A Heart Set Free

by Janet S. Grunst

  The young woman’s hair reminded her of black satin, and her complexion was creamy with a slight smattering of freckles. Her clear blue eyes gave the woman a striking appearance.

  “Thank you for including us. We shall do what we can to help.”

  Caroline took her arm and guided her toward a group of women. “Shall we go join the other women and leave the men to their work? Come, children.”

  Heather studied the woman next to her, younger than she by several years. She wished she had Caroline’s self-assurance and grace.

  “Now, do not worry about Mark and Mary. They shall mix in.” Caroline’s confidence and sweet demeanor were inviting. “It will take no time for them to make friends.”

  Heather smiled. “Have you any children?”

  “Yes, we have one child, a baby boy.”

  Heather watched Mary and Mark happily scamper off with the Whitcomb children. She was not concerned about the children’s ability to fit into the group, but about herself being accepted by the other women. Observing them, she was certain that she had made the right choice in selecting the buff-colored frock to wear. Once she had lowered the hem, it fit perfectly.

  Amelia Turner came up to her. “We are glad you came, Heather, and will have a chance to meet more of your neighbors.”

  “Thank you. I look forward to it.”

  Caroline introduced her to the women seated nearby on benches and logs. There were Betsy Edwards, the doctor’s wife she had met at church, and Hannah Whitcomb. Sally, Amelia, and Margaret were the other ladies. Babies sat on their mothers’ laps or lay on blankets set out on a grassy area beside them.

  She excused herself to set the basket on the table brought outside for the day’s activities. Ignoring the whispering among the women, she braced herself, turned, and walked back toward the group with as much confidence as she could muster.

  “Heather, how nice it is to see you again.” Hannah Whitcomb was seated on a bench near the other ladies. “And how is everything in the Stewart household?”

  “We are very well, Mrs. Whitcomb. I must thank you again for the dinner and the hospitality you extended to us.”

  “It was our pleasure, and so nice to see the children again after so long.” Hannah motioned for her to sit beside her. “How fortunate Mary did not take ill after that terribly stormy night. She was so upset. We heard that Mark was ill and gave you a scare a while back. Is everyone well now?”

  “Aye, everyone is fine now. It is kind of you to inquire.” It had taken Hannah no time to bring up Mary’s escapade. And she knew about Mark. How much more did Hannah know of the goings-on in their home?

  She turned to Betsy Edwards on her other side. “It is nice to see you again, Mrs. Edwards. We were so grateful when your husband came and checked on Mark. We were worried about the wee lad’s temperature. But I fear we troubled the doctor needlessly since he was already on the mend.”

  “No need to apologize. We are quite used to seeing people at all hours.” Her smile was warm and inviting. “Tell me, dear, what do you think of Virginia?”

  “Oh, it is beautiful and very different from Scotland. The climate here is warmer.”

  “Summers are warm, but the fall is delightful. I hope you will be happy here.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Edwards.” She smiled and relaxed a little.

  Amelia Turner pointed to where Mark and Mary had joined a group of children. “I see your youngsters are already joined in with my children and the others playing blind man’s bluff.” Amelia flashed her engaging smile.

  Caroline Taylor waved to the women. “Ladies, if any of you need to heat your food, the fire is ready now.”

  Two tripods had been erected on either side of the large open pit. An iron rod with several hanging hooks suspended the pots over a low flame. Heather took their large iron pot full of beans and hung it from one of the many hooks. It would not take long for them to heat up. There were many savory dishes, as well as a fair number of bowls and plates of baked goods.

  She walked by where the children were playing before going to see the barn, which was taking shape.

  The men had formed organized teams and were busy constructing the barn walls on the ground, getting all the pieces in place. Jugs of cider sat on a table next to a water barrel for the men to quench their thirst.

  Matthew spotted Heather standing nearby and walked over to her. She looked comely today in the buff-colored frock, and so much healthier than when she arrived in April. He reached down for the water gourd and took a long drink. “How are you doing with the rest of the women? Getting acquainted?”

  “Aye, they are very nice. Caroline Taylor has made me at ease in the group. I chatted with Amelia Turner and Betsy Edwards again. And the children wasted no time in finding friends.” Her smile warmed his heart.

  “The Turners are fine friends, and Caroline and Samuel are good people. Caroline had a baby not long ago.” He took a kerchief out and wiped the sweat from his brow and neck. He caught her smiling up at him. It was encouraging to see her mix well with the other ladies. Perhaps that would make her feel more like she belonged here.

  “You are making good progress on the barn. Does everyone have a specific job?”

  “Yes. A great deal of planning and preparation is done before the men even start construction on timber-framed buildings. The more experienced men draw up the plans and calculate what is needed. The men gravitate toward certain skills they have honed over the years. Samuel and Aaron, over there, are masters at joinery and doweling work.” He filled the gourd and took another drink.

  “I see even the older boys are put to use.”

  “They fetch parts and tools, all while learning from the men. They will be doing this one day so they need to learn. Wait till you see us raise the walls.”

  “That must be fascinating to behold. What a blessing it is cool today, and there is a breeze.” Her eyes remained on the growing structure as they talked.

  He refilled the gourd, drank again, and gazed skyward. “If only we would get some rain. Every planter around will suffer if this dry spell continues.”

  She smiled. “Perhaps the rain is waiting for the roof of Mr. Taylor’s barn to be on.”

  “Good thought.” He longed for moments like this with easy banter, but the men needed his assistance. “I had better get back to work. Enjoy your time with the ladies.” He smiled and headed back toward the barn, then turned and watched her return to the ladies’ gathering spot. It was not surprising that the other women welcomed her. Heather had a winsome way about her.

  Heather glanced back and watched him walk away. Matthew Stewart was occupying more and more of her thoughts. She could no longer deny that she had feelings for him. Was he unaware of his appealing looks and manner? Perhaps that was part of his charm. He had a pleasant and kind nature. Her shoulders stiffened. How could he have been so quick to misjudge her and think she would leave with Travis Thorpe? And what was his intention in dissolving her indenture? I must not dwell on it. Not here. Not now.

  The women were arranging the table for the meal when she rejoined them. They were an easy group to enjoy.

  Caroline placed a platter of sliced meats on the table. “Heather, please help me gather the children.”

  Once the wee ones were served and seated on blankets under the trees, Caroline called to the men. The older children had been strategically placed far enough away so as not to disturb the adults, yet close enough to keep an eye on them. When everyone had filled their plates, they separated into two groups. The women gathered back on their benches and logs, near the babies, in the shade of two large oak trees. The men sat under a nearby maple, clearly enjoying whatever it was they were talking about. Their laughter grew loud on occasion.

  Heather took a seat next to Caroline.

  Hannah sat beside her. “George tells me that your hired man is gone. I thought Matthew planned on keeping him through the final harvest. Change of plans?” Hannah continued eating the entire time she was quizz
ing her, rubbing some cornbread in a circular motion in the puddle of gravy on her plate.

  “The man—” Heather cleared her throat. She glanced around the group and noticed all eyes on her. “He, Mr. Thorpe, proved to be untrustworthy, so he was dismissed.” Hopefully, that would end the questioning.

  “Dismissed?” Hannah chuckled, shaking her head.

  Heather’s eyes traveled around the group. Would one of the women change the subject? Perhaps she would strike up a conversation with—

  “Whatever for?”

  She gulped. The heat rose to her face. “It is a private matter.”

  “Hmph!” Hannah studied her for a long time before continuing. “So tell us, Heather, what brought you to Virginia?” The woman was determined to draw her into conversation. “Do you still have family in Scotland?”

  Heather sat for a moment in silence. “We were shopkeepers ... my family owned a dry goods business in Perth.” She hesitated and noticed interest in the women’s faces. “My parents are both deceased.”

  Perhaps the simple explanation would suffice. She smiled at Caroline.

  “But you did not say how it was you came to Virginia—as an indentured? I mean it is odd that—”

  “Mrs. Whitcomb.” She turned toward the older woman. “I choose to live in the present and not dwell on the past. Right now, I would like to enjoy this lovely day and the blessing of spending it with everyone here.” Had she been too abrupt? Hopefully, the other women had not noticed her shaking.

  Undaunted, Hannah rested her hand on Heather’s knee. “How auspicious for you to be pur—I mean, to have the opportunity to begin your life over again with a home, husband, children, and even the deceased wife’s wardrobe. You have done quite well.”

  Stunned by the remark, her eyes were fixed on her plate. Heat rose to her face. I am wearing Elizabeth’s clothes? Maggie said he approved giving them to me. A lump formed in her throat. The woman was a menace. She needed to get away from her.

  Caroline gently placed her hand on Heather’s arm. “Heather, would you help me get some more cider from the cellar?”

  You are good, Lord. Still silent, she got up and followed Caroline in the direction of the small frame dwelling, grateful to escape the group of women with some small portion of her dignity intact. Her mind raced. Why had Matthew not said anything to her about the gown? Maggie should have told her it was Elizabeth’s. It was no wonder that Mary was so taken aback seeing her this morning. She must have remembered the dress. Details of the morning continued to crowd her mind until she reached the cellar.

  “Please do not let what Hannah says upset you, Heather. She is a difficult one to get along with and often manages to say the wrong thing or find someone to torment. We all have learned to tolerate her insensitive ways. There is nothing wrong with your wearing Elizabeth’s clothes.” Caroline paused, slightly out of breath, and handed Heather another jug. “I think it was a kind and generous gesture on Matthew’s part. It is a good sign. It means he is recovering from the grief of the past year.” She picked up two more jugs, turned, and smiled. “Now we can take three of these to the men and save one for us.”

  Once the cider was delivered to the men, they made their way back to the other women. As they walked, Caroline reached out, giving Heather’s hand a squeeze. “I was very fond of Elizabeth. We all were. She was a lovely, special friend, whom we all miss. But that does not mean that we cannot welcome you and hope to be your friends also. As for Hannah, do not fret about her odd comments. Elizabeth lived much closer to her and had to contend with her much more often than we did, and it was not easy for her either.”

  So Hannah was unkind to Elizabeth as well. Perhaps Hannah was just an unhappy woman who lived to harass anyone in her sphere of influence. Poor Elizabeth.

  The heaviness in her heart lifted as she recognized a new kinship with Matthew’s late wife. “Thank you for your kindness, Caroline—for recognizing how uncomfortable I was, and for rescuing me.”

  Caroline hugged her, and they both laughed.

  CHAPTER 18

  It was dusk by the time the Stewarts arrived back at the cottage, after an active day in the late August sunshine. Even though the ride was short, the children managed to drift off to sleep. Heather and Matthew each carried a child into the house without waking them.

  She whispered as they laid the children on the pallet. “You look weary. I can get them settled into bed. You go see to the animals. Do you need any help when I am finished?”

  “No, not out there. I am exhausted. Would you check in the hutch and see if you can find any of the salve? I suspect I will be sore tomorrow. I am off to the pond to wash when I finish in the barn.” He shivered, imagining her hands covering his tired muscles in salve. Would she? Or would she hand him the bottle and excuse herself for bed? If only ... “If onlys” did not happen. Not in this life. All she wanted was her freedom, not a widower and two unruly children.

  He climbed to the loft to find some clean clothes, while she finished bringing in the day’s remnants from the wagon.

  When he came back down to the kitchen, she stood by the table, looking beautiful in Elizabeth’s clothes. Maggie was wise to suggest they would meet her needs. She handed him the bottle of salve. “Are you hungry?” she asked quietly.

  Hungry? Yes, but not for food. He shook those inclinations from his head. He briefly glanced at the bottle in his hand before catching her eye. Her head was tilted waiting for him to respond. “No, thank you, Heather. I am thirsty, though. I will go fill the jug with water before I go.”

  She walked over to the children’s pallet and gently pulled off the sleeping boy’s shoes. She glanced over her shoulder at him with a teasing look. “You be careful at the pond. One needs to keep an eye out for snakes, particularly at night.”

  With the lantern in hand, he walked to the pond. A dip in the cold water was exactly what he needed, and not just to get clean. Was there any way to alter the direction their relationship was headed—to her departure? There had to be a way to reach her. He was not ready to give up. Not yet.

  Everyone was very busy the next couple of weeks. Matthew, like many of the other local farmers, gathered wheat to take to the mill, as well as the tobacco and corn crops to take into town. The weather was so dry that all the farmers were anxious to get this harvest behind them. Matthew was grateful for the yield, given the drought that had plagued most of the summer. In another month, the land would be plowed again for the planting of barley and rye.

  Late one morning, Heather had just finished weeding the garden bed in front of the cottage. She got up slowly and stretched to relieve her sore muscles, then walked to where the children had been playing on the side of the barn. Where were they? She searched in every direction.

  “Mary, are you in here?” She stepped through the doorway into the hot, dark barn. There was the rustle of hay, and Mary appeared.

  “What are you doing in here, lass? Did you not say that you would watch over Mark while I worked in the garden?”

  “Yes, ma’am. But I got tired of watching him. I decided to get some hay and make a bed for my doll. I am going to stuff it in this old sack.” She had a sheepish expression on her face as she held up the small canvas sack.

  Heather bit her lip, fearing she would say something she would later regret. She dashed out of the barn and finally spotted Mark on the other side of the cottage, playing with a large squash in the vegetable garden. Mary stood watching from the barn door.

  How could she convey to Mary the seriousness of the situation without alienating her? She reached out to the young girl and took her hand, aching at the sight of her guilty face. “Mary, Mark is still a wee laddie and needs to have someone watching out for him. I asked you to help by minding him so that I could get some work done. I depend on you, Mary, because you have proven to be reliable, and because I believe you will call me if you need help. In the future, you must tell me if you cannot watch him. Now, will you please go get Mark so we can carry som
e water up from the pond? The garden is so dry.”

  “May we wade in it for a while, please?”

  “Aye, but only for a bit. Your father said he would be home for dinner, and we must get that started.”

  “I am sorry that I stopped watching Mark without telling you.”

  She smiled down at Mary’s contrite face and gave the child a hug. “Thank you, dear. All is well.” Perhaps there was hope. Mary certainly was more cooperative and agreeable these days.

  Later, when dinner was over, Matthew got up and put on his hat. “I am going to the Whitcombs’.”

  Mary reached for her father’s hand. “Papa, may we go also?”

  “No. Not this time, poppet. It will only be some of the men getting together to plan the new church. Now, with the harvest over for another season, we need to start rebuilding it.” Matthew searched for some papers in the drawer of the hutch. “When we were at the barn raising, the men decided to rebuild the church after the harvest. We have imposed on the generosity of the Turner and the Edwards families long enough to open their homes for our church services.”

  Heather cleared the dishes from the table. “I expect the pastor is ready for the church to be rebuilt also.”

  “Our itinerant clergyman visits infrequently, as he has various congregations under his care. As you saw, when he is not in attendance at church, the men take turns reading from the Scriptures. After the harvest and the fall crops are planted, the church construction will begin.”

  Matthew was almost ready to leave when the sound of a horse approaching at a gallop caught their attention. He hurried outside, and she and the children followed behind him to see what the commotion was all about. “I wonder why George is in such a hurry.”

  George Whitcomb was nearly out of breath from the ride. “Matt, there is a fire at the Taylors’ farm. Others are on the way there. I wanted to tell you.” He turned his mount and departed the way he had come.

  Matthew ran for the barn with Heather following.