Morning Sky (23 page)

Dr. Boyle signaled to the other men. “Let’s take her to the office.”

Jarena looked toward the house. “The Nelson children are alone inside. They’re napping.”

“You had best stay with them, Jarena. The men will help me get her down to my office, and there’s nothing you can do for your aunt right now. I’ll send word if there’s any change. You can come to the office once Mrs. Nelson returns home.”

Walt Johnson unfolded a long, narrow piece of canvas. They used the heavy cloth as a stretcher, with each of the men grasping a corner, while Charlie and Jarena stood in the middle of the dusty street and watched the bewildering sight.

Charlie leaned down and reached for Lilly’s carpetbag. “I’ll put this in my buggy and go down to Dr. Boyle’s office to await word on Lilly’s condition.”

Before Charlie could gain a good hold on the bag, Jarena snatched it from him. “This doesn’t belong to you, Mr. Holmes. I’ll take care of my aunt’s satchel.”

His stare remained fixed on the bag for a moment. “I don’t want any trouble, Miss Harban, but I do believe I’d like to take that with me.”

Suddenly Jarena understood. Charlie Holmes knew what was in the bag. He was providing Aunt Lilly with a method of escape. Jarena narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “I don’t think that would be wise. You see, I know what’s in this bag, Mr. Holmes, and I wouldn’t want to send the sheriff after you. You were planning to take Aunt Lilly out of town with you, weren’t you? The two of you set up this entire thing, and that’s the only reason you happen to be in Hill City today, isn’t it?”

Charlie backed up a few steps and pointed his finger at Jarena. “You can’t prove none of that. Now, I’m leaving town like you asked, but don’t you start no trouble for me or I’ll see to it that you pay—you understand?”

“I’ll mention your abiding concern to Aunt Lilly once she’s up and about.”

The peddler tugged on the brim of his felt bowler and pulled it forward on his head. “You’ve got no reason to cast aspersions, Miss Harban. If you hadn’t chased after her, your aunt would be fit as a fiddle. Besides, I doubt she’s ever going to regain consciousness. Truth be told, I figure you’ll be burying her in a day or two.”

Jarena faded at the man’s angry words. How could he utter such cruel remarks while her aunt lay unconscious on the way to Dr. Boyle’s office? Obviously, he cared little for Aunt Lilly. Her aunt had partnered with a man willing to compromise honest behavior for his own gain— a man who would help her steal from the Nelsons—a man much like Lilly. What else could Jarena expect of such a person? Clasping the carpetbag in her hand, Jarena started back toward the Nelson home.

Mrs. Nelson should be back within the hour, and the children might awaken at any moment. Jarena hurried into Mr. Nelson’s office. What if she couldn’t open the safe? She stared at the black monstrosity and uttered a silent prayer before she pulled back on the handle. The heavy door swung open, and Jarena sighed with relief. Apparently Aunt Lilly had failed to secure the lock when she shut the door. Jarena opened the valise and then peered inside the safe. She had no idea how to arrange the items, but she would do her best.

After pouring the silver coins into one of the leather pouches, she placed the gold nuggets in the other pouch and returned the necklace and earrings to the velvet case. Only the cash and a packet of letters remained. She placed the stacks of money side by side and then balanced the jewelry case and pouches on top. The letters in the packet were addressed to her aunt, so she returned them to the valise.

Jarena dropped Aunt Lilly’s bag behind the front door and stood nearby to greet Mrs. Nelson as she entered the house. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Nelson.”

Jarena detected a hint of fear in Mrs. Nelson’s eyes. “Jarena.Whatever are you doing here? Are the children all right?”

“Indeed. They’re still napping. My only concern is that they’ve slept so long this afternoon, they won’t sleep tonight. I had planned to awaken them within the half hour if you hadn’t returned.”

“Where’s Lilly?”

“That’s why I’m here, Mrs. Nelson. You see, Aunt Lilly met with an accident. She’s being cared for by Dr. Boyle—at his office.”

Mrs. Nelson removed her feather-bedecked hat and placed it on a table near the stairway. “What kind of accident? I didn’t send her on any errands today.”

“She noticed an acquaintance passing down the street. She had walked out front to speak to him when a runaway wagon coming from the opposite direction knocked her to the ground.”

Mrs. Nelson clasped a hand to her bodice. “Dear me! I trust her injuries aren’t serious?”

“I fear they are. She was unconscious when I last saw her. I’ll go directly to the doctor’s office when I leave your house.”

Mrs. Nelson paled at the information. “If there’s anything she needs or if I can do . . .”

Jarena patted Mrs. Nelson’s arm. “No need to worry, Mrs. Nelson. I know Dr. Boyle is providing excellent medical treatment, and I can assist with her care. You have three children to look after.”

“Please tell Lilly I’ll be praying for her.”

Jarena stepped back and picked up the carpetbag. “Yes, I’ll be certain to tell her.”

Once she was out the door and headed toward Dr. Boyle’s office, Jarena exhaled a deep breath. Thankfully, Mrs. Nelson hadn’t questioned her about the valise or its contents. Jarena had been prepared to say she had carried the carpetbag into the house—which was not exactly a lie since she’d carried it from the street into the Nelson residence. In addition, it contained Aunt Lilly’s letters, and she didn’t want to ask Mrs. Nelson to return the personal items upstairs to her aunt’s room.

The waiting room of Dr. Boyle’s office was empty when Jarena entered, though the doctor stepped into the room shortly after the bell jingled above the front door.

He smiled warmly and motioned for her to follow. “She’s fading in and out of consciousness. I believe there’s nothing more I can do—it’s a matter of time.”

“She won’t . . . She isn’t . . . I mean . . .”

Instinctively, Dr. Boyle patted Jarena’s hand. “I don’t know if she’s going to live. Only time will tell. However, you’re welcome to go and sit with her. I believe we’ll move her over to my house this evening.

That way you and I can both look after her. We’ll put her in Macia’s room.”

“Thank you, Dr. Boyle.”

After seeing her aunt’s condition, Jarena realized sitting by the woman’s bedside would accomplish little. Instead, she’d go by the Nelsons’ to retrieve a few of Aunt Lilly’s possessions and then return to the Boyle residence and prepare supper. Perhaps by the time the men carried Aunt Lilly to the Boyle home, she would be alert enough to eat some soup.

Though all had gone according to plan and her aunt was now safely ensconced in Macia’s bedroom, Jarena felt helpless. Lilly’s eyes occasionally fluttered open in a vacant stare, or she emitted an infrequent groan, but otherwise no signs of consciousness developed. Jarena wondered how long Lilly might remain in this lifeless state. Jarena sat in a nearby chair, mending a pair of cotton stockings while silently praying her aunt would at least have one final opportunity to accept Christ before she died.

“Jarena.” The voice was but a faint whisper. Startled, Jarena dropped her sewing to the floor.

Hunching forward, she grasped Lilly’s fingers. “Can you hear me, Aunt Lilly?”

“Yes.”

The single word was barely audible, but Jarena heard it. She dampened a cloth and wet her aunt’s dry lips. “If I lift you up, will you drink a sip of water?”

“Yes.” The one word seemed all her aunt could manage, but at least it was something. Jarena slipped her arm beneath Lilly’s shoulders and lifted the cup to her lips. Her aunt took only a small sip. Even so, the effort pleased Jarena.

“You’re making great strides, Aunt Lilly. By tomorrow I’m certain you’re going to want to eat some soup, and you’ll be anxious to return to work.” A feeble smile crossed the older woman’s lips before she once again slipped into a state of semiconsciousness.

Later that evening, Dr. Boyle set up a narrow cot and situated it near Lilly’s bedside. For the remainder of the night, Jarena lay near her aunt, listening to her muffled groans and uneven breathing. Although she was fatigued and her body ached from the uncomfortable bed, Jarena arose the next morning at daybreak. Weary or not, there were chores she must tend to.

After serving breakfast to the Boyles, Jarena prepared a tray for her aunt. Though she didn’t think Aunt Lilly would partake of any nourishment, she hoped the smell of bacon and eggs would at least stir her into a brief period of wakefulness. She placed a small china teapot on the tray as a faint knock sounded at the front door.

Wiping her hands on her apron, Jarena walked toward the door.

“Who could possibly be calling at this early hour?” She pulled open the door and looked down to see young Georgie Nelson looking up at her and holding a limp bouquet of pink and yellow roses. A smear of blood stained his right index finger.

The boy extended the bunch of roses. “I brought these for Miss Lilly. Can I see her?”

Jarena peeked around the doorframe, thinking surely Mrs. Nelson must be somewhere nearby, but no one else was in sight. “Does your mother know you’re here, Georgie?”

“She said I could bring the flowers. I picked ’em last night, so they’re kind of droopy, but I hope Miss Lilly thinks they smell good.

She likes roses. She told me so.”

Jarena stepped aside and ushered him into the foyer. “Why don’t we put those in some water before we take them upstairs.”

Georgie followed along and enthusiastically plunked the flowers into the cut-glass vase Jarena offered. “How soon will Miss Lilly be coming back to our house?”

“It’s hard to say. It may take a while before she’s strong enough to return. She’s mostly been sleeping since the accident.”

“Can we wake her up? I need to talk to her real bad.” Georgie chewed on his bottom lip and picked a dry leaf from the bouquet.

“Is there something I can help you with, Georgie?”

“Nuh-uh. I just want to talk with Miss Lilly.”

“Very well. Let’s go upstairs and see if she’s awake. I was going to take up her breakfast tray. You can carry the flowers.”

They paraded up the stairs, down the hallway, and into the bedroom where Lilly lay just as Jarena had left her over an hour ago. Geor-gie walked to the side of the bed and placed the vase of roses on the bedside table with a loud thunk.

Lilly stirred and her eyelids fluttered. Georgie seized the opportunity. “I’m glad you’re awake, Miss Lilly.” He leaned down and whispered into her ear.

Aunt Lilly’s eyes opened, shining with fear. She grasped Georgie’s shirt and whispered a strained reply. The boy nodded and then pointed at the flowers. “I brought you some roses from Mama’s garden. Pink and yellow—the colors you like. Can you smell ’em?”

Lilly’s hands shook as she reached for Georgie’s arm. “Yes. Thank you, Georgie. Now remember what I told you.”

“Your hands are shaking, Aunt Lilly. Can I bring you a blanket?”

“No. I’m merely feeling weak.”

Jarena stepped forward with a cup of tea. “Perhaps this tea will help to warm and strengthen you a bit. And I’ve brought you a breakfast tray with bacon and eggs. Do you think you could eat a few bites?”

Georgie stood near the doorway while Jarena assisted Lilly with her tea. “I’m going home now, Miss Lilly, but I’ll be back to see you in a few days and bring some more flowers.”

“Thank you, Georgie. You’re a good boy.”

Jarena furrowed her brows as the boy’s footsteps clattered down the steps. “You truly must have injured your head if you’re telling Georgie Nelson he’s a good boy.”

Lilly sighed. “I don’t believe I’m . . . going to live, Jarena. I have a searing pain in my head . . . and I feel like a fire is burning in my belly. I’m so weak.”

“You’re better than yesterday, Aunt Lilly. And I want you to know that although I was required to wrestle your valise from Mr. Holmes, I was able to safely return all of the Nelsons’ belongings to the safe before Mrs. Nelson returned home yesterday afternoon. I’m hopeful Mr. Nelson won’t notice if the items are out of order. So there’s nothing you need be concerned about except getting well.”

Lilly turned her head and looked about the room. “My carpetbag?

Where is it? There were letters . . .”

Jarena stroked her aunt’s forehead. “After seeing the envelopes were addressed to you, I realized they hadn’t come from Mr. Nelson’s safe.

The packet remains secure inside your valise—over on the floor by the chest.”

“And Charlie? Did he take anything from my case?”

“No. I didn’t give him an opportunity. I told him I’d send the sheriff after him if he didn’t cooperate. He was unhappy, but he didn’t argue any further. Now I want you to concentrate on getting well. Dr. Boyle will be up to check on you a little later, and I believe he’s going to tell us you’re on the mend.”

“I don’t think so, Jarena. I can feel my body weakening. I now know what folks mean . . . when they say you can tell when you’re dying.”

“I don’t believe you’re going to die, but I believe this may be a warning to you, Aunt Lilly. You need to make your peace with God.”

“I don’t think it’s possible for me to make peace with God, Jarena.” She closed her eyes and took a couple of shallow breaths. “I’m certain He doesn’t like deathbed conversions. I doubt He even hears them. After all, it doesn’t seem right that folks like your mother and father could live godly lives and then someone like me . . . who’s been a dis-grace all my life . . . could ask forgiveness at the moment of death and receive it all the same.”

A sense of desperation filled Jarena as she clutched her aunt’s hand. “This isn’t the time for us to debate the ability or willingness of God to forgive your sins, Aunt Lilly. If you truly believe you don’t have much time, you must ask Jesus to come into your heart—accept Him as your savior and repent of your sins. Surely you don’t want to spend eternity in hell.”

“Now you sound like one of those fire-and-brimstone preachers who came around sermonizing at revival time.” A tear rolled down Jarena’s cheek, and Lilly attempted to wipe it away with a shaking finger. “If it’s that important to you, child, you tell me what to do and say, and I’ll do it.”