The lift operator smiled at the couple wishing them a “Happy Christmas.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Sam smiled back, “It is indeed a very happy Christmas.”
Turn the page for an excerpt of DANCING NORTHERN LIGHTS, Book Two in the New Beginnings Novel Series, to be released in the summer of 2013.
New Beginnings Series Excerpt from Book Two
DANCING NORTHERN LIGHTS
Introduction
January 15, 1886
Sara sat in the rocking chair, holding her new son gently to her shoulder. He slept quite soundly with all his needs met for the moment. They were so cozy and warm, wrapped up together under the hand-stitched quilt her mother had made her lovingly, years ago. Sometimes these quilts were partly machine-sewn to hold the different pieces of material together before the hand quilting took place. But not this one, every stitch had been placed carefully, each had been prayed over for her. Sara had hidden this quilt away in a cedar chest for many years, lest it be damaged in use and was more precious to her now, showing its wear. Each of her three sons had left telltale marks on it and the signs of teething where the material was worn through. It held muffled laughter, and it held the tears of many people. This quilt, with its singed corner told of the fire when their home was lost. It held the memories of a dear friend when she, too, was lost. And once again, it warmed a new little soul and it would tell his stories too.
Sara thought to herself how her world had changed so much in the last three years, since her marriage to Sam and a new hope was promised to her. She leaned back in the chair, silently rocking, holding her new little son and taking in the unique fragrance of a newborn. She closed her eyes and thought back through those years trying to remember each special moment.
April 2, 1883
Catherine waited anxiously at the window of her new home at the Stone School for Girls, for the arrival of her friends. Sam and Sara Fielding were returning from their excursion down to the United States after spending four months away. Catherine, and in fact everyone in the house, was anxious to hear about their trip and what they had experienced.
Suddenly the team of horses and the carriage could be seen coming up the driveway to the front entrance of the house and Catherine let out an excited shriek and ran down the stairs to the door. Amelia Stone, the lady of the house and owner of the school created for wayward or disadvantaged girls, raised her voice slightly to tell the young lady to mind her manners and walk to the door. She could not help but smile as she knew how excited Catherine was to see the couple who had come to her rescue. Catherine stood back from the door, straightened her skirt and tried very hard to look like the refined young lady she was becoming ... but still the beam of excitement shone on her face and she had a very hard time containing her energy.
The door opened and Cedric, Amelia’s husband, ushered the Fieldings into his home. The expression on Sara’s face mirrored Catherine’s and the two women embraced and shared tears of joy as they were reunited once again. Finally Sara stepped back and held the girl at arm’s length and said, “My, Catherine, what a beautiful and polished young lady you are becoming. You look positively radiant.” Catherine stayed unusually quiet, not quite able to speak the words she wished to. She had so much to tell her friend but had been taught to wait her turn for such things, as Mrs. Stone had told all the girls their guests would like to rest before being bombarded with all the news the last four months had created.
Amelia stepped ahead and extended an embrace that welcomed Sara back into her home. “Sara, you look wonderful ... so tanned and glowing. Where in the world did you two spend your honeymoon while the rest of us were braving the cold weather and deep snows?” With that she gave her long time friend, Sam, a welcoming hug. “My goodness, you two look like you have had enough excitement to last a year.”
“It may take us a week to tell you all about it. Thank you so much for having us into your home again,” Sam responded placing a gentle kiss upon Amelia’s cheek.
“Let’s get you two settled in so you can get refreshed before we sit down for dinner,” Cedric said leading the couple to the stairway followed by the carriage driver who carried the two large suitcases. “Then we can sit back and listen to your amusing tales, Sara. Amelia has been anxious to hear what exciting report you may have for us again, as have I.”
“Oh yes, please do,” Amelia said quite excitedly. “Dinner will be served in an hour, just enough time for you to get settled and revived.
With that, Sam and Sara followed Cedric to the room they had shared before on previous visits.
The couple was very quiet when the door closed and they were given their privacy to prepare for the evening meal. Sam looked at Sara and gave her a slight smile for he knew as much as she was looking forward to going home again, she was also terrified of telling her friends their news. She would have preferred to keep this secret but she knew her husband was so excited about the prospect of becoming a father that it would be told sooner than later.
After putting their coats and boots away in the wardrobe Sam sat down on the bed beside Sara and said, as he had many times before, “It is going to be all right.” He held her hand tightly hoping she would believe they were in this together. “God will take care of us and our little one.” He placed his hand on her abdomen which was beginning to fill out.
“I don’t know if I can trust God,” she said rather bluntly, “I have asked Him for help so many times and have yet to have it answered.”
Sam gave a sigh and kissed his wife gently on her cheek. This was a conversation they had many times before and he knew until she held that baby in her arms she would not believe it could be true. While they were taking this venture together, he knew it would not be an easy one. Five times before, sadly, Sara had buried her children from a previous marriage. Even though doctors had told them their chances of having strong, healthy children was very good it was something Sara could not let herself believe. She had refused Sam’s proposals of marriage until her heart made her give in but now she feared the world would turn on her again. It was almost impossible for her to believe maybe this time, with this man, the things she had desired in her life could be a possibility.
Quietly together they started to prepare for their evening with friends. Out of a suitcase Sara took her corset and started to put it on, she wanted so much to be able to hide her situation. Sam reached out for it saying, “Sara, you have read what the books have to say about pregnancy and wearing restrictive clothing. There is no sense tempting fate here. Besides eventually everyone will know of your condition and there will be no way it can be kept a secret.” He put the undergarment back into her suitcase, making sure it was placed under her other clothing. Sara would have liked to argue with him but she knew he was right. Instead it was her turn to give a sigh and gave in to the idea it was just going to have to be.
The dining room table was set for five as Amelia thought it would be to Sam and Sara’s liking to have a fairly quiet evening. Catherine could join them through the meal and then the couples would retire to the sitting room and enjoy further conversation there. Amelia was right, it was a quiet conversation at the dinner table and she was surprised to find Sara was not quick into the conversation as she had been during her other visits. This time it was Sam who spoke of their visits to Florida and New Orleans and their journey back on a Riverboat up the Mississippi River as far north as possible before travelling back home by rail.
When there was a lull in the conversation Sara asked Catherine how everything had been with her. The girl, with a large grin, spoke of how well her schooling was going and how she loved living there and making new friends. Amelia spoke up and said Catherine was indeed proceeding in an excellent manner with her courses.
It was when Sara asked if she had heard from her family back on their farm near Brandon that Catherine suddenly became quiet and the smile faded from her face. She silently pulled a letter and newspaper clipping from a pocket in her skirt and handed it to Sara
saying, “My father died in January when he froze to death going home from the saloon.”
“What?” Cedric and Amelia said in unison as they could not believe what they were hearing for the first time. “Why didn’t you tell us, Catherine?” Amelia continued. “We knew you were upset for a time in February but we thought you were homesick.”
Catherine’s eyes filled with tears, “I hated him ... I am glad he is dead.” With that she mumbled something about being excused, burst into tears and quickly ran from the room. Sara swiftly got up from her chair and followed the girl, leaving the others as they sat in disbelief.
“I can’t imagine what she has been going through,” Cedric said shaking his head, “that poor girl.”
“Why would she not have told us?” Amelia questioned.
“I am sure her feelings have been very confusing,” Sam suggested. “To have her father brutally beat a child out of her, then having him die. For a young lady already entering a world of uncertainty this must have been shattering.”
“I cannot believe I did not look into her depression further,” Amelia continued, “I truly thought she was only homesick. She must not have told the other girls either or surely they would have told me.”
“You can’t read minds, Amelia,” Cedric said, placing his hand over hers. “She admires Sara. I am sure she will be able to help Catherine come to terms with this.”
Sara followed Catherine up to the dormitory and her room. Her roommate, whom Sara had not met before, had the look of alarm on her face, seeing her friend in such a state. Sara gently asked her to leave the room and closed the door when she left.
Catherine stood at the window sobbing. Sara quietly reached out to her, then held her in her arms and gently stroked her hair, trying to calm the girl. “I am so sorry, Catherine,” Sara said when the girl started to quiet down.
“I don’t understand why I am so sad,” Catherine said between sobs as she tried to catch her breath. “I hated him so much.”
“That may be,” Sara said as she continued to hold her friend, “but he still was your father. He was very hard on you and your family, but I am sure there are some happy memories you have of him.”
Catherine nodded and agreed, “Yes, he used to make up stories to tell us before we went to bed, sometimes. But he scared us all so much, and he was so angry. It seems like the last years he was angry all of the time.”
Sara looked at the short newspaper clipping from the Brandon Sun Weekly, dated January 26, 1883, that stated:
FROZEN TO DEATH
Word was received today Tom Hall’s body was found a half mile from his home. It is suspected on Thursday night after being in Brandon he fell from his horse as it was found at home. Mr. Hall may have lost his way and was frozen to death. Temperatures reached thirty-seven degrees below that night.
The note that accompanied the clipping was very short and was written in very tiny and shaky handwriting. It said:
Dear Catherine,
Sadly, I must tell you that your father died last week. Mr. Hunter has asked we all go to Brandon for the winter. He moved us there yesterday.
We all hope you are well.
Our love,
Mother
Sara smiled a little at the note, “Eric really took Sam’s request of watching over your family to heart. That is very good to know.” She gave the girl another strong hug as she continued. “Maybe you could come back to Brandon with Sam and me, just for a few days, so you can see your family is doing well. What do you think of that?”
Catherine folded up the note and clipping, placed them back into the envelope and then said, “I guess that would be a good idea, but I want to come back here. I have plans.”
“That is wonderful, Catherine,” Sara was happy for her. “Have you decided to become a teacher?”
“No,” the girl hesitated, “I want to do something like you have done. I want to become a nurse so I have decided to become a Grey Nun in St. Boniface.”
“But you aren’t Roman Catholic,” Sara said somewhat taken aback.
“I think I would like to become one.”
“But nuns can’t marry, Catherine. You will not be able to have a family.”
“That is fine,” she said, the look on her face was one of distaste, “I don’t want to ever be with a man again.”
“Oh, Catherine,” Sara tried to give her a hug again, but this time the girl responded rather stiffly. “You have just had a bad experience ... most men are not like your father, or your acquaintance from last fall.” Sara saw Catherine frown at the memory of her seduction by the young man she barely knew. “Don’t make your decision too hastily.”
There was silence for a moment before she spoke, “I want to be like you and help people. Mrs. Stone has heard there is going to be a nursing school open sometime in the next few years and if I can keep my grades up, she thinks I will be able to go there. But I do not want to marry or have a family.” She finally softened a little and gave in to the hug Sara was giving her. “I will go home for a few days and then I will come back here so I can do that.”
“It is good to have plans, Catherine, as long as you remember you can change them. I believe your mother will be very happy for you.” Sara stepped back. “Will you be all right? I think I best go back and join the others, I will speak to Mrs. Stone about you travelling home for a few days.”
Catherine nodded, “I will get some things packed tonight so I can join you tomorrow.”
“Good.” Sara leaned ahead and gave a light touch of her cheek to the girl’s. “Have a good night tonight and we will see you in the morning.” With that Sara dismissed herself and went out into the hallway where the young lady who had been sent from the room was standing waiting, a slight look of alarm still on her face. “It is all right, dear, you may go back into your room.”
The girl peeked in past the open door and saw Catherine looked to be feeling much better then said “Thank you” to Sara before going back into her room.
Sara nodded and thought to herself what a wonderful place this was for young ladies who needed a special home such as this. She continued back down to the dining room to be with her husband and friends.
The conversation stopped as Sara stepped back into the dining room.
“Is Catherine all right?” Amelia asked quite anxiously. She was very concerned for the girl who had become much more than just a student to her.
The men both stood up from their chairs and welcomed Sara back, and Sam pushed her chair back to the table as she sat down.
“She will be just fine. Sara nodded, “I have invited her to come back to Brandon with us for a few days. I do hope that is all right, Amelia?”
“Oh yes,” their hostess agreed, “I think that would be good for her. I cannot imagine why in the world she would not have told us about her father. I should have realized there was something much more wrong than just being homesick.”
“I wonder how Amy is managing with her brood of children,” Sam said looking at Sara rather concerned. “I do hope someone has taken them into town, for the winter months at least.”
Sara gave a slight smile, “The note sent with the newspaper clipping said Eric helped them move into Brandon. He really took your request of watching out for the family seriously.”
Sam returned the smile, “That is good. It sounds like he has everything under control.” Sam continued speaking to their hosts, “Eric Hunter is my right-hand man, a rather brutal sort I met down in Montana some years ago. Back in the day when I was not quite the decent businessman I am today, Eric took care of my more serious dealings. That of course was before I met my wonderful wife here.” He turned to Sara and offered her a wink the others could not see. “Maybe Eric is following my lead and softening just a little too.”
Amelia smiled and reached across the table to place her hand on Sara’s, but looked Sam in the eye. “I always told you, all you needed was a good woman.”
Sam nodded, “Yes, you certainly did, and it looks
like you were right all along.”
He looked at Sara and she smiled as nothing needed to be said.
“All seems good at the moment,” Cedric stated, “you can finish your dinner, Sara, and we will adjourn for the evening to the sitting room for our coffee.”
“Your supper will be cold,” Amelia said, ready to ring the bell for the maid. “I will have our cook warm it for you.”
“Oh no, really it is fine, thank you, Amelia. With all of the excitement I don’t think I can eat any more.”
“Well then,” Cedric started, “shall we retire to the sitting room and have our evening coffees?”
Sam was the only person who noticed the slightly startled expression on Sara’s face as they all stood up from the table. Quickly he came to his wife’s rescue by commenting, “That sounds very good but I am afraid Sara has lost her taste for coffee. It seems she picked up something on our journey which has affected her that way.”
Sara breathed a silent sigh of relief, happy that Sam did not give her secret away without being untruthful. Although it appeared to be rather unusual every time Sara discovered she was expecting a baby the first sign was always a distaste for the coffee that was usually her very favourite beverage.
“Some tea then,” Amelia asked, “with honey maybe?”
“That sounds wonderful,” Sara agreed with a smile of relief as she knew Sam was not planning on giving their secret away tonight.
An Explanation - Fact or Fiction
When I started to write “New Beginnings” I wondered what would happen to a family in the later 1800’s if a medical condition such as RH negative took almost all of their children. How devastating that would be, and to not know why, even more difficult. Originally my setting was in a location south of our border and it is because of this the gunshot crimes were invented. Although I tried, when I changed the location to near Brandon, Manitoba, I could not formulate a story that felt quite as intriguing, and therefore it remained in the story. To my knowledge nothing like this happened at this time. When I started to get into researching the timeline I found many interesting happenings so near to my own home that I could not help but bring the location here. While the main characters and their situations are totally fictitious most of the historical events and situations were found in researching many books and I believe them to be as reliable as the locations found them. In 2002 when I started writing New Beginnings, I did not have internet access and most of my research was done via book reading.
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