His blue eyes dimmed. If there was any identifiable emotion in his drawn features, it was sorrow. “You deserve so much better than I can give you, Juliet. I wish—”
“Don’t!” She stepped into his space.
His eyes shuttered. “You are going back to England.”
He turned and began walking again. She wanted to scream at him, tell him no, she wasn’t going anywhere. But, truth was, what choice did she have…a woman alone in the wilds of the Colonies?
They climbed a high hill, five furlongs from the village, to a lovely farm with a large home possessing a broad view of the valley below and where every activity of the inhabitants of Blackberry Valley could be observed.
Shielding the house to the north from winter storms stood barns, bursting with hay. In the farmyard lay plows and harrows, folds of black-faced sheep and cows lowing in regular cadence, their udders full and waiting for evening milking. Under the sheltering eaves of a corn crib brimming with corn, a lordly turkey strutted and, secured in the lofts above, a cock crowed. Wheel ruts cut through the earth, marking a well-worn path up to the house with a horseblock. To the side were an overgrown garden, and a barrier of tall trees.
They paused on the threshold. Juliet stood behind Joshua, making a study of the tidy porch with carved seats, and farther to the end stood a colorful array of hollyhocks heavy with blossoms, like ladies waiting in line for a summer cotillion. Behind her followed the watchdog, patient, full of importance, waving his bushy tail and nudging her hand with his black nose. Juliet reached out and gave his ears a scratch. The dog whined in appreciation.
A sharp wind blew from the top of the mountain, wrestling with the trees and chilling her to the bone. To be left with the Bell family…complete strangers? Would they accept her…or treat her like Orpha and Horace Hayes had? She shuddered, smoothed her mud-caked skirts, and then fidgeted with her cuffs, her breathing accelerating. Would the Bells scorn her ragamuffin appearance? She had brought little from the fort. Two dresses and the cross around her neck.
“Papa, there’s someone on the porch,” said a child from inside the plank house, creating an uproar and peals of laughter. At the click of a latch Juliet straightened. The door swung open on well-oiled hinges. Her stomach churned.
“Caroline,” the man called over his shoulder. “Look who’s here.”
An attractive middle-aged woman very swollen with child, and with a two-year old toddler plastered on her hip scooted beside her husband. “Joshua! “This is a surprise for my sorry eyes. Come in.”
She smiled at Juliet, and then frowned at Joshua for his lack of introduction. “Welcome, I’m Caroline Bell.”
“I’m Juliet Farrow.” She cringed from the lie.
She pulled Juliet inside to where she was ushered to a chair by a fire, surrounded by a clamoring host of light-haired children, red-cheeked, and smiling with a chorus of infectious enthusiasm, introducing themselves so quickly she lost count. Eight, wasn’t it? She tried to remember their names from the youngest, Elias, then James, three years with his thumb stuck in his mouth, followed in age by Robin, Mary, Winnie, Suzanne, and Charity, up to the thirteen-year-old Thomas who stood proud like his father.
“What’s your name?” asked Robin.
“Can you play Nine Men’s Morris?” asked Thomas.
“Did you know Joshua is the best shot in the entire Colonies?” asked Suzanne.
“Where did you get your red hair?” asked Winnie, touching her hair.
Mary, a little brown-haired girl with crumbs on her face brought Juliet a half-eaten corn pone. “Thank you,” she said, taking a piece.
“Children, give our visitors space. Pardon all the questions. They are still learning manners.” Caroline grinned as she shooed her brood away.
“I hope you can stay and visit with us a spell.”
Joshua spoke up. “That’s why we’re here. I’ve a favor to ask and want to know if Juliet could stay with you here at the farm until I return.”
His words, so cold and callous…a chill ran up her spine.
The three-year-old boy, James, fell and bumped his head, delivering thunderous wails. Caroline dropped Elias in Juliet’s arms and picked up the older sibling, kissing and crooning away his hurts.
Caroline smiled genuinely at Juliet. “We would love to have you. It has been a long time without visitors and news, and I crave female companionship.”
Juliet’s heart stopped. To be welcomed after her horrible treatment at the Hayes’ home…and Joshua’s cold indifference…sent a wave of relief through her. Caroline’s immediate and friendly response laid her worst fears to rest. If she was to stay with someone, it would be the Bells. Their irresistible affection, acceptance and warmth overwhelmed Juliet. This precious family was love, smiles, joys, kisses and hugs.
Everything Juliet dreamed of.
A servant girl named Betsy served tankards of spiced cider. Warmed by the wide-mouthed fireplace, Juliet sat idly, Joshua next to her while the smaller Bell children regrouped and crawled up him, and rode on his knee.
Mr. Bell or James, she had learned sat in his elbow chair nonplussed by his brood’s noisy commotion. Juliet tightened her hold and pressed her cheek against the two-year-old boy’s soft blond curls. Sucking his thumb and making smacking noises, he peeked up at her with trusting eyes. He nestled his head against her neck until his head drooped with little pants of milk breath, asleep.
“Do you promise to go nutting with us tomorrow?” begged Suzanne.
