Laura shook her head. “It deepened my sadness. It was like losing them both. Mother through death and Father through sorrow. I wanted to stay with him, but I felt confident that if this was what he needed to heal, I had to be willing to give it. It was my sacrifice. One that only I could give.”
“You were just a child. Why should you have to give anything?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I suppose what came to me was that I was being called to give up what was most important to me to benefit my father. I loved him with all my heart and wanted only good for him. Did it hurt to lose him? Of course. But I saw that as my personal challenge—a way of picking up my own cross to follow God.”
Will shook his head. “I think it’s cruel.”
“I’m sure others thought so as well. I saw it as a gift that only I could give.” Laura stood and walked to Will’s bedside. “Just as I see my time here with you as a gift that only I can give.”
“Why do you even care?”
She considered the question for a moment. “To be perfectly honest, I can’t really say. I mean, I was taught to carefor all who were in need. And then, of course, there is the fact that my horse was the one who ran you down.”
“But it was my fault for not paying attention to where I was going.” His voice softened. “I don’t blame you in any way.”
“Yes, I realize that, but it doesn’t absolve me from my Christian duty to help a brother in the Lord.”
“But I don’t want to be anyone’s obligation.” The anger returned to his voice.
“I see mankind as a Christian’s obligation. I believe you do, as well, when you aren’t wallowing in self-pity.”
“What?” He narrowed his eyes. “You think I’m wallowing in self-pity?”
Laura shrugged. “You have genuine grief to deal with, but there is also an element of you feeling sorry for yourself.”
“And why shouldn’t I? I’ve just lost the remaining members of my family. Am I not entitled to feel sorry for myself?”
“Does it help? Will it make the situation better for you?”
He opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. He stared at her as if trying to figure her out. Laura moved closer to the bed.
“Will, I’m not trying to belittle you, nor say you haven’t a right to grieve. Sometimes, however, grief turns to something else. Something very destructive. I know because I experienced it myself. You have a mix of feelings right now, and that is perfectly normal, but don’t let yourself go into that dark place where you shut out everyone else. God has not abandoned you, nor will He. I won’t either. I pledge that to you here and now. You do not need to walk this road alone.”
“I don’t even know you. You owe me nothing.”
“As a Christian sister, I owe you much. I am charged to help you bear your burden.”
Will met her gaze. Laura had never seen such sorrow emanate from anyone. “No one can help me bear this.”
“Well, how’s the patient today?” the doctor asked as he bounded into the room.
Laura turned and greeted the doctor. “Good afternoon, Doctor. Will has just awakened from a nap. His incision was cleaned and redressed this morning and is healing nicely. He’s still having headaches, but the head wound seems better.”
The doctor helped Will to sit up and removed the bandages on his head. “This looks very good,” he said as he inspected the wound. “You will probably have headaches off and on for the next few months. Maybe even the occasional dizzy spell. I’m going to remove the stitches before I send you from the hospital, but you’ll still need to be mindful of the injury. Try to rest often, even after you’re up on your feet.”
“When do you plan to release him?”
“He’s still able to come to your home, is that correct?” the doctor asked.
“Yes. Father had the housekeeper prepare a room for him on the first floor. It was originally a small library and sitting room. Now it has a bed and the other things Will might need. I’ll be able to care for him there, and if there’s something I can’t do for him, we have a young man who will help.”
“Good. Then I see no reason to keep him here another day. Can you arrange someone to drive him to your place today?”
“Yes, of course. We have a driver and a landau. I believe we can transport him with minimal difficulty.”
“He won’t be able to walk. I don’t want him even attempting it. It would probably be better to arrange a buckboard and stretcher. I can provide the latter.” The doctor was alreadychecking the incision on Will’s abdomen. “He needs to heal from the surgery and the head wound. The leg and foot breaks are nothing compared to those two things. I want Will to remain in bed for at least one more week before attempting to sit in a chair. I’ll come and see him every couple of days, but if something goes wrong, I want you to send for me sooner.”
“Of course.” But Laura felt confident she wouldn’t need the doctor. Will was doing quite well, and with the household staff willing to lend a hand, Laura knew they could handle his every need.
