Jason clasped his hands on the table. “Why didn’t you tell me about this, Katie?”
“I don’t know.”
Tommy stood and walked a few steps and back. “I had no idea you were going through all this. I’m sorry. I guess we all miss Mama more than I realized.”
“And Dad and Karl.” Katie was barely able to squeak out their names before tears clogged her throat.
“Yes, for sure.” Tommy shook his head. “Who knows what Suzy’s been going through? She’s so little, I wonder how much she even understands. Why didn’t I see this?”
He sat back at the table. “Don’t worry about the organ. You don’t have to play until you want to. We’ll pray about this, and God will work it all out in His time.”
“Tommy, about Suzy.” Katie looked from her brother to her husband. “If the Morgan’s really want to adopt her, I think maybe that would be the best. Jason, what do you think?”
“The decision is yours and Tommy’s, but from the way things have been going, I think it might be a good move for her and us, too. You’ll always be her sister, Katie. It isn’t as if you’re giving her away.
“I know.” Katie turned back to Tommy. “Are you sure they want her?”
He nodded. “I think so. That’s the impression I got, but I suggested we give them a couple of weeks with her there before they decide. She looked happier when I left than I’ve seen her in a long time, Katie. I think they should be allowed to legally adopt her if that’s what they decide on.”
“All right, Tommy, if I need to sign anything, I will.
Chapter 11
Rachel placed the two primers on her desk and sighed. Another day passed.
A thump sounded near the ceiling.
She froze to listen. Quiet rang in her ears. Where was the noisy laughter and friendly calls of the children? After dismissal, they always played a few minutes before scattering to their homes. Why not now? Again she heard a noise above her head and looked at Daniel.
He shrugged.
They hurried together out the door. The children were in a huddle a few feet away, staring toward the roof. Rachel ran to them and followed their gaze. Wesley Spencer perched precariously on the peak of the roof. With his arms outstretched to either side, he walked heel-to-toe the length of the ridgepole.
Rachel’s knees grew weak as she watched. She bit her tongue to keep from crying out at him to stop. Surely, he would stumble and fall. He worked his way across the roof until he reached the far edge. With a triumphant smile on his face, he looked down at his schoolmates below. “I told you I could do it.” He lifted his hands above his head in a clasp of victory, and one foot slipped.
A scream filled Rachel’s ears, and her heart seemed to stop before pounding out of control. Wesley’s hands few apart, grasping at air. The expression on his face contorted with fear. His foot continued sliding, and he scrambled for a hold but fell hard and, as if on a child’s slide, slipped to a certain fall.
“Tyron, Jacob.” Daniel called out the names as he ran to the building. The other boys followed him, reaching the right spot just as Wesley dropped the remaining eight feet to the ground. All three boys caught him, saving him from serious injury, as they fell in a pile on the ground.
Wesley shoved away from them, a scowl on his face. “What do ya think you’re doing? Gettin’ in my way’s what.”
Daniel stepped back, his brow drawn down. “We just kept you from breaking your neck.”
Wesley stepped in front of Daniel, striking a fighting pose. “So, who asked you? You wanna show what a big man you are, come on. Or are you afraid?”
Daniel shook his head. “If I was afraid, I wouldn’t have stood under you. I’m not interested in fighting.” He turned and walked away leaving Wesley standing alone.
The children started away—some on foot and some on horseback. Rachel approached Wesley. “That was quite a performance you just gave the children.”
Wesley’s shoulders drew back as his chest swelled. “Yeah. I bet none of them could’ve done it.”
“Did you plan to fall, Wesley?”
He stepped back. “My foot slipped.”
“You could’ve been hurt.” Rachel stared at him. “Wesley, younger children sometimes look up to older ones and copy them. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be the cause of a younger child being hurt. Please, don’t do anything dangerous at school again.”
A sneer sat on Wesley’s face when he lifted his head. “You sound like my pa’s woman. Can’t do nothing around her, neither.”
He spun on his heel and stomped away while Angel ran to keep up. Rachel sighed. How could she get through to him? He carried so much anger inside.
“Are you ready to go?”
Rachel turned to see Nancy on Star’s back while Daniel held the reins. “I see we have company on the way home tonight.” Rachel smiled at the little girl.
“Is it all right? Nancy always seemed older than her six years. “Papa asked Daniel this morning if I could come home with you. He went into town for supplies. He’ll be home when we get there. He said so.”
Rachel patted the little girl’s hand. “I’m delighted to have your company. Maybe your papa will be later than he thinks and you can stay at our house for a little while.”
Nancy smiled.
Rachel and Daniel mounted Star and headed home. Tommy should be there tonight. He’d said two weeks. He was going to bring Ma a cook stove, too. She wanted to hurry Star, but sat quietly as he walked the two miles.
Daniel stopped the horse at the house. “Mr. Douglas said he’d be here, but I don’t see his wagon.”
Rachel slid from Star. “Maybe he walked from his house. I’m sure he’ll be here in a few minutes. Nancy, why don’t you come inside?”
“All right, Miss Morgan.” Nancy reached as Rachel lifted her from the horse. “Papa will be here.”
Rachel smiled at the confidence in her voice. If only she could believe Tommy would be waiting inside when she opened the door. She let her gaze roam over the yard and to the barn as her heart sank. The place seemed deserted somehow, only it wasn’t. Everything was the same as it’d been this morning. There was the problem. Tommy hadn’t been here this morning, either.
While Daniel went on to the barn with Star, she opened the door and stepped back, letting Nancy go in first.”
“Hi, Suzy.” Nancy called out as soon as she stepped inside.
Rachel followed her in and closed the door. She looked across the room and blinked. Susanna Donovan was snuggled on Ma’s lap.
“I surprised you, didn’t I, Rachel?” Susanna straightened and slid to the floor. “I’m going to live with you forever and be your sister.”
Rachel’s gaze lifted to her mother’s.
Ma smiled. “Nothing is settled yet, but we do have a lot to talk about. Is Daniel coming in?”
“He’s taking care of Star.” Rachel couldn’t think clearly. “Is Tommy here?”
Ma stood and touched Susanna’s shoulder. “You have company, dear. Run and play with your friend.”
“Yes, Ma.” Susanna tripped across the floor to Nancy. “Would you like to go outside? It’s not raining now.”
“Okay.” Nancy turned to the door.
“You children stay near the house.”
“All right, Ma.” Susanna’s voice faded into silence as she closed the door.
Rachel faced her mother. “What’s going on? Why is Suzy calling you Ma? And where’s Tommy?”
Ma smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt. “Tommy was here earlier, but he had to go back. Let’s sit down and I’ll tell you about it. I’m sure Pa is telling Daniel now.”
Rachel listened with changing emotions while her mother told of the afternoon’s happenings. She watched the smile play across her mother’s face as she talked. Rachel had never seen her so excited.
“We want your and Daniel’s approval. Pa and I would very much like to adopt Suzy legally. That way she will always be ours. Tommy agrees with us, and he�
�s talking to Katie now or will be soon.” Ma’s blue eyes sparkled. “She’s such a pretty, little girl. Why, no one would even guess she isn’t ours, if they didn’t know. She looks so much like us.”
A sharp pain ripped through Rachel’s heart. Susanna did look like Ma and Daniel. With blond curls framing her delicate, flawless face and large blue eyes, she looked more like Ma than Rachel did.
Rachel pushed a fist against the pain in her chest as tears filled her eyes. She stood. “I need a drink.”
She crossed the room to the bucket of spring water and lifted the dipper to her lips, drinking deeply. With her back to Ma, she blotted her eyes with her sleeve before she turned. “I didn’t expect such a surprise when I came home.” She returned to her seat. “So Tommy is all for this?”
Ma nodded. “Tommy wants what’s best for Suzy. You know what a time Katie’s been having with so many responsibilities piled on her. I’m sure they both realize this is the best thing for everyone involved. Of course, Tommy and Katie, and little Davy will still be her brothers and sister. We’ll include them all in our family. After all you’ll soon be married to Tommy.”
Ma took Rachel’s hand in hers. “What do you think? Should we open our home and hearts to a little girl who’s lost so much, yet has so much to offer?” An eager, expectant light shone from her eyes as she waited for Rachel’s answer.
The last several months on the trail, Rachel had grown to love the Donovan family, including Susanna. She could only imagine the child’s suffering when she lost both parents and a brother on the long journey west. Sympathy filled her heart. She couldn’t stand in the way.
“I’m sure it will be fine.” She lifted her head, meeting her mother’s gaze. “I must admit, it does seem strange, though.”
Ma squeezed Rachel’s hand. “I knew we could count on you.” She rose and walked across the room to the kitchen. “We’ll all adjust. There’s bound to be small problems, but with God’s help, we’ll see them through.”
She lifted the lid from the stew pot and stirred the contents. “Rachel, come see what Tommy brought me. In all the excitement about Suzy, I almost forgot my new stove.”
Rachel admired the stove and was helping set the table when a commotion outside sounded. Rachel opened the door to find Neil surrounded by children.
“Papa, guess what?” Nancy’s voice rose above the others. Before he could answer, she grabbed Susanna’s hand, pulling her toward Neil. “Suzy is going to live here forever and be my friend.”
“Mine, too.” Norman ran to Suzy, taking her other hand in his.
“Well, that is good news.” Neil smiled at the children. “I’ll be glad to have you as my neighbor, Miss Susanna. Perhaps you’ll come for a visit sometime soon.” He bowed toward her.
Susanna giggled and glanced toward the porch where Rachel and Ma waited. “Sure, if Ma will let me.”
“We’ll see about that later. Right now supper is ready. Mr. Douglas, would you and your children like to stay? You are more than welcome.”
When he hesitated, Rachel stepped forward. “We’re having stew with fresh baked rolls. There’s plenty for everyone.”
Neil sent a grin toward her. “How can I refuse when a cold cabin and a bowl of warmed-over beans is the alternative?”
Pa and Daniel came up behind Neil.
“Glad you're staying. Maybe you can tell us what we’re doing wrong here.” Pa held out a long, rounded piece of wood.
Neil took the stick and studied it. “That depends on what you’re trying to do.”
Pa laughed. “We had a bat in mind. There’s a game we played back home called Old Cats that we thought the kids at school would like to play during recess. Might help keep them out of mischief.”
Rachel looked at Daniel, but could tell nothing from his expression. Surely he hadn’t told.
“Sounds like a good idea. Have you got a hatchet or something I could use to taper this down a bit? It should be smaller where the hands grip the end.”
“Not now.” Ma turned toward the door. “Supper’s ready to dish up. After we eat, you boys can work on your toy.”
~*~
Rachel put the last of the dishes away. Her hand trembled, clinking the plates together as she stacked them. At least Neil was gone now. His presence had certainly taken her mind off Susannah. She gave a short laugh. But to what good? She’d never been so aware of a man before. Of course, Tommy held her attention always, but no one else. And Neil shouldn’t. Why had he watched her every move, or did she only imagine his eyes on her?
“Rachel, I’m so sorry.” Ma hurried across the room with something in her hands. “Tommy brought this for you, and I completely forgot. This has been such an exciting day I’m surprised I thought even now.”
“Tommy?” Rachel eyed the wrapped package. “What is it?”
“I don’t know. He said Katie sent a letter and something for you.” Ma handed the bundle to her.
“Thank you.” Rachel followed her mother back into the sitting room and sank to a chair. An envelope lay on the package. She set it aside as it would likely be filled with Katie’s news, and she’d like to read it in private.
She glanced at Ma brushing Susanna’s hair. The little girl stood still as if she enjoyed the attention. No doubt she did. Ma used to brush Rachel’s hair and try to curl it. The curls never lasted more than a few hours and neither had her mother’s interest. She seldom volunteered to fix her hair anymore. Katie’s wedding was the last time and the time before that had been her birthday back in Mississippi.
Rachel sighed. Susanna’s hair would stay curled. Ma could have a lot of fun with her new daughter. A heavy weight settled on her heart. She opened the package hoping for something to distract her attention.
A small cry of surprise escaped her lips. “Slates and chalk. Katie must have known how barren our school would be.”
Ma looked up with a smile. “How nice of her to anticipate your needs.”
Suzy craned her head, trying to see in the box. “It’s for me, isn’t it? I’m going to your school now.”
Rachel closed the lid. “You will get one slate. There’s enough here for everyone.” She set the box on the floor and picked up a candle, lighting it with the lantern. “I’m going upstairs to read Katie’s letter.”
Ma nodded. “I’ll send Suzy up as soon as she’s ready. Good-night, Rachel.”
Rachel ran up to her loft room and lit the lantern, adjusting the wick until its soft light filled the room. She turned toward her bed and bumped into a smaller bed that hadn’t been there that morning. “Ow.”
Rachel rubbed her shin as she stepped around Susanna’s bed to her own. Pa had certainly been busy. He had obviously worked all afternoon for Suzy.
She plumped her pillow before dropping to the bed and opening Katie’s letter.
Dear Rachel,
I’m writing quickly to have this ready when Tommy comes. Oh how I miss seeing you. I would rather visit with you, but my words on paper will have to do for now. Maybe soon we’ll get to visit.
Rachel’s eyes grew misty as Katie’s longing to see her spoke from the page. How wonderful it would be when spring came and Jason filed his claim. Maybe they could be neighbors with the closeness they’d shared on the trail. Rachel hoped so.
She read slowly, savoring the love in Katie’s words. Then a frown touched her forehead.
Please pray for me, Rachel. I’m scared. I haven’t told Jason or Tommy, but I will. I can’t bear it alone, anymore. You remember Tommy asked me to play the organ at church? I can’t even go near it. Especially not after my dream.”
Rachel’s heart quickened as she read of Katie’s problem.
What’s wrong with me, Rachel? Why can’t I play the organ? Am I going crazy? Sometimes I get so angry at Mama for leaving us. She always played for church. She should be here to play now. I need her and so do Suzy and Davy.
Tears of sympathy flowed down Rachel’s cheeks. She wiped them away before reading the final paragraph.<
br />
I’m sorry to push my burden off on you, but I know if anyone can touch heaven, you can. You’re closer to perfect than anyone I know. Suzy thinks so, too. She’s still a little sore because she can’t attend your school. I hope it’s doing well. I’m sending a little gift. Oh, yes, Suzy says she’ll see you soon. I don’t know what she’s talking about.
Rachel fell back and stared at the ceiling. Susanna had planned to run away, and she got exactly what she wanted. Because of her little stunt, Tommy hadn’t been able to stay and now she might not see him again for weeks. Her love for Susanna stepped back to allow room for resentment toward the little girl to boil up in her heart.
Chapter 12
A low cloud-blanket lying across the valley contrasted with the images in Rachel’s mind of the warm blue sky and bright sun of her Mississippi home. As her students, sitting or standing near the schoolhouse, opened their lunch pails, Rachel looked up at the leaden sky and shivered against the unaccustomed dampness.
“Look at this.” Daniel’s voice penetrated her thoughts. He stood beside her, a frog in his hand. “Want some frog legs?”
“Where did that come from?”
“Our lunch bucket.”
“Oh, Daniel. That’s silly. Ma wouldn’t—”
“Ma didn’t.” Daniel looked across the yard where Wesley lounged against a tree. He appeared to be concentrating on his lunch, but looked up at them before turning away. “I’m guessing Wesley did it.”
“But why?”
Daniel shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe he thought it’d scare me and I’d make a fool of myself. He’s probably still mad about us catching him when he fell off the roof.”
Susanna’s tiny voice came from Rachel’s side. “I don’t like frogs.”
Daniel laughed. “Then I’ll get rid of it.” He handed the lunch pail to Rachel and walked to the edge of a grove of trees, setting the frog on the ground before returning.
Home's Promise (Oregon Trail) Page 10