by Woods, Emily
“Elise?” John asked, worry etched across his forehead. “Are you sick again, darling?”
His long legs carried him across the house in five strides, and he knelt beside her, touching her forehead.
“I think we should talk about going to the doctor again. You need to find out what's wrong.”
She shook her head slightly. Anything more would bring on nausea. “It's nothing, dear man. If I rest, I feel better. I'm so sorry, but there is nothing for your lunch.” The realization brought more tears to her eyes.
“I can easily cut some bread and slap butter on it. That with some beef jerky will do me just fine.”
The thought of such a poor lunch brought on more tears, which sapped her strength to the point she couldn't even get up. “I'm such a bad wife.”
“Don't ever say that,” he whispered fiercely. “You are the greatest love of my life and the best gift God gave me...aside from Jesus, of course.”
It was a little joke between them, and Elise smiled faintly. “I was going to make roast chicken sandwiches for you, but the meat is still raw.”
He took her hand in his and kissed it. “I will find something for myself. Please rest some more. When Angelina comes home from school, she can prepare the chicken for dinner.”
Just as she was about to protest, they heard the unmistakably sound of a wagon's wheels outside their window.
“Wonder who that is,” John muttered, rising from the floor. Elise watched as his brow furrowed again, this time in confusion. He looked from the window to his wife and back again. “Elisa...have you heard from your family lately?”
“No, not for over two months,” she replied softly. “Why? What is it?”
A smile began to pull the corners of his mouth. “I don't know for certain, but I think that we are in for a big surprise. Come.” Gently, he pulled her up from the sofa and tucked her arm in his to steady her as they walked to front door. When he pulled it open, there stood a woman who looked very much like his wife. Elise's eyes filled with tears and she pressed a hand to her mouth. The tears spilled over her fingers and she shook her head in disbelief.
“Elizabetta!” the woman cried out in Italian. “Oh, my dear sister. I’m here!”
* * *
Rosa couldn't believe how poorly her sister looked. She was pencil thin and her hair was a mess. Running up the two steps, she pulled her sister into a tight embrace.
“Oh, sister. You should have said. I would have come much sooner. How long have you been ill?”
Tears ran down her own face as she pulled back to look at her sister again.
“I better now, dear Rosalina. However are you here? Oh, I don't even care. Come into the house.”
The whole exchange had been in Italian, but Rosa quickly switched to English when she saw a tall man standing nearby.
“You are John!” she declared. “What a wonderful man you are.”
He chuckled. “Well, I guess I know how to make a good first impression. If only everyone thought that way about me.”
Rosa laughed, enjoying the humor of this man who had become dear to her through her sister's letters.
“Of course Elizabetta has told me about you, and she always tells the truth, so it must be so. Thank you for taking such good care of her.”
A shadow passed over his handsome face. “Well, I don't know if I've been doing such a good job lately.” He looked over her shoulder at the retreating wagon. “Who brought you here?”
“I hired a man in town,” she replied. “He was happy to do so.”
John grinned a little. “I bet. It's not every day a man gets to see such a beautiful woman. Please come in while I get your bags.”
“Ah, he's a charmer,” she whispered to her sister in Italian as they walked through the house. “I'm not sure how he stayed single so long.”
Her initial shock of her sister's appearance had faded, and she now did her best to cheer her up.
“There's a story there of course,” Elise replied. “But now, we must speak in English. You need to practice and it would be rude otherwise.”
Rosa pretended to be offended. “I have had the best English teacher for many years. I can speak very well.” Elise had insisted that she learn English when she was young and had spent many hours teaching it to all her younger siblings.
Rosa was gratified to see her sister laugh, even though it was behind tired eyes. “Yes, of course you did. Now, tell me all the news from home. How is everyone?”
As she guided her sister to a chair, Rosa felt the air leave her lungs. “You did not receive my letter?” she asked, forcing her voice to stay casual. “The one explaining my plans?”
“No. I haven't had a letter from Italy for months.” Concern rose in her eyes. “Someone is sick?” But then understanding must have dawned. Everyone knew that Rosa had been caring for their father. “Oh no. When did it happen?”
Rosa took her sister's hand and squeezed it. “Just six weeks ago. He was so sick, you know. It was a blessing when God took him home.”
Fresh tears spilled out over each of their cheeks and that was the scene John walked in on.
“I put the bags in the girls' room since...” He stopped when he saw their tears. “Hey, what's going on? Elise?”
“Oh, John. My papa, he has gone to heaven to be with Mama. I just found out.”
He took the seat on the other side and put his arm around her. “I'm so sorry to hear that,” he murmured. “So sorry.”
They sat like that for several minutes before John rose to put on the kettle. Rosa watched him move about the kitchen making tea as though he'd done it a thousand times before.
“Tell me,” Elise requested softly. “I want to know everything.”
“Yes, dear sister. I will.”
* * *
Jacob woke the next morning with a deep pain in his heart as he remembered that his dreams had been crushed. As much as he wanted to wallow in pity, he knew that was no way to live. He would persevere in making Triple Range the best ranch in the area.
However, shortly after breakfast, he had visitors who changed his mind once again. Alex and Cole had heard about his plan from Luke, and they wanted to discuss it with him.
“There's enough land for all three of us to have a home,” Cole explained. “And nothing is set in stone yet. Tell us more about your plans for horses.”
They listened as he explained what he'd been planning to do, and they both seemed interested.
“Do you have any research? Any kind of concrete assurances that the Army will take the horses?” Alex wondered.
He was prepared. “There was an advertisement posted a few months ago saying that the Army would pay top dollar for any Thoroughbred. I wanted to be a supplier.”
“But won't it take a long time to turn a profit?” Again, it was Alex asking the hard questions, but Jacob didn't mind. He had done his research and now showed them what he'd learned.
“Thoroughbreds mature early. We can start training them at eighteen months and sell them by age two.”
After more discussion, the two young men were enthusiastic. “Let's go into town tomorrow and see Martin Graham. He has the best contact regarding horses,” Jacob suggested. “Then you can take your time and decide.”
Hope tentatively renewed, Jacob spent the rest of the day smiling as he worked alongside his brother checking the cattle. His dreams might not be dead after all.
Chapter 4
After many tears and explanations, Rosa and Elise were finally able to sit and converse quietly in their mother tongue since John had gone back to work.
“How long have you felt this way?” Rosa asked, her hands on her sister's.
“It's so hard to say. Sometimes it feels like months, and other times longer. I can't pinpoint it.”
Rosa tried to think. “Your youngest is just six now, right? Your letter said that you have felt poorly since he was born.”
“I don't know if I ever fully recovered. It was a difficult pregnancy
and an even more difficult childbirth. John said he hoped God was finished giving us children. I told him that was up to God.”
Rosa understood. It was clear that John loved his wife deeply. Losing her would be like losing his own life. Elise returned those feelings of course, but John didn't just love Elise. He cherished her as well. At first, it seemed they wouldn't be able to convince him to go back to work, but Rosa promised that she wouldn't leave Elise's side and would ring the dinner bell if she needed him.
The afternoon waned and Elise described more of her symptoms to Rosa. Aside from headaches, she was also short of breath from time to time and her hands and feet felt cold. Rosa listened carefully, taking careful notes of her sister's ailments.
“I remember a neighbor of ours suffered with similar pains, and she was greatly strengthened when she ate red meat, especially liver. Have you been eating well enough?”
Elise shook her head. “I don't believe so. My stomach has been bothering me since the birth of Samuel.”
Rising from her seat, Rosa began to pace the room. “I will take over cooking for you. And you will eat whatever I make, whether or not you find it appealing. Agreed?”
A small laugh burst from Elise's mouth. “How grown you are, dear sister. Not just a shy young girl of sixteen, are you? Ah, has it really been nearly twelve years since we've set eyes on each other?”
More tears were shed, but as much for joy as for the sadness of the separation.
“Well, I am here now, an offering of our family's love, and I will stay until you cast me out.”
The two of them laughed now, both knowing that as long as they were both alive, nothing would separate them again.
* * *
Jacob couldn't believe how things had turned around in the course of one day. First his dream had thrived, then been crushed, and was now alive again. The young men planned to go to town with him the next day, but for now, he needed to see the land again.
Traveling across the homestead, he passed by the Porter residence and was surprised to see a stranger walking with Elise. The woman was younger than John's wife, but other than that, could have nearly been her twin.
“Good morning,” he called, pulling his horse to a halt and dismounting. “How are you today?”
Elise smiled sweetly, but the other woman regarded him coolly.
“Jacob,” Elise said, holding out a hand to him. “Meet my sister, Rosa. She's come to stay with us.”
He smiled at the woman. She nodded a little and the corners of her lips turned up slightly, but not enough to produce a sincere smile.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, miss...uh, ma'am?”
“I suppose I am a miss,” Rosa replied, her accent similar to Elise’s, but a touch stronger. “As I am not ever married.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say that he found that to be surprising, given how beautiful she was, but somehow he didn't feel she would appreciate the mildly flirtatious comment.
“Neither am I,” he said instead. “But that's pretty common around these parts. There are more men than women. You'll have to watch out. Once word gets around that you're single, all manner of men will be showing up at your door.”
He tried to grin a little, to lighten the mood, but the woman only blinked and continued to regard him without emotion.
“Yes, I have heard about this...shortage? Is that the right word? Well, you may inform all these manner of men that I am not at all interested in marriage. If I were, I could have married any number of fine men in Italy.”
Her words were formal, but the meaning was not lost on him. He may not have had a fine education, but he could understand her well enough.
“Forgive my sister,” Elise broke in. “She's very tired from her long journey, as you might imagine. It's a long way from Italy.”
“I am not very tired,” Rosa corrected—somewhat crossly, Jacob thought. “I still know my own mind. Now, Mister...”
“It's just Jacob.”
“Mister Jacob, we are out for exercise and will not keep you from your work.”
He was sure that he was being dismissed, but it didn't work. Perversely, he flung the reins of his horse over the porch railing and secured them.
“That sounds nice. And I'm not working today. I'm taking a walk around out a piece of property nearby. If all goes well tomorrow, I'll be part owner of the land surrounding Falls Creek.”
Elise clapped her hands twice and smiled widely. “Truly? Oh, how wonderful. Let's walk over there together now. It really is a beautiful area. Come, sister, it's less than an hour from here. You'll keep us company, won't you, Jacob?”
The sister appeared to accept defeat but managed to arrange it so that she walked on her sister's other side with Jacob as far away from her as possible. She said no more until the waterfall was in sight.
“Oh, how lovely!” she exclaimed when the rushing water was in sight.
That had pretty much been his first reaction as well when he'd seen it. At this point in the season, the water burst forth from the craggy rocks at the top due to the spring runoff. Even though it was not a massive waterfall, the sound was nearly deafening.
“It's not always like this,” he shouted to Rosa. “You came at a good time.”
She frowned at him. “I came now because my father died, and because my sister is sick.”
“Rosa!” Elise scolded. “You don't need to be so forward.” Turning to Jacob, she asked, “I'm sorry. Please tell us, where is this land you own?”
Pointing to a flat area just beyond the falls, he smiled. “It's about three thousand acres, but it's not mine yet. Alex, Cole, and I are going to figure out the details tomorrow.”
“Well, I'm very glad for you.”
The trio turned away from the falls and walked along the trail in the wooded area nearby.
“I've wanted to break out on my own now for a while, but...well, it takes time.” He didn't want to admit that he hadn't had the money until now, even though there was no shame in it. Most men in these parts barely had a nickel to their names.
Rosa spoke now, but her voice was still sharp. “And what will you do with all this land? Cows, I assume?”
It was hard to know if she disliked him on sight because he was a man, or because he had somehow managed to offend her, but Jacob decided to pretend that he didn't notice.
“No, actually. We're going to raise horses for the Army. After what we went through fifty years ago, they need to be prepared.”
He was, of course, talking about the War Between the States, but Rosa didn't seem impressed.
“You Americans are always fighting. Why can't you just live at peace with one another? Your land is big enough.”
His ire rose. “I'm sorry, Miss Rosa, but as a very recent immigrant, you have no idea what you're talking about. It's clear that you don't know much of our history, or you'd know why that war was important.” Even though the woman was very beautiful, he wanted to be anywhere else now. How dare she come in here and presume to know everything? “Well, I'll see you around, I suppose.”
He was just about to leave when he saw Elise's expression change. Her eyes went wide as she gasped and slowly slid to the ground.
“Elizabetta!” Rosa cried out, immediately falling to her knees and cradling her sister to her chest.
Jacob rushed over and bent down as well.
“Did she faint from the heat, do you think?” he asked.
Rosa shook her head. “She has not been well. I told you already. This walk was too much for her. I need to get her back to the house.”
Without another word, Jacob slid his arms under Elise's slim form and easily lifted her from the ground. Despite carrying her, he moved so quickly towards the house that Rosa practically had to run to keep up with him.
Once they were back in the house, she directed him to put Elise on the sofa while she fetched some water.
“Ring the dinner bell,” she ordered him. “John will want to know.”
Althoug
h he didn't appreciate being directed in such a way, he knew she was right and complied without comment.
A short time later, John appeared, wild-eyed and harried.
“What happened?” he asked them.
They each tried to explain at the same time, but when Rosa sent him a dark look, Jacob held his tongue and let her tell the story.
“It's getting worse and worse,” he said miserably. “The doctors don't know what to do for her.”
“I wonder if she needs more red meat,” Jacob mumbled from a few feet away. “My ma didn't eat enough, and she was forever fainting.”
Rosa gave him a measured look. “This is what I told her just today. Yes, she should eat more, especially the liver is very good.”
“I'll make sure she has plenty,” John said, his face a mask of worry. “Anything she needs.”
A small groan let them know that Elise was coming around.
“What happened?” she muttered.
“You fainted, dearest,” John said, kneeling by her side and taking her hand. “How are you feeling now?”
It seemed that the situation was well in hand, so Jacob began backing up toward the door. But then he had a thought.
“Want me to fetch a doctor? I can go into town directly.”
John and Rosa nodded, but Elise shook her head. “I’m fine now, and there's no need for a fuss. I just didn't eat well enough today. The doctor can do nothing. He assured me of this on his last visit. Now the children will be home soon, and I would rather they not see me like this. Please help me up.”
Now Jacob really felt like an intruder. “Alright, well, if there's anything I can do, you know where to find me. Nice to meet you, Miss Rosa.”
The woman nodded a little, her eyes slightly warmer than they had been over the past hour.
“Thank you...” Rosa started, a frown pulling at her brow. It seemed difficult for her to say the words. “For your help with my sister. I am...glad you were there.”
He had to stop himself from grinning, and somberly replied, “It was my pleasure. Have a good day.”
