An Unexpected Annulment (The Colorado Brides Series Book 3) (6 page)

“Pa?” Oscar poked his head out of the bunkhouse door. “Is that you?”

“Yes, son, it is.”

“You’ve come back!”

“Yes, I have.” He ran out, hugging his father, while Hugh appeared in the doorway. He joined them a moment later, shouting his delight, both boys clinging to his legs. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, boys. You sure do look healthy and clean.”

Annie had come up behind me. “Is that my pa?”

“It is.”

She ran from the house, her shiny blonde hair flying behind her. “Pa!” He picked her up; tears were in his eyes. “Oh, Pa! We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, honey.”

I cried as well, but for other reasons. I wouldn’t be able to spend any more time with Annie, as he would take the children away. I’d grown horribly attached to her, and now I would be in my bed alone again, without her little body in the spot next to me.

“Oh, Louisa. You’ve grown so fond of them.”

I glanced at Hannah, my throat constricting. “I…think I’ll go to my room now. Excuse me.” In the privacy of the bedroom, I sat on the bed, feeling the weight of grief settling around my shoulders. I had hoped that he would never return. It was uncharitable to think such thoughts, but I had been entirely selfish. Miners died in the woods every day; they were buried in places, here and in the mountains. I had thought maybe…he would have met the same fate…but he hadn’t.

Chapter Five

I sat in church, but my mind wasn’t on the sermon. It had been several days now since the children had been with their father. I’d driven down the road often, keeping a sharp eye out for them, but they seemed to be elsewhere. A part of me desperately wanted to see Annie again, but I wasn’t sure how I would achieve this. I was hesitant about driving to the house, because I doubted I would be received well. He’d hardly even looked at me the other night. Mr. Montgomery wouldn’t even know who I was.

Adaline Ross had invited us to tea after church, while the men stayed to talk to Pastor Bailey; Samuel and Jerry were with them. I hadn’t said much while sitting with the women, as they chatted about Indian troubles, the news out east, and the latest fashion plates from France. It wasn’t until the next day, when Hannah and I were driving into town that I saw a familiar sight. There in the distance was Annie, sitting by the side of the road with her face in her knees. I knew instantly that something was wrong.

“Oh, goodness. What now?”

Hannah saw her as well. “Something’s happened.”

“That man! How I hate that blasted man!”

“We don’t know what the trouble is yet, Louisa.”

“Oh, I can tell you. He isn’t fit to raise pigs!” Anger swelled in my breast, the unhappiness of the last few days had surfaced, although it had now transformed into a blinding rage. Hadn’t those children suffered enough? I pulled alongside Annie, jumping from the wagon. “What’s wrong?”

She lifted her face, which was tearstained. “It’s my pa. He’s sick.”

“What do you mean?”

“He was working in the barn and a board hit him. He won’t move now, Louisa. He’s been lying on the floor all day.”

My mouth fell open. Hannah had overheard what she said. “He’s not moving? Is he breathing?”

“Yes, he’s breathing, but there’s somethin’ wrong with him.”

“I’ll unlatch the horse. I’m riding to town to get Doc Caldwell.”

“Is that safe?”

“I’ve got my revolver. It’s perfectly safe. I can get there so much faster that way. You go to the house and see to him. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Where are Hugh and Oscar?”

“They’re with pa, trying to wake him.”

“Let’s go, Annie.” I held out my hand. “Take me to your pa.”

Hannah was sidesaddle on the horse, prompting the mare into a gallop. Her bonnet bounced on top of her head, while her skirts lifted. She had not hesitated in her decision to help the children, taking matters into her own hands. I felt a swell of pride for her in that moment, admiring her greatly. Yet, there were important matters to contend with, and I hurried to the house down the lane, Annie holding my hand and keeping up with me.

In the barn, the boys knelt beside their father, who was on his back. There was a large wood beam nearby, looking out of place in the room. It was the object that had fallen on him.

“Boys!”

“Ms. Louisa! You gotta help our pa! Somethin’s not right!”

I glanced at Hugh. “Can you go to the farm and get Nathan? I’ve seen how fast you run. You’re just as fast as Hawkeye.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He sprang to his feet. “I’ll do it.”

“Good boy. Don’t stop until you get there.”

“I won’t. I know a path that’s quicker than the road.”

Relief flooded me. “Yes, go!” He dashed from the barn. “I don’t know if I should even move him.” From all outward appearances, he looked like he was sleeping, but I felt his head, finding an enormous bump right at the top, hidden by thick strands of dark hair. “Oh, my goodness. He’s got quite the goose egg. How long ago did this happen?”

“This mornin’,” said Oscar.

“Oh, my gracious. He’s been lying here for hours.” I wasn’t gifted when it came to the healing arts, my mind spinning, searching for a solution. “Do you have a cellar?”

“Yes.”

“Is there any ice in it?”

“I gotta look. It might’ve melted by now.”

“Go see if there’s some ice. We need to make the swelling go down.”

Annie stared at her father; her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “He’s gonna die, isn’t he, Ms. Louisa?”

“We don’t know that, honey. The doctor’s not here yet. Your father’s still breathing. See, his chest’s rising and falling. He’s just injured.” Then I had an idea. “Can you bring some pillows? Maybe we should lift his head up a bit.”

“I’ll go get ‘em.”

“Thank you, Annie.”

Oscar returned with a block of ice, while Annie brought the pillow. I held the ice to his head, hoping it would help, while the sound of a wagon approached. Hannah was in the doorway, as she had ridden the horse.

“How is he?”

“Terrible.” Then I glanced at the children, regretting those hasty words. “I mean, he’s still unconscious.”

“The doctor’s coming.”

“I sent Hugh to the farm. He’s bringing Nathan.”

“Good heavens, this family has one drama after the other.”

I glanced at her, our eyes communicating. “I don’t know the extent of these injuries, but he took a solid pounding from that wood plank.”

She spied the offending beam. “It looks awfully heavy.”

“What’s amiss here?” Dr. Caldwell appeared in the doorway, carrying a black bag. “What’s happened?”

“A beam hit him over the head,” I said.

“Stand back. Oh, good, you’ve iced him.”

“Only just. He’s been lying here for hours.”

He inhaled audibly. “Oh, dear.” Bending, he felt his pulse at the wrist. “I’ll need to examine him now.”

“Come with me, children,” said Hannah. “Let’s go wait outside while Doc Caldwell examines your pa.” She held out her hand to Annie.

“Is he gonna be okay?”

“He’ll be sore for a bit, but hopefully he’ll wake up soon enough.”

When they had gone, I glanced at Doctor Caldwell. “How bad is it?”

“Keep the ice on him.” He lifted his eyelids, revealing eyes that were fully red.

I gasped. “Oh, gracious!”

“Yes, this isn’t good. There’s a fair amount of pressure inside his skull. It’s built up over the hours with no relief in sight. I might have to drill a small hole in his head.”

“For pity’s sake!”

“I’ve done it only once before, and…the patient died.” He looked grim. “I’ll need cloth and water and whiskey. I need a sterile environment.” He glanced over his shoulder seeing a dusty worktable. “We’re going to have to move him.”

“Nathan’s coming soon. He’ll bring Jerry, I’m sure.” As if on cue, a wagon approached, and I assumed it was Nathan. Both men appeared in the doorway a moment later, with Maria in tow, who held Letty in her arms.

“I need to bring this man into the house,” said Doctor Caldwell. “We got to lift him as gentle as possible.”

Hannah had joined us, reaching for Letty. “I’ll take her.”

“I should boil some water,” said Maria.

“Yes, and find some blankets, if you can. I’ve got bandaging in my bag, but I don't know if it’ll be enough.” The men bent to take Mr. Montgomery, but the doctor stopped them. “I need to support the head very carefully. It can’t be jostled about at all.”

Hannah and I watched, as he was lifted, while Doctor Caldwell held his skull, the three of them working slowly towards the door. I ran ahead to make sure the house was ready, but what I found there dismayed me instantly. It was a filthy mess of dust and trash. Maria was in the kitchen opening cabinets, looking for pots and pans. I panicked then, not knowing where they would put Mr. Montgomery.

There was a small bed on the first floor in a room next to the kitchen, but the sheets hadn’t been changed in months. I took them off quickly, turning them around. It would have to do, but other arrangements needed to be made. When the men appeared, they worked carefully to maneuver him through the door.

“I’ll need water and whiskey now,” said the doctor.

“I’ll get it.” The boys lingered, staring at their father, their eyes filled with concern. “He’ll be fine. You might want to pick up some of the trash in the house. That would be helpful.”

“Where would we put it?” asked Oscar.

“I’ll make a burn pile,” said Nathan. “Come on. I’ll show you how.”

While the doctor cut through a portion of Mr. Montgomery’s skull, Maria stayed with him to help, not having any qualms about the sight of blood. I was liable to faint, if I were to see such things. I waited with Hannah, who was reluctant to sit on the sofa, as it looked infested.

“Dear God,” she muttered. “How can anyone live like this?”

“I don’t know. Men aren’t too adept at cleaning up after themselves.”

She brought her hand to her mouth. “What if he doesn't make it?”

“I can’t think of that now, Hannah. He has to pull through for the sake of his children.”

I experienced a moment of shame for having these thoughts before, wishing he wouldn’t return from the mountains. It was clear that he loved his children, but life had dealt him a rather harsh blow, and he’d been slow to pick up the pieces. Hannah had experienced something similar when Frank had died, after a prolonged sickness. I blamed myself for this, as I had wished him ill. If he did not recover, I would never forgive myself. With this in mind, I went to the barn, wanting to be alone. I knelt in the spot where Mr. Montgomery had fallen and clasped my hands before me.

“God, I’m so sorry for my uncharitable thoughts. I might’ve misjudged this man. I know we’re all flawed to one degree or another, and I’m dreadfully sorry I wished something bad would happen to him up in the mountains. I really didn’t mean it. Well, I mostly didn’t mean it. I’ll do anything you want, anything at all, if you save his life and return him to health. I’ll even clean that vile and disgusting house, if you bid it. It’ll be my penance. I deserve every bit of it for the horrible thoughts I had. I’m just so attached to those kids. I’ve been miserable without Annie.” Tears were in my eyes. “I’d give anything to have those kids in my life on a daily basis.” And then it dawned on me that if he died, they would be mine. “But, I don’t want them like that! I only want those kids if
he
lives. He must make it through. Please, please, help him.”

Hannah found me like this a few minutes later. “They’ve finished with the operation.”

“Is he awake?”

“No. I don’t know if it did any good or not. Doc Caldwell says it’s supposed to relieve the pressure in his skull, but I have no idea if something like that actually works. What are you doing?”

“Praying.”

“I was saying a few silent ones in the house. It’s just so sad that he might not make it.”

“He has to make it!” I declared vehemently. “I won’t have those kids without their father. Even though he’s a dreadful person and undeserving, they need him.”

“We don’t know enough about him to make such a judgment.”

“I…I guess we don’t, but his past behavior has been lacking.”

“You’ve sure become attached to these people, Louisa.”

“I’ve done what’s needed. If you saw starving children on the side of the road, you’d help them too, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, of course, but you saw them first.”

“I need to get some cleaning supplies and start on the house.” She gave me a look, which was a mixture of horror and concern. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. You won’t have to stay. You’ve got Letty to mind.”

“Oh, Louisa, that house is an abomination. It truly is. It might be better just to burn it down and start all over.”

I waved my arm around the barn. “But look at what he was doing.” I went to a piece of furniture that had been hidden beneath a white cloth. “He’s building things. He knows how to work with wood. He made those chairs and that table. It’s not fancy in the least, but it’s sturdy and well-made.” Grasping the cloth, I revealed what looked like a desk. “I wouldn’t mind something like this in my own house.”

“That is nice. It’s fancier than the others.”

“He’s capable of more than just mining.”

“If he lives.”

“He has to recover.”

She looked doubtful. “He’s in a bad way. I wouldn’t be surprised if he expires tonight.”

“No!” I brushed past her. “I’m not listening to this.”

“It’s probably not wise to be in this barn.” She glanced upwards. “It’s not safe at all.”

“Then let’s go back to the house.”

The pungent smell of smoke lingered from a pile of trash Nathan was in the process of burning. The boys helped add rubbish and crates to the bonfire, watching as it engulfed the heap. Hannah and I loitered in the parlor, not sure at all of what we were to do now, although I did want to stay and help, if I could.

Doctor Caldwell appeared then. “You need to keep the ice on his head.” He clutched his bag. “I put the small piece of his skull on ice in the cellar. I’ll reattach it when the swelling goes down. I’m going into town for a spell to get a few things. I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.”