Vow Unbroken (39 page)

The dog turned a tight circle, then lay down. A louder second bell clanged as he reached the lower railing. Sue and Rebecca stood on the wharf behind a short line of well-dressed folks. Both of his ladies held wrapped, string-tied packages.

SUE AND BECKY BOARDED
and searched the wharf with Henry, but there was no sign of Levi. The deckhands went to throwing off the mooring lines and preparing to shove off just as the boy showed. He jumped on, waving up at her. “Whew! Sorry, didn't mean to worry you.”

“I'm proud you made it. I'd hate to leave my favorite nephew behind in New Orleans.”

Henry offered his arm again, which she simply loved. If he only knew how much! She looped her near arm through his and placed her other hand on top.

“Wait till you see it, Aunt Sue!” Levi held his hands out. “Come on, Bitty Beck. You can ride on my shoulders.”

His cousin put her hands on her hips. “I'm getting much too big for that.” She grinned, then softened her tone. “I would be pleased to take your arm, though.”

Henry beamed, showing Sue and Becky the grand steamboat. Its two fancy-topped chimneys that climbed high into the sky belched white smoke that curled away from the wharf.

Rebecca pointed at the little gingerbread wood-and-glass house perched in the middle at the very top. “Is that where the captain steers the boat? Way up there?”

“Yes, ma'am. Either him or the first mate.”

Sue's gaze climbed the three decks, each fenced with pristine
white railings. Her assessment ended at the rear of the boat with its huge paddle. Then she turned back to him.

He grinned. “You like those flags there on the jack staff?”

She loved it when he acted playful with her. “Oh yes, very gallant those pennants.”

The deck and everything inside the big vessel overwhelmed her. Beautifully carved wooden arches, one after another after another, lined both sides of the grand hall. Elegant crystal chandeliers hung in the center from the entry all the way to the far end of the magnificent room. Overstuffed chairs invited seating; and musicians played harps, flutes, and violins.

“Mama, it's so—it's so fancy!”

“Come this way. We're on the second deck across the hall from each other.” Henry led her up the wide stairs, then down to room 68. He opened the door.

“Oh, Henry!” Sue grinned and twirled into the room, falling across the bed laughing.

Becky followed suit and jumped on the soft mattress beside her. “Mama! I am surprised at you! Don't you know we do not treat other people's furniture that way?” She fell into a pile of giggles as Sue tickled her relentlessly.

“I can't breathe. Stop it, please! Stop, Mama!”

Henry tipped his hat. “We'll let you ladies get unpacked and see you a bit later.”

“That sounds lovely. If not before, at dinnertime?”

“There's a calliope on the upper deck that announces the noonday meal. I'll call for you, and we can go down together.”

Sue closed the door and locked it, then ran to the steamer trunk where she had packed her material. She removed the bolt and laid it on the bed next to the packages.

Becky started unwrapping them. “What's a cuhlopie?”

“Calliope, Rebecca. It's an organ—a little like a piano—that's run by steam.”

“Like this boat?”

“Yes, ma'am. Just like that.”

The girl unwrapped the two yards of lace and held it to her face. “Do you know how you're going to make your dress, Mama? I want puffy sleeves on mine and a high collar with lace under my chin. Straight down to the floor and more lace on the bottom.”

“Well, sounds like you've done a powerful lot of thinking on this.” Sue smiled in front of the full-length mirror and held several turns of material off the bolt in front of her. “I haven't really decided.”

“You're going to be a beautiful bride, Mama.”

The days on the steamboat passed in a flurry of fabric and lace and crystal baubles. Every time her father and his blessing came to mind, Sue refused to dwell on it or even consider he might refuse. Henry had promised, and God was on the throne and in control. She had great confidence in His love for her and trusted that He had sent Henry into her life.

By the end of their way up the Mississippi, two new, beautiful dresses hung sparkling and finished in the water closet, hidden from male eyes. Sue and Becky flanked Henry on the deck as the grand ship pulled into the harbor at Memphis. Two bellmen and Levi waited beside the trunks.

Sue could hardly believe how the city had grown. New buildings rose toward the sky in every direction. The ship's captain rang the bell from his gingerbread tower announcing its arrival, and the walkway was lowered to the dock. People clamored to get off and greet families and businessmen. In no hurry, Sue
waited for the crowd to disperse somewhat, then strolled to the walkway holding Becky's hand.

Suddenly, a dark cloud settled over her heart. Would her joy be turned to mourning? How could she face another day if her father said no?

Certain she could find her childhood home, Sue wondered for the thousandth time if her daddy still lived there. Her stomach rolled, and her breath came hard. Ten years—a full decade—had passed, and today—this day—she might face him again.

S
UE STEPPED UP TO THE
front door holding Henry's hand. Becky stood at her side. A rock the size of Gibraltar rolled in her stomach. Her breath caught, and her knees threatened failure. She made a fist, lifted it to the door, and knocked with great trepidation. Her heart pounded. Seconds seemed like hours. Her mouth went dry, and dizziness jeopardized her consciousness.

She turned to Henry. “What if he doesn't live here anymore?”

“Then we'll find him.” He squeezed her hand softly.

At last, she heard footsteps making their way to the door on the hardwood floor inside. It opened, and a kind-looking lady peered out. “Good morning. May I help you?”

“Yes, I'm—” Sue's voice cracked. She stopped and cleared her throat. Had her father remarried? She smiled at the woman and began again. “My name is Susannah Abbott Baylor, and I'm trying—”

The lady's face lit up like the full moon over the prairie. Her eyes widened. “You're Miss Susannah?” She opened the door wider and hollered back inside. “Judge! Judge! It's Miss Susannah! She's come home!” She wrapped her arm around Sue's
shoulder and guided her inside. “I keep house for your father, dear.”

Becky took Sue's hand, and Henry fell back.

“Hurry, Judge! It's Susannah! Your Susannah! She's here!”

A step tap step tap sounded in rapid succession. Her daddy appeared in the doorway of his study with a cane in his hand. Tears filled her eyes. He looked so much older. His hair had thinned and grayed, and his once broad shoulders seemed frail compared to what she remembered. She froze.

The lady stepped back and spoke softly, with great compassion in her voice. “See, Judge? I told you. God has answered our prayers. She's come home.”

Her father dropped his cane and ran to her, embraced her, and Sue hugged him back. “Daddy, oh, Daddy, it's been so long! I'm sorry, Daddy. I'm so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?” She broke into sobs and held him tighter.

He squeezed, then held her back. “Shhh. I want to look at your face, Susannah. My dear Susannah, how my heart has yearned to see you again. I didn't know if you were even alive. But now you're home. Of course you are forgiven, Daughter.” He turned to the woman and held up his hand. “Bring a robe and sandals, kill the fatted calf! My daughter was dead, and now she lives!” He filled his lungs, then exhaled slowly. “It's time to celebrate.”

The lady hurried in one direction, then turned and went in another. “Oh, my goodness! Which way am I going? I'll prepare a grand homecoming dinner, sir.” She turned to Susannah. “Welcome home, miss! Welcome home.”

Her daddy looked past her for the first time and glared at Henry. “And who has brought you home to me, Susannah? This man isn't Andrew, unless I've gone senile.”

“Daddy, I want you to meet Patrick Henry Buckmeyer. He wants to marry me.” She turned to her daughter. “And this. This is your granddaughter, Rebecca Ruth. We call her Becky.”

Becky stepped up. “So proud to make your acquaintance, Grandfather!” She giggled. “I'm so glad Daddy brought us to see you!” She hugged him tight, then turned and looked up at Sue. “And, Mama, you are the only one who calls me Becky. Daddy always calls me Rebecca.”

The declaration took Sue by surprise. “Well, which do you prefer, sweetheart?”

“I like Rebecca.” She smiled, which softened her tone. “It is the name you gave me.”

Her father looked sternly at Sue. “Well, well.” He patted the little girl's back. “So Patrick here is her father, and he finally wants to marry you?”

Henry stepped forward with his hand extended. “I go by Henry, sir. Rebecca's father, Andrew, passed before she was born, but she's been praying for a daddy and adopted me.” He smiled and extended his hand.

The judge shook it, but not heartily. “Well, well.” He looked to Sue again. “Sounds to me like there's a long story I need to hear. Come into the study and catch me up.”

Rebecca held her grandfather's hand, and he led her to his study. Henry brought up the rear. Sue wished Levi had come, but understood why he'd elected to stay at the hotel since the man was no kin of his.

“I sent three separate letters, Daddy, but never heard back. I didn't know—I guess you never—”

“Letters?” He stopped and turned to face her. “I never got any letters, Susannah. Not one word in ten years from you—my only daughter.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she did her best not to let them fall. “Oh, Daddy, I'm so sorry. There's no mail service out there; I sent them with travelers. One, a man name of Winston, said he was an old friend of yours. I'd hoped he'd be faithful.”

He closed his eyes, obviously thinking. “Cheney Winston, had to be. Heard he met an ill fate on the Mississippi. Steamboat fire.” He threw his free hand in the air. “It is good to know you wrote, and now you're here. All is well with my soul.” He looked down at his granddaughter. “How about you, young lady? All well with you?”

“Yes, sir, Grandfather.”

“Then let's hear what your mother has to say for herself. What do you say?”

“I say let's!”

Sue started the story before she even took a seat. “Anyway, after Andrew and I married, we went to the Sulphur Fork Prairie in the Texas territory, where his brother worked a steam-powered sawmill. He had invited Andy to be his partner in a logging business.”

She shared much of the past decade, with Becky interjecting and embellishing Sue's version. “In Jefferson, Henry bought our neighbors' cotton and a flatboat that we took to New Orleans.” Sue glanced over at her fiancé. “From there, he brought us here on a steamboat. I've missed you so much, Daddy. I'm sorry for leaving the way I did. All these years, I've wanted to see you again, face you, and ask your forgiveness.”

He nodded deeply one time. “You've made my heart glad once again, Susannah. I have suffered over your impetuousness and absence these ten years gone by, but, yes, Daughter, I certainly do forgive you and love you every bit as much as I ever have.”

Henry stood. “Sir, Judge Abbott, I love your daughter, too. More than life. I brought her here to Memphis for the opportunity of asking you, sir, for her hand in marriage.”

A sudden rush of love overwhelmed Sue, and her eyes filled with humble tears that God had made her to be this man's wife.

Her father looked taken aback. Shocking the great Judge Abbott had never been an easy thing to do. He stood, with a slight gesture toward Henry. “Ladies, if you'll grant us leave of your most pleasurable company; we men have matters to discuss.”

Sue glanced at Henry, a bit shaken herself. He gave her a little nod as though saying, “I'm fine,” but she didn't want to leave him in there alone. Why would her daddy ask such a thing? Nonetheless, she rose and took Rebecca's hand. “You'll excuse us then, Daddy. Henry.”

THE JUDGE SAT BEHIND HIS
desk and gestured toward the wingback chair that rested in front of it where Sue had been sitting before. “Please sit.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“If I heard right, you've known my daughter for a month now?”

Henry smiled. “Yes, sir. But though we weren't formally introduced before, I've been smitten with Susannah for four years.”

“So, you used her misfortune to worm your way into her life?”

“No, not at all, sir; she came to me asking for help. Actually, it quite surprised me, but I do understand that you might see it that way. I do not.”

“What's your trade, son?”

“I don't have just one exactly.”