Rumors and Promises (35 page)

“If everyone would please be seated, I’ll say the blessing.” Asa Myles made his way to the head of the table and bowed his head. “For what we are about to receive, may we truly be thankful. And
for the rich blessings of friends and family.” His voice caught in his throat. “Amen.”

Ian noticed the faithful group that Asa surveyed among quite a few chairs that sat empty. No doubt Gertrude’s comments had influenced those who decided not to attend or associate with Sophie. When she had been concerned about being the cause of dissension, he was relieved Maggie and Gloria both insisted she attend.

Sophie sat with Elise to her left and Caira to her right. Ian sat directly across, where she couldn’t avoid meeting his stare. Name cards had been set by each place so there wasn’t a convenient escape. Once Gloria began eating, Sophie picked up a polished silver fork and took a bite of savory chicken salad. The delicate ivory-hued china underneath sparkled in the spring sunshine. Delightful breads, biscuits, and cheeses graced the table, along with fruit compote.

A robin flew in on the light breeze and landed on a maple tree branch above. With the girls giggling on either side of her, the Myles family, Ian’s family, the occupants of the boardinghouse seated around the table, and other kind townspeople, she felt safe for that moment. Sophie took a deep breath and thanked God for this substitute family surrounding her. No, it wasn’t the ideal she would have imagined, but perhaps there was still a slight chance that Caira could grow up in Stone Creek being loved and accepted. For a change, some of the burden lifted from her heart.

The servants kept their crystal goblets filled with cold lemonade. When almost everyone had finished the last course before dessert, Gloria stood and tapped a spoon against her glass. “I’d like to make a toast to our dear friends who have helped us through our time of grief. To all who comforted and cared for us, may God
bless you abundantly.” She lifted a sparkling goblet, filled with the sweet and sour beverage, into the air. “Next, Asa and I have an announcement.”

“Now, my dear, it’s really more of an idea. But we hope all of you will approve.” The quiet, unassuming Asa took his place by her side.

“Yes, my husband is right. As most of you know, since our daughter …” And here Gloria paused and lifted her chin as though trying to regain her composure. “Since our daughter and son-inlaw passed away, our granddaughter has been much bereaved. Nothing seemed to bring her out of her shell. Then Sophie came along.” Gloria reached out toward Sophie and smiled. “The time that Elise has spent with her at her piano lessons has been the most healing time of all.”

Gloria leaned forward a little and gripped the edge of the table. “Asa and I believe that there is a wonderful healing of the soul in playing or listening to music. We want to spread that healing.” Now her eyes brightened with promise, and she clasped her hands together. “We want to begin the Barrington Home for Orphans in memory of our daughter, Anna, and her husband, Jared. Of course, we would have a school attached.”

Asa cleared his throat and piped up. “My wife is quite excited about what she has read about the work of George Mueller in England. Perhaps some of you have heard of it? He has made such a difference in the lives of orphans.”

Some of the people nodded before Gloria continued. “And, of course, we want Sophie to teach the children music. The way you play the piano, dear, your credentials must be impeccable.”

Expectant faces turned toward Sophie. “Well, I …” What would she say next?
“By the way, I’m from the family of the famous Bidershems, manufacturer of fine pianos. And, of course, I was taught by the best teachers.”
She was certainly well equipped for such a job, but what of the sewing business she sought to build?

“Don’t worry, we’ll discuss it all later, including your wages.” Gloria’s smile widened.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting such an offer.” A dizzy lightheadedness assailed Sophie.

Maggie stood. “Well, I for one think it’s a marvelous idea.” She raised her goblet to toast. “To the memory of Anna and Jared Barrington. May the home and the school be blessed with much joy and healing.”

Mr. Graemer, though not likely to hear much of anything, raised his glass to clink it against his landlady’s and piped in, “Huzzah!”

Ian remained speechless, but he grinned at her across the table as though pleased. Sophie looked down and smoothed her napkin, weaving the end of it through her fingers.

Then Gloria looked toward their minister. “Reverend McCormick, it’s your heart for orphans that further inspired us.”

“Yes.” Asa nodded. “What Gloria and I would like to say is that we have plenty of property to donate and the funds to start building. But we’ll need a director for our board. We couldn’t do it without your vision and Elder Whitworth’s support.”

Ian folded his hands, bowing his head for a moment before he lifted his face toward them and began to speak. “I am truly humbled, and I would like to do anything I can to help.”

“It’s a start, Reverend,” Gloria spoke with sincerity. “We haven’t forgotten the rest of your vision.”

Sophie swallowed. “What about Mrs. Wringer? Won’t she try to thwart your plans?” She could feel her forehead involuntarily wrinkle with worry.

Ian’s eyes met hers before she could avert her gaze. “Sophie has a point. Mrs. Wringer has almost as much influence over the town council as the church people.”

“We’ll deal with these things one at a time.” Asa reached for Gloria’s hand and held onto it. “Won’t we, my dear? As George Mueller’s orphanages began as a walk of faith, so will ours.”

Gloria beamed at her husband. “Yes, with God’s help we’ll find a way around the obstacles. Surely, He’s blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others. We’ve been cloistered in our mourning and ignoring the needs of others long enough.”

Asa and Gloria’s new lease on life touched Sophie. If they knew her secret, perhaps they wouldn’t be so quick to include her in their plans. In fact, she was sure they would be deeply disappointed. Sophie could only see herself becoming the center of more controversy.

A server whisked away Sophie’s entrée plate and soon placed trays of delicate petit fours and other desserts on the table. The pale pastel greens, pinks, yellows, and whites mimicked the flowers around them, but she possessed no appetite. Even the airy sponge cake with berries could not tempt her.

The sun hid behind a cloud, casting a silvery light. A breeze blew across the landscape. Sophie shivered in her sateen cotton dress.

Gloria hugged herself and rubbed her upper arms. “I do hope a storm isn’t brewing.” She furrowed her brow.

“If it does, we’ll just take everything inside, my dear.” Asa placed a shawl around his wife’s shoulders.

How nice it would be to have someone care for you like that, whether you lived in a mansion or just a simple cottage. Sophie picked at a slice of sponge cake, hoping to appear polite. She still avoided eye contact with Ian.

Esther waddled over with labored breathing. “I’m so happy for you. Looks like I’ll have to find new help. Perhaps you know of someone, Reverend.”

“Well I don’t think it will take me away full-time—”

“Isn’t it wonderful, Reverend? Why, by giving Sophie the chance to play the piano, you’ve opened up a whole new opportunity for her.” Esther swept her hand dramatically through the air, clutching a lace handkerchief.

“I’m glad you think so.” Ian cleared his throat.

Sophie felt his gaze hard upon her. “It’s still difficult to believe.” She swallowed a crumb and took a sip of the sweetened lemonade. “I hope both of you will please excuse me. I think I need to take a little walk.” She pushed her chair away from the table and stood, reaching for the shawl draped over the back.

The orchard, yes, she would head toward the orchard to think about her dilemma. She strolled first through the colorful garden and then walked more quickly to the shelter of row after row of budding fruit trees. Strains of harp music faded. The laughter of her friends grew more distant. Sophie stopped, looking around to the comforting green bushes and trees, the pastel shades of flowering plants. Birds chirped a melodious song in the branches above, seeming to beg her to gaze upward.

God, what do I do? They need me, but what if they find out my history? Perhaps I could teach the children, but I’m no Professor of Music. What if they find out I’m not who I say I am?
And then the old guilt niggled at her. She was living a lie no matter how she rationalized, but she still couldn’t see a way out.

Sophie pushed her hair away from her face and clutched the locks to her scalp. She took another step forward, but something tugged at her. What now?

“Sophie.” Ian called out behind her. “Where are you going?”

“Not very far.” She looked up from where her skirt had hooked itself on a fallen tree branch, and she fumbled to loosen it. Why had Ian followed her when she needed this time alone? Her thoughts swirled as he neared her, and she pulled harder at her hem.

Ian caught up, breathless. “Let me help you.” His tone was tender, and she felt his presence more deeply than ever. A spark passed between them as their hands brushed.

“I hope it’s not torn.” Sophie worried over the fabric and did her best not to look at Ian. His being close, his scent, the dark
hair that fell across his brow, and the muscles in the arm pressing against hers, made her senses reel. Again, she felt lightheaded.

“You look pale. Are you feeling quite all right?”

“Well enough.” She changed the subject with a laugh. “It seems you are always coming to my rescue.”

“It seems you are in much need of rescuing.” Ian’s smile reached his aqua eyes. “There. Good as new.” He brushed off the hem of her dress. He held his arm out to her. “Please, let me walk with you. I would be a cad to leave a damsel in distress by herself.”

“I guess you would.” She smiled in spite of her reeling emotions, then wondered what excuse she could give him to leave her alone. Besides, didn’t she truly want Ian by her side, if only as a friend to guide her?

An uncomfortable silence hung between them.

“Would you forgive me for how I spoke to you after the congregational meeting?”

“What’s to forgive?” Yet, she had to admit his gruffness had hurt her, making her feel excluded from his world.

“I shouldn’t have spoken to you the way I did. Or left your defense to Elisha. I was wrestling with my agenda versus the Lord’s, but none of it was your fault.” He paused. “And here He answered some of my prayers in a way I least expected.”

“You don’t seem too enthused about it.” Sophie glanced sideways to see his reaction.

“Perhaps I don’t.” Ian’s wry chuckle surprised her. “God has a way of humbling a man. I thought He wanted
me
to bring a foundlings’ home about, but it seems that He had other plans.”

“But the Myleses surely want your help. You’re still part of it, and if it’s God’s will, He will make a way.”

“We’ll see about that. You seemed upset about Gloria’s offer, though. Don’t you like teaching? You’re wonderful at it. Maggie would still like to have Philip take lessons if you could put up with a rambunctious boy.”

Sophie smiled. If only Ian knew about how at one time she had to put up with an older and for a time, a younger brother. “I don’t think that would be a problem.”

Her gloved hand in the crook of his arm felt right. She looked up at Ian’s handsome profile and a shiver went down her spine.

“Are you cold?” Ian took the shawl that had partially slid from her shoulders and pulled it up around them.

“Not really.” But Sophie had felt a delectable chill of pleasure course through her because of his closeness. It seemed a hummingbird took flight in her chest. A sense of shame and guilt snuffed it out. Between that and Gloria’s news, she felt positively faint.

“Maybe I’m not feeling so well after all.”

“Why don’t we sit down over here?” Ian’s gentle hands guided her toward a bench under a cherry tree. “Please, rest against me.” He supported her back with his arm in an almost brotherly way. She didn’t have the strength to pull away.

What was it about him that brought her near fainting so easily? Sophie didn’t consider herself a weakling. How frustrating!

Starry shapes filled her line of vision and she rested gently against his shoulder until they cleared away. His heart beat in accord with hers. Oh, this wasn’t helping, but it felt so right to be held by Ian, to lean on him like she had leaned on no other. As they sat together, the calm growing within surprised her. After all, she was alone. With Ian.