Loving A Forbidden Bride (Historical Western Romance), page 20
“They are here,” Frank said. “Please Marc, you should lie still for a moment.”
Marc was about to retort when a voice shrieked: “Marc!”
“Clarissa,” Frank reprimanded. “I told you to stay behind!”
“Marc,” Clarissa whimpered, running towards her brother. “Marc, can you hear me?” she asked stroking his hair away from his eyes.
“Clarissa,” Frank reiterated. “This is not safe, please, take the children back towards the carriage.”
“Children?” she turned around and noticed the four children. “Hello there, come on,” she said kindly offering her hand, “let’s go together.” Little Michael looked at her for a moment before he took her hand.
“Let me help you,” Clarissa said to Dolores who was struggling to hold her baby sister.
“No!” Dolores said fiercely, holding tightly to her sister.
“What’s your name sweetheart?” Clarissa asked kindly. Dolores looked at Clarissa warily. “My name is Clarissa,” she added.
“My name is Dolores,” the young girl said very quietly.
“That’s a pretty name,” Clarissa said. “And what is your names?” she said turning to the two other children.
“I’m Michael,” the small boy said. “And this is Mary-Beth,” he took his sister’s hand and stroked it gently.
“This is Rosie,” Dolores said finally looking at the small girl in her arms.
“What do you say about I hold the baby, and you hold your brother and sisters’ hands?” Clarissa suggested gently.
Dolores looked at her sister and brother and nodded. Clarissa took the bundle-wrapped child from the young girl arms and helped the children stand. Michael demanded to hold Clarissa’s hand. Finally, she managed to hold hands with Michael who clutched her and Dolores’ hands, who tightly held onto Mary-Beth’s hand. Gingerly they filed down the hill, Clarissa clasping Rosie close to her chest.
“Please hurry,” she said quietly to her husband, turning her head to look at him.
“We will, sweetheart.”
“Marc,” Frank asked. “Can you walk?”
Marc sat up and looked over at Joshua, “Take him. I’ll be fine.”
“All right,” Frank said, moving over to Joshua. They both looked behind them as a loud crashing sound reverberated around them. The rest of the roof had collapsed. “You could not have been a in there minute longer,” Frank said, amazed as he picked up Joshua’s limp body.
* * *
Marc watched the complete wreckage burn away. Thank the Lord there are no other houses near, he thought as he got up slowly. He turned back and followed to where Frank had left, carrying Joshua. He stumbled down the grassy hill and saw his sister in the distance, helping Frank to lay Joshua onto the carriage. Marc walked towards Spirit, who still stood where he had left him.
Marc grabbed the horse’s mane to hold his balance. Spirit bent down, making it easier for Marc to mount. “You are a good boy,” Marc chuckled as the horse stood up slowly. Marc rode the short distance to where the carriage stood.
“Marc,” Clarissa said worried. “Thank God you were there.”
“How is he?” Marc asked looking at Joshua.
“Breathing,” Frank said as he securely closed the carriage.
“Marc,” Frank said seriously. “Should you be riding?”
“I’m all right,” Marc dismissed.
“We should hurry back home,” Clarissa said, appearing by her husband.
“Joshua needs a doctor,” Frank said.
“I think it better to bring Doctor Bourne home,” Clarissa suggested. “His office is small, and I think it better for Joshua to be with his siblings; Lord knows his siblings need to be with him.”
“I will ride to town,” Marc said weakly, coughing.
“No,” Frank said, “I will ride to town, and you two ride back home.”
“That’s a good idea,” Clarissa said, looking at her brother. “Marc, come on now, you will ride with me.”
Marc coughed again and sighed, “You are right,” he carefully dismounted. “We will ride home. I have room for all of the children.”
“All right,” Frank said taking the reins from Marc. “I will return to the Blue Willow Ranch with Doctor Bourne.”
Marc stroked Spirit’s head before he walked to the front of the carriage. Clarissa walked to her husband and kissed him, “Be careful,” she said stroking his cheek.
“You too, my darling,” Frank said.
* * *
Marc pulled on the reins, but the movement made him cough violently. “You should rest,” Clarissa said worriedly, “I can steer the carriage.”
“No,” Marc said quietly.
“Marc, please,” Clarissa pleaded with her brother as they began moving.
“No,” Marc objected, “I need for you to stay with Joshua and the children.”
“Are you sure?” Clarissa asked.
“Yes,” Marc dismissed. “Please Clarissa, stay with Joshua.”
“I will,” Clarissa said reassuringly and climbed into the back of the carriage.
“Thank you,” Marc said as he gently pulled the reins so the horses moved quicker. Marc rubbed soot from his eyes and sat straighter. He could hear hooves in the distance. What if these are the men I saw riding away from saloon before? Marc loosened his gun from his belt, keeping it out of sight.
“Keep down,” he called back into the carriage. “And do not speak until I say it’s safe.”
“Ok,” came Clarissa’s soft voice from the carriage.
The horses came nearer, and Marc pulled back the hammer of his gun. He slowed the carriage down to a stop. A moment later the horses appeared, and Marc grabbed his weapon, holding it out — ready to shoot.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Frank sped towards the town. Much of the town-folk stood outside and watched the smoke rise. Frank slowed down as he came to the main street. He stopped close to Doctor Bourne’s office. Frank slid off the horse and quickly tied it to a hitching post. Next, he ran inside the office.
“Doctor!” Frank called as he entered. “Doctor Bourne!”
“Yes,” Doctor Bourne said as he came from the back room. “What is the meaning of this? Mr. Wagner?” he said surprised.
“Hurry, doctor,” Frank said. “You must ride with me to the Blue Willow Ranch.”
“What are you talking about? Slow down son,” Doctor Bourne said looking intently at Frank.
“There was a fire, up at the Green home,” Frank explained. “Young Joshua was inside; Doctor you must hurry!”
“Did you say Joshua?” a frail voice said from the doorway to the back room. “What has happened to my Joshua?” Violet Green said apprehensively.
“Please, Violet,” Doctor Bourne said. “You need to rest…”
“What happened to my son?” Violet asked. “I beg you, tell me!”
“Doctor!” Frank said impatiently. “We must hurry!”
“What happened to my son?” Violet shrieked and almost fell due to the strain.
“Mrs. Green,” Frank said kindly, “Joshua has inhaled smoke and he is weak, but he is breathing. I came to fetch the doctor.”
Doctor Bourne scoffed as Frank spoke, but Violet nodded her head. “Thank you for telling me,” she said calmer now.
“I am going to ask my wife to take you to my home,” Doc Bourne said to Violet. “You need your rest.”
Violet sobbed quietly but agreed, “If you say so, Doctor.”
“I will need to grab supplies, and let my wife know,” Doc Bourne said looking around for his leather bag.
“I can find your wife,” Frank said. “Is she at home?”
“No, she went to the General Store,” he replied.
“I will fetch her,” Frank said, already retreating. “Please hurry.” Frank left the Doctors office and jogged towards the General Store.
“Frank?” William said as Frank barged into the store. “What has happened?”
“I have little time,” Frank said. “Is Mrs. Bourne here?”
“I’m here,” Mrs. Bourne said, from behind Frank.
“Oh, good,” Frank said. “I am sorry to barge in here, but I must ask you to return to your husband’s office…”
“I will return at once,” Mrs. Bourne said, putting down the fabric she had been examining.
“You will?” Frank said, surprised.
“Of course,” Mrs. Bourne said. “My husband would never have someone fetch me unless it’s serious,” she added. “I’m sorry, William, I will need to come back later.”
“Frank?” William asked confused. “What has happened?”
Frank turned to face him from the door, “There was a fire,” he said seriously. “At the Green residence, young Joshua was injured,” he added before leaving, following Mrs. Bourne back to the Doctor’s office.
“Dear,” Doctor Bourne said to his wife, “I need you to take Violet Green home.” he looked intently at his wife. “Keep her calm, and lock the door,” he added seriously.
“I will,” Mrs. Bourne said. “Be careful.”
“You too, dear,” Doc Bourne said. It is as if they speak with looks alone, Frank noted amazed.
“Come now, Frank,” Doctor Bourne said, turning his attention to him. “Let’s ride.”
“Yes,” Frank said. He hurried back to Marc’s horse and untied the reins. They rode in silence; both determined to get to the farm as fast as possible. Frank looked back and could see the town-folk getting on their horses with buckets, riding towards the dark smoke. “It is a blessing in disguise that the Green home is as remote as it is,” Frank said.
“Something tells me the circumstances of this fire are most suspicious,” Doctor Bourne said as they neared the crossroads between the two ranches. Frank said nothing but rode on, deep in thought. What is the reason behind all of this madness? Who is responsible for the fire?
* * *
Marc held his gun out at the newcomers, but immediately put down his weapon. “Sheriff?” he said as Sheriff Blackwell appeared followed by his junior assistant, Ian Jennings.
“Marc Payton?” Sheriff Blackwell said surprised. “Were you at the fire?” he said observing Marc’s sooty clothes.
“I was,” Marc said simply.
“Did you notice anyone leaving from the house when you arrived?” Sheriff Blackwell asked him seriously.
“No,” Marc replied. “But I did see a group of men riding from town. Someone untied my horse as I was about to ride back here.”
“Back here?” Ian Jennings asked.
“Young Joshua Green is my worker,” Marc said. “He is in the back,” he gestured to the carriage, “I’m sorry gentlemen, but I must get going. Joshua is not well, and he needs care.”
“You were the one that brought Violet Green to Doctor Bourne?” the Sheriff asked shrewdly.
“I was,” Marc replied.
“Good,” Sheriff Blackwell said. “We need to go take care of the fire. We will come by your ranch later. There is much we need to discuss.”
“Fair enough,” Marc said. Sheriff Blackwell and Ian Jennings rode past him, and Marc pulled the reins guiding the horses on.
* * *
“Marc?” Clarissa called from the back of the carriage.
“Yes,” Marc replied. “Is everything all right?”
“Joshua is coughing,” Clarissa said, and she sounded frightened. “An awful lot.”
“We are nearly home,” Marc reassured his sister. He yanked the reins harder, making the horses ride faster. We are nearly there. Finally, they were riding up the road that led to the Blue Willow Ranch. Marc could see O’Leary standing at the edge of the house, looking towards the smoke cloud in the distance.
“O’Leary!” Marc called as he rode in the farmyard. “We need your assistance.” O’Leary hurried back as fast as he could. Marc jumped from the carriage and walked to the back, opening the back door.
“Clarissa, you take the children inside,” Marc said. “O’Leary, help me carry Joshua.”
O’Leary appeared at his side and gasped and crossed himself. “What in the name of the Lord happened?”
“There was a fire,” Marc said. “We need to get him inside.” O’Leary helped Marc carry Joshua inside the house. “Let’s lay him in here,” Marc said pointing to Clarissa’s old room. They laid him down on the bed, and O’Leary hurried to open the window. “We need the doctor,” O’Leary said.
“He is on his way,” Marc said. “Frank went to get him.”
“I will get water,” O’Leary said leaving the room. Marc watched his young worker struggle to breathe. Come now Joshua, do not give up. Fight…
A commotion outside was heard, and soon Doctor Bourne’s booming voice was heard: “Where is he?”
“In here, Doctor,” Marc called. Doc Bourne pushed open the door and entered. Immediately he sat by Joshua’s bedside, listening to his heart with his stethoscope. He continued to examine him, Marc standing close by.
“How is he?” Marc asked.
“I need to treat this burn on his arm,” Doc Bourne said. “And I need to observe his breathing. I do not like the sound of it; not at all.”
* * *
Olivia stood out by the small vegetable patch and watched transfixed at the smoke cloud in the distance. What has happened? she wondered. She picked up the basket with vegetables and returned to the house. At the same time, Andy entered the house.
“Have Frank and Clarissa not returned yet?” Andy asked, looking around the house.
“No,” Olivia said, “Andy, did you notice the smoke?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“What do you think has happened?” she asked.
“Dark smoke like this almost always means a big fire,” Andy said sombrely.
“Oh, I hope no one is hurt,” Olivia said concernedly. A knock on the door made both of them look at each other.
“I will answer,” Andy said walking towards the front door. “Hello?” he said uncertainly.
“Good afternoon,” the visitor said. Olivia turned around as she recognized Red’s voice. She hurried to the door.
“Red!” she exclaimed.
“You know this man?” Andy asked her.
“This is Red, the one I told you about. The one that helped us with the cattle,” Olivia explained. “He’s the cowboy at the Blue Willow Ranch.”
“I see,” Andy said. “Thank you for your help,” he said to Red.
“I was happy to help,” Red said. “However, I came to let you know that young Joshua Green was injured in the fire,” he said calmly, looking intently at Olivia.
“Oh, no!” Olivia said but stopped at the look on Red’s face.
“He will need the Chokecherry and Snakeweed,” Red said. “The sooner, the better.”
“Yellow-Spined Thistle will help with the burns,” he added handing Olivia a small bag of dried flowers. “Boil and apply to the skin.”
“Thank you!” Olivia said gratefully. “But why do you not take this?” she urged him.
“You know why,” Red said stoically. “The doctor from town is there now, this is how it must be.”
“Fine,” Olivia said, “I understand.”
“I will ride out now,” Red said. “There is an omen in the sky…” he added as he walked away from Andy and Olivia.
“What was he talking about?” Andy asked Olivia.
She observed her brother and contemplated, I think I must tell him the truth, “When O’Leary was ill, I nursed him to the best of my abilities, but his fever was barely down. Red came to me and gave me herbal remedies, from his people,” Olivia said looking carefully at Andy. “I made the paste and broth as he instructed me and O’Leary made an incredible recovery.”
“Why did you not tell me this?” Andy asked her sternly.
“Red made me promise him I would not,” Olivia said.
“All right then,” Andy replied.
“Will you accompany me to the Blue Willow Ranch?” Olivia asked.
“Yes,” Andy said at once, causing Olivia to look at him surprised. “We should always give help; it is the Lord’s way.”
