by Lynn Landes
“I hope that’s for me, I’m starved.”
“Farley, if you ripped my stitches and I have to ruin my last dress, I’m going to be put out!” Maggie glares and walks over to set the tray down on the small end table.
“Don’t you trust your work better than that, Miss Maggie,” Farley asks as he sips the hot coffee and groans with delight. “Perfect.”
“Of course, I do, but you must give it time to heal. You could have internal bleeding and I won’t be there to fix you next time. Will it really kill you to spend two weeks at home letting it heal up?”
“Having two weeks at home with my bride would be the best gift in the world,” Farley says softly.
Maggie checks the wound on his neck and frowns at the massive bruise spreading over and up his neck. She presses on it, causing him to hiss, but she needs to see if infection is beginning. Finding none, she nods happily.
“That’s good, no infection. When Ellie gets here, I will show her how to check it and what signs to look for.”
“I don’t know about that, my Ellie doesn’t do blood,” he grins. “She’s a seamstress at Barclay’s dress shop in town.”
Maggie sits to keep him company while he eats. “How long have you been married?”
“Five years,” he smiles, and his eyes light up when he talks about her.
Maggie stares at the huge, muscular man with work worn hands, and love in his eyes. “How did you know she was for you?”
Farley lowers his coffee cup and stares at her thoughtfully, “I just knew. It wasn’t just her looks, but her heart that attracted mine. When I couldn’t see the past or future without thinking of her with me, I knew I needed to be brave.”
“Brave? A big man like you, scared of a little slip of a red head,” Maggie laughs softly with him.
“I know it, but I was terrified she’d realize she could do better and run, so I prayed Miss Maggie, and the Lord gave me a peace that was missing. I never looked back.”
“Thank you, for sharing that with me,” she sighs. “It’s not easy being brave, is it Farley. I’ve been on a battlefield walking amongst the dead to search for survivors, terrified I’d be shot, but nothing compares to the fear of risking your heart.”
Farley stares at her, “That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
“The human connection,” he grips her hand, “you saved my life, so we are forever connected, my family and yours. Those are the connections that matter most. The possibility of being hurt is very real, but it’s so worth it.”
“I’m telling my father to give you a raise,” she sniffs back tears. Farley laughs and Maggie leaves him to meal.
Chapter 27
All day long, Clint watches and waits for his moment. Last night he tried to get into the house, but all the doors and windows were locked. When he did find a cracked window the light was on inside and he could hear someone moving around inside. It wasn’t worth the risk, so he snuck back to his hiding spot and waited. He stole food from the compost bins when they dumped the excess out. Sometimes he stole, lunches the workers brought in and laughed as they blamed each other.
Saturday the Mill shut down just before lunch and most of the workers left, except for the two that would patrol the grounds. They chatted happily about the overtime and Conner had to create a schedule to avoid conflict between the workers.
Clint waited for them to leave to sneak inside the mill, picking up a lantern he smiles. “Time to get supplies. Chain, a blade, some rope,” he grabs a canvas bag and stuffs everything inside and freezes when he hears voices coming. Panicked he runs through the back hall and into a storage room, extinguishing the lantern. He locks the door and waits for them to walk through and check the rooms.
The lock wiggles and he moves on. “Time to check the grounds, you do the river walk and I’ll walk the house grounds.”
Clint sighs when they move away and lights the lantern. It flickers to life inside the storage room revealing a room filled with supplies. Everything he could possible need is inside. Ropes, chemicals chains, blades, tools. His eyes glow in the low light and he sits down in a corner to eat his food. Soon those two clowns will be tired and bored. Patience Clint, he thinks.
Chapter 28
Maggie is helping Donna hang laundry on the lines outside just before lunch when the sound of wagon’s draws her attention. Donna grins and finishes hanging a shirt before looping her arm through Maggie’s.
“We have guests,” Donna pulls her along excitedly towards the front of the house. They walk around the corner of the house and Maggie stares in confusion at Ellie and three woman climb down. Conner, Ian and Shep come outside and Ellie asks them to carry four trunks inside.
“Did you clear a space for us, Donna?” Ellie asks Donna as they approach the wagon.
“Of course, you may use the sunroom. It’s been prepared for them, right?” she releases a confused Maggie’s arm and turns to look at the men.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Ian grins and the three girls smile at him.
“What’s going on?” Maggie asks.
“Maggie, how is Farley?” Ellie asks looping an arm through hers.
“Missing his bride and trying to leave,” she sighs. “You may have to tie him down, Ellie,” she snaps with frustration as Ellie guides her inside and through the hall into the back sunroom.
Ellie giggles, “I will do whatever you say.”
“I hope so, it’s important,” she stops talking when the woman enter followed by the men carrying trunks.
Her eyes narrow at the glee on Donna’s face. “What are you up to?” she demands.
“Magdalaine, you will treat our guests with consideration,” her father insists and Shep smiles when she frowns at her father.
“Of course, I will,” she says indignantly as she walks over to be closer to Shep. He presses a kiss to the side of her head, drawing sighs from the women.
“Have fun,” he quips and makes his escape with Ian and her father.
“Start unpacking ladies,” Donna says, and Ellie goes through quick introductions. “We are here to help with your clothing situation,” she says.
“What?” Maggie gapes as the women start pulling out dresses, and she notices a sewing machine set up in the corner.
“I’m a seamstress at a dress shop in town. These three are my apprentices and we are here to outfit you,” Ellie grins at her look of shock.
“Ellie, you don’t have to do that,” Maggie says softly.
“I wish I could do more, but this is a start. I’m really good at my job, please let me do this,” she asks.
“Of course she will, or she’ll be wearing Jacks clothes,” Donna quips and they all laugh.
“Thank you, a few new dresses would be nice,” the girls laugh as Ellie snorts.
“A few, you are getting a full trousseau, Magdalaine. When I’m finished that large handsome architect will fall at your feet!”
Maggie’s mouth drops open in surprise. “Do your best then,” she quips.
Donna claps her hands and Ellie makes a list of necessary items. “Strip out of your day dress.” Soon Maggie is being measured while they pull out item after item. Cotton, lace, silk, organza, in bold beautiful colors.
“These are all sample dresses, Maggie, that can be easily altered to fit your size. You are taller than the average woman I dress, but I can simply add to the bottom as needed.”
The first dress she chooses is a white cotton and lace summer garden dress. It’s two pieces featuring a matching embroidered tunic jacket. “The fit and flare silhouette will be perfect on you.”
Maggie is corseted and bustled before stepping into the dress. Donna gasps and nods her head. “Yes, it’s perfect.”
“Add another row of lace, followed by a silk ribbon for extra length,” Maggie runs her hand over the cotton.
“It’s exquisite. Look at the floral leaf embroidery, Donna!” She is getting excited now.
“Take it off
, we have two more,” Ellie smiles at her and holds up a day dress in sage green silk.
“Oh,” Maggie sighs and runs a hand over it.
“It has a green leaf pattern embroidered in the silk brocade,” Flora explains.
“With summer coming to an end soon,” Ellie says, “I brought some day dresses that can be altered to your sizes.” She drags Maggie over to pick two other day dresses in different patterns. “These have over coats or tunic jackets that can take you into fall.”
“Lovely,” Maggie smiles. “Four new dresses are plenty, Ellie,” she insists.
“No, she will need Sunday dresses for church, visiting gowns, an evening gown and one ball gown,” Donna rambles off while Ellie writes them down.
“What, Donna, don’t be ridiculous,” she snaps. “What would I do with all of those?”
“Magdalaine you heard your father. Don’t hurt our guests’ feelings.” Donna drags out a royal blue walking dress and holds it up. She laughs when Maggie runs forward to run her hand over the velvet.
“Exactly!” Jessica says as she takes it to the sewing machine to start the modifications.
“Your making this easy, Maggie. With that figure, it really is simple modifications,” Ellie insists.
“Maggie will be here just in time for the Little Falls dance,” Annabelle quips.
“Oh,” they all turn to stare at her.
“What’s the Little Falls Dance, I don’t remember that?” Maggie asks.
“Ellie, the pink silk,” Flora runs to a trunk and digs through pulling out a gown of deep pink fuchsia.
Donna explains, “It’s the end of summer ball, held at the mayors house. He likes to reward the community with a ball, though he charges for the tickets.” The ladies giggle as they straighten the gown out.
The top of the gown is a white silk corseted top flowing into a pink silk flowing skirt. “It is a simple gown,” Ellie frowns, “let’s see it on her first.”
Maggie doesn’t argue as she pulls up the dress and they close up the back with clips. White cap sleeves, and a low-cut bodice reveal more skin than Maggie is used too. Ellie shoves her hand away as she tries to pull it up.
“Stop. Annabelle bring me the pink ribbon, the lace,” she smiles with glee when she hands it to her. “I can add it to the edge, just a little something extra to dress it up a bit.”
“It’s lovely, but can’t you cover my…”
“No, it’s the fashion, still it will be simple,” Ellie frowns as she backs away to look at Maggie.
The sewing machine whirs in the background and the three young woman are busy sewing and they all jump when Ellie shouts, “I know! Where is it?” she whirls and digs through the crates.
Donna moves to help move bolts of material and set them up against the sunroom wall.
“I’ve got it,” she grabs a bolt of sheer pink, gold, and white floral pattern material. “Usually I would use this as an overlay on a skirt or top, but I think a train…” her voice fades as she holds it up and the girls stops sewing to watch as Ellie starts to sketch.
Ellie sketches out a white fitted corseted top with light pink shimmer lace trim around the neck. The waist is wrapped in a belt of floral sheer material and forms a long train in the back. “Add a gold shimmer bow,” Jessica suggests and runs over to grab a soft sheer gold ribbon up.”
“It’s perfect,” Donna smiles as she looks at Maggie.
“You have to let me pay you for that one, at the very least,” Maggie says as she traces a finger over the image on the pad.
“Shepherd is going to drag you to church as soon as he sees you in this,” Donna giggles.
They erupt in laughter and Maggie feels like she’s home for the first time.
Maggie is overwhelmed by the kindness of these women. Two of them are married to sawmen in the Mill and they have all heard how Maggie helped Farley. They are sure to include underclothes, tights, a few nightgowns, with overcoats, and corsets, bustled petticoats, and more.
“Enough! I need to check on my patient. Come with me Ellie,” she insists.
Maggie is dressed in a navy-blue day dress, with white lace trim details and white buttons down the front. They walk towards the front of the house following the sound of voices. Farley is in the sitting room in a chair, visiting with Shep, Ian and Conner when they walk in.
“Why is my patient out of bed!” Maggie snaps and they all stare at her stunned at the beauty before them.
“I’m good,” Ellie says with a hand of her hip and a look of pride on her face.
“Magdalaine you look a picture,” her father says with a smile on his face.
“Give us a turn,” Ian insists.
“Absolutely not,” she blushes, “and that doesn’t answer my question.” Her eyes narrow on Farley, checking for signs of fever or strain. He’s sweating, but some pain is to be expected.
“Now, Miss Maggie, I didn’t lift anything, just like you said, but I can’t lay in bed all day.” He grins at his bride and holds out his good hand. Ellie rushes foreword and grips it.
“Where are my boys?” he demands.
“Mama has them, though Owen must be fit to be tied now. We should go soon.” She turns to Maggie. “The girls are going to stay and finish up. I’ll be back for final fitting of the last piece we spoke about. If you need anything else, let me know,” Ellie insists.
“I don’t think I have room for more, Ellie. Thank you both,” Maggie says. “Let me check your wound and redress it before you leave. Dr. Hall, will be by first thing in the morning to check on you.” They walk quietly back to the room.
Ellie watches her go and turns to Ian. “Will you give the ladies a ride home, Ian?”
“Absolutely,” he says.
Shepherd stares at Magdalaine and tries to categorize his feelings. Of course, he’s attracted to her beauty, her mind, but her spirit is what draws him the most. It’s time to tell her how he feels. He can no longer see the future without her in it at his side, as his wife, and mother of his children.
The girls take two more hours to finish with her and they are able to leave her with a dress for church all but three dresses. They will deliver them next week with the gown. Maggie is quiet after they leave.
Donna helps her hang her dresses inside her closet before going to start dinner. Tomorrow she’s going to church for the first time and she’s not sure how she feels about it. She wanders downstairs and stops outside the office when she hears her Shep speaking to her father.
“Of course, we understand, Shep, you have a job to do. Maggie will be safe with us. I’m sure you can get a train Monday morning to Colorado.”
Maggie shakes her head, ‘He’s leaving me!’ she doesn’t stay to hear what Shep says, instead she dashes through the back of the house and takes the back door outside into the garden.
Chapter 29
Maggie walks through the garden towards the river. Along the well-worn path they used to walk as children. It was a favorite swimming spot, where they could still see the mill and watch the workers. The small dock Dad built for them is still there. It’s a slow-moving spot in the river where the children were allowed to fish and play.
The pain she feels at the thought of Shepherd leaving her is staggering. Walking out onto the dock she used to love to watch the sunset on the river. The water turns to a liquid silver as the sun sinks behind a cloud and she is surprised by the urge to scream out in anger.
“How could I be so stupid?” To fall in love with a man who has made her no promises. Maggie wraps her arms around her middle and stares at the water wondering where her future lies. Stepping closer to the bank she closes her eyes and whispers a prayer, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercy is new every day.”
“Hello Maggie Rose,” Clint says from behind her.
Maggie jerks and her stomach drops as she turns to look at him. Gone is the man in the business suit who attacked her in San Francisco. The madness glinting in his eyes is reflected in the disheveled
appearance.
“Hello Clint,” she glances to the docks and sees one of the men step outside.
“It’s too late for hope, Maggie,” he smiles and lifts a hand to push his hair out of his eyes, revealing the bloody cloth of her dress wrapped around his trembling hands. “You should try to run now.” He says softly and she shakes her head.
“I’m through running,” she hisses.
A shout comes from the mill, causing Clint to leap at her. He’s blocking the path back to the house and trapped her on the dock. The sun erupts from behind a cloud, glinting off the water and surrounding her with the glow of light. Maggie screams, a toe curling, earth erupting, glass shattering scream, that has him leaping back from her in shock.
Clint laughs as she runs at him and whips out a chain he stole from the Mill. It wraps around her waist, and he jerks, dragging her forward. Maggie flies through the air and he side steps allowing her to fall onto the wood. Her grunt of pain has him laughing.
The pounding of feet on the wooden docks at the mill tells Clint that he doesn’t have much time. He flips her over and jerks her arms behind her back, wrapping the chain around her wrists. “Don’t fight it, Maggie,” he rolls her back over and tries to pick her up, but she screams again and kicks at him.
“Stop!” He slaps her across the cheek, and laughs, when her lip splits. “There it is, the beauty of the rose,” he swipes the blood with his thumb and licks it. Maggie freezes in horror as when he tries to pick her up this time she fights, screaming and bucking against him. Maggie fights, screaming and in the distance, she hears Shep calling for her. “Shepherd!” she screams his name.
“Yes, call them to us. I’ll kill them all, one by one, while you watch,” he drops her onto the dock and jerks her up to her knees by her hair. He pulls out a gun and holds it in front of her face.
Maggie freezes. “No, Please, Clint, don’t hurt them. I’ll go with you now,” she sobs and pleads with him. “Just you and me, Clint, I won’t fight or run,” tears are streaming down her cheeks.
