sheriff borrowed the Morris wagon to take the men away in.
Hixson explained to Annie that it didn’t usually go this way. He saw the darkness around Sarah and knew something was wrong, and that he had to stop her before she got hurt or sick from healing the man.
Annie didn’t understand. “What darkness? I didn’t see any darkness. All I saw was light, in her hands.” She was shaking her head.
“You didn’t see it? Eliza did you see it?” Hixson asked.
Eliza shook her head, too, looking doubtful
Was he imagining things? Why couldn’t they see it? Hixson’s mind was racing. He turned away, perplexed. Is that why no one had ever told Sarah about the darkness around her cabin when she was healing someone? They couldn’t see it? Hixson sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his wife. He held her hand as she rested, trying to make sense of it all.
Maybe if she gathers light for a good person, he thought, the light just comes out of the air or something. But if it’s a bad person? Then they seem to take the light from....her! Her light? Her life? Would it kill her, if the person were bad enough? Would it take all the light that is ... her?? This was a revelation of stupendous proportions. It all fit. He understood in a lightning flash why she needed him and no other. He could see the darkness. He looked at Sarah as she slept, and realized he was looking at his destiny.
Sarah didn’t rest as she did after a normal healing. She coughed and gagged, mumbling. Annie took Eliza home with her to spend the night there. They stopped to tell Poppa what had happened. Poppa was there a few minutes later. He had run the whole way.
Momma slept until late the next morning. She woke up smiling, saying, “I don’t believe I’ve slept that sound since before you were born, Hixson.” Poppa hugged her in relief.
“What are you worried about? I was just sleeping. You had a nap like that yourself, as I recall.” Momma scolded.
“But you weren’t hurt. Something could have happened.” Poppa replied.
“Oh, bosh. Sarah could never hurt someone she loves. You know that. All she did is give me the best rest I’ve had in ages. How is she doing? Is she up?”
Sarah was not. She continued to heave for a couple of hours, but nothing came up. She woke up confused. “What happened? Have I been sick?” Hixson told her what had taken place, and Sarah was touched by Momma’s willingness to take a chance like that for her.
Sarah knew Momma would not be hurt, but Momma hadn’t known that for sure. She had trusted her.
Sarah didn’t think she could keep anything solid down, just yet, but she did take some tea. She was grateful Hixson understood and acted. If he hadn’t she would be very sick, not just queasy. But how did he know?
“What about Annie? Was she still here when this happened?” Sarah asked. “Was she frightened? She shouldn’t take a fright in her condition.”
“No, she’s fine. She didn’t understand why I acted the way I did, and was mad at first. But I explained it and she understands now. It’s fine. It makes me think, though, that I never do want to make her mad. Her eyes were two points of fire for a little bit there! Charlton better be careful to never get on the wrong side of her!”
It was all too wonderful, Sarah thought. No sidelong glances, no whispering about her, no backing away like she was a witch or some other frightful person. They saw her for who she was. They trusted her and accepted her. She loved these people so deeply she did not have words to describe it.
December 10th, 1865--Dover, Pennsylvania
The neighbors in the area began to call on Hixson and Sarah regularly. At first, they came to introduce themselves and meet the new Mrs. Morris. Most brought small gifts for the house. A few of the neighbors brought poultry to help start Sarah’s flock. Others promised cuttings from their gardens.
The Morrises had not expected that Sarah’s gift would go unnoticed. No one was surprised when word spread and neighbors began to call on her for the help that only she could give.
In Virginia, the neighbors were so suspicious of her they would only come to her in times of dire need. Her new neighbors came for help, but they also came by just to visit. They invited Hixson and Sarah to visit them. They brought homemade goodies to the new young couple, and accepted gifts from Sarah’s kitchen. They asked for her recipes. They invited Sarah to a Christmas quilting bee.
For the first time in her life, Sarah was a real part of her community. She chatted with other ladies when she went to town. Ladies from all the local charities called, looking for a new recruit. People smiled and waved.
Emma’s bakery was a wonderful success. The townspeople were so pleased with her products she was busier than she ever guessed she could be. The previous owner had left all of his equipment behind. Among the items left behind was a book of recipes and methods for making pastries. Caleb looked it over and decided to give it a try.
To Emma’s surprise, her son had the cool hands and tender touch needed to make excellent pastries. He also had an artistic eye. Soon, the bakery cases were filled with elegant tarts, layered confections and exquisite cakes.
The more affluent citizens of the area became regular customers. Dinner parties in fancy homes soon featured a centerpiece dessert made by Caleb. His sacher torte was a special favorite.
Emma continued to take charge of the breads and rolls. Her pumpernickel bread was one of her best sellers. The previous baker’s pumpernickel could be used for a doorstop, so the customers loved her high, chewy, flavorful black bread.
Annie bought a milk cow and started making farm cheeses, and Emma sold them out of her shop. When a farm wife came in to buy a loaf of good black bread, handsome young Caleb would invariably sell her a jar of cup cheese to go with it.
Caleb had grown into the kind of charming young man who made women of all ages weak. He turned out to be the biggest asset to the business. Women who had never bought a loaf of bread in their lives were visiting the bakery twice a week. He knew how to flatter without sounding insincere. He could joke around with the ladies and never embarrass them. Caleb had a way of looking directly into their eyes that got their hearts pounding. He was going to be a very successful man.
December 24th, 1865--Dover Pennsylvania
It was the first Christmas of peace in four years. Emma and Caleb joined all of the Morrises at the big farm house. The newlyweds, both sets, were there. The family had attended services together earlier. Christmas Eve in the Morris house was a night for feasting and exchanging small, personal gifts.
Eliza had written a poem for each member of the family and Emma and Caleb as well. She refused to give Caleb his poem until later, afraid he would be cajoled into reading it aloud.
Sarah had made a heavy winter shawl for each woman and a warm scarf for each man. She chose colors to complement each one. Everyone had special things for each person, made with that individual specifically in mind.
They shared a huge meal and many funny stories. Momma and Poppa talked about their courting days, and how hard Momma’s parents tried to dissuade her from marrying Poppa. Caleb relayed the story about hitting old Towzer right between the eyes and knocking her silly.
As always, though, Annie’s stories were the funniest of all. She had a natural talent for telling a story well, and leading her audience right up to the edge before she dropped the punch line on them.
Emma especially enjoyed the evening. She had been so busy the last week, it was pure pleasure to sit down and be a guest. She had made so many loaves of stollen in the last week that she couldn’t stand the smell of it anymore. When Momma sliced the loaf Caleb brought, Emma declined.
Momma read aloud from the bible for the better part of an hour. Everyone had gathered around the fireplace, Momma sitting in her rocking chair and almost everyone else sitting on the floor. Poppa sat on the hearth, next to Momma’s chair.
Caleb sat next to Eliza. He was not bold enough to put his arm around her while Momma was reading from the bible. Later, when everyone was sipping tea and talking quietly, he
got up his nerve. He wasn’t quite as smooth as he thought, because everyone in the room noticed it. Meaningful looks passed around. Eliza, blushing, held his hand.
Sarah and Hixson lay in their bed that night, talking quietly. Hixson was speculating on Caleb’s interest in Eliza. “You think he’s serious about her?”
“If he isn’t, he should be. She’s lovely, and so sweet. She’d make an angel of a wife. And Caleb would be good to her. He’s grown to be a fine young man.” It wasn’t really what was on Sarah’s mind.
Feeling as if she needed to put it to words, she told Hixson, “I think this has been the most blessed Christmas of my life. Your family is wonderful. I’ve never had a holiday like this. I never felt like a part of a family before.”
Hixson was deeply moved that she felt that way. He had always considered his family something of a mixed blessing. Poppa had a way of saying things calculated to make you blush at just the wrong time. Momma could be a little bossy.
For the first time, he could see that Poppa’s ribald humor hid a warm heart. Poppa’s profound reaction to Sarah’s pain was very telling. Momma’s bossing came from her concern. She wanted to protect and care for her children, no matter how old they were, and everyone she cared about.
It was only since the war was over that he could see Charlton not as a rival, but as his closest friend. Eliza, an irritating