by Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Pamela Griffin, Lisa Harris
Ruby ran after her father toward the flaming building. None of the men seemed to notice the small girl entering the burning barn. Without considering the consequences, Michaela hurried off the porch.
In a dreamlike state, Michaela ran toward the barn. All she could think of was the little girl in the fire. The flames singed the hairs on her arms, but Michaela felt nothing.
“Leah!” She screamed at the top of her lungs, desperately trying to reach her before it was too late.
“Not again, God,” she cried. “Please don’t let it happen again!”
Inside the barn, the heat was intense. Michaela heard a cracking sound from the ceiling.
“Leah!” Michaela screamed and ran for the little girl who stood in the path of a falling beam.
Seconds later, there was darkness. And then nothing.
Chapter 13
What’s going to happen to Mrs. Macintosh?” Sarah wrapped her arms around her legs, rocking back and forth on a cushioned chair. “I don’t want her to die.”
Eric sat with his children in the parlor, exhausted yet unable to sleep. The barn was a total loss, though they’d managed to save most of the animals. If not for the falling snow and lack of wind, they might have lost the house as well.
The barn, though, was the least of Eric’s worries. No matter what Michaela felt about him, upstairs in Rebecca’s room lay the woman he loved. Michaela had saved Ruby’s life and taken the brunt of the force when a beam collapsed, striking her on the back of her head.
Adam sat on the floor, resting his elbows on his knees. “Do you think Mrs. Macintosh is going to live?”
“All we can do is pray and wait for the doctor.” Eric stood and walked across the room to the window. Outside, the earth was covered by a deep layer of snow.
The sun would be up in a few hours, but Christmas had been all but forgotten. Eric refused to give up hope. She had to be all right. He turned at the creaking of the stairs and the subsequent appearance of the doctor. “How is she?”
The doctor rubbed the sides of his temples with the tips of his fingers. “I honestly don’t know at this point. She’s asleep right now. It’s difficult to know how much damage was done. There were a few burns on her arms, but thankfully they’re not too serious. The wound on her head is deep, but I’m more worried about internal damage.”
“What about Emma?” Daniel came in from the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in his hands. An hour after the fire began, his wife had gone into labor.
“It’s a good thing you didn’t try to take her home last night.” The doctor pulled off his wire-rimmed glasses and rubbed his eyes. “The contractions are strong, but she’s doing fine. It won’t be long now before the baby’s here. Mrs. Santon’s staying with her, and I’d say in the next few hours, there’ll be a new little boy or girl in the house.”
Daniel let out a sigh of relief.
Setting his glasses back on the bridge of his nose, the doctor glanced around the room.
“All of you need to go to bed and get some sleep. There’s nothing else you can do tonight.”
Eric stifled a yawn. “The doctor’s right, kids. We’ve got a lot of work to do in the morning.”
He picked up his youngest daughter, who had fallen asleep in Sarah’s lap, and carried her upstairs to her room. After getting her settled, he closed the door quietly behind him, his gaze resting on the door to Rebecca’s room, where Michaela lay. He cried out to God, begging Him to save her. He still loved her so much. If only she felt the same for him.
The presents lay unopened under the tree Christmas morning. Slowly the children woke from a restless night and joined Eric in the parlor. Unable to sleep, he’d come downstairs in case the doctor had news for him. The fireplace cast ominous shadows on the walls as rays of morning sun crept through the window.
“Has there been any word?” Rebecca came in from the kitchen with a cup of hot coffee and handed it to her father.
“Thank you.” He took a deep sip of the strong brew and shook his head. “Nothing yet.”
Daniel lay sprawled across the sofa, his open gaze fixed on the ceiling. Eric doubted he’d slept, either.
There were shouts upstairs, followed by the shrill cry of a newborn.
“The baby!” Sarah jumped up from the chair she was sitting on and clapped her hands together.
Daniel bolted to the bottom of the stairs, anxiously awaiting some word about his wife and child. After a few minutes, Mrs. Santon appeared with a broad smile across her plump face.
“You’re a father, Daniel! Come see your son.”
Daniel ran in front of her up the stairs, two at a time.
Eric drained his mug of coffee and stood, his heart aching for good news about Michaela.
“There are chores to do, children. Sitting around won’t help anyone. Let’s all get to work. Rebecca, I’m sure the doctor and Mrs. Santon could use some breakfast, as could the rest of us.”
“Certainly.” Rebecca picked up his mug, then scurried into the kitchen.
Eric stretched his arms behind him, trying to relieve some of the tension. He made a mental list of what needed to be done. Not only did the charred remains of the barn need to be cleared away, but he was also going to have to make plans to rebuild.
“Eric.” The doctor stood at the bottom of the stairs, his clothes crumpled from staying up most of the night. “It’s Michaela. She’s awake now, and she’s calling for you.”
Eric paused. Why would she want to see him? In his mind, he was the last person Michaela would be asking for. He took a step forward. “Are you sure?”
The doctor nodded. Slowly, Eric climbed up the stairs.
He entered the room, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw her. Her eyes were open, and he could see the pain reflected in them. Several layers of gauze were wrapped around the top of her head, and one side of her face was swollen and bruised. “Hi.”
She offered him a weak smile.
He sat down beside her. “How are you feeling?”
Her eyes closed briefly, then opened again. “I don’t know. My head hurts and feels like it’s spinning in opposite directions.”
Eric pushed back a strand of hair from her face and let it tumble against the pillow. “The doctor said you wanted to see me.”
A teardrop fell down her cheek. “Everything’s so fuzzy. I’m scared.”
He took her hand and held it tight. “Do you remember anything about last night?”
She shook her head. “I thought it was my daughter, Leah. I had to save her. I thought God was giving me another chance to bring her back.” Another tear flowed down Michaela’s face. “She won’t ever come back, though, will she?”
Emotion welled inside Eric’s chest, knowing the pain Michaela was experiencing was not only physical. “It was Ruby in the fire, Michaela. You saved her life.”
Her free hand touched the side of her temple. “It hurts so bad.”
Eric wished he could take away her pain. Wished he could erase the scars from the past that had been ripped open last night. Hoping a distraction would help, he told her about Emma’s baby.
Michaela smiled at the news. “What did they finally decide to name him?”
“Nathaniel James.”
“I like that.” She shifted in the bed but made no effort to pull away from his grasp. She closed her eyes, and he wondered if she’d drifted off to sleep. Deciding to slip out and let her rest, he pulled his hand free and stood to leave the room.
“Please don’t leave me.” Her eyes were wide open now, and the glazed look he’d noticed before was gone.
“I’m so sorry this had to happen.” He longed to hold her in his arms, but instead he sat down beside her and took her hand again. “I know it reminds you of what happened to your husband and daughter.”
She nodded and squeezed his hand.
There was something he had to tell her. “I won’t say this again, but when I saw that beam fall on you …” He closed his eyes, and for a mom
ent he was there again, seeing the horror in her eyes, the screams that filled the air, the panic within his chest. “I knew without a doubt I loved you and didn’t want to lose you.”
He raked his free hand through his hair. He shouldn’t be telling her this. Not here, not this way. She was in love with someone else. But she had asked for him….
“I know there’s someone else, but I just need you to know how I feel.”
Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. “I don’t know how I feel anymore. If I love him, then why do I want you with me right now? Please stay with me.” She held tight to his hand.
Eric wondered if she knew what she was saying.
The doctor stepped into the room to check on her. “She needs to rest.”
Eric turned back to Michaela, who had fallen asleep. A peaceful look covered her face, and he resisted the urge to run his finger across her cheek.
“After a couple of days, she should be all right. The beam must have skimmed her head instead of actually hitting her directly. That’s probably what saved her life.”
“She saved my little girl’s life as well.”
Late the following day, the doctor allowed Michaela and Emma to go home. The cleanup for the barn was almost finished, and Eric thanked God the snow had stopped any further damage, especially to the house. Two chickens had died, but the livestock had survived and was now holed up in Daniel’s barn until another shelter could be built.
The morning after Michaela went home, Eric saddled up his horse and headed for Daniel’s farm, needing to see for himself how she was doing.
“Good morning, Eric,” Daniel called out from the front porch.
“Guess you have your hands full.” Eric dismounted the horse and pulled his coat closer around him to block the chilly wind that had picked up.
Daniel finished hammering a loose porch rail, then greeted Eric with a firm handshake. “Several of the women at church have already been by with meals and have even helped clean the house for me.”
Eric held up the pouch he was carrying. “Rebecca sent over some homemade bread and jam with me.”
“No one’s going hungry around here!”
“How is the baby?” Eric followed Daniel inside the house, thankful for the warmth from the stone fireplace.
“Besides the fact he keeps us up all night?” Daniel let out a deep chuckle. “Couldn’t be better. He’s perfect.”
“I remember those nighttime feedings.” Eric set the gift on a side table. “How’s Michaela?”
“I think she’s asleep. The doctor says she’ll recover fine as long as she gets enough rest.”
“The kids have been begging to come see her, but I told them they needed to wait until she’s up and around.” Eric stood in front of the crackling flames and rubbed his icy hands together.
“Maybe tomorrow. Would you like me to see if she’s awake?” Daniel asked as a hungry cry from the baby sounded from the bedroom. Eric nodded. “If you don’t mind.” A minute later, Daniel came out of Michaela’s room.
“I’m sorry, Eric.” He shut the door behind him. “She’s sound asleep. This whole ordeal has been both emotionally and physically draining for her.”
“I know.” He tried not to worry, but he knew the experience had been traumatic for her. And he wanted to be with her. “Please tell her I came by and if she needs anything, I’m here. Anything at all.”
“I’ll tell her.”
Michaela groaned and pulled out the last dozen stitches of the sweater she was knitting for the new baby. “Remind me not to attempt another project like this.”
Emma chuckled as Michaela held up the lopsided sweater. “Nathaniel won’t care. I’m just glad you’re up and around.” Emma picked up a skein of blue yarn and laid it in her lap.
“I feel so much better.”
“He’s such a good little boy.” Emma watched her son sleep in the small crib beside her in the parlor. “I can’t believe how small he is.”
Daniel walked in from the kitchen with a slice of cake Mrs. Winters had sent over. The grin that crossed his lips hadn’t left his face since the baby’s arrival. He sat down on the sofa beside his wife. “Eric came by earlier, Michaela, but you were asleep. He asked if he could bring his children by to see you tomorrow if the weather is not too bad. They’ve been worried about you.”
Michaela sighed. She could remember every word of her last conversation with Eric. She’d asked him to stay. For some reason, she’d needed him beside her to take away the fear she felt.
He’d told her he loved her.
She choked back the wave of emotion, confused by her reaction. If she wasn’t careful, she’d start crying again.
“I’m sorry.” She set the sweater down and walked over to the fireplace. Flames crackled. She could smell the soot and feel the intensity of the blaze. “I haven’t felt like myself lately.”
“It’s all right.” Emma’s voice was reassuring.
“When I saw Ruby running toward the barn and the fire, I relived it all over again. It was Leah, and God was giving me a second chance to save her.” She turned around to face them. “I know it sounds crazy.”
Emma shook her head. “It’s not crazy at all.”
The wind howled, and the windows shook with the impact.
“There’s another storm coming.” Daniel stood up and looked out the window. “I’d better go out to the barn and make sure the animals are secure. It’s likely to be a bad one.”
“Bundle up,” Emma insisted. “The temperature has dropped.”
Michaela shivered unconsciously, wishing she could get Eric and the feel of his strong hand around hers out of her mind.
Chapter 14
Philip Macintosh got off the train and stood on the tiny platform, wondering what his next move should be. Snow flurries whipped around him beneath a darkened sky. Maybe he had been foolish for coming to Cranton without telling anyone, but after receiving the telegram from Daniel about Michaela’s accident, he’d had no choice.
Philip tightened his long coat against the wind. He couldn’t believe how desolate the town looked. The snow had drifted into deep piles along the sides of the buildings, and few people braved the harsh elements. He didn’t blame them.
The sun would be setting soon, taking with it any lingering traces of light. His best option would be to find the nearest hotel and get a good night’s sleep before traveling to Daniel’s farm in the morning.
Philip picked up his bag and started for the center of town. The hotel proved easy to find, and soon he made his way through the front door, thankful for the warmth of the lobby. Rubbing his hands together, he took a seat at a table next to the fireplace and ordered a cup of hot coffee.
A man was talking to the hotel manager at the nearby desk. Philip turned his head when he heard mention of Michaela’s brother.
“I hear Daniel’s wife had a boy.” The manager leaned his elbows on the counter.
The second man nodded. “I saw him yesterday. They seem to be doing great.”
“Sorry to hear about the fire that destroyed your barn,” the first man continued.
“I’m just thankful no one was killed.”
Philip leaned toward the men. What about Michaela?
“So, Daniel’s sister, Michaela—is she all right?” The manager slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
“Got quite a knot on her head, but she’s doing fine. We were worried for a while, but the doctor says with a little rest, there shouldn’t be any complications.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“I need to get on home, George. I’m afraid it’ll be a rough ride. I wouldn’t have come in today if it hadn’t been absolutely necessary. Been the first break in the weather all week, and now things are stirring up again. I’ve got to get home before dark, and at that I’m not likely to make it.”
The man headed toward the door with broad, determined steps. Philip decided this was his chance.
“Excuse me, sir.” Phili
p stood and quickly crossed the room and introduced himself. “My name’s Philip Macintosh, Michaela Macintosh’s brother-in-law. I just got into town, and I wondered if you could tell me how to get to her brother’s farm. I guess I’ll have to wait until morning, though.”
“Do you have a horse?”
“No, sir, I just got off the train.”
“I’m on my way home right now, and my farm is right past theirs. I had to pick up a few supplies, so I brought the sled. You can come with me if you’d like.” The man shook Philip’s hand. “Name’s Eric Johnson, by the way. We’d better get going if we’re going to make it before nightfall.”
“Nice to meet you. I sure appreciate this.” Philip left enough money for the coffee and a tip and followed Eric out the door. “Didn’t think I could make it out there tonight.”
“God must have wanted our paths to cross. I had planned to leave over an hour ago, but I got held up.” Eric raised his voice against the howling wind as they hurried to the sled. “Another storm isn’t far behind us. I guess you heard about the accident.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“She’s doing fine now. The doctor said the beam that hit her just missed doing some very serious damage.”
“I’m just thankful she’s alive.”
The snow was picking up, and the wind whipped against Philip, making further conversation impossible. He climbed into the sled, anxious for the moment he’d see Michaela again.
“Looks like another severe storm’s about to hit.” Michaela paced the living room floor, wishing the long stretch of winter weather would be over soon. For the past week, as soon as one storm let up, there seemed to be another one hitting even harder. She knew that Eric had planned to go into town today, and she prayed he’d made it home safely.
“You’re pacing again,” Emma commented as Michaela started across the room once again.
Michaela shrugged and continued her trek. “The storm’s getting worse.”
