Love takes wing (Love Comes Softly #7) Read online

  maker between Amy Jo and Rand. She felt hesitant. Were they right for each other?

  Then the train was pulling up beside them, and they all moved back a step so Kate might be the first one to greet her girl.

  Will she have changed? wondered Belinda. Maybe she'd had her heart broken by the young Ryan. Belinda hoped not. Amy Jo had seemed so taken with him. Yet Amy Jo was impetuous. Perhaps she had now forgotten all about him.

  And then Amy Jo was stepping down from the passenger car. Radiant, her brownish red hair was swept atop her head becomingly and her light green traveling dress fit her to perfection. Her complexion was flawless with no longer a trace of the hated freckles. She walked with poise and decorum. Amy Jo had left a girl and had come back to them a young woman. Belinda held her breath.

  Kate swept Amy Jo into her arms and held her closely, weeping with joy. It seemed a long time until Belinda had her turn.

  "You look wonderful," she said with a slight laugh. "Jest . . . jest so . . . so . . . vibrant!"

  Amy Jo laughed merrily.

  "That's what love does for one," she whispered in Belinda's

  ear.

  Belinda pulled back to look into the violet eyes.

  "Ya mean ya still . . . ? But yer home now . . . many miles from. .

  But Amy Jo silenced her with a little shake of her head. She turned glowing eyes to the family group.

  "Everyone!" she called excitedly. "Everyone! I want ya to meet Ryan. We've come home to be married."

  Belinda hardly heard the gasps around her she was so busy trying to get her own startled thoughts under control. She raised her eyes toward the enthusiastic Amy Jo and for the first time

  75

  noticed a young man who stood behind her. At Amy Jo's words he took a step forward and reached out a possessive hand to take Amy Jo's arm. He smiled and tipped his hat to Kate, then to Marty and Belinda saw Kate's face grow even paler.

  "Oh my!" Belinda said under her breath. "Oh my!" Then she looked again into the deep blue eyes and tanned face of the young rancher. Amy Jo had sketched a good likeness. Belinda felt she would have known the young man anywhere. This was indeed Amy Jo's Ryan.

  After the initial shock, the family was quickly captivated by Amy Jo's young man. Even Kate, who could hardly face the idea of losing her Amy Jo to the West, had to admit that Ryan would make a wonderful son-in-law.

  "Iffen she had jest given us a bit of warnin'," Marty kept saying, shaking her head, "we all wouldn'ta stood there with our mouths a hangin' open."

  But warning was not Amy Jo's way. That would have spoiled her "surprise." The young man Ryan did apologize several times to Clare and Kate. "I wanted to ask for her hand proper like," he informed them, "but Amy Jo wanted to make the announcement herself"

  It seemed he was willing to let Amy Jo have her own way in all matters concerning their wedding.

  "I want to be married on June first," Amy Jo insisted. "Thet is the day Melissa and Wally have chosen, and Ryan and I decided thet as we couldn't have a double wedding, the family being scattered so, we'd do the next best thing and be married on the same day--her out west and me here."

  Kate was sure she could never be ready for a wedding by the first of June, but Marty and Anne and even Nandry all pitched in, and things for Amy Jo's trousseau began to take shape.

  76

  "Why don't we git Mrs. Simpson to sew the gown?" asked Marty. "She does a wonderful job, and she is so quick with her stitchin'."

  Mrs. Simpson was still very much in demand as a seamstress and had even been able to purchase her own machine, so Marty saw very little of her. But arrangements were made, and Amy Jo's cream-colored wedding gown was coming together under the skilled hands.

  At first it didn't seem real to Belinda. But as item after item-- two new everyday dresses, a travel outfit, snowy white underthings, as well as two quilts, dish towels, and other household linens--was spread out on the bed in the spare bedroom at the farm, she had to admit it was indeed true. Our Amy Jo is getting married! Amy Jo, their little girl. Amy Jo, their bit of sunshine. And many miles away, somewhere out west, Melissa, too, was excitedly preparing for her big day. Belinda tried to put her feelings into words, and she finally concluded she felt as if she were being left behind.

  The frantic preparations kept Belinda more than occupied until June the first arrived. The day was beautiful, and she slipped a cool mint green dress over her head as she got ready to join her lovely niece at the front of the church, where she would solemnly declare her love and commitment to Ryan.

  "Oh my!" Belinda couldn't help but exclaim when she caught her first glimpse of the bride standing in the middle of her family's living room. Kate was fluttering around her, making sure the dress was hanging properly on the slim figure.

  "That soft, creamy material an' the lace trim are jest perfect with your hair," Belinda commented, giving Amy Jo a careful hug. "It's truly wondrous!" And they laughed together.

  Later, Belinda could not keep the tears from forming in her eyes as she listened to the two young people make their promises. Amy Jo was no longer theirs. She belonged to Ryan now, perhaps

  77

  at the same moment that Melissa, too, was repeating her marriage vows.

  It was a lonely and rather subdued Belinda who went up to bed that night after the festivities of the day were all over and the wedded couple had left for their honeymoon trip, home to their West.

  Belinda wondered who would shed the most tears that night, she or Kate. She knew they all would miss Amy Jo, their "vibrant" one, something awful.

  78

  NINE

  An Accident

  Belinda for sure had missed Amy Jo while she was out west, but it had always been with the hope she would be coming home soon. Now Amy Jo was making a home of her own many miles away.

  Melissa, too! she mourned. And all at the same time!

  "I know ya miss the girls," Marty commented to Belinda. "Maybe Luke could get along without ya for a few weeks an' ya could go on out ta see 'em."

  "Mama," Belinda reminded her, "a few months ago I woulda jumped at the chance. I was so lonely for them both, and I'da given anything to be able to see them. But not now. Now they're both new brides. They wouldn't want me hangin' around. Besides, I would feel out of place. It's not the same as it used to be. We wouldn't have the same--the same closeness as before."

  Marty nodded her agreement at Belinda's assessment. It wasn't the same anymore.

  Belinda looked about at her world. Why did things have to keep changing? Spring, without slowing down even for a minute, was turning to summer and then would come fall. In the fall little Thomas would be off to school. The next thing they knew it would be Aaron's turn--and then wee Ruthie's. Already she was sitting up alone, reaching for things, and pulling herself up in her crib. She had scarcely even been a baby at all.

  79

  Things had seemed so simple, so secure when Belinda had been a child going to school and sharing girlish games with Amy Jo, her constant companion. But life went on and no amount of "digging in one's heels" seemed to slow it down.

  Belinda thought she had never been so lonely in her life. She would have had a most difficult time of it had she not been so busy. Luke was right--they certainly needed another doctor in the town.

  The thought of another doctor immediately reminded Belinda of Jackson. What was Jackson like now? He had been a nice young fellow when they had been schoolmates. Was it possible that after all this time she might feel drawn to him? Belinda allowed herself a few minutes of imagining and then sharply rebuked herself--by now Jackson likely had another girl. Perhaps he's even married, she told herself with a shake of her head.

  But Belinda didn't really think that Jackson had married. She saw his mama every Sunday at church, and Mrs. Brown spoke often of her son and his medical career--she had never mentioned anything about his marrying or even having a young lady, to Belinda's knowledge. Belinda decided to push the thoughts of Jackson aside
and think instead about Rand.

  Rand dropped by occasionally, and in Belinda's loneliness she welcomed his company. The little town seemed so confining and the beloved farm home so very lonely. Rand was awfully busy, working from sunup to sunset every day of the week except Sunday, and there was very little time for him to make calls. He had been to the Davises for Sunday dinner on a few occasions, but Belinda hesitated to offer an invitation too often lest he get the wrong idea.

  When summer had turned to fall, Rand stopped by one evening and suggested a walk. Belinda was only too glad for the diversion. He apologized for his busyness and asked Belinda how her days had been filled.

  80

  "Ills an' spills," Belinda responded. "That's what Luke calls it. Sickness and accidents. That's about all I see or do."

  Rand looked thoughtful. "Is nursin' losin' some of its charm?" he inquired.

  Belinda flushed. "No. No, not really. Fact is, I don't know how I'd ever bear livin' without it. I'm jest . . . jest restless, I guess."

  "Still missin' Amy Jo?"

  Belinda nodded. She didn't trust her voice.

  "Maybe you've outgrown nursin'," said Rand. "Maybe it's time fer ya to take on a new challenge."

  "Like what?" asked Belinda innocently.

  "I can think of one," admitted Rand. When Belinda did not question him, he went on slowly, "But I promised myself thet I wouldn't speak of it yet. Not till I have this Kirby house finished and the cash in the bank."

  Rand's statement puzzled Belinda, but her attention was captured by the Kirby house. "Mrs. Kirby finally got worked out jest what she wants?"

  "I've been buildin' on it fer the past two weeks."

  Belinda smiled as she imagined the excitement of watching something take shape under one's hands. "Oh, I'd love to see it sometime. Could I?"

  Rand laughed at her enthusiasm. "I'd love to show ya," he promised, "but not yet. There's not much to see now. But jest as soon as I have somethin' to show, I'll give ya the grand tour--how's thet?"

  Belinda smiled her thanks in anticipation. Jest think of havin' your own house, her thoughts raced. Melissa and Amy Jo both have their own. . . .

  "Dan likes working with ya," she said, to slow down her imaginings.

  "He's good," said Rand. "Fer a fella so young, he catches on

  81

  real fast. An' he isn't afraid of work, either."

  They had reached Luke's front gate. Belinda stood silently gazing at the night sky. She was about to say that she should go in, but she lingered, enjoying the lovely evening and the company.

  Rand surprised her by reaching for her hand. "I'm sorry I've been so busy," he said softly. "Once I git a house or two built an' git some cash on hand, I can slow down some."

  "I understand," said Belinda, touched that he would care about her loneliness. He was really very kind.

  "Could we go for a drive on Sunday?" asked Rand, and Belinda assured him she would enjoy that.

  "Should I come out to the farm to get ya in the afternoon, an' bring ya back to town?"

  Belinda thought quickly and said that would work fine.

  "See ya then:' Rand whispered, lifting her fingers to his lips before releasing her hand. Then he was gone, his long strides taking him quickly toward the boardinghouse.

  Belinda stood watching him go, her heart fluttering and bewilderment on her face. She looked down at her slender fingers as though expecting his kiss to show there, and her breath caught in a little gasp. What might that Sunday drive hold for her, she wondered. She opened the gate quietly and thoughtfully made her way up the walk.

  But it turned out that drive was not to be.

  After the morning service that Sunday, the family gathered at Clark and Marty's for dinner. Nandry's Mary and Jane had both married and now had homes of their own, and on this Sunday Mary was with her Jim's family, and Jane was down with a bad cold. So Belinda was the only girl there. The boys played their

  82

  games in the yard as usual and the men talked on the back veranda until the call for dinner.

  Belinda was about to give the signal when there was a commotion in the yard. Someone was running and there were frantic calls and yells of "Come quick! Come quick!"

  "What is it?" Belinda heard Clark call, and young John screamed back in fright, "The bull's got Abe. Quick! He'll kill 'im. Quick!"

  Clare was on his feet in a flash. The bull was a new one to the farm and no one knew his temperament. All the youngsters had been warned to stay away from his pen until he was declared safe. Now Clare was running toward the barnyard with Arnie and Luke right behind him.

  Belinda heard the farm dogs barking and the cattle bawling. The whole place seemed to be in an uproar.

  "Grab a pitchfork!" Clare shouted over his shoulder, and Luke veered toward the barn to comply.

  Clare flung himself over the bullpen fence. Belinda could see nothing more after he entered the corral, but she could hear shouts and dogs barking and angry bellows from the bull.

  "Oh, dear God, no," Belinda heard someone say beside her and realized that her mother had joined her on the veranda, her eyes fixed on the fence beyond.

  "Mama, go back in," warned Belinda.

  But Marty held her ground, and soon Kate and Anne had joined her. "What is it?" Kate choked out.

  Belinda could not answer. Her eyes on the bullpen, she prayed that Clare would be there in time. Arnie, too, had climbed the fence to face the enraged bull, and Luke was running toward them, pitchfork in hand.

  It was Arnie who came back over the wooden fence, the limp form of his young son in his arms, while Clare and the dogs distracted the bull. Only when Luke challenged the bull with the

  83

  pitchfork did he break away from Clare and run bellowing toward the far end of the pasture.

  Dinner was forgotten as Abe was placed on the living room sofa and a white-faced doctor uncle bent over him, checking his vital signs and feeling for broken bones.

  Belinda could see that Clare, too, needed a doctor, but he waved her aside and lifted the rifle from the back porch.

  "I won't have a critter on the place that endangers children," he muttered through stiff lips, and a few moments later they heard the crack of the gun.

  Arnie sat silent, head in his hands and his shoulders shaking. He could not bear even to look at Abe.

  "He's dead," he kept murmuring. "I know he's dead."

  There was too much happening for Belinda to sort it all out. Youngsters were wailing, women were crying, grown men were trembling with the tragedy.

  Then Belinda's training and experience as a nurse suddenly took over. Luke needed her. This was an emergency. She was supposed to know how to act in an emergency.

  True, it had never been a loved one before. That made it so different. She remembered many years before when she had heard Luke say that it was always so much harder when it was a child, and that he hoped and prayed he would never need to tend one of his own family.

  And now Abe lay deathly white and blood-spattered, and Luke would need to fight with all he knew to try to save him. Belinda braced her shoulders, wiped away her tears, and steeled herself to join him.

  Luke's hand was still on the boy's pulse. Belinda could not voice the question she knew she should ask, but Luke sensed her presence and, without looking up, spoke to her in a low voice. "We need to get him to town. He needs attention immediately. I have nothing here. He shouldn't be moved, but we have no

  84

  choice. He's in bad shape, Belinda."

  "Have ya . . . have ya . . . found where he's hurt?"

  "He has some broken ribs. I hope his lungs are okay, but I'm worried. His left arm is badly broken. His neck and back seem all right, thank God."

  Belinda looked down at the ashen face of her nephew. It all seemed so unreal--like a nightmare.

  "Clare needs some tendin', too," she said, "but he wouldn't stop fer me to check him. I don't know where he's hurt, but I saw blood, and his shir
t is all torn and dirty and--" Suddenly the tears were streaming again, and Belinda wanted to throw herself into her mother's arms and let the sobs shake her body. She fought hard to control herself and finally managed to stifle the flow

  "I'll tell Pa we need the team," she said to Luke and turned back to the family members who crowded in about them, hankies to white faces and tears flowing.

  "We need to get him to town," Belinda said as calmly as she could. "Luke has nothin' here."

  "Then he's .. . he's still. . ." sobbed Anne, unable to finish her question, and Belinda reached out a hand to ease her into a chair.

  "He's hurt . . . bad," Belinda said honestly, "but we'll do all we can."

  It was a long trip into town. Clare drove the team, brushing off any questions about his own condition. Anne had been so distraught that Arnie had left her in Marty's care. Belinda prayed silently all the way as she sat beside the boy on the floor of the wagon, his father on the other side, holding his hand. She knew Luke was praying, too, and that those at the farm would be doing the same. Abe roused on the way and cried out because of the intense pain, then slipped into unconsciousness again. Belinda's heart nearly broke to hear Arnie's sobs.

  85

  At last Clare pulled the team up before the doctor's residence, and Luke and Arnie gently carried the youngster in to the surgery table. Luke carefully went over the young boy once more. Though the ribs were broken, Luke thanked God that there was very little blood showing on the young boy's lips. Perhaps the internal injuries were not too great. A careful check of his pulse and breathing told Luke he had not gone into shock.

  Luke administered drugs and, with Belinda assisting him, set the mangled arm the best he could. He let Arnie and Clare in to see the boy before sending them back to the farm with the latest news of his condition. Then began the long vigil.