Sarah Snares a Soldier

by Linda K. Hubalek

  “Maisie, Grandpa’s going to help you take care of your puppy. Your job is to give it lots of love. Can you do that?” The little girl nodded as she reached for the last puppy, which was almost all white except for a few scattered spots on its hind end. “Hold her real gently, don’t squeeze her body,” Dagmar instructed her as he held the puppy up high enough Maisie could only give it pats on the head.

  “The next time I’m here, you need to tell me your new puppies’ names, so I can report back to Yipper what you named them.”

  “Why isn’t Yipper coming to live with her babies here?” Maggie asked Dagmar.

  Maggie’s question caught Dagmar by surprise, but he was a fast thinker. “She’s got a job at the Bar E Ranch, and it’s hard for the little puppies to keep up with her while she’s working. When you come visit us, you can tell Yipper what her puppies are learning from you. Grandpa, Poppa Marcus and Rusty will help you train them to become good ranch dogs.”

  Dagmar had just made more work for the grownups, but the gift of puppies and his talk comparing a new home for both the children and their puppies was just what the children needed. Maggie held her puppy while looking up to give a tentative smile to Sarah. Maybe they would bond while taking care of their “babies” together.

  “Okay, Rusty hitched the horse team back up to the wagon for us. Everybody who’s going back to the Bar E, needs to get in the wagon. It’s time to go home and tell Yipper about her babies’ new parents.” Isaac held the horses while Dagmar lifted Tate into the wagon bed to sit in a box built under the seat, following with Amelia beside him. He helped Darcie crawl up into the wagon bed to sit on the wagon floor beside her children. Cora stepped up to sit on the wagon seat and Dagmar jumped up to sit next to Cora. After Dagmar picked up the reins and moved the brake handle, Isaac let go of the horses’ bridles and stepped out of the way.

  “Thanks for playing with me today, kids!” Dagmar hollered and everyone waved to each other as the wagon turned to travel down the drive.

  Marcus looked at the children on the ground playing with the confused puppies, and then at Sarah. “I believe we’ve added three more babies to our family.” He glanced to see if anyone was watching and gave Sarah a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “And I believe you and Grandpa are ‘helping’ the children take care of them in the barn, not in the house.” Marcus couldn’t promise that, because he’d bet a silver dollar one or all three puppies would be in the trundle bed with the children tonight. More sheets to wash…

  Chapter 13

  “This is it, the letter you’ve been waiting for,” Isaac said as he quickly came through the door and hastily tossed his hat toward the hook on the wall. Sarah knew he had gone to town for supplies, but they still must be in the wagon, because he didn’t carry in the box of baking supplies that her mother had requested.

  “Momma is upstairs. I’ll go get her. Where’s Marcus?” Sarah asked as she abruptly tossed her mending on the side table and got out of the living room chair.

  “He was in the ranch yard, so he’s unhitching the team,” Isaac wiped his hand across his face, looking as anxious as she felt. He paced around the living room, looking out the window at Maggie and Marty playing outside. Then he moved to another window to see if Marcus was walking up from the barn. Sarah guessed the horses wouldn’t be brushed until after the letter was read and the contents discussed.

  As Sarah ran up the stairs, she prayed this letter held good news for them. The family had become so attached to the children these past three weeks, it was hard to imagine life without them now. But, she wanted what was best for the children, even if it meant them moving to Kansas City to live with their relatives. Sarah would prepare the children for that if need be. She loved them so much.

  “Momma,” Sarah whispered as quietly as she could while lightly touching her mother’s shoulder. Cate had laid down on her bed to get Maisie to take a nap, and her mother usually took the opportunity to get a little rest herself.

  Cate’s eyes opened wide when Sarah motioned for her to get up. It took a few seconds to ease away from the toddler and follow Sarah out of the bedroom. “Isaac brought home a letter from Mrs. Rayburn.” Sarah bit her lip and swallowed back the worry which was trying to overtake her.

  Cate hugged her tightly, then moved slightly to place a soft kiss on Sarah’s cheek and whisper in her ear, “I’m sure the Lord will do what’s best for the children, whatever it is. Have faith, Daughter.”

  Sarah grabbed her mother’s hand as they walked down the hall, then the stairs to the living room. She was so glad for her mother’s and Isaac’s support the last three weeks, and knew the elders would continue to help her and Marcus to face whatever came next.

  Marcus quickly walked across the yard with a box of groceries on his hip as his future rested on this letter, too.

  Sarah opened the screen door so he could walk into the kitchen to set the box on the table. Sarah caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Ready?” He nodded, knowing what she meant as they walked together into the living room.

  Isaac slit open the envelope with his pocket knife, closed the blade back into the handle and slipped it back into his pocket. Sarah watched as Isaac pulled out the single sheet of folded paper and opened it.

  Isaac cleared his throat and started to read.

  “Dear Mr. Connely,

  “It was such sad news that a Mr. Lyle Elison delivered to our doorstep recently. It was hard to fathom my granddaughter’s death at her young age, especially so soon after her husband’s passing. I haven’t seen Margaret’s family since they left here four years ago, shortly after Marty was born.

  “Margaret wrote she was expecting her fourth child and I looked forward to hearing about my newest great–grandchild. Although I deeply grieve the loss of one life, I celebrate the addition of triplets to Margaret’s legacy. My daughter and her husband, Margaret’s parents, died several years ago, so Margaret spent her teenage years living with me.”

  Isaac looked up at the other three in the room before he continued reading.

  “Due to my advanced age and arthritis, I live with my son in his small home. He is a bachelor who works long hours at the rail yard switch station. My son is not able to care for six children by himself nor are there any other family members except distant cousins, who I don’t know well.

  “Mr. Elison assured me your nephew and his fiancée,” Isaac paused again to clear his throat after reading what Lyle had told the woman, “will give them a loving home and keep the six of them together.

  “I will honor the guardianship letter which Margaret wrote to give Marcus and Sarah the right to adopt her children. My only request is for you to keep me updated on the lives of my great grandchildren.

  “Sincerely,

  “Mrs. Henry Rayburn”

  Sarah couldn’t help the tears streaming down her face. She felt elated, sad for the grandmother, and overwhelmed at the same time. Her mother looked like the same emotions were going through her mind when she pulled Sarah into a tight hug before letting her go.

  Sarah turned to Marcus, “Ready to adopt six children with me?”

  Marcus smiled wide and opened his arms so she could move into them and wrap her arms around his waist.

  Marcus turned away after a few seconds to say, “Could the uncle of the groom and the mother of the bride give us some time alone to make it official?”

  Now Sarah couldn’t wait to run down the church aisle for her wedding, because Marcus was the right man to marry.

  ***

  In ten days I’ll be a married man, the father of six children and the future owner of the Cross C ranch. Marcus hadn’t stopped smiling since the letter arrived two days ago. They sat down with Maggie and Marty to explain he and Sarah were getting married so they’d be an official family forever. Marcus chuckled thinking about the children’s questions. The best one from Maggie was if she’d get a new dress for the wedding, and Marty asked if he was getting “wedded”, too. He and Sarah met
with Pastor Reagan yesterday and they set the wedding date as the Sunday after the next. The children would be included in the ceremony to make it special for them.

  He was in town again today to buy the items on his list, which Sarah had caught him making a while back. Marcus added an extra item to his pile in Taylor’s Mercantile which Sarah didn’t know about yet. He picked out what he thought was the prettiest blue fabric in the store so Sarah could have a new gown for the wedding. Cate assured him she and her daughters–in–law could make new clothing for Sarah and the children by the wedding date.

  The bell jingled on the door as Marcus studied the jars of hard candy on the shelf. Probably not the best idea yet because Marty and Maisie might choke on it.

  “Mr. Brenner?” Marcus turned around hearing the squawking voice of Angus Reagan, one of the pastor’s six sons. The young teenager’s voice was deepening, but still embarrassed the boy at times.

  “The agent saw you come into town, so he asked me to deliver this telegram to you,” Angus shoved the piece of paper towards Marcus.

  “Thanks very much,” Marcus said as he noticed Angus wishfully staring at the candy jars. “Say, what’s your favorite kind of candy?”

  “Uh, lemon drops, sir,” the boy bashfully replied.

  “How about you pick out three pieces of candy each for you and your brothers, and your folks, too. It’s my treat today.”

  Mrs. Taylor beamed at Marcus’ generosity as she gave Angus a sack to carry the treasured candy. The Reagans rarely got treats with the pastor having a low salary, so it would be a nice surprise when the bag arrived in their home. And Marcus was sure all the candy would get home, because Angus knew he could ask the other boys about the candy in church, and get in trouble if he didn’t share.

  As Mrs. Taylor wrote up his bill, Marcus unfolded the telegram. Yesterday he had sent one to his parents in Maryland about his upcoming wedding and was expecting a return telegram from them. Marcus didn’t know if his parents could make the journey for the ceremony on such short notice. If not, hopefully they’d come at a later date to meet Sarah and his new family.

  RETURN TO FORT WALLACE IMMEDIATELY. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING CHILDREN RESCUED FROM CHEYENNE.

  Marcus put his left hand on the wooden counter because the room was spinning. He looked at the telegram again and the words “children” and “Cheyenne” jumped out at him. He squeezed his eyes shut as the memory of chaos and blood slammed into his mind.

  “Mr. Brenner? Marcus? Did you receive bad news?” Mrs. Taylor’s words of worry caused him to look at the telegram again. Rescued… Identify children rescued! Children rescued, not identify bodies!

  “Uh, yes, Mrs. Taylor. I just got a shocking telegram, but I think things will work out.” He looked at the pile of items on the counter. How upset would the shopkeeper be if he scooped up his purchases and ran out the door? He had to get these things home and head back to town immediately. He had to catch the afternoon train heading west. The pull he’d been feeling to return to the fort was pounding in his chest. Someone from that day of murder and mayhem had survived besides him, and needed his help. He knew it, but who? Children rescued from Cheyenne… Marcus tried to pull the nightmares plaguing him for months out to his open consciousness, but failed when he wanted to remember them. Everything was blurry, a swirl of action and blood, before the darkness had pulled him under.

  “Sarah? Sarah!” Marcus dumped his purchases on the kitchen table and trotted through the house looking for Sarah. She wasn’t downstairs so he took the stairs two at a time to get to the upper floor.

  Cate stepped out of a bedroom and put her finger to her lips. “It’s naptime, so please quit yelling,” she whispered.

  “Where’s Sarah? I’ve got to talk to her before I take off for Fort Wallace,” he rushed through his words, thinking of everything he needed to do and take with him.

  “What? Why are you going to the fort? Sarah rode down to Rania’s house for the afternoon. They and Hilda were going to work on wedding plans. This is the first day she’s been away from the triplets since they were born so I doubt she’ll be back until later this afternoon.”

  “Well, I can’t wait for her, and I can’t ride down to Rania and Jacob’s place and get back to Clear Creek in time to catch the afternoon train. Let me show you what I bought and then I’ve got to pack a bag and leave.” He realized he had a hold of Cate’s forearm and was practically pulling her down the stairs.

  “What’s going on, Marcus? You’re scaring me!”

  “I got a telegram from Fort Wallace while I was shopping at the mercantile. I’ve got to get out there, but I’ll be back in plenty of time for the wedding.”

  Marcus ripped the brown paper off the parcel and pushed the items around on the table. “Ask Isaac to put Sarah’s ring in his safe. Make sure the children’s shoes fit. I guessed at their sizes. These bolts of fabric are for the children’s clothing. Try to make two dresses each for the girls and two—or more shirts for Marty—since he gets them dirty so fast. The blue fabric is for Sarah’s wedding dress. Here’s the telegram. Sarah can explain it to you.”

  He grabbed his new suit and the books and left the room before Cate could ask a question. Marcus took the steps two at a time again, and raced down the hall to his room. He reached under his bed to grab his leather knapsack and threw it on the bed. “Shirts, trousers, socks, drawers…” Marcus said the words as he yanked open the drawers in his chest to find what he needed. He stuffed the items in the knapsack, not worrying they’d wrinkle. “Cash.” Marcus yanked open top drawer and pulled open the top of the leather pouch where he kept his money. How much should I take? His mind raced, not sure how much money he’d need for a round trip train ticket, and food for however long he’d be gone. A big handful of bills should be enough, so he stuffed money in his vest pocket and threw the pouch back in the drawer, slamming it shut with his elbow while reaching for his bag. He got to the staircase, then turned around and raced back to his room. He’d woken the children, but Cate was going to have to deal with them. He picked up a children’s picture book he’d just bought and stuffed it in his knapsack. He might need it later.

  “Please tell Isaac or Rusty I’m taking whatever horse happens to be saddled in the barn to ride to Clear Creek. I’ll leave it with Adam and someone can pick it up later,” Marcus paused long enough at the front door to yell at Cate before leaping down the steps and running for the barn.

  ***

  “I so enjoyed the day, Momma. Thank you for taking care of the children for me.” Sarah felt better than she had in…well…weeks. Now she knew why women liked to gather for quilting bees and ladies church groups. It was a way to communicate with adults and feel like an individual again. But after a few hours without a baby in her arms and a child tugging on her skirt, she was ready to go back to being a mother again. This was her life’s role and she couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have the children and Marcus completing her life.

  “All mothers need a few hours away from their children now and then. It’s the only way to keep sane,” Cate joked as she arranged the brown paper templates on the new bolt of fabric she had rolled out on the dining room table.

  “Marcus went shopping today. I like the pink calico he picked out for the girls’ dresses. I suggested we needed it yesterday after we talked to Pastor Reagan, but Marcus had some ‘things’ he wanted to pick out by himself.”

  “I was surprised at all he bought, but he has a family to clothe now. What do you think of this blue fabric?” Cate pointed at the bolt sitting on a chair pushed away from the table.

  Sarah unrolled and held out a few yards to see the floral design on the material. It had a light blue background, with the design of tiny clusters of delicate white roses intertwined with a dark blue ribbon printed on it.

  “It is gorgeous! I can’t believe the man’s good taste. It will make beautiful dresses for the girls,” Sarah replied, fingering the material.

  “Marcus picked that fabric for your
wedding dress,” Cate smiled as she moved the sleeve pattern in a different direction. She needed to have the least amount of scraps left over around the dress parts she was cutting out.

  “Really?” Sarah almost squealed. “I planned to wear my Sunday dress, but now I’ll have a brand new dress for my special day!” She looked at the items stacked on the chairs. Besides material there were children’s shoes, too.

  “I saw his list…did he buy my ring?” She whispered, acting like a child anticipating Christmas morning.

  “Now, let the man have a few surprises, for heaven’s sake. I won’t tell you what all he bought today,” Cate commented.

  “Well, I’ll get some answers out of him tonight after supper when the children are in bed,” Sarah smugly assured her mother, grinning at the thought of spending some time alone tonight with her fiancé.

  “I’m afraid not. Marcus is gone. Look at the telegram I laid on the side table. He left in a hurry to catch the afternoon train after receiving the wire from Fort Wallace. He said you’d know what it meant?”

  Sarah dropped the bolt of material and snatched up the telegram.

  RETURN TO FORT WALLACE IMMEDIATELY. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING CHILDREN RESCUED FROM CHEYENNE.

  He left without talking to me first? Surely he was coming back, wasn’t he? He bought you material to make a wedding dress for heaven’s sake! Marcus would come back to her.

  Sarah read the note twice, shaking as she thought of Marcus heading back to face his nightmares. She closed her eyes, and pressed the paper to her chest. Would he come back, or keeping running? She’d make her new dress, praying she’d get to wear it on her wedding day. But worry and fear for Marcus’ sanity would be worked into each stitch making the dress.