Cora's Deception (9781476398280) (28 page)

Aaron gave a brief nod and stood. Cora’s
heart broke when he went one way and she went another.

Chapter 21

C
ora lay in bed, staring at the darkness but visualizing
Aaron’s face when he walked toward her from the brush arbor. Never
had he looked more appealing and handsome. His smile came alive
with the joy reflected in his sparkling eyes.

He took her hands, his expression excited,
his eyes wide and shining. He patted his chest. “I got a real light
feelin’ in here. I reckon sin can be mighty heavy. I wish you’d
gone with me.”

Aaron’s voice echoed in
her mind until she turned to the side away from Eliza. If only she
could block his words. She pressed against her ears, and still she
heard him.
Sin can be mighty heavy. Wish
you’d gone with me.
Well, she hadn’t, and
she didn’t intend to. At least the week’s meetings were over now.
Tomorrow Ben and Esther would be married. Only one more preaching
service to go through in the morning.

She pulled the sheet up to her chin and
closed her eyes. What she needed to think about was finding a
husband for Ivy. As soon as she was taken care of, Aaron would be
free to marry. There’d been new single men at the meetings. Maybe
Ivy would find one of them suited her.

Cora let Ivy’s possible suitors parade
through her mind until sleep overcame, and the morning’s light
found way into her bedroom. She’d be with Aaron again today. The
thought danced through her mind until she remembered. Would Aaron
be different now? Surely not. Ben and Mother were the same as
always. Of course, they’d been just fine before they’d been—what
was it they called it? Born again. And that didn’t make any sense.
The only difference was they prayed about everything now, and
Mother was always reading her Bible. Ben probably did too. Cora
smiled. Aaron couldn’t read, which meant she wouldn’t have to put
up with that, at least.

At the Newkirk’s, Aaron took Cora’s hand and
gave her a gentle smile. “You’re lookin’ pretty today.”

Her cheeks warmed with his praise. He wore a
pure white shirt and dark pants. He’d never looked better. “Thank
you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so spiffed up.”

He grinned and led her into the brush arbor.
“Had to. Ben asked me to stand up with him today. Along with John.
Said he wanted to keep it in the family.”

“I’m glad.” Maybe soon she and Aaron would
have their own wedding. and then he’d really be in the Jackson
family. She could scarcely wait.

Timothy Donovan took his place in front as
he’d done each night of the meetings. “Stand with me if you will
and sing All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.”

Cora stood with the others and sang, but her
mind wasn’t on the words. Timothy Donovan, with his dark good
looks, would make a wonderful husband for Ivy. He seemed so full of
energy, waving his arm to the beat of the music. His smile covered
the congregation, seeming to include everyone. Surely, Ivy would be
drawn toward him. Of course, as contrary as Ivy was, if anyone
suggested such a thing, she’d turn from him. But she could
hope.

Reverend Copley was well into his sermon
before Cora bothered to listen. She glanced at Aaron. He gazed at
the pastor, probably following every word spoken. At least,
Esther’s uncle didn’t speak long. When a couple of the women
slipped away near the end of the service, he asked the others to
stand for prayer. Cora stood but watched Mrs. Newkirk slip out to
join the women who were hurrying to their wagons. There would be a
dinner before the wedding. Why couldn’t she go out and help?

Bill Reid’s violin began playing, and
Timothy’s voice carried the words to Rock of Ages until other
voices blended in with his. Reverend Copley spoke over the singing.
“Jesus will hide you in Him. Let the water and blood from His side
flow over your soul. Let Him save you from wrath and make you pure.
He’s here this morning, waiting for you.”

Cora stood beside Aaron and hugged her arms
close against her body. A tremble started deep inside and moved
throughout, but she held firm. She was a Christian. She didn’t need
to be saved from wrath. What had she ever done that was so wrong?
Why did the preacher continually badger people into going forward,
making a spectacle of themselves? Aaron shouldn’t have gone last
night. If anyone was good, he was. She hugged herself even tighter,
ignoring the gentle whisper in her heart that she wasn’t without
fault.

Aaron leaned toward her. “If you wanna go up
there, I’ll go with you.”

Cora glanced toward the wagons. The women
were walking back, their arms loaded. With food, no doubt. She
shook her head. “I’m fine, Aaron.”

A man in the row ahead of them stepped out
and walked forward. Cora cringed. Now the preacher would continue
to call for more. But he didn’t. Maybe because of the dinner and
the wedding afterward, but Reverend Copley held up his hand. “Would
someone come and pray with this man?”

Mr. Newkirk and Mr. Sinclair met in front
and knelt.

The minister stepped to the side away from
them. “I’ve enjoyed this past week and appreciate your faithfulness
in coming each night when the work at home might easily have kept
you away. God will reward you. We’ve had several changed lives in
this meeting. The long journey here with my family has been well
worth it. Now we have a dinner and a wedding to attend. Bow with me
as we pray, then feel free to mingle and visit.” He lowered his
head. “Father God, draw us close to You. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Esther’s uncle turned and knelt with the
three men and added his voice to theirs.

Cora breathed a sigh of relief. The meetings
were over. There’d be no more. She wouldn’t have to endure being
preached at, feeling guilty, and frightened for something that
probably wasn’t even a threat. Why did preachers do this? Get
people all stirred up for no reason. She took a deep breath and
released the hold on her elbows, letting the tremble inside settle
to little more than an uneasy feeling, which would soon go
away.

She smiled at Aaron. “I should help Mother
with the food we brought.”

“All right.” He slipped his fingers around
hers and led her from the arbor. Already the day had grown warm
with the sun bearing down. At least it was still early June and
still cool enough they could enjoy the rest of the day.

After they ate, Cora was helping with clean
up when Esther motioned her to the side. “Will you help me get
ready at the house?”

“Of course.” Cora fell into step with her
friend.

Esther held out her hand. “Look, Cora. It’s
trembling.”

“What’s that from? Nervousness or fear?”

Esther gave a short laugh. “Probably
both.”

Cora followed Esther into the house. “I can
understand being nervous, but Ben loves you with all his heart.
He’d never harm you.”

Esther’s cheeks grew rosy. “I’m not afraid
of Ben. It’s the future, I think, that I fear.”

In the loft room, Cora helped Esther change
into her soft, white silk dress. The long bell-shaped skirt was
trimmed with a wide band of gathered lace near the bottom. The
tight, fitted waist, sewn to the gathered skirt, ended in a vee in
front. The sleeves, banded by matching gathered lace, reached
barely past the elbows. The low rounded neckline had wide matching
lace.

Cora let her hand slide over the soft silk.
“Your dress is beautiful and so are you.”

“Thank you.” Esther turned toward the
beveled mirror above her vanity. “We made it from a dress Ma had.
Even back in Virginia, she didn’t have much cause to wear anything
this fancy, so it’s hardly been worn. She said it’s traditional to
wear something old.”

“Yes, it is.” Cora studied Esther’s face.
She seemed happy. Her face glowed from the soft curve of her lips
to the sparkle in her eyes. If she wasn’t afraid of Ben, then what?
Did she think he would turn on her later? “Esther, I don’t
understand why you fear the future.”

Esther turned from the mirror and faced
Cora. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I love your brother very
much, Cora. There are so many things we agree on. We want to stay
as close to both our families as we can. It surely will be hard
moving into the house with all of you, but I’m not sorry. This will
be a wonderful chance to really get to know you.”

“Is that what you’re afraid of, living with
us? I don’t understand why Ben hasn’t built his own cabin.” Cora’s
brows drew together. “He should’ve done that before the
wedding.”

Esther looked down at her hands clutched
together in front. She shook her head. “I don’t know. We both feel
our lives are going to change.”

Cora laughed. Esther seemed so serious, yet
she talked nonsense. “Is that all? Of course your lives will
change. Marriage makes a difference in a person’s life.”

Esther smiled and met Cora’s eyes. “That
isn’t what I mean. God has been talking to us about a work He may
have for us. We don’t know what it is or where it will be, but
we’ve agreed to pray until we know what God wants. We may be moving
away, Cora.”

Away? Mother would throw a fit. Or would
she? Mother had changed. Ben had changed. Fear clutched Cora’s
heart. She didn’t want her older brother to leave. What would she
do without Ben?

She brushed Esther’s words away with a wave
of her hand. “Oh, pooh, Esther. Of course, you aren’t going to move
far. If God has a work for you, I’m sure it’ll be right here where
you live.”

Esther’s mouth opened, but she didn’t speak.
Her mother’s voice drifted up to the loft. “Girls, are you up
there?”

“Yes, Ma, come on up.”

Mrs. Newkirk’s head appeared first. “Oh,
wonderful, you girls are ready. It’s time, Esther.”

A smile chased Esther’s serious expression
away, and she hurried to follow her mother back down the
ladder.

Outside the sun warmed Cora’s head while her
thoughts seem frozen in place by Esther’s confession. But she had
no time to think of Ben leaving now. The brush arbor buzzed with a
current of excitement, drawing the girls to the back opening. Mrs.
Newkirk went in and took her seat in front while her husband joined
their oldest daughter. Ben stood beside Reverend Copley, but Cora’s
gaze rested on his best man. Aaron waited for her. He smiled and
she envisioned him taking Ben’s place. If not for Ivy, they could
be getting married today.

Cora started down the aisle first with
Rebekah following. Aaron’s expressive blue eyes sent messages of
love to her heart. If only this could be their wedding. She took
her place and turned to watch Esther move forward toward Ben. She
was beautiful. Her golden hair set off the halo of wildflowers and
netting above her lovely face. Cora lifted her gaze beyond Esther
to the waving green prairie grass and the line of cedar trees in
the distance. Why would anyone want to leave here? A gentle, warm
breeze ruffled Esther’s veil, bringing Cora’s attention back to the
wedding.

Adoration poured from
Ben’s expression as Esther walked toward him. Cora shifted her gaze
to Aaron and met the love in his eyes. Her heart swelled and set up
a steady beat of anticipation for their wedding.
Please, let it be soon.
Somehow, this problem with Ivy would be solved then it would
be their wedding day.

Chapter 22

C
ora walked around to the back lot, careful to keep the slop
bucket from sloshing on her skirt. Aaron’s pig, now grown into a
full-sized hog, snorted her displeasure at being kept waiting for
her lunch.

“Oh, hush, you overgrown critter. You’re
making so much noise you couldn’t hear it thunder.” Slopping the
hog was not her favorite chore, but she’d agreed to do it so Ben
could take Esther to her parents’ house for some of her things. No
one liked to carry a smelly slop bucket, so they all took turns.
Esther could take an extra turn later.

Cora smiled at the thought and lifted the
almost full bucket, balanced it on the fence and poured it into the
trough, keeping her bare feet and skirt well back from the splash.
The hogs rushed at it, grunting their pleasure.

“Pardon my intrusion, miss.” The male voice
held a strong tone of arrogance. “Would you be kind enough to
direct me to the Jackson homestead?”

Cora’s heart froze. A flood of memories—both
good and bad rode along with that voice. Barefoot and with a dirty
apron, the filthy bucket still clutched in her hand, Cora turned to
face George Merrill.

He looked as dapper as ever, holding the
reins of a sleek, black horse. A dark claw hammer coat covered his
white shirt with an attached collar framing his full cheeks. Her
gaze traveled past gray trousers to black dress boots, then back to
his face. Had he always looked so pale and soft—so totally out of
place in the normal world? If she could find her breath, she’d
laugh at the ridiculous picture he made standing next to the pigpen
in his fine, city clothing.

His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
Expressions of distaste, shock, and disapproval chased each other
across his face. He snapped his mouth shut before opening it again.
“Cordella Jackson, I didn’t recognize you. What are you doing? Have
you been reduced to a scullery maid?”

Before she could respond to his
condescending tone, he whipped a white linen handkerchief from his
pocket and held it to his nose. “Whose quaint little cabin is this,
and where are your shoes?”

Cora looked down at her toes peeking out
from under the hem of her skirt. A hot flush sped to her cheeks.
She pulled her foot back, hiding it under her skirt.

“You haven’t answered me.” George scowled.
“Who lives in this . . .” He glared at the house before spitting
out one word. “Hovel?”