by Janette Oke
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me . . . and with Mama when the time comes for me to go back to Boston. It'll be hard, Lord. Really hard . . . for both of us.
The train blew the whistle--long and loud--and Belinda finished in a rush, And thanks so much, Lord, for giving me this chance to come home. Back where her heart had always been. As the wheels churned to a stop, she took a deep breath, gathered her suitcase and hatbox, and moved down the aisle toward the exit. Only one other passenger was walking toward the door. Not many folks get off at this small whistle-stop, Belinda reminded herself.
And then she was in the open air and down the steps. A kindly porter offered assistance. Stepping onto the wooden platform, she paused to look around and heard her name spoken. There he was--her doctor brother Luke, his arms outstretched toward her as the wind whipped the tails of his coat.
With a glad little cry, Belinda ran toward the open arms. "Oh, Luke, Luke!" was all she could manage.
They walked from the station together, Luke carrying Belinda's heavy suitcase and she the hatbox. "I didn't dare bring the team," Luke was telling her. "I knew Abbie would ask questions if I harnessed the team to go to the office."
"Oh, the office!" cried Belinda. "I can hardly wait to see your new office."
"But not today," Luke pointed out firmly. "I don't plan to do one thing today except escort you to the family. I could hardly live with not telling them, Belinda! Abbie and the kids will be so excited. And then we'll need to get you on home to Ma and Pa. They won't believe their eyes. Just to sorta prepare the way, I told Ma that Abbie and I would be coming out to the farm for supper tonight."
Belinda laughed, thinking how smart Luke had been and
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how much fun it was going to be.
"I told Jackson that I was taking the rest of the day off. Thankfully he didn't ask why," Luke explained.
At the mention of Jackson, Belinda felt a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach. Does Jackson still think that I should . . . that I might care for him? she wondered. She hoped not.
But Luke was talking.
"By the way, you wouldn't want your old job back, would you?"
At Belinda's questioning look, he hurried on. "No one has said anything yet, but I've the feeling that I might not have my nurse for long."
"Is anything wrong with Flo?" Belinda questioned.
"Oh my, no," laughed Luke. "Unless you consider being in love as something wrong."
"She's in love? That's nice," Belinda smiled, relieved. "So who's the lucky young man? Anyone I know?"
"Quite well, in fact," responded Luke, looking steadily into Belinda's face. "Jackson."
"Jackson?" Belinda stopped. The news was quite a shock. And then to Belinda's surprise she realized it was not only a shock--but a relief. She no longer needed to worry about Jackson. He had found happiness with someone else. She fell in step again with her big brother. "That's nice," she smiled. Jackson and Flo. I think they'll make a very nice couple."
"Yes," he grinned at her, looking relieved. "They do make a great couple. We're all happy for them."
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FIVE
Family
"I don't believe it. I can't believe it!" cried Abbie over and over as she held Belinda close, laughing and crying at the same time. "You're here. Really here! We had started to think you'd never come back."
Belinda understood immediately that Abbie assumed she was home to stay. She decided there would be plenty of time for explanations about that later. Instead, she returned the warm hug, the tears brimming in her own eyes.
"The youngsters!" cried Abbie. "They'll be so excited to see you. They're in the backyard. Luke, will you--?"
But Luke had already thought of the children and gone to fetch them. In they rushed to see the surprise "visitor" their father had summoned them to see.
Nine-year-old Thomas was still running when he burst through the kitchen door, but he slid to a stop, looking at Belinda in unbelief, and then let out a shriek. "Aunt Belinda!" he cried, but his feet did not leave the spot.
Aaron, seven, pushed forward next to see for himself. He took one look at Belinda, then without missing a step he threw himself headlong at her, his small arms wrapping around her legs, his face buried in her skirts. To everyone's amazement he began to sob.
Belinda, perplexed, reached down to hug the boy. "Aaron,
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Aaron," she whispered. "Aaron, whatever is wrong?" She pushed him back gently, then lifted him into her arms.
He buried his face against her shoulder. "I . . . I thought you weren't never coming back," he cried. "I . . . I . . . every day we prayed for you . . . but you never came home." Belinda just held him and rocked him back and forth, with tears coursing down her own cheeks.
"Shhh. Shhh," she comforted the child. "I'm back. See, I'm back."
Thomas came forward then and wrapped his arms around Belinda's waist. She couldn't believe how tall he had grown.
"Thomas," she said, a hand on his mop of brown hair, "look at you. Just look at you. You've grown two feet."
Thomas grinned, a twinkle in his eyes. "I've always had two feet," he countered, and the kitchen filled with laughter at his little joke.
Belinda sat down on a kitchen chair, Aaron still on her lap. The emotional storm had passed, and he was busily mopping up his face with a checkered handkerchief supplied by his mother. Thomas stood close beside Belinda, carefully studying her face.
"Where's Ruthie?" Belinda asked.
"Pa had to go get her. She went to Muffie's house," Thomas explained.
"Who's Muffie?" asked Belinda innocently. Abbie was clucking her tongue impatiently
"She's not to go there without permission," she said, irritation in her tone. "She knows that."
"Muffie is a dog," supplied Aaron. "He lives down the street."
Belinda looked at Abbie. Has Ruthie really gone to visit a dog? her eyes asked.
"The Larsons--two houses down. They're an older
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couple--who love children. I think Ruthie would live there if she could. They spoil her something awful." Abbie shook her head. "They have a little dog. Ruthie uses that as her excuse to--"
Just then the back door opened and Luke entered, the errant Ruthie by the hand. Her parents exchanged glances. Discipline would need to be meted out--but not at the moment, they seemed to agree. They would deal with the infraction later.
Ruthie, suddenly shy, was too young to remember her aunt Belinda, though Thomas and Aaron had certainly kept her posted about the fact that she had such an aunt. She clasped her father's hand more tightly and twisted herself behind him.
Thomas urged her to come over. "This is Aunt Belinda," he prompted, tapping Belinda on the shoulder. Aaron's arm tightened possessively around Belinda's neck.
Ruthie finally was coaxed to release her hold on her father and took hesitant steps toward Belinda. Her head was slightly down, her tongue tucked into a corner of her mouth. Shyly she moved forward, and Belinda wondered how she would manage to hold another child. She reached a hand toward Ruthie. The child took it and lowered her eyes, moving her little shoulders back and forth in embarrassment as she stood before them. Aaron pulled her in close.
"It's our aunt Belinda," he explained. "'Member? We told you 'bout her. She's nice. She's home now"
Ruthie managed a shy smile. She even allowed a small hug.
"Ruthie doesn't remember me like you do," Belinda informed Aaron. "She was still so tiny when I left. Just a baby really."
Thomas broke in excitedly, "Does Grandma know you're here?"
Belinda shook her head.
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Thomas swung back to his father. "Can we take her out, Pa? Can we? Just think how s'prised Grandma's gonna be."
Aaron scrambled off Belinda's lap so quickly she feared he was falling and grabbed for the boy. But he landed on his feet-- like a cat, Belinda thought with a smile--and joined with Thomas in pleading for a trip to the farm. Even young R
uthie began to clap her hands and to beg.
"Hush. Hush, all of you," Luke laughed, holding up his hands. "Of course we'll take Aunt Belinda to the farm. But first she needs to catch her breath. Now I suggest we let her freshen up a bit while your mama puts on the tea. We'll have tea together, and then we'll all go to the farm. I told Grandma we'd be out to join her for supper."
Three children cheered loudly, and Belinda was tempted to place her hands over her ears. Instead, she chuckled to herself, It certainly was never this noisy at Marshall Manor!
"Thomas, could you hand me that hatbox, please?" Belinda asked.
"You already have a hat on," Aaron reminded her, looking at her curiously.
Belinda laughed. "Yes, I know," she admitted.
"You're going to put it in the box?" asked Thomas.
"Well, that would be a good idea, too, but right now I'm looking for something. . . ." Belinda searched the interior for a moment and came up with a bag of peppermints. "These are for all of you to share," she said, passing the bag of candy to Abbie. "Your mama will pass them out as she wishes."
Three sets of eyes brightened and three pairs of hands reached toward Abbie. She allowed one candy per child and tucked the rest safely away in the cupboard. As Belinda left the room to go wash, she heard Luke begin his discussion with Ruthie.
"Now, young lady, what has your mama told you about
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running off to see Muffie without asking her for permission?" he began.
Belinda heard a little sob from the girl.
Oh, dear, she thought as she went into the bathroom and removed her hat to tidy her hair and wash her hands and face. I'm glad it's not me who has to discipline. It must be so much easier to just blink at some things.
But she knew Luke would not do that, easy as it would have been. "Discipline needs to be consistent," she had often heard Luke say, "or it is not discipline--only punishment." And she was well aware of the fact her brother did not believe in punishment for its own sake.
Belinda's excitement matched the children's during the ride to the farm. Thomas, Aaron, and Ruthie all talked constantly, vying for her attention and pointing out every farm and landmark along the way. Belinda could have named them all herself, but she allowed them the fun of being her "tour guides."
The nearer they came to the farm, the harder Belinda's heart pounded. Have I done this right? Should I have warned the folks of my coming? she debated within herself again. What if the shock. . . ? She took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the children's chatter, grasping the buggy seat until her knuckles turned white. Luke was already pressing the team as fast as safety would allow.
And then they were turning down the long lane. Belinda had always thought of the white farmhouse as large. She was surprised at how small it looked to her now--certainly small compared to Marshall Manor. Small and quite simple.
But it is home, she rejoiced. Belinda edged forward on the seat and could scarcely wait for the buggy to stop.
"Now, don't you holler out anything to Grandma," Luke
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warned the children. "Aunt Belinda wants to surprise her." They nodded in wide-eyed understanding, and Ruthie clapped a hand over her own mouth "just in case."
The farm dog welcomed them, even seeming to remember Belinda. He stopped at her side long enough to lick her hand and wag his tail, and she patted his head fondly. "You remember me, don't you?" she murmured with satisfaction. Then the dog scampered away, far more interested in the children who ran on ahead to the house.
Marty appeared at the door, drying her hands on her apron. "You're earlier than I expected," she called. "How did you get away from the office so soon?" She leaned down to hug Aaron and Ruthie. "How's school, Thomas?" she inquired.
Belinda, screened behind Luke and Abbie, could hardly contain herself. She wished to rush headlong into her mother's arms. She suppressed the urge and swallowed away a sob from her throat.
"Ready," whispered Luke, and Belinda nodded, tears in her eyes and a smile on her lips. The three adults moved toward the farmhouse. Marty was still busy chatting with the three youngsters. Belinda could hardly believe they hadn't even suggested they had a surprise for Grandma, though they were casting furtive glances toward the approaching adults.
Belinda had almost reached her mother when wee Ruthie could keep quiet no longer. "Look!" she exclaimed, pointing a pudgy finger at Belinda.
Marty looked up. Luke reacted quickly, stepping aside at just that minute.
Belinda heard Marty's gasp. With a cry of "my baby" she threw herself toward her youngest. Belinda met her halfway and, weeping, they wrapped their arms around each other. Marty was whispering words of love and endearment over and over, but now she was saying "Belinda," not "baby." Belinda did
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not remember her mother calling her "baby" before. Is that really how she thinks of me? she wondered for a moment.
"Oh, Mama," Belinda finally managed, "I'm so glad to see you!"
Marty pulled a handkerchief from her apron pocket and wiped her eyes and nose. She held Belinda at arms' length and studied her face carefully. "You've changed," she said at last, nodding. "But I don't see nothin' but maturity in your face. You've grown up, Belinda," and she hugged her close again.
For Belinda's part, her mother looked very much the same as she remembered her. Thank you, Lord, she whispered. Thank you for taking good care of Mama.
The rest of the family demanded equal time, and the two women were forced to draw apart while the children all tried to talk at once.
"Were you surprised, Grandma? Were you surprised?" "Well--my lands! I guess I was."
"It was a good trick, wasn't it, Grandma? We really fooled you, didn't we?"
"You certainly did. You certainly did. My, my," and Marty cast a loving glance toward Belinda, "it was a good surprise." And she led the way into the big farm kitchen.
"Grandpa will be surprised, too, won't he? Won't he?" "He will. He sure will."
And so the talk went on, bubbling and humming around her until Belinda felt her head was fairly spinning.
"I'm gonna run and tell Uncle Clare and Aunt Kate," shouted Thomas and headed for the door, then slid to a stop and looked toward Belinda. "Can I?"
"Go ahead," laughed Belinda. "They might as well hear it from you, and I am anxious to see them all."
The house was in even more confusion when Kate and the boys arrived. Only two of the nephews were home. Dan was
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off with his father on a farm errand. Belinda was startled to note that David was taller than she was, and Dack was very quickly catching up. They gave her boyish hugs and Kate held her fiercely. Belinda wondered if Kate was actually thinking of her own Amy Jo as she hugged so tightly.
"What do you hear from Amy Jo?" Belinda asked when she could draw a breath.
"She's fine, she says. Expectin' her second child any day now." Kate wiped her eyes, drew a deep breath, and managed a smile. "Her first little one will soon be three. Hard to believe, isn't it?"
Belinda nodded, imagining lively Amy Jo as a mother.
"Well, that's the way life is," shrugged Kate. "Ya raise 'em to leave. That's what life is about. Dan, now, he's got a girl. A nice girl, too, so I 'spect it won't be long till he'll be off on his own, as well."
"Is Dan . . . is Dan still working with . . . with Rand?" Belinda couldn't believe the difficulty she was having with the simple question.
"Oh no," explained Kate quickly. "Rand left. He went back to the town--wherever it was--where he lived before. Dan does odd little building jobs for the neighbors, but mostly he farms with his pa."
Belinda was relieved. Her trip home would not be marred by another argument with Rand, though she could have enjoyed a visit with him.
"Rand married a girl from down there," Kate went on. "She didn't want to leave her family, so they settled in the area."
Jackson . . . and now Rand, Belinda mused, her eyes no doubt reflecting her surpr
ise.
But no one noticed, and Dack interrupted the conversation with a question. "Are you going to be a nurse again?" he asked Belinda.
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"I'm a nurse now," Belinda answered. All eyes turned to Belinda as she spoke. "In fact, I did a good deal of nursing the early part of the summer. I wrote Mama--Grandma--about it. Aunt Virgie--Mrs. Stafford-Smyth--was very sick. I was afraid we might even lose her."
"You call her Aunt Virgie?" asked Marty.
"Yes, she asked me to," Belinda stated simply, and Marty nodded.
"Is she better now?" asked Marty.
"Much better, though it took her quite a while to get over it. But she's fine now. Just fine. In fact, she's feeling so well she's off to New York for six weeks."
Marty looked at Belinda, her eyes shadowed with questions. She did not speak out loud, but Belinda could feel the silent conversation pass between them. And while she's in New York, you have come home? Marty's eyes asked. The question was so real Belinda nodded solemnly in answer.
And you will go back to Boston? Marty's questioning eyes probed, and Belinda answered that with a slight nod, also.
Marty turned her head then, and Belinda expected it was to hide her tears of disappointment.
Thomas now drew their attention. "When's Grandpa coming home, Grandma?"
Marty's eyes moved to the clock on the kitchen shelf. "Soon," she replied evenly. "He should be here soon."
And then the farm dog barked an excited welcome, and they all knew Clark was on his way.
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SIX
Seeing Pa
Belinda was so emotionally drained she knew she could not bear another "game." Before anyone could urge her to duck in the pantry or slip into the living room, she rose from her chair and rushed out the door.
