by Peterson, Tracie; Davis, Mary; Hake, Kelly Eileen; Stengl, Jill; Warren, Susan May
Amy remained silent throughout the exchange. She hated the idea of Tyler leaving, and yet what else could he do? That was his job and if she were to marry him, it would be a big part of her life as well.
The thought of marriage to Tyler made Amy smile, and without her realizing, the attention of everyone in the room turned toward her.
“Looks like Amy’s already a world away,” Charles laughed.
Dora nudged her husband good-naturedly. “Now, leave her be, Pa. She’s just day-dreamin’.”
Amy blushed and lowered her head. No doubt they all knew full well what she was thinking about. Angie was the only one who seemed not to notice.
“Well, I for one will be glad when winter is over,” Angie declared, moving to wash the dishes.
“Winter’s just set in, Angie,” her father mused. “You’d best just set your mind for a few more months of cold.”
Tyler laughed and got to his feet. “I’d best get a move on.”
Dora set about to make sandwiches for him to take along, while Amy packed some gingersnaps and sugar cookies. She was glad for some task to occupy her hands; otherwise, she feared she’d just sit and twist them until everyone knew she was upset and asked her why. Surprised by the flood of emotions that threatened to run out of control, she silently prayed that she’d not cry when Tyler departed.
When the moment did arrive, everyone bid Tyler farewell and managed to inconspicuously disappear, leaving Amy and Tyler alone.
“I’ll miss you,” Tyler said, pulling on his heavy coat. Amy nodded, afraid to speak. She lifted her eyes to his and saw the love shining clear. Mindless of proper manners, Amy threw herself into Tyler’s arms and clung tightly to his broad frame.
“It won’t be that long,” Tyler whispered against her buried face. “And when I come back, I intend to ask you something quite important, so you’d best be ready to give me an answer.”
Amy lifted her face to his and nodded. “I’ll be ready,” she replied. “I promise.”
Chapter 9
Amy felt a giddy anticipation in the days that followed Tyler’s departure. She missed him terribly, yet she felt as though she shared a private secret with him. Over and over, she remembered his words to her when they said good-bye, and she was certain that when he returned, he would ask her to marry him.
The snow kept them homebound for five days, but then a warm southerly breeze blew in and melted most of the drifts. Soon soggy brown puddles were all that remained. During the thaw, the twins’ older brother Randy arrived to announce the birth of his new son.
“He’s a big one, for sure,” Randy boasted. “I measured him myself and he’s pert near twenty-three inches long.”
“My,” Dora remarked in amazement. “He is good-sized.”
“Congratulations, son.” Charles gave Randy a hearty slap on his back. “How’s Betsey doing?”
“She’s fine. Tired, but fine. Doc was there this morning and said she needs to get plenty of rest. Other than that, he thinks both of them are good and strong.”
“I’d be happy to come keep house and tend the children,” Amy offered her brother.
“I was kind of hoping you might say that,” Randy said with a smile. “I know it’d be a real peace of mind to Betsey. She doesn’t trust me in her kitchen.”
At this the family laughed. Even Angie teased him good-naturedly, “You must take after me.”
“Naw,” Randy teased right back, “nobody is as bad as you are in the kitchen. At least I can make coffee.”
Amy smiled, remembering the day Angie had filled the house with smoke when she had tried to impress Tyler with her culinary skills.
“He’s got you on that one, Angie,” Charles laughed. Then turning to Amy, he said, “You’d best get your things together.”
Amy nodded and hurried upstairs. She was grateful for the job that awaited her, knowing that it would keep her mind occupied until Tyler returned.
She calculated the days left until his return, and then she smiled again. Maybe she’d even be married before the year was out! The idea warmed her like a toasty quilt. She hugged her arms around herself, imagining what Tyler would say when he saw her again, and then she laughed out loud at herself when she realized what she was doing.
“I’m always telling folks to take one day at a time—but ever since Tyler’s come into my life, it’s all I can do to keep from dreaming away my days,” she said aloud. “Maybe Tyler was right. Maybe I found it easy to keep from planning beyond today, because I had no one to plan for or with.”
She threw the things she would need at Randy’s house into a a worn carpet bag. Then she headed downstairs to join her brother. She determined in her mind to take life one day at a time, just as she always had before she met Tyler, but her heart was already rebelling at the idea.
In the weeks that followed, Amy found that caring for Betsey and the baby was the easy part of her responsibilities. The hard part was keeping Charlie, Petey, and Dolly amused. Blustery winter weather confined them to the house, and out of boredom, they insisted on constant attention.
Amy tried to fuss over each one of them. She took great joy in getting to know the newest Carmichael, baby Joseph whom everyone already called Joey, but she tried to remember that the needs of the other children were just as important as the baby’s. Dolly, used to being the youngest, had her nose slightly out of joint when it came to sharing attention with her baby brother. She didn’t want to give up without a fight the important job of being the family baby.
Amy soothed her niece by telling her it would be far more fun to help with Joey, than to cry over the attention he got. Dolly was a bit young to understand logical reasoning, but Amy found a sugar cookie usually helped matters greatly.
Petey and Charlie were intrigued with the ruddy-faced bundle, but the attraction wore off quickly. Soon they were begging to bundle up and go outside, and then they tracked in mud and snow from their outdoor adventures.
Before long, Betsey was up and around, and the need for Amy to stay lessened with each passing day. Finally, when Christmas was only a week away, Amy bid them good-bye and headed home.
“Only a week,” she told the horse on their journey to the Carmichael farm. “Only one more week and Tyler will be back.”
The horse flicked his ears and plodded faithfully along the soggy prairie. Amy gazed out across the fields and sighed. The land was so open here, so vast and empty, yet life was only asleep; Amy knew when spring arrived the prairie would come to life once again.
Even the gray skies overhead could not dampen her spirits, and Amy found herself humming a tune. She loved thinking about a life with Tyler. She wondered where they would live and whether she would travel with her husband on his circuit. Most circuit riders rode alone, she thought, and frowned at the lengthy separations their wives must know.
Maybe Pa will talk the town folks into giving Tyler a job right here, she thought. Especially if we’re married. The idea pacified her concerns, and Amy’s thoughts turned to what she’d do once she arrived home.
She rode into the yard just before noon and found an animated Angie awaiting her. They walked together to the barn, but when Amy prepared to unsaddle her horse, Angie reached out to stop her.
“I was hoping you’d ride into town with me,” Angie said. “I haven’t done much Christmas shopping, and now there’s only a few days left.”
Amy froze, realizing that she’d not prepared anything for Tyler in the way of a Christmas gift. What should she do for him? Should she make something or purchase some trinket at Smith’s General Store? Her mind raced with ideas, totally blocking out Angie’s ramblings.
“You aren’t listening to me!” Angie exclaimed at last.
Amy stroked the horse’s mane and sighed. “Sorry, Angie. I was just thinking about what you’d said. I managed to make something for Ma before I left, but I don’t have a thing for Pa or you.” She carefully didn’t bring Tyler into the conversation.
“Then you’ll go w
ith me?” Angie asked hopefully.
“Sure.” Amy smiled. “Let me get my money and a bite to eat, and I’ll be ready.”
Angie flew into the house to tell their mother what the girls had planned. Angie even made a sandwich for Amy in order to hurry things along.
The girls rode side by side, saying little until they neared the small town of Deer Ridge. To call it a town seemed a bit of a boast, but it was all they had and Amy loved it. The handful of buildings made up what folks affectionately called “Main Street.” On one side stood the general store and bank, along with several smaller establishments, including the barber shop and Doc Taggert’s place. On the opposite side of the street was Nathan Gallagher’s law office, the livery stables and blacksmith’s shop, and farther down from this was the new school building. Opposite the school building at the other end of town was the hotel/boardinghouse.
Smith’s General Store was the main attraction for the small community, however. Folks gathered here to discuss the weather and crops, new babies and deaths, and whatever else came to mind. Socializing wasn’t an everyday occurrence, it was a luxury, and if one had to make the trip into town, he or she had the responsibility of bringing back all the news that bore repeating.
Tying their horses to the hitching post, Amy and Angie pulled their coats closer as a blast of frigid prairie wind pushed them along. “Pa says it’s going to snow tonight for sure,” Angie said with a shiver.
“He’s usually right about those things,” Amy replied and added, “so we’d best get to it and get back home.”
Angie paused for a moment outside the clapboard storefront. “Uh, Amy,” she said hesitantly.
Amy turned and eyed her sister suspiciously. “What are you up to, Angie?”
“Nothing,” Angie hedged, “it’s just that I saw Nathan go into his office across the way and I thought, I mean…”
“Go on and see him.” Amy shook her head. “You and I neither one will enjoy this trip if you don’t attend to all of your beaus. I’m sure Ed Anderson will be slighted if you don’t make the rounds to the bank as well.”
Angie laughed and gave her head a toss. “I don’t care if he is. He hasn’t been to see me in over a week.”
“And Nathan has?” Amy teased.
“Well, no,” Angie admitted. “But Nathan’s practice keeps him busy.”
Amy had to laugh at the idea of an abundance of law work in Deer Ridge. “The idea of a railroad spur coming this way is the only thing that keeps Nathan Gallagher busy. Tell them all hello for me,” Amy replied. She left Angie contemplating her words.
Inside the store, the potbelly stove was nearly glowing red from the hearty fire that Jeremy Smith had built to keep his customers warm. Several of the community’s prominent members stood discussing important matters when Amy entered. The gentlemen tipped their hats, and the only other woman, Mrs. Smith, came quickly to Amy’s side.
“Land sakes, child, whatever are you doing out on a day like this? Come get warmed up.” The gray-headed woman pushed her way through the men, dragging Amy with her to the stove.
“Angie and I needed to do a bit of last minute shopping. You know,” Amy whispered in the woman’s ear, “for Christmas.”
Betty Smith nodded and shared the excitement of the moment with Amy. “Who are you still shopping for?”
“Pa and Angie,” she said right away, and then with a quick glance around her to make certain no one could overhear, she added, “and the new pastor.”
Betty smiled, revealing two missing teeth. “I heard tell he’d spent a deal of time out your way. Is there something I should know about you and him?”
Amy blushed and lowered her head. “No, but when there is, I’ll let you know.”
“Why, Amy Carmichael!” the woman exclaimed a bit louder than she’d intended. Ears around them perked up, so Betty pulled Amy away from the crowd and toward the back of the store. “I’ll bet your ma’s plumb tickled pink. She’s always a frettin’ that you’d never find anyone to settle down with.”
Amy felt her face grow even more flushed. Did everybody have to know her business? Seeing her discomfort, Betty began showing Amy some of the trinkets they’d stocked with Christmas in mind.
“That silver mirror is pretty,” Amy said and immediately thought of Angie’s love of primping. “I’d imagine my sister would like that very much.”
“Where is Angie?” Betty asked, setting the mirror aside.
“Oh, you know Angie. She had to make the rounds.”
Betty laughed, because she did know Angie and her love of flirting with half the town.
Amy continued to shop for the next half hour or so before finally settling on the mirror for Angie and a brass-handled jackknife for her father. Buying a gift for Tyler proved to be an easy task when Amy spied the newest collection of books. Tyler had mentioned his love of reading, and with this in mind, Amy quickly sorted through the stack and picked out Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities.
Thumbing through the book, Amy remembered her father telling about a series of public readings that Charles Dickens had performed in America. The man had taken the country by storm, and his works were quite popular.
Tucking the book under her arm, Amy glanced around to see if Angie had returned. Most of the other customers had filtered out, and now, with the exception of the self-appointed Mayor Osborne, who was in a heated argument with Jeremy Smith, the store was empty.
“Betty?” Amy called into the back room where she’d seen Betty take her other purchases.
The woman emerged with two brightly wrapped packages. “I thought this might dress them up a bit,” she said proudly. “And don’t be fretting that I’ll charge you, ’cause I won’t. I just happened to have it left over from my own things.”
“Oh Betty, it’s wonderful. Thank you!” Amy held out Tyler’s book. “I’m going to take this as well. I’d be happy to pay for it to be wrapped.”
“This for the pastor?” Betty asked with a grin. Amy nodded and waited while the woman disappeared into the back to wrap the book.
When she’d paid for her things and Angie still had not appeared, Amy could do nothing but try and find her sister. She tucked her gifts into one of the saddle bags, then made her way across the street to Nathan Gallagher’s office.
Opening the door to the law office, Amy peeked in. No one was in the outer room, and she saw no sign that Angie had ever been there. Amy started to step out when she heard voices coming from the other room. Thinking that Nathan and Angie were talking in his office, Amy quietly moved to the door and started to knock.
Her hand was nearly against the wood when she heard Nathan’s voice bellow, “I don’t care what you think! We’ll take the bank money on Christmas morning when that fool of a pastor is teaching the town about charity and love.”
Amy’s heart pounded harder, and she froze in place. Her hand was still lifted to knock, but for some reason she couldn’t bring herself to move.
“Gallagher, you’re a hard man,” a voice commented. “I guess I’ll take my share and be on my way. You can do this job on your own.”
“Have it your way, but go out the back door. I don’t want anyone seeing you.” Nathan’s voice was clearly agitated. “Oh, and here.” Amy heard a clinking thud as something hit the floor. “Don’t forget your money.”
The other man grumbled, and then she heard the sound of a door being opened and closed. Amy hadn’t been able to bring herself to move, but she suddenly realized what a precarious position she’d placed herself in. She backed away slowly from the closed door.
She’d made it halfway to the front door, when she stumbled into a spittoon and sent it crashing over with a resounding clang. Nathan was through the door in a heartbeat, staring dumbfounded at Amy. He tried to decide for a moment whether she was coming or going, but Amy didn’t give him any time to figure it out before she turned to run for the door.
He was on her before she’d taken two steps, gripping her wrist with his steely hand
and dragging her back to his office for privacy.
“What are you doing here, Angie?” he asked, mistaking her for her sister.
“I, I…” Amy tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come.
“What did you hear?” Nathan shoved her into a chair.
Amy shook her head. “Nothing. I came here to find my sister.”
“What would Amy be doing here?” Nathan frowned and then his eyes narrowed. “You’re not Angie.” His words seemed to hang forever on the air.
“Yes,” Amy finally admitted. “Angie and I were shopping and she said she was coming to visit you. I was just trying to find her so that we could go home.” Amy timidly came up from the chair, only to have Nathan whirl around and slam her back down.
“Stay there!”
Amy trembled, but she did as she was told, while Nathan moved quickly to lock his office door. She cast a quick glance toward the back door, knowing if she could somehow make it there, she’d be safe.
Nathan came back to where she sat, putting himself between her and freedom. He rubbed his jaw for a moment and stared at her, his hard eyes boring into her face. “You know, don’t you?”
Amy tried to look innocent and shook her head. “Know what?”
“Don’t play games with me, Amy. You aren’t going to ruin my plans. I can’t have you out there bringing the town down on me. You overheard my plans or you wouldn’t be so afraid of me.”
“I’m wasn’t afraid until you grabbed me and dragged me in here,” Amy said angrily. “I don’t know why you’re treating me like this, but when my pa and brother find out, you won’t have time to worry about any plans you’ve made.” She prayed he’d be convinced that she hadn’t overheard his conversation with the now absent stranger.
Nathan moved away from her, thinking. As a lawyer, part of his job was to study men and what they had to say, determining whether or not they were telling the truth. He had to admit, Amy Carmichael was either a very good actress or she truly hadn’t overhead his plans. Still, if she hadn’t heard him talking, why was she running from him?