She grinned at him. “Do you think so? I’ve wondered. I helped her with the housework so I thought she might miss having me do that, but she never acted as if she even liked me.”
Clara threw up her hands. “What am I thinking, standing here yammering about my past? You must have a nap and we will continue treatment afterward.”
“A nap doesn’t sound bad. You pummeled me pretty hard this morning.”
“Think so? Wait until after your nap.” She left him to rest and went to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
***
Several nights later, Clara was in bed, tossing and turning instead of sleeping. She was so hot she considered getting up and replacing her nightgown with her chemise. Would that be too scandalous? How could people sleep in this heat?
A loud bang from the next room was accompanied by, “Damn, damn, damn!”
She leapt up and grabbed her lamp. After lighting it, she rushed to Daniel’s room. He was lying on the floor between his bed and her equipment.
She set down the lamp and knelt beside him. “What happened?”
“I thought I could lean far enough to reach the wheelchair and paint for a while. Obviously, I was wrong.”
“Are you insane? You could have broken an arm and then you would be in trouble.” She examined his arms and shoulders then his legs.
“Guess I was monkeying around.” He frowned. “What are you doing dressed for winter sleeping?”
“This is my only nightgown, which a gentleman would pretend he has not seen.”
He chuckled. “You already know I’m no gentleman. At least you don’t have it buttoned up to your chin. When you lean over, I can see—”
She clasped the fabric together. “Never mind what you thought you could see. Sling your arm over my shoulder and I’ll try to lift you onto the bed.”
He did as she asked. “You should ask Rebecca to loan you something cooler.”
She met his gaze. “Oh, and how would that conversation go? ‘Your brother thought my nightgown looked too hot so he told me to borrow a cooler one from you.’ That would be scandalous, would it not?”
He laughed. “I wish you would say that but only where I could watch her expression. On the other hand, you could simply tell her you’re smothering in your only gown and ask if she can loan you one until you can go into town and purchase something cooler.”
Using her legs, she was barely able to lift him from the floor onto his mattress. “This was harder than when you are in bed and I move you to the chair. Please do not fall again.”
He held out his hands, turning them palm up and palm down. “No damage done I take it?”
“You may have a bruise on your buttocks by morning. Otherwise, I suppose you are all right.”
“I meant to your back from lifting me.”
“Oh. No damage that I can feel now but we will see tomorrow. Please stay in bed until I show up in the morning.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He wiggled his shoulders to settle on his pillows.
“Goodnight… again.” She returned to her room. This time she slept.
Chapter Six
After breakfast, Clara signaled to Rebecca to follow her to the hallway. “How long will the weather be this hot?”
Rebecca blinked at her. “Until mid September and maybe later. Our hottest weather will be in July and August. Why?”
“Our home in Amsterdam was very old and of thick stone. My room was always cold. The only nightgown I have is flannel and I’ve been uncomfortably warm at your home.”
The other woman squeezed her arm. “Oh, Clara, you should have spoken sooner. You must have been miserable each night you’ve been here. I’ll loan you one of mine if you don’t mind wearing someone else’s clothing.”
Rebecca looked down at her chest then at Clara’s. “On second thought, I don’t think mine will fit. I’ll check with Mama. She has a fuller… um, bosom than I do.”
“Thank you. If someone is going into town soon, perhaps I could send money and ask that person to purchase one for me.”
Rebecca laughed. “I can’t see Red shopping for a woman’s nightgown. Maybe if Mama put it on the list and Mrs. Roan wrapped it in brown paper he wouldn’t know the difference. Perhaps we can go to town together soon. I’ll ask Mama while you torture Daniel.”
“Thank you.” Clara returned to the kitchen to find Daniel had left. She went to his room and he sat waiting for her.
“Ah, you wheeled yourself. I hope that means you are feeling stronger and more empowered.”
“Might just be boredom, you know? Truthfully, I hated being in Emma’s way while you and Rebecca chatted. She gonna loan you cooler nightwear?”
Clara sensed her face color. “She thought hers might be too tight in the chest. She is going to consult your mother.”
Daniel chortled. “Don’t know why I didn’t think of that. You are definitely more… um…” He used his hands to cup where breasts would be if he had them.
Clara waved her right hand. “Enough of that conversation. Time to get to work on your therapy.”
After an hour and when he was even with his bed, Daniel stopped. “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”
She was grateful to stand. “All right, let’s get you back on the bed and I’ll give you a massage before your rest.”
He did as she asked. “Do you know tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur?”
She paused. “I did not know that. I am not sure that knowledge will ever be useful.”
“All knowledge is useful.” A frown creased his handsome brow. “What do you do while I nap?”
She grinned at him. “Recover. Remember, I was the one duck walking while you rode in the harness.”
An hour later, she left Daniel to his nap and went to her room to lie down for half an hour. On the bed was folded a lovely batiste nightgown trimmed with tiny tucks, soft lace, and blue ribbon. The garment was lovelier than any sleepwear she’d ever seen.
She ran her fingers over the fine, soft fabric. Never had she thought she would wear something so feminine and elegant. Tonight she would be cool enough to rest well.
***
That night, Daniel lay with his arm across his eyes. He might have given in to doing Clara’s exercises, but he still hated having a woman witness his helplessness. Worst was having her change his damned diaper. He’d thought he’d die of shame the first time that happened.
Clara was like a general in the damned army. If she’d been in charge, the Civil War wouldn’t have lasted more than a month. Hell, if she were in control, it wouldn’t have happened at all. She’d have ordered the South not to secede.
His angry tirade against Clara was interrupted by a strange sensation. He pushed himself up on his pillows. Could that have been tingling in his big toes? Naw, probably what he’d felt was more of the ghost pain that plagued him.
Wait—there the sensation was again. He focused on moving his toes, carefully observing the sheet covering his feet. Sure enough, the fabric moved as he focused on his toes.
He wanted to laugh and cry and shout and scream all at once. He’d believed the work was pointless. Now his heart filled with hope. Maybe he would walk again after all.
***
The next day, Clara was massaging Daniel’s legs. As if he were waving at her, his right big toe moved.
Elation filled her and she gripped his foot. “Daniel, did you move your toe intentionally?”
He grinned at her. “Had this tingling yesterday. Last night when I was thinking about the exercises, I was angry. I figured out how to move my big toe on each foot. Surprised the heck out of me.”
After rushing to her tools, she found the instrument she wanted. “Tell me if you feel this.” She ran the steel against the bottom of his foot.”
“I feel that. Reckon that means I’m getting feeling back?”
She wanted to jump with joy but contented herself with smiling at him. “Yes, oh yes. I ‘reckon’ that is what this means. Congratu
lations.”
He grinned at her. “Guess getting mad at you paid off.”
“You have worked hard and I think that is the reason for your new ability. However, if being angry produces results, then I will try to make you angry each day.”
“So far, you’ve been doing a good job of that.”
She scoffed, “So you pretend but I know I am the soul of reason and could not possibly be the cause of your anger. I am excited with this progress.”
He loosely grabbed her wrist. “Would you go tell Mama? She’s worried so about me. Knowing I’ve made improvement will make her feel a lot better.”
Clara started to leave then turned back. “Why do we not go together and you can show her. She deserves to see for herself.”
He pondered for a few seconds. “I guess… if you think it’s important.”
“Ja, it is very important.” She helped him into his Bath chair.
“This will indeed give her spirits a lift, as it has mine.” She pushed his chair from the room.
They found Kathryn in the studio where she grew and stored plants and prepared her healing supplies. Apparently, Rebecca was assisting her. There was no spare space, but Clara parked her patient near the door where the other two women could see his feet.
“Daniel wants to show you something.”
Each woman stared at Clara and Daniel expectantly.
Daniel wore a sheepish smile. “Watch my right foot.” He wiggled his toe.
Kathryn and Rebecca grabbed one another and squealed in delight.
Clara beamed as if she had been the one to accomplish a great feat instead of him. She was pleased to see these two good people this happy. “I know that moving toes sounds only like a minor thing, but it means there is still some connection in his spine.”
With tears running down her cheeks, Kathryn pulled a handkerchief from her pocket then used it to blot her face. “Thank You, God, for your mercy! I’m grateful to you, too, Clara. You’ve put in long hours to help Daniel.”
Daniel held out his hands, palm up. “Isn’t anyone going to give me any credit? I was working, too, you know?”
Kathryn rushed to hug her son. “I’m so proud of you. This is encouraging. Rebecca, go and tell Emma then go find your father. We’ll go into the parlor where there’s room for us.”
Rebecca hurried toward the kitchen.
Immediately, a wide-eyed Emma came to stand by Daniel. She hugged him. “I said you would walk again someday. Now you can believe so too.”
He patted the housekeeper’s hand. “I hope we don’t have to wait another two years.”
Clara assured him. “It won’t be. In two years, this will seem like a bad dream as you walk wherever you wish.”
“On water?”
Clara punched his shoulder. “You are not Divine, Daniel McClintock. Since I’m standing close to you, I hope lightning doesn’t strike you for your irreverence.”
He tilted back his head to look at her. “Just kidding. I’ll be pleased to walk across my bedroom.”
Austin came jogging into the parlor with Rebecca. “Son, I came to see for myself.”
Clara turned Daniel’s chair so he faced his father. Daniel wiggled his toes.
Austin fell on his knees. “Thank You, God, for answering our prayers this far!”
When he raised his head, his eyes were moist. “Son, I can’t tell you how happy I am.”
He rose and pumped Clara’s hand. “Thank you for your therapy.”
Clara hated to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm but she had to rein them back to Earth. “Daniel will still have a lot of work ahead. But, now that we know there is at least some connection between his mind and his lower extremities, perhaps he will not hate his exercises so much.”
Daniel groaned. “You’re a slave driver, Clara Van Hoosan. But you’re right. I’m encouraged and you won’t need a whip anymore.”
“Oh, no, and I was going to order a new one to crack over your head.”
Everyone laughed.
Laughing through her tears, Emma wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron. “This calls for a special supper tonight. I’ll see what I can rustle up.”
***
When Josh and Dallas came the next day both wore wide smiles. Clara helped Daniel sit up and position himself for his assistants.
Josh pulled the stash of bandages from where he’d stowed them in the chest drawer. “Heard you had a celebration last night. So good of you to invite us.”
Daniel bumped shoulders with his brother. “Mama wanted to but I told her not to bother until I could walk. Moving my toes is not worth a family party.”
Dallas clapped Daniel on the shoulder. “Sure is good news. Soon you’ll be walking off and leaving us.”
“Thank you both for your help. Clara says it’s made a lot of difference. I know coming here inconveniences you.”
Dallas grinned at him. “If it were one of us, would you be willing to help?”
“You know I would.” Daniel’s eyes widened and he reared back. “Okay, I see what you’re saying. All the same, being my walkers eats into your day yet you’ve come every weekday.”
Josh winked at Clara. “Yeah, you’re probably not worth it, but we figured if we got out of a little work, why not?”
As the three men stood, Clara asked, “How is Nettie?” She followed them from the room.
When they went sideways to get the three through the doorway, Josh glanced at her and rolled his eyes. “Nettie swears she’s going to explode and an elephant will emerge. We thought she would have had the baby by now. Doc says the first is often late.”
“Aunt Kathryn checks on her daily. My aunt knows her business.”
“Yeah, and Mama is saying Nettie is doing fine and the baby will come when things are right.”
“Ja, some things cannot be hurried. I am sure Nettie is more than ready, especially in this heat.”
The three men turned and Josh shot her a glance. “Worst of the heat isn’t here yet. Her ankles are swelling, though, and Mama told her to rest a couple of hours each morning and in the hottest part of the afternoon.”
Dallas nodded. “Cenora’s ankles swelled a lot with baby Katie. Don’t remember that being a problem with Houston.”
Cenora sensed that Josh and Dallas were good husbands. When each spoke his wife’s name, his voice held love. She was struck again by what a nice family the McClintocks were.
“Dallas, how old are your children?”
Humor tinged his voice. “Houston is two. Little Katie is four months. Houston’s cold cleared but the baby caught it. We’re keeping them home until they’re both fit. Surely that will be soon.”
Clara said, “I have heard that many small illnesses are the way with children but I believe they are worth every inconvenience.”
Dallas grinned. “That they are.”
***
Late the next evening, a giant man arrived during supper.
Kathryn leaped up from the table. “Grizzly, did you come for me?”
He held his hat at his chest. “Yes, Ma’am, Miz McClintock. Josh said you’re to come right away.”
Austin stood. “You get your bag and I’ll hitch the horse to the buggy.”
“I’ll come with you, Mama.” Rebecca scooped up the last bite of her pie.
When they’d gone, Clara asked, “Did Kathryn call that man Grizzly, like the bear?”
Daniel chuckled. “She did. His real name is Howard Pierson, but most cowboys have some nickname or the other their coworkers have given them.”
“Soon you’ll be an uncle and Rebecca an aunt. I suppose you already feel like one because of Dallas’ children.”
Austin returned near bedtime. “No news yet.” He chuckled. “May have to send for the doc to treat Josh. Kathryn had to make him a cup of calming tea and make him lie down in the next room.”
By bedtime, they’d had no word. Early the next morning, a cowboy knocked on the kitchen door.
Emma motioned him inside.
“Come in, Lucky. Any news?”
“Josh said to tell you he has a boy named Austin Clayton McClintock. Mother and baby are doing well.” He grinned. “Not sure Josh is okay.”
Austin beamed. “Named him after me, did they? Well, I have to go see this boy.” He clapped his hat on his head and left.
Chapter Seven
That night when he was alone, Daniel lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Beams from the full moon flooded his room. Light cast shadows and illuminated objects as bright as a lantern.
He was an uncle. He couldn’t say why that had made such an impression on him. Damn! He knew why.
Josh wasn’t that much older than him. Dallas and Cenora having children didn’t make such an impact because Dallas was eight years older and someone he’d looked up to even before his cousin came to live with them.
Here he was stuck in this damned bed, celebrating because he could move his damned toes. Hell, like that was a big accomplishment. He held a pillow over his face so Clara next door wouldn’t hear him sobbing.
He wanted his life back. Wanted to feel the wind on his face as he rode a horse across the pastures. Jump in the river with a splash and swim. Run up the stairs two at a time to his old room.
Letting the tears flow, he failed to hear the door open.
Clara pulled away the pillow and sat on the bed. She helped him sit up then cradled him against her shoulder.
As if he were a small child, she patted his back and soothed him. “Crying is good now. Let the anger and frustration flow from your body.”
His voice caught in his throat and he coughed. “Here I am, crying like a five-year-old who skinned his knee. You must think me a whiney baby.”
“No, no. We both know that your injury is far more serious than a skinned knee. Letting your feelings out does not mean you are weak or childish.”
He’d never wanted anyone to see him like this, blubbering like a child, but he couldn’t stop. “I’ve tried to be positive, tried not to dwell on the past. I can’t help it. I want to be like I was.”
“You are making progress. Do not lose hope now.”
He took a deep breath. “Easy for you to say. You know I’ll never be the same.”
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