“Shh, Miss Magdalena. Your father will be furious if he hears you.” Rachel gently tugged her further away from the doctor’s office and toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you run to the bakery for me? They have two loaves of bread that I need for dinner. Would you do that for me?” She asked as she limped toward the kitchen.
Magdalena sighed. “Of course, Miss Rachel, anything for you. Did father looked at your knee yet?”
“I don’t need Doctor Allen fussing at my knee. It’s old age, Miss Magdalena, and there’s no cure for that.”
“You don’t know that,” Magdalena argued. “There might be something he can give you for it to help with the stiffness.”
“Miss Rachel!” The women heard the doctor bellow.
“Run along, now, Miss Magdalena,” Miss Rachel whispered. “Quickly, through the back door before your father sees you.” She prompted urgently.
“Coming, Doctor Allen!” Miss Rachel called, giving Magdalena a gentle push in the direction of the door.
TWO
Magdalena waited patiently behind two women as the smell of freshly baked bread and honey made her mouth water and her stomach grumble.
“Mags, is that you?”
Magdalena turned at the sound of a familiar voice—her best friend, Claire Clarke.
“Claire! When did you return from Bareglen Creek?” Magdalena quickly opened her arms to embrace her friend.
“Sully and I returned yesterday,” Claire breezed.
“How long will you be in town?”
Claire’s brow creased. “I’m not sure yet. Sully is working with the governor on something or other, but he’s not sure how long it will take—but you know him—he never likes to be away from Bareglen Creek for long.”
Magdalena smiled for the first time that day. “Yes,” she begrudgingly agreed, “he is a bit insistent about that, isn’t he?” She wrapped her arm around her friend’s. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Mags. I’m here for baked goods, what do you say we walk together? Could you come to the house for tea? We need to catch up.”
“I have to get this bread back to Miss Rachel, but I could spare time for tea.” Magdalena looked into the clear blue eyes of her friend. “And yes, we do need to catch up.”
“Why do I have a feeling there’s a story behind that?” Claire asked with concern, turning toward Mags.
“I’ll fill you in, just not here. I’ll wait for you outside.”
Claire nodded, paid for her baked goods, and joined Magdalena outside the bakery, linking arms with her again. “Come, we’ll have the house to ourselves. Mother and father are away, and Sully is at his meeting.”
“How is married life?”
“It’s amazing, Mags. Better than I ever could have imagined,” a dreamy smile crossed Claire’s face.
“I’m happy for you,” Magdalena squeezed Claire’s arm. “I really am.”
“Don’t get me wrong—Sully and I have our moments. He’s a sheriff and used to getting his own way. Learning how to navigate all of that has been a challenge for me, well, for both of us,” she admitted, “but when you truly love someone—the right person—it makes the compromise and adjustments more than worth it.”
“He does seem a bit bossy,” Magdalena agreed with a glance at her friend.
“Understatement!” Claire laughed. “But I’ve slowly begun to realize that he’s usually that way when he’s worried about me, or my safety, or thinks I need to take better care of myself,” Claire confessed as they reached her parent’s home and turned up the walkway. “Although this might sound odd, it’s comforting and only makes me love him more.”
Magdalena stole a sideways at her friend. She couldn’t imagine finding the dominance of any man comforting. It must be newlywed bliss, she decided.
Walking through the front door of Claire’s family home, they were greeted by Josie, the Hawarden family’s cook, as they entered the kitchen. “Miss Allen, how wonderful to see you!”
Magdalena’s brown eyes warmed as she opened her arms for her second hug of the morning. “It’s great to see you, too, Miss Josie.”
“Miss Josie, could you bring tea for Magdalena and me to the parlor?”
“Yes, Miss Claire, right away.” She agreed.
Claire reached for Magdalena’s hand, leading her toward the parlor. “Come, my friend, let’s catch up.”
Once settled in the parlor, Claire began her inquisition. “Spill the beans, Mags. I can tell something is bothering you.”
“Let’s not start with me just yet. Tell me about your sister. How is she?”
Claire hesitated, but only for a moment. “Mary’s good—better. She still misses Mike—his loss was devastating to her—but I think it helps to have my brother there to help with the farm, and, of course, my mother is still trying to get her to leave Bareglen Creek and return to Philadelphia to find a suitable husband.”
Magdalena laughed, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Jim is a good brother and a good man. Has he fully recovered from his injuries?”
“Well, Sully says Jim is accident prone, and I have to admit he may be right, but he recovered from the gunshot wounds and Doc Holloway has given him a clean bill of health,” Claire confirmed with watchful eyes.
“Ah, yes, Doctor Holloway.” Pink tinged Magdalena’s cheeks as she looked away from Claire.
“Tell me what’s going on, Mags,” Claire’s voice softened. “I can tell something is bothering you.”
THREE
Magdalena bared her soul to Claire, quickly telling her about the increased tensions with her father, and his final ultimatum this morning.
Claire sighed. “Do you think this is in response to the suffragette protests, and what happened to Caroline? Or your mother’s death?” She offered softly.
Magdalena and Claire’s good friend, Caroline Josephs, had been seriously injured at a recent protest, and Magdalena’s father had forbidden her from attending all future protests. With her mother’s passing just a few weeks ago, and the inability to attend protests with her friends, Magdalena was feeling the double loss deeply.
“Surely you can see where he would be worried about you?” Claire suggested.
Magdalena stood and moved to the windows overlooking the street. “I understand his concern,” she agreed, “but I don’t appreciate his interference in my life. I’m a suffragette, Claire, and these protests are important in the fight for women to have equal rights and standing with men. We can’t let violence or anything stop us from the momentum we’re gaining. It’s incredulous that women in the West have more rights than women here in the East! Our education should be helping us move toward advancement—not further away from it.”
“Claire. Magdalena.” Sully Clarke’s voice surprised both women, and they turned toward the parlor door.
“Sully!” Claire exclaimed, moving toward her husband.
Sully cupped his wife’s chin gently with his hand, tilted her head up, and planted a sound, thorough kiss on her waiting lips.”
Magdalena whirled back toward the windows, feeling like she was intruding on an intimate moment. The longing that flickered briefly through her belly surprised her. She didn’t want a man in her life. She didn’t!
“Please, Sully, join us,” Claire suggested breathlessly.
“I really should be going—“ Magdalena protested.
“No. Don’t leave, Magdalena. Claire has missed you and I’m leaving shortly to go back to my meetings. I’ll let you two—get back to your conversation.” He kissed Claire’s cheek, looked at Magdalena with a nod, then left.
Was that disdain she saw in his eyes, Magdalena wondered? Her eyes narrowed. She’d liked Sully, and was happy for her friend, but he’d never been clear on where he stood with the suffragette movement. How much of their conversation had he overheard?
Claire joined Mags by the window, taking her hand and pulling her back toward the settee. “Let’s see what we can do about this—two heads are better than one, yes?
”
Magdalena smiled gratefully. She always felt better when she had a chance to talk things through with Claire. Although both strong-willed and independent, Claire had a knack for problem-solving, and that was exactly what Magdalena needed.
* * *
“So it’s settled. I’ll write the sisters today. Sister Eloise told me they needed teachers for the orphans and was planning sessions in three-month increments. You have your degree and you’d be perfect for this. It will get you away from your father—and who knows—maybe you’ll find the man of your dreams and fall in love.” Claire’s blue eyes sparkled.
Magdalena rolled her eyes at Claire. “I have no intention of falling in love—now—or ever, but I think your idea is a good one. Maybe father and I just need a bit of time apart for him to see that I can make a difference in my life and I don’t need a husband to do it. I like it. You’re a genius!”
“I’m certain Mary would be happy for you to stay with her, and there’s a spare room at her house. You would also be welcome to stay with us when we’re in town. It’s closer to the orphanage, and it would be wonderful for us to have more time together!” Claire clapped her hands with glee.
“I’m not sure a newly wed couple needs me around as a guest,” Magdalena countered, pink appearing on each of her cheeks, “but it would be wonderful to see you more frequently.”
Claire’s cheeks flushed. “Don’t be silly. We would love to have you stay with us. Now you just have to convince your father that this is a good idea. I should know within the week if the sisters agree, and then we’ll get you on the next train to Bareglen Creek.”
FOUR
Magdalena stepped off the train.
“Magdalena! Magdalena, over here!” Mary Trost, Claire’s sister, called to the stunning, tall, honey-brown haired woman.
Magdalena searched the small crowd gathered at the train station, a smile lightening the exhaustion on her face when her eyes connected with Mary’s. The wind gusted, lifting her skirt, and she dropped her bag, focused on settling her skirt. “Mary!” She waved and turned back to grab her bag.
“Raphael,” Mary spoke to a young, dark-haired boy at her side, “please go help Miss Allen with her bags.”
“Yes, Mrs. Trost!” Raphael raced toward Magdalena, scurrying around people as though he were a draft horse navigating barrels.
“Raphael, slow down,” Mary yelled after him as he came to a screeching halt in front of Magdalena.
Magdalena’s eyes widened, “Well, hello! And who might you be?”
“Hi, Miss Allen, I’m Raphael and I’m here to help you with your baggage.”
“I see, well, if you can get the brown trunk over by the porter, I can carry this one. Do you think you can manage that?” Before she could utter another word, he was racing toward the porter at a full-out run.
Magdalena turned and made her way toward Mary, who could barely contain her laughter.
“He only has one speed,” Mary chuckled as her arms stretched, enveloping Magdalena in a hug. “It is so good to see you, my friend.”
“You, too,” Magdalena’s warm brown eyes sparkled into Mary’s before turning to check on Raphael’s progress. “Do you think he can manage—,” Magdalena’s voice choked.
Mary’s eyes shifted in the direction of Magdalena’s focus and then back to her with eyebrows raised. “Looks like Raphael has some help,” a knowing smile spreading on her face as she watched pink creep from Magdalena’s neck to her cheeks, “from the good doctor.”
“Humph. I’m quite certain Raphael could have managed.”
The women watched Doctor Holloway help the young boy lift the medium-sized trunk, Raphael struggling with his end. “Maybe, but Raphael loves Doc Holloway, and any and all contact with a good role model is important for him.”
Magdalena’s eyes were curious as she looked at Mary, but she refrained from questions as Raphael and Lance Holloway reached Mary’s side.
“Miss Allen,” Doc Holloway’s eyes connected with Magdalena’s brown eyes and roamed over her face before moving to Mary’s.
“Doctor,” Magdalena bristled, the pink in her cheeks deepening.
“Miss Mary, where would you like this?”
“In my wagon, thanks, Doc, and thank you, Raphael.” The child beamed under her praise.
Mary turned to lead the way toward the wagon and Magdalena followed.
“What are you doing here, Doctor?” Mary asked, curious what had brought him to the station.
He finished loading the trunk with Raphael’s help and turned, his eyes locked on hers. “I’m meeting Lee Jamison. He has a two-week break and decided to spend it with—me.”
It was Mary’s turn to look surprised as she dragged her eyes away from the doctor’s. “Oh, how nice,” but her voice was less than enthusiastic.
“I’ll take that for you, Miss Allen. What brings you to Bareglen Creek?” Lance Holloway turned his attention toward Magdalena, his eyes resting on the dark circles under her eyes. He reached for the bag in her hand, their fingers brushing, and Magdalena let go quickly, pulling her hand back as though his were hot coals.
“I’m here to teach at the orphanage—and thank you,” she managed before abruptly moving toward the seat at the front of the carriage.
“She’s just tired from her trip,” Mary offered as an excuse for her Magdalena’s abrupt response.
“Yes, I can see that.” His eyes watched Magdalena’s progress toward the front of the carriage, worry creasing his brow. “I’ll make sure Raphael gets back to the orphanage. Take Magdalena home. She needs rest.”
In true Doctor Holloway fashion, it wasn’t a request, it was a demand.
Mary bit her lip—hard. This was going to be a very interesting three months. “Thanks, Doc Holloway. I’ll do that.”
FIVE
“I’ve drawn you a bath, Magdalena,” Mary offered as she walked into the guest room of her small, modest farmhouse. She lifted her gaze to the bed and smiled. Magdalena was stretched out on the bed, fully clothed, and fast asleep.
Mary debated whether she should wake her to undress or simply leave her. She decided on the latter. It was mid-afternoon and a short nap might be just what Magdalena needed. If she slept beyond that, she would wake her for dinner. Grabbing a knit blanket from the rocking chair in the corner, she gently laid it over her sister’s friend, quietly closing the door behind her.
Mary walked into the farmyard, meeting her brother, Jim Hawarden, as he was making his way toward the house, raising her hand to stop him.
“Is Magdalena settled?” He asked.
“Yes, and Magdalena has fallen asleep,” Mary chuckled. “She’s completely exhausted from her trip, as we both can relate, so I’m letting her nap. Let’s get the chores done and then I’ll begin preparations for dinner.”
“Most of the chores are done, Mary. I started them early in anticipation of the fact that Magdalena would arrive today.” He paused, “I can finish them, why don’t you go inside and rest?” Mary was nothing if not determined and independent. After Mary’s husband’s death, Jim had come to Bareglen Creek to help her with the small farm she and Mike had started, and he’d yet to leave. Sometimes she felt guilty about it, but mostly she was grateful. There was no way she could manage it alone.
“It’s my farm, Jim. You don’t have to do the chores for me; in fact, I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”
He sighed. There was no point in continuing the argument they tended to repeat on at least a weekly—if not daily basis. “What else am I going to do?” He grinned mischievously. “We both know that if I make dinner, we’ll all go to bed starving,” he chuckled as Mary hit his arm, “and Doc Holloway said light chores will help me get stronger. You don’t want me to disobey the doctor do you?”
Mary’s eyes narrowed, and she knew her brother was manipulating the facts to get her to go back to the house and rest. Yes, Doc Holloway had told him that light chores would be good for him once he had recovered from a gunshot wou
nd that had nearly killed him, and yes, she appreciated the help, but it didn’t change the fact that this was her farm and her responsibility.
“No, obviously I don’t want you to disobey Doc Holloway—he saved your life—“ she fought to keep the tears that jumped into her eyes at bay, “yet I believe what he said was that they wouldn’t hurt you.” She raised her eyebrow in challenge.
Jim laughed. “It's good for me, sis. I feel myself getting stronger, and at the sake of sounding like a parrot, this farm is too much for one—“ he paused, “person.”
“You were going to say it is too much for a woman, weren’t you?” Her eyes narrowed at him.
“Yes, I was,” he agreed. “I’m sorry. I know you’re capable, but you know as well as I do that Doc has also told you not to overdo it.”
“He,” she emphasized by rolling her eyes, “tends to be overprotective.” Her eyes moved to the nearby corral where Colossal, the Texas longhorn was grazing, a faraway look in her eyes, but then turned back to Jim and sighed.
“All right. I’ll let you finish the remaining chores and I’ll get dinner preparations started, but don’t think this means that you can do this every day, Jim Hawarden.”
“No, Ma’am,” he grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
SIX
“Lee!” Lance Holloway greeted his long-time friend and former medical school classmate.
A wide grin split Lee Jamison’s face. He walked to the porter, picked up his bag, and strolled toward his friend. They shook hands and together left the station.
Lance’s office and home were less than five-hundred yards from the train station, and since Lee traveled light, there was no need to offer to help with the single bag he held in his hands.
“How’s Mary?” Lee asked.
Lance turned to his friend, his eyes assessing. “She’s good. She looks tired, but that’s par for the course with that farm of hers.” Lance paused. “She seems lighter, maybe happier since she’s returned from Claire and Sully’s wedding. Maybe that has to do with the fact that her sister will be a frequent visitor to Bareglen Creek, or maybe it has to do with the fact that her independent sister has finally found a man who can complete her…” Lance’s words trailed into silence then he added, “She knows you’re here.”
CHARMED Boxed Set 1, Hero Hearts Historical: Inspirational Western Romance Page 13