tagalong when he left, had developed into a lovely young woman. Beyond all of that, now Hixson could see his own family through Sarah’s eyes. He had an outsider’s view of them, and it was refreshing. Being with her, and knowing her history, had shown him how very lucky was.
Yes, his family was loud and nosy; they told barnyard jokes in mixed company and didn’t spend much time in cultural pursuits. But these were kind, thoughtful people. Hixson was immensely proud of them. They both fell asleep thinking they would always remember this, their first Christmas together.
February 1st, 1866--Dover Pennsylvania
There were three feet of snow on the ground when Hixson and Sarah woke up. It started snowing the day before, so they had laid in supplies, brought plenty of wood close to the house and brought in extra feed for the stock.
Hixson shoveled a path to the barn while Sarah made breakfast. There wouldn’t be very much to do that day. Sarah was working on a new quilt and thought she’d spend most of the day on that. Hixson sat down with pencil and paper to plan out the spring planting, and estimate how much seed he would have to buy.
He looked at her, sitting in her chair with a quilt square in her hands. Her hair was loose and draped across her shoulders and the front of her dress. It made him think about how her hair made a curtain of gold around them when she leaned down to kiss him. The sure, confident way she used her hands brought to mind the way those hands felt on him. When she arched her back to stretch, he couldn’t help but admire her silhouette.
They hadn’t spent an entire day alone together, except when one of them was hurt. It didn’t take them very long to find ways to fill their day other than sewing and figuring. Making love in the middle of the day felt like misbehaving, making it especially delicious. As they lay in bed afterwards, enjoying the moment, they also enjoyed the silence.
Hixson had always wondered about his own parents in one regard. They seemed to have a lot of conversations without speaking. He realized for the first time that he and Sarah were on their way to such a relationship. He loved to just be near her. Speaking was often unnecessary.
She seemed to know, somehow, to bring him food when he was hungry and drink when he was thirsty, but she seldom asked. She just did it. Just that morning, he had gone out to shovel the path without putting on his gloves. He had only noticed himself that his hands were getting cold, when Sarah came out to bring him his gloves. She seemed to think of his needs and comforts even before he did.
Momma’s marital advice came to Hixson’s mind. A marriage was indeed made up of minutes. Sarah was a considerate, loving, cheerful wife. Hixson’s mind turned to himself. What kind of a husband was he? Was he as thoughtful and tender as he should be? He tried to think of the last sweet thing he had done for his wife and came up blank. He promised himself he would do better.
At the same time, Sarah was thinking how lucky she was to have Hixson. She thought he was brilliant, handsome, strong and tender. In her experience, those things seldom appeared all in the same man. Even the absentminded way he patted Towzer D was a demonstration to her of his tender nature. She never had to ask for help with heavy work.
He split the kindling for her, a chore she could certainly manage for herself. He carried the water and the firewood to the house before she noticed it was needed. Sarah lay next to her husband, feeling naughty, lazy and profoundly loved.
February 10th, 1866--Dover Pennsylvania
The roads were a mess under the slush and mud from the recent snows. Even so, Sarah had more neighbors coming to her for help than ever before. From strained backs to frozen toes, it seemed that every day brought at least two.
Most of the ones who needed help were not in serious condition. Sarah would gather the light, but not invest too much of herself into it. Hixson was starting to wonder if he would ever get time to do his own chores. He would not consider leaving Sarah alone during a healing.
Sarah was noticing a different reaction from her new neighbors than anything she had experienced before. The new neighbors paid her what they could, if they could. They also stayed to chat, maybe bringing a cake or pie from their kitchens.
Mrs. Dewulf brought her husband one day. He had pulled a muscle in his back and was miserable. She also brought three bottles of the cherry wine for which she was noted and a silver dollar for Sarah’s services.
When she compared and contrasted the attitude of these neighbors with her old ones, Sarah had to wonder how she ever got along before.
After Mr. Dewulf was on his way home, Annie stopped in for a visit. It was clear now that she was pregnant, and not just putting on a little weight. She was such a cheerful lark and Sarah loved to spend time with her.
Her cheeks were red from the cold, and it made her fine hair frizzy, but she was a welcome site. Annie brought news of the happenings in town, gossip really, since she had just come from there.
"Did you know the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church is buzzing around Emma?" Annie loved the idea of the irreverent Emma as a minister’s wife.
Sarah picked up on that aspect of it immediately, as well. "Good heavens! If those two ever got together, she would shake up the Ladies’ Society for sure!" Laughing at the picture of Emma and her robust sense of humor at a meeting of the Ladies’ Society, Sarah continued.
"Is Emma responding well to the buzzing? I don’t recall having met the man. What is he like?" She hadn’t had the chance to exchange more than a few minutes talk with Emma in three weeks.
"I think she likes him. Well, you know, he has that red Irish hair, and his name is Baker, of all things. Might be a match made in heaven!" Annie chuckled.
"And what about Caleb and our Eliza? How is that romance developing?" Sarah had some catching up to do.
"It hasn’t gone much beyond making sheep’s eyes at each other, yet. I saw Eliza in the bakery the other day. The way he was leaned over the counter, I think Caleb was fixing to kiss her mouth, but I’m not sure. Wouldn’t they be the sweetest couple?"
Another cup of coffee and Annie was off toward home. Every call from every neighbor and friend made Sarah feel so included in Dover life. The frequent site of Momma, Annie or Eliza stopping by was a little present every time: a gift of welcome.
This was the way life had always been for Hixson. He did not take it for such a novelty and a blessing, himself. But he did understand how good it must be for Sarah, after the ostracism she had always known.
May 1st, 1866--Dover Pennsylvania
Spring was beautiful in Pennsylvania. Sarah was enjoying putting in her garden, even with Towzer D’s help. Towzer D had grown into a gangly adolescent: puppy attitude: clumsy, but with the size of a grown dog.
One of the Barred Rock hens was brooding a clutch of eggs. Sarah was looking forward to seeing the chicks. This particular hen would be a fine mother, she thought, and fuzzy peeping chicks were so cute to see.
Hixson was in the fields from dawn to dark, unless someone came by for Sarah’s help. Usually, she brought him a midday meal in the field.
The first thing Hixson and Sarah taught Towzer D was to “get Hixson” or “get Poppa”. Towzer D’s definition of Poppa was anyone at the old farm. The dog learned the trick somewhat faster than the people. At first, Poppa might say, “Hey, Towzer girl, what are you doing here?” But in time he learned, too.
Towzer D had learned “get in your place” but she had a little trouble with “stay”. She thought “stay” meant to go anywhere she wanted, as long as her belly touched the ground while she got there.
People didn’t stop by as often in the quickening days of spring. Everyone was busy at their own farms. Pastor Baker called on Emma frequently. To everyone’s surprise, her bold humor was one of the things he liked best. As he told Emma, “Clergymen always seem to attract the grim women.” He knew she was a good woman, and regarded a sense of humor as a gift from God.
Caleb and Eliza, young as they were, stayed in what Annie called “the sheep eyes stage”. They courted slowly, as young lovers shoul
d, under the watchful eyes of seven interested parties.
Momma had always loved the springtime best. This was a special spring to her, with two new daughters, a grandbaby on the way and Eliza’s young love. Her soldier son had come home with all of his parts, the war was over and she had a new best friend in Emma. She could not recall a more joyful spring.
Spring was the time of year when Poppa felt most alive, too. He had work to do. It was the time of year when Poppa felt like he made things happen. He loved his two new daughters. He loved Annie and liked her very much too, but Sarah had his heart.
Momma was right; Poppa truly was a bit of an old billy-goat. The fact that Sarah was an exceptionally beautiful woman, well-endowed and still trim and tiny, was not lost on him. He was glad that his son had married a beauty. It was more than that, though.
Poppa loved Sarah’s heart. He loved how tenacious she was, and how quick-witted. He never threw a joke in her direction that she didn’t catch. Often, she could zing him right back, although she always did it with love. Most of all, he loved how sweet and gentle she was. She was caring, loving, industrious and an excellent cook, too. He thought Hixson was amazingly lucky to find all of that in one lovely woman. She was someone very special.
Annie seemed to be carrying her new baby all out in front. From behind, it was hard to tell