Sarah's Heart

by Marianne Spitzer

  “In a short while,” the judge answered.

  “I’ll come back with fresh coffee for him when he does. I’ll bring out your lunches shortly.”

  Nell pushed the curtain aside and greeted Doc Winters. She turned back and said, “Judge, Doc Winters is here.”

  The judge motioned with his hand. “Let him have lunch with us.”

  Nell held back the curtain and smiled. “Would you like soup and coffee? I also have biscuits or cornbread, Doc.”

  “Coffee, soup, and cornbread, please Nell.” He pulled out a chair and sat.

  “Be right back,” Nell answered.

  Judge Magarey looked at the doctor and asked, “What can you tell me about Miss Tucker?”

  Doc Winters steepled his fingers and leaned his elbows on the table. “I believe Miss Tucker suffered a severe shock when she saw Mr. Richmond enter the church and has had an emotional breakdown. She woke briefly and asked about the boy. She didn’t respond to me when I called her Miss Tucker but did when I called her Mrs. Morey.”

  The judge nodded, “Did you draw any conclusions?”

  “I’d like to know a bit more about her background. If she’s had a complete mental breakdown, there should be a reason. If we are aware of it, she can be helped easier.” He looked at Mr. Richmond.

  Before he could answer, Nell brought in their soup and bread. When she left, Mr. Richmond stared down at his bowl and stirred the vegetables with his spoon when he spoke. “From what I understand, Hattie was betrothed to Harold Morey. Shortly before their wedding, he met someone else. He didn’t tell Hattie in person. Instead, he sent her a note and left town with the new woman to the ranch he purchased in Kansas. In the chaos of wedding preparations, the note was misplaced. It was found the morning of the wedding and delivered to her at the church. I heard she screamed, fainted, and was taken to a doctor.”

  The doctor nodded, “That explains a lot. She may have relived that moment when she saw you enter the church.”

  “There’s more and I’m not sure if it is true, but rumors spread that she was with child, and there was never any proof, and the rumors died.”

  “That explains why she’s attached to your son. She may have convinced herself that he is her lost child.”

  Mr. Richmond nodded. “The Tuckers were family friends. A short time later my wife died in childbirth. My mother died when I was a boy, and my mother-in-law blamed me for my wife’s death. I needed a nanny and Hattie needed work where she didn’t have to deal with the stares of people on the street. It worked wonderfully until recently when she decided we should marry, and she could be Jedidiah’s mother. When I said no she became sullen and then she disappeared with him. Here I am after traveling from South Carolina to Kansas and now Wisconsin. I finally found him. What will happen to Hattie?” He finally took a spoonful of soup and looked at the doctor and then the judge. “I wanted her to go to prison forever when I first found him missing, but I can’t do that to her. She didn’t hurt him.”

  “It’s out of your hands, son,” the judge said. “It will be up to the authorities in your hometown to bring her to trial if she isn’t hospitalized.”

  “I agree,” Doc Winters added. “After what I heard, she needs more care than I can give her. I’ll telegraph the Hospital Asylum. It’s an excellent facility and a close train ride. They’ll send two of their employees to escort her to the hospital. I’ll give her something to help her remain calm on the trip, and they can care for her. Hattie’s family can contact the hospital to see if they wish for her to remain or transfer her to a hospital closer to home.”

  Mr. Richmond placed his spoon in his bowl and looked at the doctor, “Will she receive proper care. I need to return home and tell her mother that she’s in an asylum. She’ll be beside herself.”

  “I assure you she’ll receive exemplary care, and since we understand her condition, I believe her stay will be short,” Doc Winters assured.

  The judge added, “I believe the authorities will understand she was under great duress, and any judge will take that into consideration. If the sheriff returns with the proper response from your local judge, you can pick up your son and leave whenever you wish.”

  Mr. Richmond thanked the judge and doctor and resumed eating. He looked up when the sheriff returned.

  The sheriff handed the letter to the judge along with a telegram. “The authorities confirm that the letter is genuine.”

  The judge wiped his mouth with the white cloth napkin and spoke to Mr. Richmond. “As soon as the sheriff finishes his lunch, he’ll escort you to the parsonage, and you can pick up your son. I need to return to my office and write up some paperwork. Stop in before you leave town and I’ll give you my written judgment.”

  Mr. Richmond stood and shook the judge’s hand. “Thank you, your honor, for all your help in this matter.”

  The judge replied, “It’s all in a day’s work for me, but I am pleased it turned out well for the boy. Now I need to find Mrs. Morey.”

  He walked out into the dining room and spotted Nell, “Do you know if Mrs. Morey went back to her shop or Mr. Bowen’s office?”

  “They’re both in the kitchen eating lunch. Please follow me.”

  The judge followed Nell into the kitchen and told Sarah the good news that her income and building were safe from Hattie Tucker. Giles shook his hand vigorously and thanked him.

  “Thank you, Judge Magarey, for everything,” Sarah said, and as soon as he left the kitchen, she dropped her head into her hands and released the stress of the past days in the form of sobs. Giles gathered her into his arms and whispered to her until her sobs quieted.

  Nell smiled at Cal and winked.

  ~ * ~

  The next morning, Sarah woke with the sun. She could sleep later since she never opened the shop this early, but for some reason, she was wide awake. She pulled on her wrapper and padded into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.

  She went back to her room to dress and peeked out the curtain to watch the lovely sunrise. She saw the station master’s son run down the boardwalk toward Callahan’s. He was holding a slip of paper, and Sarah knew it must be a telegram. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine hoping nothing was wrong. The boy ran past the front door of the restaurant and turned to take the steps to Giles’ apartment.

  This can’t be good, she muttered and dressed quickly. She poured a cup of coffee and carried it down to her shop. She feared Giles would show up at her door bringing bad news about her case although the judge said it was settled. Moments later, she saw Giles approach and tried to make it to the shop door before he knocked. Giles arrived first and pounded on the door,

  “Good morning, Giles. Is something wrong?”

  “Yes, I received a telegram. My uncle has taken ill. It’s serious, Sarah. I need to go back home and see to him and help with his business. I don’t know how long it might take. I’m leaving on the next train,” he said pulling her close. She could feel his body tremble.

  Sarah knew he loved his uncle and owed the man much when he stepped in after his father died. She knew he would do anything for the kind man.

  “You go and take care of your uncle. We’ll see things are taken care of here. I’m sure Cal will keep an eye on your office. Family’s important,” she answered doing her best to sound positive.

  “Thank you for understanding,” he said and gave her a quick kiss.

  He left, and she watched him race across the street back to his apartment. She said a silent prayer for safety on his journey and asked God to watch over Giles and his uncle. Sarah turned when she heard Molly approach.

  Molly stood next to Sarah and asked, “I saw Giles leave. Is something wrong?”

  Sarah turned toward her and let a tear roll down her cheek. “Giles’ uncle is very ill. He’s leaving to care for him and his business. He said he doesn’t know when he’ll be back. I have a feeling he won’t return.”

  “Yes, he will. I think he loves you, Sarah,” Molly insisted placing a hand
on her arm.

  “Does he or am I a pleasant diversion while he sets up his business and acquires clients. Look at me; I’m not marriageable material for a lawyer. I’m an orphan, I was a ladies maid, and now a widow. Why would any successful man want a woman like me?” She let her tears fall and turned away from the window.

  Molly hugged her. “Come upstairs and I’ll make us breakfast. We can discuss whether or not you’d make a good wife for Mr. Giles Bowen.”

  Sarah sat at their kitchen table and sipped her coffee while Molly prepared scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits. She placed a plate in front of Sarah and said, “Eat and we’ll talk. Now tell me why you think you’re not worthy of Giles Bowen. You mentioned being an orphan. I’m an orphan and so is Nell for that matter. What makes your situation different?”

  Sarah took a bite of biscuit and looked at Molly. “I never knew my father. My mother said he had died before I was born. When I was eight, my mother became ill. She pleaded with her sister to take me if she died. I remember hearing my aunt laugh and say she’d ‘never take a child like that.’ When my mother died, I was told my aunt had moved far away. All I remember was her name was Mary. I believe my father never married my mother.”

  Molly patted her hand. “My father never married Mama either. There are worse things, Sarah, trust me.”

  “I know, but people will talk. A neighbor took me in until my mother’s funeral,” Sarah continued. “After the funeral, a woman I never met said I was to go with her and live. My neighbor hugged me and said I would be all right. I remember standing there until the strange woman picked up my small satchel and tugged on my arm. We rode in a buckboard for quite some time. She told me I was fortunate the city orphanage was full, and I would go to one in the countryside. I was terrified. I’d never been to the country. I pictured wild animals, snakes, and bears chasing me.”

  Molly giggled and then apologized, “I’m sorry. I grew up in brothels mostly in smaller cities and running off to the woods or fields was freedom for me, but I understand you would be frightened. I would have been afraid moving to a large city.”

  “I was naïve and had never been further than the corner store or neighborhood church in my life. The building she drove me to was one of the largest houses I’d ever seen. I learned as I grew older that it once belonged to some sort of mogul who lost his fortune. The house was sold to a charity and turned into an orphanage. I was fortunate that I was placed there rather than in the city, but I didn’t appreciate it until I was older.” Sarah took the time to breathe and eat her breakfast.

  Molly who finished her food while Sarah spoke asked, “Sarah, you act as if you were born a lady. It’s the way you walk and talk. I never thought you were raised in an orphanage.”

  Sarah smiled, “I was fortunate. The headmistress was very kind. We didn’t have the best meals, but I never went hungry nor was I ever beaten. She worried about her charges when we turned eighteen and had to leave the orphanage. She had one teacher, Miss Decker, take part of the day to teach the girls what she called deportment. One of our male teachers taught the boys how to be gentlemen. The headmistress believed if we learned to act like ladies and gentlemen we’d survive better in the world on our own. She was right. Mrs. Carster hired me immediately and complimented me on my manners.”

  “Isn’t that a good thing?” Molly mused.

  “Yes, if I was still a maid and it serves me in my work, but my past makes me less than desirable.”

  “Sarah Morey,” Molly yelled. “Don’t you dare disparage yourself. Weren’t you the one who told me I was a good person even considering the way I was raised?”

  Sarah dropped her head and nodded. “I’m sorry, Molly. I can see the goodness in you. I think it’s harder to see it in me. I’ve forgiven Harold and know why he treated me the way he did, but once in a while a bit of doubt creeps in. I think Giles leaving without asking me to wait for him or saying he’d send for me brings up those doubts.”

  “Sarah, we live in a town where the men send for mail-order brides. There are a lot of men here. Good, hard working men, Sarah. If you think I can find one, then I’m sure you can, but I think Giles will come back for you.”

  “I won’t hold my breath, but thank you for saying it. Besides, you have Sheriff Clay. I know he’s smitten with you, Molly.”

  Molly blushed. “If only he was. I don’t think he is. I believe he’s a kind man and helps me and everyone else.”

  “Perhaps, but he doesn’t look at others the way he looks at you,” Sarah smiled and raised her eyebrows.

  “Enough,” Molly stated. “It’s time to get to work. We could have a lot of ladies come in today.”

  “I hope, I need to keep my mind busy,” She stood and carried her dishes to the sink. She smiled at Molly, but her smile turned to tears again when she heard the train whistle signaling its departure from Gentle Falls.

  “No tears,” Molly insisted. “This is the day we start to build our fortune.”

  Sarah laughed. “That would take a small miracle.”

  They washed the dishes, dressed for their day, and went down to the shop where a small miracle waited at the shop’s door.

  Molly said, “It’s Widow Mudd.”

  Sarah answered, “She asked us to call her Mrs. Mudd or Eloise, remember.”

  “All right,” Molly said as she unlocked the door and invited Eloise inside.

  “I’m happy both of you are here,” Eloise gushed. “I had a dream last night, and I believe my late husband doesn’t wish me to walk around in widow’s weeds any longer. I’m here for an entirely new wardrobe in pretty colors. Nothing black.”

  “We can do that for you,” Sarah assured her.

  Eloise turned to Molly, “I understand you’re a gem when it comes to embellishing dresses with lace and ribbon. I want all my new dresses to be pretty.”

  “Yes, I do the lace work and would be happy to help you choose the right laces for your new dresses,” a stunned Molly answered.

  “Wonderful,” Eloise said clapping her hands. “Where do we start? I can’t wait.”

  Molly turned to Sarah and winked. “Miracles happen.”

  Chapter 11

  Sarah smiled at Eloise, “How much of a wardrobe do you need? Do you have any favorite dresses we can update or do you want only new ones?”

  Eloise looked at the floor, “I don’t have many other dresses. My husband and I owned a small farm. When he died, there was enough money for the house I bought here in town and for me to live on for quite some time if I was careful. I have work dresses for chores around the house since these black dresses are terribly hard to keep clean and fade rather quickly if washed too often. Henrietta convinced me to give all my other dresses to the church’s clothing drive a month after my husband passed. She said I would only need the black dresses. I was in shock at his sudden passing and grieving. I believed what she said was the truth and gave my clothes away. I know now that was silly and she needed someone else to dress as she did, but that leaves me without proper dresses. I need everything.” She looked up at Sarah and shrugged.

  “That is not a problem, Eloise, because I can sew everything. We can start with a nice day dress you can wear to town and a Sunday dress for church. I also have some lovely fabric for shawls. You can take them home and embroider patterns on them or wear them plain. I have many ideas to give you a beautiful wardrobe.” She took Eloise’s hand and led her to the shelves of fabrics she kept in the store.

  Eloise’s eyes sparkled when she looked over the large selection of fabrics. “This is wonderful. There are so many colors and patterns. She chose a lovely blue for her Sunday dress and a pink calico for her day dress. Sarah quickly took measurements calling them out for Molly to jot down. After finishing with the measurements, Sarah showed Eloise patterns she thought would look good on her petite figure. After an hour of discussing dresses, bonnets, and shawls, Eloise left with a smile on her face. She turned before she opened the door to the shop and said, “I’m heading to
the mercantile and buy the prettiest coat they have. No more black. I will need it soon; the winds are getting colder each day.” She waved and hurried across the street.

  Molly watched the woman walk with a quick step and said to Sarah, “It must have been a good dream she had last night. She seems like a different person. I hope Widow Biggs doesn’t make her feel bad about her new clothing choices.”

  “I hope not, too, but Eloise is too happy to be discouraged, I think. When Celia comes in for her next visit, I’ll ask her to talk to Eloise and Widow Biggs. They are good friends.”

  “Yes, but not good enough for her to share her own dreams. Do you think Widow Biggs would try and keep Celia from leaving town if she knew she was going to be a mail-order bride?” Molly wondered.

  Sarah twisted her lip and scrunched her eyebrows in thought. “I’m not sure. I would hope not, but Celia swore us to silence. Maybe she is worried Widow Biggs would make her feel embarrassed. We’ll support Celia and Eloise whatever way we can. We have a lot of work to do. Let’s get started.”

  Molly smiled and gathered up the laces Eloise chose.

  A week later, Sarah and Molly waited for Eloise to arrive for a final fitting on her new dresses. The station master’s son knocked on the shop door. Sarah waved him in.

  “Telegram for you, Mrs. Morey,” the boy explained.

  Sarah thanked him and gave him a coin. When the boy left, Sarah opened the telegram and tears immediately streamed down her face.

  “What is it?” Molly asked.

  “It’s from Giles. His uncle passed. He has to stay and take care of his uncle’s businesses. He isn’t sure when he’ll be back. I told you, Molly. He isn’t coming back. I know it.”

  Molly wrapped her arms around Sarah and guided her to a chair. “Sit here. I’ll get you a cup of tea.”

  “No, thank you,” Sarah answered. “Would you mind watching the shop and talking to Eloise when she comes in? I’d like to see Nell for a bit.”

  “Not at all,” Molly responded. “You talk to Nell. She’ll tell you the same thing. You’ll see.”