Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek Series #2) (23 page)

As soon as the rash words escaped, he regretted them,
even questioning where they'd come from. He hadn't meant to
come off sounding so cruel. Sarah gasped as a wounded look
crossed her face, and his mother nearly teetered where she sat,
her own face pasty in color before turning red with obvious
anger.

Anger he knew immediately he deserved.

Before anyone could offer a challenge, Sarah pushed back
her chair. A smile trembled across her lips. "I hope you will
all excuse me," she said, her shoulders straight with polished
pride. "I'm afraid my headache has returned. I think it's best
that I rest."

Rocky pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet, but
the belated act only emphasized his stupidity.

The harm was done, and he might have kicked himself if
his foot hadn't already been stuffed up his oversized mouth.

arah, the horses are hitched," Rocky announced from
the living room.

"I'm coming," she replied, straightening her hat in the
mirror and adjusting the wool scarf that hugged her slim neck.

The children were as excited about going into town as she
was. She could hear their restless chatter as they waited by the
door. It'd been a good week and a half since the ice storm, and
the temperature had warmed enough to thaw the path.

Things had been anything but relaxed between Sarah and
Rocky since his outburst at the table in front of their guests.
To say he'd embarrassed her was putting it mildly. Of course,
she might have avoided the whole fiasco if she'd quietly asked
Mary beforehand to set the table with the old dishes, but it'd
seemed so silly at the time-at least to her.

Oh, Rocky had apologized for his behavior the next morning, apparently figuring it was hopeless even to try that night
since she'd refused to come out of her room. She'd accepted
his apology, but his hurtful words had been driven deep, even
making her question her decision to marry him. It appeared
he regretted the arrangement, insinuating she would have
been better off marrying Stephen Alden.

Mary had said little afterward regarding the incident, but
it was clear her son had angered her. She'd stayed another two
days, then headed back to her own place, saying that Frank
would be missing her.

Before leaving, she'd enfolded Sarah in a tight hug.

"Thank you for coming," Sarah had said, her eyes moist
with tears.

"Nonsense," she'd replied, "you're a Callahan now. No
need to thank me.

"Now, don't let my son's words gnaw a hole straight through
you," she'd whispered. "He didn't mean to hurt you like that.
I'm plum mortified that he embarrassed you in front of the
Broughtons. Sometimes he says things he shouldn't'cause he's
hurting deep down himself. Try to understand that about him
if you can."

Sarah gave a quiet nod but found no words with which to
respond. It would be a while before she fully understood her
husband.

"We don't want to miss your appointment with Doc Randolph, Sarah," Rocky said.

It would be her second checkup with the doctor since her
fall. Doc had come out to the house for the last one, but Sarah
had insisted she felt well enough to meet him in his office
this time. "You sure?" Rocky had asked. "No point in rushing
things." Truth was she was anxious to get out of the house,
feast her eyes on something other than the four walls of their
small home. "I'm sure," she'd said with finality.

"I'm coming," she repeated, turning away from her reflection and grabbing up her handbag from the bedstand.

The ride into town was pleasant enough with Rachel and
Seth taking up the space between Rocky and Sarah on the
wide seat and filling the gaps in conversation.

It was almost February, and a hint of spring hovered in the
air, subtle and delicate. Sunny skies promised the possibility of warmer air and, with it, the exultant first blooms of the mirthful crocus, dogwood, and magnolia.

Some unidentified bird warbled from afar, putting Sarah
on the alert for her first glimpse of a fat mother robin. Too
early, she told herself. Still, Kentucky was farther south than
Massachusetts. Maybe the robin made an appearance much
sooner in these parts. She wanted to ask Rocky, but his clouded
expression held her at a distance.

"You feeling all right, Sarah?" Rocky asked as they
drew nearer to civilization, his eyes firmly fixed on the road
ahead.

She appreciated his concern, even though he'd put the
question to her in a formal manner. "I'm perfectly fine," she
answered. An occasional headache still plagued her, but she
refused to admit it. Gazing at his profile, she willed him to
glance at her. When he didn't, she continued, "It's a lovely day
today. The sun is downright hot on my shoulders."

"Feels like spring might be around the corner," Rocky
said.

Sarah warmed at the prospect of conversing. "I was just
thinking that very thing."

He threw her a momentary glance before turning his
attention back to the road. "Were you now?"

She smiled. "I love spring. It's always been my favorite
season."

"Mine too," Seth announced.

Rocky peered at the boy and chuckled. "Yeah? Why is
that?"

"'Cause maybe I can go fishin'." One couldn't miss the
boy's hopeful tone.

"Fishing? You ever been?" Rocky asked, his manner turned
casual, as he held the reins, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Sure. Grandpap took me before."

"Ali, Grandpap," Rocky said, raising his head with a perceptive nod.

"Maybe you can take me sometime," the boy said, his eyes
trailing a path upward, squinting into the sun as he tried to
examine his uncle's face.

For a change, Rocky didn't stiffen or grow sullen at the
suggestion. Instead, he nodded. "That's a possibility, provided
we get all the chores done."

"Yippee! I'll help!" the boy offered, enthusiasm running
through his voice.

Rocky glanced at Sarah over the children's heads and,
wonder of wonders, actually smiled.

After Sarah visited the doctor's office and received a clean
bill of health, the family headed for Johansson's Mercantile.

As soon as he heard the tinkling of the tiny bell hanging
over the entryway, Eldred shuffled out from behind a curtain
that separated the store from his living quarters. "Well, well, if
it ain't the Callahans," he said. "Last I seen you folks you was
headin' fer home in that bad ice storm. See ya made it safe
enough."

"Hello, Eldred," said Rocky, offering the old man a friendly
nod. "Came in for some supplies. I have a list here that my
wife-put together." He seemed to falter on those two words.
Sarah bit back a smile. Even she still struggled with the notion
of having a husband.

Eldred took the list offered him and studied it through
squinty eyes. "'Spect I can gather it all up and have it ready in a jiffy," he muttered while rubbing at his scruffy beard. "Your
wagon out front?"

Rocky nodded. "We'll head on over to Winthrop's Dry
Goods and return within the hour."

"Sounds good 'nough," Eldred said. "I'll have Gus here
help me load up." A young boy of not more than twelve or
thirteen emerged from a cluttered aisle where he was stocking
canned goods. "He's been helpin' me out ever since the school
burnt down."

Seth appeared all eyes at the sight of the tall, gangly boy.
Rachel looked mildly interested.

"Hello there," Sarah greeted, laying her hand atop
Seth's shoulder when he sidled up beside her to have a closer
look.

The boy produced a shy smile, then wiped his hands on
his pant legs before stuffing them into his pockets. "Hi," he
managed.

When all he did was stare at Rachel and Seth, Sarah hurried to add, "I'd like you to meet Seth and Rachel Reed."

"Hi," he repeated. "I'm Gus Humphrey. I think my sister
Lenora is about your age," he said, directing the remark to
Rachel. Then, gazing at Seth, he added, "We seen you two
come in on the stage back before Christmas. Matter o' fact,
Miss Merriwether, uh, Mrs. Broughton now, let ar whole class
watch from the window. We was all plenty curious."

"Where do you live?" Rachel asked, not in the least bit shy.
"How old is your sister?"

"My sister's nine."

"I'm going to be eight," Rachel answered, standing taller.

"They live over in Gulliver's Hollow, just past Hickman Creek," Rocky inserted. "I know their ma and pop."

"Can she come and play sometime?" Rachel asked, pointing hopeful eyes in Rocky's direction.

"You don't even know her," Rocky stated.

"I think that would be wonderful," Sarah said. "We'll
arrange for Lill Broughton to come, too. You tell your sister
Lenora to be looking for an invitation."

Gus brightened. "She'll be real glad to hear it," he said.
"We all been pretty bored since the school burnt."

"Is there any news as to when they might begin rebuilding?" Sarah asked, directing her question to both Mr. Johansson and Gus Humphrey.

The older man shrugged. "Ain't heard one way or the
other." With that, he turned and began reaching for items
appearing on the list, apparently figuring it was past time for
tending to business.

"I heard the town ain't got the money," Gus offered. "We
need a new church, too, and most townsfolk want separate
buildings this time around."

Sarah had talked Rocky into taking them all into town
for Sunday services two days ago at the home of Clyde and
Iris Winthrop, and, while the home was certainly spacious,
it was clear folks needed their own house of worship. Mrs.
Winthrop was a fussbudget, insisting that everyone leave boots
and soiled shoes by the door and coats in their laps. Although
Mr. Winthrop had been warm and cordial, everyone could
see that Mrs. Winthrop worried incessantly about her lovely
Persian rugs and fine furnishings. Not that Sarah blamed
the woman. After all, it was the Winthrops' private home,
and they were more than generous to offer it as a temporary meeting place. Still, if people were to attend in a true attitude
of worship, they needed to do so with as few distractions as
possible.

The notion that Sarah had the resources with which to
build a new church-and school, for that matter-was a weighty
realization. Yet, how could she make such a donation without creating resentment? She was the newest member of Little
Hickman. Wouldn't folks think her haughty and proud, and
perhaps assume she gave with ulterior motives-to earn their
friendship and approval? Moreover, what of others in the town
who wished to contribute? A gift the size that Sarah was capable
of doling out would make others' donations appear dull by
comparison.

She decided then and there to take the matter before the
Lord. Show me what You would have me do, heavenly Father was
her silent, heartfelt prayer.

The streets were abuzz with talk of Hickman's unseasonably warm weather. Folks seemed delighted at the opportunity
to walk the streets more leisurely. On the trek to Winthrop's
Dry Goods, they passed several clusters of people who were
conversing on various topics. Folks waved and smiled as the
Callahans passed, often speaking a friendly greeting, but more
often gaping curiously, no doubt wondering how the strangelyput-together family was faring.

Iris Winthrop's head shot up as soon as the door opened.
Whatever paperwork she was poring over quickly fell by the
wayside as she moved out from behind the counter and pasted
a smile on her hard-lined face. "Well, my, my," she chortled,
"what can I do for you folks?"

Seeing the beady-eyed woman again made Sarah think about the time she'd hidden behind a bolt of fabric at the
back of the store while several womenfolk openly discussed
her unfortunate situation. Imagine coming all this way to marry
Benjamin Broughton, someone had clucked. Such a waste of time,
another had ranted. Even now she soured at the humiliation
of it all.

"So nice to see you, Mrs. Winthrop," Sarah offered, determined to put on her best smile.

The woman wrung her withered hands, then clasped them
tightly at her rounded waistline. "Are you interested in more
fabric, perhaps?"

"My wife intends to sew some curtains," Rocky told her.
Then, nudging Sarah lightly, he leaned in close. "Take your
time. I'm going over to Sam's Livery. Later, we'll head back to
Eldred's for our provisions, then make a run to Grady Swanson's Sawmill. He's got some supplies stacked up for me."

It warmed her to realize Rocky intended to abide her
wishes to improve their home's interior. Apparently his mother's prodding had paid off.

"That sounds fine," she answered.

Rocky glanced down at Seth. "You want to come with
me?"

Seth's eyes brightened. "Do I!"

Rocky gave Sarah a momentary look that carried just a
hint of a smile. "We'll be back soon."

And with that, he headed out the door, Seth running to
keep up.

"My, they do seem like father and son," Mrs. Winthrop
said, watching after the two, who were even then scooting
across the dusty street.