Hearts Aglow

by Tracie Peterson

  Rob straightened and handed him the mallet. “If they do it right, it won’t be a problem at all. Once Wolcott gets the upper section of the tree cut off, you’ll get to see firsthand how it works. I’m gonna let Warren show you how things are done.”

  Jake nodded. “Sounds good to me.” He pulled on well-worn leather gloves and squared his shoulders. “I’m ready.”

  By the time the afternoon light was starting to fade, some ten longleafs had been cut and prepared. In all but one instance, the choppers were able to pound the stake into the ground, so Rob rewarded them with a short day.

  “I feel like celebratin’, boys. It’s Friday and we’re well ahead of schedule. I’m callin’ it a week. Once we finish loading out the logs, you can head into town. We won’t work tomorrow.”

  A rousing cheer went up from the men, who quickly stepped up the process of skidding the logs to the train car. In another two hours they were done, anxious to clean up and get to town.

  Rob himself was spruced up and standing at the door of the parsonage a short time later. He couldn’t help but be unnerved by the beauty of the young lady who greeted him.

  “Evenin’, Miss Shattuck. I was wonderin’ if you cared to take a walk with me, but I see it’s gettin’ pretty dark.” Rob fought to keep his voice steady.

  “I have a better idea,” she said. “Why don’t you come inside and have some cake and coffee. I just poured Father a cup and was getting ready to cut the cake.”

  He followed her into the house. “Thank you. Thank you, kindly. I reckon that would just about hit the spot.”

  “Father, look who’s come to call,” she said, leading Rob into the kitchen. The parsonage was much too small for a separate dining room, but Mara had made a lovely setting in the kitchen. The small table and chairs could manage up to four people and perfectly suited their needs.

  “Welcome, Rob. Good to see you. What brings you around?”

  To their surprise, Rob didn’t reply as they expected. “I had a question about finding God’s will.”

  Mara gave her father a brief glance before heading to the counter. “I’ll get your coffee.”

  “Have a seat, Rob,” the pastor directed. “I’ll do what I can to help you in this matter.”

  Rob did as he was told but lost little time in expressing his thoughts. “I’ve been thinkin’ a lot on it, and figure God is after me to do somethin’. I’m just not exactly sure what that is. I think I have an idea, but I want to know without any doubt that it’s God’s will.”

  Pastor Shattuck nodded. “I can appreciate that. It’s only a fool who doesn’t seek the Lord on such matters.”

  Mara came to the table with the steaming mug. “Would you care for sugar and cream?”

  Rob shook his head. “I drink it black. The stronger the better.”

  She smiled. “I think you’ll find this to your liking, then.” She walked back to the cupboard and took down some small plates.

  Rob turned back to the pastor. “My uncle told me – well, Ma and Deborah told me the same thing – that a fella ought to pray and read up on the Bible. I’ve been doing that quite a bit, and I’m still not sure.”

  “Some things take time, but you can rest assured that the Lord has thoughts on what He wants for you.” He took hold of his Bible and opened it. “Here in Jeremiah, chapter twenty-nine, verse eleven, it says, ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ ” Pastor Shattuck looked up. “Do you understand that passage?”

  “I reckon so,” Rob said. “Seems to me it means that God wants to make us hopeful about our days. He’s tellin’ us that He doesn’t want evil for us – and that He has an expected way for things to turn out.”

  Pastor nodded as Mara put down plates of cake in front of them. “This is your mother’s lemon cornmeal cake recipe,” she told Rob.

  “Thank you. It’s one of my favorites.”

  She went back for forks and napkins, then joined them at the table. “Would you mind if I share this conversation?”

  Rob shook his head and got to his feet to help her with the chair. “Not at all.”

  “If he doesn’t mind, I surely don’t,” her father replied.

  Mara situated herself and smiled. “One of my favorite verses is in the first chapter of James. ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.’ He goes on to caution that we should ask in faith, believing that God will answer and that we not be wavering.”

  Rob considered the words. “I’ve been askin’, that’s for sure.”

  “And what is God telling you?” Pastor Shattuck asked.

  “Well, that’s the thing,” Rob began. “I felt like He wanted me to learn to read better – maybe learn more than I already knew. So my sister has been helpin’ me with such things. I’ve mostly been readin’ on the Bible, and because of that, I feel sort of like maybe God wants me to do somethin’ more than loggin’.”

  “Such as?”

  Mara remained silent, but Rob could sense a quiet intensity in the way she listened. He shrugged. “Well, that’s the problem. I’m not entirely sure. Sometimes I think maybe He wants me to become a preacher like you.”

  Mara gave a sharp intake of breath, but when Rob turned she looked perfectly at ease. She smiled and asked, “More coffee?”

  Rob shook his head and rubbed his jaw. “I don’t know how a fella tells what’s God sayin’ somethin’ to his heart and what’s just his own self wantin’ such a thing.”

  “And have you long thought of becoming a pastor?” the older man questioned.

  “No. Not a’tall. I figured to be loggin’ all my life. My pa figured both of us boys would take over for him and Uncle Arjan. Now I don’t feel at all certain about that. Ma says she’d be right proud to have a preacher in the family and that I should do what God’s callin’ me to do. I just want to be sure it’s God doin’ the callin’.”

  “And why would Satan benefit by having you study the Word of God and teach it to others? Seems to me the devil would rather put people away from such notions.”

  “Well, that’s what I figured, too,” Rob said. He took a long drink of the coffee.

  “I find that fasting and prayer often help me to resolve matters,” Mara said. “I will happily fast and pray for you, Mr. Vandermark.”

  He looked at her in disbelief. “You would? But why?”

  She smiled. “Because you want an answer, and I care about you getting that answer.”

  “Mara’s good about that,” Pastor Shattuck said, patting her arm. “She’s prayed and fasted many a time for me. She’s a good woman.”

  Rob couldn’t deny that – not that he wanted to. They finished their cake and coffee, and by the time Rob was headed to the door, Pastor Shattuck excused himself to head over to the church and followed Rob outside.

  “Trust the Lord, Son. He will guide your steps,” the pastor told him. “Mara, I’ll be home in an hour.”

  Mara stood in the doorway to bid Rob good evening. The soft glow of lantern light cast elusive shadows around them, but Rob felt a nearly uncontainable urge to kiss her. He held back, though, and instead simply studied her for a moment. He had never met another woman like her. She made him feel . . . well, whole.

  “I appreciate you bein’ willin’ to fast and pray for me. It’s a kind and generous offer. I still don’t understand why you would take on such a task.”

  Mara smiled and backed up to take hold of the door. “It’s what we are to do for one another, Mr. Vandermark. And I have a vested interest. When God gets through showing you what all you need to do for Him, then I will benefit, as well.”

  “How’s that?”

  She began to close the door, but murmured, “Because then He will see us become man and wife.”

  CHAPTER 19

  AUGUST 1886

  On Sunday, the first of August, Deborah waited outside the
church to speak with Christopher. She’d not seen much of him in the past few days, and though she had been free to assist him in his rounds, he had refused or simply not been available to explain.

  “Are you avoiding me?” she asked as he started to head toward his house.

  He looked at her, his expression rather pinched. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been dealing with several matters.” He paused and shook his head. “Look, I can’t explain just now, but I won’t be able to use your help in the next few weeks.”

  “But why?” She crossed the short distance. “Have I done something wrong?”

  He shook his head. “No. Certainly not.” He glanced up and Deborah could tell someone was approaching. “I can’t talk about it right now.” With that he departed just as Jael came up to join her.

  “What was that all about?” her friend asked.

  “I honestly don’t know.” Deborah watched Christopher disappear from view. “But hopefully I’ll soon find out.”

  She was still pondering Christopher’s words the following Saturday. Deciding that enough was enough, Deborah told her mother she was going to take Jake into town to meet Mr. Perkins and also so that she could speak with Dr. Clayton about making rounds next week.

  “Jake went to get the carriage ready,” she told her mother in the summer kitchen. Sissy bent over a big mixing bowl and threw her a smile.

  “Goin’ a-courtin’?”

  “Not exactly,” Deborah replied. “I do plan to see Dr. Clayton, but it may not be all that pleasant.”

  “Well, if you’re going to see Dr. Clayton, be sure to take him these corn cakes. Remind him they’re awfully good with molasses. That should sweeten the matter.”

  Deborah took the cloth-wrapped bundle from her mother. “I doubt I’ll have to remind him.” She made her way to the barnyard and found that Jake was still harnessing the horses. The growing heat made Deborah irritable, and that, coupled with Christopher’s strange actions and Jake’s increasing attentions, made her want to run and hide in the forest.

  Spotting her uncle inside the barn, Deborah climbed up on the carriage to set down the corn cakes. “I need to speak with Uncle Arjan for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be fixin’ to go when you are,” Jake replied.

  Deborah entered the barn and felt the temperature drop only slightly. Her uncle was forking hay into the stall of one of the milk cows. They had just sold her latest calf, and the animal was rather forlorn.

  “Poor Dottie,” Deborah said, stroking the cow’s face. The mother cow gave a mournful call for a calf that was long gone. “She sure misses her baby.”

  Uncle Arjan stopped what he was doing. “I see Jake’s gonna drive you into town.”

  “Yes. He asked me to show him around. He wanted to see the sawmill, and Mr. Perkins said today would be best.”

  Uncle Arjan leaned on the pitchfork handle and smiled. “I suppose you’ll be seein’ that young man of yours.”

  “Well, I hardly know if he’s mine,” she snapped. Feeling rather embarrassed by her comment, Deborah smiled. “Sorry. I feel out of sorts today.”

  He nodded. “I can understand that. I feel that way a great deal of the time.”

  Deborah looked at him for a moment. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember what she’d come to talk to him about. Frowning, she started to explain, but her uncle was already speaking again.

  “I think each person has someone out there that the Good Lord intends to see them spend their life with. When the time isn’t yet come and those folks are separated, I think there’s a powerful longin’ to set things right.”

  Deborah cocked her head and without thinking said, “Like you and Mother?”

  Arjan straightened and looked at her as if he hadn’t heard right.

  “Uncle Arjan, I . . . well, most all of us can see that you love Mother. The thing is, I believe she loves you, as well. I do wish you two would stop being so respectful of each other and just get the words said.”

  “I . . . well, I guess I didn’t expect . . . ” He stopped and fixed Deborah with a narrowing gaze. “Do you really think she feels that way?”

  Deborah laughed. “I do. Now, look – you did not hear that from me.” She stepped forward and kissed her uncle on the cheek. “You’ve always been a part of my life, like a second father. Why not make it official? If you don’t, it seems that Mr. Longstreet may well try to join our family.”

  She didn’t wait for him to comment but hurried back to the carriage where Jake stood to assist her. Taking her seat, Deborah couldn’t keep from grinning. She was rather glad her uncle’s own words had opened the door for her to say what she did.

  “You look like the cat what swallowed the bird,” Jake said, taking up the reins.

  “I’m just happy, is all.”

  “And is part of that happiness on account of your spending the day with me?” he asked hopefully.

  Deborah could see that she needed to set yet another matter straight. “Jake, I’m courting Dr. Clayton. He’s my beau.”

  “But you ain’t engaged.”

  “No, we aren’t, but our courtship is with marriage in mind.”

  Jake laughed. “Most are, aren’t they?”

  “Well, I just don’t want you getting the wrong idea.”

  “I think until there’s a ring on your finger, I have just as good a chance as he does in winning you over.”

  “That’s a very bold thing to say. I think – ” She fell silent at the sight of another buggy coming in from the road. “Oh my.”

  “What’s wrong?” Jake looked at the well-dressed driver.

  “Mr. Albright,” Deborah said.

  “I’ve come for my wife,” he replied curtly. “Would you be so good as to get her?”

  Deborah nodded, and Jake tied off the reins and helped her down. She heard Jake introduce himself to Stuart as she hurried toward the house. Jael wasn’t going to be overly happy at this news. She had only said that morning what a peaceful blessing it had been to be with the Vandermarks and how she wished to remain here forever.

  “Jael, you need to come quickly,” Deborah called.

  Her friend scurried into the foyer from the front sitting room. “What’s wrong? I thought you were headed to town.”

  “I was, but Stuart’s here. He said he’s come for you.”

  Jael sobered and stiffened. “Very well. I knew it was only a matter of time. Tell him he may come get my trunk. I have it nearly ready. Father had already told me to expect him.”

  “Why did you not say anything to me?”

  “I didn’t want to spoil our time together. I was afraid you would fret and fuss over me.” Jael took hold of Deborah’s arm. “I’ll be all right. In time, I truly believe love will grow and that Stuart will be an attentive husband.” With that, she turned and headed up the stairs.

  Deborah had no choice but to return outside and give Stuart his instructions. “She asked that you come and retrieve her trunk. She’s just now finishing her packing.”

  Stuart nodded, his icy blue eyes narrowing slightly. “I understand Elizabeth has given birth to twins.”

  “Yes. Last June. They arrived early, as twins usually do, but they are quite plump and healthy now.”

  He said nothing for a moment, then secured the brake and climbed down from the carriage. “If you’ll direct me.”

  Deborah led the way into the house but found it unnecessary to go any farther. Jael was tying on her bonnet as she descended the stairs. “Hello, Stuart. My things are ready and waiting in the room just to the top right of the stairs.”

  She stepped into the hallway to give him access to the stairs. Without a word, Stuart left the women to their good-byes.

  “I will come to call on you in town,” Deborah promised. “Please feel free to send word if you need me for anything.” She embraced Jael. “If you leave the area, please let me know.”

  “I promise I will.” She smiled as they pulled apart. “Please tell Lizzie and y
our family good-bye for me and thank them. I have so enjoyed my stay and the hospitality. Hopefully I will be able to visit you from time to time. I know my father would certainly like to see your mother again.” Deborah said nothing, and Jael continued. “If nothing else, I will see you in church tomorrow. I might have a better idea of what to expect after I have time alone with Stuart.”

  Just then Stuart came back down the stairs, a small trunk on one shoulder and a suitcase in the other. “Is this everything?”

  Jael moved away from Deborah. “Yes. That’s all I brought. The rest is with my father at the boardinghouse.”

  Stuart exited the house without asking for assistance. He had already secured the luggage and was back waiting to hand Jael up into the carriage when the ladies appeared on the porch. With another quick hug, Deborah let her friend go.

  “I will see you tomorrow,” she called after Jael.

  Stuart turned the horses and headed back out of the yard almost before Deborah could descend the porch steps. The entire matter had taken less than ten minutes.

  “You ready to go to town now?” Jake asked, drawing the buggy closer to the house.

  Deborah nodded. “Yes, I suppose I am.”

  They followed Jael and Stuart to Perkinsville, taking care to keep far enough back so the dust could settle. The deeply rutted road was miserably dry, and it seemed all of the earth cried out for rain. Glancing upward, Deborah could barely see the skies through the thickness of pines, but it was clearly void of clouds.

  “If you’re thinkin’ it might rain, I wouldn’t get your hopes up. We spent much of the last year doin’ that heavenward gawk. Didn’t do us any good.”

  “I haven’t had a chance to tell you how sorry I am about your ranch. I can’t imagine how you must feel.”

  “Mostly angry,” Jake said matter-of-factly. “Angry that I couldn’t do anything to make it right. Angry that God didn’t seem to hear our prayers.”

  “We can’t always understand why things happen the way they do, that’s for sure,” Deborah replied. “Still, we have to have faith that God will keep us in His care – that no matter what happens, He is still in control.”