Healing Woman of the Red Rocks

by Verna Clay

  "And what was your conclusion about those stories?"

  Tana lowered her head from staring at the sky and turned to face him. Her expression changed to one of sadness. "My conclusion…" She waved her hand to encompass the silhouette of trees bathed in moonlight. "…is that one day this valley will become settled by pioneers, which means the wee ones and animal spirits, as well as the land, will be sacrificed in the name of progress. Animals will die, trees will be cut, and lawmen will become necessary for keeping the peace. Rivers will lose their freedom to dams. The native population will be driven onto reservations. It is the way of progress."

  "Or greed?"

  "Yes, greed."

  Thomas pondered her words. "Not all progress is bad."

  "No, it's not. Without it, we would remain in the dark ages. But the cause and affect I just recounted is inevitable. If there is an answer, I don't know what it is. Do you?"

  Thomas thought a moment and then replied, "I doubt there is an answer. Perhaps the solution is to live each moment as if it were the last and enjoy what is now."

  "And what happens when that moment is no longer enjoyable?"

  "Then you either accept it or work to change it."

  Tana said, "Then I suggest we enjoy this evening to its fullest."

  Thomas chuckled, "I couldn't agree more. Let's leave the philosophical talk for another time. I have another question for you."

  Tana smiled. "You want to know why I haven't done more to treat your daughter's illness."

  "How do you read my mind so well?"

  "I didn't read your mind. I only asked what a trained doctor would ask."

  "And how does the healing woman respond to that question."

  The moonlight reflected off the smile Tana gifted him with, and her eyes sparkled. "I would say that healing is more than potions and examinations. There is an element that begins in the soul. Your daughter must want to live."

  "What!" The question startled Thomas. "Are you suggesting my daughter doesn't want to live?"

  "Not exactly. I'm saying that Amy has a hole in her heart as big as the one in yours. And broken hearts weaken the physical body and wreck havoc on the emotions. Amy's soul is navigating through a dark tunnel and doesn't know whether it wants to stay or leave."

  "You mean die?" Thomas asked with resentment.

  "Yes, I mean die."

  "So how are you helping her by doing nothing?"

  Tana sighed. "It's only your misperception that believes I'm doing nothing. I'm actually guiding her through that tunnel. I'm showing her reasons to live."

  "And what are those reasons?"

  Unexpectedly, Tana left her rocker and knelt in front of him. Laying her hands atop his, she lifted her eyes to roam his face. "I'm teaching her to do what you spoke of earlier—live in the moment, enjoy the beauty around her, and if the moment changes, to either accept what is, or work to make it beautiful again. Every moment is a paradox of the past becoming the future."

  Tana's hands felt warm atop Thomas' and he wasn't ready for her to leave. He turned his hands over until their palms touched and then he curled his fingers around hers. In a gentle voice he said, "I want to kiss you, Tana."

  She lowered her lashes and a second later lifted them again. "I've never been kissed by a man."

  "May I be the first?"

  "Yes."

  Thomas slowly lowered his head until their lips touched. He felt the soft release of her breath and some of the brokenness in his heart lifted, allowing her sweetness to enter. For an instant only that moment existed.

  Tana leaned back, disentangled her hands from his, and said, "Goodnight, Thomas. Tomorrow I'll start Amy on a new elixir."

  26: Spirit Tree

  Tana lay in bed and touched her fingers to her lips, closed her eyes, and relived Thomas' kiss. Even now, her heart pounded with the remembrance. Frannie's words echoed in her ears. He's the one who will make you cry. And also, You must be patient with him, Tana. Teach him.

  The next morning she rose early and searched her cabinet for the elixir she'd spoken of the night before. Clasping it with both hands she whispered a prayer for Amy and blessed the liquid. She turned to see Thomas in his doorway watching her. He didn't say anything, but she knew he was remembering their kiss, as was she.

  She brought the elixir to the table and set it in the center. "This will strengthen Amy."

  Thomas stepped forward and asked, "What is it?"

  "As a medical doctor, you'll scoff, so I choose not to reveal the contents."

  "Tana, if there's one thing I've learned these past two weeks, it's that you never do anything worthy of ridicule. I won't scoff."

  She walked to the cupboard and lifted two mugs for their morning coffee. Setting the mugs on the table, she studied Thomas' eyes and knew he was sincere. "After the coffee is made, we'll sit here and I'll explain the elixir to you."

  Two hours later, Amy finished breakfast and Tana poured a glass of the clear liquid that would strengthen her body. Although Thomas had not scoffed, she had seen doubt in his eyes. His doubt hurt more than she could have imagined. She craved his trust and belief in her.

  Amy handed her the empty glass. "All done, Miss Tana."

  Remembering Frannie's admonishment to teach, Tana said, "Thomas, Amy, would you like me to show you the Spirit Tree?"

  Amy said, "Oh, yes!"

  Thomas studied her face and she could see his curiosity when he replied, "Yes. I'd like that."

  Tana retrieved a large empty basket from the floor and placed several empty jars from her cupboard in it. Then she opened her cabinet and lifted a drawstring leather pouch from the bottom shelf, also placing it in the basket. Thomas watched her movements, but made no comment.

  Amy said, "Are you going to make some more medicine?"

  "Yes, I am," Tana chuckled. She walked to the door and said, "We'll go to the spring for water first."

  The path to a natural spring with water bubbling to the surface was about a ten minute walk. On the way, Tana sang an old Irish tune she had been teaching Amy, and encouraged her to join in. The child loved to sing, so there was no hesitation or embarrassment as she lifted her lovely voice to harmonize with Tana's. The two of them held hands as they trekked forward.

  Soon they reached the spring and grinned at each other when they finished the song. Tana smiled at Thomas and set her basket on the ground, kneeling beside it. His expression was contemplative. She unscrewed the lid of a jar and handed it to Amy. "Amy, we need to fill all these jars with this special water."

  "Why is it special?" asked Amy.

  "Because it's been living in mother earth for a long, long time and that means it's passed through many layers of rocks, and rocks help people heal." She glanced at Thomas again and saw skepticism. Ignoring his doubt, she unscrewed another jar and handed it to him. "Everyone has to fill a jar." His lips tilted upward in a smile even while his eyebrows rose, questioning her belief.

  After the jars were full and placed back in the basket, Tana said, "Now we'll go to the Spirit Tree."

  Amy placed her small hand in Tana's free one and the simple gesture sent waves of love through Tana. They continued along the trail that brought them back to the creek. Sometimes the path followed the waterway and sometimes it winded away from it into pine or cypress groves. Often it skirted large boulders and fallen trees whose decaying wood slowly nourished the earth that had once nourished the tree. After fifteen minutes the trail ended at the bank of the creek and a few yards from the water an ancient oak rose in stately grace, its twisted roots exposed by innumerable overflows. Tana perched on one of the roots and motioned for Amy and Thomas to join her.

  When the three of them faced each other, she reached into her basket and retrieved the leather pouch. Pulling the drawstring open, she emptied the contents onto her lap. Amy's eyes widened at the colorful and varied stones. Thomas' eyes revealed amusement. She grinned and lifted a pink stone. "This is rose quartz and it's useful for healing broken hearts." She
met Thomas' gaze again and handed the stone to him. He hesitated before accepting it. She reached for another stone. "And this is lapis. It helps remove confusion and…" she winked at Amy, "solves mysteries." She handed the brilliant blue stone to Amy.

  Riffling through the stones in her lap, she selected a blue-green one. "This is turquoise and it helps us learn spiritual lessons." She selected several more and gave short descriptions. Finally she said, "Now we need to drop the stones in the jars of water and plant them in the roots of the Spirit Tree."

  Amy's eyes widened and she reverently asked, "Why, Miss Tana?"

  Tana smiled. "So the wise old tree can add wisdom to the water."

  Tana met Thomas's gaze and saw his incredulity. She glanced back at Amy and the trust in her eyes alleviated some of the hurt caused by Thomas' disbelief. Together they placed each jar deep within the roots of the tree, with Thomas quietly participating. Little was said as they returned home.

  A few days later while Tana poured beans into a pot to soak, Thomas said to Amy, "How would you like to help me feed and water the animals?"

  "Can I hold one of the baby rabbits, Papa?"

  Thomas met Tana's gaze. "Only if it's all right with Miss Tana."

  Tana grinned and said, "Yes, you can hold them, but not for long. They're still quite small." Amy clapped her hands in delight and followed her father to the barn.

  The first week of his arrival Thomas had taken over the chore of feeding and watering the animals while Tana treated their wounds and illnesses. His help was much appreciated and she knew it was his way of repaying her for helping his daughter, even if he was skeptical of her skill.

  Soon Tana joined them and began another round of checking on her charges. Often, she felt Thomas watching her. It was while she was changing the dressing of her latest patient, a javelina with gashes from a recent altercation, that Warrior suddenly became alert. "Someone is coming," she said to Thomas and Amy.

  Thomas started for his rifle, but Tana said sharply, "No. It won't be necessary."

  "How can you know that?" he asked just as sharply.

  She met his gaze and said without apology, "I don't know how I know. I just do." She watched Thomas grind his jaw and recognized indecision in his eyes. Softly, she said, "Trust me, Thomas."

  Suddenly a voice yelled out. "Hello! Is anyone home? My name is George Rothrock and I'm looking for Thomas and Amy Matthews."

  Amy said, "Papa, it's our friend the photographer. Miss Tana, come meet Mr. Rothrock. He takes beautiful pictures." She ran toward the barn entrance.

  Tana removed her gaze from Thomas' and hurried after Amy. She glanced back at him and said excitedly, "I've never met a photographer. It's wonderful that he's come to see you."

  Thomas remained in the barn to compose his thoughts. He knew he'd hurt Tana again by not trusting her. But dammit, how could she know their visitor wasn't a danger. Only a few days before he'd seen that same look in her eyes when he couldn't fathom that stones in jars of spring water left overnight in the roots of a "Spirit Tree" had healing qualities.

  Inhaling and exhaling a few times, he listened to the greetings outside the barn and then went to welcome George. "Hello, George. It's good to see you again. Did you already go to Flagstaff?"

  "I did and I was on my way back to Phoenix. But I decided it would be foolish to be this close to the red rocks and not take the opportunity to photograph them. It may be months or years before I return, and since you described the landmarks you were following, I figured I'd try to find you."

  Thomas said to Tana, "We met George on the trail and he was kind enough to share his campsite with us."

  Tana smiled warmly. "Since you're Thomas and Amy's friend, you must stay with us. There's a room at the back of the barn."

  George smiled, looked past Tana at the barn, and then took a step backward. His expression of friendliness was replaced by fear. "God help us! There's a wolf behind you!"

  Amy grinned. "Oh, that's Warrior. He watches over us."

  George's expression turned to one of confusion and Thomas interjected, "There's nothing to fear, George. Warrior and his pack protect Tana."

  George cast incredulous eyes on Thomas and then Tana. Tana met Thomas' gaze and he read her thoughts. If you believe a wolf and his pack protect me, why can't you believe in me?

  27: Portraiture

  The evening of George's arrival Tana marveled over his photographs. She had no photographs of her family and it saddened her. She had sketches of them, but photography was a wonderful invention. When George showed her the pictures he had taken of the red rocks, her breath hitched. His talent for capturing a moment in time was incredible. In a spontaneous gesture she offered to take him the next day to a place she knew had a splendid view. They would have to trek for a couple of hours, but the overlook would be worth the effort. Thomas remained silent when she said it would be a fun outing for everyone and she cast him a glance.

  He said, "I'll stay here with Amy."

  Tana saw Amy's disappointment and decided to talk with Thomas privately.

  The next morning while George and Amy were outside feeding the hens, she sat across from Thomas at the table. "You and Amy should come with us."

  "I don't think she's strong enough."

  "She traveled here with you."

  "Yes and the journey weakened her. She's been showing improvement and I don't want to compromise that."

  "You still don't believe in me, do you? Do you think I would suggest anything harmful to Amy?"

  Thomas frowned. "Of course not. What you've done has helped tremendously, but she's not out of the woods. Just yesterday she had a dizzy spell."

  "But she didn't fall down."

  "No. But I still think it'd be best if we remained behind."

  "Thomas, sometimes being too protective removes the joy of life, and losing one's joy is detrimental to one's health."

  Rather than continue arguing with him, Tana pushed her chair back and left the cabin.

  Thomas held Petunia's lead and followed Tana and George to the crest of an overlook. Amy, as well as George's equipment, was loaded onto Petunia. His daughter's happy expression made him glad he'd changed his mind about staying behind. He had to admit the jaunt was a wonderful break from their daily routine.

  He heard George proclaim, "This is a photographer's dream!" And to emphasize his delight, he threw his arms out as though embracing the sky. "We're at the top of the world, my friends!"

  Thomas guided Petunia until they were beside George and Tana, and quipped, "I suppose that means you'd like your equipment unloaded as soon as possible."

  George smiled broadly. "I'm an open book, sir. You've read my mind."

  "It wasn't difficult, George," Thomas laughed.

  Thomas lifted Amy off the mule and admonished, "Stay beside Tana, honey."

  "I will, Papa."

  Tana clasped Amy's hand and pointed toward a group of boulders. "On the other side of those rocks is a clearing that will be perfect for our picnic." She glanced at Thomas. "May I take Amy there?"

  "Yes. That's a good idea. I'll bring Petunia over after I unload George's equipment so we can unpack the food."

  Tana and Amy both laughed so gaily that Thomas felt embarrassed by his ill-temper that morning. They had all needed this outing.

  Soon George was happily deciding which direction he wanted to point his camera first while Thomas led the mule to where Tana and Amy waited. They unloaded their picnic feast and then rejoined George on the ridge to watch him take his first photo. When the sun reached its pinnacle Tana suggested they eat. They happily gorged on boiled eggs and potatoes, jerky, pickled beets, and fresh bread slathered in wild berry jam. Afterward, Tana and Amy lazed on a blanket while Thomas and George leaned against boulders quietly discussing the past two decades of westward expansion.

  George said, "The railroads have made substantial progress in opening up new territory. I believe that before we reach the twentieth century the entire continent will b
e accessible, including Canada and Mexico."

  "I agree. And from what I've read, Mr. Pullman has made great strides in the redesign of coaches to make traveling more comfortable."

  George chuckled. "And Mr. Pullman should receive a medal for that. I once road a short line in California that was almost as crowded and uncomfortable as a stagecoach. If not for the speed of trains–" he chuckled again, "–when they're not broken down or stopping to refill the water tender, I'd almost be persuaded to avoid them."

  There was a lull in the conversation and then George said, "I want to take a portraiture of the three of you at the crest of the ridge. It will be a fantastic picture with the monuments in the background."

  Amy clapped her hands. "Papa, can we?"

  Thomas glanced at Tana and lifted his eyebrows, questioning her.

  Her expression was just as excited as Amy's. She said in a breathless voice, "I've never had my picture taken."

  Thomas grinned at George. "Looks like it's unanimous, my friend."

  George pushed away from the boulder. "I'll set up the camera. Come over when you're ready."

  Tana and Amy had already begun clearing the picnic feast and Thomas said to George, "We'll be there in a few minutes."

  Although Thomas watched his daughter for signs of fatigue as she busied herself helping Tana, he saw none; only excitement. He moved his gaze to Tana. She was an amazing woman and his thoughts returned to their kiss under the stars. It had been soft and sweet, but at the same time thrilling. Thomas hadn't believed he could feel that way about a woman again—and there lay the crux of his problem. As Tana had so eloquently explained, she was woven into the land. He wasn't. He was a doctor with a practice in Globe. Now, in the light of day, he wished he hadn't been caught up in the magic of the stars. He wished he'd never kissed her. He didn't want to have feelings, other than friendship, for a woman who lived in the wilderness and claimed to speak with dead relatives; a woman who used stones for healing; a woman who had an eerie ability with animals; a woman whose medicinal treatments were so contrary to his. He could never treat patients with stone elixirs. Yes, he wanted to remarry so Amy would have a mother and he a companion, but he also wanted a wife who would support his medical practice, and Tana could never do that. Although not diametrically opposed to modern medicine; she didn't fully embrace it. Thomas had been taught to treat the physical body. Tana, to some extent, ignored the physical body and focused on the intangible—the heart and soul of the person—and although she seemed to have success on the few people who, in desperation sought her out, his patients would never accept her.