Snowbound

by Christine Sterling

  “Marry for love, Chelsea. It makes all the difference,” Hattie’s wise words echoed throughout the room.

  “I wouldn’t marry for anything less.”

  Brawny had just entered the mining area when he ran into Robert and Marty.

  “What are you two doing here?” Brawny asked.

  “Doc is seeing patients and I’m delivering more of those bags for Dawson.”

  “Really, Robert? I thought Chelsea handled the mining area.”

  “Not for about three months. She came home one day and said she couldn’t do it anymore.”

  Brawny thought for a moment. “That doesn’t seem like her. She is one of the most devoted doctors I know.”

  “I don’t know why,” Robert said. “Frankly, I wish I knew. It is getting more difficult with having to go from place to place to visit folks. I need the help.”

  “Chelsea mentioned something about a hospital.”

  Robert smiled. “Long term plans, old friend. Long term plans. Might be a year or two before that comes to fruition.”

  “I need to get back to the apothecary. I’ve been so busy since that snow, what with people slipping and breaking bones, I’ve not seen my wife in nearly a week.”

  Brawny rubbed the back of his neck, “About that. I’m sorry I kept Chelsea out at the cabin so long.”

  “It couldn’t be helped. How’s your Ma?”

  “Chelsea saved her life. Ma had pneumonia and something else… plur.. plur..”

  “Pleurisy?”

  “Yeah, that sounds about right. Ended up having to drain Ma’s lung to save her. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “That’s fantastic that she was able to perform surgery like that.”

  “Ma is going to make a full recovery.”

  “I’m so happy, Brawny.” Robert slapped his friend on the back. “Marty, you coming? You can give me a lift back to town.”

  “Yeah, I’ll be there, Doc. I just want to speak to Brawny for a minute.”

  “Alright, son. I’ll meet you at the wagon.”

  Brawny watched Robert walk away before turning to Marty.

  “Are you coming back to work?” Marty asked.

  “I’m going to talk to Mac about it. But we’ll see.”

  “Your face looks a lot better.”

  “It feels a lot better.” He looked at Marty. The young man was hopping from foot to foot and looking around as if expecting someone or something to appear at any moment. “I know you didn’t want to stay behind to talk about my scars. What’s on your mind, boy?”

  “It’s about Doc Tory.”

  “What about her?”

  “I know why she doesn’t want to be here at the mining town.”

  Brawny listened intently as Marty relayed what he had seen that afternoon he came to find Chelsea.

  It took everything in his power not to yell and find Milo to pummel him into the ground. “When was this?”

  “The week before your accident. I told her she should get married, because that would stop the men in camp from bothering her.”

  “Married?”

  Marty nodded. “There’s another thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Doc Tory wasn’t the only one. I saw him go after one of the saloon girls.”

  “Thanks, Marty. I’ll talk to Mac, and we’ll handle this.” As the boy walked away, Brawny called out to him, “Don’t mention a word of this to anyone.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  Brawny walked the rest of the way to the mining office. That must have happened the morning when she proposed to him in the afternoon. And he rejected her. She was asking for his protection and he threw her away.

  And today when he offered it … Brawny rubbed his hand down his face. She didn’t realize how much he loved her. That was why he wanted to marry her. Yes, he could protect her from some of the nonsense in town, but she was his heart.

  He’d go talk to Mac and then he needed to talk to Ma.

  “I don’t understand why you can’t check on Mary Winters. You’ll be out that way. It won’t take you but a few minutes to pop through and check on her incision and listen to her lungs.” Chelsea was standing at Robert’s desk watching him restock his bag for his next set of rounds.

  “Mary Winters is not my patient. She is your patient. And as her doctor, it is your responsibility to visit her. You were supposed to see her three days ago. It was been ten days since you returned home. ”

  “I don’t think I can go there.”

  Robert sighed. “Why not?”

  “Because…” Chelsea sighed. “Because of Brawny.”

  Robert broke out in a huge smile. “You love him, don’t you?”

  “I do not,” she said emphatically.

  “Then I’ll have to talk to Hattie…”

  “Hattie said something?” Robert nodded. “Sugar. I guess I do love him.”

  “You guess?”

  “I know I do. That is why I don’t want to see him.”

  Robert picked up his bag and proceeded to the common area. “I wish I could help you, but I can’t. Go over there. You might be surprised. I have to run. Lacey Lou I’ll be back later.” Chelsea watched him nearly run out the front door.

  “What odd behavior,” Lacey Lou said.

  “I need to fix up a bag, because I guess I’m headed to see Mrs. Winters.”

  “Let me put one together for you.”

  Chelsea went to the livery and borrowed one of Hattie’s horses to make her rounds. Hattie had six that she kept under the care of Max Winters, no relation to Brawny.

  She followed the trail up where she remembered until the trees parted, and the small cabin came in view. Chelsea’s heart lurched. There was the barn where she and Brawny talked that evening, and many evenings after that when she would accompany him to his chores.

  There was the hill, still covered in snow where he took her sledding and kissed her senseless many times over. She could see the indentations the taboggan made in the white snow.

  Two plumes of smoke came out of the cabin. Chelsea knew one was the stove in the kitchen and the other was the one in the sitting room that heated the entire house.

  Might as well get this over with, she thought.

  She rode the brown horse up to the porch and tied him off on the porch post. She wouldn’t be staying long enough for him to get cold.

  Before she knocked on the door, it opened. Brawny stood there looking at her. His hair was combed back and still a little damp. He wore a new shirt and dark pants with boots. His eye was bright, and it even looked like he polished his patch. He was down right roguish. Chelsea looked at him and blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.

  “You shaved your beard.”

  Brawny threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, I did. It was time I started taking care of myself again. Come in, Ma is expecting you. She is in the kitchen.”

  Chelsea took her medical bag off the side of the horse and followed him into the house. It was warm and cozy, just as she remembered.

  “Is that the lady doc?” she heard Mary call from the kitchen. “I’m just making some tea. Would you like a cup?”

  “Tea?” Chelsea questioned.

  “Yes. Brawny went to see that Indian lady and he brought me back some of the most wonderful mint tea.”

  “Hattie?” Chelsea whispered to Brawny. Brawny nodded. “I’d love a cup of tea.”

  “I’ll go see to your horse.”

  “That’s alright, I won’t be here long.”

  “I can at least water and feed him for the ride back.” When Chelsea hesitated, he moved to the door. “I insist.”

  He closed the door behind him, and Chelsea headed to the kitchen.

  “How are you feeling, Mrs. Winters?”

  “Call me Mary,” she said. “Or Ma. Whatever is more convenient.”

  “Alright, Mary. You look much better. Your color is improving.”

  “That is because Brawny started hunting a
gain. We finally have some real meat in the house.” She lifted the lid off the pot and let the wonderful smell of meat and vegetables fill the house. “Venison stew with dumplings.”

  “Smells wonderful. If you have a moment, why don’t you let me listen to your chest.”

  “Nothing wrong with my lungs now. Even where you stuck that tube in me is all better. She lifted the side of her blouse to show Chelsea where the sutures had been.

  “I’d still like to listen.”

  “Alright then. Let’s take the tea to the sitting room.” Chelsea carried her cup and the medical bag, placing them on the table next to the settee. Mary took a sip of her tea. “This really is lovely. I could drink this instead of coffee.”

  Chelsea laughed. “I know what you mean.” She pulled out her stethoscope and listened to Mary’s lungs. They sounded clear and strong. “I think you are well on the way to recovery.”

  “I was worried you weren’t coming back. That you would send Doc Childs out here instead.”

  Chelsea felt sheepish, as Mary guessed exactly what she tried to do that morning. “Well, here I am.”

  She heard the back door open and close. “Brawny must be back,” Mary said. “I’ll go make him some coffee and we can have a quick visit. I’ve missed our chats.”

  “But…” Chelsea didn’t have time to say anything as she was gone in a flash, taking her tea with her.

  She heard Mary saying something to Brawny. It was that same guttural sound as before. German. She must be speaking in German to him. Brawny responded, but she didn’t catch what he said.

  His boots thudded as he came to join her in front of the fireplace. He had a cup of coffee, which he put down next to her tea.

  Taking a seat next to her, Chelsea saw him change positions, so his eye was facing her.

  “How are you doing, Chelsea?”

  Chelsea swallowed. “Fine, Brawny. I’m doing fine. How are you?”

  Brawny chuckled. “One thing I’ve learned, is that when you say fine, it means you are anythin’ but.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Chelsea turned to take her tea off the table. She focused on the liquid so she wouldn’t have to look at his handsome face.

  “Answer me this, Chelsea. Why didn’t you tell me about Milo attacking you at the mine?” Chelsea gasped, spilling tea on her skirt. “Marty told me. No one else knows. That is why you proposed to me that day, isn’t it?”

  “I didn’t come to discuss this.” She got up to leave.

  “Chelsea, sit down.” His voice was stern, but it sounded like velvet when he said her name. Chelsea plopped back on the settee. “I didn’t ask you to embarrass you. I realize now what you were asking for protection from and I’m sorry that I didn’t respond appropriately.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Brawny. It is over and done with.”

  “Yes, it is. Milo was sacked.” Chelsea looked at him. The look on his face said he was serious. “You aren’t the only woman he tried to be inappropriate with. Mac fired him as soon as he found out. Milo will not be seen in Silverpines again.”

  Chelsea let out a sob. She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or embarrassed. Brawny quickly slid over and put his arm around her.

  “And then I go and do something stupid like propose to you because of the gossip in town. Look at me, darlin’.” He lifted her chin until her eyes met his own. “I am sorry I did that. It wasn’t the time or the place, but I was so worried about what other people would think.”

  Chelsea lifted her hand. His scarred skin felt cool under her fingertips. He grabbed her hand and kissed the fingertips so gently Chelsea wanted to cry.

  Releasing her suddenly, he sat back on the settee. Chelsea was confused. What was he doing?

  “Do you remember what I said after I turned down your proposal?”

  “Vaguely.” Chelsea didn’t want to look at him. His gaze was too intense.

  “I said that if I was to marry, my wife would know exactly who she belongs to. She will be right next to me, livin’ with me and sleepin’ in my bed. And when I find the right woman, I will be the one to do the askin’.”

  “I remember that, Brawny.”

  “The Europeans have this funny custom. In Celtic cultures the couple is handfasted, which means they tie a piece of ribbon around their hands and take their vows.”

  “I’ve heard of that.”

  “In Germany, France, Spain and most of those countries they do something else.”

  “What’s that?” Chelsea felt her heart beginning to race.

  Brawny lifted a ring between his two fingers and looked at it, turning the ring back and forth letting the green stone catch the light of the fire. Chelsea held her breath. The ring was stunning. “This belonged to Ma. Pops gave it to her when she came across from Germany to be his bride. She wore it until the day he died.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” He stopped turning the ring in his fingertips. “In those countries, the man gives his intended a ring to signify the engagement.” He turned to Chelsea. “I’m askin’ now, Chelsea Tory. I love you more than I ever thought possible to love someone. Will you take my ring and be my bride?”

  Chelsea sobbed as she cupped his face in her hands. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you. I love you too.”

  Brawny slipped the emerald ring on her finger and gave it a kiss before capturing her lips with his own.

  “Did you ask?” Mary called from the other room.

  “Yes, Ma.”

  “Did she say yes?”

  Chelsea laughed. “Yes, I did.”

  Mary walked in and kissed Chelsea on the cheek. “I’m glad to call you daughter.”

  Epilogue

  June 1900

  I think that is the end of it,” Chelsea said as she removed the last bit of her clothing from the trunk and placed it in the wardrobe, Brawny built for her. It was hard to believe that they had been married for just over three months.

  Brawny had wanted a wedding, but Chelsea wanted a small ceremony, so they married in the parsonage with Ma, Hattie and Robert Childs as the only witnesses.

  They had been splitting their time between town and the cabin and today they finally unpacked the last of her belongings.

  “How do feel about not being at the clinic anymore?”

  “It is scary in a way, branching out on my own, but Hattie and Robert know where I am if they ever need me.”

  “I know your doctorin’ is very important to you.”

  “I’ll still be doctoring. Just in a different way. The town is growing so rapidly and so many babies being born, it makes sense to have a doctor that just takes care of these mommas and their newborns.” This meant that she would only be in the clinic one day a week and she could visit her patients on her own schedule during the rest of the time.

  She was going to need as much time as she could get.

  “And you will do a wonderful job. They are lucky to have you. And just think, when we have our own children, they will receive the best care available.”

  “Brawny,” Chelsea said softly.

  “Of course, I know that it won’t happen anytime soon. But I can’t wait to have this house filled with the sound of laughter and footsteps running from one end of the house to another.”

  “Brawny.”

  “I know Ma wants grandchildren at some point…”

  “Brawny! Would you listen to me?”

  Brawny turned and looked at her. Chelsea felt the corners of her mouth turn up in a smile. “It might be sooner than we think.” She placed her hand over her belly.

  Brawny paused for a moment and let out a whoop before dancing around the room. He gathered her up in a hug and swung her once before setting her down and capturing her lips.

  “When will our baby be born?”

  “December. It would be lovely if this child was born on a snowy day, don’t you think?”

  “What are you going on about in here?” Mary asked, wrapping a knitted shawl a
round her shoulders. “Brawny, the picnic basket is on the table in the kitchen.”

  “Chelsea just told me the most wonderful news.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We are going to have a baby.”

  Mary smiled. “I figured that out last week.” She sighed. “It will be so nice to have young’uns in the house again.” She grabbed Chelsea’s arm and gave it a few pats. “I hope it is a girl. I went through five boys and let me tell you, they are a handful!” Chelsea laughed and gave Mary a kiss on the cheek. “Brawny, now grab that basket. You promised me a trip to New Harbor.”

  “Yes ma’am,” he said and went to grab the basket. He offered Chelsea his arm and she looped her arm around his, letting him lead the way.

  As they climbed in the wagon to head down the path to New Harbor, Chelsea looked around at the small valley. She couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

  A movement caught her eye under the tree as they rolled by the barn.

  There!

  The hare sat perfectly still watching them pass. Its coat was brown, and the pink of his nose twitched as the wagon moved past the tree. Chelsea turned around to see the flick of its tail as it took off under the bushes.

  She knew she would see the hare again. For the rest of the summer, and again, when his fur would blend into the snow that surrounded her new family. And if she became snowbound again, well, that would be alright with her too.

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  Turn the page to read the first chapter of Wanted: Redemption

  Sneak Peek

  from:

  Wanted: Redemption

  Silverpines Book #21

  Chapter 1

  April 15, 1900

  It had been exactly one year since the first disaster in Silverpines, and 90 days, 20 hours, 51 minutes and 32 seconds since Charlotte Daniels had her last taste of laudanum.