Loving Beth Book One, page 8
Beth wasn’t really sure if she could keep this promise, but she knew the sheriff and Mrs. Bartley had her best interests in mind. She nodded. “I promise!”
Struck with an idea, she looked up at Mrs. Bartley. “I want to buy that rocking chair.” Beth wasn’t exactly sure why, but she felt strongly compelled to get that rocker. There was a connection between that rocker and those children. Perhaps it was their grandmother’s.
“I’d be happy to give it to you for what we have in it,” she said. “I’ll have Emmett deliver it to you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 12
The wind whipped through Beth’s hair and the small carriage rocked from side to side as she led Tanner as fast as she could. “Sorry, old boy,” Beth panted, “but we’re almost there.” Tanner cocked an ear back in response without breaking stride. His nostrils flared as he sent a plume of white cloud into the cold air with every breath he took. Beth didn’t like to run Tanner so fast, but she needed to get home in a hurry. She was worried about Tommy and Sissy. They were all she could think about. What if Tommy had slipped down to her place while his sorry excuse for parents had been in town, and she wasn’t there? What if he were there now? Or, what if they had caught him coming home from her place? She worried what they might do to him. She also worried about Tommy making the long trek to her house—he never dressed for the colder weather. He was so little, and anything could happen to him between his place and hers—bears, wolves, and bobcats roamed these forest-covered mountains. She shuddered. And rattlesnakes. It wasn’t safe for anyone, but especially not for a small boy.
When the barn came into view, Tanner whinnied. After a good rubdown, followed by a flake of hay a short while later, the contented horse showed Beth his appreciation by placing his nose on her shoulder and neighing in her ear. “Oh, Tanner.” Beth ruffled his mane. “You’re such a good boy!” She put her arms around him and kissed him on the neck.
After leaving the barn, Beth practically ran to the chicken coop to check for any sign that Tommy had visited today. “Beth, you’re such a fool!” she chastised herself. “You don’t want him traversing across the ridge, yet here you are hoping to find a broken egg in the chicken coop. Or any sign that Tommy had been here. Beth McCullough, what is the matter with you?”
Beth looked toward the mountain that stood between her and the children who had taken up residence in her heart. The hillsides surrounding her little farm had been awash only a month ago in a kaleidoscope of autumn colors, but now the thick stands of maple, poplar, oak, walnut, and hickory stood like gray skeletons, their bare branches—save for clusters of rusty leaves still clinging defiantly to some of the oaks—reaching for the sky.
That evening, Beth sat at the kitchen table with a fire roaring in the cookstove. The only sound in the quiet cabin came from the teakettle hissing on the stove. She added a spoonful of honey to her hot cup of tea and stirred, all the while thinking about Tommy and Sissy. There had been no sign that Tommy had visited the farm. How were he and his little sister doing? What were they doing? Had they eaten anything today? These questions plagued her. She was determined she needed to do something to help these kids. But what? Beth took a sip of her tea and set the cup back down in the saucer. She’d promised Mrs. Bartley she wouldn’t go back to Tommy’s home, and, of course, she didn’t want to get shot either. There must be something I can do. It was obvious to her they needed food. But what could she do?
She glanced at the platter on the table—the one that had held the chocolate cake Tommy had stolen. Of course, the platter was clean now, but it gave her an idea. Beth stood and walked over to a shelf next to the stove and retrieved a little wood box that held her mother’s recipes. Tomorrow, she would cook and bake some of her favorite dishes, and then she would have faith the food would somehow get to Tommy and his little sister. Perhaps he would sneak down here again, or perhaps she would sneak over there. But she would get the food to those kids somehow, someway. She sat down at the table again, feeling better now that she had a plan. Before heading off to bed, she clasped her hands and bowed her head.
“Dear Lord. Beth here. I have something to ask of you. You know the wee little ones on the other side of the mountain, Tommy and Sissy? My heart is so burdened with worry for them. They desperately need Your protection. They are suffering at the hands of brutal parents, and they are hungry and going without their basic needs met. I humbly ask that You provide them with what they need and do what is best for them. And if there is anything more that I can do, show me the way. In Jesus’ name, I humbly ask and thank You. Amen.”
CHAPTER 13
Before noon the following day, Beth had a succulent stew simmering on the stove and a spice cake in the oven. The aroma from the two loaves of fresh-baked bread cooling on the cutting board wafted through the little house, making Beth’s mouth water.
She was just returning from the root cellar with some milk and butter when Mr. Bartley arrived in his wagon with the rocking chair.
“Good morning, Mr. Bartley.” Beth waved. “You’re just in time for some fresh baked bread and butter.”
“That’s awful tempting, Miss Beth.” Mr. Bartley smiled as he jumped down from the wagon. “But, regretfully, I’ll have to pass.” He retrieved the rocking chair from the back of the wagon. “I have another delivery to make. Where do you want it?”
“Just set it down anywhere inside.” Beth motioned him ahead of her.
Mr. Bartley sniffed the air. “Mm-mm, it sure smells good in here.” He put the rocking chair next to her mother’s rocker. “You’re making it hard for me to leave with all the good smells in here.” He removed his hat and wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. “But, the missus asked me to deliver some goods to Mrs. Wagner. She just had her eighth baby the other day, and her husband’s away on a job up north.”
Beth’s brows shot up in surprise. “Eighth baby?”
Mr. Bartley chuckled. “Yes, ma’am, and the first girl baby at that!”
Beth tried to imagine having that many children—especially with her husband out of town. “Hold up just a minute, if you don’t mind.”
He paused at the door.
Beth wrapped one of the loaves of bread in a cotton cloth and handed it to the kind man. “Would you please give this to Mrs. Wagner? I’m sure with that many mouths to feed, it won’t go to waste.”
Mr. Bartley chuckled again. “Surely not. But I can’t promise the whole loaf will get there if I have to smell it all the way to her place.” He winked at Beth and thanked her.
“Thanks for bringing the rocking chair,” Beth shouted after him as he climbed into the wagon with the bread. He waved and was off.
Beth removed the cake from the oven and then turned her attention to the rocking chair. She polished it with a mixture of beeswax and turpentine until the wood gleamed. When she finished Lydia’s rocking chair, she turned to her mother’s and gave it the same treatment. By the time she was finished, her arms ached from the time spent buffing. She stepped back and, with rag still in hand, wiped her brow with the back of her arm and blew a curl from her face. She beamed a smile as she admired the final results. The polished wood shone like glass.
Beth moved Lydia’s rocker to the other side of the hearth, opposite her mother’s. Besides the kitchen table and chairs on the opposite side of the huge room, the only furniture was her mother’s rocking chair, a side table, an upholstered chair, a small bookcase, and a treadle sewing machine that sat under the window. Beth stood back and studied the area. It needed something else to cozy it up. She considered. I know just what it needs! She flew to her room and opened the hope chest her mother had started for her last year. As she lifted the handmade quilt and linens from the top, a tear slid down her cheek. Oh, how I miss you, Mother!
There it lay on the bottom. The colorful rug was now a blur as Beth thought of her mother working on it all last winter. Beth had helped her by cutting odds and ends of fabrics—muslin, cotton, wool, and denim—into strips. When her mother had finished braiding the rug into a huge oval, Beth had insisted she put it on their floor. The rug that used to be there had finally become so faded and tattered that Esther had thrown it out. However, her mother insisted Beth save this new one for her own home one day. Well, Mother, this is my home. She wiped her eyes and lifted the rug out of the chest and carried it to the main room. She moved the rocking chairs out of the way, then placed the huge rug on the floor in front of the hearth a safe distance from fire sparks. That is, when she built a fire in the hearth. So far, the cookstove had put out enough warmth to heat the house. She put the rocking chairs back in their places and stood back once again, admiring her and her mother’s handiwork. She smiled. It would be nice to have the extra rocking chair in the event someone came calling. Not that it was likely to happen anytime soon. Other than an occasional visit from Ruby Mae and Walter, she didn’t get company.
Beth’s ears pricked at the muffled sound of hoofbeats in the distance. She went to the window and peered out. Percival and Isabel quickly approached in their horse-drawn buggy. Her heart filled with dread. There was no good reason for them to visit.
Beth grabbed her shawl hanging on a peg by the door and stepped out just as Percival pulled the buggy to a stop. She shivered against a gush of cold wind that greeted her and wrapped the shawl tighter around her shoulders. The temperature had dropped while she was polishing the rocking chairs.
“Good afternoon, Percival and Isabel!” she shouted from the porch. “Won’t you come in for tea or coffee?” Her smile felt stiff on her face.
Percival tied the reins and stepped down from the small buggy. He turned to help Isabel down, but she shook her head and then looked at Beth, although her words were directed at Percival. “It won’t take you long to give her the news.” She adjusted a small blanket around her lap and faced forward without so much as a smile or a thank you. Percival shrugged, turned, and walked the short narrow path to Beth’s porch.
Percival removed his hat and shifted his weight to one foot. “Father turned the bank over to me.” He cleared his throat, toyed with the hat in his hand, and then looked back at Beth. “You must remit all past due amounts within thirty days.”
Beth felt the air leaving her lungs. An involuntary gasp escaped her mouth.
He lowered his voice to a hoarse whisper. “It didn’t have to be like this, you know.” Percival glanced back at his wife, and when he turned to look at Beth again, his eyes bored into hers, cold as steel. “It could have been you sitting in that buggy.” His face hardened as he jabbed a finger in her direction. “But, no!” he hissed while trying to keep his voice out of earshot of Isabel. “You refused me! You— ”
“Percival!” Isabel shouted, turning in her seat. “Hurry up! Just tell her and let’s go. I’m getting cold!”
Percival waved an arm at his wife without looking back. He pointed his hat at Beth. “You’ll be sorry for the way you treated me.” He turned abruptly, skewered his hat on his head, and joined Isabel in the buggy.
Beth was speechless. She never got a word out during Percival’s tirade. She watched Percival and Isabel leave through blurred vision. The breath she’d held during his entire visit now gushed out of her.
She turned and walked back inside; her body felt slow and sluggish. What was she to do? What could she do? Beth flopped down in her mother’s rocking chair. I don’t know how much more I can take, Lord! Tears filled her eyes. Her heart ached at the thought of losing the only home she knew—she’d been born in this house. Her heart ached for her mother. Her heart ached for Tommy and Sissy. Her heart just plain ached! Beth had never felt so alone and scared. And she was not only alone, but she was also lonely. Her thoughts traveled to Jacob. Where was he? She’d all but given up that he would ever return. Whatever took him away had evidently kept him away. Perhaps he was never coming back. Why did she even care? For all she knew, he could be married.
Then why do I miss him so?
A tap at the window startled Beth. She jerked upright in the rocking chair. What or who could that be? Two more taps sounded. Beth wiped her eyes and flew to the door.
Tommy looked up at Beth through a pair of forlorn eyes.
“Oh, Tommy!” Without any thought, Beth knelt and hugged the little boy.
Tommy wrapped his arms around Beth as well. At least today he wore socks and shoes and a jacket.
Beth stood. “Come in. It’s cold out here.”
As the little boy stepped inside the house, his eyes took in everything. He turned to Beth, his large eyes still darting around. “I snuck down here fast as I could.” He shrugged and looked at the floor, suddenly shy.
Beth hurried to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair. “Sit down, Tommy! I’m going to fix you something to eat.”
Tommy’s chin quivered and his eyes puddled. “T-thank you.”
Beth quickly scooped some stew into a bowl and sliced and buttered a piece of bread. She placed the food in front of Tommy and watched as he devoured it.
“How is Sissy?”
“She’s okay, I guess.” Tommy frowned and chewed his lower lip. “I have to hurry home before they come back,” he blurted. He looked at the cake on the table, and then he looked at Beth again. “C-can I take food to Sissy?”
“Of course you can!” Beth stood and retrieved two jars. She filled one with stew and the other with milk. Then she bagged up the cake, the rest of the bread, and some butter. The separate bags of food all went into one large burlap bag. She grabbed her coat and instructed Tommy to follow her.
“I’m taking you home on Tanner. It’s safer and faster that way. Come on!” Tommy followed Beth to the barn. When the young boy realized that Tanner was a horse, a smile appeared on his sweet little face.
Beth hoisted Tommy onto Tanner and handed him the bag until she could hitch her skirt and use the crate to climb on. Tanner whinnied and bobbed his head at the little boy, and Tommy giggled. The sun was making a fast descent behind the mountain, so Beth had to hurry. She kicked Tanner’s sides gently. “Come on, ol’ boy. Let’s get Tommy home!”
There was hardly a foot trail up the mountain, but Tanner managed to make it up the mountain and down the other side. It wasn’t so hard going after that, as the trail was a little wider. On the way, Beth gave Tommy instructions to hide the food and keep the milk outside so it didn’t spoil.
By the time they got to the top of the second ridge and could see the cabin in the distance, the sun had disappeared behind the mountain and all that remained for lighting was a sliver of moonlight penetrating the dusk. Beth helped Tommy down and then jumped down herself. With all her being and all her heart, she didn’t want to let the little boy go. She knelt down in front of him and smiled, even though she felt more like crying.
“Tommy, hurry home, but please be careful! I will stand here and watch from the tree line until you get into the cabin. If all is safe once you get inside, step out and wave. Then I’ll know it will be okay for me to go home.”
Tommy nodded, but his chin quivered. “Okay,” he replied, his voice barely audible.
“Tommy, one more thing.” Beth clutched him gently by the shoulders. “I want you to know that my home will always be a refuge for you.”
“Huh?” Tommy’s face contorted with confusion.
“Never mind, what I mean, is, you are always welcome and will always be safe there.” Beth stood. “Now, you better run along, Tommy.”
A knot clogged her throat as she watched Tommy hurry a few steps away, half carrying, half dragging the heavy bag of food. He suddenly stopped, let go of the bag, spun around, and ran back to Beth as fast as he could and threw his little arms around her and held on tight.
“I love you, Beth!” He sniffed and wiped his eyes. “And I sure miss my pa!” He took off for the cabin before she could respond.
She stood in the shadows alongside Tanner, watching that sweet little boy through a blur of tears, and asked the Lord to watch over him and his little sister. Beth waited anxiously and prayed she would see his wave that signaled everything was okay.
What had he meant that he missed his pa? Was the man called “Horace” not his father? Perhaps Horace was his stepfather? Then where was his pa?
Tommy made it to the cabin and stepped inside. Seconds ticked by, but no Tommy. Finally, Beth decided she’d have to go check on him. Just as she started, though, he emerged from the cabin and waved. Relieved, Beth let out a long pent-up breath, led Tanner to a downed tree she used to stand on, and jumped onto Tanner’s back.
Dark shadows loomed in the deep forest. Her eyes could no longer make out objects. Trees and branches took on grotesque shapes. She shuddered to think that had she not been home this evening, Tommy may have been by himself in the dark woods right now. She had much to thank God for. He had actually answered her prayer for Tommy and Sissy to get food. If Tommy could pull it off without getting caught, he and Sissy would have plenty to eat. For now, that was.
To avoid hitting her head on low tree branches, Beth leaned forward on Tanner until her upper body hugged his. Fortunately, horses can see in the dark, and Tanner had the good sense to follow the same trail home.
CHAPTER 14
It had been four days since Beth took Tommy home, and she hadn’t seen him since. She went about her daily chores, all the while worrying about Tommy and Sissy. Coming from the barn with a pail of Gerty’s milk, she would stop and look toward the mountain for any sign of Tommy. On her way to and from the chicken coop, she stopped and looked around for him. If she was in the house kneading bread or churning butter, she would stop whatever she was doing and walk out on the porch and look for him. How did a sweet boy like Tommy get such wicked parents?
When a week went by without any sign of Tommy, Beth thought her heart would implode. As much as she wanted to go check on him and Sissy, an overpowering sense of foreboding prevented her from heading over the mountain. She recalled the warnings given to her by Sheriff Barlow and Mrs. Bartley. Something told her that her life would be in danger if she headed over the mountain.
