“Cora, can I kiss you?”
Oh, yes. Cora’s heart beat a wild staccato. She swayed toward him, giving him all the encouragement he needed. Ben wouldn’t stop them this time.
She’d been kissed before—by George. But never had she been kissed like this. Aaron’s kiss was gentle and chaste. A mere meeting of the lips for a brief moment in time, but the warmth of his love, his tenderness, and especially his respect for her, enveloped and claimed her heart forever. So different from anything she’d known before. His eyes searched her face before a slow smile crossed his. They’d stepped over a threshold. Nothing would ever be the same between them.
She looked away. “I guess I should be getting home.”
“I guess so.” Aaron didn’t move. “Do you think Vickie and John’d give us another chance to visit?”
Cora nodded. “I know they will. Would you like to go Sunday afternoon?”
He nodded. “If it’s all right with them.”
“It will be.”
“I gotta git you home.” Aaron held her gaze.
Cora nodded. She leaned forward, and Aaron bent toward her. Her heart pounded as his lips touched hers yet again.
~*~
Cora climbed into bed with a smile, her walk with Aaron still fresh on her mind. Eliza snuffed out the candle and got in beside her. Her whisper sounded clear in the darkness. “Did you and Aaron come to an understanding?”
“What do you mean, ‘an understanding’?” Cora turned toward her sister to keep her voice from going to the next room where Ben might overhear.
“Did he ask you to marry him?”
Cora’s smile disappeared. “No, of course not.”
“Then why are you so happy? You’ve been humming ever since we got back from the funeral.”
Aaron had been wonderful. He’d just attended his father’s funeral, yet he’d concentrated on her. He’d kissed her. Not just one time, either. He cared for her. She saw it in his eyes. Why wouldn’t she hum? She couldn’t stop the smile from returning. “Why? Do you think I’m happier than usual?”
Eliza made a very unladylike snorting sound. “Of course. You know you are. I’d be happier, too, if Ralph paid more attention to me. He hardly spoke today.”
“It was his father’s funeral, Eliza. You can’t expect him to act as if nothing happened.” Even as she said the words, she thought of Aaron. He’d been especially attentive to her. Maybe Ralph didn’t care for Eliza.
“It didn’t stop him from sniffing after Anna Hanson.”
“Eliza! You shouldn’t say things like that.” Cora stifled a giggle. Ralph had spent a good part of his time with Anna after the funeral.
“Well, it’s true. Besides, Ralph doesn’t come calling very often. He never tells me when he’s coming. Every now and then he just shows up.” Eliza sighed.
“Why don’t you tell him you’d like to know ahead of time?”
“Because he might never come if I do. He’s so handsome and charming. He’s a lot of fun, Cora. I don’t want to lose him.”
“Eliza.” Cora barely whispered in the dark room. “Has Ralph ever kissed you?”
“Cora!” Eliza’s shocked whisper brought a rustle from the other room.
“Shh.” Cora squeezed her sister’s arm. “Keep it down. You’ll have Ben after us.”
Silence filled the room. No sound came from next door. Eliza whispered again. “He tried a few times, but I wouldn’t let him.”
“Good for you.” Cora turned her back to Eliza. Anna Hanson would accept Ralph’s kisses. She might even allow more than kissing. Eliza was wise to resist Ralph. He wasn’t like Aaron. He didn’t take life seriously enough. Aaron would never take advantage of a girl or use her for his pleasure like some men did. Like George did. And maybe like Ralph.
~*~
Mother grasped the edge of the pie safe and pressed a hand against her swollen stomach. Cora paused at the table with a stack of plates in her hands. Mother must be in pain. The baby must be getting ready to be born.
“Mother, are you all right?” Cora set the dishes on the table and hurried to her.
“Yes, dear, I’m fine.” Mother straightened and smiled. “Just a twinge. We need to finish the noon meal before your father and Ben come in.”
“If you’re sure.” Cora backed up.
“I am.” Mother turned to the stove.
Cora exchanged a look with Eliza.
Mother didn’t mention her pain to Father when he came in, either. Throughout the meal, she winced a couple of times, but other than that seemed to be as usual.
Cora helped Eliza with cleanup. When Mother started to lift the warm water from the stove, Cora stopped her. “Mother, we can do this. Why don’t you relax? You’ve been working hard this morning.”
“I think I will.” Mother patted Cora’s arm. “You’re a wonderful daughter.” She smiled at Eliza. “Both of you are. I believe I’ll lie down for a few minutes.”
When the door to their parents’ bedroom closed, Cora looked at Eliza and lifted her eyebrows. “Well, what do you think?”
Eliza stared at the closed door. “It’s the baby’s time.”
“Yes, I think so too.” Cora poured water into the dishpan. “She’s in pain.”
“Shouldn’t we get Mrs. Newkirk?” Eliza no sooner asked than the door at the far end opened.
Mother crossed the sitting room to the kitchen. She checked the water bucket and started to pull her large kettle toward it.
“Mother, let me do that.” Cora took over and moved the kettle. “Do you want me to fill this?”
“Yes, dear, if you don’t mind.” Mother waited while Cora emptied the water into the kettle. “It might be a good idea to run down to the creek and refill the bucket.”
“I’ll go.” Eliza took the bucket and headed toward the door. “I’ll be glad when Father gets the well dug.”
“I’m sure we all will.” Mother placed her hand against her side.
When Eliza went out, Cora turned toward her mother. “Shouldn’t I send Ben for Mrs. Newkirk?”
Mother nodded. “Yes, it might be nice if she were here.” She called after Cora. “There’s no great hurry. Tell Mrs. Newkirk my sicknesses usually last a long time.”
Mother was right. Cora stood outside the door of her parents’ room the next morning, listening to her mother’s soft cries turn to muffled screams as the hours dragged by. The baby refused to be born.
Vickie and John arrived just before noon. Cora gladly let Vickie take charge as the oldest daughter. Worry hung like a thick cloud over the house while everyone ate the noon meal. After helping clean up, Cora retreated to the front porch. There, she could worry in private. Staying inside with the men talking in low tones depressed her. The rest of the afternoon, she found chores to do outside or paced from one outbuilding to another. Then Ben and John came outside to care for the animals. Father stayed with Mother, as if he couldn’t bear to be away from her for even a moment.
The two young boys came out and played for a while before going back inside.
Finally, Cora sat on the porch and leaned her head against the post. Mr. Newkirk arrived and went inside. He likely thought his wife should be ready to go home by now. Today was Saturday. She and Aaron had plans to go to John and Vickie’s tomorrow for dinner. What would tomorrow bring? Surely, another calamity wouldn’t befall their small community. First Aaron’s father, now her mother.
With a deep sigh, Cora stood and went inside. Ben and Mr. Newkirk sat together, their heads bowed. Were they praying? Where was Father? Eliza and Vickie sat across the room with the children playing quietly at their feet. A tiny cry, muffled by the closed door, silenced the hum of voices in the room.
After an eternity, the door opened, and Father stepped out. He leaned against the closed door as if he couldn’t stand, his face drawn and pale. He closed his eyes for a moment then looked around the room. “We have a little girl.”
“Thank you, Lord.” That came from Ben.
“What about Mother?” Eliza stood and twisted her fingers together.
“Is she all right?” Vickie slipped an arm around Eliza. She held little Christopher on her other arm.
Father sank into the nearest chair. “Seven times we’ve been through this, and never has there been a problem.” He looked up with a sigh. “The baby is fine as far as we know. Mother is still alive, but she’s very weak.”
The door to the bedroom flew open, and Mrs. Newkirk called to Father. “Mr. Jackson, you need to come.”
Father jumped up and rushed after the midwife. Before he closed the door, Mrs. Newkirk’s hushed voice reached into the sitting room. “She’s bleeding too much.”
Cora gasped. Her eyes filled with tears. Then Ben’s soft voice reached her. “Lord, I come before you now lifting my mother up for healing. Please, touch her body . . .”
If Cora could scream, as he continued praying for their mother’s life, she would. Why would God allow this to happen? Mother was going to die. She knew it as well as she knew she was standing in the middle of the sitting room floor.
Chapter 19
Cora met Aaron at the edge of their yard. “Hi. Supper will be ready in a few minutes.”
He grinned and took her hand. “I can wait. Ain’t we goin’ to John and Vickie’s?”
They turned and walked toward the house. “No, she’s staying here for a few days. I hope you don’t mind if we eat here.”
He shook his head, his brows drawing together in the way Cora found endearing. “Is anything wrong?”
Cora shook her head. “I have a new baby sister. Vickie thinks she has to help since she’s the oldest.”
“Ah, I see.” His expression cleared.
“Would you like to meet her?” Cora stopped at the porch and stepped on the first step so she was eye level with him.
“I already met Vickie.” His eyes twinkled.
“No, my little sister, and I don’t mean Eliza.”
Aaron laughed. “I reckon I can take a look.”
Cora tugged on his hand as she backed up on the porch. “Come on then. You’ll love her just as soon as you see her.”
Aaron let her pull him across the porch. “If she’s anything like her big sister, I will.”
Cora’s heart skipped a beat. Had he admitted he loved her? He’d never said anything like that before. Someday soon, he’d say those important words to her. For now she laughed. “If you aren’t careful, you’ll make me jealous of my own baby sister.”
He grinned.
Inside, Cora released his hand and headed toward the rocking chair where Eliza sat holding the tiny baby. Cora took the infant, cuddling her close in her arms. She spoke softly to the little one and nuzzled her neck.
She looked up to find Aaron watching her, an intense look in his eyes. Warmth crept up her cheeks. “What are you thinking?”
He shook his head. “You look downright natural holding that little baby.”
She looked down at the bundle in her arms. “I’ve had some experience with Lenny and Nicholas.”
Aaron grinned. “Are you gonna introduce us?”
“Of course.” Cora lifted the infant toward him. “This is Nora Abigail Jackson. Nora, this tall, handsome fella here is Aaron Stark.”
His eyes met hers, and his eyebrows lifted. “Handsome?”
She laughed to cover the confusion his pleased expression caused then pushed the sleeping baby against his chest. “You’re supposed to hold her now that you’ve been introduced.”
“Hold her?” Aaron threw his hands out and stepped back. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not? She won’t hurt you.” Cora took a step forward.
“I’d break her. Or drop her.” He took another step back. His eyes darted to either side as if he looked for a way out.
Eliza giggled. Cora ignored her and moved closer to Aaron. “You’ve never held a baby before, have you? Here, I’ll keep hold of her. All you have to do is let her lie on your arm. Can’t you do that?”
Aaron glanced toward the door, but held his ground. He crooked his arm, and Cora placed her tiny sister against the bend of his elbow. He looked down at the bundle of blankets and infant on his arm, and the fear left his face. His expression softened while a faint smile tilted his lips.
Then he looked up. An expression so intense it took away her breath passed between them. He whispered two words. “Maybe someday . . .”
~*~
Aaron loved her. Cora skipped through the evening, and sleep eluded her that night. She hummed her happiness the next morning until she went in to check on her mother.
“Cora, would you tell Ben I need to see him?” Mother seemed so pale.
“Is something wrong?” Cora held her breath.
Mother smiled. “No, darling. Not at all. I’d just like a visit with Mrs. Newkirk. There’s something I want to talk over with her. In fact, I’m feeling much stronger this morning. Now isn’t that encouraging?”
Cora nodded and went in search of her brother. Still, her earlier happiness had dimmed.
Mrs. Newkirk arrived shortly after they ate their noon meal. She closed the door to Mother’s room and stayed for over an hour. What could the women be discussing? Even Eliza didn’t know. Finally, the door opened, and Mrs. Newkirk slipped through, closing it behind her. She blotted her eyes, yet a smile brightened her face.
“Mrs. Newkirk.” Cora caught her at the door. “Is Mother all right?”
“Oh, yes. Your mother is fine. She has assured me she’ll have a talk with you later.” Mrs. Newkirk laughed. “She’s just fine now. Just fine.”
Cora watched her go and didn’t ask any more questions. Mother would tell in her own time. But what could the women have said that would make Mrs. Newkirk cry and laugh at the same time? At least she said Mother was all right now.
That evening before bedtime, Cora joined her family around Mother’s bed. Mother sat with pillows against the headboard, cuddling Nora. Her face held a touch of color, and she seemed relaxed. Hope for her recovery blossomed within Cora.
Mother smiled around the circle, including each one. “I have something wonderful to tell you. Please get comfortable to listen.”
Father sat on the edge of the bed and patted Mother’s shoulder. “Of course, we’ll listen to whatever you have to say.”
They shared a loving look. Mother patted Nora’s back as she talked. “I’ve told you about my father, your grandfather Melville. He was a very strict, religious man. In fact, I grew up fearing to move about on Sunday lest I be switched for breaking the Sabbath. My father had many “thou shalt nots” that I resented and rebelled against.”
She smiled at Father. “I fell in love with your father because he was everything my father was not. He enjoys laughing and is kind to his wife and children. His razor strap is used to sharpen his razor, not a tool of punishment as my father’s was. I learned to fear both the strap and my father before I was Nicholas’s age.”
“Oh, Mother, how terrible.” Vickie’s soft cry voiced Cora’s feelings.
Mother nodded. “I always thought so, but the most damage was what I did to myself when I decided I wanted nothing to do with my father’s religion. I never turned my back on church. I just chose one that wouldn’t rule my life.”
An inner light shone from Mother’s eyes. “When Nora was born, we had a bit of trouble I hadn’t expected. I thought I might die and came to realize that surface religion isn’t enough. If I had died then, I’d have spent eternity without God.”
Cora understood more than she wanted to admit. Her own brush with death had frightened her. Because of it, she now questioned some of her beliefs. She wasn’t even sure anymore what being a Christian meant thanks to Ben’s talk after he made up with Esther. Mostly the subject confused her, and she preferred to avoid talking about it.
Mother turned toward Ben, who knelt beside her bed. She reached toward him, and he took her hand. “Ben, I know you’ve been born again. I understood when you tried to tell
us right after it happened. I’m so proud of you.”
She looked toward the others. “That’s what I’m saying now. I asked Agnes Newkirk to pray with me. I’ve stopped rebelling.”
Ben brought her hand to his cheek. Tears ran down his face. “Oh, mother, I’m so glad. God is answering my prayers.”
Cora looked at her father. He watched his wife and son as if lost in the moment—or as if he didn’t understand the emotions they shared. Cora didn’t know which, and she didn’t care. She glanced toward the door. She’d heard enough for one evening. As soon as she could, she kissed her mother’s cheek and murmured a quick goodnight.
In her room, Cora snuggled under the covers in the dark with her back to Eliza and pretended to sleep. Talking to anyone about what had happened between her mother and Ben was the last thing she wanted to do. Still, Mother’s words haunted her thoughts until long after she should have slept.
Cora avoided any talk of Mother’s salvation, as she called it. There was nothing wrong with Mother to start with. Why did she think she needed to change? She should concentrate on getting better. And she did regain strength, but not as fast as Cora would have liked. Before she’d kept busy working about the house or in the garden, but now she often rested in her rocking chair. Most of the time, Mother balanced her Bible on one arm and cuddled Nora in the other.
Ben seemed closer to Mother than before. In many ways, he was the same big brother Cora had always looked up to, but something was different. He seemed more mature. That might be because of Esther. Cora couldn’t feel comfortable around her friend, although she wasn’t angry with her any more.
She turned her thoughts toward the unpleasant task of feeding the pigs. The Starks’ gift had multiplied and every one of them had a ravenous appetite.
Cora carried the slop bucket across the yard and poured its contents over the fence into the trough on the other side. The pigs squealed and came running. She laughed. “Go ahead and eat. You do know you’re being fattened up for a purpose, don’t you?”
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