The Tycoon's Sister

by Jenna Brandt

  “A couple of weeks,” he bellowed. “What happened to me? How bad is it? Why can’t I see?”

  There was a long pause before Elizabeth finally answered. “You were hit in the head pretty hard, multiple times. The doctor said your eyes needed to rest, which is why your eyes have a bandage over them currently.”

  George swallowed several times, trying to process the news. “Will I…be able to…see again?”

  “We won’t know until they remove the bandages, but whatever happens, I’m here for you,” Elizabeth promised, reaching out and placing her hand on the top of his. “I was so scared when I heard what happened to you. I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it. I rushed right over to the livery, praying the whole time that you wouldn’t die. Once I knew you were going to live, I demanded that the doctor bring you here so I could tend to you. I don’t know much about nursing someone back to health, but I couldn’t just let a stranger take care of you.”

  “How long has it been?”

  “Just over a week.”

  “And you’ve taken care of me this whole time?” he asked with disbelief.

  “She even had a cot brought in that she sleeps on right beside your bed,” the familiar voice of Willa explained. “She hasn’t left your side.”

  The kindness of what Elizabeth did for him made George’s heart seize with joy. Never could he have hoped that she would care for him so deeply as this proved.

  “Thank you,” he whispered. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”

  “You’re wrong. You deserve far more,” Elizabeth whispered, leaning forward and placing a kiss on his forehead.

  The bandage was itching George something fierce. He had never been so grateful for a day to arrive as today when he got the bandages removed. As excited as he was to be free from the bandages; however, he was equally terrified that he might find out once they were gone that he was blind. He wasn’t sure what he would do if that were the case. What could a blind livery worker do? He couldn’t work with horses, not in a sense that would be able to provide a living. Elizabeth had promised she would stay with him, but he didn’t want her to be with him out of pity or obligation. He wanted to be able to take care of her, and he didn’t think he could do that if he was blind.

  “Are you ready?” the doctor asked, placing his hand at the edge of the bandage.

  “Yes,” George stated firmly, willing himself to be able to see once the bandage was gone.

  Slowly, the doctor unwound the gauze, each layer that came loose, allowing a bit more light to penetrate towards George.

  “I can sense light. That’s a good thing, right?” George asked with a hopeful tone.

  “Let’s wait until all of the bandages are off before we jump to any conclusions,” the doctor said.

  George could feel Elizabeth’s soft hand in his own, squeezing it for support. “It’s going to be all right. No matter what, we’re going to make it through this.”

  The way she said that, did she know something he didn’t? Did the doctor suspect he wouldn’t be able to see? Was she there supporting him because she didn’t want to disappoint a blind man?

  Silently, George sent up a prayer, just like he had a dozen times a day since the attack happened. All he wanted was to be healed.

  Three more laps around his head and the bandages were gone. There was still something over both his eyes, but as quickly as he realized it, he felt the doctor remove them as well.

  Bright, white light filled his head, he couldn’t see anything else. Was this what blindness was like? He always thought it would be black. Just as he started accepting that this might be what he would see for the rest of his life, the light faded into fuzzy shapes, and finally settled into the familiar faces of the Holt family and the doctor.

  Tears filled his eyes as he shouted, “I can see, I can see!”

  Elizabeth jumped into his arms, embracing him as her own tears fell from her cheeks and mixed with his. “That is the best news in the world,” Elizabeth declared. “I’m so glad you’ve mended.”

  Everyone around him congratulated him as the doctor checked his eyes with a light. He assured George that though everything may come in and out of focus over the next couple of days, he would be right as rain in a week’s time. Even though all of that was good news, what mattered most was that he could see Elizabeth’s smiling face once again. He was so glad he hadn’t been forced to give that up, because he wanted to spend the rest of his life looking at her.

  Chapter Seven

  Elizabeth was relieved that George was well enough to go back to work and move back to his room behind the livery. She had to admit to herself though, she missed having him around the house every day.

  The men that had attacked George had been apprehended. It turned out, they were wanted on robbery charges in one county over, and were taken there to stand trial. George’s assault would be added to their list of crimes, and they would be going to prison for a long time.

  Staying away from George hadn’t been easy, and she found herself making excuses to go see him. She would bring him lunch, checking in to make sure his sight was still good, and asking him questions about her suffrage group. She was certain he knew all of her reasons were mere ploys to visit, but he didn’t seem to mind.

  Today was no exception. Elizabeth brought with her a basket full of food that the cook had made for her. She entered the livery and found George towards the back, rubbing down one of the horses.

  “Good afternoon, Elizabeth. I’m glad to see you.” Noticing the basket, he asked, “What did you bring with you today?”

  “I brought lunch, and before you ask, no I didn’t prepare any of it, the cook did.”

  He let out a chuckle. “I wouldn’t expect any less. I’ve given up wondering if you will cook for me.”

  “It’s not my strong suit, and since I know that, why not have someone else do it who is gifted in the culinary arts.”

  “I suppose you have a point,” he said, putting down the brush and shutting the stall. “What did cook make today?” he asked, trying to peek in the wicker basket.

  Playfully, she slapped his hand away. “Not yet. I thought we could go on a picnic.”

  “That’s a great idea, and since we both love horses and haven’t had a chance to go riding together, why don’t we do that. I know the perfect place we can go to.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “That sounds wonderful.”

  George pulled out two of the horses, added the required gear for both of them, and then helped Elizabeth onto her horse. He swiftly climbed onto his own saddle.

  As they headed down the road, Silverpines disappeared as more and more trees appeared along the road. Today was a wonderful day for a picnic, as there had been a reprieve in the snowfall over the past week. The weather was warmer than normal for the season as well, at least that’s what everyone was talking about in town.

  They turned down a dirt road that thankfully was dry at the moment. The horses meandered down the road, and Elizabeth and George talked about the suffrage meetings, the livery, and the upcoming town social.

  They arrived at a creek that had several pine trees surrounding it. Though there was no green grass to speak of because of the time of the year, the place was still beautiful.

  They secured the horses to one of the nearby trees, then grabbed the blanket and picnic basket. George laid out the blanket and they both took seats on it. Elizabeth gestured to the picnic basket. “Now you can look inside.”

  To George’s delight, there was an array of finger sandwiches, cheeses, crackers, fruit, and soda water. He started pulling out the food while she poured them each a cup of the cool drink. She handed him his cup, then took a drink from her own.

  “This was a wonderful idea,” George stated with a smile. “I needed the break.”

  “You should be used to me showing up and providing you one. I’m surprised your boss doesn’t get mad with you disappearing all the time.”

  “Oh, he feels plenty bad that he wasn’
t there when I got attacked. He keeps saying if he hadn’t been off trying to get more horses, maybe it wouldn’t have happened. I told him not to beat himself up about it, but because he can’t seem to let it go, I think I could do just about anything and he wouldn’t get mad.”

  “Oh, anything?” she asked with a teasing quirk of her eyebrows.

  “Yes, anything,” he whispered back, kissing her on the lips as a confirmation.

  “I guess there was one bonus to you getting hurt,” she jested, letting her arms wrap around his neck, and kissing him a second time.

  “I have one more, if you would like to hear it.”

  “What’s that?” she said, leaning back and looking into his eyes.

  “I realize how lucky I am to see the smile on your face when I do this.” George pulled a small box from his pocket and pushed it out towards her as he opened it. “Elizabeth Holt, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. “Yes, oh yes, I will be your wife.”

  George placed the ring on her finger, jumped to his feet, and pulled her into his arms. He twirled her around and around, causing both of them to laugh and cry with more joy than either of them had ever felt.

  After they packed up the picnic and returned to the livery, Elizabeth told him she had to go tell her sister-in-law as well as friends from the suffrage group about his proposal. He loved seeing how excited she was to tell everyone about their engagement. Truth be told, he wanted to shout it from the rooftop too.

  “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” the unwelcomed familiar voice of Evelyn said from behind him.

  Shocked, George spun around to find her standing behind him. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your new husband in New Harbor?”

  Her eyes clouded over. George would’ve sworn there were tears and he thought she may have a reason to be upset.

  “I couldn’t stay there, George. I made a huge mistake. Terrance ignores me all the time because he’s so busy with his work.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Evelyn, truly I am, but I don’t see how any of it is my concern.”

  “Did you once tell me if anyone ever hurt me, you’d make them pay?”

  “That was a long time ago, during different circumstances, Evelyn. What happened to you stopped being my concern when you left me for another man,” George stated bluntly.

  “It wasn’t because I didn’t care for you, George,” Evelyn excused.

  “I know that, it was because you saw a chance to land a richer husband, and that was your choice. What it means is you have to deal with the consequences of that choice, and I can’t help you.”

  Evelyn came up and placed her hand on the side of his cheek. “Don’t you want to help me, George? I think you still care for me.”

  “I don’t, not in that way,” he said, taking her hand and pulling it from his face. “I’ve moved on. I’m engaged to another woman.”

  “Does she make you feel the way I used to? I can’t imagine you wanting anyone as much as you wanted me,” Evelyn said, pressing her body up against his. “I can come back to you, George. All you have to do is say the word,” she whispered, then added, “or not say a word and just show me.”

  Without any warning, Evelyn leaned up and placed her lips on George’s, shocking him to a complete frozen position. He shouldn’t let her do that, not when he was not only engaged to another woman, but in love with her too.

  “What…what are you doing, George?” he heard Elizabeth’s shaky voice accuse. “Who is that, and why are you kissing her?”

  George jerked back, like Evelyn was a hot fire burning him to a crisp.

  “I’m Evelyn, George’s true love,” the woman declared with a conquering look on her face. “I came back for him.”

  Elizabeth shook her head before rushing from the livery.

  “You had no right to say all of that,” George shouted in anger. “I don’t care if you came back for me, I’m in love with someone else, and I hope and pray you didn’t just ruin things for me with her.”

  “If I did, it’s for the best. We should be together.”

  George shook his head. “I will never be with you again, Evelyn. You used me, and discarded me. When things got rough with your new husband, you left him too. The problem is, you made a mistake in thinking I would take you back. I won’t. Besides, I will spend the rest of my life proving to Elizabeth that I love her, and only her.”

  “Is that true?” Elizabeth asked from the livery entrance.

  “Yes, more than anything in this whole world.” He moved swiftly over to her. “You came back.”

  “I realized that I wasn’t going to be like most women in the world and run away at the first sight of a problem. I love you, George Caldwell, and I’ll fight for you, for us, for that love.” Glancing past him, she added to Evelyn, “And I’ll fight whoever I need to keep it safe.”

  “You don’t have to fight anyone. I’m yours, Elizabeth, and only yours, forever,” he declared, pulling her into his arms and holding on for dear life.

  “Now that we got that settled, I think your guest should be leaving, right now,” Elizabeth stated, pointing to the road.

  Evelyn scurried past them, averting her eyes while she made her escape.

  “I kind of like it when you’re forceful.”

  “You didn’t when we first met,” she countered.

  “That was different. You were being mean to me. I don’t mind it so much when it’s directed at other people, specifically ones who deserve it.”

  “Good, then we’ve established who will be the bad guy when we have children,” Elizabeth teased.

  “I love the sound of that,” he said with a grin.

  “Of what, me being the bad guy?”

  “No, of us having children. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. When I nearly died, all I could think about was how much I love you, and how I don’t want to die without telling you that.”

  “I love you, too,” she said, as she placed her hands on his chest. “I’m glad that I changed my mind about returning to Boston and accepting Charles Cummings marriage proposal.”

  “What are you talking about?” George asked, his brows furrowing together in jealous anger. “You’re engaged to me, and only me.”

  “I know that, but when I saw you with Evelyn, for a moment my aunt’s letter came to mind. I had another offer of marriage. I think you can convince me to push it from my mind forever though.”

  “And how do I do that, exactly?”

  “With a kiss,” she said, her lips parting temptingly as she stared up into his eyes.

  Before he could resist, his mouth came down and claimed hers. It was a demanding kiss, that made it clear that she was his, and no one else would ever be able to take her from him as long as they both lived.

  Chapter Eight

  Three months later.

  “There’s my favorite niece,” Aunt Gerty cooed as she rushed towards Elizabeth and pulled her into a hug, ignoring the fact that she was already wearing her wedding gown.

  “I’m your only niece,” Elizabeth pointed out.

  “It doesn’t make it any less true,” her aunt countered, stepping back to scan Elizabeth. “I had to come tell you how proud of you I am before taking my seat in the church. It looks like the Oregon air has done you well, my dear. I think coming here was exactly what you needed.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Harrison said, coming up and hugging his aunt, with Willa by his side. “Once Elizabeth decided to give Silverpines a fair shake, that is.”

  “You’re looking quite fit, too, Nephew,” the woman praised, giving him a smile. “I suppose I have your beautiful wife here to thank for that.”

  Willa’s cheeks blushed as she averted her eyes. She focused on adjusting the hem of the seafoam green dress she had made for the special day. Being Elizabeth’s only bridesmaid, she wanted it to be in the bride’s favorite color.
Willa had made Elizabeth’s gorgeous white wedding dress that nodded to Queen Victoria’s iconic dress from the middle of the previous century. Fitted through the bodice, then cascading out from the waist in layers of silk and tulle, the gown was breathtaking. Add the cathedral train, veil, and tiara, Elizabeth felt like the princess she always dreamed of being on her wedding day.

  “It seems my last two living kin both decided that being out West is what’s best for them, leaving an old feeble woman such as myself all alone in Boston.”

  “You are anything but feeble, Aunt Gerty,” Elizabeth corrected with a roll of her eyes. “You’re one of the spriest people I know.”

  “Why thank you,” she said, patting her black curls that didn’t have a speck of gray in them, despite her being nearly sixty years old. Matched with her flawless skin and fit figure, she could easily be mistaken for Elizabeth’s sister instead of her aunt.

  “And as for being all alone, you could move to Silverpines,” Harrison suggested with a wink.

  “Do you truly mean that? You would welcome me here with open arms?”

  Both the Holt siblings nodded.

  “Good, because I sold my house in Boston, along with all my possessions except the ones I brought in my trunks. I have already decided to do just that,” Aunt Gerty declared with an impish smile. “I decided I wasn’t getting much younger, so why spend the last of my life without any adventure. Besides, I’m hoping the both of you will be giving me great nieces and nephews before I know it.” Willa’s eyes darted up to look at first Aunt Gerty, then Harrison, then back to the ground. “I didn’t mean right now, dear,” the older woman added with a chuckle.

  Willa turned pale, and she placed her hand over her mouth. “Excuse me. I’m not feeling well.” She rushed from the back room of the church, and from outside, the sound of her being ill could be heard.

  “Is she okay?” Elizabeth inquired with concern. “Should we go check on her?”

  “She’ll be fine in just a few moments,” Harrison assured his sister. “Though I’m sure it will happen again before the day is through.”