Unspoken Love (16 page)

Seconds later, Jenny returned. Engrossed in her own problems, she had left Nakao and Lily standing by the coach awaiting her instructions. She averted her eyes when she saw Nicholas’s mocking grin and addressed Lily and Nakao. “Come inside.”

Nicholas watched the threesome enter the house. His lips parted into a wide smile as he and Thomas joined them. “I’m so glad Jenny is home again.”

When it was time to retire, Nicholas met Jenny at her bedroom door. He reached into his pocket and pulled out her wedding band. “Will you please wear this?” he said and slipped it on her finger.

Jenny touched the beautiful ring and remembered leaving it behind when she left the plantation. “Of course I will. I’d be honored,” she answered. She gazed into his eyes and saw tenderness.

“It is rightfully yours,” he replied. He lingered. Neither was in a hurry to part ways. Finally, he said, “Let’s get some sleep. We have to get up early.”

Jenny watched him stroll to his room, then stepped into her chamber. A smile formed at the corners of her mouth as she got ready for bed. She was so glad to be back home.

In the following days, Jenny watched her father’s health prosper. He was proud that he was about to become a grandfather. Blessed with a talent for carpentry, he painstakingly carved a baby cradle out of dry lumber. He worked on it in increments, and when he felt taxed, he rested. At other times, she hardly knew he was around as he spent hours in his bedroom or read on the veranda. Occasionally, he strolled through the orchards to strengthen his heart.

Jenny extended an open invitation to Nakao to visit anytime he wished since he’d returned to his house with Waoota, while Lily remained at the plantation. As Jenny’s pregnancy progressed, Lily took over many of the household chores.

Jenny became sweetly tortured with Nicholas being in her every waking thought. She saw tension in Nicholas’s eyes and suspected intense feelings clutched at his heart as did hers. With neither willing to confess their love, they continued to sleep in separate rooms as on their wedding night.

In Jenny’s ninth month of pregnancy, she oversaw the household but could no longer do her chores. To break the monotony, she stitched baby garments in preparation for her child’s birth. She also spent time sitting on the settee, deftly working on a sampler. Still, she felt restless as her time drew near, and she yearned for something more meaningful.

One afternoon, to occupy her time, she filled a basket with gifts and sweetmeats, then boarded the wagon. Refusing to dwell on what Nicholas would say if he saw her riding out in her condition, she cautiously rode out on the plantation to visit the workers and their families. The young children, at first shy, beamed with delight as Jenny dispensed the treats.

“Little yarn dolls for the girls,” she said, passing them around. “And buzz saws for the boys.” The children giggled when they had mastered the new toys.

One of the mothers spoke to Jenny. “Thank you for bringing joy to my child. You have done something unheard of to most plantation laborers.”

Jenny replied, “It’s my pleasure, Hattie.” Noting their frayed garments, she made a mental note to ask Nicholas for material to stitch them new clothes. She prepared to return to the house and climbed slowly onto the buckboard. Setting the empty basket beside her, she grabbed Daisy’s reins.

“You better hurry, Miss Jenny,” Hattie warned. “A storm is coming.” As she spoke, heavy winds whipped across their faces, and dark clouds appeared. Hattie’s voice sounded grave. “You want one of us to see you home, Miss Jenny?”

“No, thank you, Hattie. I’ll be fine.” Jenny turned the wagon around and guided Daisy toward the house. As she left the slave quarters, she saw the workers drop their tools and leave the fields, trying to outrun the storm.

Streaks of lightning lit the sky, and thunder rumbled across the countryside as she slapped the reins across Daisy’s back. Still a good distance from the house, she heard a loud clap as lightning struck a tree. Miraculously, the rains came, preventing the smoldering tree from becoming engulfed in flames. Another clap of thunder rolled by, and Daisy reared up in panic, causing Jenny to release the reins and grab the wagon for support. Unable to hang on, she tumbled to the ground as Daisy galloped away, still hitched to the wagon. Jenny recalled Nicholas saying that storms frightened Daisy, and she knew the scared mare wouldn’t stop running until she reached the stables. As another gust of wind blew, the wicker basket soared through the air across the meadow, its yellow ribbon flapping in the breeze. Heavy winds whipped her hair, and the rain came down in torrents, chilling her to the bone. Praying lightning would not strike again, she ran into the woods and sought refuge beneath a large tree.

Pain ripped through her abdomen, and a wetness soaked her undergarments. Clutching her stomach, she knew her time was at hand. She twisted in pain.
I’ve got to get to the house before the baby comes.

Seeking a shortcut, she ran into the forest. As the pounding rain continued, she took refuge under a large pine tree, hoping the rain would ease so she could retrace her steps. Darkness descended as she called out for Nicholas, but she held little hope that he could hear her. The steady beating of the rain and howling wind drowned out all other sounds. Panic seized her, and tears of frustration sprang into her eyes as she sank to the ground and rested against a large oak tree.

Nicholas had labored on the plantation until a deluge of rain ended his work. Drenched, he returned to the stable and found Daisy still attached to the wagon. He recognized Jenny’s shawl as it dangled from a piece of splintered wood. His heart raced with apprehension as he rushed to the house, praying Jenny hadn’t ridden out in her condition.

A wide-eyed Lily met him as he stepped into the kitchen. “Jenny hasn’t returned home, Mr. Grant. She rode out to the fields this afternoon.”

“I’ll ride to Warren’s cottage. She’s probably taken refuge there,” he said and darted out the door.

Galloping across the field, he pulled up at Warren’s lodgings and tied Dexter to the post. Pounding on the door, he hoped against all odds that Jenny would be there.

Warren opened the door and let Nicholas inside. “What’s the ruckus about?”

Nicholas gasped for breath and wiped the rain from his face. “Have you seen Jenny?”

“No, Nicholas. Why do you ask?”

“She hasn’t come home, and she might be injured. I’ve got to find her!”

Billy stepped into the room and overheard their conversation. “I saw her at the cabins visiting Hattie and the field hands.”

“She’s probably there now, safe and dry.” Warren volunteered.

“She could’ve taken shelter with the slaves,” Billy added. his voice changing now that he was on the threshold of growing into a young man. Warren reached for his slicker, as did Billy. “We’ll help you look for her,” they said in unison.

“I’m much obliged, Warren, Billy. If you find Jenny, send word immediately. Be careful,” he warned. “The weather is atrocious. You run a risk of getting injured. I’ll ride to the slave quarters and see if Jenny is there.”

Swiftly he mounted Dexter and thundered down the path until he came upon the cabins. The fierce wind nearly knocked him off his mount. When he approached the dwelling, he saw Hattie and her husband, Adam, standing at the window, watching the storm.

Adam and Hattie hurried to open the door and fought a gust of wind that nearly took it off the hinges.

“Is Jennifer with you, Hattie?”

“No, Mister Grant. Miss Jenny started for home when the storm came,” Hattie replied. Her eyes widened with concern. “She should have been there long ago.”

“That’s right,” Adam concurred, his white hair and beard blowing in the stiff wind. “She was headed toward the house when we came in from the fields.”

“Thank you, Adam. I’ll look for her along the path.”

Nicholas rode with reckless abandon, calling Jenny’s name, but the storm whipped his words into oblivion.

For two hours, he rode in the downpour, feeling less hopeful with each passing minute. Nearing a thicket, he thought he heard Jenny call out and ground Dexter to a halt. He listened for the sound of her voice over the deafening storm. Cautiously guiding Dexter into the woods, he saw Jenny in the distance, drenched and bent over, her heavy clothes clinging to her frame.

Nicholas dismounted and rushed to Jenny.

“I’m so glad you found me, Nicholas! It’s time for the baby,” she whimpered, pain racking her body.

Nicholas moved a strand of dripping hair from her face and gazed into her eyes. “We’ve got to get you to the house, Jenny. Can you stand to ride?”

“I don’t know. I hurt so badly.”

“We’ve got to try, Jenny!”

“Okay, but hurry. There’s not much time.”

Carefully he helped her mount, then jumped up behind her. Terror clutched at his heart as he guided Dexter home, knowing Jenny’s life, and now the baby’s, was at risk.

“When the storm dies down, I’ll send for a midwife,” he said.

“The baby won’t wait that long,” Jenny cried, her words cut off by the howling wind.

They arrived at the house where candles burned brightly in the windows against the darkness. Huge branches swayed, nearly breaking at the trunks as Nicholas kicked the door open and carried her into the house.

Thomas gasped when he saw the soaking pair.

“The baby’s time has come,” Nicholas explained.

Thomas winced when Jenny bent over with pain. Helpless to ease her suffering, his face paled, and he gazed at her sympathetically.

“I’ll be all right, Father,” she managed to utter through her pain.

Lily came into the room. “What’s all the commotion?”

“Jenny is in labor,” Nicholas said. “Have you delivered any babies?”

Lily frowned. “No, Sir, I have not.”

“Then look after Thomas. Stay with him until I send for you.” Nicholas commanded.

Lily led Thomas away, reassuring him that Jenny would be fine. “Babies are born all the time,” she said encouragingly. “Soon, you’ll be a grandfather, Thomas.”

“I’m haunted by my dear wife’s demise when she gave birth to Jenny. I pray Jenny won’t die.”

“Please don’t fret, Thomas. Jenny is going to be just fine.”

While Lily tended to Thomas, Nicholas carried Jenny to his chamber and placed her on the bed. Removing her sodden clothes, he tossed them aside and rushed to her room. He rummaged through her dresser in search of a nightgown, then raced back and helped Jenny into it.

A strong contraction gripped Jenny, and she clung to the bedpost for support. “The baby is coming Nicholas!”

Without wavering, Nicholas tended to her. He knew it was up to him to help bring his child into the world. “I’ve helped deliver many foals. Surely birthing a baby won’t be much different,” he said.

The minutes ticked on as Jenny’s labor continued, the contractions coming minutes apart. Finally, Nicholas said, “I see the baby’s head. Bear down, Jenny.”

Jenny did as he commanded, and with one thrust, pushed their son into the world.

Nicholas cleared the baby’s air passage, then cut and tied the cord. Quickly, he wrapped the infant in a blanket and called for Lily. “It’s a boy. Take him to the nursery and wash him while I tend to Jenny,” he instructed.

Lily smiled at the small bundle that Nicholas placed in her arms, then carried the baby to the nursery.

“I still feel pain,” Jenny complained. “I think I’m having complications.”

Nicholas examined her and saw another head emerging from the birth canal. “We’re having twins, Jenny!”

Nature forced her to bear down, and shortly after, she brought another life into the world.

“It’s a girl!” Nicholas shouted.

A hint of a smile surfaced on Jenny’s lips.

“A baby girl,” she repeated, then closed her eyes in slumber.

Thirty minutes later, Lily brought the newborn babe into the room and placed him beside Jenny. Her eyes widened in amazement as she saw Nicholas attending to yet another child and wrapping it in a blanket.

“Twins,” he said excitedly, passing the infant to her. “It’s a girl.”

The baby wailed at the top of her lungs, bringing a smile to Lily’s fatigued features.

“She must be hungry. I’ll wash her, then bring her in for feeding.”

Later, when Thomas awoke, Lily helped him to Jenny’s bedside.

He looked upon his sleeping daughter and grandchildren. “I can’t ask for more,” he said. “We have another generation to carry on our heritage.” His eyes sparkled as he cheerfully added, “And I have another cradle to make.”

The rains stopped, and the winds became calm. Peace descended upon the plantation and its residents.

Lily served the men a savory meal, then went to Jenny’s room to keep a watchful eye on her and her children.

After eating heartily, the men returned from the kitchen.

“I’ll stay with Jenny,” Nicholas volunteered. “Help Thomas to his room. He needs to rest.”

Gingerly, Nicholas held his daughter and his son. After placing them beside Jenny, he stood back and admired his family. He looked up to see Warren and Billy poking their heads into the room. Grinning, they removed their hats and beheld Jenny and the babies.

Nicholas walked over to the awe-struck pair.

“I found Jenny in the woods. Daisy bolted when the storm came and threw her from the wagon. It’s a miracle that I found her. She had already gone into labor.”