by Janette Oke
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"Yer right," admitted Amy Jo. "He'll see thet I'm there all right."
She hurried out the door, and Melissa and Belinda put out the light and climbed the stairs by the light of the moon through the window.
Belinda tried to hang on to each precious day with Melissa, but each one just flew by. Melissa swung between excitement and melancholy, but Amy Jo seemed to have just one mood. She was down--really down. She just knew she would lose all interest in her world when Melissa stepped onto that westbound train.
Belinda was working in the kitchen when Kate came to share afternoon tea with Marty
"I'm worried 'bout Amy Jo," Kate admitted. "She jest dotes on Melissa, an' I'm afraid what it will do to her when Melissa goes off home."
Marty had also sensed the loss Amy Jo was facing.
"Clare an' me have talked an' talked about it. It would be so much better fer Amy Jo iffen she had some kind of work, like Belinda, but she ain't at all interested in nursin'. I've talked to her about tryin' to git a job in town, in the store or some such. She has no interest. She's never wanted to teach. Jest likes to draw an' paint--an' I don't see much future in thet fer a girl way out here."
Marty nodded solemnly.
"We've been thinkin' thet she needs to git away from home fer a bit. She's always known jest us--jest life here on the farm. She needs to--what do they say?--`expand her horizons,' get acquainted with somethin' more." Kate twisted her empty cup in obviously nervous hands.
"I came to talk to ya about it. Clare an' me jest don't know whether it's wise or not, an' we'd like yer honest opinion. Clare is talkin' it over with Pa." Kate stopped to take a deep breath. "Ya
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know thet Amy Jo has always teased 'bout goin' off to art school, an' me an' Clare jest have never felt right 'bout it. Well, we still don't. But maybe . . . jest maybe a girl has to try her own wings a bit."
Marty was about to shake her head. She knew little about the big cities that offered art classes, but she wasn't sure that an immature, strong-willed, impulsive girl like Amy Jo should be away on her own.
"Well, we still don't think thet art school be the place fer her," went on Kate, much to Marty's relief, "but we been wonderin' if maybe a trip west would be good fer her."
"West?" asked Marty, surprise in her voice and face.
Belinda swung around from the cupboard, wondering if she had heard Kate correctly.
"Well, she's got lots of kin there, an' Melissa has already done a fair bit of travelin' on her own and could look out for her, an' she could jest spend some time drawin' an' paintin' new things,
"Ya mean, let 'er go on out with Melissa?"
Kate nodded, her face still full of questions.
Marty thought for a few minutes and then her eyes began to shine. "I think thet's a good idea," she said, and a small smile began at the corners of her mouth. "Never did care fer the idea of Melissa travelin' thet far all alone."
Kate let out her breath. "Ya don't think me an' Clare are being' foolish?"
"No."
"Spoilin' her jest because she's our only girl?"
"Oh no. Like ya say, it should be good fer her to see another part of the world. She needn't stay long." Marty thought for a minute, then went on. "We'll all miss her. She has her own way of makin' things seem more fun."
"I know" sighed Kate. "I can hardly bear the thought of
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givin' her up--even fer a short time."
Belinda moved forward. The two ladies at the table seemed to have forgotten all about her.
Kate looked up, her eyes misted with tears. "We haven't said anything to Amy Jo yet," she hastened to tell Belinda.
"Of course," Belinda assured her. "I won't mention it."
"Thanks," Kate murmured and rose from the table. "I'd best git back. I left Amy Jo doin' one last sketch of Melissa." She stood for a moment deep in thought. "Iffen Pa thinks thet it's not foolish . . . then I guess we'll let her go," she stated.
Belinda wondered if Kate was secretly praying that Clark would veto the idea.
But Clark did not. He heartily approved of Amy Jo being given the chance to see the West.
"I jest wish ya was free so thet ya could go on out with 'em," he told Belinda.
"Oh, I couldn't--not now," Belinda was quick to inform him. "Luke is just so busy. He needs me right now. It will be different if another doctor comes."
And then for the first time Belinda let herself think about how much she would like to be going with the other two girls. It would be so much fun to travel together--to see another part of the world. It would be awfully lonely with both of them gone. Belinda was glad she would have plenty of work to fill her days. She didn't know how she would ever bear Melissa and Amy Jo both leaving her behind if she weren't so busy.
When Amy Jo was told the good news, she went wild with excitement, just as Belinda had known she would. Melissa was glad for a traveling companion and immediately began to share with Amy Jo all the things they would see and do together. Both girls begged Belinda to try to get some free weeks so she might
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join them, but Belinda answered firmly that until another doctor arrived, she was needed here.
A wire was sent off to Missie and a reply came back directly, saying they would be thrilled to have the company of Amy Jo for as many months as her parents would be willing to let her stay.
Bags, trunks, and boxes were packed in a flurry of excitement. Belinda missed out on some of the commotion. She had to go back to Luke's to take up her responsibilities in the practice. But she had the afternoon off to see the girls board the train. Never had she seen anyone so eager as Amy Jo.
"Oh, I wish thet ya were comin', too," she enthused. "Then it would be jest . . . jest wondrous!"
Belinda nodded. "I wish I were, too," she admitted.
"I'm going to miss you so-o much," sniffed Melissa. "You've been just . . . just like a sister. I wish we weren't so many miles apart."
There were tearful good-byes all around. Even Clark wiped his eyes and blew his nose. The girls had many messages to convey to the loved ones out west and were told over and over how to behave themselves among strangers. At last, all too soon for those who stood on the wooden platform once more, the westbound train was chugging off, its whistle sounding shrilly on the afternoon air. Belinda waved her handkerchief with tears running down her cheeks as two excited passengers leaned from the window to wave back.
As the train rounded the distant bend, Belinda turned from her family and the dusty platform, glad that Luke needed her.
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FIVE
Back to Work
After her two nieces departed, Belinda's days--and often nights--were filled, as before, with assisting Luke. But the weekends at the farm no longer seemed as inviting and pleasurable. Being home with Clark and Marty was a nice break from the medical practice. But it certainly was not the same without Amy Jo breezing cheerily in and out of the farmhouse, and no longer could Belinda tell herself that "soon Melissa will be back" to share the big house.
The boys in the nearby log house missed their big sister, too, though Dan and David were reluctant to admit it. Dack had no inhibitions about such sentiments and expressed his feelings openly, often lamenting the fact that his folks had allowed Amy Jo to leave.
"She will be home again in a few months and you will appreciate her even more," his mother assured him more than once.
Kate now visited Marty far more frequently. Often she brought handwork with her. She could hardly bear the "empty nest" and left it with the least excuse. Some days she even went to the fields with Clare, driving the team while he pitched hay or loaded rock.
Marty, too, said she missed the energetic Amy Jo. The days slipped by with no Amy Jo bouncing in and out asking favors, eating cookies, running errands, or bringing bits of news. Marty
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wondered aloud if she should take to the fields herself, but as it was, she had all she could do t
o keep up with housework and garden.
As fall arrived the family began to count the days until Amy Jo would be back home. Then one of her fat, newsy letters had an unexpected request. "Please, please," she begged, "could I just stay for a few more months? I just love it out here. The people are so friendly, and there is so much to draw and paint. I've learned so much more about color. You wouldn't believe the colors out here. They are wondrous! So different than around home."
Much to Dack's disappointment, Clare and Kate reluctantly agreed that she might have a bit more time and come home in time for Christmas.
Belinda couldn't help but be disappointed, as well. She had been looking forward to having her niece back and hearing all about Amy Jo's adventures.
Belinda took a few days off to help Marty with the fall preserving. Marty, thankful to have her youngest at home even for a short time, chatted as they worked, catching up on their mother- daughter talks.
The snow came early, and Marty said she was doubly glad that she'd had Belinda's help to get in the garden. The menfolk had not been so fortunate with the crops. One field was still unharvested and probably would remain so until spring, with the look of the late fall storms. Clark and Clare discussed the situation and decided to turn the cattle into the field. The herd could forage for what was there. Then at least the whole planting would not be lost.
Minor farm accidents and a nasty flu had kept Luke's surgery full. Now measles had visited the neighborhood, and many children and a few adults were down with the disease. So Belinda had little time to really mope about. Still, she looked forward to Amy
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Jo's letters and read and reread every incident until she had them almost memorized.
Christmas was approaching, and Belinda began to count the days again. Amy Jo's return would not be long now. Belinda expected news of her arrival date with each new letter that came, but each time she quickly scanned the pages, the homecoming news was missing. Belinda was sure Clare and Kate would never agree to Amy Jo's missing Christmas.
When another bulky letter arrived with her name on the envelope, Belinda tore it open, quickly looking for a date, but again it was not given.
She was very surprised to read:
Remember when Melissa said there weren't many fellows to choose from out here? Well, she was wrong. One of them is calling on her. She might have forgotten about the young men out here, but believe me, they didn't forget about her! And it didn't seem to take her long to remember Walden when he asked if he could call. Walden came to see her almost as soon as she got home. I guess he was just waiting for her to get back.
So Melissa had a beau! Belinda was not surprised. "Bet Missie was glad ya waited till ya got home," Belinda murmured to her faraway niece, then continued on with Amy Jo's letter.
And just listen to this! Amy Jo went on.
Walden has a younger brother named Ryan. He is just wondrous! I could write pages and pages about him. They are the sons of a neighborhood rancher. Their pa helped Grandpa build the little church. And Ryan is calling on me. Isn't that just wondrous! They usually call on us together. Walden and Ryan both plan on ranching with their pa. Melissa says that the ranch is plenty big enough to support three families. They have a sister, too, but she is crippled. Was thrown from a horse when she was a child and has never had proper use of her legs since. It is really
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sad, but she is a nice person and doesn't let it get her down. She loves art, too, and I have spent some time helping her to learn to sketch. She really isn't awfully good at it yet, but she does her best.
Belinda smiled. Amy Jo was as candid as ever. Belinda couldn't help but wonder about the poor girl who couldn't walk. Would she have been able to overcome the fall if she'd had proper medical attention?
Well, I've got to go, Amy Jo's letter finished up.
Wally and Ryan will be here soon and I must get ready. I will tell you more about him next letter. I would love for you to meet him, but until you do, I'll describe him the best I can in a sketch.
Oh yes. Please, please don't say anything to the folks yet! I don't want them getting all upset about this. I'm not sure yet how Ryan really feels about me, and until he makes his intentions known, there is no use causing any fuss. You understand!
I guess I should say that I wish you were here. I do miss you--terribly--but I'm afraid I don't wish you were here. If you were, then Ryan likely would have picked you, and I just would have died if- that had happened.
I love you, Amy Jo
Belinda stood with the letter drooping in her hands. Amy Jo has a beau--little Amy Jo--and she doesn't want the fact known! Belinda's thoughts whirled. Is it honest for me to keep it from Clare and Kate? she wondered. But if she were to tell, what could she say? Amy Jo likes a young man but she isn't sure yet if he likes her? That would accomplish very little. No, she'd keep quiet, at least until more facts were known. No good would come of her telling now.
She turned her eyes back to the letter and then remembered
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the last page--Amy Jo's sketch of her "wondrous" Ryan.
Belinda's eyes looked at an ordinary yet pleasant face. Amy Jo's drawing had even seemed to capture a joyful twinkle in his eyes, and his mouth parted slightly with a hint of a smile. He was boyish looking, but Belinda reminded herself that Amy Jo was not much more than a girl. But youthful or not, they suited each other somehow, this young man and Amy Jo. Belinda could see why they might take to each other.
Carefully she folded the paper and tucked it and the letter into her top dresser drawer. Deep inside she felt a stirring of loneliness as she had never felt before. Was life passing her by?
The news did not need to be kept secret for long. Amy Jo's next letter to her folks told them all about Ryan Taylor. She begged and pleaded for them to please, please, give her one more extension of her visit. She wanted to spend Christmas with Ryan and his family. She would be home early in the new year--at least by Easter, she promised--and she sent her love to each one of them, thanking them for their patience and understanding.
Clare and Kate were dumbfounded. They had not realized that their little girl was so grown-up that she might fall in love on her trip out west. Belinda was quite sure they would have kept her closer to home if they had even considered such a possibility. Now the damage was done. Amy Jo was miles away and felt herself deeply in love with a young man that her parents had never seen.
A long letter from Missie, which soon followed, helped the situation a bit. She wrote to Clare and Kate, giving them a detailed account of Ryan and his family. He certainly seemed to be an upright and worthy young man, but that fact did not move him one mile closer to the Davis farmstead. Still, it did manage to reassure Clare and Kate to some degree. It did nothing for
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Dack. He fretted and cried and declared that Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without his big sister.
Belinda felt the same way, but she didn't add to the gloom of the family by stating it.
Three days before Christmas, Luke's Abbie had a baby girl. The precious little one added new meaning to the season for all of them. She had arrived two weeks early, but though she was tiny, she was wiry and healthy. Belinda felt she had never seen anyone so small and so sweet.
So they missed Luke's family at the Christmas dinner table, too, but the rest of the family gathered as usual. Belinda did not linger for long. If Luke should be called out on an emergency, someone would need to be with Abbie and the children. She ate as hurriedly as she dared, shared in the opening of the gifts, and then saddled Copper and headed for town. Marty was sad to see her go, but she told her that she knew Belinda's responsibilities made it necessary.
"Yer first Christmas," Belinda crooned to the tiny Ruth Ann as she held her that evening. "What did ya think about it? Oh, it was a little different this year. No big dinner for ya with all of the cousins and aunts and uncles. Not much fuss and bother in presents because we didn't know ya were coming quite so soon. But
the real Christmas--that was the same. This is Jesus' birthday, Ruth Ann. Ya almost shared His day. I wonder if He was ever as tiny as ya are." Belinda's finger stroked the soft cheek. "His mama didn't have much of a Christmas, either, thet first year. No presents--until later when the wise men came--no warm room or fancy dinner. But she did have some guests. Strangers--not family. Shepherds. Not too polished, I would think.
"But I'm sure she was happy, because she had her little Son. She knew He was special--but she didn't know then jest how special. And she didn't know all about the heartache she would suffer because of what people would do to her Son. She just loved
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and enjoyed Him that first Christmas." Belinda paused in her soliloquy to lift the baby to her shoulder.
"We don't know what lies ahead for you, either," Belinda continued, "but we know God loves ya--and we all love ya, and I hope and pray that everything waiting for ya in life will be jest good things."
And so saying, Belinda kissed the soft little head and tucked the baby in her crib until her next feeding. Christmas really had been rather special after all.
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SIX
Rand
Belinda was getting Ruthie ready for bed when she heard a rap at the door and Luke answer it.
"What now?" moaned Belinda. She had been looking forward to a free evening. But instead here was another emergency call for the doctor. Then Belinda heard a male voice say, "Good evening. Is Miss Davis in?"
Luke replied that Belinda was.
"I'm Rand O'Connel" was the reply. "May I speak to her, please?"
"Come in," invited Luke, and Belinda found her heart skipping and her mind all flustered.
My, I must look a sight, she admonished herself and couldn't resist a quick peek in the mirror at her flyaway curls. She heard Luke invite the guest into the parlor, and then he came through to the kitchen to inform Belinda that she had a caller. "I'll finish with Ruthie. You go ahead," he told her.