Beneath the Heavens Read online

  “Esther! Michael!” Aunt Lily exclaimed, opening the door and hurrying out to the porch.

  “Aunt Lily!” Michael called out. “You’re back from Chicago!”

  “Back safe and sound,” Aunt Lily held out her arms for Michael who ran into them eagerly. “Sorry to stop by so late, but we brought presents and were eager to tell you about the lecture.”

  Esther smiled and helped Michael down from the wagon. “I am glad you did; I was planning on stopping by your clinic tomorrow to hear about it, but this is even better.” Esther gave a quick shake of her head. She was tired, but she was often tired. It had become the normal feeling of her daily life. There were so many people to help, so many things to do that sleep often seemed to be a nuisance.

  “Go ahead and go on in while I put Lancelot away… you hungry?” she asked, knowing full well what the answer would be. Aunt Lily was a highly intelligent woman, respected by several doctors for her nursing skills, but cooking was not her strong suit. Esther understood that many of Uncle Tim’s visits were simply so he could have a good home-cooked meal.

  “Oh, I don’t want to trouble you—” Aunt Lily began weakly.

  “It’s no trouble,” Esther reassured her, smothering a small smile.

  “Very well then, but hurry, I can’t wait to give you your gift.”

  Uncle Tim had exciting news, a new kind of baby bottle known as the “Allenbury” had been created. It was a design in which the baby could be fed unattended. Baby bottles had come far. Esther still remembered when the double-ended feeder by Allen and Hanbury was created some years back. The design made the flow of milk more constant and it was so much easier to clean than the black Indian rubber teats that had been used prior.

  “This will enable mothers to keep more fat on their babies when they start to drift away from nursing,” Uncle Tim said excitedly, his hollowed cheeks glowing with excitement.

  “And help those who can’t produce milk,” Esther added. It was a nightmare for some new mothers having a hungry baby and not being able to feed it. “Did they talk about the sadness that sometimes occurs after a woman has a baby?” Esther asked eagerly. She had run into such cases quite a few times.

  This time Aunt Lily made a scoffing sound. “Some still think of it as a mental breakdown, but others are of my opinion, that it has something to do with a woman’s physical makeup. The same way she can get moody during her cycle, a woman can get depressed, horrifically sad, after having a baby. It is not her fault and it is not just uncontrolled emotions.”

  Uncle Tim smiled. “Your aunt had a few things to say to some of those old doctors.”

  “All of whom need to retire,” Aunt Lily shook her head. “The instruments some still insist on using are prehistoric.” Aunt Lily threw her hands in the air, but then brightened when Esther brought in a steaming bowl of chicken and dumplings with buttery biscuits on the side along with vanilla tea. “Before we eat, I do have some gifts.”

  Michael’s eyes widened. “Did you get me something?” he asked eagerly.

  “Of course we did, my boy,” Uncle Tim answered. “We always bring you something.” Uncle Tim handed him a ribbon-wrapped book of illustrated animals. Michael threw his arms around his uncle and aunt in thanks, and then hopped over to Esther to show her the illustrations.

  “Goodness, this is beautiful!” Esther exclaimed, tracing a finger over a polar bear.

  “We know he has a liking towards animals and that book has all sorts of interesting facts.” Aunt Lily beamed, pleased with Michael’s reaction. “There was an exquisite bookstore in Chicago we just had to see.” She pulled out a wrapped package and handed it to Esther. “I thought you could make something with this for the Harvest Festival.”

  Esther’s head tilted with curiosity. She carefully unwrapped the package and gasped as the paper fell away to reveal the most beautiful hue of poppy-red fabric she had ever seen. Her fingers gently pulled out the soft, silky material that glowed against her skin.

  “Aunt Lily, I… I have never seen such gorgeous fabric. My goodness, it is amazing,” she said in an almost reverent tone.

  “Tall Pine has a very nice little fabric and trimmings shop,” Aunt Lily said with a shrug, “but nothing compares to what these big cities have to offer.”

  Esther pulled out the entire fabric, laying it over her lap. There was plenty enough for a dress, and she had been wanting to make a new one lately… but red?

  “I thought red would look so lovely on you and,” Aunt Lily’s eyes twinkled. “I imagine it will draw attention,” she added with a wink.

  Esther looked away. “Aunt Lily, you know my feelings on that. I am happy how I am, with… with my work. Nothing needs to change,” she said, but more to herself than Aunt Lily.

  “I know.” Aunt Lily leaned back and took a sip of her tea. “Just promise me you will wear the fabric to the Harvest Festival—if only to appease your meddling aunt?”

  Esther smiled. “I promise that I will wear that fabric. I will even make the neck a little wider if you want,” she teased.

  Aunt Lily nodded approvingly. “Wider and—” she winked. “Maybe a bit lower. Church worthy still, but a bit lower.”

  Three

  Abby’s head throbbed. The haunting sound of wolves had impaired her sleep, even though logic told her she was safe within the walls of her new home. As a mockery to her distress, her little abode had been freezing and lighting a fire had ended in discouraged failure. At first crack of dawn she had walked drearily over to the schoolhouse. She may look like a fatigued mess, but her schoolhouse would be in tip-top shape. She would make sure of it. The chirping of birds translated to shrieks to Abby’s ears while she tidied up the schoolhouse. Any other time Abby might have enjoyed their morning praises, but this morning she felt like throwing a book at them. To make matters worse, the pastor would be coming to witness her first day teaching. Apparently the first day could be rough, and he thought he should be there just in case some of the boys acted out. This should have made Abby less apprehensive, but instead it just made her more nervous. She could tell Will thought her flighty and funny. Not witty, but silly. The last thing she wanted was for him to compare her to other teachers and see her stumble and fall over her lessons as she figured out how to teach.

  Pastor Will had also explained that the church in town had burned down during early summer and Tall Pine was currently using the schoolhouse for their Sunday services, so she needed to make sure everything was all tidy Saturday night before the church service the next day.

  “Will, Will, Will,” Abby chanted angrily. “That cheeky pastor is taking over my life.” She stomped her foot the way she had as a child, and still did, when she thought no one was looking. And at this moment standing in an empty, cold classroom she didn’t care if the whole world was looking. She would still stomp her foot because things seemed to be getting worse and worse. She wanted to pick flowers, but she had no vase. She wrote her lessons, but there were no pictures to put up. Finally, a small stove stood in the corner, but Abby had no idea how to work it.

  “Summer?” she scoffed, wrapping a shawl around her. “This is supposed to be summer?” She was afraid to see what winter was like.

  Abby sighed and gave another look around the schoolhouse. She’d left so quickly that she had hardly done any research on Colorado. What would the children be like? She knew there would be a mixture of children from farmers, tradesmen, craftsmen, and miners. Tall Pine was quite the industrious little town, surrounded by fertile farms and a few ranches. It should be quite interesting, she thought, as her usual positive attitude returned. She would take whatever was thrown at her and make it good. Even if it was cold.

  The sound of horses, mingled with children’s laughter, snapped Abby to attention. She smoothed her skirt, fluffed her hair, and gave one last look around the classroom. Chilly and plain, but clean at least. She’d managed to sweep and dust, and of that she was proud. Already fabricating a letter to her mother about the hard work sh
e had done, sweeping and dusting, Abby hurried to the door to greet her students.

  Abby had not realized that she would be meeting more parents than students; each child was accompanied by at least a mother and father, plus a few relatives and friends. There were even couples and singles with no children at all who came up to inspect her. Everyone was eager to see the new teacher. With each family, Abby had no time to introduce herself to the child before one of the parents took her hand or merely stood in front of her demanding attention while their child rushed into the classroom.

  “You look awfully young,” most said.

  “The other teacher lasted only a month, said Colorado was too rough.”

  “You not gonna last long with that many ruffles, honey.”

  Abby began to feel dizzy with all the comments thrown at her. She leaned against the doorpost trying to look braver and stronger than she felt when Esther walked up with a comforting voice that immediately steadied Abby.

  “You are doing wonderful Abby, and my, doesn’t the classroom look amazing. I have never seen it this clean, and I’ve witnessed three teachers,” Esther complimented, looking like a rose petal in a soft pink dress.

  “Really? I was up early to get it all clean.” Abby clasped Esther’s hand more with the need to feel calm than to actually welcome her. Somehow she knew that with Esther by her side people would like her by association.

  “Well, you can tell. Doesn’t the classroom look good, Michael?” Esther asked, stroking his hair. Abby about jumped out of her skin. She was a schoolteacher for crying out loud and had not even noticed Michael, who stood close to his mom with the same happy smile she had first seen him with. He wore a crisp blue shirt that made his eyes look like the Texas sky, and his arms were wrapped tightly around a beautifully bound book.

  “Michael, how are you?” Abby held out her hand. Michael released the book with his right arm and shook Abby’s hand like a jump rope.

  “Look what I brought. It’s from Chicago,” he announced excitedly.

  “It’s an animal book,” Esther told her. “Many of these children have never seen illustrated children’s books. If they get rowdy, this will calm them down.” Esther leaned in closer. “I have had to substitute before. I learned from trial and error,” she laughed.

  Abby looked up at Esther with gratitude. She had not thought of games, or what to do during recess. Esther must have truly been sent by God Himself to help her for her first day. Abby lowered the book to Michael nearly tripping on her own dress.

  “Will you hold it for me Michael, until it is time to read it?” she asked. Michael nodded eagerly, snatching the book like a treasure. “It must mean a lot to you.”

  “I can read most of it,” Michael informed her proudly. “I love animals, especially horses. My dad is going to have a big horse when he comes.”

  Abby frowned and looked at Esther for explanation. Hadn’t Will said Esther was not engaged? Esther only smiled and caressed Michael’s brow.

  A petite woman came up from behind Esther and gave a little cough.

  “Oh, excuse me, I am blocking the door. Come on, Michael, let’s go find your seat,” Esther said as she stepped out of the way.

  “I want the same seat from last year,” Michael told her as the two walked away, leaving Abby feeling once again vulnerable and exposed. A plain woman with intelligent eyes and a kind smile approached Abby holding the hands of two adorable curly-haired children. Abby caught her reflexes before she frowned in confusion. Surely such cute and bonny children did not belong to this mousy woman? Abby smiled at the children.

  “Good morning, I am Miss Abigail, the new school teacher,” she chirped sounding a bit, she realized, like the birds that had awakened her.

  “Yeah, we know,” the little girl giggled.

  The woman urged them forward. “Go find a seat and I will be right there,” she told them with a playful and gentle shove to their backs. They ran into the classroom giggling all the way. “I’m Eliza, Eliza Jensen,” her voice was low and steady, but friendly and without judgment. Abby quickly decided that she was not so unattractive after all.

  “I’m Miss Abigail Silver… well you already heard me introduce myself. You have lovely children, Mrs. Jensen.”

  “It’s Miss, and please call me Eliza. Miss Jensen makes me feel like the old maid I am,” she laughed, her face transforming into a jovial picture.

  “Oh, I do apologize, and ‘Old Maid’, is there such a thing nowadays?” Abby countered, feeling more relaxed with Eliza’s happy attitude.

  “Out here there is. You’re expected to marry young and start breeding,” she laughed heartily. “And those aren’t my children. Never was the type to attract a man, let alone have children.” She smiled with a shrug. “Those two wild things I brought are Daisy and Billy Gable. Their momma is not feeling too well and their pa had to go to Indiana to see a dying relative. So I offered to bring them, until their momma feels better,” Eliza explained. She looked Abby up and down and then with a curt nod said, “You look like a sweet girl. I reckon you will do a fine job here.”

  Abby smiled with gratitude. Her eyes skipped past Eliza, hoping to see the silhouette of a tall pastor.

  Eliza followed her gaze. “You expecting someone? I think all the children in Tall Pine are here.”

  Abby felt her cheeks warm. “Pastor Will said he’d be here on my first day… to help.”

  Eliza nodded. “Don’t think he’ll make it. A small mining town a bit up the mountains had a terrible explosion. He’s gone to help out for a few weeks.”

  Abby swallowed. She should feel less nervous, but instead she felt… sad. Sad for the town and disappointed there’d be no pastor.

  Eliza gave her a friendly pat and hustled the children forward. A few more adults drifted in. Esther had been right. The last couple who came in consisted of an incredibly handsome man, pretty-like with large green eyes, pale skin, and dark hair. Beside him was a short, thin, strawberry blond woman with a swollen belly. Abby noticed with disapproval how she clung to this man like a scared child, and not like the wife that her pregnant belly and simple ring indicated she was.

  “So you are the teacher, huh?” he asked her, his eyes raking up and down Abby. She shifted uncomfortably, feeling that his gaze left dirty spots on her. Maybe he was not so handsome after all. His little wife remained silent, but Abby noticed how her hands tightened around her husband’s arms as her round eyes narrowed like a rattlesnake.

  “Yes,” Abby finally answered, pulling herself together. “My name is Abigail Silver, and you are?”

  “Toby Higgins, and this here is Mary,” he nodded casually to the woman at his side. Abby dared not put out her hand in greeting, for she instinctively knew that Mary wouldn’t accept it, and as far as shaking hands with Toby Higgins, well Abby would sooner kiss a slimy reptile than do that.

  “Pleased to meet you both,” she said with a slight nod. Mary’s glare deepened.

  “Look here, Abigail…” Toby began.

  “Miss Silver, if you please,” Abby corrected coldly.

  Toby grinned, clearly amused. “Look Abigail,” he said again slowly. “If you need anything at all, cooking, cleaning, extra help—you let Mary know and she’ll come do it for you.”

  Abby’s mouth parted slightly. Did he just volunteer his pregnant wife to come do work for her?

  “Thank you, but I think I will manage.” She wished this awkward and inappropriate couple would just leave.

  “Well then,” Toby continued, “if you get lonely being out here all by yourself, you just let me know and I’ll bet I could find you some good company.” He grinned with a meaningful wink. Abby was at a loss of words. Not even bothering to politely end their encounter, she just walked away.

  What a despicable man! If Joseph were here, he’d have knocked him senseless.

  Toby sat down in the last empty seat while Mary stood on her feet. Toby searched the crowd until he saw Esther and pressed his lips into a kissing pout. Esth
er’s composure didn’t even crack; instead, she looked at Mary with worry. The girl had no color to her skin; Esther doubted Mary was going outside or getting any circulation to her swollen ankles. With or without Toby’s approval, she needed to find a way to visit Mary.

  Most of the children were sitting down, with their parents standing off to the side. Abby searched for Esther. She stood by Michael looking like a queen with her hair tied back loosely and wearing little gold hoop earrings. Once again Abby suddenly felt foolish in her puffy lacy dress and puffy fancy hair. She must look like a cupcake compared to the rest of the women in the room. Standing in front of a rather large crowd it seemed as if a million butterflies were flying around madly in her stomach. She opened her dry mouth knowing she needed to say something. That very morning she had even written a speech: a perfect, simple, humble, yet impressive speech. However, nothing came out of her lips. She was frozen into silence. She did not know how long she stood like a statue. One or two nervous giggles came from the children.

  “I am Miss Abigail Silver,” she finally said, her voice at much too high a pitch. “I ummm…” she scanned the room. All the eyes on her seemed to be making fast assumptions and judgments; she needed to speak and quickly, but the butterflies were too strong. Her gaze fell on Esther, whose expression was filled with compassion.

  “And where is it you are from Miss Silver?” Esther suddenly asked, in her smooth voice. Abby’s heart-shaped lips twitched in a hint of a smile. Esther knew exactly where Abby was from. She was merely guiding her out of her stupor and fright.

  “Texas.” Abby exhaled. “I am from the state of Texas where I have lived all my life.”

  “And is this your first teaching position?” Esther asked again, stroking Michael’s hair. Did she always find a way to affectionately touch her son?

  “It is, yes,” Abby smiled as she placed her hands behind her back and took a step forward. She remembered her own teachers doing the same routine: hands behind back, head down, step forward, and head up. They always did it when they were about to say something important and so it seemed like a good thing to emulate.