Linda Ford (23 page)

And then she returned to the big house to the windows that allowed her a view of the ranch. From where she stood, she could see the wagon before it reached the barn. Before it could be seen from the cabin or any of the buildings below her.

Lord, keep him safe.

Her knees failed and she sank to the chair, never taking her eyes from the window.

How badly was he injured? Her heart beat double time.

What if he was worse than injured? The blood congealed in her veins.

She couldn’t imagine life without him. She’d give up every dream, every desire, if it meant she could share the rest of her life with him.

The truth hit her with such force she groaned.

She loved him. But she’d never told him.

Why had she waited so long? Perhaps she would never get the chance now.

She’d held back her words because of her father. Fearing Eddie would somehow turn into a man like him. See her as currency to be used in a business deal. But Eddie was not her father. Never would be. Eddie loved her. And she knew her heart was safe in his care.

Oh, why had she been so stubborn? So prideful?

Why had she feared so much to love a man? A verse her nurse had taught her came to mind.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...he that feareth is not made perfect in love.

God’s love was perfect and complete. It enabled her to love a man, to say the words to him.

Tears washed her soul.

She’d wasted so much time. Maybe lost her chance.

Lord, forgive me. Please give me a chance to tell him how much I love him.

She remained at the window until she saw a twist of dust far to the north then dashed from the house and down the hill to await the wagon.

She prayed it wasn’t Eddie, but if it wasn’t him it would be one of the other men or some unfortunate stranger. She couldn’t guess how badly the poor injured party was, only that the injury was severe enough to send a man back for the wagon.

The wagon drew closer, surrounded by a guard of men. It took her only one quick glance to see Eddie wasn’t among those on horseback and with a cry straight from her fractured heart, she raced forward.

Ward dropped from his horse and caught her in his arms. “He looks worse than he is.”

“Let me go.” She struggled in his arms, straining toward the wagon.

“Best let us clean him up first.”

“I must see him.” She broke from his grasp and made it to the back of the wagon before anyone could stop her.

“Eddie.” His name wailed past her teeth.

He lay motionless on the wooden wagon bed. Blood covered his face. She scrambled up beside him, kneeling at his head but not touching him. Afraid to, lest she hurt him further. “What happened?”

“His horse stumbled in a hole and threw him into a rock. Knocked him out cold.”

Ward touched her back. “We need to get him inside.”

She thought of the bedroll where he always slept and quickly made a decision. “Take him to the big house. He’ll be more comfortable there.” The bed she’d pictured as respite for a wounded stranger was about to hold the one she loved.

The wagon jerked forward and Linette pressed her palms to the floor to keep her balance. “Eddie, wake up,” she whispered.

But he showed no response.

Blood wept from his hairline and she lifted her fingers but drew back without touching his skin. Would she make things worse? She didn’t know and wished she’d defied her father and entered a hospital to train as a nurse.

“Let us carry him in.”

She hadn’t noticed they’d pulled up to the house and she shifted aside so four men could tenderly lift Eddie from the wagon and carry him up the stairs. She rushed ahead, grabbed a handful of blankets from one of the storage crates and tossed them to the bed.

Through it all Eddie made not one sound. Didn’t even flinch.

Linette pressed her lips together to keep from crying out. She sucked in air and pushed resolve into her trembling body. “I need water. A basin. Towels.”

Someone put a chair next to the bed and she sank into it, never taking her attention from Eddie’s face.
Please, Lord, let him open his eyes.

Ward set a small table beside her, along with a basin of water. Eddie still did not stir.

She wet a cloth and tenderly, gingerly, patted at the blood. “I can’t tell where it’s coming from.” Her voice shook like a wind-battered leaf. She rinsed the rag out and finished cleaning his face. He was so pale. So still. Only the rise and fall of his chest assured her he was alive.

Fresh blood flowed down his cheek and pooled in his ear. She sponged it off and pushed his matted hair aside to search for the wound. It gaped a few inches above his ear, blood flowing steadily. She tried to push the edges together but there was too much swelling. She rinsed the cloth again then pressed it to the wound. The blood flow stopped.

She ran her gaze over the rest of his body. “Is anything broken?”

“Don’t seem to be,” one of the men replied.

“He’s been out a long time,” Ward said, his voice tight with worry.

Worry Linette shared. Eddie was too quiet. Deathly still. “I don’t know what we can do but wait. I’ll watch him until he wakens.”

Roper stepped back. “Come on, boys. The boss will expect the work done when he wakes up.”

One by one they slipped away until only Ward remained. “You’ll be okay on your own?”

She nodded. “I’ll give a holler if I need anything.”

He nodded. “We’ll check on you in a bit.”

Then she was alone with Eddie and she let the tears flow unchecked. “Don’t you die on me, Eddie Gardiner. I never got a chance to tell you I love you.”

She checked the wound. It still oozed and she applied pressure again.
Please, God. Please, God.
She couldn’t form any more of a prayer but knew God heard the cry of her heart.

Cassie stepped into the room, a covered plate in her hands. “Any change?”

“He hasn’t moved. Not once.”

“You need to eat.” She handed Linette the plate.

Linette stared at it. “What’s this?”

“Supper.”

“It can’t be.” She glanced toward the window. The sun almost touched the mountaintops. “How long have I been here?” She’d been vaguely aware of one or another of the cowboys slipping in and leaving again. Cookie had come once, tsked and left again.

“At least six hours.”

She turned toward Cassie. “Six hours and he’s still unconscious.” Her voice caught. “That’s not a good sign.”

Cassie shook her head. “Everyone is praying.”

Linette nodded, but strength seeped from her body. She set the plate on the table lest she drop it.

“I’ll be back after Grady is asleep.” Her friend patted Linette’s shoulder then slipped away.

Linette fell on her knees at the side of the bed, clutching Eddie’s limp hand in hers, willing him to waken. “Eddie, I love you. Don’t leave me. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. Don’t leave me. Please, God, don’t take him from me.”

She wasn’t aware darkness had fallen until Ward entered and set a lamp on the table. She didn’t recall returning to the chair, but she sat close to the bed still holding his hand.

“I’ll sit with him while you rest,” Ward offered. “Cassie made up the bed across the hall.”

“I can’t leave.”

“You’ll be close. I’ll call if anything changes.”

Still, she didn’t move.

“You need to keep up your strength.”

A cry filled her mouth and she clamped her fist to her lips to stop it from escaping. Did he mean Eddie could remain like this for a long time? Or did he mean Linette might be faced with a funeral and the sorrow accompanying it?

She bolted from the room, threw herself on the bed and sobbed into the pillow.

She must have dozed off, because she was startled by a sound from the other room and dashed across the hall. “Eddie?”

It was Slim. “Sorry, Linette, there’s been no change.”

“I’ll be back in a moment to sit with him.” She did a quick toilet and rushed back to the house. Dawn spread fingers of pink across the sky as she threw back the door.

Upstairs, the men had gathered.

“He’s not going to die.” She stared hard at each in turn, not shifting until each had lowered his eyes. “Is there a doctor in the area?”

Slim shook his head. “Don’t know. Never heard of one. Closest is Fort Benton.”

She turned to Ward. Eddie had often said he was the best rider. “Ward, ride to town and ask around. I don’t care how far you have to go. Bring back a doctor if there’s one anywhere at all.”

“It’s several days to Fort Benton. Do you want me to go that far?”

“Go a reasonable distance. But hurry.”

He was already out of the room.

She turned back to the others. “Now, go about your business and stop hanging around as if it’s a death watch. I’ll stay with him.”

They hesitated until she shooed them away.

Finally, alone again, she sat at Eddie’s side. Someone had brought fresh water and she gently washed his face and hands, as much to have something to do as anything. As she worked, she talked softly. “Eddie, I know God’s in control, but it’s hard to trust Him when you’re lying here so still. Please wake up. I know you can’t hear me, but I will say it anyway. I love you. Wake up and hear me. I love you.”

The men came, one by one, and left again. She knew they were concerned about their boss.

Cassie brought tea and toast. Cookie lumbered up the stairs and wheezed a few minutes before she sighed sadly and left again.

Linette wanted to order all of them to stop acting as if Eddie was dying. He couldn’t die.
Please, God.

From outside she heard a horse gallop into the yard. She sprang to the window. Ward had returned, but he was alone. She searched the back trail for a slower horse, a buggy or wagon, but saw nothing. She turned as Ward clattered into the room.

“Ain’t no doctor within a hundred miles.”

She sucked in dry air that made her cough. “Then we’ll wait and pray.”

“Brought the mail.” He set a bundle of letters on the table.

She glanced at them. Saw the return addresses. Randolph Gardiner in bold letters. Eddie’s father had written. Would he threaten dire consequences to Eddie if he proceeded with his plan to marry Linette?

She recognized the handwriting on another letter as Margaret’s.

She jerked away. Nothing mattered but seeing Eddie wake.

The day slipped away without him moving. Again, Slim insisted she lie down in the other room. And again, she fell asleep crying and praying.

She bolted awake. The room was dark. Silent. Her heart raced. Eddie had called. She’d heard his voice as if he stood at her bedside. She raced across the hall to Eddie’s room where a lamp on the table gave the place a golden glow. Roper sat on a chair at the bedside. She dropped to the floor at Eddie’s side. “Eddie?” But he didn’t move. Didn’t show any sign of response.

Her heart still beat a hard tattoo against her ribs. What had wakened her? “Eddie.” She spoke his name louder. “Eddie, wake up.”

Nothing. She sank back on her heels. No sign of a response.

Roper guided her to the chair. “It will soon be morning.”

She shook her head. “It’s dark as coal out there.”

“It’s always darkest before dawn.”

His words slid through her like life-giving rain to a drought-stricken desert. He hadn’t likely meant them as anything more than an observation, but they gave her hope. She would not give up even though there’d been no change.

Vaguely she realized the light in the room increased, that Roper turned the lamp off and slipped away.

But her every breath, every thought, every energy focused on Eddie, willing him to live. Over and over, she murmured his name. Sometimes gently, other times demanding as if she could order him to wake up.

“Eddie, I love you.” She would say the words again and again in the hope he would waken and hear them.

Her head fell forward. She jerked upright. She must stay awake. If he only regained consciousness for a second, she would not miss it. She would not miss her chance to tell him she loved him.

Chapter Fifteen

C
assie brought Linette food. She ate it because Cassie wouldn’t leave until she did. As soon as Cassie left she knelt by the bed, clutching Eddie’s hand and praying.

She squeezed his hand tight.

His fingers curled against hers.

Had he moved or had she imagined it?

She jerked back to look at him. His eyes were open. They were clouded with confusion and perhaps pain. He struggled to keep his eyelids open, but he was awake. She cupped his face in her hands. “Eddie. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He closed his eyes.

“Eddie?”

But he didn’t respond.

She dashed away tears she hadn’t known she shed. Was it a sign he was returning or—she groaned from deep in her soul—was it goodbye? She clung to the belief he would recover. But at least he’d heard her words of love.

He opened his eyes again before dinnertime and smiled at her before he drifted off again. Her heart overflowed with gratitude, which grew and multiplied as he wakened several more times throughout the evening.

She didn’t want to leave him when darkness fell, but Slim insisted. She lay on the bed unable to sleep despite fatigue that numbed her bones.
Thank You, God. Thank You.
She couldn’t stop saying the words.

The next day he wakened for longer periods and was able to take a bit of nourishing broth provided by Cookie.

The following day he tried to sit up, groaned and grabbed his head.

She eased him back to his pillow. “Lie still. Give your head a chance to heal.”

“Right.” He breathed hard then grabbed her hand. “I dreamed I was in a dark tunnel and you called me. I followed your voice back.” He fell asleep without releasing her hand.

She gladly sat at his side, their hands together on his chest. A bit later he stirred again.

“I dreamed you said...” He didn’t finish.

She realized how desperately he needed to hear her words, how he feared to believe he’d heard them. “It wasn’t a dream. I should have told you before, but I was stuck in my fear and pride.” She cupped her palms over his cheeks and leaned closer, drinking in the hunger in his eyes, the strength of his features. “Eddie Gardiner, I love you.” She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, fearing she would hurt him. He smiled beneath her kiss and pulled her to his chest.

Slowly in the following days, he gained strength and stayed awake for longer periods. But the letters on the table haunted her.”You have letters. Margaret and your father wrote.”

He groaned. “Read them to me.”

“I don’t know if I should.”

“I don’t intend to have secrets from you. Read Margaret’s first.”

She nodded. Her fingers trembled as she opened the letter and unfolded the one page.

Did Linette not make it clear that I am not interested in leaving the comforts of London? I thought you would have married her by now. She is by far more suited to that life than I. I wish you both the best.

Linette smiled at Eddie. “I tried to tell you as much.”

“So you did, but I had to make sure Margaret hadn’t changed her mind.” He sounded weary.

She considered delaying the news in the next letter until he was stronger.

“Read Father’s letter. I won’t rest easy until I know what he’s said.”

She couldn’t refuse after that and she quickly opened the envelope and read the words aloud.

Eddie.

No “Dear Eddie.” Not a good beginning.

I forbid you to marry that woman.

Your duty is to obey me.

And a bold signature.
Randolph Gardiner.

The trembling had spread to her stomach and she wished she hadn’t eaten.

“Linette, would you get pen and paper?”

With leaden feet she did as he asked and held the items to him.

“Would you mind writing as I dictate? I fear I am not up to doing it myself.”

“Of course.” She could think of nothing she wanted less to do.

“Dear Father, I received your letter today. All my life I have done my best to honor you, not only because I wanted to be a good son but because God has instructed us to honor our parents. However, I fear I must disobey you in this matter.”

Linette ducked her head over the paper. Could he mean he would choose her over his father?

Eddie continued and she wrote again.

“It is my honor and privilege to have met Linette Edwards and I can assure you she is more than worthy of marrying any man...even a Gardiner. I intend to make her my wife as soon as preparations can be made. New paragraph, if you please. I realize you might want to make other arrangements for the ranch, but I invite you to examine the records, ask others in the area about the operation and you will discover that I have done an excellent job. If you find my work satisfactory I am willing to stay on but not as a foreman or supervisor. I will stay on in one condition—you make me a full partner. Awaiting your pleasure in this matter.”

“Eddie, you can’t mean it. Where will you go? What will you do?”

“Don’t you mean where will
we
go?”

“Of course.”

“We’ll manage fine. We could start a small place like Ward has. Now hold the paper for me to sign.”

She did so then sealed the letter in an envelope.

“Get one of the boys to take it to town today.”

She found Slim and gave him the letter then returned to Eddie’s side.

She perched on the edge of the bed. “Are you sure about this?”

“All this—” he waved his arm to indicate the house, the ranch “—means nothing without you to share it with.”

A smile threatened to split her face. “Is it any wonder I love you?”

He caught her hand and pulled her close to kiss her. “I will never grow tired of hearing those words. Now, when can we get married?”

She laughed. “Don’t you want to wait until you can stand?”

A month later

Everyone from OK Ranch had come. At Eddie’s request a minister had come from Fort Calgary for the occasion.

Linette wondered aloud if Eddie was ready. It had taken him ten days from the accident before he could stand without dizziness and another ten days before he could ride a horse. But he insisted he was back to normal. They’d had so many sweet times as he recovered.

She told him how she’d wakened, as if shaken by an unseen hand, in the middle of the night, and knelt at his bedside calling to him. He insisted it was her voice calling his name that enabled him to fight his way from the darkness of unconsciousness.

They talked about what they would do if Eddie’s father asked them to leave the ranch. She’d tried to share Eddie’s optimism but couldn’t deny a bit of sadness. She had come to love the place, the residents and the house. But the fact that he would give it all up for her filled her heart with sweetness.

Eddie had invited others from around the area to the wedding.

Linette laughed in surprise as the stagecoach she’d arrived on rattled into the yard and men jumped off the top and climbed from the coach. “You seem to have the regard of everyone in the area.” She hugged Eddie’s arm.

She and Eddie stood on the bridge, facing the visiting minister and the gathered crowd. The trees were dressed in spring finery and the water rushing under the bridge filled the air with gurgling music. Cassie and Roper stood at their sides. Roper barraged Cassie with longing glances. Linette smiled. Roper had a tough journey ahead of him, but if she could change Eddie’s mind, if Eddie could teach her to love, then Roper could win Cassie’s heart.

The minister spoke and drew her attention to the dear man at her side. They exchanged vows and sealed them with a kiss full of promise and trust.

Cookie insisted she would provide a meal to rival the Christmas feast at the other ranch and she did them proud.

During the meal, the stagecoach driver sidled up to Eddie and Linette. “All winter I wondered if Eddie here would come to his senses and see what a prize you are. Glad to see he came round.”

Eddie pulled her close and pressed his cheek to her hair. “Not half as glad as I am.”

She wrapped her arms about Eddie’s waist. “Nor half as glad as I.”

The driver sauntered away, his eyes on the cinnamon buns Cookie put out.

Grady considered Linette with a worried look. She pulled him to her side. “What is it, little man?”

“I stay with you?” He addressed Linette, but darted a quick glance toward Eddie.

She’d assured him over and over that he had a home with them, but he needed to hear it again.

Eddie drew the boy closer. “You will stay with us.”

Grady nodded. “You be my new papa?”

Eddie hugged the boy. His eyes glistened as he met Linette’s gaze over Grady’s head. “I would be honored to.”

“I love you,” Grady said.

“I love you back,” Eddie replied and opened his arms to pull Linette into a three-cornered hug. “I love you both.”

“Me, too,” she whispered. “Me, too.”

Grady edged free to grin at the assembled people.

Linette turned her face up to Eddie. “I suppose this is a good time to admit I was more than a little in love with you even before I came.”

His eyes flickered amusement and heart-stopping love. “You don’t say? How is that possible?”

“From the letters you wrote to Margaret I kept thinking, there’s a man worth loving.”

He cupped her chin. “It took your faith in me for me to see I deserved more than my father’s name.”

They still hadn’t heard from Eddie’s father, but she refused to let the concern about what he’d said mar her day.

“Our future is in God’s loving hands,” Eddie said.

It didn’t surprise Linette that he’d read her thoughts. “I am so happy.”

“Me, too.” He kissed her, a sweet, promising kiss.

Whatever the future held, she could gladly, eagerly face with Eddie’s love and God’s care to guide her.