Dinner at the St. James

by Sandra Robbins

  Fifteen

  “Wh–what is it, Savannah?” Dr. Spencer’s strained voice held the fear Daniel felt in his heart.

  “I think she’s waking up.”

  Daniel dropped to his knees and cupped Tave’s hand in both of his. He stared into her face. Her eyelids fluttered and then were still. He looked up at Dr. Spencer, who stood beside him. “What’s happening? Is she all right?”

  Dr. Spencer nudged him to scoot aside. “Let me check her.”

  Daniel hardly breathed as Dr. Spencer pulled his stethoscope from his bag and listened to Tave’s heart. After a moment, he grasped her arm and checked her pulse. A slow smile covered his lips. “Her heart rate is better.” He turned to Savannah. “Has there been any hemorrhaging today?”

  Savannah shook her head. “Not since yesterday. And she’s kept down everything we’ve fed her today.”

  He smiled and pushed to his feet. “Good. Maybe we’ve turned a corner here. We’ll keep a close watch until we know for sure.”

  Daniel exhaled and covered his face with his hands. “I was so scared when I came in here. I thought she might be dying.”

  Dr. Spencer put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “If she lives—and now I think she will—we will have to give God the thanks for bringing you back here, Daniel. Even if she hasn’t indicated it, I think she knew you were here.”

  Tears blinded Daniel. “Do you really think so?”

  “I do.” He took a deep breath and turned to Savannah. “Now, if you think you can spare me awhile, I’m going to lie down in my office. I think I can sleep now.”

  Savannah put her arms around Dr. Spencer’s shoulders and hugged him. “You go on. Daniel and I will keep watch over Tave.”

  With one last glance at his daughter, Dr. Spencer shuffled from the room, and Daniel sank down in the chair next to the bed. He leaned forward and touched her forehead. It felt cool to his touch, and he smiled.

  “I think her fever’s down.”

  Savannah placed her hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “I really think we’ve reached the turning point. She seems to be sleeping peacefully. I’m going in the kitchen to help Mamie with supper. If you need me, call out.”

  “I will.” He reached out and caught Savannah’s hand as she turned to leave. “I want to thank you again for taking care of Tave while she’s been sick. I know it hasn’t been easy for you being away from your children.”

  “I’ve been home more than you realize, but I’m blessed to have good friends at Cottonwood who are taking care of Gabby and Vance while I’m gone. I know Tave would have done the same for me.”

  “Yes, she would have.”

  Savannah walked from the room, and Daniel leaned over and grasped Tave’s hand. “It’s time for you to come back to us, Tave. I need you. Open your eyes and look at me.”

  There was no movement. He took a deep breath and began to talk to her as he had done so often since he’d been back. He related every memory he had of their time together the summer before, from the night he awoke to see her sitting beside his bed to the day he left for Montgomery. He told her how beautiful she’d been in the lavender and white dress the Sunday they went on the picnic, and how funny she looked when she fell playing hopscotch. He leaned closer and whispered how he had lain awake nights and wished he had kissed her that day. It would have been a memory to treasure.

  The longer he talked, the more his heart ached. She teetered between life and death, and he wanted her to live so badly. A thought struck him. Maybe God had need of Tave. Even though it would be difficult, that thought could prove comforting if she died.

  Something told him, though, that she wasn’t going to die. She was going to live, and they were going to have a full life together.

  He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. Still holding it tightly, he leaned closer. “You’re going to live, Tave, and as soon as you feel like it, we’ll be married. And when we are, I’m going to take you to Selma for a wedding trip. When we get there, I’m going to find a studio and have a daguerreotype made of you to set on our mantel. We’ll tell our children that it was made on the happiest day of our lives. Then when we get through at the studio, we’re going to do something else you’ve always wanted. We’re going to dinner at the St. James.”

  He kissed her fingers again. “I know I’ll be the envy of every man in the hotel when I escort my beautiful wife into the dining room. So you’ve got to get well. I’ve got plans, and you have to help me get ready. How about it? Does all this sound good to you?”

  Her lips twitched, and then her fingers pressed against his. His breath caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure if he’d imagined it or not. He squeezed her hand, and her fingers responded with gentle pressure. His heart nearly burst with joy. “Good,” he whispered. “Now you get some rest, and we’ll talk about it when you wake up.”

  There was no more movement, and after a few minutes, Daniel slipped to his knees. As he had done so often since he’d returned to Willow Bend, he prayed and begged God to spare the woman he loved.

  ❧

  The clock in Dr. Spencer’s office chimed midnight, and Daniel stirred in his chair. He hadn’t meant to drop off to sleep, but he must have. In a rocker beside him, Savannah slept soundly. She’d dropped off soon after sitting down.

  He didn’t know how she’d kept going for the past few days. She hardly slept and had devoted every minute to those so ill. Mamie had done the same, as well as Martha and several other ladies from the church.

  Working together to care for the sick these past few days had forged a bond between all of them. For the first time in years, Daniel felt like he’d found a place to call home with the people of Willow Bend. Because of the people he’d met here a year ago, he’d also come home to God, and that was the best part. Now if Tave would only recover, life would be perfect.

  The bed creaked, and he straightened in his chair. Had she moved? He picked up the oil lamp that they kept burning all night and held it closer to her face. She frowned as if the light caused her pain, and he set it back down.

  He knelt beside her bed and stroked her forehead. “Tave, do you need something? Open your eyes, and tell me what you want.”

  Her mouth twitched, and her eyelids fluttered. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

  “You can do it. Open your eyes, and look at me.”

  She frowned as her eyelids fluttered again, and then her eyes popped open. She stared up and blinked several times. Her tongue licked at her lips, and she turned her head toward the window as if she was staring into the darkness.

  He pressed her hand again. “Tave, it’s Daniel. Look at me.”

  The frown on her face deepened, and she turned her head toward him. Even in the soft light, her face, framed by her hair spread out on the pillow, appeared pale and almost lifeless. She blinked several times before recognition flashed in her eyes.

  Her mouth spread in a weak smile. “Daniel,” she whispered, “is it really you?”

  He fought to hold back tears and grasped her hand tighter. “I’m here.”

  She frowned again. “Wh–where am I?”

  “At your father’s office. You’ve been very sick, but you’re going to be all right now.” He kissed her fingers. “Everything’s going to be all right now.”

  Behind him, Savannah stirred in the rocker, and he touched her arm. “Savannah, wake up.”

  She jerked upright at his touch. “What’s wrong? Is she worse?”

  He smiled. “No, she’s awake. Stay with her, and I’ll get her father.”

  Savannah dropped to her knees beside the bed, tears running down her cheeks. “Oh Tave, I’m so glad you’re back with us. I’ve missed you so much.”

  Daniel started to rise, but Tave held on to his hand. “You’re not leaving me, are you?”

  He put his hand on her head and stroked her hair. “I’m going to get your father. He made me promise to wake him the minute you opened your eyes.” He leaned closer and stared into her eyes. “You
don’t have to worry about me ever leaving again. I plan on staying with you for the rest of my life.”

  ❧

  Four weeks later Tave sat on the porch of her father’s office. Upriver she could hear the rumble of the Liberty Queen’s whistle announcing its arrival at the Willow Bend docks. With the yellow fever epidemic over, travel had commenced on the Alabama River once again. Tave wondered if there would be any passengers getting off today.

  The office door opened, and her father stepped onto the porch. He walked over to one of the posts that supported the roof and leaned against it as he stared toward the river. “I heard the whistle.”

  Tave nodded. “That should be the Liberty Queen. It’s about time for her trip downriver.”

  Her father smiled. “I don’t think we’re going to see the steamboats for very much longer.”

  Tave rose and went to stand beside her father. “Why do you say that?”

  “Like you’re always telling me, for everything there is a season. The railroad is going to replace the steamboats.” He straightened and took a deep breath. “But we’ve got a few years left with them, I think. I’m sure going to miss them when they’re gone.”

  Tave had never given a thought to the fact that the sleek ships she loved might disappear, but she now realized it was possible. She looped her arm through her father’s. “I’ll miss them, too.”

  He patted her hand and glanced around. “Where’s Daniel? I haven’t seen him since early this morning.”

  Tave laughed and went back to sit in her chair. “He’s visiting out at the Ramsey farm. They haven’t come to church since they moved here, and he thought he’d give them an invitation.”

  Dr. Spencer shook his head. “He’s quite different from the young man who came to us last summer. I knew God could change his life, but I have to admit I didn’t expect such a drastic difference. Can you believe he’s preaching?”

  Tave smoothed her skirt and chuckled. “I think that was one of my biggest surprises. But he does a wonderful job, and I’m so proud of him I could burst.”

  “Well, Reverend Somers was happy to have him fill in for him. I think a trip was just what our pastor needed. His wife’s death has hit him hard. You know, he’d asked the church to be looking for his replacement this year so he and his wife could move closer to their children. Now I wonder what he’ll do.”

  “I do, too.”

  Tave looked down to the far end of the street, and her heart thudded at the sight of Daniel riding toward them. He reined the horse to a stop in front of the office, dismounted, and tied the horse to the hitching post. Taking off his hat, he pounded it against his pants’ legs. Dust swirled from the clothes.

  Grinning, he stepped onto the porch. “The roads are mighty dusty today.”

  Dr. Spencer cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t say. Who would’ve thought Alabama roads would be dusty in August?”

  Daniel shook his head, walked over to Tave, and kissed her on the cheek. “Your father’s making fun of me.”

  She smiled up at him. “Only because he likes you so much.”

  He smiled. “That’s good, because I’m hoping he’ll let me marry his daughter.”

  Dr. Spencer cleared his throat. “I’ve heard a lot about that wedding, but nobody’s told me what the date is. Haven’t you two decided yet?”

  Tave nodded. “We talked about it last night. If it’s all right with you, we’d like to have it the first Sunday afternoon in September.”

  Dr. Spencer pursed his mouth. “That sounds good to me. After all we’ve been through in the past few months, I think a wedding celebration is just what we need.”

  The Liberty Queen’s whistle rumbled from the docks, and Tave stared toward the big boat. Daniel turned to look at the impressive steamboat, and Tave rose to stand beside him. She put her hand on his arm. “Do you miss the river, Daniel? Do you want to go back to it?”

  His eyes registered surprise. “No. Why would you think that?”

  “Well, you’re going to have to find work somewhere. I thought maybe you wanted to do that.”

  He put his arm around her waist and drew her close. “I’m never going to do anything that will take me away from you again. I don’t know what the Lord has in mind for me, but He’ll provide for us, Tave. I have faith that He’ll show me what I’m to do.”

  She snuggled closer to him. “That’s good enough for me.”

  They stared back at the boat that had now docked and the gangway that had lowered. Passengers began to stream up the hill toward Mr. Perkins’s store. Dr. Spencer put his hands in his pockets and studied the people walking up the bluff. “I guess Mr. Perkins can expect an increase in sales today. He always likes to see the boats dock.”

  Tave’s eyes grew wide, and she pointed at a man who appeared at the top of the bluff. “Look, it’s Reverend Somers. I didn’t know he was coming back today.”

  “I didn’t either,” Daniel said.

  She started to wave to him, but she felt Daniel stiffen next to her. She glanced up at him. “What is it?” she asked.

  He pointed to a man and woman who walked behind Reverend Somers. “That’s the couple I told you about in Montgomery, the Collinses. They’re the ones I prayed with on the boat.”

  Reverend Somers spied them, and a big smile covered his face. He turned to the man and woman behind him and pointed to the office porch. All three of them headed that way.

  When they stopped on the street in front of the office, Dr. Spencer went down the steps and stuck out his hand to Reverend Somers. “Glad to have you back. We’ve missed you.”

  Tave tried to hide her shock at how the preacher had aged since she last saw him. His hair seemed whiter, and his cheeks appeared sunken. He gestured toward the people behind him. “These are my dear friends Lydia and Herbert Collins. You may remember meeting them when Mary was so sick.”

  Dr. Spencer shook hands with the man. “I do. It’s good to have you folks visit Willow Bend again.”

  Lydia Collins’s eyes lit up when Daniel and Tave stepped to the street. She turned to her husband. “Herbert, you may not remember because you were so ill, but this is the young man who prayed with you in Montgomery.”

  Herbert clamped his hand on Daniel’s. “I remember it well. It gave me so much peace. I’m sorry I’m so late in thanking you.”

  Daniel shook his head. “There’s no need for thanks. I was glad I could help. I’m glad to see you recovered.” He turned to Tave. “This is Dr. Spencer’s daughter, Tave.”

  Mrs. Collins smiled. “Ah yes, the young woman you asked if I knew. I see you found her.”

  Daniel’s face turned crimson. “Yes, ma’am, I did.”

  Dr. Spencer chuckled and patted Daniel on the back before he directed his attention to the Collinses. “How long are you folks planning on staying in Willow Bend?”

  Reverend Somers and Mr. Collins glanced at each other, and Mr. Collins cleared his throat. “That depends on a few things. I wonder, Dr. Spencer, if you would allow my wife to visit with your daughter while Thomas and I have a few words inside with Mr. Luckett? Of course, you may join us if you wish.”

  A puzzled expression crossed Daniel’s face, and he glanced at Tave, then her father. “You want to talk to me?”

  “Yes. We have some things we’d like to discuss.”

  Dr. Spencer stepped back on the porch and opened the door. “Feel free to use my office. And Tave will entertain you, Mrs. Collins, but I’m not sure I should join you.”

  Daniel walked to Dr. Spencer. “I don’t know what they want to say to me, but I’d like to have you with me. After all, you’re the only father I’ve ever known.”

  Tave’s heart thudded at the moisture her father blinked from his eyes before he turned and walked through the door.

  “Then come on in, Son. Let’s see what these men want to talk to you about.”

  Sixteen

  Tave fidgeted in her chair and tried to concentrate on what Lydia Collins was saying, but her mind was
on the conversation going on behind the closed door to her father’s office. She wanted to get up and burst through the front door, but that would embarrass Daniel and her father. Difficult as it was, she was going to have to wait to find out what was being discussed inside.

  She directed her attention back to Lydia, who continued speaking as if she hadn’t noticed Tave’s distraction. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciated Daniel coming on board when we were in Montgomery. No one else wanted to come near us. They were afraid of catching yellow fever.” She reached over and touched Tave’s arm. “And Thomas tells us that you have been ill with it also.”

  “I have been, but I’m recovering. We lost a lot of friends during the epidemic, but we’re thankful that it seems to be over now.”

  Tave glanced at the door, pushed up from her chair, and took a few steps toward it before she changed directions and went to stand at the edge of the steps. Lydia laughed and came to stand beside her.

  “I know you’re wondering what’s going on, but I’m sure they’ll be through soon. Then Daniel will tell you all about it.”

  Tave nodded and smiled. “Daniel and I are going to be married, you know.”

  Lydia’s eyes lit up. “Thomas told us that. I’m very happy for you. Maybe you and Daniel will visit Herbert and me in Selma sometime.”

  “Maybe.” Before she could say more, the door opened, and Reverend Somers and Lydia’s husband stepped onto the porch. Daniel followed them outside and stuck out his hand. “I still can’t believe what’s just happened, but I promise I’ll pray about it.”

  Reverend Somers shook Daniel’s hand. “Let us know as soon as you reach a decision. Herbert and Lydia will be staying with me for a few days.”

  “I will.”

  Lydia took Tave’s hand in hers. “It was so good to meet you. I hope we’ll see more of each other in the future.”

  “I hope so, too.”