He dropped the box onto the piano bench and lifted the family Bible off its sacred spot on the table between Ma’s and Pa’s chairs.Hope lay between the cracked and worn covers, and he was in desperate need of hope.For the first time in a long time, he didn’t just sit with the Word in his lap; he devoured it.All throughout, anguished and honest prayer fell from his lips until there was no more anger, blame, fear, desperation, or helplessness to confess.He’d emptied himself, and in the silence that followed, God’s still small voice whispered,“This is not your burden to carry alone.Take My yoke upon you, and you shall find rest.”
Leave it to God to use the same concept on Ezekiel that Ezekiel had used to encourage Nora to trust him.“I hear You, Lord.I submit.Help me, because I feel responsible and helpless to save those I love.”
“You were never meant to save them.It’s not your job.Their souls are in My hand, and no one can snatch them from Me.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
THE HARDEST THINGEZEKIEL HADever done was to do nothing.Well, he hadn’t exactly done nothing.Waiting must count as something, for the Lord commanded His people to wait upon Him far too often for it not to besomething.Still, it felt like he was continually failing Nora by going about his day, searching for a job, or conferring with the Guardians, while she sat alone, probably frightened and struggling to hope, in some cold room.Even Tristan seemed lost without Nora.Instead of taking his usual outdoor foray, he sat next to his basket or in it, meowing for Ezekiel to take him for a visit.Even when Ezekiel set out sardines, Tristan sniffed at them and then walked back to the basket.
At least today was Tuesday.According to Dr.Pelton, Nora would be moved out of isolation.Though she would not be allowed visitors, Ezekiel had every intention of charming or, if necessary, begging Nurse Abbott into allowing him to see her.He was debating bringing Tristan when a fist pounded on his door.
When he opened it, Miss Gibson and Miss Plane spoke in unison.“Nora’s in trouble.”
“What’s happened?”Ezekiel snatched his coat off the hook.
Miss Plane led the way to where her carriage waited.“Mrs.Reed left the house wearing a nurse’s uniform.”
Miss Gibson worried her hands as she waited for him to lock the door.“I know I shouldn’t have risked her recognizing me, but Ipretended to be someone interested in becoming a nurse and asked her where she worked.She didn’t recognize me and told me today is to be her first day at Longview.”
All warmth fled with the blast of the bitter news.If she was heading to Longview, she must be ready to enact her next plan.As a nurse, she’d have access to Nora and Mrs.Davis, as well as any number of medications that could torment or kill.“How long ago was this?”
“Almost an hour.I had to wait a couple stops before doubling back to get Theresa and her carriage from Nora’s.Then we had to stop by the police station to have Abraham notified to meet us here.I’m certain he’ll grab—”
“We’re here!”Miss Pelton called from a hack as it pulled up behind the carriage.She didn’t even wait for Detective Hall to assist her down before hopping to the ground and rushing toward them.“What’s happened?”
They didn’t have time to stand here rehashing information.Ezekiel opened the door to Miss Plane’s carriage and gestured for the ladies to precede him inside.“We’ll discuss it on the way.Mrs.Reed is likely at Longview by now.”
As five people squeezed into a four-person conveyance, Ezekiel breathed out a strangled prayer for guidance.It would take God’s hand to get them where they needed in time, and Ezekiel wasn’t sure he had enough faith to believe it would happen.
If Nora ever got out of here, she would never again drink a cup of tea.Instead of the normal invisible but bitter tincture, the sediments of a crushed pill settled at the bottom of her cup.Supposedly it was the perfect drink to calm her nerves after transferring from isolation to the dayroom.Not that she needed it.The only outburst Nora was liable to suffer was a bad case of the yawns.
Nurse Ingram tapped the lip of Nora’s cup.“Drink it, or I’ll help you drink it.”
Nora glanced at the brutish orderly watching from the corner.Bottom’s up.She threw back the bitter brew and gulped.Thank goodness Longview didn’t believe in serving anything hotter than tepid, or she might have scalded her throat.
Satisfied with Nora’s compliance, Nurse Ingram exchanged the cup for a book and turned her attention to one of the other two patients in the room.
Nora opened the purple cover to the title page.The Illustrated Book of Manners: A Manual of Good Behavior and Polite Accomplishments.What a stimulating read.Should the medicine not knock her senseless, boredom surely would.
The hall door opened, and Mrs.Beaumont scuffled in on the arm of Nurse Abbott.
“Here we are, and look, Mrs.Beaumont.Miss Davis must have been transferred while you were undergoing treatment.”Nurse Abbott assisted Mrs.Beaumont into the seat next to Nora.“As Miss Davis is to be your daughter-in-law, this is the perfect opportunity to become more acquainted.Perhaps it will encourage you both to heal and return to Mr.Beaumont.”
As Nurse Abbott turned away, Nora realized today was Tuesday.Ezekiel.She wouldn’t be allowed to visit him, but maybe she could convince Nurse Abbott to pass along a message.“Nurse Abbott?”
The kind woman turned with a sympathetic smile.“Yes, dear?”“When Ezekiel comes, would you tell him how Mum attacked Winston last week?It’s important he know I wasn’t the only one Winston visited.”
Sad compassion announced her no before she spoke it.“Miss Davis—”
“Please.What will it hurt to tell him?And doing so will give me peace of mind.Isn’t that important to my healing?”
Her lips firmed at the manipulation.“I’ll tell him, but only if you promise to speak no more of attacks by Winston.”
At Nora’s agreement, Nurse Abbott left for her visiting day duties.Hopefully Ezekiel would understand the importance of Mum’s attack and would somehow use it to prove her sanity.
“He asked you to marry him?”Mrs.Beaumont’s soft voice broke into Nora’s thoughts.
“I’m sorry, he has not.He lied so we could have a few minutes alone when I was upset.”
