Daniel McClintock

by Caroline Clemmons

  Gran’s eyes rounded as she accepted. “Why…why… thank you.”

  While Gran opened her present, Clara handed one to Kathryn and another to Rebecca. “I appreciate the generous welcome you’ve given me.”

  Kathryn’s face lit with pleasure. “How nice of you when we’re so happy you’re here.”

  Rebecca tore open the paper. “Oh, what lovely handkerchiefs. And there’re three of them. Thank you.” She stood and hugged Clara.

  Standing with the remaining package was awkward.

  “Please excuse me while I give this to Emma.” She slipped into the kitchen and gave the last gift to Emma.

  The housekeeper’s face shone. “For me? How kind of you, Clara.”

  When Clara returned to the parlor, Austin and his father exchanged information about ranching and various ranchers in the county. Kathryn asked Gran about social events in town. Rebecca went to the kitchen until she called everyone to dinner.

  Usually, the family ate at the large oak table in the kitchen. Clara loved the friendly, casual atmosphere. For the first time since her arrival, they gathered around the formal dining table. One chair had been removed to allow Daniel’s chair access to his place.

  She regarded Gran’s elaborate lilac taffeta gown and amethyst and diamond jewelry. The elder McClintocks must be very wealthy. Clara’s dress, which she had formerly thought to be lovely, appeared shabby beside Gran’s.

  Kathryn and Rebecca were dressed well, but not as ostentatiously as Gran was. Clara was relieved the two women she admired were not overdressed. Members of the McClintock family were so attractive, however, Clara would be a house sparrow by comparison no matter what she was wearing.

  She was seated between Daniel and his grandfather. Gran sat directly across the table from Grandpa. Clara sensed the older woman scrutinizing her with disapproval but pretended to be oblivious. Kathryn sat next to Gran.

  Emma brought platters and bowls for them to dine family style. Rebecca helped the cook/housekeeper then sat by her mother. At every other meal, Emma had eaten with them. Apparently she was not doing so this evening. Clara longed to slip into the kitchen with Emma.

  After grace, dishes were passed and conversation flowed with trivial matters. When they were finishing dessert, Gran started in on Clara–just as Daniel had predicted.

  “Young woman, how old are you?”

  “Twenty-two.” Clara wanted to ask Gran the same question but bit her tongue instead.

  Gran waved a hand in the air, making a circle. “How is it you’re supposed to be this medical wizardess when you’re so young?”

  Clara laid down her fork. “I finished school at sixteen then began my training. I began working with patients under supervision when I was eighteen. On my own, I’ve been treating patients as a heilgymnast for over two years with great success.”

  Gran tapped her fingernail on the table. “I don’t hold with that foreign talk. Speak English, girl. What does that heil…whatever you said mean?”

  “The word ‘heil’ has several meanings, but in this instance it means ‘heal’. The word ‘gymnast’ is coupled with ‘heil’ because healing is done in a gymnasium-like setting. Loosely translated, ‘heilgymnast’ means ‘healing therapist’ and the method I use is called ‘mechanotherapy’.”

  Gran’s eyes widened. “I declare, not another make-believe healer? This family collects them like a hound dog collects fleas.” Her mouth turned down in what looked like a perpetual pout.

  Grandpa leaned forward. “Zarelda! Miss Van Hoosan is here at the request of Kathryn and Austin through John Sullivan.”

  Daniel set down his glass. “Gran, you shouldn’t insult Mama or talk to or about Clara that way. Do you want me to be an invalid for the rest of my life? You think there’s something wrong with having someone with special training work with me? Do you remember that Clara was recruited by Dr. Sullivan after much investigation?”

  Gran sent a searing glare to Daniel. “Of course I want you walking again. I can’t see how this woman is the answer. Weren’t you expecting a man?”

  Clara laid a restraining hand on Daniel’s arm then quickly pulled back when she realized what she’d done. “Mrs. McClintock, there was confusion and the family thought a man was arriving. However, I was chosen specifically because I have had experience with patients suffering from the same type of paralysis as Daniel’s and achieved a high rate of success. I assure you I am adequately equipped to assist your grandson in learning to walk once more if anyone can. And, I truly believe he will walk again.”

  Grandpa smiled. “That’s good news, Miss Van Hoosan.”

  Gran harrumphed. “Still, not a proper job for a woman.”

  Kathryn scooted back her chair and stood. “Why don’t we go into the parlor?”

  Austin quickly rose and helped his mother with her chair then escorted her to the parlor.

  Daniel announced, “I hope you’ll excuse me. I’m tired from all the work Clara had me doing today. Good evening.” He peered at Clara. “I’ll need your help.”

  Grateful to escape even though he didn’t need her, Clara grabbed the handles and wheeled his chair toward his room. “Nice to have met you, Mr. and Mrs. McClintock. Good night.”

  When the two of them were in Daniel’s room, she closed the door. He removed his shirt and vest and pulled on his nightshirt. After Clara had helped him onto his bed, she tugged his pants from his legs.

  When he was tucked in for the night, she stood beside his bed, hands on her hips. “I have two things to tell you before I say goodnight. One, there is no need to defend me. I am perfectly able to speak up for myself. Besides, your grandmother is not as fierce as you believe.”

  His scowl changed his handsome face, but didn’t wipe away his good looks. “What makes you think that speech was for your sake? You think I appreciate having Gran come to our home and act as if she’s Queen Zarelda and we’re all far beneath her? She shouldn’t have been so rude to you because it reflects on Mama and Pa. I intend to point that out to her whenever she acts that way around me.”

  He shook his head. “You should have heard some of the things she’s said to Mama about her healing.” He inhaled deeply. “So, what’s the other thing?”

  She smiled at him, hoping it softened her features. “Two is thank you, Daniel. Even though—or maybe especially—because it wasn’t necessary, I appreciate your support. I’m not accustomed to having someone defend me.”

  She took a breath. “Do you want the lamp out or do you plan to read for a while?”

  “Leave it.” He reached for his book without meeting her gaze. “I’ll read for an hour so.”

  “Good night.” She went to her room.

  She readied for bed, surprised at how Daniel had come to her assistance. His grandmother was a mean-spirited harridan for certain. His grandfather was a sweet man. How in the world did those two come to be married this long?

  That reminded her of kind Uncle Hans and acidic Aunt Petra. There were strange couples who made her question the likelihood of their marriages. Perhaps there was even a man for her somewhere.

  Chapter Five

  In their home that night, Victor McClintock sent a stern gaze at his wife. “You were rude to that young woman and by inference, to Kathryn. How long are you going to carry this hatred for Kathryn?”

  “I don’t hate her. Only Austin could have married well. If he’d chosen Marla King as I urged him to do, he’d have acquired a fortune and social standing. Instead, he chose that so-called healer with no family and nothing to her name. What a waste!”

  “You think Josh, Daniel, and Rebecca are a waste?”

  “Of course not. Except for Daniel being paralyzed.”

  “Austin chose Kathryn because he loves her. He didn’t need someone else’s fortune—he’s acquired one for himself. You have to stop this, Zarelda. All these years Kathryn has been a wonderful daughter to us. She’s helped hundreds with her herbs and delivered dozens of babies. You know John Sullivan calls
on her for help at times. Why can’t you accept that she is the woman for Austin and good at what she does?”

  As if she hadn’t heard him, his wife gazed at an unknown point in the room. “I wanted the best for our boys. Houston had to go and marry that heathen woman and get killed. If he’d been here, that wouldn’t have happened. Then Austin married Kathryn.”

  “You don’t know what life Houston would have had if he’d been here. Do I have to remind you that if you’d accepted Gentle Dove, then Houston would have lived here near us?”

  She snapped, “You do not. Please don’t mention it again.”

  Seeing the pain in her eyes, he changed the subject to the here and now. “We couldn’t have a better daughter-in-law than Kathryn. She’s a good wife, good mother, good healer, and good to us in spite of the way you treat her. Why do you persist in mistreating her?”

  “Drying plants and giving them to people is not the way a proper lady acts. Nor is working as a… whatever this young woman called herself.”

  “I don’t remember the term, but she comes highly recommended. Who says that’s not proper for a lady? You think people would be better served if Kathryn and Clara deserted their patients and sat around drinking tea and gossiping? Maybe like Viola Ruthson, who ran away with her husband’s best friend? She was a lady, wasn’t she, and a member of your ladies group?”

  Zarelda gasped. “Don’t mention that woman’s name. She fooled us but her true nature showed.”

  He took his wife by her shoulders. “You promised me you’d do better. For some reason I love you but I’m not above revealing details about your father’s embezzling and prison sentence.”

  Fear shadowed tears in her eyes. “No, please, don’t tell anyone. You promised. I’ll… I’ll try to put aside my reservations and be more accepting.”

  Gently, he kissed away her tears. “We’ve had a tiring day. Let’s turn in and see what tomorrow brings.”

  “I love you, Vincent. I know I don’t deserve a man like you, but I’m so grateful you’re my husband.”

  He hugged her shoulders. “Me, too, Love. Me, too.”

  ***

  Whenever one of the cowboys went into town, he collected mail for everyone at the ranch. One day, Kathryn handed Clara a letter from the stack of envelopes and packages.

  “This is from Aunt Petra. I am surprised she is writing to me.” She opened the letter and sank to a chair. “Oh, no.”

  Kathryn touched Clara’s shoulder. “Do you have bad news?”

  “Uncle Hans had a heart attack the week after I left and he’s… he’s dead.” With her eyes filling with tears she kept reading the letter. “I will read it aloud, but it will be slowly while I translate in my head.”

  Clara,

  My Hans died from a heart attack the week after you left. You will receive a letter from the solicitor telling you what happened to the money from your parents’ home and farm. This should have come to us because we took you in for all those years but Hans planned for you to have the proceeds. We were arguing about this when his heart gave out. This makes my grief worse. I am all alone now and lost.

  You sound as if you are in a good place with kind people. I envy you.

  Your Aunt Petra

  Kathryn hugged her shoulders. “I’m so sorry. I know you were fond of your uncle.”

  “Ja, he was my mother’s older brother and always good to me. Not Petra, she deserves to feel lonely and lost.”

  Clara laid a hand against her cheek and gasped. “What am I saying? I am ashamed I had such a petty thought when my aunt is grieving too.”

  Kathryn shook her head. “That reaction was shock speaking. I know you are too kind to mean that. From what you’ve said, though, your aunt doesn’t instill good thoughts.”

  “She had a circle of ladies there but I believe they were the wives of other men from the university. Now Petra will have lost what she had in common with them. She may truly be lonely.”

  Clara reread the brief letter. “I will write her tonight and send my condolences.”

  ***

  The next morning, Dr. Sullivan came to check Daniel. “You’re improving, young man. Your pulse is stronger and your lungs sound clear. Obviously, Clara’s routines are beneficial.”

  Daniel glanced at her before training his gaze on the doctor. “Don’t encourage her, Doc. Already she works me to half to death. Josh and Dallas still come every weekday and drag me around.”

  The doctor nodded. “Hmm, I’ll bet you’re sleeping better now, aren’t you?”

  Clara wanted to laugh at the mixture of emotions playing across Daniel’s face.

  He finally admitted, “Yeah, I’ve been sleeping six hours straight every night. I’m grateful for that even if nothing else works.”

  She stepped forward. “You will walk again.” She shook her finger at him. “Do not doubt this. Believing really does help recovery. If you are positive, you send messages to your brain and there is an unconscious response.”

  Daniel rolled his eyes. “Malarkey. Horse feathers.”

  The doctor returned his stethoscope to his bag. “She’s right. You know I read a lot of medical journals and papers. There are many case studies that prove this is valid. Never give up, Daniel.”

  A skeptical expression settled on Daniel’s face. “If you say so, Doc. I’ll admit I had resigned myself to never leaving this room until you told me Clara was on her way here.”

  Daniel laughed and a twinkle sparkled in his blue eyes. “No, not her. A Mr. C. R. Van Hoosan, I believe.”

  Clara sighed. “I suppose I’ll never hear the end of that even though I explained that signature form is common in business correspondence.”

  Dr. Sullivan picked up his bag. “Good to see you on the upswing. I’ll see myself out.”

  Rebecca sailed into the room, graceful as a swan. “Any chance of stealing you, Clara, to go horseback riding?”

  Blood pounded in her ears and her breath caught in her throat. She had to clear her throat with a cough. “Thank you, but after what happened to my parents I stay clear of horses. Perhaps we can do something else soon, like take a walk or quilt or something that doesn’t involve huge animals.”

  Laughing, Rebecca waved and left the room.

  Daniel studied Clara. “Afraid of a horse? I’m surprised. Didn’t think you feared anything.”

  Shrugging, she straightened his cover then poured him a glass of water.

  He took the glass but didn’t raise it to his lips. “What? No witty comment to vindicate yourself?”

  “I am not ashamed to admit my fear of horses. You know my parents were killed by a crazed horse. What you don’t know is that I watched from the corral fence.”

  Daniel set the glass on the bedside table. “I’m sorry. That must have been horrendous. How old were you?”

  “Ten. Mama admired a magnificent chestnut stallion in our neighbor’s field. The neighbor, Mr. de Graaf, warned my parents that the horse had never been ridden and had a wild nature. That only increased Mama’s desire to have the horse—I admit she was strong-willed and spoiled.”

  Daniel’s eyes widened. “Surely she didn’t try to ride him?”

  She shrugged. “She intended to. Papa and the neighbor saddled him and Papa was going to ride first. They were all three in Mr. de Graaf’s small corral. At the last moment, Mama argued that she wanted to be the first to ride the horse. She and Papa argued, their voices grew loud and Mr. de Graaf tried to intervene. Mama actually yelled at him and pushed away his hand.”

  Clara covered her eyes with her hands, as if she could block out the memory seared into her mind. “Suddenly, the horse pulled his halter reins from Mr. de Graaf and attacked Mama. When Papa tried to rescue her, the horse stomped him, too.”

  Daniel’s wide eyes filled with sympathy. “And you saw this happen?”

  Saddened at the reminder, she nodded. “Yes, all of it. When the neighbor got the stallion under control, Papa was dead from a crushed skull and Mama was badly inju
red. She died a few days later.”

  Not before she told Clara goodbye and asked for forgiveness. Her beautiful mother couldn’t bear knowing she’d caused the death of her beloved husband.

  Daniel’s voice snapped her out of her assault of memories. “Then you went to live with your aunt and uncle?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and turned to face the window. “Ja, yes. They didn’t know I’d heard Aunt Petra argue against taking me to live with them. She wanted me sent to an orphanage. Uncle Hans put down his foot because I was his only sister’s only child. Dreading being taken where I wasn’t wanted and totally lost without my parents, I packed my things and a few mementos and went to live in the city of Amsterdam. I suppose Uncle Hans disposed of the farm and the household things.”

  His voice held a note of humor. “Aha, but you were initially a country girl. Perhaps our ranch doesn’t seem too remote then.”

  “I enjoy being here, even when you’re cantankerous which, as far as I can determine, is constantly.” She turned to face him. “Your ranch is so much larger than our little place. Papa grew tulips but we had a couple of good horses he and Mama rode for pleasure. Occasionally, Mama would take me riding. Our other stock was for farming or eating—plow horses, pigs, a milk cow, and chickens.”

  “You had a nice life there?”

  She found the courage to smile. “Very nice, but if I had remained in our little village I would have had no opportunity to learn after I was sixteen. Other than Papa, no one I knew went to university. It was a simple life, but I was contented. I believe Mama wished for more, but she loved Papa and never urged him to leave the farm he so enjoyed.”

  “What do you think she wanted to do?”

  Clara sighed. “I don’t know. When she and I were alone, she sometimes spoke to me of theater and large shops and fancy parties with a faraway look. She grew up in Amsterdam and I think was quite sought after by beaus. While she didn’t attend university, she had attended a ladies seminary. Aunt Petra had nothing after she finished public school.”

  “Odd how things work out, isn’t it? No wonder your aunt was jealous of you. But, I’ll bet your aunt misses you.”