“No, but you’re in her sites right now.”
Scottie’s mouth opened.
“I know it’s soon, Scottie, and she’s not being insensitive to your loss, but she wants Dannan to notice you.”
Scottie only stared at her pastor’s wife, unable to believe she’d just said that. Alison looked right back until she understood what Scottie was not saying.
“Scottie, has he said something?”
“Yes.”
“And how do you feel?”
“My feelings are very confused right now.”
“May I tell Hillary? She’s very discreet.”
Scottie shrugged. “I don’t mind, but that doesn’t mean anything will come of it.”
Alison reached over and put her hand on Scottie’s arm.
“He’s a wonderful man, Scottie. Douglas is so impressed with his heart.”
“It means a lot to hear that. I’ve talked to Reese, and she and Conner feel the same way. From what I know of him, he’s very special.”
Alison suddenly shook her head and observed, “This has been quite a time for you, hasn’t it?”
“It’s so true, Alison. If someone had told me six months ago that Eli would suddenly die, and Dannan and I would start to talk about a relationship, I would never have believed them, but here I am in the midst of it.”
“Since Dannan brings Corina here each day, do the two of you usually talk?”
“Not every day, but it does give us more opportunities than just meeting on Sundays.”
“Oh, Scottie, I don’t know if God has this for the two of you or not, but please know that I’ll be praying.”
Scottie hugged her friend.
“Thank you, Alison. Please pray that I’ll talk to Dannan about things that need to be shared and that I won’t be anxious.”
“I will pray, Scottie, and if you have time, I’ll start right now.”
It was not an offer that Scottie would refuse. Alison did not linger long in prayer when she was done, but when she left, Scottie knew that this wiser older woman would be remembering her.
“Have you noticed the change in Scottie toward Corina?” Iris asked of Finn at the end of the workday on Thursday. The widow and the little girl had just left for a walk.
“I don’t think I have.”
“When I went to visit Mercy and her new baby on Monday, they stayed here together. All week Scottie has invited Corina to do everything with her.”
“Has she not done that all along?”
“No.” Iris frowned at him, wondering how some men could be so obtuse.
Finn missed her frustration with the male population as well. He pushed to his feet and reached for the basket on the table.
“I’m for home. Thanks for the cookies.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Finn was barely out the door when Iris heard the first drops of rain. Her first thought was of Finn, wondering if he was going to make it home in time. Her next thoughts were of Scottie and Corina, and she puzzled where those two might have gone.
Already soaked to the skin, Scottie kept Corina close to her where they were huddled under a large tree. Scottie eyed the growing rivers of mud as well as the continued downpour. She knew that they could not wait it out—they were both shivering too hard—but she was equally uncertain of venturing forth.
“Sottie…” Corina’s voice wavered a bit, and Scottie knew they had no choice.
“All right, Corina,” Scottie spoke with more assurance than she felt. “I’m going to pick you up, and we’re going to walk fast in the rain. It might be cold, but it’s only water.”
The little girl only shivered against her, and Scottie decided not to waste any more time. She lifted Corina into her arms, left the protection of the tree, and headed back onto the road. They were making good progress when Scottie’s foot slipped. On her own she would have caught herself, but with Corina in her arms, they both went down hard. Corina began to cry, and all Scottie could do was wish they hadn’t walked so far from home.
“Scottie?” Iris called when she heard the front door and rushed from the kitchen, only to stop short. Dannan was dripping on the rug right inside the front door.
“Scottie’s not here?” he asked.
“No, Dannan. She’s on a walk, and Corina is with her.”
Nineteen
“Where did they go?” Dannan asked Iris, planning to head out and find them.
“I don’t know,” Iris admitted, her mouth looking strained. “Scottie said only that they were going for a walk and they would be back soon.”
“So you didn’t notice if they went toward town?”
“They didn’t,” Iris realized. “They went out the back of the yard past the chickens and then toward the road and trees.”
“I’ll head that way,” Dannan said, moving toward the kitchen. Iris was on his heels, planning to heat water and gather blankets, when the kitchen door opened.
Gasping and shivering, Scottie stumbled in, Corina still in her arms. The little girl was crying, and Scottie was talking.
“Look, Corina, we made it. We’ll be warm now. Oh, Dannan,” Scottie exclaimed, suddenly spotting him. “We took a fall.”
Dannan took Corina from Scottie’s arms and began to give orders.
“I’m going into the buttery to undress Corina. Get out of those things, Scottie, and over to the stove. Iris, stoke that fire and put extra kettles on to heat. Where’s the tub?”
“In the buttery,” Iris answered, bustling between Scottie and the stove, grabbing blankets and towels as she went.
Dannan had disappeared with Corina, and Scottie was trying to work the pins on her dress, but her fingers were too cold. Iris stepped in, and just a minute later, her dress lay in a sodden heap at her feet. Mud was soaked through to her underclothing, but Iris didn’t help Scottie out of those until she’d closed the buttery door. By the time Dannan returned to the kitchen, planning to put Corina in a warm tub of water, Scottie was wrapped in a large blanket next to the stove. Her face and hair were still muddy, and she was shivering, but at least she was home.
Iris had put a towel over Scottie’s head and now stood behind her to dry her hair. Scottie closed her eyes, willing herself to stop shivering. Plopping Corina into the tub, Dannan told her she would be warm very soon.
“Tea for Scottie,” Dannan said next. “Make it hot and strong, Iris.”
“Coming right up,” that lady agreed as she left the towel with Scottie and began the preparations. At the same time, she began to talk to Corina in a way that was familiar to that little girl.
“How are you doing, Miss Corina? You haven’t had a bath in Iris’ kitchen in a few weeks. Do you need a cloth in there to wash yourself?”
Through her shivers she managed to nod, and Dannan took the one Iris handed to him and began to sponge Corina’s small shoulders and head. She was warming fast, but he could still see the upset and confusion on her face.
“Were you hurt when you fell, Scottie?”
Scottie opened her eyes and peeked out at Dannan, the towel still draped over her head.
“I’m not sure right now. Is Corina all right?”
“She’s got a bruise on her back, but I don’t see anything else.”
“We fell in the road. There might have been a rock.”
Dannan touched Corina’s skin, satisfied to feel the warmth returning, and looked over to see the fresh clothing Iris had laid out. Dannan dried her briskly, rubbing more warmth back into her skin, and then helped her into her clothing. Iris had a blanket to go around her after that, and then Dannan’s attentions shifted to Scottie.
“I’m going to take Corina into the parlor so you can check for cuts and bruises. Send Iris if you need me.”
“All right.”
When the women were alone, Scottie moved gingerly. She still felt a little cold, and she was beginning to ache.
“Why don’t we get the rest of that mud from your hair,” Iri
s suggested. “You lean over the tub, and I’ll pour the water.”
Scottie agreed, and in the process, Iris saw the bruises. Her arms were already beginning to turn black and blue, but there were no cuts.
“Dannan should look at those.”
“It’s just bruising,” Scottie returned, trying to dismiss her, but Iris wanted her to be checked.
“I’ll go and get some clothing for you, and then Dannan can look. How about the rest of you?”
“The rest of me is fine,” Scottie stuttered through chattering teeth, but in truth she could tell she was going to ache all over. However, she wasn’t going to mention this to Dannan or Iris. Still working to get warm, she dressed in the short-sleeved dress Iris had found her and then put on a sweater. Hair brushed but wet and hanging down her back, Scottie went to the parlor.
“How are you?” Dannan asked as he stood from his place on the sofa.
“Fine, thank you,” Scottie answered but then turned her attention to Corina. “How are you?” she asked, taking the other side of the little girl and sitting close on the sofa. “Are you warm now?”
Corina climbed into Scottie’s lap. Scottie winced but didn’t object, putting her arms around the three-year-old and holding her close.
“There you are,” Iris came from the kitchen saying.
“Yes, and leave those muddy things, Iris,” Scottie spoke. “I’ll get them later.”
“Have you let Dannan check your arms?” Iris had come with her own agenda.
“They’re just bruises,” Scottie argued, but Iris was having none of it. Dannan, it seemed, wasn’t willing to let it rest either.
“Here, Corina,” he directed her. “Sit here on the other side of me a minute so I can see Scottie’s arms.”
After Corina had been lifted out of the way, Scottie pushed her sweater sleeve up and extended her right arm. Dannan held her arm to inspect the skin. Dannan took his time as the room was growing dim. It would be dark soon, but more than that, the rain was still falling so the cloud cover was heavy.
“Corina,” Iris called. “Do you want to help me with the tea?”
The little girl didn’t hesitate to accompany the cook, and just moments later, Dannan and Scottie were alone. Dannan was still checking Scottie’s arms, but even when he finished, he did not let go of her hand. Scottie looked into his eyes.
“I was frightened today,” Dannan admitted.
“About Corina being hurt?”
“Both of you,” Dannan said, not able to put his thoughts into words.
“I wasn’t scared, but I regret taking Corina out. The storm came on so fast, and the temperature dropped with it. I could have kicked myself.”
“Thank you for bringing her home safely.”
Scottie realized now his hands still enveloped her hand, and her eyes dropped to study them. Dannan’s hands were larger and darker, his fingers long and lean, making hers look short by comparison.
“What are you thinking?” Dannan asked.
“That it’s nice to have you hold my hand.”
“Yes, it is,” Dannan agreed, wanting to hold her as well but mostly wishing he could explain what had happened in his heart in the last hour. He was trying to find the words when Iris called them for tea.
Dannan knew it was best to let it go, but as soon as he had some time alone with Scottie, he planned to tell her what was on his mind.
Scottie did not want to get out of bed on Wednesday morning. She was no longer chilled, but she ached all through her shoulders and back. Her knees were also bruised, and it hurt to bend them. However, it was morning, and the need to relieve herself forced her to move. Dressing, on the other hand, was a different story. Still wearing her nightgown and bathrobe, Scottie made her way down the stairs. Ready for a cup of tea, she thought this would be a fine day to let Iris handle everything.
“How are you?” Dannan asked of Corina when she woke, sitting on her bed to lean close and kiss her.
“Danna?”
“Yeah?”
“Sottie wet.”
“Yes, she was.” Dannan laughed a little. “So were you.”
“I’n hungry.”
“Well that’s a good sign. Let’s head to the kitchen.”
Corina climbed from the bed, just remembering to grab her doll, and preceded Dannan down the stairs.
Dannan watched her move with ease, and he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Scottie would not have fared nearly so well.
“Are you going to get dressed today?” Iris asked of Scottie. She had been at the kitchen table with a pot of tea since the older woman arrived.
“I should have before I came downstairs. Climbing back up to my room doesn’t appeal to me at all.”
“Have more tea,” Iris offered, refilling the pot with boiling water and adding more leaves. She was in the midst of this when she heard the front door. “I’ll get it,” she offered, and Scottie was more than happy to sit still. She sipped her tea until Iris and Corina came in. Corina marched directly over to Scottie, who bent to hug her.
“Dannan asked after you,” Iris mentioned. “I think he wanted to see you. I told him to come for dinner.”
Scottie only nodded, watching Corina head to her little table to play. Scottie was learning what Dannan had already figured out: She had taken the worst of the fall.
“That was delicious, Iris, thank you,” Finn complimented after dinner, a sentiment echoed by Scottie and Dannan.
“Scottie made that crumble,” Iris added, more than willing to give praise where deserved.
Scottie rose to get the coffeepot and fill everyone’s cup. The men had more dessert, Dannan’s latest book selection was discussed, and Corina wanted more potatoes. The meal had come to a quiet close when Dannan said he had to leave. He asked Scottie to walk him to the door.
Scottie stood and waited until Dannan said goodbye to Corina.
“Have a good time this afternoon,” he said gently, kneeling down to speak directly into her face. “And help Iris.”
“I help.”
“Yes, you do,” Dannan smiled at her, loving her sincere little expression. “Give me a kiss.”
As soon as the two had said their goodbyes, Scottie walked to the front door with Dannan. She didn’t open it, sure that he had something to say.
“I don’t have a lot of time,” Dannan began, “but I needed to check one thing with you.”
“Okay.”
“Are you feeling as though we should continue as we are, or is there some reason you would wish us to not pursue a relationship?”
Scottie had not been expecting this. She studied Dannan’s intense gaze and asked, “Did something happen, Dannan?”
“Yesterday,” Dannan answered, “I thought you and Corina might be hurt, and that did things to my heart. I thought it only fair to tell you how serious I am about us. I also thought it only fair to my own heart to find out whether you’re still in this with me.”
“Yes, I am. I wish I could figure out what I’m feeling, but just because I can’t define it doesn’t mean I want us to stop.”
Dannan nodded. That was all he needed to know.
“Can you explain a little more of what happened yesterday?” Scottie asked.
Dannan pulled out his pocket watch, touched the latch that opened the case, and consulted the time.
“Not at the moment,” he said with regret, “but we’ll plan on that.”
Scottie had no choice but to nod. It seemed that they never got to finish their discussions, and she still felt a little off balance most of the time.
It was at that moment that Scottie realized Dannan hadn’t left. Scottie met his gaze, her brows rising in question.
“Do you know how much I want to stay and talk to you?” Dannan asked.
“I guess I didn’t.” Scottie admitted. “I wish you could stay too.”
Dannan sighed a little and stared at her face. He breathed, almost inaudibly, “You’re so beautiful,” before slipping out the door.
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Scottie did not know what made her turn. The sermon had just started, but something caught her eye. She hadn’t heard the door open, but it must have, since Finn was quietly slipping into the meetinghouse. He didn’t look around or draw attention to himself but sat in a rear pew and looked to the front.
Scottie’s heart clenched with so much emotion that all she could do was pray. She knew the song they stood to sing but didn’t join in. In fact, Douglas was starting his sermon before Scottie stopped thanking God for sending Finn and began to listen.
Before Scottie could invite the Muldoon family for Sunday dinner, Reese stopped by the house and invited her to join them, also telling her that Dannan and Corina would be there. Scottie was happy to be included and even took dessert.
The meal was a delightful time of conversation and good food until the topic of horseshoes came up. Troy had challenged both Conner and Dannan to a game. The men begged to put off dessert and trooped outside, looking for all to see like children at play.
“Well, Corina,” Reese said as she turned to that little person when the women were alone in the dining room. “I think we need to have our own fun.”
“Hair, Reese!” Corina said with delight.
“What does she want to play?” Scottie asked, rising to follow the two, who were now headed to the small parlor at the back of the house. She noticed that Reese was in the process of taking her hair down.
“She likes to brush and play with my hair,” Reese answered, fingers still at work. “Doesn’t she do that with you?”
“No.”
“Sottie…” Corina had come to take her hand and was pulling her to the sofa to join Reese.
“Take your hair down,” Reese directed as hers fell in thick waves around her shoulders and back.
Corina had gone to a small side table, opened the drawer, and taken out a hairbrush. From there she climbed onto the sofa to stand behind Reese, hairbrush ready. By the time Scottie had the pins out of her own hair, she had made a fine mess of Reese’s dark red locks and was ready for Scottie.