Daniel McClintock

by Caroline Clemmons

  He kept walking, trying to go a little faster. “Not used to the boots yet and almost fell a couple of times. Want to wear them tonight.”

  Pa pulled out his pocket watch. “You have another hour at least. Don’t overdo it, though.”

  Clara glanced at his parents. “Do not worry, I will not allow him to overtire himself. I do not think he would anyway for he wants to walk in tonight.”

  He grinned at her and at his parents. “Have to make an entrance, you know, like Gran.”

  With a last tear-filled glance from his mother, his parents left.

  Clara watched his feet. “We will work for thirty minutes and then you should rest until people arrive.”

  “You dare give orders to royalty?”

  “I most certainly dare. I will remind you that many kings die in their sleep.”

  “Yikes! She bites.”

  “I have never bitten one of my patients. Truthfully, I have wanted to pinch or slap a couple but I restrained my baser self.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows at her without stumbling. “Don’t I know how strong your will to restrain yourself can be, having spent sleepless nights because of it?”

  “So you say, but I shall remember your confession. Any sleepless nights you have had were due to not enough exercise during the day. Perhaps we will see you no longer suffer lack of sleep.”

  “Clara, neither of us could have withstood more than we’ve done. Surely not you.”

  Her chin went up in what he’d come to know as her defensive stubborn stance. “I am tough and strong. I was created for this job.”

  “Maybe, but everyone has endurance limits, even you.”

  When they had completed several circuits on the parallel bars. She checked her lapel watch.

  “You must stretch out on the bed now. Do you want your boots removed?”

  “No, will you return in time to comb my hair for me?”

  “As soon as I hear someone arrive, I’ll return. Get a cat nap. I hear they work for cats.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Clara strolled to her room deep in thought. Tonight her skills would be on display as well as Daniel’s recovery. Soon he would not need her at all. She would still need him, but she would not stand in his way of finding a woman he could love forever.

  The thought of him with another sent acid pouring into her stomach. She scrubbed a hand across her chest where her heart had split into shards. In its place, heaviness remained as of lead weights lodged inside.

  She changed into the new dress Gran had made for her. She no longer felt festive, but she owed Gran for her generosity. Perhaps wearing something so lovely would boost her mood.

  Rebecca knocked on her door. “Would you like help with your dress or hair?”

  Clara smiled at her. “Both, please. I am not very good with hair. I can braid it or pile it into a bun.”

  “There, all fastened. Sit in the chair and I’ll stand behind you. Do you have any pearls or a blue ribbon?”

  “Neither.”

  “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.” Rebecca dashed from the room and returned with a blue ribbon.

  She spent at least fifteen minutes on Clara’s hair. She stepped away.

  “Now, see how lovely you look.”

  Clara rose and walked to the mirror. Her hair had never been more attractive. “That does it, you are my official hairdresser forever.”

  Rebecca giggled. “I’m glad you approve. I think I hear Josh and Nettie. Maddie’s riding with Gran and Grandpa to help with the children. I’d better go see if I need to help with the baby now.”

  Before she left, Clara hugged her. “You are a wonderful girl and a good friend. Thank you for your help.”

  Clara got a fresh handkerchief and tucked it inside her cuff before she walked next door.

  “Damn, you look good enough to eat.” Daniel was sitting on the edge of his bed. “About time you arrived. I was going to summon you.” He made a knocking motion in the air.

  She curtsied. “I am her to do your bidding—at least, if it is what I think you should do.”

  Daniel rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen, we have to have a plan.” He cleared his throat and his hands trembled. “I’ve been thinking. You wheel me to the parlor door but out of sight. I’ll get up and walk into the parlor and you follow me with the chair. If I start to stumble, you push the chair under me. I’ll need it anyway after a few steps.”

  She had never seen him so nervous. “That sounds like something that will work. You have only to signal me when you wish to sit down. Are you ready?”

  He extended his hand palm out. “No… yes… I’ll get in the chair in a minute but let’s wait to go in until more folks have arrived.”

  She smiled at him, hoping she reassured him. “Of course, so you can make your grand entrance. Tell me, what did you think of Huckleberry Finn?”

  He pointed his forefinger at her. “I know what you’re trying to do but forget it. I’m too nervous to discuss anything. Why don’t you kiss me? That always takes my mind off other things.”

  “On the contrary, it has been my experience that kissing puts other things in your mind. Nevertheless, I will give you a kiss. Just one and do not undo the nice hairstyle your sister painstakingly arranged.” She leaned over to capture his lips.

  He pulled her into his embrace with her between his legs. His kiss grew more passionate and she gave into her desire.

  “Ahem.”

  Clara and Daniel broke apart. Embarrassed to be caught out kissing him, she knew she must be red.

  Apparently unperturbed, Daniel stared at his brother who stood in the doorway. “You pop up at the durndest times.”

  Josh grinned. “Begging your pardon, Clara. Little brother, if you can pull yourself away from this lovely lady, Mama said Gran and Grandpa are here and it’s time to come to the parlor.”

  Daniel transferred to the chair. “Okay, but we have a plan worked out for my entrance.”

  Josh shrugged. “I’m just the messenger. I’ll go back to the parlor.”

  Clara pushed her patient to the hallway outside the parlor. Daniel took a deep breath and stood.

  Clara leaned near and whispered, “You can do this.”

  He took slow steps and entered the parlor, with her following him. Furniture had been pushed to the walls and extra chairs brought in. People filled the room.

  Everyone there stood and clapped. Dallas and Josh and Finn whistled. When he was about ten steps into the room, he signaled her and she positioned the wheelchair so he could sit down easily.

  Houston toddled over to Daniel. “I ride, Unka Dan’l?”

  “You bet, Houston, old buddy.” Daniel lifted the boy onto his lap. He used his hands to move the chair back and forth.

  Houston laughed hilariously as only a child can.

  The boy’s father captured Houston and held him high over his head where Houston squealed in glee.

  Dallas took his son with him and sat beside his beautiful wife. “Give Uncle Daniel a break, okay?”

  Houston looked adoringly at his father and nodded. “Break ’kay.”

  Gran dabbed at her eyes. “I’m glad we didn’t miss that. Daniel, I’m so happy for you. You, too, Clara. I know you’ve both worked very hard.”

  Clara kissed Gran’s cheek. “Your other grandsons helped a lot.”

  “I know and I thank Dallas and Josh, too.” The older woman smiled through tears. “We have a wonderful family.”

  Brendan O’Neill stood. “I’d say this occasion calls for music. Are you ready, Aoiffe?”

  His wife picked up a fiddle and put her chin on the rest. Her son Finn joined with his own violin. Mr. McDonald put a harmonica to his lips. Mac picked up what looked like a tambourine, but he beat it with a short stick with a ball at one end.

  “What is that Mac has?” Clara asked Daniel.

  “A bhodrân.” He leaned forward. “Hey, Mac, didn’t know you played the drum.”

  Mac nodded without breaking time.
“Been learning this past year.”

  Brendan and Mrs. McDonald clapped in time.

  Cenora leaned near Dallas and whispered. He nodded and took Kate from her. She gestured to Vourneen.

  Cenora and her sister-in-law rose and danced with their backs straight and their feet flying. Rebecca joined them.

  Clara clapped. She had seen Celtic dancing at Scottish cèilidhs but never any this fine, particularly no one as good as Cenora.

  Clara leaned near Daniel so he could hear her. “Who is that seated beside Dallas?”

  The man was about Clara’s height and quite handsome. Silver threaded his black hair and his skin was light bronze. Although he wore clothes like those of the other men, his boots were soft rawhide and came up halfway to his knees.

  “John Tall Trees is Cherokee Indian and is Dallas’ maternal grandfather. He’s moved here full time to be near his great grandchildren.”

  “Why does Gran glare at him?” When she looked at Mr. Tall Trees, Gran’s mouth puckered like a prune.

  “She wouldn’t accept John’s daughter as Houston’s wife, so he went to live with John. She holds John responsible for Houston’s death. That’s ridiculous because John and his daughter saved Houston’s life when he was robbed and left for dead.”

  “What a terrible thing to happen. And with him far from home.”

  Daniel nodded. “At the same time, John holds Gran responsible because if Houston and Gentle Dove had been living here, they wouldn’t have run afoul of the gang of ruffians who killed them.”

  “He does not appear to glare at Gran. In fact, he has not looked at her.”

  “As far as he’s concerned, she does not exist.”

  Petra, accompanied by Dr. Sullivan, chose to move closer beside Clara. She leaned near. “I brought my shoes and cap but I don’t think I want to dance now that I’ve seen Cenora.”

  Kathryn yelled, “Cenora, please sing for us.”

  Rebecca fanned her face with her hand and plopped onto the floor beside her friend Maddie. Vourneen returned to sit with her children, who Maddie had cared for while their mother danced.

  Cenora smiled and spoke to her family. They changed the tune and she sang “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms” then “Piping Tim of Galway” followed by “Green Bushes”.

  She curtsied to applause and gestured to her sister-in-law. “Stella and Nettie have lovely voices. Let’s hear them.”

  Catcalls and cheers encouraged the reluctant sisters.

  Stella and Nettie stood together and asked Aoiffe for “Barbara Allen” then sang “Greensleeves” a cappella.

  Nettie said, “We’ll close with ‘Lavender’s Blue’ and let someone else perform.”

  Their voices blended perfectly to produce a wondrous sound. When they had sung three tunes, they curtsied and returned to their seats.

  Clara clapped and leaned toward Daniel. “I have never heard better singers than these three women.”

  “What were you and your aunt whispering about? What were you scheming?”

  She grimaced and shook her head. “Your family members are such accomplished performers, I do not have the nerve now.”

  “Hey, this is family. Go ahead.”

  She widened her eyes at him. “Says the man who was a nervous wreck earlier.”

  He reached around Clara to touch Petra’s sleeve. “Time for you two to get your act going.”

  Petra nodded and pulled her shoes and hat from a bag beside her. “Clara, get your shoes on.”

  Clara sighed. “All right. I do not want to seem like a bad sport.”

  She hurried to her room and retrieved her shoes. She hadn’t starched her cap so she didn’t wear it. Besides, it would mess up her hairstyle. She made fun of herself. What a vain woman she had become.

  When Clara returned to the parlor, Petra set the cap on her head and stood. “Clara and I will show you Dutch clog dancing. Fortunately for us, this is not as active a dance as that Cenora, Vourneen, and Rebecca did earlier.”

  Kathryn sat at the piano and stared at the wooden shoes. “Is that what’s sometimes called clog dancing?”

  Petra nodded. “Ja, do you know the music?”

  Kathryn played a few notes. “Will that work?”

  “Perfectly.” Clara grabbed her aunt’s hand and they moved to the center of the room.

  Kathryn continued while Clara and Petra danced. Soon the other musicians joined the tune. Clara had to portray the man’s part for her aunt, as the dance was intended for couples.

  After a few minutes, Clara stopped. “You see how it goes now.”

  People clapped and she and Petra curtsied.

  Austin called to a man across the room, “Tom, let’s see a Cherokee dance.”

  The man shook his head and laughed. “Might make it rain.”

  Others joined in the mirth.

  Dallas stood and glanced at his grandmother then at Mr. Tall Trees. “Come,ˈɡɹændˌfɑ, and we will dance together.”

  “I would not miss an opportunity to dance with my grandson.” He turned to Mac. “Will you match out time with your bhodrân?”

  Mr. Tall Trees and Dallas matched one another in a crouch. Houston ran to copy them. The older man chanted while he and his grandson turned this way and that, dipping as if stabbing something.

  Clara thought Houston the most precious child she had ever seen. “Isn’t Houston adorable trying to copy their movements?”

  “I agree but look at Gran.”

  Gran’s face scrunched in anger… and repulsion.

  When the men stopped dancing, Dallas scooped up his son.

  Mr. Tall Trees turned slowly. “Beware of the Cherokees. That was a war dance.”

  The audience clapped and laughed.

  Emma stood. “Food’s on the table. Help yourself and come back in here. I’ll bring around drinks.”

  Rebecca stood. “I’ll help, Emma.”

  Kathryn clapped her hands for attention. “We’ll save the desserts for later after we’ve danced and heard more music.”

  Daniel leaned near. “Get me some of everything.”

  Austin held up his hands. “First, Brendan, would you give our blessing?”

  Brendan puffed out his chest as he had done at the picnic. “I’ll be pleased. Let’s see if this one will do. As lovely as Eirin's rolling Hills, Fair as its lakes and streams, Joyful as it laughter, Bright as all its dreams, Lucky as its people, Happy as its leprechauns too, May that be how each and every day, Will always be for you. Amen.”

  Austin smiled at Council Clayton. “Would the English like equal representation?”

  Council shook his head. “Not this Englishman. What about the Scots?” He grinned at Austin.

  Together, the McClintock men said, “No.”

  Dinner was a massive feast. Each family had brought food, although Kathryn and Emma had provided more than enough.

  When they were seated and balancing plates on their laps, Petra told Clara. “I only brought a cake. I should have brought more.”

  Beside her, the doctor asked, “Why? You don’t think there’s enough food?”

  “Ja, you’re right. I just saw some carrying in several dishes and I felt like the poor relative.”

  “Those were Kathryn’s two sons and Finn who carried in so much. The others did not, yet look how much there is.”

  Daniel said, “Usually there’s enough for at least three times this many people.”

  Clara speared a bite of barbecued beef. She hadn’t added the sauce for fear she would drip on her new dress. “There is that much tonight. But there is a nice variety. I could not taste all of it because my plate was too full.”

  Daniel grinned at her. “That means you have to go back for seconds.”

  She nodded. “And while I am there I should get you another plate full, is that right?”

  “You catch on quickly.” He popped a bite of ham into his mouth.

  Dr. Sullivan, who insisted she call him John, leaned forward. “Daniel,
I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you so improved.”

  “Thanks for keeping me alive and finding Clara. Even though she isn’t a man as her letter indicated, she has done a great job.”

  She nudged his arm with her elbow. “You will never forget that, will you?”

  Petra frowned. “Is Daniel angry with you?”

  Daniel laughed. “It’s a joke, Petra. I was mad when she arrived because we’d expected a man. I didn’t think a woman could do the job, but she bullied me and sure showed me how wrong I was.”

  Petra nodded, obviously still confused. “My English is not as good as Clara’s. I miss a lot of jokes and… how do you say… local jargon?

  Clara stood. “Shall I take your plate, Aunt Petra, or do you wish to get more?”

  “No more for me. I am embarrassed at how much I ate but everything looked delicious. And, it was.”

  John stood. “I believe I’ll have a bit more of that barbecue. Bachelors have to seize the opportunity for good food when we can.” He glanced at Petra before walking toward the kitchen.

  Clara widened her eyes at her aunt and leaned to whisper, “You should ask him for dinner. You’re a great cook and he hinted.”

  Petra’s eyes sparkled. “You do not think Hans would mind?”

  “Definitely not.” Clara took Daniel’s plate. “More of everything or just specific foods?”

  “No green beans or cabbage. Hold out for beef and a few beans and sweet potatoes and corn.”

  “Nothing green, little boy?”

  He pulled a face but his blue eyes twinkled. “See, I said you catch on quickly.”

  When she returned to her seat, Mr. Tall Trees was talking to Daniel.

  After handing Daniel his plate, she extended her hand to Mr. Tall Trees. “I am Clara Van Hoosan. Your dance was interesting. After you told us it was a war dance, I can see your motions mimicked sneaking through the brush, attacking, and slaying your enemies. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.”

  Surprise spread across his face. “My pleasure. I promise not to scalp you, at least not until Daniel is running on the path.”

  She laughed. “That is a relief. As annoyed as I am with my hair at times, I would like to keep it attached to my head.”

  He laughed. “I’ll remember your request.”