Thirty-six

The next morning, Adria was up before the sun. She could hardly believe that at tomorrow’s sunrise she wouldn’t be waking up here in this house where she’d spent her whole life. First with her parents and then, after the cholera epidemic, with Ruth. But her packed case sat next to the door, ready to be loaded on the stagecoach. Tonight she would stay in a traveler’s inn in Louisville before boarding a steamship to Boston.

Excitement warred with trepidation. She wanted to go. She wanted to stay. She had no idea what her future would hold in Boston, but she had no doubt she needed to leave Springfield. Someday she might return, but it was best not to think of somedays. One day at a time.

She dressed and tiptoed down the stairs and out of the house to keep from waking the newlyweds or sweet little Willeena. She did regret not having the chance to get to know the little girl better, but her leaving would open up a room for Willeena. And who knew? Perhaps Ruth would finally have the blessing of bearing a child after adopting two motherless girls. Adria smiled as she imagined a new little boy running through the house the way her little brother had once done. When she’d dreamed of marriage and children, she’d thought to name her first son after her father and Eddie. But now, she’d turned her back on marriage. At least the marriage everyone had expected for her with Carlton. She considered finding him to say goodbye. After all, they’d been friends forever, but his angry words were too fresh in her mind. Best to avoid another confrontation. He would be fine. Janie Smith would happily take Adria’s place in his life and make a better wife for him.

But there was one person she did have to tell goodbye. Louis.

He was at the forge, already building up the fire, ready to shape metal into nails, plowshares, horseshoes, or whatever might be needed. Even before she made any noise to let him know she was there, he turned toward her.

“I thought to see you today, Missy Adria.”

Adria looked around the blacksmith shop and couldn’t help smiling. Louis already had it in better order than it had ever been with Elias there. “You’ve got it looking good.”

“I can’t hardly believe this is for real. That the Lord and me can start up the day with no worry about what the massa might want done.” He looked around too and then back at Adria. “All because of you and Miss Ruth.”

“No, because of the whole town, or really because of you. Just you.”

“Whatever the cause, ’tis a mightier blessing than any I ever imagined the Lord sendin’ down to me.” He ran his fingers over the hammer handles that hung in easy reach. “But what brings you out so early? You ain’t been gone all the night long again, have you?”

“No.”

“I didn’t tell Bet to come to you.” Louis’s smile turned to a frown. “You know that, don’t you?”

“I do. Bet told me you wouldn’t do that.”

“If’n she’d a come to me, we’d have found another way without puttin’ you on danger road.”

“It worked out.” Adria kept her voice low. “The Lord made a way.”

“He has a knack for doin’ that. Makin’ a way outa no way.” Louis settled his gaze on Adria. “He’ll be goin’ to do that for you too. Show you a way.”

“He already has. I’m leaving Springfield today. Going north to Boston.” She felt less shaky saying it this time. Maybe by the time she climbed aboard the stagecoach to begin her journey, she’d be sure of her path.

“I ain’t surprised. You was always a child with an overabundance of derring-do.”

“You and Aunt Tilda taught me how to be courageous.”

“Mostly Matilda. She’d be right proud.”

“Of you too.”

Louis shook his head. “Not sure that’s so. She weren’t never happy that I didn’t try to find that river she kept talkin’ ’bout.”

“I have the feeling you pointed some others toward it.”

“Them what was braver than me, but some things is better not talked about.” He glanced toward the street that was empty in the early morning light.

He was right. In fact, she needed to slip away from his shop before very many people began stirring. If somebody did suspect her of helping Twila, her being here talking to Louis might bring suspicion down on him too. Another reason to be gone from Springfield before anybody came forward who saw her leaving town in the wagon with Logan. The fire grabbed everybody’s attention that night, but in a place the size of Springfield, hardly anything went completely unnoticed.

“I’ll miss you, Louis.”

“Don’t you be thinkin’ ’bout ol’ Louis. I done know you is goin’ to have a fine life up there in the north.”

Adria smiled. “How do you know?”

“The good Lord, he tol’ me so.”

Adria’s smile got wider. “Did he tell you whether I’ll ever meet the right man? One who will love me without wanting to change me?”

“With the Lord’s blessin’, ’bout anythin’ can happen. ’Specially with my prayers runnin’ along with you. And yours and Miss Ruth’s and that new pastor husband of hers.” Louis laughed. “Just look what them prayers done for ol’ Louis. Made him a free man with his own blacksmith shop. So ain’t no tellin’ what them kind of prayers might do for you.”

“As long as we pray believing.”

“The only way to pray, missy. The onliest way.”

Later that morning, Adria walked to the hotel to meet the stage with her excitement beginning to push back her apprehension. She had derring-do. Louis had said so. Then at the house, Ruth had hugged her and told her once again she was the bravest girl she’d ever known. The pastor laid his hand on Adria’s head and prayed for a safe journey and blessings to await her in Boston.

They walked to the hotel with her. Pastor Robertson carried her case. Ruth had a parcel of bread and cheese and Adria’s favorite sugar cookies. Adria carried Willeena piggyback. The little girl’s giggles took some of the sadness out of the goodbyes.

At the hotel, Adria promised Ruth she’d write. She put Willeena down and smiled at her. “And I’ll draw pictures to send you, Willeena.”

“How about some sermon prompts for me then?” Pastor Robertson said.

Adria shook her head at him. “You wouldn’t want to preach the sermons I’d suggest.”

“You could be right,” Pastor Robertson said. “Springfield might not be ready for those.”

It was easier climbing aboard the stagecoach and leaving Ruth behind with her standing there holding the preacher’s hand and with Willeena clinging to her skirt. She would not be alone. Adria was the one setting off alone.

She leaned out the window and waved until she couldn’t see them waving back at her anymore. Then they were passing the blacksmith shop where Louis was out front, obviously watching for the stage. He didn’t wave. Somehow Adria knew he was too busy praying.

She sat back in her seat and looked at her fellow passengers. A man and his wife. Two other men. All going somewhere. And so was she.

She didn’t know what the road in front of her held, but she knew the one who paved those roads with hope. The Lord would show her the way. One step at a time. One day at a time. As long as she prayed believing.