Brides of Arizona, page 7
Fayth let out a cry, her hand quickly covering her mouth as she looked at Glorianna’s still form. “Bring her in. Hurry. We need to get these wet things off her. I’ll get Maria to help me. Conlon, did you get the doctor?”
Without waiting for his answer, she rushed into the house ahead of the captain.
Light pierced her eyes, like a dagger stabbing through to the back of her head. She snapped them shut and held them there tightly. Maybe if she refused to let her eyelids open, this blinding pain would go away. Glorianna tried to breathe in shallow breaths, hoping to settle the churning in her stomach. Her efforts didn’t work.
She inched her eyelids apart. The light didn’t hurt quite as much, but the ache was still too much to bear. She closed them and relaxed slightly. She now knew she was in her bedroom, lying in bed. How had she gotten here? The last thing she remembered was the lightning and thunder and Nina’s rearing in terror.
Booted feet clunked across the floor. Why were they stomping so hard? Couldn’t whoever it was walk a little more softly? She would tell them.
“Are you awake?” The note of concern in Conlon’s voice almost made her smile. Then, she remembered she needed to tell him to walk quietly before he stomped holes in the floor.
Glorianna opened her eyes and attempted to sit. Conlon knelt by her bed and reached for her hand. Too late she knew she had made a mistake. Before she could turn away, her stomach emptied itself all over her, the bed, and the man who claimed to love her. Horrified, Glorianna dropped back on the bed. As everything faded into darkness once more, she knew she would never be able to face him again.
The next time Glorianna awoke, pale moonlight illuminated the room. She eased her eyes open, hoping her memory of throwing up on Conlon had only been a dream. A nightmare, actually, she thought. The pounding in her head had eased, and her stomach felt more settled than it had earlier.
“Kitten?”
She turned her head toward her father. She wondered if the smile she forced looked more like a grimace than a smile. “Hi,” she rasped, her voice not cooperating with her. “How long have I been asleep?”
Her father leaned close. “You’ve slept for two days now. We were pretty worried. The doctor said there was nothing to do but wait.”
She tried to nod. A cool night breeze brought the scent of rain to her. “Did it rain again?”
“We got a little monsoon tonight. Not like the other one, though.”
She closed her eyes to shut out the pain written in her father’s gaze. “I’m sorry. I wanted time to think. I didn’t know the storm would come so fast.”
“It’s okay, Kitten. The weather here takes some getting used to.”
She tried to nod and tell him she might have been wrong, but her head began pounding again. She closed her eyes and barely heard the scrape of the chair accompanied by her father’s whispered, “Good night,” before drifting back to sleep.
“Good morning, Sleepyhead.” Fayth’s cheerful voice and the tread of her steps in the bedroom made Glorianna wince.
“Good morning.” The words rasped in her ears.
“Maria tells me you haven’t eaten much of anything.” Fayth settled into the chair next to the bed. “I have her fixing some broth. I want you to try your best to eat.” She grinned. “I hope to keep you from throwing up on me like you did on Conlon. I don’t think he’s recovered yet.”
“Every time I try to eat, I get sick to my stomach. I don’t have any appetite yet.”
“It’s been four days since Conlon brought you in looking like a drowned rat. We need to get you well.” Fayth leaned forward and brushed the hair away from Glorianna’s forehead. “Today, we’ll try a little harder.” She smiled to soften her words. “I think we need to start with some serious prayer about your health and about that gentleman that made you ride off alone.”
“Why should we pray about Kendrick?”
Fayth sighed. “I don’t know why you’re so determined to marry him. Can you tell me?”
“Because it’s what God wants.”
“How do you know?”
Glorianna stirred restlessly in the bed. For some reason Fayth’s question made her uneasy. “I guess, I just feel it. He’s so handsome and fun loving. I’m sure he’s perfect for me.”
“You know, it isn’t wise to trust our feelings unless we can back it up with God’s Word.”
“What do you mean by that?” Glorianna stared at the ceiling, trying to avoid Fayth’s knowing gaze.
“Have you checked to see what God thinks about Kendrick’s attributes?”
“God loves everyone. I’m sure He loves Kendrick, too.”
Fayth frowned. “Of course, God loves us all,” Fayth agreed. “However, God hates sin, and He doesn’t want us to be unequally yoked with someone who doesn’t know Him in the same way we do.”
“Kendrick goes to church sometimes.” The defense sounded lame.
“But does he put God first in his life? Will he put God first in your marriage?” Fayth lifted Glorianna’s hand from the covers and squeezed it lightly. “These are questions you need to pray about. Only you can find the answers.”
Glorianna listened in silence as Fayth prayed for God to give her wisdom in the decision she needed to make. A lump settled in her throat, and she realized that maybe, just maybe, she wanted to marry Kendrick so desperately that she assumed God wanted it, too. How did Fayth know what God wanted if she didn’t go by feelings?
Maria entered the room quietly, carrying a tray. The smell of broth drifted across the room. For the first time, Glorianna felt a faint stirring of hunger. Perhaps good health wasn’t so far away after all.
After eating as much as she could hold, Glorianna listened to Fayth talk about Alyce and her latest antics. When she couldn’t hold her eyes open any longer, she heard Fayth whisper that she would be back later.
The early morning chill felt refreshing after the scorching desert days. The sky softened slowly from dark gray to deep blue. Conlon breathed in the fresh, crisp air, looking forward to the special time he shared every day with God. Arizona sunrises were God’s handiwork at its best.
A family of jackrabbits browsed through the brush looking for the most succulent plants to nibble. Their long ears waved in the breeze. Extra-large hind legs made them look as if they were ready to topple over on their noses. Conlon grinned at the thought. He wasn’t sure how a coyote ever caught one of the fleet-footed rabbits.
He turned his face to the sky and noted the clouds building already. It would probably rain again today. He frowned. There were rumors of Apache uprisings. The captain might send a troop to scout around the Superstition Mountains. He hoped he didn’t have to go with them, but he felt certain he would.
“God,” he whispered, “the truth is I don’t want to be away from Glorianna. I don’t want to shirk my duty, either, but I feel so protective of her.”
Seven days had passed since he brought her home that stormy night. The feeling of holding her in his arms had haunted him ever since. “I love her so much, Lord. What am I supposed to do?”
The sky lightened, and the first faint traces of color began to form among the clouds. “God, I know Josiah says I should be patient. He keeps quoting from Psalm 37, ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.’ ” He sighed, a sound wrenched from deep in his soul. “I don’t know how long I can rest, Lord. Help me to be patient with her today. Maybe if I take it one day at a time, it will be easier.”
He picked up a rock and flung it in the direction of the grazing rabbits. They bounded away across the desert faster than one might imagine possible.
“I haven’t even seen her since the day after I brought her home. She won’t allow me in or talk to me at all.” He kicked at a rock, sending it skittering away. “I don’t know if she’s embarrassed or if she won’t ever want to see me again. She can’t hide forever.
“Should I forget her, Lord? Please don’t say I should. I know I couldn’t on my own. But if Your will is that I not marry her, then give me the strength to accept it.” Conlon hung his head. A feeling of despair threatened to destroy his early morning ritual.
As if God were ready to talk, a brilliant display of colors washed across the eastern sky. Pinks, purples, and gold blended with the blue, painting a dazzling picture. He looked up and smiled through the glittering tears in his eyes. Only God could do this kind of artwork.
“Oh!” The gasp from behind him startled Conlon. Had someone been listening to his private conversation with God? He whirled around, then stared in astonishment.
Chapter 9
Glorianna!”
As Conlon closed the gap between them in two quick strides, she tore her gaze from the colors rippling across the sky to focus on him. He swept her into his arms, crushing her in a fierce hug. “I’m so glad to see you up and around, Sweetheart.”
His blue eyes, darker in the morning light, held her fast. His earthy scent washed over her, and her heart began to pound. He lowered his head, his lips coming closer to hers. For a fleeting breath of time, Glorianna wanted to feel his lips on hers, to be swept away by his kiss. Instead, she turned her head, and his lips brushed her cheek. She struggled against him, but he seemed oblivious. “Lieutenant.” She pushed him. “Lieutenant, let me go!”
Glorianna freed one hand. Swinging as hard as she could in such close confines, she slapped his cheek. He stepped back from the embrace, a look of surprise and confusion clouding his eyes.
She stepped back to put some distance between them. Her body, taut with emotion, felt like a leaf in the wind. “Lieutenant, I am not your sweetheart. Neither did I come out here for your pleasure. In fact, I heard you mumbling to yourself and was leaving.”
“I was praying.”
“I couldn’t make out the words. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
He studied her for a moment. His features relaxed slightly as if he was relieved about something, but she didn’t know what. She tried to calm her breathing, hoping her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “Why did you come out here?”
Her face burned at the thought of his thinking she came looking for him. “I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to get some air and think. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get back.”
She turned before he could say more and walked back toward the camp, forcing herself not to run. Tears crowded together in her eyes and threatened to overflow. Dashing at them angrily with the back of her hand, she headed for the stables. Maybe a talk with Nina would help sort out her confused feelings about Conlon.
The stables were quiet. Most of the horses were resting. Nina’s soft nicker comforted her when she leaned over the stall. The mare limped as she moved to the door. Dirty smudges covered the wrap on her leg. Glorianna made a mental note to put on a fresh bandage today.
“Good morning, Girl,” she whispered as she stroked the soft, questing nose. “I didn’t bring you a treat, but I’ll see that you get one later today. How’s your leg?”
“I believe that leg is gonna be fine, Miss Wilton.” Josiah Washington’s booming voice echoed through the stables, eliciting a startled cry from Glorianna.
“Mr. Washington,” she gasped. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“I like to get an early start on the day.” The blacksmith grinned at her. “I came to check out some of the horses, like that pretty little mare of yours. Her leg is mending right nice.”
Glorianna relaxed. Nina nudged her, demanding more attention. She wanted to bury her face in the mare’s neck and cry. What did the Lord want from her? Why couldn’t she have the peace Fayth spoke of having? Inner turmoil had her stomach in knots. She turned her head away and hoped Josiah hadn’t seen the tear that trickled down her cheek.
“Are you all right?” Josiah’s soft voice reflected his concern.
“I’m fine.” She nearly choked on the lie. “I guess I’m just glad Nina wasn’t hurt too bad when she fell.”
Josiah chuckled, a deep rumbling sound like distant thunder. “I think you should be glad Lieutenant Sullivan found you.”
Swiping away the tear, Glorianna looked up at the huge blacksmith. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, it was crazy to be out in that storm. You were off the road in the desert. I believe only a miracle from God made him notice you.”
“But, I was careful to stay on the road.”
“Maybe you were careful, but it was dark and stormy. I’ll bet Nina wasn’t calm and sweet like usual, was she?”
“She was a little edgy,” Glorianna admitted. “But, then, I’m an experienced rider.”
Josiah’s grin lit up the stables. “Conlon told me you’re a good rider, Ma’am, but I’ll tell you something. There isn’t another man in this company who would have risked his life riding after you in that storm.”
Glorianna wanted to run from the truth he forced her to see. She had put another person’s life in danger.
“Conlon loves you, Miss Wilton.” Josiah studied her, speaking softly. “I hope you at least thanked him for saving your life. Good day.”
Glorianna watched him leave as she reflected on the elements of nature gone crazy during that horrendous storm. Why would anyone want to be out in that unless he had a mission for the person he loved or thought he loved? She had done some deep soul-searching in the past few days and knew she had been wrong about Kendrick. Now she must wait for God to show her His will for her life. Was Conlon the answer?
Lost in thought, she nervously clasped and unclasped her hands as she made her way back outside the camp. Would he still be there? Would he even want to see her? What would she say to him?
She quietly wove through the prickly desert plants. The brilliant colors had faded from the sky, leaving it a pale, washed-out blue. Conlon sat on the rock, his back toward her. His head rested in his hands; a look of utter dejection and defeat surrounded him. Glorianna stopped, overwhelmed by the need to run to him and feel his embrace.
Conlon heard footsteps behind him. Oh, God, make them go away. I can’t face anyone right now. Why did I do that? Why couldn’t I see that she doesn’t love me? She has no idea how she haunts my every thought. I can’t sleep if I don’t see her each night. Every day I look forward to being around her. This last week has been awful without her. When I saw her standing there, I couldn’t help myself. I just had to hold her. Now she’ll hate me. Lord, help me to trust You. Show me what to do.
“Conlon?”
He froze. Had he heard Glorianna call his name or was he imagining things? She never called him Conlon. Hesitantly, almost afraid of what he would find, Conlon stood up and swung around.
It was Glorianna. She looked like an angel. The pale yellow dress danced lightly in the breeze. Her red hair shone with the sun’s highlights. Her pale cheeks accented the brightness of her green eyes and ruby lips.
He tried to speak. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. Why had she come back?
Glorianna licked her lips. Her hands were clasped in front of her. “I want to thank you.”
Thank him? She wanted to thank him? He never expected her to say something like that. Why was she thanking him? For mauling her? Because he was such a stupid oaf? He couldn’t seem to find his tongue to ask.
She took a step toward him. “I want to thank you for saving my life. I didn’t mean to put you in danger when I went riding last week. I didn’t know the storm would come so fast.” She rambled on as if unable to stem the flow of words now that they were started.
When she paused to catch her breath, he gestured toward the rock. “Would you like to join me? The sunrise colors are gone, but maybe we could just talk until time for breakfast.”
She nodded, then went over and eased herself onto the rock. He sat beside her, careful not to come too close, although he longed to wrap his arm around her. Her rose scent beckoned him, but he fought the temptation.
The moments stretched on in silence. There were a hundred things he wanted to ask her, but all of them were wrong. Would she ever be able to love him? Did she still love Kendrick? Could she be happy married to a cavalryman? He couldn’t ask any of them. So he kept his peace.
“I hear you love horses.” She broke the silence.
He looked at her, nearly losing himself in her liquid green eyes. “Someday I’d like to raise horses.” He smiled as the dream took shape once again in his mind. “Not just any breed, either. They have to be the best.”
“And where do you intend to raise these horses of yours?”
“I’ve been up north in Arizona. There’s some of the best pastureland I’ve ever seen in those mountains. I could raise some fine horses there.” The picture of mountain pastures and towering pines was so real, he could almost feel the cool air and see the horses grazing in grass up to their knees.
A light touch on his arm brought him out of his reverie. Glorianna quickly withdrew her hand as he smiled down at her. “It sounds like a beautiful dream.” She returned his smile, causing his heart to pound. “I can almost see it from your description.”
The clear notes of a bugle brought him back to the present. “I have to get back to camp and so do you. Your father will worry if he can’t find you.” He stood and offered his hand to help her up. She hesitated, then placed her small fingers into his hand. Once again, he fought a battle to keep from pulling her into his arms.
“I come here every morning. If you find you can’t sleep, you’re welcome to join me.”
“I just might do that.” She smiled once again, her countenance rivaling the beauty of the sunrise.
At the Verde River, Glorianna laughed at Alyce as the little girl put her face in the water, then came up chortling while it dripped off her nose and chin. She had never seen a young child enjoy the water as much as Alyce did. They had to guard her constantly because she showed no fear of the river.
Laughing, she reached out to hug Alyce. Fayth hadn’t been feeling well. She stayed home, and Glorianna promised to watch Alyce. She really wanted to give Fayth some time to rest without the active toddler to oversee. Alyce made the whole bathing trip more fun, anyway.
