Love's abiding joy (Love Comes Softly #4) (23 page)

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take him to my home. I can put him on the cot in the office." All eyes looked at the doctor, questioning.

The doctor continued. "He is going to need much care. We can watch him there. It will give my mother the feeling to be needed. She wishes to do something for someone, and this will be her chance. If I am able to help this man . . ." Juan hesitated, then continued. "I think that it is too late to save many of his fingers and toes. Perhaps he will lose them all."

It was sobering news. Clark noticed some of the hands in the room unconsciously curl up into fists as though defying fate to try to take their own.

Lane moved first. "Ya want me to git a team?" he asked the doctor.

"Yes. Put lots of hay in the bottom of a wagon. We'll need to make him a bed."

For the second time that Christmas Eve, Lane made a trip to the doctor's, this time driving the team that carried a critically ill man. His saddle horse tied to the rear, Dr. De la Rosa rode in the wagon with them, watching Jedd to be sure he stayed well covered in the bitter winter wind.

Clark returned to the little soddy and found that Marty had not gone to bed.

"I've been a-frettin' an' thinkin' all kinds of things," she said.

"You'll never believe this," said Clark, "but thet man Scottie brought in off the range is Jedd Larson."

"Jedd?"

"Shore ain't in very good shape."

"Oh, Clark. Did ya tell 'im 'bout his girls? Did he say--"

"Jedd didn't say much 'ceptin' a few cuss words, Marty. He is plumb outa his head. No, thet's not right. He did say one thing. Over an' over. He said 'Tina.'

"Tina .. . Then he remembers."

"Somehow thet one name gave me hope, Marty. Somehow it helped me to believe this wasn't jest fate thet sent Jedd this way, but God givin' him thet chance to find
Him."

"Oh, Clark, I pray thet it might be so," said Marty, the tears filling her eyes.

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"If only I could have talked to him--made him understand me somehow."

"Can I see 'im?" asked Marty.

"He's gone."

"Gone? But how could--"

"Lane went fer Dr. De la Rosa, an' the doc decided when he checked Jedd out thet it would be better fer 'im to have Jedd at his house so he could watch over 'im. Lane took 'im on over in the wagon. They left jest a few minutes ago."

"Oh, Clark. I hope he makes it. I hope thet ya have a chance to talk to him. Was he really bad, Clark?" Clark nodded his head solemnly.

"Oh, Clark!" cried Marty again. "Let's pray." Once again they knelt beside the bed.

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Chapter Twenty-seven

Christmas Day

In spite of anxiety over Jedd, Christmas Day was a time of thanksgiving and joy. With two small boys in the house, it was impossible not to feel excitement and pleasure concerning Christmas. Even though they had retired late the evening before and had had difficulty getting to sleep, Clark and Marty were up early and over in the big house. Nathan and Josiah, already up and filling the house with cries of happiness as they looked at the gifts which had arrived sometime during the night, were not very interested in their breakfast that day.

Nathan was thrilled with the sled that Clark had made and begged to go out and try it even before he had eaten. Clark laughed and promised the boys he would take them out on the sled just as soon as their mother approved. Missie, smiling, shrugged her shoulders helplessly.

Nathan's favorite gift from his parents was a new halter for Spider, his pony. Willie finally gave into his pleadings and told him they would go to the barn and be sure that the halter fit. Nathan soon reappeared, bundled to his eyebrows with

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Marty's gift of socks, mittens and carelessly-looped scarf. Willie laughed at the sight that the boy made.

"Ya shore enough look well cared fer weather-wise, 'ceptin' fer yer feet. Ain't ya plannin' to wear any boots?"

"They won't go over my big socks," replied Nathan, which brought more laughs.

Josiah soon rounded the corner too. He was still in his nightclothes and over them he too had looped his long scarf. One eye was hidden and he peeked out from the other one, his head tipped to give him better vision. His mittens had been pulled on the wrong hands, and the empty thumbs stuck out to the side like two misplaced horns. The socks, partly on but mostly off, gave Josiah the appearance of having duck feet. He waddled forward, pleased with himself and ready to join his brother and pa for the trip to the barn. Now Willie really howled. He led the two boys back to their room, properly dressed Josiah and helped Nathan to find socks and boots that worked together. Then, with the small Josiah on his shoulders and Nathan trudging along at his side with the cherished new halter, Clark joined them and they all started out for the barn.

"They do make some sight, don't they?" said Missie at the window, a lump in her throat.

"Don't know how many times I've stood at my window an' watched yer pa an' his sons crossin' the yard," Marty responded. "Iffen I had no other reason to love yer pa than thet single one--the seem' of his carin' fer his young'uns--thet one would be enough to make me love him as long as God grants me breath," she continued softly.

They turned back to the preparations for the day. There was much to be done, for Christmas dinner for all of the hands had become a tradition on the LaHaye ranch. Though busy and going many different directions, on Christmas Day they took the time to all eat together and share the Christmas story.

That morning around the breakfast table the discussion often had been directed to the wonder of Jedd Larson turning up on the LaHaye spread. They had not heard of Jedd since he had left his farm back home and headed west so many years

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ago. Marty wished there was some way she could share with Clae and Nandry the exciting news, and then she sobered. If Jedd did not make it through this Christmas Day, the news they would have to share with their girls would be bad news, not good news. Again and again through the day Marty prayed.

After the trip to the barn, as promised, Clark took the bundled-up boys for a sled ride.

At first it was difficult for him to pull the sled with the two small passengers up the nearby slope, but eventually he found that his crutch, jammed into the snow, made a good replacement for the limb he did not have.

The boys squealed with delight as Clark shoved them off and they made the short, swift trip down the hill. This time, Nathan pulled the sled back up the hill, but it was hard for little Josiah to make the climb on his own. Clark went to meet him and carried him up the hill piggyback. Again and again they sped down the hill and made their slow and awkward climb back up. At last, exhausted but happy, they agreed to head back to the house and get warmed up.

"We'll have to do this ag'in, huh, Grandpa?" said Nathan. " 'G'in," echoed his little brother.

"Shore will," said Clark, who had enjoyed it almost as much as the boys.

"After dinner?" asked Nathan.

"Well, I dunno 'bout thet. I think thet yer pa an' ma might have some of their own plans fer after dinner."

"After thet then?"

"We'll see," laughed Clark. "We'll see."

About one o'clock the cowboys began to arrive, kicking the snow from their boots and slapping their wide-brimmed hats against their sides. They laughed and joked as they filed in. Marty stood back in amazement as they stopped in the large entry and removed their boots and lined them up neatly against the wall, not wishing to damage Missie's fine rugs. Marty had been west only for a short while, but already she understood how important boots were to the ranch hands, how important it was not to be caught with your boots off. They

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looked embarrassed and ill at ease as they stood looking down at their stockinged feet. Marty noticed that some of the socks had holes in them and wondered if she would dare offer to darn them. She said nothing now but went to the kitchen to find a worn towel. One by one she picked up the boots and carefully wiped away all traces of water or dirt. Then she handed them, pair by pair, back to the owners. The cowboys slipped back into the boots with warm grins and eloquent nods of thanks. They were now all ready for the meal filling the air with delightful aromas as Wong carried dish after dish to the large dining room.

Before the meal, Willie, as the head of the home and the owner of the ranch, read to them the story of the birth of the Christ Child. He then asked Clark to lead them in prayer. Some throats were self-consciously cleared and many gazes were fastened on the tops of boots or the big leathery hands in their laps, but everyone listened carefully.

The meal began in comparative silence, but it wasn't long until hearty laughter and good-natured teasing took over. Nathan and Josiah joined in merrily, describing in detail to the ranch hands their gifts of the morning, the trip to the barn with the new halter that "Spider liked real good," and their ride on Grandpa's sled.

After they all had eaten as much as they possibly could, the guests moved to the living room where a friendly fire welcomed them. Henry was not there to lead them with his guitar, having decided to follow the LaHaye tradition and have a family Christmas dinner for his own hands. But, in spite of the absence of Henry, they sang the Christmas carols under Willie's direction. Those who did not sing seemed to enjoy listening.

Scottie was the first who had to leave. He always took responsibility for the Christmas shift with the cattle. Usually one or two of the other hands joined him voluntarily out of respect for their boss. Today it was Jake and Charlie. Lane announced that he planned to ride over to the doctor's to see how Jedd was doing. Clark said that he would like to go with him. The cowboys left, calling their thanks as they flipped their

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stetsons back onto their heads. The two little boys were tucked in for a much-needed nap. Missie and Marty went to help Wong and Cookie clear the dishes, and the house again fell into silence.

The ride through the crisp afternoon was cold for Clark and Lane. Clark especially noticed it in the stump of his missing leg. He had not thought to provide extra protection for the area and found that it was very sensitive to the cold. Lane, without saying anything, swung down from his horse and pulled a blanket from behind his saddle. Speaking of other things, he crossed to Clark's horse and tucked the blanket around the stump, making sure that it was fastened securely in place and would not slip with the movement of horse and rider. Still making no reference to the missing leg or the blanket, he remounted and they moved on. Clark was much more comfortable on the remainder of the ride.

They found Jedd in much the same condition as he had been the night before. Senora De la Rosa sat with him. Jedd had been bathed and his beard and hair had been neatly trimmed. His feet and hands bore large bandages, and Clark was reminded of the doctor's concern for the fingers and toes that had been frozen. When they found that Jedd was not conscious, they did not stay long. The doctor promised that if the man roused, he would send one of his ranch hands with the message. The doctor seemed encouraged that Jedd had held his own throughout the day. His pulse rate had improved somewhat, and this gave Juan some hope.

Lane and Clark left for home after sharing a cup of hot coffee and some of Maria's special Christmas baking.

As they mounted, Clark tucked Lane's blanket around himself.

"Never knowed," he said simply, "jest how much the cold would bother a leg like mine. Here I was a pridin' myself thet I wouldn't be sufferin' with any cold toes on this here side."

Lane smiled but only said, "It'll toughen."

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Chapter Twenty-eight

From Death to Life

It was three days before a rider came from the De la Rosas' and said that Jedd Larson was now awake. Clark immediately saddled a horse and prepared to go to him. He tucked his well- worn Bible inside his jacket and asked Marty for an extra blanket.

"It's a trick I learned from Lane," explained Clark in answer to her unasked question. "This here short leg gets awful cold. A blanket keeps it more livable."

Marty spent the day knitting and praying. It seemed that Clark was gone forever, but at last Marty heard the sound of a horse approaching the barn. In the clear, crisp winter air, the sounds of the hoofbeats rang out clearly. Max left the yard on the run, always the first to welcome a rider.

Marty watched from the window until Clark came in sight, and then she grabbed her shawl and ran to meet him.

"Come to Missie's," she called. "She'll want to hear all 'bout it, too."

Clark changed direction and headed for the big house as

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Marty ran down the rutted, snowpacked path to meet him there.

"Oh, I was hopin' thet you'd come right on over here," Missie called to them from the doorway. "I jest couldn't wait to hear all 'bout it."

Missie led the way to the open fire. "We're near bustin'," she spoke for both of them. "Tell us 'bout it quick." "Did Jedd know ya this time?" interposed Marty.

"Oh, he knew me all right. Was 'most as surprised to see

me as I was to see him the other night."

"What did he say?"

"He asked first thing 'bout the girls."

Marty's eyes misted. "I'm so glad thet he cares somethin' fer 'em," she said.

"He seemed right concerned. Said thet he had made up his mind to go on home. He was tryin' to reach town an' the train station when he got lost in the snow an' stranded out on the range."

"Did he mention Tina again?"

"We talked 'bout Tina quite a piece."

Marty could wait no longer. "Clark," she said, "were ya able to talk to 'im 'bout his need fer God?"

"I was. We went through the Bible 'most from cover to cover."

"Did he understand?"

"Seemed to."

"Did he . . . did he. . . ?"

Clark put his arm around his wife and pulled her close. His eyes blurred and his throat sounded hoarse. "Those girls of ours are gonna be happy to know thet their pa joined their ma today."

"Ya mean--?"

"Jedd Larson made his peace with his Savior."

"Oh, thank Ya, Father," prayed Marty, the tears spilling down her cheeks.

Clark cleared his throat.

"But he joined Tina in another way, too."

Marty and Missie waited, eyes wide.