Kelly's Search for Family, page 1
“The setting of Kelly’s Search for Family captured my interest on the first page for I enjoy a story with lighthouses and the sea. The banter between Papa and his daughter Kelly was filled with trust and adoration, which settles me into the tale. Well written the tale flows, and becomes suspenseful. As the story unfolds, with twists and turns, I’m delighted. When Kelly is faced with decisions, she may be afraid but she takes charge despite her fears. Kelly’s Search for Family will keep young readers turning pages to find out what happens next to Kelly in the aftermath of the Civil War and slavery.”
—Jean Ann Williams
Author of Road Trip of Delusion
Kelly’s Search for Family
©2018 by Bertha Schwartz
All rights reserved
ISBN: 978-1-62020-807-6
eISBN: 978-1-62020-808-3
Cover Design and Page Layout by Hannah Nichols
eBook Conversion by Anna Riebe Raats
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To Wayne with love.
Thank you for all your encouragement and support.
And to my best friend, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Table of Contents
Endorsement
Title Page
Copyright Information
Dedication
Chapter One: Kelly's Birthday
Chapter Two: More Questions
Chapter Three: The Truth About Mama
Chapter Four: The Ring
Chapter Five: Granny
Chapter Six: Granny's Story
Chapter Seven: The Man with the Missing Arm
Chapter Eight: Homer
Chapter Nine: Hurricane
Chapter Ten: Unconscious
Chapter Eleven: The Black Sloop
Chapter Twelve: Danger
Chapter Thirteen: The Blackburn Brothers
Chapter Fourteen: More Danger
Chapter Fifteen: The Blackburn Brothers Escape
Chapter Sixteen: Betrayed
Chapter Seventeen: The Crooked Deputy
Chapter Eighteen: Friend or Foe?
Chapter Nineteen: The Baby Quilt
Chapter Twenty: Mama’s Letter
Chapter Twenty-One: More Letters
Chapter Twenty-Two: Family
Discussion Questions
Also by Bertha Schwartz
CHAPTER ONE
Kelly’s Birthday
“YOU’LL TELL ME TONIGHT?” PLEADED Kelly, as she set the plate of pancakes in front of Papa.
Papa reached out and tugged her braid. “Tell you what, Kelly-girl? Boy, you made a delicious breakfast.” He scratched his sandy, tousled hair. “Did I get mixed up, and it’s my birthday instead of yours?”
Kelly laughed as she sat down in the remaining chair. Pancakes, maple syrup, eggs, and fat sausages graced the table. She jumped up. “I forgot the muffins.”
“Blueberry muffins!” exclaimed Papa. “Now I know it’s my birthday.”
“They’re my favorite, too,” Kelly reminded Papa. She knew Papa was avoiding her question like usual. Like usual, she would let him . . . for a time.
As she bowed her head for grace, Kelly added an extra prayer, “Please, Jesus, let Papa tell me the truth tonight.” After a slight pause, she added, “If it’s Your will.” Quickly she raised her head certain Papa would be eating by now. Instead, Papa’s head remained bowed.
“You have the table all set for your party?” Papa glanced to the living area as he spoke. “Fancy dishes and everything.” He winked. “I’m surprised you didn’t use them to serve breakfast on.”
Kelly smiled. “I thought about it. But I have only eighteen settings. If everyone comes, there are exactly eighteen of us. Will you stay this time? You can use my setting.”
“No, Kelly-girl. I’ll be out fishing.”
“I didn’t invite the teacher,” Kelly said, mischievously.
Papa’s roar of laughter filled the little house. Kelly joined in as they both recalled the one and only time a teacher joined Kelly’s birthday party. It was also the last time Papa stayed for a birthday party.
“She kind of invited herself,” remembered Kelly.
“I always suspected as much,” Papa grinned.
“She was beautiful, Papa,” Kelly couldn’t keep from teasing, “and very, um, interested.”
Papa chuckled. “Interested in the wrong things. You wanted me to marry her, Kelly? That’s what she was after, you know.” Papa’s blue eyes danced, merrily. “You would have wanted her for your mama?”
“No, Papa,” Kelly answered. “She was a horrible teacher. She would have been unbearable as a mama.”
“She would probably have been a horrible wife,” added Papa.
Kelly was surprised. “You never said anything against her before.”
“Of course not. She was still your teacher. What were you? Nine years old?” Papa rocked his chair back on two legs.
“It was my tenth birthday party. The very next day, Granny started teaching me to quilt.”
Papa’s chair came down with a bang. “Kelly, we need to get moving, or you’ll be late for school.”
“I have my quilt ready to take,” Kelly said as she gathered the breakfast dishes.
“Leave the dishes, Kelly,” ordered Papa. “I’ll do them later.”
Kelly glanced at the clock again and didn’t argue. She grabbed up her school books and lunch. When she turned for the quilt, she saw Papa had it and was hurrying out the door. Kelly ran to catch up.
“Kelly, you’ll need to start bringing all your school books home. I think we’re going to have an early and hard winter.”
Kelly tried not to let the disappointment show. She loved school, but making the trip from the lighthouse to the mainland was too dangerous for most of the winter. “Have you finished bringing in the supplies?” she asked, almost running to keep up with Papa’s long strides.
Papa slowed down. “I’ll finish today. At noon you need to go to the store to get material for two more quilts, and put them on my account.”
“But Papa, I have money from the quilts I sold. I—”
“Kelly-girl, I don’t know what else to get you for your birthday. But you need to choose something else, too. Maybe some paints and things? This year, I left all the choosing up to you. Get something you love.”
Kelly hugged Papa in midstride. “I would love paints, Papa. Thank you!”
Papa returned the hug. “You’re welcome Kelly-girl. Don’t forget brushes and whatever else you need. Get a good selection.”
They had reached the dock. Papa set down the bundle holding the quilt and untied the sloop. He must have come down earlier and uncovered it. The sloop rocked as Kelly stepped on, dropping her canvas bundle of books and lunch. She reached for the wrapped quilt and carefully put it in one of the holds.
Then, Kelly sat back to enjoy the ride. She knew Papa could handle the small sloop perfectly and had done so numerous times. She inhaled the misty ocean air, tasting salt on her lips. Her eyes were drawn to the tall lighthouse reaching for the morning sky. The light still shone brightly against the dark ocean, and the pink of the sun beginning to rise. Kelly knew it would still be shining brightly by the time Papa returned to care for it.
Kelly turned to look at the small fishing village they were approaching. It looked peaceful from here. But Kelly knew it was already bustling with activity. Stone Haven did not sleep for long. Kelly spied fishing boats going out to the ocean and some returning after a night of fishing.
“That was your prettiest quilt yet, Kelly.” Papa had his back turned and was working with the rigging.
“I thought so, too,” Kelly admitted. “I hope I can make the next one even prettier.”
“Your mama would be proud of you.” Papa turned to face her.
Kelly’s breath caught at the unusual statement. Papa never, ever talked about her mama, willingly. But every evening on her birthday, he told her a wild, but exciting tale, usually starting with, “Your mother was a beautiful princess.” But he always made certain Kelly knew the story was only a tale and not the truth, and he always ended with, “When you are old enough, I’ll tell you the truth.”
“Don’t forget to pick up your new dress at Granny’s.” Papa interrupted her thoughts. He answered the question in Kelly’s eyes. “I’ll tell you tonight.”
CHAPTER TWO
More Questions
“HAVE A GOOD DAY, KELLY-GIRL,” said Papa, handing her the quilt. “You have time to drop the quilt off at Tom & Mary’s before school.”
“Thanks, Papa,” Kelly answered. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“If I’m late . . . ” Papa began, teasingly.
Kelly giggled. “I know you won’t be late tonight.”
Papa laughed and waved as he swung the sloop around and headed back to the lighthouse.
Kelly watched him thoughtfully for a minute, as the sloop cut cleanly through the waves. What would Papa tell her tonight about the mother Kelly never knew? A shiver went through Kelly. Papa was reluctant to tell. What if everything changed ton
“You brought us another quilt!” Mary McKinley greeted her. “Do we have time to look at it?”
“I think so,” Kelly answered, taking off the canvas cover.
Mary grabbed two corners and helped Kelly open the quilt. “Wow! This one is beautiful! A Mariner’s Star!”
“Is that the name of it?” asked Kelly.
“It is,” said Mary. “Where did you get the pattern?” The eight-pointed star pattern was repeated in shades of blue on a background of white.
“I copied it from an old one.” Kelly glanced at the big clock on the wall. “I’d better go. I don’t want to be late for school.”
Kelly didn’t want to talk about the baby quilt her mama had made. It was the only thing Papa ever told her about her mama. That and a little blue dress that matched some of the quilt blocks.
“Oh, you’re not late,” Mary broke into Kelly’s thoughts. “Becky hasn’t left yet.” Mary hurried to the back of the store to call her daughter.
Kelly hurried over to the paints and brushes. Papa had told her to buy something for her birthday. He had suggested paints. Kelly would love to try painting the beautiful scenery she had always drawn in charcoal.
“Happy Birthday, Kelly!” called Becky the minute she entered the store.
“Thank you!” Kelly smiled at her best friend. She couldn’t wait to share her news with Becky. But before she could say anything they were joined by Norman and Freddie, Becky’s younger brothers.
“Let’s go!” said Norman. “We want to play ball before school starts.”
“You boys go ahead,” said Becky. “We’ll come.”
“Aw, Beck,” protested Freddie. “We want you an’ Kelly to play with us.”
“We will,” promised Kelly. “I want to talk to your mama before I go.” She selected a set of paints and brushes and hurried up to the counter. She had dreamed of painting often enough to know exactly what she wanted.
“Papa said to put these on his account,” Kelly told Mary. “And also material for two new quilts. I’ll come select the material at noon.”
Mary nodded. “Do you know what colors you want?”
“I was thinking about purples and lavenders for one and maybe greens and peach for the other.”
“Sounds pretty,” Mary said. “I’ll pull out those colors and you can choose the shades at noon then. Have a good day girls.”
Kelly barely had time to reply before Becky was pulling her out the door.
“Spill it,” commanded Becky. “I can tell you have news.”
Kelly smiled at her friend. Becky’s features were as colorful and vibrant as her own were pale. With hair the color of a blazing sunset and eyes as blue as the ocean, Kelly thought Becky was beautiful. On the other hand, Becky bemoaned her freckles and was vocally envious of Kelly’s sunshiney hair, as she called it, and aqua marine eyes.
Becky gave Kelly’s arm another tug. “Spill it.”
“What makes you think I’m going to tell you?” Kelly teased.
“Kelly Nelson!” Becky stopped in the middle of the road and put her hands on her hips. “If you don’t tell me right this minute, I’m going to . . . I’m going to . . .”
Kelly matched her stance. “You’re going to what?” But she couldn’t keep from laughing at her friend’s dancing eyes.
“Come.” This time it was Kelly pulling Becky along. “I’ll tell you.” She glanced at the school house ahead.
“Don’t tell anyone,” Kelly lowered her voice to a whisper. “Papa promised to tell me about Mama tonight.”
“Truly?” Becky gasped. She squeezed Kelly’s arm. “Ohh! I’m so-o-o excited. Aren’t you?”
Kelly sighed. “Truthfully? I’m excited, but I’m also scared. I have a feeling my life will never be quite the same.”
Becky nodded in understanding. “Remember all those stories we made up about your mama?”
“Of course,” laughed Kelly. “Some were so silly.” Becky always managed to make Kelly laugh.
“Promise you’ll tell me, the first chance you get.”
Kelly squeezed Becky’s hand. “I promise.”
In silence, they hurried the last few steps to the schoolhouse.
The time until noon flew by. When Kelly and Becky hurried back to the store, Mary greeted them with, “Your papa was here, Kelly. He took the backing and batting home for two quilts. Also, the paint supplies you had chosen. He said to scold you for not getting more painting supplies, so I helped him choose some more.”
Dear Papa! Kelly felt a surge of love for the only parent she had ever known. She ate her lunch as she selected the material for the two quilts.
Tom was putting some new material on the shelves. Kelly touched the beautiful burgundy. Wouldn’t that make a lovely quilt? “Mary,” she called. “Do I have enough credit for another quilt?”
“Oh, Kelly-honey,” Mary said, chuckling. “You have enough credit for material for a least six quilts. Do you want another one?”
“I think that’s a good idea,” said Tom. “We’re in for a long, hard winter. Your papa thinks so, too. He’s laid in more supplies than I can ever remember. You want this pretty burgundy?” He pulled the burgundy off the shelf.
Kelly selected various shades of burgundy and pink to go with it. She was already imagining it as a Mariner’s Star. Maybe she could change the pattern slightly.
The afternoon hours dragged until school let out. Kelly had a hard time concentrating. She felt such a strange uneasiness, wondering what Papa would say tonight.
As soon as school was dismissed, Kelly grabbed her books and hurried to Granny’s house. Granny greeted her with a hug. “Happy birthday, Kelly!” Knowing Kelly was in a hurry, she handed her the new dress. It was made of the burgundy material Kelly had admired at the store.
“Oh, Granny!” Kelly hugged the old woman again. “I just saw this material for the first time today. How did—”
Granny made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go change, girl. Yo’ papa is waitin’.”
When Kelly returned wearing the new dress, she was surprised to see tears on the dark face.
“Oh Honey-child. Your mama would be so proud o’ you. You look just like her.” Granny hugged her again and hurried her out the door before Kelly could ask any questions.
That evening after Papa returned from taking her guests home, Kelly greeted him at the door. “Papa, do I look like Mama?”
Papa dropped his coat and gathered Kelly into his arms. “I don’t know, Kelly-girl,” he whispered softly. “I never met your mama.”
CHAPTER THREE
The Truth About Mama
“YOU NEVER MET MY MAMA?” Kelly couldn’t hide the tremor in her voice. “How is that even possible?” Kelly suddenly felt as if her world was falling apart.
Papa scooped up the coat he had dropped. “Come into the living room, Kelly. Let’s go sit down.”
Kelly sank into her favorite chair by the fireplace. She waited while Papa hung up his coat. Instead of joining her in the living room, he went on into the kitchen. The few minutes until he returned seemed like a long time as Kelly waited. He returned carrying two mugs.
“Hot chocolate for my best girl,” said Papa, handing her a steaming mug. “And coffee for her old papa.” He sat in the other chair, by the fire.
Kelly wanted to urge him to continue with the story, and yet she was afraid to hear it. Papa sighed, then began, “You remember all the stories I told you of when I was a blockade runner during the Civil War?”
Kelly nodded.
“There were some parts I always left out,” Papa said. “Remember how I told about the time a storm came up, and I was washed ashore and took shelter in a cave?”
“The cave you couldn’t see from the ocean, even in broad daylight?” asked Kelly.
“That’s the one,” Papa continued. “What I didn’t tell you was that cave was already occupied by a slave. He had been beaten pretty badly. But I could see someone had been taking care of him. It was a young boy, and I could see he was very scared when he saw me. I tried to reassure him that he was safe with me, but he was still scared and wouldn’t talk. So I just curled up in my blanket and tried to sleep.”
“A couple hours later, I woke up in time to hear someone else come in the cave. As soon as they were inside, they hung a blanket over the entrance of the cave and lit a dim lantern. Then I could see it was an older woman. A white woman. She immediately went to the boy, but stopped short when she saw me.” Papa smiled at the memory. “We started asking each other questions. We were both afraid the other would blow our cover. Then I realized if she was taking care of a slave hidden in a cave, we were on the same side. I took a chance and told her what I did.”
