Tracie Peterson - [Land of Shining Water 02] (20 page)

She dashed up the stairs and burst into Fenella’s room. “Is she all right?”

By this time, Dr. Williams had wrestled the woman through the window. He had Fenella pinned on the floor of her room while she kicked and screamed in a most hideous fashion.

Emmalyne approached and knelt beside them. She grasped Fenella’s hand and smoothed back the girl’s wild hair. “Fenella, you’re safe now. Be calm, dear one.”

Her voice seemed to immediately quiet the young woman. Emmalyne continued to stroke her hair. “You gave us a fright. We thought you might get hurt. I’m so glad that you didn’t.”

Morna stepped into the room, panic clearly written in her expression. “Oh, thank you, Dr. Williams. Thank you. She’d been up there for over an hour. Somehow she got the window open, and afore I knew it, she was out there on the roof. I tried to go out there after her, but it only served to agitate her more.”

“Well, I’m thankful she didn’t get hurt,” he said, getting up from the floor.

Fenella scooted away to the corner, and Emmalyne stood up. “It would seem our coming here today was rather timely,
Morna. Dr. Williams wanted to discuss something with you. I think you will be happy to hear what he has to say.”

Morna MacLachlan looked at Emmalyne, then gave a heavy sigh. “Is this about sending her away?”

Emmalyne went to the woman and squeezed her hand. “Yes, but not to an institution or hospital. Listen to what Dr. Williams has found, and I think you’ll be pleased.”

The older woman brushed a hand across her eyes. “I suppose there’s little choice. Would you go be with the boys, please, Emmalyne? I left them in the front room with their toys. Your mother is there right now, but maybe you can . . . They have so much energy,” she finished, her voice drifting off.

“Of course. I’d be happy to help.” Emmalyne gave the older woman a quick hug, then paused at the doorway and glanced to Fenella with a smile. “I hope to see you later, Fenella dear.” The young woman’s expression showed no sign of having heard Emmalyne’s words. It was all Emmalyne could do to keep back her tears. There was very little left of her old friend, and she couldn’t help but wonder if anyone would ever be able to help Fenella find her way back.

As if understanding, Morna nodded, then turned to the doctor. “Dr. Williams, I will hear you out, but perhaps we’d do well to board up the window first. I donnae want a repeat of what we just endured.”

Downstairs, Emmalyne found her mother and the boys in the front room just as Morna had said. “You look to be having fun,” Emmalyne said as she approached the boys.

“Is my mama gonna die today?” Gunnar asked, looking up at her with a sober expression.

“There’s no way to know when any of us will die,” Emmalyne told him. She knelt beside him and picked up one of his blocks. “But we don’t have to be afraid of such things. If we love Jesus, then our life is just the beginning. One day we will get to go be with Him in heaven.” She placed the block atop one of those already stacked.

Gunnar seemed to consider both her words and the block’s placement. Finally he nodded. “My papa went to live with Jesus.” He put another block on top.

“Yes, I’m sure he did,” Emmalyne said. Lethan toddled over to her and reached out for the block she’d just picked up. She handed it to the boy without hesitation. Lethan let out a little chuckle and squatted to position his block atop the others. Emmalyne held her breath. The block stayed in place, much to her relief.

Gunnar looked back at Emmalyne’s mother. “Is she your mama?”

“Yes. You may call her Mrs. Knox.”

He nodded. “That’s what she said.” He frowned and looked past Emmalyne to the foyer. “My mama is hurt. Grandma says she got sick in her head.”

“Your mother used to be my very best friend, did I tell you that?” She didn’t wait for his answer, but continued, “We went to school together, and we loved to play together.”

“Did you have a dog?” Gunnar asked.

“We did. There were several dogs, as I recall.” She looked to her mother. “Weren’t there?”

“Oh goodness, yes. It seemed there was a dog for each child,” her mother said with a laugh.

“I wanna dog, and Grandma says we can get one soon. They used to have a dog, but my Uncle Gillam took him.”

“I think getting a pet would be great fun.”

Gunnar seemed to have recovered from his earlier trauma. He jumped to his feet and reached for Emmalyne’s arm. “You wanna see where we’re gonna put him?”

She smiled and looked to her mother. “Yes, I’d like to see that. Mother, would you excuse us for a moment?”

Emmalyne felt Fenella’s younger boy take hold of her skirt. “Why don’t we take Lethan with us, and you can show us both.” She lifted the younger boy in her arms, hopeful that he wouldn’t protest. He didn’t, but instead reached for her nose. Emmalyne laughed and pretended to nibble his hand. Oh, how she wished she might have had children to love.

Emmalyne and the boys returned to the house just as Jason and Morna descended the stairs from Fenella’s room. She wondered if the doctor had been able to tell Mrs. MacLachlan about the place he’d found for Fenella, possibly even convince her of its potential. Lethan yawned and laid his head on Emmalyne’s shoulder. She loved the way his head felt against her neck. She nuzzled him with her chin and gave a sigh.

“I thank you for everything,” Morna said, looking first to Emmalyne and then to the doctor. “Both of you.”

“Why don’t we continue our discussion while you sit down for a rest,” Dr. Williams suggested. “You must be quite exhausted, Mrs. MacLachlan.”

Morna nodded and led the way into the front room. “Aye, that I am.” She went to sit beside Emmalyne’s mother and patted her on the arm. “It’s such a treat to see you again. I’m sorry the situation couldn’t be more inviting for a visit.”

“You’ve nothing to apologize for, Morna. ’Tis I who owe you an apology. I should have come by sooner.”

Morna clung to Mother’s hand. “I cannae tell you how it comforts my heart to have you here.”

Emmalyne took a seat, still cradling Lethan. Gunnar lost interest in the adults and went back to his toys. “Mrs. MacLachlan, Dr. Williams told me about the home he found. Didn’t it sound lovely?”

“Aye, it did, Emmalyne. I cannae imagine sending her away, though. It seems cruel—like I’m abandoning her.”

“I fear that with the threat her behavior is to the boys and to you,” Dr. Williams began, “it would be even more cruel to keep her here. Besides, you have no one to help you. With two small children to look after as well as a sick woman—a most unpredictable sick woman—you really have no choice.”

“How long would it take for arrangements to be made for Fenella to move there?” Emmalyne asked.

Dr. Williams shrugged. “Probably take a week or more to get everything in order.”

Emmalyne was surprised when her mother spoke up. “I could lend you my Emmy in the meantime. I’m feeling much better these days, and she could come over here and help you with the chores and anything else that needs doing.”

She had never expected her mother to suggest such a thing. Unable to fully hide her reaction, Emmalyne sputtered, “I . . . well . . . do you think that would . . . well . . .” She looked from Morna to her mother. Then, “What would Father say?”

“Bah! I care not.” Her mother’s candor was even more startling. “He’ll be working and won’t know the difference. You could come over here two or three times a week after he goes to work and be home before he returns. He needn’t even know.”

“I think this would be a good solution while I make arrangements for Fenella,” Dr. Williams put in. “Emmalyne obviously has a way with children.” He threw her a smile.

“I donnae ken,” Mrs. MacLachlan said. “About Fenella. I mean, I have approached the idea with Rabbie, but we made no decision.”

“I think today made the decision for you,” the doctor said, eyebrows raised meaningfully. “You can’t endure another event like that, Mrs. MacLachlan. You both could have been seriously injured, and then where would the boys be?”

Morna looked to where Gunnar was playing. “I suppose ’tis the right thing to do. The wee ones cannae defend themselves.”

“Goodness, Morna, you can scarcely defend yourself,” Emmalyne’s mother said, giving the woman’s hand a squeeze. “You’ve done all that a mother could. I think Dr. Williams is right. Now it’s time to let someone else help.”

“And, as I said,” Dr. Williams interjected, “There is a chance that Fenella could recover with the proper help. Doctors are learning more and more about the mind every day. It’s possible that your daughter would be one of those patients who benefits from new treatments.”

“That would be wonderful,” Emmalyne said, shifting the now-sleeping boy in her arms. “Imagine if you could have Fenella returned to you in her right mind. Think of what that would mean to the boys.”

“’Twould be a miracle,” the woman replied. She fell silent for a moment, then nodded. “Aye, go ahead and make the arrangements. I’ll speak to her faither and brothers.”

Dr. Williams gave Emmalyne a rather rueful smile. “And Miss Knox will come and help you as time permits.”

“Oh, that isn’t necessary,” Mrs. MacLachlan replied. “Although ’twould be wonderful to have her company.”

The doctor leaned forward. “Mrs. MacLachlan, I insist you allow for this help. I am prescribing you to take an afternoon
nap each day. If you do not, I fear you will suffer a collapse. I will speak to your husband and sons if need be.”

Emmalyne could see the surprise on the older women’s faces. It was clear neither woman took seriously the threat to Morna’s own well-being. Despite her concerns about assisting the MacLachlans, Emmalyne quickly interjected, “I’d be happy to come and help you with whatever you need.” Even so, the idea terrified her. After all, what if she had to deal with Tavin? Or Father?

Tavin had spent days wrestling with his heart since he’d walked out on Luthias Knox. He knew he’d erred in how he’d handled the situation, but the old man had gotten the best of him. Not only that, but the entire matter served to prove how ridiculous it was to expect that things could change.

He walked the path between the quarry and the house as he did every day, but this time it was in hopes of clearing his mind and figuring out if he should talk to his father and mother, tell them he had to leave.

His parents would be hurt. Worse, his father would believe he’d gone back on his word and point to the promise he’d given. Tavin regretted that promise now, but the idea of having his own shop to work in had been so enticing. He’d turned his hand to dozens of jobs over the years, but carving stone was the one that gave him the most satisfaction. There was something about handling the hard stone that exhilarated him. It was as if with each careful stroke he was able to reveal the story that the rock had to tell. With all the betrayal he’d endured, how could he not do everything in his power to bring about this one dream?

“But how can I remain here with Emmalyne just down the road?” he wondered aloud. “How can I stay, knowing she’s so near . . . and yet we can never be husband and wife?” How was he to endure such a thing?

Straying from the path, Tavin climbed up to an outcropping of rock. He sat for a time, wrestling with what he should do. His mother had urged him to have a talk with God—to set things right between them. Would it help? Sweat ran rivulets down the side of his face. After several cooler and drier days, the temperature had climbed once again, and the humidity made the air feel thick and heavy. But more than the heat was making him sweat.

Taking out his handkerchief, Tavin gazed up to the cloudless blue sky. “Is that what it will take?” He wiped his forehead and neck. “Will prayer really help?”

An aura of silence wrapped around him. The quarry work had stopped for the evening, and the heaviness of the air muffled sounds that might otherwise have filled the day. Even the birds seemed to have turned in for the night. Tavin ran his hand along the granite. This rock had been a part of his life for as long as he had memory.

There was another Rock that had accompanied him through life, as well. The Rock of Ages—Jesus. Tavin couldn’t remember a time in his life when God hadn’t been a part of conversations and his training. He could recall how his mother would sit him on her knee and tell him Bible stories about men who’d made hard choices to serve God.

He’d been taught to serve God—to look to God for help. So why should it be so hard now? But Tavin needn’t seek the answer; he already knew fear was why he hesitated. Fear that
God wouldn’t listen. Fear that God would abandon him just as Tavin had abandoned God.

“I don’t know what to say,” he murmured, still running his hand over the rock. “I know I’ve done wrong. I suppose I should start there. But, Lord, I don’t know how to make my way back through the mess of my life. You’ll need to show me.”

He stood and looked again to the sky. “Forgive me.” The words seemed too few, too simple—yet Tavin knew it was exactly the right place to start. He thought of his promise to his father and wondered if he could ever find the strength to endure. If Luthias Knox cornered him again, Tavin wasn’t sure what he might do.

“I’m so angry at what he’s done to me . . . to Em and me,” he said aloud, as if God didn’t already know. “I have spent most of the last few years wanting to cause him as much pain as he caused me. And now . . .” And now what? What did he want?

Tavin pushed his hands deep into his pockets and turned back to the path that would take him home.
I want Emmalyne
.

But wanting something—or someone—didn’t mean getting it. Tavin knew that better than most. Now he was facing his future once again, and once again it would continue to be without the woman he loved. Could he do that? Could he see her from time to time and not yearn to find a way to have her for his own?

Approaching the house, Tavin saw the doctor’s buggy and wondered if something was wrong. His mother had said nothing about the doctor coming today. He picked up his pace and bound into the house without warning. And there she was. The one woman he’d hoped to avoid.

Emmalyne.

She was sitting there so sweetly, holding a sleeping Lethan against her breast as she might have done their own children. The boy had entwined his fingers in Emmalyne’s hair, and Tavin could remember the silky touch of that mane. He’d always loved her hair. He wondered if it still smelled of rose water. Was her skin still like satin, smooth and unblemished? Tavin clenched his jaw tight to keep from saying something he’d regret.

“Tavin, Dr. Williams has come to tell me about a home for Fenella,” his mother said, rising from her chair. “It’s located in St. Paul, and it’s a private facility run by two men of God. They are both doctors, and they are working to find ways for patients to be restored to their right minds.” She sat back down.

He had a hard time focusing on her words as he tore his gaze from Emmalyne to the doctor and finally to where his mother and Mrs. Knox sat together. “I thought—” he paused and drew a deep breath to steady himself—“you were against such an idea.”

“I was,” his mother admitted, “but that was with the idea of sending our poor girl to an institution, where they would do all manner of things to her. This, the good doctor assures me, is an entirely different place.”

“Your mother is pushing herself to exhaustion and risking not only her life, but Mrs. Edlund’s and her children,” Dr. Williams said.

Gunnar tugged on Tavin’s shirt. “My mama was on the roof,” he said, eyes wide.

Tavin picked the boy up and could see the fear in his eyes. “The roof?” he asked.

Gunnar nodded in a most solemn manner. “She climbed
out the window. I think she was tryin’ to fly to heaven to be with my papa. Grandma made me stay here with Lethan. I was scared.”

Tavin felt his heart clench. “I’m sure you were.” He looked to his mother. “Is Fenella all right?”

“Thanks to the doctor. He was just arriving with Emmalyne and her mother to talk to me about the new home. Fenella had been out on the roof for so long, I was beginning to despair. It was an answer to prayer that they came when they did.”

Tavin put Gunnar back down and turned to the doctor. “I’m grateful for what you did.” Dr. Williams stood, and Tavin wearily extended his hand in thanks.

“I’m glad I could be here. However, next time the scenario could unfold in an entirely different manner.”

Tavin nodded in agreement. “I suppose we’ve run out of possibilities.” Without meaning to, he cast his gaze at Emmalyne.

“Uncle Tavin, Emmy is gonna come and play with me. Lethan too,” Gunnar announced.

Hearing her called Emmy very nearly choked off Tavin’s breath. He tried to appear untouched by the boy’s words, but he feared he wasn’t doing a very good job. “I’m sure Miss Knox is much too busy.”

“No she’s not,” Gunnar insisted. “She’s gonna help Grandma.”

Tavin looked to his mother, but didn’t bother to voice the question. She nodded. “The doctor said I needed the help. Just for a time.”

“I did, indeed. Have you noticed your mother’s weight loss and pale complexion? I’ve only been in St. Cloud a short time, and I can see it.”