by Carol Ashby
She patted his shoulder. “You don’t have to come in yet. I’ll call you when supper is ready.”
With a warm smile, she turned and walked through the door.
As much as he hated to admit it, spending the day resting had been a good idea. He felt almost back to normal, other than the pain in his leg. That was mild enough now that he hardly noticed it when he wasn’t putting weight on it. Then it still hurt a lot, but even that was starting to get better.
How long would it take for his leg to heal enough for him to ride a long distance? How soon would Astro be able to carry him and the gold back to the capital?
It was his duty to return as soon as possible, but he had to admit he was in no hurry. The family villa near Rome was luxurious, but this simple cottage was by far the pleasantest place he’d ever stayed. Watching Valeria and talking with her was endlessly entertaining. He was not a patient man, but he would have no trouble waiting this time.
Decimus was looking forward to another family supper with its jokes and laughter and warm affection. He was not disappointed. Rhoda passed out the stew and Valeria asked for God’s blessing. Then the conversation began.
“Galen, what are you doing in the high meadow, and how far is it? If it’s not far, I’m healed enough to help you there.”
“That’s where the grain field is and a sheep fold. I’m repairing the fence that keeps the sheep out of the grain. It’s not so much that it’s far as it’s steep and rocky. Val’s right to keep you from going up there yet, at least until you don’t need your crutch anymore.”
Valeria reached across the table and touched the back of Decimus’s hand. “I’m glad you didn’t take Decimus with you today, Galen. It was nice having his company for the whole day.”
“But one day sitting around is more than enough.” Decimus turned from Valeria toward Galen. “What can I do tomorrow?”
Galen directed a big grin at Decimus. “I need to repair the cattle shed roof tomorrow. That will be much easier with your help.”
Decimus smiled back as he nodded his agreement to the proposed task. It felt good to be included like a valued member of the family. Who would have thought a Roman tribune could feel more at home with a group of Christians in a small cottage than he ever had in his father’s villa or the governor’s palace?
Decimus lay on his bed as they gathered at the table. It was Galen’s turn to read. Then Valeria began their prayers.
“Dear Father, we thank You for Your many blessings, but especially we thank You for how You’ve brought Decimus to us and how much You’ve healed him so far. We ask You to continue his healing. We thank You...”
She continued her prayers with Galen and Rhoda adding their own thanksgivings and requests. Decimus couldn’t imagine himself talking to a god like it was a person with him in the room, but it no longer seemed odd that they did.
Galen and Rhoda climbed into the loft after their time of prayer, but Valeria went out on the porch for longer than he liked. What could she be doing out there every night?
Finally, she stepped through the door and bolted it. She came to the side of his bed and tucked the blanket around his shoulders, just like she had when he was blind. Her fingers pushed a strand of his hair back in place as she smiled at him. “Good night, Decimus. Rest in peace.”
“Good night, Valeria.” His eyes followed her every movement as she climbed the ladder.
Valeria lay in her bed, thanking God that she had obeyed Jesus and brought Decimus home to care for him. Once more she asked God to continue healing his body and, more importantly, to give him the desire to learn about Jesus before he had to leave them.
Decimus lay on his bed, thinking about how good it felt to be here with this family. He’d be sorry when it was time to leave. He’d almost died, but he expected no lasting problems from his wounds. He might have a limp for a while, but that was nothing. He owed everything to Valeria, and she was never far from his thoughts. Her laughing eyes and gentle smiles played in his mind until he drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 24: Not Just His Physician
Decimus awoke to the sound of Valeria softly humming as she stirred the porridge. She turned from the fire as Rhoda slipped her arms around her.
“Good morning, precious.” Valeria stroked Rhoda’s hair and kissed her forehead before they shared a big hug.
One of Valeria’s hugs―he’d like that himself.
He swung his legs to the floor and stood up. This morning his leg didn’t feel so bad. Valeria was watching him, so he picked up his crutch but didn’t use it as he limped to the chair.
Galen scraped the mud off at the door before taking his place at the table. “Sure smells good, Val. I’m starving this morning, so I hope you made a lot.”
He turned to Decimus. “I’ve got the perfect project for us this morning. The cattle shed has a few leaks in the roof. I hate to keep climbing up and down to get things when I work on a roof, so maybe you can hand them up to me while I crawl around up there.”
“Sounds good to me.” Decimus was feeling stronger every day, but his leg still hurt more than he’d admit to Valeria if he put too much weight on it. He needed the crutch if he walked more than a few steps. Galen’s project should cause him no problems.
Valeria turned from the fire to fix her gaze on him. “Just be careful that you don’t overdo it.”
His lips tightened until he relaxed them. She meant well, but he really didn’t need a mother. She should have realized that by now.
“I’m a good judge of what I can and can’t do.”
“I’m sure you are, but be careful anyway. I don’t want you to tear your stitches and start bleeding again.”
Valeria had seen already that knowing what he ought to do and actually doing it were not always the same thing for Decimus. He would try to do more than he should, and Galen wouldn’t be any good at keeping him from doing it. Men were such stubborn creatures. Would Galen grow into a mulish man like this one? Galen’s grin as he watched their exchange was not reassuring on that point.
After breakfast, Galen climbed up the ladder and onto the roof of the shed. Decimus stayed on the ground to hand supplies up to him. From his vantage point, Galen was the first to see Baldric and Otto approaching. He slid down to the edge of the roof and jumped off.
He called toward the cottage, “Hey, Val! Baldric’s here with his mare.” Then he trotted over to talk with Otto.
Decimus limped the few steps to the corral and leaned his arms on the top rail. All of Baldric’s horses that he’d seen so far were impressive animals, and this mare would be the pride of many Roman stables. Breeding his mares with Astro should improve Baldric’s herd even more.
Valeria came from the cottage and met Baldric by the corral gate. “She’s a beautiful animal. She and Astro should make a magnificent foal.”
Decimus stopped watching the mare and started watching Valeria. She’d told him the night his fingers first saw her face that she’d loved working the horses with her father. She was almost glowing at the prospect of Astro earning her a mare. The bright sparkle of her eyes and the big smile on her lips brought the same to his own.
Each day he appreciated more how smart she was, how thoughtful of others, how kind...how beautiful.
Valeria continued watching the two horses nuzzling each other, but Baldric was watching Decimus watch Valeria. He did not like what he saw.
“Your Roman is looking much stronger.”
“I’m very pleased with how he’s healing. God has been so merciful. He still gets tired quickly, and his leg still bothers him a lot, but he never complains.”
“When will he be leaving?”
“I’m not sure. With his leg the way it is, he wouldn’t be able to ride very far, but he is well enough to help Galen as long as he’s careful and doesn’t work too long. He gets restless when he isn’t doing something useful.”
“He needs to leave soon. I do not like what I am seeing, Valer
ia. He looks at you now like you are a woman, not just his physician.”
She fought a smile. “I don’t think so. I haven’t noticed anything different in how he treats me from how he treats Galen and Rhoda. He does like to tease. He’s really a lot like Galen, except older.”
“You are letting your kind heart fool you. You always look only for the good in people. He is not the friendly farm dog you think he is. He is strong again. The wolf is close to the surface. He gave me his word that he will not hurt you, but I do not know if that word can be trusted.”
She placed her hand on Baldric’s forearm. “I am grateful that you’re so concerned, but please don’t be. I don’t think he’s dangerous, but if he is, God will protect me.”
“So will I.” With a grim set to his mouth, Baldric walked around the corral to talk with the Roman.
Decimus stopped watching Valeria and turned his attention to the approaching Baldric.
There was a flinty set to Baldric’s face and coldness in his eyes. Decimus stood erect and turned to face him squarely. This was not likely to be a pleasant conversation.
“You are looking much stronger, Roman.”
“Valeria is an excellent physician.”
“I have warned her to be careful of you, but she does not think you are dangerous. I know better. I see how you are looking at her, and I do not like it.”
“I gave you my word that I won’t hurt her.”
“See to it that you do not. I will do as I promised if you do.”
“I would protect her with my life. She’s in no danger from me.”
Valeria didn’t like what she was seeing as she watched their conversation. The two big men stood staring at each other, almost mirror images with their arms crossed and jaws clenched. It was time to break it up before it went past talking.
She hurried around the corral to stand between them.
“It’s time for lunch. Baldric, will you and Otto join us today? I’d be so pleased if you will.”
Her tactic worked. The confrontational stares were broken as each turned to look at her. She got Decimus’s crutch from where it leaned against the cattle shed. Then she walked between them with a hand on each of their arms as they went to the cottage for lunch.
The conversation at lunch was lively, or at least the conversation between Galen, Otto, and Rhoda was. Baldric said almost nothing and spent most of the time watching Decimus with a scowl on his face. Decimus spent almost as much time watching Baldric, but his face had a relaxed expression. Except for his eyes―they were cool and alert.
Valeria didn’t enjoy lunch at all as she watched the two men watch each other.
Finally, Decimus stood. “It was delicious, as usual. Galen, let’s get back to work. Your sister may want to visit with Baldric more.” He nodded once to acknowledge Baldric as he placed his crutch under his arm and headed for the cottage door.
Galen punched Otto’s shoulder and grinned his goodbye before he followed Decimus outside.
Baldric rose as well. “It was a good lunch, Valeria. We must leave now, but I will be back in two days for the mare. You be careful of that Roman.”
Valeria laid her hand on his arm. Warmth filled her eyes as she smiled up at him. “It’s always such a pleasure to have you come by. Please don’t worry about me. I’m sure he’s not dangerous anymore.”
Baldric patted her hand before he turned and walked out the door with Otto trotting behind him. Perhaps she was right about the Roman, but he still wasn’t happy about the way her patient was looking at her now.
When they’d mounted their horses, Baldric rode over by the shed. From his superior vantage point on the tall horse, he looked down at the Roman. His glare was cold, and his frown colder still.
“Remember I am watching, Roman.”
Her Roman looked unperturbed as he nodded once in response.
Baldric wheeled his horse and rode out of the farmyard. He still wasn’t sure what to make of the Roman, but he would keep a close eye on him for however long it took for her patient to heal and leave.
Chapter 25: Which Enemy to Love
It was late afternoon. Rhoda was standing by the corral scratching Astro’s head. The big horse snorted and looked toward the trail where it emerged from the trees. She turned to see what had caught his attention.
A strange man was walking toward her. His eyes were scanning the farmyard, as if he was looking for something or someone in particular. Something about him made Rhoda’s stomach flutter, so she scurried toward the cottage. The man followed her.
Rhoda stood on the porch and kept watching him as she called through the window. “Valeria, a man I don’t know is coming.”
Valeria came out of the cottage and walked toward him. They both stopped halfway between the corral and the cottage.
“Welcome. Do you need some help?”
“Yes, but I need a man to help me. Call your father or husband.”
Something about his eyes triggered prickles at the back of her neck. He kept looking around the farmyard rather than directly at her. What was he looking for? Decimus?
She started to bite her lip but forced herself to stop. “Are you sure? Perhaps I can help you with what you need.”
His hand shot out and grabbed her arm. Before she could pull free, his other hand slipped behind her neck and grabbed a handful of hair.
He began pulling her towards him. “Perhaps you can, if there’s no man around.”
A bolt of fear raced through her. “Please let me go. You don’t want to do this.”
With a cruel laugh, he threw her to the ground and was instantly on top of her. She tried to roll sideways from under him, but he pinned her arms and laughed again.
Rhoda screamed as she ran toward them. She pounded on his back and tried to pull him off. He clutched Valeria by the throat with one hand as he struck Rhoda in the head with the other, knocking her away. As Rhoda lay sprawled on the ground, he turned his attention back toward Valeria.
Decimus and Galen were working on the back side of the cattle shed. Decimus was handing some wood up to Galen when Rhoda’s terrified scream tore into him. He flung the wood aside and raced toward the sound.
As he rounded the corner of the shed, he saw the man on top of the struggling Valeria. The world turned red as rage engulfed him. He sprinted toward them, oblivious to the pain in his leg. He grabbed the man and jerked him off, hurling him to the side as if he weighed no more than a child. Then he stood between Valeria and her attacker, breathing hard.
The man staggered to his feet and pulled a knife. Swinging it menacingly, he uttered a string of curses. Then, with the knife raised, he charged.
Decimus stepped forward to meet him, catching the man off guard. As the man tried to bring the knife down, Decimus grabbed his arm. With the expert skill of the well-trained warrior, he twisted the arm downward, driving the knife into the man’s own heart. He pulled the knife out and tossed it to the side as the dead man crumpled to the ground.
Turning back to Valeria, he dropped to his knees beside her. His wounded leg throbbed, but what was a little pain when she needed him?
He wiped his hand on his pantleg to remove any blood and placed it on her cheek. “Everything is fine now. I killed him.”
Valeria sat motionless on the ground, staring at his calm eyes. Everything most certainly was not fine! A man lay dead less than ten feet from her. The wolf had exploded from within the friendly farm dog, killed so effortlessly, and completely vanished as quickly as it had appeared, before he could even kneel down beside her. How could he offer her even a trace of a smile when he’d just killed a man?
He did it so easily, and it was as if it meant nothing to him that the man was now dead. He had done it to protect her, and the man was trying to kill him as well. The attacker gave him no choice, but every human life was still precious to God, no matter what a person had done. How could he feel no regret that he’d had to kill? What kind of heart lived
inside this man who had become her friend?
She swallowed hard.
Baldric was right after all; Decimus was a very dangerous man.
It took some painful effort for Decimus to get back on his feet. Kneeling hadn’t been a good idea. He took Valeria’s hands and helped her stand. Then he wrapped his arms around her. She was trembling, so he pulled her closer. She stood with her cheek pressed against him, her forearms resting against his chest. At least she wasn’t crying. He remembered well what her tears felt like when he held her this close.
He worked his fingers into her hair as he rested his cheek on the top of her head.
Valeria could feel the beating of his heart. At first it was slowing down, but as he held her, it began to beat faster. That shouldn’t be. The crisis was over. It couldn’t be beating faster―unless something else was exciting him.
She pushed against his chest to free herself. He resisted, then let her push back to arms’ length, although his hands remained on her arms. She stepped back, and he let her go.
She felt his gaze locked upon her, but she didn’t look at his face. She didn’t want him to see how shaken she was by his killing the man and caring no more than if he’d swatted a fly. He mustn’t see the fear in her eyes.
She reached out one arm toward Rhoda, who dashed to her side and wrapped her arms tightly around her. She buried her face in Valeria’s dress and began to cry.
Valeria took Rhoda’s face gently in her hands and assessed the damage. There was a bruise beginning to form on her temple where the man had struck her, but she was otherwise unhurt.
“Hush, precious. It’s over now.” Still not looking at Decimus, she held Rhoda tight, stroking her hair.
Decimus stood where she’d left him, immobile.
With her left arm around Rhoda, Valeria began walking the two of them toward the cottage. She paused as she passed Decimus and rested her hand against his upper arm, but she didn’t look at his face.