“I think he is better,” she said softly to Thomas. The tall man tended his employer with unstinting effort, having just changed the sick man’s nightshirt and bed linens.
Thomas nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I believe he is. This is the first he’s really slept in three days.”
“Lord bless him,” Sarah Perkins, the housekeeper whispered. “He’s never ailed like this before, not in all the years I’ve worked for the man.”
Leah rose and stretched, aware suddenly of the tight muscles that protested her taut posture over the past hours. “I must be on my way home. I hate to ask your stable man to go out at this hour, but my husband will be concerned by now.”
Thomas cleared his throat and glanced at the doorway. “Mr. Lundstrom is waiting for you downstairs, ma’am.”
“He is?” Leah’s movements were stiff as she walked past the servant. “How long has he been here?”
“I let him in several hours ago, at twilight.”
Had she been so wrapped up in the man she cared for that she’d missed Gar’s arrival? So it seemed, and that thought hastened her steps as she moved down the staircase and across the wide foyer.
“Gar?” Her whisper was not enough to rouse him as she walked to where he sat near the window in the parlor. Her hand touched his shoulder, and he tensed beneath her fingers.
“Leah.” As if he’d recognized her touch, he awakened and spoke her name in the same instant.
She tightened her fingers, holding him still as he would have risen. “Shh…rest a moment.” Stepping before him, she sank onto a small footstool and leaned one arm against his knee. “Who is with the children?”
“Benny brought Ruth to the house. She said she would spend the night. I told her to sleep in your bed.”
Leah nodded. “The sheets were clean yesterday,” she said. It would not do for a visitor to sleep upon sheets wrinkled by a week’s use.
“Is he better?” Gar asked, dropping one hand to touch his wife’s hand. At her nod, he ran his index finger across the narrow span, then turned it over to touch her palm. “These are healing hands, aren’t they?”
“Sometimes, when they do as they are bid,” she answered, her breath taken by the movement of the single finger that smoothed a path across her palm and up the length of each finger.
“You have a calling, Leah. It was wrong of me to be selfish earlier, when I sulked at your choice to return here.”
She smiled at him, and felt a kindling within as his eyes met hers. “He is a good man, isn’t he? His servants treat him tenderly, Gar. That sort of care is merited by more than good wages.”
Gar nodded. “Eric Magnor is a fine man. He has a sadness in his eyes, but we have never spoken of it.” His voice lowered to a tone just above a whisper. “I’ve heard his wife was not happy here, that she left him and never returned.”
Leah shook her head. “How tragic for the man. He has this big house and money aplenty, and no one to share it with.”
“He shares it,” Gar corrected her. “The townspeople vie for a chance to work at the sawmill. He pays them well. And the church fares nicely from his generosity. I suspect he looks after this town more than any of us know.”
Leah smothered a yawn and felt her eyes dampen. She blinked then lifted her free hand to stop a second telltale yawn from escaping. “I am weary, Mr. Lundstrom,” she said, yearning to lay her head against his muscled thigh. She dismissed that errant thought and struggled to her feet.
“Is it safe to leave him?” Gar asked, rising quickly at her movement and holding her arm to steady her balance.
“He is sleeping soundly. I think he is over the worst of it.”
Gar led her to the wide parlor doors. “What was wrong with him?”
Leah shook her head. “I don’t know. He had only a soreness in his back, and that may have been from muscles tensed with his fever and chills. Whether he had an infection of the throat or perhaps elsewhere…it’s hard to say.” She turned to watch as Sarah came down the stairway.
“Make sure he drinks water every hour, Sarah. His body needs to be flushed out, to be rid of the illness. And make up the tea for him if he even begins to become warm again.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll do that. Thomas will stay with him now. I’ll take him up a decanter of water.” Even in her weariness, the housekeeper was erect and proper, opening the big door to the pillared porch and nodding her farewell as Gar and Leah passed before her.
“I’ll be by on Tuesday,” Leah said. “Unless he is worse tomorrow. If so, send your stable man out and I’ll come.”
Sarah nodded. “Yes, ma’am. We’ll take good care of him. And he’ll be pleased to see you return, I’m sure. He’ll want to thank you and settle up with you.”
Leah stumbled as she stepped down to the driveway, where Gar’s horses waited, still in harness before the surrey. His hand slid around her waist and he held her against his side.
“Are you all right?” His words were coated with concern, and without awaiting her reply, he lifted her to the seat.
Leah nodded, feeling a great weariness overtake her. Spending her strength was nothing new to her. It left her in overwhelming waves when she treated a patient for a number of hours. Tonight, she felt its loss, as if the very essence of her spirit somehow joined with that of the man she had guarded so closely. Her gaze swept upward to the window on the second floor of the house where, behind filmy curtains, two men shared that beautiful room, one watching, the other asleep.
“Lean on me,” Gar said, his voice growling in his throat as he lifted his reins. She felt the surrey jolt into movement as her head touched Gar’s shoulder. As her eyes closed, she heard his voice again.
“Leah…” Just the sounding of her name, but uttered in a tone so warm, so comforting, it touched a chord within her.
Leah…
The baby rode her hip comfortably as Leah walked into the general store. Karen’s arm around her neck clutched the braid Leah had allowed to hang freely down her back, and her other hand waved at the women who greeted her. There was nothing like a baby to pave the way to friendships, she thought, answering smiles and nods as she made her way to the counter.
Bonnie Nielsen watched her closely, frowning a bit as she reached to tweak Karen’s nose. “You look weary, Leah. Have you caught up on your sleep?”
“Of course,” Leah answered, scoffing at the concern. “I only took a short nap yesterday and I was fine. Poor Gar was the one who worked all day in the fields with the men.”
“My brother says your Gar is a fine man,” Bonnie whispered, leaning over the counter. “He works hard, Lars says, and pays well.”
Leah nodded her agreement. “He seems to have no problem with finding hired hands. He even helped Benny Warshem build a house for himself and his wife, just beyond the hay field. Banjo goes home every night, but he and your brother are there right after breakfast every morning.”
“Are you in town alone?” Bonnie asked, peering over Leah’s shoulder toward the door.
“No, Gar sent Lars along to get lumber from the mill. He’s building new stalls in the stable for his mares.”
“And have you visited your patient yet?” Bonnie wanted to know.
A cessation of voices in their vicinity told Leah that more than one shopper had heard the question and awaited her reply. “No, I’ll go there next and Lars will pick me up when he finishes at the sawmill.”
“I heard Dr. Swenson asked you to visit Mr. Magnor,” Mrs. Pringle said eagerly. “Is his house elegant?”
Leah brushed aside the woman’s question, answering only as courtesy would allow. “Yes, I saw Mr. Magnor.”
“He’s a kind man,” Eva Landers said, walking toward Leah from her desk in the corner of the store. She held an envelope in her hand, and Leah’s heart picked up an extra beat. “This is for your husband,” Eva said.
Leah breathed deeply, accepting the mail, her pulse settling to its normal rate. It had been weeks, almost two months, since the arrival
of Anna Powell’s letter. Perhaps her worry was in vain. Perhaps there had been no more inquiries into her disappearance from Chicago.
She could only hope.
“Do you have a list for me?” Bonnie asked, her glance excluding the women who had gathered in the vicinity.
Leah pulled the wrinkled paper from her pocket. “I hope you can read it. Karen was bouncing on my lap as I wrote.”
Bonnie scanned the items written in Leah’s hand and. nodded. “I’ll have it ready when Lars comes by. You go on ahead, Leah.”
Karen gurgled and waved at Bonnie, peeking over Leah’s shoulder, and Eva accompanied them to the door, stepping out on the sidewalk with them.
“He’s a good man, Mr. Magnor,” Eva said quietly. “I’m glad you were able to help him.”
“There’s something about him.” Leah spoke in a low tone, lest she be overheard. “He’s sad. Not just from his illness, but as if some great sorrow has brought him much pain. Gar said it’s because his wife left him.”
Eva nodded. “I’ve heard that. It must have been a lot of years ago, though, before Joseph and I came to live here.”
“I’d better go,” Leah said, sensing she would hear no more on the matter. “I don’t know why…there’s just something about the man, something that makes me yearn to see him smile.”
“You’re as kind as he, Leah,” Eva told her, hugging her shoulders as she dropped a quick kiss on her cheek. “You make a good pair.” Her grin was roguish. “But not as good a pair as you and that handsome husband of yours.”
Leah’s cheeks warmed as she heard the teasing words. “You’re a caution, Eva Landers, talking that way. You know Gar Lundstrom only married me because he needed someone to cook his meals and care for his children.”
“Did he, now?” Eva asked archly. “I think I see him look at you as if he enjoyed more than your ability as cook and nursemaid.”
Leah swatted at her friend amiably. “Go on with you. You’ll make me blush.”
Eva stood still and watched as Leah left her side. “Mind what I say,” she said cheerfully. “Pay attention, Leah.”
The big house was a good half mile from the general store and Leah’s legs were weary, what with toting Karen on her hip and being called aside several times to pass the time of day as she walked through town. The folk were friendly, more than one of them curious to ask after Eric Magnor.
The pillars were gleaming in the morning sun as Leah stepped to the front door, barely lifting her hand to rap on its white surface before it swung open before her. Sarah stood in the doorway, a smile lighting her plain features.
“Mrs. Lundstrom! He’s been asking after you since he ate breakfast. I’ll tell him you’ve arrived.” She ushered Leah into the foyer and hastened toward another set of doors across from the parlor.
“Mr. Magnor, sir. Mrs. Lundstrom has arrived.”
The growl of a male voice followed the announcement, and Leah watched as Eric Magnor stepped into view. “Mrs. Lundstrom.” He took her hand and bowed low over it. “Please come into my study.” His gaze touched Karen, and he glanced at Sarah.
“Let me take the babe,” Sarah offered quickly. “She’ll be fine. I’ll take her to the kitchen and coax her with a pudding.”
Leah turned over the child willingly, her arm aching from the weight of her, and followed Magnor into his domain. Shelves full of books covered two walls, the third a blend of windows and French doors, with draperies pulled back to allow the air to enter. A large desk sat to one side, its surface covered with papers and ledger books. Before the cold fireplace, two chairs sat at an angle, and it was there that he led her.
“Won’t you sit down, my dear.” His voice was rough, perhaps from the illness, she thought.
“Thank you, sir.” She chose the chair nearest the door and sank into its comfort. “The baby weighs more now than she did half an hour ago,” she said with a chuckle. “My arms grew weary before I got here. Next time I’ll use the wagon to your front drive.”
“Where is your conveyance?” Eric Magnor asked, his forehead creasing into a frown. “Why did you walk, carrying a heavy child in your arms? I could have sent a carriage for you.”
Leah shook her head. “Oh, no! It was nothing. My husband’s wagon is at the mill. He sent Lars along to pick out boards for new stalls, and I came on ahead. Lars will pick me up here shortly.”
“I didn’t want you inconvenienced in any way, Mrs. Lundstrom. I owe you a great debt.” Mr. Magnor leaned forward in his chair and spoke quickly. “I have called upon Berg Swenson before when illness has visited this house, but never have I been so upset with his incompetence as now. He had no notion of what to do for me. He wanted to spread salve upon my forehead and feet to allow the fever to escape.” His look of aggravation spoke volumes to Leah.
Eric Magnor stood and paced to the fireplace, his hands thrusting into his trouser pockets as he watched his visitor. “I owe you, Mrs. Lundstrom,” he repeated. “But, besides that, I feel we should become friends. I want you to know that my resources are at your disposal.”
Leah felt a warmth well within her. “I ask nothing for what I did here, Mr. Magnor. Your offer of friendship is payment enough. I have no need of anything but your recovery to give me satisfaction for what I accomplished. But it is comforting to know that I can call on you again, as a friend.”
“You are a gifted woman.” He paused and his jaw worked, as if his emotions were torn by this visit. “May I call you Leah? I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but I feel we have a sound basis for an acquaintance.”
“Leah will be fine,” she answered. “I came back today to be sure you are fully recovered, Mr. Magnor, and because I said I would return. You have no more fever? Or pain?”
He shook his head. “None at all. I awoke yesterday morning, or rather, well into the afternoon, feeling much refreshed. Perhaps that was due to the gallons of water my help poured down me. At your orders, I understand.”
Leah smiled at his humor. “My mother always said that an inward cleansing with copious amounts of water was the best cure for many things. I’m pleased that it aided in your recovery. Did you require any more of the tea?”
“No, that vile stuff seemed to do the trick, though. It tasted strongly of something bitter, I thought. But, whatever its source, I am thankful for the potency of the treatment. Be assured, dear lady, that I will never send for Dr. Swenson should we be in need of a healing hand in the future.”
Leah flushed at his words. “I’m sure the good doctor has many talents. Not everyone uses the medicines my mother taught me about, Mr. Magnor.”
“Your mother. She was a healer also?” His voice contained a semblance of caution as he stepped closer to where Leah sat. “Where did you live, you and your mother?”
Leah forced a smile to her lips. “In the city. We went there many years ago, and Mother…” She lifted her hand from her lap and moved it in a’ dismissive manner. “You don’t want to hear all of that, I’m sure. Suffice it to say that I came back here several years ago. The city was not to my liking.”
“You feel at home here?” he asked quietly, his eyes kind as he watched for her reply.
“Yes.” Leah met his gaze, noting the veil of sadness he wore. “You must save your strength, sir. Won’t you sit down?”
He nodded, accepting the other chair, crossing his legs as he leaned back. “I’m still a little weak, but my appetite is good, Leah. As I said, I think your medicine was responsible for my well-being today.” He touched his fingers together and formed a peak, touching the tip of his index fingers to his lips. “I would be pleased if you come to visit me again. I enjoy your company.”
She bowed her head, perhaps to hide the smile his words brought to her lips. She’d never been so readily accepted by anyone before, except for young Kristofer and Karen, of course. Even Gar…
And there her thoughts began to churn. Gar would be waiting for his lumber and his dinner. That Ruth was available to put the food on the table
was immaterial. It was Leah’s job to tend her family, and sitting here, in this magnificent home, whiling away the time while her husband waited at home, was not to be tolerated.
“I must leave.” She rose and motioned her host to remain in his seat. “Please, Mr. Magnor, don’t get up. I can find my way out. I’ll just need to locate the baby first.” Her smile was quick. “I’m sure your household is not prepared for Karen. She tends to upset schedules and keep everyone on their toes.”
Eric Magnor leaned forward. “Are you happy, Leah?” His words were urgent, spoken in an undertone, as if he feared to be overheard, and his look spoke of deep interest. “I know it is none of my concern, but I truly care about your well-being.”
Leah turned to look fully upon the man who had asked her friendship, and found no guile in his demeanor. He was sober but benevolent in his manner, almost as a favorite uncle might appear.
“I have a good life,” she assured him hastily. “Mr. Lundstrom treats me well.”
Eric nodded. “I thought as much. He is a man of honor, so far as I know.”
Leah turned to the door, only to find Sarah there, her arms full as she cuddled Karen to her breast. “She went sound asleep,” Sarah whispered, obviously reluctant to return her charge.
The transfer was made, nevertheless, and Leah was let out the front door. The big farm wagon was halfway up the driveway as she stepped from the porch, and in moments she was settled on the wide seat with Lars beside her, Karen still asleep in her arms.
She glanced back as the wagon turned in a wide circle before the house and caught a glimpse of a dark figure standing in the shadows, just inside the window of Eric Magnor’s study. She lifted a hand in farewell and smiled as the man returned her salute.
He was well, almost returned to good health, and she felt a surge of satisfaction at that thought. Gar would be happy to hear the news.
“He wants to be your friend? You have lady friends, Leah. Eric Magnor can be my friend. It isn’t proper for a woman to visit with a man alone.”
The Midwife Page 10