“Yes, yes!” But his mind was clearly elsewhere. “Tell Ma I will be in shortly for dinner? I need to finish up here and wash up first.”
Allie knew that this was a way to dismiss her. Pa was curious and wanted time to think. She hoped she would have a chance to meet with Frank before Pa beat her to it. She wasn’t sure if Pa would be willing to let this pass. Giving Frank some notice would help.
“I will! And, I’ll go help her get it ready.”
Allie left Pa to think. She needed to do the same, but that would have to wait. The meeting with Frank couldn’t come soon enough, but she needed to be patient and wait it out. There was never a shortage of things to occupy her time. She would get a lot done while she was waiting.
CHAPTER 30
The sky was not its normal bright blue on the walk to Blinne’s. The sun was hiding behind the clouds. It was still warm, but the clouds brought hope that they might see rain soon.
The closer she came to seeing Frank again, the more conflicted she felt. Allie had pushed through her work at the paper and kept busy at home over the last several days. She thought she was ready to confront the situation head on and push Frank away to protect him, but she didn’t know if she could go through with it.
Only two people really knew her heart: Frank and Blinne. Pushing one away could rip her heart open again. She needed to rely on God, but she was still struggling with how to do that. She couldn’t shake the feeling that even meeting with Frank was taking matters into her own hand. She couldn’t think of another option to shut Gladys down, so the fire that was her life smoldering around her wouldn’t spread further. She needed to keep pushing forward.
Blinne knew she was coming, so instead of knocking, Allie let herself in. She had arrived before Frank as was the plan. She hoped Frank would follow the instructions in the note.
“Good morning!” She picked up the broom and started in. After all, she was supposed to be here helping Blinne.
“Is it still morning? I’ve been up forever it seems.” Blinne was sitting in the rocker with Lena in her arms.
“Blinne, you don’t look well. Are you all right?” Allie set the broom down and walked over to her.
Blinne forced her eyes open. Just trying to form thoughts was difficult. “I just seem to have a slight cold. I’ll be okay, but Lena has it, too. I’ve been up all night with her.”
Before Allie even touched Blinne’s forehead, she could feel the fever. “Blinne, where is George?” There was no response. “I’ll be right back. I’m just headed to the well to get some water.”
She left the drowsy Blinne and quickly returned with the bucket of water. Blinne was fast asleep. Allie set the bucket down near Blinne. She seemed unaware when Allie took Lena from her arms. Still holding Lena in one arm, Allie retrieved the rag from the table, dunked it in the bucket, and tried to squeeze it out the best she could with only one hand. Looking down at Lena, she was unsure what to do next.
Holding a baby was all she ever did with them. She didn’t grow up around babies, so she didn’t have any first-hand knowledge. She pulled the rag off Blinne and was dipping it back in the water when a knock came on the door.
Leaving the rag in the bucket, she opened the door to a wonderful sight. Frank had come. The reason for his visit had left her mind. She grabbed his arm and pulled him in. “Thank you! Oh! Thank you! They are both sick and I don’t know what to do.”
Frank took Lena from Allie and started examining her. He unwrapped the blanket that swaddled her and put his ear to her chest and back. “She just seems to be a bit stuffy. Can you put some water on the stove and get it to boil? Then we can get her near the steam. That should help open up her nose a bit. We just need to open it up a bit and she should be fine.”
Allie immediately set to work, thankful for something to do. Frank found Lena’s cradle nearby and gently placed her in it before going to check on Blinne. He examined her and went back to the bedroom. Allie wasn’t sure what he was doing as she kept busy with her task. When Frank reappeared, he walked back to Blinne and gently lifted her in his arms and carried her back to the bedroom. Blinne didn’t wake during all of that.
Allie started the fire and put the kettle of water on top of the stove before walking toward the bedroom. She picked up Lena and held her while she stood in the doorway and watched Frank work. He must have felt her presence. His back was to her, but he spoke knowing she was there.
“She has a fever, but I don’t think it’s as serious as it could be. Lena is sick with no fever. I think Blinne is just overly exhausted. She needs to rest, and I’ll stay to make sure the fever doesn’t spike, but I think her body is just tired and can’t fight the basic cold.”
Allie shuddered with relief and gave Lena a little squeeze before stepping back out into the main room. She sat in the rocker that Blinne had been in and reveled in the beauty of little Lena’s bright blue eyes looking up at her.
“Your momma will be just fine, little one.”
Lena cooed back, making Allie smile. The two sat there like that for a few minutes. Each one staring into the other’s eyes. Allie’s heart was open, ready and waiting for the love of her own child that would never be. Little Lena’s love was melting her heart. She yearned for a child in her future. In that moment, with the wonder in her eyes as big as saucers looking up into Allie’s, all felt right with the world. Hope was found. Life continued onward and good times were to be found in the future. Maybe not with her own flesh and blood, but she knew she would not let the tragedy that occurred from her mistake ruin her future.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way! She rocked a bit faster as her heart also quickened its pace knowing…somehow…some things would work out. Lena doesn’t need a mother, thank goodness. But other children do. A sound from the back startled her out of her thoughts. Allie stood and made her way to the stove where the water was beginning to boil. George walked in through the back.
“Hi, Allie! How are you today?” He grabbed himself a mug from the cupboard and came over to tickle Lena’s toes.
“I’m okay, George.” Allie let out her breath and then inhaled sharply. “I’m okay, but Lena here has a bit of a cold. She’s going to be okay, of course,” she added quickly. “That’s why we’re standing here near the steam.” George held his hands out to take his daughter and Allie obliged. “The steam is supposed to help her breathe easier.”
“Where’s Blinne?” George’s face was a mixture of concern and confusion.
“Come with me, please.”
Allie led the way to the bedroom. George’s face paled when he saw Frank kneeling by the side of the bed next to his sleeping wife. George handed Lena back to Allie and cautiously walked over to the side of the bed opposite Frank.
“George. I’m pretty sure she is going to be fine.” Frank stood as he tried to reassure him.
“What do you mean pretty sure? What’s wrong with her?”
“I think she just has the same cold that Lena has. But, with taking care of a new baby and getting sick, her body was simply too weak to fight it without a fever to help. She should pull out okay as long as we let her get plenty of rest and keep this fever in check.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Frank walked around and stood next to George. “Of course. If you want to stay with her and keep changing the cool rag on her head, you may. That was all I was doing right now.”
George nodded and sat down next to her.
“Just don’t get your body too close. I don’t want your heat driving up hers, and holler if you need anything. I’m not leaving yet, but I’ll be just outside the door.” Frank grabbed Allie’s elbow and gently turned her towards the door and nudged her forward. “Let me take Lena and I’ll work on getting her nose cleared. Would you start something for them to eat later?”
Allie handed Lena over, after she kissed her forehead, and nodded in reply to preparing a meal.
“Thank you, Allie. She will need to build up her strength once this fe
ver brakes,” Frank explained, as he walked Lena over to the stove and made a tent with a towel placing himself and Lena under it. Allie headed to the cellar to see what she had to work with.
When she returned, Lena and Frank were both still under the towel. She heard Frank giggling and Lena was making little sniffing sounds. Allie set down what would become a meal on the table and began peeling potatoes and carrots. Frank pulled the towel off and used it to wipe Lena’s nose.
“Works like a charm those tents. The steam helps loosen what’s stuck in there and Lena began sneezing. I think she will be good for a while.” He put Lena back in her cradle. As he stepped back into the kitchen, he asked Allie, “What can I do to help you?”
Allie was taken back a bit. Even her own pa didn’t help in the kitchen.
“I suppose you can grab a knife and help peel.” She watched him work and realized this wasn’t his first time. He was peeling faster than she did. “I guess living alone has made you learn some skills men normally don’t need.”
“Actually, my ma taught me before I left. She knew I needed some basic skills when I headed out a few years ago. I can sew, too!” Frank watched as Allie took that information in. She looked confused at first before breaking out into full laughter. “All right, so I can’t make my own clothes. I can sew up a hole though. It’s not perfect or pretty, but it does the job.
Allie thought for a moment. “I guess sewing is not too far off from doctoring. You did sew me up. It probably is similar.”
“You’re right. I was a bit ahead of the others in my class because of my ma’s teachings. I work better on skin then on cloth, though.”
He wanted to get to the reason for this meeting, but he didn’t want to push her too fast. She was broken, but mending. The healing needed to continue. Still keeping the conversation light, he knew they would eventually talk about whatever she needed to discuss.
“You know…ever since you set me up with Gladys, she has been relentlessly pursuing me.” He was smiling, she was not. He thought that would be a safe subject. Her reaction led him to believe that Gladys must play a bigger role in this meeting than he initially thought. He knew, based on the last conversation with Allie, that Gladys had said something to cause her distress. Gladys was usually just the messenger of bad news or gossip, though. Apparently not…this time.
Allie set her knife down and wiped her hands on a cloth. “Gladys is the exact reason why I called you here. Do you remember our time after church a few weeks ago, when we were sitting in the grass after everyone left?”
Frank was thinking back and reveling in the memories of their lips connecting. The timing was all off, but that didn’t mean he didn’t like it. “Yes, vividly.”
She blushed, understanding what he was commenting on. “The penny was left behind, and we were not alone.”
Frank was rapidly trying to piece together that information with what he already knew. Gladys had mentioned she gave Allie something. “Please explain.”
She wrung her hands. “Well, it seems Gladys, and probably her mother, witnessed our display. After we left, she must have gone over and found the penny. She thinks I was paid for my, ahem, services.” She let Frank finish the puzzle to decipher the full meaning.
His face went from confusion, to dawning, to angrier than she had ever seen him before.
“That not only questions your behavior, but mine as well! How does she think doing that would help her cause? She has no chance with me, but she doesn’t know that yet. If she spreads this, we will both suffer ridicule and condemnation.” He began pacing.
“Sh!” Allie moved in front of him and forced him to stop mid-step. “We don’t want to wake Blinne. Wearing a path in their floor is not going to change this predicament, either. We need a plan.”
“Yes!” His mind was spinning, and his eyes were darting around the room. “I will handle Gladys!” He began pacing again.
Allie sat at the table and let Frank pace away. “Frank, you can’t just handle Gladys. Her mother is also aware, and I’m sure they have already begun spreading rumors.”
Frank stopped and stared at Allie. “Yes, I can. I know exactly what will get them both to be quiet. I can beat them at their own game.” Frank walked over to Allie and took the seat next to her. “Oh, Allie, you have enough to worry about. I’m sorry that this has been added. Let me handle it.” He looked into her eyes with his jaw set in determination.
Allie sat quiet for a moment. Her eyes moved to the table and her hands that were folded on top of it. “Will you handle it the same way you handled my medical bill?” She looked up at him.
It was Frank’s turn to sit quietly now. He took a deep breath. “Yes.”
Lena began to stir. Allie pushed herself up from the table and walked over to pick her up.
“Frank, I know you meant well, but I wanted to take care of that bill. My pa was working on it and I was going to pay him back. I need to take care of myself. I can’t go from one man to another right now. I need to stand on my own two feet and focus on myself and God. Besides, my pa wasn’t exactly happy when he found out. He is a proud man. He takes care of his family.”
Frank stood and walked over to Allie. “I’m sorry. I know how you feel, really, I do. I want to take as much of this away as I can, so you can heal faster. I’ll speak with your father. Allie, I love you.”
She stared blankly at him. She knew his feelings but hearing them was wonderful. As she was opening her mouth to reply, George pushed open the door.
“She’s awake, Doc.”
Frank immediately rushed in and Allie followed stopping at the threshold. He was examining her again. “Fever’s gone. Oh, thank God. Allie, please bring Lena over here. I’m sure she is hungry.” Allie did as she was told and then walked out of the room to give Blinne some privacy. Frank followed shortly after. “Allie, I’m going to go. I have some things to take care of.”
She knew what he wanted to do and wouldn’t stop him. There was no use trying. “I’m going to stay and finish this meal. I may clean up a bit around here, too, before I leave.”
“Bye, Allie!” Frank froze looking into her eyes.
“Frank, part of what I wanted to say to you is we need to lay low for a while. We can’t be seen in public for now, at least until this rumor dies out. I don’t want to feed whatever has been started.”
“I understand, although it will be hard for me to do.” He placed his hand on her cheek and gently touched his lips to hers before making his way out and closing the door. Allie stood there for a few minutes. Her lips were warm, she touched them, burning this memory into her mind. She could hear the happy little family in the bedroom. Someday, maybe she could have that. She held onto that thought as she went back to her work.
CHAPTER 31
Frank knew he needed to cool off before he spoke with Gladys. Talking with Allie’s pa would have to be first on his list...to give himself more time to calm down. He left George and Blinne’s knowing that Blinne would be fine. Her fever broke and she appeared to have regained some strength when he handed Lena to her.
As he made the trek to Allie’s home, he hoped that putting some distance between the two of them could help calm them both. His emotions were stirred up and he needed to think with a clear head. Reaching the last crest, he could see the small dot ahead that was the house with a bigger dot to the side that made up the barn.
The weather had changed a bit over the last few days—turning to hot and muggy. The sky was dark and talk of thunderstorm possibilities were being spread like wildfire in town. There wasn’t much you could do to prepare for the possible outcomes of those, but Frank was sure that he would find Allie’s pa in the barn doing whatever he could to be ready for anything.
Allie’s pa was a proud man and a hard worker at that. The only time Frank ever saw him sit idle was in church. He sat so still it looked like he’d figured out how to sleep with his eyes open. The benches were so uncomfortable, but he never showed any sign of discomfort. He was a
tough man and that didn’t settle Frank a bit. He knew he’d crossed a boundary, but he hoped that the line he crossed was not solid black where Allie’s forceful father was concerned.
Making his way to the barn’s big double doors, Frank tried to figure out the best way to start the conversation. Nothing sounded quite right, though. So, he decided to let the words flow however they came out. What will be, will be! He pushed through and blinked his eyes to adjust them to the relative darkness inside.
“Frank, I’m glad you stopped in. I need to have a word with you.” Pa walked over to Frank and wiped his hands on his pants before holding out his right hand to offer a shake.
Frank shook it. “Yes, Sir. I spoke with Allie a while ago and knew I should come and explain myself.”
Pa crossed his arms on his chest and widened his stance. He remained quiet and let Frank talk.
Frank hesitated, hoping that he wouldn’t have to be the first to dive into this, but realized quickly that if he didn’t talk, a staring match would ensue.
“Sir, I paid Allie’s doctor bill.”
Pa remained unfazed. He already knew…or had suspected it. He continued his stance while Frank continued.
“I should have spoken with you first. I wanted to help, and I saw a way I could.” Frank rubbed the side of his face and looked down at his feet.
“You shouldn’t have done that. She is not your responsibility, son.”
“I know, Sir. But, it wasn’t much trouble for me to do this.”
“Well, I’m glad you have money to pay other’s debt. That must feel real good,” Pa looked annoyed.
“No, no. It wasn’t like that. I didn’t pay in terms of money. Well…not in the sense you’re thinking anyway. I worked it off when I covered for Doc while he was on his trip.”
“I see,” Pa rubbed his beard. “Well, that does change things a bit. What are your intentions with my daughter?”
Frank didn’t know if it changed things for good or bad, but he continued to stay still and quiet. The question threw him. This was not the direction he envisioned this conversation going.
By His Hand Page 15