A Deadly Shaker Spring (32 page)

Authors: Deborah Woodworth

BOOK: A Deadly Shaker Spring

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“But why?”

“From the beginning, she had been afraid that if Sarah figured out who her father was, she would approach him and piece together the truth about her mother's death. Unlike Samuel and Agatha, Sarah would surely make the information public. She was quite dangerous to Evangeline.” Josie stood and arched her back. She grimaced with pain, but she did not complain.

“Do you need to rest?”

“Nay, not until this room is spotless.” Josie lowered herself to her knees again, but before returning to her task, she tilted her face up to Rose. “Be gentle with Sarah, won't you? There's good in her.”

Rose nodded briskly. “Sarah will be a better Believer for her experiences.” She did not wish to reveal Sarah's struggle, even to Josie. Caleb had been wounded attempting to save her life, yet she had forsworn further contact with him. Sarah's faith was enduring a hard test.

Josie did not press for details. She turned again to her scrubbing. “I am glad to be old and near my time,” she said. She shook her head. “I don't envy the young their emotions. Evangeline was always far too emotional. I noticed that when she was my Infirmary nurse. She'd get a notion, and no amount of reason could talk her out of it. I always thought she belonged in the world. Foolish girl.”

Rose put her hand on Josie's shoulder. “More than foolish, I'm afraid.”

Rose took an appreciative bite of chive-blossom omelet with its mild onion flavor. She marveled how the kitchen sisters could dress up simple eggs for dinner, so that for one meal Believers could forget what winter and the Depression had done to their larder. She'd had a peaceful night's sleep, the Society was safe from mobs and foreclosureâher contentment would have been perfect if she were seated with the other sisters in the Center Family dining room, rather than across from Wilhelm in the Ministry House. However, she had delayed the meal long enough, and she had no more excuses.

“Has Sarah confessed?” Wilhelm asked, as he slathered raspberry preserves on a thick slice of brown bread.

“Nay, but soon,” Rose said.

“She should confess to the community, during worship. Her behavior warrants it.”

Rose took another bite of omelet and chewed slowly. “Her confession will be thorough. I'll see to that.”

Wilhelm darted her a stern glance, but he said nothing.

“She sincerely wishes to remain a Believer,” Rose said.

“She'll need careful watching.” He pushed a hunk of bread around his empty plate to capture every morsel. “Thy duties as eldress are too demandingâ”

“Wilhelm, I assure youâ”

“Too demanding for thee to continue as trustee,” he finished.

He slipped a folded paper from his work-shirt pocket and handed it across the table to Rose. She opened it and noted the return address. Mount Lebanon, New York. The Lead Society, where the Shakers' central leadership resided. Her heartbeat edged up a notch as she began to read. The beginning held the usual fond greetings and blessings, so she skimmed to the second paragraph.

We've met and prayed daily and believe we now have a solution for you and Rose. Despite an uncertain start, we feel that Rose should continue as eldress, for now. Surely she will grow into the calling, as have others before her. We are in complete agreement with you, Wilhelm. It is too much to ask of her that she be both eldress and trustee, and being the only remaining Shaker village in the west, North Homage needs a strong trustee. We have such a person, and he has expressed willingness to accept the call, to come west and help you. His name is Brother Andrew Clark. He is a devout Believer and a diligent worker. We are certain he can be of service to you
.

Rose read no farther. She folded the sheet and handed it back to Wilhelm.

“I phoned the Lead Ministry and accepted their offer, of course,” Wilhelm said. “Brother Andrew can arrive within the month. Thy time for preparation is short. I'll expect thee here soon, in thy new home.”

Rose put down her fork and leaned back in her chair. She gazed around the small bright dining room, her eyes lingering on the wall peg where Agatha's sugar-scoop outdoor bonnet used to hang. Now her own bonnet hung in the same spot. She was needed here, now. It was time. Her gaze returned to Wilhelm, who watched her in silence, eyebrows arched.

“Tomorrow I'll begin my preparations for moving,” she said. “It won't take more than a few days.” She picked up her fork. She bit into a whole chive blossom, and the rich flavor exploded in her mouth. It had been some time since food had tasted so good to her.

ALSO BY DEBORAH WOODWORTH

D
EATH OF A
W
INTER
S
HAKER

S
INS OF A
S
HAKER
S
UMMER

A S
IMPLE
S
HAKER
M
URDER

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

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DEADLY SHAKER SPRING
. Copyright Â© 1998 by Deborah L. Woodworth. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

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Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 97-94415

ISBN: 0-380-79203-6

EPub Edition December 2014 ISBN 9780062385260

First Avon Books Printing: May 1998

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