The Quarryman's Bride

7/28/2019 The Quarryman's Bride

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L n d o f S i n i n g W T

T

QuarrymansB i d

T c i P T S o n

5


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2013 by T P

Publhd by Bhy Hu Publh

11400 Hmph Avu Suh

Blmg, M 55438

www.bhyhu.m

Bhy Hu Publh dv

Bk Publhg Gup, Gd Rpd, Mhg

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All gh vd. N p h publ my b pdud, d vl

system, or transmitted in any orm or by any meansor example, electronic, photocopy,

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Lby Cg Clgg--Publ D

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Summy: Hl m Ld Shg W 1890M; Emmly d Tv pd by duy y bdd by lv,

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pPvdd by publh.

ISBN 978-0-7642-1115-7 (lh : lk. pp)

ISBN 978-0-7642-0620-7 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7642-1116-4 (lg-p pbk.)

1. FmlMF. 2. MHy19h uy

F. 3. Ch . 4. Lv . I. Tl.

PS3566.E7717Q37 2013

813 .54d23 2013002242

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the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual

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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7 6 5 4 3 2 1


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5

chapter 1

St. Cl o u d, M i n n e S o t a

ap r i l 1886

Sv-y-ld Emmly Kx d uk bu

ud mpbl bh. H h d, d

uld m g p h muh d h lug.

Blk dgd h v.

She reached out and gripped Tavin MacLachlans hand,

not caring i anyone thought it inappropriate. They were,

ll, ggd b md l h w mh. H

presence strengthened her, and at last she ound she could

dw huddg bh.

Let us pray, Reverend Campbell announced in sobertones. Father, we commit these bodies to the ground and

these spirits to you. May your comort be upon those who

hv ud h l. Am.

Amen, Emmalyne whispered along with the rest. She

lkd up m Tv wul xp.

A yu ll gh? h kd ly.

As well as I can be. She looked to her let, where her

mother, clad in black, stood pale-aced and rigid. Rowena

Kx y w dy h mm bu wll m lg


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hu wpg. Emmly yug bh, Agu, d

h h d h mh. Bly wlv y ld, h

vd h mh pp wh h dk bw hd g y. Th mh Sh d Wlh y

made her a handsome, albeit petite woman, while Angus

ldy d h ll h Emmly. H wuld uly

up v h h.

Luh Kx mgh hv b h u, bu h

was no doubt that he was a man o strength. Even now, Emma-lynes ather showed no emotion. His ancestry, beginning with

h g h hghld Sld, w pv h d

h d blu y. H bgu d hy p

yhg v mly vlu l dub.

Im so sorry or your loss, Emmalyne heard Tavins mother

say sotly, coming up to them with her hand outstretched.

Emmalyne nodded, seeing Tavins younger brother, Gillam,

d , Fll, dg ju bhd h mh. Fll

d Emmly w h b d.

Emmly lkd h wm gz h wm h

would soon call mother-in-law. I can scarcely believe theyre

gone. She let her glance return to the two open graves where

her younger sisters, Doreen and Lorna, had just been laid .

The tornado took so many lives, Morna MacLachlan

d, ddg h ymphy.

It hadnt yet been a week since a massive storm ripped

through St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids. The devastation had

taken lives in both cities, but Sauk Rapids had borne ar

m du. Emmly mly w ju

hudd h hd ud h d wh. Th hu

hy hd lvd w w mly pl wd.


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Gods wrath, h h hd d wh gy d

to the heavens. The memory made Emmalyne shudder even now.

Dy w ju u, Emmly mumud, gher thoughts away rom her athers near blasphemous anger.

Lorna only ten. How can they be . . . gone orever? Her

y wlld wh w .

M mbd Emmly. T hd uh b.

I d yu ld . W hy ubl m?

Emmalyne nodded, returning the embrace. They live tooar away and couldnt aord the trip. They have their own

ml wy bu w, Mh dd lly xp

hy wuld m.

Still, they would have oered her comort, Morna replied.

Fll ppd l j h hug. Oh, Emmy, Im

so very sorry. You know I loved them so. She, too, began

y.

I know you loved them, Emmalyne whispered. They

lvd yu, . Sh lxd h wmh h h-wy

mb, lhg h m d upp.

A l I d b h p l, Emmly d,

nally pulling back. You have been so good to my amily.

Mother said she would never have made it through thoserst ew nights without your kind intercession and invitation

yu hm.

Letting you stay with us was the least we could do,

M pld. Yu b mly vy wy, d

there was no need to delay welcoming you into our numbers.

Ad I hv lwy wd , Fll ud h.

S h vy wh hll m u. Sh mld, bu h

w h kp m lg lg.

Yes, but I know that our presence in your home hasnt


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b y. My h . . . Emmly l h wd l

as she cast a quick glance to see i hed overheard. But he

w buy wlg mhg h p w llg hm.He can be most dicult. Emmalyne let out a long breath,

h uh hd b p up d h qu whl.

H gvg h l h hld, Emmly. Yull

d b p wh hm. Cm, Fll. W mu

u dl M. d M. Kx.

M xu Emmly h w gu, buEmmly kw h w gd h h

uyldg mp d hh wd. Shd v wd

vd gl kd m h h, d h

uly dubd h w pbl h. Emmly hd

grown up to ear and venerate him, to never question his

decisions or commands. Perhaps that was why she always

hhd Tv d wd h.

Emmalyne elt a gentle squeeze on her shoulder and turned

d Tv h, h g y hwg . Sh l

a rush o comort rom the love she ound there. Id best

speak my condolences, as well, he told her. I wouldnt want

yu h hk m ud.

Father wont think anything, Emmalyne muttered, ex-cept how much this is costing him. She was glad Morna had

ldy mvd wy pk wh h mh.

Try not to ret, love, Tavin said close to her ear. Tis but

w h wk, d yull lg hv wy bu

what he thinks. He drew her along with him and walked

v h h d mh.

Extending his hand, Tavin met Mr. Knoxs hard-xed stare.

My h p Gd b up yu. Im hly y

yu l, .


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Father reused to take Tavins hand, and Emmalynes heart

uk h gh. H h uld l v h ym-

ph h whu bg uvl. Tv ppd u-d, hwv, d mvd gv Emmly mh

hug.

Mh Kx, yu hv my dp ymphy. I w vy

d D d L.

Mother nodded, her expression one o disbelie and shock.

She had cried hersel out in the previous days and now seemed l wh h huld y d. Sh lkd dw

d hk h hd. I . . . I . . . Th w wd.

Tavin patted her arm, then turned to speak to his own

mh. Im gg wlk Emmly bk h hu.

Ny. Emmly h uddly upd h -

v. Yll b d h.

Shocked expressions xed upon Luthias Knox. Emmalyne

couldnt imagine what had gotten into him, but rom the look

h , h kw dd bd wll y hm.

I you need us to stay, Father . . . she began, but her

wd qukly ld .

By now the ew attendees o the uneral were making their

wy bk h g, h gv dgg bg hv-lg d p h mll k hyd ly lwd

the ground. Emmalyne hated the sound o the dirt hitting

h wd ld.

Ye and Rabbie have been most good to us, Father nally

said, looking with a grim nod to Robert MacLachlan, Tavins

ather. Im sorry to say I cannae stay and repay ye just now.

Theres nothing to repay, Robert MacLachlan declared.

Yu wuldv d h m m d m.

Fh ddd , d Emmly hugh h w ju


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a hint o sotening in his expression. He xed her with a gaze

just then that almost seemed regretul, something shed never

wd h h u b.Were movin to Minneapolis, Father declared in his

bup m.

But surely nae until ater the wedding, Morna inter-

jd. T bu w wk wy

Th wll b wdd.

Emmly h bg pud, d h jw dppdp. Sh hld h bh d hugh d h uhkbl

d d h h.

Tv pk up. Wh yu yg, ?

Im sayin the weddin is o. Emmalyne has a responsibil-

y h w mly. Wh h yug dd d h

older sisters married, it alls to her to remain and care or

h mh d m.

A y hll ld v Emmly. The tradition! Shd

g ll bu . Hvg b h hd ld d

rom the last daughter in the Knox amily line, she had seldom

given the tradition much thought. Now, however, she was

h yug dugh, d h Kx mly lg h

md h pbl gv up l h w her aging parents. It had been done that way or generations.

Yu gv yu blg. Th wddg h b pld,

Tv pd.

Emmly lkd h h. H w up, d h

was re in his eyes. Yed do well not to question me, boy. The

wddg g k pl, d h m l wd.

Bu, Luh

Father waved Robert o. We have our way o doin things,

Rbb. Yu kw h wll y m.


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F u I d, bu

Th hg m du. Iv ju bud w

m dugh, d w hv lg p hd u.Suly yu y m dy, M gud.

Pl, Luh. I d l ll wll, Mh d,

mg wl b h y.

Emmly whd h h wl wh h mm.

H lly k hld h w m. I upp yll ju

b h wy I y m pl hugh. Wlly m gh, bu h mw w k u lv.

Emmalyne ought back a wave o nausea as everything

hd pld umbld du ud h. Th d

hd ly k h lv h d dyd h

hm; hd Emmly h uu.

Sleep reused to come that night. Tavins sister, Fenella,

d ju lly Emmly, d gv h w

bd, wh mvd, hy bh dd.

I lp, Fll lly dld, ug v

m, h m h bk. I blv yu h

dg h, Emmly. Yu mu llw .Emmalyne stared into the darkness. What choice do I

have, Fenella? I must respect his wishes. The Bible makes

l h I w hm h d bd.

Bu yu lv Tv.

Ay. I d lv hm.

Fenella leaned up on one elbow. And he loves you. You

g d lv hm lk h.

Emmalyne wished with all her heart there might be another

wy. I d want lv hm. Yu kw I d.


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Then dont. Go to him. Elope tonight. Fenella got up

m h bd. Ill g g hm gh w. Yu w lv

b y wk up.I know you mean well, Emmalyne whispered through

trembling lips. But, no. I cannot. It would be a dishonor,

d my h d mh wuld v pk m g.

Fenella was already pulling on her robe. Just talk to Tavin

bu . Myb hll hv m d hw mk ll

wk. Yu mh d h w j yu. Yull .She hurried to the door, pulled it open, and gave a little shriek.

Emmly gh up bd. Wh wg?

Its Tavin, Fenella said, stepping back. He mustve had

h m d.

Tavin stepped into the room and stopped at the oot o the

bd. I w l yu, Emmly. Yu b my w.

Tavin, you cant ask me to go against my ather and

mother, she said, clutching the blankets around her. It

wouldnt be right. I love you, but we must give them time.

Php Fh wll h p h ug d hg h

md. I pl pk wh hm h mg.

Lets just leave tonight and be married, he begged. Once

d . . .Thats what I suggested, Fenella put in as she lit a candle.

The warm glow barely punctured the darkness o the small

room, but it was still enough to see the desperation on Tavins

. Emmly whd h uld hm m m,

but she needed it hersel. She knew her athers mind was

, d h hd v kw hm bk dw h hd

dmd h u .

Once were married, they wont be able to undo it, Tavin

said, trying again. We can show them that we still intend


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h wll-bg. I w yu p b ud

h hy wuld hv h ld g.

Emmalyne shook her head miserably. Father says thatmarriage divides the heart and mind. He doesnt think a

woman can be both answerable to her husband and to her

p. H blv h d

Cu h d, Tv p u. I dulu

pu uh dmd m pg. Yu p

bg lly ubl h xp.But theyre still my parents, Tavin. Tears were lling her

y, d h blkd hm wy. W bh blv h

God and that the Bible is His Holy Word. The Bible says that

I m h my mh d h, h my dy my b

lg. D k m dy h Wd Gd.

Im not asking you to dey God. I just dont want you

hw wy u hpp gh. Th Bbl l lk

bu m d wm lvg h p d lvg

h.

Tavin, dont you see? We could never be happy . . . not

wh my h u up u, d h wh wuld b.

H wuld v gv m.

Tavins expression changed rom one o loving desperationto an expression Emmalyne had never seen in him beore.

And thats your nal word? You choose to worry more about

yu h gv h my lv? H mpld u-

md h mh lh.

I h h Gd, Tv, b I kw hw, h

lly d, d d H wuld hv m d.

Rgh. S h yu dy my b lg. Wll, hv yu

way. Your days will be long . . . and no doubt very lonely.

H md u whu h wd.


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Emmalyne elt a single tear trickle down her cheek. So thats

the way it is to be, h mud, pullg h k up d

leaning her head on them while a new food o grie escaped.Her athers anger and Gods judgment . . . or her beloveds

wh d dp dppm.

Somewhere in the midst o it all were the shattered remains

h h.


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chapter 2

St. Cl o u d, M i n n e S o t a

el e v e n y e a r S later , Ju n e 1897

Emmalyne had just nished brushing her mothers long dark

hair as her ather entered the hotel room. He cast a quick

gl h d, h md Agu.

G bg h wg ud, h dd h .

A wy-h, Agu w ll ll h h h

and just as muscular. He nished securing his boots and stood

to stretch. Aye, Ill see to it. He let without urther comment,

and Emmalyne quickly turned her attention back to her task.

Sh wd h mh dk bw h v-

bl k h p h k. Rw Kx w ll ne-looking woman, though the hardships shed endured

had taken their toll. Her spirit seemed broken, and she no

longer showed any interest in what was happening around her.

Emmly d h h mh mlhly hd bbd

her o any pleasure, or nothing seemed to please the woman.

So well be going to inspect the house MacLachlan secured

u, Fh ud. Th wll dub b

mu l d.

I havent the strength, Mother protested, her voice weak


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d ll. Sh ld h y uppl Emmly.

Im araid youll have to see to it without me. Her voice

was missing the heavy Scottish brogue revealing her earlyupbgg h uh Wl.

T ll gh, Mh. I d .

For Emmalyne, the last decade was consumed by a routine

that did not vary. Her mothers sadness let her with little en-

ergy or will, and hence the bulk o responsibility, as expected,

ell to Emmalyne. Emmalyne, now twenty-eight, acceptedh l l wh gd ud h uld mu.

Y h bk h hd v lly hld, m h

mu m h p py dg Gd Wd.

Sh kp hg m g h wuld d

Gd blg w up h h bd. Bu my

d ug w h ly mp.

Wll k bm d mp. Sp d wl, , h

ather said. At the price were payin, Im sure we can borrow

m h hl. I w hv d m, Ill u w.

Rabbie said theres a good-sized pot out there or heating

w ud d wkg wll.

Emmly hd g h mh d w mm-

diately to her trunk. They had let Minneapolis only daysbeore, and she hadnt wanted to return to St. Cloud or

ear o running across Tavin again. But she couldnt help

bu wd hw h w d hd md y. Elv lg

years had passed . . . and or eleven years that unanswered

qu hd whld hugh h md.

Shed exchanged a ew letters with Fenella ater their move

to Minneapolis, but even those had stopped ater a time.

Fenella was no doubt married with wee ones, and taking

m w ld d w pbbly dul p.


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Pulling a heavy work apron rom the trunk, Emmalyne

ddd h h. Im dy.

Oh, I wish you wouldnt leave me alone, Mother begged,taking hold o Emmalynes hand as she passed. A doctor

is supposed to come today, and I would rather not be here

by myl.

Huh, wm, Fh dmdd. Th d

Emmly m. Shll hv wk d h hu

gh. Im g pd gl dll m hlm h I hv .

Mother looked properly chastised and bowed her head. Aye,

Luh, u yu gh. I py yu w b lg.

Emmly w h h gv b d, bu h

way did he acknowledge his wie. It seemed sad that two

people who had shared so much should be so distant. Emma-

ly uld hlp bu wd h h hd v hw

love to his wie. I so, Emmalyne had certainly never witnessed

, d h mh w uwllg pk uh m.

Making their way downstairs, Emmalyne longed or a cup

g d mhg . Sh gld wd h

dining room. Father, might I have a bit o breakast rst?

Th dy wll dub b lg.He looked at her with a scowl and gave an exasperated

gh. Bg lg mhg y h wg.

Wh yu d Agu? h kd, yg h b

ud w.

W w up lg b y d d hu.

Emmalyne nodded. I wont be but a minute. She hur-

d h hl dg m d md h

vg gl.

Y, mm. Hw my I hlp yu? Th w dd


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look that much younger than Emmalyne, and it seemed

g b lld mm.

I nd mysel in need o breakast that I can take with me.I wd yu hv m bu d h, php?

L m wh I d yu. Im u w p-

p mhg.

Emmalyne nodded and added, Please hurry. My ather

wg.

The waitress scurried rom the room, ignoring one manwvg h up m . Emmly gld wd

the door, where her ather waited. He would no doubt be

angry that she had delayed their departure; however, shed

b up qu l wh Mh. Wh Rw hd

h pll d, w b h h kp mpy wh

someoneand that someone was most generally Emmalyne.

When the waitress returned with a small wrapped bundle,

Emmly pu d hugh h gh. Thk yu

muh.

I pu ppl, wll, h gl d. Shuld I hg

h yu m wll yu py w?

Emmalyne dug out a ew coins and handed them to the

gl. Wll h v ?Yes, the girl replied. I you wait here, Ill bring you

yu hg.

Th ll gh, Emmly d, kg h d. Yu

kp . I pp yu quk hlp.

Sh md h wy wh h h d. Im dy.

Thy w qu kd pp h huy.

Im thinkin the cost will be outrageous, Father grunted.

I pd wh my w my, Fh. Sh hpd h

mgh pu d h gumblg, bu u dd .


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The sooner we are out o this hotel, the better. Every-

hg muh. Why, hy hg m y m h

gh .Bu w hv l m, d yu d Mh gd

bed, Emmalyne oered. She didnt bother to remind him

that at least he had slept in oneshe and Angus made do

wh h f. Wh Mh lg ply, b

her to be close to a physician, Father. Didnt you say that this

hu wll lv ud w?Ay. MLhl d w h b h uld g u

the price I could aord. Im sure ye can make it suitable. Your

mh wll ju d g b.

Emmly d gm h md h

the MacLachlans were once again going to be an intricate

p h lv. Why h h hd ddd up h

mly d mv bk S. Clud w byd h. Fh

trusted only a ew people, and among those was Robert Mac-

Lachlan. But given the past between them, Emmalyne thought

g hy wuld u h vy pl wh hyd

kw uh p. M. MLhl mu uly hv d

Father a most lucrative deal, because as ar as Emmalyne

kw, my w h ly hg pbl g h -h h dy.

She climbed into the back o the wagon and sat on the

edge, dangling her legs as she ate her biscuit and cheese.

Beside her were the various cleaning items her ather had

mhw ud. Th bulk h huhld gd w

du v by h .

Bg bu, Emmly g hugh Tv.

Fll hd ld h l h Tv hd pkd w

belongings and let shortly ater the Knoxes departure. What


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ll mmu hd hd m Fll h ly

mentioned Tavin briefy, stating that he had gone east in

h quy wk. H hd pld mk h wy Maine, where he had heard the work was plentiul. His anger

w ll h md gud hm, d Fll hd b qu

wd bu hm.

Are you still in Maine, Tavin? Her mind churned with

qu, lly dg wh h h hud h -

stantly: Do you think about me as much as I think about you?St. Cloud had grown considerably since Emmalyne had let.

Wh hy hd pvuly lvd h , hy hd dd

mll hu ld bw h y d Suk Rpd,

just to the north and east. Now, however, her ather inormed

hm hy w lv uhw S. Clud, l h

MacLachlans home and quarry. Emmalyne prayed ervently

h Tv wuld y wy. Sh d hd v b bl

pu hm m h hugh hw.

Sh d h b b b. Gd hd mmd

h l, dd H? A l h wh h hd lwy b

ld d blvd. Ev h h bdd h h,

she had continued to trust God or wisdom and guidance. But

h h hd ll l dg Sudy v,d h xdd h w d hld. Emmly kw

her mother missed attending services; she missed them, as

well, though as the years passed, Emmalyne had ound occa-

lp wy huh. Smm hd v vd

Angus to escort her. He never complained, but neither did

he seem overly interested. Emmalyne sometimes wondered

about her brothers belies. He said little, most likely because

h kw Fh wuld l uh lk ud h bl.

There was very little occasion or conversation at other times.


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Trying a taste o the cheese rom her perch at the end o the

wg, Emmly gld ud h w S. Clud.

Th w bk, huh, d bvy hoered nearly anything a person could think ojewelers,

clockmakers, dress designers, stores selling ready-made cloth-

ing, barbers, and grocers. The town was nowhere near the size

o Minneapolis, but it certainly had increased its oerings

Emmly hd l b h.

Looks like theyve had air weather, Angus said romh wg bd Fh.

Yes, Emmalyne agreed. Everything is so green and

py. Th u hd ldy wmd h mg d l

gd g Emmly .

Hp h ll m g gd, Fh m-

md. Rbb d h plum h ppy.

Emmly hd h bu d pu h h

aside or later. We can make jelly and jam. That will be

good. She noted the busy streets were less congested as

hy md h wy w. H d bg d h

ldp d bu w w. A huh up b-

hm, d Emmly d wll-dd fw gd

gracing the property. Maybe it wouldnt be so bad livingh. A ll, hd mply g g h mh d

hAgu, . A l ul Agu ud w d

married. The thought brought a pang to her heart. That

wasnt to be or her. She gave her head a small shake and

w bk h p h w.

She saw more trees as the wagon lumbered along away

m h y pp. Emmly d lm, mpl, blk

wlu, d wd mg h umb. Sh lld

h h h hd md h bg mll m


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the propertya burn, her ather called itand a pond, i

h mmbd ly. I gv h hp h h mgh

l b wllw, h v . A hld h hd lvd hide beneath their sweeping branches and imagine hersel

l.

The town eventually gave way to armland and ewer

houses. Emmalyne ound hersel enjoying the ride, imag-

ining a simple outing to see the countryside with no work

awaiting her. The sounds o birds and the rustling o the grasscomplemented her daydreams. How wonderul it would be to

mly l up blk d up h ky. Emmly

smiled to hersel and drew in a deep breath. The scents o

h uy lld h. Php h hd md m h

hd lzd.

Svl ml m w, Fh ud muh -

w d d. Th mld w w dgd wh

d ky uppg h bpk h wlh g

vlbl h wh d y h hd h dul

labor o quarrying it. Emmalynes amily had always been

involved in quarry endeavors. Her ather had at one time

worked with the stone itsel, but over the last twenty years he

had contented himsel with managerial tasks in the business.He was good with gures, and this made him an asset or

vg d kpg u d. I Mpl h

hd wkd mll y dg ju uh wk.

How much urther? she asked, hoping her question

wuld up h h.

J wy, h pld, mg b dp hugh.

Ater years o living in the large city o Minneapolis, Emma-

lyne now could only wonder at lie in the country. She was used

hvg hg dly vlbl h. I h w d,


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she could simply walk a short distance to obtain whatever

w dd. I wuld b m h h wlk S. Clud,

and since they had no extra horses or wagons, Emmalynekw h p wuld b w d bw. Th wuld

l b ly d plumbg, bh whh h

wuld m dly.

Fh ud h wg dw y h v w

road that dipped in and out o thickly treed grounds. Emma-

ly lkd upwd h hd d hpd h ppymight also be lled with such beautiul oliage. It might make

or some very pleasant evenings outdoors, i the fies and

mqu wuld lv hm b.

She tried to imagine their home. Father had said it was

a wood-rame structure that had two large bedrooms on

the rst foor and a third upstairs. Emmalyne had already

h h upp f h m h hd lly

b gv h. Sh mgd h pvy d bly

g wy m h gum h h w bud hv

wh Mh. I md h w w lwy qulg v

hg huully ld xp.

Perhaps she would be allowed to paper her room. She

wuld, u, hv buy h ml hl. H -h wuld v py uh vlu hg. Emmly

still had some money o her own shed received rom sewing,

but it was dwindling ast. She couldnt help but wonder i she

mgh b bl k m wg h. O u, wh

h hm mvd m w, wuld pbbly b

dul d um.

The wagon slowed, and Emmalyne craned around to see i

hy hd vd. H h ugd h h gh. Emm-

ly gpd, ubl l h hk. Th dvwy w


23/33


24

little more than a grass-grown path with ruts, but it served to

bg hm lgd wll-whd hu h pl

uld v b lld h. Sg gl w vywh.Thick, high weeds had taken over what might have once been

v ll yd. Th wlkwy h ld h bk-

down porch was obscured by an overgrowth o vegetation

d db.

Wh hh Gd wugh? h lly mumud.


24/33

25

chapter 3

Alighting rom the wagon, Emmalyne stared at the sight.

Were they really to live here? The porch roo sagged at an odd

gl d lly dd upp. Th wd p h

ph w . . . wll, mg, wh h xp pl

rame showing where they once had been. The structure itsel

w g d p d p. Tw h wdw

were broken, and the tail o a tattered curtain blew out o

hg hm wy m h bm.

Well, donnae stand around like a stookie, her ather

dld, h Sh bgu hk wh .

A k, dl p, wuld b dp-tion o Emmalyne. There would be no rest or her in the

wk m.

Y b -l h bdm d kh , h -

h dd. Wll b y h h mw.

But this place will take weeks to put in order, Emmalyne

pd. Ul, u, yu w h m

hlp m.

Wheesht! Be quiet! Ye know I donnae have the coin to

p. Y mg j . Y mh hlp y.


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26

Bu Mh h b k, Emmly ud. Th

wuld b gd pl bg h. Sh huld b l

d.Her ather turned a erce scowl on her. Ye need to be

md y muh, l. Nw lv u g d m-

h.

Emmalyne elt hersel grow red at the rebuke, but she nod-

ded, knowing that inside would probably be no better. It

turned out she was right. The ormer owners had abandonedh pl, md, whu hugh pug yhg

gh. Svl bk h w vud p d

rug. Beneath that, very worn boards made up the foor. They

w d d dmgd, Emmly wdd hy

uld v b pply dd d d.

She moved as i in a daze through the downstairs. The

m wh h u fppd m h wdw w

mly mpy. A hk ly du vd vyhg, d

h pl lkd lk hd v b ld. Aml

k d h dppg w y p, d h w

g ll lv .

The rame seems solid enough, Angus oered hopeully.

Emmalyne looked at him in disbelie. I it is, then ImQu V.

He grinned at his sister and gave her a wink. Well, Ye Olde

V, yud b l u h h yu y .

Wh Fh? h kd, lkg ud up.

H w gh h mu g.

Said he wanted to see the rest o the property. Theres

uppd b b h bk h h.

I cant believe the state o this place. Emmalyne wouldnt

have dared to grumble so in her athers presence. I suppose


26/33

Tracie Peter son

27

h hg b d bu . Sh gbbd h

shed tied around her neck and arranged it on her head to

kp h h pd m h d d du.Ill h h mp d buk.

Id h yu d h bg wh p Fh d w h.

Ill d h d ud.

Angus nodded. I can manage that well enough. Anything

l?

A . Ill d h h w.Again he nodded. Would you like me to chop some wood,

wll? I dub yull g by wh ju p h w

h pl.

Ay. Emmly hdd h d. Wll d ply

wd, w, d p mk h hu lvbl.

She heard a scratching noise and looked over in time to

lg mu uy h f wd h kh

stove. I mice were the only current residents, shed count

hl luky.

Angus, we need to be on our way, her ather called as

h ppd u h ph.

Wh yu gg? I hugh yu w gg hlp

me. Knowing shed once more overstepped her bounds,Emmly d h v. I m, I hugh w

uld g m d gh.

I cannae. Were to meet with Rabbie and his men, Father

said, surprising her with an actual explanation. Ye get to

wk, d wll b bk by d by.

Agu m ud h d h hu. Yu kl

out back, Emmy. Theres gonna be no moving it. Ill bet it

wgh h hudd pud. I wll pd .

Ill g yu m wd.


27/33


28

Nae. Her ather shook his head. We must be on our

wy. Y kw wll ugh hw d hp

wd.H md h wy h wg d k u h uppl

m h bk. H pld vyhg h gud d h

motioned to Angus. Come along. Looking back at Emma-

lyne, he nodded toward the house. Set it to rights, lass. Well

b bk w hu wh yv mgd.

Wh uh mm, h lmbd h wg dwd ly lg ugh Agu j hm b fk-

ing the reins. In all her twenty-eight years, Emmalyne had

v kw h h hw h lgh h

welare. It never seemed to cross his mind that it might be

dangerous to leave his daughter alone or that the work might

b byd h gh mplh l.

Emmly ghd, ghd my h lg up-

plies as she could carry, and made her way into the house.

She was glad shed tucked her apron and remaining ood into

h buk. A l hd hv mhg h h

dlyd ug.

Id, h pulld h p. Gg h w hg

was o primary importance. She walked through the sad littlekh d ud v dd bk d hgg m

single hinge. Though rickety, the stairs were still in place here

d ld lg. Th d w hd-pkd h

vy ly md mh u whh wk. N

m h ld uy-lkg pump gv h hp

ly bl w.

Emmalyne inspected the caldron and ound it to be service-

bl. I wuld hv b ud b wuld pvd

adequate receptacle or clean water, however. She quickly went


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Tracie Peter son

29

wk ghg dwd lmb d bh kdlg.

Sh w hppy uv mll ll lg h

side o the house. A growth o new weeds among the old,along with dried vegetation rom a previous summer, had

hidden the wood rom cursory glances. Fearing the possibility

o snakes, Emmalyne gingerly gathered the pieces and looked

ud x. T h dmy, h dd pp b

one anywhere. She did, however, nd an old handmade ham-

m. Th d wdg vd h wll ugh, d hwd w pl d bud bgh.

Next she turned her attention to the pump. Priming it, she

pyd h Gd wuld l h w fw. H py w

wd. W bg pu hugh h pp d ll

h hd-pkd d. Tkg up buk, h pu ju

ugh w h ld l .

Ug w, hvd p, d h mp, Emmly m-

aged to scrub the iron pot. It wasnt perect, but she elt satis-

d dy. Sh kw wuld k g my lg

beore things were in the kind o order they would need. They

wuld ju hv bd h u.

With the caldron nally in acceptable shape, Emmalyne

lled it with bucket ater bucket o water. She surmised romh p bk d h h h kl hld bu y gl-

lons. It was a good amount o water to get her started. Hope-

ully by the time she needed more, her ather would have

ud, d h uld ll hm h d x d

myb w.

With the water heating, Emmalyne went back into the

hu gu u wh d . H h hd d h

bdm d kh w b h py, d h hd

g. Hwv, Emmly hd b lg hu lg


29/33


30

ugh kw h w lwy b h

u b ully g.

On her way upstairs, she noted the steep and uneven steps.N h p, Emmly ppd h lp p d

nearly ell headlong onto the foor. Righting hersel, she

wd. A ldd mgh hv b . . . d .

I h m, ulgh ld ly m h gl

dy wdw, bu m hl h . Th m w

large by any means, but it would be big enough or her. Therewas space or a bed and a dresser, but not much else. She

would have to see i Angus could climb atop the roo to patch

h hlplly b h x .

Gg bk dw w ju plu hd b

going up. This time, however, Emmalyne was more cautious,

d h hd h bm whu uh pblm. Sh

immediately inspected the other two bedrooms. They werent

muh lg h h up. Sh dmd h h

bedroom on the ront o the house was a tad smaller and

gud h wuld b Agu m. Wh h md, h

d h h bdm, kwg h mh d

h wuld xp k d h. Th m hld

a collection o odds and ends discarded rom the previoustenants. Emmalyne took the castos outside and sorted them

k. Th w lwy h h mgh d m

useul items. Then she checked the water and ound it still

too cool. It didnt matter; there was plenty to do beore shed

hv h wh yhg.

I there had been a single bad thing about being let alone,

it was that it gave Emmalyne too much time to think. As

lwy, h hugh dd Tv d h l hy mgh

have known together had she not acquiesced to her ather.


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Tracie Peter son

31

Fll hd w, bggg Emmly hg h md,

h Emmly gv h wd, Tv wuld m

h y d u h. Bu Emmly hd gv uhu. Th w lg b Fll hd ld h

that Tavin had let. No one knew exactly where he was bound

wh h mgh u.

A part o Emmalyne had been relieved. With Tavins loca-

ukw h, h uld b gh h ug gv

up h pm h p. I kw wh h w,there was no sense in her setting out to nd him. At least

thats what Emmalyne told hersel. She also tried to convince

hersel that it was oolish to go on thinking o himthat

h w v u h l. Uuly, h h ld

h hw.

Lkg bu, Emmly uld hlp bu wd hw

close they were to the MacLachlans property. She went on to

h hy mu uly b wh h wlk. Myb

hd gd h hu d Mh hd djud

h w qu, Emmly uld mk v d b-

lh h qu wh M MLhl. Th ,

Tv w ll g m h .

Emmalyne rowned and wrestled with her thoughts. Itwould be a blessing to see Tavins mother again. Maybe

Fenella lived nearby, as well. Renewing her riendship with

Fenella might make the move back to St. Cloud bearable. The

w gl hd b h b d, d Emmly

md h l. Bu h mgd h w hm

chatting about the years gone by and all they had experienced,

Emmly uddly l l ld h d g.

As little more than a gloried maid to her parents, her lie

had been dismal and boring at best. She could tell Fenella


31/33


32

bu bk hd d d mul pm w

that shed once attended with Mother, but lie in Minneapolis

had not let her with a wealth o pleasant memories. Andwhat i Tavin decided to come home or a visit? Or or good?

Sh huddd. Th wuld b h my.

Emmly ud h u bk h wk b d.

By late aternoon, she was lthy and exhausted. She had eaten

h l h bk d hd ld u h w m-

f bdm d h m, wll. Th wll du p d pp, bu h dubd Fh wuld p

h qud h. A ll whwh wuld g

long way toward cheering up the little place, however. Perhaps

h uld pd m h w pu my h.

Sh hd ju d wk h kh wh h hd

h wg pull h yd. Ruhg h d, h w

upd h vy ull uu d uk.

Her ather appeared rom around the side and began to untie

p.

Ou hg m ly, h xpld.

Emmly ddd, pld. W ju pu vyhg

h m. I hv ld u, d h wuld mk

gd pl gz .H h gld h. Ad wh h bdm?

Yu d Agu l. I dd wy bu m

just yet. Theres a hole in the roo, and I gure Angus will

d lmb p ph up.

Yu gud h, dd yu, ? Agu d m h

d h wg. I upp m yu gd hp-

hd p, I mgh b pudd.

Ad I upp I mgh b wllg mk h yu

supper tomorrow, she said with a smile. Emmalyne cherished


32/33

Tracie Peter son

33

h bh gd u, plly lgh h h

hh p.

Her ather grunted and lowered a huge trunk rom the back h wg. Hg h bk hugh wghd

vy ll, h udgd wd h hu. Agu pkd up

upl h d hdd hm Emmly.

Ill h mmly, h ld h.

And the steps to the porch, perhaps? she asked hesitantly,

her voice low. Its quite dicult climbing up and down with-u hm.

H gld h wy, hd hdg h y. Ay. Ill

to it. I spied a couple o good-sized stones, large and fat,

h b h mgh u w. M lkly u

m ml pup. Ill wh I d bu bgg

hm ud.

Thank you. She trudged to the porch and settled the

chairs on the rough foor beore hiking her skirts to make

h hgh p up. H h bu u h d, ly

knocking her aside, and without so much as a by your leave,

md h wy h wg m gd.

Back at the hotel that evening, they ound their mother

asleep. Emmalyne wanted nothing so much as a hot bath and

mhg . Sh w mhd, bu h kw h uld

v l dw jy ml h u d.

Im gg hv bh, h ud.

Thll b hg h, h h d, wg.

Aye, but I cannot go to supper in this condition, she said,

lkg dw hl. Pl d l yu hv w

m. I l.


33/33


W bg yu d yu, Agu d.

Emmalyne thought on the oer momentarily. That would

b gd. Th wy yu g d jy yu ml whudly.

And ye wont be needin to spend good money on a bath,

h h dld.

Fh, pl. Emmly pd h lhy . I

mu hv bh.

Yll ly g j dy h mw.I bu w xp, Mh d quly m h

pl h bd.

Father glared. And a wee expense here and a wee expense

h k m muh m qukly h yd kw.

Ill py myl, Emmly d ud h bh,

kwg b h plg h gum. Sh ghd

l lhg d h hbuh whu h wd.O h wy dw h hll h bhm, h uld

w lk h bhm d d l hl m h

h wld. Eplly m h h.

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