Chapter Twenty-Five
The stone bench on which she sat was cold but Sarah made no move to rise. Fall had moved through Virginia, painting the leaves a fiery red and brilliant orange. With sad eyes she gazed about the garden. The last of the summer blossoms were gone, but then, so many things that had once filled her life were gone; the whimsical stories of Rebecca Nurse stilled forever by the hangman's noose, her stepbrother Samuel dead, her house in the village burned to the ground. She shivered as much from the memories as from the bite of the wind. Leaves, dried and brittle, snapped free from their moorings to swirl about, and the gentle rustling sound of their flight filled the air.
She gazed down at the official document she clasped in her hand, and though it carried the seal of the governor, her eyes again filled with sorrow. Such a waste. Such a tragic waste. The sun left its hiding place in the gray, cloud-filled sky and Sarah basked in its warmth.
"Why are you sad, my daughter?" came the gentle words to her mind.
Sarah's eyes welled with tears. "I failed," she whispered to the wind. "I know now I was sent to stop the witch trials, but I failed."
"The hangings are done. No more will find their death at Gallows Hill. The tree has been cut down . . . the witch hunt is over."
"But there were no witches in Salem, and twenty innocent people lost their lives. Nineteen taken from their homes, their loved ones, and poor Giles Corey. . ." Sarah's tears began to course down her pale cheeks. "Giles Corey pressed to death because he would not denounce his faith. What madness makes decent people do such things to one another?"
"Greed and the want of power. It overshadowed their faith . . . that same faith they strove so hard to profess."
Sarah turned her troubled face to the sky. "Why wasn't I able to do more?"
"You brought the madness to an end."
Sarah shook her head. "I spoke to the governor and he did nothing."
For a moment the wind swirled in an angry gust around her. "You must have faith, my child" came the gentle rebuff. "Oftimes the heart hears what the mind denies. Yours were the words that took the clouds of doubt from the governor's eyes. Spoken from the heart, you reached him where others failed. The document you hold that stops the killings was the result of your intervention. I will hear no more self-reproach. You have done well."
Sarah turned her face to the sun, and its warmth dried her tears. The light intensified, surrounding her with its brightness, and a light, airy feeling seeped into her awareness. She felt as carefree as the leaves that glided with abandon on the whims of the wind. And suddenly she remembered a time past when there was no time . . . and her body grew lighter still. For an instant she felt free of her earthly bonds . . . and in that moment she remembered the reality of her being.
"Do you wish me home now, Father?" Her eyes pressed closed dreading the answer, for she couldn't bear the thought of leaving Nick.
The sunlight intensified, growing warm on her face, cloaking her in peace and tranquility. "You have always been one of my favorites, Sarah, but alas, your task on earth is not yet completed," came the gentle voice.
Sarah looked up with desperate hope in her eyes.
"Do not be distressed, my child. I know that Nicholas Beaumont now claims your heart. But the love you share is pure, Sarah, and in that you give me glory. It will be your great-grandsons that help to form this new land." The sunlight started to slip away and Sarah blinked rapidly. "Be at peace, my child," the wind seemed to whisper.
Sarah looked down at the document signed by the governor and felt contentment. There would always be a part of her that would ache for those now gone, but with memories they'd never be forgotten and with faith the horrors would never occur again. Taking a deep breath of the crisp fall air, she gazed about with new eyes. This is my home, she thought with startling clarity. And as the words echoed again in her mind, her hand pressed to her stomach in wonder. "I'm going to carry Nick's baby," she thought. Heady sensations washed through her, erasing doubts and the pain of the past. She tried to imagine holding a child and her face took on a wistful, dreamlike stare.
Nicholas Beaumont rounded the corner of the house to find his wife sitting alone in the garden. Her face radiated a beauty that startled him with its intensity. For so much of his life he had been alone; now he had Sarah. He shuddered to think how close he had come to losing her. But we're home, he thought, and his step quickened as he moved to join her.
"You received the news," he observed, smiling down at her and taking the document from her fingers. "Have I told you how proud I am of you?" He pulled her gently to her feet and enfolded her in his arms.
Sarah blushed and gazed up at him. I shall never tire of looking at this face, she thought, and when I am old in years and feeble in mind, I shall still find comfort with this man.
"I love you," he said quietly, touching his forehead to hers. "You are my heart, my life, my soul."
Sarah felt a yearning deep within her. "Make me the mother of your children," she whispered.
Nick's smile intensified. Scooping her up in his arms, he turned toward the house. "With pleasure, Mrs. Beaumont."
The End
Want to find out what happens to Christopher Carlson when he moves to Middle Plantation to join Nick and Sarah?Then you’ll be pleased to know his story is now available in:
Silver Flames
By
Rainy Kirkland
You can find Rainy Kirkland online at https://www.rainykirkland.com
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