Leave a Candle Burning (35 page)

“Conner? Reese?” the couple heard, and Conner released her.

“I’ll go put dinner on,” Conner offered. “You come when you’re ready, and when Troy leaves, I’ll stay for a bit.”

“All right.”

Conner kissed her tenderly, his hands holding her face.

“Eli just died. For Scottie’s sake we can’t rush this, but I think it’s going to be all right.”

Reese nodded, hoping it was true. Conner left the stairway then, and Reese joined the men a short time later. True to his word, Conner stayed after dinner, but Reese had no more words; all she could do was cry in her husband’s arms.

“Feeling better, Iris?” Dannan asked on Wednesday when he joined the Peterson household for dinner and that lady answered the door.

“I am, sir, thank you. Have a seat,” she invited, and the meal began.

Dannan hadn’t done this too often when Eli was alive, so he didn’t know if things seemed normal or not, but the three occupants of the Peterson house appeared to be doing very well. Indeed, Scottie started talking about the book Dannan was reading, and along with the delicious meal, the time simply flew.

Dannan was surprised to suddenly see Iris refilling coffee cups and offering pie. A moment later, Scottie asked him if he wanted to choose another book.

“Only if you don’t mind,” Dannan answered.

“Not at all,” Scottie replied honestly. She just didn’t want to accompany him.

“Go on up,” Finn said, his voice a bit low.

Dannan exited the room, Corina on his heels. He didn’t try to stop her and knew that she trailed him up the staircase. Dannan let himself into the neat room and could see that it had been cleaned from top to bottom.

“Boos,” Corina said, spotting the shelves, but Dannan didn’t answer. He was suddenly seeing Scottie all over again. It was in the last hour of Eli’s life. Heartbroken and weary, she held his hand and spoke.

You mustn’t go, Eli. I need you here. How will I do things without you? Nothing will ever be the same. Please don’t leave me, Eli. Please don’t ever leave.

“Danna?” Corina tapped his leg.

“Yes, Corina.”

“Mr. Son?”

“Corina,” Dannan replied. He couldn’t take her questions just now. “Have you looked out this window?”

Taking the red herring, Corina went to the window to peek out. Dannan headed for the shelves, not wanting to take any more time. Knowing there was little here that he didn’t want to read, Dannan simply selected a book, barely glancing at the title. Just seconds later, he had Corina by the hand and was taking her back out the door, closing it softly in their wake.

Dannan had placed his satchel in the parlor when he arrived and now set the book next to it. When he joined the family in the kitchen, no one asked about the book, and Dannan didn’t comment. It looked as though it was going to be an awkward moment, but Corina rescued them all by asking a question about candy. Iris was swift to answer, and Scottie and Finn, smiling at the interchange, finished their tea.

As soon as Dannan could take his leave, he went quietly on his way.

Scottie was on Dannan’s mind the next morning, so it was with great regret that he dropped Corina off without seeing her. She wasn’t usually in the kitchen when he went in that way, but he had been hopeful. Not until he was letting himself out the kitchen door did he remember the garden. Going to the high gate, as high as the fence itself, he found it ajar and peeked in. Scottie was working over a tomato plant. Dannan slipped inside and greeted her.

“Good morning,” she said in return, but her voice was quiet and she kept at her work.

“How are you?” Dannan asked quietly, and hearing the concern in his voice, Scottie turned away from the plant to face him.

“I’m staying busy,” Scottie answered, the thought flitting through her mind yet again that she could always share her thoughts with this doctor.

“It helps, doesn’t it?”

“Sometimes.”

Dannan nodded, his eyes betraying his thoughts for just a moment.

“Dannan,” Scottie began cautiously. “Sometimes you get a look in your eyes that I can’t read. Do you pity me?”

“Never,” he told her sincerely, telling himself to be more careful.

“What is it I’m seeing?” Scottie pressed, and Dannan was struck for the first time as to how innocent she truly was.

“It’s caring,” he began, but Scottie only stared at him, and Dannan stopped. Without thinking, he added, “Eli said it would be like this.”

“Like what?” Scottie asked, her face open.

“That you wouldn’t understand,” Dannan opted for complete honesty, unaware of how thin the ice was.

“Eli talked to you about me?” Scottie’s eyes grew with the question.

Dannan nodded his head yes, suddenly sorry that he’d even come to the garden.

“About what?”

It never occurred to Dannan to lie to her, so he admitted, “About your lack of experience concerning the ways between men and women.”

Scottie didn’t know when she’d been so embarrassed. The emotions in the garden had gone to a dangerous level, and neither person was thinking before speaking.

“He wouldn’t do that,” Scottie stated flatly, anger evident in each word.

“What do you mean?” Dannan’s voice grew a bit silky—not a good sign.

“I don’t know why you would say such a thing,” Scottie accused. “Eli would never.”

“So I’m lying to you?” Dannan suggested, his face showing his surprise.

“It’s good to hear you admit it!” Scottie shot back at him, and Dannan’s face flushed with anger.

“I’m leaving now,” he said quietly.

“Good!”

Dannan exited swiftly, and Scottie stood alone, her chest heaving with irritation and hurt. She stood for a long time and stared at the gate, ready to give Dannan more of her mind, but she was quite alone.

The longer she stood still, the more confused she became, but it didn’t change how hurt she felt. Her anger starting to cool, she went back to work, asking herself how she could have been so wrong about Tucker Mills’ doctor.

“Scottie,” Iris called, coming to the garden before the younger woman was finished. “Finn isn’t back from Doyle’s yet. Do you have time to gather eggs?”

“Yes, I’ll do it,” she answered, her voice calm now but her heart still troubled.

“Are you all right?” Iris asked, not missing the droop of Scottie’s shoulders.

“Yes,” Scottie lied. “I’ll get those eggs right now.”

Finn had been keeping chickens in the pens at the back of the property for as long as anyone could remember. It was his little escape from his duties indoors, and he loved it. The only hitch in the system was Governor. Governor was a cantankerous old rooster that knew he ruled the coop. He was tolerant of Finn and Scottie, but that was as far as it went. Given a chance, he would peck or spur anyone who forgot that he was in charge. He allowed Finn and Scottie to collect eggs, but he was ever watchful, and they had to be quick about it.

In Scottie’s distraction, she forgot this. She moved slowly, stopping at one point to think about everything Dannan had said. She had just collected the last egg when Governor struck. His aim was swift and sure, and without warning, Scottie had been spurred on the back of the hand.

Scottie just managed to keep the eggs in her apron and press the back of her hand into the cloth as well. It throbbed painfully, and she aimed a kick at the rooster before hurrying toward the door. Having no choice but to “knock” with the toe of her shoe, Scottie was glad to see Iris just moments later.

“That was fast.”

“Governor got me.” She hurried to the table, and Iris unloaded the apron’s contents into a basket.

Corina was quiet, but her small face was watchful as the women settled the eggs and then inspected Scottie’s hand. The cut was deep, ugly, and jagged. Scottie began to wash it.

“Where is that salve you use for cuts?” Scottie asked.

“We’re out.”

“Are you sure?”

“Let me wrap that so you can go get some from Dannan.”

Scottie looked at Iris oddly.

“What’s the matter?”

“Are you sure we don’t have any?” Scottie questioned again, not aware of how strange she sounded or looked.

“Quite sure.” Iris’ voice had grown impatient. “Now, go before that has a chance to get infected.”

Scottie knew there was nothing to argue over. Iris wrapped her hand tightly, but blood was already leaking through. Scottie took off her soiled apron, held another cloth to her hand, and started toward the green.

Dannan heard the door. He wasn’t ready to see anyone at the moment but knew that when someone walked in without knocking, he needed medical attention. He headed that way, coming up short when he found Scottie.

“I’m not ready to talk to you right now,” Dannan wasted no time saying.

Looking vulnerable and uncertain, Scottie stared at him for a moment before turning for the door. Without thinking, she reached for it with her injured hand.

“Stop.”

She heard the quiet command behind her but didn’t turn. She heard Dannan’s steps but stayed still until he came and took her arm. He unwrapped her hand and wasted no time.

“Come to the workroom.”

His voice was quiet, but Scottie didn’t hesitate to follow him to a room off the kitchen. Dannan told her to sit on the high stool and then stood before her to work.