[2016] A Widow's Love

by Christian Michael

  Simon’s eyes darted to Cora, his gaze hard. She stiffened her back. Her future was nothing to him. And she hadn’t decided. Not yet, not fully.

  “You are so rarely at a loss, brother. What say you?” Hannah leaned forward in her chair.

  “What saintly gentleman have you found deserving of our nearly perfect Nurse Cora?”

  “Your brother.”

  “My brother?” Simon spoke the words as if he didn’t understand them. “My brother?”

  “Yes, you only have the one, you know. I was all set to advertise on his behalf remember, a mail order bride. Your brother is in need of a wife; the children are in need of a mother. And our Cora is now in need of a husband. It’s perfect.” Mama O’Leary clapped her hands together.

  Simon turned to Cora, derision evident on his face. “In need of a husband? I daresay I never thought I’d hear those words spoken in relation to our fine Cora. A mail order bride, eh?”

  How dare he? Cora turned her back and moved to the window, refusing to acknowledge his scolding.

  “Mother, help me understand your reasoning. You sent Elizabeth out west only a few days ago. I escorted her to the train station myself. I thought she was to care for the children.”

  What? Cora turned around quickly. Mama O’Leary and Hannah shared a look before glancing away. The eldest said, “Oh Simon, that was mere convenience. Elizabeth doesn’t intend to remain long term, but since the children are her niece and nephew. It seemed a good fit--”

  “I didn’t realize Elizabeth had left as well. I won’t be in the way, will I?” The two had been good friends once, before their lives had traveled in different directions during the war; Elizabeth’s family fleeing the city for the south and Cora remaining to care for the wounded with her father.

  “Goodness, no. Elizabeth wants to visit with the children. She lost her parents and her sister at nearly the same time. Quite tragic really. She may even decide to stay out west after. Much heartier stock than her sister was.”

  This evening had grown too heavy for Cora to bear. She gathered her bag and kissed Mama O’Leary on the forehead. “I’m very tired, I’m afraid. So much to think about, and I’ve only been in town for a few hours. Do you mind if I retire?”

  “Of course not, dear. Do rest. We have lots to prepare before your departure.”

  The twins bid her quiet goodnights, of which she was relieved. In the guest room, shedding her clothes and climbing into bed required every bit of her remaining energy. She curled into a ball under the cool thick blankets, shivering as she whispered brokenly, “Dear Lord, please assist me in making the right decision. I’m lost in this wilderness and need your light to guide me home. In your son’s name I pray, amen.”

  Chapter 3

  On the morning of her departure, Cora awoke early after tossing and turning all night long. She couldn’t marry Matthew. She simply couldn’t. Although the thought of returning home to her brother was terrifying, she couldn’t in good conscience move away as a mail order bride. She would tell Mama O’Leary and Hannah first thing.

  She dressed quickly in the drafty cold, then hurried downstairs. At the entrance to the parlor she gasped and pressed her hand to her chest. “You startled me,” she exclaimed.

  Sitting by the fire, Simon arched a brow. “I do live here you know.”

  “Yes, of course I know. We have dined together for nearly two weeks now.” A week of uncomfortable silences and frosty glares from across the table. Simon had taken it upon himself to disapprove of her as his future sister-in-law. “I meant I didn’t expect to see you up and around this early in the day.”

  He said nothing, but returned to fixing a knot in the laces of one of his boots.

  Cora’s gaze fell to his wounded feet. They must hurt, especially as the cold weather set in this time of year. If she could soak them, perhaps massage them, it would ease his pain and improve the circulation.

  He glanced up and intercepted her gaze, his shoulders stiffening along with his mouth. “Did you wish to see them, Nurse Cora? Admire your handiwork? Curious as to how they turned out?”

  Cora gasped. “Don’t be ridiculous. I simply wondered how you are doing.”

  His chin lifted higher. “Quite well, Nurse Cora, quite well. Are you prepared for our journey?”

  What did he mean? “Our journey? Are you accompanying me to the train station then?”

  Simon was silent as he studied her. Then he smirked. “Hannah must have neglected to tell you the good news. I will be your guide and protector on your journey west.”

  “Guide and protector?”

  “You wouldn’t want to marry my brother without me present, would you, Nurse Cora?”

  Cora glared. “You could not have told me? There was plenty of time between the silences we have shared of late.”

  He smiled with complete superiority, then stood and offered his elbow. “I didn’t see the need. Now, shall we go into breakfast?”

  She lifted her chin and shoved her arm through his--perhaps more roughly than was necessary. Not until she was seated at the breakfast table did she remember her reason for entering the parlor so early. A buzz of excitement swept through her as she realized she was, really and truly, headed west today.

  Chapter 4

  At the station, Simon immediately joined a group of men standing near the tracks. Cora stood with the only other travelers she knew: a young couple from the O’Leary’s church who were moving to St. Louis with their two small children. She realized that within a month, she would be part of a family very much like theirs.

  The thought renewed her uncertainly. She paced in front of the station attempting to ease her troubled nerves. Perhaps a glimpse of the river before the train arrived would help. She turned down a short alley that would afford her a view. Immediately, a man stepped from the shadows. He boldly grasped her arms within his iron fists. “What?” She cried out.

  Jeremiah Bladen glared down at her. “Trying to get away, dear Cora? Your brother and I have an agreement. I don’t intend to change it.” He swung her around as if she was little more than a sack of laundry and positioned himself behind her.

  “You’re going back to your brother’s house now, until such a time as we marry.” He began to drag her down the alley. His arms were wrapped so tightly around her, she could scarcely breathe.

  “No! I’m not marrying you. Never.” She dug her feet into the hard dirt and tried to twist her body out of his grasp.

  He drew back and shoved her hard against the building. Pain raced through her skull as it slammed into the brick. Two bruising slaps to her face followed. Gasping, she raised her hands to protect herself.

  “Silence! I won’t stand for such behavior.”

  Suddenly, Cora’s mind cleared. “Simon! Simon!” she screamed, but found herself competing with the train whistle. As another blow struck her face, she closed her eyes and sank to the ground. Please God, help me. Jeremiah picked her up roughly and began striding away from the station.

  Feet pounded behind them and abruptly, she was let go. She fell to the ground with bruising force, eliciting another cry from her lips. But she dragged herself up quickly and whirled around. Simon. His face was nearly as red as his hair. His hands were busy rolling up his sleeves.

  “Are you hurt?” He asked tersely, sparing her only a quick glance.

  She was, but she shook her head, feeling tears as they rushed down her face. “No.”

  “Get on the train.”

  “What about you?”

  “Get on the train. Now.”

  Jeremiah’s face raged with anger as he raised his fists. “If a cripple can beat me, I wouldn’t be much of a man.”

  “Then I think we can agree that you aren’t much of a man.” Simon swung hard, hitting Jeremiah’s nose. Blood spurted. A returning blow knocked him to the ground. He shouted, “Leave, Nurse Cora, leave! You aren’t needed here.”

  He chose the perfect words, almost identical to those he had used at the hospital years
before. Cora ran to the train. She hurried through the cars until she found an empty seat, then collapsed into it. She pressed her face to the window, straining to see Simon, but the alley was hidden from her view. Dear God, please bring Simon safely onto the train. He’s stubborn and foolish. But his heart is good. In your son’s name I pray, Amen.

  Ten minutes later, the train rumbled and jerked as it pulled out of the station. Her nerves completely owned by Simon’s absence, she felt no homesickness at leaving or even fear for where she was going. Instead, her body shook with worry over what might have happened in the alley after she had left. Where was Simon? Was he hurt? Killed? She would disembark at the next station and immediately find a ride back to Alexandria to seek answers as to his wellbeing.

  The conductor was in front of her to collect her ticket when a disheveled and bloodied Simon appeared in the doorway between cars. “Simon,” she cried, rising from her seat.

  “Excuse me. Let me through.”

  Cora was silent as Simon exchanged tickets with the conductor before sliding in beside her. He closed his eyes and bowed his bloodied head.

  She clutched at his arm. “Where are you hurt? What can I do?”

  He’d wrapped his handkerchief around his left hand and she lifted it carefully. He immediately snatched it back. “It’s fine.”

  “No, it’s not.” She reached into the carpetbag at her feet and pulled out her father’s doctor bag. He was silent as she cleaned and rewrapped the broken flesh.

  A cut near his eye was bleeding and his lip was swollen and bleeding, too. She touched his face gently. “I’m so sorry,” she said.

  He pulled away, bristling. “Please. I had worse fights than this one when I was a boy.” Then he grinned.” Indeed, you yourself gave me a lick or two that hurt worse than this.”

  “I did not.” But she knew there was perhaps a bit of truth to his statement.

  “Aye,” He said. “And I saw the engine room when I was jumping on board. You want to give it a tour for old time’s sake?”

  Cora laughed. “Did we ever get in trouble over that one!”

  “It was worth it,” he declared. “The looks on my mother’s face when we walked through the door. You’d think we had risen from the dead.”

  “We probably looked like it… Much like you look now.”

  Simon touched the side of her face and she pulled away with a hiss of pain. “And you, too. But you’re not as used to the hard knocks as I am. Damn that brute of a man. I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight. But he can’t get you now. I left him in need of a doctor.”

  “It’s over now?”

  At Simon’s confident nod, Cora leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. She and Simon were safe. Oddly enough, she felt at peace for the first time in a long while.

  Chapter 5

  “Damn it, Cora. I told you I don’t need any more of your help.” Simon’s voice was low and hard from exhaustion and pain.

  So much for peace. She had been fighting with Simon for the better part of the day about everything from managing his pain to what they were going to eat. “You’re hurting. If it weren’t for my brother and his plans for me, you wouldn’t have fought today. “She gestured at their surroundings. “We wouldn’t even be on this train. The least I can do is help you.”

  “And I’ve told you, I don’t need your help. I didn’t need it during the war, and I don’t need it now.”

  She hardened her heart against his cold words and handed him the cup of pain reliever she had just mixed. The train had stopped for a few hours as it was night and the terrain treacherous. “I thought you’d report on the fighting,” she said suddenly. “I didn’t expect you to become a soldier.”

  His eyelids blinked sleepily. “There was someone whose opinion I cared a great deal for, who I didn’t think would be proud of a man who merely reported the war…”

  Cora waited for him to continue but his breathing slowed and his head dropped to the side. Who had he cared about so much that he gave up his newspaper job to become a soldier?

  She rolled her cape into a pillow. Gently, she settled his head on it. Before she could stop herself, she swiped the red curls back from his eyes; they immediately bounced back into place, every bit as stubborn as the man himself.

  He whispered, “Thank you.”

  Surprised, she just nodded. After she had arranged herself under a blanket, she bowed her head and folded her hands. Dear God, thank you for delivering me from evil today. Thank you for answering my prayers and keeping Simon safe. Please, give me the strength to fulfill my promises to Mama O’Leary. Amen.

  Chapter 6

  They arrived in St. Louis seven days later. By that time, Cora had grown exhausted of Simon’s long silences, the cramped seats, and the stale food. Stepping off the train was pure pleasure, and she smiled as she surveyed the bustling city surrounding them. The fall air was warmer than it had been in days and her legs felt as if they could dance all the way to the hotel, so happy they were for the exercise.

  The remainder of their journey would be completed in stagecoaches and on horseback, but the wait for a stagecoach could be as long as a week. Cora didn’t care—she was in no hurry to be trapped with Simon again.

  “We must take a walk around town after we’ve eaten. My legs are positively stiff.”

  “Yes, a walk would be nice. I was here once, years ago. It’s nice down by the river.” Simon gestured down the street and stood still as he looked out into the distance.

  “There’s a newspaper office here?”

  “Indeed there is. More than one.”

  At the hotel, they checked in and agreed to meet downstairs in forty-five minutes. Her room was clean and tidy with a soft bed made up with a welcoming pile of quilts. Water was warmed and brought up to her. She luxuriated in cleaning off the dust and sweat of their travels. She brushed out her hair and repinned it before stepping into a clean dress.

  Returning to the lobby, she felt like a different person from the one who had arrived an hour earlier.

  “Cora! My word, it is you.” A female voice rang out.

  Who would know her here? Cora looked around the crowded room, finally spotting Elizabeth Van Dorn striding toward her. Shouldn’t she have arrived in Colorado by now?

  “Elizabeth, how lovely! I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

  Elizabeth pulled her close. “Then we’re almost even, dear. I didn’t expect to see you at all. Not that it isn’t a joy.” Elizabeth laughed a rich bubbling laugh which set Cora immediately at ease. She grabbed Cora’s hand. “Come, let’s sit. Tell me everything. Why are you here? Are you nursing still?”

  “Oh no, Elizabeth, nothing like that. It seems you and I are headed in the same direction.”

  “We are? You’re traveling to see Matthew as well?” Elizabeth smiled. “I cannot wait to see that niece and nephew of mine. I haven’t been out here since they were mere babes.”

  “Mama O’Leary has asked me to be Matthew’s bride and I’ve accepted.” At the look of confusion on Elizabeth’s face, Cora grabbed her hands and hurried on. “Oh, it’s perfectly fine. Matthew has written to me and I to him. I’m quite excited really. And Matthew is in need.” She patted the other woman’s hands. “I was so sorry to hear of your sister’s passing.”

  “You and Matthew? I can hardly believe it.” Elizabeth shook her head, studied her lap for a moment, then looked up, a brilliant smile on her face. “Congratulations. I do remember that crush you had on him when we were still children. This must be a dream come true.”

  A dream come true? Had she favored Matthew when she was a child? Cora could hardly remember it.

  “Cora! Look who you’ve found.” Simon appeared before them, a wide smile on his face. “Wasn’t it just yesterday I dropped you at the train station, dear Elizabeth?” Then he opened his arms wide and Elizabeth walked into them. As he held her close, he said, “Splendid to see you.”

  While Elizabeth described to Simon the troubles she’d en
dured that had delayed her trip, Cora studied the two. Was there a relationship between them? She thought back, tried to remember, but couldn’t recall a single girl Simon had brought home.

  “Cora was telling me her splendid news, and I was remembering that crush she had on Matthew when we were very young. Remember, you teased her about it quite unmercifully, you fiend. Matthew must be all she’s ever dreamed about.”

  “Indeed,” Simon replied. “Shall we find a place to eat lunch? Here or down the street?”

  “Oh no, not I. I’ve just eaten, but the café named “Maud’s” down the street prepares lovely food. They’ve certainly fattened my up over the last few days. You two must be famished and I need to freshen up. Shall I see you for supper?”

  “Oh yes, please,” Cora cried and hugged Elizabeth again before letting her go.

  “She must be quite disappointed.” Simon observed quietly as they watched her disappear up the stairs.

  “Disappointed?” Cora gathered her cape and they started for the door. “You mean because of her travel delays?”

  Simon smiled. “You aren’t all that observant for a woman.”

  Cora frowned. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “Elizabeth has been in love with my brother for a decade or more. First, I believe she set it aside because she believed you wanted him. Then, she set it aside for her own sister who likely only wanted him because she thought Elizabeth did. Mary had to take everything Elizabeth wanted.”

  Cora stopped walking abruptly. “My word. I had no idea. How do you know?”

  “Newspaperman, remember? I’m trained to observe. I’m quite sensitive to the feelings of others.” His dimples showed and he winked at her. She couldn’t help but laugh. This was the side of Simon she actually enjoyed.

  “Indeed?” Since he was quite dense at discerning her own feelings at times, she was certain she didn’t believe him.

  “And my mother might have mentioned it,” he confessed.

  Hearing of Elizabeth’s love for Matthew changed things considerably. She could think of little else throughout lunch. It was one thing when she only had herself, Matthew and the children to consider, but another one entirely when a good woman like Elizabeth was also involved.