Marybeth left the room and hurried to comply. She couldn’t help but think of her stepmother, Sarah. It had been such a joyous occasion. They had all looked forward to Carrie’s birth. It was just too sad to remember the look in Sarah’s eyes when she knew she was dying and wouldn’t be there for her daughter’s life.
“She’ll need you, Marybeth. Promise me you’lltake care of her. Be a mother to her.”Sarah had barely had the strength to cradle Carrie close.
“I will be, I promise,”Marybeth had said with tears flooding her eyes.
This gave Sarah great relief. She looked almost angelic as she smiled first at Marybeth and then at her husband.“You will all do very welltogether,”she whispered. She had grimaced and looked again to Marybeth.“Better take her now.”
Marybeth had lifted her sister from the dying woman’s arms. Carrie looked up at Marybeth as if knowing what had been said and what was happening. Marybeth drew her in close and prayed for God to spare her stepmother. But He hadn’t.
A loud moan broke into her thoughts, and Marybeth realized Mrs. Martin was crying out. She hurried to get more water on the stove before going to see what else Dr. Scott might need.
He was lighting a second lamp when Marybeth came into the bedroom. He looked at Marybeth and smiled. “Mrs. Martin says her husband should be home soon. He works for the railroad.”
Marybeth had lost track of time. She nodded and went to the woman’s side. “Do you have more towels?”
The woman nodded. “In the chest off the kitchen.”
Marybeth went to retrieve them. She knew it was best to clear away the wet towels. There were four large towels in the chest, and Marybeth took them all. Dr. Scott helped her to remove the wet ones and replace them with the dry ones.
“When her husband gets here, I’ll have him fetch Mrs. Scott and then take you home. I know they must be worried about you.”
Marybeth hadn’t really considered it but knew he was right. She’d gone to town with Melody, and they would have expected her to return before now. She whispered a prayer that they wouldn’t worry too much, then whispered another that Mrs. Martin could be safely delivered of her baby. And all the while she thought of Edward’s fears of having another child and facing just such a situation.
Where is she?
Edward paced the floor of the shed, unable to find peace. He had slept and woke up to Eve knocking on their door. She had come to ask if Marybeth had made it home yet. It had been hours, and still there was no sign of her. When Fredgot home, he went to check and see if maybe they’d gone to Melody’s tent. Melody related what had happened with her father and that Marybeth had gone on to town alone. That was when everyone started to fear the worst.
“I’ll go look for her,” Fred said after telling Edward what he knew. “You stay here in case she gets back.”
But Edward feared she’d never get back. She’d been upset when she’d gone. Probably wasn’t paying any attention to what was going on around her. She hadn’t used good judgment and had gone on into town without anyone else at her side.
This was all his fault. He’d hurt her. She had shared her heart, and he had been a cad. He’d refused her love, even though his own for her burned just as bright.
Please, Lord, bring her home safe and unharmed.
He was grateful that Eve had offered to keep Carrie at the house. The boys would keep her entertained, she assured. Edward had only been able to nod in agreement. Now the time was slipping away, and it was dark outside, and there was still no sign of Marybeth.
He’d been such a fool to bring her out here. To marry her. He had been so sure he’d never feel anything more than friendship for her but, watching her day in and day out—seeing her care for him so tenderly after he’d been shot—it had changed him. Changed them both.
And yet, they’d both prayed about marrying. They’d both felt it was the solution they needed for each to be happy. Maybe they’d rushed the situation. Maybe it was nothing more than their own fears and desires that had assured them this was the right answer. Now they were married and neither believed in divorce. They would have to make a go of it for the duration of their lives.
Unless ...
A thought came to mind. Edward knew they could get an annulment. They hadn’t consummated the marriage. An annulment would free them up to go their separate ways. But he didn’t want to go his separate way. And Marybeth had no one else in the world. She and Carrie would be alone again, and no doubt someone would come along like Pastor Orton had and take advantage of them.
Marybeth and Carrie would face immediate danger. As much as Edward hated himself for what he’d done by falling in love again, he’d hate himself even more if he caused the person he loved most in the world to be injured more than he’d already hurt her.
Pausing in his pacing, Edward looked at his pocket watch. It was nearly six. She’d been gone for almost five hours. He imagined someone like the Garlow boys finding her. The thoughts running through his head were tormenting and ugly. She’d have no way to protect herself. She carried no weapons.
“I have to go look for her. I can’t stay here any longer.”
He went to the cot and sat down to pull on his boots. And that’s when he heard the sound of wheels outside. The sound of people talking filtered into the shed. Forgetting his injured side, Edward jumped up and all but ran for the door. He threw it open to see Fred helping Marybeth down from a buggy.
“Congratulations again, Tim. I hope that son of yours grows fat and strong,” Fred said, holding a lantern high. “We’ll be praying for Julia to recover quickly.”
“Thanks again, Mrs. Vogel. Appreciate what you did for my missus.”
Marybeth gave a wave and turned for the shed. She caughtsight of Edward and stopped. Fred didn’t give either one time to speak.
