by Barbara Goss
Sarah wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Was there no other way for Jesus to do that?”
“No. All that suffering and pain he bore was all for us. For you and me, sweetheart. That’s why it pains me to see people reject God and religion. God gave his only son for us, and people reject him, or don’t believe it,” Brock said. “It makes me angry.”
“The poor man,” Sarah said, still weeping. “But how does his dying save us?”
“By shedding His blood on the cross, Jesus took the punishment we deserve, and offered us His righteousness. When we trust Christ for our salvation, essentially we are making a trade. By faith, we trade our sin and its accompanying death penalty for His righteousness and life.”
“Why did God make us humans so sinful then?” she asked.
“He didn’t. Remember the story I told you about Adam and Eve?” After she nodded, he continued. “They had no sin. They were naked but not ashamed. They were told to eat any of the fruit from the trees God gave them except one tree. They disobeyed and ate an apple from the forbidden tree. “They immediately covered their bodies with leaves, and now there was sin.”
“Why did God put the tree there to tempt them?” Sarah asked. “Had he not done that, there would be no sin today.”
“God had to give Adam and Eve a choice. Without free will to choose, Adam and Eve would have been mere puppets. True love always requires choice. God wanted Adam and Eve to choose to love and trust Him.
“I think the least people could do after that great sacrifice is to love God for giving us the greatest gift ever. How many fathers can not only allow their son die, but to watch Him tortured and nailed to a cross by his hands?”
Sarah felt her belly. “We may have a son or daughter created already. Would you like one to be in there?” she asked.
“I’d be ecstatic.” He pulled her into his arms.
“There is something we can do to show our appreciation for all God and Jesus did for us,” he said, kissing her cheek. “We can give Him our lives.”
“What?” she asked, startled. “You mean die?”
“No, I mean give our lives to him by living for Him. Remember I told you there are three entities in God? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all God. Each has a purpose,” he said. “If we invite God into our hearts, agreeing to live for Him, the Holy Spirit becomes a part of us, making us love others, crave the Word of God, and takes us to heaven when we die.”
“What does living for Him entail? Do we have to become missionaries or something?” Sarah asked.
“Actually, we will be missionaries in a way. We’ll be setting a good example for others. It’s just one way you can serve God. People can become ministers, missionaries, or just be a good person whose love for God influences others. Some give to the poor, or assist people in need, those are all the qualities godly people have when they give their lives to God.”
“The Holy Spirit does that?”
“He dwells within us, yes. There are all sorts of ways people serve God,” he said.
“Is that why you do so many good things for people?” she asked.
“I’m sure it is. Minutes after asking the Holy Spirit to dwell within me, I felt a strong love for everyone—not a romantic love, a humanitarian love.”
“I think I’d like to be like you, Brock. Can I give my life to God too?”
“Only if it’s because you really want to, and not because it would make me happy,” he said.
“I’ll think more about it, then. Okay?” she asked.
“That’s a good answer. I wouldn’t want you to do it unless you feel it deep in your heart. And if you want to know more from an expert, you can make an appointment to see Reverend Flannery. He can probably explain things better than I can,” Brock said, hugging her closer. “Now it’s time for bed.”
Sarah yawned and nodded. “I hope Ivan started the fireplace in the bedroom, it’s unseasonably cool tonight.”
Brock swept her up and carried her up the stairs, kissing her all the while. “I’m sure he did, but I promise to keep you warm.”
Chapter 16
At breakfast Brock studied his wife. She seemed tired even though she’d slept well. There were circles beneath her eyes and she lacked her usual vibrancy.
“Do you feel well?” Brock asked.
“Not really. I feel a bit off this morning,” she replied. “I slept well, but I don’t think I can eat a thing.”
“How about you come to town with me, and I leave you off at the doctor’s for a check up?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing, Brock. Maybe I’ll just—” she covered her mouth, jumped up from the table, and ran into the kitchen.
Brock followed, and saw her vomiting in the sink. He held her head and rubbed her back.
“We’re going!” he said sternly. “No arguments.”
When he saw her pale frown, he added, “We’ll pick up Elaina on the way. After you see Doc Hall, you and she can shop, or even visit Edna Smith until it’s time for me to leave the bank.”
She smiled at bit at that and nodded.
Martha walked to where Edith was finishing her breakfast on the other side of the kitchen. “Help Mrs. Vee get ready to go to town, Edie, she’s not feeling well.”
Edith jumped up, “Oh, I’m so sorry ma’am. Come along.”
Martha winked at Sarah and whispered: “Some women feel the condition early.”
Sarah wondered what she could have meant. When Edith led her up to her room, she asked her about her mother’s words.
“Oh, ma’am, she thinks you may be increasing already.” Edith said.
Sarah felt her tummy and smiled. “Really?”
Edith nodded. “We’ll have to get the staff moving on fixing up a nursery.”
“But we’ve only been married two months!” Sarah said.
“It only takes once, sometimes,” Edith said, “take it from me.”
Sarah had begun to feel better after Edith gave her some crackers to nibble on, so the ride to town wasn’t too unbearable. Having Elaina along helped.
“While you’re at Doc’s, Sarah, I’ll be visiting Pete,” Elaina told her. “The constable’s office is right there,” she pointed to a building just three doors away from Doc’s. “I’ll meet you there.”
Sarah smiled and nodded.
Brock helped her from the buggy and led her up the stairs to Doc’s house. Mrs. Hall swung the door open at their knock. After mutual greetings, she invited them in.
“Doc’s just finishing his coffee, come right in,” she said.
As they approached Doc, he looked up, “Sarah!” Then he addressed Brock, “What’s wrong?”
Brock put his arm around Sarah. “She doesn’t look well this morning and she vomited. Could this be a result of her head injury?”
“I don’t think so, that was weeks ago,” he said, rising from his chair. “I’ll take a look though.”
“Can I leave her here? I really have to open the bank. If there’s a problem, can you send for me?” Brock asked.
“Certainly. Go on ahead. She’s in good hands.” Doc led Sarah into the room where she’d been taken the day she had her head injury.
“Wait!” Sarah called out.
Brock turned toward her and put his arms out. She ran into them. “Have a good day, and I love you,” she said, kissing him soundly on the mouth.
Brock pulled her closer and hugged her for several moments. “I love you so much I don’t even want to go to the bank.” Then he laughed. “I wonder how long this behavior will last?”
“I hope forever,” she said.
“I’ll meet you at the constable’s later, and try to keep out of trouble. Stay with Elaina,” he said.
When he’d gone, she followed Doc into the room.
“Have a seat,” Doc said, gesturing toward a wooden chair. “It’s refreshing to see a couple so much in love. I’m happy for Brock. He does so much for others, and now he’s finally found happiness himself.”
“He’s a wonderful husband,” she told him.
“Now, what’s the problem?”
“I feel tired, and I sleep well enough. Then, this morning I felt queasy and threw up a bit. It’s normal isn’t it to have an off day now and then?”
“Certainly,” Doc said, “but your husband is concerned so we’ll ease his mind.”
He checked her eyes, ears, and mouth. Then he checked her heartbeat and listened to her lungs.
“How long have you and Brock been married?” he asked.
“A little over two months.”
“It’s too early to tell for certain, but I think you may be increasing.”
“Really?” she felt a surge of joy flow through her body.
“That’s my diagnosis,” he said. “I want you to get plenty of sleep, eat well, and get moderate exercise and you’ll do fine. The exercise will help tighten up your muscles for childbirth. Nothing too strenuous mind you. Walking is probably the best exercise. Just take a walk every day. No horse riding, I’m afraid. You’ll have to use the buggy to get around.”
Doc felt where her head injury was. “Any pain?”
“No, none at all,” Sarah said.
“Have you regained any memories?”
“Yes. I remember everything after I arrived in Hunter’s Grove, but nothing before that.”
“Was there anything eventful that brought on the memory?” he asked.
“I was attacked by a huge dog, and fell. I wasn’t hurt,” she said, “but I was scared to death. I fell, but didn’t hit my head, yet I lost consciousness.”
“Were you bitten?”
“No, I threw my shoe out the barn door, and he ran after it and left me alone. Brock found me on the ground in the barn.”
“Hmm, you weren’t injured, just scared,” Doc said thoughtfully. “And when you had your head injury, did it happen while you were frightened of something?”
“I was terrified. A bank robber held me as a hostage.”
“That’s interesting,” he said. “I read an article in a medical journal about a case of amnesia that was brought on by a traumatic occurrence and not from a head injury.”
“So if I get scared again, I might remember everything?”
“It’s possible, or you could go back to remembering nothing. One never knows what the brain will do in response to trauma,” he said. “Have you considered traveling to Kansas City to see a specialist?”
“No. From what I hear,” she said, “I don’t need to remember my early life. I’d confided in Brock before the fall that I’d had a very unhappy home life.”
“Then, it’s a blessing in disguise!” Doc said.
“You’re free to go meet your friend, and it’s up to you if you want to tell Brock about the possibility that you might be increasing. You might want to be sure first.”
Walking along the wooden walk to the constable’s office, Sarah felt full of hope that she was having a baby. It would complete their circle of happiness. She wondered how bad her previous life had been? Was God now making it up to her for her sad childhood? She had so many questions. Maybe she would visit the minister one day.
Opening the door to the constable’s office, she was greeted warmly by Pete and Elaina.
Pete went into the back and brought a chair out for her. She and Elaina sat before his desk.
“So is this all you do all day, Pete? Just sit at your desk and relax?” Elaina asked with a grin, since she’d never seen him at his office during the day.
“Sometimes. Right now my deputy is making the rounds. That’s the privilege of having staff.”
Just then, a man burst into the office, yelling for Pete.
“Come quick, the bank is being robbed,” the man said.
“Stay here!” Pete shouted and ran out the door.
“Oh no!” Elaina said. “I hope no one is hurt.”
“Brock!” Sarah exclaimed. “I can’t stay here. I have to go to him. He may be hurt!”
Elaina grabbed the back of her skirt as she rushed to the door. “No! Pete said to stay here.”
“I’m sorry, Elaina. I just can’t.” She dashed out the door and ran toward the bank.
Several men made a chain with their hands and kept the people back and away from the bank entrance. Sarah tried to get through, but they refused to a let her pass.
“My husband is in there,” she cried frantically.
“So are the armed gunmen, ma’am. Please stay back.”
Sarah’s heart felt like it dropped to her feet. What could she do? How could she stand helplessly when Brock could be inside taking his last breath—without her? She felt a hand slip through her arm, and she turned to find Elaina. They held trembling hands. Suddenly, a gunshot erupted and they both jumped letting out simultaneous screams.
“We need to pray, Sarah.”
“I’m not sure I know how. I’m new to this. Help me to pray,” Sarah said with tearing eyes.
Elaina led them in prayer.
Before they could finish, Pete walked out with an outlaw. He had a gun to the man’s back and he was leading him toward the constable’s office.
Elaina murmured, “Thank you, Jesus.”
“What about Brock?” Sarah cried.
Chapter 17
“Keep praying like I’ve showed you. God is listening,” Elaina said. “I have to go to Pete.”
“I understand,” Sarah said. After Elaina had gone she continued to pray. She told God: “If you will grant Brock’s safety, I promise to spend the rest of my life serving You with him. That’s a promise, Lord. Please, let Brock be all right.”
Then, the bank door opened again and a young man was led out by—she strained her eyes—Brock! Out loud she repeated what Elaina had said, “Thank you, Jesus.”
Brock didn’t walk to her or even seem to see her. He walked straight toward the constable’s office, pushing the man in front of him. She imagined the man he pushed was another bandit, yet there was no gun pressed to his back. She didn’t dwell on it, because she was so relieved that Brock was alive and well.
Sarah opened the door to the constable’s office to witness an argument between Pete and Brock. She slid inside, and silently took a seat, exchanging curious looks with Elaina.
“I have to lock him up, Brock,” Pete yelled. “He broke the law.”
“He’s just a kid doing what his father made him do. He’s not a criminal,” Brock said calmly but firmly.
“Brock, I know where you’re coming from. You’re a humanitarian, but the law is the law. He was holding a gun and trying to rob the bank.”
Sarah gazed at the lad. He couldn’t have been more than twelve. He had blond hair, freckles, and looked scared to death. His eyes were wide, and he seemed confused trying to follow the dialogue between Pete and Brock by swinging his head in each direction.
“Let me take him home,” Brock pleaded. “I’ll work with him, and make a solid citizen of him. If you lock him up he’ll really end up being a criminal. He just needs a chance in life.”
Pete threw his arms up. “All right, take him! But don’t say I didn’t warn you. He was brought up by a criminal, and he’ll turn out a criminal.”
“We need to give him a chance,” Brock said.
As they discussed the situation, Sarah’s body relaxed from her scare from when she was standing at the bank praying for Brock. In that moment, she realized that she remembered her childhood; every sad detail.
She couldn’t wait to tell Brock. Doc was right. It was fear that had caused her amnesia, and fear that had reversed it. Then she remembered how she hadn’t wanted to be a churchgoer because of the hypocrisy she’d witnessed in Cuyahoga Falls. Knowing Brock had showed her how a true Christian behaved, her heart throbbed with love for him as he fought for the lad. She jumped to attention when she realized Brock was asking her a question.
“I’m sorry, what?” she asked.
“Is it all right with you if we take this young man home?” Brock asked.
As they rode home with the boy squeezed in between them in the buggy, Sarah thought about second chances. Her early life had been miserable, but for some reason God had smiled down at her, and had given her a second chance. Now, she had a wonderful life filled with love and happiness. Surely, God would help them make something of the youth Brock had defended.
The boy’s eyes grew large when he entered the mansion. He couldn’t stop gazing from wall to wall.
Brock led him to the sitting room, sat him down, and asked. “What’s your name, son?”
“Boyd,” he said. “Boyd Cramer.”
Brock sat down beside him, and Sarah took a seat in the armchair.
“How old are you, Boyd?”
“I’ll be thirteen next month.”
“Why would your father ask you to help him rob a bank?”
“There were no bullets in my gun,” Boyd said. “Pa told me to act tough because we had to scare them into giving us the money.”
“Why did he want to rob the bank?”
Boyd looked down at the floor as he spoke. “Since Ma died, Pa’s been drinkin,’ and he went into work at the mill drunk a few times and got fired. After that he just stayed home and drank. We couldn’t pay our rent, and we had no food to eat.”
“Did you want to take money that didn’t belong to you?” Brock asked.
Boyd shrugged. “I was scared to do it, and I was scared not to. Pa often took the belt to me.”
“If my wife and I take you in, do you promise to try and live honestly? Because if you don’t, you’ll end up in jail. I’ll take you down to the constable quick as a wink, Boyd.”
“I loved my Pa before Ma died, he was a good man, he never stole or anything. It was that whiskey that turned him like he is now. I’m going to miss the man he was before, but I don’t want to go with him. I’ll stay here and work to earn my keep.”
Brock gave the boy a manly hug and then pointed to Sarah. “This is Mrs. Vee, and I’m called Mr. Vee. I can use a hand in the stables. Do you like horses?”
