by Carré White
“I’m so sorry. If it’s any consolation, I’ll be scrubbing the floors all day.”
“Oh, my goodness, Ms. Hoffman. This is just terrible.”
“I know. He’ll get better, I hope.”
“No, not him. The house! Who lives like this?”
“I don’t know.” I felt drained, and I was unable to stop yawning, but who could possibly rest in a pigsty?
Hannah arrived around lunchtime with sandwiches, although it must have been challenging to make the neatly wrapped offerings and take care of the baby by herself. She carried a jug of lemonade. “Is he awake?”
“No. Doc Caldwell put a tube down his throat to give him fluids. I’ve made some chicken soup for him.”
She glanced around the parlor. “You’ve made a significant dent with the cleaning. It’s vastly improved.”
I closed my eyes. “It’s been dreadful.”
“Oh, poor Louisa.” She hugged me. “You’ve done so much. You should go home. You needn’t do anymore.”
“I’m not leaving until he’s better.” The hint of steel in my voice surprised me, but I had spoken exactly what I felt and believed. I had slept in Mr. Montgomery’s bed last night, although I had removed the sheets, sleeping with a blanket that I had found tucked away in a cupboard. “Maria’s nearly finished with all the laundry, if you can imagine. Things will be better by tonight.”
“What did you do to the sofa? It looks almost new.”
Nathan and Jerry took it outside and beat it down. Then they scrubbed it with soap. It’s fine. It wasn't crawling with anything funny.”
She felt the fabric. “It’s still damp.”
“I imagine it is. I’ve been sitting on the rocking chair.”
“I’m going home for a while,” said Doctor Caldwell, who appeared behind us. “I’ve given him some fluids and medication, but that’s all I can do right now. I’ve left the tube in his throat. It’s imperative that he be given fluids throughout the day.”
“Then he’ll need some diapers, like Frank had,” said Hannah. “I have them at home. I’ve been using them as dust rags. He’ll soil himself, if he doesn’t wear them.”
“Yes, you do know what that’s all about.” The doctor’s look was stark. “I’m going to attach that small portion of skull later today. At least the swelling’s gone down enough. We’re just waiting for him to regain consciousness.”
“I’ll watch over everything,” I said. “I’ll do exactly as you asked.”
“Thank you, my dear. You’ve been a godsend.”
“It’s been my pleasure.”
Later that evening, after everyone had left, I found myself alone with Mr. Montgomery, while the children were outside playing, enjoying the remaining light before it disappeared behind the mountains. Clothing hung on the line, and a pot roast was in the cook stove with vegetables in a pan. I sat by his bedside, holding his hand, which seemed to happen quite naturally. I’d begun talking to myself, sometimes mumbling, the tiredness of the last few hours had this effect.
“She wants a pony, you know. She loves animals. You’ve enough property to have several horses.” He’d yet to respond to anything at all, and I hardly expected him to acknowledge my presence, let alone wake. “The boys ride horses now too. Nathan taught them how.” The sound of a wagon held my attention, but I was too tired to get up. It was more than likely the Weaver’s or Doc Caldwell.
The front door slammed, and Hannah appeared in the doorway a moment later. “Any sign from him yet?”
I shook my head. “Afraid not.”
“What do his eyes look like?”
“I’m too scared to look. They were bright red before. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
She approached the bed, her look worried, yet determined. “I can do this. I'll just have a peek. How hard can it be?”
“Be my guest.” I yawned; the sound was surprisingly noisy. “Excuse me.”
Hannah had lifted a lid, exposing an eye. “Oh, Louisa! It’s not like a demon anymore. This is exciting.”
“I suppose so.” Another yawn had my mouth wide-open.
“You’re tired. Go home.”
“I am home.”
She gave me a strange look. “I mean you should go to bed, you silly goose. You’re not home here. It’s their house.”
“What? Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve lost my mind.”
“Why are you holding his hand?”
I glanced at the way his fingers were entwined with mine. “No particular reason. Isn’t that what you do when you sit at someone’s bedside?”
“Only if you know them.”
“I’ve got supper cooking. It should be done now. You’re welcome to stay and have some.” She continued to stare at me peculiarly, her gaze questioning. “What? Is there something on my face?”
“No. You’re fine.”
“Keep an eye on him. I suspect he’s going to wake soon.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because that’s what I’ve been praying for all day.”
I filled plates for the children. The three of them now sat at the table, pretty as you please, with napkins in their laps. We’d said a prayer before we ate, Hugh being the one who began it. The aroma of cooking took away the smell of vinegar, which was what I had used to scrub the floors, the furniture, and the walls. It was no wonder my bones ached.
“Louisa!” shouted Hannah. “Come here!”
I jumped, banging my knee on the leg of the table. “Oh!” I glanced at the children. “I’ll be right back. You keep eating.”
“Yes, Ms. Louisa.” Hugh and Oscar exchanged a look.
Hurrying to the next room, I stood in the doorway staring at a man who looked at me. “Oh, my goodness. What did you do to him?”
“Not a thing. He just opened his eyes. Just about gave me a heart attack too.” She held a hand to her chest. “I’ve never been so startled in my whole life.”
“We’ve got to get that tube out of his throat. Oh, for Pete’s sakes! Why isn’t Doctor Caldwell here?” I approached him, his look was weary, unfocused, and I assumed he wasn’t aware of what had happened. “I just need to pull this out. I’m sorry about this.” The tube was in my hand, and I began to extract it, bit by bit. “Almost there.” When it was free, he began to cough, the sound raspy and strangled. “I apologize for that.”
His expression was questioning. “Abigail?” he whispered raggedly.
I stared at him, wondering why he thought I was his long-departed wife. “No. I’m Louisa. Louisa Hoffman.”
“Should I get the doctor?”
“He’s been here most of the day. I don’t think it’s necessary. Mr. Montgomery is going to make a full recovery.” I glanced at him. “How do you feel?”
“My…head…aches.”
“It should. You stopped a rather large pieced of wood from hitting the floor.” He groaned, closing his eyes. “I’m going to get him some water and then he should sleep.”
“Shouldn’t you ask him something like what his name is?”
“Why?”
“He might have amnesia. He probably doesn’t remember anything.”
“Do you know who you are, sir?”
“Matthias…Montgomery…”
“Yes, that’s who you are.” Relief lifted an enormous weight off my shoulders. I knew he would wake tonight; I had felt it. I liked to think it was all the talking I had done earlier. I’d spoken about so many things, but mostly I focused on the children. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes.” His voice was raspy.
“I’ll make you some egg soup. I don’t think having solids right now would be good, but I can bring some bread.”
“Thank you.”
I bustled out of the room, but I overheard Hannah say, “You sure gave everyone a fright, Mr. Montgomery. My sister’s been beside herself with worry over you, although I’m not quite sure why. She’s formed a rather unnatural attachment to your children, sir. She takes care of them almost as if sh
e were their mother.”
Standing outside the door, I waited for what his response would be, while the children talked and giggled in the other room. In a quiet voice he said, “My wife…is…a kind…woman.”
“Heaven’s to Betsy,” exclaimed Hannah. “You really have lost your senses.”
Rushing towards the kitchen, I put a pot on the stove, filling it with water from a jug. “Your father’s awake, but you mustn’t overwhelm him.”
“Pa’s awake?” shouted Oscar, jumping to his feet. He nearly upset the chair.
I placed a finger over my mouth. “Indoor voices. Don’t agitate him. He’s got a dreadful headache. If you had a piece of wood fall on your skull, you’d feel just as horrid.”
“Can we go see him?” asked Hugh. “Please, Ms. Louisa, please?”
“Of course, but don’t jump on the bed. Try to be quiet and gentle, all right?”
“Yes, Ms. Louisa.”
“You can call me Louisa, you know. You don't have to be so formal.”
“I’m going first,” said Hugh. He grinned. “My pa’s gonna be good as new again. I knew he’d be fine.”
Annie smiled, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “You healed my pa, Louisa.”
“The doctor did that, honey. All I did was pray.”
The three of them left the room, and I knew Hannah would supervise, to make sure things didn’t get out of hand. While I prepared the soup, I couldn’t help feeling utterly at ease in this house, realizing that I had grown accustomed to being here. Now that it was clean, it wasn’t as dark and cluttered as it had been before. Maria and I had taken down the curtains earlier, dusting and cleaning the windows. It had made quite a difference.
When the soup was done, I brought it with me to the next room, noting that there were tears in Matthias’s eyes when he gazed at his children. He wore white gauze around his head.
“Louisa cleaned the house, Pa. She said it was the most horrible place she’s ever seen,” said Hugh.
“I…imagine.”
Hannah approached me. “I think I’ll go now. He’s so much better. It truly is a miracle.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you staying?”
“I should. He needs to be fed and watched over. I’ve a bed upstairs.”
Her expression was perplexing, as she glanced around the room. It seemed as if she wanted to say something, but then thought better of it. “Well, then, I’ll be going. See you in the morning.”
“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. Nathan and Jerry and Maria did so much. They worked incredibly hard.”
“Don’t mention it. When a neighbor’s in need, we lend a hand. It’s the right thing to do.” She pointed a finger at me. “And you’re well on your way to earning some angel wings for all that you’ve done for this family.”
“It’s been a pleasure.”
“You look tired. Get some rest.” She hugged me. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
Mr. Montgomery had been listening to the conversation, his eyes darting between his children and Hannah and me. When she was gone, I approached the bed. “I have some soup for you.”
“You’ve…I should…thank…you.”
“There’s no need right now. You’re still pretty weak, sir. I’d feel better if you ate a little bit. You won’t be sick, will you?” That thought was alarming, but, with head injuries, vomiting seemed to occur.
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll spoon it out for you slowly. If you can only tolerate a little, I’ll understand.” He struggled to sit. “Wait, I’ll help.” I adjusted the pillow behind him, adding another. “There. How’s that?”
“Better.”
“Can I try feeding my pa?” asked Annie.
“Yes, muffin, you can.”
“I know how to hold a spoon.”
“You do.”
“And a knife and a fork.”
“Everyone knows that, dummy,” said Oscar.
I gave him a look. “Be nice to your sister. This isn’t the time to be throwing insults.”
“Sorry, Ms. Louisa. I mean, Louisa.”
“Let me get the first spoonful into him.” I did so, and he drank it, his Adam’s apple moving up and down. Then it was Annie’s turn, and she sat on my lap while feeding him. He wasn’t able to eat much, putting his hand up after a short while. “Would you like some water?”
“Not now, thank…you.”
“All right, you hop down. I’m going to put the children to bed, and I’ll be back.” I took Annie by the hand. “Say goodnight to your pa.”
“Night, Pa. I’m so glad you woke up.”
“How long till you’re walking?” asked Oscar.
“I…don’t know.”
“I’m sure he’ll make a full recovery soon enough. Come along now, time for teeth brushing, face washing, and bed. The boys groaned, as they hated to brush their teeth, but it was imperative that they do so. “No dirty children getting into clean sheets. We can’t have that.”
A short while later, after they had said their prayers and I had tucked them in, I returned to the room where Mr. Montgomery was, finding him staring at the doorway, waiting for me. The children had been giggling and stomping around upstairs, and I surmised that we had made quite a racket.
“Sorry about the noise.”
“You’re…very…good with them.”
“They were with me when you were in the mountains.”
“I…never thanked you…for that.”
“Well, you can thank me now.” I neared the bed, taking the seat I had been in most of the day. “You look better.”
“You’re tired.”
“I am. It’s been quite a day.” His hand was nearby, and I closed mine over his, as I had done for hours this afternoon. “You’re hopefully going to be fine now.”
“You’re so much…like…Abigail.”
That was startling. “I hope that’s good. I know the children loved their mother. They’ve missed her horribly.”
“They have.” He swallowed with effort.
“You need some water.” I was about to stand, when he squeezed my hand. “I owe you…a great…deal.”
“I just want you to recover, so you can take care of your children, Mr. Montgomery. I don't ever want to see them running around wild without shoes on or their bellies empty. Is that clear? If you want to thank me, then do so by being the best possible father you can be.” I hadn’t meant to sound so stern, and I regretted the tone of my voice almost immediately.
His look was sober, resigned, and yet hopeful. “I will. I’ll do…whatever…you say.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so cranky. I’ve only had a little sleep.”
“I needed to…hear that.”
“Bless your heart, you poor man. I truly hope the future is brighter for you and your children.”
“I do…believe it is.”
Chapter Seven
I slept soundly that night, waking only once to the wind that rattled the house. I closed the window and returned to bed. When it was nearly dawn, I got up, not being able to sleep any longer, working my way down the stairs to the privy out back. When I returned, I checked on Mr. Montgomery, finding him fast asleep. Besides the horse, there weren’t any animals on the property that needed tending this early in the morning.
When I finished making breakfast, I had a lengthy list of things the home needed, but it wasn’t my place to provide these staples, and I did not know if Mr. Montgomery could afford them. I chided myself for making the list, as it would more than likely end up in the rubbish heap. The children came down a short while later, eager to eat griddlecakes and eggs.
“I need to leave for a spell,” I said. “We need things, and I can get them at my sister’s farm.”
“Can I go with you?” asked Annie.
“Yes, that would be nice. But then I might go to town after.”
“I love Denver City, Ms. Louisa.” Her smile was
adorable.
I ruffled her hair. “I know you do. You love the ribbons in the mercantile, don’t you?”
“I do.”
To my astonishment, Mr. Montgomery appeared in the doorway. I jumped to my feet. “Oh, you shouldn’t be up yet. Oh, my goodness.”
“Pa!” Oscar and Hugh went to him, as he was unsteady on his feet.
“I gotta use the privy.” His deep voice sounded gruff.
“I’ll bring you a bedpan. It’s not safe to cross the yard in your condition.” Doc Caldwell had left a bedpan, knowing that if he woke he would need it. “Here it is. Now, you should get back to bed this instant.” He acquiesced, and I was mildly astonished at his strength. He’d been unconscious for two days with a serious head injury; the bandages were still around his forehead. The sound of a wagon was a relief, but I wasn’t able to see who had arrived, because I needed to direct Mr. Montgomery into the next room.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I left him to use the bedpan in privacy. I found Dr. Caldwell in the kitchen.
“How’s the patient?” He seemed to brace himself, expecting bad news.
“You’ll be happy to hear that he’s awake. I just stopped him from going outside. He’d been about to use the privy.”
His mouth fell open. “You don’t say. Well, I’ll be darned. I sure am happy to hear that. I need to take a look at his bandages.”
“Of course.” I busied myself in the kitchen, cleaning dishes and putting things away, while the doctor was in the next room. When he returned, I asked, “How is he?”
“Slight swelling still, but much improved. I’m going to recommend bed rest for a few more days, and then he’s free to resume his normal activities.”
I wiped my hands dry on the apron. “That’s encouraging.”
“I had my doubts. I’ve never had much luck with head injuries. I sure am relieved that he’ll make a full recovery. It’s awfully nice of you to be here to help the family. Lord knows they need it.” He held his hat. “I’ll be on my way then.” He eyed me. “How long do you plan on staying?”
I hadn’t really thought about it. “I…suppose as long as they need me.”
“All right. I’ll return tomorrow then to check on things.”
“Thank you. I’ll be in town soon. I’ll stop by your office to pay you.” This surprised him, as he blinked, staring at me strangely. I had every intension of taking care of the bill, knowing that Mr. Montgomery would find it a hardship to cover the costs. Often doctors accepted other forms of payment, but that wasn’t necessary this time, because I had the funds.