by Annie Boone
“We don’t want to go to school today. But Audrey is making us!” Beatrice said.
“Yes, I’m definitely making you go to school. I know you don’t want to go today, but you can’t spend your life playing in your rooms,” Audrey said as she walked up from behind.
“Now, Audrey, if the girls don’t want to go to school, why do you have to force them?” Caleb spoke out.
“What? How could you agree to let these girls play around and not go to school? Do you want your daughter to be illiterate?” Audrey said angrily.
“No, not that, but it’s just one day! I think we can make considerations.”
“No, Caleb! No considerations. They have to go to school and I am not taking any excuses.”
Caleb looked a little angry. “There’s no need to be so harsh with them. You can send Daisy to school if you want, but I prefer that Beatrice stays back for the day,” he said.
“Why? What’s special about today? Will tomorrow be different?” Audrey retorted. Her questions didn’t require an answer. “Both of them need to go to school.”
Caleb looked as if he was going to lose his temper. His face turned red and his lips spread into a thin line. “Who are you to give orders to my daughter? Why should she be listening to you?” he raged.
Audrey was surprised to see him in such an angry state, especially over something like this. She would have expected him to support her in her insistence that the girls go to school. To keep from having this escalate further she didn’t argue any more.
“Daisy, please finish dressing so I can get you delivered to school,” she said turning her head from Caleb to her daughter.
Daisy stood there with wide eyes as she’d watched the argument. “Yes, ma’am,” she’d said simply and went to her dresser to take out clothes for school.
Audrey knew that she’d have to keep her calm in order to allow the relationship to work. She felt that something was unsettled with Caleb today, but she had no idea what it was. She would let him do what he needed to do with Beatrice today, but they would need to work out how they would be consistent with their children going forward. She wasn’t looking forward to that conversation if his attitude wasn’t going to improve.
Kathleen heard him shouting and she came out from the kitchen. “What’s all the fuss in here?” she asked.
“Caleb doesn’t want to send the girls to school,” her daughter replied. “They want to stay home and play. He sees no problem with that.”
Kathleen walked up to her prospective son-in-law and placed a hand on his arm. “Caleb, I’m sure Audrey is only looking out for Beatrice in the best way she knows. Please give her the freedom to treat Beatrice as her own and you won’t regret it. For the time being, patch up and let’s sit down for breakfast. The girls are getting late for school.”
He didn’t say anything, but quietly walked away towards the kitchen.
Audrey watched as Beatrice went to her room. She hoped the girl would be getting ready for school on her own. She wouldn’t push her today since Caleb had said she could stay home.
Daisy and Beatrice both appeared at the breakfast table a few minutes later dressed and ready to go to school. The morning meal was eaten in mostly silence. Almost everyone was sulking. When they were finished, Caleb offered to drop the girls off at school on his way to the shop.
By the end of the day, the matter was brushed aside, but Audrey knew it wasn’t forgotten. She would worry about how to talk to Caleb about it later. She didn’t have the energy at the moment and she didn’t want to poke the hornet’s nest just yet.
Chapter Sixteen
Audrey was looking forward to spending the afternoon with Janine. They were going to a new restaurant in town and doing a little shopping afterward. The day before had been unsettling because of her argument with Caleb. Audrey was in desperate need of a change in scenery.
She truly liked Janine and in the short time she’d known her wondered how she and Caleb ever shared a womb together. They were as different as night and day.
She wondered if she should tell Janine what happened, and decided against it. She didn’t want to betray Caleb, even if she might be able to gain some insight. She’d have to find another way to do that.
Lunch was tasty and light and the conversation was superficial. Audrey told Janine about Boston and what it was like in the city. The two places were vastly different and Audrey was adjusting slowly. Janine’s eyes glazed over when she heard about the many dress and hat shops a woman had at her disposal in Boston.
“Oh how I’d love to have those luxuries so close at hand!” exclaimed Janine as she sipped her tea. “What we have here is sufficient for our needs, but I would enjoy having a little more variety.”
“I have to admit that my short time here hasn’t quite made me realize how much difference there is. Of course the size of Cutter’s Creek is considerably smaller, but I haven’t needed anything new to wear yet,” laughed Audrey. “I may be in for a rude awakening when the time comes.”
“Speaking of needing something new to wear, have you thought about what you’ll wear for your wedding?”
Audrey felt her face flush. She hadn’t thought about the wedding arrangements. She’d been here for just about a month and the subject hadn’t even come up with Caleb. She hadn’t expected them to be hasty and excited to become a married couple, but the only reason she was here was to marry the man. She was surprised he hadn’t even mentioned it at this point.
And she had been quite clear that she expected a wedding soon after her arrival. Since things were a bit unsettled, she was waiting to push the issue.
“No, not really. I’m not even sure when we’ll do it,” she replied carefully.
Janine screwed her mouth up to the side as she drummed her fingers on the table. She was staring at some point of interest away from Audrey. Finally, she looked at Audrey and took a deep breath.
“I’ve debated over what to tell you about Caleb, if anything,” she said. She took another breath, slower this time.
“What do you mean?” asked Audrey. Was she about to find out what was pent up inside her intended husband?
“Well, there’s so much and I don’t want to tell you something that will make you think less of him.”
This really worried Audrey. What kind of secrets was this man keeping? How could I think less of him unless he’s committed a crime of some kind? She remained silent and let Janine continue if she chose to. And she did continue.
“He feels a huge amount of guilt about his wife’s death. Susannah. She was a very sweet and loving mother. She was so happy to have Beatrice,” said Janine.
“Susannah. Her name was Susannah. I didn’t know her name before now,” said Audrey. She felt a blanket of reverence cover her. It may have seemed strange to someone else, but Audrey felt like she owed the woman a moment of respect.
The wistful look on her face told Audrey that she’d loved this woman very much. “It wasn’t his idea to bring you here. It was mine.”
Audrey nodded. This news wasn’t really a surprise. “I’d wondered about that. He’s been pleasant most of the time, but he hasn’t seemed overly happy to have us here, more resigned to it. I don’t feel like he resents us, but he’s not interested in more than a cordial relationship.”
“I think it’s the guilt. Even I can’t get him to talk much about how he feels. Neither can Thad. For some reason he still blames himself for her death. I think that keeps him from really moving forward. It’s been more than six years and he still won’t give it up.”
“That makes sense, I suppose, if he’s blaming himself. I understand the grieving part, though it has been a while since she died. My husband died just over a year ago and it still hurts. I loved him and I miss him. But I’m ready to get on with life and he would want that. I’m not sure I’ll ever fall in love again, but I do want a friendship with Caleb. I think he’s a very good man,” she smiled.
Janine smiled back and looked like she might cry. “I hope
Caleb can find a way to let you in. Even if it’s only in friendship, the two of you can help each other.”
Audrey reached across the table and took Janine’s hand. “It will all work out, but maybe not overnight. I know that God had a hand in bringing us here and He will take care of all of us.”
Janine wiped a lone tear from her cheek and nodded. “So about that wedding dress. Do you want to go see what we can find?”
Audrey didn’t want to look for a wedding dress for a wedding that wasn’t even planned yet. She didn’t want to hurt Janine or break the bond that was strengthening between them. “I most certainly do,” she replied with more excitement in her voice than she felt.
The two stood up and left the restaurant. They went across the street to the newest dress shop in town. Rosa’s Ladies Apparel had more to choose from than the one other shop in town. Rosa also offered seamstress services for those who needed it.
Audrey had some money left from what she’d sold in Boston and the tiny amount of savings she’d had left. Her small stash wasn’t going to last much longer. Spending money today on wedding clothes that she might not wear for months, if ever, seemed foolish. She vowed to herself that she wouldn’t be persuaded to purchase something until she was ready.
Her money situation wouldn’t be dire for a while unless Caleb sent her away or if she spent her money foolishly. She had a roof over their heads and food to eat. For the moment that was all they really needed.
She set her mind to enjoying the time with Janine. They found several dresses that were pretty and would work for a second wedding.
“I’m not going to wear white and I’m not going to wear a proper wedding dress,” said Audrey as they looked through the ready to wear options on the racks.
“Yes, I guess that wouldn’t be the thing to do. You still need to look pretty, though. Something pale pink or yellow might be nice. Or maybe this baby blue?” said Janine, holding out a silk dress with puffy sleeves.
“I like the idea of something blue! It’s one of my favorite colors and I look good in blue.”
They found several other options that would be nice for the occasion. Audrey would have been happy with any of them, really. Oddly, she found that she was feeling the excitement build at the thought of wearing a dress that would make her look good. She wanted to be pretty and appealing on her wedding day.
She had no idea where these feelings came from. She pushed them aside and kept looking at the pretty dresses. What woman didn’t like a pretty dress? she thought.
“So do you want to take one home today? Which one will you get?” asked Janine excitedly.
“Oh, I don’t think I’ll get one today, Janine. It’s too early. We haven’t even set a date yet. It seems foolish to spend the money before I need to,” replied Audrey softly. She bowed her head a bit and moved to the girl’s section of dresses.
“I see. You’re probably right. We can always come back when it’s closer to time. Are you going to let both of the girls be in the wedding?”
“Of course! I think they’ll love it. And Janine,” Audrey reached for Janine again. “Now may not be the most appropriate time to talk to you about this, but I’d really like it if you’d be my matron of honor. Will you do it?”
Janine smiled brightly and almost jumped up and down. “I’d love to! I’m honored you’d think of me for that. Thank you, Audrey. It means the world to me to be part of your wedding to my brother.”
The women embraced warmly and then walked out of the store arm in arm.
“So, what about Sunday lunch at our house. My mother will be there and it’s time for you to have time to get to know her.”
Audrey gulped. “Sure. That sounds lovely.”
Chapter Seventeen
Sunday lunch at Janine and Thad’s was quite an affair. After church, they all gathered for a feast. Roast chicken and beef were at the center of the table. Boiled potatoes, baked carrots and parsnips, cornbread, and gravy accompanied the main dishes. Dessert was a pecan and apricot glazed cake.
Audrey didn’t remember the last time she’d eaten so much. She felt like a pig, but she couldn’t stop eating. It was so delicious and everyone was festive and loud. It was the perfect atmosphere to overeat.
Sophia Jefferson was in her element with the family around her. She was jovial and vibrant in a way Audrey hadn’t seen before. She’d spent very little time with her future mother-in-law and most of that time was at church with others around.
Audrey was happy for the chance to get to know Sophia better. She imagined that the woman could have reservations about a set up like this. She was hoping to put some of her uncertainty to rest today. She went to sit beside the woman on the settee when young Nathaniel left to go play with his brother and cousins.
“Sophia, I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed getting to know your family. Beatrice is a joy,” she said as she sat down.
“Oh, thank you, Audrey. She’s a very sweet girl, indeed. I do think Caleb lets her get away with too much, but I suppose he has a different opinion on child rearing than I do.” She winked at Audrey and smiled.
“They’re certainly peas in a pod,” nodded Audrey. “So how long have you been in Cutter’s Creek?”
“Almost since it was nothing but a saloon and a church,” she chuckled. “We moved here soon after we were married. Heath had been a blacksmith at a shop a ways down the river in Franklin. He heard that this place was starting to grow. So we took a chance and moved here. It didn’t even have a name when we arrived.”
“It seems like it was a good move for you and the family,” replied Audrey. “I was taken by surprise to see that the chapel is painted red. It’s simply a lovely building. Does it have a history of being red or is the color something new?”
“Oh, it’s been red all along. My friend Estelle Todd knows more of the story than I do, but she told me that the color comes from the rust they put in the oil. It protects the wood. Just an interesting detail passed around by friends.”
“I think the chapel is inspiring and the color only enhances that.”
“I do love my church,” said Sophia. “You know, we could use another teacher for the children. The town is growing and we just don’t have enough volunteers to teach the Bible classes. Would you be interested in helping out, Audrey?”
Audrey thought briefly and realized that this was just the kind of opportunity she’d prayed for before they ever left Boston. To minister to the people in her new town would be an honor and an answer to prayer.
“I’d love to help out, Sophia. Who should I contact to see where I can help the most?”
“Mary Carlson would be the one to talk to. She heads up the children’s programs. She has a son, Zachary, a little older than Beatrice. She puts a great deal into her work at the church.”
“Thank you! I’ll see her next Sunday. I’m so pleased you mentioned this to me, and I’m looking forward to working with the children.”
Audrey stood as she was planning to go help serve second rounds of dessert to those who wanted it. Sophia reached out and took her hand.
“Don’t let Caleb run from you. He will try. His heart was badly broken when Susannah died, but he’s a good man. He just needs a strong woman to help guide him back,” whispered Sophia earnestly.
Audrey blinked. She was taken by surprise. She’d heard Caleb’s first wife’s name twice in the same week by two people who weren’t Caleb. He’d never spoken the woman’s name in her presence.
She finally nodded, realizing she’d taken several moments to take her comments in. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll do all I can to help him.”
She dropped Sophia’s hand and went to the kitchen to help Janine.
“So what did you and my mother talk about?” asked Janine.
“Not too much, really. Just small talk. She suggested that I talk to Mary Carlson about helping out with the children at church. I’m going to do that.”
“What a great idea!” exclaimed Janine. “You’d be great at
that.”
Audrey smiled and nodded absently. The last statement from Caleb’s mother left her struggling with how to handle him. She had quite a bit of work to do if this friendship was going to go any further. She was afraid it would be an uphill climb.
Chapter Eighteen
Cutter’s Creek was a small town and almost everyone knew what was going on in everyone else’s family. They weren’t afraid to speak up about any subject they wanted to know more about, either. Naturally, it didn’t take long for the news to spread that Beatrice Jefferson was being seen around town with an unknown woman and another little girl.
Eventually, it became a matter of curiosity as people started casually stopping by Caleb’s shop to find out what was going on. When they couldn’t find out by way of the normal gossip mill, they had to go straight to the source.
One day, he was busy in his workshop when one of the men from the church came up to him. The man walked up beside Caleb and waited until he stopped hammering. Caleb sensed that someone was there so he looked up from his work.
“Good day, Caleb, are you busy?” the man asked when he looked up.
“I have time if you want to talk about something, Mr. Randolph. How can I help you?”
“Ah, well nothing too serious. I let you shoe all my horses last month, so I don’t have any business for you today!” Randolph laughed at his own joke. Caleb stood respectfully and smiled a casual smile at the man.
“Well, uhh…Caleb, there are certain things that have been observed by the town folk and I’d just like to know how much truth there is in the matter,” he began. Caleb knew immediately where the conversation was heading, but he waited patiently for the man to finish speaking.
“Yes, Mr. Randolph, please go on.”
“My wife was telling me that the other day she saw your daughter with another woman who had come to drop her off in school. There was another little girl with them, around the same age as Beatrice. At first, I thought it must be your sister, but then I could not figure out who the other little girl was. Do you mind clarifying what’s going on over in your neck of the woods?”