Seth

by Lynn Donovan

  Purity thought about Seth and his divided strengths. His arms and chest were growing in strength and his muscles bulged taut under his skin. From the waist up he looked like a muscle man from the side shows that came through town. Well, not quite, but it was an attractive feature on her husband. In contrast, his britches hung like an empty sack from his legs. They were looking thinner by the day. But Momma Honor had said that would happen.

  It was called atrophy. Purity had learned a lot of medical terms since Seth’s accident. She’d never wanted to be a nurse, but with Seth’s current predicament, she had little choice. Her love for him knew no limits. Like their vows, she loved him for better or worse. Not that this was horrible. It was better than having lost him altogether and visiting his grave every day. For him, she’d do whatever he needed no matter what it entailed.

  But not for anyone else. She’d never want to be a professional nurse, like Evelyn Graham, and do these things for a stranger. A shiver trickled down her spine.

  She took the cornbread out of the oven, placed it under the window to cool with the pies, and turned to cut up more onions and celery for the frying pan. A big dob of fresh churned butter in the pan sizzled as she added the diced vegetables and stepped out on the back stoop to pluck sage and thyme from the herb garden. This part of Texas remained warm through Thanksgiving and made herb drying unnecessary until after the holiday was over. The occasional early snow would cause Purity to pull all her herbs and dry them in the root cellar, but that hadn’t happened this year.

  Jacob and Seth came into the kitchen after a long while. Seth shook Jacob’s hand. There was a sense of resolve to his face. Purity furrowed her brow and wiped her hands on her apron. “Good bye, Jacob. Thank you for coming by.”

  Jacob approached her and kissed her cheek. “Oh, this isn’t the last you’ll see of me. I’ll be back every day. Seth and I have got something we want to try.”

  Seth dropped his gaze to his knees and wouldn’t acknowledge affirmative or not. Hmm. Purity’s curiosity grew stronger. “Well, all right. You’re always welcome no matter what you’re up to.” She giggled. “And bring Charley next time. She and I are due some tea and biscuits.”

  Jacob grinned at the mention of his gal. “I’ll let her know. See y’all later.” He ruffled Charlie’s head and walked toward the front door.

  “Later.” Seth spoke for the first time and opened the front door for Jacob to leave.

  Purity looked at her husband for an explanation, but he didn’t seem forthcoming, so she left it be and returned to her cooking. She smiled when her back was to him. He’d tell her what he was up to eventually.

  Chapter Nine

  January 1882

  “Seth!” Purity sat at her vanity, adjusting her hair into something different than just a braid wrapped around her head. “Seth, Honey. Do you need my help?”

  “Nope. I got it.” He grunted as he wheeled himself back into their bedroom.

  “I laid your suit out on the bed, as you can see.” She blushed. He hated her doing everything, or anything for that matter, for him. “We don’t want to be late, Darling.”

  “I know, I know.” Seth frowned. “I wasn’t real clear with Adam about me coming. If we are late, he’ll think I succumbed to this damn wheelchair and won’t be there at all.”

  “Oh, Darling.” Purity turned to face him. Her hands entangled in her locks, in an attempt to twist them into something of a design like in the fashion magazines. Hairpins protruded from her taut lips. She spit them out onto her vanity. “We’ll get there on time. I’m sorry I said that.”

  He smiled. “It’s all right. Come help me get these pants on.”

  She dropped her hair and let it fall around her shoulders. “Of course.”

  He leaned over his knees and pulled the pants over his feet and up over his knees, then he pushed himself up by the armrests and she pushed his pants up to his hips and then his waist. His suit fit him better than she remembered.

  “There you are.” She returned to her seat at the vanity and began again with her hair. Her eyes kept darting to his reflection in the mirror. So far he was doing fine on his own. Pride filled her heart. He had adjusted so well to this new way of life. With the younger of the twin brothers coming every day and doing whatever they had been doing, he seemed to grow stronger and more agile, more confident and less angry. Whatever Jacob found in that text book from Harvard, Purity thanked God for it and Jacob’s determination to find it.

  She finished her hair with mild satisfaction. How she missed having her sisters living here. Luke and Oliva had already left for the wedding, so there were no more females in the house to give Purity a hand with her hair, and Seth would be no help. She’d have to sit on the floor for him to properly reach the top of her head. Like he knew what to do if he could reach her hair.

  She shook that thought out of her mind. Now to step into her dress. It was her Sunday best and as good as she had for her expanding middle. What could her sister expect with Purity just entering her final months with this baby? It would certainly do for her sister’s wedding to her husband’s brother. What a tangled family they were creating.

  But love made its choice and left them little to do about it. As long as Mercy was happy, Purity didn’t care. Adam was ten times the man Mercy’s late husband was and this time around, Mercy and her two girls were going to be well loved and cherished.

  At last, they headed to the horse and buggy. Luke had left it hitched up and ready to go before he left for the wedding. Benjamin had crafted a folding ramp and modified the buggy for Seth to wheel himself in and drive the horse without switching over to the buggy seat. Purity sat on the remaining bench after folding the ramp, which looked like a door once it was put in place. Benjamin had an amazing talent with wood and a creative mind to make things that had not existed before. Necessity was definitely the mother of invention, and Benjamin was an inventor.

  Seth slapped the reins on their horse’s back and the buggy lunged forward. The churchyard was nearly empty, only a few stragglers lingered on the winter lawn. Purity felt a sense of urgency, but knew better than to rush Seth. He halted the buggy where the others were tied, and she hurried around to let down the ramp. Seth twisted his chair and rolled down the decline, shoving his wheels with all he had. He too had a sense of urgency. They were late.

  Purity broke all the rules, and helped by pushing the back of his chair. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. Relief washed over her. He was not minding her help. Adam’s wedding was more important than her husband’s pride. She smiled back at him, but then rammed his chair into the door frame.

  “Oh, dear.” Purity whispered and let go of the chair to let Seth do what he did best. Move the chair forward. She followed him as if they were part of the procession in the wedding. She figured they might as well, everyone had turned when Seth’s chair hit the door and were now staring at them entering the church. She slipped in behind Momma Honor, on the groom’s side, even though it was her sister’s wedding. Mercy was marrying into her husband’s family and would soon be a Featherstone, it only made sense for Purity to sit with her current family. She looked at her husband, who had just turned his wheelchair around to face the congregation, and smiled at him. This was a big day. Seth had overcome so many obstacles, including exhibiting his new handicap to people.

  She sighed and sat back in the pew. The baby kicked. She cupped her hand over her rounded belly. “Yep. Even you know this is a big day.”

  

  “I told you I’d make it.” Seth whispered out of the side of his mouth to his big brother.

  Adam grinned so big, Seth thought his button might pop off. “I’m so glad you did.”

  Were there tears in Adam’s eyes. Seth couldn’t tell from this angle, but Adam’s nose always reddened when he was restraining from crying. All this for Seth Just because Seth came as promised to be at his side for the wedding? Seth pursed his lip. An uninvited tear moistened Seth’s eyes too.

  Aunt
Gloria played a sweet song at the piano and Mercy’s girls walked down the aisle. Soon Mercy and her brother Luke came toward Adam. Seth looked up at his brother. He was so happy for Adam. He’d waited such a long time to marry Mercy. Seth admired Adam's patience and endurance through her first marriage. Seth knew better than anybody how much restraint it cost Adam, knowing how harsh Langston Barns was to Mercy. Langston was lucky their mother bore the name Honor and all six of her sons were expected to live up to that legacy.

  Seth swallowed. He had that obligation, too. Had he come close?

  Uncle Harrison conducted the ceremony, just like he always did. Seth wondered why Harrison even held the little Bible. Surely he had all this memorized after all these years. Seth chuckled to himself and turned to make funny eyes at Purity. She suppressed a giggle and opened her eyes wide to reprimand him for making her laugh. He grinned. God, he loved his wife. Very soon she’d give birth and one more dream would come true for them. He couldn’t care less if it was a boy or a girl. Just the thought of having a child with Purity was beyond wonderful.

  Mercy stated her vows to Adam. Seth listened to her tear-choked words and gritted his teeth. He wouldn’t cry in front of the entire town, just because his brother and Mercy were getting married. Still her emotions affected his and gritting his teeth helped. Some.

  Adam stated his vows, with so little restraint that Seth was sure the man was gonna break down and cry in front of everybody. If he did, Seth would never let him forget it, as long as they lived. This was something he could tease big, tough, oldest brother about forever! Seth chuckled under his breath.

  Finally, the I dos and “You may kiss the bride.” Uncle Harrison announced with uplifted hands.

  Seth wheeled himself backward as they leaned into one another and laid on a kiss like he’d never seen before. Man! If Mercy wasn’t with child in the next few weeks, Seth would be shocked. Those two had a fire between them that couldn’t be quenched.

  Just like what he felt for Purity. He’d almost lost that, but this stupid getting shot in the back had kindled his love for her and her love for him, too. They were back in love and on fire for each other. And it was great!

  Everybody followed the bride and groom into the churchyard where tables were set up with dainty sandwiches, fancy cookies, and cream mints; like Purity made when she had ladies over for tea; an amazing three layer cake, and a huge bowl of punch. Seth and Purity rolled out with the others and down the ramp Benjamin had made for him.

  It was almost time for toasting the bride and groom. Seth’s heart sped up at the thought. He knew exactly what he was going to say. He took Purity’s hand and waited anxiously for the moment to arrive.

  One table was dedicated for the bride and groom to sit with their attendants flanking them. Seth and Purity sat next to Adam and Mercy’s girls sat next to their momma. Everyone else sat at various tables scattered across the church lawn. Momma and Poppa Monty sat near the main table. His other brothers were scattered among the people, each sitting with his gal and her family. Seth let his eyes rove over everyone. When his gaze landed on Jacob and Charley, he smiled.

  Jacob grinned back then turned to Charley. His heart belonged to her and hers to him. Someday soon, they would be sitting up here, in the middle. But not today. Today was Adam and Mercy’s day.

  Seth cleared his throat and tapped his fork on his glass. Quieting everyone.

  “Yeah, hi, everyone. I’d like to make a toast to my brother and new sister-in-law. But it just doesn’t seem right for me to do this from this chair. It’s just not respectful to my brother or my family. With a mother named Honor, we boys have more expected of us. We live to honor those we love.”

  Seth rolled his chair back, leaned over his knees and pushed the leg supports to the side. His feet flopped to the ground. He lifted his knees with his hands to get his feet flat on the ground, and braced his hands on the armrest. Jacob, meanwhile, had run up to the table and stood behind Seth, holding the chair firmly in place.

  Purity gasped. Adam stared at Seth with his mouth hanging open, with a slight smile. Mercy covered her mouth with gloved hands and watched. Honor just smiled and sat in silence.

  A hum of speculative chatter washed over the crowd.

  Seth pushed up with his arms, hovering over the seat, and then pushed himself forward. His hand hit the table as he leaned over, stiffened his legs, and stood. He reached down to take his glass and held it high in the air. “To Adam and Mercy! May you forever be happy! And may God bless your marriage until the end of time!”

  The hum became a buzz and the buzz became a cheer. People leapt to their feet, applauding madly! Adam gaped at his brother, then fell gingerly into an embrace with him. “How’d you do this?”

  Adam whispered in Seth’s ear.

  “We have Jacob to thank for finding a book that taught us how to strengthen my legs and I guess the bullet didn’t do as much damage as we thought.” Seth laughed.

  “Well, thank you, Jacob!” Adam turned and shook his younger brother’s hand. They hugged, too.

  Mercy grabbed Seth’s hand and hugged him as well. Seth staggered slightly but continued to stand. Then he waved toward the chair, and Jacob pushed it up to Seth’s legs. Seth folded down in the chair, exhausted, but pleased with his surprise. It was the best gift he could give his brother, and his family for that matter. He looked at Purity and mouthed. “I love you.”

  She still looked shocked.

  He laughed. “I really surprised you, didn’t I?

  “You sure did. I had no idea this was what you and Jacob had been up to!”

  Seth lifted his eyebrows and smiled. “With time, I will walk again. For now, I’m working on building my strength. Jacob says as long as my spine is not severed, and I recover my strength— and I will recover my strength— I can walk again. I’d say my spine was not severed, wouldn’t you.”

  She laughed and cried at the same time. “Oh Seth. This is wonderful!”

  Epilogue

  Everyone waited for Adam and Mercy on the porch and at the bottom of the steps of the church, with hands full of rice and flower petals. Seth and Purity were on the lawn, watching, too. The other Featherstone brothers remained scattered among the crowd, each standing with his gal and her family. It was a glorious day, everyone was exuberantly happy. Finally Adam and Mercy were married, and Seth had regained his ability to stand. What a lovely set of miracles.

  Adam and Mercy ran through the doors and the crowd tossed the rice and flower petals at them. Mercy ran to the edge of the porch and stopped. She held her bouquet high in the air. “Girls! All you single girls! Get ready to catch my bouquet! Let’s see who is next!”

  She turned her back toward them, while all the unmarried girls ran to be first in front of the steps. Mercy looked over her shoulder and winked at Purity. She lowered her bouquet and tossed it high in the air over her shoulder, then turned to see where it landed.

  Charlene Chance jumped and just touched the bouquet, it bounced off her fingers and flipped. Jewell Ledbetter scrambled to reach the tumbling bouquet, but only managed to knock it back into the air. Theodora Farmington laughed as the two girls fell to the ground. She turned to see where the bouquet had ended up, when it fell against her chest. Instinctively she grabbed the flowers and smashed them in her grasp. Her mouth flew open and her eyes went wide.

  The crowd screamed and cheered for joy!

  “Jonah!” Everyone screamed. “You’re next!”

  THE END

  Personal Note From the Author

  Dear Reader,

  That’s right. Jonah and Theodora are next. It won’t be long, I promise!

  In case you are wondering I have a little experience with a wheelchair bound individual. My husband’s niece, she’s my niece, too, was in an automobile accident at nineteen years of age, and was left paralyzed from mid-back down. She is wheelchair bound but has gone on to marry and have a baby. She’s a beautiful and brave woman, and I admire her tenacity a lot. If you’ll
notice, this book is dedicated to her.

  Shannan Whetstone, you’re my hero!

  About the Author

  Lynn Donovan is an author, playwright, and director who spends her days chasing after her muses trying to get them to behave long enough to write their stories. The results are numerous novels, multi-author series, anthologies, dramatizations, and short stories.

  Lynn is a co-host on a local AM radio show, KRLN 1400, called Write Time Radio where she and her co-host air old-time-radio dramas, narrations, excerpts and poems written by local writers, including herself.

  Lynn enjoys reading and writing all kinds of fiction, paranormal, speculative, contemporary romance, and time travel. But you never know what her muses will come up with for a story, so you could see a novel under any given genre. All that can be said is keep your eyes open, because these muses are not sitting still for long!

  Oops, there they go again…

  You can learn more about Lynn on her blog, follow her on Twitter @MLynnDonovan, Facebook Author page at LynnDonovanFGG and her website LynnDonovanAuthor.com.

  Follow her on BookBub.

  For more publications by Lynn Donovan go to:

  Amazon.com/author/ldonovan

  Appreciation

  Thank you to everybody in my life who has contributed in one way or another to the writing of this book. My husband, my children, my children-in-law, and my grandchildren. You all are my unconditional fans. My BETA readers and grammar guru who make me look gooder than I am. [Bad grammar intended.] My fellow author friends who chat with me daily to exchange ideas, encourage, maintain sanity, and keep me from being a total recluse/hermit.