by Natalie Dean
"Papa, you found Mama Sarah," Jane sang with glee but then she noticed Sarah's eyes were closed. "I don't want her to be dead like Mama!" Jane said as she began to wail.
"Jane, she's sleeping. Help Papa take care of her."
Jane ran ahead of Carson into the home as Carson lay Sarah on his bed. Jane came running into the room with her dolls and propped them beside Sarah. If he weren't so concerned about Sarah, Carson would have cried. Putting the handmade dolls beside Sarah was what Maggie used to do when Jane was sick or upset. As he returned to clean the wound, Jane was rubbing Sarah's forehead. "Gently now, Jane. Sarah's head is sore. Lola, off the bed," he said but the dog refused to leave, and Carson relented.
Billy, meanwhile, was on the look-out for Tulip's return.
Sarah was still unconscious. She looked so pale and fragile. Carson wanted to get Doc, but it would mean leaving Sarah by herself. He was torn. He couldn't leave her in case she took a turn for the worse. He sat by her side as Jane lay beside Sarah. Carson could hear Billy talking. He assumed Tulip had come back. Then he heard footsteps coming into the cabin. It was Sheriff Lance.
"Billy said Sarah fell off Tulip. I'll get Doc," Lance said as he rushed back out and rode off towards Bannack. He prayed that history wasn't about to repeat itself. It wouldn't be fair to the children or Carson.
Doc could do no more for Sarah than Carson had done. Head injuries were unpredictable, he said. We had to give her time and the next twenty-four hours would be critical. When she woke, she may not remember much or her memory could be intact. No one could say what was going to happen until she woke up. She had to stay with the Edwards until she regained consciousness. Lottie arrived to help Carson care for Sarah, as someone would need to be with her at all times.
"I'll take the first watch, Carson. You get some rest," Lottie said after she waved her husband goodbye. Cecilia was caring for Lottie's children.
"No, I'll sit with her, Lottie. I feel responsible. I thought Tulip would be a gentle horse for her. It must have been a snake," Carson said as he kept watching Sarah. He looked haggard from the day's ordeal. Lottie made soup, and only Billy came to the table as Jane stayed beside Sarah, and Carson continued his vigil.
Lottie had fallen asleep in the rocking chair with Billy on her lap. The fire had died out, and the place was cold. The house was quiet and peaceful, but Carson was troubled. He took Sarah's hand in his. "Please come back to us, Sarah. We need you. Don't leave us. Don't leave me," he whispered, and his body began to shake as he cried. He rested his head on the bed.
Sarah opened her eyes. For a moment, she was disorientated. Why was this man holding her hand and crying? Then it came back to her. She pulled her hand away from him and rested it on his head. Sarah could feel an arm around her, and she looked to the other side and the little head that nestled beside her. As she moved, Lola jumped up and wagged her tail, trying to nuzzle Sarah.
Carson looked up, "You're awake! Do you remember what happened, Sarah?" His face was eager with anticipation as he tried to push Lola away. "Lottie," he called out, "she's awake." Billy and Lottie jumped up and came running into the bedroom. Sarah looked at the faces, waiting for her to speak. They all looked worried, and their worry was for her. She became emotional and started to sob. The realization that they were all there for her was overwhelming, and this pain in her head wasn't making it any better.
"Why don't you leave her with me? Get some air. You too children. Go with your papa. I'll help Sarah freshen up," Lottie directed, and reluctantly Carson carried the children out of the bedroom.
"Do you remember where you are, Sarah?" Lottie asked. Doc had told her not to overwhelm Sarah with information or questions when she regained consciousness.
"I'm in Bannack, and you're Lottie. That was Carson and Billy and Jane. I remember, Lottie. It's been so long since anyone cared for me. You've only known me a few days, the same with the family."
Lottie sat by Sarah's side. "Time moves very quickly in these parts. It has to. But I tell you, Carson sat by your side all night. He wouldn't let me take over. While we brought you here for the children, you have found a place in Carson's heart."
Sarah nodded. It seemed odd to her that emotions could develop so quickly and deeply, but she felt that connection to the children from the moment she had met them.
"Let's get you freshened up. You'll have a sore head for a few days, but otherwise, you're all right." Lottie began to clean the wound. She had brought a change of clothes for Sarah too. The children came running back in.
"I couldn't keep them out any longer," Carson apologized. "I'm glad to see you well, Sarah." She smiled shyly at him as the children tugged at her to pick them up.
Sarah decided to stay on the farm for another while. She didn't fancy being on the wagon just yet. Lottie left them alone. Cecilia was right. Sarah would stay in Bannack, but the strangest thought crossed Lottie’s mind. The children could pass as Sarah's. Cecilia had told her about Sarah's mother and sister dying in childbirth, but the Edwards had arrived with the children. It must be my imagination, trying to make Sarah fit with the family, she told herself.
Chapter Eight
Sarah happily sat and watched as Carson and the children attended to her. Jane brushed her hair while Billy tried to teach Lola new tricks to make Sarah laugh. To the casual observer, they looked like a happy family and not like people brought together in the last few days.
As the children rested, Carson sat beside Sarah on the porch. He asked her about her past life. Why she had left Ireland and why she was alone.
"It was fine while I lived with my sister, Katie and her husband. But when she died giving birth, I was sent to work in service."
"What happened to the baby?" he asked curiously.
"She had twins, a boy, and a girl. Her husband couldn't cope, and the priest decided it was best to take the children. I was too young to care for them myself. I put my mother's locket with the baby girl. I hope it's something that was given to her new parents. They'd be almost four by now. It sounds silly, but every day I pray that someday I'll be reunited with them. I know they have their own family now. You know I went to the orphanage to inquire about them and was told a couple from Buffalo had adopted them. I hope they're happy," Sarah gave a sad smile as she looked over the horizon.
A cold sweat enveloped Carson. It couldn't be, could it? Had many couples from Buffalo adopted twins at the same time? It was highly unlikely. He was fidgety and didn't know what to say or do. Were his children Sarah's niece and nephew?
He felt relieved to hear Jane call out. He needed to go to the barn. She wanted Mama Sarah. He was piecing together that the children were possibly related to Sarah and the familiarities now were starting to make sense. He wanted to check the old tea chest that stored remnants of their past life. When they had adopted the children, Maggie had been given a locket that belonged to the children's mother. It was her plan to give it to Jane when she was older although they had no plans to tell the children they were adopted. Sarah's mention of the locket was the proof he needed. He was looking at the locket and didn't notice the man creep up behind him and bash him on the head, grabbing the locket from Carson's hand.
Sarah was softly singing to the children when she heard the scuff of boots on the floor. It didn't sound like Carson and Lola growled. Sarah froze momentarily. She turned around to see a dirty man towering over them, as he spat tobacco on her clean floor. She wanted to run at him, but she had to consider the children. He kicked Lola out of his way, and the dog was now lying on the ground. Billy wanted to run to Lola, but Sarah held him. She had to keep the children close to her.
"Well, looky 'ere, Mad Dog. We've got a pretty little thing to play with," the man turned his head to the door but kept an eye on Sarah. Another shadow loomed at the doorway and agreed that Sarah would be excellent entertainment.
"My husband will be back any minute," Sarah warned.
"If it's the man in the barn, he's been taken care of," the man at the
door chuckled and smiled to reveal a mouthful of rotten teeth. Billy called out for his father, but the man said, "It ain't no use boy."
The man grabbed the children by their collars, but Billy and Jane weren't easy to maneuver as they both kicked and screamed at the man. Sarah was trying to remember if there were any weapons she could use. She saw the pot of boiling water on the stove top.
"Don't hurt the children. Let me fix them their lunch, and I'll go with you," Sarah said.
"I'm hungry, Mad Dog. Let her fix us some food," the man said.
"Yer right, Felix, it's been a long time since we've had a home-cooked meal. Fix us somethin' good," Mad Dog said. Sarah tried to figure out a way to get them together. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lola move. She felt relieved that the dog was alive. She couldn't think about Carson. All she could do was focus on how to get rid of the men before they hurt her or the children. She looked at the children, and she could see Billy watching Lola. Afraid that he'd alert the men to the dog, she pretended to fall over.
"I need Billy to help me," she said, and the men agreed. Billy went to Sarah's side, and she whispered in his ear. The child nodded. He was a very bright and intelligent child. Sarah knew he'd understand. As she put her hands on the pot of boiling water, she nodded at Billy. Sarah threw the water on the man, Felix, as he was closest to her and he screamed out in pain. At the same time, Billy yelled at Lola to attack the other man. Lola sunk her teeth into the man's leg and with fury coursing through Sarah's veins, she banged the empty pot of water over the other man's head. He fell into a heap on the ground.
"Run outside quickly children," Sarah yelled as she rushed to the barn, not quite convinced that Carson was that easy to take down without shooting him first. She was right. Carson was trying to stand, and he looked up to see Sarah and the children coming towards him. He reached to his holster, but his gun was gone. The man who knocked him out must have taken it. But Carson had another gun in the tea chest. He rushed back, grabbed it and as he was running out of the barn, he told Sarah to stay inside. No one was going to attack his family again. Rage took over, and Sarah feared for Carson.
Sarah heard two gunshots. The children clung to her, afraid their papa was dead. She watched as the barn door opened and Carson came back unharmed. He hitched the wagon to the horses without saying a word. Sarah was sure that Carson wasn't a killer, but if he suspected these were the men who had killed his wife, anything was possible.
She and the children followed Carson and the wagon from the barn. Sarah thanked the Lord for their safety. Carson had the men tied up.
"You take the children to Bannack, I'll follow along with these two. Tell Sheriff Dexter to meet me."
Sarah nodded, and she and children made their way to Bannack. She hadn't driven a wagon before but being a quick study, she had remembered what Cecilia would do. "Mama didn't do it that way," Billy said raising an eyebrow as Jane chastised him for being mean to Mama Sarah.
They finally made it into town unscathed. With the alarm raised, Sarah could only wait for Carson to come to them. She prayed for his safety. Cecilia and Lottie watched as Sarah stood at the doorway, waiting to see Carson.
"Did you see the way her eyes lit up as she spoke about him?" Cecilia said, and Lottie nodded.
"She reminds me of you, Cec. Billy said she threw the pot of boiling water on one of the men. She's not leaving Bannack now. How could anyone return to life in the city after going through all of this?"
"They're coming in now," Sarah said as she ran out to meet Carson. "Is Lola alright? There wasn't time to see to her."
"She's fine. Glad to get her revenge. I saw what you did to these two. And I've something for you," Carson handed the locket to Sarah. She held it in her hands, never believing she would see it again. "It’s yours, isn't it?" he asked her, hoping he hadn't misjudged the situation. Sarah looked at him as her eyes filled with tears. "You mean Jane and Billy are Katie's?"
Carson nodded, "We adopted the twins before moving here. No one knew. But seeing you with them, you looked like you belonged together," Carson said as he drew Sarah into his arms. She looked up at him. After all this time, she was reunited with the babies. The Lord had answered her prayers. Carson leaned down towards Sarah and kissed her gently on the lips.
Two days later Sarah stood at the hotel entrance and looked at the stage coach that was heading back to the city. She looked the other direction to where the Church stood at the far end of Bannack.
"You don't want to be late for your wedding," Mrs. Lavery scolded as she joined Sarah and, linking arms, walked Sarah towards the Church. Sarah smiled as she saw Cecilia and Lottie with their husbands and children waiting for her. Then when she saw Carson holding Billy and Jane, her heart jumped with joy. These people were her home. Home was more than a physical building. It was being with people who loved her and whom she loved too. Sarah had finally found her home sweet home.
Epilogue: One Year Later
Sarah was making the finishing touches to a dress for Cecilia. She smiled as she realized the date. It was exactly a year since she'd arrived in Bannack and it had been the happiest time of her life. It was early in the morning. Billy and Jane were still asleep. Carson had woken before her and was doing his chores.
"That looks beautiful," she said smoothing out the material and standing back to admire her handiwork.
"You are very talented, Mrs. Edwards," Carson said as he slipped his arms around his wife's waist and kissed her cheek.
"I didn't realize I could sew until Lottie showed me. Cecilia's dress is my tenth order. She says Mr. Branson in the General Store has given my name to some women and I'll…" Sarah began to heave and rushed out the door. Carson ran out after her.
"I'm fine now," she said, but Carson wasn't convinced. She looked so clammy and rosy for the last few weeks.
"Maybe you should stay home. Preacher Jameson will understand, and I'll get Doc to call on you." But Sarah refused. She had promised to deliver the dress to Cecilia today, and it was her plan to give it to her after service.
"We'll be seeing Lottie and Hamish at their house, but I don't want to bother him on a social occasion. It seems to come and go. I feel better already. Let me go inside, the children are waking," Sarah went back inside to tend to them. Carson watched her. She was right, the sickness seemed to come and go. He hoped it wasn't a sign of something more sinister. Despite what she said, he was going to have a quiet word with Hamish.
The wagon journey to Bannack was unbearable for Sarah as her stomach lurched with every bump on the road. She kept tugging at her collar and the ties of her bonnet. Everything felt so tight. Carson wanted to stop for her, but she insisted that they keep going. Otherwise, they'd be late.
Lottie and Cecilia were waiting outside for Sarah and her family to arrive. They looked at each other as they saw the distressed look on Sarah's face. She looked dreadful but still insisted on going inside. The Church was cooler, and Sarah began to feel better. As Preacher Jameson began his sermon, Sarah had to leave the Church, and everyone watched as she ran outside.
"Sorry, Preacher Jameson, Sarah hasn't been well the last few days." Carson stood up to leave, but Cecilia and Lottie said they'd attend to Sarah. They gave each other a knowing look as they found Sarah doubled over.
"I'm fine now," Sarah said. "It's the strangest thing, I've never known a sickness like it. I get sick more in the morning, but by evening I’m usually okay. Have you ladies ever had this?"
"Sure, we've both had it," Cecilia chuckled as Lottie smiled and put her hand to Sarah's clammy brow.
"How long does it take to pass?" the innocent Sarah asked.
"Oh, about seven months in all but the sickness should be over in a few weeks," Lottie said.
"Seven months. What illness lasts seven months?" Sarah asked.
"Sarah, my dear, you're pregnant!" Cecilia declared, and Sarah began to cry.
"But my mother and sister both died during childbirth. I don't want to die," Sarah sobbed.
"We'll take care of you and Hamish can find out from the city doctors if there's anything he can do to help you. We'll pray. The good Lord brought you here for a reason, and we must believe He has a plan. Try not to worry," Lottie said, and Sarah felt better by her friend's words. The good Lord had reunited her with her niece and nephew. She had to have faith that all would be well.
Seven Months Later
Sarah's fears evaporated as she held her newborn daughter in her arms. Lottie, Cecilia, and Hamish had attended her labor as Carson, and the twins paced back and forth outside.
"You can come in now," Cecilia said.
"Mama Sarah, did you get me a sister?" Jane asked. Billy was more hesitant, not sure he wanted anyone else in their family. Lola rushed passed the people to sniff at the new arrival.
"Look, Jane and Billy. She has your eyes, Jane. And Billy, she has the same color hair as you," Sarah said as Jane rubbed the baby's head. Billy leaned in closer to see that the baby did indeed have his black hair. He promised to take care of his sisters. Carson sat by his wife's side. He thanked the Lord for keeping Sarah and the baby safe. Carson felt grateful that all had gone well. Carson never thought he would have a child of his own.
"Meet Katie Maggie Edwards," Sarah said as she handed the baby to her husband. Carson gently kissed the baby’s head. Sarah had been a Godsend, he truly believed it, and the two mothers who departed this world would be remembered in this gift from the Lord.
THE END
COLORADO COWBOY