“School,” he replied, looking at Daniel.
“School.” Jonah glared at his brother. Through their letters the past few weeks, he’d become closer to him than ever. While the farm had not been their chief topic of conversation, Jonah thought Daniel would know that he didn’t want Jacob lured to Ohio Wesleyan or any other school. “He’s not going off to school like you did.”
“It’s not like that, Jonah,” Daniel said raising his hands. “Let me explain—”
“Professor Kirby.” They turned to see a young man pushing his way through the crowds.
“Isn’t that one of your students?” Dr. Harris asked.
Out of breath, the young man stopped in front of Daniel. “Sir, it’s your wife. Mrs. O’Neal sent me to come get you.”
Any anger Jonah felt toward his brother vanished as he watched his face whiten. “The baby?”
“She says it’s coming.”
“But it’s too soon,” Daniel said as he took off, his student and Dr. Harris not far behind.
Adele gripped Jonah’s arm, and his chest tightened at the fear he saw in her eyes. “Jonah, I might be able to help. Please take me to Katherine.”
“You’re going to wear a hole in the floor.”
“I don’t care.”
Jonah watched his brother pace the length of the parlor. The pocket doors leading to the library were shut. Anne was in there asleep, curled up on Katherine’s chair, and Dr. Harris had taken Jacob to his home next door. Jonah and Adele had arrived at the same time as the doctor, and he had taken Adele upstairs with him immediately.
That had been several hours ago. Night had fallen, and twice Jonah had restrained Daniel from going to his wife when they had heard her cry out. It had been quiet for almost half an hour now.
Jonah rose from his chair and took his brother’s arm. “Let’s pray.”
Daniel ran a hand through his hair and nodded.
They sat, and Jonah cleared his throat. “Lord, we come before You again to ask that Your hand be with Katherine and the life she is about to bring into this world. Guide the hands of those helping her, and in all things, may Your will be done. Amen.”
“Boys?” They looked up to see a very tired Aunt Mary standing in the doorway.
Daniel practically flew out of his chair. “How is Katherine? The baby?”
Their aunt raised her hands and smiled. “Katherine is tired, but the doctor says she’ll be fine.”
Jonah grinned and gave his brother a slap on the back.
Daniel looked at him with relief. “And the baby?”
Aunt Mary’s smile deepened. “Perfectly healthy.”
“Is it a boy or a girl?” Jonah asked.
Her eyes slid from him to Daniel. “Stay down here. I’ll let you see for yourself.”
As she walked up the stairs, Jonah gave Daniel a bear hug. “Congratulations!”
They stepped into the parlor, and Daniel flopped back down in his chair. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. “Thank You, Lord.”
“Yes. Thank You,” Jonah prayed. He sat down next to him, and Daniel squeezed his arm.
“And thank you for staying with me even though you must be furious with me about Jacob,” he said.
Jonah frowned as he remembered what Jake had said at the fairgrounds about going to school. “I’m not furious, but I do want an explanation.”
“The school Jake wants to go to is the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College.”
“There’s no such place.”
“If things go the way I think they will, there will be. A bill was passed in the Ohio Senate just this past spring to grant its establishment.”
“He wants to go to an agricultural college,” Jonah said slowly. He had to admit the choice made sense for Jacob. Going to such a school would widen his knowledge and make him a better farmer. He was always going on about new gadgets and had even convinced Jonah to consider using mechanical threshers this year along with some of the other farmers around Mill Creek. Jacob said it would save a lot of time and help them get the grain to market sooner.
Daniel interrupted his thoughts. “He’s a farmer at heart, just like his pa and just like you. But like me, he’s also a thinker, and he wants to learn about the newest and best ways to farm.” He paused. “If he goes and does well, the farm would be left in good hands.”
Jonah chewed the edge of his lip, choosing his words carefully. While he and his brother had mended many fences in the past month, Jonah still felt as if Daniel had betrayed their pa. “Pa left that land to me, you, and Toby.”
“I know. But I’m not a farmer, Jonah. Oh, I know the fundamentals, and I hope I did a good job taking care of the farm all those months before you came home. But it’s not in me the way it’s in you.” Daniel looked at his hands. “When we were growing up, I sometimes wished it was. I know Pa loved me, but he never really understood me. He always understood you and Toby.”
Jonah was silent for a moment. It hadn’t occurred to him that Daniel had felt left out. As much as he loved his younger brother, he had always seen him as an annoying smart aleck. He was sorry now he had ever entertained such thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Daniel. “Pa is with the Lord now, and the Bible says when we’re with Him our understanding is complete. He understands you now. And you did a fine job with the farm. I wouldn’t admit it at first, but now I can honestly tell you so. I’m proud of you. For how you ran the farm and for the life you’ve chosen now.”
Daniel gave him a crooked smile. Rising from his seat, he walked over to the bay window and looked out, wiping at his eyes.
“Daniel …” Aunt Mary was coming down the stairs with a tiny bundle in her arms, and to Jonah’s surprise, Adele followed with yet another.
“You have a son and a daughter,” Adele said with tear-filled eyes.
Thunderstruck, Daniel took his son from his aunt’s arms, and his gaze went from him to the baby girl in Adele’s.
Jonah chuckled at seeing his brother speechless for a change.
“Katherine is pleased that you can use both the names you picked,” Mary said.
“What names?” Jonah asked.
Daniel, Adele, and Aunt Mary smiled at each other before his brother answered. “Joseph Tobias and Rebecca Ann.”
Jonah smiled. “Ma and Pa would have loved that.”
“Daniel, the doctor said you can come see Katherine,” Mary said and, taking little Rebecca from Adele, followed her nephew upstairs.
Adele turned to Jonah and wrapped her arms around him. He allowed himself to return the embrace for only a moment before gently pulling away. Wisps of hair hung in her face. She looked worn out, but he had never seen her more beautiful.
He glanced down. “I’m glad Katherine is all right.”
Adele’s brows knit together, and she clasped her hands. “She will be fine, eventually. Dr. Barnes said she will not be able to have any more children.”
Jonah sighed. “Well, at least they have the twins. We should thank the Lord for that.”
“I have.” She paused as she tried to smooth back stray hairs. “Jonah, can you manage out at the farm without me? Katherine is very weak still, and she and Mary will need my help.”
“Of course. Will is always saying he’s not too bad in the kitchen. I’ll see if he can cook for a week or two.”
“Thank you. And do not worry about Anne. She can stay here with me.” Adele laid a hand on his arm and gave him a wistful smile. “I will miss you.”
He froze for a second, wondering what he should say. If she was beginning to have feelings for him, he had no business encouraging her. He gave her a little smile and lightly patted her hand before walking over to the door. “Jake and I will leave in the morning. Dr. Harris took him to his house awhile ago. Told me to come over when I knew anything, no matter what the time. I’ll probably stay over with them.”
He turned away from the small frown on her face and opened the door. “Good night,” he called over his shoulder.
<
br /> Chapter 12
I did not know twins could look so different,” Adele said. She walked a fussy Rebecca over to her mother, who was nearly drowning in the pillows propping her up in bed.
Katherine smiled as she took her daughter. “Or act so different. Just look at him over there.” She nodded at her son, sound asleep in his bassinet near the bay window.
Adele chuckled as she sat on the edge of the bed. It could honestly be said the Kirby twins were as different as night and day. Both children had been born with a beautiful swath of hair but with vastly different colors. Rebecca seemed to have inherited her father’s sandy-blond locks while Joseph had his mother’s fiery auburn hair. And while Joseph seemed reasonably content most of the time, Rebecca fussed for everyone except her mother. Even though she had only been in Katherine’s arms for a few seconds, she had calmed and begun to fall asleep.
Katherine reached over with her free hand and took hold of Adele’s. “Thank you so much for staying.”
“You do not have to thank me. I am glad to do anything for you.” Adele squeezed her hand. “And I am happy you will be all right.”
It had been a week since the twins’ births, and Mary and Adele were still fussing over them and Katherine. The new mother had tried to tell them she felt strong enough to manage a few things on her own, but both insisted she remain in bed for at least another week. Dr. Barnes and Daniel had been quick to agree.
Adele had helped with births before, but she had to admit Katherine’s had been her first truly alarming one. Even after a full week of rest in bed, the young mother still looked pale and fragile.
“I wish it could be different.” Katherine’s face grew wistful, and she looked down at her daughter. Adele knew she was thinking about the news Dr. Barnes had told her just this morning. It had been kept from her initially due to her delicate condition. Rebecca stirred slightly and sighed, stretching out the fingers of one tiny hand. “But I have learned to trust God and not my own understanding. He was very gracious to bless us with two all at once.”
Just then, Mary came in followed by Anne. The little girl carried Adele’s prize-winning quilt folded up neatly in her arms. “Hi, Aunt Kitty!”
Katherine greeted her as Adele relieved her of the quilt with a smile. Anne had come up with “Aunt Kitty” after hearing Daniel refer to Katherine as “Kat” all week. She had tried to correct the little girl at first, but Katherine insisted she was delighted by it and pointed out how much easier it was for the little girl to say.
“Mrs. Campbell stopped by with that just a few minutes ago,” Mary said. “Such a nice young woman.”
“Yes, it was very kind of her to take care of this after the fair,” Adele replied as she spread the quilt out on the bed next to her friend.
“Oh Adele, it’s lovely,” Katherine exclaimed. She fingered the appliqué with her free hand. “No wonder you won the first-place premium.”
“I am glad you like it,” Adele said, smiling at Mary. “I will be sure to make another just like it so both your children may have one.”
“Mercy, this can’t be for me.”
“Of course. Babies must be kept warm.”
Katherine’s eyes glistened with tears. “Thank you, so very kindly.”
“It’s time you got some sleep while this one doesn’t need you,” Mary said, as she gently took Rebecca and walked her over to the bassinet.
Anne followed her and watched as she laid the babe next to her brother. The little girl looked at Adele. “Dolly go night-night?”
Mary quietly chuckled. “She isn’t a doll, dear. Here …” The older woman lifted the little girl so she could see Rebecca and Joseph sleeping. “Look at the little babies.”
“Ooooh,” she breathed. “So pretty.”
Katherine smiled as she allowed Adele to remove some of the pillows from behind her. “She’s such a dear little thing.”
“She is not as timid as she used to be,” Adele said as she arranged the covers over her. “She has taken to Mary and your maid very well.”
Mary put down the little girl, who trotted over and lifted her arms. Adele picked her up, and Anne hugged her. “Ma. Babies sleeping.”
“You’re still her favorite,” Mary said. She gave the bedcovers a final twitch before drawing the shades over the bay window. “Now Katherine, as long as they sleep, you sleep.”
“Night-night, Aunt Kitty,” Anne said softly as they left the room.
The three walked downstairs. Adele and Mary settled themselves in Katherine’s elegant parlor, and Anne made off to the kitchen to have a snack and tell Polly, the Kirbys’ maid and cook, all about the “pretty babies.”
As Mary watered Katherine’s numerous houseplants, Adele wandered over to the fireplace mantel. Next to the clock sat a framed photograph of Daniel and Katherine on their wedding day. Mary and Jonah were also in the picture, and Adele’s eyes settled on her husband. She had taken to looking at the picture every chance she got over the past week, in spite of the fact that he wore a cold, rigid expression on his face. It had been taken only a few short months after he had come home. He does not look like that now, she thought, smiling.
“Jonah looks so surly in that photograph. I can’t imagine why you like looking at it so much,” Mary said. She set the slender, tin watering can down on a side table and joined Adele.
“It reminds me how much the Lord has worked on his heart.” Adele reached up and ran her fingers across his image. “I am glad he has been restored to me.”
“So I see,” Mary replied.
A knock came at the door.
“That must be another well-wisher,” Mary said with a chuckle as she went to answer it. Adele heard the low murmur of a young man’s voice and assumed it was another of Daniel’s students coming to leave a calling card and offer congratulations. Although Adele knew he would never admit it, Daniel was one of the more popular professors at the university. Before her condition made it too difficult for her to attend, Katherine had sat on several committees connected to Ohio Wesleyan’s Female College, and many young ladies had stopped by as well.
Adele heard the door close, and to her surprise, Mary returned to the parlor not with a student but with Will Reid and Jacob. Adele’s heart froze at the terrible look on her son’s face.
“Ma,” he said as he threw himself into her arms.
“Jacob, what is it? Why are you here?” She looked over at Will.
“Mrs. Kirby, I’m so sorry to have to come for you like this,” he said, twisting his black felt cap in his hands.
Adele’s heart went to her throat. “What has happened? Is Jonah hurt?”
“No, ma’am. It’s Mr. Porter. He was found dead this very morning.”
“They’re saying Uncle Jonah did it!” Jacob said. He lifted his head to look at his mother. “Ma, I’m scared. They came and took him away.”
“Who, Jacob?” Mary asked.
“Dr. Kelly and the county sheriff.”
“We were just sitting down to dinner when they came,” Will explained. “Ma’am, there’s something else. Mr. Morgan’s gone missing. He hasn’t been seen these past two days. We thought he might have moved on—him being a drifter and all—but Dr. Kelly seemed determined to think Mr. Kirby had something to do with it.”
Adele’s mind whirled as she tried to take it all in. Noah knew better. He had to know better. Surely he wasn’t allowing his feelings for her … She clenched her fists and looked at Mary. “I must go. Jacob, you stay here while Will and I go to Ostrander. I must make the sheriff see Jonah cannot have done this.” She started for the hall tree where her bonnet and wrap hung, when the sound of Anne giggling drifted in from the kitchen, causing her to stop and turn anxious eyes toward Mary.
“I can manage her. Just go before she wanders in.” The older woman thrust Adele’s bonnet into her hand.
“What will you tell Katherine? She cannot become troubled over this.”
“Let me worry about that.” The older woman embraced h
er. “I’m already praying for both of you.”
The trip from Delaware to Ostrander was only about an hour, but as far as Adele was concerned, the buggy wheels might as well have been coated with molasses. All she could think of was Jonah. What would this do to his faith? The thought of that old anger once more rising in his beautiful green eyes almost caused her to tear the reins from Will’s hands and urge the horse on faster. Instead, she prayed. Please bring him comfort, Father. Help him to be strong.
As the church came into view, she felt a measure of comfort. Surely Reverend Warren was with Jonah. But as they approached the Warrens’ house, which was just down the road from the church, she saw the clergyman outside tending his rosebushes. Adele urged Will to stop and quickly climbed from the buggy. “Reverend,” she called as she strode over to him.
“Adele, what a nice surprise.” He stopped at the look on her face. “What’s the matter?”
“Why are you not in town with Jonah?”
“Why should I be?”
Minnie came and joined them as Adele explained what had happened. “I would have thought Mr. Henderson and the others would have come for you.”
“No, I didn’t even know the sheriff had been sent for,” Reverend Warren said as he stroked his long, gray-flecked sideburns. “I’m always included in these decisions.”
The county had not yet recognized Ostrander as a village. Even though they had a post office, they still had no jail or lawman. The town’s businessmen along with members of the clergy made important decisions, such as calling in the sheriff in rare moments such as these.
“Let me fetch my hat and coat and come with you,” the reverend said. “We’ll soon get to the bottom of this.”
When they arrived, they found the town’s businessmen congregated outside the mercantile. Fred Decker was there, along with Earl Henderson; Charles Franklin, the owner of the Ostrander Hotel; and James Fry, who owned Fry’s Furniture Notions.
Adele quickly climbed from the buggy and walked over to them. “Where is Jonah?” she asked.
Earl Henderson looked at her with a frown. “He’s at Dr. Kelly’s office. The doctor just took the sheriff over there a few minutes ago.” He opened his mouth to say more, but Reverend Warren interrupted.
Brides of Ohio Page 25