Reclaimed Love: Banished Saga, Book Two (37 page)

I used a portion of the boiled water to clean up a little more. I scrubbed the floor, the walls and the furniture in the sickroom, trying to console Mrs. Egan all the while. Upon exiting the room, I remembered to wash my hands, considering it could not hurt to be a little cautious. Throughout all of this, Gabriel remained silent, following my lead. He tried to help where he could, tidying the main room and continuing to boil water so there was a readily available supply.

“Where is Aidan?” I whispered to Gabriel in the kitchen area. “He should have been back by now.”

“He’ll be here soon,” Gabriel said as he rubbed my back. I arched into his soft caress, the soothing touch easing the ache between my shoulders.

“That feels wonderful,” I murmured.

He leaned forward, kissing my nape. “Thank you,” he whispered as he released me. I realized it was one of the first times I had not cringed away from his touch. He turned toward the doorway. “Hello, Uncle.”

“My timing is terrible, as usual,” Aidan said with a smile. “I have what the doctor suggested.” He piled cloths and a dropper onto the table. “I also stopped in at the Book Depository to see if I could find a book on home remedies.” A thick tome clunked down next to the cloths.

“A dropper! You remembered,” I said with a smile. “Let’s see if this will work.”

I placed some water in the dropper and walked into the bedroom. “Mrs. Egan,” I said softly. “Let’s try this.”

Gabriel leaned over and cradled Anne’s head, tilting it back. I sighed as the water dribbled out of the side of her mouth and down the front of her clothes.

“Here, let’s try this,” Gabriel said as he tickled her throat.

“A few drops,” I whispered. I exchanged a long glance with Gabriel. “This is going to take time.”

He nodded. “Yes, but we can do it.”

CHAPTER 39

GABRIEL MOVED AROUND Amelia’s kitchen, making a cup of tea for them both. As the water boiled, he poured it into the pot and sat at the scarred table, waiting for it to steep.

“Amelia, Anne will be fine. The doctor was very reassuring on his recent visit,” Gabriel said, smiling as he gripped her hand. “You are fortunate that she didn’t have to go to the hospital.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Gabriel. You, Clarissa and your uncle took such good care of us. And you ensured that Nicholas remained well.”

“I told you that I would continue to care for you and the children, Amelia. I meant what I said in Butte. Your friendship is very important to me, and I will find a way to care for those I consider as part of my family.”

“I couldn’t lose her, Gabriel.”

“Nor could I. Not after…” He gripped her hand for a moment longer before releasing it to pour a cup of tea. “Can you do me a favor?” At Amelia’s nod, he said, “The next time a doctor recommends the hospital, heed his advice.” She smiled and nodded again. Gabriel changed the topic. “When will Nicholas be home?”

“Soon, I think. Your friend, Mr. Carlin, has taken very good care of him.”

“Yes, and Colin too,” Gabriel said. “I hear they have had many marbles matches.”

“Nicholas will be delighted,” Amelia said on a long sigh before taking a sip of tea.

“More delighted to be back here with you. He’s missed you.”

“He’s been clingy since Liam. I thought the separation from me would scare him. It couldn’t be helped though.”

“Better scared than ill,” Gabriel said.

Amelia nodded. “Your Clarissa is a fighter, Gabriel.”

“I know.”

“Have you discussed with her yet what makes her so edgy?”

“No. Though when I do, don’t expect me to share it with you,” Gabriel said with a lift of one eyebrow.

“Gabriel, I wouldn’t. I merely wanted to know, as a friend, if the two of you have begun to find your peace yet.”

“We were starting to, the day little Anne got sick. I thought I was finally making headway with her when Uncle interrupted us.”

“I’m sorry, Gabriel.”

“Never be. We worked together to help baby Anne and you. And I realized again that I don’t love Clarissa just for her beauty. I love her for her strength, her determination. You can’t know what it means not to have lost her, Amelia.”

“I think I can,” she murmured.

Gabriel paused for a moment before sighing. “Yes, I know you can. I miss him too.” Gabriel gripped her hand. He jolted as the front door flew open, and Nicholas barged in.

“Mama, Mama, Mama!” he called, throwing himself into Amelia’s arms. “I’m home!”

“I can see that, little man,” she said, kissing his forehead and caressing his face. “It has been too quiet here without you.”

“We played marbles an’ I beat them most of the time,” Nicholas proclaimed as he wriggled out of Amelia’s arms and started moving around the apartment. “Where’s Annie, Mama?”

“She’s resting in her crib in the bedroom,” Amelia said.

His shoulders relaxed at that, and he moved toward his toys, pulling out the wooden horse Gabriel had given him for Christmas.

Amelia focused on the man hovering in the doorway. “I will never be able to thank you enough, Mr. Carlin.”

“No thanks needed, ma’am. He’s a fine boy,” Sebastian said. He stood by the threshold, tapping the frame with his fingers as he watched her with intense light brown eyes. “I must be returning to the mill.”

“Won’t you have a cup of tea?” Amelia asked, a soft blush rising on her cheeks as she looked toward the dishes in the sink. She swiped at her hair in an attempt to brush back strands into her wayward bun.

“No, thank you, ma’am. Good day.” He stared at her for a moment more before disappearing.

Gabriel watched Amelia as Sebastian left, marking the racket he made as he descended the dilapidated stairs. “He’s a good man, Amelia.”

“I’m sure he is or you never would have left Nicholas with him. Thank you again, Gabriel.”

He studied her agitation for a moment but shook his head as exhaustion overtook him. “I must return to my workshop. I’ll be by soon to check on you all.”

***

“RONAN, I CAN’T STAY LONG,” Gabriel said as he burst into Ronan’s room. Ronan lay on one side toward the sunlight streaming into his room. A pile of books lay on the chair next to his bed, and he looked up from reading one of them. No breeze blew in through the open windows, the still air hot in the second-story apartment.

“Hi, Gabe.” Ronan put the book face down. “I haven’t seen you in a few days.” He scratched his face; his beard was shaggier than usual.

“I’m sorry, Ro. Have you had enough food? Has the nurse continued to come? I can’t remember if I asked Colin to check on you.” Gabriel looked around the small room, noting its tidy state.

“I’m getting by.” He rubbed his stomach as it grumbled. “She only comes in the morning, and I tend to get hungry again by evening.”

“I’ll go out for food in a moment. I wanted you to know that little Anne is recovering.”

“Recovering? Was she ill?” Ronan pushed himself to a sitting position. He brushed unwashed, greasy brown hair out of his alert eyes as he watched Gabriel.

“When’s the last time the nurse was in?” Gabriel asked as he focused on Ronan’s unkempt state.

“She comes by every day to tidy the room and ensure certain necessities are taken care of. However, she says there’s some outbreak of illness, and the hospital is busier’n usual. She hasn’t had time to bathe me for a few days.”

“Damn,” Gabriel said. “We are paying her a decent wage to see to your care, Ronan. I had no idea this was occurring.”

“I’m fine, Gabe, just a bit unclean. I’m thankful your Miss Sullivan hasn’t visited in a few days. I’d be embarrassed to be seen by her in such a state.”

“You know she wouldn’t care.”

“But I would.” He looked away from Gabriel’s intense stare. “How is little Anne?”

“Better. At home with Amelia. I won’t lie to you though. We almost lost her. I can’t imagine what that would have done to Amelia.”

“I wish I could have done something to help.”

“Yes, well, she’s recovering now.”

“I wish there was something I could do besides lie in this bed all day long, Gabe.”

Gabriel leaned against the windowsill, his long arms crossed against his chest. “Can you think of anything you could do that wouldn’t require…”

“Walking?” Ronan said. “Even if I did, Gabe, I’d still need some manner of moving about.”

“I’m too tired to think of anything besides finding you some food. We’ll talk more about this soon, Ronan. You won’t be in this second-floor apartment for long. I promise.” He reached over and gripped his arm as he left Ronan’s rooms.

CHAPTER 40

A TAPPING ON MY DOOR stirred me from a fitful sleep. I clung to my dreams, even though I was hungry.

“Rissa?” Colin called and tapped louder. “Rissa, wake up. I have food, and, if you aren’t hungry, you should be.”

“I’m coming, Col, give me a minute,” I called out. I rose, nearly tripping because one of my feet had fallen asleep. I stumbled toward the door, crashing into the doorjamb before successfully opening the door.

Colin watched me with a mix of humor and concern in his eyes. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Oh, ouch, ouch, ouch!” I hopped to the bed to sit while I massaged my foot. I grimaced as the circulation finally returned.

Colin chuckled, leaning against the doorjamb. “You all right, Rissa?” he asked.

I detected no note of sympathy in his voice and glanced at him, annoyed. “No, I’m not all right,” I snapped. “But I will be as soon as my foot wakes up.” I continued to massage it, wincing at the pins-and-needles feeling. After a few minutes, it felt normal again, and I paid full attention to Colin. “What did you get for dinner, Col?”

“Dinner?” Colin asked. He moved into my small room, standing near the bed and me. “Oh, well, that was a ploy to get you up. We’re going out for dinner.”

“Col, I don’t want to go out,” I groaned as I collapsed back onto the bed.

“Brush your hair, change your dress. Gabriel is anxious to see you.”

“How is Anne?” I asked on a huge yawn.

“Anne is fine. I went by a little while ago, and she was sleeping soundly with her mother after having eaten a big meal. And no sign of dysentery.”

After hastily washing and donning a light floral calico dress, I walked out to the living room, stopping abruptly at the sight of Gabriel. He stood in the living room in a fresh set of clothes, watching the hallway for my entrance. His eyes lit with pleasure when he saw me. “Gabriel,” I whispered.

“Hello, Clarissa,” he said moving toward me. I barely flinched as he reached to touch my arm. “You are well?”

“Yes, though still tired.”

“I feel I could sleep a year.”

“You haven’t rested yet?” I asked, grasping his arm, my gaze moving over his weary expression. I raised my hand to his cheek, caressing the three days’ worth of stubble. He leaned into my embrace, and, before I knew what had happened, I was in Gabriel’s arms with my head tucked under his chin.

“Ah,” he murmured, “you have no idea how I have longed to hold you. It hurts that you’re afraid of me, darling.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “It’s instinct. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I don’t understand what could have happened to you to cause you to fear me,” Gabriel said. He leaned away, fingers braced along my neck, massaging my tense muscles.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered again, lowering my eyes.

“Are we ready?” Colin called out as he entered the room.

“Give us a minute, Col,” Gabriel said with a glare at the interruption. Colin moved to the small kitchen area and began whistling. Soon he started singing an offbeat song I had not heard before.

“
Eaaahh aaaaah
,” Colin sang with gusto, causing me to glare in his direction, before I bit on my lip to stave off a nervous giggle.

“I realized when we were at Amelia’s that I was being unfair to you. I saw you again, against all my hopes and dreams, and began to plan for our future. What if you don’t want that future?”

I clung to his hands gently massaging my neck. “I do, Gabriel. I do. Please be patient.”

He smiled as some of the tension left him. “Shh … don’t fret. I also realized how unfair I was thinking we could begin again where we left off.” He traced a solitary tear down my cheek. “Let me court you again.”

“Court me?” I asked. “You would be content with courting?”

“For now, my Clarissa, for now,” he murmured. “Though I need you to promise me something.” At my long stare where I neither agreed nor disagreed, he said, “I need you to tell me all that happened in Boston. When you are ready.”

“I will,” I whispered with a jerky nod.

“Good. Let’s celebrate. Colin? Do you want to finish your caterwauling and join us?” Gabriel yelled to be heard over his song. The noise from the kitchen ceased, and Colin joined us in the living area.

“What was that horrible song, Col?” I asked.

“Oh, just a new song from the smithy. They’re trying to make me into a Westerner by teaching me cowboy songs.” Colin’s big grin showed his delight at the prospect.

“It’s awful,” I complained.

“Well, it’s only awful ’cause I don’t know all the words yet. But I like the yodeling,” Colin said.

“I’d hardly call that yodeling,” I muttered.

Colin grinned, unperturbed by my comment. “And you think you know how to yodel better? Would you like to come down to the smithy and yodel for the boys?”

I smiled, shaking my head at him.

“Are we ready to meet Uncle Aidan?” Gabriel asked.

We walked to our favorite restaurant, the Buttercup Café, to find Aidan awaiting our arrival. I sat with Colin to my left and Gabriel to my right and across from Aidan. I sighed with contentment, reaching under the table to grip Gabriel’s hand.

Early evening light poured into the room, casting shadows on the floor. The assortment of circular, square and rectangular tables were nearly full, with hearty homemade meals such as chicken and dumplings, and steak and potatoes being served every few minutes from the kitchen, situated to the rear of the café.

Partway through our meal, a loud voice bellowed, “Mr. McLeod!” I stilled, my fork halfway to my mouth, dreading having to speak with Mrs. Bouchard tonight.