“Sure was a surprise to find two babies this morning.” Deidre could hear the smile as Edna spoke. “We’re expecting another little one ourselves before long. I’m figuring before the summer’s over. Maybe in September. God sure has blessed Ned and me. Who’d have thought we’d be blessed with nine children! But I don’t think you can ever have too many.”
“Yes, children are certainly a great gift God gives us. Such a trust.”
“Oh, you’re so right, Deidre. It’s easy to think of the fun and excitement of another child, but we must take the responsibility very seriously as we carefully guide and teach our children. They learn to know God through our own example. It almost frightens me when I think of it.”
Deidre gave a slight chuckle. “I wouldn’t worry too much, Edna. You and Ned have done a wonderful job teachin’ your children well. Just repeat what you’ve done in the past.”
“And now we even have help.” Edna smiled. “It’s fun overhearing the older children teaching the younger ones. Often we hear them repeating what we’ve said and sounding so mature.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed the same in Jedediah as he plays with helps Daniel. They sure catch on quickly.”
As the two women drew near the house, Edna stopped and squeezed Deidre’s hand. “I don’t want to bring up a subject that is heavy on your heart, but I want you to know that I do pray regularly that God will reunite you with your husband. I know it must be hard for you to see Mandy and me both with our husbands and children, and you don’t even know where Jeremiah is and if he’s well. But we must believe that it will happen.”
Deidre’s eyes moistened. “Yes, I do believe with all my heart it’ll happen. And usually I can be patient and trust God’s timin’. Other times it’s easy to be impatient and I want to yell at God. But I do know my husband, and I believe he’ll find me and come as soon as he possibly can. I do thank you sincerely for your prayers. Please do continue prayin’.”
Deidre looked up in time to see the four small boys sitting on the grass playing a game. Daniel was stretched out beside them, looking very near to being asleep. “I also think if we don’t serve this meal soon, we’ll have a little boy sleeping with an empty tummy.” She grinned and pointed in the direction of the boys.
“My, look how dirty those boys are! Guess we’d better get them in and clean them up.” Edna gave Deidre a last squeeze around the waist and took off in the direction of the boys.
The Browning girls met Deidre at the door. “What else, Miss Deidre?”
“You girls go tell the men to come and wash up for lunch. Everythin’s ready and waitin’. Please tell them there’s soap, water, and towels on the back porch.”
Chapter 8
Ned Browning and his three older boys, Thomas, Edward, and Nicholas, returned the following day to help put a roof on the new addition. When they finished, Ethan built a lovely wooden floor and divided the new large room into two rooms. Each of the rooms had a real glass window, just like in the main house.
Deidre helped Ethan mix the daubing for between the logs, and she worked at daubing all the walls as far up as she could reach, with Ethan finishing the upper parts. Ethan always enjoyed building things, and what he loved most was making the beautiful furniture that he often created. He was eager to get the rooms finished so he could make furniture for them.
That summer had a pattern and rhythm different than other summers. While Mandy recuperated from the birthing, she watched after the four children, took care of the lighter housework, and made most of the meals for the family. Ethan took care of the animals and barn chores in the mornings and evenings and worked on his carpentry tasks during the hottest part of the day. Deidre worked in the gardens in the early morning coolness, then would work at preserving the vegetables during the hottest part of the day. In the cool of the evenings she and Mandy would sew on the quilts and curtains for the new rooms.
It was a busy summer, but when September came, Ethan decided he must make a trip to the store. The women had also been making soaps for sale, and he planned to take the soaps and get the supplies they would need for the winter.
“Ethan, please stop in and check on Edna as you pass the Brownings’. Her birthing time should be soon now, I believe, and if there’s any way we can help, I’d sure like to know.” Mandy smiled contentedly as she looked at her two babies lying cuddled together in the cradle.
“Perhaps I could go stay with her until her time comes?” Deidre spoke the sentence as a question, looking at Mandy. “I know she has the girls to help out, but she might like to have a woman to help with the birthin’, and Ned might appreciate it this time also.”
Ethan and Deidre left early the next morning, leaving the four children at the cottage with Mandy. As they neared the Brownings’ house, Deidre sensed something was wrong. There was no singing and laughter, no shouts of small children at play, no thud of a hoe as it encountered earth.
Deidre pointed silently, and Ethan’s gaze followed her finger. Thomas was walking slowly toward the barn with his head low, his feet nearly dragging. The door to the house stood open, but no one could be seen.
While Ethan tied the horses to the fence post, Deidre ran ahead to the house. She knocked gently on the doorframe while at the same time walking quietly through the opened door. The children were all sitting, heads low, at the table quietly. When Betsy saw Deidre, she ran to her and hugged her fiercely. Tears coursed down the girl’s cheeks.
Deidre patted her back and realized the other children were crying, too. “What is it? Where’s your momma? Your daddy?”
Between sobs Betsy said, “Momma took sick several days ago. She’s very hot and thrashing in her bed and talking nonsense. Oh, Deidre, we don’t know what’s happening with her. Daddy is with her, but he doesn’t know what to do either. Thomas rode into town yesterday to find a doctor, but there isn’t one around here now.”
“Is there fresh water in the house?” Deidre asked softly while taking her bonnet off and tying on an apron almost in the same motion. She looked at Edward. “You and Nicholas go and bring in some fresh water. I must bathe your mother in cool water, and I’ll need lots of it.”
The young men seemed to be grateful for something to do. They quickly left while Deidre asked Betsy to put on a pot of coffee.
“I’ll go check on your momma, and we’ll see what we can do. Please let me know as soon as the cool water is here.”
Deidre stood in the doorway to the bedroom while her eyes adjusted to the dim light. As she made out the forms, she saw Ned sitting in a chair by the bed with his head in his hands. She couldn’t tell if he was praying or sleeping. But the form on the bed was very still.
As she walked closer to the bed, Deidre saw that even though the breathing was shallow, Edna was still breathing. She sighed a prayer of gratitude and laid her hand on Ned’s shoulder. When he looked up at her, Deidre knew he had not slept well for some time.
When Ned peered over Deidre’s shoulder, she turned to see Ethan enter the room behind her.
“She’s resting quiet for now.” When Ned spoke, his words were thick with exhaustion and unshed tears.
“Ned, why don’t you go get some sleep? I’ll care for Edna for a while. If there is any change, I’ll call you, but you need to get some rest, or you’ll be sick, too,” Deidre urged.
She was surprised at his nod.
Ethan immediately took Ned’s arm, and the two men passed out of the room.
When Deidre placed her hand on Edna’s forehead, she was alarmed at how hot her face was. She lifted Edna’s hand. It, too, was burning. Quickly she went to the bedroom door and asked Betsy if there was cool water yet. At the same time she saw Edward entering the back of the house with a bucket brimming with water from the well.
Soon she was bathing Edna’s face and body with cold towels. She continued bathing her for several hours, but in spite of the cool water Edna began to sweat. Water poured from her body and soaked into the sheets and blankets.
That a
fternoon, when Ned awakened, he lifted Edna’s weakened body so Deidre could change sheets on the bed and freshen it. When they laid Edna back onto the bed, she sighed first and then started breathing the deep breaths of a restful sleep.
“I think her fever is down now, Deidre. She seems to be sleeping better. Do you think she’ll get well?” Hope crept back into Ned’s voice as he searched Deidre’s face.
“We can’t know for sure, but I think the worst is over and that she’ll get well now. But that was a very high fever, Ned. I don’t know what will happen with the baby.” Deidre’s voice was quiet as she turned her face away from Edna’s hearing. “We must continue to pray for her and for this baby.”
Ned looked down at his wife and leaned over to kiss her tenderly on her forehead. “Come back to me soon, Edna. We all need you, but I need you most of all. Get your rest now and then come back to us. Please come back to us soon.” He placed another kiss on her forehead before turning toward the door. “I’ll go help with the chores now.” And he walked resolutely out the door.
Before long Deidre could smell food cooking. When her stomach made noise, she realized they had all forgotten about lunch completely. All was hushed in the main part of the house, as it was here in the bedroom. Deidre could hear the quiet questions of the younger children and the gentle voices of Betsy and Ellie as they tried to answer.
She had learned from Betsy that her mother had been this way for three days now. At first, Edna had just felt very tired and then was cold in spite of the heat of the early autumn days. Soon she had taken to her bed. Betsy and Ellie had tried to keep the family fed as they waited for their mother to get well.
When Ethan returned from his trip to the store, Deidre sent him on his way home, saying she would remain with the Brownings until the baby came and Edna was well.
At dusk, as Deidre rose to light a lamp, Betsy came in through the partially opened bedroom door. “Go have some soup with the others, Deidre, and I’ll stay with Momma. I will call you if there is any change.”
“Have you eaten today?” Deidre looked into the pale, young face that was turned up solemnly.
“No, not yet, but I will when you are finished.”
“Betsy, you go eat with your family, and then I’ll eat when you are finished.”
Betsy started to argue, but Deidre turned her toward the door and gave a gentle push. The young girl was too weary of heart to argue.
Through the long night Ned and Deidre took turns sitting by the bed and continuing to bathe Edna’s face and arms with cool water, even though she breathed much more evenly now and her face did not feel so hot to the touch.
Early in the morning Ned went to the barn to help with the chores. Deidre’s head was drooping once again when she heard a weak groan from the bed. When she placed her hand on Edna’s forehead, Edna’s eyes opened and focused on Deidre’s face.
“Are you awake, Edna? Are you seein’ me?” Deidre spoke quietly but excitedly.
“I see you, Deidre. Thank you for coming.” Edna’s voice was very soft as though she didn’t have enough strength to push the words between her lips. Suddenly her face tightened as she groaned once again. “I think the baby is coming.” Edna spoke the words very calmly. Slowly her hands moved to cradle her distended stomach. “Will you help me, Deidre?”
She barely got the words out before they were followed with a more solid groan. Deidre began the preparation. It was good to hear Edna’s voice, even though it was very weak, but Deidre was concerned at the contractions beginning when Edna was so weak. As she ministered to her friend, Deidre prayed urgently in her heart.
Throughout the long day Edna continued to have pains sporadically, but it was in the wee hours of the morning before the limp and blue little girl entered the world. Deidre worked and worked, but the little one never opened her eyes or took a breath. Finally, when Edna was sleeping and the tiny infant was cleaned up, Deidre went to the doorway and called to Ned softly. He looked up hopefully, but she turned back into the room. He followed her and saw the still form wrapped in a blanket in the cradle. Even though tears were running down his face, he looked at his wife quickly and saw that she still breathed. “Is Edna doing all right?”
“So far. I don’t think she even realizes the little girl is not livin’.”
Ned swallowed hard. “It’s probably best for now.” His voice wasn’t much more than a whisper as he laid his hand on his wife’s arm. Then his knees bent and he knelt beside the bed, groaning. Deidre knew he was praying. Quietly she slipped out of the room.
Standing at the front window, she gazed out into the darkened world. The children were all sleeping, but the sadness she felt permeated the home. She couldn’t help but wonder if she could have done something differently or if she had failed Edna in some way. She longed to hold her own son in her arms even though she knew he was being well cared for at the Evanstons’.
Suddenly Deidre felt very alone. “Jeremiah,” she whispered, “where are you? Are you strugglin’, too? Do you miss me?” She looked up to see an almost full moon and remembered that wherever Jeremiah was in the world, the same moon was shining down on him and the same God was watching over him. Somehow she knew that he longed to be with her also.
As Deidre lay on a blanket to rest until morning, she suddenly realized why she felt so alone. It was not only that she missed someone whom she loved dearly. She thought of how Mandy had felt in her heart that Ethan was alive somewhere when she had been told he was dead, and how complete the two of them were now that they were back together. She thought of how lost Ned seemed as he prayed over Edna and tried to go on about the chores and life in general while she lay very ill in that bed. It was as though part of Ned was sick in that bed.
That’s when Deidre understood that the longing in her heart for her husband was more than just loneliness. When a man and a woman were joined as husband and wife, somehow, miraculously, God truly joined them as one person and their hearts became one. She was missing that very important part of herself called a husband. But she was reassured that her heart felt quite certain Jeremiah was still living and well.
Chapter 9
Miss Sue Ellen and Jeremiah sat silently on the wide front veranda. It was a hot, still Sunday afternoon. Miss Sue Ellen’s fan moved slowly back and forth as they sat companionably in the silence. She was a patient woman. She had asked, and she knew it was an unusual question and that Jeremiah would answer her if she was patient.
Jeremiah looked out over the property. He could hear Miss Sue Ellen’s children playing with the Negro children behind the house. He had personally seen Miss Sue Ellen kiss a small, skinned black knee just the same as she kissed her own children’s scrapes and bruises. On this plantation they all were considered part of the family, and it was a joy to hear the laughter and giggles and shouts. He knew Mammy sat under a shade tree and would prevent any spats as she pretended to doze, her fan drooping languidly into her lap.
He heard the drone of a hummingbird as it feasted on the nearby roses climbing profusely to the second story on a trellis at the end of the porch, their fragrance blending with the smell of the warm earth. It was a good life here, and he would be content if only his Deidre and their baby could be here with him. He knew Miss Sue Ellen understood his predicament, and her offer was generous. What choice did he have, really?
Yes, he knew he could leave. He’d earned his freedom now. But would it really be worth it to find Deidre and settle down somewhere, knowing this good family needed his help? He knew that by helping them he was not only helping them live a good life, but more importantly, he was also helping free more slaves every year.
She was only asking for two more years (with good pay) and with a reconsideration at the end of the first year. Suddenly his head turned sharply as he heard a child cry out in pain. Immediately he heard Mammy’s reassuring voice as she picked the little one up with a grunt. He could picture it all as he heard her murmuring to the child who had fallen. Jeremiah felt his heart tigh
ten as he longed to have his own child here with him, playing with these happy children. Why did life have to be so filled with trials?
He glanced at Miss Sue Ellen. She was lovely to look at, but knowing that her heart was also lovely made it easy to be unselfish. He knew that she depended on him now that her husband was recuperating and unable to run the plantation. God had indeed answered all their prayers and healed Mr. Wally in many ways, but he still could not walk alone and struggled to form sentences. So Jeremiah had taken over much of the responsibility of running the plantation.
Finally Jeremiah spoke. “Miss Sue Ellen, have you noticed young Alexander? Y’all done a good thing teachin’ all these youngsters. It’s good for even field hands to know how to read a good book and add and subtract. But take Alexander now. He’s learnin’ to be a right good leader now, don’t ya think?”
“Yes, Jeremiah, he certainly is.” She closed her eyes as a smile played across her face. He knew she was pleased with young Alexander. Her fan moved again slowly as she waited for Jeremiah to finish his thought.
“Have you noticed that Alexander is sweet on that young Miss Jasmine?”
Miss Sue Ellen tipped her head in a thoughtful nod.
“Well, I’m thinkin’ I could teach Alexander all that Mr. Wally taught me ’bout runnin’ this plantation. We could work side by side. In another year or so, if he and Miss Jasmine should jump the broom, I’m thinkin’ he’d prob’ly be glad to stay on here as foreman and would do a right smart job runnin’ this place until yer own youngsters be old enough. Alexander would be a great assistant for Mr. Wally when he begins to get involved in runnin’ the plantation again.”
The Long Road Home Romance Collection Page 30