Threads of Love (2 page)

“I suppose, Delphinia, your mama would think that. You gotta remember, though, your mama knew I was never one to stay in one place too long. I’ve been living in the same place for nigh onto twenty years now. I kept my bargain with your ma, and we never took off for the unknown lands farther west. But now I just have to go. There’s nothing left here for me.”

His words were like a knife in her heart. Was she really nothing to him? Could he think so little of her that it was more important to go searching for something he would probably never find?

“I’ve made proper arrangements for you, girl, and I know you’ll be well cared for. Mr. Wilshire has a nice homestead in Kansas and needs help. It’s a good arrangement for all of us, and once I get settled, I’ll let you know my whereabouts. It’ll all work out for the best.” He bent down, put an arm around her, and started leading her toward the door.

“What’s to become of our home? Will I never see it again? You can’t just go off and leave it.” She pulled back and looked up at him. Her large, brown eyes were once again wet with tears.

“Now, never you mind; I’ve taken care of all of that. Mama and I had to borrow against this place when times was bad, and I’m just turning it back over to the bank. I got a little cash to get me going and what with… Well, I’ve got enough to get set up when I hit the goldfields.” Once again, he was moving her toward the door.

“Oh, Pa, I just don’t think I can bear it,” she murmured, reaching up and throwing her arms about his neck.

“Now, now, girl, come along. It’s all gonna be just fine…you’ll see,” he said, drawing her toward the wagon.

With Mr. Wilshire’s help, Delphinia made her way up onto the seat of the buckboard, and, without looking back, she raised her hand in a small, waving gesture to her pa.

Mr. Wilshire slapped the reins, and the horses moved out.

A
wave of panic began to take over Delphinia. Here she was, on her way to who knew where, with a man she did not even know, and her pa thought it was just fine. And to think she had prayed so fervently about this! God must have been extremely busy when she issued her petitions, because she was absolutely sure that this could not be His plan for her life. Anyone could see this was a mistake. After all, she was only seventeen, and she could see the folly of this situation. And God was… Well, nobody knew how old God was, but He was certainly well over seventeen. Surely He would get her out of this mess. There must be some rescue in store for her. That was it! God had already planned her deliverance from Jonathan Wilshire!

Feeling somewhat comforted by the thought, Delphinia realized she hadn’t even gotten a good look at Mr. Wilshire since his arrival. She didn’t want to talk to him just now, but she was curious. Cautiously she glanced over his way, only to be met by two of the bluest eyes she had ever seen, and they were staring directly into hers.

She was so startled that she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Why would you need to come all the way to Illinois to find someone to care for your children?”

He did not answer but let out the deepest laugh she had ever heard.

“Just why is that such a funny question?” she countered.

“Well,” he slowly answered, “I’ve not had a line of ladies waiting at my front door whom I’d consider suitable to meet the needs of my homestead.”

Delphinia was not quite sure what that meant, but she knew she did not want to pursue the matter further, at least for now. “Why are we traveling to Kansas with a wagon train? Wouldn’t it be quicker and easier to travel by train?” she queried, not sure which would be worse: an arduous trip by wagon train or arriving in Kansas quickly.

“You’re right. It would be faster by train, and that had been my intention. I arrived in Illinois a couple days before I was to fetch you, and I was staying in town, planning to secure you shortly before our train would depart for Kansas. But the day I arrived in Cherryvale, a group of folks from the wagon train were also in town. Their wagon master had become ill and wasn’t able to continue his duties. Of course, they need to keep moving, or the snows will stop them in the mountains,” he explained.

“What does that have to do with us returning by train?” she interrupted, having expected a simple answer.

“They weren’t able to find anyone to help them. The hotel owner heard of their plight and related it to me. I believe God puts us in certain places at certain times for a purpose,” he continued. “The folks on this wagon train are good people with a need. I can fulfill that need by leading them as far as Kansas. I’ve talked with the wagon master, and he thinks he’ll be able to take over by then…probably before.”

“But what if the wagon master isn’t well by the time we reach Kansas? What if he dies?” she asked. “Then what?”

“Well, I don’t believe either of those things will happen. But if they should, I’ve talked with folks on the wagon train and explained I can go on no farther. They’ll either have to winter in Kansas or find someone else to lead them the rest of the way. They’re willing to put their trust in God that this will work, and so am I,” he responded.

She was trusting in God also but not for the same things as Jonathan Wilshire.

“I’ll be needing to pick up our supplies,” he stated, pulling the horses to a halt in front of the general store, “so if there’s anything you think you might be wanting for the journey, better get on down and come in with me.”

“Oh, I’ll just trust your judgment, Mr. Wilshire, as I’ve certainly never purchased supplies for a long journey and wouldn’t have any idea what you might be needing,” she stated rather smugly. He needn’t think he was getting someone here in Illinois who was all that suitable either! Besides, she hadn’t fibbed, for she didn’t have the faintest idea what might be needed on such a journey.

Delphinia watched him jump down from the wagon, and she could not help but admire his strength and size. Her pa was not a small man, but Mr. Wilshire was quite tall, and his shoulders were remarkably broad. She had never seen a man quite so large. Now that she thought about it, he was somewhat intimidating in his size.
Why haven’t I noticed that before?
she wondered. She was surprised she hadn’t been frightened by him but then he had been sitting down in the wagon before she had actually taken notice of him.
Well
, she determined,
I’ll not be afraid of anyone, and that includes this giant of a man
.

A loud voice roused her from her thoughts. “Phiney, Phiney, are you sleeping up there?” Delphinia looked down in horror at Mr. Wilshire standing beside the wagon.

“You weren’t speaking to me, were you, Mr. Wilshire?” she inquired.

“Of course I was,” he stated, wondering who else she thought he might be talking to. “I was asking if you’d be wanting to choose some cloth to make a few dresses and britches for the children. They have a good selection here…better than the general store back home. Besides, we’ll probably not go into Council Grove going back.”

She stared at him, dumbfounded. “No, wait. What was it you were calling me?”

“Well, your name of course. I was trying to get your attention. Seemed like you were off daydreaming.”

“I mean, what name did you call me?” she persisted.

“Phiney. I called you Phiney. Why?” he questioned.

“Mr. Wilshire,” she said with as much decorum as she could muster, “my name is
Delphinia
. Delphinia Elizabeth Hughes—not Phiney, not Delphie, and not Della. Why would you ever call me such a name?” she asked in disgust.

He looked up at her and grinned. “Seems a mite formal to me. And you feel free to call me Jonathan if you like. I been meaning to tell you that anyhow. Mr. Wilshire…well, that’s kind of formal, too. Besides, I always think people are addressing my pa when they call me that.”

A frown was etched on Delphinia’s face as she looked down at him, her brown eyes flashing fire. “Mr. Wilshire, I do not think my name is too formal. My mother took great care in choosing my name, and I am very proud of it.”

Jonathan’s eyes sparkled with humor as he watched her trying to restrain her temper. If he was any judge, she would soon be stomping her foot to make a point of this whole issue. He knew he should let it drop, but for some reason he was enjoying the display of emotion she was exhibiting for him.

“I’m mighty pleased you’re proud of your name, Phiney. I’ve always thought it was nice if folks liked their names,” he said with a benevolent grin. With that, he moved on toward the general store, while calling over his shoulder, “Better hop on down if we’re gonna get some yard goods picked out.”

It took all her forbearance not to scream after him, “Don’t call me Phiney,” but before she could give it further thought, he had disappeared into the store.

She was fairly bristling as she climbed down from the wagon, her bonnet askew and with tendrils of blond hair poking out in every direction. Jonathan stood behind some shelves of dry goods and, with wry amusement, watched her dramatic entry. He did not wish to continue upsetting her, but she really was quite a picture to behold, her cheeks turned rosy and skirt gathered up in her fists. Realizing she was looking for him, he stepped out from behind the shelves.

“Glad you decided to come in and have a look around.” He grinned. Ignoring his barb, she made her way to the table of yard goods.

“You realize, of course, Mr. Wilshire, that I have no idea what anyone in your home may need. I don’t even know who lives there,” she proclaimed, wanting to be sure he realized she was not a willing participant in the future that her father had planned.

“Guess you’ve got a point,” he commented, leaning against the table and causing it to almost topple with his weight. “There’s surely no time for going into that now, so just pick some material you like for boys and girls and maybe some for new curtains. Oh, and Granny might like something for a new dress, too.”

Her mouth had formed a large oval by the time he had finished his remarks, but before she could even exclaim, he added, “And don’t forget to get something for yourself, too.”

Not waiting for a reply, he immediately moved on to look at tools, and Delphinia found herself staring back at the clerk, an older woman she had never seen before, who was impatiently waiting to take Delphinia’s order and get to other customers. Having never before had such a task placed before her, Delphinia smiled pleasantly and approached the expectant clerk. “I’ll take some of each of these,” she said, pointing to six different fabrics.

Delphinia straightened her shoulders, her arms crossed in front of her, and stood there waiting. When the clerk made no move to cut the yard goods, Delphinia, looking perplexed, urged her on, stating, “That’s all I’ll be needing. You can cut it now.”

“Would you care to give me some idea just how much you’d like of each fabric?” the clerk questioned in a hushed voice and added a smile.

Sensing that she had the sympathy of this woman, Delphinia answered, “Just whatever you think I should have.”

“I’ll cut enough for curtains to cover four windows out of this cream color, and you’ll be able to get a dress for your little girl and a skirt for you out of this blue calico. Let’s see, we’ll cut a measure of this heavy fabric for some britches for your little boys, and this brown print might make up into a nice dress for your grandmother.”

Delphinia watched in absolute astonishment. Did this woman actually think she looked old enough to have a husband and a houseful of children? Well, she was not about to explain her circumstances to a total stranger. She would just smile and take whatever help she could get. Of course, Mr. Wilshire was also going to need all the help he could get, for she was going to educate him to the fact that he had chosen the wrong person for his Kansas family.

“Will you be wanting any thread or lace to go along with this?”

Delphinia was so deep in thought that the question caused her to startle to attention. “Whatever you think. I’ll just trust your judgment,” she smiled.

The clerk finished quickly, wrapped the goods in brown paper, and tied it with heavy twine. Jonathan moved forward and requested the clerk to add the cost to his other purchases, which were being totaled, and he began to usher Delphinia out of the store.

Turning back, Delphinia walked to the clerk and whispered, “Thank you for your help. I’ll be praying for you this evening and thanking the Lord for your help.”

“Oh, my dear, thank you,” the clerk replied. “It was a pleasure to assist you. It’s a long trip you’re making, but you’re young and strong. With that able-bodied husband of yours, you’ll do just fine.”

“He’s not my husband,” Delphinia retorted before thinking.

“Oh, well, I’ll certainly be praying for you, too, my dear,” the clerk replied.

Delphinia felt her cheeks turn a crimson red, and she began to stutter a reply, but the clerk had already turned and was helping another customer. Feeling totally humiliated, she briskly made her way out of the store and back to the wagon, where Jonathan was waiting.

Without a glance in his direction, she made her way around the wagon and quickly climbed up onto the seat. Not knowing how many people had overheard their conversation, Delphinia was anxious to join the wagon train as soon as possible.

“I thought maybe you’d like to have dinner in town. There’s a good restaurant down the street,” Jonathan offered.

“I’m not hungry. Let’s get going,” she answered, her voice sounding somewhat shrill.

“What’s wrong?” he questioned.

“Nothing. Let’s just go,” she replied.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s wrong,” Jonathan said.

Delphinia knew from the set of his jaw that she was not going to have her way. Grudgingly she recounted the conversation, trying to keep as much composure as possible.

“Is that all?” he questioned. “I’ll be right back after I explain our situation to the woman,” and he started to make his way into the store.

“No, please,” she countered. “I’d rather go no further with this. Let’s just go. I’m honestly not hungry.”

Sensing her discomfort and not wishing to cause her further embarrassment, Jonathan jumped up onto the seat, flicked the reins, and yelled, “Giddyup,” to the team of brown mares.