She shook a forefinger at him. “You are robust enough for any woman, Daniel McClintock. I do not want you to feel otherwise. Whether a man walks is not what makes him a man. Your mind and your heart are what make you the person I… admire.”
She had almost said love. Thank goodness she had not slipped.
He met her gaze. “Do you think you could ever come to more than admire me as I do you? You said you won’t lie to me.”
Clara could not pretend otherwise. “Then I will admit I am growing quite fond of you. But, it is wrong of me, very wrong. Once you are walking, you will see many women and find one who suits you far better than I do. A Texas woman with whom you have many things in common will be perfect for you.”
“No, you are wrong, Clara. I am falling in love with you.”
She longed to crawl back beside him and lay her head on his chest. Having his arms around her had been wonderful, as if she had found home.
“Let us postpone such talk until you are walking. Then you can decide how you feel about me and other women.”
“If you wish, but I know the answer now.”
She rose. “Why do you not have a nap until your family returns? Perhaps I will write a letter to my aunt.”
“Weren’t you supposed to get a letter from your uncle’s solicitor? Shouldn’t it have come by now?”
“I imagine estate paperwork is rather slow.”
His eyes lit with mischief. “The solicitor’s probably trying to fold the papers more than seven times and that’s what’s taking so long.”
She laughed. “You are crazy. Rest now.” She fled to her room.
***
Daniel was unable to fall asleep. Clara doubted his affection, but he knew his own mind. How could he prove himself to her?
He relaxed against the pillows. At least he could now sense when he needed to pee and could do something about it. For two years he’d worried about his future with a body that deserted him.
He’d heard Grandpa tell Pa that old age was when your plumbing became more important than sex. Not true for him. Both were important, one a part of the other in him being whole. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to wear a blasted diaper much longer.
Did this erection mean he could father a child? Clara didn’t know the answer to that one. He wanted children, maybe three or four. He visualized the girls with blond hair like Clara’s and boys with dark hair like his.
He heard her pacing next door. She’d looked aghast when he suggested they make love. He’d be willing to bet she was thinking of doing just that now.
With a smile on his lips, he drifted to sleep.
***
Clara walked back and forth in her room. Finally, she stopped and peered out the windows. The landscape was so different from that she was accustomed to in Amsterdam.
Texas, or what she’d seen of it, had a beauty all its own. She enjoyed living in this house with this family. Face it, she especially enjoyed Daniel. Not only was he handsome, he was talented and funny and smart.
Dear God, give me the skills I need to insure he walks again. If it is Your will, use me as an instrument to heal him.
What would she do if he did love her when he was healed? What a hard choice. People needed her skill, but she needed personal happiness as well. Silly woman, you know he will change his mind when he’s walking.
She picked up a book and tried to read but couldn’t concentrate. She tried to nap but couldn’t fall asleep. She gave up and went to the kitchen to set the table and see if there was anything she could do to help prepare lunch.
By the time the family and Emma returned from church, Clara had finished the meal Emma had started early that morning.
Emma hugged her. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
Kathryn and Rebecca had removed their bonnets when they entered the kitchen. Kathryn grabbed an apron then stopped. “Why, everything is ready to serve. Thank you, Clara.”
Austin loosened his tie. “How long until we eat? I’m hungry as a bear coming out of hibernation.”
Clara whispered in his ear. “Daniel has something important to tell you.”
Frowning, Austin left the room. In spite of the other three women giving her a puzzled look, she said nothing.
Austin’s loud guffaw was followed by his and Daniel’s voices, though the words were indistinguishable. When he returned, Austin was pushing Daniel in the wheelchair. His smile was wide and he winked at Clara before taking his place at the table.
When everyone was seated, he bent his head. “Dear Lord, we are grateful for this food and the hands that prepared it. Use it to nourish our bodies and our minds. Thank you for sending Clara to us. Lord, we are especially grateful for the healing You have shown to our son Daniel, named after Your servant who withstood the lion’s den. We thank you and ask that his healing continue. We bless Your holy name. Amen.”
Kathryn looked from her husband to her son. “Well… are you going to share whatever this secret is with the rest of us?”
Austin shook his head. “Honey, some things a man can’t discuss with his mother and sister, especially not at the dinner table.”
Daniel just smiled and concentrated on his food.
During the meal, Clara’s thoughts kept going back to the blessing. She hadn’t heard her name mentioned in a blessing since the first meal she shared with Uncle Hans and Aunt Petra. In addition to her becoming more and more attracted to Daniel, she loved the McClintock family.
Leaving them would be the most difficult thing she’d ever done. Daniel was making progress and would soon be walking. She’d have no reason to remain then.
***
Late Monday, the rattle of wheels sent Clara to the window. A wagon pulled up in front of the house. The driver climbed out and went around to help a woman alight.
Clara gasped in horror then raced from the room. “My aunt has arrived. Please, don’t invite her to stay. I have no idea why she would leave Amsterdam to come here.”
Kathryn rose from her chair in the parlor and patted Clara’s shoulder. “Calm yourself. Let’s get her inside. I’m sure she’s tired and likely hungry.”
Austin went to the foyer and opened the door.
Aunt Petra’s shrill voice and thick accent pierced Clara’s ears. “Miss Clara Van Hoosan is here, ja?”
Austin held the door wide. “She is. Won’t you come in? Hello, Fred. How are things at the livery?”
“This lady hired me to bring her things here. Hope it’s all right.”
“Of course. Let me give you a hand. Line those trunks up on the porch next to the house.”
While Austin helped this Fred person unload trunks, Aunt Petra came into the parlor. “Clara, I have found you at last.” She held out her arms. “Are you not happy to see me?”
Clara gave her aunt a perfunctory hug then stepped back. “Aunt Petra, why are you here?”
Her aunt stared as if Clara were addle-brained. “I told you in my letter that I was coming.”
Clawing her way up from desperation’s fog, Clara tried to make sense of her aunt’s presence. “The letter telling me Uncle Hans had passed away did not mention you planned a trip here. You only mentioned you were lonely.”
Petra held her hands palm up. “Ja, and of course I would come to you, my only relative and who is like my daughter. Surely you understood my intention.”
“No, I did not.” Clara had not intended her voice to sound so terse. She took a deep breath and fought to be civil. “Let me introduce my hosts. Kathryn and Austin McClintock own this ranch. This is their daughter Rebecca. And, this is Emma Harper, treasured housekeeper and cook. Friends, this is my aunt, Petra Jaager, from Amsterdam.”
Kathryn smiled graciously, as she did everything. “Welcome to Texas. Won’t you sit down.”
Petra scanned the room. “And your patient? The boy who is paralyzed?”
“Daniel, is resting in his room.”
Petra removed her hat and gloves and laid them on a table. “I am happy to meet ea
ch of you. Clara wrote to tell me how nice you are to her and how much she enjoys being here. I decided to move to McClintock Falls while Clara is here.”
Clara’s head was spinning. “M-Move here? What about your home in Amsterdam?”
Petra sat on the couch and folded her hands in her lap. “I sold it.” She took a deep breath. “The Van der Meers next door wanted our house to combine with theirs. Their son wants to bring his wife and two children to live with them. They need more room and made me a more than fair offer.”
While Clara tried to take in Petra’s explanation, Emma asked, “Have you had supper?”
Petra shook her head. “No, but I do not wish to make trouble for anyone.”
Emma rose from her chair. “No trouble, I’ll fix you a plate. Would you like to come to the kitchen or shall I bring the meal in here?”
Petra stood. “I will come there. Clara, are you coming with me?”
Clara summoned a smile, though she felt far from happy. “Go with Emma and I’ll be there in just a moment.” As soon as Emma and Petra were out of hearing, Clara hurried to Kathryn. “I am so embarrassed. I had no idea she was coming here.”
Kathryn took Clara’s hand. “Don’t fret. You read me her letter and it gave no clue to her intentions. But, she’s here and must have a place to sleep until she can find somewhere to live.”
“She will share my room. The more comfortable you make her, the harder it will be to get her out of your home. Oh, I know she is lonely, but she is not a nice person.”
Austin smiled at Clara. “Don’t make too much of her arrival. We can find her a nice little house in town so she can walk to the store and to church if that’s what you wish.”
Clara sighed with relief. “Yes, thank you, that would be ideal. Perhaps she could also make friends in town and visit with other women there. I resent the way she treated me but she is my only aunt and I do not want her to be lonely.”
Kathryn hugged Clara’s shoulders. “Go to the kitchen. You and she can discuss what’s to be done. We’ll give you privacy while she eats.”
“You are wonderful people. Thank you.” Clara hurried to the kitchen.
Emma set a plate heaped with leftovers in front of Petra.
Searching for a topic of conversation, Clara sat across from her aunt. “Did you have difficulty on your journey?”
“The ship was tedious and I suffered from nausea. I enjoyed the train journey. I had no idea America was so large and diverse.”
“There are many miles more west to the Pacific Ocean from here. The town where you got off the train is lovely and is named after Austin’s father.”
Petra’s eyes widened and she stopped eating. “You call him by his first name? Surely not to his face?”
“He and Kathryn asked me to call them by their first names. Working here is like being a part of their family. Here in Texas, customs are not so formal. But, Petra, you will have to share my room. You are my guest, not theirs.”
Petra appeared disappointed but then nodded. “This is right. If you plan to remain here after your patient is walking, then I will buy a house. If you plan to move on, then I will only rent one. That is, if there is anything available.”
“I’m sure you can find something suitable. Austin said he would help you find a place located so you could walk to shops and church. His father owns many properties. Perhaps he has something suitable.”
“You lived with Hans and me longer than with your parents. I believe that gives me the right to claim you as my daughter too.”
“But, you never treated me as your daughter.” The words slipped out before she could stop them. Her aunt looked as if she had been slapped.
Petra gasped and laid a hand on her chest. “Of course I did. I taught you to sew and cook and host a social gathering.”
“Not as your daughter, more as a servant.”
Petra’s incredulous stare faded as she turned aside. “That is the way my parents treated me. I think all daughters are trained to serve their parents.”
Perhaps that was why Petra was so cold. Perhaps she had been treated with the same coldness and knew no other way to act. This was a revelation to Clara.
She reached across to squeeze her aunt’s hand. “While you are here, watch how Kathryn acts toward Rebecca. There is much love and warmth between them.”
Her aunt shook her head sadly. “I am not good at showing warmth or love but that does not mean I do not feel these things here.” She patted her heart. “Your mother was affectionate and always laughing and flitting from person to person and enchanting everyone. I do not know how she did this.”
“I remember she was beautiful. I loved her very much, and Papa too.”
“Ja, but also she was strong-willed, which is why she died and also your Papa. You must use your will for strength of purpose and not for selfish reasons, Clara. You have a great deal to offer and can make something grand of your life.”
The compliment further startled Clara. “I thought you didn’t want me to be a heilgymnast.”
“Ja, this is true. I would prefer you to have chosen a more feminine profession such as a teacher or nurse. At least you are filling an important need. Hans said you were very good, the best he had seen.”
“He was a kind man. I am grateful he helped me. Now I have my chance and can someday build my own clinic.”
Petra scoffed, “Your own clinic? My, that is a grand dream.”
Clara thought she should change the subject. “I still have not heard from the solicitor. Do you know why he would send me a letter?”
“I have his documents with me. It’s about the income from selling your parents’ farm and home. Hans invested the proceeds and multiplied the sum for you.”
Petra began weeping and fumbled for her handkerchief. “This is what we argued about on the day he died. He wanted to use the funds as your dowry and I said we deserved some of them for raising you. Hans was adamant that all the money go to you.”
This news was a shock to Clara. “Please do not feel you caused his death. You know he had a weak heart.”
Petra dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. “I cannot stop from thinking this. But, we never had a… what you call it… a vacation. The trip to attend your parents’ funerals and to get you is the last one we took, although he attended many professional conferences. Twelve years and he was always too busy. I thought if we had more money, perhaps he would have taken us somewhere.”
“I don’t think that’s why you didn’t travel. He was convinced he had to work each day or things would not get done properly.”
“Perhaps, but he always used money as an excuse. Then, when he died, I learned that he had invested for us as well.” She met Clara’s eyes. “We had plenty of money all along and so did you.”
Clara’s heart sped up. “Aunt Petra, how much are you talking about?”
Petra shrugged. “I have the papers in one of my trunks. I will show these to you later.”
Clara pushed back from the table. “I must prepare my patient for the night. Do you want to sit in the parlor for a while or go to my room?”
“I am tired from my journey. Perhaps I could go to your room now. Should I first meet your patient?”
“If you wish.” Clara helped her aunt from the table. “Come with me. Emma, thank you for preparing supper for my aunt.”
Petra paused and turned to Emma. “Ja, thank you for the wonderful food.”
As they went through the parlor, Clara explained her aunt’s wish to turn in for the night after meeting Daniel. She ushered her aunt to Daniel’s room.
“Aunt Petra Jaager, this is Daniel McClintock.”
Her aunt’s eyes widened. “But this is a man. I thought you were helping a boy.”
Daniel chuckled. “She thought so until we met. Nice to meet you, Aunt Petra.”
Petra grabbed her arm. “I do not think it is proper for a woman to work with a man. Did Hans know Daniel’s age before your came?”
“No, but I worke
d with many men as well as women and children in Amsterdam. Surely you knew this.”
She pouted. “No, Hans never talked much about his work. Neither did you. All I knew was busy or not busy, hard or easy.”
Petra gestured to the equipment. “Is all this part of your treatment?”
“Yes, I brought it with me from Amsterdam. The easel is where Daniel paints the wonderful pictures you see hung on the walls.”
Petra scanned the room. “You have talent, young man.”
“Thank you.”
Clara held her aunt’s hand. “Come, let me show you the room we will share until you find where you wish to live.” She widened her eyes at Daniel as she ushered her aunt out of his room.
In her room, she lit a lamp. “Ah, here is your valise. I hope it contains all you need for tonight.”
Petra turned slowly in a circle. “This is your room? So large for one person. Almost double the size of the one Hans and I shared.”
“Things are different here. There is more room so houses can be larger without being as expensive as a palace. You will have many adjustments. Perhaps tomorrow you can go for a long walk and see the ranch.”
“The weather is very warm, is it not? How can you sleep?”
“Do not wear your nightgown. Sleep in your chemise or the heat will make you miserable. When you go into town, you can purchase a batiste or lawn gown for sleeping. As it is, there’s a nice breeze tonight and we should be quite comfortable.”
Petra sat on the chair and began to remove her shoes. “I suppose I will do as you say. I see there are many differences here. I will learn as well and as fast I can.”
Clara wondered about her aunt’s ability to be flexible to change but didn’t want to discourage her efforts. “I am certain you will do so nicely. Goodnight. I will be quiet when I return in case you are asleep.”
Chapter Eleven
Clara fled to Daniel’s room and paused inside his door to gather her thoughts. “I am beyond surprised.” She spoke low so her aunt would not hear.
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