Father cleared his throat and stood. He held his hand out toward Mother. “Isn’t it getting a little chilly out here for you, Opal?”
She looked up with wide eyes. “I don’t—”
He frowned and shook his head.
She nodded. “I don’t know but what it is.”
Aaron stood when she did. He kicked Ralph’s foot. Ralph jumped up and grinned at Mother. “I sure do thank you for allowing us to come over and eat your good cookin’.”
Mother smiled. “You’re quite welcome.”
Aaron shuffled his toe in the dirt by the porch. He looked up at Mother, his expression serious. “Thank you, Ma’am. You set a real good table.” His gaze shifted to include Father. “Thank you for givin’ us permission to visit your daughters, Sir. We won’t stay long.”
His words stirred excitement in Cora. At long last, they would be alone. Now she could talk with Aaron. While her parents and Lenny stepped inside, leaving the door open, Aaron walked past Ralph and Eliza to sit beside Cora, and her world narrowed to the two of them.
He sat close, but not touching. His gaze roved over her face, tender yet hesitant. “I promised your father I won’t stay long.”
“Yes, I know.” She looked down at her hands, clutched in her lap.
“Cora.”
She looked up when he didn’t say more.
His brilliant blue eyes searched hers. “That’s ever’thing I know. Just Cora Jackson. What’s the rest of your name?”
“Cordella Jane. But if anyone calls me Cordella, I know I’ve done something wrong.”
Aaron laughed, making his eyes twinkle. “I’ll remember that.”
He pulled a handkerchief from his shirt pocket. There in the corner were the initials she’d embroidered. “I reckon you don’t know all my name, either.”
“It’s Aaron James Stark.”
He looked up. “You do know. I figured you didn’t, ’cause there’s only two letters on here.”
She smiled. “I didn’t know when I embroidered them. Eliza told me later. I’m surprised you still have that.”
Aaron glanced back at the handkerchief in his hand. “I don’t use ‘em. I just carry ’em with me. They’re special.” His eyes connected with hers. “Like you.”
Cora’s heart sang. Her lashes lowered toward her hands lying deceptively still in her lap. Inside she jumped up and down. “I still have the box you made for me. I keep my special things in it.”
Aaron looked over his shoulder at the other two talking in low tones. When he turned back around, he searched her face before speaking. “Cora, could we . . .”
He glanced at the open door. “Would it be wrong to take a short walk?”
Cora scooted forward and stood from the porch. She held out her hand. “We’ll know if anyone yells ‘Cordella’.”
Aaron grinned and took her hand. They walked to the edge of the shadow, just out of sight. He turned to face her and spoke low, so she stepped closer to hear. “I’d like to kiss you, if it’s all right?”
Cora started to nod when she saw Ben walking toward them from the shelter. Her heart sank and she sighed. “It’s more than all right with me, but here comes Ben.”
Aaron stepped back and turned toward Ben. He kept Cora’s hand in his. “Flash doing okay?”
“Yeah,” Ben’s grin said he knew he’d interrupted them. “He picked up a rock. Nothing important.”
“That’s good.” Aaron tugged Cora with him back to the house. “Reckon me and Ralph better be gettin’ on home.”
He leaned toward Cora and whispered. “I’ll be comin’ back real soon.”
That was a promise she couldn’t wait for him to fulfill.
Chapter 18
Cora held to the porch post and leaned out as far as possible to see down the trail toward the Newkirks. Vickie’s moans reached even out here. Cora walked the length of the porch and back. She hugged her upper arms to rub the tremble from them. What was keeping Ben? More important, what was keeping Mrs. Newkirk?
The moans had stopped. Something was wrong. Cora turned toward the door. Mother wouldn’t know what to do. Silence pounded against her ears, even more terrifying than the moaning had been. Vickie had been so ill the first part of her confinement. What if she died?
The jingle of harness and rattle of a wagon sent Cora running off the porch into the yard. They’d arrived at last. Mr. Newkirk brought the horse to a stop in front of the house.
“Oh, Mrs. Newkirk, please help Vickie. She isn’t making any sounds now.” Cora willed the woman to hurry.
As soon as he helped his wife down, Mr. Newkirk turned the wagon around and drove back the way he’d come. Mrs. Newkirk patted Cora’s shoulder and hurried into the house. “I’ll do my best with God’s help. It’s in His hands, you know.”
In God’s hands? Cora groaned as the front door closed behind the woman. What did that mean? Maybe she wouldn’t know how to help Vickie, either. Oh, where was Ben? Cora walked across the yard and stared at the empty trail. Surely, he wouldn’t stay and visit with the Newkirk children. With Esther? She huffed and walked back to the porch. What her brother did was no concern of hers. If he wanted Ivy and Esther both, she didn’t care. She sat on the edge of the porch and hugged her knees with her head bowed to rest against them. Vickie moaned again, bringing tears to Cora’s eyes. Why did women go through this?
Her tall, handsome dirt-poor farmer who’d almost kissed her the other night popped into her mind and she smiled. Maybe someday they’d have a baby or two. Longing for a son that looked just like Aaron filled her heart.
A horse’s hooves clomping against the hard ground brought her head up. So Ben decided to come home. Cora gave him time to start grooming Flash before she followed them to the shelter. He looked up from brushing the horse when she entered.
She crossed her arms and scowled at him. “What’s going on?”
Ben laughed. His eyes sparkled as if they held a secret. “How should I know? You’re the one who’s been here all the time. How is Vickie?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t gone inside. Mrs. Newkirk’s been with her for ages already.” She shrugged. “I assume they’ll let us know if anything’s wrong.” She pinned him with a stare. “I’m not talking about Vickie, though. I want to know what’s going on with you.”
“What are you talking about? I just went to get Mrs. Newkirk and came home.” His smirk said he knew exactly what she meant.
Cora shook her head and sighed. “You made up with Esther, didn’t you?”
Ben laughed again. “Yep!”
“Does that mean you did what she wanted?” She shook her head. How could he give in so easily? Esther was too demanding and self-righteous.
Ben sobered. He set the brush aside, patted Flash, and took Cora’s shoulders in his hands. He looked deep into her eyes. “I owe you an apology. I should’ve said something a long time ago. I went to see Harvey Sinclair awhile back.”
She nodded. Something was wrong. She sensed a change in her brother. “I know that.”
He sighed. “We had a talk. He prayed with me, Cora. I’ve accepted Jesus as my Savior, but I didn’t do it for Esther. I did it for myself.”
She looked into his eyes and searched his face. He’d been more content lately. He looked happy. What he said didn’t make a lot of sense, but that didn’t matter. Ben’s happiness did. She nodded. “I’m glad, Ben.”
He smiled. “I—”
“Cora! Ben! Come on. The baby’s here!” Cora welcomed Eliza’s call. Not only because of the baby, but because she didn’t know if she wanted to hear anything more Ben might say.
“All right, Eliza!” Cora yelled out the door. “We’re coming.”
~*~
Cora sat before the mirror, combing her long blond hair. Already little Christopher Lee was two months old. A smile touched her lips at the thought of her baby nephew. He was a charmer for sure, as he’d already wrapped the entire family around his tiny finger. She could hardly wait to hold hi
m again. Of all times to move away, why had John picked now when Chris was so little and sweet, and they had to wait days sometimes without seeing him or Nicholas?
“Are you going someplace?” Eliza stepped into their room.
Cora nodded, smiling. “Yes, Aaron and I are going to Vickie’s for supper.”
“Oh.” Eliza dropped to the bed and propped her head on her fist with her elbow on her knee.
She looked glum enough to cry.
“Is something wrong?”
Eliza sighed. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Cora laughed. “Even I can tell you’re down in the mouth. So did you lose your last friend?”
Eliza lifted her gaze. “Maybe I have.” She jumped up and started toward the ladder. Then, as if changing her mind, she turned and sat back on the bed. “It’s Ralph. About every other time Aaron comes, Ralph doesn’t.”
“Aaron and I have a very special relationship.” Cora covered her lips with her fingers but couldn’t stop words already spoken. The stricken look on Eliza’s face, reflected in the mirror, confirmed she should never have said anything so insensitive.
Eliza snorted. “I thought Ralph and I did too.” Her eyes darkened, and she looked almost fearful. “Cora, do you think Ralph is getting tired of me?”
A rush of sympathy filled Cora’s heart. She shook her head. “No, of course not. How could he?”
“Are you and Aaron getting married?” Eliza’s change of topic came out of the clear, causing Cora to swing around. Her eyes widened. “No. I mean, I don’t know. He hasn’t asked me.”
“What would you say if he did?” Eliza leaned forward, her earlier unhappiness no longer showing.
Cora turned back to the mirror to hide her warm cheeks, but saw the blush there and covered it with her hands. She shook her head. “Oh, Eliza, the questions you ask. Don’t you think Aaron should be the first to hear my answer? That is, if he ever asks.”
“What I think is you’d better make up your mind before-hand so you’ll know what to say when it happens.” Eliza stood. “I think you should say yes.”
Cora laughed. “You’re being silly. He hasn’t asked and maybe he never will.”
Even after she climbed downstairs and left Cora alone, Eliza’s question remained. What would her answer be? Did she want to marry Aaron? Cora finished getting ready and joined the family downstairs, but Aaron hadn’t shown up yet. He should have been there. He was always punctual, if not early.
“Cora, are you eating with us?” Mother touched her shoulder as she stood at the door looking out. “I’m sorry, darling, but we’re ready to eat now.”
“Do you think something’s happened to him?” Cora turned to Mother. “He could be hurt.”
“Would you like for me to tell Vickie to go ahead without you?” Ben took his hat from the peg by the door. “It won’t take me long on Flash. I’ll eat when I get back.”
“I think that would be a good idea, Ben. Thank you.” Mother guided Cora toward the table. She spoke over her shoulder. “I’ll keep a plate warm for you.”
Cora sat at the table, but her stomach turned at the sight of her mother’s good cooking. What could’ve happened? This was not like Aaron. He’d never been late before.
~*~
Two days later, Ralph showed up after supper. Alone. Father let him in. “Take a chair and make yourself at home.”
Cora hung her dishtowel to dry and turned to face him. His usual smile was missing. Her heart twisted painfully. Something had happened to Aaron. She collapsed into the nearest chair.
Ralph shook his head and looked at Father. “Thank ya, but I can’t stay.” He twisted his hat between his hands and swallowed. “My pa . . .”
He blinked and cleared his throat. “Pa passed on a while ago. We’ll be havin’ the buryin’ midmornin’ tomorrow. Ma’d appreciate it iffen you’d all come.”
Eliza’s sharp intake of breath pierced the silence. Father placed his hand on Ralph’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear that. Was it an accident?”
Ralph nodded. His brows drew together in a way that reminded Cora of Aaron. “The still blew up a couple days ago. We known right off he weren’t gonna make it. He was hurt too bad. We tried to make his passin’ as easy as possible.”
“I’m sure you did all you could.” Father lowered his hand. “Tell your mother we’ll be there. If you’d like, Ben and I can help carry the word around.”
Ralph jammed his hat on this head and turned toward the door. “Thanks, but I ain’t in no hurry to go back home jist yet. Might as well make the rounds myself.”
Father nodded. “I understand. What about . . .?” He hesitated. “What about the body?”
Ralph didn’t turn around, but his shoulders stiffened. “Mr. Hanson’s takin’ care of that.”
“All right.” Father nodded. “If there’s anything we can do, don’t hesitate to let us know.”
“I’ll tell Ma.” Ralph left without a word to anyone else.
Silence filled the room after Father closed the door. Cora’s eyes filled with tears. Aaron would be hurting so much. How he must have suffered, sitting by his father’s bedside, knowing he’d never get up again. No wonder he hadn’t come the other evening. She thought he hadn’t wanted to come. Shame for such thoughts rebuked her.
~*~
Chilly, damp October air encircled the gravesite as neighbors gathered on a small rise behind the Starks’ cabin. Aaron and Ralph stayed close by their mother while Ivy stood alone as if she didn’t want to get too close to her mourning family. Her black skirt fluttered around her ankles in the cold breeze. A veil covered her eyes, but didn’t hide the proud tilt of her chin. Cora brushed at tears for the other girl. She had so little yet wanted so much.
Mrs. Stark seemed even frailer than the last time Cora had seen her. Her face was pale, her eyes dark hollows of sorrow.
Mrs. Newkirk stepped forward and sang a hymn in her clear soprano. The music soothed Cora’s soul, and she hoped the Starks felt the same way.
As the last note floated away, Aaron squared his shoulders and lifted his head. His voice sounded clear and strong. “My pa’s parents, James and Martha Stark, followed Mr. Daniel Boone to the backwoods of Kentucky in 1775, and lived there the rest of their lives. In 1785, Walter Aaron Stark, was born. In 1806, he met and married my ma, Jennett Alice Wilkins. They had seven children, four buried in Kentucky, and the three of us, Aaron James Stark, Ralph Walter Stark, and Ivy Jennett Stark. Walter was forty-nine years, four months, and two days of age when he was killed by accident while makin’ a livin’ for his family.”
Aaron bowed his head after giving the obituary. Cora’s heart swelled with pride. His southern accent was strong, but he’d read and sounded like an educated man. Only he hadn’t read anything. There was no paper in his hands. He’d memorized all those dates and names.
Mr. Newkirk stepped forward. “Shall we pray?” After the prayer ended, the men paid their respects, then shook hands with Aaron and Ralph while the women hugged Ivy and her mother, sharing tears of sympathy with them.
Cora lifted tear-filled eyes to Aaron. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something to help.”
He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Can you stay? Maybe your father’d let me walk you home.”
Cora nodded. “He’ll be here until everything’s finished. He won’t mind.”
When each person expressed their sorrow, the men lowered the coffin into the ground. Aaron scooped the first shovel of dirt and let it drop on the box that held his father. He stepped back and handed the shovel to Ralph. After Ralph’s scoop of dirt hit the box, the other men pitched in and a small mound of fresh earth soon covered the open wound in the prairie.
Cora waited outside after the others left while Aaron settled his mother in the house. She stood by the new grave. Images of Mr. Stark filled her mind. His laughing, booming voice. Striding across the pasture, his gun slung over his shoul
der. The way he stomped one foot up and down while he clapped and called for the square dances. Life and death. So close together, yet so different.
She’d always thought death was a sort of deep sleep. Wasn’t it? Father mentioned life after death. Esther said the soul lives either in a place of torment or in the presence of God. Were they right? Where was Mr. Stark now? If she’d died, where would she be?
Cora shuddered and turned from the grave. Aaron’s long strides crossed the grass to her. She welcomed his presence and held out her hand.
Aaron’s fingers closed around hers, warm and alive. He stepped close to her. “I’m gonna miss him.”
Tears sprang to her eyes at the husky sound in his voice. “Oh, Aaron, I’m so sorry this happened.”
“There weren’t nothin’ a body could do.” He stared at the grave. “I started to come to your house that evenin’. Then, somethin’ went wrong at the still so’s it blew up. He came staggerin’ in and fell in the yard. I sure didn’t mean to do you that-a-way.”
“It’s all right, Aaron. I understand now.”
“He hurt somethin’ awful. We sat up with him all night long.” Fatigue lined Aaron’s face.
Cora took a step away. “What you need is rest. If you don’t want to walk me home, I can go by myself.”
For the first time she’d seen that day, a faint smile crossed Aaron’s lips. “You oughta know better’n that. I wouldn’t let ya walk all that way alone. Bein’ with you is better’n rest, anyhow.”
Cora smiled while her heart sang to the love in his words. She snuggled her hand closer in his, and they started down the path into the woods. His warm, rough palm against hers thrilled her heart. The sound of Aaron’s voice, explaining the trees and herbs, the birds and animals that he knew and understood wrapped around her with a hug of security. If only they could walk on together for the rest of their lives. But the forest on their prairie was too small and their walk drew to an end as the clearing came into sight.
Aaron’s steps slowed. He stopped just inside the shelter of the trees and turned Cora to face him. She waited with bated breath. What did he want? His lips curved, his bright blue eyes gazing into hers with a sparkle of love. Something dropped on her head. He picked a dried leaf off and tossed it aside.
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