She marched past the doctor before he could react. Straight into Samuel’s room.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Samuel Higgins. Put your energy into getting better. You promised me a dance on Independence Day, and I am not letting you break that promise.”
“Ellen, go away.”
She stilled at his tone. It didn’t hold an ounce of emotion but instead sounded listless. He’d given up. Already. “I am not going anywhere.”
He wouldn’t look at her but stared at the wall. She marched around the bed forcing him to look at her.
“Doc showed me my face this morning. Who could love a freak like that?”
“Samuel Higgins, I didn’t fall in love with your good looks. Do you think I am that shallow?”
“But, Ellen…”
“Don’t but Ellen me. You told me you loved me. I believed you. Are you not a man of your word?”
“Yes, but…”
“But, what….”
“Ellen, I was never the right match for you. You are a school teacher. A girl with a wonderful education, smart and pretty. I am just a ranch hand and now maybe not even that.”
“What do you mean?”
“How am I supposed to wrangle cows now? This arm isn’t much use, and nobody wants a one eyed cowboy. I'm a crippled liability and I won’t do that to you.”
“Don’t you dare start making choices for me, Samuel Higgins. I decided a long time ago you were the man for me, and I am not about to change my mind. Your arm will heal. Maybe it won’t get back to full strength. Who knows what will happen with your eye? Doc doesn’t know and he has the medical training. Father Molloy said they have made some progress in Boston hospitals. Lawrence Shipley knows doctors there. He could help us. But first we have to help ourselves. That starts today. Get up.”
“What? Doc says I have to rest.”
“All you have done since the fire is rest. It’s time you got off your backside and started living again.”
“Ellen, I think you have said enough. Samuel needs to rest now. Perhaps you should come back tomorrow.”
Ellen ignored the doctor and stared into Samuels face. He had run into the flames to save her. He wasn’t going to give up now was he?
Samuel stared at the girl he loved. He knew she had a temper when pushed too far, but even he was a little shocked. The Ellen he knew was kind to children and animals yet here she was harassing him out of bed. If she really loved him, she would be crying with him. He closed his eyes willing her to leave. She was better off without him.
“Í don’t believe you don’t love me. You ran into a burning building to save me.”
“I would have done that for anyone.” He said deliberately using a cold detached tone.
She stared at him for a few seconds before letting her shoulders slump. Defeated she turned toward the door. Putting her hand on the handle, she looked back at him. “I guess you would.”
He waited for her to bang the door on her way out but she closed it silently. That was worse. He could handle Ellen when she was mad but he hated hurting her. Better to hurt her now then have her live her life with a cripple. He was no use to her or anyone else.
“Fine young woman.” Doc commented but Samuel pretended not to hear him. He knew everything Ellen was and he was not enough for her. She deserved better.
Sometime later, Mrs. Grey came into the room to change his dressings.
“Saw Ellen earlier.”
Samuel didn't respond.
“She seemed mighty upset. Did you two have a fight?”
Samuel closed his eyes.
“I take it that's a yes. I don't know what it was about but that girl deserves better. She has been here every day since the fire. Running herself ragged between teaching school and looking after you.”
“I don’t need her looking after me.”
“So that's it.”
“What?”
“Your pride is getting in the way of your love for Ellen”
Samuel opened his mouth but Mrs. Grey didn’t give him a chance to speak. “You listen to me, Samuel Higgins, and you listen good. I love that girl like a daughter and nobody is going to break her heart. Not on my watch. Especially for a stupid reason.”
“Since when is it stupid to want to provide for a wife and family.”
“That's not it and you know it. You are lying there feeling sorry for yourself instead of fighting back. The good Lord didn’t take you in that fire. He let you live. He has a plan for you and I bet you a hundred dollars it’s not to lie in bed all day.”
“But, Mrs. Grey...”
“No buts. Doc says there is a good chance you can get those legs moving again if you do the exercises he gave you.”
“Doc said I will always need a stick.”
“Many a man walking around with a stick. I thought you had more gumption. If you really loved that girl you would be fighting hard for the life you two should have. Ellen deserves better.”
Mrs. Grey closed the door on her way out leaving him alone with his thoughts. She was right, he was lying here feeling sorry for himself. He'd hurt Ellen too. Shame engulfed him. He'd been hard on his ma earlier and all she wanted to do was look after him. Some hero he was. He refused all food and kept his face turned to the wall. Closing his eyes, he let a tear or two trickle from his good eye. Why didn’t I die in the fire? It would have been better for everyone.
Chapter 40
In the days that followed, Ellen kept working at the school. Different people tried to engage her in conversation but she kept pleading tiredness. She didn’t want to talk about Samuel. She didn’t even want to think about him.
One day she came back to the boarding house to find Wilma and Father Molloy sitting down at the kitchen table. They both looked at her and then each other.
“Ellen, could you sit with us for a while?”
“Sorry, Father, but I am really tired. I thought I would go take a nap.”
“You going to sleep your life away, Miss Ellen? I thought you had more fight in you than that.”
Shocked, Ellen stared at Wilma noting Father Molloy had nodded in agreement.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Start living your life. You could have died in that fire. You didn’t. You need to make plans for the future.”
But I wish I had. Life is not worth living without Samuel.
“I have been making plans. I have decided to leave Clover Springs and go back to Boulder.”
“I don’t think that is the best choice for you, Ellen. The people of Clover Springs need you. Samuel needs you.”
“You’re wrong, Father. Samuel hates me. He told me so himself.”
“Well, that lad must have taken a bigger knock to the head than we first thought. He loves you, Ellen. It’s as plain as day.”
“Not to him. Or me.” Ellen said trying to hold back the tears. “Excuse me please.” Lifting her skirts, she made a very undignified exit.
“We have to do something. Those two are so right for one another.”
“I agree with you, Father Molloy. You best start saying your prayers. That young lady is as stubborn as a mule.”
“Will we pray together, Wilma?”
Wilma stood up. “No Father, you are the expert in that field. I prefer the more direct approach. See you tomorrow.”
“What are you going to do, Wilma?”
“You probably don’t want to know, Father.” With a wink, Wilma left the priest standing at the door. She headed toward the medical office. It was time Samuel Higgins woke up.
Wilma knocked at the door before she entered expecting to find Emer on duty. Instead she was confronted by an older lady.
“You must be Mrs. Grey?”
The lady nodded. “You are Miss Wilma.”
“Wilma. I don’t stand for all those fussy titles.”
Mrs. Grey smiled. “I can see why you are such a hit with Ellen and the other young ladies. They said you were a straight talker.”
�
��Ma’am, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Can I see Mr. Higgins?”
Mrs. Grey’s face clouded. “By all means but be warned. I couldn’t nag him into doing anything, and I am told I am a force to be reckoned with.”
Wilma smiled. From the stories she had heard, that was putting it mildly.
“Perhaps if we tackled him together?”
A wicked gleam came into Mrs. Grey’s eyes just as Doc entered the room.
“What are you pair up to?”
“Us?” Both women answered innocently causing Doc to raise his eyebrows.
“We are just going in to have a word with Mr. Higgins.”
“Why do I suddenly feel very sorry for that young man?” Doc said sighing loudly.
“Is that your way of telling us we shouldn’t try?” Wilma said, standing with her arms on her hips ready to go into battle.
“On the contrary, dear lady. I can’t wait to see the pair of you in action.”
Wilma flashed her big smile. “Are you ready, Mrs. Grey?”
“I’m right behind you.”
The women marched into Samuel’s room waking him from a nap.
Mrs. Grey flung open the curtains as Wilma pulled back the covers.
“What the he…heck do you think you’re doing?” Samuel shouted, his voice shaking with anger.
“Getting you out of bed. You have been lying there long enough. Miss Ellen is planning on returning to Boulder and you have to stop her.”
Wilma caught the sadness in his eyes before he sulkily responded. “Ellen O’Callaghan is free to do as she wishes. I can’t stop her.”
“We both know you can if you tried.” Wilma stood staring at him, her no nonsense expression mirrored on Mrs. Grey’s face. “Are you going to get out of bed, or do we have to come and make you?”
Chapter 41
Samuel stared at the three people around his bed. They believed he could walk again. Maybe they were right? If he could walk, he might be able to convince Ellen not to go.
“She won’t leave if you ask her not to.” Wilma said softly as she gave him an encouraging look. “You can do this, you just got to believe you can. Father Molloy is praying for you. The whole town is. Everyone wants you well and to see you and Ellen happy.”
“Even Charlie Stanton?”
The three laughed.
“Maybe not everyone.” Mrs. Grey said smiling. “If it makes you move faster, I did notice he was calling to see Ellen a lot lately.”
“He’s not the right man for Ellen.” Samuel growled. “She’s mine.”
He wasn’t going to be a cripple. His legs were going to move if it killed him. He edged closer to the side of the bed.
“Take it slowly now, son, your body took a real battering. It will take time to heal.”
Samuel panted hard, rubbing his brow with his forearm before the sweat dripped into his eye. Still he didn’t give up, even though it seemed to take hours to move inches. Using his upper body strength, he swung both feet to the floor ignoring the jolt of pain spearing through his burnt arm. He tried to stand but collapsed back on the bed, the intense pain too much for him.
“That’s enough for today.”
“No, Doc. I got to try harder. I’m no use to anyone if I don’t get my legs working.”
Taking a deep breath, he tried again. This time he pushed past the pain to take a few steps before falling back onto the bed.
“No more, and that’s an order. You could do more damage. Let Emer rub in the liniment Nandita made for you. It’s an old Indian remedy and she swears by it.”
Samuel wrinkled his nose at the smell.
“Won’t catch many ladies smelling like a bear carcass will I?”
“Only one lady you’re interested in and she isn’t smelling too sweet either. Nandita has another liniment for burns. She’s covered Ellen’s hands in it. Ellen didn’t complain.”
“Sorry, Doc. Ma always said I needed more patience.” Samuel winced as he moved his legs. The pain was worse than he had imagined. “How are Ellen’s hands?”
“They are improving daily, but she will have scars and maybe some restricted movement. She was lucky not to lose some of her fingers.”
Samuel said a quick prayer of thanks. Ellen loved to play the piano, maybe with some luck she would still be able to.
“Here, drink this.”
Emer passed him a cup of foul smelling liquid. He recognized the scent. Willow Bark tea, his ma’s favorite remedy for pain. It tasted worse than it smelt which was saying something.
“I should give you some more laudanum for the pain.” Doc said as Samuel swallowed the last of the tea.
“No thanks, Doc. Leave it till nighttime. It makes me too drowsy. I got work to do. I promised Ellen I would dance with her at the Fourth of July party. I am not about to go back on my word.”
“You can’t rush these things, Samuel.”
“I’ve been lying here long enough. Thank you, ladies, for the kick in the backside. I needed it.”
“Anytime, young man. We will be back tomorrow to see how you are doing.”
Wilma and Mrs. Grey left the office together deep in conversation. Neither of them looked the part of a guardian angel but that’s how he now saw them.
Chapter 42
“Wilma, why are you insisting on me going on a picnic? I am not in the mood.”
“I don’t care, Miss Ellen. I done told you it does no good moping around. Ain’t never cured anyone of anything.”
“Not today, Wilma. I want to see Reverend Timmons to check whether he has found a new teacher. I can’t leave for Boulder until I know the children will be okay.”
“I can save you that trip. He hasn’t. Now, will you get in the wagon, or do I have to throw you in?”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Don’t you push me, Miss Ellen. I may not be Irish, but I wasn’t behind the door when God was giving out tempers.”
Wilma looked so fierce Ellen decided she should go on the picnic. It would be nice to get away from town for a little while. Everyone was looking forward to the 4th of July celebrations tomorrow. Everyone but her.
It was a beautiful summer day. The sun brought a smile to everyone’s face and she found it hard to stay miserable. Maybe it was her destiny to go to Boulder and graduate from University. Some people believed your future was mapped out from the minute you were born. Perhaps everything that had happened up till now was all part of God’s plan. She choked back the tears as she thought of a future without the man she loved.
“How about this spot, Miss Ellen. There’s some nice shade from those trees.”
“It’s fine, Wilma.” Ellen didn’t really care where they sat.
“Right, you take the blanket and go set it down over there. I just want to make sure the horses are okay.”
Ellen picked up the blanket and the picnic basket and moved toward the trees. Wilma got back in the wagon and drove off. Ellen didn’t have time to wonder where she was going as someone stepped out from behind a cluster of trees.
“Samuel? What on earth? You’re walking.”
“I promised you a dance on the Fourth of July. I don’t break my promises.” He said softly, limping towards her with the aid of a cane.
“But… You mean Wilma had this planned?”
“Wilma and Mrs. Grey. Father Molloy and the doc were also in on it. I think Reverend Timmons was too. He said something about not sending off for a replacement teacher.”
“But why? You made your feelings about me very clear.”
Samuel could have kicked himself seeing the hurt and confusion in her eyes. She looked dreadful, having lost weight. Her beautiful blue eyes were even larger in her face, the black shadows underneath them testament to numerous disturbed nights.
“Ellen, can you forgive me. I behaved like an ornery mule. I could blame the head injury but Ma said I’ve always been mulish.”
Ellen smiled slightly.
“I love you, Ellen, and I want us to make a life toget
her. I don’t know how I am going to support our family, but I swear to you I will try my best to provide a secure happy home.”
“Are you going to change your mind again at the slightest hint of trouble?”
“I never stopped loving you, Ellen. I just thought you were better off without me.”
Ellen flung herself into his arms causing them both to wobble precariously.
“Steady, darling, I haven’t yet mastered the use of this cane. Perhaps we should sit down.”
Ellen sat on the blanket as Samuel tried to kneel. After several attempts he gave up. “I haven’t mastered kneeling yet, either. Will you marry me, Ellen?”
“Oh yes, Samuel. I love you, now and forever.”
He drew her in for a sweet lingering kiss.
“So does that mean you will stay in Clover Springs?”
“I thought you were going to California.” Ellen said, her voice teasing.
“No, darling, unless you fancy travelling west.”
Ellen shook her head. He gathered her gently into his arms and kissed her again. “I am very sorry I hurt you, darling Ellen.”
“I forgive you but don’t make a habit of it.”
“No, ma’am.” He said smiling.
“Can we come out now?”
Startled Ellen jumped to her feet as Wilma and Mrs. Grey drove up in the wagon.
“You knew about this all along?”
The two ladies nodded, smiling widely.
“We couldn’t leave you two alone unchaperoned. What would Mrs. Shaw say?” Mrs. Grey said, the smile on her face showing she was joking.
“Mr. Samuel, he worked so hard but even he has his limits. We had to drive him out here first. Mrs. Grey stayed with him while I went back to collect you.”
Ellen gave both the ladies a big hug. “Thank you so much, both of you.”
“You are very welcome, my dear.” Mrs. Grey said, taking out a hanky to wipe her eyes.
“Now, are we going to go back to tell the others? I hate keeping secrets.”
“Yes.” Samuel answered just as Ellen said. “Not yet.”
Ellen: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Page 15