Brides of Kansas

by Bateman, Tracey V. ;

  Luke sipped his coffee and studied Emily over the rim of the mug. Two years his junior, she could have passed for his twin with her carrot-orange hair, green eyes, and freckles. He couldn’t count the times they’d been mistaken for blood relatives even though, in truth, Emily was Cassidy’s niece. When her real pa had died of cholera, Cassidy had taken over Emily’s care and had brought her along when she married Pa.

  As though unaware of his scrutiny, Emily gave him a tender smile. “Really, you’re a hero. Pa wouldn’t be here at all now if not for you.”

  “I’m glad I was there, but it doesn’t change the fact that I knew we needed to put in a new fence where Pa’s crazy bull keeps getting out. Instead, I just patched it up again. If I had just gone with my gut, Pa wouldn’t be laid out flat in there. What if Sam can’t save his leg?”

  Luke shuddered at the thought. What would Pa do if he lost his leg?

  “We just have to pray hard,” Emily replied firmly, reaching for him. Luke accepted the proffered hand and closed his eyes.

  “Dear Lord,” Emily prayed. “You see our pa in there, and You know how serious his condition is. We ask You to spare his life. That’s the most important thing. Please give Sam wisdom and guide his hands. If possible, please help him to save Pa’s leg. But if it’s already too far gone, please give Pa the grace to accept it and to live with it. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  Luke pushed away the thought. He didn’t want to consider the possibility that God wouldn’t save Pa’s leg. God could do a miracle. He’d done plenty, and Luke had even witnessed a few. Surely saving Pa’s leg wasn’t too much trouble.

  “Why don’t we go sit with Ma awhile?” Emily suggested. “She’s pretty shaken up. Sam won’t let her anywhere near the bedroom.”

  “It’s just as well she can’t hear Pa groan.” Luke cast a glance at the closed door and headed into the sitting room.

  Hours later, Sam emerged, pale and shaken.

  “How is he?” Cassidy asked, her eyes wide with fright.

  Sam sank to the nearest chair and jammed his fingers into his thick hair, raking back the black locks with one quick swipe. He leaned his elbows on his knees and regarded his family wearily. “I’ve never seen so many lacerations on one leg. I lost count of the stitches.”

  “You saved the leg, then?” Luke asked.

  Sam’s blue eyes filled, and his voice faltered. “I don’t know. We have to keep the wounds clean and pray infection doesn’t set in. To tell you the truth, even if Pa gets to keep his leg, there is no telling how much damage that bull did to the muscles. Pa may never have use of it again.”

  As though the burden of the past hours overwhelmed him, Sam buried his face in his palms and wept like a baby.

  Cassidy stood immediately and went to him. She knelt on the wooden floor and took him into her arms. “Shh. You did all you could.”

  “What if it wasn’t enough? Why did Doc Simpson have to be out of town now, of all times?”

  “You are a capable doctor. Would your father-in-law have done anything different than you did?”

  “I don’t think so. There wasn’t much to do but stitch him up and pray for the best.”

  “All right, then,” Cassidy said with a nod. “I remember Doc Simpson saying once that even doctors can’t control what God ordains. You just have to do the best you can and leave the rest up to the Lord. Your pa knows that. No matter what happens, you have to believe God is in control. That way, you can’t take the credit for the successes or the blame when things don’t work out.” She smiled and stood. “May I go to him?”

  “I have him heavily medicated with chloroform,” Sam replied, once again the professional doctor rather than the broken son. “Hopefully he’ll sleep through the night. When he wakes up, the pain will be nearly unbearable.”

  “I’d still like to sit with him,” Ma insisted.

  Sam nodded. “Go ahead. But there’ll be a lot of moaning in his sleep. Make sure you come out if it begins to bother you. Pa won’t even know you’re there, much less when you leave.”

  “Thank you, Sam. Emily made up your old bed for you. Go get some rest. I’ll wake you when your pa rouses.”

  “Want me to ride over and tell Camilla you’ll be staying over tonight?” Luke asked, feeling suddenly as though he needed to do something…anything to feel useful.

  “No need. She’ll expect it.” Sam stood. “I’m going to try to catch a few hours of sleep. Wake me if you need me.”

  “Thank you for everything, Sam. Try to cast the worry of this over on the Lord and get some rest,” Ma said. “Good night.”

  “May I come with you and sit with Pa for a few minutes, Ma?” Emily asked softly, her voice trembling.

  “Of course.” Cassidy slipped her arm about Emily’s shoulders, and they headed down the hall to the bedroom.

  Luke watched as Sam followed, then turned at the bedroom they had once shared.

  He released a heavy sigh and stoked the fire, watching the sparks fly upward. What if Pa never regained use of his leg again or lost it altogether? Then Luke would have no choice but to stay on indefinitely and run the ranch for the family. He would never get to Oregon. His mind rejected the thought instantly as guilt crept over him. How could he even think about himself at a time like this?

  With a sigh, he added a log to the fire. After he was satisfied it would keep the house sufficiently warm until he returned, Luke slipped into his coat and wrapped a scarf around his neck. Feeling the heavy weight of responsibility on his shoulders, he stepped into the blustery November night to attend to chores and make sure all was well on the ranch.

  Chapter 6

  Laney waved hello to Emily and pulled Colby to a stop in front of the St. John ranch house. She leaned forward and rested her elbow on the saddle horn. Emily smiled a greeting and stooped over the scrub board, attempting to clean a pair of trousers.

  “Morning,” Laney said, noting that Emily’s hands were red from the December cold. “Why are you washing out here on such a cold day?”

  Emily shrugged and smiled. “Ma’s getting caught up on the cleaning. I didn’t want to be in the way.”

  “Where’s Luke?”

  Emily straightened and gave her a weary smile. She pressed her hands against her back and stretched.

  “Down by the creek.” She squinted and cupped her hand over her eyes to shield them against the sun’s bright rays. “Haven’t seen you around in a few days. You heard about Pa?”

  Laney gave her a sober nod. “That’s why I’m here. How’s the leg looking today?”

  It had been three days since Anthony had ridden out to the soddy to let them know about the accident, but Laney hadn’t been able to bring herself to face the family. Guilt bit her deep. She had prayed for God to keep Luke in Kansas, so she figured her prayer was to blame for Papa Dell’s condition.

  Emily’s shoulders rose and fell. “Not good. Sam’s trying to put on a brave face, but you know how hard it is for him not to show his emotions. I’d say it’s only a matter of time before he takes the leg.” Her voice faltered. “Poor Sam. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.”

  And poor Luke. Laney knew Luke must be feeling torn between his responsibility to his family and grief over the loss of his dream.

  “Do you want to come in and say hi to Pa? He’d probably welcome the distraction.”

  Laney just couldn’t look Papa Dell in the eye, knowing she was responsible for the accident. “Maybe another time. I think I’ll go find Luke.”

  “I think he just needed to get away from the ranch and try to think straight. You know he’ll have to postpone his plans to head west?”

  “Yeah, I reckon he will.” That was her fault, too. “I’ll see you around, Em.”

  “All right. If you find him, tell him not to worry about evening chores. Will and Hope are pitching in to get them done.”

  “Hope?”

  Emily grinned. “I promised her I’d bake an apple pie.”

  Laney shook
her head and returned Emily’s smile. “If that little sister of yours doesn’t stop being ruled by her belly, she’ll be as fat as Mr. Moody’s prize sow.”

  “It’s just baby fat,” Emily replied, defending the chunky young girl. “She’ll grow out of it.”

  “Probably.” Laney glanced uncomfortably toward the direction of the river. She wanted to leave before Mama Cassidy discovered she was out here and insisted she go inside. “Well—”

  “Sure you can’t come in and say hi to Ma and Pa?”

  “I’d better go find Luke. Tell Papa Dell I’m praying for him and that I’ll be over soon to see him.”

  “Okay.”

  Laney could tell Emily was confused. But for the moment, Laney’s need to find Luke ruled her reluctance to hurt the young woman, dear as she was.

  Laney turned her mount toward the river and rode off at a gallop. Her heart picked up a beat when she reached the river and spied Luke seated on the bank. He glanced up and waved as she dismounted and slipped Colby’s reins around the branches of a nearby bush.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Rumor has it you’re busy as ever, even with Granny’s help—too busy to come to the ranch and see how Pa is.”

  It was true. She was busier than ever. The addition of ready-made dresses to Tucker’s Mercantile had been such a success with the ladies of Harper, Tucker had offered her a 10 percent increase in her profits to take on more orders. Even with paying Granny a salary, she was coming out with more than before Granny moved in. If things continued as they were, the soddy would easily be paid off next spring—on time and in full. She couldn’t help the thrill she felt as she watched her dream draw closer and closer to becoming a reality.

  She chose to ignore Luke’s comment about her not coming to the ranch to see Papa Dell and focused instead on the business. “Will came by and drove Granny into town to drop off the gowns we finished this week and to pick up some more orders from Tucker.” Laney dropped to the cool ground next to him and sent him a sideways grin. “Between you and me, I think Tucker and Granny are sweet on each other. I won’t be surprised if there’s another wedding in the family before long.”

  Luke grinned. “Wouldn’t surprise me either.” The grin faded almost as quickly as it had appeared, and he leaned in closer. Laney shrank back at the intensity of his gaze. “‘Course, that’s not the family wedding I had hoped to attend next.”

  “Oh Luke. Please don’t start a fight.” Laney turned and stared out across the rippling water. “I came out to tell you how sorry I am about your pa.”

  “Are you?” He gave a short laugh and tossed a stick into the water. “Looks like things worked out just the way you wanted them to.”

  Laney’s blood heated at the insinuation, but she knew Luke was spoiling for a fight as a way to relieve his frustration. She prayed for patience.

  “You think I’d want you to stay here for my sake, at your pa’s expense? You must not think very highly of me.”

  His brow furrowed in suspicion. “It never occurred to you that now I’d have to stay and run the ranch?”

  “Of course it occurred to me. But not for the reason you suppose. I wouldn’t marry you and be second choice to your dreams, anyway. Besides, maybe Sam will be able to save the leg, and you won’t have to postpone your move after all. If that’s all you care about.” He was getting her riled again.

  Luke’s face darkened. “Even if Pa doesn’t lose his leg, he’ll probably never gain use of it again. If I don’t run the ranch, who will?”

  “I could.” She’d thought of it before. It would mean sacrificing her herd for a while, but it seemed to be the least she could do after praying for something to happen to change Luke’s mind about leaving. She’d rather run the ranch herself than to live with the guilt.

  He studied her so intently, Laney felt warmth creep to her cheeks. “What about your soddy and the herd?”

  She shrugged. “I almost have enough saved to pay off the soddy. I can wait until Will’s old enough to take over the ranch before I build my own herd.”

  “You really think you could handle running the ranch?”

  Was he thinking of letting her try?

  “Why not? I’ve worked with you and Papa Dell long enough to know the ins and outs of St. John Ranch. I could probably run it in my sleep.”

  A sigh escaped from deep within Luke. “No, you couldn’t. I have to be the one to stay—as usual.”

  Laney shot to her feet. She glared down at Luke, hands on her hips. “Luke St. John, you are acting like a—” Oh, what was he acting like? She stomped her foot on the ground. “You know how you’re acting! And Papa Dell would probably rather sell off this place to the highest bidder than to let you run it with that attitude. He’s up there in the house, about to have his leg chopped off, and listen to you—throwing sticks in the river and crying like a baby because you don’t get to go west and build a bigger herd than your pa’s.”

  “I am not crying!”

  “You might as well be.” She stomped to Colby and grabbed his reins from the bush. “I’m ashamed of you.”

  Luke felt his ears burn as he watched Laney ride away at breakneck speed.

  Serves you right, he chided himself. Everything Laney said was true. Shame seared him. Not only had he insulted her by insinuating she was glad he had to stay in Kansas, he had made a fool of himself, complaining about running the ranch for his injured pa. What kind of man was he, anyway? This proved he didn’t have half the backbone he’d always thought he had.

  He knew Laney had been serious about putting her plans for her own land on hold so he didn’t have to postpone heading west. She had more character than he did. Suddenly he knew he had to do what was right and stop complaining about it. God knew what was best.

  Forgive me, Lord.

  A heartfelt prayer. So powerful in its simplicity. Luke felt the change immediately and smiled. God had a way of changing a man with the smallest of adjustments.

  And with that adjustment, Luke determined not to make any more plans to head west. Instead, his imagination headed in another direction: Laney. What if he married her and helped her start a herd for them next to his pa’s ranch? Of course, they’d have to wait awhile to see what happened with Pa.

  The sound of hooves pounding hard on the earth drew his attention back to the present. He glanced up to find Laney heading back. Luke grinned. She would love to hear that she’d actually won an argument, even if she hadn’t stuck around to see him admit to being wrong.

  His grin faded abruptly when he saw her pale face. She brought Colby to a skidding halt a few feet from where Luke stood.

  He hurried to her and grabbed the horse’s bridle. “What’s wrong?”

  “Get home, Luke. Your pa’s leg’s turned gangrenous. He’s delirious from a high fever, and Sam is going to amputate. He needs your help.”

  “Oh Luke, thank heaven you’re here.” Ma’s tear-streaked face greeted him when he walked in the house moments later. “Sam needs you.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Honey, you’ll have to hold your pa’s leg still while Sam amputates.” Her voice broke. “I’m sorry, but Sam says it needs to come off immediately.”

  The blood drained from Luke’s face. He felt the pressure of Laney’s hand on his arm, but he couldn’t respond.

  Sam emerged from the bedroom. He gave Luke a cursory glance. “Good. You’re here. Let’s get it done before that poison spreads. Pa’s fever shot up in a matter of minutes.”

  Luke swallowed hard and hung back. The pressure of Laney’s hand on his arm increased. “Luke, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Trust God to get you through this. But you have to go help. Sam needs you. Your pa needs you.”

  Her words shook him from his numbing state of dread. He covered her hand with his and squeezed. “Thank you, Laney. Pray for us.”

  Tears pooled in her eyes. “I am.”

  He gathered a shaky breath a
nd followed Sam to their pa’s room.

  Laney prayed throughout the night. She prayed for Luke, for Sam, and most of all for Papa Dell. Oh God, he doesn’t deserve this. I’m so sorry. I’ll do anything if You’ll just keep him alive.

  Finally Luke emerged, tears streaming down his face. Heedless of Mama Cassidy, Emily, and Tarah’s presence, Laney jumped from her seat and went to him. He dropped to his knees and grabbed on to her, holding so tightly, it seemed he would crush her with his iron grip. She wrapped her arms about him and stroked his hair. Sobs shook his body, and Laney held him more tightly, her own tears flowing unchecked down her face.

  They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms until Sam appeared several minutes later. Laney withdrew first. Luke stood and grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket, then crossed the room. “I’ll be back,” he said to no one in particular. Laney let him go, sensing his need to be alone.

  “How is your pa, Sam?” Cassidy’s face showed the signs of her worry. She seemed older than Laney had ever noticed.

  Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. His shoulders slumped. “The next few days will tell. We need to keep the wound clean, which means changing the bandages more often than I can be here to attend to it.”

  “Show me what to do next time they have to be changed, and I’ll tend my husband.”

  Sam nodded and squeezed her hand. “His fever is extremely high. I’m going to pack ice around him to get it down. We still have a rough few hours ahead of us. Luke is hitching the wagon now to go into town and get some ice from the icehouse.”

  “Is Luke going to be all right?” Mama Cassidy asked. “He fell apart as soon as he came out of the room, but Laney was here to comfort him.”

  Embarrassed at the memory of Luke in her arms right in front of the family, Laney shifted her gaze downward and studied the floor’s wooden slats.

  “He was a rock in there. I couldn’t have done it without him. To tell you the truth, I was wishing for my wife’s arms when I left that room. Sometimes no one can comfort us like the women we love. Luke will be all right. Don’t worry.”