Lizzie and the Rebel

by Stephy Smith

  “Am I the only one that’s not in the medical field?” Frank raised his brows.

  “No, little brother. Harvey is still in the furniture business. He’ll arrive today. He had furniture to deliver yesterday so he stayed behind.” Jean crossed the floor.

  “Well, still looks like Harvey and I are outnumbered.”

  Laughter rang in the halls, turning the heads of the dining room group. Doc and Betty stepped from one of the patient’s rooms.

  “Oh, dear lord, are we going to have to listen to those two giggle and coo each other all day?” Jean asked.

  Lizzie and Frank laughed. Lizzie couldn’t help but envy the camaraderie of this family. It was one of the things she missed most with her own family, yet she was content with seeing the Wallings reunited with their son.

  Happy with the vision she had when she first met him, she was content with the fact he had a loving family, with other children to occupy his younger years. It relieved her to know all she’d hoped for was true. An ease fell over the room.

  “Jean, you and Harvey drove the rest of us crazy acting the same way.” Hannah rolled her eyes.

  Polly carried in four plates, silverware, and coffee cups for the guest. She disappeared for a short minute and returned with a tray of hot food. The bowls of scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy, and sausage were placed on the table before the group. Frank poured the coffee. Lizzie passed them to her guest.

  “Would you like sugar or cream?” Polly asked, setting down a small bowl of fresh churned butter and another bowl of homemade jam.

  “No, thank you. This smells absolutely wonderful.” Bart reached for a biscuit.

  “I’m going to take a walk in the garden to check on the rose bushes later. Would anyone care to join me?” Lizzie took a sip of the steaming hot brew.

  “I would,” Jean said.

  “The snow on the mountains is glorious.” Hannah peered out the window, then commenced to devour her breakfast.

  “Not if you’re lost on one of those mountains.” Frank shuddered. “That was the worst experience of my life. I would have rather been digging fence post holes with a spoon.”

  “I hope you don’t think it was a picnic in the park for me having to drag you into the cabin and nurse you back to health. I’m not a nurse and you’re not a humble patient.” Lizzie poked him in the side.

  “We are indebted to you for saving Frank. I know he’s a handful. When he was young, he broke his arm. He bellyached the whole time. I swear the kid found reasons to start fights with us all.” Hannah gave Frank a sideways glance.

  “How bad was he when you found him?” Bart asked.

  With a lowered her head, Lizzie paused. “He was half frozen and infection had settled in the gunshot wound from the war. When I got him to the cabin, I didn’t notice the wound at first. It wasn’t until he took a fever and convulsed that it started bleeding again. I lanced it several times a day and put baking soda on it. I was fresh out of herbs for a poultice. He came around and I thought he would be easier to take care of. He wasn’t.”

  “You operated on me?” Frank’s eyes widened.

  “If that’s what you want to call it. I prefer to call it doing what had to be done. So, yes, I did cut you open and yes, I did remove the infection. But, no, I didn’t stitch you up, so in my mind, it wasn’t surgery.” She winked at Bart.

  “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  “You never asked.”

  “I’m sorry I was so much trouble. I never thought I would see another day. I was so cold. I never thought I would get off the mountain, actually.” His hand left heat across Lizzie’s back. “You weren’t the easiest patient to care for either, Elizabeth George.”

  “Lizzie was sick? You poor child.” Jean’s eyes glistened. “Being in the care of Frank Walling had to have been a horrible experience. What was wrong?”

  “She had this plague. I was lost as to what to do for her. Spirit, the wolf, came to town and raised enough ruckus to cause suspicion. When the men got there, I sent for Doc. I bathed her in slush and left the windows open. Doc gave me some kind of stinking liquid to put on the rash. It has been a long, nerve straining misadventure for us. However, we learned to cope with one another. We got the trying times out of the way. For the rest of our lives, we should be able to handle just about anything,” Frank said.

  Lizzie took notice of his words. He was implying that their lives would be the happily ever after. As fast as things were, she stilled her hope. He was probably insinuating the two of them just be close friends, and that was good enough for her. Yet, he said, “for the rest of our lives” and that had to mean more than friendship. Confused at the whole conversation, she didn’t know where her mind was taking her. It was best if she cleared her thoughts and returned her mind to the rest of the group.

  “Whose mansion is this?” Jean asked. “It is so warm and friendly. You can’t tell it’s a hospital.”

  “It wasn’t until yesterday, and it belongs to Lizzie. Wasn’t it nice she volunteered it until the new hospital is built?” Frank gave her a heartfelt glimpse.

  “It was nothing.” She couldn’t take credit for doing something anyone in her position would do.

  “Lizzie, do you know what you’ve done? You’ve opened up a new world for the town people. You gave them hope and progress. Yes, my dear. It is something. It is a big something.” Bart beamed at Lizzie. “Would you like a partner in your endeavor?”

  “What are you offering, Dad?” Frank gazed at his father.

  Hannah gave her husband a smile of approval as he spoke. “We have a large amount of money saved up. Dr. Simpson and I could work together as administrators. Marcus can turn our mansion into his hospital in Dallas. Jean and Betty, well, we know which hospital Betty will choose. They can both be head nurses.”

  “That’s a splendid idea, Dad. As soon as I get these dishes to the kitchen, I’m going to make rounds with Dr. Simpson and Betty. I want a look at the conversion.” Marcus stood to clear the dishes. Frank sat in stunned silence.

  “I’m sure Harvey and I will stay with Marcus. He has the lucrative furniture store we can’t leave right now.” Jean reached over and patted her father’s arm.

  “I’ll give you time to think about the offer, Lizzie. This is a big step and you need to mull it over in your mind,” Bart said, pulling out Hannah’s chair. “We’re off to see the rest of the hospital. Jean, are you coming?”

  “Do you feel up to that walk in the garden?” Frank asked. “I need some fresh air. My family has gone unusual on me. They have always been a charitable group. But this new family, since my return, is out of character for all of them.”

  He didn’t have to ask twice before Lizzie led the way, deep in thought. “What do you think I should do?”

  “It’s your decision. I don’t think my opinion counts.” He kept his head low.

  “It means a lot to me.” She looped her elbow in his. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t respect your opinion.”

  “Lizzie, I don’t want to leave here. I don’t have anything to offer you. I want you to be my wife because I love you. I don’t care what you do with the mansion or how you tend to the cattle. I’ll help you no matter what, and I’ll work hard to make things work no matter where we are. So, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Frank dropped to one knee and held Lizzie’s hand as he spoke.

  Never in her life had she read such raw honesty in a man. Ever since she could remember, she’d had the ability to make quick, sound decisions, and here she was faced with a life-altering one she knew she should dwell on.

  “Are you sure? I mean, yes, but are you sure you want me for a wife?” Lizzie asked. “I’ve caused you many problems and unhappiness, and I—”

  His lips met hers with unbridled passion, kiss after lingering kiss, until the clearing of a throat drew the star-gazed lovers’ attention from each other. They shifted to a red-faced Abel.

  He pointed to Lizzie, then his ring finger, and then
his extended belly.

  “Oh! Oh!” Lizzie gasped and pulled Frank toward the house.

  Frank didn’t know what the urgent message meant. He curiously shrugged at Abel, who patted himself on the chest and used the cradling of the arms to signify it was time to have a baby. Frank gave a bright smile, handshake, and hug to the other man.

  With an arm around Abel’s broad shoulders, he guided him into the hospital, fetched Abel a cup of coffee and a chair to place outside the door. The two of them sat or paced the halls, waiting for the new arrival.

  The excitement of the first baby born in the new hospital spread through town. Many town people came to greet the new child. The hall filled to standing room. Jean removed the crowd from the hall to the large dining area and visitors ward. Polly brought in coffee and tea and placed it on the table for everyone to help him or herself.

  The women gossiped and the men talked business. Excitement echoed in the room as they waited for the announcement. Laughter warmed the halls.

  Marcus poked his head out of Jamey Roberts’s room. “What’s the ruckus?” he asked Frank.

  “We’re having a baby. Well, Abel and Mary are having a baby. The townspeople are here to welcome the child into the world.” Marcus disappeared back in Jamey’s room.

  Minutes passed into hours. The sound of a newborn baby’s cry silenced the people, then the cheer of the townspeople was so loud it could have awakened the departed.

  Allowing Abel in with his wife, Lizzie, Betty, Hannah, and both Doctors emerged from the room. Lizzie grabbed Frank’s hand and pulled him along with her to the roaring crowd.

  She could barely contain her excitement and wanted to tell Frank all about it. First, she had to make the announcement, and then she would drag him outside where they could be alone.

  “If I may have your attention, please.” She gave the congregation time to quite down. “I have several announcements to make. First off, we have just experienced the birth of a healthy baby girl. Her name is Elizabeth Ruth George, the daughter of Abel and Mary George. Mary and daughter are resting peacefully now.

  “Second, I was made an offer to help build a new hospital by Dr. and Mrs. Bart Walling. Dr. Simpson will be partners with the Wallings. They will share the responsibilities of staffing and maintaining the new structure.

  “My final announcement, at this time, is I have accepted the proposal of Frank Walling and we’ll make our home on the mountain. We plan to come and have many parties and balls like Mother had. We haven’t made all of the wedding arrangements yet, but you’re all invited and we’ll notify everyone as to when and where it will take place.

  “I would like to thank every one of you for your support in the endeavor we have taken on. Your donations are appreciated. Now, I’ll turn the floor over to your doctors.” Stepping out of the circle, Lizzie and Frank made their way to the back of the room. Leaning against the wall, Hannah joined them. They watched the crowd get to know the new doctors and welcome them to the community.

  “I have lots of cookies and I made up some punch, Jean is taking cookies to the patients, and ginger ale to the ones who can hold it down. I’ll put the rest of the cookies on the table and we’ll call it a welcome to the neighborhood party. What do you think?” Polly never missed a chance to whip a party into shape at a moment’s notice.

  “I like the idea. I’ll help Polly bring them out if you would like to inform your guests there will be refreshments for all, Hannah.” Lizzie nudged Hannah toward the crowd.

  Hannah was more experienced at this sort of thing. Lizzie hated to be pushed into the spotlight. However, she wasn’t fond of her own actions of sending Hannah in to do the job for her.

  “Lizzie.” Hannah caught her before she disappeared. “Welcome to the family.” Smiling, she caught her future daughter-in-law in a tight hug.

  “Mercy me, Polly. I have never seen so many people. What was I thinking inviting all of them to my wedding?” Lizzie shifted to Frank and Polly. “Have I lost my ever-loving Colorado mind?”

  Polly’s laughter echoed in the kitchen. “I guess you were caught up in the moment, child. Just like your mother. She would make one of her speeches and then come in here and say the same thing.”

  “Now I see how this works. You catch everyone’s attention and turn it over to your guest of honor,” Frank laughed.

  “It works every time.” Lizzie shrugged her shoulders.

  Frank took a tray and Lizzie, another. Polly took the punch bowl and the three returned to the kitchen and filled the trays with cups, saucers, and napkins.

  Chapter Twelve

  In the laundry room, Lizzie washed napkins and hung them to dry above the open fireplace.

  “Is something wrong?” Hannah rubbed her shoulder.

  Twirling around, Lizzie covered her chest with her soapy hand and gasped. “No. Why do you ask?”

  Hannah pushed up the sleeves from her arms and rinsed the napkins Lizzie placed in the rinse water. “You disappeared before the party was over. I hope nobody offended you.”

  “I’m afraid I’m out of practice with parties. I’m not sure I like big crowds anymore.” She swiped a stray hair with her shoulder.

  “I understand. I wanted to hide, myself.” Hannah tugged at her ear, then laughed.

  “You did? You were having such a good time.” Lizzie glanced up, still focused on scrubbing.

  “Lizzie. I did have a good time, but I met all the people and will get to know them better in time. I personally like a one on one situation where I can relax. I have to do things like this all the time.”

  “When Mom and Dad were killed, I stayed in the cabin. I grew accustomed to being alone, and I enjoy it. I became a recluse, in a way. I’m afraid I’m out of my environment when I come to town. It’s not the same as when I was a child.”

  Hannah twisted to Lizzie and placed her hand on her arm. “I would love to have an existence out of the public eye sometimes. I’m a nurse and the wife of a prominent doctor. I knew this before I married Bart. I was raised in the country and enjoyed life there. There are many times I would love to go back.”

  “Then why don’t you?”

  “I chose this life because I love my husband. Frank doesn’t like crowds either. Sure, they’re nice once in a while, but every day was more than that child could take.” Hannah shook her head, smiling.

  “You don’t think I’m wrong for not wanting a part in the social party? Frank could change his mind and want to be a part of the social world. I don’t want to break his dream of living the kind of life he deserves.”

  “Oh heavens no, Lizzie. I admire what you have done for my family and this town. They needed you for who you are, not what you have. There is no chance that young son of mine would ever choose a life in a town over the freedom of the country.”

  The two women pivoted their heads when they heard the sound of shuffling at the door. Frank and his father stood smiling at the women.

  “I don’t think you’re wrong either, Lizzie.” Happiness radiated from Bart’s voice. “Frank is a lucky man. I’m a lucky man. We both found women we adore. It doesn’t matter where we live or what kind of jobs we have in order to be happy. I would be just as happy out in the country as long as Hannah was there beside me.”

  “I can’t wait for the wedding. I’m ready to go home to the cabin.” Frank’s bowed head and shuffling feet sent relief down Lizzie’s spine.

  He sauntered to her and pulled her into a hug with a kiss on the cheek. Relaxed in his arms, she let the what ifs burn into afterglow.

  A loud clatter and banging echoed. Lizzie ran from the room and into Abel. A pushcart was up heaved in the middle of the floor.

  “What is it?” Her gut twisted. She opened the piece of paper he handed her. “There are rustlers at the ranch,” Lizzie called over her shoulder. She lit out of the mansion with clear intentions of stopping the rustlers. Abel and Frank stayed close to her heals.

  Mounting their horses, Abel, Frank, and Lizzie rode as fas
t as the animals could run. The three disappeared into darkness, leaving Hannah and Bart to watch the dust fly.

  The three lay on their stomachs. Rough and rocky terrain bit into Lizzie’s sides. They peered down from the cliff. Lizzie and her entourage strained their eyes at the three men on horses. The rustlers gathered Lizzie’s cattle under the full moon.

  A fire burned in the center of the group. One of the men threw a loop around the neck of the calf. The other two jumped off and tossed the calf to the ground. The hot glow of a branding iron floated closer to its hip.

  Drawing the sights on the lead man, Lizzie’s anger grew. She hated being pushed into doing things like this. With a deep breath, she squeezed on the trigger of her rifle. Frank and Abel sent rounds into the other two rustlers.

  The pain came on quick and darkness engulfed Lizzie. When she woke, she fought restraints tied around her hands. With a glance around, she saw two slumped bodies leaned against the wall. Her head pounded with terrible pain from the blow rendered to it by some coward.

  The pain in her head intensified. She continued to fight the restraints that bound her. Her wrist rubbed raw as a war of emotions built inside when she recognized the face of the trapper. Six years ago, she’d made sure his image was planted in her mind like the bad seed he was. Her gaze went to Frank and Abel.

  “I told you I’d be back for you, my dear Lizzie.” The rough and nasty voice laced with hideous laughter pulverized her aching head.

  “You snake I’ll get you if it takes my last breath.” The words escaped Frank through clenched teeth.

  “Stay out of this. I’m gonna enjoy killing you in front of your little woman here. Then I’m gonna show her what a real man is made of ‘fore I kill her, just like I did her ma.”

  The bushy-headed trapper showed his rotten teeth as the evil in his voice sent a rage of hatred boiling in Lizzie. The memory of his rough, hurtful hands on her breast, her father’s screams as a knife penetrated his body, stabbing him to death. The wails of her brothers and sisters being raped and scalped at the hands of the merciless gang returned from the dead to haunt her.