Ellen looked up at the boys leaning over them. “Jacob and Tyrone, see if you can turn him over on his back so I can reach the other side of his face. Be careful.”
The two boys knelt and gently rolled Daniel over, revealing an ugly red scrape where his face had hit the ground.
Rachel sucked in her breath. He looked so still and white. She again looked toward Wesley. He stood now on the outside of the circle. An unguarded look of fear sat on his face. Then, he caught her gaze and crossed his arms, defiance replacing the fear.
Daniel moaned.
Ellen clasped her hands. “He’s coming around.”
“Thank you, God.” Rachel took Daniel’s arm as he struggled into a sitting position. “Are you able to sit up? How do you feel?”
A wobbly smile flitted across his face. “Like I got hit with a boulder.” He touched the back of his head then the side of his face that was beginning to darken into an ugly bruise around the scrape. “Ouch. I’m a little fuzzy. What hit me? It wasn’t really a boulder, was it?”
The children shouted their versions of what had happened. Rachel felt pressure against her arm and looked down into large blue eyes swimming in tears. “Susanna, you don’t need to cry. Daniel is going to be all right.”
“It’s okay, Rachel. I’m crying good tears now.” Susanna wiped the dampness from her face. “I didn’t cry before, ’cause I was too busy praying. Jesus heard me, didn’t He? He didn’t take my new brother away, too.”
Without thinking, Rachel slipped her arm around the little girl and pulled her close. “Yes, Suzy, he heard your prayer, and I’m glad.” Lowering her face to Susanna’s soft, golden curls, she blinked against a sudden burning in her own eyes.
Susanna had already suffered so much. Did she think Daniel would die like Karl had? For the first time since Susanna had invaded her home, Rachel felt deep sympathy for her.
She lifted her head and smiled at the children. “I believe we’ve had enough play time for today. Please go back inside and take your seats.”
Wesley swaggered into the building ahead of the other children. Tyrone and Jacob stayed behind to help Daniel. Rachel followed with Susanna in the circle of her arm.
Just before they stepped through the door, she reached out and touched Daniel’s shoulder. “Are you sure you’re able to sit in class?”
He shook off the helping hands. “Of course, I’m able. I’ve got a little bump on the head and a bruise. I’ve been hurt worse than this and survived. Don’t smother me. I’ll get along fine.” A weak grin softened his words.
“All right, but if you feel dizzy, let me know.”
“If I feel bad enough, I’ll tell you.” Daniel walked to his seat in the back of the room.
For the rest of the afternoon, Wesley spoke only in answer to a direct question and even then, Rachel detected a surly tone—or imagined it. Although Daniel seemed fine by the time school dismissed, she was glad to let the children leave. But first, she needed to talk to Wesley.
He made it to the door before she stopped him. “Wesley, please stay behind for a few minutes.”
A scowl settled on his face, but he stepped aside as the other children filed out. When the room emptied of all but Wesley and herself, Rachel began. “I’ve always been taught that even when I accidently hurt someone, I should tell that person I’m sorry. I waited all afternoon for you to—”
Wesley’s head snapped up. “I didn’t do nothin’. You can’t pin no blame on me just ’cause your brother got hit with a ball. I don’t like gettin’ blamed for what I didn’t do.” He stomped to the door.
“Just a minute.” She let out her breath when he stopped. “Are you saying you didn’t throw the ball that hit Daniel?”
A flicker of fear crossed his face so fast, Rachel wasn’t sure she’d seen it. He snarled. “I was playin’ a game. Tell your pretty, sissy brother if he can crawl out from behind your skirts long enough, I’ll be glad to show him how a man settles things.”
He slammed the door behind him.
Rachel released the breath she’d been holding. What could she do about Wesley? His response to her hadn’t even made sense.
That night when her father led evening devotions, Rachel prayed for Wesley. Then, she remembered Susanna’s joy when God heard her prayer for her new brother. Remorse for her feelings of resentment and selfishness swept over her. As healing tears flowed, she forgave Suzy the wrongs she’d imagined while God forgave her. The peace she’d sought so long finally found room to fill her heart.
~*~
Friday morning, a ray of sunshine streaked across Rachel’s bed waking her. She sat up and looked out the window. The sun was shining. A treat after so many cloudy days. She climbed over Susanna’s bed without resentment for the first time since it had been placed in her way.
“Wake up, Suzy. Mr. Sun is already up this morning.” She shook the small rise in the bed until a tousled head of blond curls lifted. Susanna rubbed her eyes. “It’s get up time already?”
“Yes, it is, and today we’re going to have a nice surprise.”
“What is it?”
Rachel smiled. “I won’t know until he gets here. Something could keep him from coming, you know.”
Susanna clapped a hand over her mouth, her large blue eyes opened wide. “I forgot. Tommy’s coming, isn’t he?” She scrambled from bed and grabbed Rachel around the waist.
Rachel laughed and twirled, hugging her close. When they stopped, Susanna leaned back to look at her. “You like Tommy lots, don’t you?”
“I sure do.”
“Then why don’t you get married when he gets here?”
“Why? So you can have this room all to yourself?”
“Uh huh.” Susanna giggled.
Rachel squeezed the little girl. “Oh, Suzy, I’m glad you came to live with us.”
Even as she said the words, she realized they were true. God had used her concern for Wesley and Daniel to get her mind off herself so she’d realize just how precious Susanna was.
“Do you like me again?”
A flush crept up Rachel’s face. Had she been so obvious? Had Susanna felt the resentment and jealousy she’d tried to hide? She dropped to her knees in front of the little girl. “I’m sorry, Suzy. I haven’t been acting nice. I realize that now. Will you forgive me?”
Susanna nodded. “I love you, Rachel.”
“I love you, too.” Rachel pulled her close for a moment. “Come on, let’s get dressed and go down for breakfast.”
As they entered the kitchen with clasped hands, Ma and Pa exchanged a look and a smile. Rachel’s face warmed. Her selfish attitude had not been missed by her family. They’d probably been praying for her, waiting for her eyes to be opened. How foolish she’d been and how thankful now she’d come to her senses before someone had been hurt.
She squeezed Susanna’s hand and helped her sit at the table as Daniel came in the back door. He dipped his hands in the wash pan and dried them on the towel. The dark bruise and scrape on his cheek stood out.
“How are you feeling?”
He sat across the table and gave her a saucy grin. “I’m fine. How are you?”
“I wasn’t the one who got knocked to the ground yesterday.”
“Ah, that wasn’t anything.”
Ma set a bowl of oatmeal on the table before taking her place. “As bad as Rachel said it was, I’m surprised you were able to stay in class all afternoon.”
Pa nodded. “That big goose-egg could’ve caused a headache, and maybe more. God must’ve intervened.”
Susanna squirmed in her chair. “I prayed for Daniel. I thought he was going to die.”
Daniel grinned. “Thank you. Maybe that’s why I didn’t.”
Ma stared at Daniel. “Your head didn’t even hurt?”
“Well, I did have a headache most of the afternoon.”
Rachel leaned toward her brother. “You got dizzy, too, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It wasn’t bad en
ough to worry about. I felt fine by the time school was over. Can’t we eat now?”
“Sure, and enjoy the peace, because today’s another school day, and who knows what Wesley will do next.” Rachel bowed her head for Pa’s prayer.
~*~
As they rode Star to school, Rachel prayed for Wesley. He needed help beyond what she could give him. She allowed the children to play outside in the brisk air for a few minutes while she prepared for her first lessons inside.
She straightened a slate on one of the front desks as she went to the door. The children’s voices rang out with happy sounds she hated to disturb. If only her school could find such harmony all the time. She carried the hand bell out the door and rang it, calling the children in for morning lessons.
A line quickly formed in front of her, and she stepped aside to let her students pass. “Good morning, Miss Morgan.”
Several greeted her, and she spoke to each one. But she didn’t see Wesley. Had he stayed outside? She stepped into the yard and looked around. Maybe he’d gone to the outhouse and would be in shortly. She hurried after her students.
Rachel stepped behind her desk and picked up her attendance sheet. “Let’s begin by taking the roll. Ellen?”
“Present.”
“Tyrone?”
“Present.”
She called each name, saving Wesley’s for last. “Wesley?”
No response.
“Angel, did Wesley come to school with you this morning?”
“No, Miss Morgan.”
“Where is he?”
Angel looked down at her hands before raising her eyes to meet Rachel’s. “He stayed home ’cause he took sick.”
“I see.” Was Wesley really ill, or was he afraid to come to school after what had happened? Rachel didn’t know, but was relieved she wouldn’t have a confrontation with the surly troublemaker today. She could look forward to Tommy’s visit with a light heart.
“Turn in the Bible to the first Psalm. Jacob, please begin reading.”
~*~
A shadow fell across Rachel’s desk when she stood to dismiss the children for the day. She swung toward the door, her heart leaping for joy.
Tommy stood with his hat in his hands smiling at her, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. “May I make an announcement before the children leave?”
At her nod, he turned to the students. “Before you go, I want you to listen. We’ll be having preaching service here at the schoolhouse tonight. Please, remember to tell your parents to come. All right? Can you do that?”
An affirmative chorus rang out, and Tommy stepped aside as the stampede of children ran past him.
As Daniel reached the door, he stopped. “I’m glad to see you again. If you’d like, I’ll take Suzy home with me and you and Rachel can come later.”
Tommy grasped his hand. “Thanks Daniel. That’d be great.”
Susanna grabbed Tommy around one leg. “No. I don’t want to go with Daniel. I want to stay with you.”
Tommy pried her loose, knelt to her level, and held her at a distance by her upper arms. “I’ll be at the house before long, and we’ll have our own special talk. How’s that?”
“No. I never get to see you. I want you now.” Her lower lip stuck out.
Tommy gave her a little shake. “Susanna, do your new ma and pa let you act this way?”
She looked down and shook her head.
“Good for them. You’re not going to now, either.” He nodded for Daniel to take her.
She hesitated only a moment before jerking from him and stomping out the door.
Tommy watched her leave and shook his head. He rose and sat on the edge of Rachel’s desk. “How are things going out here? Your school seems to be getting along great.”
“Today was a good day.” Rachel shrugged. “You should have been here yesterday.”
“Why? What happened?” Tommy’s attention was all hers.
She told about Wesley and the trouble he’d caused all week, ending with the incident of the day before. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. I don’t know what to say or do to help him. I’m afraid he’s headed for real trouble if he doesn’t get help soon.”
Tommy nodded. “He sounds like a problem. Wasn’t it his mother who came forward and accepted Christ when I preached at your dad’s place?”
“His stepmother.”
“Oh. I don’t remember them too well, but I do remember thinking at the time that the son needed what the mother got. He seemed sullen and withdrawn as if he had a chip on his shoulder.”
“That’s Wesley. He’s uncooperative most of the time. He’s so full of hate and anger. I wish I could say something to help him. Mostly, he refuses to listen to me.”
“Too bad he doesn’t live in town.”
“Why would that help?”
“Miss Amorita Preston has a class on Sunday mornings before preaching. If anyone could help him, she probably could.”
Rachel tried to remember the people she’d met the few times she attended the church in town. “I don’t remember her. Is she kin to the people who gave the bell?”
“She’s their niece from New York. She came in on one of the later wagon trains after you moved out here. She’s from a wealthy family, but you wouldn’t know it by how friendly she is to everyone. The Prestons are her only living relatives now.”
Tommy’s eyes shone as he talked about the wonderful Miss Amorita Preston. Rachel’s stomach sank.
“She’s great with everyone from the oldest to the youngest. You seldom see Amorita alone. If there’s a crowd, you can be sure she’s in the middle of it. There seems to be no end to her abilities especially for someone so young.” Tommy stood and walked around the desk. He took Rachel’s hand in his.
“God is blessing our church. I sometimes wonder if He sent Amorita to us as a direct answer to prayer. Katie’s been having a hard time adjusting to Mama’s death.”
Tommy had dropped the “Miss” from Amorita’s name. A fact Rachel didn’t miss. She allowed her hand to go limp in his as he continued.
“It’s been hard on her, and in spite of the fact we needed someone to play the organ, she couldn’t seem to do it. Then Amorita came and our problems were over.” He grinned. “You know, Rachel, I think she plays almost as well as Mama did. And can she ever sing.”
Rachel slipped her hand from Tommy’s and busied herself straightening the desk. Tears burned her eyes.
She half listened as Tommy continued extolling the lovely Amorita Preston. She glanced at his handsome face, alive with admiration for this girl. This was what she’d feared. Amorita sounded like the perfect preacher’s wife. She could do things Rachel only dreamed about.
Why was she fooling herself? She would never help Tommy the way she wanted to—the way Amorita Preston could. How long would it take for Tommy to realize the same? Or had he already? Fear gripped her heart along with something else. Guilt. She was guilty of standing in Tommy’s way. If she loved Tommy she should let him go. She wiped furtively at her tears. How could she give him up now?
“Hey.” Tommy came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist, drawing her back against his chest. “You’re awfully quiet. Did you miss me as much as I’ve missed you?”
He had no idea. She swiped a hand across her damp eyes as he turned her to face him.
“You’re more beautiful than you were the last time I saw you.” His bright blue eyes seemed to memorize her face. I’ve missed you so much. Not a day goes by but I long to see you, to hold you in my arms. I love you, Rachel.”
Was he really saying those wonderful words? Her heart melted under the warmth of his love. “Oh, Tommy. I love you so much. Yes, of course I miss you.”
Her arms stole up to encircle his neck.
His gaze moved to her lips as his head lowered.
She met him halfway, offering her love for his in a long overdue kiss. She couldn’t give him up. Miss Preston had better not expect her to.
Chap
ter 14
A sharp wind blew past Rachel’s face as Pa parked near several other wagons in the school yard. Word must have spread quickly as there promised to be a good turnout for the service tonight. The smile she’d forced all afternoon was beginning to droop. When Tommy finally stopped talking about Miss Preston, she tried to forget the girl existed, yet how could she forget the way his eyes had shone with just a mention of Amorita’s many virtues?
Tommy took her hand and helped her from the wagon. He leaned close. “I’ve been so busy visiting and thinking about my sermon, I just realized we don’t have a song leader. Can you think of any songs you could lead?”
“Me?” Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise. She couldn’t sing in front of all these people. Didn’t Tommy know that? “I don’t think so.”
“How about Amazing Grace for one?” Tommy looked hopefully at her. “Everyone knows it.”
“I—I don’t know.” Rachel took a step backward. “Isn’t there someone else you could ask?”
Tommy’s eyebrows drew together, and Rachel turned from his disappointment. Everyone had either already gone into the building or was heading that way.
Tommy took her hand. “Come on. We need to get inside. I suppose it won’t hurt me this once to lead singing and preach, too.”
A taunting voice in Rachel’s head whispered, Miss Amorita Preston would have been glad to lead singing for Tommy.
They paused at the door when a horse with two riders galloped into the yard, stopping near the building. Tyrone Smith slid from its back. His mother jumped from the side saddle strapped to her large, prancing black stallion. Her skirt flared before settling gracefully around her lithe form as she turned to the horse. He calmed under her gentle hand and soothing voice and began grazing on the short grass under his feet.
Blanche Smith turned to Tommy. “I must not be as late as I thought. You are the minister I’ve been hearing about, aren’t you?”
Tommy took her offered hand. “Yes, I’ll be preaching tonight. I’m glad you were able to come.”
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