Chapter 25 - The Sheffields Depart

There was no way to hide what had happened from Elizabeth and her parents, but when Elizabeth heard that Han had been defending his cousin and his aunt's good name, she would hear no more about it. The Sheffields, true to form, had a lot to say about the matter, but for once, Elizabeth was firm that nothing more was to be said.

After almost three weeks of her parents' company, Elizabeth was getting better at standing up for herself and her family. It was just a shame that she couldn't see how much like her parents she could be, especially where Han was concerned.

She deplored her parents unending disapproval of Han, but was completely oblivious to the fact that her own interactions with him followed a similar, if kinder, pattern.

Han couldn't stay with the Currys forever and had to return to his own home after the festival. The Currys hoped that two weeks of staying with them had improved his self-confidence enough to cope with the rest of the visit.

Han was sorry to leave the Currys, but he missed David. David tried to visit Han as often as possible, but with the Sheffields staying as his guests, he couldn't get away as often as he wanted. They were both happy to be back together again.

Han couldn't wait for the Sheffields to leave and for life to return to what it had been before. Even though Elizabeth was constantly critical of him, Han understood - especially now, after meeting the Sheffields - that Elizabeth thought that she was helping him to improve. But the Sheffields just didn't like him and nothing was going to change that.

It was an emergency at Reginald Sheffield's business that saved Han in the end. A matter arose that only he could deal with, and he felt it would be best for him to return and take care of it immediately. Since they only planned to stay for another ten days, they decided it would be best to cut the visit short and return to Ohio.

Everyone did their best to hide their delight, although in truth even Elizabeth was happy they were leaving. She had become used to running her household in her own way and she found herself resenting their unending 'helpful' suggestions.

Everyone was genuinely delighted to discover that Grandpa Curry was going to stay on until the end of the original planned visit.

Grandpa Curry was everything Han thought a grandpa should be and, without the Sheffields around, he could pretend that the old man was his grandpa as well as Jed's.

On the morning of her parents' departure, Elizabeth had the whole family dressed in their Sunday best and standing outside respectfully to say goodbye.

Reginald shook his son-in-law's hand and eyed the couple before him. "Well, I have to say that you seem to have done well here. The house needs to be expanded, of course, but the farm seems to be running very smoothly. Tom is a fine boy," he saw David's glare and tried to be conciliatory, "and the other one seems to be a good worker at least." He seemed to be completely unaware of how insulting he sounded.

Amelia nodded in agreement. "Yes, indeed. Tom is a boy to be proud of, and I'm sure that you will be able to do something with the other boy in time."

Amelia Sheffield presented her cheek for her daughter's dutiful kiss and stood back to say farewell. Elizabeth was digging her fingers into David's arm to prevent his angry retort. He was holding onto his temper by a thread.

"Yes, mother. They are good boys and I know that they will both be a credit to us. Now you really should hurry, you don't want to miss your train!" She was worried that in one more moment, David's temper would erupt.

Han was staring off into the distance and trying to ignore them. He knew how much they disliked him.

Her parents climbed aboard the wagon and rode away. Elizabeth sighed and allowed her shoulders to relax for what seemed like the first moment in weeks.

David reached beside him and whirled Han into the air, making the boy laugh. "Han, my boy, you're growing! I won't be able to do this for much longer!"

To Han's surprise, Elizabeth came over to them and gave Han a kiss on the cheek. "He needs to be growing, he was far too thin before! Maggie was right, we need to get him some smart new things to wear."

Han basked in her approval until Elizabeth turned to Tom, hugged him and took his arm. "And I hardly seem to have spoken to you since they got here, tell me all your news!"

The next week was one of the happiest in Han's life. He was back at home with David, but every day after school he would run to the Curry farm and listen to more tales from Grandpa Curry. He hadn't thought he could ever be so happy. He wished that week could last forever.

But all good things must come to an end, and even Grandpa Curry had to leave.

Maggie decided that she would travel back with him. She didn't like to think of Francis travelling back to Ohio on his own. He was getting older and she fancied that lately he had been a little unsteady at times; she wouldn't be easy in her mind until she saw him comfortably settled in his home.

She decided to take Leah, Jed and the baby with her to see Ohio. Adam and Joe were needed to help their father on the farm, but she wanted to show the younger children where the family was from. She asked Han if he would like to go with them, but he decided that he'd prefer to stay at home with David. They'd already spent too long apart.

Han was miserable to lose both Grandpa Curry and Jed, but Jed would return within a couple of weeks.

Until then, Han and David could enjoy spending as much time together as they could, to try to make up for all the time that they had lost.

End of Part One.