A Home at Trail's End (39 page)

“Oh.” Elizabeth let out a weak sigh.

“Unfortunately for you, it seems to have hit you harder than Ruth. Eli was so worried that he sent JT for me early this morning.” She spooned more broth into her.

“Thank you for coming.”

“I sent JT to check on Jess,” Clara continued. “I was worried that in her condition she could be in trouble if she'd eaten something tainted. Thankfully, she is fine.”

“Oh, I'm so glad to hear that.”

Clara reached for Elizabeth's hand now. She had tears in her eyes. “But you, my darling, did not fare so well.”

“What?” Elizabeth looked curiously into her mother's face.

“You lost your baby, Lizzie.”

Elizabeth took in a jagged breath and then looked down at her lap as tears began to roll down her cheeks. They both just sat there in silence for a while.

“I'm so sorry, dear. I didn't even know. Nor did Eli.”

Elizabeth looked back up. “Did you tell him?”

“I'm sorry if that was wrong. I just assumed he knew.”

“No, I hadn't told him yet.”

Clara squeezed her hand. “He is sad. But he was so worried about you…well, I think he's so relieved that you're all right.” Now she started to cry, and they both just hugged and cried.

It took a full week before Elizabeth felt like leaving the house. Eli and the children were thoughtful and helpful, but a cloud seemed to hang over her head. Finally on a sunny Monday in March, she forced herself to go and check on Mara and her children. Clara had been checking on them, and Eli had been taking them food, but Elizabeth knew she was long overdue for a visit.

Mara greeted her warmly, inviting her in to her tiny cabin. She showed her baby Charles, and wrapped in the blanket Elizabeth had knit, he was growing nicely. Rose's hair was neatly braided. Despite their rather impoverished conditions, this little family seemed fairly content.

“I am sorry,” Mara said quietly. “Clara told me.”

Elizabeth just nodded.

“I have something.” Mara turned now, going over to a corner of the room and then returning with something in her hand. “I make for you.” She held out a pair of deerskin moccasins. “You wear. You get better.”

Elizabeth hugged Mara. “Thank you. I will wear them. And I will get better.”

As Elizabeth walked back to her house, she wondered at the strength Mara had to live in that cabin with her two young children, hoping that her husband was going to return to her. But the more Elizabeth considered the missing Charles Sr., the less she felt that he was likely to come back…or that he was even alive. And yet Mara was not giving up.

She looked at the moccasins Mara had painstakingly made for her. Mara was right—she would wear them, and she would get better. Like Mara, she would become strong again. And God willing, she and Eli would have another baby…someday. In the meantime, spring was coming on with lush meadow grass and bright green foliage and wildflowers blooming profusely along the river. Elizabeth's fruit tree seedlings had fared well over the mild winter and would be ready to transplant in the fall. Only about a fourth of them didn't survive, and that was better than she had expected. The other good news was that Goldie would calve by summer, and Molly would foal in the late fall. Besides that, their chicken flock was increasing regularly. Their farm was growing.

In mid-April, Jess delivered her first baby, a precious little girl whom they named Maude Ruby. Elizabeth and Ruth went over to visit the next day, taking a baby blanket and a few other things Elizabeth had made for the new addition to their family. Clara welcomed them into the house, holding her finger over her lips. “Jess is sleeping, but the baby is awake.” Soon they were taking turns holding and admiring the newborn.

“She's so tiny,” Ruth said as she held her new cousin, examining her fingers.

“So were you once,” Elizabeth told her.

“And so was your mother,” Clara said. “We all start out that small.”

“Her hair is dark like Jess',” Ruth said.

“How is Jess?” Elizabeth asked her mother.

“Just fine. She did very well.”

“How is Matthew?” she asked.

Clara chuckled. “I think he's recovering. He was mighty thankful to get outside this morning.”

“What's wrong with Uncle Matthew?” Ruth asked.

“It's not easy being a father for the first time,” Elizabeth explained. “But he'll get used to it.”

“Will you have a baby, Mama?”

“God willing.” Elizabeth nodded. “In his time.” And as Elizabeth rocked her tiny niece, she did not feel in any hurry to have another baby. Really, there was so much to do with spring coming on. She would much prefer to put her energy into improving their farm.

On Sunday, they went to church as usual. But after the service, as they were visiting out in the sunshine, Elizabeth overheard some of the men talking. She could only hear bits of their conversation, but she was certain they were speaking about Indians. Excusing herself from the women she was chatting with, she went over to where Eli was talking with Asa.

“Excuse me,” she said. “But the men over there, the ones gathered around Mr. Walters, seem to be talking about Indians. I couldn't catch all of it, but Mr. Walters seems to believe there are Indians nearby. And the way he was talking, it almost sounded like he wanted to round them up.”

Eli's brow creased. “Mr. Walters always seems to be looking for a fight.”

“Do you think he may have seen Mara? I know she takes the children out for sunshine now and then. She used to be afraid to go out in daylight, but she's gotten more comfortable lately.”

“I suppose it's possible she's been seen,” Eli conceded. “The Walters' farm is out past ours, and they go by our property on their way to town. But the way the cabin is placed, Walters would have to be well on our land in order to see Mara—unless she's wandered out a ways.”

“I doubt she goes too far from the cabin,” Elizabeth said. “And I'll warn her to be more careful.”

“In the meantime, why don't we see if we can find out what Walters is talking about,” Asa told Eli. “Maybe we can put a lid on it before it starts to smoke.”

Elizabeth thanked them and casually walked over to where the older ladies were visiting. “Good day, Georgia and Martha,” she said politely. “What do you women think of this glorious spring weather?”

“We were just saying how lovely it's been,” Georgia told her. “I have daffodils and tulips blooming.”

“Daffodils and tulips?” Elizabeth was surprised. “Where did you get bulbs?”

“I brought a few when we came out here. They have multiplied over the years. I'll be happy to share some bulbs with you in the fall.”

“Oh, that would be delightful.”

Elizabeth looked at Martha. “Have you had word from Charles?”

Martha sadly shook her head.

“I'm sure you must miss him. I want you to know that he's been in my prayers.”

“Thank you,” Martha told her. “I appreciate that more than you know.”

“You are fortunate to be blessed with three fine sons,” Georgia told her.

Martha brightened. “I s'pect you've heard that my Jacob and Belinda Bramford have set their wedding date for June,” she said to Elizabeth.

“Yes, Malinda told me. That's wonderful news.”

“June is such a nice time for a wedding,” Georgia said.

“And now my youngest boy, Joseph, appears to be setting his cap for Belinda's younger sister, Amelia. So perhaps it won't be long until we have another wedding in the family.”

“I still remember the day you ladies came to tea at my house,” Elizabeth told them. “I hope you will come out again sometime.”

“You just name the time and day, and I will be happy to come,” Georgia said.

Martha nodded. “I would like that too.” She lowered her voice. “Not everyone understands my…my suffering.”

Elizabeth thought about Baby Charlie, as she'd taken to calling the infant. Such a sweet baby, contented and happy and getting cuter by the day. What would Martha think if she knew what she was missing out on?

“I just got to thinking, Elizabeth,” Georgia said suddenly. “If you like flowers, you might want to come take a start from my violas.”

“You have violas?”

“Oh, my, do I have violas!” She glanced at Martha.

“Yes, she certainly does. They grow in profusion behind the parsonage.”

“They like the shade,” Georgia explained.

“I would love to get some violas,” Elizabeth told her.

“Why don't you get some today?” Georgia urged her. “No time like the present.”

“And I should be getting home by now,” Martha said. “Mrs. Taylor and I have invited the Prescotts for Sunday dinner.”

Elizabeth told Ruth to let Eli know that she'd be right back, and she and Georgia hurried to the parsonage, where she was soon handed a trowel. After she dug up a good start of violas, Georgia gave her an old tin to contain them. “Thank you!” Elizabeth sniffed the fragrant blooms. “I know exactly where I'll plant these.” Now she studied Georgia carefully. “Can I trust you with something that is extremely confidential?” she asked suddenly.

“I certainly hope so. I have not broken a confidence yet.” She peered curiously at Elizabeth. “Is something wrong, dear?”

Elizabeth took a deep breath and said a silent prayer, but somehow she felt this was the right thing to do. “Georgia, I have been hiding Charles' Indian wife on my property.”

Georgia blinked as her hand flew up to her mouth. “Oh, my word!”

“Her name is Mara, and she is a dear girl. She speaks English and was educated at a mission. I can understand why Charles fell in love with her.”

“Oh, my…oh, my…” Georgia glanced around as if worried someone could be listening, but it was clear they were alone.

“Mara told me that Charles left to find gold, and then some of the settlers burned down the cabin that she and her daughter, Rose, were staying in. I found them in early December. They were living outside and suffering considerably. Mara had her second child—”

“She has two children?”

Elizabeth nodded solemnly. “Rose is about three or four. Baby Charlie will be four months soon. They are dear children. A sweet little family. But I am in constant fear for them.” Now she explained what she'd overheard Mr. Walters saying.

Georgia scowled. “That man has always been a troublemaker.”

“The reason I'm speaking to you of this is because I had hoped that I could somehow win Martha over by showing her these darling grandchildren. I thought perhaps she could be of some help to Mara.” Elizabeth held up her hands. “I really don't know what else to do. It's not that Eli and I mind having Mara and the children on our property. But I worry they are not safe. I know Mara worries too. And hearing Mr. Walters just now…” She shook her head.

“That is certainly a conundrum. To think you've had them with you all these months, Elizabeth…and no one knew?”