Now, was there some secret message in his using of the word ‘well,’ she wondered? He had signed it, ‘Affectionately, John,’ and that seemed so sweet to her. She spoke the word aloud, “Affectionately.” His greeting had suddenly made her think of his departing gift ~ the sweet little kitten he had brought to her at the last moment before departing. She’d let the staff pet it for awhile. Picking up the book beside her, the nanny practiced reading aloud in preparation for reading to Lily. Excited, she then reread his message and then used it for a bookmark, before going to retrieve her kitten.
During John’s absence, she taught Miss Callie some of her family’s special dishes, and, in return, the cook instructed her in how to prepare some of John Davis’ favorite ones. The pair of women both admired him and spoke of spoiling him ‘just a little’ upon his return to Magnolia Gardens, whenever that might be. They took turns estimating which day he would return from this trip. Yet, ultimately, both of them would be wrong about that. He would choose to surprise them all. In fact, his friends would force him to do so, because of his worsening wound condition, which would compel them to cut short their trip.
Before that, however, Rachael’s cousin, Wren Hathaway, surprised and delighted the household with his unexpected visit. Rachael, especially, welcomed it, since she was beginning to be lonely. “I cannot believe that you came all this way to see me,” she told him, shaking her head.
“I needed to see for myself that you are well. Are you?” he asked, with a boyish laugh, although they were the same age.
“Of course, I’m fine. Did you have any doubts?”
“No, I simply wanted to see what life is like for you here.”
“Come, I’ll show you.” So, they toured the gardens, where her limp was barely detectable. They saw the pond briefly, then sipped tea to warm up, along with apples and her muffins, while catching up on the news from home. Happily, they also watched brightly colored hummingbirds and butterflies heading for nectar plants at the veranda. “Look, they love the honeysuckle.” She and her cousin also spent some time in the kitchen, where they cracked nuts for his favorite cookies, Fruit-Nut Bars, which she then stirred together and baked. With the staff, they shelled the first crop of peas, beside a cozy fire, and tried to ignore an approaching spring storm by playing games of marbles.
“These are the latest additions to my marble collection, Rachael. We always have them in the store,” Wren explained.
“They are fine ones, too, cousin. You have a nice collection. Let’s be sure to pick up every one, however, so the baby doesn’t find one when she comes home,” Rachael complimented and warned at the same time.
“We shall. I counted them all beforehand and they numbered twenty-five. So, twenty-five shall go home with me, cousin.”
“Good, and I shall watch for unusual ones here, for your collection,” she added.
“You would do that?”
“Of course, I will.”
“Thank you so very much. By the way, Rachael, you are now looking at the new manager of the Bower Feed And Seed Store.”
“Congratulations! I am elated for you, Wren! You will do a fine job.”
“Oh, that reminds me, I brought you something. Let’s go outside and get it. I left it on the porch.”
“Really? What is it?” she asked in delight, springing from her chair.
“Come and see. It’s an Easter lily, a tribute to the Goddess of Springtime and rebirth.”
“How appropriate that is, since it’s spring and our nation is rebuilding just now at springtime,” she reasoned. “I dare say, I can’t wait to see it! Thank you, Wren.”
“Thank you for allowing me to come. I thought it my utmost family duty, especially with Uncle Glen and Robert away. Just smell this, Rachael. It’s a flower which comes from a bulb, of extreme importance, with a wonderful scent and beauty. May it cheer you, cousin. Just everyone wants one.”
“Oh, it’s heavenly. I love it and it certainly does cheer me. I’m so very glad you saw fit to come here and bring me one.”
“These came into the feed store a few days ago, and sold very quickly. We had no problem selling them at all. I took your family one, and mine, and grabbed this one for you, since there weren’t many left.”
“I’m so glad you did. Thank you.”
After the two were back inside and had some further discussion about his new position and their family, he decided it was necessary to return to Bower this evening. “I must head out, since it is late afternoon, Rachael. I would really like to be home before dinner and dark.”
“Oh, I cannot possibly allow you to leave and go home in this downpour, Wren,” she exclaimed, pointing to the window and the storm just beyond it. A while later, she finally convinced him to stay.
“I believe you are right. Besides, I have a small mystery for us to ponder, of which I have not yet spoken. I don’t have to be back at work until day after next, anyway.”
“I’m all ears, for there aren’t many mysteries which have come to our little town,” she happily exclaimed, sniffing again from the magnificent white plant upon the floor beside her, with its large trumpet-shaped blooms. “What on earth is this new mystery, for I also have one to tell you about?”
“Well, all of a sudden, mysterious items have begun arriving in the store – fabric, boots, hats, dishes, purses, some saddles, and wooden creations.”
“What is so mysterious about that?” she asked, hanging on his every word.
“What is so mysterious is that no one knows who is ordering or delivering them, or anything about their origin. The new owner denies knowledge of them. But do you know the funniest part of it?”
“No, of course not, since I’m no longer there,” she answered attentively, for she loved a good mystery.
“The funny part of it is, even though this new array of merchandise is not the store’s real bread and butter of the business, the items are selling!”
“Really?”
“Like hotcakes! The clerks and owner can hardly believe it. We are all mystified by this new development.”
“Good!” Rachael laughed happily. “Then, a mysterious someone has a brain for the business, doesn’t she?” Rachael asked, with a laugh.
“It would seem so, cousin. But, I do not believe the mysterious buyer is a woman. Do you honestly think it could be?”
“Of course, I do.” She laughed softly and placed her hands in a prayer-like position to her lips.
At that moment, Crane entered to ask if he should show Rachael’s cousin to a bedroom, stating, “It will keep you comfortable for the night, sir. It’s awful stormy out there. I went for ice again, Miss Rachael.”
“Thank you.” She nodded acknowledgement of the fact. “I’ll use some later on my ankle.”
“Oh, I’m not a ‘sir,’” Wren told Crane. “Please call me Wren,” the Hathaway cousin requested.
“Yes, please, Crane, if you would show my cousin a bedroom, I’d appreciate it. I’ll see you at dinner at half past five, Wren, for I have to rest my foot now, please. It’s spaghetti for dinner, our favorite. Later, I’ll tell you of the mysteries here.”
During a fine evening of more visiting and playing with the kitten, she mentioned the missing horses and Spice Dock cargo. Her cousin was baffled, just as she was. He did have to return home the next morning, however. Yet, everyone was so delighted he’d come to visit, and he reassured Rachael that he certainly was leaving with all of his twenty-five, colorful marbles. Before departing, he unloaded a box of potatoes, one of apples, and a sack of peas he’d brought for them. Cheerful waves sent him on his way, after a promise he’d return soon to check on his favorite cousin.
Miss Callie and Rachael then prepared chicken and dumplings to simmer, and rolled crust and created a strawberry pie, which helped take Rachael’s mind off of her kin’s departure. After placing the pie into the oven for the u
pcoming dinner hour, they were enjoying a snack of nuts, sliced fruit, and tea. Trying to cool the kitchen down some, they had the back door open to coax in the afternoon breeze. Instead, they coaxed the fluttering of wings, which immediately caught their attention. In sailed a white bird ~ a dove. They both gasped and held their hair, as the bird circled over them, confused, searching for a perch. Finally, the sweet creature came to rest on top of an open cupboard door, which had the bad habit of not staying closed lately. There, it teetered, quite content for now.
“It’s just a little symbol of peace,” announced Miss Callie, as she rose and stepped toward it. Holding out her right hand, she tried to coax it down from the door. Surprisingly, the little winged guest came to rest in her hand. “Well, hello there, pretty little one.” She spoke very quietly. “Perhaps you are someone’s pet, honey.” It cocked its head, as if listening, while a delighted cook and nanny stayed very still, not wanting to scare that precious little bird.
“Well, look at that. It likes you, as we all do. You have a way with animals. Where’s Miss Mariah, for she would love to see this,” Rachael asked and informed at the same time, glancing outside.
“She and Crane are four-leaf clover hunting right now for good luck,” was the whispered reply from the kitchen queen.
“Oh.” Rachael’s voice took on an air of amazement. “My sisters and I used to do that same thing.” Before the nanny could go for her friends, the gentle, little white bird lifted, circled once, and flew into a tree outdoors. The two women gazed at each other, tears of joy forming in their eyes. “We have shared a very special moment with nature, which I am grateful for and I won’t soon forget. It was a small miracle, of sorts,” Rachael declared, excitement in her voice. She now glanced lovingly at her kitten sleeping on an empty flour sack near the pickle crock. “I’m glad she didn’t see the dove. This was just a continuation of the surprises and mysteries here at Magnolia Gardens.”
“Yes.” Miss Callie spoke slowly, as if knowing of some surprises and mysteries herself. “Thank goodness for trees.” She changed the subject and wiped her eyes with her apron. Rachael used her sleeves.
“Please, help me. We must put bread crumbs and apple slices into the Kitchen Garden for our bird guests,” suggested the cook.
Rachael agreed, while delighting in this peaceful afternoon they had shared. “Should I go get Crane and Miss Mariah?”
The cook simply placed her finger to her lips, while shaking her head ‘no,’ and smiling. “They need to be alone.”
Her comment and wisdom served to remind Rachael to tell her new friend about home and family, especially Viola. “My sister just broke her engagement,” she revealed with a sigh, wishing to share the news with the cook. “I know she is brokenhearted about it. I wish I could be there to make her laugh.”
“Oh, honey, you should write to her soon and often.”
“Yes, I know. I shall do that today, for I have a pressed wildflower from my trip to send her.”
“Tell her that the heart has an open door. Invite her here. We can spoil her and turn that sadness around for sure,” Miss Callie advised, patting Rachael’s hand, as they now sat upon the garden bench.
“That’s a good idea. Thank you for suggesting it. Actually, I would have to approve it with the doctor first, although, he did mention it before his departure. Yet, I’m not sure she’s ready to travel, for my cousin says she is pretty quiet right now and keeping very busy at home and to herself, except for church and the quilting circle, that is.”
“Oh, I’m sure the doctor would agree to it. He’s a very generous man, Miss Hathaway. By the way, would you like to join us for quilting?”
“It’s Rachael, and yes, he is, and yes, I would love to join you for quilting,” she replied, a new excitement welling within her. Her thoughts now drifted to those unexpected gifts Dr. Davis had given to her since her arrival. “I wish I could think of a gift for him, since he has already presented me with several nice things.”
“Oh, dear Rachael, you already are a gift to him, and all of us, for you’ll be helping with his adorable daughter soon. Still, I imagine there are a few things you could give him ~ a book, hat, or pretty rock to use as a desk paperweight. He also could probably use a new ledger or journal.”
“Thank you. I’ll have to ponder those suggestions for awhile,” Rachael informed her, and she did. Later, while walking along the roadside for exercise, she smiled and repeated the name John had told her was Town Road many years ago, Mousefield Road. Spotting some quail in Deep Meadow, she decided to go for a closer look along Quail Egg Run. Raising her skirt anklebone high, she stepped carefully into the path with its tall, swaying grasses alongside, some drooping into the trail. Birds flew in all directions, dotting the sky with their lively silhouettes. Suddenly, there it was in Blackberry Prairie Meadow, a gift for John.
When she returned from her walk, another surprise would mystify her and Miss Callie. There really shouldn’t have been anyone nearby, yet, Rachael thought she heard voices. She knew it wasn’t Miss Mariah or Crane. They were doing an errand for her, moving the gift rock. Rachael wanted it added to compliment the White Garden. Dreamily, she noted that Miss Mariah and Crane Emerson seemed perfect together, and she secretly wished that Dr. John Davis would rename that garden, upon his return, ‘White Wedding Way.’ Perhaps a young couple would marry there, someday, perhaps, Crane and Mariah.
Jarring her thoughts, were male voices, yet she saw no one. Maybe the travelers had returned. If they had, they could share her perfected tea cakes with tea on the veranda. Then, later, she and John could stroll to the rock gift in his garden, a much larger one than her planned paperweight gift. Remembering an earlier discussion she’d had with this new group of friends, she wondered if she should speak to him of it, knowing good and well that it would probably go against Dr. Davis’ grain if he learned of it. They had been speaking of planting a wider variety of crops for more income and to also help the needy this year. Everyone seemed to like her idea, though she had sworn them to secrecy. Although Rachael was in charge here during his absence, John might not take kindly to the fact that she had discussed future income possibilities with his staff.
Those monetary concerns continued to haunt her. A great deal of money had gone for expenses in John’s absence, because something he had ordered had come into the market sooner than he expected. Funds were dwindling. She hadn’t said so in so many words to the others. Yet, she and Miss Callie did continue their discussion about finances and ways of increasing income, while they were doing kitchen duties. Rachael asked for the cook’s wisdom and honest opinion, stating, “I believe we could use more money for the fundraiser and to buy seed for crops, Miss Callie.”
“I think we should just let well enough alone, and the good doctor will handle everything when he returns home, dear. Don’t worry your pretty little head about a thing, please,” the cook advised. “Just rest and get healed.”
Her opinion counted, but took Rachael by surprise, disappointing her, since she’d hoped for a more distinct answer and some direction. With his horses missing, things might get worse when the doctor learned of that fact, and the steeds probably would not be a part of a fundraising race event this year. Rachael knew that Miss Callie just did not understand how dire the need and situation was.
Within moments, laughter and calling crows were heard. As they gazed toward the road, Rachael declared, “Crows are flocking. Someone is feeding the birds over there. I think I’ll investigate.”
But the cook cautioned her. “You don’t have to go anywhere, Miss Rachael. Please, just stay here with me, for I told Dr. Davis I’d take very good care of you while he was away. Now, help me do just that and stay here with me, will you?”
“I’ll just go over to that rise,” Rachael informed her, pointing. “I’ll be fine. I’m not afraid.”
“I know you’re not.”
“I’ll return sh
ortly.”
“At least take a rolling pin with you. I’m going to the kitchen for one right now, and Crane, too.”
“He’s in the garden with Miss Mariah. But, I don’t need him.” She stood on tiptoes trying to see. Almost immediately, Miss Callie returned with the worn, wooden weapon in hand. The two laughed as she handed it to Rachael.
“There they are,” the nanny whispered to her friend. “I’m going over there.”
“Who’s there? That is the doctor’s property, so I’m going over with you. Let me go get the broom first, before we go. Then, we’ll each have a weapon.”
“Okay.” But, Rachael changed her mind. “No. Please just stay and tend to dinner. I’ll be right back. But, if I scream, send Crane, if you find him.” Turning, she hurried out to the road and over to Deep Meadow, across the road from the Magnolia Gardens Kitchen Garden.
Abruptly, she halted in a grove of oak trees and five foot tall foxgloves, in order to hide and view the following scene: three men in rather ragged clothing were sitting and occasionally tossing pieces of bread into the air. They laughed, as birds tried to capture the food bits in flight. Their backs were to her, so she knew she hadn’t been seen. Instead, they were busy watching the crows arrive for food and also the flying geese circling slowly over the wetland vale below, their voices calling, too.
“Look! There are hundreds of geese,” one of the men said, pointing low on the horizon. “I’m not sure how many miles it is to get back home.”
“Well, it sure took us a long while to come this far,” another one informed. “Look! They’re landing, and if you keep throwing bread crusts, you’ll have as many crows here as there are geese there.”
“Sorry, I’m out of bread. The show’s over. I predict we’ll be home in seven days, and I could eat one of those geese roasted right now,” a third man explained, sighing. “There should be a ‘Homecoming Holiday,’ with roast goose or turkey, don’t you think?”
Sanctuary Page 11