Rachel raised her hand. She acted as if she wanted him to leave.
He lifted the reins and Midnight began the long trip home while uneasiness settled on Tommy’s heart. As he rolled past Neil Douglas’s house, he watched the smoke rise from the chimney and disappear against the gray clouds. The two houses were close, within walking distance. Lord, help me settle this restless feeling inside so my life with Rachel can be secured. I feel as if I’m living on borrowed time. Please, don’t let me lose her to someone else.
Chapter 19
With school dismissed for the Christmas holidays, Rachel found more time on her hands than she knew what to do with. At least, she had plenty of time to think of Tommy and the fact she’d soon meet the perfect Miss Amorita Preston.
A chill ran down her back. She could hardly wait to see Amorita for herself. Yet she had a premonition that once she did, her life would change.
Susanna’s excited chatter brought her mind to the activity in the kitchen. “I want to go, too. Can I go, Pa? Can I?”
Ma put a calming hand on Suzy’s shoulder. “What about your cookies?”
“Rachel can make them all by herself. She doesn’t need my help.” Susanna flung herself at Rachel, hugging her waist. “Please. You don’t mind, do you?”
Rachel looked from her parents to Susanna. “What cookies? Where are you going?”
Pa patted her back. “Daniel and I are going to cut down the perfect Christmas tree.”
Susanna jumped up and down. “Me, too.” She stopped and turned a pleading face up to Rachel. “You will make the cookies, won’t you? They’re for Davy’s Christmas present.”
Rachel put her hand under Susanna’s chin. “If I make cookies for Davy, they won’t be from you.”
“Oh yes, they will. ’Cause I’ll decorate them after we get back. And I’ll wrap them up.”
Rachel shrugged with a laugh. “What can I say to that? I’ll make some cookies.” It would give her something better to do than brood about Tommy and Amorita.
The house seemed quiet after the others left. Ma lifted the rolling pin from the flattened dough on the table. “I’m glad Suzy thought of cookies. It isn’t easy finding gifts when we have so little. These will take care of the Barnett family.”
Rachel nodded. “I’m sure Katie and Jason will be happy with cookies, and Davy won’t know the difference.”
As she spread lard on the baking sheet, she stopped to listen. “Do you hear something, Ma? They wouldn’t be back yet, would they?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Rachel followed her mother to the door.
“Merry Christmas!” The cheerful shout came from the Douglas family.
“Merry Christmas to you.” Ma pushed the door open wide. “Come on in.”
Rachel stepped aside as Neil and his children filed into the cabin. “We’ll soon have some warm cookies. Would you like cider with them?”
“That sounds great.” Neil’s wide grin followed Rachel as she returned to the kitchen.
“Won’t you sit down?” Ma indicated the chairs at the table. “I’m afraid the only parlor we have serves as a dining room, too.”
Neil pulled out a chair. “I’ve forgotten how to act in a real parlor, anyway.”
Ma turned away. “I’ll warm the cider while Rachel’s getting the cookies.”
Rachel slipped the first batch into the oven then joined Neil at the table. “Pa and Daniel are gone and so is Suzy.” She glanced at Nancy. “She’ll be sorry she didn’t get to see you. They went to find a Christmas tree and she wanted to help.”
Nancy’s smile looked shy. “I came to see you, Miss Rachel.”
“Oh, you did?”
The little girl nodded.
“I’m glad you came. Are you eager for school to start up again?”
“Yes.”
Neil nudged her. “Don’t you have something for Miss Rachel?”
A tinge of pink touched the little girl’s cheeks as she pulled a sheet of rolled paper tied with a ribbon from her lap and handed it to Rachel. “We all made it together. It’s for Christmas.”
“Oh, how wonderful.” As Rachel unrolled the paper she exclaimed over the childish drawing. “It’s the school house and all the children, isn’t it?”
Nancy looked at her father. “See, Papa, she does too know what it is. Miss Rachel’s smart.”
Rachel’s gaze met Neil’s laughing eyes above the children’s heads. “Of course, I know what it is.” She smiled before turning her attention back to the children. “Thank you very much. I will treasure this picture always.”
Ma placed a glass of cider in front of each person. “You children did a very nice job. Your father must be proud of you.”
Neil grinned and his eyes shone as he looked at his children. “Oh, I suppose they’ll do.” He sniffed the air. “Those cookies sure smell good.”
Rachel jumped up and pulled a sheet of perfectly browned cookies from the oven. “Much more and they wouldn’t have.”
When half the first pan of cookies had disappeared, Neil stood and picked up Natasha. “We’d better get on home before all the cookies are gone.”
Rachel walked the Douglas family to the door. “Thank you again for the picture.” She handed Neil a bundle of cookies to take home.
“Thank you, Rachel.” Neil’s gaze seemed to search hers. “I hope you have a good Christmas.”
“I think we will.” Rachel stepped outside after him and closed the door. “We’re taking the rest of the cookies into town tomorrow. We’ve been invited to a Christmas dinner at the Thomas’s along with Katie and Jason and several others.”
“That sounds like fun.” A slow grin spread across Neil’s face. “You didn’t mention Pastor Donovan. Isn’t he going to be there?”
“Yes, Tommy will be there, too.” Rachel smiled at him. “What will you do for Christmas?”
Neil shrugged. “Since you insist on keeping Mr. Donovan around, I guess we’ll have to settle for second best. Mrs. Blanche Smith and her son have invited us for dinner at her place. I’m not a very good cook, so when I get an invitation, I usually don’t turn it down, and Blanche is a good friend.”
So he was teasing about second best. Blanche Smith was beautiful—even if she did wear pants sometimes. Obviously, Neil still claimed her as a friend.
Rachel pulled Natasha’s hat closer around her ears. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy your dinner there and the company, too.”
He grinned. “I’m sure we will.”
~*~
Pa guided the wagon into Jason and Katie’s side yard and stopped. Katie burst through the front door with only a shawl thrown over her shoulders. Rachel met her half-way to the house.
“I thought you’d never get here. This has been one long day.”
Rachel returned Katie’s hug. “I know. I wish we didn’t live so far apart.”
Rachel felt a tug on her arm. “I want to hug Katie, too. She’s my sister.” Susanna stepped between them and reached for Katie.
Katie dropped to her knees and squeezed her little sister. “I think you’ve grown since I saw you last.”
She lifted a blond curl. “I’m glad to see your hair is growing. What have they been feeding you?”
Susanna laughed. “I want to see Davy.”
“How have you been, Katie?” Ma joined them.
“Fine, I’m getting eager to move to my new cabin. It’ll be spring before we can, but the time will go by.” Katie turned toward the house. “Come on in. It’s warmer inside, and I can’t leave Davy alone too long. He’s rolling all over the place now.”
Susanna ran ahead of them and passed Jason without a look as she ran through the open door.
Jason shook his head. “I see Suzy’s making herself at home.” He joined Pa and Daniel. “Let me help with the team. There’s a small barn in the back and some hay they can share with Nanny.”
Ma and Rachel helped Katie with supper. As she set the last bowl on the table, Tommy opened the d
oor.
“Sorry I’m late.” He hung his hat on a nail beside the door and took off his coat. “I went with Brother Blackstone to pray for one of the church members, Mrs. Conley. Thankfully, she’s fine.”
“Such is the life of a preacher.” Katie held her hand out toward the table. “Come on, everyone. It’s ready.”
While Jason asked the blessing, Tommy took Rachel’s hand in his. Warmth from his touch shot to her heart. She shouldn’t worry so much about Tommy’s love. He loved her and that should be enough.
After they ate, Tommy stayed as long as he could. Finally he stood. “I’d better leave so you all can get some rest.”
He reached for his coat and hat then turned to Rachel. “Where’s your coat?”
“On Katie’s bed.”
“Will you come outside with me?” Tommy reached for a lantern and lit it.
As the others returned to their conversation, Rachel let Tommy help her with her coat. Outside, she looked up at a dark sky. “I’m glad there’s no snow tonight.”
“Me, too.” Tommy took her hand and led her around the house to the back yard where Midnight waited. He hung the lantern on a nail in the barn door. “I was afraid I wouldn’t get a chance to see you alone. I know tomorrow is Christmas, but I want to give you my gift tonight.”
Rachel watched him draw a small box out of his pocket. “But, Tommy, my gift for you is inside.”
“That’s okay. You can give it to me tomorrow. I wanted you to have this before the dinner and especially before church tomorrow night.”
Rachel took the small box and lifted the lid. Inside a silver locket lay in a black velvet lining. “Oh, Tommy, it’s beautiful.”
“It opens.” Tommy lifted the locket, the chain dangling, and pushed a small catch. The locket flew open. “There’s room for a picture on each side. Maybe we can get our likenesses made sometime and put them in it.”
He slipped the chain over her head, letting his hands fall to her shoulders. His voice grew husky. “Or maybe our wedding picture could go on one side and a picture of our first child on the other.”
Rachel’s heart fluttered. Her body grew warm as she looked up at Tommy. “Our wedding?”
Tommy nodded before his head lowered and his lips met hers. He looked into her eyes. “Spring isn’t far off and soon summer will be here. I’m thinking about claiming next to the schoolhouse claim so we’ll be near town and not far from your folks. Does that sound good to you?”
She nodded. “It’s fine, but if we were married now, we could have a full section.”
Tommy frowned. “We don’t need more than the 320 acres, Rachel. I’ve been praying about taking the church out by you. I believe that’s where God is leading me. Just think, Rachel, by the time we’re married, we should have an established church to pastor.”
Rachel forced a smile while her heart sank. Truthfully, she didn’t care about the extra land, either, but what would four or five more months bring? Would Tommy still be hers?
~*~
Rachel stood at the stove in Mrs. Thomas’s kitchen. The older woman bustled about giving orders to the other women helping cook dinner. “How many did you say would be here?” She straightened from a lower shelf with a pan in her hand.
Katie shook her head. “Mother Thomas, you’re going to wear yourself out before dinner and will be too tired to move to the claim next week. Why don’t you sit down here at the table and let us take care of this?”
Mrs. Thomas waved a hand. “You’re a dear child, but I wouldn’t feel right sitting idle in my own kitchen. Or as near mine as it will be until we get moved to our new cabin. Let me have some of that lard, and I’ll get the bread ready. Did you say how many we can expect? We may need some more seats.”
Katie laughed. “I give up. Here’s the lard.”
Rachel stirred the pudding. “There’s five of us and five of all of you. That makes ten. Then six Bartletts and Tommy make seventeen. Are you expecting anyone else?”
“Tommy asked the Jacksons to come by. He said you would want to meet their new daughter, Onida. They named her that because it’s an Indian name that means long awaited.”
“Oh, I’m glad.” Rachel flashed a smile toward Katie. “It will be wonderful to see Hannah again. I had hoped we could see the little girl, too.”
Mrs. Thomas looked up from the bread. “Why didn’t he invite them for dinner? They don’t have family out here.”
Rachel shrugged. “I guess he didn’t feel he had the right.”
“Oh, that boy. As if we’d care with all this food. Didn’t they help feed us when we came into this town?” She hurried to the door, wiping her hands on her apron as she went.
“John.” She called out the back door where the men stood visiting. “Get out to the Jackson’s and bring them back for dinner.”
“What if they don’t want to come?” Rachel heard Mr. Thomas’s amused chuckle.
“You make sure they know they’re welcome.”
The arrival of the Bartletts left little room and Rachel wondered if the small cabin would hold twenty people. Mrs. Thomas didn’t seem concerned. She ran from one task to another, squeezing between her guests and making everyone feel welcome.
When Tommy arrived, Rachel’s heart picked up its beat. He touched her arm. “I’ve been told to help Jason bring chairs from his house. I’ll be back after a while.”
“You’d better.” She gave him a smile.
As he left, Katie grabbed Rachel’s arm. “The Jacksons are here. I want you to meet Onida. She’s a doll and she’s very intelligent.”
Rachel raised her eyebrows and followed Katie to the front room where Hannah was taking Onida’s coat off. Tommy said Katie had told him to get the child out of her house. She must’ve had a change of heart.
Katie held her hands out to the little girl. “Hi, Onida. Would you come see me?”
Onida shook her head and patted Hannah’s face. “Mama.”
“I know she’s your mama.” Katie reached in her pocket and took out a small peppermint stick. “Will you come see me for this?”
Onida looked from the candy to Hannah.
Katie laughed. “You can go back to Mama in a little bit.”
The little girl lunged into Katie’s arms, reaching for the candy.
Rachel laughed. “You have a way with children, Katie. I was beginning to think the candy wasn’t enough.”
Katie nodded. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but she probably remembers our first meeting. I wouldn’t blame her if she never has anything to do with me. I’ve learned a lot in the last month thanks to Onida and Amorita.” Katie’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Rachel, I’m so anxious for you to meet her. I know you’ll love her like we all do.”
“Yes.” Hannah nodded. “You’ll want to meet her. Everyone loves Amorita. How can you help it?”
Rachel’s heart felt as if it turned to stone. She forced a smile to her face. “I can hardly wait. I’ve heard so much about her.”
She fingered Onida’s freshly starched calico dress. “Hannah, you have a beautiful little daughter. I’m so happy for you.”
Hannah’s eyes grew moist as she nodded. “Thank you, Rachel. Tommy said there was a baby boy. My heart grieves every time I think of that little baby starving. He said it looked like the mother gave birth and may have lived awhile, too weak to feed the baby. I just wish he could have lived, too. That’s selfish of me—wanting another baby when God has given me so much.”
“No, Hannah, I don’t think you’re selfish at all. You’re a wonderful woman sharing your love with little Onida.”
“I’m not wonderful, just blessed.” Hannah touched Onida’s dress. “Speaking of blessings, Katie, where’s yours?”
Katie laughed. “Davy? I don’t know. He’s been passed around so much, I stopped trying to keep up with him. I’m enjoying my holiday.”
Onida’s small sticky hand reached out and clutched a shiny auburn curl that had escaped Katie’s hairdo. “Pitty.” Onida looked at Hannah.
“Mama, pitty.”
“O-o-oh, yes, it is pretty.” Hannah’s mouth twitched. “Onida, we mustn’t touch Katie’s hair with sticky hands.” She pulled the hair from the baby’s grasp and took her back. “Oh, Katie. I’m so sorry.”
She ruined her apology with a snort of laughter.
Katie laughed, touching her sticky hair. “You sound really sorry. It’s my fault, though. I gave her the candy. Besides, I’ve had worse than this happen to me. I’ll just get a cloth and wipe this out.”
Rachel followed Katie outside to the rain barrel by the back door. “Onida certainly is sweet.”
Katie laughed with Rachel. “Yes, in more ways than one.”
She dipped her cloth in the water and rung it out. “I didn’t think so when I first realized she was half Indian, though.”
Rachel took the wet cloth and wiped the mess from Katie’s hair.
“When Amorita found out I practically threw a baby out of my house, she came to see me.” She laughed. “I refused to listen at first, but she didn’t give up. She told me I didn’t have to listen to her, but I’d better listen to what God had to say. She quoted Scripture about entertaining angels unawares then she prayed for me.”
Katie turned to see Rachel. “I had no defense left. I knew I was wrong. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m starting to give up those hateful feelings toward the Indians and especially toward little Onida.”
Rachel handed the cloth to Katie. “I think I got it out.”
Everyone talked about Amorita as if she were a saint. Everyone loved her. She could do anything. Rachel wanted to see her. She wanted to see for herself that Amorita was not the perfect, beautiful, talented young woman that Tommy needed. “I’ve been hearing so much about this Amorita. What, exactly, is she like?”
Katie smiled. “She’s wonderful. I’m so anxious for you to meet her. She’s probably the most beautiful person you’ll ever meet. That’s what everyone around here thinks of her. She’s good and kind and she’s always ready to help, but she isn’t pushy. Like I said, she’s really beautiful. She even offered to help us move to our claim next week. I don’t doubt she’ll be at my door Monday ready to help pack.”
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