To Capture Her Heart (21 page)

“I think your father would like to. And Reverend Youngs. 'Tis you young whippersnappers who cannot.” Her soft laughter erupted like the tinkle of a bell.

“Joseph and I will ride out at dawn with the horse troop. We'll just be out gathering information about Johnny's whereabouts.”

“But that is dangerous, is it not?”

He stood up and bent to kiss her cheek. “It's nothing to
worry about, Mother. We'll just be nosing around, staying out of trouble.”

“Why take the whole troop then?”

He walked toward the stairs. “We don't want to wind up like Johnny, I guess. We'll be safe.”

He entered his room and the wood floor creaked. He paused at the foot of his siblings' bed. They slept soundly, and he moved to his bed and sank to his knees. He wished Heather Flower was not so far away. If he could but talk to her and tell her what was planned. But then, would she care what he had to say? He doubted it. She was already upset with him. This would just add to it and seal his fate with her. Joseph's comment shattered his reverie. He should not be thinking of her. His brother was right. It would interfere with what they needed to do. He prayed for safe travels and God's presence for the morrow. They would need it. Lord be with them.

April 17, 1654

Winnie welcomed the ride with Abigail and James. Little Misha cuddled with her in the back of the wagon as it made its way over the bumps and ruts. She used to ride with Mary over this same trail after Jeremy brought Starlight over from England. How she'd loved the feeling of freedom sailing across the countryside, holding tight as Mary expertly guided the horse.

Heather Flower had come to visit only once since she'd returned home, so Winnie did her best to make the trip to Mary's Wednesday ladies meeting whenever she could. Often she walked, but today James had some supplies he wanted to deliver and they offered to bring her back with them.

James turned on the bench. “Do you know that the Southold troops rode west yesterday morning?”

Winnie looked up from Misha. “No, why? Where are they going?”

Abigail spoke up. “They are riding to Hempstead to find out about the disappearance of Johnny Youngs.”

“I knew he was gone a long time, but how do they know he disappeared?”

The wagon hit a rock and Abigail grabbed the backboard. James stretched out his arm to secure her. When it stopped rocking, he glanced back to see if Winnie and Misha were all right. “They've gotten news that he might be a prisoner in New Amsterdam. The boys are just out scoutin'.”

They rumbled into town, splattering mud with the wheels. It'd been a wet April so far, with heavy clouds still cloistering the sky. As they pulled in front of the Horton house, a few fat drops fell.

James hopped down and raised his arms for Abigail. She landed softly and turned for Misha as he helped Winnie out. “All right, ladies. Have a good time with Aunt Mary.” He kissed the baby's hair, then climbed back up. “I'll be back to get you before supper.”

Mary heard the wagon and pulled open the door. Her apron was dusted with flour and the scent of dough greeted her guests. “Come in, come in. 'Tis starting to rain again. Don't get wet.”

She smiled at Misha, and the little girl held out her arms and fell into Mary's. “Ah, sweet girl. Come to Auntie.”

Abbey helped Winnie off with her cloak and hung their outer garments by the fire to dry as they all moved back to the big kitchen.

Lizzie placed dough mounds on the peel to transfer into the hot oven, and Patience, with Hannah by her feet, bounced Sarah on her lap.

“Good morrow, Abigail. Winnie, so good to see you.” Lizzie wiped her hands on her apron and gave each of the ladies a hug.

Patience stood and kissed Winnie's cheek, then turned so the older woman could kiss baby Sarah's cheek too. Hannah waited and was showered with hugs and kisses.

“
Aquai
, friends. I am always glad to be here.” Winnie's smile was hesitant. “Is it true the Dutch have Johnny?”

Mary's eyes glistened and she blinked. There was quiet for a moment and she set Misha down next to Patience. She picked up her apron and dabbed at the corner of her eye. “Well, yes. It might be. Jay and Ben left yesterday to find out. They took the whole horse troop, so I think they expect trouble. Of course, they won't tell me that. They make light of it. I've a pile of breeches here for mending, if you all don't mind helping me with them. I thought we could work on them in between putting the bread in the oven. Lizzie and I worked half the night and all morning getting the dough ready.”

Winnie picked up the first pair and sat next to Patience. “I need something to sew. It is calm to my soul.”

“Good. I'll fetch the Bible and we'll start with our prayer and a Scripture.” When she returned with the Bible, she sat opposite Lizzie. She opened to Proverbs 29:25. “Barnabas read this to me last night when I told him how afraid I was for our sons to be going into Dutch territory. He reminded me they'd been there before and God always went with them. Here's what it says: ‘Fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.'”

She looked up. The angst that had veiled their faces faded and she was encouraged to lead them in prayers.

At her “amen” Winnie raised her eyes. “I feel stronger, Mary, thank you. And I know I must tell Momoweta to send a smoke signal to Wyandanch. We will get the word to our people to keep them safe. We are sisters, I will send out the word they go in peace.”

“Thank you. You've always been the wise, strong one of our group, Winnie, and I want you to know how glad we are to have you back.” She wasn't convinced the men went in peace, but certainly the object of their discontent was the Dutch. “Ben didn't say it, but Jay told me before they left that he's concerned about Heather Flower's reaction to this.”

“Why?”

“I suppose because she knows how he feels about the young lieutenant, Dirk. Ben is one of the sweetest men I know. He always has been. But with Dirk I'm sure it's the competition over Heather Flower. He'd never admit it, though. I wish I could help him. But you know how love is.”

Lizzie's laughter erupted. “Little sister, you are the last person I would expect to hear that from. Prithee, tell me all about love.”

Mary could feel the warmth of blush flood her cheeks. “Only that it took me a long time to find it, did it not?”

They all laughed and stitched for a while in silence. Mary kept her eyes on her work. Were they all lost in their own reverie about love, or were they all thinking about the years she craved Barney's love and he could not give it? Goodness, it felt like a long time ago now, but an eternity while she went through it.

Lizzie made amends. “I will say, Benjamin would be a wonderful husband. Any girl would be blessed to have him. I don't know what Anna Budd was thinking when she married that Tucker boy.”

Patience grinned. “Benjamin is a shy one. Nothing wrong with that, but it leaves the girls not sure if he has an interest, so they go with the ones that show them they do.” She bounced Sarah. “Don't we, Sarah? 'Tis what we do, isn't it, little one?”

Mary gave her a dour look, very reminiscent of Lizzie's when she lectured. “Do not teach my poppet about love, Patience.
And Ben is not shy. Not in the least. He's a gentleman and the girls should appreciate that.”

“Oh, they do, Mary. But they also want to be wed, so they marry the first boy that asks. 'Tis just the way it is. Nothing bad about Benjamin at all.”

Lizzie set the breeches down in her lap. “Then how is it that you haven't married, Patience? Many a man has asked you. We all know that.”

Mary looked at her, waiting for her friend's answer, but she knew what she would say. Patience returned her look.

“When I was a child, I dreamed of marrying Barnabas. But of course he was married to Ann and then to Mary. You know Barnabas—there's really no other man like him. When Mary and I became friends, I made a vow to myself I would not marry unless the man who asked me could measure up to Barnabas. And I have not given up my vow.” She breathed out like she had been holding it.

Mary's eyes crinkled as she smiled at her friend. She twisted a stray curl with her finger. “I know you have always felt that way, and you are right—Barney is an honorable man who has known much pain, but he learned to trust God with it. Thank you, my friend. Those are kind words and I pray you find the man who is right for you and will love you with all of his heart. You deserve that.”

Mary caught the look Lizzie and Winnie exchanged. She raised her brow. “Well, you've known for a long time how Patience and I feel. 'Tis nothing new to you, now is it?”

The smell of baked bread permeated the room, and Lizzie jumped up. “I almost forgot.” She threw open the oven door and Mary got up to help her.

The bread was golden—another minute, it might have
burned—but they brought out loaves baked to perfection. They used kitchen rags to move them to the table. Abigail got up and stirred the stew that simmered in the pot and took bowls from the shelf above the sideboard. “James will be here soon to pick us up, Aunt Mary.”

“Stay for supper. We've plenty, and with Jay and Ben gone, Barney would enjoy James's company.”

Before long Barney came in from the field with Caleb and all eyes were on him. “Heigh-ho. What's this, pray thee? Do I have mud on my face?” He rubbed his forearm across his brow.

Mary tiptoed and kissed his cheek, but stayed clear of his dirty clothes. “Nay. We just appreciate you, Barney. We love you.”

“Very well, then.” He wiggled his eyebrows and chortled and everyone joined the laugh.

James arrived, and after prayers and Scripture they ate fresh bread with the pottage left from dinner.

Zeke had ridden out with the boys, and now Lizzie walked home with Patience. It was chilly, but they had their cloaks. Winnie and Abigail climbed into the wagon, and Mary handed Misha to them. James shook hands with Barney, who clapped him on the back.

Mary stood back and watched them leave. Winnie would spread the word to her people and that would be a good thing for Ben and Jay. But what about Heather Flower? Where would her emotions take her? To Ben? Or would she be worried about Dirk? Was Dirk one of those men Patience was talking about? The kind who won the girl because they were not shy about saying what was on their mind? She'd never thought of Benjamin as shy. Why, he was just polite, was he not?

April 20, 1654

Sarah lay in her basket, close enough to the fire to keep warm, but far from stray sparks. Abbey would be here soon to take her upstairs for a nap.

Mary stood on a box and stretched to bring down the carved wooden candy molds. Most of her molds were from France, presents from Jeremy. But her two favorite were carved out of walnut wood by Jay. She gathered up the sugar loaf and shears and spread everything out on the old oak table. Today she and Lizzie would make sugar candy.

She set out several dozen eggs and a redware bowl as Hannah climbed up on the bench to be her helper. She brought out a small wooden pestle and mortar and began to grind the almonds that the boys had hulled for her the evening before.

Lizzie arrived in a flurry of kisses for her nieces, and soon they were up to their elbows in whipped egg whites. She saved the yolks to mix into a pudding for supper. Hannah got to stir as Mary snipped the sugar with her silver sugar shears and
Lizzie poured it into the egg whites. They worked the ground almonds in with their hands, and Hannah had to be reminded to save licking her fingers until after they patted the candy into the molds.

Abbey came in with Misha, and after sampling the confections, she picked up a sleepy Sarah and took the little ones upstairs. Hannah held onto her skirt and looked back at the candy making with big tears as she followed Abbey upstairs. “Come, little one. There will be plenty of sugar for you after a nap.”

Mary blew a kiss to her little girl and then brought out the cross-buns Barney had baked. His beautiful manchet loaves and ginger cakes were hard to match. He was the baker, but she was the sugar-baker and spring was a busy candy-making time. Lizzie arranged the candies on wooden trays.

The chilly spring morning turned into a warm afternoon, and with dinner behind them and a good portion of the sales done, the two women mopped their damp brows.

Lizzie smoothed her salt and pepper tendrils that curled about her face. “Do you have any news from the boys?”

Mary took a couple of the sugar crumbs and dropped them into steaming mugs of water with sprigs of mint. She handed one to Lizzie and they wandered to the front parlor. Her eyes took on a watery blue tint. “We haven't heard from them or anyone in the horse troop. But we didn't really expect to. I pray for them every day.”

“How was Benjamin doing before he left? Does he miss Heather Flower?”

“Oh, yes. But we all do. I think this is good for her, to be at home with her people. She needs the time to find what's in her heart and maybe Ben does too. When he came back from
Montauk the last time, he was very quiet about her and seemed to want the separation.”

Lizzie sat opposite Mary. “What if her heart is for Dirk?”

“I fear her family would disown her. Certainly Ben and Jay would be unhappy. And Johnny too. I don't know what they would do. But I think she must follow her heart, do you not agree?”

Lizzie nodded. “Of course she must.”

“I mean, look at Patience. We all have wanted for years for her to find someone to share her life with. But she shares her life with us, and God fills every need she has. She teaches young girls and sometimes the boys. She has found purpose and fulfillment in that, and is in her own way following her heart.”

“That may be true, but just the same, do you remember how much you wanted a baby? It seemed you wanted to follow your heart but God had something different in mind. At least for a time.”

Tears pricked at Mary's eyes as she thought back over the years. It wasn't just a baby she longed for, it was Barney's love. And she thought she could get both all on her own. “The lesson there was we need to seek God in all that we desire. Barney and I have been blessed, but not because of anything we did.”

“Do you think Heather Flower might never marry then?”

Mary sipped her minty water and looked at Lizzie over the rim of her mug. “I think God will fill her needs. And if a husband is that, He will do it in His own time, do you not agree?”

Her sister's silvery laugh filled the room. “Yes, I believe that, but 'tis such fun to try to figure it out too. And you know you long for Benjamin to marry.”

Mary bubbled with laughter too. “True. But for a man, a good wife keeps him out of trouble. And continues the generations, and the family name. I know Ben loved Anna very much,
and I know he has had a special place in his heart for Heather Flower since they were young. I just don't know—”

The small bell at the back kitchen door rang as someone entered the bakeshop, and Mary and Lizzie hurried to greet their customer.

“Oh, Patience, I'm glad you're here.” Mary gave her a warm hug and stepped back to allow Lizzie a hug too. “We are sipping a mint tea. Would you like some?”

“I would love some.”

Mary handed her a mug with the cooled beverage, and she sipped as they moved to the long oak table.

“I heard the weaver is making his way through Southold next week and thought you might like to know. We might want to all get together and sort our thread and plan what we'd like made up.”

Lizzie's violet-blue eyes lit up. “Yes. And do you think he shall have some news? He's been all over by the time he makes it here. I so love it when he tells us what's been going on over in Southhampton.”

Mary put up her hand to stifle the gossip she knew would follow. “I thought you were going to talk to him about getting your own loom? Are you still entertaining the idea of a hat shop?”

“Oh yes, I am. Do you think Heather Flower would like to help me? She does such beautiful beading.”

Mary thought a bit. “Perhaps. I would love for her to become more involved with our town. That might be the way to encourage her.”

Patience raised her eyebrows. “Encourage her to what?”

Mary wagged her finger at her friend with a grin and a tsk. “Oh, 'tis not what you think.” But then again, why not?

Mary sat down to pen her candy recipe into her book.

Marchpane Candy

Two pounds almonds

Two pounds snipped sugar

Two dozen whipped egg whites

Rosewater

But her thoughts drifted to Heather Flower and she didn't finish. Her obsession with finding a place for Heather Flower in their community went beyond her desire for Winnie's niece to fit in. She didn't want Ben to be hurt, so perhaps if she could give them opportunity to see each other, the feelings they'd always had for each other could grow.

Not all the townspeople would agree with her. Certainly Patience and Lizzie would. But many of her neighbors felt that intermarrying was not right. Indeed, they would just as soon the natives pack up and move westward, deeper into the forest. But she didn't feel that God had called them here to drive out the people He'd already planted. And surely they were all the same in God's eyes. Heather Flower's parents felt much the same way as some of the townspeople, though for perhaps different reasons. They worried about diluting their heritage, losing their identity.

Both Sarah and Hannah napped, so she wandered to the apple orchard, now dotted with pink and white blossoms, and settled beneath her cornerstone tree.

If marriage for Ben and Heather Flower was meant to be, they would find the way. She reminded herself “in God's time.”
Not my time nor my will, dear Lord, but
Yours. Amen
.

The new grass rustled and she looked up to see Barney stand
ing next to her. He lowered himself to the ground. “Abbey said I'd find you out here. Unloading your troubles to God?” His smile spread and she smiled in return.

“This little tree has always reminded me to be strong. God's given me some good answers and some blessings while sitting right here.” The afternoon sunshine felt good on her face and she turned her eyes heavenward. Should she share what was on her mind? Or would he think she was meddling?

“There are rumors going around.”

“Oh?”

“Aye. I've heard you favor a wedding for Benjamin and Heather Flower.”

She giggled and leaned into his shoulder as he wrapped an arm about her. “There's been no secret in that.”

“True. But if I know Benjamin, there will be no courting unless he's certain her feelings for that Dutchman have cooled. He was burned by Anna's fickle feelings. It's made him cautious, which is not a bad thing. Mayhap his mission to western Long Island will be the test. He was worried Heather Flower's concerns would be with Van Buren. We shall see.”

“I don't want misunderstandings to keep two people who love each other apart. But then again, I don't want Ben hurt.”

“Whether it's misunderstanding or circumstance, it's nothing you can change.” He leaned into her and kissed her forehead.

Abbey came out with Sarah on her hip and Hannah running beside her. Mary opened her arms as her little girl tumbled into them. “Ah, and here's two of my biggest little blessings. Did you have a good sleep?”

“Yes, Mama.” She blinked her eyes up and down and giggled.

Barney chuckled. “She reminds me of the young girl that I
used to give ginger cakes to back in Mowsley. She looks just like you, my sweet.”

Mary hugged her close as Abbey lowered Sarah to Barney's arms. It didn't take long for their littlest to start squirming. “Here, Hannah, Mama must get up.” She stood and took Sarah into her arms as Abbey chased Hannah around the orchard. “I'll take her in. She's a hungry little girl, but so good.” She walked toward the back kitchen door. Barney was right. There wasn't anything she could do. But she could pray.