~
Everything hurt. Her head. Her underside from lying flat in this infernal bed for two days. And most especially her leg.
Leah reached for her Bible and ruffled the pages without much direction. She needed to pull herself out of this mood, but it was hard to make herself do anything with the continuous throbbing in her leg.
Not for the first time, Leah bemoaned the fact that there wasn’t a doctor anywhere in the vicinity. Gideon seemed to know what he was doing when it came to splinting her leg, but surely a doctor would have also given medicine for the pain. The Willow Bark tea helped, but it also put her to sleep. It seemed like she’d been asleep for a week now.
She heard a thud from the other room and glanced toward the door. What was Miriam doing in there?
Leah forced her eyes on the pages and flipped to Psalm chapter twenty, one of her favorites. Before she’d read more than the first line, Miriam’s light knock sounded on the door.
“Come in, Miriam. You don’t have to knock, you know.” Bad Leah. You are a guest in their house and she is doing everything possible to make you comfortable, including waiting on you hand and foot. Don’t take the misery from your own silly mistake out on this sweet girl. The internal reprimand seemed to help, because Leah was able to force out a small smile as Miriam almost skipped into the room.
“We have a surprise for you, Leah.”
Behind the little magpie came her brother, and Leah was taken once again with how tall and muscular Gideon was. His broad shoulders tapered down to a trim waist, and he didn’t appear to have an inch on him anywhere that wasn’t covered in lean muscle.
Miriam stared at her like a puppy eager to run outside and play, and even Gideon had a sparkle in his emerald eyes.
“What’s the surprise?” She was more than a bit curious.
“You’ll have to come in the other room to see it.” This from Gideon as he moved closer to the right side of the bed. “Do you think you can manage that?”
She regarded him, hoping the shock didn’t register too strongly on her face. “I don’t think I can walk yet, if that’s what you mean.”
Was that a mischievous sparkle in his eyes? “No need. I can carry you, I reckon’.”
She shouldn’t allow it, but she did want to see the surprise. Since Miriam was there, maybe it would be acceptable for him to touch her. But only because she couldn’t walk herself.
Leah bit her lip as she nodded. “All right.”
As Gideon neared, his presence surrounded her. Good thing Miriam had helped her with a sponge bath that morning.
Gideon slipped a gentle arm under her shoulders, and another under her knees. The splint on her leg kept it sticking out at an awkward angle, and Leah bit her lower lip hard to keep from crying out at the fire in her bone. She forced herself to focus on Gideon’s arms. She’d never been so close to anyone this strong before. The men whose arms she’d daintily touched as they escorted her in the ballroom were like twigs beside Gideon’s massive trunks. And his chest was strong enough to shield her from anything.
From the shelter of Gideon’s protection, Leah saw the familiar surroundings of the sitting area and kitchen. He stopped for a moment while Miriam fussed with something, then he gently set Leah on a soft…bed? She looked around, and found they had, indeed, brought a bed into the main room.
A glance at Miriam’s face showed pure enthusiasm. “Now you don’t have to lay in that bedroom all by yourself. You can talk to me while I work, and take your meals with us and everything.”
Thankfulness overflowed from Leah’s chest. What kind people these were. She returned Miriam’s smile through the mist clouding her eyes. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
Gideon shuffled his feet for a moment behind Miriam, then turned toward the front door. “Reckon I’d better check on the animals.” He glanced toward his sister. “Be back for supper.”
Leah watched while Miriam straightened the kitchen and swept the cabin floor. The younger woman did most of the talking, with Leah asking questions about her childhood and what it was like to grow up with siblings. As much as she enjoyed the conversation, Leah still felt guilty she wasn’t able to help with the work. When they settled into a comfortable silence, an idea came to her.
“Miriam, do you get to read much?” The girl looked up from scrubbing a grease mark on the floor.
“Sometimes I do in the evenings. We don’t have many books, but I’ve read the Bible an’ Pilgrim’s Progress so many times they’re fallin’ apart.”
Leah smiled. “Have you ever read An Old Fashioned Girl? It just came out a few years ago, but it’s one of my favorites.”
Miriam’s forehead wrinkled a little. “I haven’t heard of that one.”
“If you’ll go look in my smaller trunk, you’ll see a stack of books. Bring that one and I’ll read to you while you work, if you’d like.”
Her green eyes grew wide. “Oh, that’d be like heaven. That’ll make even cleaning out the stove a treat.”
Miriam returned a few moments later with the leather-bound book in her hand and an expression of awe on her face. “Leah, you have so many books. I’ve never known anyone with all those books that weren’t for schoolin’.”
Leah held back a chuckle. “Miri, you are welcome to read any one of them any time you want. Once I can finally get out of this bed, I’ll do some of the work and let you lie around and read all day.”
Miriam’s face was almost giddy as Leah opened the book and began the adventures of Polly, a girl not so unlike Miriam herself.
Chapter Fourteen
Leah watched Miriam wipe each damp plate with a towel before placing it on the shelf. Dinner that night had been beans and cornbread—Ol’ Mose’s favorite campfire meal. Miriam had added bacon to the beans, though, and fried the cornbread in bacon grease, which deepened the flavor for both.
Leah released a dramatic sigh. “Miri, I’m going to grow out of my dresses if I lay here much longer and eat your good food.”
Miriam’s cheeks blossomed into a grin. “I imagine you’ll be up before ya know it, and wishin’ you could lay around again.”
“It couldn’t be soon enough for me.” Leah was determined not to grumble, so she decided to change the subject. Before she could think of another, the thump of boots sounded on the front porch and Gideon appeared in the doorway, shadowed by Drifter. Upon entering the room, the dog headed straight for Leah, propping his front paws on the bed to reach her. Gideon seemed to have made peace now with the love affair his dog held for her, so she didn’t worry as much about encouraging the animal’s affection.
“How ya doin’ boy? Did you work hard today?” His tongue lolled to the side as she found the good spot behind one of his ears.
While she petted the dog, Leah watched Gideon in her peripheral vision. He carried two long sticks to his chair in the sitting area. Even though the weather was too warm for a fire, Gideon and Miriam still gathered most evenings around the big fireplace to do hand work, read, or just wind down. Miriam usually curled up in the rocking chair, while Gideon took the ladder-back chair closest to the hearth.
Gideon sat, working on one of the stick ends. Her curiosity finally made her turn full attention to watch him. He had attached a short piece—no longer than her hand—perpendicular to the long pole like the shape of a “T”, and was wrapping strips of leather around the short wood.
He didn’t seem to notice her watching him, or didn’t say anything. That was his nature, though. Most of the time, he never acknowledged her presence, except the occasional nod when he first entered the cabin. He was a little more vocal with his sister, but never said more than needed to get the job done.
What made him so quiet? Was it because he’d lived in such a remote place for the last eleven years? That could contribute to his lack of need for words, but surely it wasn’t the only reason he rarely spoke. Was it due to all the trauma he’d endured with so many loved ones dying? Perhaps he blocked himself from getting to know or car
e about people, because he was afraid of losing them.
She shook herself mentally. Now she was really overanalyzing things. She needed to get out of this bed and away from her own crazy mind for a while.
Leah refocused her attention on Gideon as he laid one stick on the wood floor and reached for the other. Then it occurred to her what he was making. Walking sticks! Crutches, a doctor back home had called them. They would help her get out of this awful bed without putting weight on the broken leg.
Thank You, God, for Gideon. Leah wanted to cheer out loud, but kept it to a silent prayer for now. She felt herself grinning from ear to ear.
She watched as Gideon wrapped the last of the leather around the wood piece that would fit under her shoulder. From her position, she could see the lamplight flicker and dance in his deep green eyes. They shone like the richest of emeralds tonight, full of depth and wisdom. What she would have given right then to hear his thoughts behind that emerald mask.
At last, Gideon rose to his feet and carried the walking sticks toward Leah’s bed. Her heart picked up speed as he approached. His eyes locked with hers for a moment, before he leaned the smooth wood pieces against the headboard.
“These should help you get around some. Just don’t put any weight on your right leg.”
“Thank you.” It sounded like a paltry response when he’d just given her freedom, but Leah didn’t know what else to say. She hoped he could read the rest in her smile.
~
Gideon held the colt firmly between his left arm and right leg, using his free hand to stroke the little guy’s chestnut shoulder. This foal was close to two months now and showed definite signs of maturing into a high quality stud. He had the lineage to do it, and his confirmation was looking to be just what Gideon had carefully selected in his breeding stock—square stocky hindquarters, wide chest, broad forehead, and good height. Now, if he could just get the temperament right. That was the part that usually took time, but he was laying the foundation.
Would Leah like to see the foals? The question popped into his mind unbidden. Thoughts of their female houseguest had been doing that a lot lately. He wasn’t sure how she felt about horses, but she seemed to like dogs. He was pretty certain she’d fall in love with these guys, too.
He released the colt and stepped back to rub its faithful mama. Rosie was a good broodmare, and had thrown two fine fillies in past years. Now she’d more than outdone herself with this leggy, chestnut colt.
“How about it, Rosie girl?” He scratched the mare’s jaw as she leaned into his hand. “Would you like to take a visit to the barn tonight? There’s someone special I want you to meet, and she’ll probably give you some of Miri’s carrots if I let her.”
The mare reached up to blow into Gideon’s hair, which he took as her agreement on the scheme. He couldn’t help but imagine the light in Leah’s eyes when she saw the colt for the first time. When she got excited, her pale green eyes shimmered like early morning dew on spring grass.
He reminded himself again he only felt sorry for her. The broken leg was his fault completely. The image of her sparkling eyes stayed with him as he mounted his own horse and led Rosie back toward the cabin. Drifter and the colt scampered behind, playing the animal version of a game of tag between the trees.
When they entered the yard, Gideon tied off his mount at the hitching rail in front of the barn, then led Rosie to the house. The colt stopped to sniff out a patch of dandelions, but at Gideon’s whistle he gave a mighty leap sideways. Landing on all fours, he stood snorting at the fire-breathing dragon that was surely hiding inside the yellow flowers.
“You are a rascal.” Gideon chuckled, as the colt scampered to the safety of his mama. Now to get the girls outside.
“Miriam!” he called loud enough for his voice to carry through the wooden door.
His answer came shortly in the form of Miriam’s cheerful smile in the doorway, framed by blonde wisps. Her apron was splattered with occasional red spots and charcoal smudges.
“Oh, you brought up Rosie!” Miriam squealed. “Leah, you have to come see this.”
Miriam disappeared inside the cabin. Gideon stroked the velvety muzzle of the broodmare as he listened to the sounds of shuffling and women’s voices drifting through the open door, then a slow thump of wood upon wood. Leah seemed to be moving slowly on the crutches, but that was probably a good thing. She needed to take it easy and not push herself yet.
When Leah appeared in the doorway, with Miriam hovering beside her, Gideon’s stomach did a little flip. There was no denying their guest was beautiful. Her honey brown hair was pulled back in several twists, revealing streaks of caramel here and there that drew out the light green of her eyes. Her skin was paler than it had been when she’d first arrived at the ranch. Was that from staying inside the cabin for so many days? Or from the pain that surely still radiated in her leg? Not once had he heard a complaint, though. For a city girl, she was pretty tough.
“Ohh…” Leah breathed as she stepped out onto the porch. “It’s so little.”
The colt stood on the near side of his mama, alert and watching these new two-legged creatures curiously.
“Look at how long his legs are.” Miriam’s voice held a giggle.
Leah kept hobbling on her crutches toward the stairs, and Gideon finally realized her intent. He dropped the mare’s rope and strode forward to slip his right hand under her elbow while she tried to descend the first step. “Careful there.”
She turned sideways to maneuver the three steps. No matter how she turned, though, she couldn’t find a way to lower herself without bending or putting weight on her right leg. She finally let out a little frustrated huff.
She was so blasted cute, he hated to deny her. But still… “It’s probably better you stay on the porch anyway.”
He was about to turn back to Rosie, when Leah looked up at him with the saddest puppy eyes he’d ever seen. Drifter at his hungriest moment had nothing on her beseeching expression.
Something fractured in his chest, breaking the ties that held him in place. His hands moved of their own volition as he wrapped them around Leah’s so-tiny waist, lifted her from the stairs, and gently lowered her to the ground.
He had the insane urge to pull her close and wrap his arms around her. He caught himself just in time, jerked his hands away, and turned back to face the horses. His breathing was strong as he fought to bring himself under control. What was wrong with him?
Gideon stepped around to the other side of Rosie where the colt peeked under the mare’s neck. Maybe the little guy had the right idea to watch from a safe position. Still, he’d brought the colt up for the ladies to see. Gideon wrapped both arms around the little body and half-led half-pushed him out of hiding and toward Leah and Miriam.
Leah held out a hand, palm up, as they approached. The colt sniffed, ready to dart back at any moment. But he seemed to approve of her, for he took another step forward, this time close enough for Leah to reach out and scratch the base of his neck.
“There’s a boy. You’re a cutie, you know that?” The colt sidled closer, pushing into her hand as she scratched.
As the colt moved, Gideon released him, Leah’s nearness radiating like heat from a roaring fire. He had to admit, though, she impressed him with the way she handled herself around the horse. She didn’t try to pet the colt’s sensitive head, but started with a favorite itchy spot on the shoulder.
Miriam spoke up. “He’s adorable, but I’d better get back inside or the meat will be tough as boot leather. I’m glad you brought him, big brother.” She caught his gaze and Gideon could see the approval in her eyes. But when she threw a glance toward Leah, then winked at him, heat climbed up his neck.
“What’s his name?” Oblivious to the silent exchange between the siblings, Leah raised her sea green eyes to meet Gideon’s, causing the now-familiar flip in his stomach. He swallowed, trying to bring some moisture back to his mouth.
“Doesn’t have one yet. Any ide
as?”
She lowered her gaze to the copper-colored foal who sniffed his way up her arm. “Hmm… His coloring and thick body remind me of a painting I once saw of the Trojan Horse in Homer’s Odyssey. Did you ever hear of it?” With that last question, Leah looked up at him, head cocked in innocent curiosity.
“I’ve heard it a time or two.” Oh yes, he knew about the Trojan Horse, the one the Greeks used to sneak into the city of Troy and conquer. Pa used to tell that story when the family was gathered around the fire on winter evenings.
He studied the colt again. He did sort of look like the Trojan horse. A glance at Leah showed she was doing the same, her brows puckered and her head tilted a little.
Finally, she turned the force of her gaze on Gideon, and all former thoughts left his mind.
“So what do you think about Trojan?”
He felt himself nod dumbly. He really needed to get it together. “I think it fits him.”
She turned back to rub the colt’s silky neck and, for a moment, Gideon simply enjoyed the sight before him. Leah’s face glowed in the light from the setting sun, the paleness now replaced with a rosy hue. She released a soft giggle as the colt reached up to sniff her chin.
“I think he likes you.” Was that jealousy he felt? Pathetic. Who was jealous of a horse?
She flashed a delighted smile toward Gideon as she spoke again to the foal in a sing-song voice. “Hey, Trojan. Let’s go see your mama, shall we? She’s a good girl, but I bet she’d like some attention, too.”
As Leah wobbled forward on the walking sticks, the colt scampered ahead to hide behind his mother again. Gideon fought the urge to step up and help her. The expression on Leah’s face was grim determination, as if she were pushing through the pain, determined to make her body do what she wanted despite its complaining.
Mountain Dreams Series: Books 1 - 3: Mountain Dreams Box Set 1 Page 10