Read Online An Unexpected Widow (The Colorado Brides Series) by Carré White - Free Book Online
Authors: Carré White
Ads: Link
yourself, because there’s a strong possibility he’ll be incapacitated.”
I had accepted this grim prognosis, having no other choice. Nathan and Jerry had brought a bed into the dining room, where I made curtains for privacy, separating the space from the parlor and the entryway. Frank’s new accommodations suited him just fine. He’d surrounded himself with books, reading all day long, while convalescing.
I’d received visitors; Adaline, Rhoda, and Sally had stopped by, bringing casseroles and well-wishes. They’d all seemed hopeful at first, but then, after realizing that Frank wouldn’t be able to walk again, they’d glanced at me with sympathy. The letters I sent to my family returned with similar sentiments. I didn’t have the heart to tell my parents that my husband might never walk again. I would spare them that for as long as I could.
Jerry and Nathan worked the farm, as planting season was underway, but I was trapped in the house, either washing or cooking. Frank’s inability to feel anything in his lower extremities made bodily functions an ordeal. He wore a type of diaper. I sometimes spent hours doing laundry, scrubbing over the washboard with lye soap, which irritated my skin. My hands were a mess.
After Jerry approached me about wages, I realized a trip to Denver City was in order. It was well past time to go to the bank. I left Frank to his reading, while I stepped up into the wagon, with Nathan holding the reins.
“I need a revolver. Then I can go to town alone. It’s silly that you have to escort me.”
He cast a sideways glance. “That’s a terrible idea. Women shouldn’t handle weapons. You’re liable to hurt yourself.”
I pursed my lips. “If it’s good enough for Sally Higgins, I don’t see why I can’t manage a weapon.”
“Women and guns don’t mix. It’s like Indians and liquor. Bad idea.”
“Must you always be so…blunt?”
“Yes, ma’am.” A toothpick hung from the side of his mouth.
“I didn’t have time to make a list.” I searched my mind, committing to memory the supplies I needed. Knowing my luck, I’d forget the most important items. “Remind me later, I need a new inkpot.”
“Will do.”
A thought registered. “Didn’t you say you had to leave soon to help someone?”
“Plans have changed.”
“How so?”
“Cause I’m needed here more.”
“Oh.”
Nathan wasn’t normally the most talkative person, and he seemed pensive today, more so than usual. Sensing he wasn’t interested in conversation, I kept my thoughts to myself, anticipating the trip into Denver City, as it was a distraction from the tedium of my life. Once we arrived, the streets were surprisingly empty.
“Where’s everyone gone?”
“Mining. They found silver.”
“That’s all it takes to clear the city?” My tone was slightly cynical.
We left the wagon, the horse tied securely to a sturdy wooden rail outside the post office. Freight wagons had arrived, as men unloaded crates. Nathan helped me down, supporting my wrist.
“Won’t you come in and see about your mail?”
“My mail?” He snorted. “Most people I know can’t read or write, Mrs. Clark. I’ve a better chance of gettin’ struck by lightning than gettin’ a letter.”
I wasn’t sure how I would respond to that. “Fine. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He tipped his hat. “I’ll be waiting.”
I mailed my letters, obtaining several new ones, which usually brightened my day, but I knew they would be filled with sympathetic language and anecdotes on what I should do to help Frank walk again. He had tried to sit up the other day, but even that had been impossible. He couldn’t feel anything from his navel down.
“Wait, Mrs. Clark,” said the postmaster, who rushed to the back of the store. “I might have something else for you.”
Two men appeared with a rustic-looking crate. “Oh, my goodness.” I hadn’t ordered anything that I knew of. “Who’s it from?”
“A Mr. and Mrs.
I had accepted this grim prognosis, having no other choice. Nathan and Jerry had brought a bed into the dining room, where I made curtains for privacy, separating the space from the parlor and the entryway. Frank’s new accommodations suited him just fine. He’d surrounded himself with books, reading all day long, while convalescing.
I’d received visitors; Adaline, Rhoda, and Sally had stopped by, bringing casseroles and well-wishes. They’d all seemed hopeful at first, but then, after realizing that Frank wouldn’t be able to walk again, they’d glanced at me with sympathy. The letters I sent to my family returned with similar sentiments. I didn’t have the heart to tell my parents that my husband might never walk again. I would spare them that for as long as I could.
Jerry and Nathan worked the farm, as planting season was underway, but I was trapped in the house, either washing or cooking. Frank’s inability to feel anything in his lower extremities made bodily functions an ordeal. He wore a type of diaper. I sometimes spent hours doing laundry, scrubbing over the washboard with lye soap, which irritated my skin. My hands were a mess.
After Jerry approached me about wages, I realized a trip to Denver City was in order. It was well past time to go to the bank. I left Frank to his reading, while I stepped up into the wagon, with Nathan holding the reins.
“I need a revolver. Then I can go to town alone. It’s silly that you have to escort me.”
He cast a sideways glance. “That’s a terrible idea. Women shouldn’t handle weapons. You’re liable to hurt yourself.”
I pursed my lips. “If it’s good enough for Sally Higgins, I don’t see why I can’t manage a weapon.”
“Women and guns don’t mix. It’s like Indians and liquor. Bad idea.”
“Must you always be so…blunt?”
“Yes, ma’am.” A toothpick hung from the side of his mouth.
“I didn’t have time to make a list.” I searched my mind, committing to memory the supplies I needed. Knowing my luck, I’d forget the most important items. “Remind me later, I need a new inkpot.”
“Will do.”
A thought registered. “Didn’t you say you had to leave soon to help someone?”
“Plans have changed.”
“How so?”
“Cause I’m needed here more.”
“Oh.”
Nathan wasn’t normally the most talkative person, and he seemed pensive today, more so than usual. Sensing he wasn’t interested in conversation, I kept my thoughts to myself, anticipating the trip into Denver City, as it was a distraction from the tedium of my life. Once we arrived, the streets were surprisingly empty.
“Where’s everyone gone?”
“Mining. They found silver.”
“That’s all it takes to clear the city?” My tone was slightly cynical.
We left the wagon, the horse tied securely to a sturdy wooden rail outside the post office. Freight wagons had arrived, as men unloaded crates. Nathan helped me down, supporting my wrist.
“Won’t you come in and see about your mail?”
“My mail?” He snorted. “Most people I know can’t read or write, Mrs. Clark. I’ve a better chance of gettin’ struck by lightning than gettin’ a letter.”
I wasn’t sure how I would respond to that. “Fine. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He tipped his hat. “I’ll be waiting.”
I mailed my letters, obtaining several new ones, which usually brightened my day, but I knew they would be filled with sympathetic language and anecdotes on what I should do to help Frank walk again. He had tried to sit up the other day, but even that had been impossible. He couldn’t feel anything from his navel down.
“Wait, Mrs. Clark,” said the postmaster, who rushed to the back of the store. “I might have something else for you.”
Two men appeared with a rustic-looking crate. “Oh, my goodness.” I hadn’t ordered anything that I knew of. “Who’s it from?”
“A Mr. and Mrs.
Similar Books
