“Not a glimpse of her,” Adger said. “Where could she be?”
“I don’t know. We’ve got people looking in every direction.” Eli paused, a sweeping gaze taking in the man’s shivering, weary countenance. “Adger, why don’t you go on home. I’m sure your family needs you.”
The man gave a decisive shake of his head. “No, sir. That little girl is their only child. Their only baby. I’ve got nine kids, and I can’t stand the thought of losing even one of them. I can’t imagine what they must be going through.”
“Why don’t you at least go inside and get warmed up,” Eli said. He looked down, and Maggie realized a young boy had joined them. Adger gave the boy’s shoulder a squeeze. “Jamie, you best get on home. Your mother probably needs your help.”
The boy seemed disappointed, but all he said was, “Sure, Pa,” before heading toward the road.
He’d made it several feet when the sound of someone yelling brought him to a halt. Everyone turned toward the noise. There’d been shouting all night, but there was something different about this.
There was urgency in this man’s words, but also…excitement. It was still several seconds before Maggie could make out what he was saying.
“We found her! She’s okay.”
Dr. Nathaniel Calhoun rushed into the school yard. He’d taken off his coat and had it wrapped around a small bundle in his arms as he ran. Several men ran along beside him, smiling and laughing.
Everyone outside gathered around them, cheering, and people from inside dashed out. Within seconds Ruthie was in her father’s arms, and her mother was attempting to hug them both.
“Ruthie, where have you been?” Walter said.
The little girl shivered and clung to him. “I was lost. I was scared. He told me not to cry.”
Walter smiled at Nathaniel. “Thank you, Doctor.”
Nathaniel shook his head as Ruthie answered more of her father’s questions.
“I was chasing Ollie,” she said, “and I was lost. I couldn’t find my pup, and I couldn’t find home.” She looked around. “He told me to run down this road as fast as I could, and it would take me to the schoolhouse. He was going to get Ollie for me.”
Everybody turned to Nathaniel. “It wasn’t me. I’m not sure who she’s talking about. She was walking alone when I spotted her.”
The little girl closed her eyes and laid her head on Walter’s shoulder.
“Who helped you, honey?” her father asked.
“It was the big man,” she whispered.
“Where is he?” Walter asked. “Do you see him here?”
The girl glanced around, shook her head, and then broke into sobs again. “And I don’t see Ollie. I thought I heard him following me, but now he’s not here. Daddy, please find him for me.”
A frantic yapping sound had every eye turning as a bedraggled pup rushed up to the school. He was wet and muddy, and shaking as badly as Ruthie.
As the little girl squealed in excitement, someone scooped the pup up, while someone else rang the school bell, calling all the searchers in. As they returned, women held on to their husbands and sons, grateful for their safe return on a night that could have ended so tragically.
Again, Walter asked his daughter to point out her rescuer, but all she said was, “He’s not here.”
Just as Maggie stepped up beside Eli, they both realized who was missing. “Brody,” he whispered.
Maggie turned to Ruthie. “Did Brody help you? The one who shared his cookies with you at Peg’s house?”
The girl nodded, eyes drooping as she snuggled into her father’s embrace. “He’s nice. He told me not to cry, to follow the road to the school, that he’d get Ollie and be right behind me.”
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. The little girl and the dog were safe. Where was their rescuer?
Eli spoke quietly with Caleb and Nathaniel, and then turned to Maggie. “We’re going to look for Brody. Something feels wrong.”
Maggie felt it, too. “Can I help you search?”
“Thanks, but I’d feel better knowing you’re home with Peg.” Eli turned around, as if looking for someone else. Spotting Henry Barnett, he motioned for him to come closer.
“Henry, will you make sure Miss Radford makes it back to Peg Harmon’s?”
There was no hesitation. “Sure.”
“I don’t know if you’re aware of her situation,” Eli said, “and I don’t have time to explain, just don’t let her out of your sight until she gets inside the house.”
“Don’t worry,” Henry said. “I’ll take care of her.”
“Thank you. We’re headed out to look for Brody. If he was drenched and cold, he might’ve gone straight to the cabin to dry off.”
Although he said it matter-of-factly, Eli’s expression belied his casual tone.
Maggie watched the three of them head out, sending up prayers once again for the searchers, and this time for Brody.
“Hey, wait up, Sheriff,” Walter Miller said. He then led his wife toward Henry. “Do you mind seeing my family home, too? We live next door to Peg Harmon.”
“I’d be glad to,” Henry said.
Walter helped Dovie, and the dog, into the back of the wagon, and then gave Ruthie a kiss on the forehead before handing her up to his wife. He called out to Eli. “Tell me where you want me to search. I want to help.”
“Me too,” Adger said. Although the man wanted his son to return home, the boy begged to go along.
“Brody is my friend,” Jamie said, “I should be helping.”
“Okay, son.”
Several other men announced that they were heading back out, including Bliss.
Henry Barnett ended up with a wagonload of women and kids to see home.
Sitting in the back next to Dovie and a sleeping Ruthie, Maggie pulled her shawl tighter, and stared up at the moon.
Brody had a better chance of surviving than little Ruthie on a night like this, but her heart was heavy.
No matter how resourceful he was, Brody was still a kid.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Despite her best intentions, Maggie dozed off in front of the fire not long after returning to Peg’s. Lucinda was asleep nearby.
Maggie awoke with a start when Peg touched her shoulder. One look at the older woman’s expression and Maggie’s stomach sank.
“Did they find Brody?”
Peg nodded, her eyes brimming. “Yes.”
“Is he alive?” Maggie whispered.
“Barely, according to Caleb. Eli asked him to stop by and let us know. They’ve taken him to Nathaniel’s office, and Eli doesn’t want to leave the boy.”
Fear pushed Maggie to her feet. “What happened?”
“Caleb said they found him laying in a shallow part of one of the creeks off the Brazos. Thankfully, he wasn’t fully submerged, and he was laying face up. Nathaniel thinks he hit his head on a rock, probably tripped on something. Bad wound, but the cold water kept him from bleeding to death.”
It didn’t need to be said that icy water could cause problems, too.
“I’ll watch over the baby if you want to go see him,” Peg said.
Without even thinking about it, Maggie gave the woman a hug on her way out. “I honestly don’t know what Lucinda and I would’ve done without you these past few weeks.” After a surprised look, Peg smiled and then shooed Maggie on her way.
The town was still quiet when Maggie reached Nathaniel’s office. The front door was locked. Going around to the back, she tapped on the door that led to the doctor’s living quarters. There was no response to her knock. She opened the door a crack to reveal a kitchen that was neat and tidy, if a bit sparse.
“Hello,” she called. “It’s me, Maggie.”
“We’re down the hall,” Nathaniel said.
She found him in the examination room, bent over Brody. The boy was as white as the sheet that was draped over him and shivering uncontrollably.
“I need to get him warmed up,” Nath
aniel said. “Then I’m going to stitch his head. After that, I’ll need to tend to his ankle. I don’t think it’s broken, just a bad sprain.”
Maggie didn’t see Eli until he stepped from the shadows, and stared at the bed. He nodded at her, not saying anything. He was dry-eyed, but wore such a look of agony that it made her own eyes burn.
Nathaniel was now hurrying around the room gathering supplies. “Eli,” he said, “I need more wood for the fire. Might have to cut some.”
Eli wrenched his gaze from Brody and left the room without saying a word.
“I need the firewood,” Nathaniel told Maggie. “More importantly Eli needs to keep busy.”
“I understand,” she said. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Yes, will you put some water on to boil, and then go back to Peg’s and see if she has some spare blankets or quilts? As fast as you can.”
“Of course.”
The next few hours passed in a blur of images that Maggie prayed weren’t the last memories she would have of Brody Flynn—piling blankets on him and rubbing his cold hands, holding a lantern high, and at the right angle for Nathaniel to stitch the back of the boy’s head, and the moment when the adults in the room looked like they wanted to cry when Brody called out for his mama and daddy.
Maggie gripped his hand tighter, telling him over and over again that everything would be okay.
Despite the laudanum that Nathaniel administered, the boy whimpered—sweat on his brow and tears on his cheeks.
Nathaniel was also sweating by the time he was finished and the boy was resting comfortably. “Hopefully, Brody will sleep for awhile. I’ll know more in a few hours. You two can go on and get some rest.”
Eli refused to leave, and Maggie stayed as long as she could, but Lucinda needed her.
Back at Peg’s house Maggie fed and bathed the baby, got some sleep and then prepared a meal. With Peg’s permission, she made enough for Eli and Nathaniel, too.
The woman insisted on helping, and Maggie marveled again at what a caring, generous person she was when she had so little in life.
“What’s wrong?” Peg said, glancing up to catch Maggie watching her.
“Nothing. I was thinking that when I first got here, I was so worried about getting home in time for my Society Sisters Community Charity meeting. And how disappointed I was when I didn’t.”
“Oh, I’m sorry you missed it.”
“I’m not,” Maggie admitted. “They did all right without me, and I learned more here.”
Peg’s brows rose. “Like what?”
“What love for your fellow man really looks like.”
Obviously perplexed, Peg opened her mouth and then closed it again.
“I’ve attended lectures and conferences on poverty,” Maggie said, “since I was old enough to tag along with my mother. Mama took the Bible verse to heart that says, to whom much is given, much is required.”
Peg stirred the potatoes sizzling in the skillet. “That’s commendable. So what’s got you so down in the mouth?”
“I realize that I don’t know how to really help anyone. I wasn’t able to do a thing for Lucy. You might have been able to save her.”
“First of all, I’ve had years of experience,” Peg said. “And from what you’ve told me, I’m not sure anyone could’ve helped her.”
“Still, I wish I could’ve done more. I’m not sure I’ve really ever made a difference to anyone.”
“What do the Society Sisters do?”
“Mostly fundraising efforts.”
“There’s nothing wrong with helping folks in whatever way you’re able,” Peg said. “I wouldn’t have a clue how to raise money. I bet you’re good at it.”
Maggie shrugged. “I’m not as good as some of my friends.” She looked at Peg. “What if the only person I was helping was me? I always felt good later.”
“That’s nonsense,” Peg said. “There have to be folks who give money, and help get money from others. Just as those who have nothing but time to offer—those who are willing to get their hands dirty in the name of Jesus—are doing their part.”
“Maybe so,” Maggie said. “But I have a feeling I’ve missed many an opportunity to be a true blessing to others.”
Peg grabbed a small towel from a hook on the side of the cupboard and wiped her hands.
“If that’s how you truly feel, then be watchful for the next opportunity. Just do what you can, when you can. Most of us won’t ever get a chance to do something for others on a grand scale, but we can do a little here and there. If enough people do that, it all adds up.”
* * *
Maggie stepped inside in time to see Eli, expression grim, pin a star-shaped badge to the boy’s shirt.
“Is he…?” She couldn’t even finish the question.
“He’s alive,” Eli said, “but he’s got a rattling sound in his chest, and wheezing when he breathes, and some other stuff I don’t even understand. Nathaniel said it doesn’t look good.”
It seemed the most natural thing in the world to go to Eli. There was no pretense involved. Maggie placed her arms around him, unsure if it was the right move until he returned the embrace so tightly that she could barely breathe.
They stood together for several minutes, with Maggie whispering words of comfort.
Eli was silent except for one word. “Why?”
Only a one word question, but Maggie had no answer. “I don’t understand why bad things, horrible things, happen to people who’ve been through so much, those who’ve done the best they can. It’s difficult to understand. God doesn’t say we won’t ever have any trials, what He does say is that he’ll be there with us, every step of the way. And he says we’ll understand more, someday. In 1 Corinthians, it says: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Pray, Eli.”
“I am,” he assured her.
“I’m not saying that God will answer our prayers the way we want him to,” Maggie added, remembering the death of her own mother. Oh, how she had prayed for Mama to get better.
Brody moaned in his sleep, drawing them closer to his bedside.
“I’ve been worried about all the things I needed to teach him,” Eli said, swallowing hard, “and I may never get a chance to do any of it. I let him down.”
“No, what you did was make him happy. Even if he doesn’t make it—and I’m not saying that he won’t—you made a difference in his life. Just as you have others.”
He shrugged. “Lots of people would do the same.”
“Maybe, but it seems to me that God has placed you directly in the path of people who needed you. In addition to Brody, you’ve helped me and Lucinda, and Walter Miller, and I’m sure there are literally countless others.”
He frowned. “I just help out when I can.”
“It seems you and Peg have that figured out, but some of us are just now catching on. Don’t discount what you do, Eli.” Maggie then told him what Peg had said earlier. “Those things you’ve done, ‘just helping out’ have been life-changing for others.”
He seemed to be considering that, but he also seemed about to drop from fatigue.
“How long has it been since you slept?” Maggie said. “Shouldn’t you get some rest?”
“No. I’m not going anywhere.” Eli lowered his voice. “Brody lived alone too long. He’s not going to die alone.”
His simple declaration broke Maggie’s heart. “I know Nathaniel’s a good doctor, but God’s in charge. And I believe he still performs miracles. Keep praying, Eli.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Eli woke when his head lolled to one side. Where was he? He bolted upright when memories of the past few days came flooding back—the search, the horror of seeing Brody in the water, how desperate he’d felt while Nathaniel was working on him.
Had it been enough to save the boy? Eli had fallen asleep in the chair by the bed praying that it was.
He wat
ched now as Brody’s chest moved up and down easily with each breath. He wasn’t struggling like he had been. And maybe it was only hope at work, but the boy’s color seemed better.
“I think he’s going to make it.” The voice was low and laced with exhaustion.
Eli glanced over his shoulder. Nathaniel looked in worse shape than the patient, but he’d been rock steady all during the crisis. The little brother he’d worried so much about was now strong and competent, and an excellent physician.
“Why don’t you get some rest now?” Eli said. “I’ll stay with Brody.”
Nathaniel yawned. “I think I will. Come get me if you need me.”
He only slept two hours. When he returned he seemed refreshed and wide awake, and insisted that Eli go and rest.
After arguing for several minutes, Nathaniel said, “At least go get a bath and something to eat.”
Eli was already shaking his head when he heard the boy mumble, “I’m fine, Eli. Everybody knows you’re supposed to do what the doctor tells you.”
Relief hit Eli with a wallop. He sank down on the side of the bed, unable to speak for a moment. “I think fine might be overstating it a bit,” he finally said, “but it sure is good to hear you talking.”
Brody’s eyes cracked open. “What happened to me?”
“You were helping search for little Ruthie Miller, and found her,” Eli said. “Then you must’ve slipped and hit your head on a rock. We found you floating in one of the creeks out by the Brazos.”
“I didn’t slip,” Brody murmured, already half asleep again.
“You didn’t?” Eli said it in a teasing tone. The boy’s next words wiped every bit of humor away.
“Somebody pushed me.”
Rising to his feet, Eli waited to see what else Brody would say, but in the next breath he was sleeping again.
“Go on, get out of here for awhile,” Nathaniel said. “It’s likely that the laudanum had him dreaming and imagining things. Not unusual.”
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