Threads of Love (8 page)

“Yes, my papoose,” Delphinia said, pointing to herself and to each of the twins while the Indians walked toward the babies, looking at them curiously. Then, reaching down, the spokesman picked up Nettie in one arm and Nathan in the other. He began bouncing the babies as he talked and laughed with his companions. Both infants were enthralled with the attention and were busy stuffing the Indian’s necklaces into their mouths.

Delphinia glanced at the older woman and knew she was becoming alarmed by the Indians’ interest in the babies. Forgetting her fear, she walked to the Indian and said, “My papoose,” and extended her arms. Grunting in agreement, the Indian passed the children to her, picked up a loaf of bread, held it in the air, and the three of them left the cabin without saying another word.

“Wow,” said Josh, coming from behind the bedroom door. “You sure were brave.”

“Yeah, brave,” mimicked Joey.

“I don’t know about brave,” Delphinia answered, “but they were making me terribly nervous, and I was afraid they’d walk out with more than a loaf of bread.”

Jonathan was just coming over from his cabin when he was met by Joey and Josh, both trying to give an account of everything that had happened, even though they had witnessed very little of the actual events.

“Slow down, you guys, or I’ll never be able to understand. Better yet, why don’t you let Granny or Phiney tell me what happened.”

Joint “ahs” emitted from both boys at that suggestion, and they plopped down on the bed with Granny as she began to tell Jonathan what had occurred.

“Seems you finally put that temper of yours to good use, Phiney,” Jonathan responded after hearing Granny’s account of what had happened.

“I what? Well, of all the—”

“Now, now, child,” Granny interrupted, “he’s just trying to get you riled up, and doing a mighty fine job of it, too, I might add. Pay him no mind. He’s as proud of you as the rest of us.”

“She’s right, Phiney. I should be thanking you instead of teasing. That was mighty brave of you, and we’re grateful, although I can’t say as I blame those Indians for wanting some of Granny’s bread. Those are some fine-looking loaves.”

“They’re not mine, Jonathan. I couldn’t begin to knead that bread the way I’ve been feeling. Delphinia’s baked all the bread around here for weeks now.”

“Well, I think Granny’s bread is much better, and so was Mama’s,” came Tessie’s response from the other side of the room. “I don’t know why you’re making such a big fuss. Those Indians weren’t going to hurt anyone. They were just curious about the twins and wanted a handout. She’s no big deal. We’ve had Indians in and out of this cabin before she ever came here.”

“You’re right, Tessie. I’m sure the Indians meant no harm, and I did nothing the rest of you wouldn’t have done. So let’s just forget it and get breakfast going. Tessie, if you’ll start coffee, I believe I’ll go to my room for a few minutes and freshen up.”

Once inside her room, Delphinia willed herself to stop shaking. Leaning against the closed door, her ghostlike reflection greeted her in the bureau mirror. Aware the family was waiting breakfast and not wanting to appear fainthearted, she pinched her cheeks, forced a smile on her face, and walked back to the kitchen, realizing she had been thanking God from the instant the Indians left the cabin until this moment. Immediately, she felt herself quit shivering, and a peaceful calm took the place of her fear.

Granny’s supplication at the morning meal was more eloquent than usual, and Jonathan was quick to add a hearty “amen” on several occasions throughout the prayer. Delphinia silently thanked God for the peace He had granted her. She was not aware until this day that some time ago she had quit praying for God to rescue her and had allowed laughter and joy to return to her life. It was not the same as when she had been at home with her parents, but a warmth and love of a new and special kind had slowly begun to grow in her heart.

A
utumn arrived, and the trees burst forth in glorious yellows, reds, and oranges. The rolling hills took on a new beauty, and Delphinia delighted in the changing season. The warm air belied the fact that winter would soon follow.

For several days Josh and Joey had been hard at work, gathering apples from the surrounding trees, stripping them of the tart, crisp fruit. An ample supply had been placed in the root cellar, and she and Granny had spent days drying the rest. Hoping she might find enough to make pies for dessert that evening, Delphinia had gone to the trees in the orchard behind the house. Once the basket was full, she started back toward the cabin, and when coming around the house, she noticed Pastor Martin riding toward her on his sorrel. Waving in recognition, he came directly to where she stood, dismounted, and joined her.

“I was hoping to catch you alone for a minute,” he commented as he walked beside her, leading the horse. “I’ve come to ask if you’d accompany me to the social next Friday evening,” he blurted, “unless you’re going with Jonathan…or has someone else already asked you?”

Before she could answer, Tessie came around the side of the house, a twin at each hand. “You’d better take him up on the offer, Phiney. Jonathan will be taking Katy McVay, and I doubt
you’ll
be getting any other invitations,” she said, a malicious smile crossing her face.

“I don’t know if I’ll be attending at all, Pastor Martin. I had quite forgotten about the party, and I’m not sure I can leave the family. Granny hasn’t been quite as good the last few days.”

“Really, Phiney. We’re not totally helpless, you know. We managed before you got here, and I’m sure we could manage for a few hours on Friday night,” came Tessie’s rebuttal.

Not sure whether she should thank Tessie for the offer to assist with the family or upbraid her for her rude intrusion, Delphinia invited the pastor to join her in the cabin, where they could discuss the matter further and gain Granny’s opinion.

Granny was always pleased to see Pastor Martin, and her face shone with immediate pleasure as he walked into the room. “I didn’t know you made calls this early in the day,” she called out in greeting.

Smiling, he sat in the chair beside the bed where she rested, and he took her hand. “Normally I don’t and only for very special occasions. I’ve come to ask Delphinia if she’d allow me to escort her to the social Friday night,” he answered, accepting the cup of coffee Delphinia offered.

“Well, I’d say that’s a pretty special event. What kind of answer did you give this young man, Delphinia?” she asked the embarrassed young woman.

“I haven’t answered him just yet, Granny. I didn’t think I should leave the children with you for that long. Tessie overheard the conversation and said she could help, but I wanted to talk it over with you first.”

“Why, we can manage long enough for you to have a little fun, Delphinia. Wouldn’t want you away too long, though. I’d miss your company and sweet face.”

Delphinia leaned down to place a light kiss on the older woman’s wrinkled cheek. “I love you, Granny,” she whispered.

“Does that mean you’ve accepted?” asked Tessie, coming from the doorway, where she had been standing out of sight and listening.

“Well…yes…I suppose it does,” she replied. “Pastor Martin, I’d be pleased to accompany you. What time should I be ready?”

“I’ll be here about seven, if that’s agreeable.”

Glancing over at Granny for affirmation and seeing her nod, Delphinia voiced her agreement.

Downing the remains of coffee in the stoneware cup, the young parson bid them farewell, explaining he needed to stop by the Aplingtons’ for a visit and get back to town before noon. Walking outside, Delphinia strolled along beside him until he had come even with his mare. “If you’re going to attend the social with me, Delphinia, I think it would be appropriate for you to call me George,” he stated and swung atop the animal, which was prancing, anxious to be allowed its rein.

“Fine, George,” she answered modestly, stepping back from the horse.

Smiling, he lightly kicked the mare in the sides and took off, reaching full gallop before he hit the main road, his arm waving in farewell.

Delphinia was standing in the same spot when Jonathan came up behind her and eyed the cloud of billowing dust down the road. Unable to identify the rider, he asked, “Who was that just leaving?”

“Jonathan, you frightened me. I didn’t hear you come up behind me,” she said, not answering his question.

“I’m sorry if I startled you. Who did you say that was, or is it a secret?”

“I didn’t say, but it’s not a secret. It was George…I mean, Pastor Martin.”

“Oh,
George
, is it? Since when are you and the parson on a first-name basis, Phiney?”

“Pastor Martin…George…has asked me to attend the social with him on Friday night,” she responded.

“You didn’t agree, did you?” His anger evident, the look on his face almost defied her to admit her acceptance.

“I checked with Granny. She found no fault in my going. I’ll make sure the twins and Joey are ready for bed before leaving, if that’s your concern.” Irritated by the tone he was taking, Delphinia turned and headed back toward the house, leaving him to stare after her.

“Just you wait a minute. I’m not through discussin’ this,” he called after her.

“You needn’t bellow. I didn’t realize we were having a discussion. I thought it was an inquisition,” she stated, continuing toward the house.
Why is he acting so hateful?
she wondered.
Jonathan knows George Martin is a good man. He should be pleased that such a nice man wants to keep company with me
.

“The problem is that I planned on taking you to the social, and here you’ve gone and promised to go with George,” he retorted.

Stopping short, she whirled around, almost colliding with him. “You planned on taking me? Well, just when were you going to tell me about it? This is the first time you’ve said one word about the social. Besides, Tessie said you were taking Katy McVay.”

“Tessie said what?” he nearly yelled at her. “Since when do you listen to what Tessie has to say?”

“Why wouldn’t I believe her? I’ve heard enough rumors that you and Katy are a match. She’s got her cap set for you, and from what I’ve been told, the feeling is mutual,” she retorted.

“Oh really? Well, I don’t pay much heed to the gossip that’s floating around. For your information, we are not a match. I’ve escorted Katy to a few functions, but that doesn’t make us betrothed or anything near it. If Tessie told you I invited Katy, she spoke out of turn. I’ve not asked anyone to the social because I planned on taking you.”

“I can’t read your mind, Jonathan. If you want me to know what you’re planning, next time you need to tell me,” she answered, his comments making her more certain that men were not to be trusted.

The kitchen was filled with an air of tension throughout the noon meal until Granny finally questioned Jonathan. Hearing his explanation, she let out a whoop and sided with Delphinia. “Just because she lives here doesn’t mean you can take her for granted,” she chided.

Feeling frustration with Granny’s lack of allegiance, Jonathan turned on Tessie, scolding her mightily for interfering.

“That’s enough, Jon. I know you’re upset, and the girl was wrong in telling an outright lie, but all your ranting and raving isn’t going to change the fact that the preacher is calling on Delphinia Friday night,” Granny resolutely stated.

Not willing to let the matter rest and hoping to aid Katy in her conquest, Tessie suggested Jonathan ride into town and invite her. “I’m sure she’ll not accept an invitation from anyone else,” she added as her final comment.

“Tessie, I would appreciate it if you would spend as much time performing chores as you do meddling in other people’s affairs. If you’d do that, the rest of us wouldn’t have to do a thing around here!” His face was reddened with anger as he pushed away from the table and left the house.

When Friday evening finally arrived, Granny made sure that Josh fetched water, and it was kept warm on the stove for Delphinia’s bath. After dinner, she ordered Jonathan to carry the metal tub into Delphinia’s room, then smiled to herself as Jonathan made a dash for his own cabin to prepare for the evening.

Scooting down in the tub, Delphinia let her head go completely underwater and, sliding back up, began to lather her hair. She rubbed in a small amount of the lavender oil that had belonged to her mother and finished washing herself. Never had she taken such care in preparing herself. She towel-dried her hair and pinned it on top of her head. An ivory ribbon surrounded the mass of curls except for a few short tendrils that escaped, framing her oval face. Her mother’s small, golden locket was at her neck, and she placed a tiny gold earring in each lobe.

She had decided upon wearing a deep blue dress that had belonged to her mother. Granny helped with the few necessary alterations, and it now fit beautifully. She slipped it over her head and fastened the tiny cover buttons that began at the scooped neckline and trailed to the waist. Slipping on her good shoes, she took one final look in the mirror and exited the bedroom.

Her entry into the living area was met with lusty approval from the boys. Granny beamed at the sight of her, and Tessie glared in distaste. Jonathan had gone to sit on the porch when he heard the raves from inside. Rising, he entered the house and was overcome by the sight he beheld. She was, without a doubt, the most glorious-looking creature he had ever seen. Noting the look on his face, Tessie stepped toward him. “Aren’t you leaving to pick up Katy, Uncle Jon?”