Joanne Bischof

by The Lady

  He gestured toward a stout woman standing at a tiny black stove. “Ella. Meet Regina. Regina, this is Ella, a nurse from town.”

  The heavy-set woman looked over her shoulder and smiled, revealing a gap between her teeth. Her dark hair was threaded deeply with silver and pulled back into a rope of a braid. Standing on a crate to better reach the stove, she couldn’t have been but three feet tall. A few seconds passed and she arched a thick eyebrow. “Were you expecting Sleeping Beauty, cara?”

  The question hung in the air for a moment. Then two.

  Ella felt Charlie behind her, so close with his mouth lowered to her ear that she nearly jumped. “That means don’t stare,” he whispered loudly.

  C H A P T E R 4

  __________

  Gulping, Ella glanced around the square tent that was surprisingly roomy and warm. Only three walls were of canvas. The fourth was made up by the open side of a painted green wagon. She’d seen a picture of a circus wagon before in a story book, but it paled in comparison with what she’d seen today. Particularly this one, near and solid, with its ornate trimmings, guttered rooftop, and gold-painted wheels. The tent butted up against it, strapped snug where canvas met wood so that not even a breeze snuck in.

  Regina ambled over and gently took the jar of milk.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Ella said softly.

  The woman returned the sentiment, but concern showed in the way she pressed a stubby hand against her brown cheek. Her dark eyes tilted in Charlie’s direction as he stepped toward a small wooden bed. He lowered the baby onto a fringed blanket where just below an ornate rug covered most of the grass. The woman’s gaze returned to Ella.

  Ella knelt there at Holland’s side as Charlie slipped off the baby’s hat.

  He looked at her and Ella braced for whatever comment was to come, but he simply said, “Thank you.”

  Drawing a breath, she held his gaze the moment he allowed. She searched her mind for where to begin. “Do you have any oil? And hot water to make her tea? Also, a little pot, please.”

  He stepped away and returned with a glass bottle and a copper pot. “Like this?”

  Regina hefted a kettle onto the small potbelly stove.

  With a snap, Ella opened up her wooden case. She freed a tiny glass jar of dried eucalyptus and mixed a hearty spoonful into the oil. At her bidding, Charlie set the pot on the stove. Ella asked him to fill another with water and add a teaspoon from the same jar she’d used. Next Ella carefully stripped the baby of her dress. Though the oil would take time to properly stew, she dabbed some and with the warm herby oil to her fingertips, made slow circles on Holland’s chest. She named a few other things that would be needed.

  Charlie moved away and pulled apart two small curtains that hung from the broad side of the wagon. Several crates formed makeshift steps into what looked like an oversized, raised bed. Pillows and blankets were scattered everywhere. He rummaged, and as he did, Ella glimpsed a crate of folded clothes, a hanging top hat and a pair of high-polished boots. After taking up a pencil and leather-bound notebook, Charlie scribbled a fast note then tore out the sheet of paper. Climbing down, he must have caught her study of his private space because he pulled the curtains together to block it all from view.

  He gave the note to Regina. “Give this to Mr. Graven. He’ll cover everything you need and he can take it out of this week’s payment.”

  Nodding, Regina accepted it, but she glanced to Ella. “She cannot be here. You know that.”

  Holland pulled at her little ear and Ella stopped circling to feel under the baby’s jaw for swollen lymph nodes. The girl peered up and Ella smiled gently.

  Regina spoke softly. “If Madame Broussard finds out—”

  “Then she won’t.” Charlie ran a hand over the back of his neck. “And it’s just for a short while.” He was quiet a few moments, and when he spoke again, his voice was as soft as ever. “I don’t know what else to do.”

  Reaching up, Regina squeezed his arm in a motherly way.

  Awash with how little she understood about this man—these people—Ella looked away. But Charlie moved back to the bed and knelt beside her. Though his stature was as broad and looming as ever, there was a gentleness in the way he took off Holland’s booties, then her stockings. He set both aside. “What else do we do for her?”

  Ella drew in a slow breath and hoped with every ounce of her being that she had the right answer to that.

  __________

  If word got out that he brought a young woman here, he was going to have a lot more on his trail than a disgruntled doctor. Charlie tried not to think about that as Ella pulled off her coat and set it aside.

  “We need cider vinegar. Do you have any?” she asked. “Also licorice drops which we can break up into tiny pieces.”

  He looked over at Regina who reached for her shawl.

  “I will find some. Anything else?” Regina asked.

  Ella requested items that included molasses, brandy, and more rags for compresses. Regina set about dampening a rag and handed it to Ella.

  “How will we get her to take these things?” Charlie asked when Regina was gone.

  “I’m not sure yet.” Ella dug through her case of medicines, eyeing several bottles. She set two on the edge of the bed. “We might have to tuck them into something she will take. Which is why the molasses is handy. Also applesauce.” She nodded toward the bottle of herbs that had already been sprinkled into the pots. “The steaming eucalyptus should provide some relief for her. The other herbs should all help with her throat, which I fear has an infection. That’s what’s causing the fever. Treating the fever alone at this point won’t do much good. Though we do need to keep it as low as we can.” She felt Holland’s diaper and began to loosen the pins.

  “I’ll do that.” Charlie pulled a basket close. He worked quietly, taking care with the pins so as not to poke the baby, then set the damp diaper aside. He’d wash it with the rest of the diapers tomorrow. He realized the nurse was staring at him.

  She pressed the back of a hand to Holland’s cheek. “You are good with her.”

  “Well, that’s a relief because I’m all she has.” He regretted his sarcasm when Ella looked up with sad eyes.

  She adjusted the compress from Holland’s forehead to her chest. “The baby’s mother…she is gone?”

  Charlie moved the diaper to the laundry pile.

  He didn’t tell rubes about his private life. Not ever. Why was this woman so danged curious? But an answer paled in comparison to what he owed her, so he found the words coming out. “Holland’s mother died when the baby was five weeks old.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It happens.” Not wanting to talk about that, he moved to the stove and checked the kettle. But grief needled into his chest anyway. He picked up an empty tin cup from beside the baby’s bed, then plopped it in the washtub, thoughts suddenly as scattered as his messes. Whatever Ella had made him add to the water was filling the room with a tangy, rich scent. It tingled in his chest with every breath he took, so cooling that he was thankful Holland was breathing this air. “I appreciate you coming here. Helping. Thank you.”

  Ella gave him a muted smile.

  “When do you need to be back to the hospital?”

  She folded the damp cloth and ran it down the baby’s arm. The words came out slowly. “I don’t need to go back today.”

  “I’ll pay you for your time.”

  “I don’t want you to pay me.”

  “I’d like to all the same.” He rubbed knuckles to jaw. “I’ll get paid soon. If you can just help her, I’ll give you that and anything else I have.”

  Her blue eyes seemed sad.

  “What can I do?” he asked.

  “Honestly? Just sit a moment. There’s not much to do until I can make those tinctures and teas. For the time being, she seems comfortable.”

  With them alone, he pulled a crate to the tent flap and sat, giving her space, setting himself where he could b
e seen by anyone who might pass by. The sky was growing lighter.

  “I take it you don’t have work to do today, either?” she asked.

  “Until the circus opens, not publicly.”

  She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and looked about to ask what the public kind might be. He was glad when she didn’t. No sense overwhelming her completely. Charlie looked around, feeling strange to be alone with a woman who wasn’t Regina. He clasped his hands, and not wanting the nurse to be uncomfortable, kept his gaze on Holland. She seemed to be sleeping well.

  He cleared his throat. “I’ve never brought a townsperson here before,” he confessed. Not to the circus and certainly not to his tent. “I’m sorry that I’ve been rude to you. I just don’t know what to do or say because this is new to me. I don’t talk with people like you very often.”

  “People like me?”

  He felt a small grin betray him. “A rube.”

  “Rube?”

  “People who pay. To watch us.”

  “Oh.”

  “So if I was…gruff, I’m sorry. I’m just not good at this. That’s not meant to be an excuse. I want to apologize for not being more polite.” This was coming out all wrong. “I’ll do better. At least, I’ll try.”

  She smiled as if that was the strangest apology she’d ever received. “Thank you. I’m glad to be able to help.”

  He dipped his head in a nod.

  Ella set the rag aside and brushed a curl away from Holland’s forehead. Charlie noted the nurse’s hair was the same pale color. She looked over at him, eyes kind. “How did you come to live here with Regina?”

  Charlie drew in a slow breath. Early evening air wafted cold through the slit in the tent. He tugged the canvas somewhat closed. “She’s been a friend of my family’s for a long time. Her husband died some years ago, and when it was just me and Holland, she moved in with us to help.”

  “That’s so kind.”

  “That’s Regina. You won’t find a better soul. Her contract states that she’s my costume mistress, but you could say she’s my godmother.”

  At that Ella beamed as though Regina were her godmother too. It was such a sweet expression, he wished it lasted longer. But she turned back to the baby as she spoke. “Just keep administering fluids as often as she’ll take them. Try and keep her comfortable. And still. The best thing is sleep. The steam will be beneficial so keep water boiling all night long.”

  Seeing Regina through the slit, Charlie rose and opened the flap.

  The stout woman held a filled basket. “I found most everything and Angelina offered to go to the confectioners for the licorice drops. She’ll bring them along when she gets back.” Regina gave Charlie an envelope. “And Mr. Graven advanced half your pay.”

  Charlie blew out a breath of relief, peeked inside the envelope, and thumbed through the money. He slid out a bill to give to Ella but she shook her head so Charlie folded it up and slipped it in her medic case.

  She pulled it back out and wedged it beneath a pair of books on a crate.

  Charlie rolled his eyes and she smiled. That wasn’t the end of that game.

  Ella spent the next few minutes going over all that Regina had scrounged up. The pair of them chatted easily as Ella prepared what must have been a tincture and gave Regina suggestions for the evening. “When she wakes, give her some of the tea in the blue jar, then mix up some of the chamomile after that.”

  “This one?” Regina pulled a narrow, cloth bag from the basket.

  “That’s the one. The first will battle the infection and this will help her stay restful. She’s going to be sleepy but whenever she’s awake, offer her bits of licorice drops. Just smash them up nice and small.” Ella glanced over at Charlie and hesitated a few moments before saying, “I should be going now. I can come back tomorrow and see how she’s doing.” She took up her coat. “Perhaps you don’t have any ice.”

  He shook his head.

  “I’ll bring some. Should I…should I go out the way we came in?”

  “It’d be better for me to walk you,” he said. “Tomorrow I’ll meet you at the entrance. What time?”

  She slid back into her coat. “How about nine o’clock?”

  He nodded at that.

  Though sunset was but an hour away, the sky was brighter when they stepped outside. The clouds parting. “It looks like there will be finer weather for you tomorrow,” she said.

  He tilted his head toward the faint warmth. They walked side by side and he made it a point not to rush her as quickly this time. There were plenty of circus folk milling about on the eight-acre lot, busy with all that needed to be done and dried out by tomorrow. Colorful valentines—which rubes called posters—were being nailed around, advertising everything from the main matinee to dozens of sideshows.

  Knowing the consequence for being spotted with an outsider, especially a young woman, Charlie thought about stepping away from Ella some, but he didn’t want to be rude, so he just crammed his hands in his pockets and focused on not letting his shoulder bump into hers.

  “I’m sorry that I accused you of…well, of…” Her voice was unsteady as he led them around the back of the Big Top where they were less likely to be seen.

  He smiled over at her, which was probably the wrong thing to do since that accusation had been his overindulgence in women. Living with a lover out of wedlock—or whatever she’d assumed he was up to.

  “Despite what you may think, I was taught morality.” Hand pressed to his heart, he moved to her other side. “I also try not to break the law.”

  She pursed her lips.

  “Especially in the state of Virginia,” he quipped, pretty sure that’s where they were. His determination aside, there was a fine for what she’d accused him of.

  Her eyes flashed with regret, and then she looked like she was about to apologize. Or faint. He smiled as they rounded the striped tent. Here he’d thought making friends with rubes would be hard.

  Look how well he was doing.

  The ring of a hammer sounded nearby. Ella peered that way. Whether to cool the blush in her cheeks or to sightsee, he didn’t know.

  A moment later, he watched that round mouth of hers drop when they passed the elephants being led back to the menagerie tent. He looked at the six-ton animals, straining to see them as she might. Tried to imagine that their busy trunks and floppy ears was something out of the ordinary. Trying and failing, he simply walked Ella to the entrance and saw her through.

  He bid her farewell and watched her cross the street. On the opposite corner, she gave him a small wave and a promise to be back at nine tomorrow. If his father were standing beside him, he would warn Charlie to not get attached. Charlie pressed on the knuckles of one hand, then the other, and tried to drive that warning to heart as he walked away.

  C H A P T E R 5

  __________

  “Ella Beckley! I can’t believe you did that!”

  “I know,” Ella groaned and lowered her face onto her folded arms.

  Seated at the breakfast table across from her roommate, Margaret, she knew a lecture was coming and deservedly so.

  “All the other nurses were in a tizzy. You just walked out on Dr. Penske!”

  “I know. I know!” She straightened. “I don’t know what to do now. Thank you for bringing my things home.”

  “He practically shoved it all into my arms.” Margaret smirked then leaned forward. “Rumor has it that you walked out because of a patient. Was it Mr. Circus?” Her brows bobbed. “I heard the ruckus he made.”

  Ella winced under her friend’s scrutiny.

  “It was him!”

  She nodded.

  “Ella! What happened?”

  She relayed the story, finishing with the part about Charlie and Holland and the carnival grounds yesterday. Margaret shook her head, mouth ajar.

  “I can’t believe it,” the brunette whispered.

  “It’s very true.”

  “And you’re going back today?”


  Ella nodded. “To check on her and to bring ice.”

  “How exciting!” Margaret’s eyes went wide.

  Exciting? “Margaret, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I quit my job.” Ella reached out and touched her friend’s arm. “I promise I won’t skimp on this month’s rent. You can count on me.” She just wasn’t sure how. Ella thought of the money Charlie had offered her but she was going to have to think about that.

  Margaret squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll think of something.”

  Even as she tallied what was in her small savings, Ella took another sip of coffee. She lifted her eyes to the clock then slammed the cup down. “Oh, I’ve got to go!”

  “Why the rush?”

  “I promised to meet him at nine and I’m going to be late.” Ella grabbed a shawl and the box of herbs and medicines, then darted down the steps to the street below, resenting all three floors as she thundered back up into the apartment for the ice she’d forgotten. From the icebox, she tugged a small chunk, wrapped it in a strip of cheesecloth, and darted to the sidewalk.

  A moment’s glance in each direction and she crossed the street. It was three blocks to the circus and Ella nearly ran each step. The sidewalks were all but empty, some businesses even closed. In the distance, a throng of townsfolk was gathering for opening day—people braving the mud for a day at the circus.

  It took several minutes to find Charlie among the crowd and Ella knew she was late when she spotted him leaning against one of the brightly-painted booths, arms folded over his chest. He seemed to study something in the far distance, the morning light warm on his brown hair. He wore a white shirt that was untucked and wrinkled, suspenders abandoned about his hips. Then he glanced over at Ella and straightened.

  “You’re late, plain and boring Ella.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  His mouth quirked and she could see that he was teasing. “This way.” He tipped his head toward the entrance they’d used the day before. He swerved around the thick lines—a few complaints rising from the press of people waiting to purchase a day’s admittance at the ticket wagon.