“I will go with my family. It is better for everyone.”
“Why? Sorcha will miss you, as will the girls. They love you.”
“It is best I go.”
“For who? If I had children like you do, I wouldn’t agree to making them live in a prison.”
“The reservation isn’t a prison.”
“Isn’t it? You cannot leave. At least not without permission.”
“And you are free? I do not see women in the white man’s world as free. You have to do what the man says. First your father, then your husband.”
Emer shrugged. Nandita had a point.
“But it’s changing. There are women doctors, scientists, authors and …”
“Nurses.” Nandita chuckled at the look on Emer’s face. “If you are free, why are you sitting here crying, rather than celebrating your new job? Does your man not approve?”
“I don’t have a man.” I don’t want anyone but Lawrence. “Why is life so hard, Nandita? Why can’t everyone just be allowed to be what they want and do what they want?”
Nandita didn’t answer but the look of longing on her face made Emer forget her own heartbreak.
“Why don’t you stay in Clover Springs? Brian and Sorcha will help you. You have lots of friends who love you. A certain blacksmith will miss you.” Emer nudged Nandita’s arm, expecting a smile. Instead, tears filled the girl’s eyes.
“He hates me. I hurt him.”
Emer took Nandita’s hand. “I don’t know what you did but running away isn’t the answer. Do you love him?”
Nandita nodded.
“Then tell him. Sorcha says he loves you and would marry you tomorrow. What have you got to lose? If he doesn’t feel the same, go live with your family.”
“Why can’t you do the same?”
“The man I love doesn’t want me. He has feelings for me. I know that much. But he wants me to be something I’m not.”
Emer pulled herself to her feet. “Are you coming back to Sorcha’s?”
Nandita surprised her with a quick hug. “Thank you, Emer. You have a big heart.”
And then she was gone.
Sorcha was pacing up and down outside her house as Emer walked over the hill.
“Where have you been? I was out of my mind with worry. Where’s Mr. Shipley?”
“He’s gone.”
“Oh, Emer. I’m sorry.”
“It’s for the best.”
Sorcha looked around her carefully before whispering to Emer. “Were you told who shot them?”
Emer played with her skirt.
“Emer, now’s not the time to play dumb. You have to speak to the sheriff.”
“No.”
“But Emer…”
“Sorcha, don’t you see? Ma could be with them. Do you want to see her hanged?”
Sorcha fell silent.
“You don’t think they will come to Clover Springs, do you?”
“What are you asking me for? I haven’t seen any of them since I ran two years ago.”
“Calm down. Anyone would think you had something to hide.” Sorcha pulled Emer’s arm. “You don’t, do you?”
“I told you everything.”
“Emer, I know that look. You’re hiding something. What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything.” But Emer knew it was time to tell Sorcha everything. She dropped her gaze to the floor.
“All right, darling. Hush now.”
Emer let her sister pull her into a hug.
“You did the right thing, running away. I am so glad you found me.”
“She was going to sell me.” Emer hiccupped on a sob.
Sorcha pushed Emer away from her so she could look at her face. “Sell you? What do you mean?”
Emer couldn’t look up.
“Oh, my God. You don’t—no. she couldn’t. She wouldn’t.” Shock prevented Sorcha from speaking coherently.
“She would. The ma you dreamed of doesn’t exist. She’s evil, Sorcha. I heard Alfie tell her to sell me to some saloon. She asked him how much she would get. Like I was a cow or a pig.” Emer marched off, leaving Sorcha to run after her.
“Emer, wait. Don’t you dare go running off again! You have to tell the sheriff. If she is that evil, she could have been the one to shoot those men. We have to turn her in.”
“WE don’t have to do anything. I can’t, Sorcha. What will the townspeople think? It’s bad enough Lawrence thinks I worked in a saloon. But if he knew I was an outlaw?”
“A saloon? Why would he think that?”
“He thought it was where I found out how to treat gunshot wounds. He was horrified.” Emer’s voice quivered as she held back tears. She had cried enough today.
“Lawrence Shipley is an ass.” At Emer’s shocked look, Sorcha continued. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t grow up in the orphanage without learning a few bad words. How on earth could he think you worked in a saloon? Just wait until I see him. How dare he?”
Emer burst out laughing. She was hysterical but couldn’t stop.
“What are you laughing for? One minute he is courting you and the next, he is insulting your character. He has nerve.”
“Courting me? I was stupid to think that would last. Men like Lawrence don’t court girls like me. As for my character, the daughter of an outlaw doesn’t have one, does she?”
“You’re not ma and neither am I. What she does has nothing to do with either of us.” Sorcha paced up and down. “We have to do something. Brian will know what we should do.”
“You can’t tell Brian. You promised.”
“I was wrong. Emer, you’re my sister and I love you. But Brian, he’s my husband. I have to tell him. If Ma comes to Clover Springs, it could reflect badly on him, too.”
Emer couldn’t argue with her. She knew her sister was right, but what would Brian say?
Chapter 40
“Are you going to stand there all day or are we actually going to get some work done?”
Frank lifted his head at Brian’s tone. His friend’s anger radiated in waves. “I’m working.”
“Working on driving my family apart.” Brian came closer to Frank, his fists clenched. Frank put the tools he had been working on down. He had no intention of fighting Brian.
“Nandita leaves tomorrow. She has decided to go to the reservation.”
“That is her choice. I cannot stop her.” Frank turned back to his work.
“Coward.”
Frank swung back, his temper now in full force. “What did you call me?”
“If the name fits.” Brian stood looking at Frank, his eyes blazing.
“I’m not a coward and I don’t appreciate you sticking your nose in where it ain’t wanted.”
“My sister and closest friend are behaving like a pair of bad-tempered mules with a burr in their backside. What do you expect me to do?”
“I ain’t listening to this. I got chores waiting at home.”
“Go on, then. Rush home. Can’t leave a cold fireplace and colder meal alone, can you?” Brian took a step toward Frank, who bristled. “You know, someone once told me I was a stubborn old coot. Well, I’m guessing they never met you. You love her. Anyone can see that. So why not fight for her?”
“I would fight for her.” Frank let his anger go. “I can’t fight her.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your sister made the choice to leave. I don’t want her to go.”
“So be a man and make her stay.”
“What you want me to do? Make her a prisoner?”
“If that’s what it takes. I’d rather she be kept a prisoner in Clover Springs than in Montana.” With that, Brian walked off leaving Frank staring after him. A prisoner? Darn it, anyway. Couldn’t the woman see that is what she was set to become? Throwing the tools to the ground in frustration, he ran outside and mounted Brian’s horse. “Don’t mind if I borrow her, do you?”
“Depends on what you bring back!” With a grin, B
rian waved him off.
Frank pushed the horse as fast as he could. He had to reach the Indians before they left. He was in luck. They were just breaking camp when he arrived. Jumping down, he threw the reins to a nearby boy.
“Mind the horse.”
He saw Nandita up ahead. It wasn’t easy to miss her. Not only was she the most beautiful woman there but she was the only one studiously ignoring him.
“Nandita, I am taking you home with me.”
She turned on him, shouting, “How dare you order me around like I was your property.”
“You are my woman,” he shouted back at her. “I won’t stand back and let you do this.”
“You cannot stop me. You made your feelings clear the other night at the river.”
“No, I didn’t.” He ignored their audience and pulled Nandita into his arms. Lowering his head, he captured her lips with his. She didn’t fight but held herself in check. He ignored her response, intent on telling her exactly how he felt with the pressure of his lips. He knew the moment he won. Her body became pliant in his arms as she pushed closer into his embrace.
“About time you two saw your future is entwined.”
“Chief Running Buffalo. Forgive me.” Frank kept his arms tight around Nandita as he spoke to her chief. “I cannot let her go with you.”
“You cannot make her stay, either. If you have learned anything, my friend, you should know a heart given freely is the only one worth having.”
Frank bowed his head, the wisdom of the chief’s words ringing clear.
“He has my heart. Now and always.”
Frank’s heart soared.
“I am sorry. I must stay with the man I love. Together we must build our future, here in Clover Springs.”
“You have made a wise choice, my child. I shall miss you, daughter of my favorite sister. You will come visit me.”
Nandita broke free of Frank’s embrace to hug her uncle. “Thank you, Chief Running Buffalo.”
Frank moved toward them. Taking Nandita in one arm, he held out the other to the chief.
“Thank you, Chief. I vow to honor and protect her and our family until my last breath.”
“You will make fine children. Maybe someday, we will all find a way to live in peace together. Until that time comes, we must go.”
Frank held Nandita as the tears coursed down her cheeks. Together, they watched the remaining members of the tribe pack up their things to ride into the distance.
Little Beaver led two horses behind him as he came to say goodbye.
“My father would want his wife to have these horses. I give them to you.” The boy turned to leave. “Look after Ama and Salali. Train Mohe in the ways of our people.”
Frank heard the plea in the boy’s words.
“Why don’t you stay with us? If Chief Running Buffalo agrees.”
“I cannot live on charity.”
“I need help in the forge. I’ll train you to become a blacksmith.”
“But what of the Army?”
“The Army ain’t going to be looking for one Indian. What do you say?”
“Will I get to spend time with Ben?”
Frank smiled. “Of course. Davy told me you were training Ben on how to hunt and fish. He can’t live without that type of training. I figure it’s essential.”
Little Beaver grinned before racing off to find the chief. Nandita and Frank watched them talking.
“This is a lovely thing you have done. He has always looked upon us as his family.”
“Nandita, I would do anything for you. All I have ever wanted is your happiness.”
“All?”
Frank shrugged his shoulders. “Well, if you are offering more, it wouldn’t be gentlemanly to refuse a lady.”
“Will you be my husband?”
Shock made him speechless. She stared at him, a smile curving her lips.
A couple of seconds passed before he could speak. “No lady ever asked me to marry them before.”
“Is that a yes?” Nandita said amid Little Beaver’s whoops of joy.
Frank swept her off her feet and carried her toward Brian’s horse.
Nandita and Frank arrived back at Brian’s house with Ama, Salali, Mohe, Little Beaver and some horses.
Sorcha and Emer came out to greet their guests.
“I take it we have a wedding to plan?” Brian asked, his arm around his own wife.
Frank and Nandita exchanged a look before nodding. “Nandita asked me to be her husband. I couldn’t refuse.”
The group laughed as Nandita pushed her groom-to-be so hard, he fell on his backside. He laughed, too, as the children, thinking it was some sort of game, dived on top of him.
Brian noticed the smile didn’t reach Emer’s eyes. “Take everyone inside. I want to speak to Emer,” he whispered to Sorcha, who promptly did as requested.
“Emer, why don’t you help me with the horses. We’ll put them in the corral overnight.”
The rest of the guests moved into the house, leaving them alone.
“Sorcha told me all about your ma. She also said you had an argument with Shipley.”
Emer nodded, the light glistening on the tears in her eyes.
“I do not see any benefit in telling the townspeople about your ma. Hopefully, the Bainstreet Gang have moved on to richer pastures.”
“But Paul got hurt and Jason died.”
“Telling anyone isn’t going to put that right. Sorcha said the doc asked you to be his nurse. Is that something you want?”
“More than anything.”
“Anything?” Brian watched as her eyes dulled and her shoulders slumped in response to the question they both knew he had asked.
“He’s made his feelings clear. I am not the woman for him.”
“I love Sorcha with all my heart. So I am telling you this as a brother and not as a man. If that makes sense.” Brian wasn’t at all sure it made sense but he decided to go ahead anyway. “You are the type of woman any man would be honored to have as his wife. Never forget that.”
Emer’s eyes swam with tears. Brian coughed a couple of times before saying gruffly, “Let’s get back before Frank drinks all the coffee.”
Chapter 41
Emer held herself rigid as Mrs. Grey appraised her from head to toe. She struggled not to smooth the imaginary wrinkles out of her skirt.
“You look the part, although you are a little young.”
“In case you are wondering, Miss Matthews, that remark constitutes high praise from our midwife.” Doc winked at Emer before deciding he had urgent cases to see to.
Emer looked around the spotless office.
“Mrs. Grey, could you please tell me what you would like me do this morning?”
“Doc told me what you did for Paul Kelley. Sheriff said you told him off for not washing his hands. Where did you learn your doctoring?”
Emer had heard a little about Mrs. Grey from Katie, who thought she was a miracle worker and Mary, who didn’t hold her in such high regard. She knew she wasn’t someone she wanted to get on the wrong side of. It was best she stick to the truth, or at least as close as possible without betraying her background.
“My neighbor back in Kansas was a doctor in the war. He was captured and interned in Belle Isle near Richmond.”
Was it her imagination or did Mrs. Grey sit straighter?
“When he was released, he came home but never practiced as a doctor again. He took up ranching but he wasn’t up to the hard work. His hands shook too much.” Emer looked to Mrs. Grey but she seemed to be listening.
“Anytime anyone got hurt…on the ranch, ma sent them over to Pa Newmark. She sent me along with whomever it was. Pa Newmark saw I was interested in learning. He taught me what he could.”
“Including how to treat gunshots?” Mrs. Grey asked, clearly suspicious.
“We had a fairly large spread. Some of the boys got a little crazy at times and had a couple of accidents. Nothing too serious, although one fella did
shoot off his toe.” The muscle in Emer’s arm twitched as she related a story mixed with truth to explain her skills to Mrs. Grey. When she had finished, the older lady sat in silence for a few minutes.
Emer swallowed, trying to get moisture into her dry mouth. Mrs. Grey blinked rapidly before standing up.
“I guess that story is at least partially true. Stop blinking at me like you were caught in direct sunlight. We all have a past. I’m not interested in yours.” Mrs. Grey stood and smoothed down her dress. She gestured to Emer to follow her. “All I care about is the people of Clover Springs. From what Doc and the sheriff say, two men I trust completely, you will be an asset to this town. Until you prove otherwise, I will do all I can to teach you everything you need to know about nursing.”
Emer fiddled with her ear, not quite believing what the woman had said. She was going to train her how to be a nurse. She didn’t care about her background.
“Remember, Miss Matthews, nursing is not a profession held in high regard by many. People have short memories when it comes to how well they were cared for by nursing staff.”
Emer held her head up. She didn’t care about what people thought. Only one man. And he thinks you worked in a saloon. He’d believe nursing was a step up from that.
The days passed in a whirl of hard work. Mrs. Grey was an exacting mistress. Emer worked harder than she ever had before but she loved every minute of it. She moved into town to stay with Ellen at the boarding house, as the ranch was a bit far outside town. Mrs. Grey spent a lot of time visiting Mary but wouldn’t take Emer with her. “It’s not proper for a single woman to be a midwife.”
Emer didn’t argue. She was interested in birthing babies but that could come later. She had enough to learn. The townspeople, initially skeptical of such a young girl doing doctoring, came to gradually accept her, not least because Mrs. Grey and the doc made their support clear. Every night, she fell into bed too exhausted to think. That was a good thing, as it hurt too much to think of Lawrence. He had made some attempts to speak to her but she’d cut him off. Love was for other people, not her. She had let herself become weak and vulnerable. That wasn’t going to happen again.
Emer: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Page 14
