by Janette Oke
The next morning Belinda and Luke were so busy she began to fear they would still be in the office sewing up cuts and administering medication when Amy Jo’s train whistled its way into town. Why couldn’t some of the cases have been spread out over the past two days? was her unreasonable question, which she had more sense than to express aloud.
But Luke must have read her agitation anyway.
“Don’t worry,” he soothed. “When it’s time for that train, you’ll be on the station platform. Anything that’s going on here I can handle.”
Belinda still fretted. She had already missed the morning Good Friday service at church. If only patients could be regulated, her thoughts continued to whirl around, instead of coming by bunches at the wrong times!
She turned her attention back to the task at hand and hoped that by the time the train was due, the office would be cleared out.
At last the final patient was on the way out the door, and Belinda took a deep breath and looked around her. There was cleaning up to be done, but the clock on the wall said there were still forty-five minutes until train time. If she hurried, she would make it just fine.
“I would like to say I’ll do the cleaning,” said Luke, “but I promised the Willises I’d drop by. Mrs. Willis hasn’t been able to shake that nasty cough she developed when she was carrying her last child.”
“It’s fine,” responded Belinda. “I have plenty of time.”
“Do you mind giving Abbie a bit of help with the youngsters?” asked Luke. “I know she wants to meet the train, but it’s kind of hard for her to carry the baby and watch two rambunctious boys.”
Belinda smiled. “I’ll be glad to help,” she assured him. “Those boys and I have a few cookies to deliver.”
Belinda hurried to clean the room and sterilize the instruments. Amy Jo would soon be back home where she belonged.
Belinda hoped her niece would never be tempted to leave home again. It was far too lonely without her.
Belinda finished her duties and rushed up to her room to get ready. She took the remaining applesauce cookies from their hiding place and carefully placed them in a small decorated tin. Aaron will want to carry them, she noted to herself. Leaving them on the kitchen table, she went to see what assistance she could give Abbie.
Abbie was just putting the blanket around the baby. The two boys were already on the front step. Belinda gave the cookie tin into Aaron’s care and offered to carry the baby.
It was only a brief walk to the station, but by the time they arrived, Belinda’s arms were tired. She couldn’t believe how much little Ruthie had grown in such a short time. She wished they had one of those baby prams she had seen pictured in the Sears Roebuck catalog.
When they joined their excited family on the platform, Clark took Ruthie, and Belinda was glad to give her arms a rest. Cousins shouted at one another and raced about. Scoldings followed and then threats, and finally the younger members were firmly seated on the bench beside the station and, much to their chagrin, told to remain there until the train arrived.
Finally the far-off whistle was heard and then the distant thunder of the metal wheels told them that the train would soon be there.
Kate stood with pale face and hands clasped tightly together. “Oh, I can hardly wait to see her,” she said to the little cluster of family. “I never dreamed when we let her go thet she’d be gone so long. When she kept stayin’ an’ stayin’, I felt so frightened . . . so frightened she wouldn’t be comin’ back. I’m so glad . . . so glad thet she is. I jest hope she isn’t hurt over thet there boy. But there are lots of fine young men around here fer her. She’s still so young . . . so young.”
Belinda had never heard Kate go on so. She attributed it to nerves.
“I jest hope she won’t miss the West too much. Maybe she’ll have it all outta her system by now. Same with thet young man. My, I hope she doesn’t moon over losin’ him. I scarce could bear a mopin’ girl.” Kate turned to Belinda. “You’ll have to watch out fer her. You always was good at talkin’ her outta her dark moods. You could introduce her to some of the young people in town here—like thet O’Connel boy. Pa says he’s real fine. Dan’s gonna go work fer ’im as soon as school classes are out.”
That was news to Belinda, though she wasn’t surprised. She was surprised, however, at her feeling of reluctance to be a match- maker between Amy Jo and Rand. She felt hesitant. Were they right for each other?
Then the train was pulling up beside them, and they all moved back a step so Kate might be the first one to greet her girl.
Will she have changed? wondered Belinda. Maybe she’d had her heart broken by the young Ryan. Belinda hoped not. Amy Jo had seemed so taken with him. Yet Amy Jo was impetuous. Perhaps she had now forgotten all about him.
And then Amy Jo was stepping down from the passenger car.
Radiant, her brownish red hair was swept atop her head becomingly and her light green traveling dress fit her to perfection. Her complexion was flawless with no longer a trace of the hated freckles. She walked with poise and decorum. Amy Jo had left a girl and had come back to them a young woman. Belinda held her breath.
Kate swept Amy Jo into her arms and held her closely, weeping with joy. It seemed a long time until Belinda had her turn.
“You look wonderful,” she said with a slight laugh. “Jest . . . jest so . . . so . . . vibrant!”
Amy Jo laughed merrily.
“That’s what love does for one,” she whispered in Belinda’s ear.
Belinda pulled back to look into the violet eyes.
“Ya mean ya still . . . ? But yer home now . . . many miles from . . .”
But Amy Jo silenced her with a little shake of her head. She turned glowing eyes to the family group.
“Everyone!” she called excitedly. “Everyone! I want ya to meet Ryan. We’ve come home to be married.”
Belinda hardly heard the gasps around her she was so busy trying to get her own startled thoughts under control. She raised her eyes toward the enthusiastic Amy Jo and for the first time noticed a young man who stood behind her. At Amy Jo’s words he took a step forward and reached out a possessive hand to take Amy Jo’s arm. He smiled and tipped his hat to Kate, then to Marty, and Belinda saw Kate’s face grow even paler.
“Oh my!” Belinda said under her breath. “Oh my!” Then she looked again into the deep blue eyes and tanned face of the young rancher. Amy Jo had sketched a good likeness. Belinda felt she would have known the young man anywhere. This was indeed Amy Jo’s Ryan.
After the initial shock, the family was quickly captivated by Amy Jo’s young man. Even Kate, who could hardly face the idea of losing her Amy Jo to the West, had to admit that Ryan would make a wonderful son-in-law.
“Iffen she had jest given us a bit of warnin’,” Marty kept saying, shaking her head, “we all wouldn’ta stood there with our mouths a hangin’ open.”
But warning was not Amy Jo’s way. That would have spoiled her “surprise.” The young man Ryan did apologize several times to Clare and Kate. “I wanted to ask for her hand proper like,” he informed them, “but Amy Jo wanted to make the announcement herself.”
It seemed he was willing to let Amy Jo have her own way in all matters concerning their wedding.
“I want to be married on June first,” Amy Jo insisted. “Thet is the day Melissa and Wally have chosen, and Ryan and I decided thet as we couldn’t have a double wedding, the family being scattered so, we’d do the next best thing and be married on the same day—her out west and me here.”
Kate was sure she could never be ready for a wedding by the first of June, but Marty and Anne and even Nandry all pitched in, and things for Amy Jo’s trousseau began to take shape.
“Why don’t we git Mrs. Simpson to sew the gown?” asked Marty. “She does a wonderful job, and she is so quick with her stitchin’.”
Mrs. Simpson was still very much in demand as a seamstress and had even been able to purchase her own machine, so Marty saw very
little of her. But arrangements were made, and Amy Jo’s cream-colored wedding gown was coming together under the skilled hands.
At first it didn’t seem real to Belinda. But as item after item— two new everyday dresses, a travel outfit, snowy white under-things, as well as two quilts, dish towels, and other household linens— was spread out on the bed in the spare bedroom at the farm, she had to admit it was indeed true. Our Amy Jo is getting married!
Amy Jo, their little girl. Amy Jo, their bit of sunshine. And many miles away, somewhere out west, Melissa, too, was excitedly preparing for her big day. Belinda tried to put her feelings into words, and she finally concluded she felt as if she were being left behind.
The frantic preparations kept Belinda more than occupied until June the first arrived. The day was beautiful, and she slipped a cool mint green dress over her head as she got ready to join her lovely niece at the front of the church, where she would solemnly declare her love and commitment to Ryan.
“Oh my!” Belinda couldn’t help but exclaim when she caught her first glimpse of the bride standing in the middle of her family’s living room. Kate was fluttering around her, making sure the dress was hanging properly on the slim figure.
“That soft, creamy material an’ the lace trim are jest perfect with your hair,” Belinda commented, giving Amy Jo a careful hug. “It’s truly wondrous!” And they laughed together.
Later, Belinda could not keep the tears from forming in her eyes as she listened to the two young people make their promises.
Amy Jo was no longer theirs. She belonged to Ryan now, perhaps at the same moment that Melissa, too, was repeating her marriage vows.
It was a lonely and rather subdued Belinda who went up to bed that night after the festivities of the day were all over and the wedded couple had left for their honeymoon trip, home to their West.
Belinda wondered who would shed the most tears that night, she or Kate. She knew they all would miss Amy Jo, their “vibrant” one, something awful.
NINE
An Accident
Belinda for sure had missed Amy Jo while she was out west, but it had always been with the hope she would be coming home soon. Now Amy Jo was making a home of her own many miles away.
Melissa, too! she mourned. And all at the same time!
“I know ya miss the girls,” Marty commented to Belinda.
“Maybe Luke could get along without ya for a few weeks an’ ya could go on out ta see ’em.”
“Mama,” Belinda reminded her, “a few months ago I woulda jumped at the chance. I was so lonely for them both, and I’da given anything to be able to see them. But not now. Now they’re both new brides. They wouldn’t want me hangin’ around.
Besides, I would feel out of place. It’s not the same as it used to be. We wouldn’t have the same—the same closeness as before.”
Marty nodded her agreement at Belinda’s assessment. It wasn’t the same anymore.
Belinda looked about at her world. Why did things have to keep changing? Spring, without slowing down even for a minute, was turning to summer and then would come fall. In the fall little Thomas would be off to school. The next thing they knew it would be Aaron’s turn—and then wee Ruthie’s. Already she was sitting up alone, reaching for things, and pulling herself up in her crib. She had scarcely even been a baby at all.
Things had seemed so simple, so secure when Belinda had been a child going to school and sharing girlish games with Amy Jo, her constant companion. But life went on and no amount of “digging in one’s heels” seemed to slow it down.
Belinda thought she had never been so lonely in her life. She would have had a most difficult time of it had she not been so busy. Luke was right—they certainly needed another doctor in the town.
The thought of another doctor immediately reminded Belinda of Jackson. What was Jackson like now? He had been a nice young fellow when they had been schoolmates. Was it possible that after all this time she might feel drawn to him? Belinda allowed herself a few minutes of imagining and then sharply rebuked herself—by now Jackson likely had another girl. Perhaps he’s even married, she told herself with a shake of her head.
But Belinda didn’t really think that Jackson had married. She saw his mama every Sunday at church, and Mrs. Brown spoke often of her son and his medical career—she had never mentioned anything about his marrying or even having a young lady, to Belinda’s knowledge. Belinda decided to push the thoughts of Jackson aside and think instead about Rand.
Rand dropped by occasionally, and in Belinda’s loneliness she welcomed his company. The little town seemed so confining and the beloved farm home so very lonely. Rand was awfully busy, working from sunup to sunset every day of the week except Sunday, and there was very little time for him to make calls. He had been to the Davises for Sunday dinner on a few occasions, but Belinda hesitated to offer an invitation too often lest he get the wrong idea.
When summer had turned to fall, Rand stopped by one evening and suggested a walk. Belinda was only too glad for the diversion. He apologized for his busyness and asked Belinda how her days had been filled.
“‘Ills an’ spills,”’ Belinda responded. “That’s what Luke calls it. Sickness and accidents. That’s about all I see or do.”
Rand looked thoughtful. “Is nursin’ losin’ some of its charm?” he inquired.
Belinda flushed. “No. No, not really. Fact is, I don’t know how I’d ever bear livin’ without it. I’m jest . . . jest restless, I guess.”
“Still missin’ Amy Jo?”
Belinda nodded. She didn’t trust her voice.
“Maybe you’ve outgrown nursin’,” said Rand. “Maybe it’s time fer ya to take on a new challenge.”
“Like what?” asked Belinda innocently.
“I can think of one,” admitted Rand. When Belinda did not question him, he went on slowly, “But I promised myself thet I wouldn’t speak of it yet. Not till I have this Kirby house finished and the cash in the bank.”
Rand’s statement puzzled Belinda, but her attention was captured by the Kirby house. “Mrs. Kirby finally got worked out jest what she wants?”
9 “I’ve been buildin’ on it fer the past two weeks.”
Belinda smiled as she imagined the excitement of watching something take shape under one’s hands. “Oh, I’d love to see it sometime. Could I?”
Rand laughed at her enthusiasm. “I’d love to show ya,” he promised, “but not yet. There’s not much to see now. But jest as soon as I have somethin’ to show, I’ll give ya the grand tour— how’s thet?”
Belinda smiled her thanks in anticipation. Jest think of havin’ your own house, her thoughts raced. Melissa and Amy Jo both have their own. . . .
“Dan likes working with ya,” she said, to slow down her imaginings.
“He’s good,” said Rand. “Fer a fella so young, he catches on real fast. An’ he isn’t afraid of work, either.”
They had reached Luke’s front gate. Belinda stood silently gazing at the night sky. She was about to say that she should go in, but she lingered, enjoying the lovely evening and the company.
Rand surprised her by reaching for her hand. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy,” he said softly. “Once I git a house or two built an’ git some cash on hand, I can slow down some.”
“I understand,” said Belinda, touched that he would care about her loneliness. He was really very kind.
“Could we go for a drive on Sunday?” asked Rand, and Belinda assured him she would enjoy that.
“Should I come out to the farm to get ya in the afternoon, an’ bring ya back to town?”
Belinda thought quickly and said that would work fine.
“See ya then,” Rand whispered, lifting her fingers to his lips before releasing her hand. Then he was gone, his long strides taking him quickly toward the boardinghouse.
Belinda stood watching him go, her heart fluttering and bewilderment on her face. She looked down at her slender fingers as though expecting his kiss to
show there, and her breath caught in a little gasp. What might that Sunday drive hold for her, she wondered. She opened the gate quietly and thoughtfully made her way up the walk.
But it turned out that drive was not to be.
After the morning service that Sunday, the family gathered at Clark and Marty’s for dinner. Nandry’s Mary and Jane had both married and now had homes of their own, and on this Sunday Mary was with her Jim’s family, and Jane was down with a bad cold. So Belinda was the only girl there. The boys played their games in the yard as usual and the men talked on the back veranda until the call for dinner.
Belinda was about to give the signal when there was a commotion in the yard. Someone was running and there were frantic calls and yells of “Come quick! Come quick!”
“What is it?” Belinda heard Clark call, and young John screamed back in fright, “The bull’s got Abe. Quick! He’ll kill ’im. Quick!”
Clare was on his feet in a flash. The bull was a new one to the farm and no one knew his temperament. All the youngsters had been warned to stay away from his pen until he was declared safe. Now Clare was running toward the barnyard with Arnie and Luke right behind him.
Belinda heard the farm dogs barking and the cattle bawling.
The whole place seemed to be in an uproar.
“Grab a pitchfork!” Clare shouted over his shoulder, and Luke veered toward the barn to comply.
Clare flung himself over the bullpen fence. Belinda could see nothing more after he entered the corral, but she could hear shouts and dogs barking and angry bellows from the bull.
“Oh, dear God, no,” Belinda heard someone say beside her and realized that her mother had joined her on the veranda, her eyes fixed on the fence beyond.
“Mama, go back in,” warned Belinda.
But Marty held her ground, and soon Kate and Anne had joined her. “What is it?” Kate choked out.
Belinda could not answer. Her eyes on the bullpen, she prayed that Clare would be there in time. Arnie, too, had climbed the fence to face the enraged bull, and Luke was running toward them, pitchfork in hand.
