“We will see to it that no one disturbs you,” the nurse said, motioning to the orderly. “I’ll let Dr. Latham know when he gets in.”
Melody said nothing. She kept her gaze fixed on Da and did her best to remember all the good times they’d had together.
“Clancy, if you can hear me,” Charlie said, bending down to speak to the unconscious man, “I want you to know that I’ll see to it that Melody is safe and cared for. You don’t have to worry about leaving her alone. She will never be alone as long as I have breath in my body.”
It touched Melody that Charlie would go out of his way to offer her father comfort in his final moments. She wanted nothing more than for Da to rest easy and know he was free to leave this world without worrying over her.
“You told me I was the one,” Charlie continued. “Said you knew we were meant to be together. I see you were right, and I’ll not let you nor Melody down.”
Melody thought of her father’s words back in the tent.“Charlie’s the one.”Now she understood what he meant. How precious it was to know she had her father’s approval to spend the rest of her life with Charlie. Da had been determined she wouldn’t remain in Cheyenne alone. Now she wouldn’t.
The minutes turned into an hour, then two. Dr. Latham arrived at eight o’clock. He came into their room, listened to Da’s heart and breathing, and turned to Melody. “It won’t be long now.”
“I know.” She tried her best to sound brave. Thoughts of life without her father, however, were anything but comforting. She constantly reminded herself that she had peoplewho cared about her, people who had offered her a refuge and their love. But it wasn’t the same. It would never be the same.
She remembered their typical mornings when Da would ready himself for work on the railroad. They would share breakfast and laugh about something that had happened the day or week before. They would talk about things that they hoped to accomplish that day. And, always, they shared Scriptures and prayed. They would never do that again.
Melody stroked her father’s cheek. His color had turned a pasty yellow-gray. There was more of death to him than life, and Melody felt the need to speak her final good-bye.
“I love you, Da. With all my heart. I will miss our long talks and your good advice. I’ll miss your sense of humor and quick wit. Everything about you has been a blessing.” Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“I wasn’t ready for this ... wasn’t ready to say good-bye, but I know it must be done.” She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Beidh tú i mo chroíi gcónaí,” she whispered. “You will always be in my heart.”
Her tears dampened Da’s cheeks, but Melody knew he wouldn’t mind. There were two more shallow breaths and then nothing. She put her ear to his chest. The silence there left her no doubt that he was gone.
Melody stood and turned to Charlie, who already held his arms open to her. With no words spoken, she walked into his embrace and cried. He held her close ... protected ... loved. Melody had no idea what the future would hold for her now, but she knew it would be a little less lively and joyful without Da.
Charlie held Melody and let her weep. He thought of verses in the Bible that he might speak to offer comfort, but nothing seemed as right as just holding her tightly. After a few minutes, Dr. Latham rejoined them and pronounced Clancy Doyle dead.
“Your father has made all of his arrangements, so I’ll contact the undertaker to come and get his body.”
Melody pulled away from Charlie just enough to address the doctor. “Can they let Dr. Scott know too? He’s our pastor.”
“I’m sure they will. Your father was very explicit in his plans. He told me he didn’t want you having to worry about a thing.”
Melody watched as Dr. Latham pulled the sheet up over her father’s head. Charlie felt her tense with the action and suggested they leave.
“Let me take you home.”
She shook her head. “I need to tell Edward and Marybeth. They loved Da very much.” She turned to Dr. Latham. “If anyone needs to reach me, I’ll probably stay with them for a time.”
“That’s good. I wouldn’t want you to face this alone, and I know your father wouldn’t want that either.”
“She won’t be alone,” Charlie said. He touched Melody’s shoulder. “Come on. I’ll take you there now.”
Melody allowed him to lead her outside. Mr. Cooper had gone back to the boardinghouse shortly after dropping them off at the hospital. Melody started walking but seemed aimless in her direction.
“Why don’t we go to the tent and get the things you’ll need?” Charlie turned at the corner and headed her in the right direction.
They walked for several blocks before she spoke again. “I’m glad he’s out of pain.”
“Yes,” Charlie agreed. “It’s hard on you—us—to lose him, but none of us wanted him to suffer.”
“I wish I’d known sooner that the end would come so fast.”
“I don’t suppose anyone can know for sure how much time they have left. The important thing is that you made that time special for him. You were there to care for him and to encourage him. No man could ask more of his daughter.”
They reached the tent, and Melody just stood and looked at it for a moment. “The tent belongs to the railroad, but what’s inside is ours. I suppose I shall have to find a place to store everything. Marybeth said I could stay with them, so I can probably move our belongings into their woodshop.”
