She followed her brother to the carriage he’d brought from St. Francisville. Andrew and Tom talked for a few minutes outside the carriage after she and Marissa had been seated. From the grim expression on Tom’s face, Mama’s condition must not be good. She twisted her handkerchief in her fingers and bit her lip.
Marissa leaned over to cover Sallie’s hands. “He’ll tell you everything in a few minutes.”
Sallie only nodded, but a chill skittered through her as the fears she’d experienced earlier resurfaced.
Andrew climbed in and seated himself beside her then Tom sat next to Marissa across from them. Once the carriage began to move, Tom cleared his throat.
“Sallie, Mama is not well at all. The fall didn’t break anything, but what caused the fall has left her somewhat incapacitated.” He hesitated, reached over, and squeezed her hands in his. “She can still speak and she recognizes us, but her left side is useless and her right side weak. The doctor has her confined to bed for most of the time. We have a wheeled chair for when she wants to move about. We moved her to our home but she’d much rather be in her own.”
Sallie’s heart grew heavier with each word he spoke. She wished she could have been here sooner, but now that she was, the best was not too good for Mama. “We can arrange for that, and I can take care of her as long as she needs me.” Molly and Clara would have to understand and be willing to assume responsibility at home for a while longer. Manfred had already told her to take all the time she needed.
Tompkins drove them to a restaurant where they had a quick meal of shrimp creole and beignets before heading for St. Francisville. Sallie hadn’t realized she even missed the flavors and sights of Louisiana until now, and she soaked them all in as they rode. Moss hung from huge trees like her grandfather’s beard. Magnolia trees graced the area with their waxy green leaves, and the crepe myrtles were in full bloom. The pink crepe trees reminded her of her favorite house, The Myrtles, so named because of the flowering trees in abundance around the French-style home.
Andrew and Tom discussed the hospital and why Andrew had chosen to move from Texas. “I’m not sure of the move yet. It will all depend on Clarissa Elliot and what her parents have to say. I knew they wouldn’t want her to come to Texas with me, so I decided I could come to her. She doesn’t even know about this visit because it happened so quickly after Mrs. Whiteman received your news.”
Tom grinned and winked at Sallie. “Clarissa Elliot, you say. We’ve known the family for years, and Clarissa is quite the talented and lovely young woman.”
Andrew’s cheeks flamed red. “Yes, sir, I know. She sang for us when they visited and she has a beautiful voice. Since she doesn’t know of my coming, I’m hoping she will welcome me.”
“I’m sure she will, and we’ll have to invite them for dinner one evening while you’re here. When did you say you are to go to New Orleans to meet with the doctor there?”
“On Thursday, and I’m not sure how much time I’ll have for socializing once I get there. If Dr. Sutton is agreeable, I will work with him for a week or so and get the feel of the hospital. If all goes well there and with Clarissa, then I will make plans to remain in New Orleans.”
Sallie listened, but didn’t contribute any more to the conversation. Her mind could not rid itself of the images of her mother in the past. A vibrant, active woman, she had been the rock that steadied Sallie so many years ago when things were so bad during and after the war. Even after the damage to her own home she remained positive and happy. To think of her ill and bed-ridden was almost more than Sallie could bear.
They finally arrived at Tom’s home in the heat of the early evening. One other thing hadn’t changed. The humidity was as bad as it ever had been. Sallie’s shirtwaist stuck to her back as Tom helped her down from the carriage.
“Mother is in the library at the back of the house. It was too difficult for her to be upstairs, so we made the library into a bedroom for her.”
“I’ll find it.” She rushed up the steps and into the house. How thoughtful of Tom to think of Mama and make her comfortable downstairs. She paused in the parlor and shook her head. Not a thing out of place. The lamps sat squarely on crocheted doilies and not a spot marred the upholstery of the sofa and chairs. How nice it must be to have servants take care of things.
Double doors opened into a room lined with shelves of books. A bed had been set against one wall with a table and lamp beside it. The desk, chair, and reading table she remembered from the past must be stored away.
At the sight of the slight frame lying under a sheet on the bed, Sallie gasped and fell to the floor beside her mother. “Mama, it’s Sallie, I’m here.”
Eyelids fluttered before finally opening. When they focused on Sallie’s face, a broad smile formed on Mama’s lips. She tried to lift her hand, but it rose only an inch or so. Sallie clasped it and kissed the gnarled knuckles. “Oh, Mama, I’m so sorry you’re ill. I came as quickly as I could, and Hannah will come later.”
“You’re here . . . that’s all . . . that matters . . . now.” She blinked away a tear.
Her faltering speech brought tears to Sallie’s eyes. From the looks of things right now, this was going to be a difficult visit, but she planned to spend every moment of it making her mother comfortable and happy.
Stefan swallowed the moan that filled his throat when he tried to move. The ride over rough terrain in the medical wagon had created a few new aches and pains, but nothing like the burns on his face and arms. The doctor had said that his hat was the only thing that had kept the fire from searing his scalp too.
His wounds had been cleaned and protected once again before leaving the fort. Nurse Harrison had ridden with him to the town where he’d been loaded aboard a train headed east. He’d lost count of the days because of the medications that kept him sedated most of the time.
Seats had been arranged to give him ample room to lie down, which he did most of the time. A soldier about Stefan’s age accompanied him on the train and now sat beside him. Most of the other passengers had stared at first then averted their gazes.
Stefan spoke to the young man. “Corporal Dennis, what day is it?”
“It’s Tuesday morning, July 10, sir. We should be arriving in Baton Rouge on Thursday morning. From there they’ll transport you down to New Orleans and Charity hospital.”
Another two days of this swaying and screeching across the countryside must be endured before he could sleep in a real bed. This time was so different from the trip he and his family had taken to Texas. Then his anticipation for seeing Molly filled his thoughts, but now his heart grieved that he’d never see her again. She deserved a man who was whole and could provide for her, not a scarred cripple like himself.
The corporal touched his shoulder. “Sir, are you all right? Are you in need of more pain relief?”
Stefan shook his head and the pain caused him to wince. “No, I’ll be okay. I’ll try to sleep.” No matter how much he may hurt, he’d stand the pain as long as possible. He’d heard too many stories of wounded men becoming addicted to pain drugs. He vowed to never let that happen to him. It was bad enough to be scarred for life, but to have that hanging over him too would be more than he could bear.
Prayers for relief had reached closed ears. After all h
is cursing and blaming God the past few days, his soul was as empty as a creek bed in a drought. Why would God listen to him now? He’d ignored all of Stefan’s requests in the past days, so no answers now did not come as a surprise.
Someone touched him again, and he opened his eye to find a woman standing over him. “Young man, my name is Helen Barnes. I’ve been watching you and can see that you’re in a great deal of pain. Do you mind if I pray for you?”
Stefan stared at her. The last thing he wanted was some stranger taking pity on him. He’d take care of himself without the meddling of any do-good Christian. But Mrs. Barnes’s eyes held such sincerity that Stefan’s resolve slipped a notch. “Thank you, ma’am.”
He closed his eyes and let her words rain over him. Would God listen to her pleas for mercy and healing? He doubted it, but he wouldn’t stop her from trying.
After she said amen, Mrs. Barnes patted his arm again. “You get some rest now. God will take care of you.” Her skirt swished as she turned and walked away.
Sure God would take care of him, just like He had for the past few months. If that was God taking care of him, he didn’t need His care. All Stefan wanted was for God to leave him alone.
CHAPTER 26
AFTER ANDREW EXAMINED Mrs. Dyer Monday evening, he agreed that the diagnosis by their family physician Dr. Collins appeared to be correct. The paralysis on one side and the slurred speech were indicative of bleeding on the brain or what her physician called apoplexy. Her doctor was treating her with everything he had available for such problems, but the prognosis did not look good.
Today Tom and several of his servants, as well as Dr. Collins, would be moving Mrs. Dyer back to her home, where she’d be under her daughter’s care. After arriving at the Dyer home last night, Andrew had spent his time helping Mrs. Whiteman prepare a room downstairs in what had been Judge Woodruff’s private study. Bookshelves lined the walls but the desk and other furnishings had been removed, and a bed with a side table and a chest for supplies and clothing had been moved in with the help of Tom and George, the man who took care of the outside work of the Dyer home.
Mrs. Whiteman met him in the downstairs hall. “Good morning, Andrew. Flora has breakfast ready for us.” She led him into the dining room where two places had been set. The sideboard held a steaming bowl of eggs, a platter of ham, and a cloth-covered basket of biscuits.
Both helped themselves then sat at the table where Andrew returned thanks. The dining room was much more elegant than the one in the Whiteman home in Stoney Creek, but the warmth of past years of entertaining and family meals prevented it from being cold and impersonal.
After the prayer, Mrs. Whiteman placed her napkin on her lap and peered at Andrew. “Do you think it’s wise not to let Clarissa know that you are here?”
As much as he wanted to see her, that would have to wait until his visit with the hospital and Dr. Sutton. He had no desire to build up her hopes only to have them dashed if the job at the hospital didn’t work out.
“Yes, I do believe it is. Colonel and Mrs. Elliot did not approve of our seeing each other so frequently in Stoney Creek, and I don’t believe they would appreciate my visit here.”
“Well, I don’t see why not. You came with me to check on my mother, and you’re a fine young man and a good doctor as well.” She buttered a biscuit then set it on her plate. “Andrew, Laurie told me last evening of some problems with the sugarcane crop at the Elliot place. The drought hasn’t been kind to the crops this year.”
“All the more reason not to upset him with a visit. If and when my affairs are in order and all is finalized with the hospital, I will again approach Mr. Elliot with a request to call on his daughter.” Until then he’d have to be satisfied with reading the one letter he’d received from her before leaving Stoney Creek. Clarissa’s ultimate happiness concerned him more than any visit.
If he could not gain her parents’ approval, he would not pursue the matter. If Clarissa went against her parents’ wishes and moved to Texas with him, they would never have the peace needed for a successful marriage. How could God bless a union marred by disrespect to one’s parents? Until such time as he could seek her affections openly and with approval, he’d avoid pursuing anything other than her friendship.
Mrs. Whiteman reached across and grasped his hand. “I know you will do what is best for both you and Clarissa. I will pray for good results.” Then she nibbled at the corner of her mouth. “Now if only things would work out for Molly and Stefan.”
Andrew chuckled at the memory of Molly’s joy at declaring her love for Stefan. “I’m sure he’ll be elated when he gets the letter she planned to write. God does work in strange ways to accomplish His purposes, especially in that relationship.” He’d never forget that look of fear in Molly’s eyes when he untied her. Too bad she’d had to experience evil before she could understand the necessity of force to restrain it.
After breakfast, Tom and his servant Tompkins arrived with Mrs. Dyer. They brought her into the prepared room and laid her on the bed. Her pallor sent warning signals through Andrew. As soon as they had her settled, he checked her pulse. Satisfied to find a steady beat, he stepped back and let Mrs. Whiteman arrange the pillows and sheets for Mrs. Dyer’s comfort.
The ashen appearance must be caused by the stress of the trip from Tom’s home. If so, a little nourishment and rest this morning should restore the color to her cheeks.
After the men left, Flora brought in a bowl of broth and a cup of herb tea for Mrs. Dyer. Andrew only stayed a few minutes to see that Mrs. Dyer downed a few sips of the broth. When he left the room and closed the door behind him, Flora waited in the hall.
“Mistuh Andrew, she don’t look good to me. Is what the doctor been telling us true?”
The concern in the dark eyes of the servant reflected her respect and love for Mrs. Dyer. “Yes, Flora. She’s had a type of brain injury that causes bleeding. She needs rest and plenty of fluids to keep her hydrated. Also, we need to keep her slightly elevated so pneumonia won’t develop.”
“I can do that. I’s shore glad Miss Sallie is here to see to her. I didn’t like one bit for her to be off to Mr. Tom’s. Not that he’s not a good son, but Miss Sallie, she knows what her momma needs.”
She turned to leave then whipped back around. “Mr. Andrew, tell me about Hannah. Is she happy?”
Andrew grinned and patted Flora’s shoulder. “She’s as happy as she can be with her two little ones and living out on the ranch. Micah Gordon is good to her and loves her more than you could imagine.”
“What about my Lettie? Is she doing okay, too?”
“She sure is. She promised to come over and help Molly if she needed it. Burt is a good blacksmith and the town has fully accepted them both as fine, upright citizens.”
“That’s good. I shore do miss seeing her young’uns. They’s about all growed up now.”
“They are, and it would be nice if you could come to visit with them sometime. Yancy’s as strong as his pa and has started helping in the smithy shop. He has a way with horses, too, and Mr. Gordon was talking to him about coming to work at the ranch.”
Flora’s face beamed with delight as he told her more about her family. He’d always liked Lettie and Burt Sanger, and after meeting Flora, Andr
ew could see where Lettie came by her kindness to others.
“Thank you, Mr. Andrew. That does ease my mind a bit. Don’t know that I’ll git over that way, but iffens I do, I hope I see you.”
“I’m sure Lettie and Burt would be more than happy for you to visit, and I’d like to see you too, if you come.”
She grinned, her smile flashing pleasure with his report. Then she tucked her hands into the folds of her apron and hurried back in the direction of the kitchen.
The way of life in the South was certainly different from anything he’d ever been around in Texas. From what he’d heard, the Negroes still had trouble making a life for themselves outside of slavery. Flora and her husband George were the only two servants here at the Dyer home, and from Mrs. Whiteman’s story, they’d been around ever since she could remember, and they weren’t slaves but freed household help.
If the Elliots owned a sugarcane plantation, did they have slaves to do all the work? He’d never thought to ask that of Clarissa or Stefan. He’d assumed all slavery had stopped, but apparently some still went on with the larger farms. Andrew shook his head. He definitely had a lot to learn about the way of life of people in the South. Strange how Louisiana bordered his own home of Texas, but could be so completely different in culture and way of living.
“Molly, Molly, I have the mail, and there’s a letter for you!” Clara burst through the kitchen door with the mail in her hand.
“Land sakes, I could hear you coming a mile away.” Molly grinned and reached for the stack of envelopes.
“Only one you’ll be interested in. It’s from a place called Arizona.” Clara held the letter high with a wicked gleam in her eye.
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