Dawn’s stomach fluttered as Jacob’s hand slipped from hers and he left her with a grin. She sucked in a breath to steady herself before she turned to the kind woman who opened her home to them and took Mary’s hand. Growing all around the cabin were flowers of all sizes and colors, including varieties from all over the world. There were some Dawn had never laid eyes upon but had only read about. “Your home is exquisite. How have you managed to grow all of these?”
“My adoptive mother loved flowers. When they moved west, she told her husband she would only come if she could bring her flowers with her. She brought every seed and bulb she could salvage and purchased additional ones, bartering with items from their home they would never need again. Along the journey, she gathered even more. Even so, when we would go foraging, she was always searching and adding.”
“Incredible,” Dawn breathed, her cheeks aching for how wide she was smiling. They followed the woman into the main room of a cabin that was no different on the inside than the outside. It was filled with little frillies and lace embroidered with colorful flowers. Knitted blankets and shawls were draped over nearly every piece of furniture. Jars of flowers sat on the table and counters and side tables.
The woman must have followed the sweep of Dawn’s eye and noted her mouth unabashedly hanging open in awe. “In the winter, I cannot garden and prune, so I need another income, as well as something to do with my hands.” She held up her hands for them to see. “God seemed to make me where I cannot sit still for much more than a minute. Even when I pray or read my Bible, I will pace about this floor.”
Was talking ceaselessly another quality God blessed her with, or was it simply that she was glad for the company? What a blessing it would be to have this woman’s boundless energy.
“I have always found it good to keep busy,” Dawn agreed. Though, often, hers had not been by choice. When not forced to by her stepparents, Dawn had sought busyness as a way to distract herself from the pain of her circumstances.
“Are you hungry? Thirsty? Have a seat.” The woman gestured toward the table.
“We are well.” Dawn pulled out a seat for Mary, then for herself.
“One can always eat.” She poured a couple cups of water from a pitcher and set them on the table before them, then went back to the counter where she fetched a partial loaf of bread from the basket and a couple of plates. She cut two slices, placed them on the plates, and handed them over as well. Then she was off again, whirling over to a place in the floorboards where she lifted a hatch. In what must have been a small root cellar, she withdrew another bit of food which she took over to the counter and sliced. When she added it to their plates, Dawn’s eyes widened. “Cheese?”
The woman nodded, her smile ever-present. “Goat cheese.”
Dawn gingerly picked up the delicacy and placed it atop her bread before taking a bite. She closed her eyes and savored the unexpected and delightful flavor. She had not consumed even the tiniest morsel of cheese in years.
While they waited for Jacob, the woman flitted about, preparing another plate and cup. “This is just a bit to tide you over until mealtime. I will prepare you a hearty meal this evening to sustain you for your travels tomorrow. You did say you were only staying for the night, correct? Of course, it is perfectly acceptable if you need to stay longer. My home is open to you for as long as you need.”
Dawn could not help the chuckle that escaped. “We only have need for the night. Then we will continue on to Bryan’s Station.”
The woman froze then and turned toward her. This time, the smile was gone from her face. “It is not safe up there.”
The joy slipped from Dawn. They had no choice but to go. But how could she explain that without telling the truth, without explaining that they had lied? For the moment, she would simply keep quiet and perhaps, Jacob could lend some support in a moment.
When he cracked the door open and broke the tension that had coiled in his absence, it took a measure of restraint to keep herself from going to him. Instead, she pulled out the chair beside her with a smile. “Mrs…” Suddenly, Dawn realized she had yet to ask the woman’s name.
“Jenkins,” the woman supplied. “But it is only ‘Miss.’ I never married.”
“Miss Jenkins has prepared some bread and cheese for us.”
“Cheese?” His voice held the same awe as hers had.
“Yes. From my goats. Your wife says you are traveling to Bryan’s Station?” There was no judgment in the woman’s voice, only…fear? Had she lost someone in the Indian raids? Was that the reason for her caution?
“Yes. We are traveling to meet family.” Jacob’s hand slipped under the table to envelope her stump. It never seemed to bother him to touch it, as though it were as natural as holding her hand. And thankfully, he was also blessed with quick wit.
“Oh. Yes. Well, I understand the need to be near family.” She nodded as she continued to concentrate on her task at hand. “It was dangerous for my own parents when they came west. But the tensions are high to the north. There have been attacks. I…I do not mean to scare you or to alter your plans. I only want you to be aware before you head on.”
Jacob’s grip tightened, as though to reassure her. “We appreciate your caution. But I do believe we will continue with our plans. We cannot begin to express how much we appreciate your hospitality as well. Not everyone was as welcoming.”
Miss Jenkins turned to them with her warm smile back in place. “I can imagine so. Many people fear that which is different. That is why I always try to keep an open heart and an open mind, as my mother taught me. And if you still plan to travel on, then I must get to preparing that hearty meal for you.”
“Let me help you.” Dawn placed her hand atop Jacob’s. His skin was so warm and reassuring. She held onto that feeling as she slipped from her seat and went over to the counter to help Miss Jenkins. They would need one another over the next days.
CHAPTER 11
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
LEVITICUS 26:4
July 4, 1782
Between Richmond and Bryan’s Station
