41

Sarah entered the parlor, supporting her back with her left hand. Her long, full skirt swished back and forth as she walked across the room to the desk situated in front of the side window. Carefully lowering herself into the desk chair, she took in a deep breath and released it. For a moment she stared at the tall stack of legal papers before softly chuckling. Oh, Frederick…

As difficult as it was, she managed to reach over the documents retrieving her journal from amongst Frederick’s work. She pulled out the desk drawer and took one of the extravagant Waterman pens from its case. The beautiful matching set had been a wedding present from Louise and Melvin.

Opening the journal, she set pen to paper inking the date, Wednesday, June 5, 1901. She paused, relaxing her hand as she thought what to write. When nothing immediately came to mind, she used her most elegant curlicue penmanship to write the new name she was so proud to call her own. She was pleased with the results.

Sarah Jane Chessher.

Sarah startled when a sudden hiccup escaped her mouth. She giggled and put her hand atop her growing belly. “Your grandma would say, ‘that baby is going to have a head full of hair!’” A smile graced Sarah’s face thinking of Mama and how she swore by those old wives’ tales. She missed Mama, but was happy to read in her latest letter about how she, Louise, and Melvin had put down money on a huge house in Bay City, Texas. Mama finally had her boardinghouse. Why she chose another place right on the Gulf of Mexico was a mystery to Sarah.

All three sisters and Mama kept in close contact. Grace’s letters always made her laugh. Her stories about life in Tennessee with her preacher boy were hilarious. Their weekly letters were like a big slice of homemade pie. It was something to look forward to, something comfortable one really loved, like sleeping in one’s own bed after a long trip. Sarah smiled. Turning her attention back to her journal, she wrote.

I’ve never been so happy in all my life. Feeling our baby move and knowing that he or she is growing inside me is the most wonderful sensation I’ve ever known. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would love the life I have now. God has blessed Frederick and I beyond measure. I owe it all to the fact my husband now has his faith firmly planted in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I no longer worry. Thank You, God.

Who would have ever thought I would be happy in Beaumont, Texas? When Uncle Jeremiah suggested Frederick and I move here to open a second law office I wanted to cry. Turns out it was the best idea he ever had. Ever since those men struck oil on Spindletop Hill, people have been crawling out of the woodwork needing Frederick to file their legal claims.

Funny how things work out the way they do. All I know is that I love my Frederick and as long as I’m by his side my heart is content. I suppose that Bible verse is true. All things really do work together for good to them that love God and who are called according to His purpose.

Sarah set the pen on the desk and closed her journal. With one hand on her belly and her other hand on the edge of the chair, she stood—a task growing more difficult by the day. Moving toward the door, she remembered how Frederick teased her, accusing her of walking like a penguin. She had no idea how penguins walked, but imagined it must be much the same as how big bellied, pregnant women walked.

“Woof, woof, woof!” Rex bolted into the parlor.

Sarah went outside for fresh air around the same time every day, and he knew her routine. “Sit.” Sarah gave the command as she removed Rex’s lead from the coat hook where it hung.

Rex sat and waited while the leash was attached to his collar.

“Good boy, Rex.” Sarah had promised to come back for him, and she kept her word. Opening the front door of their small house, Sarah breathed in the sweet smell of gardenias blooming outside their door. All the houses in town featured a quaint front porch. Even though Sarah knew more about raising cattle than she did about decorating, she had done her best to make the front of their home as inviting as possible. Sarah attached Rex’s leash to the hook Frederick screwed into the wood railing. The dog made three complete circles before lying down on the porch.

Sarah sat at the charming little wrought iron conversation set that she and Frederick bought second hand and re-painted a crisp shade of yellow. A pot of bright pink petunias sat in the middle of the table. She plucked wilted flowers from the plant and off the tabletop and slipped them into her skirt pocket. With a contented smile, Sarah rubbed the round bump covering her middle. The baby was quiet now.

A man with a handlebar mustache and an expensive looking suit rode down the street on a beautiful brown and white paint. The clip-clop of hooves on the pavement tore at her heart. She missed Ginger in the worst way. But that part of her life was behind her…for now anyway.

“Hello, Sarah!”

Rex barked at the intruder, and Sarah looked up to see who was calling. “Oh, hello, Angela.” She waved at the woman standing on the sidewalk in front of her house.

Sensing no threat, Rex put his head back down on the cool porch.

“Lovely weather we’re having.” The young woman took one hand off the baby carriage she was pushing to adjust the bonnet ribbon tied at her neck. “Albeit hot, though.”

“Yes, I can attest to that.” Sarah smiled, fanning herself with her hand. “And how is that little man of yours doing?”

The woman smiled at the tiny baby in her carriage. “He’s perfect. You’ll think the same thing when yours arrives.”

Sarah placed her hand on her belly and laughed. “I’m sure I will!”

“Take care, Sarah.”

“I will. Goodbye now.”

Relaxing against the back of her chair, she observed the hustle and bustle of the big city of Beaumont. Having been raised on the Bolivar Peninsula, most any town was a big city to Sarah. Horse and buggies dashed down the busy street in front of their house. Telephone poles were going up all around town. Like Galveston had been prior to the storm, Beaumont was a forerunner for every sort of newfangled concept. How long before Frederick insisted they get a telephone in their home?

Sarah was overcome with apprehension before finally giving in to the idea of selling her breed stock to Uncle Jeremiah. It helped that he assured her he’d give her a hand should she ever decide to get back into ranching. But her decision to let go of that life and cling tight to the life God was offering her was such a liberating experience.

After all, it was God who divinely orchestrated every single event that brought Frederick and her together. And it was God who had been her refuge and her strong tower during one of the darkest days in Texas history. She was finished relying on her own strength in the storms of life. From now on she would put all her trust in Him—the Master of the Sea.

Rex’s tail wagged, thumping on the porch boards.

She smiled, shaking her head at the silly dog. “Is he coming, Rex?”

He wagged harder. His bushy tail sounded like a straw broom hitting the porch.

“Don’t worry, boy. He’ll be home soon.”

A glance down the sidewalk confirmed what Rex already knew. Sarah stood, and Rex jumped up. He barked and danced with excitement. The love of both their lives had arrived. How handsome he looked in his suit and tie, holding his overstuffed satchel by his side.

He winked at his mate. “Hello, Rex! Are you my good boy?” Frederick ruffled the dog’s ears as he passed by. He dropped the satchel on a chair and pulled off his hat as he approached her.

Sarah adored how, even though she felt big as a cow, he still looked at her as if she were a delicious bowl of strawberry ice cream. Frederick leaned in, grasping her face in his palms and passionately kissed her. His kisses would forever cause her temperature to rise.

“How is my little cowgirl today?”

Sarah blushed and fluttered her eyelashes. “I’m not a cowgirl. I’m the esteemed wife of a big city attorney.”

Frederick smiled before bowing to her. “Why yes you are, my lady. And how is our little charge doing?”

She took his hand and placed it on her tight belly. “Just like you, perfect in every way.”

Frederick took her hand in his and led her down the stairs to complete their evening routine. Taking Rex’s leash, he offered his arm to her. “Madam?”

Sarah hooked arms with him. “Why, thank you, sir.”

Pausing before beginning their walk, Frederick turned to look at his bride. “Mrs. Chessher, I understand you’re not a cowgirl, but would you do me the honor of walking off into the sunset with me?”

Sarah looked up into her husband’s big, emerald eyes. “Why, yes, I will, Mr. Chessher. Today and every day for as long as we both shall live.”