Nathan's Nurse Page 17

  ~o0o~

  W hen he woke up, silence greeted Nathan. He got up and entered the kitchen in search of Dahlia. He spotted her sitting by the window next to the stove where she hemmed what appeared to be a dishtowel. Raising her head as he approached the room, she smiled.

  “Bring your chair over next to the stove, Nathan, and I’ll make us some tea. Do you need willow bark in yours to ease any aches or pains?”

  Nathan shook his head. “No, thank you. That stuff tastes terrible, even with sugar in it. I have to really be hurting to drink it. Plain tea will be fine, unless you’re making coffee.”

  As she stood, Dahlia laughed. “You’ll get your coffee in the morning.”

  Nathan moved the second kitchen chair close to hers. Mesmerized by the incredible woman before him, he remained silent while he watched her brew tea. She served him and then sat once more. She blew across her cup to cool the liquid before she took a sip.

  Once more, the thought crossed Nathan’s mind that he was a fool. This time, he managed not to say it out loud. He was a fool for even considering letting go of such a wonderful woman like Dahlia Greenleaf Price. Then again, if he truly cared for her, how could he not?

  Her expression solemn, Dahlia turned to him. “Nathan, if we had already been married for two days, or two months before you were injured in the mine, do you think I would have wanted out of our marriage?”

  Nathan opened his mouth and worked his jaw, but no words came out. How could he answer that? He knew if they had been married for some time and something happened to Dahlia, he would not run away. He would consider it a betrayal—desertion. However, from the way she explained their so-called marriage, it was one of convenience—one she did not need to be bound to if he released her.

  “I don’t know what to say, Dahlia. This marriage you entered into with my brother acting as proxy, even the pastor agrees it doesn’t have to be permanent. You don’t need to be stuck with me and my limitations.”

  He watched as this woman he grew to love more with each moment that passed, turned to stare at the wall behind the stovepipe.

  “And I also told you I’ve already made my commitment. All that is lacking is yours.”

  “I’m willing to release you rather than have you suffer with me.”

  Dahlia sucked in a breath and wet her lips with her tongue. “Nathan, I’ve told you about my father, but I want to tell you about my mother. As much as I’ve loved and taken care of Papa over the years, I took my example from her.

  “I told you Papa didn’t want to fight in the war, but he was drafted and forced to. He returned home, but only after pneumonia weakened him and his foot had been amputated. What became even more frightening to us as his children was, he did not behave like the same Papa we knew before he went away. He lost his temper and yelled at us. He suffered from nightmares and sometimes woke up in the middle of the night hollering. He’d get into his moods.”

  Nathan squirmed. What was she trying to tell him—that he had been in one of his moods today and it frightened her?

  “Over the years, I realized, not only did my father pay the price of that war, but in a way, my mother did, too. It fell to her to keep the farm going while he was gone. After he returned, she cared for him physically, took the brunt of his anger, and stayed up many nights to help him past his night terrors. I never recall her complaining. She once told me that, as a family, we need to accept the hand we were dealt and make the best of it.”

  “But you weren’t dealt this hand, Dahlia. I was. You can walk away.”

  Dahlia turned and focused her gaze on his. “I was dealt this hand, Nathan. I dealt it to myself of my own free will.” She paused. “I have more to say, if you’re willing to hear it.”

  “Of course, Dahlia. Please continue.”

  She looked away once more. “Obviously, Papa was devastated after Mama died. It wasn’t easy for me to take care of my father by myself, but I’d think about Mama and what she said. That helped me continue to love and care for him the best I could.”

  Filled with a sense of awe that left him speechless, Nathan stared at the woman before him. She turned toward him, her gaze holding his captive.

  “Even though we were not married yet, Nathan, by the time I left Kansas, I already chose you. No, I didn’t come here asking to marry a man injured in a mining accident. At the time, the possible outcomes I might face by becoming your wife frightened me. I could have refused to marry you by proxy, but I willingly did so, feeling grateful that I had a few skills that might help you through the hand life dealt you.”

  Nathan closed his eyes and shook his head. How could he face losing this woman he loved? Then again, how could he bear her staying with him now, only to have her, in the years to come, regret it? “Dahlia, I want you to be sure.”

  “I am sure, Nathan. If you don’t want me, you must be the one to put an end to our marriage. I won’t seek an annulment.”

  Nathan shifted in his chair and turned away. I’ve never been one to act the fool. Why am I being a fool about this? He could not bear to lose her. Besides, he had to convince her to stop sleeping on the floor. She needed to sleep where she belonged—in the bed with him.

  His mind made up, Nathan grinned like the fool he had decided not to be as he returned his gaze to Dahlia’s face. “Dahlia, I—”

  Both jerked, startled by the loud knock that interrupted what Nathan started to say. He turned toward the back door while Dahlia stood and rushed to see who had come to visit.

  As Harold and Aaron entered, Nathan waved them over. “Two of you today. What’s the special occasion?”

  Harold rocked back on his heels, which sent him nearly sitting on the edge of the hot stove. “Change of plans. Royce has a need of the wagon we were told we could use to haul firewood on Monday. He said we can use it tomorrow, instead. You up to getting off your backside and doing some honest work, Price?”

  Grinning, Nathan glanced at Dahlia, and then back at Harold. “I believe I can manage tomorrow. I won’t be able to do my fair share, but I can help some.”

  Nathan watched Aaron turn toward Dahlia. “What do you think, Mrs. Price? I don’t want to create more work for you by setting back his recovery.”

  Nathan watched Dahlia, lips parted, hesitate as she considered.

  “I think it will be fine, as long as he promises not to overdo. The doctor did insist that Nathan rest for a few hours each afternoon.”

  Harold lifted his eyes to the ceiling and heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Well, if Nathan’s nurse insists he must have his doctor-prescribed afternoon rest, I suppose we’ll allow it. We mainly want him along so we can harass him.”

  Nathan laughed at Harold’s words. He next turned to Aaron, who shook his head and addressed Dahlia.

  “Pay him no mind. We’ll take good care of him and not keep him out too late. We need to get whatever wood we cut back here and unloaded before it gets too dark, anyway.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Even though Nathan spoke to his two friends, his gaze focused on Dahlia. “I need to be sure I return in time so I can turn in early and be well-rested for church on Sunday. After the service, I want to talk to Pastor Alwin about reaffirming some vows. If it’s agreeable with Dahlia, that is.” Nathan felt warmth in his chest spread outward as he watched Dahlia’s face brighten with her smile.

  “It’s agreeable.”

  Aaron stepped forward to shake his hand. “That’s good news. Andrea and I will be there.”

  “Cat and I will, too. We can tell Declan tomorrow and pass the word to the rest of the neighborhood.”

  For the sake of his injured head and shoulder, Nathan forced himself to remain seated even as he itched to jump up and dance. He had stopped fretting like a fool. He set his fears aside. In two days, he intended to claim completely, beyond any question, the wife he knew he loved with all his heart.

  “The ceremony won’t be anything fancy, but…” he returned his gaze once more to Dahlia. “…terribly important. This w
oman, here, is the best thing that ever happened to me. I want to declare to the world I am consciously choosing to marry her. I don’t ever want her to leave my side.”

  .

  .

  .

  .

  Epilogue

  ~o0o~

  Jubilee Café, Jubilee Springs, Colorado – April 16, 1882

  A s he studied Dahlia’s plate, Nathan wrinkled his face in consternation. He caught her gaze with his, and she stopped twirling her fork in what was left of her scalloped potatoes. “You don’t like the food? Mr. McAllister has a reputation as a fine cook.”

  “It’s delicious, Nathan. I just can’t eat any more. Do you think it’s possible I can take it home and bring the plate back later?”

  Nathan leaned back and raised his hand to catch Kate’s attention before turning once more to Dahlia. “You didn’t take more than three bites of the prime rib.”

  “I’ll save it for you. I just can’t bear to eat meat. I thought if I didn’t cook it, I would be fine with it. About all that appealed to me was the dessert of canned peaches and pudding.”

  As soon as Kate arrived at their table, Nathan turned to her with a smile. “My wife would like to take the rest of her meal home. Do you have a bowl you can transfer it to and cover with a cloth? We’ll bring everything back next Saturday.”

  Kate leaned forward and whisked the plate from in front of Dahlia. “Certain. I’ll be pleased to. And, would you be wanting your plate taken, too, Mr. Price?”

  “Thank you, yes. Please bring me a cup of coffee.” Nathan smiled at his wife. “Dahlia?”

  “Some ginger tea, please, if you have it.”

  Kate reached for the second plate. “We do. I’ll be bringing them both.”

  Nathan watched Kate head for the kitchen. Next, he leaned toward Dahlia. “I never understood why she works here. I wouldn’t think she’d need to, considering her other job.”

  Dahlia kept her voice low. “Both she and Annie pick up as much extra work as they can to send money to their family. Besides, in Kate’s instance…” she paused and her eyes sparkled for the first time that night. “I think her choice to work here has something to do with the cook.”

  Dahlia focused her attention toward the door to the restaurant. Nathan watched the glow leave her eyes.

  Dahlia smiled at Nathan and patted his arm. “It looks like your brother has finally arrived.”

  Nathan’s forehead creased with concern. “I hope I haven’t upset you by agreeing to meet with him.”

  When Dahlia shook her head and smiled, He sighed with relief as. “You have Herbert, and I have Jenny. We can only hope they don’t decide to visit us at the same time. Please ask Kate bring my tea over to Declan and Rilla’s table. I’ll visit with them for a few minutes so you two can talk.”

  Nathan stood to help Dahlia with her chair and then waved Herbert over to the table. He could tell by the wobbling footsteps that his brother had already visited the Corner Saloon upon arriving in Jubilee Springs. He motioned to the chair on the opposite side of him from where Dahlia had sat. He bit back his annoyance while he watched Herbert study Dahlia’s form as she settled in a chair at the McNeill table.

  Nathan offered his brother a forced smile. “Good to see you, Herbert. I’m glad you let me know you would be passing through town on your way to Gunnison City.”

  Herbert’s gaze stayed focused on Dahlia. “How come she took off when I came in? She think she’s too good for me?”

  Nathan sucked in a breath. He hoped his brother did not intend to create a scene. “That’s not the reason, Herbert. True, she’s still upset over what happened when you came to the house Christmas day. She didn’t mind fixing you dinner as much as you demanding she kiss you.”

  Herbert shrugged. “No big thing. I stood in for you so she could marry you. Figured the least she could do was kiss me.”

  A ghost of a smile flitted across Nathan’s face as he shook his head. “As much as I appreciate you standing in for me so I wouldn’t lose her, you had no right to kiss her. Only I, as her actual husband, should be kissing her. In other words, don’t try that again—ever—if things between you two calm down and we get together as a family at a later time.”

  Herbert continued to watch Dahlia. “She doing all right? Looks a little peaked to me.”

  “She’s fine, Herbert. We haven’t told too many people yet, but Dahlia’s expecting. I’m going to be a father in October.”

  As Kate set his coffee in front of him, Nathan turned to her. “Could you please take Dahlia’s tea over to where she’s visiting with McNeill’s? And, I’d like to order a meal for my brother.” Nathan turned to Herbert. “I had an excellent prime rib with scalloped potatoes, plus they are also offering baked chicken and rice pilaf. Which one appeals to you?”

  “The prime rib. Been a while since I ate a good cut of beef.”

  “And a coffee for him, too.” As he watched Herbert’s gaze follow the waitress back to the kitchen, Nathan felt his muscles tense. “Forget it, Herbert. She’s spoken for. You need to stick with your ladies of the night until you’re ready to settle down.”

  Herbert snorted. “Been working in a bar sweeping and mopping floors plus doing dishes to pay for food and a pallet in the storeroom. I haven’t seen the inside of a lady’s bedroom since I last visited the Silver Dollar Saloon. Glad I got on with the Denver & Rio Grande now construction’s starting up in full swing again. It don’t pay as well as the mine, but enough to where I can live halfway decent.” He returned his gaze to Nathan’s face. “You heard from Ma?”

  “Yes. After I finally got back to work at the mine, I sent her some money and a letter explaining what happened. She wrote back to tell me she doesn’t want us to send money anymore. Said she found another good man like my pa. She would accept what I sent as a wedding present, but her new husband supports her just fine.”

  “Ma got married?”

  “You didn’t know? Haven’t you written to her?”

  “Naw. Haven’t wrote since before I left here.” Herbert shrugged. “Haven’t had money to send her. Just as well she married, I guess. Don’t have to think about if she’s getting by okay or not.”

  “You still should write. She’d love to hear from you. Tell her about your new job and how to get a letter to you.”

  Herbert waved the suggestion away. “Not sure where I’ll end up. They’re planning to join the tracks with the ones coming from Salt Lake City. After that, I’ll have to find another railroad to work for.”

  “I’ll tell her. I’d still like you to let me know how to reach you. If nothing else, when the baby is born, I’d like to be able to tell if you’re an uncle to a niece or a nephew.”

  As he considered the matter, Herbert snorted and scrunched his face. “Best to tell Ma. She’ll like reading news like that. Even though you’re her stepson, not her real son, like me, probably only way she’s going to get grandbabies is through you. I doubt I’ll every have any—none that I’d know about, anyway.”

  “I will, Herbert. I still want you to make an effort to write to her. Write to me, or at least send a telegram, if you know you’re going to be coming through Jubilee Springs. There aren’t too many in our family left. We need to stay in touch.”

  Nathan leaned away from the table as Kate approached and set the dinner plate Herbert ordered along with the cup of coffee in front of him. He watched as Herbert picked up a fork and shoveled a large bite of potatoes in his mouth before he grabbed a knife and began sawing at his meat. He guessed it had been a while since his brother had enjoyed a meal of anything that did not mostly consist of beans, salt pork, and potatoes. From what he had heard, Herbert could look forward to a diet of pretty much the same thing while he worked on a railroad construction crew.

  “You still angry with me for almost killing you in the mine that day?”

  Nathan chose his words carefully. “I never was truly upset with you, Herbert. At first, I had no idea what had happened. By the time I
knew, I had Dahlia there taking care of me and helping me get well again. As we drew closer to each other, I realized what was truly important in life.” Nathan hesitated. “Thanks, Herbert, for suggesting the proxy wedding so she would stay. Without it, she might have decided to look elsewhere for a husband.”

  Herbert stuffed an oversized piece of meat his mouth and began chewing. “Wasn’t nothing. Besides, I didn’t want to get stuck taking care of you. I knew Ma didn’t, either, especially now it’s turned out she got married again.”

  Between the bites of food, Nathan continued to visit with his brother. Soon, he noticed the room begin to clear out as the restaurant prepared to close for the night. He glanced over to see Dahlia walk toward him to rejoin him at the table.

  Nathan turned back to Herbert. “I hate to cut this short, but Mr. McAllister keeps limited supper hours on Sundays so Mondays he can be well-rested for his regular job at the train depot. We’ll need to leave soon.”

  “About done.” Herbert shoveled the last large bite into his mouth. “Don’t he serve dessert?”

  “On the way out, we’ll check to see if he still has a slice of cake we can buy. You can take it with you.”

  “That’ll work. They don’t serve decent desserts at the Corner Saloon.” He looked over at Dahlia as she settled in her chair. “Hello, Dahlia. Nathan told me the good news. Congratulations.”

  Nathan watched Dahlia smile, but he knew it took an effort on her part.

  “Thank you, Herbert. Congratulations on your new job.” She rose to her feet once more. “Let me go check with Kate to see if they have that piece of cake you want.”

  Nathan’s gaze followed his wife’s progress to the kitchen. When he returned it to Herbert, he realized his brother also watched Dahlia.

  Herbert turned to Nathan. “You did real good picking her for a wife. She’ll be a good ma to your younguns.”

  “I know.”

  Nathan smiled at Herbert as, for one of the few times he could recall, he experienced true brotherly affection for his stepbrother, not just tolerance and concern motivated by a sense of responsibility. He remembered the wisdom Dahlia’s mother shared with her that she passed along to him.