Tracie Peterson - A Fragile Design

A FRAGILE
DESIGN

TRACIE PETERSON
AND
JANDUDIT HMILLER

A FRAGILE
DESIGN

A Fragile Design
Copyright 2003
Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

Cover design by Dan Thornberg

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. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

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

ISBN 978-0-7642-2689-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Peterson, Tracie.
A fragile design / by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller.
p. cm. (Bells of Lowell ; 2.)
ISBN 0-7642-2689-4
1. WomenMassachusettsFiction. 2. Women textile workersFiction.
3. Lowell (Mass.)Fiction. I. McCoy-Miller, Judith. II. Title. II. Series:
Peterson, Tracie. Bells of Lowell ; 2.
PS3566.E7717F7 2003
813'.54dc21 2003002569

In memory of my mother,
Gladys E. McCoy. Thanks be
to God for the blessing of a
godly mother.

Judy Miller

Table of Contents

TRACIE PETERSON is the author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary fiction. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling HEIRS OF MONTANA and ALASKAN QUEST series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

Visit Tracies Web site at: www.traciepeterson.com.
Visit Tracies blog at: writespassage.blogspot.com.

JUDITH MILLER is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, many of which have appeared on the CBA bestseller lists. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.

Visit Judys Web site at: www.judithmccoymiller.com.

CHAPTER 1

Canterbury, New Hampshire
March 6, 1831

Arabella Newberry raced through the woods, the fallen leaves crunching beneath her feet and the echo of her footsteps beating the message Hur-ry, Hur-ry, Hur-ry. Darting through the timbers, she hastened by a grove of rock maples and onward toward the sheltering heavy-needled pines. Her breath came hard as she edged her agile body between two of the prickly green trees, the needles now poking her arms as they punctured her gray woolen cloak. She forced herself to breathe more easily, then leaned forward and listened. All was quiet, save the occasional chattering of a squirrel or the scampering feet of a frightened rabbit.

Without warning, a hand clamped around her arm and pulled her from the bristly nest. A sick feeling churned in her belly as she twisted to free her arm.

Youre late, Bella! Jesse Harwood stood beside her, his cloudy gray eyes filled with recrimination. She expelled a ragged breath. Only a few minutes. I couldnt manage to get away from Sister Mercy. She asked me to assist her with one of the children.

Jesses look softened and he released her arm. Im sorry. I was beginning to fear you werent coming. I think Ive worked out a plan for us.

Wisps of straight blond hair had escaped from under her palm-leaf bonnet. She automatically reached to tuck them out of view before giving Jesse a tentative smile. Im listening, but we must hurry before Im missed.

Well leave tomorrow night, after the others have gone to sleep. We can meet right here and make our way toward Concord under cover of darkness. If we cant find your relatives in Concord, well continue on to Lowell. Pack only as much as youll be able to comfortably carry, and Ill do the same. Be sure to bring some food.

What if I awaken one of the Sisters as Im preparing to leave?

Jesses eyes flashed with concern for a moment. Say youre ill and cant sleepthat you dont want to bother the rest of the Sisters and youre going to make some tea and sit up for a while.

Bella shook her head back and forth. But that would be a lie, Jesse. I cant lie to one of the Sisters.

Jesse gave a quiet chuckle. We lie to the Sisters and Brothers every day when we fail to tell them of our love for each other.

Her brow furrowed at his reply. Jesse, Im not sure what I feel is the kind of love that need be confessed to the Society. If we merely love each other as brother and sister, weve done nothing wrong.

Jesse took her hand and looked deep into her eyes. The love I feel for you is one that requires confession, Bella. And I hope the love you feel for me is much different from what you feel for Brother Ernest or Brother Justiceor any of the other brothers, for that matter.

You know I care for you more than the other brothers, Jesse. But we have little knowledge upon which to base the love between man and woman. I feel no guilt in not confessing our friendship, but I would feel guilt if I openly lied to one of the Sisters.

Smiling, Jesse continued to hold her hand. Youll soon realize that what you feel for me is lovethe love that binds husband and wife together for a lifetime. If youre concerned about lying to the Sisters, I suppose wed best pray that they remain sound asleep. He looked out into the quiet. We should return soon or someone will miss us. You go first, and Ill follow in just a bit. Until tomorrow night, he said, pulling her hand to his lips and placing a kiss upon her palm.

Bellas face grew warm at Jesses boldness. She quickly withdrew her hand and rushed back down the path. Slowing as she reached the childrens dormitory, Bella removed her cape and attempted to casually walk toward the east door, which led to the side that was occupied by the young girls. Opening the door as quietly as possible, Bella made her way into the large room where the children were napping.

Daughtie Winfield glanced toward Bella as she slipped into the room. Was I missed? Bella inquired as she brushed a stray wisp of blond hair under her cap.

No, but I was fearful for a short time. Sister Minerva walked with me until we reached the entrance of the dormitory. Fortunately Eldress Phoebe summoned her away before she had opportunity to inquire of your whereabouts. Did you meet Jesse?

Bella nodded as she lifted one of the toddlers to her lap. Were leaving tomorrow night, so this will be our last opportunity to visit, Daughtie. I transfer to the kitchen tomorrow. Im sorry well not be together on my final day, but if we must be apart, Im pleased Ill have some time with Sister Mercy before my departure.

Daughtie began to wring her hands, a nervous habit that brought constant remonstration from the older Sisters. Are you sure you wont reconsider, Bella? Do you understand that you are leaving the safety of the Family? Wont you miss your Shaker Brothers and Sisters?

Ill miss you, Daughtieand Sister Mercy and the children, of course.

And your father? Daughtie ventured.

My father? You forget, Daughtie. Among the Shakers, I have no earthly father. Besides, Brother Franklin wishes his life to be separated from mine. How can I miss something I havent had since my fatherexcuse me, Brother Franklinconvinced my mother four years ago to join the United Society of Believers in Christs Second Appearing?

He cares for you, Bella. Its the rules of the Society that forbid him to show his affections, Daughtie insisted.