Ruth slid the drapes aside and glanced at the sundrenched landscape of faded grass the color of hay. The row of poplar trees along the narrow dirt road displayed an array of orange and golden leaves. It was a beautiful day for a long walk, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave the house.
What if Josiah came by? Granted, she wouldn’t agree to see him, but she couldn’t help wondering what he was doing and thinking. Was he hurting as much as she? Or had he moved on with his life?
She sighed, leaning her forehead against the glass. It had been two whole days since she’d seen him. With her heart shattered, there were moments when her chest felt so heavy she could hardly breathe.
“Ruth, that’s the third time thee has looked out the window in the past hour,” her mother said. “If thee has changed thy mind, why not send Caleb to Josiah Wall with a letter?”
“I don’t wanna get in the middle of their lover’s quarrel.” Caleb wrinkled his nose and eyebrows, his blue eyes glaring at her. “Besides I promised Father I’d finish mending the fence we started the other day.”
“I haven’t changed my mind,” Ruth said, dropping the drapes. “I need another project to keep me occupied.”
“Well don’t include me in any more of thy projects,” Naomi said. “My arms are sore from scrubbing the floors yesterday.” Her sister crossed her arms and rubbed them, her brown eyes surveying Ruth. “I’ve told thee before Josiah Wall loves thee. How can thee doubt him after all these years?” Her blond curls bounced as she shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t understand.”
“Well at fifteen I don’t expect thee to understand. I love Josiah Wall, but he doesn’t love me like a wife. He’s in denial. I’d be selfish if I allowed him to wed me under such a falsehood, especially now that I’ve come to realize it.” Her voice choked as tears pooled in her eyes. Ruth turned away, hating how her heart squeezed at the mention of him.
“I’m only three years younger than thee,” Naomi said. “Old enough to judge Josiah’s character. I don’t understand why thee insists on torturing thyself this way.”
“Girls are so strange,” Caleb said, walking across the hardwood floor. “I’d rather be outside working.”
“The attic hasn’t been cleaned out in a while.” Her mother’s gentle voice echoed across the living room.
Wiping a few stray tears, Ruth nodded. “A good idea. I’ll see to it.”
Ruth climbed the stairs and walked down the long hallway to the half-size door at the end. She turned the brass knob. It creaked, and the bolt slid from its hold, allowing her to swing the door open. She peered into the dark hole, lifting the lantern to reveal a steep incline of narrow steps.
Gathering her skirts, Ruth ducked then plowed up the stairs. She came to a small room lit by only one rectangular window. It had been ages since she was here. She hoped no rats, bats, or spiders showed themselves. A rare shiver passed through her spine.
She shoved a hand on her hip and strode to the center of the attic, and then ducking her head, turned full circle. Dust littered all the boxes, discarded toys, and old furniture. Her gaze landed on two cedar chests by the window.
She bent to her knees in front of the large one and lifted the lid. The hinges groaned as they locked in place. A brown leather Bible lay on top of several quilts. The volume was so large and heavy she had to use both hands to lift it. She remembered seeing it years ago; her mother had since relied on a more recent Bible that was smaller and easier to carry.
Ruth hauled the book onto her lap and flipped open the cover to the inside. Various messages had been written in slanted cursive, along with a list of names in the Payne family, and dates extending back to the late 1600s to Sussex, England.
She sat on the floor so long reading her family history that her tailbone began to ache. She shifted to the side to ease her discomfort and caused the Bible to slide off her lap and thump to the floor. The edge of a piece of paper slipped out from the middle.
Ruth dug her fingers in the spot and shoved the stack of pages to the other side. She unfolded the thick brown paper, a handwritten recipe for gingerbread that required a measure of molasses, sour milk, vegetable oil, wheat flour, a dash of salt, and a tablespoon of ginger.
How long had this recipe been in her family? Ruth scraped her teeth over her bottom lip as she pondered what to do with it. The original was too important to remove from the family Bible. She would copy it, and if she had time, try it out this evening.
“Josiah!” Caleb called from below the attic window. “Wanna go fishing?”
Ruth paused, realizing Josiah must be walking toward the house. She leaned over the chest and scrambled to her knees to look outside. The lid slammed on her fingers where she gripped it for support. She yelped and bounced back. Her head slammed against a low beam. Pain sliced across her left temple as her legs crumbled beneath her. The voices below faded with her sight.
Josiah glanced up at the sound of a woman’s scream. “Who was that?” He looked to Caleb for an answer.
“With two sisters in the house, there’s no telling. One of them may have found a spider.” Caleb shrugged, his mouth twisting in a grin as he followed Josiah’s gaze.
“Caleb!” His mother hurried out of the house, clutching a cream-colored shawl. She breathed heavily, trying to catch her breath. “Go fetch the doctor. Ruth has taken a terrible fall and is unconscious.”
The lad’s blue eyes widened as he gulped.
“Go! Hurry!” Elizabeth Payne waved him away, her brows wrinkled in worry.
“Is there something I can do?” Josiah asked. He wanted to go see Ruth for himself, but he managed to keep his feet planted out of respect for her mother.
“I thank thee, Josiah Wall. Please, go find her father and her brother Elijah. I believe they are out in the pumpkin patch, loading a wagon for market.”
She disappeared back into the house, where he assumed Naomi attended Ruth. Josiah ran past the swing on the oak tree to where orange pumpkins grew in long rows. The Payne’s wooden wagon was half full from the harvest of four rows.
Over an hour later, Josiah paced the living room floor, his boots clicking a steady rhythm. He hoped they didn’t kick him out, but he couldn’t be still. His gut twisted in agonizing knots as he waited for news—any news. Voices echoed from upstairs, but he couldn’t hear what they said. He rubbed his hand through his hair. His hat was somewhere around here. He was always losing the thing.
Footsteps sounded on the front porch. He rushed to open the door. Dr. Edwards, carrying a black bag, removed his hat. His plump form almost hid Caleb.
“Where are they?” Dr. Edwards asked, his brown eyes searching Josiah’s.
“Upstairs.” Josiah nodded toward the steps in the foyer, and the doctor rushed past him.
“Is she awake, yet?” Caleb asked.
“I haven’t heard her voice.” Josiah shook his head. “This is pure torture.” He bit the knuckles of his fist as he paced the floor again. A discarded sewing basket lay on the couch with a threaded needle stuck in a shirt. He wondered if the work belonged to Ruth.
More footsteps sounded on the stairs. Josiah whirled and hurried to the foyer. Naomi followed her elder brother, Elijah. Grim expressions marred their faces.
“Mother asked me to offer thee some tea or coffee,” Naomi said, looking up at Josiah. “I’m about to make a cup of coffee for Dr. Edwards.”
“Has she awakened?” Josiah asked.
Naomi nodded, her eyes focused on the floor as she gripped her hands in front of her. Why wasn’t she more happy? Why did she look so uncomfortable?
Behind him, Caleb breathed a sigh of relief.
“Did she say anything?” Josiah asked, stepping closer.
Naomi met his hesitant gaze then looked away. Confused, Josiah glanced at Elijah for an explanation. Two years Ruth’s senior, he and Elijah had become close friends while growing up. But over the last year, Josiah had focused more of his attention on Ruth. At times Elijah seemed annoyed by it, but not today.
“She asked if thee was here.” Elijah’s blue eyes peered into his, an older version of Caleb’s. “And she doesn’t want to see thee.” Elijah shook his head. His hair was a shade darker than Caleb’s. “I’m sorry, my friend.”
“May I at least stay until we hear a verdict from the doctor?”
“Of course.” Naomi glanced up. “Mother said to make sure thee is comfortable. I think we could all use some coffee.” She strode to the kitchen.
“Indeed.” Josiah sighed, reeling from Ruth’s rejection at such a time as this. When would she forgive him and get over his delaying their wedding? Would she have asked if he was here if she didn’t care? Hope surged in his battered chest.
He joined the others in the kitchen. They all sat around the table while Naomi made a pot of coffee. The brewing pot smelled delicious. As he finished drinking his coffee, he heard Dr. Edward’s voice in the foyer. He stood and followed the sound of the voices to the bottom of the stairs.
“It’s a minor concussion, but she should be all right by this time tomorrow. Make sure she gets plenty of rest.” Dr. Edwards turned from Matthew Payne, grabbed his hat, and headed for the front door.
“Thank thee,” Ruth’s father said, still standing on the bottom step. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as Josiah approached with Ruth’s siblings. He looked older, the wrinkles around his eyes more prominent. He met each gaze with lengthy silence.
“Here is thy coffee.” Naomi handed a steaming cup on a small saucer to the doctor.
“That smells delicious.” He nodded, gave her a grateful smile, and set his black bag on a table. He sipped the black brew as steam swirled around his bald head.
“Please have a seat and join us a bit longer.” Matthew Payne gestured to the couch.
Dr. Edwards shook his head and sipped more coffee. He swallowed. “I appreciate the offer, but I have more stops I need to make.”
“On that note, I’ll be taking my leave as well,” Josiah said. “Please tell Ruth that I was here, and I hope she recovers quickly.”
“We will.” Matthew slapped him on the shoulder. “Never fear. Ruth will come around eventually.”
Josiah’s heart thumped with optimism.