New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) by Doreen Winona Logeot Page B

going to believe I am not going to leave you here alone?” He opened his coat, pulling her inside with him for warmth and held her, not expecting an answer.
    After their breakfast, Sam thought it would be best to prepare for Sara’s move to town. They both went into the next room, leaving the door open so the heat from the kitchen could warm it. She started with the closet, removing her dresses one by one, handing them to Sam and he sorted them into two piles on the bed. As they finished, a small stack held only three dresses, the other held the rest. Sam picked up the three, “These will do until we can go shopping. There are lots of new shops in town.”
    “Sam, you don’t need to buy me new clothes, I’ve lots right here.” She pointed to the discarded dresses.
    “I don’t need to, I want to. You won’t be doing any field work in Brandon and if you really want to come back here, these won’t leave on their own.”
    Sara shrugged her shoulders and started to hang the other dresses back in the wardrobe. She realized Sam never left her room to make excuses for anything. Saying she could come back when she wanted gave her no reason not to leave.
    “Is there anything else you want to take?” he asked as he came back into the kitchen, where a small trunk was set to hold her possessions.
    Sara went to the dresser, opened a lower drawer and removed a folded quilt, a bundle of letters tied with a blue ribbon and a leather-bound bible which was rather worn. “I think this is everything in here. I would like to take the clock on the shelf in the kitchen.” She carried her collection into the main room and closed the door tightly behind her after taking a quick look back at many memories.
    Sam took the items from her and placed each carefully into the trunk. As he took the bible he asked, “Do you believe in God?” It seemed a most unusual question as in this area Christianity seemed expected in some form. Sunday was a time for worship and strictly a time of rest. Although there was no law to it yet, only “heathens” conducted business, or participated in commercial entertainment on the Sabbath.
    Sara hesitated before she answered, “I used to believe with all my heart, but I’ve seen so many things, asked for help so many times, that I don’t know any more. Besides, if it means being one of those busybodies who go to church to see what everyone is wearing, well, it doesn’t seem right.” She looked back at Sam, as he appeared to absorb every word she spoke. “What about you, do you believe?”
    “I’ve never really thought about it. I guess when your main business is loaning money, gambling and dancing girls … I never really thought about it.”
    After the lot was packed, Sara thought for a minute and went into the other room again. She bent to pull something from under the bed but made a painful sound. Sam immediately went to the bedside and helped her pull out a large wooden case.
    “You are still very sore.” It was more of a comment than a question.
    “I never felt like this before, Sam. I’ve given birth to six other babies and it never was as bad as this.”
    Sam placed his hand on her cheek and turned it so those blue eyes looked into his own. “You nearly died, Sara. You’ve got to take it easy so you can get better.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “What would I ever do without you?”
    “You didn’t know me three weeks ago. What difference would it make?”
    He leaned forward and kissed her gently before saying, “Have you never wondered why Dickens happened to bring me into your yard? Doc Brown said I could have lost my leg had I gone to anyone else but you. I should have come here sooner, but if I’d been much later, you could have either frozen or died giving birth. I don’t remember ever saying a prayer before, but that day I did, for you to live and God answered.”
    By now they were both sitting on the floor. Sara felt uncomfortable with the direction this