Love takes wing (Love Comes Softly #7)

by Janette Oke

  "Are ya all ready to come out to the farm tonight?" Clark was asking Belinda.

  "My things are all packed and waiting. We jest need to stop off at Luke's and pick 'em up," Belinda answered, savoring the pleasure of a whole week off to enjoy Melissa's company.

  "Ya sure you won't need me?" Belinda asked Luke one more time. He was tucking her things in beside Melissa's luggage when the wagon stopped at Luke's house.

  "Course I'll need you," Luke responded, but at the flicker of

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  concern in her eyes, he quickly added, "But for a few days I'll manage somehow And if I really get into difficulty, I'll send for you."

  "Promise?" asked Belinda.

  "Promise," Luke assured her.

  Belinda turned to give each of the boys a quick hug and climbed up into the wagon beside Melissa and Amy Jo.

  The trip to the farm was filled with more chatter--and this time it wasn't just Melissa who talked nonstop. Belinda soon began to feel that the conversation was almost as exhausting as the surgery. She hoped she soon would have Melissa to herself for a more quiet conversation. Belinda was sure she wouldn't really know if Melissa had changed until then, when the deeper thoughts and feelings of the two girls could be expressed.

  Until that time, Belinda knew she must be patient. The rest of the family wanted to have time with Melissa, too. She belonged to all of them. When they got to the farm, there would be a family dinner to welcome back Missie's "little girl." After dinner there would be a large stack of dirty dishes to be dealt with. There would be no time for a girlish chat on this night.

  Belinda allowed a small sigh to escape her. It was hardly audible with the grinding of the wagon wheels and the chattering of Melissa and Amy Jo, but it brought Marty's head around as she studied the face of her youngest.

  Marty didn't ask the question, but Belinda could sense it. She smiled at her mother to reassure her.

  "I'm a bit tired," she admitted. "It's been a very long day. Started even before sunup with the Norrises rushing their baby in with croup."

  Marty nodded in understanding. Clark overheard and turned his head.

  "A week's rest will do ya good," he said, then turned back to guide the team. "You've been workin' awful hard. Yer lookin' a

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  mite pale," he threw over his shoulder.

  "I'm fine--really," insisted Belinda and suddenly felt uncomfortable as the chattering stopped and all eyes rested on her.

  "One good night's sleep and I'll be right as rain," she said firmly, hoping that folks would forget her and get on with the catching-up again.

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  TWO

  Girl Talk

  When the last family wagon had left the yard and the last dish had been returned to the cupboard, Belinda was far too weary to suggest a chat. Melissa looked weary too, in spite of the fact that she still was chatting away about her year out east and her excitement with being back.

  Amy Jo reluctantly wrapped her shawl about her shoulders and headed for the log house across the farmyard, promising that she would be back again first thing in the morning.

  Belinda tried to stifle a yawn, but it was getting hard for her to keep her eyes open.

  "Ya be needin' yer bed," Clark commented, and Belinda could only nod in agreement.

  "You must be weary too, dear," Marty said to Melissa, giving her granddaughter an affectionate pat.

  Melissa smiled. "I am," she admitted. "Terribly! But I'm still not sure I'll be able to sleep. It's just so good to be back with you all."

  Belinda watched her mother's smile. She knew Marty had been afraid Melissa would be so taken with eastern civilization that she would almost forget her country relatives. But the girl had come back with her teacher's certificate and her genuine love and appreciation of family still intact. Belinda was as relieved as her mother.

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  "Ya best git on up to bed--both of ya," Marty said, looking from one girl to the other. "Plenty of time to catch up on all the news."

  They slowly climbed the steps together and did not even pause to visit at the doors to their rooms, but with a promise of a "good talk" on the morrow, they hugged good-night and went to bed.

  Belinda was so weary she could hardly lift her warm flannel gown over her head. Kneeling to say her evening prayers, her brain refused to function and her petition was shorter than normal. With a slight apology to God, she slipped between the soft sheets and was soon sound asleep. She did love being home in her own bed, much as she loved working with Luke and living with his family.

  Belinda slept much later than usual the next morning, oblivious to the sounds of the stirring household. She was unaware that Amy Jo had already made her appearance to a "sh-h-h" from her grandmother and that the sun was well on its way into the late spring sky.

  Melissa, too, had slept late, though she did awaken before Belinda. After eating one of Marty's hearty breakfasts, she left with Amy Jo to go look at some of her recent sketches and drawings.

  It was almost ten o'clock before Belinda even stirred. As she looked at the little clock on her dresser, she could scarcely believe her eyes--she couldn't remember ever sleeping so late. A bit embarrassed, she hurriedly dressed, made her bed, and tidied her room. She couldn't resist a peek through Melissa's open door and could see for herself that Melissa had already left a neat room and gone out to enjoy the new day.

  Belinda descended the stairs, and she felt her face flush as she heard Marty busily stirring in the kitchen. What would they think of her idling abed so long?

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  As Belinda came into the kitchen, Marty's head turned from her task. "My churnin' didn't waken ya, did it?" she asked worriedly.

  "Oh my, no," responded Belinda. "Fact is, I guess nothin' wakened me. I jest slept on and on."

  "Ya had a lot of catchin' up to do," insisted Marty. "Ya likely shoulda slept longer."

  "Mama," said Belinda in disbelief, "look at the time. It's 'most ten. I'll be willin' to bet ya never slept this late in yer whole life."

  "Nor do I have my sleep interrupted night after night," Marty said. "At least not since ya got old 'nough to sleep through the night," she commented with a chuckle. "Ya jest sit yerself down at the table now. I'll git ya some breakfast." When Belinda started to protest, Marty shushed her with a raised hand. "I don't get many chances ta feed ya anymore, Belinda. Let me do this."

  Belinda nodded her agreement and pulled out a chair. "It has been bad recently," she said as she sat down, "but it's not always like this."

  "Well, ya need a few nights of good sleepin'," Marty went on. "I'm glad ya got one to start out with."

  Belinda smiled. It was nice to have her mother fussing over her again.

  "Not much breakfast," Belinda quickly said as she noticed Marty getting out the frying pan for eggs and bacon.

  "Ya need to eat," Marty insisted, turning to look at her. "Yer gittin' thin."

  Belinda looked down at herself. Perhaps she had lost a few pounds--but nothing much.

  "It's 'most dinnertime. If I eat a big breakfast now, I won't want any dinner."

  Marty's eyes rested on the clock. She finally nodded in agreement. "Well, let me fix ya some bread and butter," she said, moving to slice some bread from the homemade loaf Belinda noted

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  that she sliced off two thick pieces and spread them both with butter and jam, but she did not complain when Marty put them in front of her on a plate.

  "Thanks, Mama," she said as she took a bite. "I think I'd be havin' to let my dresses out if ya was feedin' me all the time." They laughed comfortably together as Marty sat back down at her butter churn and starting the handle humming.

  "Where's Melissa?" asked Belinda around another bite.

  "Oh my! I promised the girls I'd let 'em know the minute ya stirred!" Marty jumped up from her chair to head for the door.

  "Let them be," Belinda waved her hand to stop her mother. She laughed softly. "As late as I've slept, a few more minutes won't hurt
anything. Amy Jo was most anxious to get a chance to talk to Melissa anyway. We'll jest give them a few more minutes while I have my breakfast, and then I'll go on over."

  Marty settled down again, this time at the table for a few quiet moments alone with Belinda.

  "Ya do look a mite better this mornin'," she observed. "I feel better, too," admitted Belinda.

  "Ya looked awful worn out last night. Thet nursin' be too hard on ya, I'm a thinkin'."

  "Oh no." Belinda was quick to defend her work. "Usually we get lots of sleep. Well--anyway, enough sleep. But recently we've had so many emergencies--accidents and illnesses. It's been a bad time for Luke, too. He really is far too busy. This town could use another doctor."

  "I never thought on thet," remarked Marty, looking surprised. "Luke says it himself," went on Belinda. "And Abbie--well, she says it often."

  "Maybe Jackson will come back here to practice," commented Marty. "His mama would sure like thet."

  It wasn't the first time Belinda had thought about that possibility. Jackson had changed his mind about banking and had

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  now completed two years of training toward becoming a doctor. Luke had mentioned Jackson's name several times when he talked about the town needing another medical doctor. Belinda hardly knew her own mind on the issue. She did hope fervently that Jackson had not decided on a career in medicine simply because of her own interest in nursing. But she couldn't help but wonder.

  When Jackson first left their area, he had written Belinda often. Belinda enjoyed the newsy letters telling of his new experiences, the long recitals of what he was learning in his classes and from the library textbooks. But soon the letters started to become more personal than Belinda was comfortable with. She thought Jackson seemed to be taking too much for granted. As difficult as it had been for her, she wrote Jackson, telling him she felt they were unwise to keep up the distant relationship. Jackson had written back a very kind and understanding letter. Still, Belinda had some misgivings. Jackson's words had implied quite clearly that this was "for now"

  "How much longer does Jackson have?" Marty was asking. Belinda's attention moved back to her mother.

  "Ah . .. ah," she stammered and then got her thoughts back in order. "Luke says he will be ready in two years, I think," she responded.

  "Can Luke wait thet long?"

  "He might have no choice. It's hard to find doctors willin' to work in small towns."

  "Has he talked to Jackson?"

  Belinda thought about that one. She wasn't sure, though one night she had heard Abbie urging Luke to get in touch with the young man before someone else spoke to him.

  "I don't know," she said, "but I think he may have."

  "I hope so. Fer Luke's sake. An' fer the sake of Abbie and the boys. Luke doesn't see nearly enough of 'em."

  "Thet's what worries Luke," Belinda said thoughtfully. "He

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  doesn't seem to tire like I do, but he does dislike being' so busy. He enjoys the boys so much and says they are growing up far too fast. He'd like more time to do father-son things. Take them fishin' and play ball and such."

  Belinda rose slowly from the table, reluctant to break off the visit with her mother but anxious to see Melissa--and Amy Jo, too. Though not too far from each other, they seemed to have few chances to really talk anymore.

  "I'd better go," she told her mother. "The girls will think I've gone and died in my bed."

  Marty smiled and rose to return to her churn.

  "I'll be back to help ya with dinner," Belinda promised.

  "No need," said Marty, "I've got it all ready to jest put on the stove. You go ahead and enjoy your visit. The days will go fast enough."

  Belinda knew that was true. She stacked her dishes on a corner of the cupboard and left the house.

  The morning sunshine felt warm and welcome on her hair. She turned her face to it and breathed in deeply of the spring air. Above her, birds twittered and frolicked, looking like they, too, were thankful to be alive. It was nest-building time.

  Belinda found Melissa and Amy Jo on the lawn swing sipping lemonade and chatting intently. Both girls called to her and motioned her over to join them.

  "Yer lookin' better," said the frank Amy Jo. "Ya looked awful last night."

  Belinda smiled.

  "Not awful," corrected the more tactful Melissa, "but awfully tired."

  "Thet's what I said," Amy Jo hastened to assure her. "Awful!" The three laughed.

  "So are ya caught up on all the news?" Belinda asked Melissa. "Oh my, no," Melissa countered. "That will take much longer

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  than we've had. I doubt we'll get it all said in the next two weeks."

  At the mention of "two weeks:' Amy Jo's face fell and she quickly said, "Don't talk about it. I don't want to even think about Melissa leaving again."

  "I do," said Melissa evenly. "I haven't seen Mother or Father for almost three years."

  Amy Jo immediately turned sympathetic. "Have ya missed them terribly?"

  "I've missed them. Sometimes a lot. Other times not so much. But I've missed them. And Nathan and Joe and Julia." Melissa's face became very thoughtful. "I've even missed the ranch hands and my horses," she admitted.

  "If I left home, I don't think I could stand it," said Amy Jo, shaking her head. "I'd miss everyone so much."

  Melissa nodded. "I'm glad I came," she informed the two girls. "Really glad I came. But I will be glad to get home again, too."

  "I'm glad ya came, too," said Belinda softly. "It would have been a shame not to get to know ya."

  "It would have been jest awful," wailed Amy Jo. "Jest awful!" "Even more awful than I looked last night?" teased Belinda, and they chuckled again.

  "I think it's good to see more of the world than your own little nook," Melissa said. "I love the West, but I'm glad I dared to leave home for a time and get to know a bit more about our country. One can get so . . . so . . . ingrown."

  Ingrown, thought Belinda. Guess that's what's happening to me. I know nothing about the world except these few miles around where I was born and live. Nothing!

  "An' ya never would have met Jackson!" squealed Amy Jo, and the girls laughed merrily.

  "Jackson," Melissa chuckled. "You know, there was a time

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  when I thought that life just wouldn't be worth living without Jackson."

  "Is it?" wailed Amy Jo in mock surprise.

  Melissa laughed again. "Well," she said, her large brown eyes rolling heavenward, "if I learned nothing else at normal school, I did learn this. There are lots of young men out there. And some of them--a few of them--are even as exciting as Jackson."

  "No-o-o!" groaned Amy Jo.

  "On my honor," said Melissa in mock seriousness, raising her right hand.

  From there the talk went on to Melissa's year at the school and the school parties and church functions that she'd attended and the escorts she'd had for such occasions.

  Amy Jo clasped her hands together, moaning openly at the very idea of being a popular young lady in such a circumstance. Belinda listened quietly, though she did have a few questions of her own she wished to ask Melissa. She wasn't sure if she would enjoy so many beaus or not, but it was interesting to think about it. One thing for sure was that she was no longer concerned about Melissa being heartbroken ifJackson should choose someone else.

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  THREE

  A Neighborhood Party

  A party in Melissa's honor was being planned. It was really Amy Jo's idea, but Marty saw it as an opportunity for the youth of the community to get together for a fun fellowship time and heartily endorsed it. Belinda, who usually wasn't too keen on parties, found herself looking forward to the Saturday evening event.

  The guest list included past school friends and young people of the local church. The invitations went out, and Amy Jo was very worried about how many would be able to come on such short notice. "What if nobody comes," she was constantly wailing till s
he nearly drove everyone to distraction.

  But on the evening of the party, the teams and saddle horses began to arrive shortly after seven, and the Davis farmyard soon was filled with tethered animals and various kinds of horse-drawn vehicles. It had been some time since so many of the girls' schoolmates had been together, and there were lots of excited greetings and laughter as the group gathered in the large backyard.

  The festivities began in the nearby pasture with a game of softball, the fellows playing and the girls wildly cheering them on. Then a few girls joined the game, Amy Jo one of them. She was used to playing most of the games that her younger brothers played and saw no reason to be left out. She coaxed Melissa and Belinda to play, but Belinda declined. She had never cared much

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  for sports of any kind and did not want to embarrass herself by showing her lack of ability

  Melissa hesitantly joined the game. Her sports skills were no greater than Belinda's, but she was going to make the most of her lack of expertise. Joe Parker coached her running. Tom Rankin helped her to cover third base, though his spot was really shortstop, and Sly Foster showed her how to hold and swing the bat. Melissa looked as if she was actually enjoying the game of softball.

  The game continued until almost sundown. When it became too dark to see the ball, the group switched to other running games. Belinda excused herself, saying that she would prepare the fire for the corn roast to follow.

  She was laying the kindling wood in the open brick pit Clark had built in the backyard for just such occasions when a voice spoke to her from the soft twilight. "May I help?"

  It was Rand O'Connel, a young man Belinda hadn't seen since school days. Belinda thanked him and moved aside so that Rand could take over the task.