Hearts Aglow

by Tracie Peterson

  “If I can get away,” Jael said. She came to the carriage and looked up at Deborah. “Thank you for your visit.”

  Deborah nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak without giving away her pain. Lizzie took the seat beside G.W. Once she was settled, G.W. took his place. “Afternoon.” He tipped his hat.

  They were barely out of town when G.W. turned to Lizzie. “So what do we need to talk about?”

  At home everyone gathered around the dining room table to discuss the news about Jael’s father and Stuart Albright. Deborah knew her brother’s mood was dark. Lizzie had explained the situation to him on the way home. G.W. was livid.

  “I should have known he’d try to do us harm,” G.W. said, bringing his fist down on the table.

  “There’s no sense in letting anger lead your thinking.” Arjan turned to Rob. “We’ve met all of our quotas on time, haven’t we?”

  “Yes, sir. We’re ahead of schedule, in fact.”

  Arjan nodded. “That’s what I thought. G.W., are the books in order? Are our debts being paid in a timely manner?”

  “They are. Albright and Longstreet can’t say otherwise.”

  “Then there really isn’t any problem,” Mother threw out.

  “No, except that Albright wants to cause us harm. It ain’t good for a man to have enemies, especially when those enemies can affect his livelihood,” G.W. said, shaking his head.

  “Maybe we could speak in private to Mr. Perkins and see if he’s privy to anything that might explain what Stuart has planned,” Deborah suggested.

  Mother looked to Arjan. “That’s a good idea,” he replied. “Your mother and I had planned to speak to the preacher tomorrow after church. Maybe we could also have a talk with Zed.”

  “It certainly couldn’t hurt. Zed would never do anything to cause us harm,” Mother said. “If we explain our concerns, I’m sure he’ll be willing to talk to us.”

  G.W. seemed to calm a bit, and Lizzie put her hand atop his fist. “I’m so sorry about this. I feel that it’s all my fault. Stuart is taking his anger out on your family because of me.”

  “You had nothing to do with it,” Mother interjected. “If Mr.Albright is hateful and vindictive because a better man won your heart, that’s something he’ll have to deal with. We don’t hold you responsible.”

  The babies began to fuss from the other room. No doubt, Sissy would soon pop out to say that they were hungry. Lizzie got to her feet. “I’d best see to them.”

  “I’ll come and help you,” Mother said, pushing back her chair.

  Deborah looked at her brothers and uncle. “If you don’t mind, I have some things I’d like to tend to.” She got to her feet and hurried from the room. She’d not yet been able to think clearly about Christopher and longed for some time alone. Her hopes were dashed, however, when Rob followed her out the kitchen door.

  “Wait up there a minute, Sis.”

  She turned at the door. “What is it?”

  “That’s what I want to know. Does this have somethin’ to do with Dr. Clayton leavin’ town, all quick-like?”

  Deborah met his eyes and fought to control her emotions. She’d had a lifetime of teasing and joshing from her brothers, but she’d also known their protective attention. “I can’t talk about it just yet – I promised Christopher. You understand, don’t you?”

  He gently touched her shoulder. “Just wanted you to know that I’m happy to listen.”

  She smiled, touched by his kindness. “Thank you, Rob. You’ve quite changed since I’ve returned home. I suppose it has something to do with growing up, but maybe also a bit with a certain preacher’s daughter.”

  He laughed and backed away with his hands in the air. “If you ain’t talkin’, then neither am I.”

  CHAPTER 22

  Deborah avoided going into town for the next week. The last thing she wanted was to face questions about where Christopher had gone and what she knew about it. Except for the understanding that Christopher’s brother was in trouble, Deborah knew little else, and she couldn’t admit to even knowing that much. She had no desire to share the news that the doctor had ended their courtship. She would never be able to escape the questions and suppositions should that information get out.

  She tried to put the matter aside, telling herself that he hadn’t really meant to end their courtship – that he had acted without thinking. He would come back. He had to. But just as she found the tiniest comfort in such an idea, reality would pour over her in waves.

  Why did he do this? Why didn’t he just come to me and tell me what was happening?

  None of it made sense. She drew a deep breath and forced the truth to the front of her mind. Of course it made sense. There were far too many secrets between them. Christopher was never all that forthcoming with information regarding his life. He was a very private person, he had once told her.

  “So private, in fact, that I haven’t a clue who he really is,” she muttered, attacking the hard ground with a hoe. She’d offered to weed the garden, and the task had at least kept her body busy.

  Rob arrived home and, seeing his sister, headed her way. “I see you’re out in the heat of the day,” he said as he strolled up. “Good thing you’re covered up. That sun’s mighty fierce today.”

  Mother liked the weeding to be done in the heat of the day to ensure the deaths of the unwanted intruders. Deborah wore one of her father’s old long-sleeved shirts over her lightweight cotton gown. On her head she’d secured a sunbonnet in the old-fashioned style her mother had once worn as a young woman.

  “You’re home early.” She looked at the sky. “What time is it?”

  “Only four. Uncle Arjan said it was too hot to keep workin’. He told the men to stay in camp but to quit for the day. Nobody argued with him. In fact, last I saw, several of the men were headed to the river to cool down. Not that they’ll find an abundance of water there.”

  Deborah leaned against the hoe and prayed for a breeze. “So what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

  “Well, I kind of figured to talk to you for a spell.” He pushed back hair from his face. “Then I’m gonna see if Ma or Sissy can give me a haircut.”

  She knew her brother would probably want to talk about Christopher, but to her surprise, Rob began to speak on something else entirely.

  “I know this is gonna sound abrupt-like, but I’ve given it a lot of prayer and thought,” he began. “I believe God has a change planned out for my life.”

  Deborah straightened. “What kind of change?”

  “Well, that’s what I figured to talk to you about. See, I’m kind of worried that it’s gonna upset Ma. Maybe Uncle Arjan and G.W., too.”

  “I can’t imagine what that would be.”

  Rob hooked his thumb in his suspenders. “I’m gonna be leavin’ this area.”

  His announcement took her totally by surprise. “I figured you were going to tell me that you’d asked Mara to marry you. I certainly didn’t think you’d talk about leaving. Where did you have in mind to go?”

  “Houston. There’s a seminary there that I want to attend. I think my readin’ and cipherin’ has improved enough, not to mention that I’ve pert near read the Bible cover to cover. I don’t figure it’ll be easy, but I think God wants me to be a preacher.”

  “You seem quite certain.”

  “I am.” He went over to the fence rail and climbed atop to sit. “I’ve been prayin’ for God to show me, and He keeps bringin’ me back to the same place.”

  “Have you talked to Ma about it?”

  “Only the bit about thinkin’ I might be called to be a preacher. She gave me her blessin’. She knows it would mean me leavin’ the logging business, but she said she didn’t want anything to stop me from my callin’. I haven’t really talked much with anyone else. I wanted to talk to you, because I figured you’d understand. Sometimes the choices we make aren’t that popular with other folk.”

  “To be sure,” Deborah answered.

&n
bsp; “I know Doc had something important to tend, but it seems to me he could’a come and said good-bye.”

  Deborah’s gaze snapped up to meet Rob’s. “He left me a letter.” She knew her tone sounded defensive, so she added, “But I would have rather talked face-to-face. Christopher wanted privacy on the matter, but I need advice. He went to help his brother.”

  “What kind of trouble did his brother get into?”

  She glanced around. “Please don’t tell anyone else – promise? This town is so full of gossips.”

  “Of course I’ll keep quiet.”

  “His brother Calvin has been arrested in Indianola for killing a man.” Deborah stared at the garden patch and began to hoe again. “Some say it was self-defense, but others say it wasn’t. If his brother hangs, Christopher said he would be obligated to return to his family in Kansas City.”

  “And what about you?” His tone wasn’t accusing or otherwise harsh.

  Deborah continued working, unwilling to meet his gaze. “He didn’t want me to feel that I had to wait for him. He wasn’t even sure he’d return to Perkinsville.”

  “Why not?”

  She stopped and leaned the hoe against the fence. Pushing back her sunbonnet, Deborah wiped perspiration from her forehead. “His mother may need him to stay in Kansas City. His father is pretty useless. He’s taken to drinking because he can’t bear being an invalid. Christopher’s mother suffers greatly.”

  “I see. Well, I reckon I can’t fault a fella for somethin’ like that.”

  “No.” She gazed past him to the railroad tracks. She thought of Christopher leaving the town by means of the train. She couldn’t help but wonder where he was now. Maybe he was sitting at his brother’s side in some trial. Maybe he was pleading for his brother’s life.

  “I’m sorry he’s gone,” Rob said, drawing her attention back to him. “I reckon that must be powerful hard for you.”

  She nodded. “It is, but I’m trying to just put those feelings aside and focus on the work that needs to be done. Garden can’t hoe itself and the clothes can’t wash themselves.”

  “If it’s any help,” he said with a smile, “I feel pretty certain the doc will come back. You two are intended to be together.”

  “And how would you know about such matters?” she asked with a teasing smile.

  “That’s part of God’s blessing on me, I guess,” he said, his tone becoming serious. “I think on a matter long enough, and pretty soon, I’m not just thinkin’ about ideas for fixin’ the problem, but I’m seeing the problem already done in my head. It’s like a vision or something.”

  “That sounds amazing.” Deborah put her hand on Rob’s knee. “You’ve picked up your reading so quickly, and just look at the gift you have for memorizing Scriptures. I think God has a definite path for you.”

  Rob nodded. “I do, too. Will you come see me in Houston?”

  “Absolutely,” Deborah promised. “However, I may well go off to get some training myself.”

  He looked at her oddly. “Like what?”

  “Medicine. I’d like to continue my studies and become a real doctor. Since Christopher may not return for some time, I’ll probably need to find another doctor to train me.”

  “I don’t know that I like the idea. I hope you’ll be givin’ it a lot of prayer and thought.”

  “I will,” she promised. “There might even be a doctor in Lufkin who would take me on once he knows about the details of my previous training.” She gave a shrug as if it were all of no consequence.

  “We will just have to wait and see.”

  “Seems like you should give this a whole lot more thought.”

  “But don’t you worry. I’ll make sure the business won’t suffer. G.W. now handles the office and business affairs quite capably. The exercises he’s been doing to strengthen his leg have really improved his usage of the limb. It won’t be long at all before he’s fully capable of doing just about anything he wants. Uncle Arjan knows the logging business, and even with you off training to be a preacher, he’ll hire the workers needed. Vandermark Logging will go on as it always has.”

  “Still, I’d hate to see you goin’ away again. I know Ma would, too.”

  “I know. It’s not ideally what I want,” Deborah admitted. “I had planned that Christopher . . . Dr. Clayton would continue to train me. I suppose those who didn’t feel it appropriate are happy now.”

  Rob studied her for a moment. “Just make sure your choices aren’t about running away.”

  His comment took her off guard. “Why would you say that?”

  “Seems to me you were quite content to be here until the doc up and left. I’d hate to see you change all your plans just because you feel out of sorts with him.”

  The conversation was taking a turn she’d rather not travel. She took the hoe back in hand. “But what about you? Have you thought to talk to Pastor Shattuck about being a preacher?”

  “Yes. He’s the one who told me about the seminary. We talked and prayed about it.”

  “What about Mara?” She knew her brother was more than a little sweet on the preacher’s daughter.

  “Well, she knew God had a plan for me before I did. Fact is, she told me that once I get done what God has for me to do, we’ll get married.”

  Deborah laughed. “She did? Well, that’s quite a proposal. I would never have expected Mara to speak so boldly.”

  “She’s full of surprises,” Rob admitted with a grin. “I can’t say that I mind, though. I like a woman knowing her own mind and heart. I’m even happier that she looks to know God’s, as well.”

  Deborah considered the young woman for a moment. “And have you asked her to wait for you?”

  “Didn’t have to,” Rob replied. “She told me she’d be here waiting when I got back.”

  “Well, it sounds like you’ve truly considered all of this. I have to admit, I used to wonder if you’d ever settle down.” She grinned. “I never figured you’d do it in such a big way.”

  He hopped down from the fence and gave her a hug. “I guess it’s time I go talk to Ma and the others.” He started to go, then stopped. “Say, you ought to know that Jake’s pretty sweet on you. He’s always askin’ about you.”

  Deborah shook her head. “I know. I’ve made it clear to him that I have a beau.” She frowned, thinking of Christopher’s letter releasing her from their courtship. “But I guess that’s changed.”

  “You think the doc will forget all about you?”

  “Could be. He didn’t ask me to wait for him. In fact, it was just the opposite.” She moved back to the garden row.

  “I’m sorry,” Rob said. “Don’t give up on him. You don’t know yet what God has planned, but you two worked real well together. I can’t believe God would just send you off in different directions. Findin’ another person who understands your heart . . . well, it isn’t easy.”

  “No, it certainly isn’t,” Deborah agreed. She looked at her brother. “Please don’t speak to others about it. I’m not really ready to discuss it. Please just pray for me to know exactly what God has in mind.”

  “You were mighty quiet at supper,” Jake said, finding Deborah alone on the front porch.

  The last person she wanted to deal with was Jake, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Lifting her closed fan, she waved it from left to right. “It’s so much cooler out here than inside – don’t you think?”

  He took the chair beside her and turned it around. Straddling it, he leaned forward against the back of the chair. “I suppose you ain’t exactly wantin’ to jaw with me.”

  She smiled. “It certainly isn’t personal. I don’t feel like speaking with anyone. I’m not good company tonight.”

  “I find that hard to believe,” he said with a smile. “My granddaddy used to say that sometimes when a fella felt like he couldn’t find the words, it was ’cause he needed someone to help him.”

  “And you’re offering to direct me? Is that it?”

 
; His smile broadened. “Sure, why not? You and me, we’ve been talkin’ on and off for some time now. You know you can trust me. I’m the honorable sort.”

  Deborah couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, I suppose you are.”

  “So why not share your worries with me?”

  She looked at him and had to admit she found his expression endearing. He tried so hard to impress. “It’s not so much worries. I’m really not sitting here fretting as much as thinking. It seems my life is changing once again, and I just want to be sure I know where God wants me to be.”

  “Seems to me what with Him bein’ God, He’s able to put you where He wants you to be without you havin’ to think overmuch on it.” He sobered. “ ’Course, my ma used to say that God didn’t force us, so I suppose a fella could make a bad choice and go somewhere God didn’t want him . . . or her.”

  “It’s true,” Deborah admitted. “My mother used to tell me that God has a perfect way for each person, but sometimes we don’t care to know what that is. I honestly want to know, but it seems that just when I start to figure it out, everything changes.”

  “Like courtin’ Dr. Clayton?”

  Deborah stiffened. “I’d rather not talk about Dr. Clayton.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because it’s a private matter. I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking to you about it.”

  Jake grinned again. “Why, ’cause you know I’m wantin’ to court you myself?”

  Deborah looked at him and lowered her fan. “That’s one very good reason for us to change the topic of our conversation.”

  “I think you’re afraid to step out with me.”

  “I am not.” Deborah hadn’t meant to sound so indignant. She softened her tone. “So how are you enjoying your new job?”

  He looked for a moment as if he wouldn’t allow for the conversation to change course, then shrugged. “It’s hard work. But I surely appreciate your family takin’ me on.”

  “I wish things had gone better for your folks,” Deborah said, thinking how sad it all was that Jake should have to leave the only home he’d known. “I know you must miss them.”