Emma's Dream Read online

  Emma’s Dream

  By

  Kimberly Grist

  Copyright © 2018 Kimberly Grist

  Published by Forget Me Not Romances (a division of Winged Publications) 2015

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of author or Forget Me Not Romances.

  All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.

  “He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

  Dedication

  To my very own Pastor Nelson, my best friend, love of my life and live-in biblical scholar. And to my friends and family who have both inspired and encouraged me, I am immensely grateful for your love and support.

  Prologue

  July 1, 1888 – Carrie Town, Texas

  Adam tried to keep a straight face as he observed the uneaten dinner left on the table. “Emma, let me take those leftovers to Cookie. I bet the ranch hands will finish them off in no time.”

  “Really, Pa? I didn’t think the roast was any good. There was so much left.”

  “Don’t be silly, girl, your cooking is coming along fine. I filled up on potato soup. Did I mention how good the bread was? It was delicious.”

  “You would think if I could rope a steer, I could learn how to use an oven.” “Emma searched her father’s face. “If it wasn’t for Molly, I would have burned the soup too.”

  Adam looked at the ceiling as he contemplated what he could truthfully say without hurting his daughter’s feelings. He glanced over at his six-year-old nieces, who had remained unexpectedly quiet while drying the dishes.

  Both girls eyed the leftovers of overdone meat, but catching his meaning, Grace offered a smile of encouragement. “Aunt Molly said you are coming right along on your cooking. You get a little better each day, right, Sadie?”

  Sadie’s forehead puckered. “It’s true…she did say that.” Wavering, she added, “the bread was good. Especially after you cut the burnt parts off.”

  “See there? You are doing fine. It simply takes practice. Now you go take a break or go out to your garden, which I know you’ve been itching to do.” He winked at the twins. “We will make sure everything gets cleaned up, won’t we, girls?”

  Emma eyed her cousins suspiciously before bolting out the door.

  Adam motioned for Grace to help him clear the food off the table. “Let’s put this food in something so Emma won’t see. Sadie, you keep watch. Let us know if she heads back this way.”

  The threesome worked together until Adam placed the last of the food into a flour sack. “Now not a word, you two. If I hear you squealed, I’m liable to make you eat whatever Emma makes from this point on.”

  Heeding the warning, both girls agreed, their faces solemn. Grace nudged Sadie with her elbow. “Don’t worry. She won’t hear anything from us, we promise.”

  “You girls know I don’t want to hurt her feelings, right? We realize how much Emma hates to cook but appreciate her pitching in and doing her best. Now I’m going out to the barn to see if I can get some of your pa’s shepherds to eat this.”

  Sadie gasped. “Uncle Adam, please don’t. It might kill them.”

  Laughing as he picked up the sack, he shook his head and headed for the barn. Adam motioned for his brother as he carried the bag over to the shepherd who had recently delivered a litter of pups. “Sam, all right if I give your mama dog some of the leftover roast?”

  Not hesitating at all, Sam replied, “You can sure offer it to her, but I doubt she’ll eat it.”

  Chucklinging , they watched as the dog finished the roast off appreciatively.

  Adam grinned from ear to ear. “What do you know about that? She polished it off in no time.”

  Sam shuddered. “Better her than me.”

  Chuckling, Adam agreed. “I sure thought Emma would have gotten a handle on this cooking thing by now. I’ll be glad when Molly is better or when Rebecca gets back.”

  Sam pulled a letter from his pocket and showed it to Adam. “She’s enjoyed the time spent visiting with her cousin, but she’d hoped to meet with her father before now. So far, he refused, stating that Rebecca is an imposter.”

  “Rebecca has agreed to be examined by a court-appointed doctor who will compare her medical records and testify to his findings. I don’t like the sound of it. I wish she would give up on the whole thing.” Sam returned the letter to his pocket.

  “I understand how you feel. Even so, I think it’s important Rebecca see this through. I noticed you talking to her lawyer earlier today. What did he have to say?”

  Sam motioned his head at the house. “I wanted to wait to discuss it when there were no little ears to hear.”

  “We probably have a few minutes. After the girls get through with their chores, they were going to sit with Molly. She’s been reading Little Women to them again. I don’t know how many times she’s read it. Still, they can’t seem to hear it often enough. I believe I can about recite it from memory myself.”

  Sam surveyed the exterior of the house. “From an attorney’s standpoint, Peter doesn’t seem surprised in the least by what is going on. I can’t understand a man denying his own daughter. He said Rebecca’s father raised his stepchildren in a privileged lifestyle. He has two sons by the second wife to boot. All accounts say he’s an attentive father.”

  Adam lifted a shoulder. “I’ve been scratching my head over his actions for years.”

  “Peter did say Rebecca was taking things in stride. He said she’s put on weight and seems to be enjoying her stay with her cousins. Every time I think about how I ignored what she was going through, it makes me sick to my stomach.”

  “You can’t go back and undo anything. All you can do is do better going forward. Other than going to fetch Rebecca, what do you feel you could or should do for her straightaway?”

  “Her attorney is pushing for a face-to-face reunion. I’d like to be there when she does meet her father.”

  “Do it then.”

  “Would you and Emma be willing to watch my girls for me for a week or two? I hate to ask, especially since Molly is having so much trouble.”

  Smiling at the thought of his wife, who had been bored to tears since the doctor told her to stay in bed for the next few months, Adam agreed. “Molly is fine. Doc says if we can keep her in bed a little longer, she should be able to make it almost full term. She’s fed up with all the resting, and worried too. The twins won’t let her be bored, for sure. Besides her mother will be coming to help any day now. So, we will have plenty of help.”

  Chapter 1

  November 1, 1875

  Dear God,

  Molly gave me this journal for my birthday. She said I should write to You.

  “Girls, you’d best get that chicken out of this kitchen, or I promise you, she’ll be on the dinner table this Sunday.” Emma shook a wooden spoon at her six-year-old twin cousins.

  Grace clutched her pet hen to her chest. “You wouldn’t.”

  Sadie crossed her arms across her chest. “I think she means it.”

  “You’d better believe it. Y’all have just about pushed me to my limit.” Emma opened the door wide, then motioned for her cousins. “I am trying my best to prepare for our guest and to get dinner ready.”

  Still stroking her chicken, Grace took a few steps outside the door. “Guest? You mean Scotty?”

  Emma’s cheeks grew warm at the mention of her beau, Brian Scott. The love of her
life since she saw him take up for a small boy at school. Emma recalled telling him then and there she intended to marry him one day.

  The other boys immediately began teasing him. She smiled at the memory of how his face flushed a bright red. He’d ignored the children’s taunting and answered quietly so no one else could hear.

  “That’s quite an honor. But I ain't figured on getting married. Maybe, in twenty years or so if I change my mind, I’ll come calling. But understand this, I will be the one doing the asking.”

  Sadie joined her sister outside the door. “Scotty likes all our pets—the pigs, the puppies and especially Petunia.”

  “He sure does, and why he likes her is a mystery to me.” Emma placed her hands on her hips and glared at the bird. “You know, Aunt Molly’s mother is due any day now. She’s coming to stay until after the babies come. I don’t want her to arrive and think I am totally incompetent at keeping house.”

  With raised eyebrows, Sadie cocked her head. “But you are. Isn't that why she’s coming?”

  Oh, that child! Emma opened her mouth to respond, then catching the twinkle in the blue eyes of her cousin, shook her spoon, then gave chase to both girls, who squealed and giggled as they escaped toward the barn.

  Emma stopped her pursuit for a moment and enjoyed the slight breeze while she took a long look at her garden. The bean trellises Scotty helped her construct stood in the middle of neat rows, while the carrot seedlings planted alongside reflected a need for water.

  She took note of two lofty teepee-shaped trellises built side by side, designed for both beans and her precocious young cousins. If only I could take a few moments to weed and do a little watering. Hopefully, when Grandma Tennie gets here, she’ll take over the kitchen duties, and I’ll have time.

  The back-screen door slammed. “Emma, I took the bread out of the oven.” Her father stepped onto the porch. “I also found this fellow hanging around at the front of the house. I reckon you’d best set another plate for dinner.”

  “Oh, Pa, I got distracted. Please tell me it didn’t burn.” Emma placed her hands on her cheek.

  Pa grinned, then placed a kiss on the top of her head. “You can thank Scotty for the rescue. He’s the one who remarked about the smell of baked bread. See y’all in a few minutes.”

  Emma smiled at Brian, whom she affectionately called Scotty. The young boy who had shown so much character taking on the injustice of the schoolroom was now a deputy sheriff. He had grown into a tall, handsome man with broad shoulders. Dark hair curled under his hat, his eyes a deep hazel.

  “Thank you for saving the bread. The girls distracted me, and once I was outside … I forgot. I’ll be glad when Grandma Tennie gets here.”She placed her hand on his arm.

  “Never thought I’d hear you say something like that.” Scotty rubbed his jaw. “You do need help, with Molly having to stay off her feet. Even so, I figured you dreaded her visit. Didn’t you tell me when you were a kid, she scared you half to death with all of her superstitions and beliefs?”

  “True, but I am old enough now not to let her nonsense bother me. Besides, we’ve talked about it since, and she feels bad for scaring me. She would never intentionally do anything to cause anyone pain. You know as well as I do, I could use the help in the kitchen. If it weren’t for you, we’d eat burnt bread again for dinner.”

  “No problem.” He reached for her hand. “Since I’m the oldest, I helped Ma some in the kitchen. She wanted me to learn the basics. Don’t get me wrong. Never made a loaf of bread in my life. But I know you’ll get the hang of it.”

  Emma slid her hand in the crook of Scotty’s arm. “As much as I hate saying this, I need to get back to the kitchen and warm everything for dinner. Why don’t you come in and keep me company? I can’t wait to find out how your conversation with your pa went.”

  Scotty paused and peered into the distance. “Let’s not talk about it right now. I’ve been looking forward to spending time with you all week.”

  “You didn’t tell him, did you?” Emma searched his eyes. The normally light brown color shifted to green.

  “No. I haven’t been able to find the words.” Scotty swallowed. “Or the right time.”

  Chapter 2

  November 2, 1875

  Dear God,

  Pa is going to marry Molly. I like her.

  Tennessee Montgomery’s knitting needles paused as the conductor’s voice announced the train’s upcoming stop in Carrie Town. It had been nearly two years since she’d seen her oldest daughter, Molly. She smiled as she folded the yellow baby blanket and placed it lovingly in her satchel next to a completed matching one in green. After ten years of marriage, she knew her daughter had all but given up on bearing children of her own. Now she was to be doubly blessed.

  She pulled her handkerchief out and dabbed at her eyes. Get hold of yourself, Tennessee. It won’t do anybody any good to know how worried you are. Besides, that’s why you are here.

  As the locomotive slowed and came to a stop, she caught sight of her son-in-law as she glanced out the window. At first, she worried about her daughter’s choice of husband. Not only was Adam fourteen years her senior, but a widower with two children. She had fretted unnecessarily. He was a wonderful, attentive mate. Emma and Seth, her stepchildren, accepted and loved her, and Molly was happy.

  As she stepped onto the train platform, she spotted him easily. Tall, strong, handsome, he stood front and center ready to welcome her. Reaching for her satchel, he spoke. “Thank you for coming. Knowing you’ll be here when Molly’s time comes, I feel as though the weight of the world just lifted off my chest.”

  Dark circles rested under her son-in-law’s eyes before he averted his gaze. Placing her hand on his arm, she asked, “Is there something wrong with Molly?”

  “No, nothing we haven’t told you.” Adam blew his cheeks out, exhaling a slow breath. “The doctor says things are going well. He even thinks if we can keep her off her feet the next few weeks, the babies will almost be full term.”

  “Let’s walk a little bit. It will ward off some of that worry you’ve got bottled up.” His arm stiffened under the palm of her hand.

  “I know you didn’t mean anything by that statement. But it’s the sort of thing that’s sure to irritate Molly.”

  “What do you mean?” She studied her son-in-law’s face.

  With a deep sigh, he paused. “You know, all those superstitions of yours. I don’t want Molly upset unnecessarily.”

  Tennessee’s jaw dropped. “The last thing I want is to upset Molly. But what did I say? It’s not as though I offered to let you borrow my rabbit’s foot.”

  The slight smile on his face relieved her. As they resumed their walk, she continued. “How is everybody else at the house? From her letters Molly seems happy, and the children are all well. Although, Sam’s twins sound like they give y’all a run for your money.”

  Adam flashed a grin. “They are quite the pair. Molly has said time and again how much she enjoys them. She’s hoping the time spent with them will help her to know what to expect from our two. There is one thing I need to talk with you about before we get to the house.” His mouth twitched. “I sure would be grateful if you could help Emma with her cooking skills. She is trying awful hard, but everything she makes is pretty near awful.”

  “Knowing Emma, it’s not the cooking that’s the problem, but the fact she would rather be checking on the livestock or in the garden.” Tennessee tapped her finger along her cheek. “There are some recipes I can show her which will help. Nothing fancy like your wife makes, but good simple meals. Who knows, she may even come to enjoy cooking.”

  Superstition my foot, I’m already feeling better with just this little stretch of the legs. Tennessee felt her mood lighten. “Anything new with Emma and Scotty? I keep expecting Molly’s next letter to announce wedding plans between those two.”

  Adam’s jaw tightened. “Now, don’t you start. You know I’m in no hurry for my little girl to be married off.”<
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  Patting his arm, Tennessee laughed. “I assumed since she turned eighteen, there would be an announcement soon. The child’s been in love with Scotty all her life it seems.”

  “That’s true enough. At first, I thought it was a little girl’s crush. As she got older, I kept thinking some other fellow would catch her eye.” His eyes blinked rapidly. “I knew it as soon as he showed up on the porch, right before her eighteenth birthday. She lit up like a candle.” His eyes darted to her baggage. “Let’s get your things loaded in the wagon.” Adam’s voice cracked. “I’m anxious to get home and check on Molly. I imagine you are too.”

  Tennessee pressed her hand to her stomach and nodded. “I admit I’ve struggled to sleep the last few days, I’ve been so excited.”

  He placed her trunk into the wagon with ease, but she noticed a slight gait to his walk before he climbed onto his seat.

  They traveled in amicable silence as she took in the low-rolling terrain. Choosing her words wisely, she waved her hand toward the flat, dusty landscape. “Some people look at a scene like that and don’t see the beauty in it. All they see are weeds. But there are hundreds of different plants out there, and they all have their uses. God made it with us in mind.”

  “All right, I can see you are itching to say something.” Adam pushed his hat toward the back of his head, then nodded. “Go ahead.”

  “Your knee bothering you?” Tennessee pointed toward his leg.

  “It acts up like this sometimes right before we get rain.” Adam clucked at the horses.

  Tennessee sniffed. “You’d best not upset Molly with talk like that.” Only the rhythmic sounds of the horse’s hooves were heard for a moment as she struggled to contain her mirth.

  Adam's chuckle started out low before erupting into a belly laugh. “Yes ma’am, I get your point.”