“From what I can see of the two of them, I would think that they are both to blame for conceiving this child, if you can call it blame,” said Tom. “Does he not want to be a father?”
“He would love to be a father and have Liza as the mother of his child, but he is so frightened that I believe he wishes that it would go away and they both know that she is not carrying this child well and neither will admit it to one another. It isn’t growing properly, anybody can see that. Dr Steele sees that, which is why he insists that she visits him every week.”
“What happened to her before, Zelma?” asked Tom.
“She was attacked but I don’t wish to say anymore. You must ask either Liza or Patrick because it is a time that they wish to forget. You can, of course, ask Dr Steele and he would be able to tell you everything now that you are going to be Liza’s doctor. I know that Liza is very concerned that Patrick will take his mind off his job because he is worried about her and that could prove very dangerous for him and his men,” said Zelma.
“Don’t worry, Zelma; I will see Dr Steele who will tell me Liza’s medical history and you can rest assured that I will look after her to the best of my ability. I’m not going to let anything happen to her,” said Tom.
Liza and Patrick came out of the washroom. She looked so pale that it made her green eyes appear enormous. Patrick had his arm around her and they both looked equally upset. Tom smiled at them and told them to come and sit down. “You’ve got to eat something Liza; you’ve had nothing since lunchtime. I know you feel sick but it’s not good if you have nothing this evening. You can wait a little while until your stomach settles; then you must try to eat something. This is your doctor talking,” he said smiling.
“I’m sorry to have disrupted your meal, Tom, do carry on. I’ll just sit here for a while and then I’ll have something to eat,” said Liza.
“Patrick, I couldn’t help overhearing what you were saying to Liza and I certainly don’t want to start my time here by interfering in a marriage, but I know that you don’t mean to upset Liza and it’s because you’re very concerned about her that you find it difficult to control how you feel. I promise you that when I finally get here I will make Liza my number one priority and make sure she delivers her baby safely,” said Tom.
“Yes, I apologise, Tom, it was totally rude of me and unnecessary and I know I’ve upset Liza. She has done nothing to warrant my tirade. Recently I seem to be very intolerant of people and you could be right, I am concerned for Liza’s welfare more so than I have ever been before and there have been a few times in the past when I have had to get her out of trouble,” said Patrick.
Liza was sitting frowning. “I am here you know and I’m feeling much better. Will you please stop worrying about me? I may be having one or two sickness attacks and I may be having a small baby but I am otherwise in the best of health. I get tired because pregnant women do get tired. So let’s have the supper that Zelma has so kindly cooked for us and plan your future here with us in Benson.”
She proceeded to discuss the layout of the house and made a few suggestions as to where furniture could be placed and asked what furniture he had thought of bringing. He was going to bring two wagons which would have their prized possessions, but he would get Charlie Penn to make beds for him and have mattresses made. He was quite happy with the table and chairs for the moment, but in time he would get them changed, but another couple of chairs would be useful. He eyed Liza’s rocking chairs and said that he was going to make a note that he would want two just like that. He was a little concerned about what would go in the sitting room, but he knew that he could purchase further space with the wagon train that they were travelling with, so he felt that he could bring what he already had. And so they carried on talking about what he would need and where it would go.
He wanted to discuss the health scheme but said that could wait until tomorrow as he was going to spend an extra day or so here because he needed the time to get to know a few people and get what he wanted organised. They all hoped that the weather would hold for his trip back.
The wagons would be starting the journey mid-February and he felt that he would be back in New York in time to help finalise packing everything.
“Don’t you have to give notice in the practise where you are in New York?” asked Liza.
“I already did that, Liza, as soon as I got your letter and we started organising our packing straight away. I went to see Henry and arranged our passage and he advised on the wagons we would need for the family to get here, so in all, I am completely organised. Should, by some unlucky chance, I get held up, the family will start without me and I’ll meet them on the way,” he said.
“You certainly took a chance on liking it here. What if you had hated it?” asked Liza.
“I really knew that I would like it. My wife and I have discussed such a move for years and now that we have the twins and Ellen, it’s an ideal time to change our lives for the better. I told you that I have adequate funds to keep us for a while so if, in the unlikely event that this did not suit us, I would have to find somewhere else,” said Tom.
“Well, to keep everyone happy, I’ll go to bed and leave you two to chat,” said Liza and made her way to bed.
It wasn’t long before Patrick joined her. She was sitting up in bed and he leaned over and kissed her. “I’m so sorry that I upset you this evening but you know that the doctor is right, I do it because I want you to be well and safe. I really would like to keep you at home and wrap you up and keep you safe and healthy and anything that you do outside worries me and when I’m worried I get rather bad tempered.”
“I know, Patrick,” said Liza. “I know exactly why you tell me off. It’s because you love me, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s as simple as that,” said Patrick.
***
In the morning everyone was up at a reasonable time. The boys were eating their breakfast when Tom, Gabriel and Si arrived. Liza and Patrick had already eaten and he was saying goodbye to Liza and telling her what he felt she should do that day which included resting and eating. He was smiling down at her and had her cradled in his arms.
Matthew looked up at Tom and said, “He’s going to kiss her now on the mouth,” and he, John and Si went ‘Blurrh yuck’ in unison as Patrick kissed her on the lips. They both turned and looked at the boys who pretended that it wasn’t them and who carried on eating and looking down at their breakfast; they were a picture of innocence.
Tom couldn’t help smiling, but it was lovely to see a very happy Liza and Patrick and the tolerance with which the children were treated. Gabriel took it all in his stride, Tom presumed that he was used to such displays of affection.
Patrick left for the fort having said to Liza to remember what he had told her to look after herself.
“He does worry about you, Liza,” said Tom.
“And with every good reason,” said Gabriel with a dour expression.
Liza raised her eyes to the ceiling and he could imagine she was thinking ‘not you as well’.
“Are you going to live here, Dr Tom?” asked Matthew who was always the instigator of conversations with adults.
“Yes, Matthew, I’m going to come and live here with my family and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Tom.
“What are your twins called, Dr Tom?” asked Si.
Tom noticed that John wasn’t asking questions, but he was listening intently. “My boy is Ben and my girl is Laura. Also we have our niece who is Ellen.”
The boys thought about these names. Matthew said, “Ben is really Benjamin, isn’t it? We’ll call him Benjy. How old is he?”
“The twins are four, Matthew. What are you going to call Laura? If you have a special name for Ben then you should have one for Laura,” said Tom.
“Oh no, she’s a girl. She can’t do the things that boys can do; she’ll be playing with girls not boys. How old is Ellen, Dr Tom?” asked Matthew.
“She’s fourteen, Matthew, and I
suppose you won’t be playing with her as she’ll be too old,” said Tom.
“Yes, she’s really old,” said Si.
Gabriel had a smile on his face. He enjoyed hearing the logic of children. “Well, Dr Tom. That seems to be your name from now onwards.”
“Well, I’ve certainly heard worse. Poor Ellen is so old. I wonder how they look upon us, positively ancient, I suppose,” said Dr Tom.
Liza was laughing; she loved hearing how children worked out what was what. “We’ll have to get going shortly, ‘Dr Tom’. I want to go to the various shops and offices and introduce you to many people, especially the town council.”
“Firstly, I’m going to see Charlie Penn and ask him to come to the house with me and then see the ladies who make mattresses and pillows and then I’ll come back for you and we’ll visit all on your list. So you can put your feet up for the next hour or so,” said Dr Tom.
“I’ll have your purchasing documents drawn up later today, Dr Tom. If you both want to call in at the office, you can see if they meet with your approval. I understand that it won’t be completed until you return, but that’s not a problem if you sign a document of intent,” said Gabriel.
“Is that necessary, Gabriel?” asked Liza.
“As I am employed to look after your interests, Liza, please let me do so. You have no objection do you, Dr Tom?” said Gabriel.
“Of course not, it’s what should happen and it means that I am guaranteed a home to come to. It works both ways,” said Dr Tom.
“Yes, you’re right, thank you, Gabriel. Either we’ll call in later today or tomorrow morning,” said Liza.
Gabriel and Dr Tom left, the boys went up to their room to play and Zelma tidied up allowing Liza to sit in her rocking chair and relax. She wondered how Bea was getting on with Rachel and Judith and she would love to know what the captain’s reaction had been. She’d find that out later that day when she went to the fort with Tom to see the colonel and Dr Steele. They would have to find out if the children had any living relatives; she hoped for Bea’s sake that there were none. At least Rachel was old enough to know the extent of her family, unfortunately she was also old enough to know what her father had tried to do and it would take some time for her to come to terms with it and trust others.
The boys were playing quite noisily in their bedroom and Zelma was about to tell them to be quiet but Liza stopped her. “They’re children and should be allowed to play, they’re not bothering me. I enjoy hearing them and I’m very comfortable sitting here. I feel guilty; I’m sure there’s much I should be doing.” As she said that Kathy bustled in as she always did. They spent an hour discussing the new doctor and the children that Bea was looking after, and then Dr Tom returned and finally Liza was able to introduce him properly to Kathy. Yesterday everybody had seen him but he had been so busy helping Dr Steele that no introductions could be done.
“It’s good that Liza is out and about with you, doctor; at least you’ll be able to keep an eye on her. She needs someone to stop her doing too much,” said Kathy and once again Liza raised her eyes to the ceiling. Dr Tom said that he was under strict instructions from Patrick to make sure that she didn’t tire herself out, and he was taking his responsibilities in that respect very seriously.
Kathy left and Liza and Dr Tom walked down one side of the street and it was their intention to come back up the other and then take the buggy to the fort.
“Everyone in this town likes to talk to you and ask your advice but they are all very concerned for your welfare. That must be very comforting for you and for Patrick,” said Dr Tom.
“Yes, it is but there are one or two people who have found me annoying,” admitted Liza.
Walking around the town Liza had taken Dr Tom into most of the outlets and he had been introduced to Jake Smith, Caroline Browne, Leonard Pembroke and many others.
At around lunchtime, they had ended up at the general store and Dr Tom was introduced to Joe, Liza explained that both Kathy and Joe loved Matthew and John and considered them their grandchildren. Joe said, “Yes, we’re really looking forward to the birth of yet another grandchild for us.” Liza had primed Tom on the circumstances of the death of their son, Danny, and he had seen the pain on Liza’s face as she told him and he wondered how close she had been to their son.
They stayed with Kathy and Joe for lunch and Tom learnt more about Benson, as it appeared that they were amongst the original residents of the town. After lunch they strolled up to the church and saw George and finally, they saw Angela who was getting the school room ready for the children who would be returning to school in the next couple of days.
They then called in at home and sat with Zelma and the boys, had coffee and rested for an hour before getting the buggy and driving to the fort.
It was protocol for Liza to take him immediately to the colonel. Ben ushered them both into his office and Liza briefly discussed the sad happenings of the previous day and then left Tom and the colonel to get to know one another. She said that she would probably be at the hospital when he was ready.
At the hospital she found Bea holding baby Judith and talking to Rachel. Liza had brought one of her Charles Dickens books with her which she had planned to read to Rachel and hoped that it wasn’t too old for her.
“How are you, Rachel?” asked Liza. She replied that she was very sore. Liza sympathised with her but told her that it would get better soon.
Dr Steele came over and told Liza that Rachel was doing very well and he had told Bea that she could go home with her in the next couple of days, all being well. He then said, “I’m glad you’re here Liza because I want to make sure you are all right after all that you did yesterday. I understand from Patrick that you were sick last night and that was before your meal, do you think that it was due to what you did for the young lad yesterday? I saw what you did and I know that it can’t have been easy for you.”
“You’re probably right; it was difficult to accept that such a young life was taken. But he’s at peace now; I hope that his father and mother can find some peace,” said Liza.
Dr Steele then briefly examined her. “The baby still hasn’t grown as much as I would have expected but I can hear its heart and feel that it is moving so it’s alive and well. When Dr Marsden goes back for his family you will be free to put your feet up and have a very lazy time. I know that Zelma will feed you well, and so will Kathy and when Dr Marsden finally sets up here, you will have a very efficient doctor virtually on your doorstep. I was very impressed with him yesterday. He was very efficient and just threw himself into the task in hand at very short notice. I think he was wasted in New York as from what I can gather, most of his patients were rich hypochondriacs; here he will have a hand’s on practise. I presume he’s with you this afternoon.”
“Yes, I left him getting acquainted with the colonel. He’ll be over when he’s ready,” said Liza. “Do you know if Rachel and baby Judith have any relatives anywhere? Have you been able to ask Rachel anything about her family? It’ll break Bea’s heart if the girls have to be sent to relatives. Do you know how the captain has taken the news that there is now a baby in his house, who will soon be joined by a young girl?”
“So many questions, Liza; but all very sensible. I haven’t asked Rachel. I’ve just wanted her to rest and relax for the time being. The answer to your other question is that I’ve seen the captain who seems to be smiling, so I don’t think he’s too unhappy at the prospect of a readymade family,” said Dr Steele.
“When do you think it will be right to ask Rachel about any relatives she might have? Unless, of course, we just forget about it and let Bea take the children in and pretend they are hers,” said Liza. “If we do that and then relatives turn up in weeks, months or years, it will be so much harder on Bea to lose them then.”
“Let’s leave it a couple of days,” said Dr Steele, “Rachel should be fit enough to answer any questions then and you’re right, we’ll have to find out whether they have any relatives a
nd if they have, whether they would want them to live with them. Gabriel would say that we should do that but Bea won’t be happy.”
“I’d better mention it to Bea so that it doesn’t come as too big a shock for her. I do hope there’s nobody to claim them because any relatives might be just like their father. I wonder if there’s anything in the wagon which would tell us some of their background. There may be a bible with names in it; after all he was what’s described as a ‘bible basher’ so there should be a bible somewhere in the wagon,” said Liza.
“I don’t believe anyone has looked in their wagon since it arrived. It must have blood spattered inside it, so it won’t be very pleasant. I’ll get one of my orderlies to clear it out and we’ll see what we can find and don’t you even think about doing it yourself, but I would be grateful if you casually mention it to Bea,” said Dr Steele.
“I’ll do that. Here’s Dr Tom to see you. That’s what our boys have named him. I think it suits him,” said Liza.
She went through to where Bea was with Rachel as Charlie Penn appeared with a beautifully carved cradle for Judith and the upholstery ladies had made bedding for it. Bea was very taken aback by such acts of kindness and for once was lost for words.
Liza complimented Charlie on his beautiful workmanship whilst Bea regained her composure and thanked him profusely for his kindness. “That’s all right, Mrs Graves. The poor little one has nothing; it’s the least we could do to help. Do you need a bed for the older girl?”
“No, Charlie, thank you. Ada had a spare small bed which will suit, but thank you so much for asking. Everyone is being so kind and thoughtful. I’ve had clothes, blankets and toys left at my door and I have no idea who has been leaving them, so I can’t even thank them,” said Bea.
Liza was about to pick up the cradle to carry it to Bea’s quarters when there were shouts for her to stop what she was about to do from the two doctors who had been watching what was going on, as well as Charlie and Bea. Liza jumped at the ferocity of all their shouts, and she looked at the four faces frowning at her. She raised her hands in the air and stepped back. Even Charlie Penn was showing concern for her welfare.
Against All Odds Page 38
