Page 211 of Conveniently Wed
“Pleased to meet you,” Mrs. Norwood said. “Though I could wish for different circumstances.” She indicated Aunt Mary’s leg. “May I look?” She waited for Aunt Mary’s nod then slowly lifted a corner of the towel. To her credit she showed no shock. “What happened?” Her gentle tones eased Bruce’s concerns that he might be blamed for her condition.
“She fell from the wagon, her leg broke, and she tumbled into the fire.” Bruce knew his voice sounded tight, but he would never forget the shock of Aunt Mary’s cries and racing toward her to smother the fire and tear away her scorched skirt. And then dismay on top of his shock as he realized her situation.
“Has she had anything for pain?”
“I had nothing.” In hindsight he realized how foolish it was to head west, intending to cross the mountains, without carrying something for this sort of emergency. All he’d thought of was getting his aunt to safety.
That hadn’t worked out too well.
Mrs. Norwood covered the wound again. “I’ll fetch Mrs. Kinsley.”
“Can I stay here?” Donny asked.
His ma paused, studied her son a moment, then gave Bruce piercing study. He held her gaze without blinking, knowing that he was being warned and challenged.
“I don’t mind.” He spoke calmly, letting her know the boy didn’t bother him.
She shifted her attention to her son. “Very well. Come and get me if anything happens.”
“Like what, Ma? You think she’s gonna di?—?”
“Donny. Heavens above, no.” She shook her head. “Try and keep your tongue under control.” She hurried away.
Bruce drew a chair close to the sofa. Aunt Mary’s head rested on a cushion. Her eyes were closed, her mouth drawn into a narrow line. “Aunt Mary, are you all right?” Bruce whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open, and he saw the depth of pain that she fought. “I’ll live,” she whispered.
“I didn’t mean nothin’,” Donny said.
“No harm done,” Bruce reassured him. They sat in silence for the space of about fifteen seconds.
“We’s been here a long time. I want to go home, but Ma says it isn’t time.”
Bruce hid a smile at Donny’s mournful tone. “When will it be time?”
Donny shrugged. “She says soon. But with my pa dead, she says she’ll need to be good and strong before we go back.” He perked up. “I’m almost big enough to help her with the farm.”
Bruce ruffled Donny’s hair. “You’ll be a great help when you’re bigger.”
A movement at the doorway drew Bruce’s attention. A small girl with pale blonde hair and big blue eyes peeked in.
“That’s my sister, Blossom,” Donny said. “She’s shy ’cause she’s only three.”
“Hi, Blossom,” Bruce said. “Nice to meet you.”
Blossom didn’t answer, but her eyes grew wider as her gaze shifted to Aunt Mary. The little girl eased in until she could see Aunt Mary better. “You hurt?”
Aunt Mary opened her eyes and smiled at the child. “A little.”
Blossom touched Aunt Mary’s arm. “You get better?”
“Yes, I shall.”
Bruce watched his aunt. Was he imagining that this little breath of a girl had eased her suffering? He shook his head. How was that possible? And yet as the girl continued to stroke Aunt Mary’s arm, his aunt drew in a long inhalation…one without a shudder.
Mrs. Norwood entered again, carrying snow-white bandages, a brown bottle, and a stubby jar. “Blossom. I wondered where you had gone. I hope she’s not being a bother.”
“Not at all,” Bruce said at the same time as his aunt.
