Brides of Arizona, page 8
Settling the laughing girl in her lap, Glorianna’s thoughts drifted as Alyce played. Conlon and the other men were downriver, washing and cooling off. She sighed, thinking of the morning talks she and Conlon had shared in the past few weeks. They had come to enjoy their quiet time watching the sun change the sky from dark to brilliant color.
She remembered what Fayth said about checking for the qualities God would want her to look for in a man. Conlon had those qualities. Every morning he shared something new and exciting he had learned about God. He loved to read the Bible, and his greatest regret came from there being no formal gathering of Christians in the area. He missed his church.
They had begun to share their hopes and dreams with one another. At first, Glorianna was hesitant, thinking Conlon would become impatient and forward. She had been wrong. He modeled gentility. Sometimes she could see the desire to touch her in his eyes, but he always refrained as if waiting for her to signal her readiness.
Every day she liked him more. Liked him? She wasn’t sure if that was the right term anymore. Did she love him? She loved his devotion to the Lord. She loved the way his eyes sparkled with humor. She loved his joking. She loved to look at his handsome face when she thought he wouldn’t notice. Come to think of it, there was quite a lot she loved about Conlon.
“Go’wy.” Alyce tugged on Glorianna’s clothes. “Out. Play there.” She pointed at the shore.
Glorianna smiled. Alyce had trouble saying her name, but it was so cute. Conlon sometimes mimicked the girl, but most of the time he called her “Glory.” Kathleen was the only other one who had ever called her by that nickname.
“Okay, Sweetie, let’s go.” Glorianna picked Alyce up and headed for the path up to the wagons. They would dry off, then play peekaboo in the brush, Alyce’s second favorite thing to do.
“Where are you?” Glorianna called after they had dried off. Alyce giggled loudly, and Glorianna could barely keep from laughing. She could see the girl standing with her face toward a tree. Her hands covered her eyes, and she thought she was invisible. “Where are you?” Glorianna called again, biting her lip to stop the laughter.
“Peekboo.” Alyce’s deep chuckles were infectious. Glorianna couldn’t believe how much the girl had changed in the last few months. Her second birthday was only two months away, and every day she acted more like a little girl than a baby.
Alyce churned her chubby little legs into action as she headed into the brush to hide once more. “Wait, Alyce, don’t go far.”
Glorianna hurried after her, ducking around a gnarled mesquite tree. Alyce stood with her hands covering her face, waiting for Glorianna to look for her. A low buzzing noise filled the air. A remembered fear stopped Glorianna.
Frozen in place, she looked for the source of the noise. Under the bush beside Alyce, a rattlesnake lay coiled, his spade-shaped head poised to strike. Glorianna didn’t know what to do. If she screamed for help, Alyce might get scared and move.
She had no gun to shoot with, but looking at the ground, she noticed a small rock beside her foot. Ever so slowly, she stretched down for the stone. With its weight in her hand, she straightened, trying to pray, remembering that David defeated a giant with one stone and the Lord. Please, God, help me, she prayed, hoping He could direct her aim.
As soon as the rock left her hand, Glorianna leapt forward to snatch Alyce away before the snake could strike. Her aim wasn’t quite true. The rock missed the snake’s head, thudding into its coiled body. The rattler’s head darted at Alyce’s leg. Glorianna jerked her up and jumped back. The girl’s scream told her she hadn’t been fast enough.
A gunshot echoed along the riverbank. The snake exploded, and Glorianna whirled away in revulsion. Conlon grabbed her and pulled her out of the brush.
“Did she get bit?” he asked roughly.
Glorianna didn’t have to look to know something was wrong. Alyce screamed and twisted in her arms.
“Hold her still while I check her,” Conlon ordered.
Trembling, Glorianna tried to obey. Alyce threw herself from side to side, resisting their efforts to help her. Glorianna knew she needed to be calm in order to keep the girl quiet.
“It’s okay, Sweetie,” she crooned. “It’s okay.” She smoothed the hair back from Alyce’s forehead, praying for the girl.
From the corner of her eye, she watched as Conlon removed Alyce’s shoe. Briefly, he worked on the leg, then went to a nearby mud hole. He brought back a handful of mud and slathered it over Alyce’s lower leg.
Conlon looked up at her, his face grim. “We have to get her back to camp. I’ve done what I can, but she’ll need to see the doctor.”
Glorianna’s mouth felt like cotton. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. Tears burned in her eyes. How had this happened? Fayth had trusted her to watch over Alyce and now she might die. Fayth would never forgive her for this.
Chapter 10
Numbness settled over Glorianna as Conlon lifted Alyce from her arms. As though enveloped in a dense fog, she heard the shouts and cries of the men and women who raced up from the river to see what had happened. She still knelt on the ground as confusion reigned.
She tried to listen to Conlon as he spoke with Timothy about his daughter. His deep voice soothed her, but she could only pick up a word here and there. Conversation about the snake, Alyce’s shoe, and the doctor drifted past. Some of the women tried to talk to her, but Glorianna couldn’t answer. Grief and guilt consumed her.
Loud creaking grated on her nerves. The mules strained to pull the ambulance back to the camp. The thunder of hooves told her someone was hurrying to the camp to alert the doctor and Fayth. Soon it would start. Fayth would hear the news, and they would no longer be friends. Tears began to slide down her cheeks, splatting unheeded on her folded hands.
“Glory?” Conlon squatted on the ground in front of her. “Sweetheart, she’s going to be okay.”
He reached out and lifted her hands in his, wiping the tears from them. Holding her hands fast in one hand, he touched her wet cheek with the other. His fingers traced the path of her tears. Glorianna closed her eyes and welcomed his soothing touch.
Taking her chin in his hand, Conlon lifted until her eyes met his. His blue eyes were filled with compassion. She wanted so much for him to hold her, but she knew what she had done made her unworthy. She closed her eyes again to shut out the pain.
“Glory, look at me.”
She couldn’t.
“She’s going to be okay, you know.”
Glorianna’s eyes flew open. “Alyce?” she whispered, as if hearing him for the first time. “How do you know?”
Seated on the ground, Conlon pulled her close, letting her lean on him. “When you hit the snake with the rock, its aim changed. Then you grabbed Alyce. When the snake struck, it hit her shoe.”
“Then she didn’t really get bit?” Glorianna swung around to face Conlon. She held her breath, hoping it was true.
“Oh, she got bit all right.”
Her hopes sank as quickly as they had risen.
“But, it was a grazing bite.”
She searched his eyes for a reason to hope. “Will she … does that mean …?”
“I’m sure she’ll be just fine.” Conlon’s smile felt like a balm to her wounded soul. “She’ll be a little sick and her leg will hurt, but that should be all. Fayth will need your help.”
Glorianna stood and turned away, crossing her arms over her stomach. “Fayth won’t want to see me ever again.”
Conlon stood, put his arms around her, and pulled her against him again. “Now why would you say that? Fayth thinks you’re wonderful.”
“Don’t you see?” She whirled around, anger making her words loud. “She trusted me with her child and I betrayed that trust.” Tears of self-directed anger and shame washed down her cheeks.
Conlon grabbed her. His eyes darkened. “Don’t you realize you saved her life? If you hadn’t thought and acted so quickly, Alyce would be dead. This wasn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it was.” She tried to back away from him. He pulled her against his chest, embracing her. She gripped his shirt in her hands and sobbed. “Every time I’m supposed to take care of someone, she dies. Alyce will die just like my mother did.”
“Oh, Sweetheart.” Conlon tenderly tightened his hold, his cheek pressed against her head, one hand softly rubbing her back. When her sobs quieted, he spoke. “Your father told me about your mother. It wasn’t your fault she died. There was nothing you could have done to prevent it. Your father doesn’t blame you. If anything, he’s struggled with his own guilt for having left you in charge when he knew she was dying.”
He lifted her chin, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. “Come with me now and talk to Fayth. She will understand.”
Glorianna nodded, wondering why this man had the ability to comfort her like no other person could. She thought she would be happy to stay forever in his embrace.
Glorianna smoothed her dress with shaky fingers as she approached the Holwell house with Conlon. Conlon had sent one of the men with the ambulance, keeping his horse for her to ride. During the ride back from the river, she hoped fervently Alyce would be okay and that Fayth would find it in her heart to forgive. Oh, please help her forgive me. I don’t think I can bear to lose her as a friend.
Timothy swung the door open, grinned, and beckoned them in. “Fayth,” he called. “They’re here.”
Before Glorianna had time to be afraid, Timothy engulfed her in a hug. Then Fayth was there, crying, thanking her, and holding her as if she would never let go.
“I don’t know how I can thank you enough.” Fayth stepped back, her hands still holding Glorianna’s. “You saved my little girl, and all I can do is say thank you.”
She turned to Conlon and hugged him. “Thank you, too. The doctor said that you helped by having the foresight to put fresh mud on the bite.”
Glorianna barely knew when Conlon wrapped his arm around her. Exhaustion made her want to lie down and sleep right then. Elation made her want to sing and dance. She’d been forgiven. She didn’t understand why, but she knew Fayth still wanted her as a friend.
“I have to get back to Alyce.” Fayth turned back to Glorianna and hugged her again. “You look worn out. Why don’t you get some sleep and come by tomorrow. Alyce will want to see you, I’m sure.”
Numbly, Glorianna nodded and allowed Conlon to lead her home. Twilight settled over the desert. Crickets sang, and in the distance, coyotes raised their voices in a motley chorus. Peace wrapped around her like a soft blanket as Conlon pulled her once more into his embrace.
“Get some sleep, Glory.” His husky whisper sent a tingle through her. “I can’t wait to see you in the morning.” He kissed her forehead and disappeared in the dusky evening.
The next morning, Glorianna stuck her head through the Holwells’ door. “Fayth?” She didn’t want to call loudly and risk waking Fayth or Alyce if they were sleeping. She waited a moment, listening. A faint sound of singing drifted through the house. She smiled. Fayth loved to sing to Alyce. She said it helped her sleep.
Glorianna tiptoed across to Alyce’s room and peeked through the door. Alyce’s eyes were closed, her eyelashes dark against her pale cheeks. Fayth stroked her daughter’s head and crooned a song about Jesus being her friend.
Fayth looked up and smiled at Glorianna, beckoning her to enter the room.
“Sit down.” Fayth patted the chair beside her. “She’s finally asleep. It’s been a rough night for her.”
Alyce looked frail and vulnerable in the morning light. Fayth, too, seemed drawn and tired.
“Did you get any sleep last night?”
Fayth smiled. “Timothy watched her for awhile so I could rest. You’ll find out when you’re a mother, though, that it’s impossible to sleep when your child is sick or in pain.”
Glorianna bit her lip, trying to swallow the lump closing her throat. She didn’t want to cry again. “I’m so sorry this happened. I don’t know how you could forgive me.”
“What?” Fayth’s eyes widened. “Why would there be anything to forgive? You saved Alyce’s life when you grabbed her away like that.”
“But, I’m responsible for her being bitten in the first place.” Glorianna wiped angrily at her eyes. “I should have been more careful.”
“Glorianna, listen to me.” Fayth’s smile faded. “You have treated my daughter like she was your own. You did not intend for that snake to bite her. It was an accident. How could you help that?”
“I don’t know. I just feel like this is my fault. I was so scared I would lose you as a friend.”
Fayth hugged her. “I can’t begin to think of not having you for a friend. And I know Alyce would be lost without you to play with her. Besides,” she smiled, “you have to help with the baby.”
“What baby?” Glorianna frowned.
“Why, the baby I’m expecting.” Fayth laughed. “That’s why I’ve been so tired and sick lately.”
Glorianna gasped. “A baby! Oh, that’s so wonderful. I can’t wait.” She hugged Fayth with enthusiasm, then pulled back. “Now, I insist you let me sit with Alyce while you get some sleep. Just tell me what to do and I’ll be fine.”
Fayth nodded and gestured to a bottle and packet on the table. “We’ve made a poultice of vinegar and gun powder. If she wakes, you can bathe her leg and put more of that on. It helps to draw out the poison.”
“Fayth?”
“Yes?” Fayth turned back to look at Glorianna.
“I don’t understand how you can still trust God so much in spite of all this.”
“Because I know He has a plan for my life, for Timothy’s, and even for Alyce’s.”
“But how do you know His plan is right?”
Fayth smiled and took Glorianna’s hand in hers. “I know there have been times when I doubted God and His direction. But I’ve learned that I can’t depend on what I feel. I have to trust what God tells me in the Bible.”
“And what does He tell you?” Glorianna whispered.
Tipping her head to one side, Fayth looked at Glorianna a moment. “One of my favorite bits of wisdom from the Bible is Proverbs 3:5 and 6. It says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ You see, all I have to do is trust Him, and God will take care of the rest.”
Fayth squeezed her hand. “Does this questioning have to do with a certain handsome cavalry officer?”
Glorianna felt the heat of a blush in her cheeks. “I suppose so. But don’t you say anything. Promise?”
At Fayth’s nod, she continued. “When I’m with Conlon, it feels so perfect. But sometimes I’m confused about what’s right. I can’t really explain what I mean.”
Fayth stood up, leaned over, and hugged her. “Keep asking God to lead you and He will. You’ll know the right way when you have God’s peace.”
Conlon held Champ’s foot aloft as Josiah measured to see if the last shoe fit properly. “Not quite,” Josiah announced, heading back to the forge. “I’ll just need to bend this side in a little more.”
Josiah thrust the horseshoe back into the red embers. Yellow flames licked eagerly at the metal, then died down. “I hear you had some excitement at the river yesterday.”
Conlon shook his head. “I’m beginning to think there’s something about Glorianna that attracts snakes. There was the one under her cot, the one at the river, and the worst snake of all, Dirk.”
Josiah laughed. “At least that’s one snake who won’t be bothering her again. He’s long gone.”
“Well, the other two are even farther from reach. They’re dead. Sometimes I agree with those who say the only good snake is a dead snake.”
Josiah pulled the reddened horseshoe from the coals. Placing it on the anvil, he studied the glowing metal, then began to pound. He plunged the shoe into water before walking back out to Champ with Conlon.
“I agree. I don’t know why God allows some snakes to live.” Josiah lifted Champ’s foot and aligned the shoe. “But, we have to remember that God knows more than we’ll ever know. You can trust Him with her. No matter how many critters are out there.”
“You’re right.” Conlon grinned. “Here I am wanting to take over for God again.”
Josiah laughed. “We all want to do that on occasion.” He pounded the last of the nails into the horseshoe and dropped Champ’s foot. “By the way, how’s the problem with the future wife? Has she picked out her wedding dress yet?”
“You’re asking for trouble.” Conlon smiled. “It so happens that she’s getting very fond of me. In fact, I think in no time at all I’ll be able to ask her to marry me, and she’ll jump at the chance.”
Putting his tools away, Josiah smirked at Conlon. “You just may be in for a surprise. God has a way of taking us down a notch sometimes. I have a feeling you may be in for a rough time before your little filly agrees to a wedding.”
“Exactly what have you heard?”
“Me? I haven’t heard a thing. I just know God has a sense of humor. I’ll be eagerly waiting to hear you say those vows. But I also know nothing has gone smoothly so far for the two of you.”
Conlon started to lead Champ back to the stables. “Everything has changed, Josiah. You’ll see,” he called back.
That evening, Timothy answered Conlon’s knock and pulled him into the house. “Come in. I’m glad you could join us on such short notice.”
Conlon smiled at Glorianna, seated across the room beside her father. “What’s the occasion?” Conlon asked.
“Oh, good, you’re all here.” Fayth clapped her hands together and peeked into Alyce’s bedroom. “Alyce will be awake soon. Timothy, you tell them why we invited them.”
“We thought we would celebrate Alyce’s recovery.” Timothy crossed the room and put his arm around Fayth. “We’re so glad to have friends like you, and this is our way of saying thanks.”
