Jonathan got up and moved toward the creek. Rinsing off his plate, he continued, “We sent that letter off the very next day and waited anxiously for a reply. When it finally came, we were almost afraid to open it for fear it would be a rejection of our offer. Instead, it started out with Mr. Potter telling us your pa could neither read nor write and that he was acting as his intermediary. Mr. Potter said your pa was pleased with the idea of your coming out to Kansas and that I should make arrangements to come to Illinois because he wanted to meet with me personally.”
“If that’s supposed to impress me as loving, fatherly concern for my well-being, I’m afraid it doesn’t persuade me,” Delphinia remarked.
“I’m not trying to justify anything. I’m just telling you how it all happened.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Please continue, and I’ll try to keep quiet,” she murmured.
“I left Kansas the next morning. When I arrived in town, I went straight to the bank and met with Mr. Potter. He sent for your pa, and we met the afternoon I arrived in Cherryvale. I presented him with letters I had secured from our minister and some folks in the community during the time we waited for your father’s response. Granny said she was sure you were the Lord’s answer, and we were going to be prepared.”
Delphinia couldn’t help but smile at that remark. It sounded just like something her ma would have said.
“Mr. Potter looked over the letters I had with me, read them to your pa, and he seemed satisfied that we were upstanding folks who would do right by you. He said he was wanting to go farther west in hopes of striking gold and that it would be no life for a young woman. I agreed with him…not just because we needed you, but because I felt what he said was true.”
Jonathan paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “He told me he had fallen on hard times and mortgaged his house for just about all it was worth. Mr. Potter confirmed the bank held notes on the property and that your pa was going to deed it back over to the bank for a very small sum of money. Your father said he needed extra funds to get supplies and have enough to keep him going until he hit gold. I gave him some money to cover those expenses, but nobody considered it to be like I was buying you, Phiney. I was just so thankful we had found you, I didn’t want anything like your pa needin’ a little money to stand in the way. Then when the wagon train needed help, I was sure God’s hand was at work in all that was happening.
“Phiney, your pa had made up his mind he was going to go West and search for gold. Nothing was going to stop him. He’d have taken you with him if he had to, I suppose, but he was right—it would have been a terrible life for you. But if you’re determined this is not what you want, I’ll not fight you. The next town we get close to, I’ll put you on a train and send you back to Cherryvale.”
“To what?” she asked. “My father’s gone, and if he isn’t, he won’t want to see me back. The bank owns our land. I have no one to go to,” she said dejectedly.
“Your pa loves you, Phiney. He just has a restlessness that needs to be filled. He was careful about the arrangements he made for you. Your father was very concerned about your safety and well-being.”
“He cared as long as I was out of his way,” she retorted.
“You know, we all get selfish at times, and your pa was looking out for what he wanted first. That doesn’t mean he loves you any less. I guess we just have to learn to believe what the Bible tells us about all things working for good to those who love the Lord.”
Delphinia picked up her cup and plate, slowly walked to the water’s edge, and rinsed them off as Jonathan issued a silent prayer that God would help Delphinia forgive her father and find peace and happiness in her new home with them.
“We’d better get back. Mrs. Clauson said we should wash some clothes since we don’t get many opportunities like this one,” she remarked, walking past him.
Jonathan was still sitting and watching her as she moved toward the wagons when she turned and said, “I guess you weren’t at fault, so my apology stands.”
Chapter 5
For the remainder of the day Delphinia was completely absorbed in her own thoughts. She wandered from one chore to another without realizing when she had begun one thing and ended another. After the evening meal, Jonathan led them in devotions and the moment the final amen had been uttered, Delphinia excused herself, anxious for the solitude the wagon would provide, even if only for an hour or two.
As Delphinia lay there, she began to pray. This prayer was different, however. It was not a request that God rescue her or that anything terrible happen to Mr. Wilshire. Rather, this prayer was that God would give her the ability to forgive her father for deserting her and grant her peace. Almost as an afterthought, she added that she could also use a bit of joy in her life. She fell asleep with that prayer on her lips.
Their few remaining days with the wagon train had passed in rapid succession when Jonathan advised her that the next day they would break away on their own. “I think the wagon master will be happy to see me leave. I’ve noticed it seems to upset him when folks look to me for leadership now that he’s well again,” he said with a grin.
“I think you may be right about that. I don’t think some of the folks will look to him unless you’re gone. They take to you more. Maybe it’s because they view you as an answer to prayer,” she responded.
“I hope I have been. Maybe someday I can be an answer to your prayers, too,” he stated and then, noting her uneasiness, quickly changed the subject. “It’s faster if we break off and head north on our own. We can make it home by evening without pushing too hard, and it’s safe, since the Indians around our area are pretty friendly. Besides, I’ve been gone quite a spell, and I’m anxious to get home, if that’s all right with you.”
“Whatever you think is best,” she replied, but suddenly a multitude of emotions began to envelop her. She was going to miss the Clausons and the other folks she had gotten to know on the train. She was frightened that Granny and the children would not accept her. And how, oh how, was she going to be able to take care of a houseful of children? The thought of such responsibility almost overwhelmed her. Lord, please give me peace and joy and lots and lots of help, she quietly prayed.
The next morning they joined the Clausons for breakfast, and Jonathan led them in a final prayer, while Delphinia attempted to remain calm. Mrs. Clauson hugged her close and whispered in her ear to be brave, which only served to heighten her level of anxiety. She forced a feeble smile, took up the reins, and bid the horses move out.
Delphinia found herself deep in thought as they made their way to the Wilshire homestead. Jonathan rode the mare, scouting ahead, then riding back to assure her all was well, not allowing much time for conversation. With each mile they traversed, she felt fear beginning to well up inside. As Jonathan came abreast of the wagon to tell her they would be home in about three hours, he noticed she was holding the reins with one hand and pressing down the pleats of her skirt in that slow, methodical motion he had come to recognize as a sign of uneasiness.
“This looks like it might be a good spot for us to stop for a short spell. I’m sure you could use a little rest, and the horses won’t mind either,” he remarked, hoping to give them a little time to talk and perhaps find out what was bothering her.
“I thought you wanted to keep moving…get home as early as possible. Isn’t that what you’ve told me every time you rode back from scouting?” she asked, her voice sounding strained.
“You’re right; I did say that,” he commented as he reached across his mare and took hold of the reins, bringing the team and wagon to a halt. “But I think a short rest will do us both some good.”
Climbing down from his horse, he tied it to the back of the wagon and then, walking to the side of the wagon, stretched his arms up to assist her down. As her feet touched the ground, Delphinia looked up, and Jonathan was met by two of the saddest brown eyes he had ever seen. Instead of releasing her, he gathered her into his arms and held her, trying his
best to give her comfort. Standing there with her in his arms, he realized he truly cared for this young woman.
Pushing away from him, Delphinia retorted, “I’m not a child anymore, Mr. Wilshire, so you needn’t feel you have to stop and coddle me. I’ll be fine, just fine,” she said. Not wanting to ever again experience the pain of losing someone she cared about, Delphinia knew she would have to hold herself aloof.
“Is that what you think? That I feel you’re a child who needs to be coddled? Well, believe me, Phiney, I know you’re not a child, but I also know there isn’t a soul who doesn’t need comforting from time to time…even you.”
Immediately, she regretted her abruptness but was not about to let down her defenses. Turning, she saw Jonathan walking down toward the dry creek bed below. Not sure what else to do, she followed along behind, trying to keep herself upright by grabbing at tree branches as the rocks underfoot began to slide.
“You sure wouldn’t do well sneaking up on a person,” he remarked without looking back.
“I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you. I wanted to apologize for acting so supercilious. You’ve probably noticed that I sometimes lack the art of tactfulness. At least that’s what Mama used to tell me on occasion.”
When he did not respond, she looked at their surroundings and asked, “Is there some reason why you’ve come down here?”
“I guess I just wanted to look around. About two miles up this creek bed is where Sarah and Jake died. It’s hard to believe, looking at it now.”
“What do you mean by that? You never mentioned how they died. I thought they probably contracted some type of illness. Was it Indians?” she asked with a tremor in her voice.
Sitting down on a small boulder, he pulled a long piece of grass and tucked it between his teeth. “No, it wasn’t illness or Indians that caused their death. It was a much-needed rain.”
“I don’t understand,” she commented, coming up behind where he sat and making her way around the rock to sit next to him.
“I wasn’t with them. Granny and I had stayed back at the farm. She hadn’t been feeling herself, and we needed supplies from town. Sarah hadn’t been in town since the twins’ birth, and she was wanting to get a change of scenery and see folks. The children wanted to go along, too. Going to town is just about the next best thing to Christmas for the youngsters.
“So they got all loaded up, Sarah and Tessie each holding one of the twins and the boys all excited about showing off the babies and maybe getting a piece or two of candy. They packed a lunch thinking they’d stop on the way home and eat so Granny wouldn’t have to prepare for them. We watched them pull out, and Granny said she was going to have a cup of tea and rest awhile, so I went out to the barn to do some chores. The morning passed by uneventfully. I noticed some clouds gathering but didn’t think much of it. We needed rain badly, but every time storm clouds would appear, it seemed they’d pass us by, and we’d be lucky to get a drop or two out of all the thunder and darkness.
“Granny and I just had some biscuits and cold meat for lunch, and I told her I was going to move the livestock into the barn and pen up the chickens and hogs since it looked like a storm was headed our way. We always took precautions, figuring rain had to come behind some of those clouds one day.
“As it turned out, that was the day. It started with big, fat raindrops, and I thought it was going to be another false alarm. But shortly, the animals started getting real skittish, and it began to rain at a nice steady pace. I just stood there letting it wash over me; it felt so good. I ran back to the cabin, and Granny was standing on the porch, laughing and holding her hands out to feel that wonderful, much-needed rain. It must have been a full ten minutes we stood there in delight when all of a sudden, there was the loudest clap of thunder and a huge bolt of lightning. The skies appeared to just open up and pour water down so fast and hard I couldn’t believe it.
“Granny and I got into the cabin as quick as we could when the downpour began, and as soon as we got our senses about us, we thought about Jake, Sarah, and the children, praying they hadn’t begun the trip home before the rain started. I think it was probably the longest time of my life, just waiting there. I couldn’t leave to go search for them, knowing I could never make it through that downpour. It seemed it would never stop.
“It was the next day before it let up enough so I could travel at all. I started out with a few supplies and had to go slowly with the horse, the ground was so soaked. I wasn’t sure which way Jake would be coming back from town, so I told Granny to pray that if they’d left town I’d choose the right direction. There are two ways for us to make it to town, and we usually didn’t come by way of this creek bed. I was hoping that Jake hadn’t chosen this, of all days, to come the creek-bed route, but I felt led to start my search in this direction.
“The going was slow and rough, and I became more and more frightened as I continued my search. I stopped at the Aplingtons’ homestead, but they hadn’t seen anything of Jake and Sarah. After having a quick cup of coffee, I continued on toward the creek bed…or at least what had been a creek bed. It had turned into a virtual torrent of rushing water, limbs, and debris. As I looked down into that flood of water, I saw what I thought was one of the baskets Sarah used to carry the twins. I just stood there staring at the rushing water, completely out of its banks and roaring like a train engine, whipping that tiny basket back and forth.
“When I finally got my wits about me,” he continued, “I knew I had to go farther upstream in hopes of finding the family. I tried to holler for them, but the roar of the water drowned out my voice. I stayed as close to the creek as I could, hoping I’d see something to give me a clue about where they might be; I wasn’t giving in to the fact that anything could have happened to any of them. Finally, after hours of searching, I stopped to pray, and, as I finished my prayer, I looked up and spotted Tessie, waving a piece of Josh’s shirt high in the air to get my attention. They were inside a small natural cave that had formed above the creek bed. I had no doubt the Lord had placed me in that spot so that when I looked up, the first thing I would see was those children.
“I made my way up to them. They were in sad condition, all of them…not just being without food and water but sick with worry and fear knowing their ma and pa were gone. That was a rough time I’d not like to go through again.”
Delphinia stared fixedly at Jonathan as he related the story. It seemed he was almost in a trance as he recited the events. She reached over and placed her hand on his, but he didn’t even seem to realize she was there. “What happened after you found them?”
“Even in the midst of all the sadness, the Lord provided. I had just managed to get two of the children down when Mr. Aplington and his older son arrived with a spring wagon. They worked with me until we had everyone down and loaded into the wagon.
“Tessie managed to tell us that Jake and Sarah were dead, but it was much later before she was able to tell us what had happened. It seems that when the thunder and lightning started, the horses began to get excited. Jake decided to locate shelter and couldn’t find any place to put them, except in that small cave. He went back down to try and get the horses and wagon to higher ground when a bolt of lightning hit, causing the horses to rear up and go out of control. They knocked him over, and the wagon turned, landing on top of him. Sarah climbed back down, determined to get that wagon off of him, even though I’m sure he was already dead. Tessie said she screamed and screamed for her ma to come back up to them, but she stayed there pushing and pushing, trying to get the wagon off Jake. When the water started rising, she tried to hold his head up, determined he was going to live.
“I imagine by the time she realized the futility of her efforts, the current was so strong there was no way she could make her way back. We found both of their bodies a few days later.” His shoulders sagged as he finished relating the event.
“Oh, how awful for all of you. How those poor children ever managed to make it is truly a miracle,” she s
aid, having difficulty holding back the hot tears that threatened to spill over at any minute.
“You’re right. It was God guiding my steps that caused me to find the children. I must admit, though, that the whole incident left some pretty deep scars on Tessie. The younger ones seem to have done better. Those poor little twins were so bedraggled and hungry by the time we got them back to the Aplingtons’, I didn’t ever expect them to pull through. The Lord provided for them, too, though. Mrs. Aplington had a goat she sent home with us, and those twins took to that goat milk just like it was their mama’s. Granny had me take the goat back just before I left to come for you. The twins seem to get along pretty well now with milk from old Josie, one of our cows, and food from the table, even if they are awful messy.” He chuckled.
“I guess it’s about time we get back to the wagon if we’re going to get home before dark. Give me your hand, and I’ll help you back up the hill.”
Several hours later, Delphinia spotted two cabins and looked questioningly at Jonathan, who merely nodded his affirmation that they were home. Drawing closer, Delphinia could make out several children standing on the porch waving. Jonathan grinned widely at the sight of those familiar faces, and Delphinia felt a knot rise up in her stomach.
Chapter 6
Jonathan reached up in his familiar stance to help Delphinia down from the wagon, and as she lowered herself into his arms, three sets of eyes peered at her from the porch. They were such handsome children!
Tessie was all Jonathan had described and more. She had beautiful red hair and eyes of pale blue that seemed to flash with anger and then go dull. Josh and Joey were towheads with big blue eyes, like Jonathan. “Uncle Jon, Uncle Jon,” called Joey. “Is this our new mama?”
Threads of Love Page 4