Ellery's Eden (Tales From Biders Clump Book 12)

by Danni Roan

  Ellery Olson kicked off his boots, his heart pounding in his chest at the woman’s words, and he felt something turn inside him. How could this virtual stranger love his children? A wry smile tugged at his lips as he flopped down on the bed Alice’s face drifting across his mind. Alice had been a loveable woman. She had so many friends, so many acquaintances who cared for her. Was it any wonder her children would have the same affect on someone like Ernie?

  Closing his eyes, he let out a deep breath. The woman beside him had a great deal of love to give, and for the first time, it hit him just how hard her life must have been. Orphaned at a young age things could have gone very badly for her, but she had found a way to live, gaining an education and taking on a job where she would care for another’s children only to have to leave them behind when the job was done.

  “Thank you,” he whispered into the darkness of the unfamiliar room. “I know this isn’t easy for you.”

  Ernie felt the tears prickle behind her eyes and knew it was a losing battle. Alyssa’s anger and harsh words had nearly broken her heart, but she couldn’t be surprised at the girl’s behavior.

  Not trusting her voice, even in the darkness of the room, Ernie rolled over and tried to rationalize away her tears, but still they trickled down her face and onto her pillow. She wanted to respond to Ellery’s kind words even finding hope in his simple statement that he might be moving more fully back into the land of the living, but she didn’t trust her voice.

  The silence of the house washed over Ernie as her tears slackened. Beside her Ellery had slipped off to sleep and the soft, rhythmic sound of his breathing soothed her reminding her that she wasn’t alone.

  Now if only he were here completely. He had tried to help with Alyssa’s behavior, but she had seen the self-doubt almost overwhelm him. She didn’t know if she could do this alone, but was determined to try.

  God, she thought, please help me and give me strength. This is much harder than I expected, but I know you have put me here for this purpose. Please help Alyssa to find peace with this new situation and let me love her no matter how often she fights me, disobeys me, or makes life hard. She’s a child and I know you love her even more than I ever can. Thank you for not leaving me alone. Amen.

  Ernie felt a peace settle over her as she snuggled deeper into her blankets, her tears ebbing as her heart swelled. “Do all things in love,” she whispered closing her eyes on a smile.

  Tomorrow would be a new day and she would start fresh, walking the children to school and letting their father bring them home again. Perhaps on the weekend they would head back to the boarding house to visit Polly and George and let them know how things were going.

  ***

  Ellery woke while the sky was still dark, feeling the woman next to him in bed. His heart went out to Ernestine after what she had endured at dinner, but he was pleased to see that she hadn’t given in to defeat. No, she seemed to have a strong heart, and he was grateful that though this wasn’t a real marriage she was at his side.

  Perhaps in time, they would become friends. Perhaps in time he would believe he was strong enough to be a partner who could actually be of use in the relationship. No, he still would never love her, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t work together to see that his children were happy and well adjusted.

  As the minutes ticked by in the wee hours of the morning, Ellery was surprised that the restless need to leave the house hadn’t overwhelmed him. Instead, he felt a quietness that had been missing for far too long and a hint of hope seemed to flicker in his heart. With a woman like Ernie on his side, perhaps he could be the father he needed to be, someone who would be able to live a life for his children that would mirror his father’s faithful love. Only time would tell what the future would bring, but he longed for peace, rest, and even perhaps a touch of joy. His children deserved at least that.

  Chapter 23

  Ellery fidgeted over his breakfast feeling restless and anxious. He wasn’t sure what it was, but after two weeks in this new life, he couldn’t seem to settle. It felt like there was a storm brewing, something dark and oppressive seemed to be hanging in the air wearing on his nerves.

  Finishing his breakfast, he gazed around the quiet house then rose grabbing his hat and heading to the depot to help his father. The mornings had been chaotic recently with droves of guests disembarking for a day in Biders Clump. Many would stay at the boarding house while others would spend the day in town buying provisions, eating at the Grist Mill where Tate, Prissy, and Rupert provided hearty meals, only to board the evening train headed further west.

  “Is something wrong,” Ernestine walked into the kitchen on silent feet, little Sophia on her hip. “You have that look,” she added with a smile.

  “I don’t know.” Ellery looked up taking in the sweet scene. “I feel like there’s a storm about to break, but I can’t figure out why.”

  Ernie nodded. “Perhaps there is going to be a change in the weather,” she nodded having felt something in the air the past few days. Despite the quiet of their shared home, Ernie still felt out of place and awkward around Ellery. They had established a routine of sorts here in the Williams’ home, but there was no true connection and tension still simmered under the surface with Alyssa.

  “I hope that’s all it is,” Ellery said placing his hand on the doorknob. “I’ll see you later,” he finished stepping outside into an oppressive heat of a summer day.

  Sweat beaded on his forehead as Ellery stepped into the street. The sun was barely up, but already the humidity in the air was stifling. Picking up his step Ellery made his way to the depot knowing his father was probably already there.

  “Morning Ellery,” George grinned as his son stepped up onto the platform next to a hissing train. The older man’s shirt was already dark with sweat before the sun was in full bloom. The heat and humidity doubled in a heartbeat, and Ellery forced the air into his lungs.

  “Morning Dad,” he said moving to a large trunk that had just been unloaded. “How many do we have today?”

  “Only about ten,” George said pausing to wipe his brow with a large blue kerchief. “They seem to be planning on staying a bit though,” he added nodding to the stack of boxes, crates, and trunks.

  Ellery pushed the small cart toward the stack of luggage and began hefting onto it. By the look of things they would need to make several trips and already his shirt was sticking to his back. He had just loaded one large trunk when his father stepped toward him a steamer in his hands. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Ellery watched his father’s face go deathly pale, his dark eyes rolling upward as the trunk slipped from his hands and he fell to the platform planks with a crash.

  “Dad!” Ellery yelled racing to his father and pulling the heavy trunk off his chest. “Help! Help!” he cried taking his father’s icy hand and patting it.

  “Ell?” a man’s voice pierced Ellery’s mind, but he barely noticed as the depot manager sprinted away toward Doc. Walker’s office.

  “Dad wake up,” Ellery felt the tears pouring down his face as he sat helpless trying to wake his father. “Wake up dad, you can’t leave, you can’t go. We need you. I need you.”

  “Ellery,” A deep rumble rolled over him as two strong hands shifted him away. “Run and fetch your Ma,” Rock Bannon commanded softly as he stooped lifting George like a rag doll. “I’ll get him to the doc.”

  Ellery stood, legs shaking as he tried to catch his breath. “What?”

  “Get your Ma,” Rock commanded again, walking down the stairs and into the street as the depot manager hurried his way, Doc Walker at his side.

  “Take him to my office,” the doctor barked to Rock grasping George’s wrist as he trotted alongside. “He’s alive and his pulse is steady, that’s a good sign.”

  The world seemed to come into focus in a snap, colors, sensations, and sounds blaring as Ellery found his feet and sprinted toward home. He needed to get his mother, needed to be there for her and get her to Doc
Walker’s office. Amid the heat, humidity, and skidding clouds something seemed to well in Ellery’s heart. A hidden spring of strength he didn’t know he had burst into being filling him with determination as he pounded down the street and burst through the boarding house door.

  “Becky,” he half shouted, turning to the young woman who stepped from the parlor where she was serving tea. “Run and fetch Ernestine to help you. Pa collapsed at the station, and I’m taking Ma to Doc Walker.”

  Clarity seemed to sparkle behind his eyes as he watched the young woman’s blue eyes grow wide even as she lifted her skirts and ran.

  “Mother,” Ellery’s voice was soft as he stepped into a bustling kitchen where guests sat eating breakfast at the tables in the large room. “You need to come with me,” he continued taking his mother’s hand and leading her toward the door. “Pa’s had a spell and is with the doc,” he finished feeling his mother’s hands tremble in his.

  Polly felt as if someone had poured ice water over her and a shiver ran down her spine. George, George was at the doctors, her George, who was almost never sick. She wanted to understand, wanted to ask what had happened, but her voice abandoned her, and she followed Ellery blindly down the street then up the stairs of their old friend’s home.

  Outside dark clouds skidded across the sky engulfing the shimmering shades that had once been sunrise, swallowing them whole and draping the town in a shroud of gray, and Ellery turned away from the site of his father lying prostrate on the table in Doc’s office.

  “George?” Polly’s voice shook as she moved forward taking her husband’s hand in hers, her blue eyes turning to the doctor.

  “I’m not sure what happened,” Doc said pulling his stethoscope from his ears. “His heart is beating strong and his breathing is even.”

  A heavy hand landed on Ellery’s shoulder and he turned looking up into the craggy face of Rock. “I come to town to fetch a crate for Cam,” the big man drawled. “I’ll carry all that luggage to the Boarding House for you Ell.”

  Ellery nodded feeling the bulking presence of the man fill the room. It seemed to push the oppression of the day from the room adding some quiet strength that helped settle his thoughts. “Thank you,” he nodded. “Thank you for everything.”

  As Rock stepped quietly from the room, Ellery took a deep breath and joined his mother at his father’s side while Doc Walker continued to examine George. Taking a stance behind Polly Esther, Ellery drew in a breath offering what strength he could muster as fear nibbled at his resolve.

  Chapter 24

  A crack of thunder made Ernie jump as she finished the last pan of bacon, adding it to the already full plate. She could hear the wind picking up outside but was too busy look outside.

  Ellery had been right a storm was coming, but her mind was more occupied with worry about George, Polly, and Ellery than the eminent arrival of the storm.

  “Thank you Ernie,” Becky whispered for the fifth time. When the younger woman had arrived at the house out of breath and pale, Ernie had feared something had happened to Ellery. Perhaps she wasn’t in love with the man, but the longer she was with him the more she grew to care for him. The news about George had staggered her and not knowing was almost too much to bear.

  “I’m glad I could be here,” Ernie said squeezing Becky’s hand. When Becky had found her, she had simply grabbed up baby Sophia and hurried to the Boarding House praying for the family as she pitched in to work. They needed her strength and dedication more than her sympathy right now, and she would give it willingly.

  Moving the pan from the stove Ernie fixed a plate of pancakes and carried them to where Sophia sat chewing a hard crust of bread in her highchair.

  Around her, the guests chatted planning out a day in Biders Clump or asking Becky about their rooms. The Boarding House was full and Becky would need all the help she could get. Taking a seat next to the little Sophie, Ernie placed the cut pancakes dripping with butter and syrup before her letting the child use her pudgy hands to eat even as she prayed for the family.

  As the patrons finished their meals Ernie began cleaning the kitchen, stacking the dishes in the large farm style sink and pouring boiling water from the kettle over them.

  Becky had hurried upstairs when the man everyone called Rock had arrived with the baggage from the train and had remained there directing guests to their rooms and laying out fresh towels, soaps, and lotions as needed.

  The quiet, save for the occasional babble of Sophia fell in the kitchen muffling the turmoil in Ernie’s heart as she began the mundane task of washing dishes and setting the kitchen to rights.

  Another clap of thunder rolled over the town making Sophia yelp and cry and Ernie dried her hands lifting the baby to comfort her fear. “Don’t worry little one,” she whispered pressing Sophie’s head into the crook of her neck. “Everything will be all right. You’ll see,” she finished a tear slipping from her eyes from the ache in her heart.

  Becky stepped into the kitchen, quietly offering a worried smile as she watched Ernie rocking Sophia to sleep. The baby was so precious and Becky was glad she got to see her often. Over the past few weeks Ernie, Ellery and the children had joined them for dinner every Sunday, and she felt like the other woman was becoming a true friend.

  “Everyone is settled in for the time being,” Becky said rolling up her sleeves, plunging her hands into the hot water, as heavy raindrops pelted the window, and the storm broke over Biders Clump.

  “I’ll stay here as best I can,” Ernie said. “I hope George is okay.”

  Becky nodded her blue eyes sad. “George and Polly have been like family to me,” her words were soft, so she wouldn’t disturb Sophia. “They were here when I needed them most,” she added with a sad smile. “If not for them, I never would have met Grady and given him a chance to win my heart.”

  Ernie nodded. She could understand the love and devotion Becky felt for the Olsons. If not for George’s letter, she never would have known about a family who needed her, one that she desperately needed in return.

  “When the rain eases,” Becky continued. “I’ll send a note to Grady letting him know what happened. He can bring the children home with him today.”

  Ernie nodded, seeing in Becky Gatlin a kindred spirit. A practical woman with a good heart who loved the people she had come to help.

  “I hope Ellery is holding up,” Ernie mused as the baby slipped into peaceful slumber.

  Becky nodded offering a sad smile as Ernie carried the baby into the office and settled her in the basket for her nap.

  The quiet of the Boarding House seemed odd after the noise and bustle of breakfast. Upstairs she could hear the occasional click of a shoe on the floor, or the sound of running water as someone used the bathroom, but otherwise only the battering sound of the rain filled the world.

  ***

  A crack of thunder and the sound of rain pelting on the roof of the doctor’s office turned Ellery’s thoughts from his father to his children. They were in the schoolhouse, safe and sound with Mr. Gatlin, and the essence of Biders Clump seemed to gather in his heart. He could be here with his mother knowing that his children would be cared for in the darkest storm.

  “Polly?” George Olson’s voice was weak as he opened his eyes and gazed around him. “What happened?”

  “You rest easy George,” Doc Walker said smoothing his heavy mustache as he looked down at his old friend. “You had a spell at the depot, and Rock brought you here.”

  Polly clung to George’s hand heartened when he squeezed hers back. “You gave us quite a scare,” she said.

  “You did at that,” Ellery looked around his mother to meet his father’s steady gaze.

  “I don’t feel sick,” George looked back to the doctor. “Well my head is a tad sore.”

  “I think you bumped your head when you fell,” Ellery offered flicking his eyes between the doctor and her father.

  “What about our guests?” George asked.

  Polly turned lookin
g at Ellery uncertainly.

  “I sent Becky to fetch Ernie when I brought Ma,” he assured. “I’m sure between the two of them, they have everything under control.” He half smiled realizing just what a blessing Ernie had been in his life.

  Though he hadn’t seen her since his father’s attack, he knew she was there, helping, supporting, and working for his good, and he half smiled at the thought.

  Ernestine Haven had stepped into his life unwanted, but suddenly he realized how short life was, and that when someone willing to love the way she was made their way into your world, you needed to be grateful.

  “George, I’m going to keep you with me for the day,” Doc Walker said. “I don’t know what happened out there, maybe you had a spell, maybe the heat got to you, but I want to keep you here under observation for a while and see if we can figure it out.”

  “I’ll stay too,” Polly said brushing a tear that appeared in her eye from her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Me neither,” George teased. “Don’t you worry Polly,” he grinned, his dark eyes bright. “I reckon it was just the heat gettin’ to me, but I won’t complain about takin’ a day off.”

  Polly Esther’s soft laugh seemed to break the tension in the room, and she leaned over kissing George.

  Outside, the sound of the storm moving toward the distant mountains ebbed, and the rain slacked bringing with it a breath of cooler air.

  “I’ll head to the boarding house,” Ellery said turning and grabbing his hat. “I’ll be back later to bring lunch,” he finished slipping out the door and into the soft summer rain.

  Ellery stepped into the boarding house as the rain turned to a gentle sprinkle and hung his hat by the door, shaking some of the water from his coat. He had barely turned around when strong arms wrapped around him and Ernie pulled him in tight. Instinctively, gratefully, his arms wound around her, and he rested his chin on her shoulder.