Chapter 21

 

Cora lay in bed, staring at the darkness but visualizing Aaron’s face when he walked toward her from the brush arbor. Never had he looked more appealing and handsome. His smile came alive with the joy reflected in his sparkling eyes.

He took her hands, his expression excited, his eyes wide and shining. He patted his chest. “I got a real light feelin’ in here. I reckon sin can be mighty heavy. I wish you’d gone with me.”

Aaron’s voice echoed in her mind until she turned to the side away from Eliza. If only she could block his words. She pressed against her ears, and still she heard him. Sin can be mighty heavy. Wish you’d gone with me. Well, she hadn’t, and she didn’t intend to. At least the week’s meetings were over now. Tomorrow Ben and Esther would be married. Only one more preaching service to go through in the morning.

She pulled the sheet up to her chin and closed her eyes. What she needed to think about was finding a husband for Ivy. As soon as she was taken care of, Aaron would be free to marry. There’d been new single men at the meetings. Maybe Ivy would find one of them suited her.

Cora let Ivy’s possible suitors parade through her mind until sleep overcame, and the morning’s light found way into her bedroom. She’d be with Aaron again today. The thought danced through her mind until she remembered. Would Aaron be different now? Surely not. Ben and Mother were the same as always. Of course, they’d been just fine before they’d been—what was it they called it? Born again. And that didn’t make any sense. The only difference was they prayed about everything now, and Mother was always reading her Bible. Ben probably did too. Cora smiled. Aaron couldn’t read, which meant she wouldn’t have to put up with that, at least.

At the Newkirk’s, Aaron took Cora’s hand and gave her a gentle smile. “You’re lookin’ pretty today.”

Her cheeks warmed with his praise. He wore a pure white shirt and dark pants. He’d never looked better. “Thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so spiffed up.”

He grinned and led her into the brush arbor. “Had to. Ben asked me to stand up with him today. Along with John. Said he wanted to keep it in the family.”

“I’m glad.” Maybe soon she and Aaron would have their own wedding. and then he’d really be in the Jackson family. She could scarcely wait.

Timothy Donovan took his place in front as he’d done each night of the meetings. “Stand with me if you will and sing All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.”

Cora stood with the others and sang, but her mind wasn’t on the words. Timothy Donovan, with his dark good looks, would make a wonderful husband for Ivy. He seemed so full of energy, waving his arm to the beat of the music. His smile covered the congregation, seeming to include everyone. Surely, Ivy would be drawn toward him. Of course, as contrary as Ivy was, if anyone suggested such a thing, she’d turn from him. But she could hope.

Reverend Copley was well into his sermon before Cora bothered to listen. She glanced at Aaron. He gazed at the pastor, probably following every word spoken. At least, Esther’s uncle didn’t speak long. When a couple of the women slipped away near the end of the service, he asked the others to stand for prayer. Cora stood but watched Mrs. Newkirk slip out to join the women who were hurrying to their wagons. There would be a dinner before the wedding. Why couldn’t she go out and help?

Bill Reid’s violin began playing, and Timothy’s voice carried the words to Rock of Ages until other voices blended in with his. Reverend Copley spoke over the singing. “Jesus will hide you in Him. Let the water and blood from His side flow over your soul. Let Him save you from wrath and make you pure. He’s here this morning, waiting for you.”

Cora stood beside Aaron and hugged her arms close against her body. A tremble started deep inside and moved throughout, but she held firm. She was a Christian. She didn’t need to be saved from wrath. What had she ever done that was so wrong? Why did the preacher continually badger people into going forward, making a spectacle of themselves? Aaron shouldn’t have gone last night. If anyone was good, he was. She hugged herself even tighter, ignoring the gentle whisper in her heart that she wasn’t without fault.

Aaron leaned toward her. “If you wanna go up there, I’ll go with you.”

Cora glanced toward the wagons. The women were walking back, their arms loaded. With food, no doubt. She shook her head. “I’m fine, Aaron.”

A man in the row ahead of them stepped out and walked forward. Cora cringed. Now the preacher would continue to call for more. But he didn’t. Maybe because of the dinner and the wedding afterward, but Reverend Copley held up his hand. “Would someone come and pray with this man?”

Mr. Newkirk and Mr. Sinclair met in front and knelt.

The minister stepped to the side away from them. “I’ve enjoyed this past week and appreciate your faithfulness in coming each night when the work at home might easily have kept you away. God will reward you. We’ve had several changed lives in this meeting. The long journey here with my family has been well worth it. Now we have a dinner and a wedding to attend. Bow with me as we pray, then feel free to mingle and visit.” He lowered his head. “Father God, draw us close to You. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Esther’s uncle turned and knelt with the three men and added his voice to theirs.

Cora breathed a sigh of relief. The meetings were over. There’d be no more. She wouldn’t have to endure being preached at, feeling guilty, and frightened for something that probably wasn’t even a threat. Why did preachers do this? Get people all stirred up for no reason. She took a deep breath and released the hold on her elbows, letting the tremble inside settle to little more than an uneasy feeling, which would soon go away.

She smiled at Aaron. “I should help Mother with the food we brought.”

“All right.” He slipped his fingers around hers and led her from the arbor. Already the day had grown warm with the sun bearing down. At least it was still early June and still cool enough they could enjoy the rest of the day.

After they ate, Cora was helping with clean up when Esther motioned her to the side. “Will you help me get ready at the house?”

“Of course.” Cora fell into step with her friend.

Esther held out her hand. “Look, Cora. It’s trembling.”

“What’s that from? Nervousness or fear?”

Esther gave a short laugh. “Probably both.”

Cora followed Esther into the house. “I can understand being nervous, but Ben loves you with all his heart. He’d never harm you.”

Esther’s cheeks grew rosy. “I’m not afraid of Ben. It’s the future, I think, that I fear.”

In the loft room, Cora helped Esther change into her soft, white silk dress. The long bell-shaped skirt was trimmed with a wide band of gathered lace near the bottom. The tight, fitted waist, sewn to the gathered skirt, ended in a vee in front. The sleeves, banded by matching gathered lace, reached barely past the elbows. The low rounded neckline had wide matching lace.

Cora let her hand slide over the soft silk. “Your dress is beautiful and so are you.”

“Thank you.” Esther turned toward the beveled mirror above her vanity. “We made it from a dress Ma had. Even back in Virginia, she didn’t have much cause to wear anything this fancy, so it’s hardly been worn. She said it’s traditional to wear something old.”

“Yes, it is.” Cora studied Esther’s face. She seemed happy. Her face glowed from the soft curve of her lips to the sparkle in her eyes. If she wasn’t afraid of Ben, then what? Did she think he would turn on her later? “Esther, I don’t understand why you fear the future.”

Esther turned from the mirror and faced Cora. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I love your brother very much, Cora. There are so many things we agree on. We want to stay as close to both our families as we can. It surely will be hard moving into the house with all of you, but I’m not sorry. This will be a wonderful chance to really get to know you.”

“Is that what you’re afraid of, living with us? I don’t understand why Ben hasn’t built his own cabin.” Cora’s brows drew together. “He should’ve done that before the wedding.”

Esther looked down at her hands clutched together in front. She shook her head. “I don’t know. We both feel our lives are going to change.”

Cora laughed. Esther seemed so serious, yet she talked nonsense. “Is that all? Of course your lives will change. Marriage makes a difference in a person’s life.”

Esther smiled and met Cora’s eyes. “That isn’t what I mean. God has been talking to us about a work He may have for us. We don’t know what it is or where it will be, but we’ve agreed to pray until we know what God wants. We may be moving away, Cora.”

Away? Mother would throw a fit. Or would she? Mother had changed. Ben had changed. Fear clutched Cora’s heart. She didn’t want her older brother to leave. What would she do without Ben?

She brushed Esther’s words away with a wave of her hand. “Oh, pooh, Esther. Of course, you aren’t going to move far. If God has a work for you, I’m sure it’ll be right here where you live.”

Esther’s mouth opened, but she didn’t speak. Her mother’s voice drifted up to the loft. “Girls, are you up there?”

“Yes, Ma, come on up.”

Mrs. Newkirk’s head appeared first. “Oh, wonderful, you girls are ready. It’s time, Esther.”

A smile chased Esther’s serious expression away, and she hurried to follow her mother back down the ladder.

Outside the sun warmed Cora’s head while her thoughts seem frozen in place by Esther’s confession. But she had no time to think of Ben leaving now. The brush arbor buzzed with a current of excitement, drawing the girls to the back opening. Mrs. Newkirk went in and took her seat in front while her husband joined their oldest daughter. Ben stood beside Reverend Copley, but Cora’s gaze rested on his best man. Aaron waited for her. He smiled and she envisioned him taking Ben’s place. If not for Ivy, they could be getting married today.

Cora started down the aisle first with Rebekah following. Aaron’s expressive blue eyes sent messages of love to her heart. If only this could be their wedding. She took her place and turned to watch Esther move forward toward Ben. She was beautiful. Her golden hair set off the halo of wildflowers and netting above her lovely face. Cora lifted her gaze beyond Esther to the waving green prairie grass and the line of cedar trees in the distance. Why would anyone want to leave here? A gentle, warm breeze ruffled Esther’s veil, bringing Cora’s attention back to the wedding.

Adoration poured from Ben’s expression as Esther walked toward him. Cora shifted her gaze to Aaron and met the love in his eyes. Her heart swelled and set up a steady beat of anticipation for their wedding. Please, let it be soon. Somehow, this problem with Ivy would be solved then it would be their wedding day.