Place Of Her Own (5 page)

After the children were put to bed, Urias joined her in the sitting room. “You should get some sleep, too, Katherine. I’m going to Creelsboro in the morning for Shelton. While I’m gone, his bandages will need tending. And Prudence could use a hand with the children.”

A contorted smile rose on her lips. If she arranged things well, perhaps she could go to Creelsboro, too. It was time to start moving on with her life.

Shelton leaned on the makeshift cane and hobbled about the barn. He’d been up since the crack of dawn, waiting on Urias. He knew his leg wasn’t up to a horse ride, but with a little luck he might persuade Urias to take the buggy instead. They could tie Kehoe to the rear. Anyone who knew good horseflesh would spot Kehoe’s qualities a mile away.

“Shelton?” Katherine whispered as she poked her head into the barn.

“Over here.”

She turned toward his voice, squinting in the diffused light of the barn. “Urias said he was going into Creelsboro for you.

Why?”

“He agreed to try to find some breeders there who might take a look at Kehoe. If we can catch some settlers going west, I’d offer them a discounted rate for quick cash.”

She glanced behind her shoulder. Shelton guessed she didn’t want anyone to see her in the barn alone with him.

“When is the season for breeding horses?”

“All year, but mainly spring till fall.” He leaned hard on his cane. “I was hoping to convince Urias to take the wagon this morning and let me come along.”

“Perhaps I could go with you instead. I’ve been meaning to take a trip to Creelsboro.”

“Are you sure?” Shelton brushed her hand with his. “We’d be sitting side by side.”

I’ll do whatever’s necessary.
“I have to go into town.”

“You’re safe with me, Katherine,” he assured her.

A single nod. No words, no eye contact.
What has happened to her?

“You’re bleeding.” She pointed to his trousers. “Perhaps we’d better go another time. Right now, you should concentrate on getting well.”

“I’m fine.” He held the cane tighter as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

Katherine placed her hands on her hips. “You’re being awfully pig-headed.”

Shelton wanted to spar with her but decided not to push this new willingness to spend a little time with him. “Wait over there,” he said, pointing toward the large barn door, “while I change my trousers.”

She raised her right eyebrow as if to question him, then lowered it and went out the door.

He removed his boots and pants, then wrapped a blanket around his waist. “You can come in now.”

Urias appeared in the doorway. “Katherine says you had a foolish idea of running into Creelsboro today.”

“I thought with the wagon—”

Urias wagged his head. “You obviously weren’t thinking.” He scanned the bleeding wound. “Katherine will clean that up. But you’re getting back in that bed.”

“Urias—”

“And if you get out again before I say you’re ready, I’ll personally set a hundred-pound keg on your chest to hold you down.” Urias glared at him until Shelton sat on the bed, then he stomped out of the barn.

Katherine entered moments later with a fresh basin of water and a clean cloth. Merriment danced in her eyes.

“You think this is funny? Your brother is ordering me about like a child.”

“He is a very protective man.”

Pain shot up Shelton’s leg, like a knife cutting deep into his skin. He moaned.

Katherine came to his side. “Lay your head down. I’ll take care of this.”

He wanted to resist, but the dizziness he’d experienced earlier hadn’t entirely left and he felt the room spinning. The soft pillow encircled his head. Katherine placed her delicate fingers on his forehead. “You have a high fever. You should stay down and let your body heal.”

“Yeah,” he mumbled. He’d lie there forever if she’d stay by his side.

She placed a cool cloth on his forehead. Then he felt her heavenly touch on his leg.

“It’s still a little red, but the blood is drying to a dark brown scab. That’s good. It means there be no sign of infection. You should be up and around in no time.”

Shelton chuckled. “I like your Irish brogue. You don’t use it much.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Why not?”

Katherine applied some pressure on the wound. Shelton grimaced. “Sorry. I’ll try to be more gentle.”

“You’re fine. It’s just sensitive. Thank you for all your help.”

She acknowledged with a simple nod of her head.

Shelton wished she would open up and confide in him. “Katherine, what’s your biggest desire in life?”

“A place of my own,” she blurted out. Her hand stilled. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that.”

Shelton sat up, adjusting the blanket to maintain modesty. “Your secrets are safe with me.” He winked, remembering the day he’d discovered her secret hiding place in the barn. He’d kept his word and never looked to see what she had hidden in that small box. Perhaps it was a tidy sum of money she’d saved in the hope of being able to someday afford a place for herself.

“Why did you want to go to Creelsboro?”

“I’m hoping to find some work, as a seamstress perhaps. I’m not smart enough to be a teacher, although Grandma Mac has been giving me lessons. My mom didn’t care much for book learning. But I’ve learned a lot since I moved here.”

“I think you’re a very smart woman.” He could see her in a schoolhouse, teaching the children and living in a private room off the back. Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be a place for him in that picture. “Seamstress, huh?”

“Yes.” She smiled.

“I may have a small job for you. Perhaps you could repair the trousers I had on the day of the raccoon attack?” “Of course.”

“I’d be happy to pay you.”

“There’s no charge for family.”

“I’m not your family, Katherine.”
But I want to be.

“Close enough. You’re my brother’s brother-in-law.” Katherine chuckled. “Besides, I thought you were going to Creelsboro in order to earn some money.”

“I told you you’re a smart woman.”

She wrapped the clean linen around the wound and secured it. “All done. I’ll leave you now and send Vern in with lunch later. Get some rest. You’re looking pale.” “Thank you, Katherine.”

He watched her leave, then took in a deep pull of air. He leaned back against the headboard of the old bed. Perhaps he still had a chance with Katherine after all.

Shelton reached over to the small table, which held a glass of water and some herbs that Mac had brought in. His head started swimming and he felt like he could fall out of bed without even moving. He’d deal with Katherine another day. Today he had to concentrate on recovering and living.

With time, he might just be able to win her heart.
But only if she gives it to me freely
, he reminded himself. He would not force her. He would not demand. He would wait patiently, treating her like a skittish mare.

That’s it!
He smiled and knitted his fingers together behind his head. Katherine was like a wild mare; a firm but gentle hand was in order for her to trust him.

Katherine pumped water into the barrel to wash clothes. Urias had built an outdoor shelter for a laundry room of sorts for spring and fall cleaning. It was the time to get all the quilts, blankets, and sheets ready for winter.

As she agitated the water, she thought back on the past couple of days and caring for Shelton. It seemed odd but good to be near a man and not be frightened. They talked more and more, and for the first time in her life she felt like she had a male friend.

On the other hand, she noticed things about him that seemed totally inappropriate. Like how handsome he was, and how strong his hands were. She wondered what it would be like to be held in his arms. She shook off the images and went back to cleaning the dirty clothes.

“Katherine?” Shelton’s voice spun around her spine, giving her strength, not fear.
Thank You, Lord.
“Would you like to travel to Creelsboro with me tomorrow?”

She dropped the agitator in the barrel and dried off her hands on the long apron that protected her dress. “Do you think you’re well enough?”

“I believe so. I wouldn’t want to stress my leg too much, but the buggy would allow me to put it up some.”

Katherine thought about the wagon. It had a panel in front, and they could both place their feet up there. “Has the fever returned?”

“No, thank the Lord. Mac says that I’ll have to wait another week before we know for certain if I’m affected. But the prognosis looks good.”

Katherine fired off another prayer for Shelton. She didn’t want to lose her friend.

“Are you still hoping to obtain employment in town?” he asked.

A slight heat rose on her cheeks. She’d wanted to go the other day to find a job. She’d also entertained the hope of finding a man heading west who might want a wife. After a couple of days of prayer, however, she knew that wasn’t the answer. If she were ever to be given the gift of a spouse, it would have to be for more than convenience or escape. Oddly, the person she’d wanted to escape from was the one she now wanted to be near.

“Katherine?”

She snapped from her musings. “Forgive me, me mind was rambling.”

“If you’d rather I not know your personal dealings, I understand.” Shelton leaned against the rail.

“I have some items I’ve sewn that I’m hoping to sell to the merchants.”

“Speaking of sewing, thank you for mending my trousers.”

“You’re welcome.” She reached for the agitator.

“Well, I’ll leave you to your task. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Shelton.” She paused. She’d just about confessed to him that he wasn’t an interruption. “Why did you name your horse Kehoe?”

“It’s a derivative of the Irish word for horse.”

“Really?”

He looked at his feet.

“Why would you choose that name, then? You’re family isn’t Irish, is it?”

“No.” A deep crimson color ran up his neck. He cleared his throat. “It just … seemed like the right name at the time.”

Am I the reason?
Katherine dropped the wooden handle.
Lord, it doesn’t make sense. I was just his servant.

“Katherine.” He reached out to her. “I’ve always cared a great deal for you.”

She resisted the temptation to place her hand within his. Physical contact with a man, apart from tending to his wounds, was something she didn’t want to venture into. A violent flash from the past cut off her vision. Instinctively she rubbed her right wrist. She squeezed her eyes shut against the pain, the horror.

“Katherine?” Shelton’s voice soothed her. His hands landed ever so slightly on her shoulders.

Her heart raced. Cold sweat beaded across her forehead and upper lip, then total darkness.

Shelton caught Katherine’s body before her head smashed on the ground.
What’s wrong with this woman? One moment she’s fine, the next she faints.
Hoisting her delicate frame in his arms, he carried her to the house. “Prudence,” he hollered, kicking the closed door with his foot.

His sister opened the door. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. We were just talking and the vapors overtook her.”

“Place her on her bed. I’ll get a cool compress.”

Shelton thought back on their conversation just before she passed out. He hadn’t said anything upsetting to her. He’d just been embarrassed. How could he explain that he’d loved her so much he named his horse after her?

Shelton laid her across her bed. The same bed he had lain in right after the raccoon attack. He groaned.

“She’s not that heavy. You must be losing your strength, little brother.” Prudence placed a cool cloth on Katherine’s forehead.

She moaned.

Praise You, Lord, she’s all right.
“Why would she just faint like that?”

“Women do that from time to time.”

“Oh.” The idea of it being a female issue disconcerted him so much he fumbled his way out the door and left his sister to tend to Katherine.
Thank You, God, that I was born a man!

He heard voices and knew Prudence and Katherine were speaking. He set his hat more firmly on his head and marched outside. Every fiber of his body urged him to do something, anything. A ride, he decided. Taking Kehoe for a hard jaunt sounded wonderful.