Grace like a Whisper

by Edna Lee Allen

  She peered at Josiah. “Don’t ever let anyone make you feel unworthy. Your scar is just skin. It doesn’t change a person’s heart. And you’ll grow up to be a fine man. I will pray for everyone you meet to see the good in you. I’ll do that until my last breath.”

  Grace straightened and looked at Thomas, the cloud of black silk visible in the corner of her eye.

  Hortense gave a disgusted sigh. “Miss Cantrell, are you through?”

  Grace placed her hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “Not one person I know has a heart better than you. And it saddens me that for a while you were without parents. But the Lord will take your struggles, Thomas, and your pain, and turn them into peace and joy. I promise you. But you must allow Him to do that.”

  Thomas nodded.

  “Being an orphan is not something you should be ashamed of. Ever.”

  “Mr. Green said we’re not orphans anymore,” Josiah told her.

  A big smile stretched across Grace’s face. She embraced both boys, and as she looked up she saw Mr. Hennessy standing behind Mrs. Beauregard. She kept her gaze on them as the boys scampered down the steps.

  “Your things, Miss Cantrell,” said Mrs. Beauregard. “Make sure you have all of them.”

  The floors had been scrubbed and looked much improved than when she arrived. The blackboards had been cleaned yesterday and the bookshelves neatly arranged. The maps hung straight, and the American flag rested in its designated spot.

  She grabbed her melon basket from a stool near the peg rack. “I don’t believe I have anything besides this. A few books have been donated from families as I asked for them since we were quite low,” she said to Mr. Hennessey.

  “Mr. Collinsworth will get with you about a new assignment,” said Mrs. Beauregard.

  “A new assignment?”

  “Yes, I’m sure he will inform you. Another town in the county—a two-day ride from here—is in need. I would take that offer and be on your way.”

  Grace’s lips stretched into a smile. “I came to Sheldon with very little, but if I leave it will not be the same, as I’m quite full now with memories.” She turned to Mr. Hennessy again. “I am envious that you will witness their minds transforming, and I will not. But it has been a pleasure to take over for you.” Grace lifted her skirt and walked down the steps. Not once did she glance back. And not until she saw Edith’s quaint house in the distance did the tears escape.

  ~*~

  The fork slipped from Jed’s hand and clattered on his plate. “You two did what?”

  Josiah looked to Thomas. When his older buddy didn’t reply, he looked back at Jed. His shoulders drew up.

  “We put a note on her porch. We were trying to help.” Thomas’s weak voice sounded pitiable. “It seemed like a good idea when we were doing it.”

  Jed propped his elbow on the table. “Well, it wasn’t.”

  The boys had stopped eating and looked down at their half-empty plates, unusual for them not to ask for seconds.

  Griffin reached across the table and stabbed his fork into Thomas’s potato. “Don’t get yourself all worked up. If you’re gonna be upset, you might as well be with me too. I knew about it when they went off the first time,” the apprentice said. “I covered for them while they were gone.”

  “The first time?” Jed opened his palms.

  “Just one other time, is all,” Thomas replied.

  “Why are you telling me this now?” Jed asked.

  The boys looked at each other.

  “When we pray at night, I feel bad because it’s like we lied to you.” Thomas’s voice sounded miserable.

  “I told him we shouldn’t say anything because you’ll get mad.” Josiah frowned.

  Griffin pointed his fork at Josiah. “I’m with you, buddy. He’d probably never have known.”

  “She said you wouldn’t like it and told us we shouldn’t do it again.” Josiah pushed the lima beans around on his plate.

  “That’s exactly right.” Jed’s voice grew louder.

  Griffin reached for another roll, tore off a big piece, and stuck it in his mouth.

  “Are you going to punish us?” Josiah asked.

  “Haven’t decided how I’m going to handle it yet,” Jed answered crisply. He pointed to Josiah’s plate. “Now eat.”

  Josiah scrunched his face. ‘We’re going to have that other teacher now.”

  “All the kids say he’s mean,” Thomas said.

  “Mr. Hennessy? He’s not so bad. And you don’t know him.” Jed grinned.

  “Yes, but Wyatt said—”

  “It doesn’t matter what Wyatt or anyone else says. Be careful what you think before you know somebody.” Jed picked up his fork. “The town didn’t know you three when you got here.”

  The table grew quiet.

  Jed pointed to Thomas and then to Josiah. “Now eat. And get these silly notions out of your head about me and Miss Cantrell.”

  21

  Grace pushed open the door to the sheriff’s office. A gentleman with a badge pinned to his shirt looked up from behind a cluttered desk. He was the only one in the room besides two young men asleep on the jail cell floor.

  The man stood. “Never mind them. They’re asleep off a hard drunk.” He motioned for her to come farther in. “I’m Sheriff Pryor. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m Grace Cantrell. I came in to ask a few questions.” Grace sat in a chair. “My sisters and I moved to Sheldon this past April. My sister Mercy married one of your deputies, Jared Montrose.”

  “Oh, yes.” The sheriff’s eyebrows lifted. “I remember. Jared is a good man. Justice of the Peace married them the day she arrived.”

  “I got a letter the other day from my other sister, Joy. Neither of us have heard from Mercy.”

  “Funny thing.” The sheriff sat back in his chair. “He resigned his position, although I tried to talk him out of it. Next thing I heard was that they took off and headed out of town. Don’t know the whole story. But a telegram arrived the other day stating they’re on their way and should be back in town in a few days.”

  “And they seemed to be all right?”

  “Well, sounds like Jared got into a fix of some sort, but I think he got himself out.” He smiled. “Usually does.”

  “That’s good news, then. We were both worried.” She shifted in her seat and considered her next words carefully. “I also wanted to inquire about the Children’s Aid Society worker that arrived recently.”

  “Been here and gone already. Got on the stage this morning for Wellington.”

  “And so his business here is done? He left?”

  Sheriff Pryor placed his forearms on the desk. “I need to ask why you’re so concerned, miss.”

  “Two boys, Thomas and Josiah, were my students.”

  “The ones Big Jed took in, right?”

  “Yes. The boys have made so much progress. And after not getting proper schooling for some time.” She swallowed. “I…” She struggled to explain. How could she validate her thoughts?

  “You’re worried about the boys being in a proper home?”

  “No, not at all.” She looked down at her hands. “I’m not sure why I’m here.” She met his gaze again. “Just that I would hate to see Thomas and Josiah on that train again.”

  “Well, it looks like that won’t happen, at least not now. Surprised he bothered to come out this far from Wellington. The organization tries to keep up with placements, but that doesn’t always happen.”

  “I feel better now.” Grace smiled and stood. “Thank you, Sheriff, for your time.”

  Sheriff Pryor stood. “Glad to do it. Sorry to hear your mission here in Sheldon may be cut short. Heard Hennessy arrived back in town.”

  The sorrow pooled in Grace’s heart. “Yes.”

  “Well, there’s eligible men here in Sheldon, and mining camps are looking for cooks, although that’s not always the safest place for a woman.”

  “I’m not sure what I’ll do. Mrs. Farley said I could stay with
her for a while.” Grace walked home from town. The news of her sister had given her peace. And it appeared Thomas and Josiah would stay with Mr. Green, which was also wonderful news. But her heart ached, and she felt more alone than ever. She trudged the dirt path. Edith’s small house appeared on the horizon. Her chest warmed. An angel, that woman.

  Thank You, Lord, for giving me a home, even if I have to leave soon. I have been thoroughly blessed. Please guide me where You want me to go, and prevent me from taking a path that was not designed by You.

  Edith stood from her chair and smiled. She stepped forward with one hand on the porch railing and the other on her cane. The twinkle in Edith’s eyes grew brighter. What had made the old woman so cheerful?

  “Is that your best dress?” Edith asked her.

  Grace looked down at the slightly uneven knife pleats on the indigo print. Mismatched buttons and a slightly frayed hem completed the look. “Just as good as my others. Why do you ask?”

  “You have a visitor coming shortly.”

  “I do?” Grace pulled her bonnet off her head. “Who?”

  “I’m not to say, but all the troubles my sister caused will be put to rest.”

  Edith had her attention. “And why is that?”

  “A certain gentleman came-a-calling while you were out. He told me of his intentions and asked for my blessing. I told him I was expecting you back anytime, and as long as you were so inclined, I’d be perfectly all right with it.”

  Adrenaline flooded her body so quickly she brought a hand to her chest to calm the energy. She sat down on the bench. “A gentleman?”

  Edith nodded with a smile. “You’ve never said anything about him, but you sure think a lot of his family.”

  Jedidiah Green. “Who?”

  “It’s not my place to say.” Edith stepped backward and sat down in her chair. “But he was an awful wreck. Could barely talk he was so nervous. Fidgeted with his hat the whole time.”

  Jedidiah Green.

  “You better go inside and do something with your hair.”

  Grace touched the loose hairs around her ears and forehead. The irony of her giddiness surfaced. For a woman convinced she would never marry, elation filled her. She rushed to her bedroom, undid her bun, and brushed her long, brown hair in smooth strokes. Her fingers shook as she pushed through the tangles. Water from the pitcher cooled her face and neck and removed the grit from the dusty air. She sat on the edge of the bed, a mirror in one hand. A pinch on both sides of her cheeks added some color.

  The front door opened and shut, and Edith spoke, followed by a man’s deep voice.

  Grace tied her hair into a bun and secured it with a few pins.

  Edith called her name.

  In the top drawer of the dresser she found her lace collar and put it on. Her hands smoothed down the pleats from her waistline as she reached for the knob.

  In a chair in the corner of the room sat her caller. He stood as she entered and tore the hat from his head.

  Grace couldn’t feel her knees. Or her feet. She tried to open her mouth, but her lips stayed sealed.

  A second hadn’t escaped and the man fell to one knee, his hat almost twisted into a ball.

  From a faint, far away distance, Edith ask if she was all right.

  No, I’m not. For I’m about to consider a proposal from Erastus Littleberry.

  22

  Jed scanned the rows of candy in glass jars. Not this time.

  The mercantile owner finished with a customer and then drummed his palms on the counter. “What can I do for you, Big Jed?”

  “I need some salt and flour. And cornmeal. Some oats.”

  “All right.” He opened a sack and started scooping the salt. “Anything else?”

  “And a cinnamon stick.”

  “Just one?”

  “Yes. For now.”

  The owner placed the sack on the counter and filled another one. “How’re things down at the shop?”

  “Fine. Busy. Got me a break finally to come get a few things.”

  “Heard you had a little bit of a scare with a fire.”

  “I did. But we got it taken care of.” Jed reached into his pocket and pulled out some loose coins. “How much I owe you?”

  The clerk did his figuring while Jed contemplated whether or not to add some brown eggs to the order.

  Hail Talbert pulled a crisp one-dollar bill from a smooth leather wallet. “Here you go.” He extended his hand to the clerk. “This one is on me.”

  Jed placed a firm grip on Talbert’s wrist. “That’s not necessary.”

  “Of course it’s not,” Talbert said.

  The store owner paused from his figuring and looked up.

  “But I’m hoping you’ll accept this as an apology.”

  Jed released his hand and the clerk took the dollar. “For what?”

  “For my previous visits with you.” He turned to walk away. “And it doesn’t look like I’ll be needing that candelabra after all.”

  Jed tipped his hat without a mention that he hadn’t started on it nor had he ever intended to do so. Talbert had changed his mind. Or Miss Cantrell had rejected him. But why would she do that? Perhaps Erastus got to her first.

  Jed ignored the ache in his heart and asked for a dozen brown eggs before he left the shop. He placed the supplies in the back of his wagon and headed to the barber shop.

  Hawkins stood outside his boardinghouse, an apron tied around him. The smell of roast beef and baked bread wafted through the open doors. He greeted those who entered and the guests who left with their bellies full.

  Jed placed a hand on Hawkins’s shoulder, and the man’s face lit up when he turned. “Big Jed, how’re you doing?” The men shook hands. “I’ve been meaning to make it down to your shop but been so busy hadn’t found the time.”

  “You got something for me to work on?” Jed asked.

  “No, I had a boarder about a week ago leave in the middle of the night. Think he must’ve been running from somebody. Left some clothes and a good pair of shoes behind. They look to be about the size of that apprentice of yours. Do you want ’em? Otherwise I’ll just take them to the mission.”

  “If you still have them. Sure.”

  Just outside the kitchen, Hawkins searched a narrow storage cabinet and then another.

  Jed peeked at the cooks in front of a row of cast iron skillets that sizzled with grease and battered chicken. A Mexican boy and girl stood on a stool and snapped beans on the end of the counter. They recited the alphabet in broken English. A woman next to them sprinkled flour on the butcher block and turned dough over with her hands. She pushed the dough and kneaded in a rhythm that seemed second nature. Just like Jed’s mother. She corrected the girl and had her start again.

  Jed recognized the voice.

  “Here they are.” Hawkins, on his knees, handed the shoes and clothes to Jed.

  Jed grabbed the clothes with one hand.

  Hawkins stood and barked orders to the cooks.

  They all looked up, and that’s when her eyes met Jed’s. She paused for a moment, and Jed thought he saw a sparkle erupt from behind very tired, sad eyes.

  “Do you have to be so rough on them, Hawk?” Jed asked. “They all seem to be working hard.”

  “That’s because I stay on ’em.” Hawkins chuckled. “You can’t go easy with people.”

  “Wasn’t that Miss Cantrell, the schoolteacher?”

  “Yep. She came to me last week at sunrise. Looking for laundry to take in. I got those Mexican kids’ parents doing that for me. And they haven’t quit on me yet. So I sent her away. Later that same afternoon she came back with a loaf of bread and a fresh baked apple pie. Best I ever tasted.”

  “So you hired her?”

  “For now. We’ll see if she can keep up with the hours until she leaves.”

  Jed’s stomach dropped. “Leaves? She going back to Kansas?”

  “Is that where she’s from? No, the school board might be moving her to another town
before too long.” He looked down at the bundle Jed held in his arms. “If those don’t fit, just give ’em to somebody else.”

  “Did she say when?”

  Hawkins cocked his head to the side. “When what?”

  “When she’ll be leaving?”

  “No, just that she needed work until she relocated. Poor thing. She got so choked up when I told her I’d give her a try. Thought she was gonna cry right then and there. Never seen somebody so happy to work for me.” Hawkins placed a hand on Jed’s shoulder. “You come back and see me. Maybe grab supper next time.”

  Jed fought the urge to stay but left with a flutter in his gut.

  23

  Trickles of sweat glided down Grace’s back. She wiped her brow once again. Cooking outside in a summer kitchen in July and August was hot, but too many bodies and too many frying pans in the cramped kitchen stifled the air flow making it absolutely miserable. She’d left last night after dinner hours, the sky already dark, then returned in the morning before sunrise. At least now she had a view of daylight through a clouded windowpane.

  Grover, the head cook who had been working there the longest, nudged her. He shoved a glass of water in front of her. “Take a moment while the bread is rising and get you some fresh air. Splash some water on your face.”

  Grace needed to start another batch. The customers loved the boardinghouse for Hawkins’s famous rolls. She’d surely feel the grumpy owner’s wrath if they ran short. But her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. She grabbed the glass and walked out the side door. The fresh air swept against her cheeks, and she removed her day cap. Loose hairs from around her scalp matted her temples. She took a big drink with her back against the wall, the coolness seeping down her dry throat.

  The nearby spigot gurgled and then water came out in a rushing stream.

  Grace used the now empty glass to pour the cool liquid down the back of her neck, then cupped her hands to splash her face.

  The back door opened and shut again.

  “Hey!” Hawkins’s voice growled behind her.

  Grace continued to splash her face.