walked over to her. He knelt at her feet. “I would never hurt you for anything. I was young and stupid and very … drunk.” He buried his head against the folds of her dress.
Titus wanted to look away, to leave. The moment between the O’Connors seemed far too intimate for his presence.
“Oh Thomas,” Mrs. O’Connor cried, laying her face next to the back of his head.
Both were crying now. Titus was moved by their affection and forgiveness toward one another. Tears streamed down Abigail’s face. Eliza wiped her damp cheeks and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Titus choked back his own emotions.
Mrs. O’Connor lifted her head. She stroked Mr. O’Connor’s hair. “We’ll talk later, dear.” She looked at the others. A smile lit her face. “I just wanted you to know that during the few weeks I’ve been gone, the Lord has spoken to me through my friend. As you know, she lost her husband about six months ago. She reminded me how foolish it would be to let pride keep me from the man I love.”
Mr. O’Connor looked up, and she smiled at him. “Every day is a gift, and we must not waste it.” He offered her a weak smile then reached over and kissed her hand. His face was wet with tears.
She dabbed at her face and looked from Eliza to Titus. “Whatever your motives for doing what you did, it doesn’t matter. Hopefully, you have learned from it and will come out better people for the experience. I know I have, though it’s not been an easy lesson.” She patted her husband’s hand.
“I want to apologize.” Every eye turned to Titus.
“You know my bent on revenge. I was angry with you, my pa, and the Lord.” He said the last phrase in almost a whisper. He studied his hands. “I wanted someone to pay for the pain I was feeling—”
“But you didn’t want any part of this. You tried to stop me,” Eliza cut in.
Titus looked at her. He glanced over at Abigail, whose face held no condemnation, only compassion. At that moment, he realized Eliza must have explained the situation to Abigail.
“I never meant to hurt you,” he said, his eyes never leaving Abigail’s face. Then he turned to Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor. “Or you.” He ran fingers through his hair. “And you’re right, Mrs. O’Connor, I’ve learned a lot. I’m sorry I had to learn it at your expense.”
“No Titus, the Lord has helped us all through this. Though I’m not thankful any of it has happened, He does promise to work things together for the good of those who love Him. And I believe He has done just that.” Mrs. O’Connor turned to Abigail. “After all, we have our Abigail.”
Abigail got up from her chair and knelt at her mother’s feet beside her father. She leaned against her mother’s skirts.
“Well, I think this is a good time to pray,” Mr. O’Connor announced. Sobs poked through his words. “Father, despite my sin, Thou hast restored our family. And I thank Thee.” He stopped a moment to blow his nose. “We know the battle is not over. The enemy will try to discourage us in the days ahead, but we bring the matter to Thee. Remind us again and again to leave it there. I thank Thee for my dear Lavina and for her forgiveness. I cannot imagine life without her.”
Mrs. O’Connor’s soft voice whispered, “Lord, Thou art far more gracious and forgiving to us than we deserve. Thy love and mercy never end. For that we give Thee thanks and our deepest praise.”
“Lord,” Abigail continued in prayer, “I thank Thee for my mother and father and for allowing me to be a part of this blessed family. Help me to lean on Thee when I don’t understand things and when I am hurt by others. Most of all, help me to forgive as Thou hast forgiven me.”
The room fell silent. Titus cleared his throat. “I know Thou hast forgiven me, Lord. Please help these good folks to find it in their hearts to do the same.”
Eliza’s small voice squeaked through the silence. “I don’t know much about talking to Thee, Lord. But …” She paused a moment. “I’m sorry.” That was all she said.
It was enough.
Mr. O’Connor and Abigail rose to their feet. The others did the same. Titus thought the whole room seemed brighter. Sunlight spilled into the room and sparkled on the carpet. His heart felt clean. Really clean. While the others embraced in the warmth of forgiveness, he decided to slip out quietly.
Stepping into the hallway, he had just reached the door when a hand touched his shoulder. He turned to see Abigail’s red face, blotched with tears. “Thank you.” A smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
Titus’s heart soared. Before he could say anything, Mr. O’Connor walked into the hallway. “Titus, my boy, I do hope you’ll show up for work tomorrow. I’ve had an awful time trying to manage things on my own.”
Titus looked at him in surprise.
“I know you’ve been working construction, but that was temporary, right?”
Titus nodded.
“Well then, what say you come back to work for me?” A wide grin spread across Mr. O’Connor’s mouth. He stepped up and clasped Titus’s hand in a hearty shake. Behind Mr. O’Connor stood his wife and Eliza. Everyone was smiling.
Titus grinned. “Yes sir,” he said, shaking the older man’s hand with gusto. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Titus shrugged on his hat. His gaze locked with Abigail’s. Her face turned a deeper crimson, and for the first time since they had parted, he thought perhaps there was hope for him and the lovely Abigail O’Connor.
“Eliza, would you come in the sitting room a moment, please?” Abigail’s mother called. Abigail looked on, wondering what w
as happening. “Abigail, you come join us, too.”
Once the women sat down, Mother looked at Eliza. “My husband tells me you only came back to clear things up and that now you’re planning to leave.”
Eliza’s gaze lowered.
“I had taken the liberty to show Sophia your needlepoint. She had mentioned she would love to have you help her in her shop, but at the time, I knew you didn’t want to stay on here. Perhaps you would now consider that possibility?”
Eliza’s head jerked up. Her eyes filled with tears. Abigail felt compassion sweep over her toward her cousin.
“Of course, you know you’re welcome to live with us, should you decide to stay.”
It took a full minute before Eliza finally spoke. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course we would.”
Tears plopped onto Eliza’s skirts. After a moment, she lifted her head, got up, and went to her aunt, embracing her fully. “Thank you, Aunt Lavina. Thank you.”
When Eliza stood, Abigail got up. “Sophia’s customers will love your work. Oh, and you will love working with Sophia. She’s a wonderful friend,” Abigail offered.
The two young ladies exited the drawing room, chattering about their future. Abigail felt as if she really did have a sister.
The next morning after the worship service, Abigail stepped through the church doors and into the spring sunshine. She shielded her eyes from the sun’s glare and looked toward Jenny and Mrs. Matthews. She noticed Titus stood in the distance talking with some menfolk. Abigail’s heart felt light and carefree like a summer lark. She edged her way through the tiny crowd toward her friends.
“Good morning, Mrs. Matthews. Jenny.”
“Hello,” they answered in unison.
“Are you keeping up with your studies, Jenny?”
The little girl sat in the wagon. She nodded, setting her blond curls to bouncing.
“Good,” Abigail said with a smile.
Mrs. Matthews hadn’t climbed into the wagon yet. She grabbed Abigail’s hands. “I know it’s not my place to say, child, but Titus told me what’s happened with your family and all. I want you to know I’m so happy how the Lord has worked through the situation and seen you through.” She patted Abigail’s hand. Without a thought, Abigail gave Mrs. Matthews a slight peck on the cheek, surprising them both.
The kindness and appreciation on the older woman’s face assured Abigail of the woman’s genuine love for the O’Connor family. She whispered in Abigail’s ear, “I’m praying for you … and my son.” Then, as if she shouldn’t have said anything, she quickly clasped her hands to her mouth.
Abigail smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Matthews. For everything.” Abigail hugged the older woman, said good-bye to Jenny, and headed back to her family’s carriage. They still lingered in conversation with friends on the church grounds. As Abigail lifted her skirts to cross the yard, someone tapped her shoulder from behind. She turned to face Titus.
“Hi,” he said, as if he didn’t know what else to say.
“Hi.” She smiled to encourage him.
“Guess you know how sorry I am.” His fingers walked around the rim of his hat.
“I know.”
“Um, can we start over?”
“Start over as in …?”
“As in …” He fumbled for words.
“As in how about you come to our house for dinner tomorrow night? Then after dinner, I can beat you at checkers again.”
His face brightened. “I accept.” An enormous smile spread across his face, causing Abigail’s heart to flutter.
“Tomorrow then.”
“Tomorrow.”
Feeling like a feather floating on the wind, Abigail turned toward her carriage, when she noticed Sophia catch herself and grab her stomach. Clayton ran to her side. Before Abigail could get to her, a small crowd had gathered.
An older woman turned a worried face to Abigail. “Looks like the little one is coming early.”
Though there was little Abigail could do, she felt grateful Clayton had let her come to their home. Mrs. Baird, Mr. and Mrs. Hill, and Sophia’s mother prepared food for the little family, and Abigail saw to it that the coffee stayed fresh. Titus came along to keep Clayton from gnawing on his fingernails, and the doctor stayed busy with Sophia.
The hours dragged on, and everyone grew weary. No one dared speak it, but concern lined everyone’s brow. Sophia’s cries from the bedroom filled the air with tension. Mr. and Mrs. Hill stepped outside for some fresh air. The rocking chair creaked as Angelica Martone, Sophia’s mother, rocked back and forth, back and forth. Mrs. Baird worked feverishly on her needlework while Clayton paced. He was as fidgety as a turkey just before Thanksgiving. Abigail wished she could help, but only Baby Hill’s entrance into this world would make things better. Titus sat on the edge of the sofa and cracked his knuckles.
Just when the waiting seemed almost unbearable, a baby’s wail called from the bedroom, notifying the little gathering that the blessed event had taken place. Clayton stopped in his tracks. It took a full minute for the idea to sink in. Pretty soon, a huge grin spread across his face, and he couldn’t get to the bedroom fast enough. Everyone laughed as they watched him stumble across the room to see his wife and baby. After a few moments of suspense, Clayton burst through the bedroom door and made the announcement.
“He’s a boy!”
Chapter 20
The evening hour was upon them by the time Eli Clayton Hill entered the world. The room that had been tense with waiting now filled with tears of joy, hugs, and congratulations.
Once Sophia’s room cleared out, Abigail slipped into the bedroom to congratulate her friend. She edged closer to the bed and looked upon Sophia holding her baby son in her arms. With disheveled hair and a weak smile, Sophia lifted weary but joyous eyes to her friend. “Isn’t he beautiful?” she asked, looking again at her son.
“That he is,” Abigail agreed. She stepped a little closer and looked down at the pink, wrinkled skin of baby Eli. With eyes squeezed tightly closed, his arm flailed about until his fist finally came to rest against his tiny mouth, and he began to suck on it.
Sophia and Abigail laughed. “He must be hungry already,” said Sophia. She pulled the folds of the soft yellow blanket down around his chin and stroked her finger gently against his face. He turned his head toward her finger.
“Well, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Abigail said, turning for the door.
“Oh Abigail, would you ask Titus something for me?”
Abigail turned and nodded.
“Though Eliza will be doing needlework for me, I will need another seamstress to help with my business, especially now with the baby here. Would you ask him to ask his mother if she would be interested in sewing for me? She could work from her home, of course.”
“Oh, how wonderful, Sophia!” Abigail said excitedly. “I’m sure she will be interested. She’s wanted a job for some time but couldn’t leave Jenny.”
Sophia nodded. “I knew that. I’ve also heard people at church talk about what a good seamstress she is. It will be a real blessing to me if she accepts.”
“I’ll ask him tonight and let you know right away.”
Sophia nodded and smiled. “Thank you,” she said, her attention quickly turning back to her son.
“I love you, dear friend,” Abigail whispered as she left the room.
“You ready to go home?” Titus asked Abigail when she stepped into the living room.
She nodded. “Just let me get my cloak.” She grabbed her things, and they said their good-byes. Stepping into the cool night air, Abigail pulled her cloak tighter around her. Twinkling stars dotted the velvet sky while the moon hung barely a whisper above a cluster of trees. A shiver went through Abigail, but she knew it wasn’t from the cold. It seemed a perfect night. Like her upside-down world had turned upright again. They stopped in front of the wagon, and Titus helped her up. He walked around and stepped up to the seat. She took a contented breath.
Titus turned to her. She could see his smile in the moonlight. “It is a good day, isn’t it?”
She smiled back and nodded. Titus prompted the team into a steady trot. For the next few minutes, she explained Sophia’s offer to his mother. Seeing God’s hand in the matter, they talked excitedly of God’s mercy and provision in times of need.
When they settled into a comfortable silence, Abigail thought about the baby. After witnessing the miracle of a newborn baby, she couldn’t help but wonder how a mother could leave her child on the doorstep of another. Did she just want to be rid of a burden? What kind of woman could do that? A harsh, uncaring, cold mother.
Her mother.
A chill surged through her, but it was different from before. She pulled her cloak up tighter. The wind had chased the beauty of the night into the dark woods. An occasional blackbird flapped heavy wings against the night sky. A hoot owl cried out in the distance. The air grew cold. A lonely kind of cold. The kind of cold that made you long for the warmth of another. Her mother had died. No one knew the details. Abigail knew only that by the time she had turned three years old, her mother was gone. Her father had told her that much.
“Are you all right?” Titus asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“Oh, um, yes, I’m fine.” She could feel him looking at her. She turned to him. “I can’t help but wonder how a mother could abandon her child,” she said, surprising herself at the intimacy of her statement.
The rhythmic clip-clop of horses’ hooves echoed around them as the comment hovered in the air. Titus looked at her.
“I mean, didn’t she care at all?” She wished she hadn’t asked the question the minute it left her. After all, she knew her mother didn’t care, or she wouldn’t have abandoned Abigail. Still, Abigail wondered who this mystery woman was, what she looked like, what would make her do such a cruel thing.
“It is hard to understand.” He grabbed her hand. “But your mother was good to you, Abigail. She gave you to the people she knew would love you most.”
