JAMES Read online

  An hour later, after a tour of the pantry and the expanded root cellar, they were ready to head back to the Finneys’. “You don’t have a kitchen garden?”

  “I don’t need one.” He motioned toward the pantry with a thumb. “Every Sunday several of the women—”

  “The single women?”

  He felt the heat of a blush in his face. “They bring baskets of what they call their extras. ‘Why,’” he mimicked a young female. “‘Papa, Mama and I can’t possibly eat all this by ourselves and it’s a sin to waste, isn’t it, Reverend?’ Every week. As if my throwing it out is somehow better.”

  “Poor Reverend Hathaway,” she teased.

  As he closed the front door, she grew quiet and looked up the hill toward the cemetery.

  “You’re welcome there anytime you wish to go.”

  He was so gentle and so perceptive.

  “I know. Shall we go?” She carried Robbie, who was alert after his feeding and watching her with eyes the color of the summer sky. James was loaded down with all manner of ingredients. “With those, I’ll be able to make the bread I told you about, and an apple pie and—”

  “Stop, don’t tell me anymore. I’ll just look forward to the reality of your culinary creations.”

  Esther laughed with him, then sobered. “James, do you know where I might find work? And a place to live? I can’t stay with the Finneys much longer. They’ve been so kind and generous, but I refuse to take advantage of their hospitality.”

  “You won’t have time to work while taking care of Robbie, will you?”

  “I don’t have a choice. I only have…” She decided to take the plunge and trust him. “I have a small amount of gold dust that I managed to hide from Claude. It isn’t much, but maybe I could get some credit at the mercantile.”

  “For your own needs, I’m sure the Meiers will oblige. But you will not spend your money caring for Robbie. He’s my son and I’ll support him. If I lived in a city, I’d have to pay for a nanny. Why shouldn’t you be paid for doing the same thing?”

  “What will your parishioners say?”

  “That you’re a very generous woman, taking on a stranger’s baby this way. That of course you should be paid a day’s wage for a day’s work.”

  Esther was taken back by his stern tone. “I don’t want to do anything to harm your reputation.”

  “You should have a care for your own, Mrs. Travers. I’ll look after myself.”

  Mrs. Travers? Obviously, she’d struck a nerve. Or perhaps not, as she spotted the group of people standing outside the bank watching them. He was guarding her reputation while she argued with him in public. How her mother would have scolded.

  “Would you like to meet them?” he asked quietly.

  Esther nodded and followed him to the group. As each person was introduced, they welcomed her to town and offered their condolences on her loss. When Robbie began to fuss, the women bid farewell with a promise to call on her after an appropriate period and herded their husbands away.

  “Everyone is so kind.”

  “They’re good people, just trying to make a life for themselves out here.”

  “It isn’t an easy place, is it?”

  James opened the Finneys’ front door. “No, but those who settle here aren’t looking for easy. They gain satisfaction from carving their place, from making a home, a town, from what is at hand.”

  “I once thought that’s what drove my husband, the need to make something with his own labor. I was sadly mistaken.”

  Doctor Finney met them in the hall, looking concerned. “You’d best take the boy somewhere else. We have influenza.”

  James ushered Esther back onto the porch with the doctor hovering in the doorway. “When?” Esther looked as worried as James felt.

  “Soon after you two left, one of Mrs. Masters’ boarders came over. He said he hasn’t been feeling well for a few days, but was anxious to get started on his future, as he put it. Figured he was just tired from traveling. He’s the one that came in last week with that wagon train and decided to stay on.”

  “A week ago? That means he’s had time to visit every business in town.”

  Doc nodded. “I think I’m the last.”

  “We just spoke with several couples and no one mentioned illness.”

  “Good. Maybe we can keep this thing contained. But I don’t think it’s safe for the baby to be here.”

  Esther quickly agreed. “But where can I take him if everyone has been exposed?”

  “The parsonage.”

  Both Esther and Doc stared at James. “I can’t stay with you.” “Good idea.”

  Esther turned her consternation on the doctor. “I cannot stay with a bachelor. Both our reputations will be ruined.”

  “There’s no place else but the Abel’s and they’ve only got a one room cabin.”

  “And three dogs,” James added before she could suggest going to the Abel’s. “Really, it makes sense. I’ll bed down in the church and you can stay in the cabin.”

  “It’ll only be for a week or two,” Doc reasoned.

  “Two?” Esther cried.

  “Until I’m sure the risk of infection is over.” He made as if to pat her shoulder but dropped his hand. “You have to think of the baby, Mrs. Travers.”

  Esther shrugged off his hand. “I know that, Doctor Finney, you don’t have to point it out. Here.” She handed a fussy Robbie to James. “I’ll gather our things.”

  “Everything’s on the back porch,” Doc led them around the south side of the house. “Ina wanted you safely out as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll start making soup and baking, so she doesn’t have to worry about that, too.”

  “She was hoping you’d say that.” When James caught up, the pile of items was larger than he’d expected. There was Robbie’s bassinet, full of his things, Esther’s satchel, and another bulging bundle and basket. “She gathered up most of what we have on hand, so you won’t have to go to the mercantile for several days. There’s also some ripe corn, tomatoes, onions, and those hot peppers James fancies, though I still haven’t developed a taste for them.”

  Esther stood there, staring at the pile. “Between this and Reverend Hathaway’s pantry and root cellar, I can probably feed the whole town for a month. We’ll need a wagon to move this mountain.”

  “I already sent Tad for Hank and his handcart. Everything will fit in there. I’ll have him deliver it to the parsonage.”

  James joined them on the porch. “Should I spread the news after I see Mrs. Travers and Robbie settled?”

  “Robbie, huh? That’s an excellent name. We’re going to miss having the little guy around. He really livens up the house.”

  “Especially at two in the morning,” Esther replied, her tone dry and teasing.

  Doc laughed. “True, the timing sometimes leaves something to be desired. But that will pass soon enough. You’d best get going. This little guy is going to do more than fuss before long. I’ll have Hank spread the word on his way to you. I’ve already sent Tad home with what was left of the soup and bread. Some vegetables, too. Mind you, come and pick what you need, but don’t come inside until I tell you it’s all right.”

  Esther picked up the bassinet. “I’ll bring you supper in a few hours.”

  “No need. Mrs. Abel dropped off a chicken as payment for treating his wrist. Ina already has it in the stew pot with carrots and beans, and she kept back the fixings for biscuits. We’ll be fine for a day or two.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Sunday morning dawned sunny and hot. James came in from the church by way of the well out back. In the days since Esther and Robbie had moved into the parsonage, they had worked out a routine. He slept on a pallet in the sanctuary until dawn. He bathed the best he could at the well, which Esther couldn’t see from the cabin because no windows faced that way. Donning the clothes he’d taken with him the night before, he’d then filled the buckets she left on the back porch, knock, and step into a family man
’s version of heaven.

  The scent of coffee and biscuits, or fresh bread, sometimes bacon frying, perfumed the air. Esther would be in the rocker with Robbie. A clean, dry, satisfied baby was more beautiful a sight than he’d ever imagined.

  She’d managed to make the cabin more of a home in a few days than he had in five years. A bed sheet hung in the corner nearest the stove, partitioning off the bed from the rest of the room. The hearth was the cleanest it had ever been, and bundles of herbs dripped from strings she’d hung up in the rafters.

  “Good morning,” he called before opening the door fully.

  “Morning. Come on in.” She wore her man’s pants and shirt, as she did most mornings. Her black dress was on a peg near the bed.

  “What smells so good in here?” Besides you.

  Esther dished up breakfast and joined him at the table. “Eat while it’s hot. You need to get to church before anyone arrives, don’t you?”

  He took her hand and gave thanks for the food, for her, for Robbie, and for those still suffering illness and worrying for loved ones. “Amen.” He picked up a forkful of egg and biscuit. “These are delicious.”

  “I found some dried dill weed in your pantry when I was organizing it yesterday. And I chopped up a bit of a hot pepper, too. You could plant some of the dill seeds as a hedgerow out back. It grows like, well, a weed.”

  He laughed. “Hence the name, I suppose. I’ve never thought of planting anything. I could, I suppose, though I always have more than enough.”

  “Your parishioners might not bring so much if they knew you were providing some for yourself, too.”

  “Are you scolding me, Mrs. Travers?”

  “I suppose I am, Reverend Hathaway.”

  They finished their meal in silence. “Thank you for the meal. It was truly wonderful.”

  “I’m glad you liked it. Now, shoo. I want to get ready for church.” She began washing the dishes. “I’m happy to play the hymns this morning, if you don’t think it would hurt Mrs. Abel’s feelings.”

  “With her husband laid up, I imagine she’ll have all she can handle out at their place.”

  “Then I’ll be over as soon as I can. I want to practice a bit before anyone else arrives.”

  James started to say she didn’t need to practice. She’d gone to the church each day since moving into the parsonage, giving him time alone with Robbie, and both times he heard the old pump organ singing sweetly through the open windows. She hadn’t exaggerated when she’d said she’d been taught to play. But if she wanted to come over early and play, he would just sit back and enjoy.

  She arrived barely twenty minutes after him, carrying Robbie, with his basinet over her other arm. “Here, let me get that.” She relinquished the basket, then the baby. James settled him near the organ then returned to the altar and his preparations for worship.

  At nine o’clock, the three of them waited for parishioners to arrive. At nine-thirty, James accepted the obvious. “Just the threat of influenza has completely decimated my flock.”

  “I’m not sure I blame them. We’ve already lost that boarder, Mr. Washington. No one wants to risk being infected by a neighbor while sitting in church.”

  “Perhaps I should hold the service outside.”

  “You could, you know. Have a worship service outside, I mean, to give thanks for healing. We could have a picnic, and everyone could bring something. Not today, of course, since it smells like rain, but after all this influenza is over. What? Why are you smiling?”

  “Because you’re already talking like someone who belongs here.”

  “I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

  “Not at all. Tell me more. I’m guessing you’ve done something similar before.”

  “Back in Louisiana. One time, after a bad storm had knocked down nearly half the houses in the parish, and damaged most of the church buildings, the pastors all got together and planned an outdoor service. Well, after all the wind blowing and houses falling on their heads, no one really wanted to be indoors anyway. Never mind, I’m being silly.”

  “No.” He took her by the shoulders and turned her toward him. “It’s a very good idea. I’m already planning in my mind.”

  “Reverend?”

  They turned toward the front door. “Tad. What are you doing here?”

  “It’s Mom. She’s bad sick. I’m scared.”

  James opened his arms and the boy careened into his embrace. “It’s all right to be scared, Tad. Just keep praying. Did you talk to Doc?”

  “Yeah, but its full to busting at Doc’s place. There ain’t room for Ma, he said.”

  “Did he say he’d look in on her?”

  Tad wadded his hat between his hands. “I don’t remember.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll come with you to check on her. Mrs. Travers,” he turned to Esther. “If you wouldn’t mind—”

  “I’ll see that everything is put away and closed up, Reverend. There’s soup from yesterday in the cellar. Take that and the half loaf of bread in the pantry. I’ll start more just as soon as I finish here. I promised to take some to the Finneys later.”

  He wanted to say something, but thank you seemed inadequate. In only a few days, she’d become a partner, of sorts. And, God help him, he liked it. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, though I may not come inside.”

  “What? Why wouldn’t you…” James watched understanding, then fear cross her expressive face. But it was the worry that warmed his heart. She was worried for him. “Be careful. Send Tad if you need anything.”

  She readied a piece of beef shoulder in the big cast iron pot, cleaned and chopped the carrots and potatoes she would add after searing the meat. Four loaves of bread were rising on the counter and still James wasn’t home. After another hour, Esther stopped looking out the door for him. Mrs. Porter must truly be ill. “What if James contracts it? What will I do?” She paced back to the sleeping baby. “I’ll take care of him,” she whispered to the infant. “You’re strong and healthy, and so am I. We won’t get that terrible influenza, will we?”

  “I’m glad to hear that, Mrs. Travers.”

  “Doctor Finney! I didn’t hear you come up the walk. How are you? How is Ina?”

  “I’m happy to report we’re both doing well, so far. No new cases today, though the threat isn’t over by a long shot.”

  “I thought Mrs. Porter had fallen ill.”

  “I just came from there. It isn’t influenza, thank the good Lord. Her problem is mostly exhaustion and malnutrition. The woman is far too proud for her own good. She won’t take charity, and that includes any offer of food. What food she manages to get goes to Tad.”

  Esther made a mental note to see that Tad took extra portions home regularly. If there was enough, Mrs. Porter wouldn’t want it to go to waste. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Ina will appreciate that. She’s talked to the woman until she’s blue in the face, but Geraldine won’t budge.” He rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. “Now then, where’s James?”

  “I thought he was at the Porters. He left with Tad nearly four hours ago.”

  “He’s not there now. Is he at the church?”

  “No. When no one arrived for services he went with Tad and I closed everything up. I thought it was going to rain.”

  “It is,” Doc assured. “Clouds are really building to the southwest. I came to give you some more vegetables. We won’t be able to eat all that Ina picked and, if this storm is as big as my old bones say it will be, it’ll beat down anything left in the garden.”

  Esther followed him outside. Once out of the shadow of the church, she could see the storm clouds boiling on the horizon. “Merciful heavens. I haven’t seen clouds like that since I left Louisiana.”

  “We won’t get a hurricane up here, but a twister is a possibility. Certainly there’ll be a lot of rain. Let me bring in extra firewood for you and make sure there’s nothing that can blow away out here.”

  “I can take care of it, Docto
r. Go home. I’m sure Ina could use your help.”

  In spite of her prompting, he carried in the vegetables and two loads of firewood before leaving with an apple cake. Esther changed and fed Robbie, but there was still no sign of James. “Where could Daddy be, Robbie?” She opened both doors to air out the cabin and carried the baby to the porch to enjoy the breeze for a few minutes.

  The storm was closer. The early afternoon sky took on the shadowy look of dusk. “He’d better be home in the next hour or he’s going to get a soaking.” Just in case, she put the baby on a blanket on the floor and found dry clothes for James. She poured water in the wash basin, the coffee pot and the soup pot, then refilled all the buckets at the well and brought them inside. Satisfied there was nothing in the back yard or around the church that might blow and cause damage, she went back inside to start supper and bake the bread. And wait for James.

  He blew through the front door on a burst of rain. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick. I mean, Robbie and I…”

  James put his hat on the small table by the door, took off his coat and shook the raindrops from it. “I’m sorry to worry you. I ran into one of our farmers heading home in a hurry to round up his cows and pigs. I rode along to give him some help, but the walk back took longer than I expected. At least I received a nice piece of fresh cheese for my trouble.”

  She took his coat and spread it across two chairs to dry. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. How’s Mrs. Porter?”

  He handed off the cheese and dropped into a chair to remove his wet boots. “She’ll be fine. It isn’t the flu, at least not yet. Once she realized how frightened her son was, she promised to rest and eat. I stayed until she’d finished an entire bowl of soup and two slices of bread with butter. The woman sacrifices too much for that boy.”

  “Doc came by with more vegetables. He’d been to see her and said the same thing.”

  “More vegetables? How much does Ina think we can eat?”