Chapter 6
He shouldn’t have asked her to help with the wheelchair. It could’ve waited until tomorrow. Truth to tell, he was infatuated with Liddy’s beautiful blonde niece, a southern bell with more charm than any woman he’d ever met. He kept reminding himself she was spoken for, but his heart was taking over his good sense.
It was hard to resist her. Day before yesterday, she’d asked him to take her to town for some shopping. Since he still needed to pick up more lumber, he didn’t have any excuse not to take her, except she should stay with Liddy. Then Wally popped up and offered to sit with Liddy, so off he and Gieselle went to Rattlesnake Ridge.
She was as easy to talk to as to look at. They had discussed the vegetable garden his new men would till and plant. She had a list of seeds she and her aunt had agreed on. They were almost in town before she’d finished discussing the garden and her plans to clear out the weeds from Liddy’s flowers.
He enjoyed fielding her questions about anything and everything, though they never broached anything particularly personal. He wanted to ask her about her fiancé, but couldn’t muster the nerve, and she never mentioned him, although she was full of stories about her nine siblings and her parents.
“I have everything in the oven.” He almost jumped when she came out the door. “Oh, the chair is very nice,” she gushed, “not nearly as bulky as I’d feared. Aunt Liddy can probably wheel herself when she gets used to it.”
“That’s why I wanted you to try out this ramp because, in no way should your aunt attempt to go down or up without help.”
“My goodness, is this what you and Wally were hammering yesterday morning? Was it necessary to take it all the way out there?” She pointed to the end of the ramp.
Both Aaron and Wally had decided the ramp should extend thirty feet in order to provide a gentle slope. “Yes, it was necessary. It isn’t as easy to maintain control of a wheelchair as you might think.”
“All right,” she said. “How can I help? I’m not very good at hammering, but I’m game for anything.”
He chuckled. “All the hammering is done unless we find a loose board, and I’ll take care of that.” He brought the chair over to the top of the ramp. “What I’d like for you to do is wheel me down the ramp. I’m heavier than your aunt, so if you can control the chair going down and if you’re able to wheel me back up, you should have no problem with her sitting in the chair.” He took his place in the chair and shot a glance back toward her when she didn’t take the handles.
A hint of uncertainty came into her voice. “What if you get away from me? Because you are heavy.”
He gave her his most convincing smile. “I’m not that heavy, besides, if you lose control, I can stop it with my feet.” This was the first time she’d shown a lack of confidence. He wanted to encourage her, but at the same time, it was a risk. If she lost control of Liddy’s chair, they could both fall. “Remember that your aunt won’t be able to use her feet.”
“Yes, I understand. That’s what has me worried.” She took hold of the handles and pushed. It took a grunt from her to get the chair on the decline. He could tell she was being extra careful, something that pleased him. She listened intently and took orders better than an army recruit.
The ramp extended almost to the tree line behind the house. As soon as the chair cleared the ramp, he took over and wheeled it around. “You did well, Gieselle. I’ve noticed you take special care with everything you do. You pay attention to detail.”
A slight blush pinked her cheeks. That might have been caused by exertion instead of her reaction to his compliment. “I was the third child from the last in a family of ten children. I had to pay attention to survive.”
She’d told him several antidotes about growing up, so he laughed. “However it happened, the experience did you good. Are you ready to push me back up? You may have to put more muscle in it.”
“I’m pretty strong for a female. Hold on and we’ll see.” He heard her panting as she got the chair in motion, climbing the ramp. Back on the porch, she was still huffing.
He got out of the chair and laid a hand on her shoulder. The red in her cheeks was definitely from exertion. “I don’t believe you’ll have any trouble wheeling Miss Liddy up and down, as soon as the doctor says she’s ready.”
“I don’t think I will, either. Aunt Liddy is much lighter than you are. I’m worried that she’s lost too much weight.” She sent him a side glance. “I can assure you I won’t take any chances with her.”
“So you did take a chance with me?” His grin would let her know he was teasing.
She giggled. “You don’t know how much danger you were in.”
“You’d better get back to supper, young lady. I have chores to do. Call me when it’s ready.” He patted her back, unable to lose a chance to touch her. Reluctantly, he turned on his heel and marched down the porch and to the barn to milk the cow. With Wally gone, he had double chores.
Doctor Gracie arrived the next day around noon, and Gieselle invited her to their noonday meal. Wally had set up a table in the parlor near Liddy’s bed so she could share in their meals. Gieselle brought out bowls and a tureen of a hearty bean and beef soup with cornbread.
“Aaron, would you bring another bowl and cup for Doctor Gracie?” Gieselle asked sweetly.
Liddy was beside herself with excitement. After lunch, Doc Gracie would change the cast on her bad leg. You’d think she anticipated being let out of jail. But he supposed she probably felt that way since she’d been in the bed over two weeks.
After everyone had enjoyed a second cup of coffee, Aaron stood. “Would you ladies excuse me? I’ll wash the dishes, Gieselle, while you assist Doc Gracie with Miss Liddy.”
“Thank you, Aaron, that’s mighty sweet of you. I could do them later.”
“Yes, thank you, Aaron,” Liddy added. “You’ve been a God-send to me, and I’m sorry for being so much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble.” Liddy could never be a trouble to anyone, and Gieselle’s smile was thanks enough for doing the chore he’d always hated.
He’d just finished wiping down the counter top when Gieselle popped her head through the door opening. “Would you come in here, Aaron? Doc Gracie wants Auntie to sit in the chair and we need you to lift her out of bed.”
He threw the dishrag on the counter and followed Gieselle into the parlor. That was faster than he’d expected.
His gaze went to Liddy, who was grinning and clasping her hands together like a child with a new toy. “Look, Aaron. I have a new cast and can bend my knee now. Isn’t that marvelous?”
“The most marvelous thing I’ve seen in a while. Are you ready to try out your new chair?”
“Oh, yes, more than ready, dear boy. I’m sorry to be such a bother, but Gieselle isn’t strong enough to lift me.”
“It’s a pleasure to help, Miss Liddy, but don’t let me hurt you.” He glanced Doc Gracie’s way in case she had any instructions.
The doctor laughed. “She’s not as delicate as she was. Both legs are mending nicely and by next week, she should be able to put her weight on the right leg to stand for a minute or two. At that time, she’ll find it easier to get in and out of the chair. Before long she’ll be able to get around by herself.”
“Oh, won’t that be wonderful?” Liddy said as he leaned down to scoop her up.
“Just put your arm around my neck and hold on,” he said. Liddy looked like she weighed more than she did. Her loose clothing made up most of her bulk. Gieselle would have no problem wheeling her up and down the ramp.
Doc Gracie got down on her haunches to inspect Liddy’s legs and to place her feet on the feet rests. “How does it feel, Liddy?”
“This left one—the bad one—hurts the least little bit, but it feels wonderful to be out of bed.” Aaron suspected she hurt more than a little bit, but Liddy was good at hiding her pain. She pressed a handkerchief to her eyes, but the wide smile indicated she wept more from joy than pain.
He gave Doc Gracie a hand to get up. She nodded her thanks. “There’ll be some pain for a while yet, and you should start off with only one hour in the chair a couple of times a day, then build on that. I’ll give Gieselle instructions on how much exercise you should get. You can take some laudanum for the pain for a few days, but no more than a couple of doses a day. We don’t want you to depend on it.” Her gaze swept the room to include all of them. “The Good Lord gave us pain for a reason, to let us know when to stop.”
“Aaron and Wally built a ramp for me to take Aunt Liddy outside. How soon could we do that?” Gieselle asked.
“Oh, I’d say after she can stay up for a few hours without pain. Just don’t overdo. I’m determined Miss Liddy’s leg will heal without leaving a limp.”
“I’m just as determined as you, Doctor Gracie. I wish I could pay you up front for all the trouble I’ve put you through, but with Aaron’s help, the ranch will start earning a profit soon, and I can get caught up on my bills.”
“I told you I’d take care of the bills until then, Miss Liddy,” Aaron said.
Gieselle crossed her arms and gave him one of her peevish glares. “I can pay Aunt Liddy’s doctor bills. You just take care of the ranch.”
He threw up his hands. “As you wish. Just wanted Doc Gracie to know it would be taken care of.”
Doc Gracie had been packing her bag while they argued over the bill. She snapped the lid shut. “I’m not worried about the bills. I’d better be going. I’ll be praying you continue to progress, Miss Liddy.”
Aaron walked the doctor out to her trap and helped her up. “Before you go, could I ask you something?”
Having gathered the horse’s leathers, Doc Gracie turned sideways. “I’ll answer as well as I can. Of course, I can’t discuss Miss Liddy’s condition with you when she’s not present.”
He understood the doctor would have to keep her patient’s medical condition private. “No, nothing like that.” He grimaced, hoping not to insult the doctor’s town, yet the subject had to be broached. “I’ve been here at the ranch nearly three weeks and gone into town four times. I’ve gotten a sense that the folks of Rattlesnake Ridge don’t like to associate with Miss Liddy, and that doesn’t make any sense at all. She’s the kindest, sweetest lady I’ve ever known.”
Doc Gracie drew in a breath and looked down at the reins in her hands, a pained expression on her face. “It breaks my heart. The truth is, Miss Liddy doesn’t want any visitors from town or even the church.”
“Do you know why? I asked Phillip Dobson at the saloon and he said there were rumors that Miss Liddy and Wally were lovers, or so I gathered that’s what he meant.” Actually, Mr. Dobson had hinted that because Liddy and Wally lived together, they must be lovers. Aaron could see how they might get that idea, but what could Miss Liddy do? Without Wally’s help, she couldn’t have managed the place.
Doc Gracie looked even more uncomfortable. She probably had drawn much the same conclusions. “There have been rumors to that effect. When Miss Liddy heard the rumors at church, she left suddenly and hasn’t been back.”
Aaron swiped his mouth with the back of his hand. That he could understand. Miss Liddy was a sensitive woman. “Maybe with Miss Gieselle here, that will change the townspeople’s opinion and a truce will be reached.”
Doc Gracie gave a little shake of her head. “I’m afraid not. People who want to find fault will. Since you are also living on the premises, the talk is that you and Gieselle are compromised, as well.”
He knew his mouth was hanging open and before he could respond, Doc Gracie asked, “Does Gieselle know anything about this?”
“No, but she’s curious, and I heard her tell Miss Liddy she wants to talk with Reverend Brown on Sunday, and his wife.”
Doc Gracie let her head fall back, her eyes closed. “Oh, my. I get the impression Gieselle speaks her mind boldly.”
“Your impression is right. If you see the reverend or his wife before Sunday, you might warn them.” He took a step back. “I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for setting the matter straight in my mind.”
He stood watching the doctor until her rig disappeared over the small hill. The idea that people would have disparaging thoughts about Gieselle, or even Liddy, enraged him. He’d have to do something about it and he would, but this complicated his personal problems. He could find other accommodations in town, but that would make it a lot more difficult to watch the ranch.
And he didn’t want to make the killer suspicious. Yet.