Chapter 21
Because the Nortons needed to be at the church early, Reverend Joshua suggested that Ivy and Cora accompany them, so they would already be inside and seated before the majority of the congregation arrived.
“That way,” he said, with a humorous glint in his eyes, “you won’t be pestered by introductions and explanations and can approach the service in a more contemplative state of mind. ”
So when Ivy entered the church with Cora, they had the place to themselves, aside from a few cowboy types in the back row, who she politely nodded at before moving on to the second pew on the right, where they’d been told to sit.
Brian joined them, sliding in from the opposite side to sit next to Cora, who gave her betrothed a sparkling smile.
While happy for the couple, with more poignancy than at such previous moments, Ivy couldn’t help envying their loving relationship.
Soon after, the Bellaires moved into the front pew, leaving plenty of space for the Nortons.
Ivy glanced around. The interior was commonplace, except for the beautiful stained-glass window—the centerpiece of the front wall, which Uncle Andre had designed and donated to celebrate Delia’s marriage to Reverend Joshua.
The colored light shining through the window adorned the wooden walls, floor, and pews with color.
A small cross stood on the altar next to a vase containing red roses and some blooms she didn’t recognize.
With a smile, she visualized how the new church currently being built under Uncle Andre’s auspices would seem grandiose in comparison. But this simple one had witnessed the rituals of life and death and sheltered the congregants of several generations. The very walls must be soaked with meaning.
Individuals, couples, and family groups trickled inside.
Sitting in the second pew in her new outfit and the hat that she’d selected from half a dozen Constance and Elsie had offered for her to choose from, and well aware of curious eyes upon her, Ivy didn’t feel contemplative at all.
It wasn’t that she feared meeting new people.
She just didn’t want so many of them focused on her.
In addition, Hank had regaled her with his sorry tales of wife hunting, which, while humorous, showed how few available young women lived in the area.
He told her to be prepared to receive attentions from men, shaking his head with mock chiding.
“Pretty, intelligent, educated, not too old—” he winked at Elsie “—not too young.”
Elsie had lifted her chin and pretended to sniff. But then she broke into giggles. At age seventeen, she was several years younger than Ivy and Cora and adamant that, although she adored the man, she wasn’t about to get married to Hank any time soon.
“Men of all ages and stations in life will come swarming like bees to honey. Not that we have many men of elevated station.” Hank paused, obviously thinking. “None that I can think of are bachelors or widowers.”
For a woman who’d had very little social life in New York and no interest from potential suitors, the idea of courtship daunted her. Ivy would have been more eager for male attention if she felt available, instead of taken. I’m not, she scolded. I’m free to be courted.
Being surrounded by her friends and for Cora to whisper the names of some of the people she’d heard stories about but had not yet met helped calm her mood. The front row was mostly empty. Rose and Andre took their places halfway leaving space on either side of them.
From the other side of the aisle, Elsie and Hank filed into their pew to sit on Brian’s other side. Some space remained between Ivy and the end of the pew, enough for two people, Constance and Dr. Angus, she surmised.
Elsie took a moment to peruse Ivy’s appearance. “That dress, if I do say so myself, looks stunning on you.” She clasped her hands together. “I’m glad we were able to finish it for today.”
Ivy glanced down at herself. She did feel her best and ruefully lamented that Torin wouldn’t be present to see her in all her glory.
When she looked across the aisle, she saw a plump, narrow-eyed woman, with graying brown hair, sitting next to a tall, thin man with a bulbous nose, gazing at her with a speculative expression.
She didn’t need Cora’s whisper to surmise they were the Cobbs.
She’d heard about the unpleasant mercantile owners.
The stuffed finch on the woman’s hat was the giveaway.
Elsie had complained of the woman’s penchant to adorn her hat with birds.
An attractive blonde in a fashionable blue gown took a seat at the piano in the far left front and carefully arranged her skirts.
“Elizabeth Sanders,” Cora leaned over to whisper.
She recalled the story of the Boston heiress who came to Sweetwater Springs to stay with friends and ended up marrying a cowboy. When Mrs. Sanders began playing, “There Is A fountain,” and Ivy listened with a critical ear. The woman played well, very well. But not as good as Katie.
A wave of missing her sister went through Ivy. She inhaled a deep breath, catching the faint perfume of the flower arrangement on the altar. In that moment, she resolved to invite Katie to Sweetwater Springs. Ivy could purchase the ticket from her savings.
Of course, she’d have to first talk to the Bellaires. But she surmised that one of Uncle Andre’s dearly held goals was to draw as many congenial and talented people to live here as he could contrive.
Ivy doubted Katie would have enough courage to leave home. But at least her sister would know she was welcome if she chose.
Ivy tried to compose her thoughts away from absent sisters and prospective suitors and into the appropriate contemplative state.
The Norton family, led by Reverend Norton holding his prayer book, promenaded up the aisle. Mary Norton, Joshua, Delia, and Micah headed into the right front pew next to the Bellaires. The baby had stayed home with Millianna.
The elder minister continued to the front and turned to face the congregation.
With his austere features and long white beard, Reverend Norton had the appearance of an Old Testament prophet or a pulpit pounder, but he really was a kind and caring man whose conversations she’d enjoyed this week.
He, Joshua, and Micah all had the same crystal blue eyes.
Idly, Ivy wondered if the boy would follow his father and grandfather into the ministry. The boy seemed to be too ebullient to become a preacher, although she was coming to learn the Nortons didn’t hold to the rigid ways of the clergy she’d known.
Reverend Norton looked down on them, taking a moment to let his gaze move through the room, seeming to let each person know he saw them. “Brethren and Sisters, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I greet you.”
When he announced the first hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Ivy couldn’t help but remember it was the first hymn she’d taught Jewel and remained the girl’s favorite. Pain stabbed her chest.
Before they could start singing, Reverend Norton looked toward the back of the church and smiled. “Welcome, friends.”
At first, amused by a minister actually stopping the service to welcome latecomers, Ivy didn’t turn to look. But then as the moment dragged on and more people turned, she grew curious enough to glance back.
To her utter shock and bemusement, Torin stood there, holding Jewel’s hand, a look of discomfort on his face.
With a gasp, Cora seized Ivy’s arm and squeezed.
Elsie let out a little squeal, and then clapped a hand over her mouth.
Sudden dizziness made Ivy lightheaded. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. Can it be? Are they here, or am I just imagining them because I’ve wanted it so?
Reverend Norton gestured toward them. “Torin and Jewel Rees, we’ve saved a place for you.”
His calling out their names made their presence real. He’s here. They’re here. Tears blurred her vision, and a sob threatened to burst forth.
Jewel saw her and pulled away from Torin. “Iv-ee.” She started an ungainly run forward.
After standing, Ivy moved into the aisle. Crouching, she held out her arms.
Jewel fell into the embrace. “We come ch-ush.”
“Yes, you have, you brave girl.” Ivy wrapped her arms around the child and inhaled the smell of her hair. “Come sit with me.”
Cora and the others moved to make more space.
Ivy backed into the pew and into the seat, taking Jewel with her. Glancing up, she smiled at Torin, letting him see from her expression how very proud she was of him for coming today.
His gaze swept over her, blue eyes filled with warmth and uncertainty, and then he flashed a smile, so tender and real he seemed to have become someone else entirely from the cold man she’d left in Three Bend Lake.
Even when she’d imagined him finding his way into town, she’d assumed he’d still be angry with her.
Reverend Norton gestured for Elizabeth Sanders to begin playing the hymn.
Ivy started singing with the congregation, and when belatedly Torin joined in, she listened to his fine baritone She leaned toward Jewel, who hadn’t quite caught on, too busy gazing at her father, so she sang the hymn near her ear, emphasizing each word.
“Lam!” The word came out, loud and out of key. The girl glanced up at Ivy with her crinkle-eyed smile.
Yes, Jewel! Keep going. Ivy nodded encouragement.
“Ev-r glad hart I amb.”
Even as Ivy sang, continuing to stress the words for the child, her heart filled. This is what she’d wanted for Jewel—participation in the community. She glanced up at Torin in wonder.
He’d lowered his voice and barely took his gaze from his daughter, pride in his expression.
This service is their beginning in Sweetwater Springs. For a moment, Ivy felt so humbly grateful to have helped lead them to this moment, this experience. She waited for Torin to look at her and share the connection. But his focus stayed on his daughter.
Then an insidious thought dimmed her pleasure. Did Torin come to town for me? Or only for Jewel?