A Home at Trail's End (38 page)

“You can let them sit a bit longer if you like, but remember what a rotten egg smells like when it gets accidentally broken,” Elizabeth warned.

Ruth wrinkled her nose. “I'll get rid of them tomorrow,” she promised.

On the first day of 1858, Ruth buried the six unhatched eggs back behind the chicken coop. Elizabeth was only mildly surprised to see that Ruth had planted a little wooden cross over the freshly dug grave. Then at around noon, the four of them traipsed over to her parents' for a New Year's Day dinner. Matthew was still on crutches but seemed to be in a little less pain than previously, and Jess' waist was just starting to thicken, which reminded Elizabeth about Mara. After dinner, seeing that Matthew and Brady were involved in checkers and the others had gone out for a stroll, Elizabeth remained behind to help her mother with the dishes.

“I think Mara's baby is not too far from arriving,” she said quietly.

“Oh?” Clara looked at her. “Do you plan to help her when it comes?”

“I don't know exactly.” Elizabeth glanced over to the checkers players, but they were oblivious. “Certainly, I'm willing. But she wouldn't have any way to send for me. Rose is too small.”

“Yes.” Clara nodded. “That is a problem.”

“I'm not sure what to do.”

“In all likelihood she won't need help.” Clara frowned.

“Unless…she does need help.” Elizabeth scrubbed the pot harder. “And what about poor Rose? She will be terrified if her mother is in great pain. And what can she do to help?”

“Oh, dear. I hadn't even thought about that.”

“If they were in a village, other women would be on hand to help Mara and watch out for Rose.”

“That's true.”

“Well, she is in a village,” Elizabeth declared. “You and I will have to be her village.”

“What will we do?”

“I'm not sure.” Elizabeth tried to think of a plan. “You are more knowledgeable than I am about birthing babies. Is there any way to know how far along she is?”

“Does she know?”

“She didn't seem to. But just looking at her and how much larger she's gotten these past few weeks convinces me that it can't be too far off now. I suppose it could be as much as a month…or as little as a few days.” She set the pot down. “I don't know. And it's been difficult to spend much time with her when the children are out of school. And I really do not want them to know about her.”

“Why don't you take me to visit Mara,” Clara suggested. “The first day the children are back in school, you and I will go.”

Elizabeth agreed. She just hoped that Mara didn't have her baby before that. In the meantime, she would be praying faithfully for her.

The day for school to be back in session broke rainy and gloomy, and Elizabeth almost didn't want to send the children out in it. But they were eager to be back with their teacher and friends. And JT put on his waxed coat, and Elizabeth insisted on wrapping her thick barn coat around Ruth before the two climbed up onto Molly. Sometimes she wondered if snow wasn't preferable to rain.

“Don't worry,” Eli said as he joined her on the porch. “Those two are made of sturdy stuff. Besides, they have the heat from Molly to keep them warm. And once they get to school, Mrs. Taylor will have the stove cranked up and they will soon be toasty.” He chuckled. “Or steamy.”

She nodded. “I know you're right.”

“Are you going to check on Mara this morning?”

“Yes.” She peered in the direction of her parents' property, but thanks to the drizzling rain, she could barely see. “Although I won't blame Mother if she doesn't make it over.”

“Come have a cup of coffee with me,” he said. “Give her some time just in case she's coming.”

It was pleasant to sit and share coffee with Eli. It had been some time since the two of them had been alone in the house. They were just finishing up when Clara arrived looking somewhat drenched. “Oh, Mother,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Let's get you in here and dried out.” She peeled off the soggy coat and ushered her over to the chair by the fire, where she helped to remove her wet muddy boots. “At least your dress is dry.”

“It really looks much worse than it is,” Clara said as Eli handed her a cup of hot coffee. “But thank you.”

After Clara was somewhat dried out and the rain shower had moved on, the two women bundled up and headed over to Mara's cabin. As they walked, Elizabeth confessed her fears to her mother. “I always wonder what would happen if someone in the settlement found out. Would they make trouble for Mara? Or burn down the cabin? Or come after Eli and the children and me?”

“Oh, goodness. I hope not.”

“If you had seen the fear in Mara's eyes when she told me about how they burned down their cabin…you would understand.”

“Poor dears.”

Elizabeth knocked on the door, calling out to Mara. As soon as Mara opened the door, Elizabeth introduced her mother, explaining how Clara knew about babies and giving birth. At first Mara seemed uncertain, but as Clara began talking to her, Mara visibly relaxed.

“Can I take Rose outside with me?” Elizabeth asked Mara. “While you two talk?”

Mara looked unsure, but then nodded. “Put on your moccasins,” she told Rose. Elizabeth watched as the little girl hurried to find her shoes.

“You made them,” she said to Mara as she helped Rose tie the laces. “They are very nice.” Soon Elizabeth and Rose were outside exploring and getting some fresh air. Rose seemed to appreciate this time, and Elizabeth was relieved that her mother was with Mara. She completely trusted her mother's wisdom and intuition when it came to things like health or childbirth.

After a while, Clara called them back inside, explaining to Elizabeth that Mara was close to giving birth. “It could be today or a week from today. But I don't think it will be much longer.”

Elizabeth nodded, taking this in. “How does she feel about giving birth…alone? Or with only Rose here?”

Clara smiled at Mara. “Mara has agreed to come with me. She and Rose will stay with your father and me until her time comes.”

Elizabeth was surprised. “Really? She wants to stay with you?”

Mara looked at Elizabeth with frightened eyes. “My mother…she die…when I birthed.” Mara put a protective hand on Rose's head. “No good be alone.”

Soon they packed up a few things and walked back toward Elizabeth's, and from there Clara, Mara, and Rose continued. Elizabeth prayed as she watched them walking through the soggy field. She prayed for all of them.

Then she went home and finished the baby blanket she'd been making for Jess' baby. However, she knew there was plenty of time to make another one before April. Mara would need it sooner. Elizabeth made a few other baby things as well. Nothing overly frilly or silly, just practical and warm.

Three days later, Mara gave birth to a small but healthy baby boy.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

J
anuary came with exceptionally mild weather that made the newest of the settlers imagine that it was spring. Mara and her baby, Charles Jr., continued to thrive, and after several days, the family of three moved back to their tiny cabin, where for the next couple of weeks, Elizabeth checked on them daily. But still there had been no sign of Charles Sr., and Elizabeth began to fear that harm may have come to the young man.

When February came, it brought enough rain and wind to down a number of trees and close the school for a few days. Not only that, it postponed Jeremiah and Mahala's wedding.

“The good news is that this delay has given Jeremiah and Will a chance to put some nice finishing touches on the cabin,” Malinda told Elizabeth as they had tea at Malinda's house. It was the first time Elizabeth had been off of her property for nearly two weeks, and it was much needed.

“Have Will's carpentry skills improved?” Elizabeth asked curiously.

“Ever since that hunting trip, everything in Will's life seems to have improved,” Malinda told her. “Truly, your father, brother, and husband were like a tonic for Will.”

“I'm glad to hear it.” This was the first time they'd been able to catch up since the surprise wedding on Christmas Eve. “I'm sure Will told you how he saved my brother's life.”

Malinda waved her hand. “Oh, to hear Will talk, it was nothing special at all. But Jess took me aside after church a few weeks ago and thanked me. She told me what happened—in detail.” She smiled proudly. “I felt as if I had married a real hero.”

“You did.”

“Well, he never would have had a chance to be a hero if the men in your family hadn't taken him in like they did. I am so thankful.”

“So your marriage agrees with you?”

Malinda nodded. “Oh, there's some adjusting, I'll admit that. Will and I both have strong personalities. And as you know, I can be a bit stubborn at times. But I believe we are making progress.” She seemed to be studying Elizabeth now. “How about you? How are things with you and Eli?”

Elizabeth smiled. “I have no complaints.”

Malinda frowned. “And you are feeling well?”

Elizabeth looked down at her teacup.

“Elizabeth?”

She looked up and shrugged. “I've been a little under the weather. I blamed it on the weather. Wasn't it ghastly? Although Eli is using the fallen trees for our—”

“Don't change the subject, Elizabeth.” Malinda peered at her. “You look pale and drawn to me. Are you sure that you are not unwell?”

Elizabeth took in a deep breath. “If you must know…and only if I can trust you.”

“You can trust me, Elizabeth. I may be a bit willful and outspoken at times, but I am loyal to my best friend.”

“All right.” Elizabeth sighed. “I haven't said anything to Eli yet. And Mother doesn't even know. But I suspect I am with child.”

“Oh, Elizabeth!” Malinda reached for her hand. “I'm so happy for you.”

She made a weak smile. “Thank you. But I don't remember feeling so ill with JT or Ruth. My stomach seems to be upset every morning. In fact, that is what made me first suspect I was pregnant.”

“I wasn't sick with my first three children, but oh, my, I couldn't keep anything down for the first three months with Susannah. John got quite worried.”

“But you got better.”

“Yes. By my fourth month I was hungry as a horse.”

They visited for a while longer, and when Elizabeth left, she felt encouraged. Walking home in the sunshine, she tried to imagine what it would be like to have a baby in her arms next fall. She wondered what Eli would think. Or her children. Ruth would be thrilled. And Jess would be happy to find out that her baby would have a cousin close to the same age. Still, she was determined not to tell anyone until she'd reached her third month. If Malinda hadn't pressed her so, she never would have told her. As it was, she felt she could trust her.

On Saturday, everyone gathered at the church to celebrate the marriage of Mahala Flanders to Jeremiah Bramford. Elizabeth couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of this match. She remembered when she'd first met the Bostonians and how she'd felt they were stuffy and superior. And when she'd met the Flanders, she'd felt they were a bit loud and rough. Who would have guessed back then that the oldest Bramford son would wed the oldest Flanders girl? Yet here the two young people were, pledging their vows before God and their families and friends.

Afterward a lively potluck celebration was held at Will and Malinda's barn, and it seemed that everyone within a fifteen-mile radius was in attendance. Elizabeth danced with her husband and children and father, finally sitting out as the evening was drawing to an end. “How are you feeling?” Malinda asked with some concern. “You look a little pale.”

“To be honest, my stomach is feeling a little sour,” Elizabeth admitted. “Usually I get over this by midday.”

“Just rest and take it easy,” Malinda said. “I'll go get you some tea. That might soothe your belly.”

Unfortunately, the tea didn't help. And by the time Eli was driving their wagon home, Elizabeth was feeling quite ill. To her dismay, Ruth seemed to be sick too. “Do you think you girls ate something bad?” Eli asked as he helped her into the house. JT was helping Ruth.

“I really don't know,” she said weakly. “But please see to Ruth. I can take care of myself.” With wobbly legs, she got a pot from the kitchen and went to her bed. If Ruth were not feeling ill, Elizabeth would assume this was related to her pregnancy. But as she continued to be violently ill, and knowing that Ruth was sick as well, she feared it was something more serious. The next hours passed in a painful blur.

By the time Elizabeth felt able to sit up in bed and sip some broth, it was late in the afternoon of the following day, and her mother was sitting with her. “How is Ruth?” Elizabeth asked in a hoarse voice.

“Ruth is just fine now. She's already eating solids,” her mother assured her. “But I believe you both ate something tainted at the wedding potluck.”