HIDING A BROKEN HEART
The Wheelers had come to dinner and Serena was acutely aware that Rebecca Riley was watching her every move as she laid out the meal.
She had asked Rebecca if she could move to another cottage, with the excuse that the bedroom was drafty and Nathan’s delicate disposition couldn’t stand up to it.
“I suppose you now feel you are entitled to a better cottage because you have revealed your true status to us?”
Serena shook her head. “No, Mrs. Riley. I just thought I would ask you, but if it isn’t convenient, I will remain at the cottage that I’m sharing with Patsy.”
Patsy had heard of Serena’s request and capitalized on the situation. “Mrs. Riley ma’am,” she said, only minutes before the Wheelers arrived. “I can’t keep quiet any longer. I have personally seen Serena and Mister Jasper…meeting…at the cottage we share.”
“Oh!” Rebecca exclaimed, turning suspicious eyes to Serena, who was frowning in confusion and anger. “And when was the last time that you saw them… together?”
“Last night, Mrs. Riley,” Patsy replied.
Serena couldn’t believe her ears. She turned to defend herself and Jasper but Rebecca was already enraged.
“Serena,” Rebecca said, in an authoritative voice. “I shall expect nothing but the best tonight. The meal must be spectacular. Tonight Jasper will propose to Molly.”
“Of course, Mrs. Riley,” Serena replied submissively. “I will make the meal truly exceptional.”
She was true to her word. Every delicacy placed on the table was for one person and one person alone, and that was Jasper. Serena knew for certain that she couldn’t stay on at Steephill. She would leave soon after the meal, as Rebecca was bound to demand.
She arranged delicate sweet cakes on individual plates and carried them out to the dining room, seeing Molly simpering at Jasper. To her shock, just as she walked in, Jasper went down on one knee and presented Molly with a ring. He kept his gaze firmly away from Serena as she served the dessert, and she swallowed the large lump in her throat and soldiered on, even as Rebecca threw her a triumphant look.
“Do congratulate Jasper and Molly, Serena,” Rebecca said. Serena forced herself to swallow her pride. turned to them as they stood for the family to toast them. She almost crumbled under the obviously sympathetic looks she got from Petula and Jeremiah, but she held her head high and suppressed all her emotions.
“My heartfelt congratulations, Mister Jasper...and Miss Molly!”
Jasper tried to catch her eye, but she avoided his gaze and then left the room.
Patsy took her hand as she returned to the kitchen. “Oh Serena!” she said, “I am so very sorry!”
Serena feigned ignorance. “What are you sorry for?”
“Mister Jasper…and Miss Molly! Engaged!”
“I’m so happy for them,” Serena lied convincingly, “and I’m looking forward to preparing their wedding banquet. It will be so grand!” she exclaimed, smiling brightly.
“You don’t fool me for a minute,” Patsy said, her tone changing. “Remember when you told me about the many times you would meet him? At the cottage? In your room?”
“What are you talking about, Patsy?” Serena asked. “You’re behaving quite strange.”
“No, the only one behaving strangely is you, Serena. You have been boasting about your hold over Mister Jasper…and now…well, now you can’t have him, can you?”
Serena turned around and saw that Rebecca had entered the kitchen and was standing there listening to her conversation with Patsy.
“Patsy is lying, Mrs. Riley,” Serena said. “I have not been having clandestine meetings with Jasper. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I don’t think she is, Serena,” Rebecca replied. “Here’s what I will do. I am not a hard-hearted woman, and I know how attractive my son is. However, he has made the right decision now, and I have no more reason to feel threatened by your presence here.” Rebecca cleared her throat. “You will continue to live in the cottage with Patsy, and she will report on your behavior. She will be watching your every move, so don’t for a moment think that you can deceive me again. You will stay on until Jasper is married or until Angelica is back. You do have a gift that I cannot ignore, and I certainly want the finest food for Jasper’s wedding, so perhaps I will retain you until after the wedding. Then you must leave. I will give you a good reference of course, provided you play your cards right and don’t go behind my back and do anything you might regret.”
Serena said nothing. She was too overcome to speak. She merely nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Riley,” she said, finally finding her voice.
She picked up Nathan and went outside to take a walk and think.
“You shouldn’t be alone outside,” Jeremiah said, coming up behind her. “It’s not safe.”
“I need to leave, Jeremiah,” Serena replied, “and I’m thinking of a way to do so.”
“If you can get the papers for your house, then Jasper will help you get it back, Serena. In the meantime, we hope to find your husband for you.”
“Your mother has told me I must stay ‘til the wedding – to prepare the banquet.”
Jeremiah sighed impatiently. “Jasper’s hand was forced, Serena. I was shocked myself. Mother gave him some sort of ultimatum. I firmly suspect it had to do with you losing your job if he didn’t propose to Molly this evening.”
Serena covered her ears with her hands. “I don’t want to know more. All this was a mistake.”
“Where are the papers that Trent wants you to sign?” Jeremiah asked.
“I don’t really know,” Serena said sadly. “They could be in my father’s study. I don’t know how Trent even got hold of them.”
“Jasper sent me here to find you… and to exhort you to be very careful of Patsy.”
“Your mother has told me that Patsy will be watching me,” Serena said sadly, “and I know that she will get me into trouble so that I lose my job. Don’t you think it’s better that I go away before all of that happens?”
“Jasper wanted me to tell you to stay on, whatever happens. If and when you are sent away, then Trent will strike again, and we will be waiting.”
“How will Jasper even be able to help me any more…when he is busy getting ready for his wedding to Molly?”
“You need to trust him, Serena. I know my brother. He cares very deeply about you.”
“And yet he is engaged to Molly Wheeler.” The words were out before Serena could stop them, and she bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”
Jeremiah gave her an apologetic look. “Mother put Jasper on the spot, and he was forced to propose.”
“It’s good that Jasper is engaged to a nice girl,” Serena said, forcing a cheerful note into her voice.
“Well yes, I suppose so,” Jeremiah replied. “But I wish Mother had given him a chance to make up his own mind, rather than forcing him into a lifelong commitment to a girl he barely has anything in common with.”
“I’m sure that once he gets to know her, he will find many things about her that he likes,” Serena said generously.
“You have to know that if you weren’t married to someone else…someone whose return you are waiting for…things would be different,” Jeremiah whispered, and Serena held up her hand to stop him talking.
“Please, Jeremiah…I can’t bear to talk about this.”
“I have to disappear. It would appear that Patsy isn’t going to let you out of her sight after all,” Jeremiah said hurriedly and left.
“If you’re waiting here in the vain hope that Mister Jasper will come out to meet you, then don’t,” Patsy said. “He seems to be quite taken with his fiancée.”
“I came out here to take a walk with Nathan, as I usually do,” Serena replied.
“Why don’t we walk up to the gate together?” Patsy suggested, and Serena recoiled.
“Why?” she asked, mentally calculating the distance to the cottage, and hoping she would be safely inside before Trent attempted to attack her again.
“You want to take a walk, don’t you? I have to watch you. So, we could walk together,” Patsy said.
“Well, that’s nice of you. But Nathan usually has a drink of warm milk at this time, so I’ll take him in and get that over with, and perhaps join you later?”
Patsy looked at her suspiciously. “I’ll come with you to the cottage. After all, I did promise Mrs. Riley that I would watch you, and watch you I will.”
“Honestly, Patsy,” Serena said, “you lied to Mrs. Riley about me meeting Jasper in the cottage. Why would you do something like that? I thought we were friends. Moreover, if you say Jasper is taken with his new fiancée, why are you worried about me being alone in the cottage? It’s not like Jasper is going to pay me a visit there. Not that he ever did. You lied for some strange reason and I want to understand it.”
Patsy looked uncomfortable. “Well, I have to look out for myself, Serena. There isn’t anybody looking out for me. I want a home of my own and money enough to live comfortably, and I intend to have it any way I can.”
“Even if it means lying and stealing?” Serena huffed, turning around and walking back to the house with Nathan.
“Stars!” Nathan said suddenly, pointing up at the sky, and Serena’s heart lifted. She had Nathan and nothing else mattered.
“Yes, darling, stars! Ever so many of them too!” She took his tiny hand and kissed it. Even as she did that, something inside of her stirred. She was not going to let Patsy or Trent get hold of her ranch…or sell it to anyone.
Patsy walked behind her, all the way back to the cottage, and when Serena was in her room, she banged on the door. “I have a proposition for you, Serena,” Patsy said when Serena opened the door.
“What is it?” Serena asked.
“Do you want to keep this job?” A cunning look crept into her eyes. “After all, you have to feed and clothe Nathan. You really need this job very badly.”
“There are other places to work, Patsy,” Serena said.
“If you leave before the wedding, Mrs. Riley won’t give you a letter of reference and you can kiss any prospect of a job goodbye,” Patsy replied.
“Look, I’m tired. What do you want of me?” Serena asked.
“One signature is all I want,” Patsy replied, and Serena stiffened.
“My signature? On what?”
“The ownership papers of Sweet Haven Ranch.”
“I gave the ranch away – to my father’s friend…because I couldn’t look after it,” Serena replied, feigning ignorance of Patsy’s connection to Trent.
“Ah well, I have been approached by that friend to get you to sign the papers stating that the property now belongs to him…”
“Why? He didn’t require my signature before,” Serena said.
“You ran away from your ranch, but the handing over was never official. Your signature is required…in case the ranch has to be sold at some point.”
“Oh,” Serena said, wondering how she would tackle this situation.
“If you sign, I will leave and go away. You can be free to do as you please and I won’t be around to tell Mrs. Riley any stories about you.”
“I see. And where are these papers that you speak of?”
“With me, of course!” Patsy announced proudly, and Serena realized that the girl was more foolish than she thought.
“I must read through what I am signing,” Serena said.
Patsy’s hackles rose. “Do you take me for a fool, Serena?” she asked, her voice louder than she realized.
“Hush, don’t shout. You’ll wake Nathan.”
“Sign the papers or I will do more than just wake Nathan. I will make sure you never see him again!”
“Bring them to me,” Serena said calmly, and she returned to her room and rummaged through her bag. One thing she had brought with her from Sweet Haven was a beautiful pair of silver candlesticks. She retrieved them from the bag and then went out of her room, closing the door firmly behind her.
“Where are you going?” Patsy shouted, hurrying back with the document.
“Nowhere,” Serena replied. “I was merely shutting the door behind me so that Nathan isn’t disturbed by our voices.”
“What are those?” Patsy asked, pointing at the candlesticks.
“Oh,” Serena said, looking lovingly at them. “They are the candlesticks that stood on the mantelpiece in the living room at Sweet Haven. Please do me a favor and replace them for me. They really should remain there rather than stay in my bag.”
“Certainly,” Patsy said, reaching out for them. When she was close enough, Serena firmly brought one of them down on the side of her head. She took another swipe at Patsy’s head to make sure she was unconscious, and then snatched the paper from her hand. She put the deed to her ranch at the bottom of her bag, and then packed the rest of her things quickly, including the candlesticks. Then she woke Nathan, picked him up, and ran out of the cottage, keeping to the shadows.
She went to the stables, and took one of the horses.
“Who goes there?” the stable hand asked.
“It’s me – Serena. Please tell Mister Jeremiah that I am borrowing a horse and will return it. I have been called away because my sister has taken very ill.”
The stable hand was too sleepy to question the veracity of Serena’s story, so he grunted, turned over, and went back to sleep. Serena hoisted Nathan onto the horse and sprang up after him; taking off at great speed and not daring to look back. She knew that Trent and Patsy would be coming after her the moment the latter regained consciousness, and that thought spurred her forward with greater resolve. She had to find a place to hide out until Jasper found Daniel, and then they both could return to Sweet Haven together.
She rode like the wind, her mind working frantically to come up with a place where she could take refuge. As if in answer, she saw the outline of a church looming in front of her. Perched on a hill, the building looked remote and yet comforting. As she drew closer to it, her heart beat faster. This was not the church that the Rileys, or even her own family, had attended. It was altogether unfamiliar, therefore Serena allowed herself to hope that she could throw herself on the mercy of the priest and take refuge there until Daniel returned.
The horse struggled up the hill, almost losing its balance on loose clods of earth, and Serena found herself praying even more fervently. When they were finally on even land and looking up at the building, Serena rode to the back to look for any signs of life.
“Please…is anyone here?” Serena called softly, rapping at the door. Her gentle rapping turned to a frenzied thumping as she grew more desperate to find help inside.
When she heard footsteps on the stone floor inside, Serena held her breath and hugged Nathan closer.
“Mama,” Nathan said. “I want Jasper.”
Serena gasped. “Why Jasper, darling? Mama’s here.”
“Jasper said he keep Mama safe,” Nathan lisped and Serena stifled a sob.
“Who is it?” a voice asked.
“I’m a woman – alone…with a child…in need of help.”
“What kind of help?”
“Shelter… A place to stay, please. I beg you…” Serena pleaded, her voice faltering.
She heard the heavy doors creak open and the welcome light of a lamp floated before her eyes for a minute.
“Where are you from?” the voice asked, and Serena strained her eyes to see past the lamplight to the bearer of the lamp.
“I will tell you everything, but first, my child needs some food, water and a bed…please.” Serena took a deep breath. “And please – may I see your face?”
The bearer of the lamp held the light up to her face and Serena looked relieved. The voice belonged to a portly woman of indeterminate age.
“Come in,” the woman said and backed inside, beckoning to Serena to enter. “I’m Laura. What is your name?”
“If I tell you, please promise that you won’t reveal it to anyone,” Serena replied.
“Why? Are you running from the law?”
“Quite the contrary,” Serena answered. “I’m running from two law breakers who are trying to steal the last thing on earth that belongs to me – my ranch.”
The woman shook her head disapprovingly at her. “The last thing on earth that belongs to you is in your arms, woman,” she said.
Serena sighed. “You’re right, and I accept that. But I have lost everything – my parents, my husband, who has not returned for the last three years…and my property.”
“You are not making any sense at all,” Laura remarked. “I’ll give you a bed. Try to get some sleep and we will talk in the morning.”
“Thank you,” Serena answered, following Laura, who led her to a room at the back and pointed to a bed.
“Lie down,” she said. “In the morning you may introduce yourself to me and tell me what brought you here at this hour.”
“Thank you,” Serena said gratefully.
Laura returned a few minutes later carrying a tray.
“Here’s some bread and warm milk.”
Serena accepted the food gratefully.
“I’m Serena,” she said as she fed Nathan the bread dipped in milk. “Have I wandered far from Misty Creek? This is unfamiliar territory to me.”
“Go to sleep now,” Laura said. “And don’t worry. You may be far from home, but you are safe here. God brought you to this church for a reason.”
Serena held Nathan close and tried to sleep, but though she dozed fitfully, deep rest eluded her. Thus, when the dawn sun broke through the clouds, Serena threw back the covers and woke Nathan. Laura entered a short time later, as though she had been waiting for Serena to awaken.
“Go that way if you want to wash,” Laura said.
“Thank you,” Serena said.
“When you are ready, we will have breakfast and we can talk.”
Serena nodded and took Nathan off to wash and change. On the way back, she took a good look around. The church had rooms at the back and she had slept in one of them. Laura, it appeared, occupied one of the others, and a young girl called Claudia was in the third. The fourth room was a kitchen with a fire blazing and a stone stove with two pots on it.
“Tell me all about yourself,” Laura said, laying plates down on a wooden table.
Serena sighed. “I lived in Sweet Haven ranch in Misty Creek,” she began, and told Laura and Claudia her story.
“What was your husband’s name?” Claudia asked.
“Daniel,” Serena replied.
“And he went off gold prospecting to North Carolina?”
“That’s what he did,” Serena replied. “Three years ago.”
“And you’ve been waiting all these years for him to return?” Laura asked, aghast. “There are some who would have remarried for security.”
Serena looked lovingly at Nathan. “I don’t have that luxury. And I would rather wait for my husband to return than marry someone else. My son needs his father back.”
“How are you sure that he will return?” Claudia asked.
“I have faith in Daniel’s love for me,” Serena replied, thinking guiltily of how she had betrayed him by allowing and encouraging Jasper’s advances.
“But what if, despite his love for you, something has happened to keep him from returning?” Laura asked.
“What could possibly keep a husband away from his wife?” Serena asked.
“My child,” Laura said gently. “You must be in denial. Gold prospecting in North Carolina – why, that’s dangerous business. If he hasn’t returned in three years, chances are good that he isn’t ever going to come back…because he can’t.”
“You mean he has found someone else to love? Another wife? Are you saying he has forgotten Nathan and me?” Serena asked, injured.
“Serena,” Claudia said, gently, “God has definitely brought you here for a purpose. The fact is, I was also married to a man who went to North Carolina. He was killed there. I waited too. For four years. My husband died fighting a rival group of men who took all the gold he had found. That happens, you know. It’s not safe, and it’s not a friendly business.”
Serena looked away. “I have thought about such a scenario when I lay awake at night, unable to sleep, but I can’t believe that it will happen to me. I have a lead now. A man that my husband went with is supposed to be living in a town near Misty Creek. All I need to do is locate him and then I will know when Daniel is to return.”
“I see,” Laura said. “I wish you luck.”
Serena wrung her hands. “Laura, I need a place to stay. I can cook – really well, actually. I can do any work at all. Could you allow Nathan and me to stay? I have nowhere to go.”
“Well,” Laura said, “There are some big houses not too far from here. Perhaps you can go looking for work there.”
“I would…but I would also be afraid of being found…by the man who is trying to harm me and take my property.”
“Serena,” Laura scolded, “You have to be strong. You must go back and reclaim your home and ranch. I don’t believe that worldly goods bring any happiness, but you need to give your son a future, and to have your ranch back would be a good thing.”
“I need protection, Laura, and I don’t have it. I can return to my home, but the man I told you of would come back to threaten my safety and my virtue.”
“I have no home either,” Claudia said. “I have been living here for almost a year. I don’t mind coming with you if you will take me to your ranch.”
Laura smiled. “Yes, that’s a good idea!” she said.
“What about you, Laura, do you live alone here in this church?”
“My husband and I are the caretakers,” Laura replied.
“Where is he? Your husband?” Serena asked.
“He has gone to help with the harvest at the Darrot’s farm.”
“Clive and Hilda Darrot?” Serena asked.
“No. They passed on. This is Freddie and Matilda Darrot I refer to. But how do you know Clive and Hilda Darrot?” Laura asked.
“They were good friends of my parents. They visited Sweet Haven on a few occasions.”
“Then we could find you work on their farm,” Laura said.
“I think I should also consider going to my own ranch with Claudia.”
“Two women against a man who is as vile as you say he is? I am not entirely sure it’s a good idea,” Laura said.
Serena sighed. “I am confused right now. I don’t know which way to turn.”
“You came here looking for sanctuary. If you had seen your face last night. You were so scared,” Laura remarked. “Things will improve.”
“I feel so much braver this morning, for having met you both,” Serena admitted.
“Then, you stay a while until we think of a solution to your problem. You can also have a chat with Reverend Custer when he comes to take service here.”
“Does he not live in a cottage at the back of the church as most Reverends do?” Serena asked curiously.
“No. He found it too lonely. He isn’t married, you see,” Laura explained.
“Oh, I see,” Serena said.
“But he has a sister who keeps house for him. People are always trying to match-make for the two of them – introducing Reverend Custer to charming single women, and Lily Custer to all the eligible bachelors they can think of.”
Serena laughed. Her cares slipped away for a while as she sat at the table, listening to the women gossiping about the townsfolk. Nathan played at her feet with some wooden ladles that Laura had given him.
“So, should I take you to the Darrot’s farm?” Laura asked.
Serena remembered the days when Clive and Hilda Darrot would call on her parents at Sweet Haven, and she felt her spirits lift a little.
“I know it will seem awkward to be asking for work when you all moved in the same social circles once upon a time,” Laura continued. “But it will be just for a while – ‘til we think of how we should help you reclaim your property.”
“Of course,” Serena answered. She rubbed her eyes. “What day is it today? I’ve lost track.”
“It’s Saturday. Tomorrow is Sunday,” Laura replied. “Reverend Custer will come to take the service here, so you can meet him. I have to go to the Darrot’s farm today to collect the milk, eggs and bread that they donate to the church, so you could come with me.”
“I will go and freshen up, in that case,” Serena said.