Sanctuary

by Alene Adele Roy

  “Well, we didn’t want you to know yet, but Cousin Emery and I are going to take John out on the Snagpuller North in the morning,” Buddy offered by way of an explanation, while trying to stifle his laughter.

  “Oh, good,” Rachael replied, laughing, playing along with his ridiculous plan. “Bring some fish back for dinner, too, please.”

  “Try not to worry, and thanks for your concern,” Buddy joked. “We’ll have him home in time for dinner.”

  Aggie came to give her a gentle, rocking hug. “Don’t pay any attention to those trying travelers, honey. They’ll be fine, someday, and he’s not really going with them.” Everyone had a good laugh at her comments. “It’s just that the Snagpuller North is such an intriguing magnet to some of them. It does do a good work for us, though.”

  “I’ll not go. I’m a land lover. I shall stay right here with John, if you don’t mind,” Monty confirmed.

  “You must stay, Lieutenant Graham. You’re on duty as the head doctor. But don’t tell Dr. Buddy Callahan or Doc Evans,” Aggie teased, with the warmest of smiles for Buddy.

  “Don’t tell John Davis that, either, for, I shall return to take my turn as doc, in, oh say, a fortnight,” Buddy teased.

  Hearing the laughter, Rachael’s sisters joined the fun, along with his Davis grandparents.

  “I have it on good authority that there is thrilling news at Magnolia Gardens this afternoon,” Rachael announced, catching everyone’s attention. “Miss Mariah has a new engagement ring from Crane and the wedding is to be in two weeks.” She took her contented, purring cat from Phoebe, and placed it upon John’s bed to cheer him. “Here’s Hope.”

  He smiled and began petting her. Hope quickly curled into a ball beside him.

  Hattie now presented John with his own bouquet to brighten the room and his spirits. Next, the guests departed to give him and Rachael some time together. As the door closed, Rachael excitedly produced his mother’s note from her pocket, waved it happily, and began to read. “’We brought Butterscotch and Chocolate over to Sunset Place for Lily to ride. Love, Mother.’ That’s a mother’s love, isn’t it, John?” she affirmed, touched by the written words. “I found it just today in your library, under a curtain.”

  John was downcast, though, as his intended settled on the bed beside him and began to pet Hope. “Rachael, I won’t be able to attend that wedding or walk Miss Mariah down the aisle. You know that.”

  “Give yourself some time, John. In a few days you’ll …”

  But he cut her conversation short. “I have something for you, too, my bride-to-be.” His words were ones of endearment, but, his facial features showed distress, physical and mental.

  In order to further cheer him, she spoke right up, knowing that she was interrupting his thoughts. “I have something else for you, too, John,” she exclaimed. “I almost forgot.” Pulling his favorite red field glasses from her other pocket, she handed them to him. “You can watch birds in the willows. Your grandmother showed us Yellow Warblers in her garden today. You may catch a glimpse of some. What is your favorite bird?”

  “I love them all, Rachael. So does my family. Thank you for bringing my field glasses to me. Perhaps, I’ll see a fossil, as well, but you’ll have to fetch it for me,” he laughed feebly.

  “I’ll gladly do that.”

  “By the way, Antonio Bradshaw came to visit again today and asked Viola to stroll in The Indigo. They also went into the village together to bring back some fruit. Seeing him reminded me of the package he gave me at the cotillion. It’s for you, Rachael. Please get it from the table.”

  “What? It’s not for me, John. It’s for you.”

  “Yes, and I am giving it to you. Please, take the stipend and spend it as you wish.”

  “I can’t do that. I did bring a book to read to you, though.” She tried to change the subject.

  “Rachael Hathaway, buy something for our wedding or drill a well. Those are our dreams now.”

  “What about the museum and paying off Magnolia Gardens?” She didn’t have the heart to tell him about the meager finances at this time. “We’ll lock it in your desk until you are well,” she suggested.

  “No. I want your dreams to come true,” he told her. “Please drill your well.”

  “My dream is coming true. I’m marrying you!” she quipped. “So, plan on getting well soon for the upcoming weddings.”

  “That’s a relief, that we shall marry,” he whispered, and she could tell that he was fatigued and pale, and perhaps, frightened. She kissed him and told him to take a nap. But, later that evening, she would learn just how fatigued he really was when Hope came to suddenly jump upon her bed as she slept. A “Meow” further startled Rachael and her sisters wide awake.

  “What is it, Hope? How did you get here? Oh, was it through the open closet doors? It’s your secret passage now, huh? What’s the matter? Is it John? Does he need me?” Rachael asked, wishing Hope could answer. She gently moved the cat aside and hurried from bed. Grabbing her robe, she rushed to John’s room, only to find him on the floor. He didn’t appear to be breathing, but Rachael didn’t panic. Again and again she shook him. “John! Monty!” She called loud enough to wake the entire second floor occupants, while still shaking him. “Breathe, John, breathe! What’s wrong?”

  Monty and her sisters entered, shaken.

  “I don’t think he’s breathing! What’s wrong with him?” Love and concern were evident in her voice.

  To their surprise, he took a ragged breath, just as Monty knelt to take his pulse. “He’s breathing now, thanks to you, Rachael. Please go back to bed. We’ll tend to him,” the lieutenant told the Hathaways, as Crane appeared to help lift John into bed.

  “No, I’m staying here.” Rachael insisted, adamant about caring for him throughout this night. So, she did. Monty did, as well, for John had a raging fever and wheezing, despite being propped onto pillows as Chief Morning Star had suggested.

  After he was settled and breathing well on his own, Monty went to speak with Phoebe and Viola while Crane and Rachael watched John. “I believe he has pneumonia. I should have seen it coming and stayed in his room tonight with him. Well, I will, and Rachael’s staying, too.”

  “No. You can’t blame yourself, Monty. Hopefully, things will be better in the morning,” Phoebe asserted, almost in tears, trying to reassure the lieutenant that he was not to blame for John’s collapse. “Do you want me to come?”

  “No, thank you. Go back to bed, please, Phoebe. I’ll see you in the morning.” With that said, Monty went back to John’s room to keep watch from an overstuffed chair.

  “I’m fine, Rachael,” John remarked within a few moments, in a rather weak voice, gently stroking her long, flowing hair.

  “I won’t keep you awake. You need rest. Isn’t that what you said to me once? Yet, I shall be right here with you, if you need me, John.”

  “I love you, Rachael,” was his response, just before he fell asleep.

  In the wee hours, she awoke on John’s bed, covered by a quilt Monty had placed over her during the vigil. She heard John’s steady breathing and thought he was better. He meant the world to her. He was her hope, her future, her love. She kissed his forehead ever so lightly, and the gesture gave her reassurance, for his fever was lower.

  At breakfast, the conversation was about the upcoming nuptials and Father’s Day. Rachael was quiet, since John had wanted to walk Miss Mariah down the aisle and couldn’t, plus, host a Father’s Day dinner, and now he couldn’t do that either. Last night’s trauma had changed all of that. Rachael knew he was too weak now to even leave his bed. Right then and there she decided not to attend Miss Mariah’s wedding without him, that is, until Emma and Aggie came to call. They both insisted that she get away for awhile, and took her and her sisters to lunch, then to the church for a wedding planning session. Miss Callie and Miss Mariah met them there.
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  “How’s he doing, honey?” Miss Callie asked, concern etched on her sweet face. But that quickly turned to her warm smile after they hugged. “We’ll be doing Miss Mariah some wedding favors today.”

  “He fell out of bed last night trying to get some water, and had difficulty breathing for awhile.”

  “Well, he’s strong. We’re all praying for him. Don’t wear yourself out, Miss Rachael,” the cook cautioned.

  Pastor Hoover now joined them for a minute to show something special to Rachael. He’d whittled two lovely, wooden replicas of John’s Chocolate and Butterscotch. “I’m taking them to him for Father’s Day, since he can’t visit his horses each day. This will have to do until he’s back home. But you could still have a Father’s Day gathering, no matter where John is. It would be wise to do so, I believe, Rachael. Perhaps you could just have a small, quiet get together to cheer him. I believe he needs his favorite people around him that day, especially Lily, for a little while, at least.”

  “How lovely these are, and so much work went into them. I can tell,” was Rachael’s sincere compliment, as he handed her the carvings for inspection. “He will treasure these, Pastor Albert, and they shall give him hope for a brighter day when he can be with his horses once again. I think he’ll eventually place them upon his desk. I’ll suggest to Hattie about the Father’s Day dinner, too.”

  “Good. Thank you. I sincerely plan to give him hope, Rachael, and I don’t mean your lovely cat,” he laughed.

  “Oh, Pastor and Emma, could you please sit with me for a moment? I have a question to ask of you.” When they were settled away from the others, Rachael asked what they thought she should do with the money Mr. Bradshaw gave John at the cotillion. “John gave it to me and said ‘drill a well.’ That has been a longtime dream of mine, now ours. I want to bring water where it’s needed, yet I don’t even know where that would be,” she confided. “Furthermore, we may be getting into a financial situation of some concern. Therefore, I’m not entirely in agreement with him on this, and I’m not sure what do.”

  “I think you should make your best choice, Rachael. It’s really your decision,” Pastor Hoover advised.

  However, she wasn’t quite satisfied with his answer. So, she turned to her good friend, his wife.

  “Emma, what do you think? In this case I’d like several opinions,” the nanny confided. “No offense is meant, Pastor Hoover.”

  “Oh, I completely understand, Miss Hathaway,” the reverend replied. “It’s a huge decision to make.”

  “Rachael,” Emma began, taking her hand. “I think you should drill wells. You said that’s your dream. Your future husband, your love, has suggested that you do so, and the money has been miraculously provided for you. Throw caution to the wind, dear, and drill wells,” Emma advised, laughing a sweet, musical laugh.

  Magically, she had transformed any doubts Rachael might have had about the matter into certainty. She would drill wells. “Thank you. Thank you.” Rachael was overcome with joy and gratitude for the first time since John’s setback. A wave of relief swept over her and she was content with her decision.

  “Now, girls, here’s the ribbon we need to cut and tie into bows for the end of the pews,” Aggie announced, and a merry time began. All thoughts of war, illness, and hard times were banished by the pleasant task they now involved themselves in, and by the laughter and lightheartedness which poured forth that summer afternoon, in preparation for their dear friend’s wedding. This was a special time for new hopes, plans, dreams, love, families, rebuilding, restoration, celebration, and new beginnings.

  “A new future for brides and grooms, and everyone, really, is in the making,” Rachael asserted.

  Days later, at the little white church on Dogwood Lane, assembled guests stood as The Wedding Song began. Miss Mariah, a vision of loveliness and charm, came down the aisle on the arm of her longtime friend, Crane Emerson, her groom, since Dr. John Davis could not escort her. She had changed her mind about being married at Magnolia Gardens, in lieu of a church wedding, declaring, “I do not want my friends to endure that hot sunshine.”

  “This is her special day,” Rachael reminded herself, which changed her mind about attending the wedding, since she had been asked to be maid-of-honor, and her sisters were both to be bridesmaids. She simply could not turn down this opportunity for a little joy in their lives, and watching her new friends, Mariah and Crane, wed. Briefly, this bliss would remove her from the strain, stress, and worry over John’s condition. They wore the lovely, colorful, dresses given by their new friends at Cinco de Mayo. All of them had a wonderful time. Rachael felt free to circulate and visit with people, updating some about John, and giving others information about her floral papers and where to obtain them. She also watched as astonished well-wishers received the bride and groom’s gift of flower seeds for their gardens, presented in the small sacks. At cake-cutting time, and as that lovely confection created by Miss Callie was being served, Rachael’s new inner circle of friends surrounded her, keeping her merry, and informing her of news. Furthermore, they invited her to go cherry picking with them and explore The Ancient Orchard.

  She was spellbound by the very thought of it, since it reminded her of summers at Bower Farm and the surrounding area. In a few days, when a group gathered for the gleaning of the cherries, except for John and his family, Rachael was amongst them. She was downhearted, though, without her future fiancé; yet not for long, since not only did her new friends and neighbors arrive, so did the entire Community Church choir. Her sisters had obligingly stayed at Black Woods Castle with her to give moral support during John’s crisis, and they were here with her today, as well. She could hardly feel lonely.

  At first, Dr. Buddy Callahan was abuzz about his experiences on the Snagpuller North, and, of course, whispered and laughed with his new friend, Aggie, which delighted everyone in attendance. Intriguingly, he also spoke of the giant, blue catfish in Blue Slough, which were curious about what the crew was undertaking. “We learned that those catfish eat fish, frogs, and crayfish. There were some fishermen out there along the slough banks diligently fishing for them, and we even saw a huge one caught this week, didn’t we Emery?”

  “Yes. I can’t wait to go back. Unfortunately, I have some planting to do first: lettuce, potatoes, peas, corn, and beans,” he informed the group of friends. “I’m also weeding Emerys’ Corn Maze, too, so you can all come over and get lost in it before harvest,” he laughed. People loved his idea. It generated much interest, conversation, and speculation.

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful and such fun for the children,” Emma Hoover commented.

  “How do you plant a corn maze, Cousin Emery?” Viola wanted to know. Not surprisingly, Mr. Francisco Antonio Bradshaw was at her side today, expertly picking cherries from the trees and ground.

  “Well, when I did it last year, I sketched it out on paper, a paper plan. It worked well, so I did it again this year. In the past, however, I just broadcast the seed and covered it, then culled and transplanted what I didn’t want later where the paths would go. That seemed much harder on my back, time-consuming, and I just didn’t think it worked out very well. Many of those transplants died in the process and I lost the revenue from them, plus it made a more ragged pattern. I do have to consider the sale of the corn for market, too.”

  “Oh, of course, you do,” Viola responded. “I think that would be so much fun to plant, though.”

  “I’ll come over to weed,” Monty informed Emery. Next, Pastor Albert said he would also join them. Soon, many of those in attendance had offered to help weed or water, and Emery was very thrilled by their unexpected response. “Thank you, everyone. That will free me up for more snagpuller work.”

  “I’ll babysit, if anyone needs it,” offered Emma. “That way, I can do it at the church and work on the newspaper at the same time, maybe, with a little help.”

  “You can babysit
me,” her husband laughed.

  “Silly,” she whispered, as a few pickers around them laughed. “Oh, by the way, Rachael, we did get a response from the article we wrote on well-drilling. You won’t believe who is interested in helping drill.”

  “Who could that be?” The young nanny asked, tearing her thoughts from both John Davis and cherries for a few brief moments.

  “Jay, Jason, and Joshua left a note on the door saying they wanted to be a part of it.”

  “They did?” Rachael was thrilled, but not surprised, since the three wanted work. She could hardly wait to share the news with John.

  “You could speak to them at corn maze weeding time. Emery said they offered to help with crops,” Amber told Rachael. “You can just come over to supervise.”

  “That would be perfect! Maybe things will soon work out for a new well, after all.”

  “I think you’ll have your first well drilled before autumn, Rachael,” Emma exclaimed, excitedly.

  “I believe John will be pleased with that plan,” the nanny responded, then popped a large cherry into her mouth to savor in celebration. “Sometimes we have to celebrate the little things.”

  “Now, all you have left to do is plan your lovely wedding, dear. We’ll help you. Will it be at Magnolia Gardens, Black Woods Castle, or the church?” Aggie wanted to know. Then, she quickly turned to Emery. “I’ll be there for weeding, too,” she said with a smile.

  “It will be at the church.” Her friend’s question lifted Rachael’s spirits, and the offer of help astounded her. “I’ll take you up on your offer of help, Aggie, because my pew bows won’t be pink!”

  “What?” The choir director laughed, causing a ripple of laughter throughout the orchard.

  “They won’t be white, either.”

  “What?” Emma responded, laughing. “Now you are intriguing us with your own mystery.”