Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek Series #2) (37 page)

Rocky looked on as she lifted the pitcher and filled each
glass to its rim with lemonade, taking care to top them off
with a lemon slice. She offered the first glass to Jon along with
a smile. Sarah had no notion of what a captivating picture
she made, Rocky thought to himself-her shimmering hair
braided into a neat little knot, with only a few curly strands
falling haphazardly about her oval face, her light blue calico
dress gathered at the middle, accenting her tiny waist. The
sight made him want to pull her up next to him.

Jon gave an exaggerated bow. "Thank you, dear lady. I
shall come more often if you promise me lemonade in crystal
glasses." At that, he raised the glass to his lips and took several
swallows while Sarah watched. After that, he flashed her a perfectly mesmeric smile and declared that it was the best lemonade he'd tasted since, well, since his mama used to make it.

"And I declare if you haven't managed to charm my wife,
you scoundrel! Have you no limits?" Rocky stepped forward
to take the glass Sarah had poured for him. "Pay no attention to him, Sarah," he said in a counseling tone, coming up close
to nudge her in the side. "Jon here has the notion that a
preacher's license somehow gives him a wider margin with the
womenfolk."

Sarah gasped and covered her mouth, obviously unsure
how to handle the offhanded remark. Clearly, she didn't
understand the camaraderie between the old friends.

Jon turned up his ready smile a notch. "Totally untrue,
madam; he's just jealous." He grabbed a cookie off the platter
and spoke between bites. "I suspect he's still bitter about all
those girls chasing me around the schoolyard when we were
ten."

Rocky gripped the front of his shirt as if in pain. "Yeah,
truth is, it's still raw." He dipped his face toward Sarah and
gave her a conspiratorial wink. She giggled in response, catching the joke.

Apparently Jon spotted the look that passed between the
two, for he placed his empty glass on the platter, brushed his
hands together, and looked at Sarah. "And now I must be on
my way. I have several more calls to make. Will I see you in
church on Sunday?"

"We'll make every effort," Sarah answered, "but I'm afraid
it will depend on Seth. He's still quite weak."

Jon nodded. "How about I offer up a prayer for him before
I leave?"

Sarah looked at Rocky. "We would very much appreciate
that," she answered for both of them.

In the living room everyone gathered around the boy,
including Rachel, while Jon prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for
preserving Seth's life and asked God for continued healing.

The heartfelt petition touched a cord in Rocky's heart,
sparked a deep-set need in the center of his soul, and took
him back to earlier days when he'd prayed just as freely. Lord,
forgive me for my rebellion, he prayed inwardly. Help me trust You,
even when I don't understand Your ways.

It was a simple request, but when he opened his eyes, he
felt somehow different.

ut I want to go to church!" Seth's voice came off sounding weaker than normal, but at least his cheeks had
regained their rosy hue.

"I don't know, Seth. It's up to your uncle," Sarah said, looking to her husband. "What do you think, Rocky?"

"Please, Uncle Rocky? I think Seth looks just fine," Rachel
chimed.

Rocky chuckled. "You would say that just to get out of the
house again. I guess selling your eggs at market on Friday
didn't quite satisfy those itchy feet."

"It is a beautiful day," Sarah supplied. "The fresh air alone
would probably do him a world of good."

Rocky raised the lad's chin with his finger. "You are getting back a bit of color in your cheeks."

Seth's eyes brightened. "So we can go?"

"What's with this sudden desire to go to Sunday service?
You know you have to sit as still as a dead bug. If you make a
single sound Mrs. Winthrop will stare you down with those
beady eyes."

Rachel giggled.

"Rocky," Sarah said in her best warning tone.

"I want to sing to God," Seth declared weakly while lifting
his skinny shoulders.

Rocky's face split into a grin. "Well then, I suspect we ought
to go just to listen to Seth's fine singing voice."

So that settled it. The Callahans were going to church.

Sarah could barely contain her joy. There was something
different in her husband's countenance; his manner seemed
more relaxed, much friendlier. All the way into town, there'd
been happy conversation. Even Seth joined in the repartee,
seeming to perk up with the bright sunshine despite Sarah's
insistence he remain calm.

In town, Sarah took the hand Rocky offered and hopped
down from the wagon. Because several folks traveled a distance, most left their wagons along Main Street and walked the
few blocks to the Winthrop home. Those living nearby simply
walked. Thus, families came from every direction, some hand
in hand, others with children who preferred to scamper ahead
of their parents.

At first glance, Sarah spotted Elmer and Bess Barrington
and their two children, Thomas and Erlene. All four gave
enthusiastic waves. Behind them came the Warner clan followed by the Thompsons. Sarah smiled and waved in response
to everyone's greetings.

"Look, there's my friend, Todd. I played with him at the
picnic," Seth said. Even though he remained weak, there was
elation in his voice. Sarah once again gave silent thanks to
God for His protection over Seth and Rachel.

"And there's Lill Broughton," Rachel cried, waving wildly.
The entire Broughton family, including baby Molly, carried
by Benjamin, strode toward the Winthrop home, approaching
from the opposite direction. Again, Sarah gave thanks that
little Molly had come through the diphtheria looking relatively unscathed. "Can I go say hello?"

"I think it's best you stick with us," Rocky said. "There'll be
plenty of time for hellos after the service."

Rather than voice an argument, Rachel looped her arm
in the crook of Sarah's and kept step. "I like this day," she
announced.

Curious, Sarah looked down at the child and smiled, thinking to ask her why, but Rocky beat her to it. "And what makes
this day special to you?" he asked, glancing first at Rachel,
then casting a wink at Sarah. The simple act sent a delightful
shiver of longing up her backbone.

"I don't know exactly, but maybe it's because the sun is
shining, and spring is here, and Seth is better, and we..."

When she didn't complete her thought, Rocky prompted,
"And we...?"

"We seem like a real family," she finished.

Rocky reached across Sarah and gave a tender yank to one
of Rachel's braids. "We are a family, sweetie."

Sarah hitched a breath and tried to hold her emotions at
bay. They did seem more and more like a regular family and,
as if to accentuate that thought, Rocky put a hand to the center
of Sarah's back and steered her around the corner of Washington Avenue.

"Hey! There's Sarah Jenkins." Rachel turned her attentions to the tall girl straight ahead, seemingly ecstatic when
the girl noticed her and waved. Rachel returned the greeting
then tipped her head up at Rocky and Sarah. A sheepish grin
swept across her mouth. "I think I like Little Hickman."

"Yeah, me too," Seth chimed, gazing at his sister. "I didn't
have no friends in Ohio, but I gots more'n one here."

Sarah winced at his poor use of the English language, but
smiled in spite of it. "You'll gain even more friends once school
begins," she said, "if the town ever gets around to building a
schoolhouse, that is."

"Town needs to raise the money first," Rocky said, looking
straight ahead. "It doesn't appear to be happening too fast."

Sarah knew exactly how to get her hands on the necessary
funds. A simple phone call or telegram to Stephen Alden would
do the trick. But how would Rocky feel about her making such
a contribution to the town? She knew how he felt about accepting money from her on a personal level. Would he feel similarly were she to offer the funds for a schoolhouse? A barn was
one thing, she reasoned, but a schoolhouse-well, that affected
Little Hickman's children, Seth and Rachel in particular, and
who could deny the children their education?

The Winthrop home couldn't have seated another person.
Either the promise of spring or the retreat of the dreaded virus
had brought people out in droves this sunny Sunday morning.
Folks' moods were bright and cheery, exuding an air of thankfulness to God, with the exception of poor Mrs. Winthrop, who
looked fit to be tied. Dark hair pulled back into a severe bun,
her arched eyebrows, and a sour expression betrayed her deep
frustration. Sarah couldn't help but feel sorry for the woman.
Surely, hosting the weekly service had become drudgery, and
who could blame her for her disgruntled look?

Although shoes had been stacked at the door and coats lay
draped across folks' laps or behind their chairs, there was still
a layer of dirt and grime on the lovely marble entryway. It was
clear the townsfolk needed a building of their own in which to
worship. Oh, the Winthrop home was by far the largest in the area, but it was not a house of worship, and Sarah hoped the
citizens of Little Hickman would soon recognize that fact.

Jon Atkins delivered a fine sermon, challenging those
present to trust God in all things, using Proverbs 3, verses 5
and 6 as his text. Several amens rose up around the room as
he spoke of God's faithfulness and abiding love. Sarah glanced
over Seth and Rachel's heads at Rocky and discovered him
focusing on Jon's words and wearing a look of contentment.
It appeared a change had taken place in her husband's heart
and soul.

At the close of his message, Jon offered a final prayer,
gathered up what few notes he had in front of him, cleared his
throat, and, perusing the worshipers with intent eyes, spoke
without faltering. "And now I have one thing further to say."

Sensing something important was on the horizon, folks
sat up, shushed their impatient children, and sharpened their
gazes on the preacher.

"For some time now the Winthrops have been kind enough
to lend us their home as a meeting place." All around the room
people nodded in agreement, some turning eyes upon the
Winthrops, standing at the back of the room, who appeared
just as curious as the rest. "But now it's time we start building a
new church. Now that spring's upon us, I'm sure you men will
agree the building can begin."

"But the town ain't raised near enough money yet, Reverend," Elmer Barrington argued from the front row.

"Not one of us here would disagree we need to find a different meeting place, Jon," came the voice of Eldred Johansson,
mercantile owner, "but there's the matter of the schoolhouse,
too. The education of ar youngins is awful important. If we start buildin' a church, hard tellin' when we'll raise the funds
for a new school. I think most folks are in agreement that we
want separate buildings this time around."