The Fire of the Covenant
" Zion"
CHAPTER 1: Return of the Valley Boys
The cloud around her dreams thinned and consciousness slowly seeped back into the mind of Hannah McKenzie. Somewhere off in the distance she heard birds chirping and a tapping at her window from the maple outside. The sunlight chased away her dreams of the moment before and she instantly forgot them. Her only thought was to get food. She had been fasting yesterday with her family for Robbie, her thirteen year old brother, and her stomach ached and groaned like something alive.
Mary McKenzie opened the door a crack and peeked in. "You're awake. Good." She smiled. "I made eggs. I knew you'd be hungry." As if to confirm that assumption, Hannah's stomach growled loudly and she laughed.
"Oh, you're wonderful." Hannah hopped down from her bed. Then she remembered the reason behind her hunger, and was in the shadows again. "How's Robbie?" Her mother's face lit with a genuine joy that only a mother can radiate.
"His fever finally broke last night. I think he's going to be alright." Hannah breathed a prayer along with a sigh of relief. Oh thank you, Heavenly Father. Thank you for hearing our prayers.
The sun was scorching her as its radiation fell relentlessly. Hannah felt moist all over and grimy from her labors. Their neighbor boy who had been helping them in the garden had been sent off to see what was happening. About five minutes before, her mother had noticed a commotion towards the main street of Salt Lake City and sent him to find out. However, their progress had slowed without the sturdy little boy, and Hannah prayed that he'd hurry.
She looked up at the sound of running feet coming down the street. Finally, she thought. "What is going on, Johnny?"
Johnny Granger bent over and laid his tiny hands on his little knees and took a few deep breaths. He looked up and grinned. "My brother, David's home!" he cried in delight. "Mrs. McKenzie, do you think I…" he started.
"Of course, Johnny. You go and welcome home your brother." She looked at Hannah who was lost in her thoughts and was glowing from somewhere within her. "In fact… tell your mother that as soon as we get cleaned up, Hannah and I will be over too."
The boy grinned. "Sure thing, Mrs. McKenzie," and then he scampered off. Mary smiled. "Well, Hannah, shall we?" Hannah smiled and moved toward the front door.
"What about Maggie, Mama? She and Eric will want to see him too."
"Then we'll stop on the way."
Hannah walked up the stairs to her bedroom, her thoughts tumbling within her. She put on her best dress, a deep green one that brought out her eyes and emphasized her tiny waist. She washed her face and brushed out her dark hair until it shone. Then Hannah raised her eyes to look at herself in the mirror. She had never been one to worry about her appearance, and she was surprised that it mattered so much to her now. She had thought about David Granger often since she and the handcart company had left him to guard their loads.
When the Martin Handcart Company had found themselves without food and freezing in the snow because of a late start, President Young had sent out a relief company. With them came David. With him came a hug from her sister Maggie whom he had met when they rescued the Willie Handcart Company days before. Hannah and David had become fast friends and he had sent a letter home with her to her mother, but asked her not to read it. The letter contained his intentions to court Hannah if Mary McKenzie would permit.
Hannah had not seen him since that day, and so it was no wonder that she was nervous. He had seen her gaunt face, pinched mouth, and weak body from lack of food. Hannah knew David had seen her at her worst. As she met the green eyes of her reflection, Hannah suddenly felt peace. David Granger had been a light in the darkness of the snowstorms on the trail to the Valley. There was nothing to prove to him. With that thought, she ran lightly down the stairs and out the door to fetch Maggie and her brother-in-law, Eric.