Nathan’s Montana Bride (Sweet Historical Mail Order Bride Romance) (Montana Ranchers Brides series) (11 page)

Nathan came back into the room. Abby could see he was out of breath. The sun was coming up and Abby wondered what the day held for her family.

"I sent Lyle," said Nathan breathlessly. "But he's gonna be a while. It's a long way into Billings."

"We'll keep her temperature down and try to get some fluids into her," Abby said.

Nathan frowned. "Have you seen this kind of thing before?"

"I nursed Florence when she was younger. She got caught in a thunderstorm one time and she came down with a fever. Lasted a while. But she pulled through."

Nathan nodded. "I've never seen Emma like this."

Abby reached over and laid a hand on his arm. "I'm sure she's going to be fine. Chicken soup will do the healing once the fever's down."

"Chicken soup?" he asked.

"Work's every time," she answered.

They stayed by Emma's bed in silence for what seemed like a very long time. The silence in the room was only broken by the sounds of the ranch work from outside. Abby heard horses and the voices of men.

She looked at Nathan. His eyes were fixed on Emma. His breathing was short and tight. His chest rose only slightly. He was frightened. She could see that. But they were together. The three of them would conquer this. She was sure of it.

Nathan glanced at Abby and his mouth widened in a tiny smile. His eyes narrowed and he seemed to look into her eyes and agree with her assessment. Things were going to be okay.

After a few hours they heard the sound of horse's hooves, and then Doc Wilson was in the room.
 

He examined Emma, checking her temperature and pulse. He looked into her eyes, lifting Emma's eyelids with gentle fingers.

Nathan explained the events of the fall into the river to the doctor.
 

Doc Wilson listened and nodded his head.

"We'll wait and see. If she wakes up make sure she drinks water. Not too quickly, mind. Just a sip at a time. Let her sleep and rest. Time will tell if the fever will break. But I think you probably saved her from the worst by getting her out of the water quick and making your way home just as fast."

The Doc looked down at his patient. "She's a strong little one. Don't forget I delivered her. So I know she's got spirit."

Abby saw Nathan's brighten at the recollection of Emma's birth. It was good to see his own spirits being improved by the doctor's advice.

The Doc took his bag up and made to leave. "If she gets any worse don't hesitate to call me out again."

The Doc looked over at Emma and Abby saw a sadness settle on his face.

"Thank you for coming Doctor,"Abby said extending a hand.

The Doc shook her hand. "Nice to meet you Mrs.Grantly. Emma's going to be fine," he said, trying to make his words as reassuring as possible.

After the Doctor left Abby and Nathan were once again alone in the room. Nathan and Abby took their places on seats next to the bed.

After a long, silent pause Nathan spoke: "Looks like you were right," he said.

"I'm not a Doctor," she admitted.

"But you're a wise mother," he answered quickly.

Abby was surprised at his description of her. "Wise? I don't think so. I wasn't very wise yesterday."

Nathan drew his chair closer to her. "Listen Abby. I was too harsh with you yesterday. I know that now."

"It was understandable, Nathan. You were worried. You were right to be angry."

Nathan flinched at the word. "I shouldn't have been like that with you."

He leaned in closer. She felt the large, strong presence of him next to her. His presence dispelled some of her own fears, made her feel temporarily at ease, even in the midst of this terrible crisis.

"I'm sorry Abby. It won't happen again," he said softly.

Abby's eyes peered into Nathan's. There was utter sincerity there. She was absolutely convinced by his words. She smiled at him. "Thank you Nathan. I won't let you or Emma down again. I promise you," she whispered.

Emma shifted in the bed and the towel fell from her forehead. Abby leaned over and replaced it with a fresh one.

It was going to be a long day, but for Abby, things had just gotten a whole lot better. Although it promised to be a long day, she'd survive it as long as Nathan was by her side.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"You two need to take a break," Mrs.Wardle said quietly. The housekeeper stepped gingerly into Emma's room.

Abby had to admit she felt tired. It was almost evening. She and Nathan had been by Emma's bedside the whole day. From time to time they'd whispered to each other. Little fragments of conversation had punctuated the long day. Mrs.Wardle had brought coffee to them both to keep them awake. But the sheer number of hours seated by the bed were beginning to take their toll on both Nathan and Abby.

"I guess you're right, Mrs.Wardle," said Abby.

"I can hang on a bit longer if you want to go lie down," said Nathan.

Mrs.Wardle placed a firm hand on Nathan's shoulder. "I don't think so. You two need some fresh air at least. Both of you get out of here before we wake Emma up," she said quietly.

Abby glanced at Emma. The fever was still there but it seemed to have lessened slightly.

Reluctantly Abby stood and Nathan did the same. With a last glance at Emma they both made their way out of the room.

"Let's get some air," Nathan said.

Abby followed him outside. They each paused at the door to take in a deep breath.

Abby hadn't realized quite how dark and airless Emma's room had been. The sun was going down and the activity around the ranch was getting slower.

"It sure is nice to breath some Montana air," Nathan said.

Abby nodded. "I can't wait to bring Emma out here again."

She looked over to the corral and remembered how happy Emma had been on the horse, the first day that Abby had been on the ranch.

"Let's stretch our legs," Nathan said.

Abby followed him across the yard.

They went to the tree with the swing. Abby sat on the swing, momentarily feeling like a little girl again. It had been a long time since she had been on a swing like this. She swayed back and forth.

Nathan watched her, obvious pleasure in his eyes.

Nathan sighed and looked out across the valley. Down there, past the trees, was the river, the source of life in this valley and also the source of disaster.

"We're not going near that river again," he said.

"Wild horses won't drag me there," she answered.

Nathan nodded. Abby looked so happy in this moment, swinging there like that. He sure liked to watch her. It was good to see how encouraged she was that Emma was going to get better.
 

Maybe I'll have to get used to trusting her, he thought. She's stronger inside than I could ever have imagined.

He sighed. "I guess this means were a true family now," he said.

Abby's brows raised. "What do you mean?"

"We've already been through a crisis and come out stronger. That's what families do. Isn't it?"

Abby swung back and forward for
 
moment, thinking on what Nathan had said.

"They say you only really know someone when there's a crisis. I guess we know who we are now."

Nathan went to Abby and took hold of the rope, stopping the movement of the swing.

"I guess we do."

Nathan leaned in and kissed Abby, very gently. Floating on the seat with Nathan's lips on her own, Abby felt she was gliding on a wave of air.

Nathan leaned back and looked at her. "We have a very precious daughter."

Abby lowered her head. "She's my step-daughter."

"I think Emma's more than that now."

Abby frowned. "Why did it take something awful happening before we really came together?"

Nathan cocked his head to one side. "I don't know. All I do know is that we are closer now and that's all that matters."

Once again he kissed her with soft and tender lips.

"You must be tired," he said looking into her eyes.

"I'm okay. I'm not planning on lying down until I know for sure that Emma's okay,"

Nathan's eyes lit up. "Where do you get your strength from?"

"I'm not really that strong."

"I think you are. I don't think I've ever known anyone as strong as you," he said.

Abby lifted her gaze. "Not even Lucy?"

Nathan looked down. "She had a different kind of strength. Her soul was a made of iron. She was brought up on a farm. We met in Billings at a social. Love at first sight I guess. It can happen," he said giving her a knowing look.

He kicked the dirt with his boot. "We were married real fast. I was already well established with this spread. We settled down. Emma came along. Things were fine. For a while."

Abby reached out and ran her fingers down the side of his face. He smiled at her. "Then she went out one day. Went to Billings. Got caught in a storm. Drenched. Wetter than Emma was," he said and a darkness came over his face.

"Things went from bad to worse. There was nothing we could do."

Abby stepped off the swing. Nathan took her in his arms and they embraced there, under the tree, with the cool evening breeze rustling through the branches above.

They clung to each other for a very long time.

The night was falling when they got back to the house.
 

As Abby followed Nathan upstairs they heard the clinking noises of cutlery on plate. And the noises were coming from upstairs!

Abby moved quickly and this time it was Nathan who had to keep up.

Abby threw the door open and was greeted with a wondrous site.
 

Emma was sitting up in bed. She had the faintest smile on her face. Mrs.Wardle was seated by the bedside, with a plate of soup and a spoon in her hand. She offered a soup filled spoon to Emma. "Now then, young lady. You just take a little sip of this. You'll be as right as rain in no time," the housekeeper said.

Emma leaned forward and slurped a little of the soup noisily.
 

Abby went to the bedside. Nathan came up beside her.

"How do you feel, Emma," Nathan asked urgently.

"I feel funny. But I think I'm getting better. What do you think Mrs.Wardle?"

The housekeeper nodded vigorously. "More of this and you certainly will be getting better," she said.

More soup was offered and willingly taken.

Abby and Nathan sat down on the side of the bed.

"You still need to rest for a few days," Abby said.

Emma frowned. "Do I papa?"

Nathan nodded. "You just do what your mama says. She knows best. Doesn't she Mrs.Wardle?"

The housekeeper nodded once, emphatically. "She surely does."

Abby smiled and a dismissive hand. "You're both going to embarrass me. Never mind Emma. You and I are going to be perfectly busy while you're recovering. I think there are some stories you'd like to hear."

"Stories!"

"I've got one or two books with some very special tales in them which I know are going to speed your recovery," Abby said.

Nathan gave Abby a querying look.
 

"What?" Abby said. "My trunk didn't just contain clothes. I brought some of my books too."

Nathan smiled. "I look forward to hearing those stories. And a few other things besides," he said.

"Now. You finish that soup and get some more sleep," Abby said.

Emma slurped her last spoon of soup. Abby laid her down and touched Emma's forehead. The fever had dropped.
 

It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Later that evening Abby went out of the house and across to the corral. Emma was sleeping. She'd stayed awake for a while, insisting that Abby be by her side. Finally she had run out of energy and closed her eyes.

Abby watched the ranch hands putting the horses into the stables. It was pleasant to watch the men at work. They looked like they truly savored work as a noble thing, an activity to be enjoyed for itself.

Lyle, the foreman, walked slowly by. He looked at Abby leaning on the rail of the corral and tipped his hat. "Evening Mrs.Grantly. Nice night coming."

Abby acknowledged Lyle's courtesy. "It sure looks fine."

"I hear Miss Emma's better," he said.

"She certainly is improving Lyle," she answered.

The foreman smiled. "That's great news."
 

He nodded. "Well. You have a good night."

"Thank you Lyle."

With that Lyle strode off toward the accommodation buildings.

The relief Abby felt at Emma's recovery was palpable. The knot of anxiety which had settled in her stomach down at the river had faded.
 

Replacing the awful fear she'd felt was a feeling of true connection to the two people who had so quickly become the foundation of her life. It was as if a chord had been wrapped around all three of them. Abby hoped they would never be separated.

Along with the bond with Emma there was now a growing bond with Nathan. She'd come to see him as a fine man. He'd been through do much and fought to maintain a future for his daughter. It was a future Abby was central to. Nathan had staked his and Emma's future on Abby.

She was both flattered and concerned.
 

She hoped she wouldn't let them down. She'd done as much as she could do to save Emma.
 

Had she convinced Nathan? Did he trust her?

The only thing which stood between them now was her unspoken knowledge of the one thing she was fearful would ruin everything.

Why had she kept it from Nathan?

Fear.

It could only be that.

Fear of losing him; losing Emma; losing a future in Montana; being trapped in Boston.

She thought of the day she'd received the news. The crushing feelings she'd felt that day would never be forgotten.
 

Should she tell Nathan?

Could she tell him?

She sighed and looked at the darkening sky. Again she was amazed how wide and expansive it was. It looked like it would never end as it stretched away to the horizon. The full moon had risen. It would cast it's ghostly glow across the landscape. It was large. Abby had never seen the moon so big.