An Unexpected Annulment (The Colorado Brides Series Book 3) (7 page)

“Thank you so much for all you’ve done.”

“It wasn’t much, Louisa. To be honest, I’m not too sure he’s going to make it. The injury is grave indeed.”

Maria was in the doorway, wearing an apron. “I make dinner soon. But there’s hardly any food here.”

“Take his wagon and go to the house and bring back cleaning supplies and provisions. I’ll watch over Mr. Montgomery, until Doc Caldwell returns.”

“I’ll go with Maria,” said Hannah. “Letty needs a nap. She’s awfully cranky.” The baby fussed, crying.

“The boys will be fine with Nathan. He’s keeping them occupied,” I said.

“I just hope they don’t burn the prairie down.” Hannah smiled, patting Letty on the back, while she cried. “Oh, sweet pea, you’re tired.”

Everyone left at nearly the same time, while Annie and I watched over her father, who was resting on a bed with a cold compress on his head. We took turns holding the block of ice against the scalp until our fingers were so cold we couldn’t feel them.

Annie held his hand, sitting by his side. “Do you think he’ll be all right, Ms. Louisa?”

“I hope so.”

“Shouldn’t we pray that he makes it?”

“Yes, of course. I’ve already said a few prayers for him today.”

“We could even sing to him like they do in church.”

“Yes, we can.”

“Do you think he can hear us?”

“I imagine he might.”

“I don’t want my pa to die.” Tears were in her eyes.

“I know you don’t. He’ll be better, once the swelling goes down. Doc Caldwell thinks that’s what the problem is.”

“But he’s got a hole in his head now.”

“A small one.”

“I’m ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“I wanna start singin’ something nice that pa would like.”

“How about the “The Old Oaken Bucket” for starters?”

“We can do that one and then something else. Do you know “Turkey in the Straw”? That’s a fun one too. Maybe if pa hears us singin’ he’ll wake up and sing with us?”

I smiled, as she was utterly adorable in her innocent, sweet ways. “Yes, maybe he will.”

Chapter Six

Doc Caldwell returned after supper, bringing with him someone I didn’t recognize. They assessed Mr. Montgomery’s condition, although he was still unconscious. The doctor would stay the night, watching over him, while icing his skull. I was relieved by this turn of events, feeling slightly less alone with the children in the house. I had put them to bed, but the condition of their bedding was worrying. I’d begged Maria to return in the morning to help me get the residence in order. So much required doing, and I wouldn't be able to rest until the house was clean.

In the morning, I was up quite early, not being able to sleep, my mind filled with a thousand different chores that needed doing. School would be starting soon, and it was fortuitous that I had prepared in advance, otherwise I’d be a bundle of nervous knots worrying about having everything ready in time. The first week had been meticulously planned. I was excited to begin this new phase of my life, but Mr. Montgomery’s accident and his recovery took priority at the moment. Everything else had to wait.

To my surprise, Nathan and Jerry arrived with building supplies, as they were going to work on the barn, although they made me swear not to say anything to Hannah, or else she would have been beside herself with worry. Her first husband had fallen from a roof, breaking both his legs and suffering paralysis. While Doc Caldwell tended to Mr. Montgomery, I began the task of stripping the beds and bringing the linens outside for Maria to scrub clean. She took one look at the bedding, her expression falling. I thought she might scream. I did not envy that chore one bit.

“I’m so sorry. If it’s any consolation, I’ll be scrubbing the floors all day.”

“Oh, my goodness, Ms. Hoffman. This is just terrible.”

“I know. He’ll get better, I hope.”

“No, not him. The house! Who lives like this?”

“I don’t know.” I felt drained, and I was unable to stop yawning, but who could possibly rest in a pigsty?

Hannah arrived around lunchtime with sandwiches, although it must have been challenging to make the neatly wrapped offerings and take care of the baby by herself. She carried a jug of lemonade. “Is he awake?”

“No. Doc Caldwell put a tube down his throat to give him fluids. I’ve made some chicken soup for him.”

She glanced around the parlor. “You’ve made a significant dent with the cleaning. It’s vastly improved.”

I closed my eyes. “It’s been dreadful.”

“Oh, poor Louisa.” She hugged me. “You’ve done so much. You should go home. You needn’t do anymore.”

“I’m not leaving until he’s better.” The hint of steel in my voice surprised me, but I had spoken exactly what I felt and believed. I had slept in Mr. Montgomery’s bed last night, although I had removed the sheets, sleeping with a blanket that I had found tucked away in a cupboard. “Maria’s nearly finished with all the laundry, if you can imagine. Things will be better by tonight.”

“What did you do to the sofa? It looks almost new.”

Nathan and Jerry took it outside and beat it down. Then they scrubbed it with soap. It’s fine. It wasn't crawling with anything funny.”

She felt the fabric. “It’s still damp.”

“I imagine it is. I’ve been sitting on the rocking chair.”

“I’m going home for a while,” said Doctor Caldwell, who appeared behind us. “I’ve given him some fluids and medication, but that’s all I can do right now. I’ve left the tube in his throat. It’s imperative that he be given fluids throughout the day.”

“Then he’ll need some diapers, like Frank had,” said Hannah. “I have them at home. I’ve been using them as dust rags. He’ll soil himself, if he doesn’t wear them.”

“Yes, you do know what that’s all about.” The doctor’s look was stark. “I’m going to attach that small portion of skull later today. At least the swelling’s gone down enough. We’re just waiting for him to regain consciousness.”

“I’ll watch over everything,” I said. “I’ll do exactly as you asked.”

“Thank you, my dear. You’ve been a godsend.”

“It’s been my pleasure.”

Later that evening, after everyone had left, I found myself alone with Mr. Montgomery, while the children were outside playing, enjoying the remaining light before it disappeared behind the mountains. Clothing hung on the line, and a pot roast was in the cook stove with vegetables in a pan. I sat by his bedside, holding his hand, which seemed to happen quite naturally. I’d begun talking to myself, sometimes mumbling, the tiredness of the last few hours had this effect.

“She wants a pony, you know. She loves animals. You’ve enough property to have several horses.” He’d yet to respond to anything at all, and I hardly expected him to acknowledge my presence, let alone wake. “The boys ride horses now too. Nathan taught them how.” The sound of a wagon held my attention, but I was too tired to get up. It was more than likely the Weaver’s or Doc Caldwell.

The front door slammed, and Hannah appeared in the doorway a moment later. “Any sign from him yet?”

I shook my head. “Afraid not.”

“What do his eyes look like?”

“I’m too scared to look. They were bright red before. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

She approached the bed, her look worried, yet determined. “I can do this. I'll just have a peek. How hard can it be?”

“Be my guest.” I yawned; the sound was surprisingly noisy. “Excuse me.”

Hannah had lifted a lid, exposing an eye. “Oh, Louisa! It’s not like a demon anymore. This is exciting.”

“I suppose so.” Another yawn had my mouth wide-open.

“You’re tired. Go home.”

“I am home.”

She gave me a strange look. “I mean you should go to bed, you silly goose. You’re not home here. It’s their house.”

“What? Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve lost my mind.”

“Why are you holding his hand?”

I glanced at the way his fingers were entwined with mine. “No particular reason. Isn’t that what you do when you sit at someone’s bedside?”

“Only if you know them.”

“I’ve got supper cooking. It should be done now. You’re welcome to stay and have some.” She continued to stare at me peculiarly, her gaze questioning. “What? Is there something on my face?”

“No. You’re fine.”

“Keep an eye on him. I suspect he’s going to wake soon.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because that’s what I’ve been praying for all day.”

I filled plates for the children. The three of them now sat at the table, pretty as you please, with napkins in their laps. We’d said a prayer before we ate, Hugh being the one who began it. The aroma of cooking took away the smell of vinegar, which was what I had used to scrub the floors, the furniture, and the walls. It was no wonder my bones ached.

“Louisa!” shouted Hannah. “Come here!”

I jumped, banging my knee on the leg of the table. “Oh!” I glanced at the children. “I’ll be right back. You keep eating.”

“Yes, Ms. Louisa.” Hugh and Oscar exchanged a look.

Hurrying to the next room, I stood in the doorway staring at a man who looked at me. “Oh, my goodness. What did you do to him?”

“Not a thing. He just opened his eyes. Just about gave me a heart attack too.” She held a hand to her chest. “I’ve never been so startled in my whole life.”

“We’ve got to get that tube out of his throat. Oh, for Pete’s sakes! Why isn’t Doctor Caldwell here?” I approached him, his look was weary, unfocused, and I assumed he wasn’t aware of what had happened. “I just need to pull this out. I’m sorry about this.” The tube was in my hand, and I began to extract it, bit by bit. “Almost there.” When it was free, he began to cough, the sound raspy and strangled. “I apologize for that.”

His expression was questioning. “Abigail?” he whispered raggedly.

I stared at him, wondering why he thought I was his long-departed wife. “No. I’m Louisa. Louisa Hoffman.”

“Should I get the doctor?”

“He’s been here most of the day. I don’t think it’s necessary. Mr. Montgomery is going to make a full recovery.” I glanced at him. “How do you feel?”

“My…head…aches.”

“It should. You stopped a rather large pieced of wood from hitting the floor.” He groaned, closing his eyes. “I’m going to get him some water and then he should sleep.”

“Shouldn’t you ask him something like what his name is?”

“Why?”

“He might have amnesia. He probably doesn’t remember anything.”

“Do you know who you are, sir?”

“Matthias…Montgomery…”

“Yes, that’s who you are.” Relief lifted an enormous weight off my shoulders. I knew he would wake tonight; I had felt it. I liked to think it was all the talking I had done earlier. I’d spoken about so many things, but mostly I focused on the children. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes.” His voice was raspy.

“I’ll make you some egg soup. I don’t think having solids right now would be good, but I can bring some bread.”

“Thank you.”

I bustled out of the room, but I overheard Hannah say, “You sure gave everyone a fright, Mr. Montgomery. My sister’s been beside herself with worry over you, although I’m not quite sure why. She’s formed a rather unnatural attachment to your children, sir. She takes care of them almost as if she were their mother.”

Standing outside the door, I waited for what his response would be, while the children talked and giggled in the other room. In a quiet voice he said, “My wife…is…a kind…woman.”

“Heaven’s to Betsy,” exclaimed Hannah. “You really have lost your senses.”

Rushing towards the kitchen, I put a pot on the stove, filling it with water from a jug. “Your father’s awake, but you mustn’t overwhelm him.”

“Pa’s awake?” shouted Oscar, jumping to his feet. He nearly upset the chair.

I placed a finger over my mouth. “Indoor voices. Don’t agitate him. He’s got a dreadful headache. If you had a piece of wood fall on your skull, you’d feel just as horrid.”

“Can we go see him?” asked Hugh. “Please, Ms. Louisa, please?”

“Of course, but don’t jump on the bed. Try to be quiet and gentle, all right?”

“Yes, Ms. Louisa.”

“You can call me Louisa, you know. You don't have to be so formal.”

“I’m going first,” said Hugh. He grinned. “My pa’s gonna be good as new again. I knew he’d be fine.”

Annie smiled, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “You healed my pa, Louisa.”

“The doctor did that, honey. All I did was pray.”

The three of them left the room, and I knew Hannah would supervise, to make sure things didn’t get out of hand. While I prepared the soup, I couldn’t help feeling utterly at ease in this house, realizing that I had grown accustomed to being here. Now that it was clean, it wasn’t as dark and cluttered as it had been before. Maria and I had taken down the curtains earlier, dusting and cleaning the windows. It had made quite a difference.

When the soup was done, I brought it with me to the next room, noting that there were tears in Matthias’s eyes when he gazed at his children. He wore white gauze around his head.

“Louisa cleaned the house, Pa. She said it was the most horrible place she’s ever seen,” said Hugh.

“I…imagine.”

Hannah approached me. “I think I’ll go now. He’s so much better. It truly is a miracle.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you staying?”

“I should. He needs to be fed and watched over. I’ve a bed upstairs.”

Her expression was perplexing, as she glanced around the room. It seemed as if she wanted to say something, but then thought better of it. “Well, then, I’ll be going. See you in the morning.”

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. Nathan and Jerry and Maria did so much. They worked incredibly hard.”

“Don’t mention it. When a neighbor’s in need, we lend a hand. It’s the right thing to do.” She pointed a finger at me. “And you’re well on your way to earning some angel wings for all that you’ve done for this family.”

“It’s been a pleasure.”

“You look tired. Get some rest.” She hugged me. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

Mr. Montgomery had been listening to the conversation, his eyes darting between his children and Hannah and me. When she was gone, I approached the bed. “I have some soup for you.”