John contemplated with joy the future arrival of their baby. He pondered about this exciting new development and the fact that it would change their lives forever. He told Linnett that he had decided they should stay at least another week or so at the homestead, there was much to do and arrange before they could think of leaving.
They took a trip into town and Sarah lent Linnett a white cap which tied under her chin and hid her lack of hair. They went to see the town doctor, who confirmed what they had both thought, that Linnett was indeed expecting a child.
While they were in town, John left Linnett in the general store with instructions to buy whatever she needed. John then went to set in motion some of the business transactions he had been secretly planning.
He hired a man to ride to Boston to deliver a packet of papers and letters to his mother explaining all that had passed since they had sailed from England. He included a package to be forwarded to England that contained letters to the families of the crew who had died aboard the Tempest. Linnett had also written to her father telling him that she was alive, well and very happily expecting a child.
After collecting his wife from the mercantile store, John packed the cart with supplies and Linnett’s packages and they set off back to the Lammers’ homestead at a calm pace. Linnett sat with her head resting on John’s shoulder and her hands cradling her slightly rounded stomach. John was indeed a happy and contented man.
That night they had a celebratory meal at the homestead with many toasts to the Foster family to be, with Han’s homemade ale. After they had all finished eating, Hans stood and held his hand up for silence.
“I would like to say a few words. Firstly formal congratulations to both John and Linnett on your wonderful news. I thank the lord that Peter asked me to take him to the beach after our visit to town on the day that we found you both half drowned on the shore side. I do not know how you could have survived another night lying there so wet and cold. I am proud to call you friend, John Foster! I turn now to John who has, I believe, some quite exceptional information for us all.”
John stood up and Linnett looked up at him curiously, what on earth was it that John had to say? He cleared his throat. “First of all we owe you our lives and nothing can ever repay your goodness to us, Hans and Sarah, but if ever you need us for anything we will be there to support and help in any way that we can.” Linnett nodded her head vigorously.
John turned his gaze to Linnett and taking a deep breath he said, “I have this day purchased a large area of land with beach, near Ogunquit where I intend to start a boat building business, along with a large house nearby for Linnett and our children to live.”
There was silence as all eyes turned towards Linnett, gauging her reaction. Linnett was looking at John her gaping mouth open with shock. “Well darling – what do you think?” John asked after Linnett hadn’t moved or spoken. Linnett pushed back her chair and ran around the table flinging her arms around her husband’s waist, “Yes, oh yes darling, oh John, this is such wonderful news!”
John kissed her and looked relieved, “You have no idea what a relief it is to hear you say that, Linnett. I had thought your heart was set on Boston. What has changed your mind?”
“All I could think about before I was taken by the natives was returning to Lavenstock Hall and to England, but John, when I was in the tribal camp, I realised that all I really wanted was to spend my life with you and so it didn’t matter where that was, just so long as we are together. I love it here and I would really like to stay nearby to Sarah, especially when her baby is due!”
Linnett turned and smiled at her friend but then she noticed Hans sombre face and Linnett’s own fell, she turned to Hans wringing her hands. “You don’t want me to stay here though, do you Hans,” she asked softly, her eyes holding out a plea to the large stern man.
Hans smiled and shook his head slightly, “Mrs. Foster, we would like to have you living close by and my Sarah will love to have her friend nearby to gossip with and talk baby talk with. You are our very dear friends almost our family, Linnett, but I think trouble is thy middle name. However, since John and I have made an agreement that I am most happy with, I am glad to offer you a home with us until your new house is built.”
Linnett ran to Hans and planted a kiss on his cheek but then she frowned. “An agreement.......what is it you have both agreed?” she asked curiously.
Hans winked at John. “Ya well, after your child is born and while you are still living under my roof, John has granted me permission to give you a sound switching every time you are out of order, Linnett, and knowing you as I do ‘lieveling,’ I am looking forward to the very day!”
Everyone laughed but Linnett was indignant and trembling, was Hans joking? She jolly well hoped so, how dare John! But then why should she be worried? She was to be a mother now and she was determined to be both a good mother and a biddable wife to John. Linnett never wanted John to have to take her in hand again.
Feeling much better and in control of herself once again, Linnett smiled at her husband and friends, enjoying their banter and laughter. She remembered the green, spoiled and lonely girl who had married John, and compared that girl to herself now. Linnett knew she had changed for the better and so she had nothing to fret about. After all she could keep up her good behaviour from now onwards!
Linnett frowned and chewed her lip. She could, couldn’t she....well couldn’t she?