Sanctuary

by Alene Adele Roy

With challenges and duties,

  From sunrise to setting sun.

  But home is on my mind now,

  And love from everyone.

  This new life I will cherish,

  For it has just begun.

  Thus, with your very kindness,

  You’ve shown brotherly love.

  You’ve extended that olive branch,

  Just like a sweet-bird, dove,

  To give this one some hopeful peace,

  Like mercy from above,

  And needed friendship along the way,

  Like a cold hand needs a glove.

  So, camping in the lowlands

  Has turned out mighty fine.

  It held a sure surprise here,

  Amongst oak trees and pine.

  Just like my bright lantern light,

  You made my whole world shine,

  And I think I’ll make it home now,

  Since our lives intertwined like a vine.

  Chapter Nine

  Music has its place in times of healing. So, when their song was given to her after their rousing rendition of it, Rachael gladly clutched the wrinkled piece of paper containing it, in both hands, holding it close to her heart. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She called once for each of them, as she turned to dash back to the kitchen, very thankful for this experience, binding her forever to those men of promise, so far from their homes, just like she was. In fact, their song shared her sentiments exactly about feeling that lives were intertwined, plus, they’d given her an idea. She could hardly wait to write her own surprise ~ a song for Lily.

  The air cooled her cheeks considerably, where happy tears had run, unexpectedly, joyful tears for the respect they had shown. Rachael suddenly shivered in a sudden brisk breeze, while remembering how the young men had explained about writing their thank you song several times. After beginning it, they gave up twice, crumpling the paper each time, throwing it onto the ground or into the weeds or wind.

  “It’s a wonder it didn’t blow away,” mentioned Jay, explaining how he had retrieved it the first time. But the second time it was Jason who found it amongst wildflowers and tall grasses and brought it back for the group to work on once again, because he thought it had merit. It needed to get written. Finally, together they had finished the work, in order to harmonize on it several times before presenting those lyrics to their surprised hostess.

  Entering through the Kitchen Garden Path, Rachael was followed by Dr. John and Crane. Glancing back at them, she gathered that they were quite upset by something. So, she turned to face them. “What’s wrong?”

  “Please meet us in the library, Rachael. I’m about to fetch Monty from the garden, to join us for a meeting,” John announced, looking ashen and worried, as he turned to go search for his friend.

  It scared Rachael. “I will,” was all she could manage to say, because when she looked upon his face she saw an unknown emotion there. Was it anger, fear, dread, or a combination, she wondered? Was it Lily? Soon she would have the answers. She took a chair near the blazing fireplace, which Crane had just lit for them in the library, to chase a weather chill. But Rachael was uncomfortable when Dr. Davis and the others entered and he began to pace the floor. She’d never seen him do that before, so she shot a puzzled look at Monty. All he did was put his finger to his lips and then to his ear to indicate silence and to just listen. Rachael nodded that she would.

  Finally, John spoke. “Two of our horses are missing. They are Magnolia Gardens’ finest race horses. Chocolate won the Magnolia Gardens Open last season, although I wasn’t here. That horse is Lily’s favorite. I can not even imagine what has happened to them or us being without them. I don’t believe any of our fences are down.”

  Rachael hung her head. So, this was it, the very news which she, his cousin, and Crane had been trying to keep from him. She didn’t really know what to say, yet she already knew about his loss.

  “John, I’m sorry. I loved those horses, too.” Monty sympathized, and it calmed emotions within the room. “I enjoyed them when we were here on military leave,” he then explained to Rachael.

  “I think I’ll ride for the sheriff. It had to be those three soldier boys,” the host doctor accused.

  This brought Rachael to her feet with a start, for she knew otherwise, and she had to defend them. “Indeed, it was not them, doctor! They’re not thieves. I was just with them. I took lunches to them, and there were no horses there, I can assure you. They are on foot and as honest as can be. Here’s a ‘Thank you’ song they wrote to us, which actually belongs to you, John, or rather Dr. Davis, as their host, and your staff. Those three are very grateful for the food given to them. It may have saved their lives. They said so in their song,” she explained, passionately. Digging into her skirt pocket for the paper, she hurried to give it to her employer.

  He shook his head. “Not now, Rachael. But, don’t you think it’s quite strange that there were three strangers on foot and there are horses missing?” he asked. “I’m going to have to call off the race, and the sheriff must be notified. We don’t want any other neighbors to lose their horses.” Drained, he slumped into an armchair.

  She couldn’t understand how this could have happened and no one knew of it. “No one heard or saw anything?” she questioned. Right now, she didn’t know how to help, either. She wanted to go to John and put her arms around him. Yet, she didn’t dare in front of everyone. So, she kept silent for now, as the lieutenant had silently suggested. In her mind she studied those three faces in Deep Meadow, and knew in her heart that they were not the guilty ones. How could she possibly convince John Davis and the others of their innocence before the sheriff went after them, she wondered?

  “Won’t that take a big bite out of the Magnolia Gardens’ income for the year?” Monty Graham, standing next to John to give moral support, as well as medical support, boldly asked, because he could. He was that good of a friend. Rachael knew that John had confided in him often and relied on his worthy opinions, for she had seen this, them quietly pondering some matter more than once. They were like brothers, very much alike.

  “It will, indeed, not to mention our charity donation,” John replied, glancing at Rachael for her reaction.

  She, of course, wasn’t quite sure how to react, other than with a note of sadness, since obviously some beautiful animals were gone. She also knew full well that the finances were already dwindling, after keeping track of them in John’s absence. Instantly, she had a thought, a plan which could be helpful. It was one way to improve the financial situation immediately, and worth mentioning to him, she thought.

  “You may cut my salary, sir,” she offered nervously, while thinking it was the perfect solution.

  “I will do no such thing. In fact, if I remember correctly, I’ve raised your salary, Miss Hathaway, for your inconvenience of having to wait for Lily’s return,” he said, with a nod of his head for emphasis.

  This was the first time that she’d heard this bit of news, but she welcomed it, even though she knew there was more to it. At least the others would not wonder why she was receiving more money, if any of them even would. She noted that a smile was returning to John’s now flushed face, as he refused to take his gaze from her.

  “I do remember, sir.” She remembered only too well what he had ordered. She was not to go home yet because he would hold her to their contract of one year’s service as a nanny. He kept smiling at her in a disarming way. She wondered why. “May I go now, Dr. Davis? I have some botanical work to do,” she explained, since his gaze was still upon her and this time it made her feel uneasy. At this point, Rachael was going to fall back on her original plan and create more stationery to help the financial issue. Anxious to get started, she rose, since Lily was already being tended to by other members of his staff.

  “No, please stay, Miss Hathaway. I’d like for you to take charge
of Lily. Miss Callie has her.” The physician reached for a bell and rang it for Crane to appear. “Will you please summon Miss Callie and Miss Mariah? They need to know, too. I’d like to be the one to tell them. They’ve even ridden them.” He glanced at Rachael, as if informing her of this, wishing for her to know everything.

  “Of course, doctor,” Crane replied, before he left the room. Rachael sat back down.

  John now revealed that the butler already knew, since they’d been at the stables together just now when they discovered the untimely fact. At that time, John had sworn Crane to secrecy about the matter until the proper time to inform the others.

  Rachael stayed, yet, she knew differently. She’d overheard the excited conversation when it was first discovered that they were missing. Still, she would never divulge that information, since it was one of Magnolia Gardens’ secrets. She would protect those who knew and tried to keep John from the shock of it.

  “I glanced at the fields. Yet, they really need to be scoured to make sure the horses aren’t there somewhere feeding, before I send for Sheriff Joe. I would have taken one of the other horses out for a more thorough search, but my leg has begun to pain me again, I’m afraid I must admit.” John’s mind now drifted to the pleasant foot massage given to him last evening, which had certainly helped the circulation and pain. But a sore still remained to haunt him. “This morning the fever is gone, though. That’s a good sign, don’t you think?” he asked his closest confidants, Monty Graham and Rachael Hathaway.

  Both quietly agreed and answered, “Yes,” in compassion and love for their friend.

  Then, his thoughts turned to his faithful help. “My household staff always helps plan and cook for the race fundraiser. They’re a large part of it, so they should be advised of this new development immediately.”

  This made Rachael admire John Davis and his staff even more. Her heart positively ached for them and their loss of animals. Furthermore, she felt that to forfeit a tradition such as the race so unexpectedly, had to be a great disappointment to them all. She knew it would also soon be a huge disappointment to the entire community, as well, and a loss to the Davis coffers. Who could have done this?

  “We shall still open the gardens for a tour, anyway. People seem to enjoy that, and I do, too,” the physician explained. “I believe I’m a gardener at heart. Besides, it gets our gardens in shape, forces me to pull a few weeds, plant a few more flowers, and perhaps add a focal point,” he laughed, trying to stay optimistic.

  When the staff appeared, John had them sit near Rachael. He picked up Lily and held her. A smile returned to his face and he kissed her on the cheek. Next, he signaled for Crane and Monty to take chairs near the fire. Then, he placed Lily into Rachael’s arms. This time, to their surprise, the child didn’t resist. Rachael smiled. John beamed at his young daughter with her new nanny, and the help was pleased, too. Turning to Miss Callie and Miss Mariah, he began. “I’m sorry to say that Chocolate and Butterscotch are missing. I’m calling off this season’s fundraising race and sending for the sheriff,” he sadly informed them. Then he put one hand to his mouth to silence a huge sigh, although he was sincerely trying not to be too affected by this new development. He had to keep his composure, yet missed his animals.

  Miss Callie immediately cried, “What can we do, John?”

  Miss Mariah’s hand shot to her mouth to suppress a small sob. “I can’t believe this. I love them.”

  “We all love them,” Crane mentioned, quietly, speaking for the entire Magnolia Gardens staff.

  Rachael closed her eyes, trying to block out this scene, sorry for what this family was enduring. It tugged at her heart. However, she now focused on baby Lily in her arms, trusting, staring up at her. The new nanny smiled, and rocked Lily ever so slightly. The little toddler liked it, and rocked some, too, as if helping her. A delighted Rachael hugged her. Reaching for a book she’d placed on the coffee table, she now pointed to pictures on its pages.

  “We treasured those animals, too. You know that, Dr. John.” Miss Callie was very sympathetic.

  “John, I think we should check the fields better before calling the sheriff,” Monty recommended.

  “I could go fetch the sheriff, though, any time,” Crane offered, eager to help in any way possible.

  “Well, I think we’ll wait until morning. You may be right, Monty. I think I’ll send for Cousin Emery. I’m sure he’ll help us look. Right now I want to see if those three scoundrels are still here. This meeting is over. Thank you, everyone, for your support.” He turned to go toward the back door.

  But Rachael stopped him with her words of information. “They’re gone, sir. The three said ‘goodbye’ earlier. I saw them go, not on horses, though,” the nanny explained, as Lily studied her face, dropping the book to the floor. Leaning, the baby pointed to it, and Rachael quickly retrieved the volume.

  “Emery and Buddy would probably both come to search, John. Crane or I can go for them,” Monty told his friend.

  John nodded approval at his idea.

  “I’m going to send for Charles Earl, as well,” Monty added.

  John liked the idea. “Very well,” he agreed. “But I am going to search the close fields now and Grandfather’s place.” He was determined and they knew it, although he was in pain. Crane went for Emery and Buddy. Monty went to search with John, before going to send a telegram to Charles at Fernhaven. Even Miss Mariah asked to join the search. John agreed. So, Miss Callie, Rachael, and Lily went into the kitchen to prepare some extra food to serve when the searchers returned.

  Minutes later, it was Miss Callie who first saw it. Yet, nearly at the same time, Miss Mariah entered through the kitchen door to announce, “It’s snowing!”

  The women danced with glee, with Lily in Rachael’s arms. An unexpected spring snowstorm had settled over the region and huge, soft snowflakes were swirling. Heads turned as Crane stomped his feet beside the mat outside the door and entered to announce that he had just dropped off Cousin Emery at the barn to meet with Dr. Davis and Lieutenant Graham. “Dr. Buddy Callahan didn’t answer his door, however. So, upon my return, I was instructed not to search, but to light the rest of the fireplaces, since the men are coming in soon. I’m going straight to that task now.”

  Rachael announced that she would make Vanilla Tea Cakes, if someone would watch the baby. Immediately, Miss Mariah volunteered, taking Lily to her room to put a sweater on the child. When the tired, shivering men returned to the house, Miss Callie gave them hot chocolate to tide them over until the tea cakes were baked and the hot meal was ready to be served. As snowdrifts began to pile high, excitement mounted. The scene was one of beauty and treachery, somewhat worrisome, adding immensely to everyone’s great concern for the horses’ safety and their shelter in the evening hours to come.

  Shortly, the group enjoyed food, fellowship, and Rachael’s teacakes in the dining room. This meal took the edge off of the bad news, even though everyone knew the snow would probably hinder the search. As fruit and teacakes were served for dessert, John complimented them, just before he announced that he was going to make a rush trip into the village. His cousin and Monty said they wanted to go, too, even though the women highly protested this plan for safety sake.

  “Under the circumstances, is it a good idea?” Miss Callie asked, with concern in her voice.

  “We’ll be fine,” Cousin Emery announced, trying to ease the worried minds. “We’ll return soon.”

  “We’ll be back before dark,” John assured them. His gaze and smile were for Rachael.

  “I’ll take good care of them and we’ll return before another inch can fall,” Lieutenant Graham joked. While the men laughed, the women were still skeptical about the danger in John’s unexpected idea.

  But Cousin Emery countered. “Well, perhaps not that soon, Monty. It’s snowing at a brisk pace out there right now and it shows no signs of letting up. But we
can learn more about this storm at the telegraph office in town.”

  “Right,” John agreed.

  Worried eyes glanced out the window at the snowfall. There was no stopping the three, though.

  “It is beautiful,” Rachael said of this winter scene in spring, as the men grabbed their coats. Then, she had an idea. Rushing to her room, while Miss Mariah watched Lily, she dug into her dark, traveling trunk, and there it was, a fine gift for John, especially at a time like this. Within moments, she met him in the hallway just outside the kitchen, where he’d gone for a drink of water before the journey to the village in the snow. Placing the warm, green, white, and black wool plaid scarf around his neck, she advised John to stay warm and hurry back.

  “I will, Rachael. Don’t worry, and thank you very much for this,” was his reply as he tied a knot in the scarf. He placed his hands under her elbows for a moment; then he hugged and kissed her. Turning, he hurried down the hall to join the others waiting at the front door. The men gave a wave as they departed, and the staff and Lily waved back, with a giggling baby squirming to go, too.

  Sometime later, Rachael was sipping warm tea in John’s library, watching the snow fall and baby Lily napping under a quilt next to her. She didn’t hear her employer enter. Instead, she simply felt the warmth when he wrapped the fur coat around her. She inhaled in surprise. “What is this?”

  He sat down beside her, looking exhilarated. “It’s something to keep you warm during this springtime snowstorm.”

  “Thank you.” She was nearly speechless, yet she knew he couldn’t really afford it. “Is this the reason you went to town? It can’t be.”

  “I got one for all of you ladies. Cousin Emery bought one for Miss Amber Worthington, I might add, Rachael.”

  “He did?” She was thrilled with the news and for Amber, but dismayed for his drastically dwindling finances. “Is he going to court her, John?”

  “He is, Rachael, and I’m going to court you. But this coat has no strings attached, I assure you,” he informed her, sweetly. Gazing into her eyes, he waited for her reaction, hoping for the best, or at the very least, a sign from her.