“If you keep worrying your lip like that, you’re bound to bite clear through,” Dr. Williams said.
Emmalyne looked at him in surprise. She couldn’t quite read his expression. “What?”
He shrugged. “Just a doctor’s observation, but the way you’re chewing on your lip can’t bode well. . . .” He shook his head and gave her a sad little smile. “I really had plans for you, Miss Knox.”
She was even more surprised. “Plans?”
“Yes, I had hoped to court you, Emmalyne. Ever since you dropped into my arms, I’d entertained pursuing your hand in marriage. I can see now, however, that you are in love with Tavin MacLachlan. I don’t know what all happened between the two of you, but I can tell he still has feelings for you, as well. So my question is this: Why are you two fighting the inevitable?”
Chapter 21
Emmalyne thought about Jason’s comments all that evening and into the next morning. She hadn’t explained the situation—there had been no time, for he’d no sooner asked that last question than she heard her father and brother approaching. She had given him a hasty promise to speak more about the matter at a later date before hurrying inside to help her mother.
Now, she was still contemplating Jason and his observations—about both Tavin and herself. Emmalyne was attracted to the doctor’s kindness and good character, and she found him very handsome. She would have enjoyed a courtship, had it not been for her feelings for Tavin and her parents’ tradition. Dr. Williams was the kind of man a woman would feel fortunate to have in her life. Emmalyne was grateful for their friendship.
But it was Tavin who held her heart. The comments Dr. Williams had made were most intriguing to her. He wasn’t the first to suggest that Tavin still had feelings for her, and if the doctor could recognize it, then there was little doubt others could. Especially her father. The thought of what he might say or do made her stomach lurch. It was best to put such thoughts out of her mind. She turned her attention to the dishes that needed washing.
“Emmalyne, I’m going to the hen house to collect the eggs,” her mother announced. “I’ll see the chickens fed and watered.”
“Thank you, Mother. I was just about to wash up the morning dishes.” Emmalyne tested the hot soapy water to make sure it wouldn’t scald her, amazed at her mother’s return to health . . . body, soul, and spirit.
“Maybe we can finish up those baskets today,” her mother suggested. She paused at the back door. “Who knows, perhaps we can get into town and see about selling them. That would give us a little extra spending money. You could use some new clothes, daughter.”
“My clothes are fine, Mother.”
The older woman smiled in a knowing way. “You wouldn’t want to shame your family when you go helping out at the MacLachlan house.” She left the kitchen before Emmalyne could reply.
Emmalyne added dishes to the water and let them soak while she wiped down the dining room table. Mother’s comment was so out of character. Why did she care what Emmalyne looked like? Her mother knew full well that Morna wouldn’t care, and if she had in mind to fancy Emmalyne up for Tavin . . . well, Mother knew as well as Emmalyne that nothing could come of it.
Once the table was clean and shining, Emmalyne spread out a freshly pressed linen tablecloth. It was one of her mother’s favorites and had been in the family for generations. Emmalyne ran her hand over the smooth cloth and its lovely embroidery. When she’d been a girl she’d dreamed of inheriting such things for her own family. Emmalyne lifted her shoulders, took a deep breath, and fought back the urge to cry. There was no need for tears. They wouldn’t change anything.
Emmalyne was up to her elbows in soapy water and dishes when she heard the approach of horses. She hurried to wipe her arms dry before going to the front door. They were so isolated out here that they could hear the approach of visitors well before their arrival. She waited and watched the road, knowing it was possible whoever it was might pass by and head on to the MacLachlans’.
She was rather surprised to find Dr. Williams riding up on horseback, leading a fully saddled bay gelding. She stepped out onto the porch and tipped her head to one side as Jason halted the horses at the end of the walkway.
“Are you afraid the first horse will tire out?” she quipped with a smile.
“Good morning to you, Miss Knox.” He tied off the mounts and made his way to the porch. “I come bearing a gift.”
“A gift?” She looked at the horses and shook her head. “What gift?”
“The extra horse. I have purchased it, and I thought to bring it to you for your use. I know you will be traveling back and forth to the MacLachlan place, and I figured you might need it.” He held up his hand as she started to protest. “I know you are quite healthy and capable of the walk, but this will add precious hours to your day. You can cut your travel time considerably, and that in turn will give you more time at home as well as at the MacLachlans’.”
“But—”
He put a finger to her lips. “Furthermore, you won’t have to hitch rides into town. Should Fenella get ill or have another situation occur like the other day, it won’t be so difficult to get into town. You can simply ride old Buster here.” He waved to the bay, then turned to her in a somewhat abrupt manner. “You do ride, don’t you?”
“I do. That, however, is not at issue here,” Emmalyne said, feeling self-conscious with her sleeves rolled up and apron still on. She smoothed the material of her sleeves down and tried to pretend it wasn’t bothering her.
“Then what is the issue, may I ask?”
She met his warm gaze and continued to button her sleeves. “I appreciate your consideration, but I cannot accept such a gift from you. My father would never understand, even with your kind explanation. He would never spare the money for feed, either. No, I’m sorry, but you must take the horse back.”
Dr. Williams shook his head. “I realized something yesterday.”
Emmalyne felt her frustration mounting. “And what would that be?”
“I realized that I care more about your happiness than my own. Call me a glutton for punishment, but I intend to see you and the rather inhospitable Mr. MacLachlan back together.” He gave her an impish grin. “I’m a hopeless romantic.”
“That can’t happen,” Emmalyne said flatly, refusing to fall in with his lighthearted demeanor. “I’m sorry you made a trip here for nothing.” She turned to step back into the house, but Jason’s words stopped her.
“Look, I don’t know what the problem is, but I truly believe you and Tavin were meant for each other. Now, you must realize that this epiphany hasn’t been easy for me. I am dealing with a very disappointed heart at the moment. However, I am no fool. You two belong together.”
“I don’t deny that,” she said sadly. “I do deny the possibility of it happening.”
“But why on earth not?”
She looked at the horse and drew a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, she made up her mind to tell Dr. Williams about the tradition. “Maybe you should step inside. There are some things I need to tell you. It will help you to understand the impossibility of my situation.”
That evening Emmalyne sat silently while her mother chatted with Angus about his day. Father, though, dug at his shepherd’s pie as though the thing might well rise up and attack him at any moment. He was clearly unhappy about something, but there was nothing new about that. Unfortunately, it made what she had to say all the harder. She tried to think how she might explain Jason Williams’s gift. The beast was tied up to graze behind the barn down by the stream. He would have enough food and water for the present, or so Dr. Williams figured. He had assured Emmalyne that he would return with feed to see the animal through the next two weeks. After that they could revisit her need for the horse.
She knew her mother had no plans to tell Father about Emmalyne’s new duties, but the discovery of the horse would make it difficult to keep the secret. Father often took a stroll down by the “burn,” as he called it, to cl
ear his head. If he did that this evening, he would see the horse and know that something was afoot. Be that as it may, Emmalyne still hoped she could find a way to lessen the severity of her father’s displeasure, maybe even convince him of the merit of this loan from the good doctor.
“The horses respond well to me now,” Angus was explaining to their mother. “I thought since I was away so long they would be difficult, but they are handling it quite well. I seem to have a way with them.”
“I’m so glad to hear it. And you like what you’re doing?” Mother asked.
“Very much so. I hadn’t thought to work with a team before, but now I’m considering how it might be a good investment to purchase my own. If I save my money, I could buy a strong draft team and hire out to transport freight. There’s good money to be made.”
Father gave a disgruntled snort. “Always lookin’ to greener grasses. Ye’d do well to stop yer dreamin’ and focus on the job at hand.” He drank down the rest of his coffee and held the cup out to Mother for refilling.
Emmalyne thought now might be the time for her to interject her news. “Speaking of horses, I was surprised today with a horse.” She met her father’s shocked stare and hurried on. “Dr. Williams thought it would be good for us to have a mount here at the house. You know, in case something happened to Mother . . . and to be able to get back and forth to town.” She thought her words sounded rather lame by the end of her announcement.
“We’ve no money for a horse, and ye cannae be takin’ such a gift from a man.” Her father snatched the refilled cup and slammed it down. Coffee sloshed onto Mother’s beautiful linen tablecloth. “I grow awful weary of folks interferin’ with ma family.” His Scottish brogue thickened and his r’s rolled heavily. “Reasonable folk would understand.” He blew out a breath and turned his attention back to the meal as if the matter were completely settled.
To Emmalyne’s surprise, her mother firmly put down her fork and looked directly at her husband. “I believe the good doctor was kind in the offering,” she said. “I think it wise that we have a mount. When you are gone and the wagon and horse are with you, there is no hope for us should there be an emergency.”
“Wheesht, woman! Yer nae the man of this hoose. It costs a guid amount of coin for the feed and care of such a beast. We donnae need another horse.”
“Dr. Williams has provided for the feed, as well,” Emmalyne said in as nonchalant a manner as she could muster. “Would you like another bannock, Father?” She held out the plate of biscuits, hoping it would distract him.
“I’ll nae allow it!” Father slammed his fist on the table, causing all the china to clatter.
“You will allow it,” Mother stated, standing to her feet. “Emmalyne needs the beast to make her way back and forth to the MacLachlan place. I’ve agreed to let her help Morna for a spell. Morna is near to exhaustion with . . .”
Emmalyne lost the thread of the conversation as she nearly choked on her bite of buttered bannock. The last thing she had expected was for her mother to let the cat out of the bag with such a declaration. What was she thinking? Emmalyne fixed her gaze on her mother, unwilling to face the wrath that was sure to be upon her father’s face.
But Mother was acting as though nothing were amiss. “. . . and you know their poor daughter Fenella hasn’t been well since she lost her husband. The lass has suffered a complete nervous disruption. She’s all but worn out Morna, what with the care she needs and that of Fenella’s two wee lads.” Mother sat down again. Emmalyne dared a side glance at her father. She could see that his face had reddened, but he seemed to have lost the ability to speak. Angus took that opportunity to add his thoughts on the matter.
“I think it’s great that Emmy can go and help them. I’m sure it will ease Mr. MacLachlan’s mind, and the horse will make it a whole lot easier for Emmy to get there and home.” He took another portion of the shepherd’s pie and lifted a forkful to his mouth.
Mother nodded and smiled at Emmalyne. “Morna was so good to us all those years ago. I doubt I could have gotten through losing . . . Well, she was a great comfort. I know Emmalyne will be a great help to Morna because she’s been so useful to me.”
Father finally found his voice. “And that is what she’s expected to be,” he roared. “She’s here for our care, nae our neighbors.”
To Emmalyne’s surprise, Mother was undaunted. “They won’t need her for long. Fenella is to go to a special home where the doctors can help her regain her mind. It’s the Christian thing for us to help as we can until that occurs.”
“Christian? Ye wimen are always bletherin’ about religion to excuse yer actions.”
Mother folded her hands and raised her chin. “The Bible makes it clear.”
“Ye forget yerself, woman!” This time it was Father who rose from the table to stand at his place. “Who are ye to tell me what’s in the Guid Beuk? Emmalyne’s duty is to us. ’Tis the tradition that we agreed upon long ago.”
“Well, I don’t agree with it any longer,” Mother said. She sat calmly, looking at Luthias without even a hint of nervousness or fear in her expression.
Emmalyne thought she might be dreaming. She’d never seen her mother stand up to Father in this way. What was Mother thinking? She had to know this would only serve to make Father angrier. Emmalyne looked to Angus, searching his face for an explanation of this extraordinary turn of events. He only shrugged.
“I do believe, Luthias, that we made a mistake in denying Emmalyne her marriage to Tavin. ’Twas selfish of us, and I believe God would have us make matters right.”
Emmalyne’s heart nearly stopped, and this time she couldn’t help but look to her father for his reaction. To her amazement he simply stood stock-still, staring into the distance, his icy blue eyes narrow slits, his jaw clenched tight.
“I don’t want the tradition to continue at the price of Emmalyne’s happiness,” Mother said quietly. “She’s been a good and honorable daughter to us, but I can see her heart is still with Tavin MacLachlan and his is with her. I would see them together.”
“I would, too,” Angus declared, seeming to have taken new courage from his mother.
“So ye’ve conspired against me. The devil has played his hand in ma hoose and won!” Father knocked the chair backward with a growl and stormed from the room.
Emmalyne shook her head and looked at her mother. “Mother, dear Mother . . . but why did you say those things to him?”
“Because they are true,” she replied, hands folded on the table. “I’ve had plenty of time to think on this. A good deal of my heartbreak has been because of the problems we caused for you and Tavin. Seeing the two of you together again made me realize what a mistake it has been to keep you apart. You two should never have been separated.”
“But, Mother, I won’t have this come between you and Father.” Emmalyne felt heartsick. She had wanted to see her family knit back together. She’d hoped her father would learn to love and to seek God. Now she feared this would drive him even further away.
“It came between us a long time ago,” Mother said, looking more determined than Emmalyne had ever seen her. “I should have stood my ground when your father blamed me for what happened to his family. Don’t fret over this, Emmalyne. Nor you, Angus. ’Tis time for your father and I to deal with the ghosts of the past.”
“I’ll go speak to him,” Emmalyne offered. She got to her feet. “He needs to know that no matter what, I will always be here for you both.”
“Speak to him if you must,” her mother replied. “He’ll not be in much of a mood to hear it, however.”
“I’ll take that chance. I am trying so hard to show him gentleness and respect. Love. I’m sure he thinks we’re all against him—even hate him. But that isn’t true.”
“No, it’s not true,” Mother agreed, “but he does need to face what he’s done and be responsible for it.” Nodding, Emmalyne took her leave.
Her mother’s words echoed through her head as she slowly walke
d to the barn. She felt certain this was the only place her father would go, and she was right. The dim light from a single lantern showed him sitting at the grinding stone, completely still. His hands were empty, and he was obviously deep in thought.
“Father.” She whispered the word and drew near him. Kneeling beside him, Emmalyne touched his arm. “Father, please hear me.”
She expected his wrath, perhaps even the back of his hand, but instead he looked defeated. When he said nothing, Emmalyne took this as his agreement to hear her.
“Father, I will never allow you or Mother to be left alone. I will always take care of you. No matter what. I love you. I love you both. Do you understand that?”
Still he said nothing. He just faced the grinding stone with the same vacant stare. Emmalyne stroked his forearm, feeling the strength and warmth of it. Her father had always been a good provider, and now that he was moving up in years, she knew he wanted only to know that he could continue to care for them.
“I’ve long thought about our earlier talk here in the barn. I’ve prayed about my heart and my words. I want to please you and to be useful to you. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be useful to others, as well. Fenella was my dearest friend at one time. Now she only has a vague memory of those years. She doesn’t know me when she sees me, and she very nearly brought an end to her life yesterday. Mrs. MacLachlan’s strength is giving out. She can’t keep up with Fenella’s needs and those of her grandsons, too. Not to mention the duties of the house. She’s near to collapse, the doctor says. I know you wouldn’t want ill to befall her. You know how hard it would be on Mr. MacLachlan and . . . the others.”
“Ye mean yer Tavin.” Still he didn’t look at her.
She shrugged. “Tavin and anyone else who relies on Mrs. MacLachlan. Gillam and his wife are expecting a baby. They will need her to help, because Irene’s mother has passed on.
“Father, I don’t pretend to know what the future holds or how God intends to see it managed, but I do know that He is faithful, and we can believe His Word. Father, I know your heart is heavy, but please . . . for the sake of the love you once held for us . . . please make peace with God. He loves you dearly.”
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