The Age of Freedom

By Alisha Jones

Elizabeth Randall only wants one thing from life: to marry her fiance and live the rest of her days working their farm. However, her fiance may have a few things to do before he can tie himself down to live in one place.
As his father's health fails, Barry Cooper decides that he needs to go to work in the steel mines in Ohio before he can marry Elizabeth. Though she's unhappy with his decision, he knows he needs to do it for their future.
Follow the continuing story about all the Randall women from McLeansville, North Carolina, as they face hardship, love, and learn exactly what freedom is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alisha Jones
• Release date: Nov 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370764907

Book preview

Prologue

(The ending excerpt from The Age of Love)

As he wrapped his arms around his new bride, he knew he would spend the rest of his days making her happy and protecting her. He was sure that their future held plenty of Ann-Marie’s and a few Cecil’s as well. But, through it all, he would do all he could to show Olivia an age of love that she’d never known.

Chapter One

(McLeansville, NC – June 1956)

It’s a boy! Elizabeth announced to her father as she cleaned the brand-new baby. Pa, you finally have a son!

A son? Josh wondered blankly as he scanned the body of his precious child. I have a son? He took the baby from his daughter and, as a tear slowly trekked down his cheek, he looked in admiration at his beautiful wife. Liv, we have a son.

Olivia lay back onto her pillow, exhausted from the twelve hours of labor she’d just endured. Is he okay, Liz? Olivia begged of her step-daughter.

Elizabeth’s eyes gleamed, He has ten fingers, ten toes, and the roundest head you’ve ever seen. He’s absolutely perfect, Ma.

Olivia smiled tenderly at her husband, holding, and adoring their newest addition to the Randall family. She, herself, had not been a Randall for a full year yet, and here she was, giving new life into the family. Josh lay next to his wife and she touched the baby’s head gently.

We should give this little guy a name. Don’t you think? Josh kissed the baby’s head, then his wife’s lips.

He already has a name, Olivia claimed proudly. Your father was Joshua Sr., you are Joshua the second, and this little guy can’t break the tradition. Especially, she winked to her step-daughter, since your daughters couldn’t carry it on.

Elizabeth winked back to her mother and said, I think that’s a wonderful idea. But, what will we call him?

I was thinking we could name him Joshua Samuel, after you and your brother, Olivia claimed proudly. I guess I haven’t given much thought to a nickname.

I’m sure the girls will come up with something, Josh grinned. And, uncle Sammy will be proud to have a name sake as well.

So, will Grandma, Elizabeth clapped excitedly. She leaned across her father to gaze at the perfect baby boy. He’s so tiny. He’s really beautiful, Ma.

Thank you, Liz, Olivia smiled. And, thank you for being such a help during all of this.

As the oldest daughter, Elizabeth had taken on the responsibilities of her mother, since she was put on bed rest during her last month of pregnancy. And, since her Grandma had a cold, she had been the one called upon to help with the labor and delivery of the baby. It was my pleasure, Ma. I still can’t believe I have a new Ma and a brother in only one year’s time.

Well, if all goes according to plan, it won’t be long before you’ll have one of your own, her Pa winked. Barry is a wonderful guy.

Yes, he is, Elizabeth squealed with delight as she glanced at her engagement ring again. So, you’ll have two sons in a couple of months, Pa.

That I will, Josh grinned. Would you like to inform the others of our new arrival?

Liz clapped her hands again. I’d love to! She skipped from the room and sprinted down the hall of the doc’s clinic, where Olivia had decided to have the baby. Claiming that a big hospital would be too impersonal, she asked the Doc to deliver the baby and Elizabeth to assist him. She stepped into the small lobby and was immediately attacked by all her family members.

Well?

Is everyone okay?

What is it?

Boy or girl, Liz? Boy or girl?

Elizabeth, tell us the news!

Smiling from ear to ear, she folded her hands neatly in front of her and informed the family of their newest member. Girls, we have a baby brother. Squeals erupted all around as Elizabeth’s face flushed from all the excitement.

Can we see him? Evie begged.

Let’s give Ma and Pa a few more minutes to have the baby to themselves, then we’ll go in and steal him away.

I can’t believe we have a brother, Eleanor claimed. Pa must be tickled to death.

Liz grinned cheekily, I’d say he was more stunned than anything. But, once it sinks in, I’m sure he’ll be as proud to have a boy as he was to have us girls.

Of course, he will, her Grandma announced. You should have seen his face when the four of you came into the world. There was no prouder man on the face of the earth.

How is Olivia? Elaine wondered.

She’s exhausted, but she just glows like an angel, Elizabeth claimed. I think she was prouder to give Pa a son than he is to have one.

How much longer do we have to wait, Liz? Evie begged. I can’t wait to get my hands on his little cheeks.

Let me go check, Liz smiled. I’ll be right back. She skipped out of the room and closed the lobby door behind her with a gentle click. Tiptoeing down the hallway, she stalled outside the door and listened for a moment.

I’ve thanked God every single day for you, darlin, her Pa was saying. And I will always love you. I couldn’t have been prouder of you if you had given me twin girls.

Olivia chuckled exhaustedly, Thank you, Josh. He looks like you, doesn’t he?

He looks like Evie when she was born, he claimed. That little, stubby nose is just like hers. But, the long fingers and toes, those are Elaine’s. He laughed softly, And, the chunky cheeks, those are Elizabeth’s. She grew out of hers, though. And, let’s see, oh yes, the sandy colored hair is one hundred percent Eleanor.

Put them all together and you have the spittin’ image of Josh Randall, Olivia grinned.

All except the eyes, he nuzzled his wife. Never seen such blue eyes except on you, sweetheart. Yep, he definitely has your baby blues.

Josh, you’re gonna make me cry, Olivia said as she wiped at her wet eyes.

Elizabeth figured she would save her step-mother the humiliation of crying, so she entered softly. Ma? Pa? There are about five or six other people who wanna get their hands on that new baby brother. Is it okay for them to come in and take a peek?

Of course, Olivia offered. Bring them on back here.

Liz sprinted down the hallway and poked her head through the door. Okay, Ma said come on back, but be quiet. She led the caravan of anxiously excited people into the room and introduced, Folks, this is the newest member of the Randall family, Joshua Samuel Randall.

Oh, what a beautiful name, Miriam smiled. Keeping the tradition, son?

Didn’t think I’d ever be able to, Ma, Josh smiled.

Samuel’s my name, Josh. Samuel’s my name, Sammy whispered, intent on letting the new baby sleep as much as possible.

Thankful that her uncle had remembered to keep his voice low, Elizabeth touched his arm gently. That’s why he has that name, Uncle Sammy. Olivia, I mean, Ma, named him after you and Pa. Isn’t that wonderful?

I think it’s perfect, Evie said as she sidled up next to her Ma and baby brother. He’s perfect.

He looks just like you, Pa, Eleanor claimed.

What are we gonna call him, though? Elaine wondered aloud.

What about Joshie? Evie asked.

That might be okay for a while, but when he gets older, he won’t like it, Miriam claimed.

Why don’t we just call him JJ? Olivia suggested. You know for Joshua Jr., Jr, she released a contented chuckle.

I like it, Josh grinned instantly. JJ, you are gonna be one spoiled little boy.

Chapter Two

Hey, Barry, Elizabeth smiled as she approached her fiancé before Sunday school started.

Good morning, sweetheart, Barry grinned and took her hand. How’s life in the house with a brand-new baby? I bet he’s keepin’ you up all night, huh?

Nope, she chuckled. He’s just the cutest thing. Sleeps all night and everything. Ma says that he probably won’t do that very long though, when he realizes that there are five women in the house, anxious to play with him.

Ah, well, at least he doesn’t cry all night like my brothers did. I had to sleep out in the barn for two months. As she sat down beside him, he laid his arm across the back of her chair and smiled, You smell nice.

Thank you, she blushed. A gift from Ma. She gave us girls each something to thank us for putting up with her all those months that she couldn’t do anything but lay around the house.

If I know my girl, I bet you did most of the work. Am I right?

Well, it’s the eldest’s job to do more than the rest.

Barry chuckled, I knew it. His grin stretched from ear to ear and he leaned in closely and whispered in her ear, Save your energy for working on our house, darlin’.

Another blush crept up her neck and spread all over her face. Don’t you worry. I’ll have plenty of energy.

Good, he said and gave her a teasing wink.

Elizabeth glanced down at her ring and glowed with delight. I can’t believe we’re actually gonna be husband and wife in less than a year.

Yep, he beamed. Only ten more months. You sure you want an April wedding? We could always move it up and have a Christmas wedding.

She nudged his side and claimed, That does sound wonderful, but I’ve always wanted a spring wedding. The flowers beginning to bloom again, and nature’s rebirth, makes the entire world seem right again after a long winter.

Okay, he shrugged, you name the date and I’ll show up, even if it’s next week.

If I didn’t know you were teasing, Barry Cooper, I’d take you up on it. She nudged his side gently, loving how he cringed at being tickled.

Realizing that she’d called his bluff, he backed down, Okay, okay. April, it is.

Good, she giggled. Now, hush. Miss Sims is about ready to start teaching.

Good morning, class, Miss Sims smiled as she approached the small podium in the front of her class. Before we begin, we have just a few announcements. Don’t forget everyone is to bring a small gift next week for the Randall’s new baby boy. We’ll have the baby shower after the morning service. Also, let’s not forget about the annual Independence Day barn raisin’ scheduled for two weeks from yesterday."

Is Mr. Randall gonna be in charge of the fireworks again this year? a student asked.

If he will agree to it, Miss Sims nodded, then, yes, he will. I think he did an outstanding job of it last year.

Yeah, except for that kid who about got himself, and Mr. Randall killed.

Miss Sims squeezed her cheeks in between her teeth to keep from chuckling. Well, I’m sure that things will go much smoother this year.

After the announcements, Miss Sims took some prayer requests and opened the class in prayer. Then, Elizabeth and the rest of the class listened as she taught on Christ’s healing power.

Wasn’t that a wonderful lesson? Liz asked Barry as they walked toward the main sanctuary.

Yes, it was, she agreed. I always like to hear her teach. She brings life to each lesson. She leaned in closely and asked, And, how is your father doing?

Barry shrugged, He has good days and bad days. Doc said he is a strong man, and he shouldn’t let the cancer get him down. He’s always been a fighter, so, I’m sure he’ll win this battle.

We pray for him every day, Barry. I hope you’ll tell him that. Like Miss Sims said, ‘God can heal anybody, anytime, anywhere’ no matter what.

He grasped her hand in his and smiled, I’ll tell him, and thank you. I don’t know what I would have done this past year without you by my side.

Oh, you’d probably throw yourself into your work on the farm and be sad and miserable, she teased.

Indeed, I would, he chuckled softly. I’m awfully glad you asked me to the dance last year, Liz.

You may thank Ma for that, she giggled. She was the one that gave me the push I needed to ask you.

After we’re married, I’ll thank her for the rest of my life.

So, will I. Elizabeth slid into the pew beside Barry and thought about all the years they had liked each other and had never said anything. She knew that without Olivia’s push, she probably would still be seated on her family’s pew beside her sisters, wondering why he wouldn’t talk to her. As she saw her new Ma coming into the sanctuary, her new brother in her arms, she knew that she had more than one reason to thank God for Olivia. Her Pa’s smile told her what she already knew. Olivia had touched more lives than just hers. As she squeezed Barry’s hand beside her, she knew that she, too, would spend the rest of her life thanking God for sending Olivia into their barn. That cold, March night, over a year ago, would change the fate of everyone who knew her.

Chapter Three

Can you believe it, Josh? Olivia asked as she swaddled little JJ out of the sun’s rays. It’s only been a year since we came to this dance together.

I remember, darlin’. I still remember the day you asked me. Josh knelt beside his wife and touched his son’s face gently. I remember thinking how lucky I was that you’d asked me, even though I was technically your guardian. I was so in love with you, even then.

And, I was just beginning to realize it myself, she claimed. Did you know that I told the girls that night? At his stunned look, she explained, Ann-Marie Beck had accused me of being your lover and the girls overheard. They gave her an earful and she ran off like a scared rabbit. But, they could see then, what I only suspected.

That you were in love with a handsome, brave, muscular, knight on the white horse type?

Exactly, she giggled. You always were my hero. And, now, only one year later, we have this precious baby boy, four daughters who adore their new Ma, she chuckled again, and more blessings than I could ever have dreamed of. And, just think, in a little less than a year, we’ll be in-laws.

I still can’t believe my baby girl is engaged, he shook his head. I can still remember holding her in my arms for the first time. She was so tiny, except for those flappy cheeks. He laughed, Every time she moved her head, they jiggled.

Well, it won’t be long ‘til she’ll be havin’ babies of her own.

I don’t feel like a Grandpa, he claimed.

No? How do you feel?

Josh kissed his bride tenderly and gazed into her blue eyes. I feel like a man still on his honeymoon.

I love you, Josh. And I love those girls like I gave birth to them."

Well, in a way, you did, darlin’. He took the baby from her and cooed him gently. You gave Elizabeth new courage to talk to the boy she’d had a crush on for ages. You helped Evie learn how to sew. You gave Ma a new purpose in life; changing baby diapers has always been her area of expertise. He paused while she laughed and hid her blush from him. You taught Elaine and Eleanor how to make the most delicious cakes I’ve ever tasted. Don’t tell Ma, he warned. And, you opened my eyes to the possibility that there can be more love found in the world, if I look. You did all that darlin’.

You’re tryin’ to make me cry, she claimed as she wiped the stray tear from her cheek.

Your eyes shine bright blue when their wet, he teased. I love you, Liv.

Touching his face tenderly, she promised, Ah, Josh, I love you so much.

Ma! Miss Sims said we are about to start the dancing. Do you want me to hold JJ so you and Pa can dance?

Thank you, Evie, but won’t you be dancing as well? Olivia smiled to her husband. I’m sure Jimmy Crandle is just chomping at the bit to take you on the dance floor.

I told him he can wait, Evie grinned. He’s been bothering me all day long. I’ll let you two go out first.

Thank you, sweetheart, Josh kissed his daughter’s head and helped his wife to stand. C’mon, Mrs. Randall, let’s show ‘em how it’s done.

Be good for your sister, JJ, Olivia cooed to her son. Thanks, again, Evie.

No problem, she smiled back. Have fun.

I sure hope she realizes that age doesn’t make a difference soon, Josh chuckled. If she keeps that boy on the hook too much longer, he’s liable to bite it off and look elsewhere.

Olivia nodded, I thought after last year’s dance, that she would come to some conclusions about Jimmy, but she still sees him as a child.

Don’t worry, Josh rubbed her hand, someday she’ll see him for who he really is.

Hey, Evie, Jimmy said as he approached her. You ready to dance yet?

Jimmy, I told you that I was going to let my parents dance first, she snapped. You’re gonna have to wait.

Mind if I sit with you, then? he asked.

Evie rolled her eyes, but she could feel the small flutters begin to bounce around in her stomach the way they always did when he was near her. Do what you want.

Jimmy sat in the grass beside her and asked, So, did you hear about Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis calling it quits?

That was a whole month ago, Jimmy, she declared. The whole country’s heard about it by now.

Guess so, he grinned shyly and rubbed the back of his neck with the bright red handkerchief he’d yanked from his back pocket. Have you read anything good in the ‘Dear Abby’ column lately?

Not really, she claimed, gently massaging JJ’s toes. Same old stuff. ‘Need advice for cheating husband’, or ‘my man fishes on the weekends and won’t spend any time with me’, or ‘need a way to make money ‘cause my husband spends it all on liquor’. I can’t see why these women marry these men anyway. Seems to me that marriage is just a monopoly of the woman’s future. She can’t do anything for herself, she can’t work outside the home unless he says so, she can’t even earn her own money. Seems like a waste to me.

Not all men are like that, Evie, Jimmy murmured.

Oh, no? Name one.

Gathering his courage, he announced, Your Pa, for one.

Admittedly put in her place, she cowered, No fair. Pa’s one in a million. Name another one.

Me.

Evie chuckled, Yeah right. I bet when you marry, you’ll rule with an iron fist.

I will not, he demanded. Marriage is supposed to be a partnership, where the man and his wife make the decisions together. They spend the money together, and share the responsibilities of the home.

Glaring at him unbelieving, she claimed, So, you’re saying that even if I… I mean, if your wife stayed home all day and laid about the house, didn’t clean or even do laundry, that you would let her spend the money just as if she earned it?

Jimmy’s face lit up when she slipped on her words, but insisted, Well, I think if you, I mean, she wants to stay home, then she should take care of the home, including laundry. If she wants to work outside, then she can make her own money. And we would each have a say in how it gets spent.

Hmm, she glared, not sure if she believed the words spilling out of his mouth. I think you have a high opinion of yourself, Jimmy Crandle. And I would bet all my money that you eat those words someday.

I don’t think so, Evie Randall, he beamed. "See, the woman I marry will love me so much that she’ll want to cook and