Ruby (Angel Creek Christmas Brides Book 3)

by Hildie McQueen

  Finally he let out a breath. “Tell me the truth.”

  “I won’t be insulted by you.” Ruby snatched her arm from his grasp and ran toward the kitchen.

  Chapter Nine

  Ruby shook uncontrollably. It was becoming harder and harder to figure out what had happened. Had she imagined things that had not happened was someone was intentionally confusing her?

  The handkerchief, ribbon, and package were gone. That morning when she’d gone for a walk to the creek to get away after the heat of the kitchen and stares of the men, she could have sworn she was followed. Whoever it was, if indeed there was someone, had chased her. Only when she’d grown convinced whoever it was was about to catch her and she’d turned to face her fate, there had been no one there.

  To make matters worse, now Trevor was furious with her. But how was she to tell him. How to explain she was going mad. There was so much on his shoulders at the moment. He was exhausted spending hours upon hours caring for the ill soldiers. The last thing he needed was for his wife to admit to seeing things that were not there, to feel as if being chased by invisible assailants.

  She wiped tears again and sunk into a chair in the back of the kitchen. It would be at least two hours before they began preparations for the afternoon meal. The warmth and silence of the room gave her a place to think and attempt to figure out what was happening to her.

  “Missus Collins, you should go rest up.” Cookie walked in through the back door the pig at his side. “Hambone and I are going to see about going to lay down for a bit ourselves.”

  Ruby forced a smile. “I am resting. It’s so nice and quiet here.”

  The man smiled and nodded. “Well then, I’ll leave you to be in peace.” He slapped his leg and the pig followed him toward the barracks where the soldiers slept.

  Just then she caught sight of the man, the one who glared at her continuously, passing by the front window. The man seemed in a hurry as he walked toward where the other men had gathered.

  Could it be it was him that chased her earlier? Ruby hurried to the front window and peered out. The soldier looked over his shoulder toward the creek and then caught her looking out from the window. The corners of his lips lifted and a shiver of fear trickled down her spine.

  Ruby gasped and stepped back. Why did this man dislike her so? The best thing to do was to confront the soldier. If he was the one who brought the handkerchief and then stole it, it was possible he knew her from the past. He didn’t look familiar. However, he’d obviously been through some sort of facial injury.

  Her heart plummeted and she inhaled sharply moving backward until a table stopped her from moving further. What if her Charles, her fiancé, had not died, but had gotten lost in battle and mistakenly presumed dead. They’d never provided a body, claiming all the men had been buried in a mass grave.

  The handkerchief had been one she’d given to him to take as a memento. She rushed back to the window searching until she saw him. It was hard to tell, but his hair color and body shape did resemble what she remembered of Charles. It had been two years, so it was possible for someone to change a bit physically, especially if surviving a battle.

  The man’s face was turned away. From where she was, it was hard to see him clearly.

  When Corporal Smith entered the room, she took him by the arm and half dragged him to the window. “That man, the one walking toward the storehouse. What is his name?”

  “You mean Tarvis?”

  Ruby heard nothing more. Her fiancé was named Charles Tarvis III. She stumbled backward and held both hands up covering her mouth as shock took over and she feared she’d faint.

  “Missus Collins,” Smith said, hovering over her. “Are you about to get sick?”

  That she’d turned a shade of green was not surprising. Ruby was indeed nauseous and feeling weak-kneed. “I just need to sit down. I feel as if I’ve seen a ghost.”

  “Do you know Tarvis? Do you know him?”

  “I don’t believe so...no.” She lied unable to admit the horrible truth out loud.

  Corporal Smith guided her to a chair. “I’ll go fetch Doc.”

  “No!” she cried out. “No need to worry him. I’m sure once I have a bit of a rest, I’ll be right as rain. I’ll find him myself in a bit.”

  Not seeming convinced, Corporal Smith nodded and went to the back of the kitchen. As she listened to the sounds of the young man pulling out items from the huge pantry, she concentrated on the movement of the flames in the hearth swaying side to side. Of course she’d tell Trevor what happened. It was imperative however that she speak to Charles first and discuss the situation. There was no need for him to be angry with her. If it was indeed Charles and he was alive, how was she to have known it?

  Goodness, why hadn’t he contacted his family. His mother and father were heartbroken thinking him to be dead. It would not have mattered to them if he was disfigured or changed in any way. No one including her would reject him being injured while serving.

  The more Ruby thought about it, the angrier she became. Not just with Charles, but with herself for allowing the situation to get to the point of Trevor being affected by it

  To think she thought herself going mad. All because Charles was too weak to speak to her.

  She stood on wobbly feet and decided it was time for a confrontation. Ruby wobbled forward, then back. The room spun as she grasped thin air attempting to find something to keep from falling face first onto the floor.

  When everything settled, she let out a sigh of relief.

  Then the room tilted. “Oh no,” Ruby said, attempting to gain her footing. Darkness ebbed at the perimeter of her sight and she fought not to fall but the battle was lost.

  In the distance she heard someone call out her name. She tried to respond, but knew it was not audible. There was pain and the feeling of heaviness as darkness claimed her.

  What seemed like a long time later, the sensation of floating took over and she struggled to open her eyes, to say something, but it was so hard, impossible even to gain any kind of control.

  “Trevor.” She tried to speak, but the word seemed stuck in her subconscious. Ruby couldn’t believe what happened. Was she dying? If so, would Charles tell Trevor who he was?

  Unable to control any kind of reaction, gave in to the peace the darkness brought and once again succumbed.

  Chapter Nine

  “She passed out. Her knees buckled and she melted to the floor. Hit her head on the hearth.” Corporal Smith repeated what happened as if trying to figure out why Ruby had not come to.

  While Trever had carried her earlier to their small room, she’d said his name and attempted to open her eyes only to pass out again. He was sure she suffered from the hit to her head and would soon awaken. However, the panicked expressions on the young soldier and Cookie did not help assure him.

  “Wake up Missus Collins,” Cookie said, bending over Ruby. “Time to make some biscuits.”

  Trevor produced smelling salts. “Let’s give these another try.” He waved them under her nose. Ruby’s nostrils flared and she attempted to slap his hand away.

  Her eyes flew open and she looked at him. Then to his astonishment she began to cry. Not surprisingly the other men in the room immediately disappeared.

  Taking her into his arms, Trevor rocked Ruby as she continued crying. She spoke incoherently, repeating “He’s dead” or something along those lines. It was understandable that she didn’t make sense as she’d bumped her head and now a huge lump formed on her forehead. Not only that, but it had been an exhausting time for them both since arriving there.

  Now that Pearson seemed to be recovering and the other soldiers with the exception of a couple were better, he would inform Beauregard they’d be returning home in a couple days. It was best they return to Angel Creek before the weather became colder, which it would and he didn’t want to take a chance of another snowstorm and becoming trapped there.

  Ruby sniffed and blew her nose on a handkerchief he’
d given her and tilted her face up giving him a quizzical look. “Did I faint?”

  “Yes dear, you did.”

  “I must go back and help Cookie. I feel better now.”

  “You will not. I prefer you remain in bed and rest until I am sure you are well enough to be on your feet.”

  She frowned. “But they need my help.”

  “How much help will you be if you faint and hurt yourself again? Right now it’s best to put a cold compress on your head to help with the lump.”

  Ruby reached up to her forehead touching the lump tentatively and grimaced. “It hurts.”

  “Of course it does.” Trevor stood, went to the basin and took a wet cloth back to the bed. “Lay back.”

  He placed the compress to her forehead. “Now please don’t worry me and remain here. I will have Hank bring you something to eat and drink.”

  “Will you return tonight?”

  Trevor still did not know what she was hiding from him and if he were honest with himself, he was not entirely happy with Ruby at the moment. “I will try to return, two of the soldiers are still quite ill. One has taken a turn for the worse, so I feel compelled to ensure he can be left alone.”

  “Of course.” She waved him away. “Do what you have to do, I’ll be fine.” She attempted a smile, but it did not reach her eyes.

  As Trevor made his way back to the infirmary, he wondered what had happened. Did whatever she hid have something to do with Ruby fainting? She was not with child as she’d had her monthly courses already. As far as he could tell, she had not contracted any illness, nor had she lost her appetite. Something wasn’t right, and once she felt better, he intended on having a stern conversation with his wife.

  “Doctor Collins how is your wife?” Captain Beauregard walked toward him. “I hear she fainted.”

  “She’s well. The last few days have been quite exhausting for her. I don’t believe she’s used to doing so much,” he said, and considered that he wasn’t familiar with what Ruby had done day-to-day in the past.

  The Captain nodded. “I feel bad that her working here has caused her harm. Please assure her it is not expected of her.”

  “She is well aware, however she’s taken a liking to Cookie and is enjoying learning to cook from him.”

  “Nonetheless, she does not have to feed the troops and do more than what she desires,” the Captain repeated. “Ensure to tell her.”

  “I will,” Trevor said. “We will probably return to Angel Creek soon. I think most of the men are recovering well. I just have two I’m keeping an eye on and would like to see on the road to recovery before I leave. One in particular worries me. He is taking longer to recover than expected.”

  “I understand,” the captain replied. “And I thank you on behalf of my men for everything you and Mrs. Collins did.

  “About Daniel Pearson,” Trevor began. “He won’t be able to continue his career with the cavalry will he?”

  The Captain sighed. “No. I believe he has land near here. Planned to retire and breed cattle I believe.”

  It was unlikely the man would be able to do what was required with only one arm. However, Trevor had seen many amputees manage quite well in other scenarios. “Perhaps he can hire people. He should be able to ride and such in time.”

  “Had you made his acquaintance in Virginia?”

  The Captain’s question caught him by surprise. “No, why?”

  “Nothing really, I considered that perhaps you were related in some way. You have a slight resemblance.” The Captain waved it away. “I will go see about the men now. Thank you again, Doctor Collins. Ensure you speak to the quartermaster about your wages.”

  It was the second time someone had remarked on his resemblance to the injured man. He’d not paid much heed after Ruby’s comment, but now he was curious. It was possible they were cousins, or such. Since he’d been abandoned as a toddler, he had no recollection of any relatives. The people at the orphanage had not known his name as his mother deposited him inside the door and left without a word to anyone.

  A man who claimed to be his father had come to see him once. The man had refused to tell the head mistress his name for some odd reason. Upon promising to return for Trevor the following afternoon, he’d left only never to return.

  Not sure how he’d broach the subject with Pearson, Trevor went to eat instead of heading to the infirmary. It was best to ponder how to approach the matter with Pearson.

  His mind busy, Trevor ate without tasting the food. He wanted to know what happened with regards to the strange way Ruby was acting. And now, with two people commenting on his similarity to Daniel Pearson, he wanted to ask the man questions.

  The infirmary was warmer than usual as most of the windows were closed now. The one soldier who continued to be seriously ill, unable to control his bodily functions was now settled in the back of the space under an open window.

  Trevor went to the sick man. Pale and thin, his eyes shut, the man seemed to be resting. Ensuring not to jostle the soldier, he took vital signs. There was but a subtle improvement.

  “Am I going to die?” The man’s eyelids fluttered open and then seeming too weak to keep them up, he allowed them to close again.

  Trevor placed a hand on the young man’s thin shoulder. “No, you are not. However, we must get you to take some nourishment. We’ll try dry bread today. Also, do you think sitting up a bit will upset your stomach?”

  “I-I don’t kn-know,” the man uttered weakly.

  “Let’s try.” Trevor motioned for a soldier to come help. Ever so slowly they lifted the ill man and placed a folded blanket under his back and two pillows behind his head.

  Trevor read the hastily written paper fastened above the bed. “There you are Thomas. Now, let’s see how you do.”

  They waited for what seemed a long time until the ill man finally was able to open his eyes. “I-I d-don’t feel any w-worse.”

  It was progress. Although Trevor assured the young man he’d survive, in reality he wasn’t so sure. He’d not been able to keep any nourishment down and the illness had gone on much too long.

  After he ordered bread and broth to be brought for Thomas, Trevor made his way through the patients, checking vitals and deciding what steps were next in their care. The entire time he felt Pearson watching him. Had Captain Beauregard shared with him regarding their resemblance perhaps?

  Trevor neared Pearson’s bed. “How is the pain level today?”

  “The same, I suppose.” Pearson didn’t look at the missing limb tucked under the sheets.

  “I’ll give you more medication after I examine you.” Trevor pushed back the sheets and lifted the bandaged limb. “The blood has caused the bandaging to stick. I’ll use warm water to help dislodge it and change the bandages in a few minutes. It will be uncomfortable, but shouldn’t be painful.”

  “Where exactly did you grow up?” Pearson asked without preamble, confirming that indeed Captain Beauregard had spoken to him about their resemblance.

  “Oddfellows Orphanage in Lynchburg.” He continued to keep his eyes downcast refusing to look Pearson in the eyes.

  “I’m also from Lynchburg. An orphanage may have been better than the life I lead. Pretty much on my own scraping by on the streets.” Pearson spoke without inflection as if reciting a passage from a book. “Never knew your parents then?”

  The question took Trevor by surprise. Had he known them? From what he remembered, his mother had dark hair and spoke sternly. His father, he barely remembered him at all. The schoolmistress had been the one to inform him the man who’d stopped by would return for him. Although it never happened.

  “I don’t remember them, no.”

  “Was your name given to you by the orphanage?”

  “Yes, I was named by them. When I was deposited there, they didn’t bother telling them my last name. I do remember a name however, but they named me Trevor Collins. I believe after one of the mistress’s late husbands.”

  “Is the na
me you remember Edward?”

  It was then Trevor raised his gaze to meet Daniel’s. There was a strange look in the man’s eyes, somewhere between disbelief and recognition. Trevor found he could not speak, and breathing was also impossible. Ensuring not to hurt the limb, he lowered it to the bed and stepped backward.

  It couldn't be possible. Was Daniel his older brother?

  “Your name is Edward Trevor Pearson. You must be my younger brother.”

  ***

  The room that Ruby and Trevor had stayed in seemed to grow smaller. The bleak wooden walls closing in with each passing minute.

  Although thanks to them bringing additional bedding, the bed was quite comfortable, but Ruby itched to get out of it.

  Outside the wind blew snowflakes sideways and she wondered how long before they’d return home. It wouldn’t do at all to be snowed in there at the army camp.

  Admittedly, she’d grown fond of Cookie and Corporal Smith. However, her life was back in Angel Creek. Not only were her lifelong friends there, but also her home and Trevor’s clinic.

  There were also their chickens. What if Mrs. Abernathy forgot or was unable to feed them or collect the eggs. They’d return to a coop overfilled with chicks or worse, dead birds.

  She’d yet to form any sort of a life in Angel Creek, which Ruby wanted more than anything. And although she wasn’t separated from her husband, they were rarely intimate. Even a novice like her understood they’d have to make love more often if they were to start a family soon.

  With a long sigh, Ruby looked about the room from where she lay propped up by pillows. It was only a knot on the head. Goodness, she’d had plenty growing up and never had she spent an entire day in bed.

  Besides, cowering in fright had never been something Ruby would ever do. It was time to take matters in hand and face the situation.

  She pushed the blankets back and swung her legs to the side of the bed. Then, Ruby took her time standing waiting to ensure she was stable. It wouldn’t do to fall and cause another injury.