Tracie Peterson - The Pattern of Her Heart

The Pattern of Her Heart
Copyright 2005
Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

Cover design by Dan Thornberg, DesignSource

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher and copyright owners.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America

Dedicated to Lana Nicol
A friend who brings joy to my heart.

Special thanks to
Martha Mayo
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Center for Lowell History

Contents

Mid-August 1857

T HE PRIMROSE-YELLOW skirt of Jasmine Houstons gown fluttered in the early afternoon breeze, the satin-banded hem settling like a field of daisies across the thick green grass as she stooped in front of her five-year-old daughter. Gently cupping the childs small dimpled chin in her palm, she issued a silent prayer of thanksgiving for Alice Anns return to health before making eye contact with the child. We must go upstairs and prepare for your birthday celebration before our guests arrive.

The little girl hopped from foot to foot while pointing at one of the distant barns, where the Houstons stabled their ever-increasing herd of Arabian horses. Her cornflower-blue eyes glimmered with anticipation as she turned back to her mother. Am I going to get my pony today? she quizzed.

Jasmine nibbled at her lower lip, for she didnt want to shed tears. This was, after all, a day for rejoicing, not a time of despair. The entire family had been waiting for over three months to celebrate Alice Anns birthday, waiting and praying the child would live through the debilitating illness that had ravaged her frail body. Scarlatina maligna, Dr. Hartzfeld had told thema fancy name for a highly dangerous form of scarlet fever. A disease that could leave Alice Ann with lifelong medical problems... if she lived. The doctor had whispered his final assessment, fearing the pronouncement of a death sentence upon the child would send Jasmine into a depression.

Instead, his words had propelled her into bustling activity. With a mothers fear and determination, she enlisted the aid of attendants to assist with Alice Anns care. Hopeful the disease would not spread to other members of their family or the community, Jasmine had immediately quarantined the household and ordered small doses of belladonna for all who came in contact with the child. She had diligently researched every piece of medical advice that came her way, and most importantly, she had requested that every person in the community pray for Alice Ann.

Now, looking into her daughters bright blue eyes, she knew all those months of diligent care had been worth it. Dr. Hartzfelds predictions had been wrong. Alice Anns health had been restored, and she was now the same precocious little girl shed always been. Amazingly, there was no evidence shed ever suffered the debilitating illness. However, healthy or not, Jasmine believed the child still too young for her own pony.

So how could she best answer the childs question? We never promised you a pony as a birthday present. What about the toys we looked at in Whiddens Mercantile? Jasmine inquired as she took hold of Alices hand and led her into the house.

The doll was pretty, but I want my very own pony. Spencer has his own horse, she said, her pink lips forming a tiny pout.

But you must remember that horses require a great deal of work. They arent like a toy that you can play with for a short time and then put aside. They must be cared for every day.

Spencer could take me with him when he goes to take care of Lockspur.

Jasmine smiled at the childs pronunciation. Lark spur, she gently corrected. And though its true you could go with your brother to the barns, he might not enjoy having you in tow all the time. He and Moses like to spend time with the horses by themselves. They might feel as if youre intruding. Besides, Spencer didnt receive his pony until he was seven years old.

But I can ride better than Spencer, she argued, her pout once again returning.

Whats this I hear? Our birthday girl isnt unhappy, is she? Nolan called out as mother and daughter walked down the hallway, approaching his library door.

Jasmine stopped and met her husbands warm gaze. Were discussing birthday gifts.

Nolan balanced his chin between his thumb and index finger and looked down at his daughter. This sounds like a particularly interesting topic. Did you make a special request for your birthday?

Alice tilted her head and looked up to meet her fathers sparkling eyes. You know I want a pony, but Mama said Spencer was seven when he got his pony. Im a much better rider than Spencer was when he turned five, dont you think? And Im almost five and a half, she hastened to add.

Jasmine wondered if the girls remark was meant to evoke sympathy from him. After all, it was Nolan who had promised Alice Ann that she would have a superb birthday party once her health permitted the celebration. He had spent hours going over the details with her, planning a picnic on the back lawn, where everyone would come to celebrate the fact that she was now a big girla whole five years old. At the time, Alice had been too sick to care about any of it, but as her health began to return, shed joined in with her father, planning the grandest of all birthday parties. Jasmine credited Nolan with giving Alice Ann a reason to fight the illness.

Nolan smiled adoringly at the child. Its true that youre well on the way to six years of age, and youre certainly much more grown up than Spencer was at your age. I believe he was still playing with his toy soldiers and riding a pretend stick horse when he was five.

Jasmine gave her husband a warning look.

The fact remains, however, that youre still very young. It seems that being around Spencer and Moses has caused you to believe youre able to do everything they can do. However, you must remember they are nearly ten years old, and that makes them a good deal older than you. They are also young men, and as such they may play in a much rougher fashion.

But Im a good rider, arent I, Poppa?

Indeed you are. But your mother is correct; five is very young for a horse of your own. Come sit down with me for just a minute.

Alice Ann wriggled into place on the divan and then looked expectantly at her father.

I want to tell you a story about a little prince who lived in a faraway land. His father, the king, loved his little boy very much and wanted his child to be happy. So every time the prince mentioned there was something he desired, the king gave him the item. The little prince quickly learned that all he needed to do was state his desire and the king would hasten to purchase it. So the little prince continued this ritual, making more and more lavish requests of his father. Each day the gifts would arrive and be given to the little prince.

Alice Anns eyes danced with delight, her soft brown curls bobbing up and down as she nodded her acceptance of the little princes good fortune. And did he want a pony?