Big Sky Daddy

by Linda Ford

  She probed the area, watching Teddy for signs of pain or tenderness or evidence of the bone being injured. He never once flinched. There was no heat in the area, which was a good thing.

  She cupped her hand under the knee. “Can you swing the leg in and out?”

  He did so.

  “Does it hurt anywhere?”

  “No.”

  “You can lie down now, Teddy.”

  Once he was comfortable, she lifted his leg, put it through a range of motions, felt the muscles for any lack of mobility and again, watched for signs of pain. “Thank you, Teddy. I’m finished.” She turned to consult with Ma. “I detected no infection. Every muscle is working, as far as I can tell.”

  Ma nodded. “I agree.”

  There might be nerve damage, but from the placement of the wound, it seemed unlikely. “Teddy, what do you think is wrong with your leg?” Sometimes people had an intuition about their own bodies.

  “It’s forgotten how to walk.”

  She smiled. “I think you’re right.” She turned to Caleb. “I think it needs a little help remembering.”

  “What kind of help?”

  “Well, if he was to remain here a few days I would try some warm poultices to stimulate the muscles and I’d do some exercises to help the muscles remember how to work.”

  He shook his head, but she didn’t give him a chance to voice his explanation again.

  “I can teach you what to do and you can do it yourself.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Teddy pushed his pant leg down and sat up. “Are you going to make my leg work again?”

  “I’m going to help if I can. But it will be you and God that make it work again.”

  Teddy stole a glance at Pa, who was sitting at the end of the table while Rose cleaned up the kitchen. Teddy signaled for Lilly to lean close. “Can you ask your papa to talk to God about my leg again tomorrow?”

  Lilly tousled Teddy’s hair, which wasn’t hard to do. The little guy had three cowlicks that gave his hair a permanently rumpled look. “Would you like me to ask my pa to pray for your leg every day until it’s better?”

  Teddy nodded eagerly.

  Lilly turned to Pa and repeated the request.

  Pa smiled. “Young man, it would be my privilege. You can ask Him, too, though. God likes to hear young boys pray.”

  “I’ll ask Him when I say my bedtime prayers.”

  Lilly allowed herself to look at Caleb. She saw hope and despair in his gaze, as if he wanted to believe but was afraid to. She’d like to ask him why he couldn’t let himself believe. But he wasn’t going to be around long enough for her to ask those sorts of questions.

  “I’d like to try a cowslip poultice.”

  Ma nodded. “I’ll get it from the shed.” Ma’s medicinals were kept in the gardening shed, where she sorted, prepared and stored everything. She brought the tinctures that would freeze into the house for the winter.

  Ma returned with a little jar. “The root is most effective, especially in cases like this.”

  Lilly knew she meant in cases of mild paralysis. Lilly had learned most of the remedies and herbs by heart, though Rose had begun a project to record all of Ma’s medicinals. “For after she’s gone,” Rose had said. The words had brought a protest from Lilly. She did not want to think of that happening, but Rose was right. The remedies should be written down so others could use them.

  “Thanks, Ma.” Lilly went to the cupboard. “Caleb, I’ll teach you what to do.”

  Caleb stood at her elbow as she spread a small amount of the ground root on a piece of brown paper and folded it to seal the edges. “We put that on Teddy’s leg, cover it with a warm, wet cloth and leave it for about half an hour.”

  They went to the cot and she did as she had described, and then she looked about. Now what? How was she to amuse them for half an hour?

  Pa put down the paper he’d been drawing on. He was always working on some kind of invention. Some had been successful. Others, less so. “Caleb,” Pa asked, “where do you hail from?”

  Caleb pulled a chair to the side of the cot and sat down. “I was raised in Nebraska. After I married I had a little farm there. I was increasing my cow herd....” His voice trailed off.

  Lilly wanted to pat his arm to comfort him, but pressed her hands to her knees and sat stiffly in a chair by the table. Teddy lay on the cot, Caleb sitting at his side. They were so alone, while the Bell family was clustered together near the table. It didn’t feel right.

  Pa cleared his throat. “I heard of your misfortune. I’m sorry. Tell me about your family—parents, brothers, sister...”

  Teddy perched up. “I have a grandmother and grandfather in ’Delphia.”

  Caleb smiled. “Philadelphia. Teddy’s maternal grandparents. My own parents and brother are still in Nebraska.”

  “Philadelphia!” Rose snorted. “I suppose you heard that Douglas Caldwell has been there and is on his way home. I expect Philadelphia has had enough of him.”

  “Rose,” Ma scolded without saying anything more. Rose hung her head, but Lilly knew she wasn’t sorry for what she had said. Rose and Duke, as everyone else called Douglas Caldwell, the son of the Caldwell Ranch owner, had never gotten along.

  “I’ve not heard a thing about Douglas Caldwell,” Caleb said.

  Lilly didn’t want Rose to continue that topic of conversation. She went to Teddy’s side and lifted the poultice. “How does it feel?”

  “Nice and warm,” Teddy said, straining upward to check on what she was doing.

  “Good. A little longer and then you’re done.”

  “I’ll be all better?”

  She chuckled. “It might take a little time.”

  Pa began to talk about the plans for Montana to achieve statehood and the time passed quickly.

  She removed the poultice. “The skin is pink and warm.” She showed Caleb. “Now I’ll do some exercises.” She did them while Caleb observed. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember everything, so you do them now and I’ll watch.”

  Caleb gently lifted Teddy’s leg and bent it.

  “You need to keep the leg properly aligned.” Lilly placed her hands on Caleb’s, her arms crossing his as she guided the movement. It was almost like a hug. Rather than think like that, she concentrated on the exercise. Caleb’s arm muscles flexed. Strong arms that held a little boy, that lifted heavy sacks of feed as she’d seen him do in town and that felt warm and steady underneath her own.

  Her cheeks grew hot enough to make her wish she could hide her face. Could she hope no one else would notice? Even Rose, who watched her every move?

  “I think I’ve got it,” Caleb said, and she jerked her hands away and stepped back.

  “Good. I’ll go through the instructions about the poultice again in the morning.”

  “How often you think this should be done?” He waved at Teddy’s leg to indicate he meant the poultices and exercises.

  “Best if it’s done three times a day, wouldn’t you say, Ma?”

  “That’s what I would recommend.”

  “I see.” He helped Teddy sit up and then turned to Pa. “Lilly invited us to stay overnight so Blossom could rest. I trust that meets with your approval?”

  “By all means. Stay as long as you like. Do you need a bed? The cot is narrow, but you’re welcome to it.”

  “No, no. We’re fine. We’ve got the wagon all set up.” He gestured to Teddy and they went toward the door.

  Teddy stopped. “Aren’t you coming to see Blossom?” he asked Lilly.

  “I haven’t forgotten.” Her first thought was to rush out the door with them, but she forced herself to wait, practicing her intention of guarding her heart against intimacy. “Shall I go with you now?”

  “Y
es, please.”

  She could hardly refuse a request like that.

  “Rose, go with your sister,” Pa said.

  Lilly smiled at Rose, though she wished to go without Rose observing everything she did and said. How foolish. There’d be nothing for her to notice. All Lilly meant to do was give Blossom some more tonic, make sure the dog was comfortable, and then bid Caleb and Teddy good-night.

  * * *

  Caleb watched Lilly and Rose until they entered the house and closed the door behind them. They’d helped Teddy tend the dog and then left. He lifted Teddy into the wagon. The poor boy was exhausted. It had been a long day. They had gotten up early so Caleb could feed Teddy before doing chores, then they had made the trip to town. Teddy had been so excited by it that he’d bounced up and down on the wagon seat and talked nonstop. Then they’d found Blossom.

  Caleb smiled. He’d had a dog growing up, both he and his brother, Ezra, claiming it as their own. They used to have contests to see which one of them the dog would go to, both boys using every imaginable treat to tempt the dog. Bacon had certainly worked well.

  Teddy touched Caleb’s cheeks. “You’re smiling.”

  “I guess I am.”

  “You liked having supper with the Bells, didn’t you? I sure did.”

  “It was awfully nice. Sorry I haven’t been making better meals for you.”

  Teddy patted Caleb’s cheeks. “You do the best you can. No one can ask more than that.”

  Caleb chuckled. Teddy sure had a way of picking up wisdom from others. “How does your leg feel? Any different?”

  “Not yet. Miss Lilly said it might take a while. Maybe in the morning it will be better.”

  “Maybe, but it might take longer than that.” He didn’t want Teddy to get his hopes up, but without hope what did the boy have? The possibility of finding something that would help kept Caleb going day after day. That and his determination to see his son walking on both legs again.

  He helped Teddy remove his boots and trousers and put them on the trunk that held Teddy’s things. Exactly where he always put them. He chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?” Teddy asked.

  “I always put your things in the same place, don’t I?”

  “Uh-huh.” Teddy pulled on his flannel nightshirt and sat cross-legged on the bedroll spread in the wagon box. “I want to pray like Mr. Bell does.”

  Caleb closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath. Bedtime prayers were one more thing that he had neglected. No wonder God wasn’t listening to his desperate pleas. Caleb had neglected his duty as a father. His sense of failure made his shoulders sag.

  But there was no time like the present to change things. “Then let’s pray.”

  Teddy knelt on the bedroll, his hands clasped before him, and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. “Dear God, I don’t know You like Mr. Bell does, but I know You are strong and You can make me better. So will You, please?” He paused as if listening for a reply. “It’s nice to be with the Bells. They’re a good family. Bless them.” He named each one. “And bless my papa. Help him to get better, too. Amen.” He crawled between the covers and pulled them to his chin.

  Caleb shook his head. “Son, I’m not sick or injured.”

  “But you’re sad. I almost never hear you laugh anymore.” Teddy sat up, surprise widening his eyes. “Until today. You laughed a lot today.”

  “I suppose I did.” Lilly had a way of making him see and enjoy the humor in things.

  Teddy twisted the covers in his hands. “Papa, are you mad at me?”

  “Mad at you? How could you think such a thing?” He pulled Teddy to his lap and wrapped his arms about him. “I could never be mad at you.”

  “Even if I broke something like your knife that Uncle Ezra gave you?”

  Caleb chuckled. “Well, I might be mad for a few minutes, but I couldn’t stay mad for very long because I love you so much.” He held the boy close. This child was all he had left of his family and his dreams.

  “That’s good.” Teddy yawned.

  “It’s time you went to sleep.” He tucked the boy in and kissed his forehead. “I’ll just be outside.” It was too early for him to go to bed, and he needed time to think. He slipped from the wagon, sat with his back to the wheel and stared at the star-studded sky.

  His gaze went to the little house, where he could see golden light glowing from the window. Mrs. Bell crossed the room. Mr. Bell sat at the table. He couldn’t see the twins, but he knew they were near their parents.

  Hadn’t he longed for such a home since the day he and Amanda married? A home filled with love and faith. He still did, but now he knew it wasn’t possible. He carried too much pain and failure in his knapsack to ever again hope for such a home.

  Mr. Bell had spoken about how Job had lost everything, yet still had vowed to continue trusting God. Caleb could do that as well.

  “Papa. Papa.” Teddy’s screams rent the air and brought Caleb to his feet in one swift movement. He rushed into the wagon and scooped Teddy into his arms.

  “It’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe. Shh. Shh.”

  Teddy sobbed and clung to Caleb. Finally he calmed enough to shudder out a few words. “I saw him again. He had a big knife.” His crying intensified.

  Caleb knew he meant one of the men who had invaded their home and murdered Amanda. He rocked Teddy and murmured comfort. Caleb’s insides filled with bile. These nightmares occurred every night. If only he could erase the terror from Teddy’s mind.

  Teddy leaned back and looked at Caleb. “I wouldn’t be scared if you brought Blossom in to sleep with me.”

  Caleb closed his eyes a moment and wished for patience. They were crowded enough in the wagon without sharing the space with a dog. Despite that, he knew he wouldn’t be able to say no. But tonight was not a good idea. “Blossom is hurting too much to be moved right now.”

  He felt Teddy slouch. “I guess so. Maybe tomorrow?”

  “Maybe.” They’d be back at the Caldwells then. Blossom would have to sleep somewhere, and he kind of guessed Ebner wouldn’t be all that welcoming of an injured dog.

  “You won’t go away, will you?”

  “I’ll never be where I can’t hear you if you need me.”

  “Okay.” Teddy allowed Caleb to tuck him back under the covers. “We’ll take good care of Blossom, won’t we?” Already he sounded half-asleep.

  Caleb waited until Teddy’s breathing deepened. “I’ll take good care of her, but I’ll take even better care of you. I promise.”

  This was one aspect of his life where he couldn’t allow himself to fail.

  Chapter Seven

  Ma and Pa retired to their bedroom and Lilly and Rose went to the room they shared. In companionable silence they prepared for bed. Both read a portion from their Bibles. They prayed silently and turned out the lamp.

  Then, as they always did, they talked.

  Lilly propped herself up on one elbow and turned to her sister. She could see her in the dim light of the moon. “I can’t help feel the Bell family can help Teddy, but he’s only going to be here one day. What can we hope to accomplish in that time?”

  Rose studied Lilly for a moment. “You sure it’s just Teddy you’re interested in?”

  Lilly bristled. “Of course. And Blossom, too.”

  “And perhaps the Caldwell cowboy? I noticed he couldn’t keep his eyes off you during supper. And you pretended not to notice, but I know you did.”

  “He’s had a lot to deal with. I certainly feel sorry for him. But that’s all.” She only partly believed it. But yet, something deep inside called out to him at every turn, every word, every sign of distress he hid admirably well.

  “Well, don’t feel so sorry for him that you forget he works for the Caldwells.”

  “Honestl
y, Rose. I fail to see what that has to do with it. He’s a fellow human being. Shouldn’t that count for something?”

  “Don’t you think it’s rather convenient for Ebner to have someone visit us? Perhaps inform him as to where he could do the most damage?”

  “It’s not like that at all. Caleb is worried Ebner will find out he’s here and fire him.”

  “So he says. Just be careful.”

  Lilly lay down and stared at the ceiling. The same ceiling she’d stared at for almost eight years. Ever since they had left Bar Crossing and Pa had built the house on this bit of land.

  Rose spoke, slowly at first. “I think you feel a connection to Teddy because he’s lost his mother. Just like we lost our parents. But don’t let it cloud your judgment.”

  “Oh, Rose, can’t you let it go? Cora says she remembers a wagon riding away with our father in it.”

  “She remembers that our mother was dead.” Rose jerked up and stared at Lilly. “What if she’d been murdered? Maybe in an Indian attack.”

  Lilly shuddered. “You’re always imagining something, and every time it gets worse. I wish you’d stop. Like I’ve said a hundred times, it might be better not to know what happened.”

  “More like a thousand times you’ve said that.” Rose chuckled, as if to make sure Lilly knew she was teasing. Suddenly she sat up and stared at Lilly. “But that’s what Teddy is dealing with. Poor little boy. I don’t blame you for wanting to help him.”

  Lilly’s insides twisted into a knot. “I can’t imagine the horror. We must pray that Teddy’s leg gets better.”

  Lilly sat up and reached for Rose’s hands. They each prayed for Teddy’s leg.

  But Rose didn’t immediately crawl under her covers again. “I wonder what Caleb does with Teddy while he’s working.”

  Lilly had wondered the same thing, but knew whatever he did, Caleb would not let Teddy out of his sight.

  “He’ll return to his job tomorrow and that will be the end of it.” Lilly knew it was for the best and said so.