Sarah Anne's Faithful Friends (Unshakable Faith Book 4)

by Cathy Lynn Bryant

  “I am not yet prepared to inform Martha. I need a little more time, Esther.”

  In hearing Sarah’s firm response, Esther spoke not another word.

  The next morning, Sarah informed everyone that she would be setting off for the Bleasdell home at the end of the week. She asked that Peter convey her there when the time came. Martha privately questioned her about her reasons for going. Sarah’s vague answer left the head-servant confused.

  There are times of vexation in every marriage; as for Sarah and Daniel, I cannot fathom that being the reason she came to Amesbury.

  Mr. Swyndhurst took Sarah aside one day to ask her what was going on. He had been patiently waiting for her to tell him, but to no benefit.

  Sitting there next to him in the parlor, Sarah felt she had no way of escaping his questions. Not knowing where to start, she hung her head and sighed.

  Mr. Swyndhurst reached over and grabbed Sarah’s hand. “You can tell me anything, my girl.”

  “It seems so strange to be talking to you about my marriage to Daniel. I am not sure how to even begin.”

  “You are like a daughter to me, Sarah. You know that. Alexander is gone. You’re Mr. Thompson’s wife now, so do not concern yourself with injuring me by speaking of your new husband.”

  Sarah leaned against Mr. Swyndhurst’s arm and began, “I never expected to be married to Daniel, but it was the only way for me to remain in Boston to care for the boys.”

  “I am aware of that, Sarah. There is no shame in taking another husband now that Alexander is gone.”

  Sarah knew that to be true, but to reveal her present circumstances still felt wrong somehow. “If you will allow me a little more time, I shall tell you the whole story. I would first like to go and see Hannah for a time.”

  With that, Mr. Swyndhurst ceased from questioning her. He pulled her close and whispered that he would be there waiting to hear when she felt ready.

  As for Martha, she suspected that, like her, Mr. Swyndhurst wished to get to the bottom of what was going on; for that reason, she hovered near the parlor, hoping to hear the conversation between Sarah and Mr. Swyndhurst.

  Sarah thanked Mr. Swyndhurst for his concern and then went to her bedchamber to gather up what she would require for her stay at Hannah’s.

  Martha came into the parlor and spoke to Mr. Swyndhurst. “I apologize for eavesdropping. I was hoping Sarah would reveal what is troubling her.”

  “That was my hope as well, Martha. There is something going on, that is for certain.”

  Up in her bedchamber, Sarah was sitting on the edge of her bed, wishing she had the answer for her dilemma. The only thing she knew for sure was that those who care about her would strongly encourage her to return to Daniel and the boys if they knew she planned to stay on permanently, especially if they had knowledge of the baby.

  Knocking on Sarah’s door, Esther called out, “May I come in?”

  Sarah rose and walked over to the door. “Come in, Esther.”

  “I thought you might need some help packing for your visit with the Bleasdells.”

  “You are such a dear, always thinking of me. Yes, I could use some help. Truth be known, I am feeling rather weary at the moment.”

  “You sit yourself down and direct me from there.”

  As Esther worked, Sarah told her of her conversation with Mr. Swyndhurst. She also said that she was still reluctant to disclose the news of the baby. Esther completely understood but still wished they could consult Martha, for she had nearly always taken the head-servant’s advice in everything.

  “I know what you are thinking, Esther, but you know as well as I that Martha will want to tell Daniel about what happened with George Hoyt and that there is a baby on the way. At least I am fairly certain there is. I still can scarcely believe it.”

  “You are right. Do not worry. I shall not say a word.”

  Chapter 34

  Hannah rose early to prepare for Sarah’s arrival. She wanted the room in which her friend would be staying to be as cheerful as possible; consequently, she placed her most colorful quilt at the foot of the bed and a bouquet of dried flowers on the little table by the window. Jonathan helped his wife set the room in order. They both loved having a home that was so peaceful others felt it a refuge in times of trouble. Sarah wasn’t the first to accept their invitation to stay.

  Peter conveyed Sarah to the Bleasdell home. Upon their arrival, Jonathan Bleasdell came out to greet them. He grabbed Sarah’s satchel from the back of the wagon and then came around to help her down.

  Sarah thanked Peter and then followed Mr. Bleasdell to the house. After meeting her younger friend at the door, Hannah ushered her to the kitchen while Jonathan took her belongings to the guest bedchamber.

  The ladies made small talk over tea and cake. Finally, Hannah broached the subject of Sarah’s child. “Sarah, from what you have disclosed, it would seem you intend to stay on in Amesbury. Are you certain this is the right choice now that you are aware of the baby?”

  “Hannah, I am not certain of anything.” Knowing that she was carrying Daniel’s child had shaken her determination to stay away.

  Hannah sensed the turmoil within Sarah. “Sarah, let us pray about all of this, as well as that God will move on George’s heart so that you might go home.”

  Sarah lowered her head and the ladies prayed for the next few minutes.

  Later that night, snuggled in her bed at the Bleasdell home, Sarah patted her stomach. “Little one, what am I to do? I never planned on having that kind of a relationship with Daniel, one from which you emerged, and now I may be raising you alone; nonetheless, I am glad God saw fit to allow me this opportunity, especially since it seemed certain I would never have another child.”

  In Hannah and Jonathan’s bedchamber, they spoke of Sarah and her circumstances. Sarah had said Hannah had her permission to tell Jonathan as long as he kept her secret, for now. Jonathan wisely suggested to his wife that they pray about the situation. They had seen their young friend act impulsively before, believing she was making the right decision. That time, it had been the wrong choice. Jonathan then said that if Sarah did not tell her husband about the baby, he would.

  The following morning, Sarah decided a bit of distraction would be of benefit, so she made her way to David Bleasdell’s shop, which was on his parents’ property. As she entered, David Bleasdell welcomed her. He then proceeded to show her the clocks he was either repairing or building. Besides the many clocks, he also made surgical instruments, tin ware, and repaired guns. She looked on with great interest. David’s clocks were well known even in Boston, and she had never before taken the time to see his shop.

  Just as Sarah was leaving the shop, David’s wife, Abigail Colby, arrived. Sarah remembered meeting Abigail at church some time ago. “Good day to you, Abigail.”

  “And to you, Sarah. Hannah mentioned she had asked you to come for a visit. I am sure we will see a lot of each other whilst you are here.”

  “Indeed. Well I best return to the house.” While strolling along on her way back, Sarah thought about the many children Jonathan and Hannah had raised. Two were yet at home, Elizabeth and Hannah. The couple had suffered the loss of more than one child—two after they had grown, and the other at a young age. Their daughter, Mary, had in fact passed shortly before Sarah returned to Amesbury. For all Jonathan and Hannah had been through they were still some of the happiest people among her acquaintances.

  Upon entering the house, Sarah was met by a jubilant Hannah. Her friend stated that it might be great fun if they each made a blanket for the baby. Sarah was delighted at the idea, and before long the ladies were comfortably seated in the parlor, both working on their own creations.

  Hannah’s daughters came in to watch. As they observed Sarah and their mother, they questioned them about what they were making. Sarah was a little hesitant to reveal that what they were making was for her baby. And Hannah merely said that they had decided to fashion baby blankets, as there was a
lways a need for such things. Young Hannah and Elizabeth never caught on to the fact that the blankets were actually for Sarah.

  Over the next few days, whenever Hannah and Sarah had time on their hands, they worked on the little blankets, both completing them within hours of each other.

  As Sarah held them up, one at a time, to admire them, she beamed with delight. Somehow looking at blankets her baby would be using made the fact that she would soon be a mother seem more real to her.

  As she observed Sarah, Hannah was glad she had suggested making the blankets, for her friend was clearly pleased at the finished work.

  Jonathan came into the room in time to see a happy Sarah holding up the blanket she had made. “It seems you have finished, and from what I see, you both did marvelously.”

  Hearing the compliment, Sarah glanced over at Jonathan. Her face suddenly turned a deep red. Feeling the heat in her cheeks, she turned her gaze toward Hannah, who appeared amused at the sight. All three erupted in laughter at Sarah’s embarrassment.

  “Sarah, you were not anticipating praise for your work, I take it.” Jonathan was still chuckling as he said this.

  “I expect not, Jonathan. If you compare mine with Hannah’s, you will quickly see why my needlework has never received much praise.”

  To this, the laughter began again.

  Moving toward her friend, Hannah picked up Sarah’s blanket for closer inspection. “I see nothing wrong with your work. You did a fine job.”

  Even though the blanket had flaws, Sarah felt a sense of accomplishment at making it for her own child.

  That night Sarah decided to put aside her thoughts of Daniel and her future and think of the baby and no one else. She closed her eyes, hoping to quickly fall asleep. That was not to be, for she lay there wide awake for many hours. She knew she was doing the right thing for Daniel and the boys in staying away so that George could finally be a part of their family, as Joanna had always wanted, but what of her child. Staying away would mean he or she would be fatherless. The decision had been easy when she only had herself to think about. Feeling restless, she began to pray, asking God to show her His will.

  When the sun shone through the window the next morning, bringing comfort as it warmed her face, it reminded her of the many times God had comforted her during difficult times. She needed to trust Him with her current circumstances as well. She had always loved the Bible verse in I Samuel 7:12, “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.’” In fact, she had once carved it on a piece of wood, and from that time forward kept it in her room as a reminder that God had never failed her. Not having seen it in a while, she decided to look for it when she returned home.

  Chapter 35

  While George Hoyt arranged his schedule that he might return to Boston to see his family, he thought again of Sarah and what his nephews had disclosed concerning her life before her marriage to Daniel. He had been plagued with a niggling guilty feeling ever since.

  Two days later, while on his way to Boston, George conversed with his friend, John Littlefield, who had decided to ride along, both having family there. As George listened, he thought he heard John mention Sarah’s name in connection with an incident that occurred a few miles from John’s childhood home.

  “Did you say the woman’s name was Sarah, Sarah Swyndhurst, and that something had happened to her near the home in which you were raised?” George questioned his friend to be certain he had heard correctly. He was acquainted with Sarah’s family name since his nephews had made mention of it.

  “Yes, I believe that was her name. From the account given at the time, it seems it was a rather tragic event for the young woman. I am not sure of all of the particulars, but it was rumored that she lost the child she was carrying and that the driver had been killed.”

  George’s eyes grew large as he continued to listen. The more he heard of Sarah’s heartrending story, the more guilt ridden he became. Not wanting to hear anymore, he began to talk of something unrelated.

  After finally letting his friend off at his intended destination, George was relieved he would be traveling the rest of the way alone. When the Thompson home came into view, he wished he had planned his visit for another time. The stories he had heard about Sarah had been just too unsettling.

  Daniel, with a troubled look upon his face, came strolling toward George’s wagon. George instantly knew Daniel’s dejected countenance had everything to do with Sarah.

  Climbing down from his wagon, George then patted his brother-in-law’s shoulder. “It is good to see you. How are the boys faring?”

  With such a heavy heart over Sarah’s prolonged absence and how deeply his boys had felt the separation, it was difficult for Daniel to answer. “Let me help you with your satchel,” he said, leaving George’s question unanswered.

  George said not a word about his brother-in-law disregarding his inquiry. The two men then quietly made their way to the house where the boys, who were presently watching out the window, were eagerly awaiting.

  That evening, while the family enjoyed time together in the parlor, George listened to his nephews go on about Sarah. This time, Joseph mentioned several events with not only Sarah, but also his sister. As the boys have previously intimated, my sister thought a great deal of Sarah; however, I am certain she would have been displeased to learn that her friend had married Daniel, particularly with such haste.

  George then silently refuted every warm mention of Sarah. He could not allow himself to believe he had misjudged her, not after every hateful thing he had said to her.

  From where Daniel was sitting, he observed George’s countenance as it changed with every story his sons recounted. It seemed that whenever Sarah’s name was mentioned, there was a scowl upon his brother-in-law’s face. What might he be thinking? To look at him, one would think he despised Sarah.

  George caught Daniel studying him while he was listening to his nephew’s stories. He then forced a smile at the warm accounts of the little woman he had driven away.

  “Dan, Joseph, it is time to turn in. We should get an early start tomorrow. With only a few more weeks of summer, we must be certain there is enough feed for the horses. I have a meeting pertaining to the poor house that will be opening soon, so I shall be away for part of the day.” Unbeknownst to his sons, until now the physician had been asked to assist in overseeing the care of the sick at the poor house.

  Knowing it would be too much for his sons to manage alone, Daniel was thankful for his farmhand Zechariah, who would be helping the boys when he left for his meeting the following day.

  Once Dan and Joseph were no longer in the room, Daniel inquired, “George, is something troubling you?”

  Knowing Daniel had seen his reaction to all the talk of Sarah, in a calm manner he shrewdly responded, “Whatever do you mean? What could be troubling me, here with my favorite brother-in-law and nephews?”

  Relaxing a little in hearing George, Daniel chortled, “You mean to say, your only brother-in-law.”

  The two men lingered for a time in the parlor, enjoying the conversation. The next morning, everyone in the house was up with the sun, ready to work. George worked alongside the boys when their father left for his engagement. As the three labored along with Zechariah, George felt he could relieve himself of the guilt that had been pervading his thoughts. The boys are very content just to have their father and myself here. I shall make it a point to come to see them regularly.

  George stayed on for a few more days. When it came time to take his leave, his heart again felt heavy at the thought that he had run off the woman his family dearly loved. Even so, he had no intention of returning things to the way they were before, with Sarah keeping house in his sister’s home and mothering her sons. As for his brother-in-law, George was quite certain the marriage to Sarah was merely for convenience and that Daniel would be just fine without her. While observing his sister’s sons waving him
on, he took a deep breath and resolved to forget all about Sarah.

  Chapter 36

  Back at the Bleasdell home, Hannah and Jonathan were in their bedchamber, once again discussing Sarah’s dilemma. While they understood her rationale for leaving Boston, neither thought Daniel would have wanted it that way had he been privy to what had happened with George. They also shared the belief that he had the right to know about the child.

  “Have you given any further thought to making a trip to see Daniel?”

  “I do not believe the time has come for that, as yet, Hannah. Let us be patient a while longer. I am quite confident Sarah shall eventually feel the need to tell Daniel. If not, then as I said before I shall see to the matter myself. Ever since she arrived, I have been thinking of Alexander and the many months he searched for her. There was a child involved that time, too. It is truly astonishing the similarities in Daniel’s and Alexander’s circumstances with regard to Sarah’s need to run from certain situations.”

  “Indeed. The similarities have crossed my mind a time or two as well. I best get to the kitchen. Everyone will soon be up.” Hannah hugged her husband and kissed him on the cheek before leaving the room.

  Jonathan smiled at his wife as she showered him with affection. Things had not always been easy for them in the many years they had been married, but their love for each other had never waned.

  ◊◊◊

  Later that afternoon Martha and Esther came to call. Hannah showed them into the parlor to visit with Sarah. She then returned to the kitchen to prepare tea for her guests.

  Though a little apprehensive at seeing Martha, Sarah was happy they had come. After directing them to where they might be seated, she waited to hear why they were paying her a visit.

  “Sarah, my dear, how are you?”