He held the door for her and then led her to a table with a bell. A robust woman, perhaps in her mid-forties, appeared, taking in the scene. He stepped forward, sheltering Maybe from the woman’s scrutiny, and asked for a room.
“Jist one?”
“Aye. And a bath, too, if you please.”
There was something about the smile she gave when she nodded that made Willie feel like he was doing something…wrong. He shook it off and thanked her.
She slid him the key and gave directions. “I’ll have me son up to fill yer bath in a twinklin’.”
“Thank you.” He guided Maybe toward the stairs. Should he scoop her up or let her negotiate them on her own?
“I can do it, Willie.”
So he stayed behind her, ready to protect her from falling.
At the landing, she stopped and glanced in both directions. Rooms appeared both ways.
“She said to the right, room three.”
Maybe nodded and launched herself down the hall to the door.
Willie used the key and allowed her to enter first before following.
The room was small, crowded. Barely a place to put a tub for bathing. But it was clean, and they would sleep on clean sheets after getting themselves clean. It had been so long.
“Would you prefer to sit in the chair or on the bed?” A wooden chair sat tucked next to a small desk in the corner.
“The chair, please.”
Willie pulled it out for her.
She took the seat and eyed him. “Ye know ye need not coddle me. I can pull out chairs and do things for meself.”
“I know. You are my wife. I want to take care of you.”
“I thank ye kindly, Willie. Ye always take good care of me. But I canna have ye smothering me. We need to find a balance.”
She didn’t want him to take care of her?
“Ye look confused. I’m sorry. It is confusin’ fer me too. Yer a good man, Willie Crockett. Please, jist let me be meself. It has been too long since I was meself. Do ye ken?” Her brogue had thickened since crossing the threshold.
Threshold! He hadn’t carried her over it! Ack! Again, he could do nothing right!
“What is the matter? What did I say?”
He hung his head. “I was supposed to carry you over the threshold. I made a mess of things again.”
She laughed.
He looked at her. Had she lost her mind?
Her laugh continued until tears rolled down her cheeks.
Willie’s face grew hot. He not only messed things up, he’d humiliated himself with his honesty.
Maybe stood and hobbled to him without her crutch. “Ye are a sweet oaf, my Willie. Ye carried me all the way from the ship. That should count for somethin’.” Her arms twined around his neck and she pulled his face to hers. “Ye are my sweet oaf, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, William Crockett.” Her kiss punctuated her words, warming him from his toes all the way to his senses.
As he was about to scoop her up and place her on the bed, someone knocked at the door. It took every ounce of will power to untangle himself to answer.
“Ye ordered a bath, sir?”
“Aye.” Willie stood aside, allowing the boy to bring in the tub. Two more boys followed carrying large jugs of hot water.
This began the parade of boys and jugs and hot water until the tub was filled. Willie flipped them each a coin and closed the door.
“Do you want help to get into the tub?”
“Yer hopin’ I say aye, that ye are.” She smiled, then ducked her gaze. “No, I can manage. If ye can go find me some lady things, that would be a great help. Put the towels and soap where I can reach them, and then I’ll be right as rain.”
Willie nodded, not wanting to make more of this. They needed to find their way, and he had promised not to force himself on her.
Stupid promise. Stupid thought!
He did as she asked and left her to her privacy.
* * *
Once Willie left, Maybe’s heart settled back to a normal beat. She undressed. Months in the same clothing with only the occasional sponge bath when no one was looking left her feeling very dirty. She could not understand how Willie even wanted to be near her in her present state. But she would make the wait worth it.
Unwrapping her ankle proved the most revealing—she hadn’t had a good look at it since the accident. The human body turned so many colors! Now naked, she tried balancing on one leg while putting in the other. That worked halfway, but balancing on her injured foot was not going to happen. Then she remembered her crutch and got herself in, submerging as much as the tub allowed. Oh, sweet thunderation! The hot water opened every pore, releasing more than dirt. Anxiety, fears, even anger seeped from her body. She scrunched more, ducking her head under, holding her breath and letting memories of good and clean and safe flood over her. If she held her breath long enough, she might stay in that place forever.
But she couldn’t. Popping up with a gasp, Maybe surveyed about her. She was in Ireland, in a clean room, getting clean for the first time in four months. And she was with a darlin’ man who loved her and gave her his name. Perhaps good and clean and safe lived right here in these four walls.
She grabbed the soap, wet it, and gave it a rub before putting it under her nose and inhaling. Ah, it had been too long.
Twenty minutes later, she decided she was clean. Besides Willie would be back soon, and she wanted to be out and at least wrapped in a towel before he returned. She had nothing else to wear. The thought brought heat to her face. She’d have to get over that. She was married.
Getting out was harder than getting in, but with her crutch, she maneuvered herself on to the edge of the bed while wrapped in the towel. Just as she debated whether she could rewrap her ankle, there was a knock followed by Willie’s voice.
Her heartbeat increased, she caught herself smiling. “Aye. Come in.”
He carried a bundle. “I’m hoping I got this right. There was a small shop in the village, and I had to make guesses.”
“Would ye come help me wrap me ankle?” She held the bandages out to him.
“Of course!” He dropped the bundle on the bed and knelt before her, beginning the rewrapping process. In less than a minute, he had it completed, never once causing her the least twinge of pain, though his touch sent tingles throughout her entire clean body.
“Would ye like help dressing or prefer me to step out?”
“I canna tell if ye are that hopeful or that helpful, Willie Crockett.”
He started to protest, but she put her fingers to his lips.
“Jist give me a bit more time. I am getting there. I promise. I know what I want, but I’m not quite ready to be that brazen.”
He smiled at that and winked. “Then I’ll step out. Call me if you need me. I’ll be outside the door.” His hand caressed her cheek before he exited.
Maybe dropped the towel and perused what he’d brought in the bundle. As she held up a yellow linen dress to herself, her hand brushed against the life forming within her belly. She put the dress back on the bed and caressed where the baby caused her stomach to pooch. Her baby. Willie’s baby and her baby. She’d been hiding from him, but already he intimately knew her.
Would he act this shy around her, if roles were reversed? He’d be needing a bath once she dressed. She needed to get clothes for him.
Then she examined the rest of what he brought. He’d bought for himself too. She smiled. He didn’t want her to have to go alone and shop for him. Instinctively, she realized that was his reasoning. It was his way.
She got into her chemise and stopped. By decent society, she was still undressed, but at least covered enough for her husband to enter. “Ye may come in now.”
Willie looked surprised. “Do you need help with your stays?”
She nodded. “I will, but not now. It is yer turn. Ye need a bath too. I’ll turn me back as I shouldn’t be goin’ into the hall like this. When yer in, I’ll scrub yer back for
ye.”
His eyes twinkled. “Oh, will you now. What if I’m not ready for that?”
“Master Crockett, I do believe ye are tryin’ to tease me. Here I am offerin’ to help, and yer turnin’ me down?”
He laughed. “Who said anything about turning ye down, Mistress Crockett? Now, ye be turning yer back, and I’ll get into the tub.” He sounded more Irish than when they arrived. He did it on purpose.
She covered her face and turned her back. “Tell me when yer ready.”
Listening, she heard clothing drop to the floor, a few steps, and then the sound of water displaced. “Ready.”
Maybe spun around and parted her fingers.
He sat with his back to her, though she could see his knees sticking from the water like two pale mountains. Where the sun had repeatedly kissed his skin while aboard ship, he was tanned, almost bronze. But the areas where the sun missed—his back and knees—were without color but for the freckles that liberally peppered. “Ye need to get yer hair wet too. I’ll scrub it for ye.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “I think I might grow to like this.”
“Oh, ye do, do ye?” She pushed his head under, and he came up sputtering, shaking his great curly mane and beard. “Enough! Yer getting me wet!”
“Then take off your shift and join me.”
Did he think she would? Her heart pounded. Was she ready? This was her husband. He already knew her. Was she afraid? Of Willie?
He might as well see what he’d acquired. She gathered her skirt in her hands and pulled the chemise over her head, tossing it on the bed.
Willie reached for her, lifting her into the tub, ankle bandage and all. “You are very beautiful, my wife.”
“Go on with ye, me husband.” His wet skin warmed her deeper than her own.
He threaded his fingers through her clean hair and kissed her.
* * *
Something kept Willie from moving. He cracked open his eyes. Maybe lay curled against him, over his arm. Still in his embrace. Fast asleep. He might as well drown in a vat of honey, the sweetness that overwhelmed him took his breath. Her raven hair, getting a bit longer each day, now silky and damp, still called to his fingers, though he feared his touch might wake her. Even her lashes lay dark against her face looking soft enough to want to stroke with his fingertip. Her skin, warm against his body and fragrant of roses, felt as soft as a newborn’s.
Newborn. There would be a newborn for them. The power of the thought choked him. He was barely a husband. How was he to be a father? He knew nothing of being a father, and the one he could ask for advice was on the other side of the world. The flutter of sweet love turned to waves of panic in his gut. He was in over his head drowning before the wee one could arrive.
The sooner they found her sister, the sooner they might find a ship and sail back to North Carolina.
Willie slowly tried to slip his arm free, but she opened her eyes, those violet eyes that made his heart go all erratic—stopping and then pounding out of his chest.
She smiled. “Hello.”
He ran a finger down the side of her face. “Hello.”
She snuggled closer, her fingers playing at his chest. “What shall we do now?”
“We might get dressed and find a bite to eat before we look for your sister.”
Maybe bit her bottom lip, insecurity mounting in her eyes as she glanced away. “If that is what ye want.”
He pulled her closer yet, whispering in her ear. “I am looking forward to tonight, though. Just so you know, dear wife.” Kissing her temple, he hoped he’d eased her fears. He didn’t know how else to reassure her that this was a commitment of love, not duty.
She nodded and rolled to her side of the bed, wrapping bedclothes about her. Had he gotten through?
His side banked against the wall, so he scooted to the foot of the bed. The new clothing lay scattered across the floor. After handing her the chemise, he picked up the other items, shook them and handed Maybe hers while putting his on the chair.
He noticed she followed his movements with her eyes when it hit him: he was naked. The room became very warm. Was it possible for his entire body to blush? “Guess I should put on some pants.” The nervous laugh that came out sounded nothing like him.
She slid the chemise over her head and laid the bedclothes aside. “Willie, might ye help with my stays?”
“Of course!” He pulled on his breeches and buttoned them before coming to her aid. “How does this work over the baby?”
“Jist dunna pull too tight. I will be fine that way.”
He adjusted as best he could and tied the bow. Another first. He’d never helped his sisters with any of this. He blew out a breath. This wasn’t merely Ireland, it was a whole new world.
Willie fastened her dress for her and helped her into her new shoes. In between he’d pulled on his shirt and waistcoat. Last of all, Maybe tucked her hair up under her mobcap. No one would see it had been cut, and she definitely resembled a girl again. No, he corrected himself, she looked like a woman.
He offered her his arm, then realized that was silly since she’d need to use her crutch. She smiled at his oaf-ness and waited while he got the door. Then it was back to negotiating the steps. “Will you please let me take you to the first floor?”
After the first two treads and nearly falling, Maybe agreed.
Willie scooped her in his arms and had them downstairs in seconds where he put her back on her feet.
“Thank ye.” She pinked, looking away.
He shook his head.
The lady who’d given them the key was still in the sitting room. She glanced up and her eyes widened. “Why glory be, ‘tis a girl with ye!”
“No, mistress, no girl. This is my wife.” Willie smiled as charmingly as possible, hoping to put the nosy woman in her place, but nicely.
“Aye, so it is, so it is. Would ye be wantin’ a wee bite?”
“That would be kind. Thank you.”
She led the way to the dining room.
Willie waited to let Maybe go next before he brought up the rear. He held her chair before taking his own.
“It has been a long time since someone held a chair for me.” Maybe whispered, almost wistfully.
“Well, it won’t be a long time anymore.” He put his hand over hers.
“Excuse me, mistress, sir, might I get you some tea?”
Maybe’s hand fisted beneath his, and he glanced, first at her, and then at the face of the speaker.
Her chair tipped back, and Maybe jumped to her feet, embracing the girl. “Eliza! Eliza!”
“Elizabeth?” The girl dropped the tea pot. It shattered in a million tiny pieces like islands in a hot brown puddle. “Elizabeth!”
The lady of the house rushed in with the crash. “Eliza! What have you done?”
“Willie, Willie, this is Eliza! This is my sister!”
Chapter Nineteen
Could it be so simple? Maybe hugged her sister, pulled back and gaze at her, followed by another hug and gaze. Right here, all the time. The tears refused to stop. Maybe wasn’t about to let go of her for fear she’d disappear.
Over her shoulder she heard Willie dealing with the woman, paying her for the teapot, and offering explanation. But nothing was here but her sister. “I feared ye had died. I dinna know what we would find.”
“Daniel O’Malley sent me word that ye and Mama had died, and no one was left to bring me over. Is Mama truly dead?”
Maybe’s heart squeezed in a vice, the day rushed back. “Aye. It were soon after we landed.”
“What happened? Did she get sick from me?” Eliza’s eyes filled with even more tears and now fear.
“No, oh, no, darlin’ girl.” Maybe paused for a breath. Until this moment, she’d never told Willie what happened. “We were out walking. It was early spring, and the flowers were just bloomin’. I heard the noise but paid no heed. Just a part of nature. Mama swiped her hand in the air, and I noticed the bee. It wouldn’t leav
e her alone, and she kept waving her hand at it. She clapped her hands together. ‘There, it will not bother me again,’ she said. Then a moment later she grabbed at my hand. Her face looked queer— like she dinna ken what happened—and her eyes grew, full of fear. She tried to speak but her tongue seemed thick, she made sounds but not words. Her hands went to her throat, and she dropped to her knees.” The memory of the day poured over her, weighing on her. She felt Willie’s arms around her. “I couldn’t do anything for her. I cried for help, but by the time anyone came… she was gone.” Turning, she cried against Willie. He held her, rubbing his hand up and down her back.
When she breathed enough to control her sobs, she lifted her head. His eyes stared back with understanding. “Now ye ken why I was so terrified.”
He nodded.
Eliza shyly stood at her side.
Maybe pulled the girl into the embrace. Now they were three. She would never leave her sister again.
* * *
It took a few questions, but someone finally remembered the place where the pirates attacked twenty years ago. Willie hiked in that direction, finding a tower house and the ruins of what might have been a house on a bluff. Memories of the stories his mother and father told him, how she helped fight off the pirates who wanted to take the tower house, how his father returned from a trip to find the home where he left his wife and sons obliterated. Now a married man and soon-to-be-father, these stories held a deeper meaning for Willie. Even apart, his parents worked together, loved each other, and cared for each other. He hoped for that with Maybe.
Willie stood on the bluff, gazing out at the scene that must have filled his mother’s eyes more than once as she watched for her husband’s ship to arrive. No wonder he found solace standing in such a place when his mind filled with dancing thoughts.
The young girl who served them turning out to be Maybe’s sister? How simple was that? Now to get them all aboard a westbound ship. Perhaps they could still make the season before the seas were too rough to transverse.
The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection Page 76