by Sara Jolene
JT was honestly surprised. Nora didn’t strike him as the type that did things like make dresses for her little girls. He actually wasn’t real sure what Nora was like. He knew she was kind, but it didn’t come together with the way she seemingly didn’t care for her children. He understood Willie working. There was no man around to bring in income, but the rest of them … well, he wasn’t sure what was going on.
Nora sat in the chair next to the doctor and started to pull seams apart with one of the needles he’d given her. He watched her closely as she delicately moved through each stitch, saving as much fabric as possible.
“Nora where’s your husband?” JT already knew the answer but figured she wouldn’t take kindly to folks talking about her. He also thought he might be able to tell how she felt about the whole thing if she told him herself.
Her fingers stopped. And then they started again. She looked at him and then went back to watching what she was doing. “Nathaniel left us in a mining accident.”
JT wished she’d look at him as she spoke. It was easier to tell what she was feeling when he could see her eyes. “How long ago?” He nodded toward Tommy sleeping in the cot in front of them. “Can’t have been too long.”
Nora nodded and looked up at her sleeping baby. “Tommy came around about six months after the accident. It’s been about seven months since then.”
JT was confused. They lived in a Tent City owned by the mining company, he didn’t understand how they were still there. “How is it that you still keep residence in Tent City?”
Nora looked back at him. The light that sometimes twinkled in her eyes, even when she wasn’t fully lit from the inside out, dimmed and flickered. “We won’t be for long.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because we’re only there until they find a new person. Before Nathaniel passed, we had a dugout up on the hill. It was better for the winter months. Kept the wind out. But last month during that final big snow, the tunnel collapsed. We had no place to go. We knew there were tents open in the camp, so we gathered what few things we had left and made a place in an empty tent. It wasn’t long before they came and told us we had to go.”
JT was dumbstruck. He knew things had to be bad, but he hadn’t known how they’d gotten that way. He wasn’t sure what to say and was almost regretting asking. But it gave him an idea. “Why don’t we ride up tomorrow together? We can gather your things, or at least most of them, and return the wagon I borrowed to get Tommy and the girls down here. You’ll need to stay here for a while, anyway.”
JT would never admit it to anyone—he was having a hard time accepting it himself—but anytime he thought of Nora and the kids leaving the cabin, something strong rose up in him that made him want to stop and figure out a way to prevent it from happening.
“We couldn’t. We’ve been here too long already. Not to mention how people would talk. Thank you for being so kind, but we’ll manage.”
JT looked away, trying to hide his reaction. When he turned back, the strange man that had been showing up randomly was standing right behind Nora. He put a finger to his lips and shook his head before he told JT, “You have to get her to agree to stay.”
The shock of seeing the stranger was starting to wear off. JT had so many questions, but knew it wasn’t the time to ask them. The fact that Nora didn’t turn her head when the man spoke answered one of his biggest questions anyway. He’d been right in thinking that the man was either ghost or an angel, and judging by his behavior so far, JT thought he had to be an angel.
“Nora, Tommy still isn’t well. Taking him back to the tent isn’t wise. It’s not a problem for you and the children to stay here. I’d feel better about the baby’s ability to recover if he was here.”
She kept moving her fingers with the needle, pulling out stitches and not looking at him.
“I promise you’re not a bother. I enjoyed my time with your girls today. They’re well behaved.”
That got Nora to look up from her task. She looked briefly at JT, but then stared at something above his head that wasn’t there. He briefly wondered if Nora had an angel talking to her, too.
“It wasn’t always like this, you know. Willie used to be able to just be a boy. And the girls? Well, they should be wearing pretty dresses and not worrying about caring for each other because their mama isn’t well.” She refocused her attention on JT. “We’ll go to the tent tomorrow and gather a few things. Not that we have much more than a few, but its only until Tommy is better and we’re sure the girls haven’t contracted it. We won’t impose on you.”
There was so much JT wanted to say, but he refrained. The weight that the thought of her leaving had laid on his chest lifted, and he was breathing easier. That was enough for now.
Nora wished that anyone other than the good doctor had to see her the way she was. She was glad he hadn’t seen her at her worst, but was concerned about what he thought of her now. She was nothing more than a charity case to most folks in town. The poor widow Meeks that couldn’t take care of her children, the mother of poor Willie who couldn’t go to learn at the school because he was working at the mercantile. Nora knew that other children worked to help support their families, but it hadn’t been part of her plan.
She’d had a grand plan for her life that had disappeared in a flurry of emotions and warm bodies the first time Nathaniel had kissed her. She’d skirted his advances for a long time, citing her mother’s warnings as reason enough to stay far from him. But it didn’t last long. She’d always had a mind of her own, and when it came to Nathaniel —who’d just happened to be the most attentive and attractive of all the boys—she hadn’t been able to say no for long. Then there was that night, the one when he’d been walking her home. She’d known that night was going to be different. There had been something in the air … something she couldn’t name. When he’d taken her hand, the way she’d felt had been so different and new that she could barely think. Then he’d been so close. His scent had filled her nose and muddled her head. He’d bathed in something that smelled of wildflowers, but earthy as well. She never did find out what it was. When their lips had met, she’d been completely changed.
It was like her body had overruled her mind at that point. She could think of nothing but Nathaniel . Her mother had begged and pleaded with her not to go, but in the end Nora had run off and done what she’d thought was best.
Sitting there thinking about the past, seeing her life for what it was now, she didn’t regret a moment with Nathaniel . But whenever she thought of her parents, especially her mother, the pain was real, and it enveloped her.
Nora finished pulling the seams from the smallest dress and laid the fabric out. She thought she’d be able to make at least two dresses, maybe three, for the littlest girls. It would be nice to have one for them to wear and one to have being washed or clean. The girls had never had more than one dress each before.
She was so thankful for all the great folks in town that had been helping them. The Jacksons had helped by giving Willie a job and sending food home with him. JT and Hannah had saved her baby boy. The Clays were helping by providing Nora with work. She had a bit of money in her pocket right then, and decided that tomorrow on the way back to the cabin she’d see if JT would stop at the dry-goods store so she could get the things she needed to make the girls their dresses. While she was sewing, she would think of a way to thank them all for everything they’d done.
Chapter Five
Nora and the doctor went into town to get a few supplies. They’d left the little ones with Bekka, but not before making sure that Tommy’s fever was under control and that he was comfortable. He’d improved a lot since they’d been at the cabin, and thankfully the girls hadn’t shown any signs of illness.
Nora had not met the Crowthers yet. She’d not had a chance to visit their dry-goods store since they’d come to Creede. She sighed as they walked up to the door. She’d missed so much in her time of darkness and despair.
The moment they
walked through the door, a blur of brown hair and gray wool seemed to attack them. Nora quickly realized that the blur was a woman—a young, very pretty woman.
“Doctor Thomas, it’s wonderful to see you.” Nora watched as the girl latched herself onto JT and batted her eyelashes at him. “Though I was expecting you much sooner.”
Nora bit her lip to hide her smile as JT shifted uncomfortably and gently tried to pull the girl’s hand from his arm. “Morning, Benita.” He turned back at Nora, his eyes looking a little desperate. Nora allowed her smile to burst through, but was able to hold in the laugh. He pleaded with her with his eyes. Nora couldn’t help it then, and let a little laughter erupt from her belly.
The noise turned the raven-haired beauty’s attention to Nora. Nora saw how the girl’s hand tightened on JT’s arm, how her eyes narrowed when she focused on Nora’s face.
Nora stuck a hand out. “Mrs. Nora Meeks. It’s lovely to meet you … Benita, is it?”
Benita seemed to relax a bit when Nora introduced herself. Nora assumed it was the Mrs. part that had the girl letting her guard down. She nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Benita, and this here is my family’s store.”
Nora was having a hard time keeping the smile on her face at that point. The moment the girl felt the threat had been removed, she began winding herself onto the doctor. And though Nora wasn’t ready to think about why it bothered her as much as it did, she knew without a doubt that the way the girl was acting in public wasn’t appropriate. She felt the smile fade from her lips.
“Well, Benita, would you mind showing me to your needles and thread, please?” Her eyes immediately moved to the doctor’s once the words were out of her mouth. The move did not escape Benita’s notice.
The young girl reluctantly let go of the doctor’s arm. “This way, Mrs. Meeks.” The fact that the girl stressed the Mrs. made Nora smile as she followed her to where the needles and thread would be. “So, Mrs. Meeks, what’s your business with the doctor?”
Nora kept pace and followed Benita as they wove through stacks of goods in the store. “He’s been very kind. He’s caring for one of my children that is ill.” Benita’s shoulders relaxed as Nora spoke.
There was a part of Nora that wanted to tell the girl that they’d been staying at the cabin with him, but only after he’d insisted. She tamped that part down, however, then chastised herself for it. She had no business being jealous. A young girl’s fancy over the town’s new doctor was no concern of hers. After all, she could understand what young love felt like. She knew how easily one could get swept up and potentially away.
They reached the desired section of the store, way in the back corner. Nora thanked the girl and went to browsing for the size needle she thought she’d need, and various colors of thread. She hadn’t felt the girl’s presence leave her, though. For some reason, Benita was standing behind her, watching. It got so distracting that Nora eventually turned around.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
Nora noticed how round and pink the girl’s face was. She truly was very young, maybe nineteen, if Nora had to guess. She tried to smile, but the way Benita was staring at her wouldn’t allow her to. The girl’s eyes were narrowed, and her shoulders were tense. She’d put a hand on her hip and started to lean closer to Nora.
“You’re Willie’s mother, aren’t you?” She’d phrased it as a question, but Nora knew she didn’t want or need an answer. She stayed silent and let the girl talk. “You are. Which means you’ve no husband?” Once again Nora stayed quiet. She knew the girl would get to her point without any involvement from her. “You can’t have him.” Benita all but spat the words, mere inches from Nora’s face.
Nora swallowed hard as anger began to rise in her belly. She hadn’t been around town much, and she knew that she more than deserved some ire from her children, as well as the townsfolk, but the girl had stepped over a line. She turned her anger into her most endearing smile.
“I haven’t any idea what you’re talking about, dear.”
Benita stepped even closer. She lifted a finger and pointed it at Nora. “Yes you do. I know what you’re up to. I bet your baby isn’t even sick. You can’t have him, though. He’s mine. I’ve waited for too long, watched too many single men in this town pass me by. The doctor is off limits to you and any other female that thinks she has a chance.”
Nora all but gasped as JT turned the corner. When the words, “Is that so?” came out of his mouth, the poor girl, who had backed Nora so far back toward the wall that the backs of her knees were bending awkwardly against a display table, almost fell over.
“James! I … I … I was just showing Mrs. Meeks here our best needles.”
Nora felt for Benita as she backed away from Nora and tried to once again wrap her young body around the doctor’s. JT stepped aside and put a hand out.
“No, Benita. I’m not sure where you got the idea that I was in the market for a wife, or that even if I was, you would be her. But it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Nora wanted to leave the two of them to their conversation, but when she tried to step aside, JT begged her with his eyes and shook his head. Nora could only assume he was worried about being alone with the girl. She stayed, and because she did she was there to witness the way the girl filled slowly with rage, then exploded.
“First Waylon gets taken from me by that hussy, then the new marshal gets trapped by that nurse of yours and her strange rooster.” She pointed at Nora. “Now this old widow is trying to seduce you out from under me.” She shook her head and started to pace. “I won’t have it. I’m young. I need a husband. I chose you.” She stopped her pacing right in front of him. She looked him in the eye. “I’ll make you mine.” She turned around and stared at Nora. “You watch and see.” As soon as the last word left her lips, she stormed off through a door in the corner, presumably the one that went to the family’s quarters above the shop.
Nora watched her go. She heard a door slam and let out a breath with it. She looked at JT.
“Seems as though you’ve got an admirer.”
JT couldn’t believe what he’d heard from his place behind the shelving. Benita was completely crazy. He’d never once made any sort of advance towards her. In fact, the only person in town he’d ever even considered courting had been Hannah. He’d never been smitten with her or anything, she had just seemed to be the best fit. She was a nurse and he was a doctor. They’d already worked together, and he knew they got along. It had seemed natural. But he’d been very happy for her when she’d married the marshal. Hannah really loved him, and he loved her. JT knew he and Hannah were better off just working together.
The part of Benita’s outburst that had surprised him the most was how much he didn’t want Nora to hear the things that the girl was saying. He found he didn’t like the idea of the lovely Mrs. Meeks thinking that he’d promised himself to someone. He’d gotten there just in time to hear Benita saying awful things to Nora, and after their spat—and he was starting to feel badly about the things he’d said to her—it had seemed as if Benita had threatened him.
He took Nora by the arm and ushered her to where Benita’s father was behind the counter. They paid for the things Nora had needed and left the store without saying another word to each other.
JT was mulling over the things that Benita had said. He knew she wasn’t really a malicious girl, but he also knew she was desperate to be married. Creede wasn’t a safe place for a single female to be living, especially one as young and pretty as the dark-haired girl. He knew that she had been over the moon about Waylon and was devastated when the man had married. She’d immediately turned her sights on the new marshal, only to have him marry someone else as well. It seemed natural that she’d now have her sights set on the new doctor, but JT wasn’t having it. He didn’t return the girl’s feelings, and that wouldn’t be fair to her.
The stranger popped up beside JT as he and Nora walked through town and headed back out to the cabin. “
You know, having Nora and the kids in your cabin alone … if someone found out …” JT looked over at the stranger. He had so much he wanted to say, but knew he couldn’t. Nora would think he’d lost his mind if he started talking to someone she couldn’t see. He shook his head instead.
“That girl back there has a plan. You need to be careful, Doc.”
JT once again tried to respond only using his facial expressions. Not being able to talk made communication extremely frustrating. The stranger seemed to understand, though, because he kept talking. “You mark my words, that girl will find a way to trap you into marrying her. She’s up laying in her bed, planning it out right now.” JT nodded his head to let the stranger know he understood. The man winked and him and nodded toward Nora. “You could avoid all that if you took that lass to the preacher and made her yours. Benita would leave you be.”
JT smiled broadly and nodded. He didn’t think that Nora would accept were he to ask her to be his wife, but it didn’t matter anyway. He had promised himself that he would marry only for love. He’d spent his entire life growing up beside Abigail Tawny, the thin blonde debutant that had been destined to be his wife. Their parents had made sure the two children went to the finest schools and were always together. They’d arranged for them to spend afternoons together in the park, and even had James escort Abigail to balls and dinners. They’d all but been married for his whole life, they just lacked the paper that told all the people around them.
James adored Abigail. She was a great friend. She was pretty, too—but she fancied another, and his love had always been for medicine. The two had agreed that their union would spoil shortly after it began.