New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) (23 page)

Sam called back, “Looking forward to it,” as they all waved at each other until they stepped inside.

The first-class car was nearly full, but they found seats near the front. As they sat down, they both watched out the window at the city travelling past them. Arriving in the dark the night before, Sara didn’t see how far it went from the centre of the city. She asked her husband, “When did you come to Winnipeg from Toronto, Sam?”

“I came out here in ’74 when Winnipeg officially became a city. It was named after the lake forty miles north, from the Indian words, “Win” meaning muddy and “nipee” for water. I’ve never seen the lake, but when the rivers churn here, the mud certainly does stir into the water. The city was about the size Brandon is now.”

They silently watched as the new land passed by the windows. The sway of the train seemed to create a peace and as she placed her head on his shoulder, Sara drifted off to sleep. Sam rested his cheek against her and breathed in the lovely scent of lavender he had grown so accustomed to. He too, relaxed and enjoyed the closeness they shared.

Chapter Seventeen

They arrived back in Brandon in the late evening and Eric met them at the station. The Fieldings and the many parcels were delivered back to their home. Mary greeted them at the door and the women exchanged hugs before entering the house. Sara was quick to find the parcel with the comb in it and gave it to their housekeeper, who felt more like a friend to her. They explained to Mary that plans were set so Catherine would go to Winnipeg where she would get an education. Sam and Sara would travel with her and then continue with their own journey. Everything was set in order, as long as the Hall family was in favour of it.

A few days later, Sara saw Mrs. Hall and Catherine in Blye’s store. She took them aside and learned the family was willing to let their daughter go to the city. Hopefully she could eventually attend college to be a teacher, if she made enough money. Tom thought it a great opportunity, Catherine’s only real chance to further her education and possibly help her brothers and sisters. Sara was so relieved all appeared to be going the way they hoped.

The Fieldings went out to the Hall farm the next day, to make final arrangements with the family and set a date for Catherine to move to the city. Mrs. Hall, or Amy, as she asked to be called, grew to trust Sara, and apologized for calling her a witch.

“That’s all right, really,” Sara answered, “I can understand where the rumours came from, but really nothing could be further from the truth.”

Sam smiled at her from across the table. “I don’t know, she certainly cast a spell on me.”

“I have noticed, Mr. Fielding,” Amy smiled back. “Thank you for helping Catherine, not many people take it upon themselves to offer so much.”

Mr. Hall came in from his chores, a bucket of fresh milk in his hand. He tipped his head to the visitors when he saw them, but did not appear happy. He was a big man, with a deep voice, which startled Sara when he said, “So you have found a place for my girl to work in Winnipeg. I expect you have checked into everything and made certain it is a good home for her.”

“I have known the Stones for many years and they are eager to have Catherine help with their girls. Mrs. Stone is a teacher and has started a school and agreed to let your daughter attend. When she is ready for teacher’s training Catherine can pay for her courses and live with the family while she is going to school,” Sam answered.

“Well, it’s the only way she can get an education so it is fine with me. One less mouth to feed,” Tom was washing his hands in a basin. Amy rushed to his side to add warm water to it and give him a fresh towel, which looked to be very worn, as most things were in the two-room Soddy. As Sara watched the woman she noticed a look of fear and knew in an instant she didn’t like the man of the house.

Sam stood up from the table, taking a paper from his billfold, “I brought this bank note out for you, to help when Catherine is away.”

“We don’t need your charity,” Mr. Hall raised his voice.

“It really isn’t a gift, just an advance on Catherine’s pay, to help for the inconvenience of not having her here.” Sam reached his hand out to Tom, holding the note. The latter hesitated but finally took the money, without a word and the Fieldings recognized it as their signal to leave.

“Thank you very much for your help. I am certain the Stones will be looking forward to Catherine arriving in two weeks,” Sara smiled at Mrs. Hall, but tried to avoid her husband, as she felt rather uncertain about him.

On their journey back to town, Sara sat close to her husband, his arm placed protectively around her. “I really don’t like that man.”

“Not many people do. He can be a mean drunk and everyone in town knows it. I imagine Amy and the children realize when to stay quiet.”

“It scares me to think Catherine has to stay at home for nearly two more weeks. If he would ever find out ... I hate to imagine what he would do to her.”

“I don’t think she was too far wrong when she said he would kill her.”

“Sam, something should be done for people like that, maybe a home or a place where women can go when their husband is so mean.”

“I agree, but not many men are as bad as he is. When you live in a town the size of Brandon, it is hard to do things like that. Too many people know your business and the law doesn’t have the authority to step into home affairs, unless it becomes too violent and then it gets too dangerous for outsiders. Besides, you’ve been thinking about other people all of your life, it is time to think about us and our family.”

Her eyes sparkled back at him with the mention of the word ‘family.’ She finally could think it was a possibility.

Sara started packing for their trip east almost a week before they were to leave.

Sam frowned at her. “Take as little as possible, I’m going to fill your case up for you on our travels.”

She had a hard time convincing him she really didn’t need any more and eventually gave up trying.

Sam made arrangements at the bank and the other businesses to keep everything running as usual, leaving Tom Sutton in charge. He stated they would be away for at least two months, maybe more. He knew the bank was in good hands and Tom thanked his boss. It was something he would not have been complimented on a month before.

Doc Brown asked Sara to attend his patients for the week before their trip, as he wanted to go to a meeting in Winnipeg before she left. He really didn’t plan on going before Christmas, but thought better of it, as there were medical supplies and new gadgets he wanted to see about. He promised he would be back on the Friday, as the three would be departing on Sunday morning, leaving Saturday for him to get caught up on any notes Sara would have.

Sam saw how spending time in the doctor’s office excited Sara, even though only minor ailments needed to be taken care of.

“This is what really makes you happy, isn’t it?” Sam asked her as they walked back home together after she closed the office for the day.

“You make me happy,” she put her arm in his after locking the door, “I always dreamt about it … to help people. I sometimes wonder if in a past life I was a doctor, it seems to come easy to me.”

“A past life?” Again, she surprised Sam. “Where would you come up with such an idea?”

“In the middle eastern countries certain religions believe people are reincarnated, they come back as another person. Sometimes it makes sense, when various people have gifts even as children. Mozart could compose music by the time he was four years old.”

“Where did you learn such things?”

“My father had an extensive library. He ordered books from around the world because he wished he could travel. He always encouraged me to read them, to learn about the world and the differences that make it so interesting. He was a good man and said there must be good in every religion, good in every man. He really wasn’t happy when I married William, but he said I must make my own life and wished us the best when we left.”

“You never cease to amaze me, how much you understand about medicine, people and the world and yet you are an uncomplicated person and so easy to love. Your compassion is so contagious and I can’t help but want to be like that too.”

“Your kindness was always there, Sam, you just had to let the brick wall crumble you built around yourself.”

“I have you to thank for the breaking down of it,” he said, kissing her before opening the door to their home.

After supper, they discovered the metal tub was big enough to hold both of them as they enjoyed a warm bath together, each caring for the other. They made love often after the wedding day, although they also found being together in each other’s arms was as intimate and pleasurable.

They slept soundly in each other’s arms the Thursday night before they were to make the trip to Winnipeg. Suddenly a loud banging could be heard on the front door. Sam looked at his watch and saw it was a little after two in the morning.

“Here is the true taste of being the physician on call,” Sara said, as she climbed out of bed and pulled on the new robe Sam bought for her in Winnipeg. “It must be urgent if it can’t wait until morning.”

Sam also put on his robe and rushed down the stairs ahead of his wife. He opened the door and found Reverend Hedges standing before him with blood splattered on his clothing. He started to pull the minister into the house, but was met with a protest.

“It isn’t me. I’m not hurt,” the minister pointed out to his sleigh where the passenger was slumped down in the back. “I found one of Tom Hall's children on the road when I was coming back to town from …” before he could finish Sara rushed past the two men out to the street. Eric heard the commotion and was running from the stable.

“Oh, my God, oh, my God,” Sara could be heard saying before she arrived at the cutter, “Sam,” she shouted back, “It's Catherine, she's been badly beaten.”

Eric quickly picked up the girl from the seat and with Sara's direction carried her into the house.

By this time, Mary was awake and was quite startled to see what was happening.

“Quickly Mary, go upstairs and strip down the bed in the guest room.” The housekeeper didn't have to be asked twice and quickly went up the stairs.

Carefully Eric carried the girl up the steps, Sara moving ahead of them, Sam and the pastor following behind.

Mary pulled all the bedding off of the mattress onto the floor and Sara quickly covered the bed with a couple of old blankets before Eric set Catherine down on them. Mary let out a loud gasp when she saw the condition of the girl, but Sara kept quite composed, sending the men out of the room. She asked Sam to bring a basin of warm water. Together the women helped Catherine out of her clothing, but Sara knew Mary found the situation difficult and sent her out for towels and wash cloths. She pulled a sheet over the girl to cover her when Sam brought the basin into the room, with a large pitcher of warm water.

He started the fire in the fireplace and without a word placed his hand on Sara's shoulder as she watched the girl. Looking back at him, she silently placed her own hand on his.

Before he left the room, she asked, “Could Eric go to the Hall farm, to make sure Amy and the children are all right?”

“I was thinking the same thing,” he said as he started to pull the door closed and added, “Sara, the baby?”

But her answer was a look of sadness and the shake of her head.

About three-quarters of an hour later Sara went down to the three waiting in the kitchen.

“She is resting quietly,” she said meekly when Sam went to her and held her tightly. Sara turned to the reverend and Mary, “I expect what has happened tonight stays within these walls.” The two nodded back at her. “Catherine told me her father beat her because he found out she was going to have a baby. Sam and I made plans to help her by taking her to Winnipeg and I fully expect she will go to get an education.” Sara helped herself to a cup of tea but instead of sitting down added, “I am going up to check on her then I am going back to bed.” She looked tired, but no emotion showed on her face. Sara took Sam by the hand and with a silent look asked him to go with her.

He glanced back at the others and thanked them for their help before going upstairs.

They both went into the guest room without saying a word. Heaviness hung in the air. Sara sat down on the bed beside Catherine and placed the back of her hand to the girl's cheek. “I gave her a dose of laudanum. She should rest well for a while.” Seeing the girl slept soundly, she added, “I want to show you something, so if charges are brought against her father, you are a witness.” Sara gently, so she would not wake her patient, placed the bed covers just past her waist and pulled the gown up to expose her abdomen. Three black bruises could be seen below her navel. “She has bruises covering her body, but these are the worst and I would say deliberately placed to cause an abortion.” She covered the girl back up to the chin, placed her fingers on Catherine's neck to check her pulse and then stood up to leave the room. “I should have given her what she wanted when she came here. It was my selfishness that caused this.”

Sam quietly closed the door between the rooms, behind them. Sara went to the window and looked out at the moon, which was on its way to becoming full again.