Rebecca's Hope

by Kimberly Grist

  “More to your point, I heard Rebecca tell him one time she could never marry him because she was sure if they ever had an argument he would start spinning her around,” Seth said. “We all laughed about it, even B.J.” Shaking his head, Seth chuckled again. “He told me himself he has a girl now back east where he is going to that fancy school of his. So, you are way off on your assessment of their relationship.”

  Sam muttered under his breath. “Which explains two things, her relationship with Benji, I mean B.J., and why she seems so enamored with Brian Scott. Based on what you said, I can see why she would admire him. She sure makes it a point to be sitting on the front porch whenever he is at Adam’s.”

  Seth broke unashamedly into a full belly laugh. “I never figured you as the jealous type.”

  Sam's nostrils flared. “Once again, I don’t find any of this funny.”

  “Listen, they love each other, only not in the way you are thinking. It may seem strange to you, but there is a strong bond between all of us. But I can guarantee you this: when Rebecca sees Brian, she views him not only as a friend but Emma’s beau. She loves Emma more than anything. Rebecca would never allow herself to think of him romantically.”

  Breaking out into another chuckle, he continued. “Another thing, about being out on the porch with Brian. Pa asked Rebecca and me to make sure one of us was out there to chaperone when he called on Emma. He tried to sit with us a couple of times and was asleep in no time at all.”

  Rubbing his ribs, Seth continued to chuckle as they made their way home. “I am afraid you have been working on some poor assumptions.”

  Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve made a mess of things for sure. What’s worse is, I don’t know how to go about making things right.”

  Successful this time in suppressing a laugh, Seth added, “Knowing Rebecca like I do, she will forgive you, but she might not forget. You can ask B.J. about that.”

  “I’m not asking Doctor Benji nothing. You can take that to the bank,” Sam replied with a frown and determined look on his face.

  Chapter 9

  Dear Papa,

  Papa Horace says sheep are about as advantageous as locust…

  “Emma, when did you say Pa and Seth will be home?” Sam’s daughter Grace asked.

  “It could be as early as this time tomorrow. Why don’t you girls finish up whatever it is you are working on and let’s get ready for bed.”

  Sadie nudged her sister Grace, pointing her head toward her Aunt Emma. “I think we need to tell her.”

  “Tell me what?” What are you two girls up to this time?”

  “Tattletale,” Grace whispered to her sister as Sadie retaliated by sticking out her tongue.

  “Alright now, I don’t like the sound of this. Out with it. What exactly do you need to tell me?”

  Staring at each other intently and seeming to understand in a language only twins can comprehend, Grace bobbed her head and said, “Sadie will tell you.”

  Sadie crossed her arms across her chest and sighed. “Me and Grace have been figuring, and we talked to our friends at school about it, and we have a plan.”

  With a sigh of relief, Emma waited as the girls looked back and forth to each other. Surely this can’t be too bad, she thought. “Alright, so you and your friends have a plan. Tell me about it.”

  Grace’s cheeks took on a pink tint typical of when she got ready to speak. “Remember the other day when Pa made Rebecca cry? We were real mad, cause we love Rebecca and we want her to be our ma.” Crossing her arms across her chest, she cocked her head toward Sadie, silently encouraging her to proceed.

  Confidently Sadie continued, “Seeing as how Pa don’t want her, we figured to find somebody else around here for her to marry.”

  Grace bobbed her head up and down in agreement. “That way she can still live close by, and we can visit. So, we asked Mary Ellen to get her Pa to put a notice in the paper.”

  Emma gasped, as Sadie continued. “We asked Ruth to ask her pa to pray for her and to put her on the prayer list at church. Kate is going to talk to her pa. He don’t have a wife either and is rich too.”

  Emma placed her hand against her chest as she took in a deep breath, afraid of what the twins might say next.

  “And in case that don’t work out, Helen’s uncle is not married. He is real nice, and if she marries him, she can still be close by,” Grace added.

  “The only reason you want her to marry him is because Helen is your best friend,” Sadie cried as she poked her sister in the chest.

  Grace poked back in retaliation with a little more force. “She is your friend too, isn’t she?”

  “I want her to marry Kate’s pa because he is rich and she will get to live in town. Then we can go see her at her new house.” Sadie pushed her face nose to nose with her sister. “Plus, Kate says her pa lets her have candy whenever she wants. That way when we visit her we can have candy too.”

  “My word, girls, oh my goodness.” Emma closed her eyes and placed her hands to her face. Afraid of what the answer would be, she asked, “Tell me this, when were your friends going to talk to their fathers?”

  Sadie looked at her cousin in surprise. “They already did.”

  Emma’s face grew pale as she sunk into the kitchen chair. “Lord help me, Jesus. Girls, tell me that isn’t so.”

  Chapter 10

  Dear Papa,

  The weather here is hot, and it hasn’t rained in a long time. Sometimes at night, I have bad dreams. When I wake up, Aunt Eloise makes me drink sage tea. I do not like tea...

  The Reverend Zachary Nelson walked back and forth in his parlor, preparing for his sermon, but the conversation he’d had with his daughter yesterday, brought a smile to his face. “How is it girls so small could cause such a fuss?”

  Martha Nelson found little to laugh at regarding the situation. “Meddling is a problem we are all too familiar with, but our daughter and her friends? They are the sweetest, most angelic little girls. Who would imagine they could think of such a thing?”

  “Very enterprising, little angels it would seem,” he agreed as he read the advertisement and shouted with laughter.

  Wanted: Husband for Rebecca Towns Mueller

  Must be handsome, nice, like children, and live within walking distance of Carrie Town Texas School.

  “Zachary, I don’t know how you can find the humor in this, Rebecca is going to be so embarrassed.”

  Reverend Zachary Nelson stopped, considering his wife’s statement before responding. “She is more sensible than you give her credit for. Besides, Rebecca knows these girls and loves them. I believe she will find amusement in it, especially after she sees the ad they wanted to place. It could have been much worse.”

  “Thank goodness it didn’t get printed in the paper. Poor Rebecca.” Martha pressed her hand on her husband’s arm. “Zachary, if she hasn’t got wind of anything yet, I want you to be the one to let her know what happened.”

  “Once again, I am fortunate to have married a wise woman like yourself. You keep me focused for sure. Let us hope, in the future, your daughter takes after you in that regard. My sermon preparation is stalled for now, since this situation has me distracted. It will be a good time for me to take a break.”

  With a stoic face, he turned to his wife. “Pray I handle this in the best way and most of all that I maintain self-control.” Leaning forward with a mischievous grin, he kissed his wife goodbye.

  Martha walked with her husband to the door and pressed her hand on his arm, “Zachary, please, whatever you do, do not laugh.”

  Although he’d made great strides having been married these many years, in his role of pastor, he still had problems at times understanding women and their emotions. Was he making too light of this? Would Rebecca view this as children who loved her trying to make her life better? He had to agree his wife was right. She most probably would be embarrassed. Not for the first time this week he gave a silent prayer, thanking the Lord for providing him w
ith his wife. Lord, she sees things I don’t. Please give me wisdom as I proceed.

  Agreeing he would need to continue with caution regarding Rebecca’s feelings, he closed the front door. Placing his hat on his head, he paused. A faint sound came from the other side. For a moment he supposed he heard laughter… No, impossible, he thought to himself as he hurried on his way.

  Chapter 11

  Dear Papa,

  The teacher came to the house and gave me my final exam. She said I was the youngest student she ever had to pass the 8th grade. Papa Horace said I could attend graduation with the other students. Please come…

  Almost miraculously one of the much-anticipated supply trains came through and delivered the new fabric Lois had invested in, providing a much-needed employment opportunity for Rebecca.

  The bell on the door over the dress shop rang, announcing Rebecca’s arrival. Lois and Reverend Nelson were engrossed in deep conversation but looked up and simultaneously said, “Good morning.”

  Rebecca paused in surprise at the hearty greeting. “What a nice welcome, and good morning to you.”

  Walking to the back room to hang up her bonnet, Rebecca paused to speak to Lois. “I wanted to remind you I have an appointment to meet Peter this morning. I will need to leave around 10, but I should be back sometime this afternoon to help.”

  Rebecca stole another glance at the pastor, who was intently examining the new fabrics.

  Pastor Nelson looked at Rebecca and tugged on his collar. “I was hoping to pick up something for Martha. Perhaps, you could help me decide?”

  Rebecca walked closer, fingering the fabric. “What you have in your hand is very nice.”

  Seeming confused by her answer, he glanced at Lois who took the opportunity to intervene. “Excellent choice, Pastor. Rebecca, why don’t you and Pastor Nelson come to the back and have a muffin? It’s a new recipe. I would love for you to tell me what you think.”

  Lois took the fabric from the reverend’s hands, then placed one arm through his and the other through Rebecca’s and led them to her makeshift kitchen.

  The three crowded around her small table as Lois poured coffee and offered each a muffin. “Rebecca, you have seen for yourself how mischievous Sam’s girls can be. We need to talk to you about something. Hopefully, after you have a moment to think about it, you will be able to appreciate it.”

  Rebecca eyed her friend suspiciously. What could the girls have done that Lois would be aware of?

  Pastor Nelson cleared his throat, as he glanced at Lois. “Well put, Sister Lois, and let me add it is not only Sam’s girls who have been up to mischief but my daughter, the bank owner’s daughter and, much to his chagrin, the newspaper editor’s daughter, Mary Ellen. In a nutshell, Rebecca, they have been at work trying to find you a husband.”

  Recognizing the girls were students in her Sunday School Class, Rebecca’s jaw dropped. A husband? But what about Sam? She wasn’t ready to give up on him yet. “What exactly have the girls been up to this time?”

  Lois patted Rebecca’s hand. “All the girls enjoy spending time with you. They were afraid if you didn’t marry Sam, you would marry someone else and move away.”

  Pastor Nelson pulled on his collar. “The fact of the matter is they were so concerned about the situation they wrote an advertisement on your behalf for a husband.”

  Placing her hands on her flaming cheeks, Rebecca shook her head, “An advertisement?” She took in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Why, except for Mary Ellen, most of those girls are barely reading themselves.”

  Rebecca felt her chest tighten. Sadie and Grace were undoubtedly mischievous enough to attempt to maneuver such a thing and who better to help them but Mary Ellen. But advertisements cost money. They certainly would not have the means to pay for such a thing. Suddenly the image of the banker’s daughter, Kate, came to mind. Rebecca closed her eyes, took a deep breath and with tight lips, asked, “Did the ad already run in the paper?”

  Pastor Nelson rubbed his forehead. “No, it wasn’t published in the paper. The girls hand delivered them.”

  Chapter 12

  Dear Papa,

  Papa Horace says I must pick a vocation. I think I would like to be a circuit preacher…

  Rebecca arrived at the law office a little breathless, having tried to match the long strides of Pastor Nelson. “Thank you again for coming with me. Are you sure this isn’t an inconvenience?”

  Zachary Nelson gave a curt nod. “Not at all. I know how important this is to you. I am happy to offer whatever support I can give.”

  Peter Marks Jr. walked into the room, offering a quick handshake to Pastor Nelson and a tight smile to Rebecca. “Take a seat and let’s review your options.”

  Looking the important figure in his dark brown, striped, three-piece suit, Peter leaned against the front of his desk. “I haven’t wanted to update you until my investigation was complete, though at this point I believe it is best. According to his attorney, your father has been paying for your education and sending support payments for years.”

  Peter’s lips curled slightly. “You are currently enrolled in a costly finishing school, I might add. The lawyer claims he received letters from an administrator at the school giving him updates on your progress. Apparently, you are terrible at arithmetic. What tommyrot.”

  Pastor Nelson bristled. “Of course, you advised him his information was incorrect.”

  Taking the chair next to Rebecca, he gave a brief nod at the pastor and continued. “Supposedly, there are records of financial payments, doctor bills, etc. If Horace was anything, he was thorough. Therefore, we have the records necessary to debunk this, which includes your birth and baptism record, custody documentation and medical records, not to mention years of correspondence returned unopened.”

  Peter’s back stiffened as he paused. “Forgive me, that was insensitive.”

  Standing again, he took a few steps across the room before returning to face Rebecca. “Most of your childhood was spent right here in this office studying along with me. Consequently, I know you have more than an inkling about what will be involved in court. I don’t want to see you hurt, but at the same time, I can see where it might be timely from your perspective to retrieve the items your mother left you.”

  Picking up a copy of the will, he examined it briefly. Then, with a shake of his head, discarded it again. “I never had an opinion about china, certainly never thought about the value of a wedding dress or veil. However, having been married this past year, I have begun to understand those things matter quite a bit to you ladies. Don’t misunderstand me, it is certainly reasonable you would want what belongs to you.”

  Reaching into his pocket, he fished out his watch and placed it in Rebecca’s hand. “One of my most treasured possessions is this pocket watch that belonged to my grandfather. Nothing flashy, purely serviceable, but it was his, and he gave it to me. Not valuable at all monetarily yet at the same time priceless.”

  Peter stood and resumed his pacing. Memories of a younger version of Peter flooded Rebecca’s mind. She could picture him in almost the same spot, struggling as he prepared for his entrance to law school. Sensing he had stopped his pacing, Rebecca looked up as Peter took the chair beside her.

  “Sorry, I was standing on the side of your bad ear. Let me begin again. Based on the custody papers, support payments were to be sent to a special account which reflects only one payment recorded years ago. There is no record of a request to change the method of payment. Which is why personally, I think it is all a ruse, perhaps a stall tactic and there may be little to nothing of your inheritance to be had.”

  Gathering her courage, Rebecca took a deep breath. “Frankly, my circumstances with no permanent job or place to live, dictates I try to find out. Now that my relationship with Sam is under such scrutiny, it seems providential my cousin invited me for a visit. If nothing else, my acceptance of the invitation will buy me some time.”

  Eyes wide, Peter leaned forward, saying,
“Adam told me he’d encouraged you to visit with the Brooks’ family. I know it is difficult for you to accept help from friends, much less from a relative you don’t recall ever having met.”

  Rebecca glanced at her hands as she recalled the letter of instruction from Papa Horace she had received at the reading of his will.

  …One of the reasons I encouraged you to write to your father was an effort to restore your relationship with him. You may remember although your father’s English was excellent, his written communication was always conducted in German. After you were assured someone could read the letters to him, you never asked why he didn’t write back. Writing seemed therapeutic for you, and we never had the heart to tell you that your correspondence was returned unopened. In retrospect, I am sorry for the deception and for not doing more to try and repair the relationship myself.

  Because my time draws near, I have written to your mother’s cousin, Elizabeth, to ask for her help in this matter. She and her husband loved your mother and are well acquainted with your father…

  Rebecca pushed her shoulders back. “It is more complicated than accepting help; I wondered why after all these years the invitation would be given. But since corresponding, I have learned she believed I was living back east for health reasons. Now we all know the truth. She also offered to assist me in reconnecting with my father.”

  Pastor Nelson leaned forward. “Is there any reason you can give, why she shouldn’t accept the invitation?”

  Peter rubbed his chin. “No. The family’s reputation is spotless. They are in good financial standing. If you would be willing to go next week, I can accompany you myself. We’d have to leave on Tuesday. Could you be ready by then?”

  Rebecca found herself readily agreeing, “Yes, I would also like to continue with any legal proceedings necessary to get to the bottom of this. But as for your fee and the train ticket—I don’t have the funds to pay you. And if things turn out as you said, I don’t know if I ever could.”