by Rita Hestand
"Yes, she did." Sarah answered with a smile. "How'd you know."
"Ain't nothin' like Ma's cooking. Anyone can tell you that."
Luke brought her a plate and she managed to keep the blanket over her and eat too.
"That creek is sure overrun." Morey remarked to Luke.
"Well, Mrs. Hodges has pneumonia, and both of us were trying to get there. I left my horse and went on foot looking for Sarah." Luke explained.
"We found him. He's outside. You'll need him to get through to the Hodges, I can tell you." Jake informed him. And you'll have to take the long way around that creek as it's too dangerous to cross."
Sarah looked up, "I can vouch for that."
"She does look a might peaked Reverend, do you think she is alright to travel?"
"As soon as her clothes are dry." Luke blotted the last of his soup with the bread.
"Sorry you can't take this to Mrs. Hodges, Sarah." Morey glanced her way.
"At least I can check on her and make sure she's okay. She's getting up in age and me and Ma worry about her." Sarah laid her plate on the floor.
Luke picked it up and carried it to the small counter, there was a small washtub there and he poured some of the water from the stove in it to wash the dishes with.
Being a bachelor Sarah surmised he must wash dishes for himself a lot.
After the men chatted a while, Luke glanced over at Sarah, "Well boys, I reckon we should step outside and let the lady get dressed now, her clothes are dry."
They nodded and went outside.
Sarah wasted no time in dressing herself and just as she was about to stand up once more, her head began to pound, she grabbed it as Luke peaked back inside. "Are you dressed yet?"
"Yes," she groaned.
He came inside and the men followed him, "You head hurting…?"
"Yeah…pretty bad…"
"You just sit there a while. Are you dizzy?" Jake asked.
"A little…" she murmured.
"Well, little missy, you just take care, we ain't in no rush to run you off. We don't want you keeling over…"
They all stared at her.
She glanced up at them. "I'll be fine…maybe I got up too fast, or something…"
"You went down pretty hard on that rock. Like I said, I thought you were near dead." Luke explained, and the men seemed to reconsider their first impression of what was going on here.
"She probably needs a doc, Reverend." Morey suggested.
"Yeah, if we can get to the Hodges fast enough, we might catch doc before he takes off." Luke remarked.
"I'll be fine, as long as I can ride on a horse…or get on a horse," she laughed.
"You sit tight for a bit. We won't rush you." Jake told her. "You might have one of them concussions…I heard about."
She was sitting at the table now, but laid her head down, and they all stared at her. "She's hurt pretty bad, ain't she?" Morey observed.
"Yeah, I'm as worried about her as I am Mrs. Hodges."
"Maybe you better get on up there and catch that doc."
Luke nodded. "I'll get my horse then…"
He went outside and Sarah slept at the table until he returned.
The boys carried her out and helped her up in the saddle behind Luke. "Now you hold on tight, Miss Sarah."
Jake sounded worried, and Sarah was drifting in and out of it. The feel of Luke's warm body was inviting and she snuggled against him, laying her head on his wide shoulders.
"Get her to the doc, and fast, Luke, and if you need us, come get us." Morey told him.
"Will do, boys, thanks." Luke nodded.
He rode slowly, but steadily.
Sarah barely stirred.
When they finally made it to the Hodge's place Mr. Hodge came out. He saw Sarah still clinging to Luke.
"Something wrong, Reverend?" Mr. Hodge asked.
"Sarah had an accident. She fell in the creek and hit her head on a rock. Is the doc still here?" Luke asked.
"Sure is, come on, I'll help you get her down." Mr. Hodge told him.
Sarah wasn't aware that Luke carried her inside, she felt so sleepy, she couldn't quite wake up. She heard voices, and smelled food cooking and heard the stern voice of the doc.
"Well now, what have we here," Doc Simms asked when Luke laid her in one of the kid's beds.
"She fell on a rock in the creek doc. She had a bad case of chills and was nearly drown but her head was hurting this morning and we came from the line shack as fast as we could. Wanted to catch the doc before he left.." Luke explained.
"It's a wonder she ain't dead!" Mr. Hodge said.
"She was bringing you some food from Ma." Luke explained.
"You come with her?" one of the kids asked.
"No, I was coming to see your mother-in-law, I'd heard she was sick and wanted to pay her a visit. I spotted Sarah's wagon on the way up and knew there had to be some trouble about. I found her as she was slipping into the creek."
"Well, I'll swan. That's so sweet of both of you. Ma's doing a little better, doc gave her some medicine to help her rest, but he thinks she's going to be all right. She's a hardy woman, you know."
Luke smiled. "I'm glad to hear that…"
The doc came out of the room and looked at Luke. "She's got a concussion. She needs to be watched for the next few days. She could have dizzy spells, and sink into a what we call a coma. So keep an eye on her. Has she been asleep since it happened?"
"Oh yeah…she was out cold when I brought her to the shack."
"More than likely she'll be alright, but she needs constant watching for about three days. If there is no more dizziness, then she'll probably be all right. We don't know a lot about head injuries out here. We just have to watch the patient. She sure has a big knot on the back of her head, but it is a big lump and that's good."
"It is?" they all asked.
"Yeah, if the lump went inside, then that would be real bad." The doc informed them.
"I'll see she' taken care of." Luke told the doc.
"Good. I got another baby to deliver down the hill and I got to get to it. I think Mrs. Hodge will be fine, but I'll look on her again in a few days." The doc informed them then left.
"Doc," Luke went outside to speak to the doctor. "I think I am going to keep Sarah up here a day or two, because I don't want her moving around much. Will you stop off and tell Ma what happened and that way she won't worry."
"I'll be glad to. And you take good care of her."
"Oh, I plan to doc, I plan to." Luke smiled at him.
He waved the doc off and went back inside.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
He visited with the elder Mrs. Hodge for a while, glad to see her recuperating so well. He also told them of the food that Sarah had intended to bring them, but it didn't quite make it.
"That was so thoughtful. You know, Sarah has been a Godsend to Ma." the younger Mrs. Hodge said.
"Oh, how so?" Luke asked as she poured him some coffee.
"Well, you know when Harry married Jo Ella, Ma was so happy for them, but she felt the loss when Harry had that big house built for Jo Ella and they moved from the boarding house."
Luke nodded. "Yeah, I guess she didn't figure on them moving, did she?"
"No, Ma always liked a lot people around her. If she didn't have that boarding house, she'd go nuts. All those girls have been good for her. I only worry what she'll do when they all marry and move off."
"Life's full of adjustments, I guess. As much as she cares for Sarah, I don't think Ma will have to worry too much. Sarah will be around…"
"Yes, as a mail order bride I expect she's still looking to find a husband for herself. As sweet as she is, she shouldn't have a bit of trouble." Mrs. Hodge said raising a brow. "That girl goes out of her way to do for people, got a heart of gold, wouldn't you say?"
Luke nodded, "Indeed."
"But you know Reverend," Mrs. Hodge had a strange look on her face now. "I know you rescued Sarah from that cold wate
r, and probably saved her life, but…being a Reverend…it kind of puts you in a spot, you know."
Luke's smile began to fade.
"Well, what else could I do? That creek was impassable at the time, Mrs. Hodge." Luke explained.
"I know that, and you know that, and maybe even Sarah knows that, but if it were to get out that you spent the night with her in a shack…well…that wouldn't sound so good. Especially since she's being courted by Ronald Goldfield."
"Being courted by Ronald Goldfield? I didn't know it was that serious. But what happened in the shack…I mean, surely you don't think I compromised her."
"Of course not, Reverend, but if the gossips get a hold of this in town, you might have some trouble. I mean, she went to the dance with that Ronald Goldfield could be you'll be performing a wedding for them before long. Unless word of this gets about. I'm told he doesn't waste much time." Mrs. Hodge said, sitting at the table and eyeing Luke with precision.
Luke's shoulder's bunched.
"Mrs. Hodge would you mind if she stayed here a day or two, to get her strength back. She's really not well enough to be jostled on a horse back to Ma's yet." Luke suggested.
"We'd love to have her, and you too. Got plenty of room in this big old house. Now you lookie here now Luke, I know nothing went on, and I know that because I know both of you. I am just warning you, there could be talk."
"Thanks for the warning; I'll take it under consideration. And thanks for letting us stay. Her wagon broke down on the other side of the creek, thought I'd see if your husband could help me fix it tomorrow. It's still too wet out there right now."
"He'd be proud do. You know living up here, we don't get as many visitors as people do in town and it just pleases us to have company. Tell me, how's that ranch of yours doing?"
"Real well. I just bought a new bull, and come spring I plan on breeding it. Got a good price for my cattle, and no accidents or anything, so I'm feeling pretty good about it all. Got enough hay in this year to spread around to other ranchers. It's been a lot of work, but I've had a lot of help too."
"You've done well for yourself Luke. You know, it's time you were settling down. Are you and that Rebecca Goldfield serious about one another?"
Luke was shocked that Mrs. Hodge knew so much about what was going on in town, but word did spread quickly. He worried about the fact that he'd been alone in a cabin with Sarah too, and that two cowboys found her in a state of dress so to speak. Word of that might get around too. And Sarah, poor Sarah would be so upset.
Mrs. Hodge's stared at Luke strangely.
"What did you say?" Luke had to shake his head to come out of his doldrums.
"I said are you and that Rebecca Goldfield serious?"
Luke shook his head. "No, we aren't, Mrs. Hodge. I hope no one assumes that. She's new in town, and with her father's funeral and all so recent, I figured she needed an escort to the dance. That's all."
"Oh, I see. She danced with every man at the dance; she really is the talk of the town, isn't she?"
"I suppose so."
"And Sarah and Ronald?" Mrs. Hodge seemed to wait anxiously for his answer.
"I couldn't say…"
Mr. Hodge walked in and hung his coat and hat up then strolled into the kitchen with his hands on his hips. "Are you catching up on all the gossip, Irene?"
"Well, Henry Hodge, I rarely get to catch up on anyone living up here in the boonies." Mrs. Hodge laughed.
"I put your horse up an fed him and curried him good. Sure is miserable outside."
"They are staying with us a day or two, ain't that nice." Mrs. Hodge smiled.
"Well, I'll have a man to talk to, that is nice." Mr. Hodge chuckled.
After a long chat with Mr. Hodge, Luke went in to check on Sarah. She was awake, but staring off through the window.
"Where am I?" Sarah asked.
Luke looked concerned. "You are at the Hodge place now. Old Mrs. Hodge is fine, by the way, no worries there. And we're staying here a day or two until you get your bearings again…"
She looked at him now, and smiled. "I haven't thanked you for saving my life…"
"No need." He whispered.
She reached for his hand and held it in hers. "Yes there is…"
He stared into her eyes, "I've got to ask you this, and I want an answer Sarah. Why didn't you go to the dance with me?"
"That's still bothering you?" She asked with a slight frown.
"Well, you went with Ronald. Why couldn't you go with me?"
"Because…Ronald didn't mean anything to me…"
He bowed his head, and then looked up with a slight curve to his lips. "And I did?"
She was about to answer when Mr. Hodge sauntered into the room. "Well, she's come around, that's good. How you feeling young lady?"
"Better Mr. Hodge." Sarah answered. She knew Luke was still staring at her and she couldn’t dare look at him now. She'd said too much.
She started to get up, but Luke stopped her with a hand. "You stay in bed today; tomorrow we'll get you up and see how you do."
"But I'm fine…" She protested.
"The doc said a couple of days rest was what you needed, and we are going to see you get it."
She nestled under the covers and sighed. "I'm…" but she felt dizzy again and sunk down deeper.
"See…" Luke smiled and pulled the blanket over her tightly. "Get some rest."
~*~
The next morning, Luke and Henry went to fix the wagon.
"This will make a smoother ride home than a horse for Sarah." Henry chuckled as they greased the wheel and made the repairs.
"She'll need it, she still get those dizzy spells. She hit her head pretty hard. I was worried when I first got her out of that water that she might die, or get pneumonia too." Luke commented.
"Yeah, but she's young, she'll be alright in a day or two, I'm sure of it. She's a pretty little thing. How come you don't grab her up and marry her, Reverend. Ain't it about time you settled down and made a family?" Henry scrutinized Luke for a minute.
"I've given settling down some thought, actually Henry. Not that I want to go telling the women in this town, they sure do have a way of talking." Luke laughed.
"Yeah, but don't worry your head over Irene, she rarely gets to town and she's very fond of you and Sarah."
"Me and Sarah, sounds like you got us paired up, Henry."
"Well, it does take a sledge hammer for some." Henry frowned then laughed aloud.
"Sarah is pretty special, isn't she?" Luke asked him.
"You damned right she is. Any girl her age that would worry about my mother and risk her life to bring her food, I'd say she's real special. The kind of gal a man like you needs Reverend."
Luke smiled, "Henry, can I ask you something."
"Sure anything…" Henry smiled as he put the finishing touches on the wagon.
"If someone wanted to change, I mean really change, do you think they could?" Luke asked his expression tight.
"You of all people ask that?"
"What do you mean?" Luke looked at him with surprise.
"Don't you remember what a wild little critter your were, when you first grew up. Gambling, even drinking on occasions, and the girls you had on your arm. Then you become the best-damned rancher in the valley, and turn to preaching of all things. I gotta tell you, I came to church just to see if it was true." Henry cackled.
Luke stared at him and had to crack a smile, "I guess I forgot about those days, Henry. Thanks for reminding me. It's been a while."
"Aw…we all knew it was because your daddy remarried and left the valley. We understood, but when you did a complete turn around, we all couldn't believe it either. Now, you're considered the best catch in town, aside from our rather pompous Mayor. Are you interested in that rich little filly in town, that you escorted to the dance?" Henry asked.
"No, I'm not. But everyone seems under that impression."
"Small towns are that way, and you should know it, you've
lived here long enough." Henry cackled again handing Luke the can of axle grease he'd brought for the wheel.
"Rebecca is rather…pushy." Luke admitted.
"I'll bet. She probably gets most anything she wants." Henry shrugged.
"Probably does."
"But not you?"
"No, not me. I'll help her, I'll be there for her, but I'm not interested in a permanent relationship with a girl that is so selfish and self-centered." Luke glanced off into the valley, the air had cleared and the fog disappeared now. "As a matter of fact, I think she is one girl who enjoys being singled more than most. That way she can have all the men she wants."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. I knew she weren't right for you, but I wanted to hear you say it. I guess you have grown up, Luke." Henry slapped him on the shoulder and walked back toward the house.
Luke smiled and drove the wagon right behind him.
Chapter Thirty
When Luke got back to the Hodge place, he looked for Sarah and couldn't find her. She wasn't in bed any longer.
"She's out at the barn, the kids wanted to watch the new calf being born, so she went out to sit with them. I figured that wouldn’t' hurt none."
Luke smiled, "Probably be good for her."
Luke went out to the barn. When he went inside, the kids weren't around, and Sarah was lying in the hay, holding the new born calf.
"Isn't she a beauty," She asked him.
"About the prettiest thing I've ever seen…"Luke voice softened.
Sarah looked at Luke as he squatted to pet the calf. Their hands collided, and suddenly he pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly.
If it hadn't been for the calf, the kiss might have blown into much more, but the calf squirmed and she let him go with a laugh.
Luke sat on the hay beside her. "How do you feel?"
She shrugged, "Like I have a knot on my head, but otherwise fine. Did you get the wagon fixed?"
"Yeah, and I figure it will be more comfortable to ride home in, another reason I wanted to stay up here…"
Sarah sighed heavily and leaned back in the hay to look at him. "I'm a little worried…"
