“She’s not our ma, Joey. Our ma is dead. No one can take Ma’s place, and don’t you ever forget that,” Tessie seethed back at the child.
“Mind your manners, young lady,” Jonathan said, reaching down to lift Joey and swing him high in the air. “Joey, this is Phiney, and she’s come to help Granny and Tessie take care of you,” he said, trying to soothe Tessie’s outburst.
“And this is Joshua, the man of the house when I’m not around. You’ve already figured out who Tessie is,” he said, giving an admonishing look to the redhead.
“Where are Granny and the twins?” he questioned the pouting girl.
“In the house. The twins are having supper early so we can enjoy the meal,” Tessie remarked.
Jonathan laughed and grabbed Phiney’s hand, pulling her through the doorway. “Granny, we’ve finally made it, let me introduce you to—”
“Delphinia Elizabeth Hughes,” she interrupted.
Delphinia was met by a radiant smile, wisps of gray-white hair, and a sparkling set of eyes amid creases and lines on a well-weathered face. “Delphinia, my dear, I am so pleased to have you with us. I have prayed daily for you and Jonathan, that your journey would be safe. You can’t imagine how pleased I am that the Lord has sent you to be part of our family.” She beamed.
“Jonathan, we’ll get dinner on the table soon. Hopefully the twins will have finished their mess before we’re ready. Delphinia, let me show you where your room will be, and, Jon, bring her trunk in so she can get comfortable. Better get the horses put up, too, and might as well have Josh help you unload the wagon before we sit down to eat,” she continued.
“Granny, I don’t know how we made it back home without you telling us what to do and when to do it,” Jonathan laughingly chided.
“Oh posh, just get going and do as I say. By tomorrow I’ll probably be bedfast again, and you can enjoy the peace and quiet.”
Granny led Delphinia into a bedroom off the kitchen, and she immediately knew it had belonged to Sarah and Jake. Judging from Tessie’s critical looks, she surmised the room was regarded as sacred ground by the eldest child. Hoping to defuse the situation, Delphinia requested a bed in the loft with the smaller children.
“The room is to be yours, and I’ll hear no more about it,” the older woman insisted.
Delphinia placed her clothes in the drawers of the ornately carved chest and hung her dresses in the matching wardrobe, which had been brought from Ohio when Sarah and Jake had moved West. The room had been cleaned until it nearly shone; there was nothing left as a reminder that it had ever belonged to anyone else. Delphinia spread her quilt on the bed in coverlet fashion and placed her brush, mirror, and a picture of her parents on the chest in an attempt to make the room feel more like home. She had just about completed her unpacking when she saw Tessie standing in the doorway, peering into the room.
“Why don’t you come in and join me while I finish?” Delphinia offered.
“I like your quilt,” Tessie ventured, slowly entering the room.
“Why, thank you. It’s a precious treasure to me. My mama and I made this quilt before she died. I don’t think my mother ever thought I’d get it finished. She spent lots of hours teaching me how to make the different stitches until they met her inspection. I wasn’t much older than you when I started making the quilt. Mama told me quilts were sewn with threads of love. I thought it must have been threads of patience because they took so long to make. Especially the ones Mama supervised! She was a real stickler for perfect stitches.” She laughed.
“I’ve found great comfort having it since my mother died; and through the journey here, it was like I was bringing a part of her with me, more than a picture or piece of jewelry, because her hands helped sew those threads that run through the quilt. I’m not near as good as she was, but if you’d like to make a quilt, perhaps we could find some old pieces of cloth, and I could help you,” she offered.
Overhearing their conversation, Granny commented, “Why, Sarah had started a quilt top last winter, and I’ll bet it’s around here somewhere, Tessie. We’ll see if we can find it, and you and Delphinia can finish it. Once winter sets in, it’ll be a good project for the two of you.”
“No, I’m not making any quilt, not this winter, not ever, and I don’t want her touching Mama’s quilt either,” Tessie hastened to add, her voice full of anger.
Not wanting to upset the girl, Delphinia smiled and moved into the kitchen to assist with dinner. Shortly after, they were all around a table laden with wonderful food and conversation. Granny told them she had been sure they would arrive home that very day, which was why she and Tessie had prepared a special dinner of chicken and dumplings. Delphinia was quick to tell both women the meal was as good as anything she had ever tasted. The children tried to talk all at once, telling Jonathan of the happenings since his departure. All but Tessie. She remained sullen and aloof, speaking only when necessary.
After dinner while they sat visiting, Delphinia watched as Nettie crawled toward her with a big grin. Attempting to pull herself up, she looked at Delphinia and babbled, “Mama.” No sooner had she uttered the word than Tessie became hysterical, screaming to the infant that her mama was dead. Startled, Nettie lost her balance and toppled backward, her head hitting the chair as she fell. Reaching down, Delphinia lifted the crying child into her arms, cooing and rocking in an attempt to soothe her.
“Give her to me! She’s my sister,” Tessie fumed.
“Leave her be. You march yourself outside right now,” Jonathan instructed, his voice cold and hard.
Delphinia did not miss the expressions of hatred and enmity that crossed Tessie’s face as she walked toward the door. They were embedded in her memory. When Jonathan and Tessie returned a short time later, she apologized, but Delphinia and Tessie both knew it came only from her lips, not her heart. The child’s pain was obvious to everyone, including Delphinia, for she, too, knew the pain of losing her parents.
Lying in bed that night and comparing her loss to Tessie’s, she realized the Lord had answered her prayers. She no longer was harboring the resentment for her pa and feeling sorry for herself. It had happened so subtly she hadn’t even discerned it, and the realization amazed her. She slipped out of bed and knelt down beside her bed, thanking God for an answer to her prayers and then petitioning Him to help Tessie as He had helped her.
Please, Lord, she prayed, give me the knowledge to help this girl find some peace. She crawled back into bed, and the next thing she heard were noises in the kitchen and the sound of the twins’ babbling voices.
Jumping out of bed she quickly dressed, pulled her hair back, and tied it with a ribbon at the nape of her neck. I’ll put it up later when there’s more time, she decided. Rushing to the kitchen, she was met by Granny’s smiling face and the twins’ almost toothless grins.
“I’m so sorry. I must have overslept. I’m usually up quite early. You can ask Mr. Wilshire. Even on the wagon train, I was almost always up before the others,” she blurted without pausing for breath.
“You needn’t get so excited, child. Jonathan said to let you sleep late. He knew you were tired, as did I. There’s no need to be upset. When I’m feeling well enough, I always get up with the twins and fix Jonathan’s breakfast. I usually let the others sleep until after he’s gone to do his chores. That way we get to visit with a little peace and quiet. Jonathan and I both enjoy having a short devotion time in the morning before we start the day, and I hope you’ll join us for that,” she continued. “One other thing, Delphinia, please quit calling Jonathan Mr. Wilshire. Either call him Jonathan or Jon, I don’t care which, but not Mr. Wilshire. We don’t stand on formality around here, and you’re a part of this family now. I want you to call me Granny just like every other member of this family and I’ll call you Delphinia. Jonathan tells me your name is very important to you. Now then, let’s wake up the rest of the family and get this day going,” she said. “I’ll let you have the honor of climbing to the loft and
rousing the children,” she said, moving to set the table.
Delphinia could not believe the way the day was flying by. Granny seemed to have enough energy for two people. Leaning over a tub of hot water, scrubbing a pair of work pants, Delphinia commented that she did not understand why anyone felt that the older woman needed help.
“Well, child,” Granny answered, “right now I’m doing just fine, and I have been this past week or so. But shortly after Jon left for Illinois, I had a real setback. ‘Course this has been happening more and more lately. Jonathan made arrangements for Katy McVay to come stay if I had trouble. I sent Josh down to the Aplingtons’ place, and Ned Aplington went to town and fetched Katy for me. She’s a nice girl. Not a whole lot of sense and doesn’t know how to do as much as some around the house, but she’s good with the young children. ‘Course Tessie helped a lot, too. Once I got to feeling better, I sent Katy back home. Her folks run the general store in town, and they need her there to help out, so I didn’t want to keep her longer than necessary.”
Tessie was hanging the clothes on a rope tied between two small trees, intently listening to the conversation of the older woman as they performed their chores.
“Katy’s got her cap set for Uncle Jon. That’s why she wanted to come over to help out,” Tessie injected into the conversation, with a smirk on her face. “I think he’s sweet on her, too, ‘cause Katy told me they were going to the basket dinner after church next week. He’s probably going to ask her to marry him,” she said, watching Delphinia for a reaction.
Delphinia wasn’t sure why, but she felt a dull ache in the pit of her stomach.
“Tessie, I don’t know where you get such notions,” Granny scolded. “I sometimes think you must lie awake at night, dreamin’ up some of these stories. If Jonathan was of a mind to marry Katy, I think someone besides you and Katy would know about it.”
“Did I hear my name?” Jonathan asked as he came striding up from the barn, a bucket of milk in each large hand.
“Oh, Tessie’s just going on about Katy having her cap set for you and telling us you two have plans to get married. How come you’re carrying that milk up here? I thought Josh would have brought it up hours ago,” Granny replied.
“Think he must have his mind on something besides his chores today. I told him he could go do some fishing at the pond when he finished milking since he worked so hard while I was gone. Seems he forgot that bringing the buckets up to the house is part of milking. Besides, I don’t mind doing it, but I’m sure you women can find something better to talk about than my love life.” He chuckled.
Not wanting to miss an opportunity to put Delphinia in her place, Tessie said in an almost syrupy voice, “But, Uncle Jon, Katy said you had asked her to the church picnic. Everyone knows you’re sweet on each other.”
“Well, Tessie, I don’t think you’ve got the story quite right, which is what usually comes of idle gossip. In any event, Katy asked me if I’d escort her to the church dinner, and I told her I didn’t know if I would be back in time. I feel sure she’s made other arrangements by now, and I’m planning on all of us attending as a family. Why don’t you get out to the chicken coop and see about collecting eggs instead of spreading gossip?” he ordered as he continued toward the house.
Chapter 7
The following days were filled with endless chores and wonderful conversations with Granny. Her love of the Lord caused her to nearly glow all the time. She could quote Scriptures for almost any situation, and then she would smile and say, “Praise God, I may not be as strong as when I was young, but I’ve still got my memory.” That statement never ceased to make Delphinia grin.
Delphinia felt as if she had known Granny all her life, and a closeness emerged that she had not felt since her mama died. Kneeling at her bed each night, Delphinia thanked God for the older woman and all she was teaching her about life and survival in the West, but most of all, how to love God and find joy in any circumstances.
Sunday morning found Delphinia musing about mornings long ago when she would rise and have only herself to clothe and care for. How things had changed! Granny advised her to dress the twins last, since they always managed to get themselves dirty if given an opportunity. Jonathan had already loaded the baskets of food, and everyone was waiting in the wagon. With great care, she placed a tiny ribbon around Nettie’s head, lifted her off the bed, and walked out to join them.
Jonathan jumped down to help her, a wide grin on his face. “I think Nettie’s more prone to eating hair ribbons than wearing them.” He laughed, pulling the ribbon out of the baby’s chubby fist and handing it to Delphinia. Smiling, she gave a sigh and placed the ribbon into her pocket.
The twins slept through most of the church service with Jonathan holding Nathan and Nettie snuggled in Delphinia’s arms. Tessie made sure she was seated between the two of them. Josh and Joey were on either side of Granny, who managed to keep their fidgeting to a minimum by simply patting a hand on occasion.
After services, Granny tugged Delphinia along, telling her she wanted to introduce the pastor before they unloaded the wagon. Granny presented her to Pastor Martin and continued with a recitation about all of her fine qualities until Delphinia was embarrassed to even look at him. She merely extended her hand and mumbled, “Pleased to meet you. I think I’d better change Nettie’s diaper.”
Turning to make her getaway, she nearly collided with Jonathan, who was visiting with a beautiful young woman.
“Delphinia, I’d like you to meet Katy McVay,” he said as they walked along beside her to the wagon.
Just as they rounded the corner of the church, Tessie appeared. “Oh, Katy, please join us for lunch. It won’t be any fun without you,” she pleaded.
“Well, if you all want me to, I couldn’t refuse,” Katy responded, smiling demurely as she looped her arm through Jonathan’s.
Jonathan wasn’t quite sure how to handle the turn of events and looked from Katy to Delphinia. His eyes finally settled on Tessie, who was beaming with her accomplishment but quickly looked away when she noted her uncle’s glare.
Watching the unfolding events from her position just outside the church, Granny decided to invite the young pastor to join them and share their meal. Realizing Tessie was enjoying the uncomfortable situation she had created, Granny assigned her the task of caring for the twins and Joey after dinner. Josh was off playing games with the other young boys, while the adults visited with several other families. Delphinia was introduced to everyone as the newest member of the Wilshire household, and the afternoon passed all too quickly when Jonathan announced it was time to load up and head for home.
Delphinia took note that Katy was still following after Jonathan like a lost puppy. Smiling inwardly, she wondered if Katy would climb into the wagon with the rest of the family—not that she cared, of course. Jonathan can spend his time with whomever he chooses, she thought to herself.
Granny organized the children in the back of the wagon, firmly plopped Nettie and Nate in Tessie’s lap, and waited until Delphinia was seated. She then ordered Jonathan to help her to the front, telling him she wished to visit with Delphinia on the return trip. Delphinia slid to the middle of the seat, and once Jonathan had hoisted himself into place, the three of them were sandwiched together in much closer proximity than Katy McVay would have preferred. With mounting displeasure the young woman stood watching the group but tried to keep her composure by saying, “Be sure and put that shawl around your shoulders, Granny. It’s getting chilly.”
“Not to worry, Katy.” The older woman smiled, a twinkle in her eye. “We’ll keep each other warm. You better run along before your folks miss you.” The dismissal was apparent as Granny turned to Delphinia and began to chat.
“It sure was a fine day. I don’t think I’ve gotten to visit with so many folks since Zeb and Ellie got married last year. I’m glad you got to meet everyone so soon after your arrival, Delphinia. You probably won’t remember all their names, but the faces will be fami
liar, and it makes you feel more at home when you see a friendly face,” Granny commented. “Pastor Martin seemed mighty impressed with you, I might add.”
Jonathan let out a grunt to her last remark, and although Delphinia did not comment, Jonathan saw a slight blush rise in her cheeks and a smile form on her lips.
“It seemed to me you were pretty impressed with Pastor Martin yourself, Phiney,” Jonathan bantered. “Every time I saw you, you were at his side.”
Delphinia felt herself bristle at his remark. Why, he made it sound like she had been throwing herself at the pastor. She, with two tiny babies to diaper and feed, while he was off squiring Miss Katy McVay, fixing her a plate of food, carrying her parasol like it belonged to him, and making a total fool of himself. She all but bit her tongue off trying to remain in control.
“You might as well say what’s on your mind ‘fore you bust a button, Phiney. I can see you’ve got a whole lot of things you’re just itching to say,” he goaded.
Glancing over her shoulder, she observed the children were asleep. Looking at him with those same fiery eyes he had seen at the general store before he brought her West, he felt a strong urge to gather her into his arms and hold her close. Instead, he listened as she went into a tirade about how Katy McVay had been attached to him like another appendage and how foolish he had looked carrying her parasol.
“Well, I thank you for your insights, Miss Hughes,” he responded as he lifted her down from the wagon and firmly placed her on the ground, “but I doubt I looked any more foolish than you did prancing behind Pastor Martin. I’m surprised you didn’t ask to carry his Bible.”
“How could I?” she retorted. “I was too busy carrying your nephew most of the time.” With that said, she turned and carried Nathan into the cabin without so much as a good night. I’m not going to let myself care for any man, she thought to herself. I’ve forgiven Pa for sending me away, but I’ve not forgotten. I don’t need that kind of pain ever again.
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