Love's Enduring Promise (Love Comes Softly Series #2) (6 page)

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Chapter 10

Plottin' an' Plannin'

The death of Mrs. Larson was still on Marty's mind. She could not rid herself of a feeling of heaviness for the girls. She knew that the poor little things were trying to cope with a situation too big even for an adult.

She had visited the girls twice in the days following the funeral, taking fresh baking, vegetables and cold meat. Still her heart ached within her each time she thought about them. She decided that a visit to Ma was what she needed. Ma could help her think this thing through and come up with something that would help her persuade the stubborn Jedd to allow the girls their schooling.

Marty had come to know the girls much better in the days of Mrs. Larson's illness. Nandry was the older of the two and was quiet and withdrawn. Marty feared that even now it might be too late to help Nandry come out of her shell and develop into a young lady capable of self-expression and self- worth. Clae was like a small flower kept out of the sunshine. Given a chance, she felt confident that Clae could burst forth into full bloom. Gradually Clae had lost her shyness with Marty, and Marty noticed that even though she was the younger, it was Clae who often took the lead.

Marty set her chin determinedly. Somehow she must get that promised chance for those girls. At breakfast she approached Clark.

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"It being' sech a fine day, I thought I'd give the young'uns some air an' pay a visit to Ma."

"Fine," he responded. "Grounds not dry 'nough fer seedin' today. Ya can take the team. I'm gonna spend me the day cleanin' more seed grain jest in case it drys 'nough to plant the lower field this spring. I'll bring ya the team whenever yer ready."

"Should be all set in 'bout an hour's time," Marty answered. "It'll be right good to have a chat with Ma. She hasn't been home from Wanda's fer too long. I'll be able to hear all 'bout how thet new boy be doin'."

"An'--" Clark prompted.

"An'--I'll maybe give her a chance to talk 'bout thet comin' baby of Sally Anne's. 'Magine she's gittin' right uptight waitin' on thet one; it already being' on the late side.

"An'--" Clark said again.

Marty looked at him. Okay--so he knew that neither of those reasons was the real purpose for her calling on Ma. She sighed.

"I wanna talk to her 'bout the Larson girls. Clark, some- thin' jest got to be done 'bout 'em, but I'm not smart 'nough to figure out what."

Clark pushed aside his empty porridge bowl and rose to get the coffeepot. He poured Marty a second cup and then refilled his own and returned the pot to the stove.

So that's it, his eyes seemed to say, but he sipped the coffee silently. Finally he spoke.

"Jedd Larson be a mite bullheaded. Seems unless he decides thet his young'uns need thet edjecation, there not be much hope of enyone changin' his mind."

"I know thet. Oh, I wish thet I had me some way of persuadin"im. Do ya think thet you talkin' to 'im as a man might help?"

Clark shook his head.

"Jedd never did listen much to my say so."

"It's mean," Marty stormed, "jest plain mean."

"Don't fergit thet those girls git his meals an' wash his clothes . "

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"It's still not fair."

"Maybe ya'll have to pray the Lord to send on a new Mrs. Larson." Clark's eyes twinkled but Marty's flashed.

"I wouldn't pray thet on eny woman--no matter how ill I thought of her."

Clark just smiled and rose to his feet.

"Don't know of eny other way out," he said. "I'll have the team waitin'. C'mon, Clare, let's go git the horses ready. You too, Arnie, c'mon with yer pa."

The boys both responded to the offer--Clare with a bound toward the door and Arnie holding up his arms to be carried.

Marty hastened to clear the table and do up the dishes. Missie decided that it was her turn to wash and thus slowed down the procedure, but Marty knew that it was worth the extra time to encourage her helpfulness.

Ma was glad to see them and hurried them into the house where her children welcomed the Davis youngsters and took them off to play. Nellie volunteered to entertain young Arnie, and Marty accepted her offer gratefully.

Ma and Marty sat down to a cup of coffee, warm nut bread, and a welcome chat.

"How's thet new boy of Wanda's?"

"Tiny--but he's a spunky little 'un. He's got a lot of fight in 'im fer sure."

"What did they finally name 'im?" Marty smiled, remembering the long list of names that Cam and Wanda were trying to choose from.

"Everett Cameron DeWinton John."

"Quite a handle fer sech a small bundle."

"Seems so, but maybe someday he'll fit it."

"I'm so glad he's okay," Marty said with feeling. "It would have crushed poor Wanda iffen she'd lost another baby." Ma agreed.

"How's Sally Anne?"

"She's fine, but she sure be tired of waitin'. Ya know how it can seem ferever. I called over to see her yesterday. Even got the cradle thet Jason made all laid with blankets, an' she's jest a achin' to fill thet little bed up. Still I don't think thet the

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time be a settin' as heavy on her as on her ma. I never dreamed thet I'd ever git so flustered-like over the comin' of a -young'un."

"Are ya gonna deliver her?"

"Land sakes no! We're gittin' the Doc fer sure fer thet one. Funny thing--me havin' delivered so many young'uns in my time, but jest a thinkin' on thet 'un makes me feel as skitterish as a yearlin' first time in harness. We's all set to send Tommie off fer Doc at the first warnin'. I'll sure be glad-like when it's all over."

Marty nodded. She'd be glad, too. She wondered what it would be like to see your own daughter about to give birth. Must be a mite scary--knowing the pain but unable to share it. She reckoned that when it was Missie's turn, she'd be even more nervous than Ma. She pushed the thought from her and changed the subject.

"Ma, I really came 'bout somethin' else. Ya know thet I promised Tina Larson thet I'd do all I could to see thet Nandry and Clae had a chance fer their schoolin', an' Jeddwell, I jest fear thet he won't be 'llowin' no sech thing. In jest a few months now thet schoolhouse will be openin' its door, an' Jedd Larson declares thet no daughter of his be a needin' it."

Marty looked at Ma, the helplessness showing in her eyes.

"What we gonna do to make 'im change his mind?"

"Reckon there ain't much of enythin' thet will make Jedd Larson change his mind, lessen he wants to. Me, I wouldn't even be knowin' where to begin to work on thet man. He ain't got 'im much of a mind, but what he has got sure can stay put."

"Yeah," Marty sighed and played with her coffee cup. There didn't seem to be much hope for her to keep her promise. What could she do? She had prayed and prayed, but Jedd did not seem to be softening in the slightest toward the idea of schooling for his girls. Well, she'd just have to pray some more. Maybe somehow the Lord could open the mind of that stubborn man.

As she helped Ma gather up the dishes, an excited Jason arrived at the door.

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"Ma," he called, rushing in without a knock or a howdy, "Sally Anne thinks it be time."

"Tom's in the field by the barn," Ma told him all in a flurry; "send 'im fer Doc and you come back with me." She grabbed a bag from a corner shelf, threw her shawl about her shoulders, and left the house almost on a run.

It was only then that Marty realized that the bag in the corner had been all packed and ready to go.

Tom left the yard on a galloping horse, and Ma and Jason left at not much slower a pace in his wagon.

Marty bundled her small family and headed for home. She was sure that all would go well for Sally Anne and her baby; still, she found herself praying as she travelled.

Later that afternoon Tom was sent over with the glad news that Sally Anne was safely delivered of a small daughter and that Grandma and Grandpa were holding up fine.

"Jest think," he said proudly, "I'm Uncle Tom now. Guess I'll have to go out an' git me a cabin."

Marty smiled.

"What ya mean?" Missie queried. "Can't ya live at home when yer an uncle?"

Tom winked at Marty. "Yeah," he said, "guess I can. Guess they won't kick me out jest 'cause I'm an uncle. 'Specially when I'm an uncle who does most of the chorin'. Won't need me thet cabin fer a while. Enyway I'm not in the mood fer batchin'. I'll wait 'til I git me a cook 'fore I go movin' into a cabin of my own."

Marty awakened to an awareness that young Tommie was indeed growing up, and perhaps his jesting about a cabin of his own had more serious meaning than he pretended. How quickly they grew up and changed, these young ones.

Her mind checked the girls of the neighborhood. Would any of them be good enough for young Tom Graham who had so endeared himself to her when he had cheerfully done Clark's chores and spent his evenings reading to the young Missie? Now he stood before her on the threshold of manhood. Marty hoped that when the time came for him to take a bride, he would find one worthy of him.

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Tom sat bouncing Arnie on his foot and went back to the subject of his new niece.

"They still haven't decided fer sure on her name. Sally Anne wants to call her Laura, but Jason be holdin' out fer Elizabeth. Seems he read 'im a story 'bout an Elizabeth, an' always wanted a daughter by thet name. Then he insists thet she should have Sally or Anne in her name too. Elizabeth Sally sounds kinda funny. Me, I'm a favorin' Elizabeth Anne. What ya think?"

"I like it," Marty assured him. "I think it's a right pretty name."

"Me too," Missie joined in, anxious to share her opinion and make her presence known to her beloved Tom.

"Thet should settle it then," he said. "I'll jest tell Sally Anne thet Missie says it should be Elizabeth Anne, so Elizabeth Anne it must be."

Missie grinned shyly.

Tom placed little Arnie on the floor and prepared to take his leave.

"I best be gittin'. Nellie will be mad iffen I'm late fer supper, an' there's still the chorin' to do. Don't s'pose I'll git much help from 'Grandpa' tonight."

He enjoyed his teasing. Marty smiled.

"Tell 'Grandpa' thet we send our love," she said.

With a nod and a wave of his hand he was off.

"I like 'im," Missie whispered. "I think when I grow up I'll marry Tommie."

"My land, child!" Marty exclaimed. "Ya not yet six an' talkin' of marryin'. Let's not rush things quite so much, okay?"

"I didn't mean now," Missie explained. "I said when I grow up. First, I gotta go to school."

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Chapter 11

A Strange Answer

Spring reluctantly gave way to summer. The garden produced its crops and the warm summer sun began to be hot and difficult to bear. Marty was glad for the cool breezes that blew off the distant hills. But soon summer too would be gone, and fall would be upon them. With the fall would come preparations for school. Correspondence with Mr. Wilbur Whittle assured them that he had not changed his mind and would be arriving in late August to acquaint himself with the people and the area, and to prepare the schoolroom for the commencement of classes.

Arrangements had been made for him to board at the Watleys, and Mrs. Watley had her two grown-up daughters polishing themselves as well as the family silver.

Missie was counting the days. Her whole life was now filled with thinking of the new school year. What she would wear, what she would learn, who she would play with were all very important in her daily planning.

She had two deep regrets. One was that Miss Puss would need to put in long days alone in her absence, and the second was that Tommie declared himself to be too old to attend school with all the neighborhood youngsters. She'd miss Tommie. She wanted so much to have him there. She would be so proud to stand and recite a well-learned lesson if Tommie

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were listening. She would work extra hard at her reading and sums if he were there to observe her skills. But Tom was not to be there and Missie, though still excited about the prospect of school, felt disappointment.

Marty too was disappointed--not over Tom but over the Larson girls. The school term was only a few weeks away, and there had been no change in Jedd Larson's attitude. Marty was about to concede that her prayers had been in vain.

At the pre-breakfast prayer time Marty was mulling over these thoughts in her mind as Clark read the morning scripture, "Ask an' it shall be given you; seek--"

"I been askin' , Lord, an' nothin' been happenin'," she admonished her Lord and immediately felt guilt and remorse.

"I'm sorry, Father," she said in her thoughts. "I guess I'm 'bout the most faithless an' impatient child thet ya got. Help me to be content-like an' to keep on havin' faith."

Clark seemed to sense her mood and in his morning prayer included this petition: "An', Lord, ya know thet 'fore long now our school will be a startin' an' ya know how Marty promised Mrs. Larson to try an'
see
thet the girls got their schoolin'. Only you can work in Jedd's heart to let her keep thet promise, Lord. We leave it to you to work out in yer own good way and time."

Marty silently thanked Clark for his caring. Maybe now God would act. He often did when Clark prayed. She immediately reprimanded herself. True, Clark seemed blessed with answered prayers, but she was God's child, too; and the Bible said that God did not regard one of His children above the other. If Clark's prayers were answered more frequently, it was because Clark had more faith. She determined to exercise her faith more.

Later in the day Ole Bob announced an approaching team. To Marty's surprise it was Jedd Larson. It had been some months since Jedd had been over, and Marty could sense an answer to prayer.

Clark met Jedd outside and they talked neighbor fashion while Jedd tied the horses to the rail fence.

Marty put on the coffeepot and cut pieces of gingerbread.