Just Between Friends Read online

She had on a rather old lawn dress, and her hair was in plaits, twisted and tied on each side of her head with ribbon. Even her style of hair was very old-fashioned, Miranda thought, as she watched her. The woman had gathered some clothes in her arms and was now heading toward Miranda.

  When she saw that she was conscience, she softly spoke, “Hello, my name is Nora Blake.”

  “Hello,” Miranda stuttered, for she was still shaking uncontrollably.

  Realizing this, Nora continued. ”We must get you out of those wet things. I brought you some of my clothes. They’re not as fancy as yours, but I guess they’ll have to do for now. If you think you can sit up, I’ll do my best to get you into them.” Nora pulled down the covers while Miranda slowly sat up. It was a struggle, but after they managed to get her dried off and changed, she then laid back and pulled the covers over her once more.

  “I’ll get you something warm to drink. Maybe that’ll take the chill out of you,” Nora declared. She then hurried from the room before Miranda had a chance to thank her.

  Realization suddenly struck her. Steven! Where was Steven? She remembered now. They’d been separated when the blizzard hit. Starting to arise, she began to panic. I have to find him! What if he’s still out there! She didn’t even want to think of the consequences, if he were. “Please let him be alright,” she prayed.

  Before her feet even hit the floor, a voice stopped her, “Oh no you don’t, Miranda! You’re to stay in that bed until I say differently.”

  What a beautiful sound that was to her ears. “Steven,” she cried, reaching out for him.

  Making his way to the bed, he sat on the edge gathering her in his arms. When he felt her tremble, he pulled away and lovingly urged, “Okay, Baby, there’s nothing in this world I’d rather do than hold you like this, but right now you must lie down and keep the covers over you. If you don’t get over this chill, you’re liable to get sick.” She nodded and did what she was told.

  Nora came in then with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. She placed it on the bed stand and shyly advised, “Drink this. It’ll make you feel better.” Then just as quickly as she had said it, she was gone.

  “Gee,” Steven remarked, “she sure is a shy little thing, isn’t she?”

  Nodding, Miranda then asked, “Steven, exactly where are we?”

  “Well, my guess is we’re about three or four miles from your place. I was hoping to make it home before all this hit, but we didn’t. Miranda, you scared me to death out there when the blizzard started, remember? Your hand slipped from mine then I couldn’t find you, so I followed the light here. Isaac, Nora’s husband, gathered lanterns and helped me search. I was so frightened.”

  Miranda could tell how upset he was, for his lower lip was quivering and his eyes were beginning to glisten. Swallowing hard, he continued, “If I had lost you,” his voice breaking, he lowered his head till it nestled against her chest.

  Sitting up then, he scooted close to her. Lowering his face, he gently kissed her. Then picking up the cup Nora had brought in, he said, “Miranda, sit up a little, but keep the covers over you the best you can and sip on this. It’ll warm you up in no time, I’m sure of it.”

  True to his words, it did just that. By the time she had finished it, she was no longer shivering, but drowsiness was setting in.

  Kissing her once more, Steven then stood to his feet. Taking the cup from her, he urged, “You try to sleep for a little while. I’ll be in the next room if you need me.” She only nodded, for sleep was already taking over.

  ***

  By the next morning, the blizzard had turned into only a few flurries. Miranda had slept the rest of the evening, and all through the night. Steven had offered to move her somewhere else so that Isaac and Nora could have their bed, but they would hear none of it. Isaac made his bed on the floor before the fireplace, while Nora slept on the cot in the baby’s room, and he had slept on the sofa.

  He awakened the next morning by something softly tapping his head. As he opened his eyes, he saw two little green ones staring at him. Smiling, he sat up. Isaac and Nora’s child stood there. She was such a pretty little thing, standing there in her blue cashmere dress, with white apron tied with blue ribbon at the shoulders. She reminded him of Sarah somehow, realizing she had probably looked a lot like this child at this age.

  Holding his arms out to her, she slowly crept toward him. Reaching down, he lifted her onto his lap. “Hello sweetheart. What is your name?” Saying nothing, she continued to stare, as Nora and Miranda entered the room.

  Seeing how refreshed Miranda looked, he breathed a sigh of relief, as she stated, “This is little Cathleen, Steven. Isn’t she adorable?”

  Glancing at her once more, he surely couldn’t deny this fact. Hair the color of gold lay in little curls, just a little past her ears and her green eyes were sparkling as she studied his face. Such a little angel, he thought. She looked a lot like her mother, whose hair was just a shade darker, but they had the same color eyes.

  “We’ve been waiting for you to wake up,” Miranda continued, “You’ve surely been sleeping soundly. Nora has fixed breakfast and would like us to join her and Isaac.”

  Looking at Nora, he replied, “Thank you. I have to admit, I’m famished.” Gathering the child in his arms, he stood up and walked toward them. He glanced at Cathleen, and added, as he tickled her on the stomach, “You better watch out. I’m tempted to steal this youngun.”

  The baby giggled, and everyone laughed. Miranda felt touched by the scene. Steven loved children so. She knew he would make a wonderful father one day.

  After they had eaten a breakfast of fried potatoes, eggs and sausage, Steven asked, “Isaac, is there anything around here I can help you with, just a way of thanking you and Nora for all your hospitality?”

  Pushing back his chair and rubbing his stomach, he answered, “Land no. We’re just happy we could help. Isn’t that right, Nora?”

  “Yes,” Nora cut in, keeping her head low as she spoke, and Miranda could see a red tint to her face, “it’s not that often that we have company. It’s nice having another woman to talk to once in a while.”

  Inspiration stuck Miranda, “Nora, why don’t you and Isaac come to our wedding. We would be so pleased to have you. Everyone would love Cathleen.”

  “Oh no, we couldn’t.” Then glancing down at her clothes added, “I couldn’t possibly go in these old things. This is probably the best dress I own.”

  “Nora, no-one is going to pay any attention to what you’re wearing, but if it would make you feel any better, I could loan you a dress. We look to be about the same size.” Nora looked at her husband, waiting for his response.

  He only shook his head and replied, “It’s up to you, honey. It doesn’t matter to me. I understand how much you’ve longed for a friend.”

  She was silent for a moment before finally giving an answer. “Alright, we’ll come, but I know I’ll be very nervous. I’m just not used to being around a lot of people. But it’ll be good for Cathleen, I’m sure. You see, my pa died when I was twelve. Mama did her best with us children, but we didn’t have much. You see, she had five. I have three older brothers and a younger sister, and it was a struggle. After Isaac came home from the war, he asked me to marry him, and I said yes. I know I was a little young, only fourteen, but I knew it would make it easier on mama, with one less mouth to feed, and besides, I did love Isaac. I’d known him all my life.”

  Miranda was speechless. “Fourteen? But that was just a child. Glancing at Isaac, he looked to be about her and Steven’s age. How could anyone marry someone so young? Trying her best to conceal her surprise, she realized Nora was even younger than she had thought. Why, she must be only seventeen now. She then reasoned it was probably the hard life she’s led that makes her appear older.

  “Did you hear me, Miranda?” Steven asked for the second time.

  Confused, she admitted, “No, I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t. Please, say it again.”

  “I just said w
e’d better be leaving. Can’t you imagine how worried our parents must be?”

  “Yes and all your parents have gone through thinking they had lost you once. I can’t possibly imagine how they’re feeling.”

  He stood then, and walked around the table to Miranda. As she stood, he placed one hand on her back and said with much appreciation, “Thank you both again for all your help. If there’s anything either of you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Yes,” Miranda cut in, as she finally got over the shock of Isaac and Nora, “and please, don’t forget about our wedding. It’s this Sunday at noon, at the Community church. Nora, please try to arrive early so I can give you a dress to wear, and thanks so much for everything.” She then walked over to the girl and hugged her. Without these two people they would no longer have been planning a wedding. They would never be able to repay them for all they had done.

  ***

  Frank Porter, along with Arthur Reynolds was just heading out to organize a search party for their lost children, when they saw them approaching in the sleigh. Once Steven and Miranda had explained all that had happened, both families were relieved and thankful. No-one had slept a wink the entire night, fearing the worst.

  So, having them back home, they retired to bed early that night, each family giving a word of thanks to God, for the safe return of their children.

  Chapter XXI

  A few snowflakes still fell from the sky, but not many clouds remained. It looked to be a beautiful day for a wedding. Steven was so nervous he hardly slept a wink all night. Just imagine, he thought, as he pulled himself up from the bed. Today, Miranda will be mine. After all these years of separation, it all seemed like a dream.

  Pacing the floor as he nervously rubbed his hands together, he realized he needed his cane less and less with each passing day. Looking at himself in the mirror, he studied his reflection. Even though he was beginning to look more like his old self again, he was still rather thin, and the lines and scars on his face, he sadly faced, would be permanent. Things could have been far worse for him though, for some of the men who had fought in the war, had lost their lives. He should be thankful. Besides, Miranda still loved him, and that’s all that mattered.

  The sound of someone lightly tapping at his door jolted him from his thoughts. Opening it just slightly, his mother asked, “Steven dear, may I come in?”

  “Sure, Ma, I was just thinking about today, and wondering how well it will go. I so want everything to be perfect for Miranda on her wedding day.”

  Entering the room, he met her, and together they went to the window and sat on the two chairs that sat before it. Sitting a moment before speaking, Amelia then began, “Steven, I want you to know I couldn’t be happier for you. I know how long you’ve waited for this day. You and Miranda will have a wonderful life together. But I’ll be honest. Now that we have you back, I wish we could have had you home for at least a little while longer.”

  He saw the tears welling in her eyes. Steven reflected on what a wonderful mother she was. It hurt him terribly realizing what she must have endured thinking him dead. Reaching out, he took her small hand in his and replied, “Ma, I can only imagine how you must feel. Maybe one day I’ll be a parent and I’ll know all the pain I’ve put you through, but you know I would never intentionally hurt you for anything in the world. And Ma, If you think about it, you’ll realize I’ll only be living out back, at least for now anyway. Now I know it may not be the same, but I’m twenty-four years old now, and Miranda will be in May. We’ve waited so long already we just can’t afford to waste any more time. You can understand that, can’t you?”

  “Honey, I never meant for you to wait any longer. I want you to be happy, for whenever you are, then so am I. I’m just going to miss you. That’s all. I know that may not make any sense, since you are going to be living in the old house.”

  She was beginning to feel exasperated. “Oh, I can’t explain to you what I’m feeling. It’s something only mothers would understand. Also, I want you to know that I love you very much. If there’s anything you or Miranda ever need, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  With that, she stood up and went back downstairs. But Steven knew why she had made such a quick departure, for tears were trickling down her face. She had never liked for anyone to see her cry. How would she ever handle it when Alec took Samantha and Sarah? But one thing at a time, he thought.

  ***

  Miranda had been up for hours. It was now eleven-thirty and she had been working on her hair for over an hour, with Cassie trying her best to help. Finally after much fuss, her sister stepped back as Miranda looked at herself in the mirror, feeling very pleased with what she saw. Her hair was dressed in Madonna style, drawn into a chignon at the back of her neck, with long curls hanging down, with a touch of baby’s breath to accentuate it.

  “Miranda,” Cassie remarked, “your hair looks lovely, and once you’ve put on Grandmama Owens wedding dress, Steven will feel so proud. You’re going to make such a beautiful bride. I wish our grandparents could have been here for both our weddings.”

  “I know what you mean.” Her face suddenly took on a faraway expression. “I miss them all so much.”

  “So do I,” Cassie returned, “but I know how happy they would be for us. One day we’ll be with them again.”

  “Yes we will,” Miranda agreed, as she again felt that restlessness. “Oh Cass, I’m so nervous. Did you feel like this the day you married Ben?”

  “Come on, Miranda, you know how I was. Remember at the church how I had felt faint, and you brought me a glass of water from papa’s buggy? I didn’t think I would ever make it through that day, but I did. Now …” She seemed to be having a hard time trying to tell Miranda something.

  “What is it, Cassie?” Miranda asked, with concern in her voice.

  “Miranda, if I tell you something, will you keep it a secret, at least for today?”

  “Of course I will. When have I ever betrayed you?”

  “Well, maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this on your wedding day, but I’m so excited, I just have to tell someone or explode. You see, I’m going to have a baby.”

  Miranda squealed then embraced her sister. “Oh Cassie, I’m so happy for you! Does Ben know?”

  “Yes, and he’s been floating on air ever since.”

  “How long have you known?”

  “For nearly a week now, I’m now two and a half months along. We decided not to say anything until after the wedding so as not to put too much on mama. Oh, I know she’ll be thrilled, but I wanted her total attention to be on your wedding. It means so much to her to be able to take care of things. She felt so bad when I got married and you and Aunt Alice had to do it all.”

  “Yes, I know, but I’m glad aunt Alice came back for my wedding and Aunt Rose too. They’ve been helping mama, but this time, she’s the one doing the bossing.” They both laughed at that, remembering how controlling aunt Alice was at Cassie’s wedding.

  She became serious then. “Cass,” Miranda began, “are you as happy now as you was when you first married Ben? I mean is marriage as wonderful as I picture it to be?”

  “Miranda,” Cassie began her face aglow, “I think if anything, I’m even happier now than I was at first. When you’re lucky enough to marry the one you’re truly in love with, well, it’s like this bond is formed between you. It’s hard to explain, but I wouldn’t change anything in my life. It’s all perfect to me. I love Ben so much. Oh, we’ve had our bad times too, but all the good things we’ve shared have far outweighed the bad, except of course, for the miscarriage. That has to be the worst thing we’ve suffered. Now we can just hope and pray that this one will be healthy, and that nothing bad will happen to it.”

  Touching her sister’s arm, Miranda encouraged her, “Cassie, I know your child will be fine, and who knows, maybe it’ll have a little cousin to play with.” Cassandra looked shocked.

  She felt her face flush then. “Well, it could happen you know, after a
ll Steven and I are getting married in only about an hour.” They both laughed.

  “Well, come on Miranda,” she urged, “times a wasting. Let’s get you into that dress. It won’t be long before we have to head for the church.”

  “That’s right we need to go a little early so I can take Nora a dress.”

  Miranda’s whole body was trembling as Cassie helped her into her wedding gown. As they slid the last hook into place, Miranda glanced once more in the mirror. “Miranda,” Cassie exclaimed, “You’re so beautiful! I wish grandmama Owens could have seen you in her dress. She would have been so pleased.”

  Miranda had to agree. Although never having been one to think of herself as beautiful, she had to admit she liked what she saw today. There she stood in her satin wedding gown made with a deep-trimming of white gauze, held in place by bows of gauze bound with white satin. White satin edged the bottom of the skirt and the low-cut neck of the bodice. The sleeves were made of a full puff of the gauze, caught down with satin pipings. Her style of hair, with the long curls cascading down her back, only added to the touch.