The sooner he healed, the sooner he could make sure Elijah never came around again and perhaps he could spend more time with Blossom. There was a lot of potential in his life lately and he wanted to put his time to good use.
Chapter Eighteen
Blossom’s Dreams
The moment Blossom stepped outside of the Bretts’ home, guilt entrenched her soul.
She shouldn’t have left like that.
Fiddling with her skirts, she turned back to the door she had just closed and considered going back inside to explain herself. Only she didn’t know how to.
Not yet, at least. Blossom swallowed. Biting her lip, she wished she had handled that better.
Her hesitation slowly faded away as she realized she should go. Her father really would be wondering where she was. The day was coming to a close with the sun setting.
Blossom shook her head in distaste before grudgingly heading down the path to Merryweather outside the gate. Her horse greeted her eagerly with a swish of the tail and a nod. She gave him a warm smile as she loosened his reins and climbed into the saddle. After one last look at the Bretts home, Blossom headed for home.
Though she left Chester’s side, he did not leave her thoughts.
Seeing him on the ground like that covered in blood had scarred her. It was just like when she had seen her mother. Her heart still pounded heavily in her chest. But this time, she marveled in wonder, she had been able to do something about it.
Somehow, she had been able to help Chester get help.
There weren’t words to explain the relief that she had felt upon seeing him wake up and touch her cheek like that. She could still feel his hand. It was warm and tender on her face, delicate and sweet. Blossom exhaled slowly at the tender memory. Even when he was lying injured on the ground, there was something so kind about Chester and all that he did for her.
Blossom shook her head in disbelief over the man as she continued on her journey.
Merryweather knew the way and led them home without needing any guidance. The day was late and it was time for home. She was tired from all the work she had done serving the Bretts and then worrying about Chester.
The moment she made it home, she knew, she wanted to fall right into bed. So long as her thoughts allowed her, she would fall right asleep.
Weariness pulled at her bones with every step of the road. She was glad she didn’t have to walk. With her thoughts stuck on Chester, Blossom worried she wouldn’t make it very far. Replaying the incident over and over again, she realized how fortunate they were that the injury was not so serious.
At least, she prayed that it wasn’t. If he was already awake and able to talk, then surely that had to be a good sign. There was hope in her heart for tomorrow. He had to heal and grow stronger.
Blossom wasn’t certain she could lose anyone again like that.
Her thoughts wandered from seeing Chester lying limp on the ground to their conversation and his hand on her cheek as she made her way home. This time, the ride was quiet without any problems. As the sun continued to set, the evening air grew cool and a chilly wind swept through her hair to make her shiver.
Finally she made it home.
She put Merryweather out into pasture after brushing the horse down and making sure he had enough feed. Then after checking on Davey, Blossom hastened up to the house where there were lanterns lit already to welcome her back.
“There you are.” Her father started up from his pile of books at the kitchen table where he had been seated. His glasses sat at the bottom of his nose, threatening to slide right off if he wasn’t careful. “I was getting worried about you, Blossom. Where have you been?”
Breathless, she glanced around before locking the door behind her. It had been such a long day. Now that she was back home, Blossom heaved a sigh and leaned against the door. She gave her father a sheepish smile.
“The Bretts,” she said. “Do you know where they live? All the way around town. I had no idea, but I found it today. And Chester, he lives right next to them.”
Blossom hesitated as she remembered how much no one else seemed to like him, like her father and everyone else in town.
When she said his name, her father stiffened. He put his book down and shoved his glasses up his nose to give her a hard look.
“You were spending time with that man?” He demanded of her. “I told you I don’t want you spending time with him, didn’t I?”
“You didn’t tell me why,” Blossom reminded him before being unable to resist a yawn. She covered her mouth with one hand and waved the other one around before going around the room. Tidying it up as she went, she let out a small groan. She was too tired and worn out to worry about such nonsense now. “The Bretts needed help in their yard and Chester was injured. You raised me to be a good Christian, didn’t you, Father?”
He harrumphed in annoyance. “Of course. But, well, that’s beside the point, Blossom. Why, maybe… Fine. I will tell you what I know about Chester now, if that will satisfy you, dear.”
But she shook her head. It didn’t matter. She knew enough about the young man. He had told her enough and she knew his heart. From the way he spoke to her and the way he touched her cheek, it was enough for her. She didn’t need to know anymore.
Besides, she was very tired.
Yawning, Blossom shook her head. She set his plate in the sink and motioned to the fireplace. “I’ll tend to the pot in the morning, Father. Put out the lanterns when you’re done, please? I’m simply exhausted. Good night!”
She was terribly drained.
From her head to her toes, from her heart to her soul, Blossom had cried and worked so hard that she didn’t have any more strength to carry on. After she had kicked off her boots, she collapsed into her bed. Her dress was loosened but never came off.
The blankets were pulled up to her chin and she yawned one last time. Blossom sighed in relief, glad she was so terribly sleepy. It meant she would wake up even sooner, after all. And the sooner she woke up, the sooner she could return and see Chester again.
Blossom was praying to the Lord that Chester would rest as easy as she did when she slipped off into her dreams.
When she woke up the next morning, however, Blossom remembered that she had to tend to her father first. He always had to come first. She wouldn’t dream of ever disrespecting or mistreating him. She adored him and wanted to take good care of him. Though she wanted to see Chester desperately to know if he was doing well, Blossom woke early and bustled around the house to first care for her father.
Once she changed into a clean dress, she washed up and hurried into the kitchen to clean up as she should have done the night before.
Blossom tidied up and took care of the dishes while preparing fresh porridge with berries. Once that was done, she readied his school bag with books and his noonday food.
“Good morning,” she sang when he finally emerged from his room. “You look like you slept well.”
That made him chuckle. “It certainly sounds like you did the same.”
Blossom beamed. “I did! I can hardly believe it. But I am very ready for this new day.”
He hesitated before taking his seat at the table. Her father eyed her curiously before choosing not to say anything. She wondered what he was thinking as he sat down, said grace, and they dug right in.
Though he asked her what she might do with her time for the day, Blossom avoided the question and reminded him to eat the food she had prepared for him.
Soon it was time for him to go.
Though she worried for him, she knew her father was a stubborn man and she couldn’t control him from being independent. He loved his teaching job simply too much.
So Blossom kissed him on the cheek and waved farewell to him before he headed out to town. She watched him head down the trail until he rounded the next corner.
Once he was gone, she ran back inside.
Blossom rushed around, brushing her hair again as she looked around wildly and t
ried to think of anything she might need to take to the Bretts’ home. She had been waiting all morning to go see them and Chester. After what had happened the other day, she had to know how he was doing. As she ran around the house, she tried to think about what she really wanted to bring.
More bandages perhaps, and fruit, and perhaps a scarf. None of it made sense, but perhaps she would need it. Nothing made sense but everything was a possibility.
She paused after glancing at her looking glass to brush her hair one last time. It needed to look clean and comely for her journey and while out in public, she told herself, not just good and lovely for one man. Everyone would surely benefit.
Blossom’s cheeks tinged pink at the idea as she carefully plaited her hair and headed for the door.
Soon, it was enough.
Blossom felt she had done everything she could by that point. Impatience tugged at her, forcing her out of the house. After snatching up food and items for the road, she set them aside in a bag as she hurried off .
Chuckling, Blossom greeted her horse and duck but decided to walk and enjoyed the morning weather on her own. She walked quickly with plenty of energy spare. Her heart hammered as she went, wondering what she might find when she arrived at the house.
She wondered if she would find Chester right where she had left him, or if he might be moving. She wondered how he would be feeling. She couldn’t bear the idea of him not being well. It knotted up her insides that he might be growing more ill or simply growing worse.
Blossom would have to hope that the Bretts would know what to do if that situation occurred. Perhaps Doctor Brown would know what to do.
She shook the idea from her mind. No, that wouldn’t happen. Chester would be fine. He had to be. Blossom told herself this over and over again as she hastened down the path on the outskirts of town to the Bretts. The wind flew through her hair while she leaned over Merryweather’s neck, focused on what might come next.
The house looked the same as she had left it.
Small and cozy surrounded by trees and a lush garden. It was colorful and untouched. Blossom hesitated once she slid off Merryweather. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she glanced around, wondering if there was a sign that she was missing. It made her worry that something could have happened but she simply didn’t know.
Blossom swallowed hard and then hurried to the door.
Running her hands over the wrinkles in her skirts, she rapped quickly on the door. Her heart still wouldn’t calm down, even as she heard footsteps make their way toward her.
They didn’t sound like Chester’s footfall, she realized, and tried not to feel disappointed.
The door swung open to reveal Betty. “Good morning, dear,” the older woman gave her a kind smile. “It’s lovely to see you again. Are you here for Chester?”
She tried her hardest not to blush. But she still felt the warmth creep up her cheeks. “I am, if that’s all right. Is he here?”
Stepping back to grant her entrance, Betty Bretts waved her right in. “He certainly is. Come on in, dear. We’re just finishing up our breakfast. Are you hungry? We have plenty of food.”
Blossom shook her head. “No, I’m not. But thank you for your offer.” She hesitated once before stepping inside. Licking her lips, she took one cautious step after another through the hall toward the fireplace where she had left him the evening before. The door closed behind her. Just as she rounded the corner, however, she froze to find the spot before the fireplace empty.
Chester wasn’t lying there anymore. He wasn’t anywhere to be found. Her heart dropped.
She opened her mouth, whirling back to Betty in concern as she wondered if she had heard wrong. Was Chester faring worse? Where could he be?
Her breath caught as she remembered finding him lying there in the dirt in a daze with blood pooling beneath him.
“Blossom?”
Then she turned back toward the kitchen, past the fireplace. Leaning against the wall that led into the next room was Chester. He was wiping his hands with a towel. The man was properly dressed though his shirt looked a little bulky over his shoulder where she could see a bandage peeking out over his collar. But he was wearing boots and also freshly shaved.
She managed to close her mouth just as she lifted her gaze to meet his. Surprised relief spread warmly across her entire body like sunlight.
The young man wasn’t even pale. He gave her a smile as she wondered how he looked so well. It was almost like nothing had ever happened. Blossom took a small step toward him, wondering if the other day had merely been a horrible nightmare. She licked her lips as she tried to think.
“Chester,” Blossom managed after a moment. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Blossom.” He straightened up and took a deep breath. “It’s good to see you.”
Her smile grew. “It is, isn’t it? I… I didn’t know what I would… Is there anything I can do for you? I wanted to make sure you were doing well.”
His eyes widened as he stopped fiddling with the towel. Chester’s shoulders relaxed. “Oh. That’s very kind of you, Blossom.” A blush flooded her cheeks, so strong that she couldn’t hide it. He grinned at her but didn’t address it. “Thank you, but so far I’m doing all right.” His eyes left hers for just a moment. “Why don’t we take a walk? I promised Betty I would pick her a few apples.”
Not knowing what else to do, Blossom stammered a response and soon the two of them had stepped outside. They each carried a bucket over to the grove without saying a word. She glanced at him hesitantly several times, trying to find something to say. But her heart kept pounding and she didn’t know what to even think.
Perhaps it wasn’t her place to speak, or even be there. She didn’t know. Maybe he wanted to be alone.
But he was still smiling, Blossom noted, and hopefully that meant he did want company. Maybe even her company.
“She didn’t really want apples.”
Blossom jerked her head up as Chester smiled down at her sheepishly. “What?” She furrowed her brow.
“I just wanted to have some time with you,” he admitted. “I hope that’s all right.”
The doubts immediately dissipated and she scolded herself for even having them in the first place. Blossom couldn’t believe she had entertained them for a second. She took a deep breath before a giggle escaped her lips. Shaking her head, she wondered why she was acting so silly.
Chester was a good young man. She could trust him. And it was clear he liked spending time with her as much as she liked spending time with him. The blush stuck to her cheeks as she gave him a nod.
“It is,” Blossom responded bravely. “It’s more than all right.”
Chapter Nineteen
Chester’s Encouragement
There was something about Blossom that he just couldn’t ignore.
Rather, Chester was drawn to it. To her. Like a moth to flame, he couldn’t get enough of her. Being around her was all he wanted.
She was sweet and beautiful and kind and caring. The fact that she had come first thing in the day, riding over with flushed cheeks to see him was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for him.
And then Blossom had stayed.
He had seen Betty grinning madly at him over Blossom’s shoulder. It became more than he could bear. Chester began to worry what would happen the next time Blossom wasn’t around and Betty wanted to talk to him. The idea of getting teased or mocked by her didn’t sound like fun.
So he had whisked the pretty young lady away for the two of them to have some time together.
Granted, he did owe the Bretts just about everything. Not only had they shared their kindness, their food, and their generosity, but they had just saved his life.
Betty’s soup had worked wonders. He had three bowls to eat before passing out until sunrise.
She made him eat another bowl with more bread and then he felt just fine. Her knees weren’t doing so great to help him while he was on the floor, so he fixed
that.
Instead, Chester climbed right up and sat at the kitchen table for her and Arthur to re-bandage his shoulder. Both sets of hands shook as they fixed him up. But they were careful and tender.
Arthur had gone next door to his place for a clean shirt while Chester ate some of Betty’s porridge. The older couple got ready for the day as he finished up.
Then Chester was slowly and carefully cleaning up the kitchen when Blossom arrived.
“There’s someone at the door,” Betty explained. “Chester, why don't you go get it?”
She said it with a light tone that made him suspicious. But it didn’t make any sense for anyone else to be at the door.
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