A Place in His Heart (26 page)

During an evening of stargazing, Jeremy shared his newest telescope with Joseph. As they all moved back in for the night, Mary hung back and asked Jeremy about the blue slate. Her voice was low. “Were you trying to tell me you haven't been able to get the blue slate? Is there trouble getting one?”

“Nay, no trouble. I have purchased it and the words are being engraved. No doubt it is finished by now and waits for me in London.”

“So you shall be able to bring it?”

“I will have it for you next trip, I promise. Only so much cargo a ship can hold. I leave on the morrow and will be going directly back to London to do a quick turnaround. My next cargo is the human kind. It continues to be very dangerous in England, as you know. It won't be expected for me to come into port and
leave quickly. We'll be gone before suspicions are formed. I'll have your blue slate.”

“Do you not have repairs to be done on the ship, provisions to load? Would it be safe to just put people aboard and be off without maintaining your ship?”

“Aye, all that is being prepared for. I spent an extra month in London to work over
The Swallow
before I sailed here. She's more than ready for another go-round. Provisions will be ready to load before we set port, and we'll load during the cover of night. These ventures are planned to the minute detail. They must be. And we have God to guide us, do we not?”

She looked at the infinite heavens, alive with dancing stars, and thought about the people in England gazing at these same stars each evening. The same stars that would guide them across the ocean. God was miraculous. She smiled at Jeremy. “Thank you. 'Tis so very good that you are the ship's master, and God is yours. What should we do otherwise?”

They settled in and Barney took down the Bible. She poked at the fire with the iron. It flamed a bit, warm and inviting. She took up the stack of letters and sat next to Barney. After the lesson this evening she would read them to her family. As he read about the importance of a thankful heart, she truly was thankful. In this wild land she had much. She had family. Could she have his love too?

October 1639

Barnabas stood back from the house and admired his work. It was not finished yet, but the chilly nights proclaimed winter would not be far off. He would rather get his little family settled before the weather turned.

Walking across the lane to the church, he found Reverend Youngs. “John, you must come and see the house. I think today I outdid myself and I am ready to bring Mary to see it. We will stay in the house tonight if the boys have not given me away. 'Twill be a surprise for her.”

“Barnabas, that's wonderful.” He clapped his friend on the back with a thud as they started back across the road.

“I know Mary has felt a bit neglected whilst I've worked on the house. Joseph and Benjamin have worked hard too. But, I am the first of our settlement to finish a home. I do hope that fills her with gladness.”

John chuckled. “I think it will. I think it will delight her, in fact. I noticed she and Miss Terry have become quite good
friends. I suppose it was a blessing for her while you were otherwise engaged.”

“Aye, that is true. While we built the church she thought me absent too much. But she became acquainted with Wauwineta, and the two apparently decided they would befriend Miss Terry. She is a very sweet-natured girl, once you know her. I'm quite happy they are friends.”

“Ah. God is working in her life and I must say Mary's friendship with Wauwineta is such a good thing for our relations with the Corchaugs, do you not agree? Mary is like an ambassador to them. Quite remarkable, she is.”

Barnabas nodded. “She is, at that. She has amazed me with her resilience.”

They stood in front of the timber-framed house, the first of its kind on the east end of Long Island.

“You've done a magnificent work. I truly am in awe. What a tremendous amount of labor and love. Your wife will be pleased, I know. Shall we bow our head for a blessing?”

“ It's not quite done yet, but there's oiled paper in the windows and the hearth is ready for a fire. Please do come in.”

The two men stepped inside and John's voice filled the room. “Our heavenly Father, bless this house to Your good will. May all the meditations within be a joyful noise to Your ears and all that enter seek to serve You. Amen.”

“Amen,” echoed Barnabas.
And may
You bless us with many joyful little noises, amen.
“I'm going to find Mary. I sent the boys down to the harbor just so I could surprise her.”

“Aye, so right. You will be at tonight's meeting, I presume?”

“Certainly. I will bring Joseph with me. I know Mary has looked forward to the new house. I shall let Benjamin remain with her and the two can go about getting settled. The boys and
I will help her bring up a few things, and then on the morrow we shall move the rest of our belongings.”

They shook hands and John went back across the road. Barnabas made his way down the lane. He found Mary, Wauwineta, and Patience huddled together as if in prayer. As he approached, all eyes turned to him.

He smiled broadly to the ladies but went directly to his wife. Kissing the top of her head, he announced to Wauwineta and Patience, “I must interrupt your work here and take Mary away. She might not be back.” He liked the mystery his words contained.

“Forever?” Wauwineta looked aghast.

Patience looked at Barnabas with the impish grin she'd bestowed on him since she was a child, then at Wauwineta. “They can't go far. There are no ships in the harbor to journey back to England on, or anywhere else. But pray tell, Mr. Horton, where are you taking Mary?”

Mary looked up at Barnabas with a question on her face. “We were sorting beans. Not my favorite activity, mind you, but we do like doing that chore together. Is this important?”

“Aye, I would not take you away from your companions if it were not. If you wish, you may come back later. But my hope is that you will not.” He chuckled as he offered his arm and led her in the direction of what was becoming the center of their township.

“Does anyone else know about this, Barney?”

“Aye, my sweet. Most everyone knows about this. The reverend most recently accompanied me, but you will know why, once you have seen it.” He hadn't really thought he could surprise her. She was more than aware of his labors, but he enjoyed this small attempt at intrigue.

As they approached the house, her grip tightened on his arm. “Oh, my goodness, I knew you were spending from sunup to
sundown toiling, but I had no idea you were so close to completion. Last Sunday it was but a shell with a roof.”

“Aye, I've put the wood-lap siding on and the doors. And do you like the steps?”

Wide, flagstone steps, imported from Boston, led to the front door.

“I love the steps and I have never seen a more beautiful house. You have worked so hard.” She turned to him as he enveloped her in his arms.

With one swoop, he lifted her from her feet and carried her over the threshold. His lips sought hers and he kissed her with a passion they had not shared since their wedding night.

“This is the home I promised you.” His voice, husky with emotion, broke.

“Barney. Thank you, so much. I'm so choked on my tears . . . I cannot speak.”

He kept her in his arms as the tears streamed down her face. He bent to kiss each and every one. His desire to provide for her had been his driving force. His hope and prayers were they now would have the child they prayed for.
Lord,
I am determined to be the husband she desires. I
am in Your hands.
“I have something more to show you. No one else has seen it, not even John. He came over to bless the house today. But this I have saved just for you.”

He carried her to the bedroom and gently laid her down on a sumptuous feather mattress that had been assembled on a beautiful, ornately hand-carved bed.

“How did you do this? 'Tis the most beautiful bed I have ever seen.” She ran her hand over the heavy green brocade curtains hung from the four posts, and she fingered the gold tassels that held them.

He sat down next to her. “I asked Jeremy to bring it over with him. I told him to search for the most exquisite bed that was ever built, and I think he did well. I told him I needed it before I finished the house. Joseph and Benjamin will have their own room. I made a third room that I hope someday will sleep our daughters.” He kissed her again.

“I don't know if we will ever have any daughters, or sons. 'Tis been a long time that we have tried. I'm sorry, Barney, but I'm afraid I shall let you down once more. I have actually been happy that you have been so occupied with the house. I want to live in it, but 'tis a difficult thing for me as well.” She sat up and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

“I didn't mean to hurt you. I promise you, you do not disappoint me. I will not bring up children again, if that makes you happy. I will do anything, my sweet. I just want to see your smile.” He tenderly cupped her chin with his hand and pulled her face up toward his.

Her eyes were sad blue, not stormy gray. That was a good thing. He knew what to do with sad. His mouth moved to form the words, but his throat closed. He could not say what he knew she longed to hear. He could not.

She reached out. “Barney?”

He held her tighter. “Just let me hold you.” Why did his throat ache so?

“Are you all right?” Her voice was low, expectant. She did not look him directly in the eyes, but bent her ear toward him.

He knew what she wanted, why was this so hard? “Certes . . . in all this earth, you mean the most to me, my sweet.”

As he drew her close, joy lit her face and he took pleasure in knowing his words were a gift that meant even more than the
gift of the bed. But how could he believe his own words when he knew his true love was Ann?

Before the town meeting, they walked back to their hut to collect a few of their provisions and to bring the table and a few chairs to the big house. Mary sent Jay and Ben in search of dried moss, twigs, and bark for kindling. She planned a warm, welcoming fire in their magnificent hearth. Winnie and Patience offered their help and she gladly accepted, knowing she would have the opportunity to give her first tour of their new home.

She unpacked the tinderbox and quickly hit the striker to the flint. After several attempts, a spark ignited the wiry moss in her hand. She lit a tallow candle with the burning wad and handed it to Barney. With much ceremony, he lit the first fire in the grand hearth, and soon it roared with snaps and crackles, its bright flames captivating.

“This is wonderful. I could not ask for more.” She looked at the saltbox and the pantry shelves filled with iron and clay pots. Paraphernalia of all kinds were in the kitchen closet. A peel, a rake, and a newly hewn moulding board stood ready next to the grand oven built into the bricks. Her butter churn and spinning wheel stood side by side, with more room than she ever dreamt of. “Barney, this truly overwhelms me. I do wish Lizzie could see this.”

“There will be more, of course. I will add rooms and I'm already working on the cellars. We will have an ice house and a stable. All in good time, of course. There are other families that need my help now.”

He read from the family Bible before their simple supper of leftovers from the noon dinner. Winnie and Patience joined them.

“I promise you, tomorrow Barney and I will cook you a feast from our new hearth. Winnie, you must bring your husband and children, and Patience, I pray thee, bring your parents.” As they started to protest, Mary insisted. “We shall do much entertaining in this house, and I intend to start on the morrow.” There. They could not say no.

Barney nodded in agreement. “Yes, it will indeed be our pleasure to have your families join us. And Miss Terry, you must tell your father that now I have our house almost complete, I will be turning my attention to help him finish yours. We must get everyone into their homes before winter.”

After the meal, Barney and Jay walked across the road to the meetinghouse. Barney carried his musket in one hand and the family Bible in the other. Winnie departed to the fort and Ben escorted Patience back to her hut.

Mary looked about her, in awe of the grand house her husband had built. She sat at the old table and drew her finger around the two hearts. One with the
J
, the other with the
B
.

The door burst open and Ben bounced in. “You look happy, Mama.”

“That I am, Ben. I was just thinking how blessed we are. Your father worked so hard to build us this beautiful house. He is amazing, is he not?”

“Yes, he is.”

“You and Jay worked so very hard too. Your father and I are both very proud, Ben.”

He smiled at her compliment.

“I wish your aunt Lizzie could be here. And I miss the children and Uncle Zeke. It makes me sad when I think my father will never see this house.” Did Barnabas have the same sad thought about Ann?

“You do miss them, don't you, Mama? Are you all right?”

“Oh, yes, I am fine. I'm very happy and content tonight. We had a good visit with Uncle Jeremy, did we not?”

“Yes. Father says he will bring the other horse with him next time he comes.”

“Starlight. England is changing the law for exporting mares. I shall have my horse and what fun to be able to ride to Winnie's hut.”

“Father would not approve of your riding by yourself, but I would be happy to go with you.”

“Why thank you, Ben. I should like that very much.”

“Father worries when you ride. You mustn't upset him by going off on your own.”

Voices came from across the road as the church meeting dispersed.

Soon Barney and Jay walked in. After a family time of prayers and reading the Bible, everyone retreated to their new bedrooms.

“Tell me of the meeting, Barney. What did you discuss?” Mary patted a spot next to her on their bed.

“Oh, many things. We talked about the structure of the church—how we shall organize it. And about our township, our government, the laws we shall need.” His scratched his jaw.