By mid-morning, Norman and Nancy grew tired of playing and sat quietly on either side of Rachel. She held Tasha on her lap and watched her mother cut up vegetables for a stew.
“Ma, if you don’t stop soon, you’ll have enough stew to feed the entire wagon train.”
Ma looked in the large pot. “I thought with the Douglas family we’d need more. I guess you’re right, though. There’s more here than we can eat.”
Rachel glanced toward Neil and shrugged. “As hard as our neighbor works, he may eat more than we expect.”
Neil’s axe never seemed to stop. Over and over the axe lifted and fell as chips flew out and settled about his feet. His shoulder and back muscles rippled in rhythm beneath his damp, clinging shirt.
Near noon, while Ma again played with Natasha, Rachel stirred the bubbling stew. She stopped the long-handled spoon in mid-stir when the sound of a horse’s hooves striking the ground reached her. Rachel lifted her head and listened. There it was again. The sound came from the north.
“Ma, did you hear that?”
“Yes, it sounds like a horse coming this way.”
Nancy ran toward her father, yelling. “Papa, come here. Someone’s coming.”
Neil dropped his axe and joined Rachel and her mother with the children clustered in front. “Visitors are rare out here. Were you expecting anyone?”
Ma shook her head. “No, we weren’t.”
Just then Midnight stepped into view from the shelter of the trees. Tommy reigned to a stop and swung from the saddle. He strode toward them.
“Tommy.” Rachel ran to meet him. Her heart sang as he caught her hand. “I’ve wished you were here all morning.”
Tommy smiled down into her eyes. “Seems like you’ve been gone a year. I couldn’t stay away.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.” Rachel couldn’t stop smiling. “Oh, Tommy, our neighbor is here.”
“Neighbor?” Tommy looked up as Rachel led him to where Neil and her mother still waited.
“Tommy, this is our neighbor, Neil Douglas. Neil, this is my intended, Tommy Donovan.”
She was not prepared for the look that passed between the two men. Tension charged the air as they seemed to size each other up. She’d been so sure Tommy would like Neil and now he acted as if he were an enemy. Neil did no better. Rachel glanced at her mother. Ma raised her eyebrows.
After what seemed an eternity, Tommy offered his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Douglas.”
Neil grasped Tommy’s hand. “I’m proud to meet you, Mr. Donovan.”
Rachel half expected them to squeeze hard and come out fighting, but they only shook hands. The sound of singing from the road caught her attention and she turned away. Tommy slipped his arm around her waist and led her away from the others.
“I have a surprise for you.”
Two horses pulling Noel Jackson’s road wagon came into view. Hannah sat on the front seat beside her husband. Jason and Katie were in the back with Susanna and Davy. Rachel squealed and bounced.
“Wait a minute.” Tommy held on to her with a laugh. “That isn’t all.”
Another wagon pulled in behind the first, and the Bartlett’s four children spilled from it.
Tommy released her then, and she ran to greet her friends. Finally, she hugged Katie.
Katie squeezed tight and wiped her eyes. “See, you can’t get rid of me. We’ve come to help get a roof over your heads.”
Rachel laughed. “I can’t believe this.”
Susanna grabbed and hugged her.
Her mother patted her on the shoulder. “See, Rachel, there was a reason why I fixed so much stew. I hope there’s enough for everyone. Maybe I should add some water and make soup so it will stretch a little farther.”
Rachel laughed with her mother while she wiped the tears that filled her eyes.
~*~
After lunch, Tommy strolled past the building site where Neil was showing Levi and Benjamin Bartlett how to cut notches and check the fit of each one. The guy seemed far too comfortable, almost as if he were at home. Tommy glanced at the wagon and caught Rachel’s gaze. Just so she didn’t welcome Mr. Douglas’s attention.
Tommy waved and grinned when she looked at the others before blowing a kiss to him. He caught it and pasted it on his lips then blew one back to her. Pink bloomed in her cheeks, but she smiled as if she were pleased. He hurried to catch up with the rest of the men heading to the woods.
Now what should he do? He hadn’t expected a neighbor not much older than him. A widower with small children. He’d be wanting a wife for sure. He seemed a decent sort, but Rachel was taken, and he needed to understand that. They’d be getting married as soon as he got established. It took time. Rachel said she understood, but did she really? Sometimes the expression in her eyes said she didn’t. She’d have to accept it just as he had. God was calling him to preach. He felt it deep within his soul. He couldn’t disobey God’s calling. Working with the Indians was especially important. Rachel, of all people, should understand that. She was the one who had led him to accept the Lord. She’d taught him so much about the Bible on their talks along the trail.
Assurance filled his heart as he strode through the tall grass toward the woods. Rachel would be fine. She wouldn’t mind waiting a few months. Three months until his twenty-first birthday. Maybe by then everything would fall into place and they could be married sooner than he’d thought. They just needed to wait and see. He had so much to learn as he ministered with Pastor Blackstone and helped at the Indian mission.
~*~
Rachel stared after Tommy as he hurried away. She’d been bold to blow him a kiss, but he acted as if it pleased him. Surely no one else saw her. Her heart still pounded from seeing him place her kiss against his lips then blow another to her. She turned toward the others when he reached the woods.
Katie settled with Davy on a blanket Mrs. Bartlett spread on the ground.
Hannah sat beside her with Natasha in her arms and gently washed the little girl’s face and hands.
Ma lifted the heavy kettle of hot water from the rocks lining each side of the bed of coals. She poured steaming water into the wash pan before replacing the kettle.
Rachel stepped to her side while everyone else was occupied. “Ma, you saw the way Tommy and Neil—I mean, Mr. Douglas—acted when I introduced them. Why did they do that?”
Ma looked up with a smile. “Did Mr. Douglas ask you to call him Neil?”
Rachel’s face grew warm as she nodded. “He insisted on it. He said he wouldn’t help with the building if I didn’t.”
Ma’s laughter pealed out. “That’s what I thought. Don’t worry, dear. The only thing wrong with those two young men is there’s only one of you.”
Rachel lifted her eyebrows as her eyes widened. “You don’t think Tommy thinks Mr. Douglas—” She covered her mouth with her fingers. “Oh, Ma, where did he get an idea like that?”
Ma laughed. “I imagine Tommy got quite a shock when he saw Mr. Douglas. He probably wasn’t expecting such a personable young man to be here with you when he arrived.”
“But he wasn’t with me.”
“Of course not. Yet he looked very much at home when Tommy rode up. He was standing beside you.”
“Oh.” Rachel groaned. “Did I do something wrong?”
Ma smiled and shook her head. No, you haven’t done anything wrong. It’ll all work out.”
“Mr. Douglas acted as bad as Tommy. Does that mean . . .?” Warmth filled her cheeks so she stared at the ground. “Has he been thinking of me in that way?”
“Probably.”
“How could he?”
Ma looked across the yard as Neil pulled another log from the pile. “He’s lonely, Rachel. His wife died two years ago. He’s young and ready to marry again. It’s natural for him to look at a pretty girl like you.”
Rachel lifted her gaze to her mother. She’d loved Tommy so long, but his love for her was still new. What if she lost him all because their nei
ghbor needed a wife? Why couldn’t Neil find someone else to marry? But the worst was this feeling deep inside. A sort of bubbly excitement she didn’t want to acknowledge just because for the first time in her life two men found her attractive. She stole glances at her neighbor while he worked and wondered. In this land overrun by men, would Neil be able to find the right girl for him?
Chapter 6
Rachel tried to keep her eyes from straying toward the three men notching logs. With all the activity of the women and girls surrounding her, it shouldn’t be such a hard task. Then, Neil bent over, drew his finger across the end of a log, looked up, and said something to Benjamin she couldn’t hear. When he grinned and stepped back, her heart picked up speed so she turned away. What was wrong with her? He seemed nice. His fun-loving personality was contagious and drawing, but she loved Tommy.
She leaned back and watched a cloud drift past. Tommy was so serious sometimes, but that was good. He had been through so much on the trail and had been forced to grow up when his parents died. He still carried heavy responsibility for someone so young. Katie’s marriage to Jason had lifted some of Tommy’s load, but now God had called him to preach, and he wanted to work with Indians. That was admirable, but where did she fit into his plans?
Ma touched her arm. “Rachel, would you like for me to pray with you about this? Maybe we should pray for God to send the right woman to Mr. Douglas.”
Rachel nodded. “He’s very likable. His children are adorable. They need a good mother.”
“Who needs a good mother?”
Rachel turned toward Katie. “Ma and I were talking about the Douglas children. They’re so sweet.”
Ma slipped dishes into the warm water. “Are you feeling better, Katie? I missed seeing you at church Sunday night.”
Katie looked away. “Yes, I’m fine now, thank you. I had such a headache that night.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, but I’m glad you’re better now.”
Mrs. Bartlett joined them. “Well now, I believe I’m ready to help with these dishes.”
“I wish she wouldn’t do that.” Katie frowned at the activity on the blanket.
Rachel looked but found nothing wrong. The older Bartlett girl was watching the children play nearby. Hannah held Davy, playing with him and making baby sounds.
“Who are you talking about?” Rachel stepped closer to Katie. “Who is doing what?”
“Hannah. Making such a fuss over Davy.”
“Don’t blame Hannah, Katie.” Ma’s voice was soft. “She’s unable to have children and she loves them very much.”
“But look at Suzy.”
Susanna had been playing tag with the other children. Now, she stood watching Hannah and Davy.”
Rachel nodded. “She’s jealous, isn’t she?”
“Terribly.” Katie turned to Ma. “Mrs. Morgan, do you have any suggestions? How can I keep her from feeling jealous of Davy?”
Ma folded her arms and looked toward Susanna. “It isn’t easy for her, I’m sure. She was the baby for so long and now she has to give up that position as well as her mother and father. I’d be surprised if she wasn’t jealous.”
Mrs. Bartlett nodded. “Yes, I agree. Give her all the attention you can and pray about it. God will work things out if we trust Him.”
Ma smiled. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Katie nodded. “I know you’re right. Thank you. Sometimes I forget how important it is to pray.”
Rachel placed her hand on her mother’s arm. “Why don’t you go sit with the others, Ma? And you, too, Mrs. Bartlett. Katie will help me finish the dishes.”
Ma glanced at Mrs. Bartlett and laughed. “Do you get the idea they want us old folks to get out of the way so they can talk in private?”
Mrs. Bartlett handed the towel she’d been using to Rachel. “That’s what I’m thinking, but I won’t complain. Anytime I’m told to sit down, I do it.”
Rachel laughed with the others. She hadn’t had time to talk to Katie in ages, it seemed. This was a good opportunity with Jason in the woods and the children taken care of.
Katie washed a plate and handed it to Rachel. “I’m so glad we were able to come out here. I’ve missed . . .”
Her voice trailed off as she looked toward the others.
Rachel turned to see what had caught her attention. Ma stood with her arm around Susanna’s shoulders. Her voice drifted back to them. “How would you like to help me?”
The expression on the little girl’s face was a mixture of surprise and pleasure as she nodded.
They moved together toward the blanket where Hannah sat with Davy. “Do you mind if I hold him a while?”
Hannah’s smile touched Rachel’s heart as she handed the baby to Ma. A wistful look lingered on her face, and she patted the little one’s arm. “He’s so precious.”
“Yes, he is.” Ma checked his diaper and motioned for Susanna to hand her a clean one from the bag Katie had brought. She quickly changed him before turning to Susanna. “You’re a very good helper. Now, shall we give your brother back to Mrs. Jackson so we can talk?”
Rachel nudged Katie when Hannah took Davy back. “Look at Susanna.”
As Ma talked to her in soft tones, Susanna snuggled close to her side.
Katie laughed softly. “Your mother is wonderful.”
Rachel set the plate to the side. “Yes, she is.”
The two friends worked in silence for several moments until Katie looked up. “Rachel, I need to talk.”
Katie’s large green eyes held something in the depths. Fear? Rachel’s stomach constricted. “Of course. What is it?”
Katie bowed her head. “I’ve been miserable since Sunday morning. Since Tommy asked me to play the organ.”
She tossed her dish cloth into the water and turned fully toward Rachel. “I couldn’t. I was afraid to try, Rachel. I haven’t played in so long. When he asked, all I could think of was Mama. She taught me to play, and it hurt so much. I don’t think I could even sit on an organ bench now.”
A soap bubble rose up beside the dish cloth in the water and popped. Why couldn’t their troubles go away as easily? Rachel didn’t understand the problem, but she recognized the hurt in her friend. “I’m sorry, Katie. Is that why you missed church Sunday night?”
Katie nodded. “I worried so much about it, I made myself sick. Tommy won’t give up. Sooner or later, I’ll have to play. Or stop going to church.”
“You wouldn’t do that, would you?”
Katie washed another plate and slid it in the rinse water. “I don’t know. I don’t want to. Please, pray for me.”
“Of course I will.” Rachel put the last dish away as a sigh escaped. “At least you can play. That’s more than I’ll ever be able to do.”
“Why do you say that? Did Tommy say something to you, too? Sometimes he can be so insensitive.” Katie’s voice rose.
“No. It’s just me. I’m as jealous as Susanna, I guess. When Tommy asked you to play, I wanted to so badly, but I don’t know one note from another. I have no musical ability. If I’m going to marry a preacher, shouldn’t I be able to help him?”
Katie stared at Rachel with wide eyes, her brows lifted. “In the first place you have already helped Tommy by praying with people. And in the second place I can teach you to play.”
“Without an organ?”
Katie laughed. “Not completely, but you can learn to read music without an instrument. I’ll show you now if you want.”
Rachel turned at the sound of a wagon coming from the woods. “I do. But first I want to see if Tommy’s with that load.”
“Good idea. Let’s go. Jason might be with them.” Katie started off and Rachel hurried to catch up.
Pa walked on foot leading the oxen. Someone else reclined on the load. It looked like Daniel. They stopped a short distance from the women where Pa helped him climb from the logs. Something was wrong. Pa put his arm around Daniel, allowing him to lean on him as they walked slowly toward the blanket
the women quickly vacated.
Neil looked up from his work. “Need help?”
Pa shook his head. “No, it’s nothing serious.”
Ma ran to meet them. “What happened?”
Daniel’s face was white, but he gave a quick laugh. “A tree fell before I got out of the way. My leg got a scratch.”
“He’ll be all right.” Pa stopped by the blanket spread on the ground. “This looks like a good place. He’s lost a little blood.”
Daniel sank to the blanket beside Davy and lay back. His pant leg was torn and covered with blood.
Ma lifted the torn cloth and gasped. “Rachel, get me the shears and a clean sheet. Also get the salve.”
Rachel snipped and tore the strips as her mother instructed. She tried not to look at the ugly gash that ran the length of her brother’s calf, yet she was drawn to it. He didn’t seem to be in a lot of pain, but he seldom let on when he hurt.
“It could be worse. It isn’t deep so it shouldn’t need to be sewn together.” Ma looked up, her brows drawn together. “Do you think it’ll be all right if we wrap it tight enough?”
Pa nodded. “I think so. There’ll be a scar, though.”
Daniel grimaced. “I can live with a scar. It won’t show, anyway.”
Katie brought a basin of warm water. Ma cleaned the wound and spread salve over it. Then she wrapped Daniel’s leg tightly with the clean bandage.
“Would you like for us all to pray for him?” Neil stood back watching.
“Yes, that would be good.” Pa knelt beside Daniel on the blanket and Neil joined him.
“Father God, we thank You that Daniel’s injury isn’t as bad as it could have been. Still, he needs Your touch to keep infection from setting in. We ask now for swift healing. In Jesus name. Amen.” Neil’s voice rang out.
“Amen.” Pa stuck out his hand. “Thanks, Neil. We appreciate you praying.”
Neil shook his hand and nodded. “We’ll trust God he’ll be all right.” He stood then and went back to work.
As the others moved away, Ellen Bartlett knelt on the blanket beside Daniel. “Does it hurt much?”
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