Within the Candle's Glow (39 page)

“No lie. It supplied me with a new regard for you.”

His mother frowned. “Jim, there are men looking for her. They started at daybreak, after I cooked breakfast. There were fourteen of them, before they split up. Phillip cried at being left behind. He wanted to join them. Josie’s in the garden praying.” She patted her cheek. “Ella Dessa, they all love you.”

“Mother, we need to signal the searchers. Think if we rang Papa’s iron bell they’d understand?”

“I’m sure if they hear it, they’ll understand.” She grinned. “Guess who offered to ride with them?”

Ella shook her head.

“Velma!”

“What a sight that’d be,” Ella said, as she thought of Velma’s pregnant shape.

Inez smiled. “She meant it. It was a rough night, not knowing where you were. You’re like my own daughter.”

She impulsively kissed the woman’s cheek. “Thank you.”

“Oh, I forgot. Anna is caring for Deer. She hasn’t left his side since Sophie Wald’s father put the bone back in place this morning. He sewed the leg with sinew and bandaged it. Deer might not run after this adventure, but the man thinks he’ll live, as long as there’s no infection. Makes me sick—what Josh did to him and to you.” She motioned toward the sleeping quarters. “Come, I’ll take you to Deer. Jim, can you ring the bell?”

Ella knelt beside Deer as the resounding clang of the iron dinner bell jarred her nerves. Anna turned away when the whimpering dog tried to stand and lick Ella’s hand.

“No, no, lay still. I’m so sorry Josh hurt you,” Ella whispered.

Anna said, “He whimpered all night.”

“Thanks for carin’ for him.” She gazed into the girl’s sad, blue eyes. “You did a good deed.”

“I wanted to stay with him. Besides, his mother’s dying in the barn. He needs comforting.” Her fingers trailed over the dog’s silky ears. “He hasn’t moved much.”

“I’m sorry to hear ‘bout Dancer.” Ella tried to smile at the blond girl who had always avoided her friendship. She had never understood Anna’s aloof, bitter attitude.

The girl shrugged. “She’s old.”

“But none of us like to lose those we love.”

“No, I suppose not.” She rubbed Deer’s nose. “He tried to find help for you, even when he was hurting.”

“I know. I was afraid he was dead.”

“How will you carry him home?”

She started to answer but stopped. She searched the face of the thirteen-year-old. It dawned on her—Anna didn’t
want
her to take Deer. She swallowed the lump in her throat and made an immediate decision. “Well, I’m uncertain as to how I’d tote him—without hurtin’ his leg. Could you care for him ‘til he’s well?”

A bright gleam lit the girl’s eyes. “Oh, I’d do my best.”

“That’s wonderful.” Ella bent and kissed Deer’s head. “Thank you, Deer, for tryin’ to help me.” With shaky hands, she wiped her tears and
stood. “I must go. Take care of him.” She rushed from the room before she changed her mind.

At the kitchen, she paused. The scent of food made her weak. “Anna will take care of Deer.”

Inez’s tender, knowing look said she understood. “That’s sweet of you.” She gathered Ella in a hug. “Thank you. We gave away all the other dogs, except one to guard the corral at night. Anna needs friends. Maybe Deer will fill a void in her that no one reaches, especially since her father died.” She turned away and sighed. “Life isn’t always easy.”

“I know. That’s why we need one another. God understands that ‘fore
we
realize it.”

The older woman nodded. “Samuel and some of the men rode into the clearing as Jim rang the bell. Most have left for their homes. Jim wouldn’t repeat what some of them said about Josh.” Her fingers smoothed Ella’s hair. “He didn’t, ah—
hurt you
?”

“No. Not that way.” She chanced a quick glance at the fireplace where a large kettle hung from a hook. A wonderful, tantalizing smell drifted from it.

“I’m so thankful.” Inez wiped a tear away. “Jim’s headed for the barn. I’m afraid Dancer’s reached the end of a lengthy dog life. Samuel couldn’t stand to be there for her final breath, so he went to his room.”

Ella nodded, also knowing Samuel probably sought his room because of her presence in the house. She wearily folded her arms across her waist. She felt the events of the previous day crushing her. Going without food or water, along with the long night, had weakened her body and mind. She was glad she didn’t have to face Samuel. After what had passed between them, she also needed time for healing.

“Honey, you look like you’re going to collapse. When’s the last time you ate?”

She grimaced. “Yesterday, before comin’ up here.”

“Oh, my. Well, you aren’t leaving my kitchen without food in your belly.” She guided her sideways. “Take a seat by the table. You’re as white as a sheet. Your freckles stick out like a scattering of liver spots. We have to feed you.” Inez turned to the kettle hanging over the fire. “I have the noonday meal cooked. You’ll eat before stepping one foot out of this house.”

“It smells good. You said Jim went to the barn?”

“Yes. He wants to take you home when you’re ready to go.” She set a portion of steaming stew in front of Ella and laid a hearty slice of
bread across the corner of the wooden bowl. “Eat and I’ll spoon up some more.”

#

Ella paused to let her eyes adjust to the diffused light in the log barn. She spotted Jim sitting cross-legged on a pile of dried grass and hay. His right hand caressed the concave side of the old hound. The animal barely had strength to breathe. Her emaciated body lay on a folded horse blanket.

“Jim.” She knelt beside him and touched his shoulder.

He smiled and winked at her. “How’s Deer?”

“Hurtin’. I saw Anna wanted to care for him … so, I’m leavin’ him be.”

“Thoughtful of you.” His fingers stroked the white muzzle of the dying dog. “An old Indian gave her to me during a winter storm—just before he died. He got her off a trapper … said she was a
spirit
dog.” He shrugged one shoulder. “Not that it matters.”

“How’d she get her name?”

“She had an Indian name I couldn’t pronounce, but it sounded like ‘dancer,’ so the name stuck. She’s just a hound dog with a pretty name.”

“It’s
perfect
.” She crossed her legs and smoothed her dirty skirt. “Your mother said you talked to those who hunted for me? You thanked ‘em for me?”

“They rode in as I rang the bell. Samuel was with them. He looked ragged and worried sick about you.” His granite eyes searched her face. “You should’ve seen the smiles, when I told them you were safe. Leigh said he’d tell the group of men who spent the morning hunting for you in the cove. They said Miles was beside himself.”

“I’m sorry they didn’t get their mornin’ chores done, ‘cause of me.”

Jim’s hand cupped Dancer’s grizzled muzzle. “Those men make up the backbone of this secluded settlement. Each one gives for the good of others, or none of us would survive. We aren’t gold miners.”

She stroked the dog’s back and gazed at Jim. “Does Samuel want to be with Dancer? I can leave.”

“You’re not going anywhere without
me
accompanying you. Samuel said he couldn’t bear to be here when she goes.” He sighed. “Long time ago she got kicked by a cow. That’s why she had the bad eye. Samuel stayed with her nonstop, until she was on her feet. We thought we’d lose her then.” His large hand caressed the top of Dancer’s head, passed over her closed eyes, and down her spine.

“You should eat somethin’.”

“I will.”

Dancer whimpered and licked Jim’s hand.

Her chest heaved and went still. Except for the cooing of a mourning dove somewhere outside, silence reigned in the barn.

Dancer was gone.

Jim dropped his head and kept his large, callused hand on the dog’s side, as if hoping for a movement, an indication she still lived. Then he shook his head and tossed his worn hat to the barn floor. His jaw clenched.

“Jim,” she whispered, her heart breaking.

When he lifted his eyes, tears filled the lackluster gray depths. “Poor old dog was loved.”

She wrapped one arm around his back and laid her cheek against his shoulder. “Jim, I’m sorry.”

For a few seconds, he clung to her.

Then he folded the blanket around Dancer’s body. His hands shook.

“I need to dig a hole before Phillip gets up from his nap. I don’t want him to see me put her in the ground. It was bad enough with Papa dying.”

“Do you want me to help?”

“No.” He gazed at her, and his fingertips brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek. “I’m glad I found you.”

Her heart fluttered. She daringly laid one hand on his wide chest. Under her fingers, she could feel the rapid beat of his heart. “I hoped you’d come for me.”

“I had to find you. I couldn’t have lived—”

The barn door burst open. Josie rushed in. “Ella Dessa!” As Jim and Ella jerked apart, the girl knelt and wrapped Ella in a bear hug. “You’re safe. Phillip’s excited to see you, but I ran ahead of him.” Her dark curls bounced with every movement.

Phillip trotted through the doorway, his eight-year-old face wreathed in smiles. His green eyes opened wide at the sight of her, and Ella stood to hold out her arms.

He immediately snuggled against her. “El … la,” he whispered and clung with desperate, childish hands. A forceful sob made his little chest jerk.

“Oh—Phillip!” She dropped to her knees in the hay. “You said my name!” She saw the unbelieving expression on Jim and Josie’s faces.
“Did you hear him?”

Phillip rubbed his face against the front of her blouse and breathed in, as if inhaling her scent. “El … la.”

“He talked!” She lifted his slender body in her arms and twirled him around the barn. “Phillip talked! He said my name. He
did
. He did!”

Josie jumped about, flailing her arms. “I got to tell Mother.” She was out the door before they could respond.

The poor body of the dead dog went forgotten in the face of the miracle. Jim moved quickly to cover Dancer’s body with a horse blanket.

Ella smiled at him over Phillip’s head and squeezed the thin child close. “Oh, Phillip, you’re
so smart
.”

Jim lifted Phillip out of her arms and carried him into the sunlight, just as their mother ran from the house. With her apron clutched in one hand, she yelled, “
Phillip!
Phillip, you spoke?”

The proud eight-year-old nodded his head, slipped to the ground, and ran to meet her.

Ella caught a movement on the porch and saw Samuel step from the shadows, his face pinched and pale. She walked toward him. Their eyes met, and nothing could stop her from dashing up the steps and into his arms.

His lips touched her ear. “Ella Dessa, forgive me.” His arms trembled as they tightened around her.

“Samuel, there’s nothin’ to forgive. You’re my friend forever.”

S
aturday June 5, 1841

The mist had cleared. Sunlight reflected off the rollicking stream rushing between boulders and darkened rocks.

Ella laughed, reached for the slim trunk of a maple tree, and steadied her footing on a rock. The spray of the narrow waterfall drifted downward and across her upturned face. She closed her eyes and paused to enjoy its refreshing coolness.

“Samuel should’ve come with us.”

“He said he had to talk with Konrad. He almost hit me when I asked the second time.” Jim stepped up behind her. His hand touched hers as he grabbed the same tree. “
Whew!
That was a steep climb, but this is worth the hike. I’m glad you dragged me along.”

She smiled over her shoulder. “You work too hard, an’ you’re too serious.”

“
Hmm
, you’re right.” He rubbed his hands over his face, wiping away the mist coating it. “Work is what I know. I’m not yearnin’ to be a teacher like Samuel.”

“Honest work is a good thing. Teachin’ can be tough.”

“I understand.” He stood gazing at the spray of water pouring over the rocks.

She wondered if Sophie knew they were together, but she didn’t want to bring up the girl’s name. A rumor had started in the cove. Three weeks ago, a new family moved into Velma’s old place. They had a grown son. He made a point of introducing himself to Sophie right away. He often talked to her outside the church.