by Danni Roan
Mr. Gatlin rose replacing Pastor Dalton at the stand as the children dressed as soldiers, friend, and lovers took their places acting out the story of St. Valentine. The children did their best depicting the humble priest defying the Roman leaders by secretly performing weddings for soldiers and their sweethearts, as Grady read the tale in his warm rich voice.
Agnes smiled watching the children fumbling with their parts, or hurrying on before Grady had called them.
The story touched her heart in more ways than one. Love and romance weren’t always easy but commitment and determination to do the right thing went a long way. Old Saint Valentine had been willing to give his life to promote the bonds of marriage. It was hard to think on love when the one you wished for had been gone so long.
As the children hurried off the platform waving and calling to their parents Pastor Dalton rose once more.
“My beloved friends, I believe that the story speaks for itself. Love binds us in many different ways whether romantic or not and much can be learned from ol’ Valentine. Let us rise and sing,” he added lifting his hands.
As the wind raged outside and the snow blew, rattling and tapping on the windows, the voices of the people of Biders Clump rose in song.
***
Noah felt the cold creeping in. He was tired, his feet sluggish as he shuffled them through the rising layers of snow. He no longer felt the prickles of cold in his feet and his hands burned every time he clapped them to warm them.
A strong wind at his back forced him down a long hill, but he couldn’t tell what was ahead.
For all he knew he was walking in circles and would disappear forever under the cascading wall of white.
“Agnes honey,” he whispered, his words snatched by the wind and scattered across the world. “I’m sorry honey,” he said feeling the wind push him further along the hillside. “I was a fool to let you go without me.”
Slipping and sliding, completely engulfed in white Noah pressed on, unseeing, unfeeling, unaware of the even ground beneath his feet.
The wind buffeted him and he swayed leaning forward away from it as it battered his coat tail and blanket, the suddenly hushed, faltering and falling into song.
The sweet strains of Praise to the Almighty whispered toward him and Noah knew he would see his maker in a matter of moments even as he lifted his weary feet, his heart breaking at the thought of not seeing his love one more time.
The sound of the song lifted louder as the wind danced and played about his feet and he bumped into something solid.
As the wind died, slipping away on a hush, the lights of a little church could be seen through the softly falling snow and Noah hurried forward hope filling his soul.
Chapter 23
The door opened quietly and Rock turned to see a tall man wrapped in a blanket step through the doors.
The man’s ebony skin and thick beard were caked in ice and Rock smiled, slipping out of his seat and hurrying to the door.
“We been watchin’ for you Mr. Ratner,” Rock said with a grin.
The singing stopped and every eye turned toward Noah as Rock gripped his arm steadying him on his feet.
“Now look what blew in!” the big man called as his neighbors blinked. A woman’s scream of joy pierced the night as Agnes ran to embrace her husband, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“We’d best get him warmed up,” Rock said helping them both to the front of the church and the glowing stove.
Agnes looked up into the dark eyes of the big cowboy. “Thank you,” she said simply.
In moments the other folks had gathered around offering warm coats and stoking the fire.
Pastor Dalton called them all back to attention as the Ratner children tried to reach their father.
“Now folks,” the portly preacher said. “Give the man some space and come offer a prayer of thanks and healing for his timely arrival and we offer him a warm Biders Clump welcome.” Pastor Dalton lowered his head and lifted a prayer.
“Thank you Father for bringing your lost one safe to us and for showing him the way. Bless him with health and care so’s he don’t take a chill and let his heart be full at the reunion of his loved ones. Amen.” The preacher spoke out then lifted his eyes with a smile. “I believe there are refreshments at George and Polly’s place,” he finished. “I hope you can all stay for a bit and help us eat up some of her good food.”
As the congregation began making their way from the church, Agnes leaned down looking into Noah’s face.
“Noah,” Agnes breathed while Rock, Bruno and Janine stood behind her. “You all right?” she continued placing her hands on either side of his face.
“I’m here with you,” Noah replied his dark eyes full of tears, “that’s all I need.”
Rock elbowed Bruno then nodded at the other man’s boots indicating they should get them off easy and let his feet thaw.
While Agnes wrapped yet another coat around her husband the two men gently pulled off Noah’s boots, peeling back his socks to see how his feet were.
Rock looked at Bruno worry in his eyes. Then stepped out a side door and returning with a handful of snow, that he started rubbing all over the man’s feet.
“Ow,” Noah hissed as the cold hit his feet.
“That’s good,” Rock said gently rubbing the man’s toes. “It means you’re getting feeling back. It’s gonna hurt like the dickens though.”
Noah nodded as his children stood each trying to touch him.
Agnes looked over down at Rock her dark eyes full of appreciation, her heart deeply touched.
After a half hour of work Noah was feeling more at ease and the pain in his feet and toes was only down to sharp pins and needles.
“You think you can walk now?” Bruno asked, helping the men to stand.
“I think I can.” Noah said.
“Take these,” Mrs. Dalton said stepping out of the shadows in her heavy red coat. “Woolies,” she smiled. “Dalton won’t miss them.”
Rock carefully slipped the woolen socks onto Noah’s feet. “Lean on me,” he encouraged, “then Doc can take a look at you once we get to the Boarding house.”
Rock and Bruno half walked, half carried Noah to the boarding house, taking care to keep his feet dry, opening the door the noise and chatter hit them like a warm wave.
“In here,” Francis said gesturing them toward the parlor where a roaring fire flickered on the hearth. “I got warm here on my first day,” he grinned.
Matrice stepped up behind Francis her eyes darting between him and her father.
As Noah was mad comfortable by Doc Walker, Rock stepped outside into the gently falling snow and looked up into the night sky where the brightest star flicked in and out of view.
Heaving a deep breath he ambled toward the livery to fetch his horse.
Agnes moved to the window as the children gathered around their father and gazed out into the falling snow Noah was home, he was here safe and sound. A horse moved down the street, a shadow behind a curtain of snow.
“Thank you,” Agnes whispered, not sure if her words were directed at the Almighty, or his servant.
Chapter 24
As the Valentine’s Day celebration continued, children laughing, parents chatting, and food being devoured George Olson walked to the window and gazed out at the heavily falling snow.
“It’s really comin’ down out there,” Harlan Dixon said as he stepped up next to George.
“I wouldn’t want to be out in that,” George agreed with a shiver. “You reckon Rock will get home alright?”
“Probably, that man’s hardy to say the least and his horse knows the way.”
“What about you?” George asked. “You think you should take Maud out in this?”
“I’d rather not, though now the winds died down it ain’t as bad.”
“I reckon for folks here in town it won’t be too bad going home, but what about others that have a good hour’s ride?” George scratched at his freshly saved jaw.
“What are you men doing hiding in here,” Polly asked as she made a turn through the office.
“Thinking about folks having to go home in that snow,” George said.
“Well if you’re worried about them travelin’ in this why don’t you just tell them to stay here for the night?” Polly said propping a hand on her hip. “We’ve got nine empty rooms in the house and any extra children can sleep in the parlor.”
Both men looked at Polly and grinned. “I think you’ve got something there,” George said smiling. “You always was a smart one.”
Polly smiled, shook her head then made her way back out to the crowded kitchen, to start another pot of coffee.
“All right, all right you scaly wags!” George called over the noise of the house. “Settle down a minute.” He raised his hands lowering them in an attempt to bring the noise down in the large dining area of the boarding house. “Now me and Polly was talkin’ and we think that anyone who doesn’t want to go out in that storm tonight should just stay here for the night.”
Eyes turned to George and families nodded at each other.
“Byron’s got the horses all snug in the barn and the shanty out back so’s anyone who lives further out should have first dibs on staying. I reckon the town folks can find their way home alright.”
“George Olson, what a generous offer,” Mr. Williams said. “If Bruno and Janine stay with me and Ruth why that’ll free up another room here and I actually have an extra room where some other folks can stay.”
“And Lucinda and the children can stay too,” Ruth spoke up.
George turned surprised eyes on Jasper. “Why that’s mighty kindly of you Jasper,” he grinned.
“It is Valentine’s Day after all,” Jasper said. “A day to share love and sweetness.”
“Now those families that live the furthest out you come see me first and then we’ll go from there,” George finally said. “The rest of you eat up.”
A brief flutter of activity ensued as friends gathered around George or Jasper until everyone who felt they needed to stay in town for the night was assigned a room.
“You did real good with that George Olson,” Polly said slipping up to her husband and wrapping an arm around his waist. “I’m proud of you,” she said leaning in and kissing his cheek.
The party continued on far into the wee hours as people took the time to sit and visit, chatting about the day’s events together.
Soon the families that lived in town began trickling home and the noise and festive atmosphere dwindled.
“I’m so glad you’re all staying,” Prissy said kissing her mother and sisters as she and Rupert headed for the door. “You come over to the Grist Mill tomorrow for Breakfast. Rupert and I will cook.”
“Miss Polly,” Francis made his way to Polly Esther as more and more people left. “Do you have room for the Ratners?”
“You know we do Francis. Why don’t you show Agnes and Noah to the room at that end of the hall? It will be quiet there. How’s he doing?” she added watching the young man’s eyes.
“Doc says he will recover but his feet are gonna need some care for a few days.”
“Well if they need anything just ask,” Polly assured. “Now why don’t you go visit with that pretty young woman you’ve got your eye on a bit longer?” she finished with a laugh.
Francis watched Miss Polly turn and walk away wondering if Mr. George had said something to her about Matrice, or if she’d simply figured it out on her own. Either way he hadn’t expected such blunt speech.
Turning he headed back to the parlor where the family and a few of the towns people were visiting quietly.
“I don’t know how I found you,” Noah was saying as he held tight to Agnes hand. He was a tall, lean man with big shoulders and heavy biceps. Someone had covered his legs and feet with a warm blanket and together everyone listened to his tale.
“I got your note saying you were in Wyoming,” the man’s deep voice rumbled wearily. “So I made my way to the Laramie, but you’d gone. I asked around and pretty soon people were all pointing me in the same direction.”
“You walked all the way from Louisiana to Wyoming?” Janine asked.
“No,” Noah shook his head. “I rode the train for most of it, but from Laramie I didn’t know which way you’d gone, so I just fell onto the trail and followed it. When I got out this far, I figured you must have gone over the pass and started pushing that way, but this storm came up and I couldn’t go on.”
“It’s not safe goin’ over the pass at this time of year,” Bruno said. “I’ve known a few to do it, but the odds of freezing to death are mighty high.”
Janine slipped her arm around Bruno thinking back to when she’d been dragged into the mountains unwillingly.
“I’m not sure traveling at this time of year is safe anywhere in these parts,” Noah said with a slight smile. “I had just headed into the hills when the wind shifted and started blowing me back down toward the plain. By then it was snowing so hard I didn’t know where I was. I just kept moving for fear of freezing in my tracks.”
“Then how’d you find us Pa,” Atrum asked from where he’d settled at his father’s side.
Noah Ratner reached over and stroked his son’s head, then looked up into his wife’s eyes. “I heard the singin’,” he said.
Pastor Dalton stood in the door frame a cup of hot coffee in his hand and smiled. “When the need is great, God finds a way.”
***
Silence settled over the large two story structure as lights were snuffed out and fires stoked.
The children had finally settled on the parlor floor and Matrice pulled a blanket over her as she made a bed of the settee.
She’d volunteered to stay with the children keeping an eye on them and tending the fire so that she might have a moment away from her family.
Emotions roiled in her soul as she reviewed the events of the day. She was elated that her father had returned, but sad that it would mean they would soon leave the little town and Francis behind.
She’d spent a goodly portion of the night talking with the young man, and every moment she spent with him her heart grew to love him more.
Matrice couldn’t help but draw comparisons between Francis and her father. Both men had traveled through bad weather to reach their goals, and both men were hard working and trustworthy. The question was, could one accept the other?
A log fell in the fire sending sparks up the flu like prayers for her future. The longer she knew Francis the more she was drawn to him. Already it felt as if she had a bond with him that transcended all time and space. Still her heart struggled with the thoughts of leaving her family. She didn’t even know if her family would accept their love as real.
Rising, Matrice tiptoed over the slumbering forms of the children and placed a log on the fire. She was just reaching for another log that magically appeared before her eyes and she looked up into the grinning face of Francis.
“What are you doing here?” Matrice hissed.
“I came to check on you,” Francis smiled handing her one more log and helping her stoke up the fire. “Come to the kitchen.”
Matrice looked behind her to see that all of the children were sleeping soundly then crept out the door.
Francis led the way down the hall to the kitchen and added more wood to the cook stove. He knew from his time living with George and Polly that the hostess would be up soon to start breakfast.
Carefully moving the kettle to a hot burner Francis gathered cups and tea. “You will have tea with me?” he asked, smiling when Matrice nodded.
Several plates of cookies still sat on the table and Matrice took one breaking it nervously between her fingers then nibbling one half.
Francis set the tea on the table as soon as the kettle boiled then took a seat across from Matrice.
“I am happy that you father is here and safe,” he said reaching out and taking her hand in his. “I will speak to him about us,” he fini
shed his eyes searching her face for assurance.
“I don’t know what he’ll say,” Matrice admitted removing her hand and lifting her cup. “He might want to travel soon.”
“It is not wise to travel now,” Francis said. “It is better if you stay here.”
Matrice nodded. “I hope we’ll stay, at least for a while,” she agreed. “It’s so strange having Papa back. It’s like I don’t know him anymore.”
Francis nodded, “It is like this when you are far away for a long time.”
Matrice smiled. She loved how Francis seemed to understand her.
Again Francis reached out and took her hand in his. “We will talk to him later today, and see what he thinks of us. I’m sure he and your mother are making plans for later.”
Matrice nodded, squeezing his hand back. “I don’t think I could leave you,” Matrice said. “Perhaps I’m only a foolish girl, but I know it in my heart.”
“I will not let you go,” Francis smiled. “Or I will go with you.”
Epilogue
The morning sun crept over the horizon painting the fresh fallen snow in brilliant gold as the town of Biders Clump woke to a new dawn.
Everything lay under a blanket of pristine white and only the chatter of birds disturbed the frosty air.
Soon the people of Biders Clump would rise, heading back to their homes and businesses. Chores would be done, food prepared, and talk of a memorable night share.
As the sun rose new hopes and dreams blossomed in the hearts of the members of the tiny town. Those with deep roots, new foundations, or simply passing through could find peace and comfort for a little while as days turned to weeks and changes came to all.
Each dawn brought a new tale to tell and new friends to love.
***
Mary Ellen Bigsby placed her bifocals on her nose, adjusted her hat and lifted her bag and stepped out the door closing it behind her for the last time.
She was no longer needed here, and it was time to move on. Placing her key in the flower pot by the door she turned and scanned the town.