A Place Called Home (A Place Called Home)

by Lori Wick

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  After they had eaten, Grandma Em went to her room for a nap. Luke and Silas came into the kitchen just as Christine was finishing the dishes.

  "Well, hello!"

  "Hello, yourself!" Silas answered as he leaned against the dry sink. Luke took a chair at the table.

  "Where's Gram?" The question came from Luke. He had prayed so much last night, in ignorance about Christine and Grandma Em, that he felt a bit concerned for them today.

  "She's upstairs taking a nap."

  "She's not sick, is she?"

  "No, no, just tired."

  "And you, Christine, are you okay?" Luke asked, but both men had noticed the high color in her cheeks and the almost-fever brightness in her eyes.

  "I'm fine. In fact, I'm wonderful. Last night I accepted Christ into my heart." Christine's smile was beaming.

  Luke's eyes closed against a sudden rush of tears, his hands tightly clenched in his lap. He felt as if his heart would burst through his chest, so full was his joy.

  Silas let out a yell and laughed as he grabbed Christine in a hug that threatened to break her back. Setting her down, he gave her a hearty kiss on her cheek and she joined in his laughter.

  Luke had risen from the table and was headed toward Christine. She suddenly felt shy. Luke stopped before her but didn't touch her. The expression on his face was tender and understanding, and when Christine's eyes met his, she blushed furiously.

  Silas felt immense happiness that he wasn't attracted to this girl. The only time he had ever seen her blush was in front of Luke. Silas wondered if Luke was aware of it.

  Luke, upon seeing the blush, smiled and said quietly, "I prayed for you last night."

  "You did?" Christine hoped her voice didn't sound as high-pitched to his ears as it did to her own.

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  "I'll tell you about it sometime."

  "Okay," Christine answered, feeling oddly breathless.

  "A woman my age needs peace and quiet for her afternoon naps." A falsely indignant voice spoke from the kitchen doorway. Everyone laughed, and what followed was a chaotic time of excitement and questions, smiles and rejoicing.

  Before the day was out, the entire Cameron family knew of Christine's decision. Pastor Nolan also heard. He and Mrs. Nolan came by to talk with Christine and Grandma Em after supper.

  Christine fell into bed that night exhausted and overjoyed. As she lay quietly talking with God, she prayed for all the trouble and goings-on in Spooner without being specific. She asked for special protection over Mrs. Hall and a safe end for everyone included in this turmoil. Christine placed her fears and worries in God's hands and fell asleep peaceful and trusting.

  "Baxter?" Vince Jeffers looked once again at the paper in his hand: "c/o Emily Cameron, Baxter, Wisconsin."

  "Is this all there was?"

  "I think so. The old lady started to stir around and I had to get out of her room."

  "You went all the way into her bedroom?" Jeffers' voice was incredulous.

  "I had to-that's where her desk is," the small man defended himself.

  "Were there other papers-a letter, perhaps?"

  "Mighta been a letter, but since I can't read to tell..."

  Vince Jeffers for once was not angry; he looked thoughtful. "Something tells me we've found her." He spoke as he poured each man a liberal helping of brandy. "Sit down. We've got some planning to do."

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  "Hurry, Daddy, I can't wait to see Luke's ranch," Caroline stated.

  "What's your hurry? The ranch isn't going anywhere."

  At her father's answer Caroline turned with a huff on the buggy seat. This action brought a grimace of pain to her face.

  "Can you believe this buggy? It's ancient and this seat is like a board, and to top it off, it was the best the livery had!" Caroline's voice was heavy with disgust.

  Frank slanted a look at his daughter, thinking as he did so how he had courted her mother in a buggy worse off than this one. At the time he didn't have two nickels to rub together. But it hadn't mattered; he and Lily, then and still today, had eyes only for each other.

  Before Caroline came along, Frank had taken over his father-in-law's breeding yards. By the time Caroline was four he was well-established, his reputation was spotless, and his stock had more than tripled.

  Caroline, too young to remember anything except a fancy house with many servants, had never worked a day in her life. Frank knew it was his own fault that she was more little girl than woman.' When his little girl had begged to come north with him in Lily's absence, he couldn't say no.

  But he was brought out of his reverie by his daughter's whining. "Are we almost there?"

  The road rounded a large clump of trees, and, just as Luke had directed, the house was in view. With an eighth of a mile Frank was turning up the driveway and pulling the buggy to a stop in front of the house.

  Silas came out the front door just as Frank helped Caroline down from the buggy. "Hello!" he greeted them with a friendly smile. "Luke is in the barn. Come on, I'll show you."

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  The three of them made their way around to the side yard and headed for the massive, well-built structure housing the Cameron's 26 horses. They found Luke in the alleyway between the stalls, checking the injured foreleg of a fourweekold colt. The colt's mother beckoned to him from a few stalls away, giving Luke the extra chore of trying to hold the young animal still.

  Without a word Silas stepped over to hold the colt's head, freeing both of Luke's hands for the leg.

  Frank stood still, admiring the two men as they worked gently and effectively with the horse, unaware that the train of his daughter's thoughts was quite different. Dressed in her yellow riding habit, she expected to catch Luke's eye the moment she walked into the stable. She felt angry at his lack of attention. She determined to make Luke notice her today so he would want to see her every day they were here for the next few weeks.

  The Chamberses stayed long at the ranch that day. The cool weather was perfect for riding, and they spent most of the afternoon on horseback.

  It was during supper that Frank announced that he and Caroline would be going home Monday. Caroline's reaction told Luke and Silas that she had not known.

  "Monday? But we just got here! Why Monday?" Caroline whined and argued, but Frank was adamant. "I'm ready to get home, Caroline. You understand, don't you, Luke?"

  "Of course, Frank."

  "I'll be back sometime when Lily can come. She would love your rolling hills."

  "You'll be welcome anytime," Luke assured him.

  Caroline proceeded to pout through the remainder of the evening. Luke, unaccustomed to this in a grown woman, felt he needed to make amends. The way Caroline's face lit up when he asked her to go riding with him Saturday morning told him he had been duped. Realizing it was too late now, and feeling disgust at his own gullibility, he had a

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  date to go riding with a spoiled young woman whether he liked it or not.

  Christine shifted once again before leaving her seat to pace around the room. She turned to find Grandma Em watching her. "I feel so excited about seeing the ranch tomorrow. I can't sit still. What time will we be leaving?"

  Grandma Em laughed as she answered. "Right after breakfast so you won't have long to wait." The women talked for awhile before Christine retired early, somehow hoping to make morning come sooner.

  Knocking and then pounding at the front door awoke Christine. The pocket watch on her bedside table said 3:45. Christine heard Grandma Em's bedroom door open as she reached the parlor. Upon opening the front door she found Maggie with Emily in her arms, wrapped snugly in a quilt, dead to the world.

  Grandma Em appeared as Maggie stepped into the entryway. She transferred her bundle to Christine before speaking. "Sue's pains started around midnight. Her water broke about an hour ago and things are moving pretty fast. The Doc thought it would be best if Emily woke up over here."

  "Thanks, Maggie," Grandma
Em said; "give them both our love and tell them we're praying." After Maggie left, Grandma Em led the way back up the stairs with a lamp in her hand. When she moved toward the spare bedroom, Christine's voice quietly stopped her. "Grandma Em, can I take her into my bed?"

  "Oh, Christine, you don't have to do that. She's slept in here before."

  "I know I don't have to, but I want to." Christine snuggled the little girl closer to her. "She's precious, isn't she?"

  "Yes, she certainly is. You go ahead and take her to your bed. I'll see you both in the morning."

  Wrapped inside the quilt along with Emily was needed clothing for the next day. Christine hung the little dress in

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  her own closet before easing into bed beside a still-sleeping Emily.

  As was becoming her habit, Christine prayed before she slept. Tonight she pulled Emily close beside her and asked God for a child of her own.

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  "How many pancakes have you eaten?"

  "I think five."

  "Five! My goodness, you're going to pop!" This brought gales of laughter from Christine's small charge. Christine couldn't think of when she had had more fun. Emily had thoroughly captured her heart.

  They started the dishes together. Emily was on a stool, a drying towel in her hand and teaching Christine a song, when Grandma Em called from the parlor. "Emily, your dad is here."

  Squealing, Emily jumped down from the stool and headed through the door, with Christine right behind her. Emily threw herself into Mark's arms. Father and daughter hugged for awhile before Mark took a seat. Emily sat in his lap with an anxious Christine and Grandma Em on the couch across from them.

  Mark looked both tired and happy. Grandma Em had asked no more than if everyone was all right, knowing that Mark wanted to share with Emily first. He was careful to talk directly to his daughter, even though he could feel Christine and his grandmother's eyes on him.

  "Emily, do you know why you're over here this morning?"

  "Yes, 'cause Mama's having our baby."

  "That's right. You have a brand-new baby sister."

  Mark watched Emily's face as she comprehended his words. Her eyes widened before she asked, "The baby's already here?"

  "She's here."

  "Can I play with her?" This question brought laughter from the adults. Mark stopped when Emily tugged on his shirt. "What's her name?"

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  "Her name is Elizabeth. Elizabeth May Cameron." Mark's voice held contentment and pride.

  "My name is Emily Susanne Cameron." Emily's voice was stubborn and her lower lip trembled just a bit. Mark immediately recognized the signs of jealousy and lifted Emily until they were nearly nose to nose. "I know that's your name. I remember the day you were born and named you after your Great Grandma Em. And right now Elizabeth is the most blessed little girl in all the world to have a big sister as wonderful as you."

  The words were exactly what Emily needed to hear. She gave Mark a hug that threatened to cut off his air before scrambling down from her father's lap and announcing she was off to see Mr. Turley. The back door slammed and she was gone.

  "How's Sue?"

  "She's good, Gram. Things went much faster this time. Maggie, of course, is incredible. I could have used her when Emily was born."

  "Elizabeth is such a beautiful name. What time was she born?"

  "Just before 5:00. What time do you think you'll be over?" Mark stood. "I've got to get word to the ranch and Julia."

  "Why don't we keep Emily another night and come over midmorning tomorrow? We were headed to the ranch this week, but that can wait. Maybe when you and Julia go riding on Saturday, Christine, you could stop out there."

  "That's fine. Anything to keep Emily another night."

  Christine smiled at Mark. "She slept with me last night."

  "Did she hog the bed?"

  "No, with this cool weather we just cuddled up together in the middle."

  "Well, I can't thank you enough, and I'll see you tomorrow."

  The next 24 hours went by in a rush. Emily helped Christine with all her work, including the feeding of the

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  stock. It took twice as long to get everything done, but it was also twice the fun. By the time they were walking over to see the baby Elizabeth, she, and Christine were fast friends.

  Grandma Em and Christine sat in the living room while Mark carried Emily upstairs to see her baby sister for the first time. About ten minutes passed before Mark came partway down the stairs and called to them.

  Sue was in bed, sitting up against the headboard. Beside her was Emily, looking proud and holding a tiny bundle in her lap. The women approached the side of the bed. Upon seeing her newest great-granddaughter, Grandma Em began to cry.

  Christine didn't cry, but stood in wonder at the tiny person before her. Sue's eyes went to Mark at the foot of the bed. They exchanged a warm look at Christine's reaction.

  "Emily, can Christine hold our new baby?" her mother asked softly.

  "Oh no!" Christine exclaimed loudly, making Elizabeth start. Quietly now, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten her."

  "She's fine-she'll have to get used to noise if she's going to survive around here," Sue assured her.

  Emily spoke from her place on the bed: "This is my baby Eliza, Christine.

  It was Christine's turn to cry, and her voice sounded choked through tears. "Oh, Emily, your baby Eliza is beautiful!" Emily began to get squirmy, so Mark rescued his youngest daughter. Holding her, he turned to Christine. "You're welcome to hold her."

  Christine shook her head no. Elizabeth was so new and helpless-looking against Mark's chest.

  "How about Great-Grandma?" Mark asked with a smile.

  Grandma Em, still sniffing, replied, "Let me dry up a bit and I'll sit down and hold her."

  Some 20 minutes later Elizabeth began to fuss and Sue looked tired. Mother and daughter were left alone.

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  Downstairs, Maggie and Christine prepared lunch. Right after they ate, Julia showed up with the boys. She and Mark hugged for long moments, brother and sister sharing in this special event together.

  Joseph Cameron Sr. had delivered Calvin, but Mark and Julia were recalling the night Mark had delivered Charles. Susanne, his nurse then and not his wife, had assisted. Mark had commented aloud as he held his minutes-old nephew, his eyes a bit wet, "The only thing better would be to deliver one of my own." As Mark said these words, his eyes locked with Susanne's, the room and its occupants fading from sight as this young doctor and nurse regarded each other, their hearts in their eyes. Julia found out later that Mark had asked Sue to marry him that very night.

  Arriving very late back at Mark's office to clean up, Mark had cornered Sue in the equipment room.

  "I saw something in your eyes tonight and I want an explanation."

  Sue, painfully shy at that time, had tried to step past him, but he would have none of it.

  "Move out of my way, Dr. Cameron," she had ordered as firmly as possible, her heart pounding in her chest.

  "Not until you tell me," he stated quietly. She could see he was not going to budge.

  "All right," she cried, "I'll tell you. I did exactly what you told me not to do after you hired me: I've fallen in love with you. But you need not worry that I'll be a problem, Dr. Cameron, because I'm leaving first thing in the morning." This painful admission out, Sue buried her face in her hands and burst into tears.

  Mark's arms had come out and gently pulled her against his chest. Remembering the day a few weeks after she had arrived when he had uttered these words, Mark was disgusted. What conceit! He saw now that he had said them as a defense against the attraction he felt for her immediately upon seeing her, an attraction he fought as it grew daily.

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  Mark had pulled out his handkerchief as Sue's crying subsided. He gently dried her tears before bending his head and tenderly brushing her lips with his own. A declaration of love fell easily from his lips and c
ame straight from his heart. Sitting in his office, they had talked until sunup.

  The next day a beaming Mark and radiant Sue had announced to the family that they would be married.

  Now, five years later, the family did a little reminiscing. Christine was all ears when Julia began to question Mark about the birth, the water breaking, the time spent pushing, etc.

  Remembering the night when Raven was born, Christine spoke without thinking. "It's a little like when a horse foals." This statement brought complete silence-and then uproarious laughter. Christine's embarrassment was saved by Charles, who was quite interested in the idea of a horse having a baby-something he had never witnessed but wanted to. He began to question her. The adults in the room were more than a little surprised at her knowledge. Grandma Em questioned Christine on her experience.

  "We didn't live right in town," Christine explained, "so there were no children or young people nearby. When I first came to live with my grandfather, his stables were full- about 15 horses. When I was ten he first allowed me to watch the births. By the time I was 121 was assisting, but then Grandfather had begun to sell out. Without friends near, seeing them only at school, horses became my world.

  "I never told him, but it was torture every time he sold another horse. It had always been just a hobby with him, and he said that when a hobby gets to be more headache than fun, it's time to call it a day. By the time I was 16 we were down to three mares, one of which was pregnant. I helped when Gypsy gave birth to a perfect little mare. Had it been a stallion he would have sold it, but it was a mare so Grandfather gave her to me." Christine fell silent then, a bit appalled at the way she had shared so much of her past.

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  Christine would have been horrified if she could have seen the wheels turning inside the heads of the three adults seated across from her. It was as if the lights had come on: Christine was a new Christian and she had just shared with them her knowledge of horses. There were two unmarried men in the family who ran a breeding ranch!