“How can you tell?”
“Her eyes are moving around. Like right now, she’s looking over at me, and I’m talking. When your ma and the doctor were here, she looked over at them. She was looking long and hard at you.”
He chuckled. “She probably wants to know who in the world keeps tickling her feet.”
She jabbed him in the side. “Silly. But seriously, your eyes don’t follow people. You mostly stare straight ahead. Her eyes are moving all over the place.”
“Is it that noticeable? That I’m blind?”
She hesitated to answer, wondering if doing so would hurt his feelings, but she owed him the truth. “Not immediately. I mean, if I were to glance in your direction, I wouldn’t notice. But if I looked for longer than a moment, then yes. I’d notice something was different, and soon, it would occur to me what that something was.”
He nodded and returned his attention to feeling Charlotte’s head. “She’s got some hair.”
“Light brown with a little curl to it. I think her hair will get lighter in the sun. Mine always did, and since we’re both blond, I don’t see why she shouldn’t be.”
“I heard my real ma had dark hair. It was my father and his side that were lighter in hair color.”
She noted the change in his tone. “Have you been able to forgive him yet?”
With a heavy sigh, he shook his head. “Sometimes I still get angry, but at other times, I start to feel sorry for him. I have a memory from when I was five. My ma got ill, and my pa was afraid she was going to die so he went to a doctor whose medicines didn’t do much for her. Then he went to a medicine woman he heard about who lived further out of town. The townsfolk didn’t approve of the herbs, saying she got them from the devil.”
Brian hesitated for a moment. “Ma got well though, but the townsfolk gave him a hard time for it. He took to drinking soon after that, and he was never the same again.” He swallowed. “If it’d been me, I would have just took up and moved with my family if I couldn’t take the gossip any more. That’s why no one bothered coming out to our place. I don’t know why he let them bother him as much as he did. That’s why I feel sorry for him.”
He turned his head in her direction. “I know what Annabelle thinks of me. I didn’t know when I asked if I could call on her, but a month later, I heard her and a friend talking. I didn’t like what they said about me, but I got over it. It doesn’t bother me anymore. I learned a couple of things about her that made me glad she said no. Sometimes what seems like a bad thing turns out to be what’s best.” He reached out and touched her hand. “You’re my best, Lucy.”
Blinking back her tears, she squeezed his hand. “You’re my best too, Brian.”
Charlotte let out a whimper and sucked on her hand.
“I think she’s hungry.” Brian returned their daughter to Lucy’s arms.
“Will you help me sit up?” she asked.
While she held Charlotte with one arm, she used her free hand to help him as he placed his hands under her arms and sat her up against the headboard. Then he fluffed the pillows to help support her lower back.
“Are you thirsty? Pa has some coffee ready by now.”
She unbuttoned the top part of her gown. “I’m not in the mood for anything hot. How about some water?”
“If you want it cold, I’ll go to the well.”
“I don’t need it cold. It can be from the pitcher in the kitchen.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Thank you for giving me a daughter.”
As she placed Charlotte to her breast, she said, “I recall having some help.”
“Maybe, but you did the work. I’ll get the water.”
“Thank you, Brian. And when I’m done feeding her, you can take her out so your pa can see her.”
He nodded and quietly shut the door behind him to give her and Charlotte some privacy.
She turned her attention to her daughter and smiled. She couldn’t remember ever seeing someone who looked more content. Her daughter had her eyes closed as she suckled, and at one point, she let out a contented sigh. From the kitchen, she heard Eliza, the doctor, and Brian laugh. She imagined John also laughed, though he’d make no sound.
Shaking her head, she whispered, “You’re going to be one spoiled little girl.” With a smile, she cuddled her daughter closer and watched as her daughter continued to nurse.
***
Back home in Minnesota, Meredith finished penning a letter in her aunt’s writing before she folded it and left her bedroom. She checked the hallway to make sure the coast was clear. Then she tiptoed down the steps until she reached the closet by the front door.
“Meredith, is that you?” her mother called out from the parlor.
Quickly slipping the letter into her coat pocket, she said, “Yes, Ma. I thought I’d check the mail. Perhaps we’ll get lucky and find a letter from Lucy waiting for us.”
“I sure hope so. I’ve been a nervous wreck ever since we found out about that horrible Mark Wilson.”
Meredith rolled her eyes and shrugged into her coat. Forcing a sympathetic tone to her voice, she answered her mother. “It is terrible. I can hardly sleep at night. I pray every day we’ll hear from her.”
Footsteps alerted her to the fact that her mother was approaching the entryway. By the time her mother came into view, Meredith was wiping her eyes and sniffling.
Her mother’s eyes were swollen and her nose red from all the crying she’d done. “You were always a good girl, Meredith. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you. It’s bad enough we have to endure this with your sister.”
Meredith reached out and hugged her mother. “She has to be alright. We can’t give up hope.”
“Thank goodness your brother is looking into the towns along the route Mark took Lucy on.”
“Yes, that is a good thing. We must keep that in mind.” Meredith pulled away from her mother and clasped her hands. “Pray a letter will come today.”
“Of course. Do you want me to go with you?”
“No.” She put her arms around her mother’s shoulders and led her back to the parlor. “You’ve been through so much. You need to rest. I’ll help you make supper so Pa has something to eat when he comes home.”
“Thank you, Meredith.” Her mother laid back down on the couch and patted her hand.
Smiling, she kissed her mother on the cheek before she turned and left the house. The day was a pleasant one, though the air was still brisk. She walked down the street, not caring to pay much mind to those she passed. Though they greeted her and she offered the obligatory smile, she quickened her pace. She couldn’t wait to get out of this town. In many ways, it stifled her. She was Lucy’s sister. Perfect little Lucy who could do no wrong. Because Lucy did as she was expected to. She never raised her voice, never gossiped, never said an impolite word, never slept with a man without being married to him… The list went on and on. The only way to be as good as Lucy was to actually be Lucy. Otherwise, being Meredith wasn’t good enough.
Meredith hurried to the post office and checked the mail. She frowned when she saw her brother had written. Whatever did he want? After she left the post office, she found a vacant spot along the street and quickly opened it. As she read the contents, she groaned. If she wasn’t careful, her brother would ruin everything. It was hard enough getting things organized so she could get out of Minnesota without her stupid brother interfering.
He’d narrowed finding Lucy down to South Dakota. Meredith gritted her teeth. This wasn’t good. It wasn’t good at all! She tore the letter up and threw it into a nearby trash can. If her parents caught wind of this, they’d go to South Dakota right away.
A head start. All she needed was a good head start. She could slip into Lucy’s life and assure them all that ‘Lucy’ was just fine. Then they’d leave her alone. And if it turned out Lucy was dead, it’d make her task that much easier.
Taking the letter she’d forged out of her pocket, she walked toward her h
ouse. On her way, she saw Peter Wilheim sauntering in her direction. With a heavy sigh, she proceeded forward.
“Good afternoon, Miss Barnes,” Peter said as he fell into step beside her. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? Of course, it isn’t nearly as beautiful as you.”
She offered a polite smile. “It certainly is a beautiful day.”
“Did you get the gift I sent?”
“Yes, the flowers were lovely. Thank you.” She quickened her pace, secretly cursing the fact that her home was four blocks instead of three from the post office.
“I’m sorry to hear about Lucy,” he said, keeping his stride perfectly matched with hers.
“Yes, it’s quite distressing.”
“You know, as much as we liked Lucy, she doesn’t hold a candle to you. And I’m not the only fellow who thinks that. Why, you could probably have anyone you wanted.”
She inwardly groaned but remained polite. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“That’s why I’m honored you let me take you to the church potluck last month. All the other fellows were jealous.”
Finally! Her house came into view. She turned the block. “You flatter me too much, Peter.”
“I don’t flatter you enough.”
What a bumbling idiot! Sadly, she could never pawn him off on Lucy. In fact, she could never pawn any of the eager young men off on Lucy. If she’d been able to, it might have made her life easier. But that’s how it’d always been since they were children. Lucy had it easy all the time.
When she reached her house, she breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped onto the porch and stopped in front of the door. “I hope you don’t mind if I don’t invite you inside. My mother’s been crying nonstop ever since she found out about Lucy and how Adam—I mean, Mark—abandoned her somewhere.”
“Oh, yes. I understand.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “I won’t impose. Your family needs time to heal. We all hope you find Lucy real soon.”
“From your lips to God’s ears, Peter.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You’re awfully nice to be so concerned.”
Blushing, he stared at his feet and shrugged.
“I better go see what I can do for Ma. Good day, Peter.”
Meredith slipped into the house before he could say anything else. She closed the door and leaned against it, relieved to be rid of him. Sometimes, she felt as if the walls around her were closing in on her.
Keep your focus. Don’t let bumbling idiots distract you.
Pushing aside the grating voice in her head, she took off her coat and hung it in the closet. As long as she did what the voice said, it left her alone, and it wanted her to find Lucy. And that’s exactly what she’d do.
“Meredith, is that you?” her mother called out from the kitchen.
She took a deep breath and patted her hair. Straightening her shoulders, she headed for the kitchen. “Yes, Ma. I’m back.”
When she entered the kitchen, her mother turned from the skillet. “Did anything come in the mail?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, Aunt Rachel wrote.”
“She did? That was quick.” She wiped her hands on her apron and took the letter.
Meredith watched as she read it, hoping it wouldn’t take too much convincing to do as the letter suggested.
Her mother looked up from the letter. “I take it you already read this?”
She nodded. “I hoped Lucy might have contacted her.”
“It would be a blessing if she had, but unfortunately, she didn’t.” Her lower lip quivered. “I just pray she’s alive and that someone is watching out for her.”
Meredith hugged her mother. “I’m sure she’s fine. She has to be. What person would abandon a helpless woman who’s been jilted by a man who’s married to someone else?”
“I hope you’re right.”
She pulled away from her mother and rubbed her back. “So, what do you think? Aunt Rachel says it’d be good for me to get away from all of this.”
“Oh, Meredith, you’re so dear to me. First Phillip and then Lucy. You’re all I got left.”
Meredith bit her tongue and continued to rub her mother’s back. In the past, as long as she touched her mother, her mother never turned down a request. She hoped this would play out the same way.
“But,” her mother began and wiped more tears from her eyes, “I suppose this is harder on you than anyone else. After all, you and Lucy were born together. You grew up together. You two were closer than any two sisters could possibly be.”
“Friends, Ma. We were the closest of friends…and sisters. My life hasn’t been the same since she left, but knowing I might never see her again…” She took a deep breath and sniffled.
“I’d be selfish to insist you stay.” Her mother read the letter again. “You and your aunt got along so well when she came for a visit.” She looked at Meredith and brushed a stray strand of hair from Meredith’s face. “Alright. But you will only stay for a few months. Then you’ll be back?”
“Of course,” Meredith replied.
“Well, I suppose we should make the necessary arrangements after supper.”
When her mother turned around, Meredith smiled. That went even better than she hoped! Her mother was so easy to manipulate. She bit her lower lip and tried to guess how long it’d take for her to get to South Dakota. With any luck, she’d get there long before her meddling brother did. Then she could start her new life, which was good because this one was long overdue for a real change.
Chapter Twenty-One
A week later, Lucy held her daughter in her arms by the fireplace where the fire warmed them both. Brian went over to her and set two cups on the table in front of the couch before he sat next to her. She snuggled up to him and kissed his cheek.
Smiling, he brought his arm around her shoulders. “What was that for?”
“I just felt like it. You’re kissable, you know.”
“Am I?” He chuckled and stroked her cheek.
“Yes, you are.” She kissed him again.
Stretching out his arm, he brought his hand to Charlotte’s face and gently touched it. “She’s awake.”
Lucy looked at their daughter whose gaze followed Brian’s fingers as they left her face. “She sees, Brian. There’s no doubt in my mind about it.”
He smiled. “I’m glad. She’ll have an advantage over me.”
“You have advantages over the rest of us. You pick up on things the rest of us miss. Like smells. I had no idea where that stench was coming from, but you found that dead mouse and got rid of it.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “That’s called being the man of the house. I couldn’t have my wife do it.”
“But you knew where it was. I wouldn’t have found it so easily.”
“Alright. I got amazing abilities to find dead rodents.”
Giggling, she nudged him in the side. “You’re silly. You have more abilities than that.”
He turned his head toward the door before she heard someone knocking on it.
“See? Now how did you know someone was there?”
“I heard someone step onto the porch. Didn’t you hear it?”
“I didn’t notice it.”
“I’ll see who it is.”
As he stood and went to the door, she turned her attention back to her daughter and kissed her forehead. “You’re adorable, sweetie.”
Charlotte yawned and stretched, loosening the blanket around her. When she tried to settle back into the blanket, she let out a whimper.
“I know, I know,” Lucy said. “You’re not swaddled anymore.”
Lucy set her on the couch and spread out the blanket so she could work on getting her daughter wrapped tightly again. While she finished, Brian opened the door, and she noted the familiar voices. She glanced up and saw Eliza and John enter the house, followed by Addy and Frank. Addy carried a gift in her hands, and Lucy couldn’t help but wonder just how many gifts one little girl could possibly have before she
turned one.
“I hope it’s a good time to visit,” Addy said.
“It is,” Brian replied as he went over to the stove. “I have some hot chocolate in the pot. Does anyone want some?”
“Oh, that sounds perfect on a chilly day,” Frank said. “We won’t stay long. We were visiting Eliza and John and were curious about the little one.”
“Yes,” Addy said as she took off her coat and hung it by the door. “We won’t stay long.”
“Go on and have a seat by the fire,” Brian replied as he took the cups off the shelf. “I’ll bring everyone something to drink in a moment.”
Addy took her gift over to Lucy while the others took off their coats. She sat next to Lucy and smiled. “I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to get something for her.”
“I don’t mind.” Lucy picked up her swaddled daughter. “Would you like to hold her?”
Addy set the gift down. “I’d love it, Lucy. It’s been awhile since I got to hold my grandchild. They grow up so fast.”
Lucy settled Charlotte in her arms and turned to the gift. “Any hints?”
“Something that isn’t practical but might hold sentimental value in the years to come.”
Intrigued, Lucy opened the gift while Eliza, John, and Frank helped Brian bring the pot and cups over to the table. As they sat down, she pulled out a silver cup with Charlotte’s name and birthday etched into it.
“I suspect it’s not something you’ll let her play with,” Addy mused, smiling at the baby.
“Not until she’s an adult,” Lucy said, liking the gift. Looking at Brian, she told him what it was.
“We’ll get you a similar gift for your other children as well, of course,” Addy replied.
“Oh, well there you’ve gone and spoiled the surprise,” Frank playfully told Addy.
Chuckling, Lucy set the cup back into the box. “Thank you. It’s lovely.”
“Yes, it really is,” Eliza agreed after she set her cup down. “Addy has such great taste.” With a teasing grin, she added, “Except when it comes to blankets. Why, Charlotte looks like a little doll in that sunny blanket.”
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