To Rise Above Read online

  “Seamus’s father. You still think he’s a threat.”

  He tried to side step the conversation. “Seamus is happy. The girls are happy. We’ve had no more incidents.”

  “Yet you still feel that evil is out there lurking.”

  He gave an uneasy laugh. “That’s a little dramatic, Esther.”

  “Is it?”

  He massaged his forehead with his hands and sought for the right words to reply. “There’s been no indication that the man is even in town.”

  “And no indication that he isn’t.”

  Renton felt that it was time to once again take charge of the conversation. “We have to be careful what assumptions we make. We can’t act on something because it might or might not be the case.”

  “But there’s the business of Seamus’s disappearance. You’re not satisfied.”

  He sighed. His wife knew him too well. “I just don’t understand how a boy of his age made his way to his former home without anyone seeing him. Or how he even knew it was his former home. He was a baby when he last was there. Something just doesn’t feel right about the story.”

  “You mistrust the neighbour that returned him?”

  “No. I think Seamus was in that house. But how did he get there? I find it hard to believe that he found his own way home. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Perhaps his father kidnapped him then changed his mind and left him there?”

  “Even that doesn’t make sense.”

  “What do you think happened?”

  “I have no idea. I cannot even guess. That’s what is so frustrating. I don’t understand – I can’t come up with a feasible explanation. The magistrate refuses to look into it any further. And we have the mystery of how a young boy ended up in his former home without anyone spotting him. It’s perplexing.”

  The room settled into silence as both examined their own thoughts.

  “You want to move.”

  “Esther –”

  Esther turned the tapestry over and wound the wool through the back of several stitches. “I know you. And you want to move. You’re concerned for the family and you want to take us away from the danger.”

  “But is that wise? We have no reason to suspect that the man will take Seamus again – if he did in fact take him in the first place.”

  “You sense it. The danger. I do too.”

  At her admission, Renton’s head snapped up and he stared at his wife. She continued. “Perhaps it’s God’s way of warning us – of protecting us.”

  “You’d be …” he paused and gazed down at his hands now clasped tightly on his writing desk. “You’d be willing to move?”

  “You asked me that question a short while ago. My answer hasn’t changed. If anything, I’m more sure now than I was then that we should move.”

  “But to where?”

  Esther put down her tapestry and stood up and walked over to where her husband was sitting. Standing behind him she bent down and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

  “You’ve wanted to move to Wallis Plains since we first came here and you heard about that place. Why not do it now?”

  “I don’t imagine it’s anything like this town. It would be harsher. Less civilised. It would be difficult for you and the girls.”

  “If it’s what you want to do, then let’s do it. Now. Before we get too old,” and she laughed girlishly into his hair.

  “Esther,” he turned and, grasping her waist, pulled her onto his lap. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded, a huge smile spreading across her face. “Yes I’m sure. I don’t know why but I am. Perhaps it’s God’s way of telling me that we need to move.”

  “Perhaps you need to pray about this.”

  “I have. Ever since that first threat to Seamus I’ve been praying. We talked about it once. I thought it was want you wanted.”

  “I don’t want you suggesting it just because it’s what you think I want.”

  “I want it too. Moving to Wallis Plains seems to be the only thing I have a peace about.”

  Renton ran his fingers through his hair. “What do we do now?”

  “I think you need to go and look the area over. Then come back for the rest of us. It will likely take a few weeks to pack everything up but I feel that you should go soon.”

  “Very well then. I’ll plan to leave by the end of next week and see what the town is like and whether there’s any accommodation available. You should be able to manage without me for a week or so. I noticed tonight that Katie was pale – I think she’s coming down with a cold but I’m sure it’s nothing serious – nothing that will require my attention.” He looked around the room that Esther had so proudly furnished. “You realise you’ll have to leave all this?”

  “We started out with nothing when we came here and you built this house. We can do it again.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  “Yes I’m sure.”

  “Perhaps I could stay with Katie’s Samuel while I’m there?” he wondered aloud, plans already forming in his head.

  “I think he’s a few miles from Wallis Plains in the Government Town but yes, it would be good for you to see him again.”

  Renton released his wife and stood up. “And now we had better get to bed. We’re going to be busy planning for the next few days and I still have patients to attend to.”

  Esther lay awake in the still of the night, trying not to disturb her husband who was snoring quietly beside her. She didn’t know why she had suggested moving. Moving away from the familiar, from the hospital where her husband worked, from the few friends that they had made, from their home. And yet, it had felt right to suggest it – right in a way that she couldn’t explain.

  She carefully rolled to her side and rearranged her pillow. She should feel afraid but she didn’t. All she felt was … peace. And with that realisation she fell asleep.

  Rhiannon’s Journal

  May 12, 1830

  I haven’t written in this journal as often as in the past. I blame Katie for that. I’ve shared my secrets with her instead of on the pages of this journal. It’s so much more satisfying to have someone to talk to rather than these bare pages.

  But I can’t talk to Katie today and that’s why I’ve decided to take pen to paper again and record my thoughts. Katie is ill. Father says it’s not serious – just a cold – but he and Mother refuse to allow me to see Katie. They’re afraid I’ll become ill too. Mother has always fussed when it comes to my health. I think she’s being over-protective but Father agrees so I can do nothing but wait for Katie to recover.

  They’ve moved my bed into Seamus’s room and how I miss our nighttime chats. Seamus is missing Katie too. He walks around the house, sucking on his thumb, and crying for “Katie-girl”. We think it’s cute that he calls Katie by that name. She allows him to use that nickname but looks daggers at anyone else if they try to. Once I tried teasing her with it but I soon stopped. I have a feeling it aroused memories that were too painful to dwell on. Not that she said anything – it was just the way she looked.

  I just hope that Katie gets well soon. I miss my friend so much. And I have such news to share. News that is so exciting and so incredible. We’re moving! Truly moving. I can’t believe it.

  Now finally we might be rid of that awful man calling himself Seamus’s father.

  Esther fussed, plumping the pillows behind Katie’s back and assisting her into a more comfortable position.

  “I’m all right. Really I am.”

  “Are you sure? Is there anything I can get you? Or get Lola to get for you?”

  Katie shook her head. “Really, I’m fine. Can I see Rhiannon now?”

  “As soon as she’s finished her lessons, I’ll send her up. But be sure she doesn’t tire you.”

  “She won’t.”

  “Mmm.” Katie turned away at Esther’s penetrating gaze. “I suspect you wouldn’t say anything even if you were utterly exhausted.”

  “I feel fine. Really I
do. In fact, I feel that I could get up”

  “Well you’re to stay there. Another day in bed the doctor said. And no excitement. I’m not sure that doesn’t mean that I should keep Rhiannon away.”

  “No, please don’t do that. I’ve missed our talks so much. I promise to be good.”

  “Well as long as you promise …”

  “I do.”

  “I’ll send Rhiannon up shortly then.”

  Katie laid her head back on the pillows and gazed up at the ceiling. She did feel better. Much better. It had only been a cold but the headaches and the fatigue had made her glad that the doctor had ordered her to bed. He was right to keep Rhiannon and Seamus away – she wouldn’t wish this illness on anyone – but she did indeed feel that she was on the road to recovery.

  “Katie?” Rhiannon’s head peeked around the door.

  “Come in.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Better.”

  “I’ve been so worried.”

  “Why?”

  “Father –” Rhiannon stepped into the room and stopped.

  “What about yer father?”

  “He seemed puzzled by your illness.”

  “It was a cold.”

  “I think he was afraid it was more than that. But,” Rhiannon brightened and planted herself down on the edge of the bed, “he says you’re all healed now.”

  “Then why is he making me stay in bed another day?”

  “Being cautious I guess.” Rhiannon shrugged. “But I heard him tell Mother that you were over the worst of the illness. Now, what do you want to do?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I could read to you if you like. Or we could find a game to play. Perhaps one of those word games? Or I could write a letter for you. Tell me what you want.”

  Katie turned her head and looked out the window. “He never replied.”

  “Who?”

  “I did what ye said and wrote and explained and he never replied.”

  “Samuel?”

  Katie nodded and a tear slid down her cheek.

  “Give him time. It’s only been a month.”

  “It doesn’t take that long to answer a letter.”

  “True. But there could be any number of reasons. Listen,” Rhiannon shifted closer on the bed, “Father’s going to Wallis Plains at the end of the week. He was meant to go a fortnight ago but then you got sick and he decided to wait until you had recovered. But he could see Samuel.”

  “Why’s he going there?”

  “Hasn’t anyone told you?”

  “Told me what?”

  “We’re moving. To Wallis Plains.”

  “W-what?” Katie knew her face must reveal her shock.

  “Oh you’ve been sick and no one wanted to trouble you,” Rhiannon waved a hand airily. “Father and Mother have decided to move to Wallis Plains. They feel that if we stay here that Seamus’s father will continue to be a threat. It’s all planned. Father will go first to find accommodation and then we’ll all join him. It’s so exciting! Of course I will miss being so close to the ocean but perhaps we’ll come back to visit. Katie, what is it? You’ve turned white. Don’t you feel well?”

  Katie moaned.

  Rhiannon jumped to her feet. “Mother! Mother!”

  Immediately there was the sound of rushing feet and Rhiannon’s parents both entered the room.

  “What happened?” the doctor demanded as he rushed to Katie’s side and with his wife’s assistance, removed her pillows and laid her down in the bed.

  “I was telling her about moving,” Rhiannon replied in a low voice.

  “I’m fine. Really I am,” Katie’s voice was weak. “It was just a shock. I didn’t mean to scare anyone.”

  The doctor placed one hand on her forehead and one on her wrist. “No fever. That’s good. … Pulse is strong. … Breathing rapid. … I think perhaps it’s just been too much excitement too soon,” and he looked sternly at his daughter.

  “It wasn’t Rhiannon’s fault,” Katie tried to defend her friend. “I was just surprised. That’s all.”

  “Still, I think it might be better if you stayed in bed for a few more days. And no more visitors.”

  “Please don’t make Rhiannon go away. If she could read to me …” Katie’s voice faltered under the doctor’s gaze.

  “We’ll see. For now I want you to rest. Perhaps later if you’re still feeling fine, Rhiannon could come and read to you for an hour or two. But no excitement.”

  “I promise,” Rhiannon answered.

  “Me too,” came Katie’s voice from the bed.

  “Out.” The doctor pointed to the door and waited for his wife and daughter to exit. Leaning forward, he brushed Katie’s hair from her face. “Now rest.”

  Katie nodded but as she turned over to find a more comfortable position all she could think of was Rhiannon’s scared face before the doctor had closed the door.

  “Father?”

  Renton lifted his head from the paper he was reading and glanced at his daughter. “Yes?”

  “Is Katie going to be all right?”

  Putting down his paper, he held his hand out to his daughter. She took it and he gently drew her to his side.

  “She’s going to be fine. It was just too much excitement too soon. What did you say to upset her so?”

  “I told her about moving to Wallis Plains.”

  “And that upset her?” her father was obviously puzzled.

  Rhiannon nodded. With one arm still around Rhiannon’s waist he used his other hand to pour more tea into his cup.

  “I would’ve thought that she would’ve been thrilled at the notion. Wallis Plains is quite close to where Samuel McKinnon is living. Aren’t they friends?”

  Rhiannon dropped her head. Gently her father put his finger under her chin and lifted it, forcing her to look at him. His eyes asked a question and swallowing painfully she answered, “I think they’ve argued.”

  “Katie and the minister?” The doctor was surprised.

  Rhiannon nodded.

  Her father stroked his cheek. “I can’t imagine that the breach is such that she is actually afraid of seeing him again.” He glanced at his daughter. “Yet she was terribly upset.”

  Rhiannon looked miserably at her father. “I can’t tell you more without breaking Katie’s confidence.”

  “Well don’t then. But perhaps I could talk with her?”

  “You won’t let on that I told you?”

  “No. But recovery depends on more than just the physical state of the body. If Katie is to heal fully then she needs to heal emotionally as well.”

  The doctor gently put Rhiannon from him and stood. “I think I’ll go and talk to Katie right now.”

  With a sinking spirit, Rhiannon watched her father go. She alone knew just how stubborn Katie could be if she chose.

  Rhiannon’s Journal

  May 29, 1830

  Father left for Wallis Plains yesterday. He delayed his departure a week on account of Katie giving us such a scare that time, but now he has gone and Katie is allowed up and about. Before Father left he had his talk with Katie but neither Father nor Katie have mentioned a word to me about that talk. I should be upset – but I’m not. I’m just so pleased that Katie is doing well again.

  Even though Katie seems to be the same toward me as usual – I now feel that I’ve betrayed our trust, although why I feel that way I don’t know. It’s not as if I told Father anything.

  Seamus has had the sniffles but Mother doesn’t think it’s anything serious. She and Katie are with him now. My head aches a little tonight. And I do feel rather tired. Obviously it’s just all the excitement of the past few weeks catching up with me but I think I’ll go to bed early tonight. That is, as soon as Katie and I have finished reading our book together under the covers. We started it before she got ill and I didn’t want to read it without her but I am so anxious to see how it turns out!

  June 1830

  Chapter Eight<
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  Samuel stood on the church steps shaking hands with each member of the congregation. Nearby he was aware of a number of young ladies in pretty bonnets giggling and looking his way but he deliberately chose to ignore them.

  “Great sermon, Pastor.”

  “Thank you, Pastor.”

  One after the other he shook hands as they came through the door. Suddenly his hand was grasped by a big meaty hand and vigorously shaken.

  “Wonderful sermon, Pastor, wonderful.”

  “Thank you,” Samuel managed to respond as he felt the circulation to his fingers cease.

  “About time you were married, Pastor. Set an example to the rest of the flock.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “It’s all very well to talk about us being salt and light in the world but sometimes you have to put your words into action. Too much immorality right here in this settlement. You need to get married and set a fine example.”

  “You do not think a single man can set a moral example?” Samuel had a most irreverent desire to laugh.

  “It’s not the same.”

  “I beg to differ, sir. I believe that as a single man I can set an example not only to those single like myself but also to those men who are married. And, of course, as a single man I can give myself to the Lord’s work more fully than I could as a married man.”

  “Yes, but Pastor, the Bible does say that it is not good for man to be alone.”

  Unaccountably an image of Katie came into Samuel’s mind. He chased it away and turned to the man.

  “True. But marriage isn’t for everyone. Some are meant to be single.”

  “Pssh! Look around. Lots of pretty girls. Chose one.” The man released his hand at the same time that he pointed in the direction of the girls that Samuel had earlier tried to avoid looking at.

  “I have no plans for matrimony.”

  “Well it’s time you did. Time you married. Look over there. Any one of those girls would have you. There’s not a lot of choice for a girl who doesn’t want to marry a soldier or a farmer. They’d be crazy not to take you.”