Healing of the Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel (Discerning God’s Best Book 4)

Chapter 31

August, 1873Teddy

Teddy dried the last breakfast dish. “Thank you, Katie, for the breakfast and good night’s sleep. Both have done wonders for my attitude. I must confess, I don’t care to sit in anything that moves more than a rocking chair for a good long while.”

Katie wiped the counter. “Try months on a ship. I’ll not be doing that again.”

Teddy placed her folded towel alongside Katie’s. “When did the men leave this morning?”

“Before first light. Hans fixed your husband and son ham and biscuits, so they’ll be fine until we bring lunch. Care for a tour of your new home?”

“Do you have the time?” Teddy asked.

“Of course. I’ve no boarders and no orphans either. Speaking of which, I spoke to the magistrate before breakfast. He wants to speak with Agnes, but that can wait. Ready?”

Teddy’s nerves were already frayed at the ends. The thought of losing Agnes was nearly her undoing. Help me, Lord, not only with sweet Agnes but also help me be grateful for whatever You have provided for us here in our new home.

Teddy reached her hand down to Agnes, who sat on the floor petting Marmalade. “Leave the cat be. Mrs. Korhonen is taking us to see our new home.” Teddy’s stomach lurched. Let it be so, Lord. If she has no family, please let her stay with us.

They walked back down the main street toward the livery at the opposite end of town. Agnes waved, and Teddy turned to see Moses shoeing a horse.

Katie stopped. “Here it is.”

Teddy looked at the single-story building. A red gingham curtain blew in the breeze of the open window, which was surrounded by freshly sanded wood painted a deep brown. A red cross painted on a matching wooden sign swung in the breeze. The light creak it made was a homey sound.

Katie pushed the door into a large open area with several chairs and a small settee on gleaming wooden floors. “The Ladies Auxiliary cleaned. I hope it’s to your satisfaction. There are three rooms down that hall on the left. The back door opens at the end, giving a nice cross breeze when needed. And this is the kitchen, if you can call it that.” She pointed to a gas stove, small table, and ample counter and cabinet spaces.

God had provided the space she had requested, but she wouldn’t be entertaining much. “I’m thankful for the gas stove.”

“Good for boiling water, at least. Now, out back, you’ll find a nice clothesline, though Doc Crosby didn’t use it. His wife sent all their sheets and towels and such to the laundry down the row.”

Teddy stepped out the back, Agnes on her heels. A large tree shaded the area and would make a lovely place for a rope swing for the children.

Katie shut the door. “I hope it will be sufficient for your needs. Now let me show you the house.”

Teddy stumbled over a root. “The house?”

“Of course. That was the clinic. The doc they built it for was single, so he lived and worked there. Doc Crosby and his wife had a little home just down there.”

Teddy followed the woman’s finger down the row of trees along the backs of the Main Street buildings.

Katie swatted at a bug. “Mr. Shankel, he dreams big. Real big. He designed the orphanage and donated the land. It should be finished next month. Here we are.”

Teddy stared at a two-story house with a large front porch. “This is ours?”

“Like I said, he dreams big. Doc Crosby’s house had one bedroom.”

“Well, it certainly is bigger than any of my dreams.”

Katie offered her hand to Agnes. “Come see the backyard. There’s a swing.”

“Can I, Mama?”

Teddy nodded and took the two wide steps up to the front door. All the windows were open, and she heard multiple voices inside. She peeked in and felt the tears prick.

To her right, a braided rag rug of blue covered the darkly stained wooden floors. The parlor reminded her of the boarding house, complete with a fireplace. A spark of joy filled her at the thought of hosting game night with new friends and neighbors.

On the opposite side of the hall was the library and, evidently, Thomas’s study, by the looks of the sturdy desk at one end. Crates of Thomas’s books lay unopened near the window. Dark blue draperies danced in the breeze, creating an invitation to sit in the leather chairs and gaze out the windows while enjoying a lovely fire.

Overhead, a railing encircled the interior of the house, letting the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling cast light on both levels. Teddy wiped at her eyes and caught a glimpse of David running up the stairs, his heels echoing in the hall around him.

“There you are.” Thomas rounded the corner. “I had the same reaction.”

He rubbed his thumb over her cheek. Teddy began to shake, and Thomas pulled her into his chest. She felt his beating heart in time with hers and heard his soft shushes in her hair. His breath was warm on her skin and penetrated to her soul.

His hand moved over her back as he spoke. “God has given us more than I could have ever imagined. I thought we’d be living in the clinic until I was able to build something for us.”

Teddy giggled and stepped back. “I thought the same and would have gladly lived there. With you,” she added and lifted her gaze to Thomas’s questioning eyes.

He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “My thumb was dirtier than I thought.” He handed it to her and pointed. “Indoor plumbing. Praise the Lord. Philadelphia spoiled me with that.”

“Thank you.” She stepped into the small room with only a toilet and sink. Whoever had thought of putting a lavatory on the first floor?

Thomas offered his arm when she returned. “Come see the kitchen. I promise my mother had nothing to do with the design.”

The walls were covered in a paper of light yellow with blue flowers. It would always remind her of her wedding day. A sigh escaped her as she watched the blue valances with yellow grosgrain ribbon at the hems flit in the breeze over the large cast iron sink. The polished wooden countertops and large butcher’s block seemed to go on forever.

“David was in charge of unloading the box for the pantry, so you may need to do some reorganizing.”

Teddy stepped inside the four walls and marveled at the space still available.

Thomas took her hand. “This is my favorite feature. Here, step back.”

Teddy watched as he rolled up a four-by-six rag rug and placed it under the pantry’s bottom shelf. He placed his hand in an indention and lifted to reveal an underground room. “What in the world is that? Please tell me it’s not for Indian raids.”

Thomas laughed as he descended the ladder. “You’re safe here. Gather your skirts. I’ll help you down.”

Teddy’s curiosity mixed with apprehension and intrigue. She scanned her surroundings with intent despite the fear fluttering in her chest. She couldn’t resist the pull of curiosity driving her forward even when every instinct screamed at her to retreat.

She bunched her skirt in the front with one hand and used the other to steady herself on the rungs of the ladder. The heat of Thomas’s hand hovering at her back felt like fire compared to the coolness of the underground room. She turned to find Thomas had not backed away.

She could not see his expression, but the whites of his eyes shone in the light coming down from above. They appeared to grow larger, and she felt his breath on her face.

“Mrs. Shankel, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

She lifted her hands to his chest to push him away, but he stepped closer, pinning them against his shirt. “Dr. Shankel, it’s pitch black down here. I could be an old hag, and you’d never know it.”

“Oh, I’d know.”

His hand snaked around her waist, and she struggled to take a full breath. The absence of light, being confined, and his hold on her pulled her into a different kind of darkness. Her body shook.

Thomas stepped back but did not let go. “I will never intentionally hurt you, Teddy.”

“I know. I’m so sorry.” Her eyes had adjusted to the dimness, and she saw pain in Thomas’s eyes. She lifted a hand to his face and felt wetness on his cheek. “It isn’t you. I think it is being caught unaware. Give me time, and let me come to you on my terms. Please?”

He nodded, then took her hand from his face and kissed her palm.

A different type of shiver ran up her spine.

Footsteps sounded overhead. “Hey, that’s really neat.” David descended the ladder, making the space more crowded, but Teddy didn’t feel the anxiety she’d felt moments before. “What is all this?”

Thomas pulled Teddy to the center of the room. “Root cellar. Good for keeping things cool in the summer and from freezing in the winter.”

Teddy lifted a lid off a small box. She reached her hand into the sawdust. “Eggs? Thomas, where did these come from?”

“The townsfolk. It’s their idea of a welcoming gift.”

David pushed past them. “I see light.”

“That would be the outside entrance.”

Teddy marveled at the thoughtfulness. They must truly love Thomas. He had been right to come home. She only hoped she would measure up to their expectations.

“Yoo-hoo,” a shrill voice called. “The wedding isn’t until tomorrow. Do you need a chaperone?”

Teddy blushed, and David pushed past them once again.

“Nah, they’re looking at all the food down there. It’ll last weeks.”

Teddy laughed and allowed Thomas to ascend, then help her up before he closed the door and replaced the rug. “David, those had better last months, not weeks.” She turned to the heavyset woman. “Pardon my manners. I’m Teddy.”

The woman pulled her into a fierce hug. Teddy shot a look at Thomas, but he lifted his hand and scooted around the woman, taking David with him.

“We’re so pleased to have you here. I’m Magistrate Bill Marley’s wife, Wilamena. You can call me Mena. My husband is speaking with that sweet child of yours. Agnes, is it? She’s just a doll. Pity her circumstances. Left an orphan from the yellow fever, moved to live with her aunt, who died of consumption. Says she walked for days before climbing aboard that train to sleep. Next thing she knew, she was in Missouri.”

The woman had garnered more information from Agnes in a few moments than they had in the entire trip. Teddy and Thomas had both questioned the child, but she’d always retreated, unwilling to share.

“My husband and yours will get to the bottom of this. Thank the Lord you took the child in.” The woman shook her head as if it was a tragedy.

To Teddy, Agnes was pure joy.

The woman continued, “Have you seen your garden? I personally oversaw every detail. We expected you sooner and wanted to ensure your garden was started. When you were delayed, it became a community garden of sorts and has been a blessing to many. Until word gets out, you may find a few things missing here and there, so check your supply before starting your supper, or you’ll have pepper steak on rice without the peppers.”

Teddy walked as if in a daze, trying to keep up with the onslaught of words.

“We got a little heavy-handed on the tomatoes, but if you can, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy in the coming days. Green peppers, like I said. That there light green starburst is a pattypan squash. My husband loves those. If you need a recipe, I’ve got just the one for a growing family like yours.”

Teddy took in the cucumbers, several types of beans, okra, and a few cantaloupes. The garden was larger than the house. When would she ever find time to weed it, let alone can, dry, and cook everything?

“Now, like I said, if you’re willing to share, the orphanage will need to be stocked. Mrs. Kilpatrick and her girls offered to help with canning, and there are others from the Auxiliary who will do the same.”

Teddy hoped the ladies’ group was a large one with hardworking women.

“Don’t you go feeling overwhelmed by it all. And if it spoils, well, there’s the goats and hogs to feed. And who is this striking young man?”

David approached, wide-eyed, at the woman’s words.

“This is our son, David. David, this is Mrs. Marley, the magistrate’s wife.” Teddy gave the boy a nudge.

He bowed slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” David turned to Teddy. “Dad needs your help deciding which wall to put the bed on.”

“Thank you. Mena, it has been delightful chatting with you. Perhaps I’ll see you in service tomorrow?”

“And the wedding. Don’t forget the wedding.”

The woman’s chuckles followed Teddy all the way into the house. The wedding. How could she forget?