Naomi released Dinah's elbows, and her sister composed herself, wiping her eyes. She turned back to her patient and brushed the back of her hand down the woman's cheek. Probably feeling her temperature, but also sharing the kindness that flowed from Dinah's very heart.
As Dinah packed away her supplies, Naomi studied the woman's small, wrinkled face. How many burdens had she born in her many years? Children who tested her, worried her, even angered her. Yet all those emotions came from the depth of a mother's love. And a grandmother's.
She slid a look back at Anna. She'd snuggled in so close to Eric that her head lay against his chest, one hand visible over the top of the blanket. That hand rested directly over his heart, maybe feeling its steady beat. The poor childmust have had so much uncertainty in her short life. At least these last few days or weeks. Where were her parents? How had she and her grandmother come to be in such an awful predicament, wandering the mountain wilderness in a snowstorm?
Her heart ached at the thought of what they'd both endured—Anna must have been afraid they'd freeze to death, worried about her grandmother, hungry, and so very cold.
And the grandmother... She refocused on the older woman. How awful to know you were putting such a sweet young child, your granddaughter who you loved with all your heart, through an ordeal so awful. Yet she must not have been able to find shelter. Must have been doing the very best she could for her granddaughter.
Once again, Naomi’s eyes burned.
Inside this still body, the woman surely wanted desperately to know her granddaughter was safe and cared for. And wouldn't be turned out, even after her guardian left this life.
Naomi eased down on the edge of the mattress tick. How should she begin?
She reached up to brush a lock of silvery hair from her forehead.
Naomi leaned close enough that the woman should be able to hear her, even if she was hard of hearing. "Ma'am. I'm Naomi Wyatt. Your granddaughter, Anna, is safe here with us." What details would be helpful? "We're in a warm cabin, the cabin that belongs to my sister, Dinah, and her husband, Jericho. Dinah is a doctor, and she's doing everything she can to help you feel better."
Naomi glanced at Eric and the girl. "Anna just finished drinking warm chocolate and eating cookies, and I have a stew simmering so she can eat a hearty meal. She's a lovely girl, and you should be proud." Naomi’s voice quivered. How much had this woman endured to help Anna become the sweet, diligent child she was?
She did her best to keep her voice steady as she continued. "Jesus loves children, and He holds them close in His arms. He's watching over Anna, protecting her. And He's caring for you too. No matter what happens, you can trust that the Lord loves your precious granddaughter. He has a special plan for her." Tears leaked past her own defenses, flowing down her cheeks. She had one more thing to say though.
"I give you my word. I'll do everything in my power to make sure Anna is safe and healthy and happy, as long as I'm needed. Until someone from her family can take over, I'll care for her as if she were my own."
Naomi's blurry vision wouldn't let her see if the woman responded, but her heart said every word she spoke was truth and needed to be said aloud. She placed her hand over the rise in the blanket that was probably the uninjured arm.
"Please don't worry about your granddaughter. Or yourself." Naomi took in a breath and let it out. "Both of you—all of us—are in God's hands. Rest in that knowledge."
A hand touched her back, then rubbed in that gentle motion that had always been Dinah's. Naomi let herself soak in the support. The solace. The shared strength.
No matter what happened in these next few hours, no matter how each life here was changed, they would work through the trials and relish the joys together.
CHAPTER 18
Naomi pulled the door to the bed chamber closed as soundlessly as she could. As exhausted as she must be, Anna had struggled to fall asleep. Naomi had put the girl in her own bed since the other spare bed was still in the main room.
Her grandmother had passed in early evening.
The girl seemed to understand what happened, and a few tears had slipped down her cheeks as Naomi explained, but not as many as she’d expected. Perhaps Anna didn't fully understand, or perhaps she'd prepared herself for this possibility for days now. And maybe this sweet young child had experienced other deaths before this one. Her parents? Perhaps she'd guarded her heart to protect it from the pain of loss.
That thought made tears burn Naomi's own eyes once more. No matter what, she wanted Anna to experience the fullness of love. As long as she lived here, she would know unconditional kindness, compassion, and love.
But how long would that be? That was what they were all about to discuss.
She settled into the rocking chair by the fire, the one seat leftempty for her. The rest of the family had already gathered and were waiting for her to join them.
Dinah sat beside her, and when Naomi had settled into the rocker, Dinah reached over to squeeze her hand. Naomi sent a small smile as she squeezed back. They were all in this together.
She glanced around at the rest of the group. All six Coulter brothers were here, along with Dinah, Angela, and herself. Lillian sat next to Angela, just like one of the grown women. She'd taken up a pair of trousers she was mending, as Naomi often did when sitting with the others in the evening.
Sean sat on the floor beside Miles's chair, both whittling with small knives. Miles had begun teaching the boy since the trip to Fort Benton, and Sean latched on to the instruction with a hunger.
This strong, caring family would make sure Anna had the best chance possible for a good life. If only Eric could have been here too. But he should be almost back to the village by now.
On Dinah’s other side, Jericho cleared his throat, the sign he was ready to start the conversation. He looked to her. "Anna was able to sleep then?"
Naomi nodded. She'd expected him to start with practical matters, not the little girl's emotional state. "It took a little for her to settle. I think she's exhausted."
