Mercy's Promise (The Promise Series Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  Daisy covers her mouth with her hand and fights tears, how could they all have been so blind.

  Anika stoops down and hugs her daughter tight. “Delaney, I love your heart. It is a beautiful reflection of God’s love. I will promise to pray really hard and be a good friend to Glenn, okay, but only God can heal what is broken.”

  “We can love him really hard, and then God will heal his heart.”

  “Of course. I’m going to ride to the pond and enjoy the sunshine, do you want to come with me?”

  “No, I want to work on my sewing.” Delaney skips back to her chair, and Daisy wipes her cheek and smiles at Anika.

  “You have an amazing daughter.”

  Pride fills her heart. Anika nods and leaves quickly then straps on the lunch basket and mounts her horse. A smile of exhilaration flickers as she kicks the horse into a trot. Allen watches her leave from the barn and grins when his wife and Delaney walk over.

  “Two of my favorite girls,” he calls out.

  “Where’s Glenn?” Daisy asks.

  “Checking fences.” Allen smiles as Delaney chases a kitten around the yard.

  “Anika is riding to the pond, for a picnic. What do we do Glenn? How do we help them?” Daisy frets.

  “We don’t. Just this once we’re going to be still and let God handle it. He is working on it, we just have to trust.” He pulls his wife into his arms and kisses her forehead.

  “It’s so hard to watch them suffer.” She sighs melting into his hug.

  “Yep. Now, where's my lunch?” Daisy groans and Delaney giggles.

  “Your always hungry, Mr. Allen.”

  “Hungry for little girls,” he growls, and Delaney runs screaming with Allen chasing her.

  Chapter 24

  Anika waits till she is out of sight of the main house and then urges the horse into a run. Images of her childhood in the Virginia mountains roll through her mind. She races across the field, laughing and puts her face up to the sun.

  Glenn is riding back to the barn slowly when he hears her laughter. He watches as Anika races across the field in a moment of unabandoned joy and a smile curves his lips. Decision made he kicks his horse into a gallop and follows.

  A frown of annoyance flickers when she recognizes the rider coming towards her. She kicks her horse harder, urging her faster attempting to put more distance between them. Glenn watches and gives a kick to his mount who reacts instantly to his rider. Soon, he is riding beside her, waiting patiently for her to realize he’s not leaving.

  Anika crests a hill and pulls on the reins with a sharp command and stops. She turns to glare at him. Glenn slows and stops before pushing his hat back on his head. His mount stomps the ground, frustrated at the short run.

  “That was impressive, I didn’t know you could ride so well.”

  “My grandparents insisted on lessons when I was Delaney’s age.” She smooths a nervous hand over her hair and glances away from him. “Well, I’ll just be going.” When she attempts to move Glenn shifts his horse over.

  “Where are you headed?”

  “I’m trying to enjoy my day off, Mr. Ward, as instructed.”

  “Are we back to Mr. Ward? I thought we were friends?” Anika turns away from him and sniffs, struggling to compose herself. In her heart, she hears Delaney's words, and she sighs.

  “I need some time to myself, Glenn. Let me be.”

  “I can’t do that, Anika. We need to talk this out.”

  “Fine, but not until I finish my ride.” Before he knows what’s happening, she kicks her mare into a full run, leaving him laughing behind her.

  His horse stomps the ground and snorts in frustration, he’s ready to run. “Give her a head start, Samson, it’s only fair.” Glenn leans down and rubs him soothingly, but soon he is as anxious to ride as Samson.

  “Ya!” He shouts and leans down low over his mount. Man, and horse ride as one pounding across the beautiful field. They pass Anika with a whoop of joy. She can’t help but slow to watch him and laugh out loud.

  Anika trots along realizing she has been duped. “We never stood a chance, girl. That’s okay, you did a fine job.” She pats her mount, but as she nears the pond her smile fades. Glenn is standing near the water, waiting on her and nerves flutter in her stomach.

  “Nice denims,” he teases as his hands wrap around her waist to help her down. Anika hisses out in pain. “Damn, what are you thinking of riding after…”

  “I'm fine. I just need a minute. The bastard made me hit a table, and my ribs are sore.” Anika slaps a hand over her mouth when she realizes that she said that in front of him.

  Glenn roars with laughter as Anika blushes. “I'm not sorry,” she snaps indignantly and tugs on the reins while she waits for him to stop laughing.

  “I called him worse, Anika. If it makes you feel any better, he has been taking something stronger than ale and whiskey. I believe they are calling it Black Death because it is a black liquid.”

  “I could smell it,” she whispers, “anyway, I just needed to get out of the house Glenn.” She turns to pat the horse munching on fresh grass beside her.

  “Just drop the reins they won’t go too far. They’re well trained.” Anika does as instructed.

  “Where did you learn to ride like that?” She asks, pulling the picnic basket from her saddle and flinches as the weight of the basket sends pain through her shoulder.

  Glenn is watching when the pain flashes across her face, he gently takes the basket from her. “I was in the Cavalry unit. It was a requirement.” Anika glances up at him in surprise. Saul often spoke of the Cavalry, and the brutality he witnessed gave him nightmares.

  “What? Why would you choose that?” She asks.

  Glenn laughs a bitter laugh. “Anika we weren’t given a choice, you served where they assigned you. Our family were horse breeders, and if could you break a horse and ride, you were Cavalry.”

  “I see,” she murmurs and follows him to the cover of a tree where they could enjoy a picnic.

  “You don't see, thankfully, and I pray you never will.” He spreads a blanket from the inside of the basket, and she helps him to straighten it before sitting with him.

  Anika rubs her shoulder and arm, distracted by the pain that is beginning to make itself known. “Saul was infantry, he didn’t speak of it, except after a nightmare.”

  “I understand. They haunted me for years after I came home, I almost had them beat.”

  “Almost?” she asks.

  “They returned when Sue died.” Glenn explains and begins pulling out the food, “I’m starved, what did you bring?”

  “I didn’t know I would be sharing. Help yourself. I’m not that hungry.” Rolls, chicken, fruit and juice in jars and cookies.

  “I think she packed plenty for the both of us. I can show some restraint if I must.”

  Anika glances up at his playful tone and accepts a plate from him. “Are you sure about that?” She teases as he stuffs a cookie into his mouth and closes his eyes in ecstasy.

  “No. I changed my mind. The cookies are all mine.” Anika can't help but laugh. Glenn smiles at her, happy to see her relax some.

  “Tell me about your family, Anika.” He urges.

  “Not much to tell. They’re gone now.” She glances at him and sighs. “Mama came to America from Ireland. She was an indentured servant for five years. My father was a banker. They married as soon as she was free to do so. I was their only child.”

  “How did the daughter of a banker end up penniless?”

  Anika is shocked by his forward question, but not ashamed of her past. “Glenn, I was fourteen years old, when Saul began to court me. My Father was not having it. He said the normal things, I was too young. I didn’t know what I was getting into. When he refused to give us a dowry, I was hurt and angry.” Glancing out over the field she reaches up and pulls her hair free of the band holding it. Her fingers lace through her hair as she combs the tangles out and Glenn’s mouth goes dry.

 
Strawberry blonde waves catch the sunlight, and he is sorely tempted to plunge his hands in her hair like his son does. Anika turns to him and smiles. “We were so alike, my Father and I.” A breeze lifts her hair, “I see it now. I see him in Delaney.”

  “She is a fiercely loyal and protective little girl. You’ve done an amazing job with her,” Glenn praises.

  “I hope so. Delaney will need to be strong to survive in this world. Could we walk, I'm getting sore sitting here?”

  “Of course.” Glenn stands, quickly offering her a hand and soon they are strolling in the sunshine near the pond. “What happened with your Father?”

  “Saul asked me to marry him, and he convinced me that my Father would come around after we were married.” Anika falls silent remembering her Mother's sobs as her Father refused to see them after the quick ceremony.

  “He never forgave me. Mother and I kept in contact through letters. We moved frequently, following the work. Saul worked at the docks in Virginia until the War started. Delaney was a baby when he joined. He served three years.” Her voice fades, and she walks towards a large boulder a few feet away. She sits on it, enjoying the wind blowing around her.

  “Three years is a long time. I served two years in the Cavalry.” Glenn looks down at her and can’t help but feel ashamed to stand near her. “I killed so many men like your husband. How can you stand to be around me?”

  Anika reaches up to touch him but stops herself. “Did you enjoy it, the killing?” Her question mirrors the pastors.

  “No.” Glenn shakes his head no before she even finishes the sentence. “I did what had to be done, to survive. Don’t get me wrong, Anika, I believed in our cause, still do, but I didn’t get a thrill killing from the back of a horse. I would have served until the end of the war if I hadn’t been shot.”

  “How did Sue feel about that?” She asks.

  “I didn’t care. I was a soldier.” Glenn runs a hand through his hair in frustration at her shocked look. “I should clarify that statement.”

  “Sue and I were childhood friends, members of the same church. Her Mother was pushing us to become betrothed, but Sue was more like a sister to me.”

  “What happened?” Anika asks softly.

  “Her Mother set up a meeting with our families and arranged for us to be found in a compromising situation.”

  Surprise rippled across her face. “What?”

  “I wasn't stupid, Anika. I knew she had feelings for me, so I avoided her. It was our busy season. Before the war, we had cattle and bred horses. Her Father ordered a horse, and I delivered it, as I do for any client. Sue's mother invited me inside and told me to wait in the library.” Glenn jumps up and starts pacing, anger pushing his steps. His words tumble out, faster and stronger.

  “Sue was waiting for me. Apparently, she was in the middle of a dress fitting, minus the dress. She began to cry and threw her arms around me, begging me not to go, and that's when her parents entered the room. Well, you can imagine the rest. I found myself married to a woman I didn't love, with a family I couldn't trust. I was angry. I enlisted as soon as the War started.”

  “Glenn I’m so sorry, I had no idea,” Anika is stunned.

  “I served for two years and only came home because I was shot.”

  Anika leaps up from the boulder. “Where were you shot?” She is stepping towards him without even realizing what she’s doing.

  Glenn smiles grimly at her. “It creased my arm, but it could have been much worse. When I came home, it was to a different world. Sue’s Dad had passed away and my parents’ legacy was in ruins. Anything of value was stripped away. Sue had moved in with my parents before I left. I came home to a very sick wife. The stress of the war took its toll on her and to make matters worse, I found out that Sue was born with a heart problem. She was told early on that she would not live a full life.”

  “You're saying they knew this before you married.” Anika sits back down in complete shock. “How could they do that to you?” She hisses.

  “I was livid, but I promised myself when I survived the War that I would try to make a life for us and be a good husband to Sue.”

  “You can’t build a life on lies,” Anika says softly.

  “True, but Sue’s health seemed to rebound with my return. I built our house and we started rebuilding the farm. Dad had decided to concentrate on agriculture while I was away. I’d come to love Sue by then. When I found out she was pregnant, I was thrilled.” He smiles at her. “What I didn’t know was that Dr. Parker had told Sue not to risk a pregnancy. It would only cause her heart further strain. You know the rest.”

  Anika glances up at him with a new understanding. “I guess we both have a lot of work to do. I seem to attract the wrong kind of men.” She wrings her hands together, “I hope you know that I did nothing to encourage Rhemi.”

  Glenn smiles at her and grips her hand gently. “Men like him don't need a reason, Anika. They see a beautiful young woman, unattached and they believe that entitles them to take. He will never touch you again, I promise. No one will ever raise a hand against you again Anika. Not while I draw breath.”

  “You can’t make promises like that, Glenn.” He frowns when she backs away from him and pulls her hand from his. “The one thing I need for you to understand is that I won’t raise Delaney in a home where she feels threatened. I love your boys, your family and our life here, but …”

  “Please, don’t finish that sentence. I apologized to Delaney. Now if you will let me, I would ask your forgiveness. I didn’t mean to scare you or Delaney, surely you know I would never raise a hand to either of you.”

  “I know that in my heart,” Anika glances away from him and takes a deep breath. “But Saul made a vow to love and protect me, he broke that vow more times than I care to admit.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she looks back at him. “My heart and my head don’t always agree with each other.”

  “Then we will take it one day at a time until I have earned your trust.”

  “I’d like that. I could use a friend, Glenn.”

  Glenn holds out a hand and sighs with relief when she reaches out and takes his hand. “I can do that.” For now, he thinks. Today proved to him that his heart was falling for her.

  Anika smiles when he tugs her in for a quick hug. “I spent some time with the Pastor today. He told me to talk to my family about the war. I didn't realize what a burden I carried. He helped me to see that as humans we can't fathom the depth of love our Father has for us. I carry such guilt, Anika. The same guilt I'm sure Saul carried. The guilt of surviving when so many around us fell. War changed us, and I have to learn to accept the changes.”

  “That's wonderful Glen. I've been studying my Bible, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but I forgot that the cross has spoken. Our sins were forgiven before we ever committed them. When Jesus died on the cross for us, his blood broke every shame. That doesn't mean we can sin willfully, it means through faith, when we sin, we only have to ask and accept his mercy.”

  Glen grins, “That’s it, exactly.”

  She wipes at her tears. “Race you back?” she teases.

  “We will take a rain check on that. You are in no condition to race me; besides you don’t stand a chance, woman.”

  “You have a lot to learn about me, cowboy. I never give up.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  Chapter 25

  “The Fall fair is important because we will be able to showcase our livestock, grains, fruits, canned goods, vegetables even handicrafts,” Daisy explains to Delaney over dinner.

  “That’s exciting!” Anika exclaims.

  “This is the first one since the end of the War. It will be attended by people from all over,” Savannah says.

  “Even by certain Horse Breeders, Savannah,” Daisy teases.

  Glenn glances at his sister but is more interested in Anika’s response.

  Anika smiles and nudges her, “You should make sure to seek him out.”

  “He w
asn’t interested in me,” Savannah replies and glances at her brother to gauge his reaction.

  “Boy must be blind not to notice my daughter,” Allen teases and sips on his coffee.

  “It’s odd that he’s coming this far for a state fair. Doesn’t Kentucky have one of their own?” Daisy asks.

  Anika glances at Delaney avoiding Glenn’s eyes as she replies. “He said in his letter that he wanted to inspect the livestock.”

  “Especially the breed mares,” Glenn snorts.

  Everyone falls silent in shock and Anika glares at him. “Glenn!” Daisy snaps.

  “Forgive me.” He says biting an apple and chewing it slowly. “I will make sure Dayton sees clearly what is available to him and what isn’t.”

  Anika blushes at his bold statement while Savannah grins with approval.

  “Will they have games?” Delaney asks, oblivious to the tension in the room.

  “Games?” Glenn grins, “Pie eating contests, apple dunking booths, chicken races…”

  Delaney giggles and claps her hands. “Chickens can’t race, Mr. Glenn.”

  “What? Well, don't tell Chuck that.” Allen teases.

  “Chuck’s gonna race?” Delaney’s eyes grow huge.

  Anika smothers a laugh, at the look of excitement on her daughter's face. Chuck is her favorite chicken, and she feeds him daily.

  “Of course.” Glenn stands up, and Delaney lifts her arms for him to pick her up. “All the love you gave him made him crazy fast.” Delaney wraps a small arm around his neck and cups his clean-shaven face. They have formed a strong bond over the past few weeks. She loves to rub his face, and she giggles, stealing his heart. “He might even win a blue ribbon.”

  “A ribbon!” Delaney whips around and stares at her mother. “Mama did you hear that I'm gonna win a blue ribbon!”

  Anika laughs and stands up. Her heart trembles at the sight of her daughter sitting trustingly in his arms. She stands and moves closer to her. “I heard, and I'm entering my Gran's pie in the pie tasting contest.”