Chapter 15
May 1st, 1898, Eagle Creek, Montana
The sun was shining brightly and the town was already up and busy when Rachel left the clinic, having passed the responsibility of their patients onto Maud. She waved to Mayor Holroyd, who was holding up a garland of wild flowers, so that Vivianne Richards, who was balanced precariously up a ladder, could wind it around one of the lamp posts that now lined Main Street. “Good day to you, Rachel,” Mayor Holroyd said gaily. “How is Mrs. Hakim today? I know her family are keen to have her home.”
“She is doing very well, and Maud is preparing her vials of medicines as we speak, so that she can go home today.”
“Oh, that is wonderful news. She is the last of the influenza patients, isn’t she?”
“The last one we had in the clinic,” Rachel confirmed. “There are a few patients still, but they have mild cases and are resting at home.”
“Do you believe that the worst is over, though?” Mrs. Richards said as she climbed down the ladder.
“I do,” Rachel confirmed. “It has been a difficult time, but we have weathered the storm.”
“Thanks to you, and Dr. Inglis, I don’t know what dear Maud and Dr. Walker would have done without you,” Mayor Holroyd said.
“I am sure they would have managed somehow, but I am glad that we have been able to help,” Rachel said.
“Will you be joining us, after church, for the May Day celebrations?” Mrs. Richards asked.
“I want to, but I have been working nights all this week, so the daytime has become my time for sleep, but I will certainly try and wake up for some of the festivities,” Rachel said with a smile.
“It is going to be the finest celebration this town has ever seen,” Mayor Holroyd said. Her tone was not boastful, and Rachel knew that she had no need to be so. Mayor Holroyd was a force of nature, and if she wanted something to happen, it did – and just the way she wanted it to.
“We certainly need some joy, after this long winter,” Rachel agreed.
“We most certainly do,” Mrs. Richards agreed. “The children will be performing their dance around the Maypole at around three o’clock. They have been practicing for weeks, and I know that it will be worth waking for.”
Rachel nodded. “I shall remember that. But now, I must go and sleep before I fall down here in the street.”
They bade her farewell, and she took her leave, walking slowly and admiring the hard work that everyone was putting in to deck the entire town in spring flowers and ribbons. She’d never seen anything quite like it. May Day had not been much celebrated where she had grown up, and there was no time for such frivolities in a military hospital. It delighted her to see the town coming together again, not just in the difficult times that were thankfully now coming to an end, but in celebration, too.
She let herself into the boarding house. Mrs. Garfield was sitting in her parlor reading a novel by the fire. “How was your night?” she called out as Rachel took off her coat and hung it on the peg by the door.
“Thankfully, it was an easy one,” Rachel said, popping her head around the door. “But I am so tired I could sleep for a week.”
“I do hope you won’t, I was rather hoping you might come to the party with me later.”
“I am sure that I will be able to drag myself awake for a short while,” Rachel promised. “Can you wake me at around two o’clock?”
“I shall, and will save you some lunch so you can eat before we go.”
“You are too kind to me,” Rachel said.
“I have to look after you, and Dr. Inglis. The town would never forgive me if I did not,” Mrs. Garfield said with a smile. “I was charged with ensuring that you were both comfortable and well fed during your time here. Mayor Holroyd was most particular.”
“Well, I can assure you – and her – that you have gone further than your instructions. I don’t know if I speak for Dr. Inglis, but for me, you have treated me like family, and I am grateful for it.”
Mrs. Garfield blushed at the compliment. “I am so glad,” she said. “I have come to think of you as the daughter I never had. If only my sons were not already married, I should have been delighted to introduce you, and try and make a match.”
“They are both fine young men,” Rachel assured her. She had met them both a few weeks ago, when they had come to surprise their mother on her birthday. They were both polite and doted on their wives and children. “They seem to be very happily married, though.”
“They are, and their wives are such nice girls. I am blessed.”
Rachel excused herself, fetched herself a glass of water then went upstairs to her room. She undressed quickly and crawled into her bed and pulled the blankets tightly around her body. She was grateful that Mrs. Garfield lined her heavy, velvet drapes as it meant that there was very little light in the room with them closed, even on a bright, sunny day. Within moments, she was fast asleep.
She awoke, feeling a little groggy, almost six hours later. She stretched, rolled over and drank some water before she got up and opened the drapes a little, to let in some light. It was only a little after one o’clock, so she propped herself up on some pillows in bed, and picked up her book and began to read. Feeling relaxed and happy, she immersed herself in Dickens’ David Copperfield, until Mrs. Garfield knocked on the door at two, bringing a bowl of chicken soup and some fresh, crusty bread and butter on a tray.
Rachel savored every bite, then washed and dressed quickly, and the two of them joined the May Day celebrations as the children began their dance around the Maypole. She laughed as one of Meredith’s youngest forgot which way to go and got himself tied up in knots, and smiled as Elise’s eldest son, Bailey, managed to quickly turn him around so he faced the right way before he caused chaos.
There was music and dancing all afternoon. Even Father Timothy joined in. Meredith gave Rachel a crown of flowers to wear, and insisted she join them in a reel. A little reluctantly, she allowed herself to be pulled onto the dance floor, only to find that her partner was to be Matthew. He grinned when he saw her. “So, they managed to drag you out here, too?” he said as he bowed when directed to by the caller.
She curtsied to him and then let him take her in hold as they started to promenade around the dance floor. “I can’t remember the last time I danced,” she admitted. “I will make my apologies now, in case I tread on your toes.”
“I’m a little left-footed myself,” he admitted. “But this seems easy enough.” He nodded towards the caller who was announcing the steps in a rhythmic, sing-song tone, in time with the music.
“He’s nice and clear,” she agreed.
“And not adding in anything too fancy.” Matthew grinned at her. “I’m just a poor, simple doctor. Give me a wound to stitch, I’m your man, but ask me to move my feet in time to the beat, well that’s just a little bit harder.”
She smiled back. “You seem to be doing well so far.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way, or I’ll be carrying you off to the clinic.”
They laughed. It was such a nice moment to share, after all the stresses and strains of the past few months. Rachel felt lighthearted and full of joy as they whirled around the floor. All her worries, responsibilities and cares seemed to fly away, and she was just a girl dancing with a handsome man, on a sunny day.
Matthew seemed unusually jolly, too. It was wonderful to see him so relaxed, the lines around his eyes and forehead seemed somehow less pronounced today. She smiled as other young ladies claimed him for a dance, and went to rescue him on a couple of occasions when he begged her to save him so he could take a moment’s rest. She danced with Tom and Nate, and even with David Aldwyn, the bookseller. Rachel had spotted him a couple of times, shyly hovering by the edge of the dance floor, as if he longed to take part but did not know how to ask anyone to dance with him, so she had decided to be bold and to ask him.
He was a handsome man, though very quiet and shy, with a mop of unruly black curls and the most vivid green eyes, that he kept hidden behind wire-rimmed, round spectacles. Whenever Rachel went into the bookshop, he always looked delighted to see her and was happy to take the time to point out new books that had arrived, and give her recommendations of things he thought she might like.
She was surprised to find that he danced very well. She had expected him to fumble the steps, but he was very light on his feet, as if he had spent many hours practicing. He led her confidently, and his bookish, shy demeanor seemed to change before her very eyes, into that of a self-assured young man.
When their dance came to an end, he offered her his arm to escort her from the dance floor. “Would you like to take some refreshments?” he asked.
“Thank you, I would. I think there is a stand where they are selling lemonade, just by the church gate.”
They made their way through the crowds, and he paid the pennies required for their drinks and handed her a cup. She took a sip. It was both tart and sweet, and very refreshing. He smiled shyly. “I’ve often wanted to ask if you might like to go walking with me, perhaps after church one Sunday, but always been too afraid.”
“Am I so frightening?” she asked, giving him an encouraging smile.
“No, but I am a bit of a coward,” he admitted. “I wanted to ask you to dance today. I had been telling myself for days that today would be the perfect time, and I couldn’t do it.”
“Then it is as well that I did,” she said, slipping her arm through his. “And I should be delighted to go walking one Sunday. We can talk books, and you can point out the trees and birdsong we hear. I know that you have an interest in nature.”
“You do?”
“You’re always reading books on birds and plants when I come into the shop,” she explained. “I presume that is because you are interested in them?”
“I am. I studied botany before I became a bookseller. I find it utterly fascinating. Perhaps I could show you some of the drawings I’ve done, of species I’ve found out on my walks in the mountains.”
“I should like that,” Rachel admitted.
She was about to suggest that they have another dance, when Matthew appeared and offered her his hand. “May I have this dance?” he asked politely, but he gave poor David the oddest look. It was almost a glare, as if he were jealous of him, or being protective of Rachel. It surprised her. Thankfully, it seemed that David had not noticed.
He cheerfully greeted Matthew and took Rachel’s hand and placed it in Matthew’s. “Thank you for the lemonade,” she said. “Perhaps we might dance together again later, you’re a very fine dancer.”
He nodded eagerly. “I should like that.”
Matthew tugged on her hand, as if he wanted to drag her away. “The dance is starting,” he urged.
She frowned at him, but followed him onto the dance floor. “What was all that about?” she asked him as he took her in hold.
“What? I didn’t want to miss the waltz,” he said, but he still looked a little annoyed with her,
“What have I done to upset you? You seem awfully cross.”
“Nothing. I suppose I’m just a little tired,” he said. “I’m sorry. I shall apologize to David, if you think I was being rude.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary, but perhaps you should go home and get some rest before you return to the clinic. It is your turn to be there tonight, isn’t it?”
“It is. You’re right. I’ll go after this dance.” He paused for a moment and looked into her eyes. His gaze was so intense, Rachel felt a flutter in her belly and her skin began to tingle. “You’re always looking after me, even though you know I’m a miserable bore.”
“You’re not a bore,” she said nervously. She’d never felt this way with him before, as if everyone and everything around them had disappeared, and that he was all she could see and feel. “But looking after the doctors is part of a nurse’s job.”
“So, you just make me a coffee just the way I like it, before I even know I want one, because it’s your job? You ensure there are clean slips on the pillows in the staff room when you know I might need a nap, because it’s your job? You ensure that a meal is delivered to me when you know I’ll forget to eat if you don’t?”
Suddenly her mouth felt dry and her palms were sweaty. “Yes, that’s my job,” she croaked.
“But you don’t do it for Andrew,” he pointed out.
“Because he has Maud, and Marsha to take care of him.”
“Yes, he does,” Matthew said. “Yes, he does.”