Trusting Grace

by Maggie Brendan

  Sarah sneezed and wiped her nose on the back of her sleeve.

  “Then go to my bureau and bring your sister a handkerchief,” Grace added with concern.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Becky scurried out, letting the menfolk back into the kitchen.

  “Grace, I’ll fix the tea. You sit down and let Robert wrap that ankle,” her father ordered.

  Grace did as she was told, then looked down to see her foot had indeed swollen, but not too badly. She propped it up on a footstool and Robert began wrapping it. When he was done, he stood back and looked. “Try standing now and see if that gives you some support. I’ve seen worse sprains and bruises, but still I know it hurts.”

  Grace found that she was able to stand and walk without too much pain, so she returned to her chair. Tom had the fire going and the room was warming up.

  “Here you go.” Owen walked slowly over and handed Sarah and Grace mugs of steaming hot tea. “That’ll warm your insides.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Owen,” Sarah said, taking the mug to warm her hands. Becky wouldn’t leave her side.

  “Gosh, who’s going to fix our lunch now?” Tom looked around. “I’m pretty hungry.”

  “You and I will, Tom. It’s time you got a little working knowledge of the kitchen,” Robert teased. “If you’ll tell me what you were going to have, Grace, we can get started.”

  “I’m not totally incapacitated.” Grace started to rise, but Robert gently laid his hands on top of her shoulders.

  “No, you aren’t, but you do need to stay off of your foot a couple of days to help with healing and swelling.”

  “Yes, sir!” Grace saluted and the girls giggled.

  When lunch, which consisted of leftover chicken soup, was over and chores finished for the day, Robert told the children that it was time to leave.

  “Oh, Papa. Can’t we stay here tonight with Miss Grace?” Becky pressed. “Sarah is tired.”

  “Please, can we?” Sarah whined. “Besides, I have one of Grace’s nightgowns on.”

  “I can wait on Miss Grace while she rests her foot,” Becky added with a smile directed at Grace.

  Robert paused a moment to think through their request. He was struck with the realization the outcome could have been terrible—and he really did care for the children. Flashing a look at Grace, he quirked an eyebrow and she nodded her agreement.

  “It might be best, Robert. She was in the icy water for a while.”

  Robert suddenly noticed how pretty and dewy-fresh Grace’s skin looked. The towel-dried hair falling about her shoulders in curls made her appear at this moment much younger than her years. He dragged his eyes away and looked at his daughters. “All right. You two can stay. I’ll be back in the morning.”

  “Yippee!” the girls shouted in unison.

  “Okay, it’s settled. Tom, let’s go. I have work to do for Eli and so do you.”

  Owen followed Robert to the door. “Thanks for letting the girls stay, Robert. Grace loves having them around.”

  Robert paused, his hand on the doorknob. “I think I see that now. I’ll bring them a change of clothes when I come to work in the morning. I think Sarah is fine, but send Becky for me if something changes,” he said wearily.

  “I will. Don’t worry about a thing here. See you tomorrow.”

  ———

  Owen waited until they left, then returned to the kitchen. “How about a game of checkers, Becky, while we let those two rest?” He motioned to the sleeping Sarah curled up with her blanket in the chair. His daughter was content to have them back in her home again. He was so glad that Sarah had been rescued from the river’s clutches. He’d already grown fond of the children and privately hoped that his daughter and Robert might grow to care for one another. Owen was a good judge of character, and after observing Robert the last couple months, he was convinced he was a good, stable person. Just the kind that Grace needed.

  27

  Eli’s store was filled with customers by the time Robert and Tom arrived shortly after lunch. Miners, farmers, and more—all waiting to be helped.

  Eli looked flustered. “I’m so happy to see both of you.” He handed Tom and Robert separate lists. “I’ve got customers waiting for these items, so see if you can rustle these up while I attend to others.” He hurried off to help the next customer in line.

  Tom shrugged. “I’m not sure if I know what some of this stuff is.” He frowned as he scanned the paper.

  “We’ll find it together. It can’t be that hard. Most of the building supplies will be located in one place. Come on. Let’s see if we can make a dent in this for Eli.”

  After a few hours, Robert decided that he and Tom had more than earned their salary for the day. There was barely a minute to take a break between customers, but Eli made sure when there was a slight lull, they stopped long enough to have a cup of fresh coffee and some gingersnaps Dorothy had baked. Robert let Tom have some coffee too. He figured if he was man enough to work as hard as he was, then he was old enough to drink coffee.

  “The cookies are scrumptious!” Tom gobbled down three in the time that it took Robert to eat one.

  “I believe Tom has a hollow leg, Robert.” Eli chuckled, then downed the rest of his coffee.

  “I think that’s called a growing spurt,” Robert surmised.

  “I’m always hungry. I can tell you that.” Tom smiled up at them.

  “Changing the subject, I’m running low on supplies.” Eli’s smile was replaced with seriousness. “My last two shipments haven’t showed up, so I wired my supplier, who told me they were shipped and signed off on. I don’t know what to make of that.”

  “Then you need to ask him to produce the signed copy,” Robert urged.

  “You’re right, I never thought of that. I just kept waiting for them to show up. Never know if a wagon broke down, or if they ran into those hostile Indians I keep hearing rumors about.”

  “Why not telegraph him and ask him to send you a copy of the shipping label? You could do it now. Me and Tom will take care of things for you.”

  “Good idea,” Eli said, removing his apron. “I’ll only be gone a few minutes.” He rushed out the door.

  A few minutes later, Robert saw Virginia enter the store. “Tom, why don’t you take the cups back to the kitchen?”

  While Tom gathered up the empty plate and mugs, Robert advanced toward Virginia. “Miss Virginia, what can I help you with today?”

  She looked at him with her usual friendly smile. “Hello, Robert. Grace told me you would soon be working here, but I must admit I’m somewhat surprised that you’ve left her with a load to bear, what with the potato crop and all.”

  Robert grimaced. So Grace’s talked to her about me. “I haven’t abandoned her. I’ll do as much as I can to help when harvesttime comes. I couldn’t ask her for an increase in pay, but I needed more income with three others to care for.” Why am I explaining myself to her?

  She blinked. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that as a condemnation. I do understand. You are to be commended for trying to single-handedly raise three children. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Her soft Southern way of speaking could warm the coldest of hearts. “Where’s Eli?”

  “He’ll return momentarily. He had an errand to attend to, and I told him I would watch over things.”

  “I see. I wondered if the fabric I ordered for the nursery had arrived. Do you think you could check for me?”

  “I’ll be happy to. Follow me to the counter where Eli keeps his orders and we’ll see about it.” Robert strode in the direction of the counter. He lifted the pile of shipping orders, shuffling through the stack. Shaking his head he said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t see it here, Miss Virginia.” He wasn’t about to mention the missing shipments.

  She blinked. “I don’t understand. I ordered it weeks ago. It’s for the nursery.”

  Robert’s eyes discreetly traveled down to her midsection. She indeed was showing signs she was pregnant. “My congratulations.” It struc
k him that one day he might want to have his own child, and he wondered what that would feel like . . . knowing he’d loved one woman deeply enough to have a baby with her. He swallowed hard. He wasn’t used to these thoughts filling his mind. What was wrong with him? He already had three children.

  Her face blushed pink. “I thank you, Robert. I have plenty of time to do the sewing before the baby arrives, but I was anxious to get started.”

  “I can see that. Will there be anything else?”

  “No, but you can tell Grace to come see me.”

  “Mmm . . . it’s best if you ride out to see her. She injured her ankle yesterday.”

  Ginny drew in a sharp breath. “Oh no!”

  “It’s not too bad, but I suggested that she stay off her foot for a few days, so I left Becky to help out.”

  “How did she do that?”

  “She swam into the river to rescue Sarah and somehow hurt her foot.”

  “What? My goodness! Is Sarah all right?”

  “Yes, ma’am. She is. She was going after Bluebelle, but the river was swift and Sarah doesn’t know how to swim.”

  “In that case, you can fill one of those little bags with some bathing salts for me and tie it with a pretty ribbon. She can soak her foot in it to increase healing. I’ll go check on her in the morning.”

  Robert measured the bath salts into a bag, then cut a length of ribbon long enough to tie at the top. “Here you go.”

  “Maybe this will help reduce the swelling. We have the Bozeman Ball coming up and I’ve encouraged her to go.”

  “Maybe Warren will take her.”

  Virginia nodded. “Yes, I suppose. You should go too. It’s a big event for our town.” She handed him the change for the salts. “I have an idea. You’re going back there first thing in the morning, right?”

  “Yes, I am. I work there first then come to work here. Why?”

  “Why don’t you give her the salts?”

  “Sure. I could do that, but I’m sure she’d much rather see your face than mine.”

  Virginia giggled. “Oh, I doubt that,” she said with a sly smile. She handed the salts back to him. “No need to say they’re from me. She’ll think you’re very thoughtful.”

  He took the sack and replied, “Why would I do that?”

  Virginia shook her head and said, “I’ll be going now, so you can wait on others behind me. Oh, and Robert, please call me Ginny, everyone else does.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He bade her good day and stood there puzzled by her comment until another customer tapped him on the sleeve and said, “Are you here to help or not?”

  “Yes. Yes, of course. How may I help you?” Robert tried to refocus, but was still wondering about Ginny’s pushing him toward Grace. Wasn’t the man courting Grace the one who worked for her husband? Women! They’re too hard to figure out!

  After Stella’s hearty supper, Robert told Tom to get his bath and then he’d take his. The business at the mercantile had kept them hopping, and Robert could see the tiredness reflected in Tom’s eyes.

  “Tom, if you think the work is too hard or we need to change how many hours a day that you work, then let’s talk about it.”

  Tom gazed at him through sleepy eyes, holding his towel and bar of soap. “I’m okay. Besides, what I earn can help us all find a place to live.”

  Robert was surprised and touched by his answer. “That’s not your responsibility, Tom. It’s mine. You can keep what you earn. I already told you that.”

  “I remember, but what else am I going to do with the money? And sometimes, I recall you didn’t want us. I’ve done some thinking and I really want to help since it’s my sisters we’re talking about.”

  “I’m sorry I acted the way I did with you and your sisters. I know none of that was your fault. Seeing Sarah nearly drown today made me realize just how important you all have become to me.” Robert watched Tom’s face for a sign of emotion. “Maybe I’ll let you contribute a small amount, but not until we find ourselves someplace to live.”

  “Fair enough. Before I forget, I didn’t get a chance to tell you something today.”

  “Oh? And what was that?”

  “Remember I told you that I saw a man stopped on the road to town talking with someone with a wagon load of stuff?”

  Robert jerked his head around. “Did you see what was in the wagon?”

  “No, and it may not mean anything, but I thought I’d mention it again.” Tom shrugged. “I didn’t think it was anything important or any of my business, but something seemed odd about the two men.”

  “Have you seen them around town?”

  “Not that I recall.”

  “Okay. Better go get cleaned up before you fall forward.”

  Robert thought back to his walk in the rain when he’d seen Warren briefly. Who was it he’d been talking to? He’d seemed curt and anxious to ride past him, but Robert thought that was because Robert worked for Grace. He bears watching if our paths cross again. Something didn’t sit well with Robert about him, and it wasn’t because he was courting Grace. Maybe he’d go to the ball just to keep an eye out for her.

  28

  It became quite evident by morning that Sarah had caught a cold from the river’s icy waters. Or at least that’s what Grace thought. She could’ve easily swallowed too much water that got into her lungs. Grace wondered if she should have the doctor check her out just in case.

  Sarah sneezed again, then coughed and lay back on her pillow. “I’m not feelin’ too good, Miss Grace. I’m sorry that I caused so much trouble and you hurt your foot.”

  Her pitiful look made Grace’s heart swell. “Sweet girl, things happen . . . sometimes for a reason. I’ll be fine in a couple of days and I’m sure you will too.” Grace walked gingerly on her sprained foot as she placed a pot of tea and toast next to the bed. “Perhaps you’ll feel better once you have something in your tummy.”

  “Where’s Becky?” Sarah asked weakly.

  “She’s washing dishes for me. She’ll be in to see you in a while. Here, try some tea. It’ll make your head feel less stuffy.”

  “Okay.” The little girl took a sip from the teacup. “Mmm. I’m glad you put sugar in it for me. That’s the way I like it. My mama—” She abruptly stopped while a big tear rolled down her cheek. Grace had never seen Sarah cry. Bless her sweet heart. She always tried so hard to be tough because she felt she had to.

  Grace sat on the edge of the bed and put her arm about Sarah’s thin shoulders. “It’s okay to be sad. Sometimes when we feel bad, emotions come to the surface when we least expect it.” Sarah leaned her head against Grace and warmth from her small body could be felt through her nightgown. Did she have a fever? Grace laid her hand on Sarah’s forehead. It felt warm, but she wasn’t too worried since a cold can bring on a fever.

  “Would you like to try some toast?”

  “All right. I’ll try. Miss Grace, you’re so sweet to me that sometimes I wish you could be my mama.”

  Grace’s heart squeezed tightly in her chest. “What a sweet thing to say, Sarah. I’ll always be your friend, even if I’m not your mama.”

  “You could be my mama if you married Rob—I mean, Papa,” she said matter-of-factly.

  The door opened, and Becky scurried in and plopped down on the bed, taking Sarah’s hand. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “I’m better now that my two favorite people—” she stopped to sneeze—“are here.”

  Becky’s eyes flashed to Grace. “It’s just a little cold, Becky,” Grace reassured her. “Why don’t you read to Sarah while she finishes her tea and toast?” Grace picked up a book from the nightstand and handed it to Becky. “I’ll come back in a little while.”

  Grace hobbled away and returned to her room, removing her robe and gown before changing into a simple yellow morning dress. Echoing in her head were Sarah’s words about wishing she were her mama. I do too, sweet Sarah. But that wasn’t to be, so she shoved those thoughts and longings away.
She brushed her hair, then wound it into a tight chignon at the back of her neck. She had work to do but first she wanted to see what Robert thought about Sarah’s sniffles.

  By the time she was back downstairs, she heard Owen’s and Robert’s voices coming from the kitchen. She entered the kitchen, hobbled over to her apron, and put it on. “Good morning, Pop, Robert.”

  “Morning, Grace. How’s Sarah?” Robert stood as she came near the table. She noticed a small valise by his chair, which she figured contained fresh clothes for the girls.

  “No worse for wear, I think, but she has a few sniffles.”

  Robert cast a glance toward the upstairs. “I’ll go see for myself.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “You don’t need to be going up and down stairs. Why not sit and rest your foot?”

  “As you wish. First door on your left is the girls’ room. Becky is with her now.”

  Robert picked up the valise and started out, then turned around, pulling a small bag from his pocket and tossing it to her. “Try soaking your foot in this. It’s bath salts. It may help soreness and swelling.” Then he strode from the kitchen, leaving her and her dad.

  “Well, what d’you know? Your first gift from Robert.” Owen chuckled.

  “I wouldn’t call it a gift exactly, but I will put it to good use after I do a few chores. I’m worried that Sarah may have a little fever. Do you think I should send Robert for the doctor?”

  Owen scratched his head. “I’m not sure. Let’s wait and see what Robert thinks once he sees her. How’s the foot feel?”

  “Better, I believe. I’m sure resting it the remainder of the day and evening helped, and I’m really glad it was not any worse.”

  It wasn’t long before Robert returned to the kitchen. “Sarah definitely has a cold, but I don’t believe it’s in her lungs so she doesn’t need a doctor—at least not yet. Thank you both for taking care of her.”