Mail-Order Matriarch

by Amelia St. James

  “You need to let us help you when you need it.” Lindsay’s face was grim as she watched Elly carefully.

  “I will. Promise.” She stood, wincing when she put weight on her right leg.

  “Sit down.” Kaitlyn stood with her hands planted on her narrow hips. “Lindsay, go find the doctor. I’ll keep an eye on her while you’re gone.”

  “I’ll be right back, Elly.” Lindsay hurried out, the bell clanging loudly as the door swung closed behind her.

  “Put water on to boil.” Kaitlyn smiled encouragingly at Thea. “You can help me make tea and keep Elly comfortable while we wait for the doctor.”

  Sighing, Elly said, “It’s really not necessary to bring the doctor in. It was merely a fall.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Chapter Nine

  Elly cringed when the bell clanged again, dreading seeing the town doctor. Doc Ambler was gruff and smelled strongly of spirits, occasionally slurring his speech and prone to rambling.

  Although the ladies were convinced that Elly needed to be examined, she wasn’t so certain. The pain in her hip was reassuring, giving her the opinion that she hit the floor on her side instead of her stomach.

  “What’s wrong? Is it paining you terribly?” The teacups rattled on the tray Thea awkwardly carried.

  “I’m fine, Thea. Don’t worry about me.” She glanced up as Lindsay came into the room.

  “The doctor is here. Are you alright if I bring him in?”

  Elly waved Lindsay over so she could speak quietly. “I really don’t think I need a doctor. Please, just send him away.”

  Kaitlyn cleared her throat, arching her eyebrows at Elly. “No, that won’t do. You need to be examined and make sure you and the baby are doing well. I’ll fetch him myself.”

  Holding her head high, Kaitlyn swept out of the room, returning with a man who looked to be several decades younger than Doc Ambler. He was taller, too, and trim. Kaitlyn’s concerned expression had been replaced by a joy-filled grin as if she had just tasted coveted sweetened chocolate for the first time. She walked by his side, keeping her eyes on him as he set his medical bag on the side table.

  Looking at Lindsay questioningly, Elly said, “Who is that?” She watched in confusion as Lindsay bit her lip and stared at Kaitlyn, seemingly not hearing Elly’s question.

  “I’m the new town doctor, Dr. Seth Donnelly. Dr. Ambler sent for me to help him cover his territory.” Dr. Donnelly’s soft blue eyes swept around the room before settling back on Elly. “How long were you unconscious?”

  Elly shook her head. “I’m not certain.”

  Kaitlyn touched Dr. Donnelly’s arm and said, “Only for about a minute. We brought her to the couch and she came to shortly after we got her settled. She’s expecting a baby.” She gazed at him as a faint blush filled her cheeks.

  Dr. Donnelly’s face was impassive as he politely sat next to Elly. “Would it be alright with you if we ask the ladies to leave for a moment so I can check you?”

  Elly looked at the women surrounding her like a flock of mother hens and felt a tingle of disbelief. A short time ago she had been all alone, and now she felt their strength around her.

  “That would be fine.” She smiled at Thea to show her she wasn’t afraid, marveling at how the young woman now felt like family. Kaitlyn held her head high as she left the room, her skirts floating gracefully as she walked.

  Lindsay hung back a moment to give Elly’s hand a gentle squeeze before leaving. Elly stared after her, wondering why the woman had become so uncharacteristically quiet. She felt so self-conscious, wishing she hadn’t worried her friends so much.

  “How far along are you?”

  Dr. Donnelly’s tanned face was handsome, aged only by smile lines at the corners of his eyes. His sandy blond hair was neatly trimmed and reminded Elly of Alexander, making her feel as if her heart sighed. No man would ever be as handsome in her eyes as her Alexander had been.

  Blinking past the painful reminder, she said, “I think I’m about three months along.” She dropped her gaze to her wedding band. “My husband passed before I knew I was with child, and I was so mired in my grief that I’ve only recently realized I was expecting.”

  Dr. Donnelly nodded, his eyes expressing unspoken compassion. “How did your husband pass?”

  Swallowing hard past the lump in her throat and the disbelief, she said, “He drowned while swimming alone at his favorite fishing hole.”

  Nodding slightly, Dr. Donnelly said, “I’m sorry to hear that. Have you passed out any other times?”

  Shaking her head, Elly said, “No, but I’ve been feeling dizzy a lot more recently.”

  “Are you eating often enough?”

  “I’m sure I am. I had just eaten before I fainted.” Elly wrung her hands together, beginning to worry that something was very wrong with her baby. She longed for her mother’s wisdom and comfort while going through her first pregnancy.

  “I didn’t mean to worry you, Ms. Bates.”

  Glancing up quickly, she said, “Please, call me Elly.” Taking in a shaky breath, Elly asked, “What is making me dizzy?”

  “I’ll need more information before I can determine that. May I?” Dr. Donnelly reached for her wrist, pausing until she nodded. After feeling her pulse for a moment, he stood and took a stethoscope from his bag. “I’d like to take a listen if you don’t mind.”

  Elly waited patiently, inhaling when asked.

  “Are you sleeping alright?” Dr. Donnelly’s calm eyes were soothing.

  Nodding, Elly said, “I think I sleep just fine.” She hesitated a moment before asking, “Is there something I’m doing wrong?” She put her hand over her abdomen, feeling the slight swell. “I love this baby already, and will do whatever I need to in order to protect her.”

  Dr. Donnelly smiled. “You’re hoping for a daughter, Elly?”

  Blushing, Elly said, “Just a feeling, doctor.” She stared at him, holding her breath as she waited for him to answer.

  “You’re not doing anything wrong.” He smiled reassuringly. “Do you feel like it’s harder to catch your breath these days?”

  Elly nodded. “And my heart seems to race more. What does that mean?”

  “It seems that your blood may be low in iron. It can happen when you’re expecting a baby. You’ll need to try to eat more red meat for a while, and stay off of your feet when you are getting dizzy. How does your hip feel?”

  Shifting in her seat, Elly said, “It’s a little bit painful, but I think I can put weight on it.”

  “Would you please stand?”

  Elly did as he asked, growing to like him more as she spoke with him. His compassionate blue eyes glanced at her questioningly, waiting for permission to inspect her hip gently. He gingerly palpated the area from the outside of her skirts, careful enough not to make her feel immodest. Elly couldn’t help but compare him to the old town doc and was glad he was examining her instead.

  “You’ll likely be bruised for a few days, maybe even longer, but it seems like you have a normal range of motion. I don’t think anything is broken. Make sure you’re getting enough rest and I’ll check on you again in a few days, if that’s alright with you.”

  Elly smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Donnelly. Would you like to join us for some tea? I still have some cobbler.”

  Dr. Donnelly’s gaze wandered in the direction the women had disappeared, looking like he wanted to follow but shook his head instead. “I have more patients to see, or I’d take you up on that offer.”

  He closed his medical bag and lifted it, glancing over at Elly with his patient blue eyes. “I can imagine what you’re going through is difficult. My mother raised me and my younger brother after our dad died.” He smiled sadly. “I know she was forced to be stronger than most, but she showed me what we’re capable of. You have strength in you that will get you through this.”

  Elly felt tears well as Dr. Donnelly nodded and briskly left. She hadn't considered that she needed reassurance until he�
��d spoken, but she realized how many fears had been welling up inside of her. She’d always imagined becoming a mother with Alexander by her side. The thought of raising a child on her own felt overwhelming, but her unexpected baby was a gift that she’d never take for granted.

  “Are you alright?” Lindsay rushed into the room, her face etched with concern.

  “I’m just fine.” Appreciation for Lindsay’s compassion filled Elly. Behind her friend, Kaitlyn and Thea hovered in the doorway. “You can come in. Everything is alright.”

  “What did Seth say?” Kaitlyn rushed forward, her familiarity with the doctor causing both Thea and Lindsay to stare at her. Ignoring them, she reached for Elly’s hands and gripped them as she waited for her to answer.

  “He said I’m fine.” Elly’s eyebrows raised as she waited for Kaitlyn to believe her. “I need to eat more red meat and rest when I feel dizzy. That’s all.”

  Kaitlyn gently tugged Elly to the couch and motioned for her to sit before primly taking the seat next to her, her shoulders tucked back into perfect posture. “I’ll help, so you can get more rest.”

  “And I’ll hunt and barter, doing whatever I can to make sure you have plenty of red meat.” Thea smiled triumphantly.

  “We’ll all help, Elly.” Lindsay nodded as if her mind was made up.

  Looking at Kaitlyn, Elly said, “So this means you’ll be staying?”

  “Yes.” She glanced at Lindsay. “We’ve sorted a few things out while Seth was examining you, and I think it will be a good fit for me to stay on for a while.” She grinned broadly, showing a dimple on one cheek.

  Her use of the doctor’s first name again wasn’t lost on Elly, but she was surprised to see Lindsay’s cheeks bloom at the mention of him.

  Taking a deep breath and hoping the two women wouldn’t break their tenuous peace, Elly said, “Thank you. Having you all here is of great comfort to me, and I’m very grateful.” She looked at each of them, feeling gratitude that ran deep into her soul.

  Chapter Ten

  Breakfast was already being prepared as Elly walked into the kitchen, the smell of eggs and bacon making her mouth water. Lindsay was patiently showing Thea how to prepare the food. Both of them laughed when Thea cracked open an egg for the first time.

  “It gets easier with practice, Thea.”

  Lindsay’s broad grin and relaxed posture made Elly smile as she watched her friends. Though they all had taken Thea under their wing, Lindsay seemed especially protective of the girl.

  “Good morning.”

  Lindsay spun around, her hand on her waist. “You’re supposed to be in bed, resting your injured hip. We were going to serve your breakfast on a tray.” Her brows furrowed with her concern.

  Holding up her hand, Elly laughed and said, “I’m alright. I can’t lie in bed all day. Stretching is good for me.” Her hand instinctively went to her stomach, an unconscious habit that made her smile. It’s good for us. The thought of the little person growing inside of her made her feel warm with excitement.

  “Then please sit at the table. I’ll bring a plate to you.”

  “But I’m not…”

  “No buts. Sit.” Lindsay’s firm tone left little room to argue.

  Elly sat and watched, amazed at how quickly Thea was becoming comfortable with the stove. She glanced around, surprised that she didn't hear any stirring elsewhere in the house. “Is Kaitlyn still asleep?”

  Thea looked up from the cast iron pan she had been staring at intently and said, “She went for a walk a while ago. She took the bell off the door so she wouldn't wake you.”

  Wrinkling her brow, Elly said, “So early? Wherever did she go this time of day?”

  Thea flipped an egg, the yolk splattering over the side of the pan. She grimaced and took a deep breath. Looking up, she said, “She mentioned that she wanted to be sure that Dr. Donnelly had a hearty breakfast before he started his work day.”

  Lindsay spun toward the window, shoulders raising as her back straightened. When she turned back around, she wore a smile and an unreadable expression in her eyes. “Flip the eggs a little more gently next time and the yolk won’t break open. Here, I’ll show you.” Lindsay reached for Thea’s hand, guiding her movement as she flipped another egg. “Good, that’s it.”

  The front door banged shut as footsteps echoed on the wood floor. Kaitlyn smiled broadly as she walked into the kitchen. “Good morning, all.” She reached into the cupboard for a teacup, humming while she filled it.

  “Morning, Kaitlyn.” Elly studied her, curiosity growing when she noticed the woman’s hands were shaking. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine.” Kaitlyn sat heavily into the chair next to Elly, spilling her tea onto the table. She stared at it, not bothering to wipe it up.

  “Did Dr. Donnelly not want a hearty breakfast, after all?” Thea set a plate of eggs in the center of the table, straightening with a look that resembled pride.

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “Smells delicious, Thea.” Elly grinned at the girl, happy that she was quickly becoming comfortable in her surroundings.

  “Thanks.”

  Kaitlyn served herself a small portion of eggs before spreading a napkin on her lap. “It’s not that he didn’t want my company, I know it. He said he had plenty of rounds to make and couldn’t wait.”

  Lindsay brought a tray of sizzling bacon, scooping a large portion onto Elly’s plate before setting it on the table. “Eat up. Thea made breakfast this morning.”

  Elly listened to light banter between Thea and Kaitlyn as she ate, beginning to wonder if the quiet torment she saw in Lindsay’s eyes was somehow due to Kaitlyn’s affection for Thea. Lindsay had taken to the girl like she was a younger sister, but it didn't seem like Kaitlyn’s interactions with her would be enough to create conflict.

  “What are you ladies doing today?” Elly spoke cheerfully, hoping to convey her expectation that the women tend to their own lives and interests.

  “We’re going to be doing laundry, Lindsay and I, while Thea goes hunting.” Kaitlyn’s nose wrinkled in disgust before she was able to hide it. “You are going to rest. Doctor’s orders.”

  “I’m not an invalid. There’s no reason for me not to work.”

  Lindsay shook her head emphatically. “Not today. It will be good for Kaitlyn and I to work together.”

  Lindsay smiled at Kaitlyn, making Elly once again feel uncertain about the complexities of their relationship. “I’m not sure what to do with myself if I’m not able to work.”

  Kaitlyn patted her perfectly coiffed hair, making Elly wonder how early the woman had awakened.

  “You should take a walk. You’re looking awfully pale. Some fresh air will be good for you.”

  Next to her, Lindsay stiffened. The worry these women had for her was beginning to make her feel suffocated.

  “Alright, I think I will. If for no other reason than to go to the post office and check for letters.” She waited for Kaitlyn to appear excited at the suggestion that a groom may be waiting, but she merely shrugged.

  Turning her attention to Thea, Elly said, “Where are you going hunting today?”

  “I have a few favorite spots. They will take me an hour or two to walk to, but don’t worry; I know them well.”

  Elly considered her feelings about letting the girl wander off on her own for long stretches of time, wanting to keep her close but not having any real say in the matter. She wasn’t the girl’s mother, though she felt like she might worry for her as much as a mother might.

  “Have you ever encountered any danger in these areas you are going hunting in?” Lindsay’s accent deepened with her emotion, her worried face mirroring Elly’s feelings.

  Thea straightened to her full height. “I’ve encountered a few timber rattlesnakes and one black bear, but I know how to take care of myself.”

  Kaitlyn leaned forward. “Your father let you go off on your own, knowing you’d face these dangers?” Disgust flickered across her face.


  “Don’t cast blame on him. I’m glad he taught me how to use a gun and hunt. I don’t ever have to depend on another soul for food, and if I had to, I could live in the woods. It gives me peace to be out on my own, making an effort to survive.”

  Kaitlyn closed her eyes and shook her head, her lips pursed together. When she spoke, her voice was thick with worry. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  Thea’s face reddened. “It’s something that I have to do. I’m not going to change, and I don’t want anyone trying to make me stop doing something I love.” Her mouth set in a firm line, giving them a glimpse of a stubborn streak.

  “If you want to ever find a husband, you’ll need to focus on things that are of a more ladylike nature. I can teach you, but you need to give up hunting.”

  “I won’t!” Thea stood, dropping her napkin onto the table as tears welled in her eyes. She balled her hands into fists while her lips pursed into a tight line.

  Lindsay stood and put a hand on Thea’s arm. “Please sit.” She glared at Kaitlyn emphatically for a moment while Thea stared longingly at the back door, then let out a breath when the girl sank back down in her chair. “We don’t have any right to ask you to give up hunting.” She watched as Thea’s shoulders relaxed. “But if you don’t mind, maybe we can have some rules for all of us to follow so we don’t worry about each other.” She looked at each woman at the table as if silently pleading everyone to agree.

  Leaning forward, Thea asked, “What kind of rules?”

  “What about being sure to be home by sunset, unless we are aware beforehand if you need to stay out later.”

  Thea smiled. “That one’s easy. I don’t have anywhere to go after dark. I’ll be leaving early in the mornings to hunt most of the time.”

  Lindsay nodded her agreement. “Maybe giving each other an idea of where we will be is a good plan. You know, in case Elly needs us.”

  “I can do that. Is that all?” Thea looked at Elly.

  “Promise me you’ll be careful!” Kaitlyn’s voice was shrill as if she’d held her opinion in as long as she was able to.