Threads of Love (4 page)

“Sorry we haven’t had more opportunity to talk,” Jonathan commented, “but it seems I’m needed more to help keep the train moving. Besides, you’ve been doing just fine on your own with the wagon.”

Delphinia did not respond but smiled inwardly at his compliment. When Jonathan had told her she would be driving the team, she had nearly fainted dead away. She, who had never handled so much as her pa’s mules, was now expected to maneuver a team of horses and a lumbering wagon. With Jonathan’s patience and her determination, she had finally mastered it, at least well enough not to run into the wagon in front of her.

“We’re getting close to home, and I thought we should talk a little beforehand about what you can expect,” Jonathan stated.

Delphinia expelled a sigh of relief. Finally, he was going to acquaint her with what lay ahead. Nodding her encouragement that he continue, she gave a slight smile, folded her hands, and placed them on her lap.

“My brother, Jacob, and his wife, Sarah, died some four months ago. Since that time Granny, that would be Sarah’s mother, has been staying in the big cabin with the children. She’s become quite frail and isn’t able to handle five children and do chores any longer. Tessie, she’s the oldest, doesn’t think she needs anyone else to help out. At twelve, she’s sure she can raise the others and take care of everything on her own.”

Delphinia’s face registered confusion and alarm. “Are you telling me the children I’m to take care of aren’t yours? They are your brother’s children? That there are five of them under age twelve? And I will be caring for all of them as well as doing chores and nursing their ill grandmother?” she questioned in rapid succession.

“Whoa, wait a minute.” He laughed. “How can I answer your questions if you throw so many my way I can’t even keep them straight?”

“I’m glad you find this a matter to laugh about,” she exclaimed, feeling tears close at hand and not wanting to cry, “but I’m not at all amused.”

“I’m really sorry, Phiney. I guess because I know the situation, it doesn’t seem all that bleak to me. You’ll get used to it, too. It’s just a matter of adjustment and leaning on the Lord. The children are fine youngsters, and although the older ones are having a little trouble dealing with the deaths of their folks, they’re a big help.”

“Just what ages are the children?” she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

“Well, there’s Tessie; she’s twelve and the oldest. She has the prettiest mop of red ringlets hanging down her back, which, I might add, match her temper. She also has a bunch of freckles, which she detests, right across the bridge of her nose. She’s not very happy that I’m bringing you home to help out. She thinks she’s able to cope with the situation on her own, even though she knows her ma and pa wouldn’t want it that way. They’d want her to have time to be a little girl and get more schooling before she starts raising a family and taking care of a household. She’s had the most trouble dealing with the deaths of her parents. Then there’s Joshua; we call him Josh. He’s seven and all boy. A good helper, though, and minds real well. He misses his ma’s cooking and cheerfulness. I’ve tried to fill some of the gaps left by his pa. Then there’s Joseph. We call him Joey, and he just turned four. He follows Josh around and mimics everything his big brother does, or at least gives it a good try. He doesn’t understand death, but we’ve told him his folks are with Jesus, and he’ll see them again when he gets to heaven. I think he misses his ma most at bedtime. Then there are the twins, Nathan and Nettie. They’re eight months old now and quite a handful. I guess that just about sums up the situation,” he said, giving the horses a slap of the reins to move them up closer in line.

“Sums it up!”
Delphinia retorted. “That doesn’t even begin to
sum it up
.”

“Well,” he drawled, “why don’t you just ask me questions, and I’ll try to answer them…but one at a time,
please
.”

“All right, number one,” she began, with teeth clenched and eyes fixed straight ahead, “why did you tell my pa you needed someone to help with your children if they’re your brother’s children?”

“From the way you asked that question, Phiney, I’m sure you think I concocted a whole string of untruths, presented them to your pa, and he just swallowed it like a fish swallowing bait. Believe me, that’s not the way it was. He knew the truth. He knew the children weren’t mine. I wrote him a letter telling him of my need and explaining the urgency for a young woman to help out.”

“My pa can’t read,” she interrupted, sure she had caught him in a lie.

Leaning forward and resting his arms across his thighs in order to gain a look at her, he answered, “I know, Phiney. He had a friend of his, a Mr. Potter, read the letter to him and write to me. Mr. Potter started out the letter by telling me your pa could neither read nor write, but he was corresponding on his behalf.”

Delphinia knew what Jonathan said was probably the truth. After Mama had died, when there was anything he did not want her to know about, Pa would get Mr. Potter at the bank to help him.

Jonathan watched as Delphinia seemed to sift through what he had said. It was obvious her father had told her very little about the plan he had devised or the correspondence and agreement that had followed. Not one to keep secrets, Jonathan asked, “Is there anything else you want to know?”

“Yes,” she responded quietly. “Did you pay my pa for me?”

“No. That wasn’t the way of it. You’re not a slave or some kind of bonded person. I don’t own you.”

“But you did give him money, didn’t you?” she questioned.

“Well—”

“Did you or didn’t you give my pa money, Mr. Wilshire?” she determinedly inquired.

“There was money that exchanged hands, but not like I was buying you. He needed some financial help to get started with his prospecting and said he’d pay it back when he had a strike. I told him it wasn’t necessary. I guess if you had to liken it to something, it was more like a dowry…only in reverse.” Noting the shock that registered on her face at that remark, he continued, “ ’Course we’re not getting married so maybe that’s not a good way to explain.”

Delphinia could feel herself shrinking down, total humiliation taking over her whole being. How could her pa have done this to her? How could he think so little of her he would sell her to a total stranger? She was his flesh and blood…his only child. She had never felt so unloved and unwanted in her life.

She did not know how far they had come when she finally said, “Mr. Wilshire, please, would you explain how all of this happened to me?”

The question confirmed his earlier belief that her father had intentionally kept her uninformed. Her voice was so soft and sad, he couldn’t possibly deny the request.

“I’ll tell you what I know. Please understand, I won’t be speaking for your pa or why he made his decisions. Only the choices I made…and the reasons.”

When she did not respond but merely nodded her head, he continued. “Well now, I’ve told you about the deaths of my brother and his wife. I had come out to Kansas a year or so after them because Jake thought if I homesteaded the acreage next to his, we could work the land together. You know, help each other. I wanted to move West, and he thought it would give us an advantage. Sarah and Jake built their house near the western boundary of their land, so when I arrived, we constructed a cabin on the eastern boundary of my tract, allowing me to be nearby. We’d always been close, and we decided it would be good for both of us. And we were right. It has been good for all of us…or at least it was until now. Jake and Sarah brought Granny Dowd with them when they came West. Sarah’s pa was dead, and she didn’t want to leave her mother alone. Granny’s been a real wonder to all of us. What a worker! She was just like a little whirlwind, even when I came out here. Then about a year ago, she took ill and just hasn’t snapped back to her old self. She seems to rally for a while, but then she has to take to her bed again. She was always a big help to Sarah. I’m sure you’ll like her, Phiney. She loves the Lord, her grandchildren, and the West, in that order.” He smiled and glanced over at the dejected-looking figure jostling along beside him, hoping for some sort of response.

Finally, realizing he was not going to continue further, Delphinia looked over and was greeted by a slight smile and his blue eyes full of sympathy. “You needn’t look at me like you’re full of pity for me or my situation, Mr. Wilshire. After all, you’re the cause of this,” she criticized.

“I didn’t cause this, Miss Hughes,” he replied. “I merely responded to your pa’s ad in the newspaper.”
Why can’t this woman understand it was her father who was at fault?

“Ah yes, the newspaper advertisement. I’d like to hear about that,” she retorted, her face flushed not only from the rising sun but the subject under discussion.

“Well,” he fairly drawled, “it appears we’re getting ready to stop for the noon meal. I think we’d better finish this discussion after dinner when you’re not quite so hot under the collar. Besides, I don’t plan on discussin’ this in front of the Clausons,” he said as he pulled the team to a stop and jumped down.

He watched in absolute astonishment as she pushed away the arms he extended to assist her, lost her footing, and almost turned a complete somersault at his feet.

Looking up at him, her bonnet all cockeyed and her skirt clear to her knees, she defiantly stated, “I meant to do that.”

“I’m sure you did, Phiney. I’m sure you did.” He laughed as he began to walk toward the rear of the wagon to untie his mare.

“You could at least help me up,” she hollered after him.

Glancing over his shoulder, he grinned and remarked, “Why would you need my help? I thought you planned that whole performance!” She could hear him chuckling as he led his horse down to the small creek.

“Ooh, that man,” she mused, as she gathered herself up and proceeded to brush the dust from her dress and straighten her bonnet. “The Lord has a lot of work to do with him yet!”

Delphinia and Mrs. Clauson had just finished preparing the noon meal when Jonathan strode up to the older woman. “Phiney’s wanting to be alone and talk to me, Mrs. Clauson, so I thought we’d take our plates down by the creek and eat, if you don’t mind. I understand we’re going to be makin’ camp here since the Johnsons have a wagon wheel that needs repairing before we continue. It’s been agreed that this is a fine spot to spend the night. Besides, we’ve traveled a considerable ways, and the rest will do us all good.”

“I don’t mind at all. You two go on and have a chat. I can sure understand you wanting some time alone,” she said with a knowing grin.

Delphinia was positively glaring at him as he said, “Come along, Phiney. Let’s go down by the water.” He smiled, noting her feet appeared to have become rooted to the spot where she was standing. “I thought you wanted some answers, Phiney. Better come along. I may not have time later.”

She did not want to give in and let him have his way. It was childish of her to act peevish over such a little thing. Her mother had always told her to save her arguments for the important issues. Perhaps this was one of those times she should heed that advice. Besides, if she did not go, he might hold true to his word and not discuss the matter later. Picking up her plate and cup, she followed along, calling over her shoulder, “We’ll not be long.” Mrs. Clauson merely smiled and nodded.

Hurrying to catch up, Delphinia watched as her coffee sloshed out of the metal cup, dribbling onto her apron. “Don’t walk so fast. Your legs are longer than mine, and I can’t keep up,” she chided, angry that he once again had the last word.

“I’m sure that haughty little temper of yours gives you enough strength to keep up with anyone,” he retorted.

“You needn’t make unkind remarks, Mr. Wilshire,” she exclaimed.

“I needn’t make unkind remarks?”
he exploded. “I’ve been listening to your thoughtless insinuations and comments all morning, but when I point out that you’ve got quite a little temper, you call that an unkind remark. I’d find that funny if I weren’t so aggravated with you right now.” He plopped himself down in the shade and shoved a large forkful of beans into his mouth.

“You have control over my life, but don’t expect me to be happy about it. I’m not one to apologize unless I feel it’s in order, Mr. Wilshire. However, since I don’t know all that occurred between you and my pa, I will, just this once, offer my apology. Of course, I may withdraw it after I’ve heard all you have to say about this odious matter,” she informed him authoritatively.

“Odious? Well, that’s extremely considerate of you,
Miss Hughes
,” he responded, trying to keep the sarcasm from his voice but missing the mark.

Settling on the grass not far from him, she arranged her skirt and commanded, “You may now continue with your account of what occurred between you and my father, Jonathan.”

He was so startled she had called him Jonathan, that he didn’t even mind the fact that he had been given a direct order to speak. “I believe we left off when you asked about the newspaper advertisement,” he began.

She nodded in agreement, and he noticed she was again pressing the pleats in her skirt with the palm of her hand as he had observed on several other occasions.
Must be a nervous habit
, he decided to himself.