Page 153 of Conveniently Wed
A glance at Miriam’s face showed pure enthusiasm. “Now you don’t have to lay in that bedroom all by yourself. You can talk to me while I work, and take your meals with us and everything.”
Thankfulness overflowed from Leah’s chest. What kind people these were. She returned Miriam’s smile through the mist clouding her eyes. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
Gideon shuffled his feet for a moment behind Miriam, then turned toward the front door. “Reckon I’d better check on the animals.” He glanced toward his sister. “Be back for the meal.”
Leah watched from bed while Miriam straightened the kitchen and swept the cabin floor. The younger woman did most of the talking, with Leah asking questions about her childhood and what it was like to grow up with siblings. As much as she enjoyed the conversation, she still felt guilty she wasn’t able to help with the work. When they settled into a comfortable silence, an idea came to her. “Miriam, do you get to read much?”
The girl looked up from scrubbing a grease mark on the floor. “Sometimes I do in the evenings. We don’t have many books, but I’ve read the Bible andPilgrim’s Progressso many times they’re fallin’ apart.”
Leah smiled. “Have you ever readAn Old Fashioned Girl? It just came out a few years ago, but it’s one of my favorites.”
Miriam’s forehead wrinkled a little. “I haven’t heard of that one.”
“If you’ll go look in my smaller trunk, you’ll see a stack of books. Bring that one and I’ll read to you while you work.”
Her green eyes grew wide. “Oh, that’d be like heaven. That’ll make even cleaning out the stove a treat.”
Miriam returned a few moments later with the leather-bound book in her hand and an expression of awe on her face. “Leah, you have so many books. I’ve never known anyone with all those books that weren’t for schoolin’.”
Leah held back a chuckle. “Miri, you are welcome to read any one of them any time you want. Once I can finally get out of this bed, I’ll do some of the work and let you lie around and read all day.”
Miriam’s face was almost giddy as Leah opened the book and began the adventures of Polly, a girl not so unlike Miriam herself.
14
Leah watched Miriam wipe each damp plate with a towel before placing it on the shelf. Dinner that night had been beans and cornbread—Ol’ Mose’s favorite campfire meal. Miriam had added bacon to the beans, though, and fried the cornbread in bacon grease, which deepened the flavor for both.
Leah released a dramatic sigh. “Miri, I’m going to grow out of my dresses if I lay here much longer and eat your good food.”
Miriam’s cheeks blossomed into a grin. “I imagine you’ll be up before ya know it, and wishin’ you could lay around again.”
“It couldn’t be soon enough for me.” She was doing her best not to grumble, so she should change the subject. Before she could think of another, the thump of boots sounded on the front porch and Gideon appeared in the doorway, shadowed by Drifter.
Upon entering the room, the dog headed straight for Leah, propping his front paws on the bed to reach her. Gideon seemed to have made peace now with the affection his dog held for her, so she didn’t worry as much about encouraging the animal’s attentions.
“How ya doin’ boy? Did you work hard today?” His tongue lolled to the side as she found the favorite spot behind one of his ears.
While she petted the dog, Gideon carried two long sticks to his chair in the sitting area. Even though the weather was too warm for a fire, Gideon and Miriam still gathered most evenings around the big fireplace to do hand work, read, or simply relax. Miriam usually curled up in the rocking chair, while Gideon took the ladder-back chair closest to the hearth.
He sat there now, working on one of the stick ends. Her curiosity finally made her turn full attention to watch him. He had attached a short piece, no longer than her hand, perpendicular to the long pole like the shape of a “T”, and was wrapping strips of leather around the short wood.
He didn’t seem to notice her watching him, or at least he didn’t say anything. That was his nature, though. Most of the time, he never acknowledged her presence, except the occasional nod when he first entered the cabin. He was a little more vocal with his sister, but never said more than needed to get the job done.
What made him so quiet? Was it because he’d lived in such a remote place for the last eleven years? Maybe that had something to do with it, but surely it wasn’t the only reason he rarely spoke. Was it due to all the trauma he’d endured with so many loved ones dying? Perhaps he blocked himself from getting to know or care about people, because he was afraid of losing them.
She was analyzing things too deeply now. She needed to get out of this bed and away from her own thoughts for a while.
She refocused her attention on Gideon as he laid one stick on the wood floor and reached for the other. Then it occurred to her what he was making.
Walking sticks.
Crutches, a doctor back home had called them. They would help her get out of this awful bed without putting weight on the broken leg.
Thank You, God, for Gideon.She wanted to cheer out loud, but kept it to a silent prayer for now.
As Gideon wrapped the last of the leather around the wood piece that would fit under her shoulder, the lamplight flickered and danced in his eyes. They shone like the richest of emeralds tonight, full of depth and wisdom. What she would give to hear his thoughts behind that mask.
At last, Gideon rose and carried the walking sticks toward her bed. Her heart picked up speed as he approached. His eyes locked with hers for a moment, then he leaned the smooth wood pieces against the headboard.
