A Home Of Her Own. Keli Gwyn

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      “I can’t say for sure. My best estimate is six months, more or less.”

      “I see.” If Mutti put up a good fight, she might be around for another harvest. He couldn’t imagine one without her. She enjoyed preparing the meals for the extra workers they hired every September. Not that she’d be up to cooking this year, even if she hung on that long. He’d have to find someone else to feed the hired hands.

      The thought of another woman in Mutti’s kitchen jerked James back to the present. “I’ve done some thinking since that visit, and I’ve changed my mind.”

      Dr. Wright quirked an eyebrow. “About?”

      “About your idea of finding a young woman from the East to care for Mutti. I know I gave you the funds for the ticket, but I’ve decided to find a nurse myself and reduce my cash outlay. Since you couldn’t think of anyone available around here, I’m going to expand my search. I’ll go to San Francisco, if necessary.”

      Kate wouldn’t leave her comfortable life in the famed city. Not that he could blame her, since she had a young daughter. But his sister, with her many society connections, might know about a matronly woman with nursing experience. An elderly widow would do nicely. He wanted nothing to do with having a young unmarried woman living in his house.

      The doctor’s forehead furrowed. “I understand your hesitation, but when you left my office last week I was certain you’d given me consent to seek someone for you.”

      “I did, but that’s only because I was taken by surprise when you told me how rapidly the disease is progressing. When Mutti brightened at your offer to locate a young lady to help her, I couldn’t say no. But I’ve realized how hasty I was and have come up with a more prudent plan.”

      James gave a single nod, firm and forceful. He’d put a stop to things, and now he could proceed with his plan to locate a nurse himself.

      Dr. Wright stood, leaned against a tall bookcase filled with medical books and raked a hand through his hair. “It seems we have a problem.”

      His serious tone didn’t bode well. “What do you mean?”

      “As a physician, I’m used to taking immediate action. Before you’d even reached Diamond Springs that day, I’d stopped in at the Wells Fargo office. I sent a telegram to the minister of my church back in Chicago, asking if he knew of a young woman willing to come West and received a reply within the hour. A positive one. I’ve been looking forward to surprising you with the good news. I knew you could use some.”

      Apprehension swirled in James’s gut. He would do anything for Mutti, but he couldn’t allow a young lady to live in his home. No good could come of such an arrangement. Not that she’d even agree to stay if she did come. She’d probably take one look at him and change her mind. He wouldn’t blame her if she did.

      After the accident, he’d come to his senses. He’d planned to ask for Sophie Wannamaker’s hand, but he’d realized that a lowly man like him didn’t deserve a woman of society like her.

      He could still hear the shouts of those asking who’d tumbled down the snow-covered bank following the explosion—along with the clipped response. That Irishman, O’Brien.

      No one had mentioned the fact that he was an engineer. He was just seen as another immigrant, even though he’d been born in the States and spoke with no hint of the musical lilt his dearly departed father had.

      While James might have been able to overcome the handicap of his heritage, he could do nothing to conceal the ugly scar that frightened small children and caused adults to avert their gazes. It would come as no surprise if this woman were similarly affected. Not that he would have to worry about that, since she wouldn’t be coming anyhow.

      He stood. “You’re not saying he has someone in mind already, are you? Because if that’s the case, you’ll have to tell him the need no longer exists.”

      “I would relay your message if I could, but Reverend Hastings and his wife put the young woman on the train the next day.” Dr. Wright flipped open his pocket watch and nodded. “Barring any delays en route, she should be in my waiting area with your mother.”

      Shock surged through James. “She’s here?”

       Chapter Two

      Ten minutes in Dr. Wright’s waiting room with Mariela O’Brien was all it had taken to strengthen Becky’s resolve. She wasn’t sure what to make of Mr. O’Brien, but she was eager to care for this courageous woman. Although Mrs. O’Brien’s days were numbered, she possessed the same inspiring faith Becky’s mother had.

      Before she could secure the nursing position, Becky had to figure out how to dodge the obstacle in her path. Mr. O’Brien had seen how gingerly she moved when she’d stooped to pick up her Bible and was sure to have concerns about her ability to do the job. Although Mrs. O’Brien insisted he was a kind, loving man, Becky had her doubts.

      Mr. O’Brien might have come to her aid and treated her with respect, but she couldn’t forget the fierce look in his eyes when she’d first encountered him or the way he’d sneered at her. A man like that couldn’t be trusted. Her brother could appear charming in public, but she’d seen how quickly Dillon could change into someone entirely different when no one else was around.

      Eager to learn more about her present situation, Becky shoved the past aside and focused on the friendly woman seated beside her on the elegant settee. It hadn’t taken long to figure out that she was James O’Brien’s mother and that she was German, as Becky had suspected.

      Mrs. O’Brien continued, speaking in German as they’d done since she learned it was Becky’s second language. “I had a weak moment earlier this morning and wanted to put off seeing Dr. Wright, but my dear boy calmed my fears.”

      The stouthearted woman couldn’t be blamed for being hesitant to hear how bad things were. Such news could be difficult to accept, even for a brave soul like her.

      “The good doctor examined me a few minutes ago. He tried not to show any emotion, but I knew from the look on his face he’d found another tumor. I forced him to tell me when to expect the end. He did his best to sound optimistic, but the truth is I’ll be meeting my Maker sometime in the next six months.” A smile spread across her softly wrinkled face. “I can only imagine what it will be like to look into His eyes and thank Him for all He’s done for me.”

      As had been the case with Becky’s mother, Mrs. O’Brien didn’t sound scared to be facing the end of her life. “I sense you’re at peace.”

      “When it comes to myself, yes. I’m eager to see my beloved William again, but I long to see my son end his feud with his heavenly Father before I go.” She heaved a wistful sigh. “James isn’t one to be forced into something. I pray for him regularly.”

      Perhaps the doctor had overstated Mr. O’Brien’s relationship with the Lord in his telegram or didn’t realize that his mother saw things differently. “I like to think God takes a special interest in the prayers of a parent, since He’s one Himself. My mother was convinced He heard hers. She certainly lifted plenty of them for my brother and me in her last days.”

      “Did your mother have cancer, too?”

      “Consumption. СКАЧАТЬ