by Lynn Landes
“No one wants to think of their daughter facing the things you’ve seen,” Dr. Hall stands and walks over to stop in front of her. “But your brother is right, we are lucky you are here and if you want a job, I would be honored to work with such a skilled surgical nurse.”
Maggie’s glances at Shep and then back at Dr. Hall. “Thank you for the offer.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow to check on our patient. Good night. I’ll see myself out.”
Chapter 20
“Which battles?” Shep asks.
“Why does it matter?” Maggie jumps up and faces him.
“Because I fought in some of those battles.”
“What?” She stares at him in shock.
“Bighorn, the Great Sioux War and the Red River Wars.” His eyes harden as memories flicker. “It took me years to get past the nightmares, I still have them sometimes.”
Maggie stares at him, “I didn’t know. I thought you were working as an Architect.”
“I went to school for a few years, until Cooper. You remember him, you met him in San Francisco. His wife and daughter were attacked and killed on their family farm. It was an Indian raid. He had gone to town to get supplies and when he came home it was to find his house on fire. They were inside, what was left of them.”
Maggie gasps as she thinks of Coop. “No,” her head drops as he continues talking.
“I went to the funeral and found a broken man. When he enlisted it felt like the right thing to do. I didn’t know at the time that both sides were committing horrible acts against each other…” his voices fades away as he scrubs a hand over his eyes.
“Does it change the way you look at me, Shep?” she asks.
“No,” he looks at her and pulls her into his arms, “but it’s killing me, Magdalaine to think that all that time we were so close to each other and I didn’t know it.” He kisses her and this time it’s different. Gone is the gentle man, with soft words and promises. In its place is the warrior willing to fight and claim what’s his.
“How can you be real, Shepherd Millard?” Maggie whispers between kisses and gives without reservation, opening herself up to him. When he takes the saltiness of a tear he pulls back, “Forgive me, I wasn’t thinking.”
Her soft hand cups his face, “Never be sorry for kissing me, Shep.” She sighs and pulls back. “I need to find my father.”
He nods, not trusting himself to speak and watches her walk away. How in the world is he going to win this amazing woman?
George watches her leave and walks inside to find Shep sitting and staring out the window. “Just the person I’m looking for,” he grins and walks forward to shake his hand and introduce himself.
“George Worthingham,” he says with his hand outstretched. Shep stares at him with disgust and rises to his full height.
“Shepherd Millard,” he grips his hand and stares until George breaks away.
“Yes, I’ve heard. You’re the architect traveling with Mag’s,” he sniffs and glances around.
Shep doesn’t respond, sometimes people give you more if you don’t say anything at all. He sits down and waits.
“Well, Mr. Millard you should know that you have nothing to worry about. Maggie never stays in one place too long. She was never satisfied with life here. I’m not sure what she told you, but it would never have worked out between us.”
“Perhaps you should’ve told her that before you asked her to marry you,” Shep snaps.
Shame has him dropping his gaze. “You don’t understand. It was expected for us to marry,” George sighs. “We were childhood friends, both our families were pushing for the match. My heart was always Mary’s. I never meant to hurt Mag’s. In the end I hurt everyone. I don’t know if you can understand this, but now that I’m expecting my first child, I want to make amends. Let go of the past and move past this.”
“You are talking to the wrong person, Mr. Worthington. Maggie needs your words not me.”
George nods, “I plan on talking to her, but it’s clear how she feels about you. I didn’t want to disrespect you by going behind your back.” George rubs a hand over his neck. “What she did today was… I have no words.”
“Heroic, amazing, miraculous,” Shep grins and sits back finding himself chuckling with George.
“All of that and horrific at the same time. The young girl I knew, she’s gone, isn’t she?” he asks softly.
“Yes. The Lord has crafted in Magdalaine a unique being. I’m not sure I’m worthy of her, but I’m definitely going to give it a shot.”
George smiles, “Good to know. I like to think of her happy, not at War with the world or herself. Thank you for hearing me out.”
“Your welcome. Talk to her soon, George. She needs those words.”
“I will. Now, would you like to take a look at the line in the mill and see if you could recommend some safety upgrades?” George stands and waits to see what Shep says.
“I’d like that.”
Chapter 21
Maggie knows where to find him. “Daddy?” she calls walking into the garden in the backyard. He’s on his knees furiously weeding the vegetable beds. She watches him and her eyes are struck by the veins and age spots on the back of his hands. He’s aging, and time is passing. Every second is another second lost.
“Help me understand Dad. Why does it matter what I was doing? Wiping noses or amputating a soldier’s leg, both are the same job,” she insists, and he stops and looks at her with tears in his eyes.
“No! Magdalaine, it’s not the same thing!” he shouts and shoves back to his heels to stares at the woman before him. The August sun is shining down on them, highlighting her light blonde hair and blue eyes and he’s stunned.
“You’d rather I lie to you?” she drops to her knees in front of him and asks, “Have I brought nothing but shame to you?”
Conner drops his head, unable to look at her as her words strike him in the heart. “You look so much like your mother,” he whispers and tosses the weeds on the pile. Her head drops and she struggles not to scream out.
“I’ll leave in the morning. Shep will take me…”
“That’s not what I meant! Why are ya always twisting my words,” he snarls.
“I don’t mean to, Dad. I’m doing the best that I can. I left here a naïve, ignorant young girl. Life soon taught me that the world is a violent, dangerous place, I could choose to live in fear or step into my place.” She grips his hands. “I’m don’t want to live in fear, Dad. After the war, I found work at the hospital in San Francisco and working with the children washed away my nightmares.”
Conner grips her hand, “You don’t have to tell me.”
“I do, Dad. These children are immigrants, most of them. Some are homeless, living in horrific conditions but they still laugh, smile and hope. I couldn’t believe it Dad.” Her bright blues eyes shine with tears. “How could a child look at this dirty world and see beauty? I started going to church again and reading my Bible, trying to understand.”
Conner pulls her to her feet and walks hers through the garden to a bench beneath a tree. “Did you find the answer?”
“Yes. They are his gift to the world. Through their eyes we can see the light in a dark, crime ridden alley. An adult would look and see danger and death, but a child might look and see a single, untrampled flower growing in the hard-packed road.”
“Magdalaine,” Conner grips her hands. “You were that light in a dark world for me. When you Ma died a part of me died with her. I know I didn’t show it, but losing you was a second death for me.” His tears flow freely now, and she sobs into her hands.
A few minutes pass as they gather their thoughts.
“Watching you today, made me so proud, but also ashamed. I should’ve protected you better and knowing that you were out their alone, kills me.”
“I was never alone, Dad. The Lord has protected and guided my steps all along. I’ve seen horrible things, but I’ve also held new life in my hands. You look and s
ee blood stained hands, but my hands are a tool guided by the Lord. I am proud of my skills. I won’t be shamed for them.
“Nor should you be. I’m so glad your home, Maggie girl,” he smiles and pulls her in for a hug.
“Thank you, Dad.” She leans on his shoulder before sighing. “I need to check on my patient. It looks like we will have a house full tonight.”
“I love a full-house. Nothing more special than that.” He stands and offers her and arm to walk back to the house.
“George asked if he and Mary could come to dinner,” he says softly. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’m not sure,” she glances at him. “The Maggie they knew has grown up, Dad. I’ve missed Mary. I can’t say that I’m over it. They betrayed my trust, but I hope the anger is faded now.”
“I imagine having that giant of a protector helps,” he grumbles.
Maggie laughs and he smiles at the sound. “Shepherd is a surprise. One that I never saw coming.”
“Those are the best kinds.”
Chapter 22
Jack stops them in the garden with a basket full of vegetables. “Just the person I need,” he grins. “I need help cooking dinner, Mags,” he laughs at her look of shock.
“Oh, no, I don’t cook, Jack,” she tries to walk around him, but he stops her.
“No, but I imagine you are really skilled with a knife,” he teases but behind his eyes she sees a serious look. “Your medical kit had a lot of blades in it.”
“I see. I need to look in on my patient, but I tell you what, Jack, if you wish, tomorrow we will sit, and I’ll show you the importance of a blade and how to keep them sharp and clean.”
“Promise?” he demands.
“I promise,” she releases her Dad’s arm and kisses Jack’s cheek before hurrying inside the house.
The kitchen is blessedly quiet. She moves to the ice box to make a wrap of ice for swelling then works her way through the hall and stops at the open doorway watching Farley with two young boys and a tiny red-haired woman, with tear stained cheeks.
“Hello,” Maggie calls and steps into the room. “I’m here to check on my patient,” she smiles at Farley, making sure to note the color of his skin.
“Miss Maggie, I’d like you to meet my bride, Ellie.” Farley smiles and pats the newborn baby on his chest.
“It’s pleasure to meet you,” Maggie isn’t surprised when Ellie rushes around to pull her into a hug.
“Thank you,” she starts to weep again and Maggie pats her and smiles at Farley.
“It was my pleasure. Who are the little ones?” she asks as she moves over to check Farley for fever. Pressing a hand to his forehead she is happy to find him comfortable. “No fever,” she bends over to look at the nasty wound beneath the bandage but decides not to do it with the three-year-old at her hip.
“This is ice for the wound, it will help with swelling. Just don’t let it saturate the wound. No more than ten minutes.”
“Yes, Miss Maggie,” Farley says.
“Meet our sons, Evan, and Owen,” Ellie says, pulling Owen back from her legs.
“Did you save my Daddy?” Owen asks.
Maggie laughs, “No, the Lord did that, I was just the hands that he used.”
Farley looks at Ellie and she smiles. “Maggie, needs to check Daddy, why don’t we go to the kitchen and get a cookie from Miss Donna?”
“Cookie!” Owen runs and Maggie finds herself laughing with Farley. “Your wife is smart,” Maggie pulls the ice bag away and frowns as she looks closely at the wound. “Purple bruising will make striations difficult to see,” she replaces the ice with a clean cloth beneath it and glances at him patting the baby.
“You shouldn’t be lifting anything, Farley, not even this little treasure,” Maggie moves over to look at the baby. “May I hold him?”
“Absolutely,” Farley groans when she lifts the baby off him.
“How old is Evan?” she asks. Maggie notes his weight, “Wow he’s big,” she grins at the pride beaming from Farley.
“Five weeks old,” he yawns, and Maggie snuggles him against her chest.
“Rest, Farley, I’ll take him to his Mama,” Maggie walks down the hall and finds Donna and Ellie chopping vegetables while Owen eats a cookie.
“Wow, Jack, got to you,” she laughs as she rocks the baby in her arms. “Ellie, how is Owen eating?” She checks his grip strength and nods as she holds him up on his feet to see how he handles the weight. She watches his head to see if he can hold the weight of it and is pleased when he looks up at her and stares. “Hi cutie,” she smiles when he coos.
They watch her. “Are you examining him, Mag’s?” Jack asks.
“Maybe,” Maggie blushes, “Okay, yes, I specialized in children.”
“Not a problem, Maggie,” Ellie laughs. “He’s eating constantly and sleeping really well.”
“You’re a healthy fat boy, aren’t you?” Donna baby talks and he kicks his feet happily. “Okay, back to work ladies,” Jack orders and Maggie laughs.
“I’ll take a baby in my arms any day to avoid cooking.”
“That’s a deal a man should take,” Ian says from the doorway and Maggie’s blushes bright red with Shep nods, “I like the sound of that.”
“Stop teasing her,” Donna demands and tosses a carrot at Ian.
Shep catches the carrot and pops it into his mouth. They laugh as Maggie lifts the baby to her shoulder and pats him. When he spits up on her shoulder, Maggie groans.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Maggie, let me take him,” Ellie plucks him from her arm and Donna rushes over to clean her shoulder.
“It’s fine, I’ve had worse on my dress today,” she quips only realizing what she said when Ellie blanches. “Forgive me, I meant mud. I was in the garden with my Dad and this is my last dress,” Maggie stops talking, “Ellie, Farley is going to be fine.”
“Thanks to you,” Ellie sniffs and Maggie grips her arm. “I think I’ll go sit with him before I head home.”
Maggie wipes her shoulder off and huffs, “I’m such an idiot,”
“What’s an idiot?” Owen asks, and Ian laughs loudly with Jack and Shep.
“Yep!” Jack teases her.
“It’s a bug, Owen,” Donna says and offer a hand, “Want to play with the kittens?” she asks hoping to distract him.
“Yes, I love kitties!” They hurry out the back door of the kitchen and Maggie is pulled over to the counter by Jack.
“You ran off my help, so let’s get started,” Jack demands.
“Magdalaine,” Shepherd says from the doorway,” she turns to look at him holding a strange looking vegetable with confusion.
“Yes?” she frowns at the purple and white looking thing and he grins.
“I’m an excellent cook.” Ian laughs behind him and pulls him from the kitchen leaving a blushing Maggie staring at his departing back.
“Do I need to cut him, Mags?” Jack asks with a frown.
Maggie bursts out laughing and hugs her brother close. “Wait till you see the things I can show you with a blade, Jack. I met this man during the war…” while she helps Jack, she tells him stories of how the men taught her self-defense.
Chapter 23
Maggie yawns and Donna orders her upstairs for a nap.
“Dinner isn’t for a few hours yet. I’ll wake you if Farley needs you. Go rest.”
“I could use a nap,” Maggie is asleep before the door closes. Donna hurries to find Ellie. Hoping she can catch her before she leaves for home.
“How’s the patient?” Donna asks.
“Grumpy,” Ellie pats the baby and watches Owen run around the front yard.
“He’ll be fine. I’ll spoil him and make sure he stays put. You rest and heal up. I imagine having him at home will be like caging a bear,” Donna teases as they walk down the steps of the porch.
“Thank you, Donna. Once I get him home things will settle. I just wish I could thank Maggie somehow,” Ellie says as she bounces the baby on
her shoulder.
“I’m glad you said that because I have a favor to ask,” the ladies walk down the carriage and soon Ellie squeals with excitement and hugs her. “I’ll take care of everything! Tomorrow around noon, be ready for us.”
“Wonderful! This will be so much fun,” Donna waves as Ian drives her home with Owen playing in the back of the wagon.
“What are you up to woman of mine?” Conner asks, pulling his wife into his arms.
“Nothing,” she tries to look innocent, but he knows better. Pressing a firm kiss to her mouth they laugh when Jack yells.
“You’re in public!”
“Are things okay between you and Magdalaine?” Donna asks as he walks her towards the house.
“I don’t know. I seem to hurt her no matter what I say or do, but I’ve never seen someone do what she did today. I was proud and terrified at the same time. Donna this man hunting her, he’s seen the light that makes her special and I’m worried for her. We need to be aware of our surroundings at all time.”
“I understand. I’ll keep a closer eye on Jack,” she whispers and shudders at the thought of something happening to him.
“I love you wife. You’ve welcomed my children as your own and I’m so thankful you’re mine,” again he kisses her softly.
“I love you more, husband.” He swats her bottom as he walks back to the mill.
“Mom, I need you!” Jack calls.
Donna laughs and hurries to help home with his special dinner.
“The dining room can seat fifteen, which is plenty. It’s just a small group tonight,” Jack murmurs as he sets the table with white linens and place mats.
“What can I do?” she asks.
“I need flowers from the garden,” he asks.
Donna grabs a basket on her way through the kitchen and cuts a basket full of flowers from her garden. She’s learned not to question his plan because it’s always amazing. It should be an interesting evening. Donna takes a moment to pray that they are able to leave the past behind and find healing for all parties.
