Freedom's Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Author:Kim Vogel Sawyer [Vogel Sawyer, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2021-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

20

The Kuhn Homestead

Walter

Walter poked the ground and dropped a seed into the indention. While he pushed dirt over the spot, he glanced over his shoulder at Fanny and Annaliese. How had Fanny secured Annaliese to her frame? Clearly his Liébling didn’t mind. Her little head lay on Fanny’s shoulder, the same way she’d snuggled in Grete’s arms. As she did with him when he rocked her.

The two of them disappeared behind the huge blackberry bramble, but he heard Fanny’s voice from the other side of the bushes, its tone as sweet as the aroma drifting from the bushes’ abundant tiny white blooms.

He smiled, chuckling softly, and turned his full attention on where to place the rod. He wished he could pay her more than a dollar a week. He’d expected her to cook, clean, and care for Annaliese. He hadn’t expected her to worry over him and his needs. Or to love his Liébling. Because she did. He witnessed it in the ways she smiled down at Annaliese in the cradle, the gentle tone she used, and the light touches she gave the baby’s hair or cheek as she passed Annaliese’s chair. Fanny could have only fed her and kept her clean. But she did more. She truly cared for Annaliese. How did a man fairly pay the person who gave so selflessly and tenderly to someone he loved more than life itself?

Was it fair of him to keep Fanny here? She’d been away from her family for so long, more time even than he’d lived on this homestead. A lifetime, it sometimes seemed. She’d go to town tomorrow and do his shopping and check his box at the post office, too.

His pulse stuttered. Would there be a letter from Vater and Mutter? It hadn’t taken nearly this long for his parents to reach an agreement with Grete’s father. Why such a delay this time? He’d never gone so many months without word from his folks. A letter would assure him they were well. A letter would assure him a new wife was coming. He needed both assurances.

A soft sigh of reflection left his throat. How young they’d been—he nineteen and she seventeen. But both sets of parents had given their blessing for not only the union but also his taking Grete far away from New York. Although they’d had to labor hard, they’d been happy. Especially after their precious Liébling was born.

A new worry suddenly presented itself. He stood very still and stared at the blackberry bushes, picturing Annaliese’s little head snug on Fanny’s shoulder. Fanny loved Annaliese, but it surely seemed as if Annaliese loved her Nee, too. If Annaliese got too attached to Fanny, she might not accept his new wife. That could cause problems.

He shook his head, clearing the thought. If Annaliese accepted Fanny so readily, she would accept the new wife. Wouldn’t she?

Fanny

Fanny gave the tails of the toweling a good yank, assuring herself Annaliese would stay secure for the ride to town. She’d never forgive herself if the baby fell out of the Moores’ wagon and hurt herself.

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