The Pattern of Her Heart (3 page)

Elinor filled her plate and surveyed the small groups gathered at the tables arranged on the lawn. There wasn’t a place for her at the long table where Bella and Taylor were seated with their children. Several other families had joined the Mannings, and it appeared as if two or three other individuals were still vying to find a seat. Accordingly, Elinor turned and headed off in the other direction, finally detecting a pair of available chairs.

“May I join you?” she asked.

Three youthful faces peered up at her. “If you don’t mind listening to talk of horses and fishing,” Spencer Houston replied with a wide grin. Moses and Reggie Chamberlain nodded.

“I enjoy both of those topics and many others,” Elinor said while juggling her plate and attempting to be seated.

Moses jumped to his feet and hurried around the table. “Let me help you, Miz Brighton,” he offered while pulling the chair out for her.

“Thank you, Moses. You’d think I could manage on my own, wouldn’t you?”

“These chairs don’ move very easy on da grass,” he said. “ ’Sides, it’s proper manners for men to help ladies be seated.”

“Men? You and Spencer aren’t men—you’re just little boys,” Reggie teased.

“Big enough to know more than little
girls,
” Spencer retorted.

“Perhaps I should look for another seat. It appears I’ve already started an argument,” Elinor said.

“Nah, we’s jest playing,” Moses said. “We tease each other all da time.”

“Right—it’s ’cause Moses and me, we like each other,” Spencer agreed, leaving Reggie out of the thought altogether.

Elinor took a sip of water, pondering the boy’s statement. Spencer indeed saw himself and Moses as equal in every way; the only problem was, the rest of the world definitely didn’t see it that way. Moses was part Negro, and in the eyes of the world he was not at all like Spencer Houston. It seemed a pity that such beliefs kept people from the kind of friendship enjoyed by Spencer and Moses. Seeing that the children had stopped to watch her, she leaned forward as though ready to plot a scheme. “If that is what teasing is all about, then I hope you’ll soon be teasing me. Elsewise, I’ll think you don’t like me,” she said with a grin.

The trio giggled with a hearty enthusiasm that drew the attention of guests at nearby tables, and Elinor placed a finger to her lips. “Shh—they’ll all want to join us since we’re having such fun.”

“Do you like to fish, Mrs. Brighton?” Reggie inquired.

“Indeed. You know, portions of my early years were spent in Portsmouth, England, and Portsmouth is on the ocean’s edge. Later I lived in London, and we had a marvelous river, the Thames. I’ve always loved the water, although I confess I’m not always a successful fisherman. Perhaps one day before school begins you’ll invite me along on one of your fishing expeditions.”

“Reggie always catches the mos’ fish, but we all pretty good,” Moses said.

“And I’d much rather go fishing than attend school. Let’s don’t even talk about that,” Reggie hastened to add.

Elinor took a bite of fresh fruit salad before turning her attention back to the group. “
None
of you like school?”

“I do,” Moses quickly replied, bobbing his head up and down.

“I’d rather ride horses, but I suppose school’s all right,” Spencer agreed.

“Not me—I don’t like it. Not now and not ever,” Reggie stated with an emphatic nod.

“Is that because you’re going to be attending a new school, Reggie?” Elinor asked.

She shrugged her shoulders. “That too, but school is the same everywhere. It’s tiresome.”

A long shadow fell across the table as the girl spoke. Elinor looked up to see Justin Chamberlain standing nearby and nodded in recognition. She doubted, however, that the pastor would remember her name. Even though Elinor was a member of his church and attended services every Sunday, she had chosen to remain somewhat anonymous. After all, Pastor Chamberlain was new to Lowell and there were many names and faces to learn—especially those of the church ladies determined to seek his undivided attention.

Elinor turned her attention back to Reggie. “But you
are
going to give school your very best effort this year, aren’t you?”

The girl squirmed in her chair for a moment before answering. “I suppose,” she replied with lackluster enthusiasm.

Justin settled his plate and cup on the table and seated himself between Reggie and Elinor. “You must remember that doing the things you enjoy will be directly related to how well you perform in school,” her father said before taking a bite of fried chicken.

“Well, I personally believe it is much too pretty a day to be worried about the next school term,” Elinor said. “What have you found enjoyable here in Lowell that you’ve not found elsewhere?”

“Two friends who like to do the same things I like,” Reggie answered quickly.

Moses giggled, his eyes wide with delight. “She’s da first girl I ever knew who’d put a worm on her fishing hook.”

“I’m awed by your fearless nature, Reggie,” Elinor said, placing one hand upon her ruffled bodice. “No doubt one day you are going to lead an adventuresome life, and your father will be very proud of you.”

Elinor could feel Justin Chamberlain’s gaze upon her, but she refused to look up. Her words were meant to encourage Reggie, and she feared the pastor might not take kindly to them. Possibly he would think she was encouraging the child’s daring behavior.

Nolan watched closely as Alice Ann opened her gifts, pleased by the child’s enthusiastic thanks as she untied the beribboned presents and tore open the paper. Jasmine grasped his hand as Alice lifted the lid from the box containing her doll. With a squeal of delight, the child pulled the doll from the paper-lined box.

Nolan leaned down and whispered into Jasmine’s ear, “You see? I told you there was no need to worry.”

She nodded, her eyes fixed upon Alice Ann as the child hugged the doll tightly to her chest.

“She’s pretty, isn’t she?” Alice Ann asked, looking directly at her parents.

“Not as pretty as you, but she is a lovely doll,” her father replied.

The clothing Martha had sewn and the ribbon-festooned hat Elinor had made both met with hearty approval from the guest of honor, who immediately began the process of changing the doll’s clothing.

“Why don’t you wait awhile longer before you begin changing the doll’s clothes and come along with me?” Nolan suggested, extending his hand. “There’s something I want to show you while your guests are waiting for their lemonade and cake.”

She carefully tucked the doll back inside the box, taking pains to place it atop one of the tables—out of reach of the younger children.

“Where are we going?” she asked as she took her father’s hand.

“It’s a surprise,” he said while leading her across the lawn and toward the distant barns.

They trod along silently until Nolan stopped and waved his arm high in the air. At his signal, Paddy rode out of the fenced corral. He was sitting tall and proud atop one of the Arabians and leading a black, white-stockinged pony alongside. Nolan watched Alice’s reaction as Paddy approached.

She looked up and met his intense gaze. “Is the pony mine?” Her voice was no more than a whisper and difficult to hear above the thumping hooves.

Nolan knelt on one knee and wrapped an arm around his daughter’s waist. “Do you remember the story I told you earlier today?”

“Yes, about the prince wanting a puppy.”

“And do you remember the rest?”

She gave several quick nods. “The prince took care of the puppy and became his master.”

“But not right away,” Nolan added.

“After a year.”

“Yes. And a year is a long time to take care of an animal. So I think we should give you a year and see how well you’re able to take care of this pony. What do you think, Allie?” he asked, using the pet name he’d dubbed her with shortly after birth.

“I think that’s fair. But only if someone will lift me up when I need to reach things,” she added thoughtfully.

Nolan tilted his head and laughed at her serious reply. “I would agree. Why don’t you say hello to the pony, and then we must return.”

She gave him an impish grin. “Can I ride her for a short time?”

“In your party dress? Your mother wouldn’t soon forgive me for such an offense. I think we had best wait until tomorrow for a ride.”

Paddy jumped down from the giant Arabian and walked the pony closer. “I do na think anyone would be carin’ if ya gave the pony a wee pat on the nose,” he said with a wink.

“And I promise to have ’er ready for a ride on the morrow.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“So what is it ya’ll be callin’ the animal?” Paddy asked as the two men watched Alice Ann stroke the animal.

“Winnie,” she stated quickly. “All my life I’ve wanted to name a horse Winnie.”

“All your life? Well, that’s an extremely long time,” Nolan said with a laugh. “Winnie it is.” Then noting her serious expression, he said, “And a mighty fine name, I might add.”

“I best be takin’ Winnie back to the barn now,” Paddy said, “but she’ll be there waitin’ for ya tomorrow.”

Alice Ann fixed a childishly admiring gaze upon Paddy. “You’re coming back for cake and lemonade, aren’t you?”

“I would na miss it. Be sure and tell Kiara to save me a piece of cake,” he said. “After all, it’s na every day a lass turns five years old.”

“I’m almost six. And today isn’t really my birthday,” she corrected in a hushed tone as though entrusting him with a weighty secret.

“Aye—right ya are, lassie. I’d nearly forgotten.”

“Thank you for going to pick up the pony,” Nolan said while taking hold of Alice Ann’s hand.

“Fer sure an’ it was my pleasure,” he said while swinging upward and settling into the saddle on the larger horse. He tipped his hat and rode off, the pony dwarfed in the shadow of the huge white Arabian.

“I like Winnie, and I’m going to take very good care of her,” Alice Ann announced as they began to walk back to the house. “Can I go and tell Spencer?”

“Exactly what do you plan to tell him?” Nolan inquired, his curiosity piqued.

She stopped and stared up at him. “That I have a year to take care of Winnie and make her mine.”

“Close enough. Yes, you can go and tell Spencer. But walk—don’t run,” he hastily added. He knew Jasmine wouldn’t be pleased if Alice Ann appeared back at the party with grass stains on her new dress.

Nolan strolled across the open field, enjoying the unexpected respite from the earlier heat of the day. A cool breeze ruffled the tall grass that covered the acreage beyond the house, and he glanced at the sky. In the west, a narrow bank of gray clouds was beginning to form. A thunderstorm might be heading in their direction. They needed rain, but he selfishly hoped any impending downpour would wait until after his daughter’s birthday festivities. Attempting to accommodate all of their guests inside the house could prove a challenge to even the best hostess. Entertaining the children alone would be a brutal test of skill.

Jasmine was hurrying toward Nolan as he drew nearer. He smiled broadly and waved, surprised by her frantic gesture for him to hurry.

“Are you ready to serve the cake?” he asked, panting to catch his breath.

Her face was ashen. “No, not now. I’ve received a telegraph. I must talk to you—
alone,
” she said, her voice choked with emotion.

Leaning against his side, Jasmine allowed Nolan’s strong arm to uphold her as they walked into the library. “Read this.” She handed him the message.

“After you sit down,” he said, leading her to a chair. She acquiesced and then waited in silence as he read the telegraph.

“Something terrible has happened,” she whispered. “I can feel it in my bones.”

Sitting down opposite her, Nolan enveloped Jasmine’s hands in his own. “Jarrod is likely traveling to simply attend to some business matters,” Nolan said.

“Jarrod Forbes is my father’s lawyer, Nolan. I can’t believe he would journey to Massachusetts unless he’s come to convey bad news. I wonder if he’s telegraphed McKinley. Surely McKinley would have said something when he and Violet arrived at the party. His telegraph will likely be waiting for him when he arrives home. Do you think we should tell him?”