October, 1880
Two weeks passed without an incident with Ray Moore. Leann and Ralph still could not bring themselves to tell Katy about her father. They told each other the time wasn't right. They discussed all possibilities, even taking Katy to visit with him, but decided against each one. Leann hoped and prayed Ray would go away like he did the last time, to leave them in peace, but she knew in her heart, he intended to stay. He would eventually take their daughter away, breaking Leann's heart into a million pieces. She stayed on pins and needles. If someone knocked on the door, she jumped. She kept a lookout for Ray around the house or on the road.
Ralph and the children tiptoed around her like she was made of glass, afraid to say or do anything to worry her. Ralph explained to the children the importance of not upsetting their mother in her condition. Each morning brought a new round of nausea and sickness. They all accepted the fact of her pregnancy. Having a baby on the way became more evident with each passing day. Her breasts became tender, her abdomen swollen, and she missed her monthly menses. Leann planned to visit Dr. Reynolds for an examination soon. Her prayers for the new baby came frequently and fervently. She prayed to carry the little one to full term.
On Monday morning, two weeks after the storm, Ralph announced he planned to go into town to buy feed. Leann decided she felt well enough to accompany him and select the feed sacks. He balked at first, saying she shouldn't be riding in the rough wagon in her condition, but she insisted. Ralph always chose loud, gaudy sacks without her help in the selection. The last ones he brought home couldn't be used for anything but dishrags or pillow cases. Men were terrible in picking out fabric. Ma said many times she could not trust Pa's taste. Her mother usually made quilt squares out of those Pa brought home or found some other way to use them beside for clothing.
When in town, Leann searched the face of every stranger. Ralph did the same. He noticed Mac Henry in the sheriff's office, so he left her in the General Store after making the necessary farm purchases and crossed the street to talk to Mac. Leann shopped for dry goods. She examined each bolt of fabric on hand. Mrs. Samuels stood by watching as Leann handled the material, telling her how pretty each pattern would look on Katy or on her. Mrs. Samuels, an attentive saleslady, didn't leave Leann's side for a minute. Wanting to decide on material for a maternity dress, she hoped the woman would let her shop in peace. She didn't care to share the purpose of her shopping with the lady proprietor.
Leann picked up a bolt of material and fingered a pretty green cotton fabric. She watched through the store's large window as Ralph left Mac's office on his way back to the General Store. Joan Smith rushed out on the porch of her hat shop located next door to the jail. She called to Ralph. He turned toward her, then made his way to the porch. Leann clutched the material.
Ralph removed his hat as he ascended the porch steps. They conversed for a short time, then Joan took a step towards him and reached out to place her hand on top of Ralph's. He made no move to remove his hand. Leann's face became hot and flushed with anger. She quickly put the bolt of material down on the table, thanked Mrs. Samuels for her help, and left the store. What could the brazen woman be thinking, to make such a public display of affection toward her husband? The whole town would be talking. This was too much. Something needed to be said to Joan.
Leann started across the street. Ralph saw her coming. He put on his hat, making Joan drop her hand and look for the cause of his action. Giving a slight bow to Joan and descending the stairs, Ralph met Leann in the middle of the street, took her arm, and led her to the wagon. With a hot face and tight lips, Leann's anger intensified with every step. Ralph helped her to the wagon seat. Their purchases had been loaded by Samuels' helper, so they were ready to leave. Leann forgot about purchasing new fabric. Ralph took his place beside her, took up the reins, and clucked to the horses. The wagon pulled out with a jerk. She didn't look back, but felt Joan's eyes boring into their backs.
They rode in silence. Leann wanted desperately to say something to Ralph, but pondered alternatives in her mind. She finally asked, "What did Joan want with you?"
"To tell me that she heard from Sonny." He stared straight ahead. A muscle twitched in his jaw. "Sonny said he'd be coming home soon, to visit with Ma. Didn't know exactly when, but soon. Then she said she was awful sorry to hear about Ma being sick. She would help in any way she could, just let her know."
Silence. Ralph made no excuses. Leann let his words sink in, and then asked herself if she were being unreasonable. Her anger began to subside. Her emotions, like the wagon, bounced all over the place. Maybe the gesture was an expression of sympathy. Why had she become so jealous all of a sudden? Her husband had never given her the slightest reason. He was faithful to her and their family. She trusted him, but had to admit, she did not trust Joan.
The wagon pulled into the yard. Ralph got down, went to her side, and helped her down. He wrapped his arms around her, and then gave her a lingering kiss. After returning his kiss, she buried her head into his chest. How she wished Sonny would marry Joan. They were suited for each other.
"Joan is my friend, Leann, and you are my wife. I would never do anything to hurt you or our family. You have to trust me in this." He stroked her hair.
"I know. I'm sorry. I trust you with all my heart. I just don't trust her."
Without saying anything more, he took her arm and led her to the front porch. "Go inside and rest for awhile. I need to get the wagon unloaded and the horses unhitched."
She went into the house, straight to the rocker, and sat down, exhausted. She had to get hold of her emotions. This pregnancy promised to be a hard one, she could tell.
Ralph told her later that Mac had not seen Ray around town. Katy had not reported another incident with a stranger. If she saw the man, she did not tell Leann, knowing how upset her mama would be.
The next morning, after the children left for school, Ralph told Leann he was going to visit his mother.
"You should stay home today. I'm using the wagon to take Pa some corn. He didn't have much of a crop this year, and a wagon ride two days in row may not be good for you." He took his water-stained, leather hat from the peg beside the door, pulling it low over his eyes, then pulled on his jacket.
"Give Katherine my love, and tell her I hope she feels better soon," Leann said, hurt that he didn't want her to go along.
He was right about the wagon ride, but they could take the buggy. Leann felt Ralph wanted to get away from her mood swings. She could hardly blame him.
"Do you want me to tell them about the baby?" he asked before walking out of the door.
"We aren't certain yet."
"I'll tell them you haven't seen Dr. Reynolds, but you're pretty sure."
"Okay. I just hate to tell, not knowing for certain. We could be very disappointed."
"I don't think we'll be disappointed by the way things are going with you. I'll be home in time for chores." He walked through the back door without kissing her goodbye.
In a short time, she heard the wagon leave the barnyard and head down the road. He didn't need to kiss her every time he left the house, but it would have certainly helped her feelings this morning if he had.
She brooded all day while doing the housework. Finally, she sat down on the rocker in the parlor and picked up her knitting. She worked on a pair of socks for Jim, then thought about knitting baby socks and booties. She would locate the delicate white thread needed for the baby's clothes when the socks for Jim were finished. The thread lay tucked away in a box under her bed. She may need to spin more. Ralph had the summer's wool and a small amount of cotton packed in sacks in the barn. The wool and cotton needed washing and carding before she could spin it. Making the baby clothes would keep her unwanted thoughts at bay and help her focus on the miracle of new life in their home.
Ralph returned home in time for the afternoon chores. She didn't see him until supper. He told the family at the table that Katherine had taken to her bed and seldom got up. Joe did most of the cooking, except when Clara Townsend helped out. His mother looked frail and thin. He hated to see her so sick.
Leann felt sympathy for her husband. She knew how seeing one's parent near death felt. Her father almost died from influenza and pneumonia the first winter of her marriage. He had a long, hard recovery and had never regained all his strength.
Leann rose from the table to begin cleaning the kitchen. Ralph took his plate to the sink and stood beside her.
"Did you tell them about the baby?" she asked.
"They already knew." He turned in her direction with a smile when she sighed. "Junior told them he heard in town. Mrs. Samuels told him last week."
His smile warmed her heart. "No wonder she acted so attentive when I was in the store. She was waiting for me to say something about being pregnant." Hopefully, the events with Joan were forgotten. She returned his smile. "I had better go visit Dr. Reynolds soon. Wouldn't it be terrible if I'm not pregnant? I would disappoint the whole town."
"They wouldn't be nearly as disappointed as me." Ralph turned toward her and she toward him. His eyes pooled dark with emotion.
Leann moved closer and placed her hand on his arm. Her heart filled with compassion for her dear husband. He needed assurance the Lord had forgiven him of a prideful heart and healed him completely.
"I'm certain I am." She smiled into his brown eyes. He put strong arms around her in a loving embrace, holding her close and tucking her head under his chin. She felt the beat of his heart and relished in his love.
***
On Friday of the same week, Leann cooked her family's favorite supper of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet peas, and buttermilk biscuits. They made quick work of the delicious food. Leann and Katy worked hard to keep Ralph and two growing boys well-fed.
Jesse looked up from his plate and swallowed the last bite of chicken. "Martin Springer ain't back in school yet."
"Isn't, Jesse," Leann corrected.
"Martin isn't back in school. Miss Bowden said Martin's still down with compliments from the mumps."
"Complications, Jesse," Katy said.
Ralph swallowed. "You two women leave Jesse alone and let him tell his story". Ralph nodded his head. "Go ahead, son. What about Martin?"
Jesse looked at his father then continued, "That's all, Papa. Martin's still sick."
Ralph put his fork down on the table and wiped his mouth. "I sure hate to hear the boy's still sick. I fully intended to take you to see Martin, but with everything that's been going on these past two weeks, I haven't had time, and to tell the truth, it skipped my mind."
During those two weeks, Ralph got the corn into the barn with the help of Pa, Tom and Stu. Most of the crop, except for the part used to feed the farm's livestock and the family, would later be sacked and shipped out on the Frisco Railroad to Sonny in St. Louis. Ralph fired the tobacco twice. The family picked the ripe apples and stored them in the cellar. Ralph and the boys ran some of the ripest fruit through a press to make apple cider. Leann and Katy made applesauce and apple butter.
"We'll be going to church on Sunday." Leann looked up from her plate and searched Ralph's face. "We can all go to visit Martin. Besides, you owe me a Sunday dinner at Mrs. McCall's."
The corners of his mouth lifted in a broad smile. "I guess you won't forget that Sunday dinner."
"No I won't. A promise is a promise," she said in her most emphatic voice.
"We'll make a day of it then, if you feel like it. But you're still getting sick every morning." The smile vanished as lines formed between his brows.
"The morning sickness doesn't last long. Some days are better than others, and I'll bet Sunday will be a good day."
"We'll have dinner in town after church, visit with Martin, and do a little fishing in the creek behind the boarding house." Ralph smiled like a kid at the thought of fishing. "I've wanted to go fishing ever since Pa told me about the fish he and Junior caught in the river."
"Sounds like a good idea to me." A day relaxing on the creek bank appealed to Leann.
"But I don't like to fish," Katy rose from the table to place her plate in the sink with a thud.
"You can take a good book to read, Katy. That's what I'll do," Leann said casting a glance at Ralph, whose smile turned to a frown.
"I guess we have to take a good bath and get a haircut then," Jim said on hearing the conversation about attending church. Leann was glad Jim changed the subject.
With a stern glance toward Katy, Ralph rose from the table and rumpled Jim's hair. "You bet we do. Those ears especially need a bath." He pulled one of the boy's ears, pretending to look inside.
"Stop, Papa. My ears aren't dirty."
Ralph laughed at both boys. Jesse had a sour look on his face at the thought of a bath and haircut.
"We men have to suffer a lot to stay handsome," Ralph told the two boys.
"I don't want to be handsome," Jesse said.
Leann and Katy joined Ralph in laughing at the boys. She rose from the table to clean the kitchen.
"Boys who love mud like you two, need a bath two or three times a week." Ralph delighted in fondly teasing his sons.
"I'd rather be washed off with rain water," Jim said.
"Me too," chimed Jesse.
The three laughed harder. Jim and Jesse sported sour expressions. Jim finally joined in the laughter with the family, and Jesse followed. The boys hated to be left out of a joke. Their laughter and joking helped ease the tensions the family experienced during the course of the past two weeks.