Snowbound

by Christine Sterling

  “How are you feeling, Mrs. Winters?” Chelsea asked, taking a seat on the chair next to the bed.

  “Not so good. My chest still hurts.”

  “Let me have a listen, shall we?” Chelsea took the stethoscope from around her neck and placed the ends in her ears. She listened to the crackling sound of her patient’s lungs. “It sounds like it is breaking up, but you still have fluid in your lungs. Has your cough been any more productive?”

  Mary shook her head. “I’m still bringing up blood when I cough. I just wish it would stop hurting.”

  “The blood is just from the back of your throat. It isn’t anything to worry about right now. That’s just irritation. Everything else is swollen. It is going to take a while for it to return to normal. But give it a few more days and you’ll be good as new.”

  Mary gave a little laugh and held her chest. “I shouldn’t do that.”

  “Ah, but one of my mentors said that laughter is the best medicine.”

  “Can you sit with me a spell? It has been so lonely in this room.”

  “Of course,” Chelsea said patting the older woman’s hand. She saw Mary’s eyes drift to the window.

  “Can you open the curtains? I want to feel the sun on my face.” Mary’s voice was wheezing. Chelsea didn’t want to make her condition worse.

  “I don’t think that is wise. You won’t want a draft to come in.”

  “I’ll stay under the blanket. Just for a few minutes. I miss seeing the trees.”

  Chelsea nodded and went to open the curtains. The view was breathtaking. She could see the barn, the ridgeline and the mountains in the distance.

  “My Victor built this cabin for just that view.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  Mary patted the chair and Chelsea took her seat again. “We were married over 30 years. Raised five sons in this cabin.” She gave a little chuckle. “Victor just kept adding rooms as the family grew.”

  “You didn’t find it crowded or stifling out here?”

  Mary looked at her. “Oh heavens, no. I was right where I needed to be. There was so much love in this house. I would see my boys out playing in the pasture. I could see all sorts of animals walk through the yard. God was so good to us.” Mary gave a small sniffle. “I don’t know why He took it all away.”

  Chelsea held Mary’s hand. “I don’t have answers for you. I wish I did.”

  “I heard you arguing with Braun this morning.”

  “Oh.” Chelsea slid down in the chair. “I am sorry about that. We didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  “I remember when Victor and I would argue.” She looked at Chelsea with wise eyes. “Of all the boys, Braun is the most like his father.”

  “Braun?”

  “That is his given name. It is German. Victor called him Brawny when he started to grow. And boy did he ever grow. That boy could eat out the larder if I would let him.”

  “Are you from Germany? I heard you talking to Brawny when I first arrived.”

  “Yes. I came here as a bride for Victor. My Poppa sent me over.”

  “A mail order bride?”

  “Yes. Our parents knew each other in the old country. Victor was getting ready to move West and I came to help him.”

  “Weren’t you scared?”

  “I was terrified. I hadn’t seen him since we were children. But once I saw him and we married I knew this was exactly where I was meant to be. He was the most handsome man I had ever seen.”

  Chelsea thought about what Mary had said. “You said Brawny was just like his father. Did you argue?”

  “All the time. But the making up was worth it.”

  “Making up?”

  “How do you think I ended up with five sons?” She laughed.

  “Oh my.” Chelsea wasn’t expecting that.

  Mary patted Chelsea’s hand. “Forgive Brawny. Talk to him. He hasn’t been the same since the accident.”

  “I was there when they brought him into the clinic.”

  “His recovery hasn’t been easy.”

  “I know.”

  “I don’t think you do. It did something inside of him. As a man. He sees himself as less than a man.”

  “That is ridiculous.”

  “Is it? He has difficulty doing things because of his limited vision. I hear him begging God at night just to end his pain.”

  “I wasn’t aware of that. I wasn’t his physician after he lost his eye.”

  “I know. Doc Childs came out here several times to see him.”

  “He did?”

  Mary nodded. “He didn’t want to go into town. He was avoiding someone. I’ve never known that man to avoid anything, and now he refuses to go to town.”

  “Did he tell you I proposed to him?”

  Mary laughed until she started coughing. Chelsea rubbed her back waiting for the spasm to pass. “I knew something that happened. I didn’t know it was you. He turned you down?”

  “Quite emphatically.”

  “I’m not surprised. That boy has too much pride. But I do know this, don’t give up on him. He has much love in his heart.”

  “I know. I just needed to get out of a situation, and I thought that he might help me.”

  “You aren’t in the family way, are you?”

  “Oh heavens no. Just some unwanted attention.”

  “Unwanted attention how?”

  “Just a man that won’t leave me alone. He actually scared me the last time I saw him.”

  “You tell Brawny, he’ll take care of it.”

  “It’s alright. I’ve not seen the person in a while, so I don’t think it will be an issue.”

  Mary leaned back in the bed. “You can close the curtains. I’m tired now and want to rest.”

  “Of course.” Chelsea got up and closed the curtains. When she reached the door, she heard Mary call her name.

  “You are a good woman, Dr. Tory. I’d be proud to call you my daughter.”

  Chapter 8

  Brawny cursed himself all the way back to the barn. His quick temper was not one of his better virtues, Ma would say. She told him he needed to slow down and think before he responded. His frustration was not Chelsea’s problem.

  He had done a quick walk around looking for a way out of the valley. He carved a path clear around the property. From one edge of the ridge to the other. He spied several squirrels when he was out. They were celebrating the snow finally stopping and were racing from tree limb to tree limb.

  He had his rifle with him but couldn’t get a clean shot with his weak eye. Frustrated, he watched the possibility of dinner scamper away. You aren’t worth anything, he thought to himself. What kind of man can’t hunt? You can’t even provide for your family.

  He thought of Chelsea as family, whether he would admit it or not.

  When he finally returned, he was tired and cold. His long overcoat only blocked so much of the snow. Some of it found its way down into his boots and soaked his pants.

  Tired, cold, frustrated and looking for a fight.

  Well he got one. And in the process ended up hurting the one person he cared the most about. He could tell the sun was beginning to set by the shadows making their way across the floor of the barn. It had been several hours since he walked in the house. His stomach growled, reminding Brawny he hadn’t eaten all day.

  He was oiling his horse’s saddle when he saw the barn door slide open. Chelsea slipped inside and slid the door shut. Panic flooded Brawny. He didn’t expect her to find him in the barn unless it was an emergency.

  “Something happen to Ma?”

  “No. She is resting right now. The congestion isn’t breaking up the way I would like. I’m still worried about the fluid in her lungs.” She stopped and looked around, wrinkling her nose. “Well this is interesting,” she said.

  Brawny let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding. “You never been in a barn before, lady doc?”

  “I wish you wouldn’t call me that. You used to
call me Chelsea.”

  “I used to do a lot of things.” He turned and went back to rubbing the leather.

  “Like what? What are you missing?”

  Brawny sighed and started to rub the saddle as if he was trying to remove the stitching. “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something to you, so it is something to me.”

  He didn’t look up from his work. “I can’t use a gun.”

  “What do you mean, you can’t use a gun?”

  “I mean I’ve lost my shooting eye. It is why we don’t have food right now. I can’t hunt.”

  Chelsea looked around the barn. “Why don’t you use those traps over there? At least until you can strengthen your other eye?” Brawn didn’t say anything. He glared at her and continued to rub. “Brawny, what has gotten into you? I’ve never seen you act like this before.”

  “Did you come back out here to fight, Chelsea, because I’m not going to take the bait.”

  Chelsea walked over to him and placed her hand on his arm. “I didn’t come out here to fight. I came out to apologize.” Brawny turned and looked at her. He placed the rag down and folded his hands between his knees.

  “I’m listening.”

  Chelsea twirled a little bit, causing her braid to swing from side to side. “You aren’t going to make this easy, are you?” She looked like a child when she did that, but Brawny knew there was nothing child-like about her. She was all woman.

  He looked at her standing there, with her jaw clenched. Her big green eyes threatening to overflow with tears. She hadn’t cried in all the time he had known her, and he hated to think he was the cause of her crying twice in the same day.

  He tried to remember what his Pops would say. Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. Granted, Chelsea wasn’t his wife, but he wanted that more than anything. His parents had one of the strongest marriages he had ever seen. If they argued, his parents would put aside their pride and come to a resolution.

  It was usually Pops that apologized first, and they would disappear into the bedroom to talk. Ma would appear later with a smile on her face and all would be right in the family again.

  When Brawny asked Pops why he kowtowed to Ma, Pops said it wasn’t kowtowing, it was his job to take care of his wife, and that meant emotionally too. He would rather spend the rest of his life making Mary happy than spend one minute angry towards her.

  Forgiveness is a powerful tool, son, he said. Don’t ever forget that.

  Brawny sighed and held his arms open. Chelsea went into them immediately. She put her head on his shoulder and he could feel the tension leave her body. Her back relaxed and he heard her softly crying.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered into her hair. “I was frustrated, and it had nothing to do with you.”

  Chelsea nodded. “I am sorry for being so stubborn.” She lifted her head and looked at him. “I know you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize my safety. I’m just going out of my mind being cooped up in the house. I’m so used to my freedom.”

  Brawny took his thumb and wiped the tears that had stained her cheeks. “I understand. I’ll do everything I can to get you home as quickly as possible.” Chelsea bobbed her head. “I promise. In the meantime, you can come out here and feed the animals anytime you want.”

  Chelsea laughed. He loved the sound of her laughter. It was like a melody that went straight to his heart. She grabbed his hand that was still touching her face and curled her fingers around it, and held it to her chest. “I would, but it took me three hours to walk out here in all that snow. Did you know how difficult it is to break through all that ice?”

  Brawny laughed. “Three hours?”

  “Well maybe not that long but it certainly did feel like it.” She held tightly onto his hand and used her other to cup his cheek. Her thumb traced the scars left behind by the quicklime. Brawny stiffened but allowed her to explore his face. “I am so sorry this happened to you,” she whispered.

  “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “I know, but I can still have empathy about it. I know you were in so much pain. Does it still hurt?”

  “No.”

  “I wish you hadn’t turned me away when you were hurt.”

  “Chelsea,” his voice came out as a groan. “I didn’t want you seeing me like this. I know that I’m a monster.”

  Chelsea leaned back and looked at him. “Who told you that?”

  “I hear them talk in town. That is why I don’t go there unless I can help it.”

  “That isn’t everyone, Brawny.”

  Brawny raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “You are definitely unique, Chelsea Tory.”

  She gave him a quick hug. “Come back in the house and let me dish dinner out for you. You must be hungry.”

  “I am. Let me put everything away and I’ll be right in. What did you make?”

  “Your Ma walked me through her chicken and dumplings recipe. I don’t know how good it will be, but at least it is warm.”

  “I win!” Chelsea exclaimed. She jumped over two of Brawny’s checkers and slid the captured pieces to the side. They were in the sitting room drinking coffee and playing the game while a fire burned bright in the stove.

  Dinner wasn’t too terrible. Brawny praised her cooking, even though she knew it wasn’t good. He even offered to do the dishes so she could talk with Mary for a bit.

  “I’m done for the evening,” he said, throwing his hands up in mock surrender.

  “You sure you don’t want to play another game?”

  “Not tonight. I have a few things to do.”

  Chelsea tried not to look disappointed. “Alright. I guess I’ll just go to bed and read.”

  “Just sit here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

  She heard him go down the hallway to a room off the side of the house. The sound of him moving things reached her ears and eventually she heard the door shut and his footsteps return to the sitting room.

  Brawny came around the corner with a large metal tub in his hands. He placed it in front of the fireplace.

  “What’s this?” she asked.

  “Your bath.”

  “A bath?”

  “I was listening when you spoke this morning. You said you missed taking a bath. That is one thing I can fix right now.”

  Chelsea clapped her hands. “But here? Wouldn’t it be better in the bedroom?”

  “I don’t want you catching cold.

  “But this is open.”

  “Not to worry. I’ll be in my bedroom, so I won’t see a thing.” Chelsea jumped from the sofa and threw her arms around Brawny’s neck. She felt his arms hesitate for a moment, but then she was caught up in his embrace and his lips came down on hers.

  The fear of being kissed was replaced with the yearning to belong. She faltered for only a moment before drawing him closer. His moustache tickled as he gave her the sweetest kiss. This was truly a kiss that made her toes curl. His lips were soft, and he didn’t try to press his advantage.

  Chelsea was disappointed when it ended. He pulled back, releasing her slightly. She looked up at his face, his eye looking at her.

  She thought he was going to say something. Anything. But he stood there stroking her hair and taking in her face.

  When he finally did speak, his voice came out in a husky whisper. “Go get some clean clothes and I’ll fill the bath for you.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and removed his arms from around her waist.

  Chelsea went scampering out of the room and into her bedroom. A bath. He thought to draw her a bath. She’d never had anyone do that for her before. The thought was a little scandalous. But at this point she didn’t care. The tiny wash basin was not enough for her.

  And oh, my! That kiss. She felt lightheaded, scared and thrilled all at the same time! If that was how kissing Brawny felt, she wanted to make sure she had the opportunity to experience it as often as possible.

  She quickly gathered up some clean clothes and went bac
k to the living room. Brawny was pouring water in the tub.

  “It should be warm. The water has been on the stove for a while.” Chelsea looked at the steam coming out of the tub, so warm and inviting. She noticed Brawny had put a towel and a bar of soap on the settee. A cough interrupted her watching Brawny gather up the buckets.

  “Maybe your ma should take a bath first? The steam will help her.”

  “You want to give up your bath for Ma?”

  Chelsea thought about it a moment more, then she firmly decided. “Yes. The steam baths I’ve been giving her have helped some, but if she had a whole tub full of steamy water it would help all the more.”

  “That is mighty generous of you, Chelsea. But I made this bath for you.”

  “It’s alright, Brawny. Honestly it is. As much as I would love a bath and that looks so tempting, I think it would benefit your ma more.”

  He picked up the buckets and nodded his head before heading back to the kitchen. Chelsea heard him call to her, from the other room. “I need to go outside for a minute, so don’t let her leave the room until I get back in.” She heard the sound of the door click close.

  Chelsea put her clothes on the settee and went down to Mary’s room. She peered in and Mary was seated up in bed, reading the bible. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” Chelsea said.

  “No interruption at all.” She closed her bible and put it on the table next to the bed. “Come in.”

  “Brawny drew a warm bath and it is in the sitting room next to the fire. I thought it would be good for you to sit in it for a bit.”

  “Braun?” Chelsea nodded. “My Braun drew me a bath?”

  “We both think that it would be beneficial for you. I’ll help you get settled and then we can put a cloth over your head, just like we did with the small bowls in here.”

  Mary pulled her covers back and slid her feet to the floor. “I don’t think he poured it for me, but I would definitely use it.” She held her hand out. “Help me up.”

  She put her arm around Mary’s shoulders and felt her back spasm with every breath she would take. Laying in the bed wasn’t helping Mary with her healing. Chelsea heard the kitchen door close again. “Let me get you a wrapper and your house shoes.”