Sanctuary

by Alene Adele Roy

“I do. Oh, it’s a lovely pearl bracelet. Thank you. It will be just perfect with my wedding gown.”

  He picked up Lily. “I love you both. We found it after a Red Cross meeting. Monty bought one, too.”

  “Oh, he did. I love you, John,” she announced at her door, after he whispered he’d put Lily to bed.

  At Aggie Hoover’s residence, the spaghetti was wonderful and so was the lively conversation. Rachael complimented the sauce, complete with mushrooms, and was thoroughly thrilled that Robert and Robin had been invited to attend. It was there that they all discussed bridesmaid outfits, Emma and Albert’s set time of three o’clock for their invitation following, and the upcoming Mayor’s Ball at Sunset Place, since everyone had received their invitations to it this week.

  “It is unfortunate that you’ll have to postpone your dinner for the Mayor’s Ball, Amber. He should have spoken to you about that date first, shouldn’t he?” teased Pastor Albert.

  “You could just cancel it,” John advised her. But she wouldn’t hear of it.

  “I still wish to have it, if everyone’s game for it in a couple of weeks,” she told them. All agreed.

  At the stroganoff feed at the Hoovers, everyone delighted in horseshoes before dinner, including surprise guests, Antonio Bradshaw, Viola, Phoebe, Monty, Robin, and Robert, invited by ‘The-very-good-at-keeping-secrets-Hostess Emma.’

  “Isn’t it interesting that the new mayor has invited artists to bring their work to show at the ball?” Buddy Callahan asked the group, as they were relaxing with a delicious, light-pudding-concoction for dessert.

  “Yes, and I intend to bring one of my garden scenes, since he asked us to do so,” Robin Bradshaw happily announced.

  “I wonder if I should bring my blooming-dogwood painting?” Phoebe wondered aloud.

  “Of course, you must,” the pastor assured her. “We all wish to see it. Oh, and by the way, we are making the ball a potluck to save on expenses, and besides we love the food you all bring.” Everyone laughed in agreement.

  “Don’t you have some art you could bring along, Viola?” Emma asked.

  “Well, I have pastel wildflowers, mountain vistas, and some birds on canvas,” she replied.

  John Davis III now rose to his feet. “Please, everyone, bring one or two pieces of your work to display in Dad’s library. I’ve already spoken to him about this and he has plenty of room for them. They will be a joy to see and greatly add to the evening he’s so looking forward to.” So, the matter was settled.

  The Mayor’s Ball was an unexpected delight, for only a few weeks ago there was no mayor. In welcoming everyone, he gave a very brief speech about wishing the best for the area and a plan for brief monthly meetings for planning. “I welcome suggestions from you all, and invite you to tour our Sunset Gardens this evening, then we will partake of the potluck. I thank you all for bringing your wonderful food and artwork. Please view the art in the library after dinner and meet back here for some music and fun a little later, for we are going to crown a king and a queen.”

  “What?” Phoebe asked in astonishment, delighted by the idea.

  “Ohhhhh” echoed throughout the crowd and excitement was in the air, as the guests ventured outside for the garden tour, under their parasols. The same sentiment was heard when some viewed the artwork on display. Rachael even brought a landscape she’d created using flower petals, ferns, leaves, and seeds, and her sisters had been escorted home to retrieve some of their paintings for display, also.

  Later, when the paper votes were unfolded and counted, shortly thereafter, it was unanimous, as Mayor John Davis II proclaimed, “The king and queen of this year’s Mayor’s Ball are Pastor Albert and Emma Hoover.” Everyone cheered. He and Cloie then bestowed crowns upon the pair, after the announcement was made, to the surprise of the onlookers. “Now, let the music begin!” the new mayor told the happy throng. “Our king and queen, pastor and Emma, shall lead us!”

  Amber Worthington’s fish and chicken dinner the following week was a huge success, and came at an excellent time for viewing her summer alpines. It gave people a chance to relax after much harvesting had been done. It also provided an opportunity for her and Rachael to secretly discuss some wedding details, as if they were actually having a double wedding. The fun and gaiety the group experienced there could not be measured, either, just like the previous events they had all enjoyed together. Crystal played hostess, too, and everyone noticed how Uncle Emery delighted in helping her with even the slightest detail. Readings were another entertainment of the evening, with several guests taking part in them, and others promising to write something to present at the next social.

  Emery Davis hosted his early autumn gathering and an uproarious time was had by everyone in his corn maze. When all of his guests were finally found again and gathered at his entry, their laughter resounded over hill and dale, through Black Woods, and across Blackberry Prairie and Echo Meadow, followed by each guest selecting from his pumpkin patch.

  “Let’s carve a jack-o-lantern to light at our doors this autumn, ladies and gentlemen,” he cheerily invited, and absolutely no one turned down his offer. This set them to work removing seeds and having a grand time with facial feature designs. A winner was finally secretly selected, again by paper vote. It was Aggie Hoover’s unique, reversible pumpkin, with a scary face on one side and a happy one on the other.

  Following the pumpkin carving, Mysterious Fish Tales became another topic at his gathering, as Buddy spoke of a large one which broke his line while he fished from the snagpuller for a dinner catch. “It was one of those rare glimpses of a giant of the slough, a monster fish, which appeared prehistoric,” he related. “I’m going back for him, someday.”

  This prompted John to speak. “Rachael’s big fish find was a fossil. So, one never knows where we might see an ancient artifact. Keep your eyes open, especially you farmers, as you plow,” he advised.

  “You should be the founder of the local archaeology group,” his cousin said with a laugh.

  “No, not me,” John laughed. “I know not enough about it.”

  Eventually, the conversation turned to Monty and Phoebe, who were absent from this gathering.

  “Viola and I have received letters from her,” Rachael told the group. “She is fine and busy helping at home at Bower Farm, most of the time, and she is planning to come and visit me soon.” What Rachael did not report was that she and John had joined Phoebe, Monty, Charles Earl, and Miss Callie for delightful lunches at Fernhaven several times, early in the day so they could travel back home before dark, and Monty could escort Phoebe back home, also. Even Viola, Antonio, Robert, and Robin had been included a few times, making Rachael very happy, indeed, since they were always a very congenial group.

  “Leave them alone, dear Rachael. They’re newly betrothed, you know. They have a lot of plans to discuss. It will all work out well for them in time,” informed Cousin Emery, trying to relieve her and Viola’s minds a little. Yet, they did not need relieved, after all.

  “You’ll surely see them at Thanksgiving, honey.” Emma tried to give assurance.

  “Maybe,” Rachael replied. “We’re going home for the holiday, if weather permits. Yet, they may be at Fernhaven.” She quietly hid her disappointment that they wouldn’t be discussing a double wedding.

  “How is your dear friend, Swan?” Amber wished to know.

  “She is fine. I’ve had letters form her. I miss her. Sheriff Joe Turner has even visited with her and enjoyed her family’s restaurant. I’ll see her at Thanksgiving.”

  “We’ll miss you,” Aggie said sadly. “I wish we could all be together, or you could stay here with us.”

  “We’ll have fun here, my dear. I’ll cook.” Buddy delivered a most exciting surprise promise with a chuckle and a wink, causing everyone to wonder if a romance was in the bud. Antonio gave Viola a warm smile, as if their plans were already set.
Robert drew closer to Robin on the settee, and theirs were, for she had already agreed to accompany him home to celebrate with his family. Finally, the circle of friends said ‘Thank you’ and ‘Goodbye,’ after Buddy reminded them in a spooky voice, “Remember to come for Halloween at Callahan Place on Mousefield Road. Harvest will be over and we can all relax.”

  Harvest time went well and more quickly than anticipated. John’s grapes, pears, and berries were quite fruitful, bringing unexpected profits after the mild Indian summer they were experiencing continued to grace autumn. Jay, Jason, and Joshua made quick work of gathering in the bounty and transporting it to markets throughout Twelve Ponds Territory. John and Crane had worked hard, too. His and Rachael’s spirits were buoyed one evening when revenues were handed to him by the trio of Indian helpers. John knew by the size of the bundle from Jay that the funds would enable him to keep paying his staff. He and Rachael didn’t even take time to count it. Instead, he placed it into his desk and turned to his fiancée. “I’m so grateful for this.” Afterward, they celebrated by playing with Lily beside a cozy fire, enjoying conversation with Miss Callie, Crane, and Mariah, after they finished their evening chores.

  It was then that their head cook told them of visiting with Monty, Phoebe, and Charles Earl at Fernhaven recently. “The young couple seems to be getting along just fine, Miss Rachael, making plans.”

  “How is the other young couple doing, Miss Callie?” John asked, in a warm tone, winking at Rachael.

  “What?” his cook asked, with a questioning glance. “What other couple?”

  “How are you and Charles Earl getting along?” John pushed the issue by being blunt, and she blushed.

  “Why, we are friends. He picked me up for the visit and lunch on my day off, that’s all, and he cooked.”

  “The reason I ask is this.” He waved a note in his hand. “We are all invited to Callahan Place for All Hallows Eve, Miss Callie, Crane, Mariah, and Rachael, darling. It is to be a trek through his corn maze, then a buffet, and a Halloween Ball with The Highland Magic Musicians for music and, of course, Miss Aggie Hoover on her magic, melodious, mandolin. We should all have a fine time. It’s a masquerade.”

  “Oh!” Rachael and Miss Callie both called at the same time, while Mariah smiled at Crane.

  “We must fashion costumes then. I’ve never been to a masquerade ball.” Rachael sighed in alarm.

  “You shall simply wear a beautiful dress, Rachael, and we shall purchase our masks. My parents will have Lily. Oh, by the way, Miss Callie, I have it on good authority that Mr. Charles Earl will be dropping by soon to ask to escort you. Yet, if you prefer, you may travel with us, or we can all travel together to and from.” John studied their varying reactions with a big smile.

  “Thank you, John, for informing me,” his accomplished chef replied, as she burst into happy laughter. Amongst family and friends, she teased, “I won’t have to drive my own horse team that night, then!”

  Weather was mild. The afternoon of the party, colorful, dry, autumn leaves swirled into the air and around their feet as Buddy’s guests traversed the Callahan Corn Maze with ease. Laughter reigned. Befittingly, some barn owls screeched and soared over a nearby field, while others called from their perch atop Buddy’s barn, adding a note of drama to this Halloween evening.

  Viola and Swan had come to visit Rachael just after John’s announcement of the invitation. Consequently, host and hostess, Buddy and Aggie, upon hearing that news, quickly invited Rachael’s houseguests, as well. The very next day, Viola was delighted when Antonio came to call, asking to escort her. He explained that her brother, Robert, and his sister, Robin, would accompany them. She happily accepted. Swan accepted the sheriff’s offer to escort her, and everyone had a great time creating costumes.

  Some unknown, except to host and hostess, masked guests had also arrived at the gathering on October thirty-first. For awhile, they kept everyone wondering, until later, when the guests unmasked just before dinner. The two turned out to be none other than Monty and Phoebe. Everyone was pleased, especially Rachael, Viola, and Swan, almost as delighted as their host was when he heard Aggie play her music. Costumes varied. Creative guests had been magically transformed by costume into princes, pirates, princesses, a witch, a kitty, a farmer, a cowboy, an angel, a large potato, a pastor, a clock, and a tree. Yet, their handsome, single, Sheriff Joe, easily won the first prize for best costume by appropriately becoming a huge sheriff’s star, made of paper, string, and willow branches.

  “Be careful. You may become a kite someday,” teased Cousin Emery.

  “If I do, I know who I’m taking with me,” he replied, leaving a few to wonder, and Swan to blush.

  After dinner, Buddy made a surprise announcement: “Did you know that on October 28th our new President, Andrew Johnson, set aside a later Thanksgiving Day this year, to celebrate our blessings?” Buddy explained, amazing his guests. “It is to be in December, on the first Thursday of the month, the seventh.” This decree caused quite a stir and much discussion about the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration of ‘peace, unity, and harmony’ in America.

  “With some of us becoming travelers during that time, let’s wish for mild weather to continue,” expressed Robin Bradshaw. Many nodded in agreement.

  It did. So, a merry group it was, indeed, who traveled on Thanksgiving Day from Magnolia Gardens, Fernhaven, and Willow Poncho, wherever that was that Antonio and Robin lived, and Robert Hathaway visited often. Viola and Swan had stayed with Rachael, and Phoebe was escorted home by Monty after Buddy’s party. She had given the excuse that they had some holiday planning to do, which they surely did. This gave Rachael, her sister, and friend time to shop for, prepare, and wrap some holiday treasures they would be giving, as well as time for their new friendships with Antonio Bradshaw and Sheriff Turner, and a little wedding planning.

  From Magnolia Gardens, they left early, traveled in several carriages, and by the time they arrived at Bower Farm, roast turkey was just coming from the oven. Each couple had created delicious dishes for this special harvest meal, and a most happy reunion occurred at the Hathaway House, that day in early December, with everyone thankful for their own blessings.

  In addition, the highlight of the holiday came just after the blessing was spoken by Mr. Hathaway, when John rose to offer a grape juice toast. “Thank you to the Hathaway family for your warm hospitality, family and friends for your support while I was healing, and to Rachael for your promise of betrothal. Today, we are officially engaged to be wed.”

  She happily showed her ring, although probably everyone had already seen it. As they enjoyed the holiday feast, they discussed new crops, the railroad, and getting together soon. Afterward, the men excused themselves to go view the new foal in the barn. At last, Rachael made a surprise announcement. “We shall have a double wedding, after all, for Amber and Cousin Emery will jump the broom with us.”

  Those in the kitchen went silent.

  “Since the remainder of our feast is tended to, let’s go to the parlor for awhile. We need to tear some paper strips for our ‘Name The Foal Contest,’ Mrs. Hathaway informed her daughters, Robin, and Swan. “That is wonderful news about Amber and Emery, Rachael. I understand that they have known each other forever.”

  “Yes, they have, Mother, and Amber is the loveliest of women. She does a wonderful job at Apple Valley Ridge, with her charming mother, Crystal. Did you know they have owls there and alpine gardens?”

  “No, I didn’t. I must make Amber and Emery my wedding handkerchiefs with embroidered names in blue upon them, so they may carry them at their wedding, too. Please tell them I am doing so, Rachael dear.”

  “Yes, I will, Mother. But, it’s already December and my engagement was just made formal today. Do you think it is too soon for a Christmas wedding?” Rachael actually was asking the group of her closest family and friends.

  Mother instantly replied, �
�You’ll know.”

  Viola quickly informed her, “It is not too soon.”

  Phoebe agreed. “You love him and you have made many memories together. Now, delight yourself and everyone else, and marry him this season.”

  “Grandmother Rachael, what do you say?”

  “I already told you, my dear. Marry him and return to visit us often.”

  “Aunt Millie, I must know what you think about John, also.”

  “He is a fine man. He came all the way to see you here, and brought you home for Thanksgiving. You have gotten to know one another well by now. Some of us do not need long engagements, Rachael.”

  “Robin, what is your opinion?” Rachael wanted to know, as she turned to her new friend.

  “I agree with your family. I believe you should marry Dr. Davis at Christmastime this year.”

  “Swan, I’m asking you, too?” She smiled warmly at her oldest friend. “What is your opinion?”

  “You must follow your heart, Rachael. I know it tells you that John is the one.”

  When the men returned to Bower Farmhouse, Mr. Hathaway told the ladies, “The afternoon is turning cold. A neighbor stopped by to inform me that a hard freeze is expected in the vicinity tonight. So, with Jack Frost on the way, we put the livestock in the barn. Soon, these gentlemen must venture to their hotel rooms in Bower before dark. We had better enjoy our pie or cookie now, please, darling,” he suggested to his wife. At that point, he produced a bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums from behind his back for her. Walking back to the porch, he retrieved flowers for Grandmother Rachael and Great Aunt Millie. “These beauties would be black by morning, so we picked each of you a bouquet.” Thus, Robert, Antonio, Monty, and John also presented vibrant chrysanthemums to their lady friends or fiancées, and John had one for Swan, too. Their surprising gesture, which thrilled them all, heralded in the holiday season by celebrating with the last colorful remnants of autumn.

  While eating pie or Viola’s cookies for dessert, they each chose a name for the foal. John’s name, ‘Bowery,’ surprisingly won him the prize of a night’s lodging at the Bower Hotel. “It’s a Dutch word which means farm,” he happily told them.