Threads of Love

by Judith Mccoy Miller

  “This is Addie Baker. She lives with me, and if you care to converse with her, you’ll need to be sure she is looking directly at you. She’s deaf,” Tessie explained.

  “Come here, young woman,” Mr. Buford instructed while patting the side of the bed. “Come close so we can talk.”

  Tessie sat down in the rocking chair and nodded to Addie as the child cautiously approached Edward’s bedside. Amazed at his ability to charm the young girl, Tessie sat mesmerized for almost an hour while he entertained the youngster. Several times Tessie was sure that he had attempted to sign with Addie, but not wanting to disrupt the developing rapport, she remained silent throughout their conversation, surprised that he had little difficulty understanding the child’s occasional distorted words.

  John’s appearance outside the hotel snapped Addie out of her reverie, and with a hasty wave of her arm, she was off the edge of the bed and out of the room.

  “I apologize, Mr. Buford. I’m afraid Addie’s first love is being in the kitchen with John,” Tessie stated. “That’s not meant as an excuse for her rudeness but rather an explanation,” she continued, shaking her head in mock exasperation.

  “No explanations or excuses necessary,” he responded laughingly. “She’s a delightful child. By the way, do you recall that you’ve promised to call me Edward on several occasions?”

  “Now that you mention it, I do remember. I’ll try and do better in the future,” she answered, picking up her medical bag and moving closer to the bedside.

  “Would you be offended if I asked a few questions?”

  “About Addie? Not at all,” she answered.

  “Well, about Addie and you,” he countered.

  “I suppose you can ask so long as I may retain the right not to answer,” she offered.

  “Fair enough! How did Addie come to live with you? Is she a relative?”

  “No, we’re not related,” she stated and then, reminiscing, explained how she had met Addie and Lydia, along with the subsequent chain of events that had bonded them together.

  “My heartfelt desire is that I can provide Addie with the necessary tools to prepare her for the future. I’ve prayed earnestly about her deafness for I’m sure life will be difficult unless she is equipped to meet many challenges.”

  “Do you know what caused her deafness?” he inquired.

  “Her sister told me she was able to hear up until about a year ago. That was as much information as I was able to glean from her. Lydia, Addie’s sister, was extremely jealous of any attention the child received, and when I questioned about Addie, she became infuriated. Consequently, I have very limited knowledge. I noticed you attempting to sign with her, didn’t I?” Tessie asked as she finished checking her patient’s vital signs and began to unwrap his leg to inspect the stitches.

  “Yes, you did. My niece was deaf, and I learned to sign in order to better communicate with her several years ago when my sister brought her to England,” he told her, watching as she carefully removed the bandages from his wound.

  “You say she was deaf. Is she deceased?”

  “Oh no, not at all. I’ve just come from visiting her at my sister’s home in Chicago. She’s had surgery and is now able to hear. That’s why I inquired about Addie’s loss of hearing,” he explained.

  A chill of excitement traveled up Tessie’s spine at hearing his words. Her fingers ceased their movement, and she looked directly into his eyes. “I want to know everything about this surgery. How much can you tell me?” she asked, obviously impatient for answers.

  “Not any of the technicalities, I’m afraid. My brother-in-law performed the surgery. While he and Juliette, my sister, were in England two years ago, he heard of a surgeon in Germany who was performing surgery to correct deafness with some success. He left Juliette and Genevive with our family in England and traveled to meet with the doctor in Germany. He remained in Germany for almost a year, studying and developing the technique. The success rate had been very limited, but for some, like Genevive, hearing is fully restored,” he explained.

  Tessie’s mind whirled with the information she was receiving. Perhaps there was hope for Addie to hear again. Perhaps this surgery was the answer!

  Carefully, she removed the sutures, then wrapped the splints back in place. “How can I find out more?” she asked, closing her medical bag and pulling the rocking chair close to his bedside.

  “You could send an inquiry to my brother-in-law. I’d be happy to write a letter of introduction that you could enclose with it. I should have informed them of my whereabouts before now anyway. This will force me to take up my pen,” he told her.

  “Oh Edward, would you do that? I’d be so grateful,” she replied, clasping his hand between both of hers.

  Lifting her hand, he lightly kissed it before she could pull away. “It will be my pleasure,” he answered, holding on to her hand for a brief moment longer.

  Tessie felt her face flush and hoped Edward would think it was from her excitement over the surgical prospects rather than from his kiss.

  “I really must be leaving,” she announced. “I’m going to write a letter to your brother-in-law this evening, Edward. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention this to anyone yet. If it turns out that Addie isn’t able to have the surgery, it will mean less explaining.”

  “I understand,” he replied, “and I’ll honor your wishes, but I have a good feeling about this.”

  “So do I. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she answered, slipping into her gray double-breasted wool coat before heading off in search of Addie.

  Chapter 8

  Although writing a letter to Edward’s brother-in-law immediately after dinner was Tessie’s intent, her resolve melted at the beckoning look of the young child holding out a needle and thread. Addie was determined to have her quilt completed before Christmas, notwithstanding the fact that everyone told her she had set an unobtainable goal.

  “I’ll sew for a little while, but then I must write a letter,” Tessie said, reaching out to take the already-threaded needle Addie offered. “I wrote and told Aunt Phiney you were making a quilt. I even sent some little pieces of the fabric for her to see.”

  “Did she like it?” Addie inquired.

  “Very much. In fact, when I received her letter the other day, she said she was sending you colored thread to match the cloth. She suggested perhaps you could weave the thread together to sew the binding, and it would be very pretty. What do you think?”

  “Three colors woven together would be beautiful,” Addie answered, as Tessie began sewing. Stitching effortlessly, Tessie found herself watching Addie, thinking that perhaps one day soon the young girl would be able to hear.

  Addie looked up and smiled as she pulled her needle through the layers of fabric. “You’re not sewing; you’re daydreaming,” Addie chided.

  “Addie, what would you think if I told you that maybe, just maybe, there’s an operation that would restore your hearing?” Tessie asked, leaning forward, her eyes riveted on the youngster.

  “You know I want to be a doctor like you, so that would be wonderful,” the child responded. “Would the operation hurt a lot?”

  “It would probably hurt some. I’m not sure just how much. I shouldn’t have even brought this up. I don’t even know if it’s possible, but Edward told me about his niece. She had this operation, and now she can hear. So, you see, I’d like to find out more about it—to see if you could get that same kind of help,” she concluded.

  “We shouldn’t get too hopeful,” Addie responded, taking over in an adult fashion, while Tessie seemed more the excited child.

  “You’re right,” Tessie said, smiling. “We’ll not talk about it any further until I have more information, but I’ll be praying about it, and you do the same,” she counseled Addie.

  Praying that evening, Tessie felt a surge of excitement. She knew this was God’s plan to restore Addie’s hearing, and she was going to see it to fruition. The added medical expertise she might gl
ean would be a bonus. Leaning down, she placed a kiss on Addie’s cheek, tucked her into bed for the night, and carefully penned a letter to Dr. Byron Lundstrom. “No wonder I’m so tired,” she mused, clicking open the watch pinned to her bodice. It was near midnight.

  While working through her schedule the next morning, Tessie’s thoughts wandered, delighting in the possibilities that lay ahead. She was anxious for noon to arrive, her concentration waning as the morning slowly progressed.

  I hope Edward has his letter written, she thought, just as her last patient was leaving.

  “Do you know of a doctor and little girl who might be interested in lunch at the Harvey House?” Charlie asked as he sauntered into the office, admiring how fresh and lovely she could look after a morning of seeing ill patients.

  “Oh, I don’t think I can today, Charlie. I need to see Edward before my first appointment this afternoon,” she responded apologetically, continuing to bustle around the office to assure everything was in order for her next patient.

  “Edward? Would that be Mr. Buford?”

  “Yes,” she responded without further explanation.

  “The last I knew, you were addressing him as Mr. Buford. When did you and Mr. Buford begin addressing each other on a first-name basis?” he inquired, his thick eyebrows raised in speculation.

  “Why, he requested that I call him by his first name shortly after I began treating him,” she answered, surprised at the tone Charlie had taken.

  “Are you now on a first-name basis with all your patients?” he countered, irritated at the fact she felt comfortable enough with this stranger to be so familiar.

  “You’re acting childish,” she retorted. “I don’t have time to stand and bicker over such a petty matter. I really must get to the Harvey House,” she stated, tucking the letter into her handbag. “I need to get Addie, so, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way,” she said, moving toward his tall figure, which was blocking the doorway.

  “Let’s get Addie. We can all go to the Harvey House, see Mr. Buford, and then have lunch,” he suggested, sure he had found a solution that would force her to accept his invitation.

  “You’re welcome to walk along with us, but once I see Edward, there are other errands I need to complete,” she responded, pushing past him into the parlor, where the child sat playing with a dollhouse Uncle Jon had constructed and sent to her.

  “You have to eat lunch sometime, so I’ll just tag along until the two of you are ready; then I’ll join you,” he replied with a grin, feeling sure she would succumb to his offer.

  Handing Addie her white fur muff, they walked the short distance to the Harvey House. “I’ll take Addie to the kitchen,” Charlie offered upon their arrival.

  “No, it’s better if she comes with me. The kitchen will be in chaos with the noon rush, and she’ll be in the way,” she answered, placing an arm around Addie’s shoulder and maneuvering her down the hallway.

  “Sounds as if you’re in charge,” Charlie said, watching while Addie and Tessie went directly to Edward’s room.

  “This is a pleasant surprise,” Edward stated as the two of them entered his room. “I was expecting Mrs. Winter with a lunch tray, and instead I see the two prettiest women in all of Kansas,” he complimented with a large smile.

  “Thank you for your kind words,” Tessie replied. “I was wondering if possibly you’d had an opportunity to write your brother-in-law,” she inquired meekly.

  “Ah, so it’s not me you’re interested in but rather my brother-in-law. He’s a happily married man, and you’d be much better off with me. I’m of a better temperament and considerably more lovable,” he teased.

  Tessie felt her face flush and was glad that Addie was looking out the window and hadn’t been privy to Edward’s words.

  “I wanted to…I mean, I was hoping…I thought perhaps…” she stammered.

  “Out with it, woman—just what is it you want? Love, money, my family name? Don’t hesitate—it’s yours for the asking,” he jested, causing her embarrassment but enjoying it too much to stop.

  “Edward! Someone will hear you and take your words seriously,” she reprimanded. “I came early to inquire if you’d written to your brother-in-law because I wanted to post the letters before the mail leaves on the afternoon train,” she advised, her decorum now fully intact.

  “I see,” he responded somberly, stroking his chin. “So you thought I’d have a letter written to Byron by noon today, knowing I haven’t written since I departed their home?” he asked, eyeing her in mock seriousness.

  “I was hopeful,” she responded plaintively, suddenly realizing his zeal would not be the same caliber as hers. After all, he had only met Addie yesterday!

  Seeing the dejected look in her eyes, he quit bantering, reached under his pillow, and pulled out a sheet of paper, holding it up for her to see.

  “Do you suppose this would do?” he asked.

  “Oh, Edward, thank you,” she replied.

  “There’s only one requirement,” he told her stoically.

  “What’s that?” she asked, her tone serious.

  “You’ll have to come over here and get it,” he answered with a grin.

  As she approached the bed, he quickly moved the letter into his left hand. Just as she leaned forward to retrieve the epistle, he raised up, meeting her lips with a soft, gentle kiss.

  “I know I shouldn’t have done that,” he said, lying back on his pillows.

  “You’re right! You shouldn’t have, and if you weren’t in that bed, I’d have your hide!” Charlie bellowed from the doorway.

  “Charlie, please! There’s no need for that kind of talk, and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your voice down. We don’t need to alert everyone in the hotel that you’re unhappy,” Tessie scolded in a hushed voice.

  “I don’t know why you’re upset with me! You should be putting him in his place,” he replied angrily.

  “Why don’t you take Addie and wait outside? We can discuss this privately when you’ve calmed down,” she suggested, hopeful he wouldn’t cause a further scene.

  “Fine. Addie and I will wait outside—outside his door, not outside the hotel,” he responded, giving Edward a final glare as he took Addie’s hand.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were promised to Mr. Banion,” he stated apologetically.

  “You need not apologize in that regard. Mr. Banion and I are not promised. We’ve been enjoying each other’s company since I arrived in Florence. I do not, however, belong to anyone,” she responded, angry at Charlie for his possessive attitude. “I would, however, be willing to accept your apology for kissing me without permission,” she added.

  “I’m afraid I could never apologize for kissing you. It gave me too much pleasure,” he stated emphatically, a smile playing on his lips as he handed her the letter.

  “Thank you for this,” she stated, looking at the letter in her hand.

  “My pleasure. I hope it will bring happiness to you. I’m afraid it’s already brought unhappiness to Mr. Banion,” he replied.

  “I’d better leave now. I’ll be back to check your leg around four o’clock,” she told him, placing his letter in her handbag with the one she had written.

  He lifted his hand in a wave as she left the room, pleased she would be returning later in the day.

  Walking into the hallway, Tessie quickly retrieved Addie’s hand and walked directly past Charlie and out of the hotel without uttering a word. She was acutely aware of Charlie’s footsteps directly behind her as she marched toward the post office. She had almost reached the door when he took hold of her arm.

  “Are you planning on walking all over town to avoid discussing this matter with me?” he questioned.

  “I have a letter to mail immediately. After that, I will talk with you, but please, don’t assume that I have an obligation to discuss my personal life with you, Charlie,” she responded.

  He felt as though he had been slapped in the face. She was a
ctually angry with him when he felt that that presumptuous foreigner should be the one receiving her wrath. He didn’t understand her attitude, but wanting some form of explanation, he waited outside the post office while she posted her letters and then moved alongside Addie when they exited the building.

  Addie slipped her small gloved hand into Charlie’s larger one. She didn’t know all the words that had been spoken, but it was obvious Charlie and Tessie were arguing. The air crackled with animosity. Peeking up at Charlie from under the brim of her small hat, she felt a hint of reassurance when he gave her a quick wink and squeezed her hand. Tessie wasn’t looking anywhere but straight ahead, and Charlie noted her face remained etched in a frown.

  “I’m going to my room,” Addie announced, shedding her coat as they walked in the front door, wanting no part of the dissension.

  “Addie needs to eat lunch, and I have only a short time before my next patient arrives,” Tessie remarked, avoiding his eyes.

  “I’m not going to be the cause of Addie missing her lunch. Can you reschedule your next patient?” he cautiously inquired.

  “No, I can’t. I don’t expect a patient to be inconvenienced by my personal problems,” she replied, moving toward the kitchen.

  “Perhaps it would be best if I came back later in the day when we’ve both had time to give this matter some thought. I could be back about four o’clock if that would be acceptable to you,” Charlie offered.

  “I must return to check Edward’s leg at four o’clock,” she answered, continuing to prepare lunch.

  Charlie felt the blood begin to rise in his neck and then up his face. Edward again! He was glad Tessie wasn’t looking at him. Attempting to gain control before speaking, he turned his back and took several deep breaths. A further outburst might cause irreconcilable differences, and he didn’t want that to occur.

  “Do you know what time you’ll return? I could come by after your visit—or after dinner if you prefer,” he asked, his words now spoken in a soft, precise manner.