Macia walked down the hallway and then turned back. She donned her heavy coat and a pair of woolen mittens. “I’m going down to the river, Gerta.” Before the housekeeper could reply, Macia hastened outdoors.
The stinging air was cold on her cheeks and she panted for breath. As the cold air seared her aching lungs, she slowed her pace. Rounding the corner of her house, she spied one of the Morris children outside the general store.
She waved to him and then rubbed her hands together, hoping to warm her fingers. “Why aren’t you in school today, Melvin?”
The towheaded boy’s grin revealed two missing front teeth. “Mrs. Markley’s sick, so there’s no school the rest of the week.” He hopped from foot to foot. “I’m waiting to see if they got Lucy outta the river. My ma said I couldn’t go no closer than the general store.”
Lucy! Macia nearly swooned at the revelation. “Lucy Malone?” She grasped the boy by the lapels of his checkered wool coat. “Are you sure?”
The boy’s ruddy cheeks paled. “Yes, ma’am. That’s what Mr. Johnson said, and Lucy Malone is the only Lucy in town.”
She let go of his jacket. A brisk north wind catapulted tiny shards of sleet, and Macia bowed low against the onslaught. Fear gripped her heart as she hurried onward, her leather soles slipping on the patches of ice and snow along the way. Macia now wished she had taken time to change into her boots. The men’s voices drifted toward her as she neared the riverbank. A sense of urgency tinged the men’s shouted commands, and dread enfolded Macia like a burial shroud.
When she finally caught sight of the men, they were clustered along the river’s edge. Her father was on his knees, bending over someone—most likely Lucy. Macia’s heart hammered in her chest as she continued down the path. The packed snow had been worn into an icy path, and she felt herself slip-slide forward, her arms flailing at her sides as she attempted to remain upright. Jeb turned as she approached the group of men. He pulled her close, and she saw the fear in his eyes.
“Lucy?”
He nodded. “Your father says she’s going to make it.”
The chill wind tried to freeze the stream of tears that now flowed down her cheeks, and she buried her face in Jeb’s wool jacket. He held her, his arms strong and reassuring as he whispered into her ear. “She’s going to be fine, Macia. Your father said she would recover.”
Macia knew her father wouldn’t give Jeb unfounded hope, yet that thought didn’t totally eradicate her fear. She needed to see Lucy for herself. “Has she spoken at all?” She lifted her head from his chest.
“Not yet.”
Macia pushed her way forward, where Lucy lay wrapped in blankets while her father diligently checked her breathing.
“Jeb!” Dr. Boyle called. “Her breathing is regular. Let’s get her in the wagon and back to my office.”
“Please come with me,” Jeb implored Macia.
“Of course.”
Jeb carried Lucy to the wagon and climbed in, folding his legs under himself so he could sit and hold Lucy close. Harvey helped Macia into the back of the wagon and she settled in beside Jeb, leaning over Lucy and whispering to her as tears welled in her eyes. When the wagon lurched forward, she looked out upon the gathered group of men. Garrett was staring at her. When their eyes met, she turned away, unable to discern if what she had observed was condemnation, anger, or jealousy. However, there was no doubt Garrett was unhappy.
But surely he could understand her concern was for Lucy’s welfare and not for Jeb. Or was it for both of them? As she watched Jeb lovingly hold his sister in his arms, she couldn’t be certain.
Lucy’s first words were an apology to her brother, immediately followed by a plea for Macia to remain with her.
“I’m not planning on going anywhere.” Macia grinned at the girl. “It seems you’ve become my father’s primary patient. No sooner does he get your leg healed than you heave yourself into the icy river water.” She brushed a kiss upon the girl’s cheek. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with you.”
“Nor do I.” Jeb’s voice cracked.
“Don’t cry, Jeb. I’m going to be fine. I feel plenty good already— just a little cold.” Lucy began to lift the blanket away. “See? I can—” “I’ll have none of that, young lady.” Dr. Boyle immediately stepped forward and tucked the blanket around his young patient.
“You remain where you are and keep those blankets in place until I say you can get up.” He tucked the corner in under her feet and winked. “I expect full cooperation.”
“You’ll have no problem on that account. I doubt I’ll be letting her out of my sight until the day she marries.” Jeb’s attempt at levity was overshadowed by the somber look in his eyes.
Lucy held out a hand to her brother. “I didn’t mean to fall in. It was an accident.”
Jeb clutched her hand, but his features didn’t soften. “You didn’t even ask for permission before going ice skating, Lucy. Had you asked—”
“You would have said no.”
“Exactly! Because I would have told you the ice is unstable at this time of year. There have been too many warm days in between these cold ones. You can’t trust the ice in this kind of weather, Lucy.” Jeb rubbed his palm across his forehead. “You could have died.”
“I said I’m sorry. It’s over and I can’t change it, Jeb. All I can do is promise to never do it again.”
“You’re right. A lecture isn’t going to do either of us any good.
How soon do you think I can take her home, Dr. Boyle?”
“Let me check her over one more time. If her heart and lungs sound good, she can go with you, provided she stays warm. It would be best to have her remain in bed at least the remainder of the day.”
“I’ll keep her in bed the rest of the week,” Jeb said. “School’s not in session, and she can get all the rest she’ll need.”
After a final examination, Dr. Boyle declared his young patient fit to go home. “And you do as your brother tells you.”
“I promise.” Lucy looked expectantly at Macia. “You’re coming with us, aren’t you?”
“Oh, I don’t think—”
“Please say you will. Please.”
Macia hesitated, unwilling to interfere with Jeb’s wishes.
“Yes, please come along. I doubt she’ll forgive me unless you do.”
“Very well. I’ll help Father clean up here; then I’ll stop by your place before I go home. But only for a brief visit.”
From Lucy’s pout, Macia knew her answer wasn’t what the girl had hoped for. However, she didn’t want Jeb to feel as though she were interfering. She decided it would be best for him to get Lucy settled before she arrived.
She remained in the office while her father assisted Jeb during the brief journey to his little house behind the livery. By the time he returned, she had cleaned and organized everything for the following day.
“Thank you, Macia. I appreciate your help, but I do think you should go and visit with Lucy. She doesn’t believe you’re going to come and see her.”
Macia laughed. “Oh, Father. That’s Lucy’s way of getting me to hurry down there. You’ve played right into her hand.”
Her father laughed as he hugged her around the shoulder. “Well, it worked. Even if your presence isn’t needed to aid in her healing process, it will make her significantly more content.”
Macia shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets and hurried off in the direction of the livery. If she was going to make it home in time for supper, there’d not be time for an extended visit with Lucy.
Long shadows stretched across the snowy street, and she shivered beneath her woolen coat. Although she sought to hasten her pace, the icy streets forced Macia to take slow and deliberate steps. She passed Mr. Hill’s real estate office, and she heard the faint jingle of the bell over the front door of Mr. Johnson’s General Store—the bell used to signal the comings and goings of the mercantile’s customers.
“Macia!”
S
tartled, she twisted, her feet sliding in haphazard fashion as she attempted to gain a foothold.
Garrett’s strong hands circled her waist, and she clutched his forearms to steady herself.
“I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m relieved you didn’t actually take a fall on the ice.” He abruptly released his hold when she glanced at his hands. “I happened by the front window and saw you heading this way. Guess that’s what folks call happenstance.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Happenstance?”
He held her elbow and directed her toward the door. “Happenstance. Coincidence. Whatever you want to call it. Anyway, I was wanting to talk to you, and now here you are.” He opened the door and ushered her inside.
“To be honest, a stop at the store wasn’t a part of my plans.” She hesitated, uncertain how he would react to the truth.
“It’s mighty cold to be out for a walk, and there’s nothing farther down the street except . . .” Realization shone in his eyes. “You were going to see Jeb down at the livery.”
“No, I’m going to see Lucy at their house.” Even to her own ears, the correction seemed childishly absurd. She was, after all, going to the Malone house, and Jeb would be there. She realized the import of Garrett’s insinuation.
“Why don’t we sit down for a few moments?” He guided her inside and to the small table at the front of the store. She glanced at the clock as he pulled out a chair for her. “I promise not to keep you away from your visit with the Malones for long.”
His tone was congenial, and the tightness eased from her shoulders. Thankful for the warmth of the heating stove, she pulled off her gloves and rubbed her hands together.
Pulling another chair close, Garrett sat down, their knees all but touching. “I don’t want my aunt to overhear our discussion. She’s already somewhat distressed.”
Immediately the tension seized her shoulders again. She remembered the look in Garrett’s eyes when he’d watched her climb into the wagon with Jeb and Lucy, and she hoped he hadn’t discussed his displeasure with Mrs. Johnson. Her apprehension escalated when
Garrett reached into his pocket. What if he planned to present her with an engagement ring and propose marriage? If so, she would be compelled to refuse, and he would expect an explanation. A sigh escaped her lips when he removed an envelope and placed it atop the table.
“This is a letter from a friend of mine. He’s in California.” Garrett tapped the edge of the envelope on the table. “I don’t know if Harvey mentioned that the deal on the land outside of town fell through.” He raised his eyebrows expectantly, and she shook her head. “Well, it did.
Seems as though things aren’t going to work out quite the way I anticipated, either with the cannery . . . or with you.” He held up the envelope. “Which brings me to this letter and my friend out in California.”
“Yes?”
“He’s gone into the cannery business there—fish.” Garrett tucked the letter back into his pocket. “Fishing is big business out along the coast. Anyway, he wants me to go out and look things over. Maybe throw in with him if I like the look of things once I get out there.”
He lowered his eyes for a moment. “I don’t think there’s much future between you and me, Macia. Appears as if Jeb Malone still has the advantage where your heart’s concerned, and like I told you before— I’m not willing to wait around and play second fiddle to another man.”
“Jeb and I aren’t—”
He held a finger to her lips. “I don’t want to hear your denials, Macia. If there were any hope of a future between us, you would have stopped me before now.” He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “Course, Aunt Ada isn’t happy with my decision. You might want to prepare yourself for a possible tongue-lashing. She blames you for my plan to depart. I’ve tried to convince her otherwise, but once she’s made up her mind . . .”
“I understand. Having you here is important to her—and to your uncle, too. I’m sure they’ve come to rely upon having you close at hand. And if it’s easier for her to place the blame on my shoulders, so be it.” She cupped her hand on top of his. “In some respects, I suppose it is.”
He pulled his hand from beneath hers and chuckled. “Don’t give yourself too much credit. Even if things had worked out between us, I would have attempted to move you to California and give this a try.
I believe this is going to prove quite profitable. I may even see if Harvey wants to invest.”
“How soon will you depart?”
He pushed his chair away from the table and stood. “I told Uncle Walt I’d wait until the first of April. He has several spring shipments due in, and I know he can use the help. It’s the least I can do.”
The clock chimed the hour. Macia picked up her gloves. “I do hope the business will prove to be everything you want, Garrett.”
He stood and laughed softly. “It won’t be everything, Macia. In fact, a fish cannery won’t even begin to fulfill what I truly want.” He leaned down and softly kissed her cheek. “I wish you well, Macia. I hope your future with Jeb will prove to be everything you want.”
She opened her mouth to object, to tell him that she and Jeb weren’t planning a future—at least not together—not yet. But before she could speak, he turned on his heel and strode off toward the rear of the store.
CHAPTER
27
Topeka , Kansas • April 1883
After plumping several pillows behind her, Truth scooted into a sitting position. Her bed had become most uncomfortable, and she was certain she had located every lump in the mattress during the past four hours. Her labor pains had begun—at least Truth thought they were contractions—and Grace had immediately insisted her sister take to her bed.
After much cajoling, Truth had convinced Grace they need not send for the doctor just yet. Truth didn’t want to be poked and probed for hours on end, but Grace didn’t want the baby arriving before she had time to fetch the doctor. Grace had insisted Truth maintain a careful record of each contraction. And Truth had readily agreed. The compromise suited both of them.
Truth didn’t plan to tell Grace, but she was beginning to doubt the twinges were actual contractions, and she had grown weary of her sister’s frequent forays into the bedroom. The moment Truth began to fall asleep, the door would burst open and Grace would enter.
While she paced the floor, Grace asked the same tiresome questions over and over until Truth wanted to utter a protest. The moment Truth reported a pain, Grace would check the clock, wait until the pain subsided, and then depart. Clearly her sister was attempting to help, but her ministrations reminded Truth of an agitated prairie dog popping in and out of its burrow to check the lay of the land.
When she heard a carriage pulling up outside, she pushed herself to the edge of the bed and slid her feet into the slippers sitting nearby. Pressing her palm against her lower spine, she arched her back and lumbered toward the window. Her yellow nightgown protruded in front of her like a huge harvest moon, and she wondered how much time must pass after the baby’s birth before she would once again fit into her old gowns. Glancing in the mirror as she passed by, Truth rested her arm atop the well-defined protrusion. Moses had teased and predicted she would give him twins, though the doctor had nullified that idea. For all the aches and pains of pregnancy, she had enjoyed this time carrying her child. However, she was looking forward to having the baby out and holding him in her arms. As if in response to her thoughts, another slight twinge came and went. Truth rubbed her stomach. Not much longer, little one.
She pulled aside the curtain and peeked down at the street below. Aunt Lilly! And John Rockley was with her! What were they doing together? And why had they come calling unannounced? Her mind whirred as several scenarios came to mind. She released the curtain, shuffled back across the room, and opened her bedroom door a crack. Walking into the hallway was out of the question, for the floorboards would surely creak and Grace would scold her for getting out of bed. She
listened as Lilly and John exchanged greetings with Grace, but the sound of their conversation diminished as they entered the parlor. Though she strained to hear, the most she could distinguish was an occasional word or two.
When she heard rapid footsteps ascending the stairway, Truth hurriedly shuffled back to her bed. She’d not yet pulled the covers over her legs when Lilly pushed open the door and quickly surveyed the room. She pointed at the bedcovers. “Were you out of bed and eavesdropping, my dear?”
Truth yanked the sheet over her legs. She wanted to make a denial, but instead she pasted on a winsome smile. “I merely wanted to know who had come calling since Grace hadn’t mentioned she was expecting visitors.”
“Of course. A sweet girl like you would never consider such unbecoming behavior as eavesdropping.” With an exaggerated wink, Lilly spread a quilt across Truth’s protruding abdomen. “Grace tells me we can expect this baby to make its way into the world today.”
“I’m not as convinced as Grace. My contractions are sporadic, and they’ve lessened over the past hour. I had gotten out of bed thinking a bit of activity might cause them to resume.” There! That response should prevent any further accusations from her aunt.
Lilly pulled a chair near Truth’s bed and sat down. After placing her purse atop the bedside table, she turned her full attention upon Truth. “John and I have been visiting a good deal of late—what with his uncle’s undeniable interest in me, John and I have formed quite a friendship. In fact, he’s taken me into his confidence on several occasions. Now that his Uncle Charles and I are spending more time together, I’ve grown to think of John as . . . well, almost family.”
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