Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 1)

by Hildie McQueen

  Wilhelmina turned to where the man pointed. It was the saloon.

  “If he’s been in there this entire time…”

  Eleanor shook her head with fervor. “He would never do anything when our mother’s health is so bad. Perhaps someone in there saw him.”

  They climbed down from the wagon just as James neared. “Howard overheard someone in the saloon talking about a horse coming into town without a rider. I’m going in to find the man. Can you two check at the local stable and see if it’s Marcus’ horse?”

  The horse was his. Wilhelmina’s legs wobbled upon Eleanor’s proclaiming it to be. Something terrible happened to Marcus and while he lay somewhere hurt, she’d thought the worst of him.

  The stable handler, a burly, bearded man scratched at his face with a grubby hand. “The horse came from the west side of town. I suggest you go back that way and search.”

  “Oh my goodness, why didn’t we think of that? Of course, it’s a shorter route. It’s a bit harder to traverse. But knowing Marcus, he tried to take a short cut.”

  “We should go search now.” Wilhelmina could not help a tear that trickled down her face. “It’s so cold at night. He must be freezing.”

  “It’s too late. We won’t be able to see a thing.” James had walked up, his face grim. “If he’s out there, at least he was wearing a warm coat.”

  Wilhelmina gritted her teeth. “I’ll go alone then.”

  “You can’t. It’s bad enough traveling that road during daylight. It’s too rocky and unsteady.”

  “I’ll put the horses up,” James interjected. “Go to the boarding house and get a room. We’ll leave a first daylight.”

  Wilhelmina looked up at the darkening sky and said a prayer that Marcus be able to sustain one more night alone.

  Marcus shivered, no longer able to control the constant shaking. He couldn’t stand or sit. The pain that thundered up from his broken leg had already caused him to pass out twice. Instead, he moaned and clenched his jaw as inch by inch, he’d dragged himself to where, hopefully, someone would spot him.

  It had been so foolish to travel this way. Unused, the overgrown trail made a perfect place for critters to hide. There were holes in the ground and uneven shifting rocks.

  A critter had spooked his horse, causing it to buck, sending Marcus to the ground. Then his foot had caught on the stirrup and the damned horse dragged him for a bit before he’d finally been able to get free. From what he could tell, he’d broken his hip and ankle as well as his leg.

  He reached for a long branch and placed it over his lap. Even if he managed to splint the leg, there was no way to stand with a broken hipbone.

  With only one portion of the branch fastened, Marcus was sweating from the exertion. Trembling, he fell back, immediately regretting the movement as his hip throbbed and, once again, unable to withstand the pain and weak from lack of food or water, darkness claimed him.

  The sun was still up when he finally came to. “Help,” he called out, but his voice cracked and was softer than he hoped. Three days now, by his calculation as the sun was almost setting, yet again. Although the nights were bitterly cold, it helped soothe the pain somewhat. Unfortunately, the raging fever caused sweating, so his shirt was drenched. It was impossible to prepare for what the night would bring and a part of him wished not to wake up the next morning.

  Once the starkness of morning came, he’d have to make it through another day. He knew it was most probable he’d not survive much longer.

  A picture of Wilhelmina formed. His wife had brightened the last weeks. Interesting how, up until then, he’d not considered life with a woman and now he grieved the loss.

  As the day continued and he faced possible death, Marcus considered how if things were switched, he could not fathom life without her. A smile curved his lips at the thought. Every day, he hurried home after working because she’d be there in the house.

  Every evening, once supper ended, he could hardly wait for bedtime and the opportunity to be alone with the beauty. She’d proven to be most knowledgeable, their conversations often going until late in the night. Of course, making love with her still awed him. She was passionate and eager to please him.

  Now, she’d be a widow. He wondered who she would marry. No doubt it would happen. A woman so attractive would not suffer for suitors. The thought angered him and Marcus adjusted, only to scream in pain.

  A sound permeated through his foggy senses, someone came. Voices called out his name and he lifted an arm. “Here!” Unfortunately his voice was but a hoarse whisper.

  Marcus was so weak it took all his energy to lift a thin branch and wave it. His arm, too heavy to maintain up, plopped beside him and he let out a curse. It sounded like his brother-in-law, James. The voice called again, this time nearer.

  It was move, or die there alone. Marcus turned to his healthy hip and pushed up. He shook from the exertion and cried out as his body disobeyed his command and he collapsed.

  “Over here!” James called out. Wilhelmina climbed down from the wagon and ran toward where James stood.

  She searched the ground until noticing the figure of someone in the dirt. “Marcus!” She pushed James aside to rush to his side. With a gasp, she lifted her husband’s head. He was unconscious, but alive. “Oh my God. He’s burning up with fever. We must get him to town immediately.”

  James crouched down and touched her shoulder. “His leg looks to be broken. Good thing he’s out because this would otherwise hurt pretty bad.” He stood. “Stay here, I’ll figure out how to bring the wagon a bit closer.” James took his jacket off and placed it over Marcus.

  His face was purpled and bruised, skin was torn from his knuckles and his coat was torn to shreds. From what she could figure, the horse had dragged him. She looked down his body noticing he’d splinted his left foot. “Oh no, Marcus. How you must have suffered.” She kissed his heated forehead and held him against her.

  Eleanor approached, her face wet with tears. “I was too afraid to come closer until James told me he’s alive.” She collapsed next to Marcus and lifted his hand, kissing it and holding it to her face. “Marcus?”

  He didn’t stir, but it was probably for the best at the moment. Eleanor searched his face. “He has a fever?”

  “Yes, he does and from the looks of it, broke his left leg. Probably why he had no choice but to stay here.”

  The sound of boots crunching over the ground was followed by James’ stern voice. “You two pick him up under the arms, I’ll take his legs. If he comes to, he may struggle. Don’t let go.”

  They had quite a time getting Marcus into the back of the wagon. Thankfully, James had spread blankets on the floorboard, which would make unloading him easier. The solemn man looked to them. “Stay back here with him and try to keep him steady. Unfortunately, this trail is uneven. It will be a bumpy ride.”

  Marcus moaned and both immediately soothed him. The ride to Laurel seemed to take an eternity. Wilhelmina continually searched his face for any signs of awakening, but other than several moans when the wagon bumped, he remained in an unconscious state.

  By the time they returned to town, Tobias was there along with two men who assisted in unloading Marcus at the clinic. Wilhelmina wringed her hands for the few moments she was away from him and then rushed to his side once he was settled atop a narrow bed.

  Evan Jones acknowledged her with a slight lift of his jaw. Seeming to gather it was fruitless to do so, he did not ask her to leave.

  “I’m going to cut off his boot. It’s good he did not remove it, the break would have caused swelling. Unfortunately, it may have cut off circulation which could be bad.”

  Once the boot was removed, with the help of the doctor’s nurse and Wilhelmina, they removed Marcus’ other clothing.

  His lower back was scratched badly, as were his hands. Other than minor bruising elsewhere, the main concern was his left leg. The area was an ugly mixture of dark purple bruising and yellowing. His left ankle was swo
llen to twice the size of his right, but the doctor pronounced it would heal.

  “His hip is misplaced, must have hurt mighty bad,” the doctor informed her. “If he comes to, he’ll pass back out when we try to pop it back in.”

  The doctor prodded Marcus’ upper leg. “Another fracture.” The doctor shook his head, his brows drawn. With each pronunciation and mumble, Wilhelmina held back the urge to cry.

  “He’ll recover.” Evan finally finished his examination and then gave her a distracted look as if he’d forgotten she was there. “Wilhelmina, please get Tobias and James. They’ll have to help. I suggest you step outside.”

  She clung to Eleanor moments later when Marcus’ screams echoed through the rooms. “He must have come to,” Eleanor stated the obvious. “The pain must have woken him.”

  The next scream tore through Wilhelmina and her eyes widened. “I should be there.”

  “No, let’s wait. We’d only get in the way.”

  The doctor’s nurse walked from another room, her warm gaze falling on them. “I brought some valerian root tea for your nerves. The doctor will have to splint and wrap the leg. Afterwards, Marcus will be sedated. Once that is done, you can see him.”

  They drank the tea in silence. Each time a sound came from the other room, both Wilhelmina and Eleanor would jump. The tea helped, although it felt frivolous to be drinking tea at a time such as this.

  Wilhelmina prayed in silence. Marcus would have a long recovery, at least until spring. Somehow, she’d manage taking care of him and helping Eleanor with everything else. All that mattered was that her husband was found alive and would return home with her.

  Home.

  She took a shaky breath and looked to Eleanor. Her sister-in-law reached over and squeezed her hand. “Everything will be fine.”

  Wilhelmina nodded. “Yes, it will.”

  A breath caught in her throat and she sighed.

  For the first time in her life, she was in love. In love with Marcus Hamilton.

  A soft smile curved her lips as tears flowed down her face.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Winter hit Laurel, Montana full force bringing bitter wind and heavy snowfall. Every day, the men would excavate a path to the stable and barn to see about the livestock. The heavier workload, since Marcus was unable to help, had them exhausted and grumpy in the evenings.

  Even the women seemed affected as they maintained stern, solemn expressions as each dreary day passed. Through the window, there were gray skies and snow as far as the eye could see.

  Marcus’ mood was no exception. He grew tired of remaining bedbound for weeks followed by sitting indoors while the others, his father included, did all the work. He’d never been one to shirk away from hard work and believed in doing his fair share. However, barely able to walk, he would be more of a hindrance.

  After pulling crutches under his arms, he rose to stand and hobbled to the front door. Surely, there was something he could do to help.

  “You’ll only get in the way and create more work for them when you fall on your behind and have to be dragged back inside.” Wilhelmina looked up from her sewing. “If you need something to do, help Eleanor with the peas or paint the table you made.”

  “I can’t paint outside, it’s too cold,” he grumbled and hobbled toward the kitchen. How the woman could read his mind still amazed him. Without complaint, she’d nursed him through some pretty embarrassing moments while he recovered. She had taken care of his every basic need with barely a sign of annoyance. True, several times his temper had made him snap at her, but she’d given it right back to him.

  “I’ll go lie down for a bit.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  He slid a look at her. “Why not?”

  “Because you need to move around. Could you please go check on your mother for me? I will go make tea and warm up some soup for her.”

  His parents’ bedroom had been aired out. The curtains were moved aside to allow for what little sunshine there was to come through. Atop a small table by the bed was a glass vase with sprigs of evergreen, bringing the scent of the outdoors inside the room.

  His mother looked to him when he entered and her lips curved. “I’m so glad to see you moving about. You gave us quite a scare.” The weakness in her voice made his chest tighten. “Come here, sweetheart, sit by me.”

  He did as she bid, lowering to a chair where his father usually sat. Marcus took her hand between his. “How are you today, Ma?”

  “I wish I could say better.” Her reply was accompanied by a wince. “I don’t know how much longer I can hang on.”

  “Don’t say that,” he told her, willing her to look at him with reassurance.

  “Promise me, you’ll be happy.”

  “Ma.”

  “Listen, please,” she said with a pleading look. “I need you to promise me you’ll see about Tobias getting settled, too.”

  “I promise.” It was best to agree and not get her upset, he decided. Listening to her words made it clear how badly she felt.

  “There’s something else. Your father. He is still young.” She faltered, the last word catching in her throat. “I want him to remarry. Once all of you move out, he’ll be here by himself. I’ve already spoken to Eleanor about this. I want him to marry again and find happiness. I love him too much to think he’ll spend the rest of his years alone.”

  Her eyes shined with unshed tears and his heart tore to pieces. “Ma, I don’t think he’ll be willing to do that.”

  “I know he’ll balk. That’s why you, your brother and sister will be there to help him through.”

  “What if it were Pa? Do you think he’d want you to marry?”

  Her chuckle was weak. “I’m not sure, but I probably would anyway.”

  The familiar mischievous twinkle in her eyes made him smile in return. “You would.”

  Her hand stirred and she squeezed his, lines around her mouth tightening with pain. “Give me some laudanum. I can’t take this pain without it.”

  “Wilhelmina is bringing tea. I’ll tell her to put some drops into it.”

  “Thank you.” Her gaze met his and he could see only love. How lucky he’d been to be raised by a woman like her, someone who’d always been there for him and his siblings. Never for an instant did he doubt she loved him with the strength of a mother bear, defending and protecting her children, always nurturing.

  His father would be lost without her if she were to go. Jacob Hamilton, although headstrong and unbending to most, drew his strength from his wife.

  There was no doubt in Marcus’ mind that his marriage to Wilhelmina would be like that. Both of them drawing strength from the other.

  A ray of sunshine broke through the clouds, lighting up the room. His mother’s lips curved and she stretched her hand up to it. “Thank you.”

  Her head lulled to the side and she let out one last breath.

  The tray in Wilhelmina’s hands slipped to the floor, the crash of dishes dulled by the lurch of her heart.

  Elaine’s head lay to the side, her lifeless eyes staring straight ahead to the window.

  Marcus sat in the chair next to the bed, his upper body draped across his mother. The wide shoulders shuddered as he cried.

  “Eleanor!” she called out. “Come.”

  Instead of going to Marcus, she stood aside to allow his sister to enter. Eleanor gasped and put her fist up to her mouth, barely stifling the long cry. “Oh no. Mama?” She rushed to the bed and curved her hands on her mother’s face. “No.”

  Marcus did not look up, but remained in place. His face was hidden in the folds of the blankets and his mother’s nightshift.

  “I’ll go find the others.” Wilhelmina stooped to pick up the broken cup and bowl, quickly mopping up what she could with the napkin.

  Wilhelmina shook from more than the cold knowing she’d bring dreaded news to the men who now stood over a bonfire warming their hands.

  As it turned out, she did not have to utter
a word. Jacob took one look at her face and broke out in a run towards the house, Tobias and James on his heels.

  Instead of returning to the house, she neared the fire. The warmth of the flames fanned over her wet face. It was then she realized why the men had not needed her to say anything.

  The silence of the surroundings brought her peace and she inhaled deeply, not wanting to move. Elaine Hamilton was no longer in pain, but everyone in the house would be torn apart by grief and would hurt for many days.

  It would be a hard, bitter winter in more ways than she’d ever expected.

  * * *

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  Aurora Middleton reread Wilhelmina’s letter, a sense of pride in her friend’s courage filling her. After turning Wilhelmina down when she’d suggested they move in together and live independently, for many nights she’d tossed in bed wishing to be brave enough to do such a thing.

  Her future was in a tight grasp of responsibility. She spent her days lonely and alone, not leaving her room to even consider doing anything that polite society considered unacceptable. The grim view from her window offering leafless trees, cloudy, gray skies and misting, mirrored her feelings.

  Lucille, her maid and only friend now, came to the doorway. “Gilda Wilkins and her mother have arrived.”

  Aurora held back a groan. Since Wilhelmina’s departure, the two had been insistent on building a friendship. Of course, it was a ploy to get into the Jamesons’ inner circle. Her upcoming marriage to the eldest would cement Aurora a lofty position in local society, which translated to constant visitors and many attempts at new friendships.

  “Show them in please, Lucille, and bring tea. Thank you,” she said to her friend with a smile.