Shadow of His Wing

 by Piper Grace

“Those confounded cows got away again!”

I heard my husband, Chad Carter, the owner and supervisor of the wide-spread Circle C ranch, bellow. I smiled softly and braced myself for the inevitable.

Chad burst into the room, black hair flying in every direction, blue eyes blazing. “I’m through with him! If he doesn’t know how to latch a gate, he won’t be working here, believe me! I was a fool to hire him on in the first place.”

I continued folding little Thomas’s cloth diapers and Susie’s nightgowns, as if nothing in the whole wide world could disturb me. Calmly, so as not to aggregate Chad further, I asked, “Who?”

“What do you mean who?” Chad threw himself down on the bed, hands fidgeting. He scowled. “That reckless, impudent, dimwitted, half-baked—”

“Excuse me, darling,” I interrupted. “I didn’t want to know what he was but who he is.”

Chad shut his eyes tight and answered, “His name is Matt. He was hired two weeks ago but has no idea on how to do anything.”

I laughed.

He glowered. “It’s not funny, Ellie. When I hired him, he told me that he had plenty of experience. So I gave him a lasso three days ago and asked him to rope a calf that needed to be branded. His lasso missed by a mile. What's more, today when I directed him to put up the cattle and make sure they were secured, he failed and now they’re all loose. It will take days to round them all up again before they can be shipped off.”

I folded the last of the laundry and began to put it away in the dresser. Before I was finished though, six-month-old Thomas gave off a scream that most assuredly would have made the chickens lay their eggs before their time.

Chad swung his legs over the side of the bed, saying, “I’ll get him.”

I watched him with amusement as he dashed to the room connected to ours. One minute he could be raving mad but the next cool and calm— especially when his children were involved.

        Chad came back cradling Thomas in his arms. I reached for my baby but Chad ducked and seated himself in my cozy rocking chair that was kept in the corner of the bedroom. Chad had made it for me as our first anniversary gift and it definitely came in handy when nursing my little ones.

Soft coos reached my attuned ears. It was Chad, tickling under his son's chin. Thomas giggled and flung his chubby fists around.

I drew closer and knelt down beside the rocking chair. “Hello there, little man. Can you say hi to Mama?”

Our son stared blankly at me, then, in a fit of laughter, tried to squirm his way out of his father’s arms. I reached for my baby and cuddled him. He started smacking his lips.

Chad laughed.

I grinned and said, “Always has an appetite. Hmm… just like someone else I know.” I elbowed Chad teasingly.

He moved from my seat and I settled down in it, ready to nurse my babe. As Thomas devoured his meal with an eagerness that only comes from hunger, I spoke to Chad. “When will you go out to fetch the runaway cattle?” As soon as I said it I knew it was the wrong question.

A dark look passed fleetingly over his face. “As soon as Matt is fired. Speaking of which, I need to do it now.” Dropping a kiss onto my hair, he strode from the room, head high.

 

***

 

     “Mother, are positive you don’t mind if Chad and I leave the children with you for the evening while we have a picnic and a stroll?” I asked my mother-in-law anxiously.

     Elizabeth Carter laughed and patted my shoulder affectionately. “Of course! Go right ahead, dear, and spend time with your husband. I don’t ever mind watching the children. And if I get tired, Mitch is here to help me.”

     My brother-in-law looked up from his seat on the floor where he was teaching Susie how to clean a saddle. I smiled fondly as Susie’s ringlets bobbed up and down, her bright eyes taking in her uncle’s every word.

Chad grasped my elbow and pushed me out the front door. “Let’s go before Mother changes her mind,” he whispered in my ear.

“Good-bye; be good to Grandmother,” I called to our children before Chad hustled me out the door..

Together, Chad and I rambled over the spread, taking our time, enjoying each other's company.

“Do you remember the day I met you?” Chad asked, blue eyes sparkling.

I doubled over in a fit of laughter. “I can’t forget it! And do you remember when I became the school teacher and when you broke up the fist fight in the schoolyard?”

“Yes. Do you remember,” Chad asked, “when we got trapped in the mines in Goldtown? I dislocated my shoulder and you kept me from focusing on the pain, while Jem tried to find ways to get us out.”

My eyes took on a far-away look. “Who but God would have planned that you and I would one day get married? That we would have two beautiful children? That you would run one of the largest ranches in California?”

Chad squeezed my shoulder. “He knew that I needed you and that you would be the strong rope that would hold back my temper.”

I blushed and thought about a retort. “He also knew that you needed me to cook all your meals for your hungry belly and tend to your wounds after you’ve gone and fought with someone in town for a silly reason.”

Chad lunged at me and I skipped out of his reach, giggling.

He chased me around until at last I collapsed. He pinned me down, eyes twinkling. “My little wife sure can run.”

I laughed breathlessly. I pushed against him and he moved off. We both laid down on the ground, gazing at the sunset.

Chad clasped my hand and breathed a sigh of relief. “Sure does feel good to be alone without the kids, hmm? Although I’m sure I’ll be missing my two rambunctious children soon.”

We both laughed. I am so blessed to have Chad as my husband. Thank you, Lord, for giving me this wonderful man.

 

****

Two months later

     “Mama?” a voice whispered into my ear, sounding very close.

     I jerked from my light sleep, gasping. “Who is it?”

     “Me.” I recognized Susie’s voice. Just then, Chad let off a loud snore causing Susie to giggle.

I patted the bed beside me and whispered, “Let’s be quiet so we don’t wake Daddy or Thomas.” Susie’s curls bobbed slowly.

“What do you need, dear?” I murmured soothingly. “Did you have a scary dream?”

She laid her sweaty head on me and mumbled, “I don’t feel good.”

My heart leaped but I brought it back down. “What hurts, sweetie?”

“I threw up. And I’m really hot and my body and throat don’t feel good.” Susie reached for my hand. “Can you make me feel better?”

I breathed out, sending up a prayer for wisdom and strength. “We’ll go to your bedroom and I’ll see what I can do there, sweetheart.”

Susie nodded and edged her way off the bed. “Carry me, Mama.”

I snuggled Susie close and carried her down the dark hallway to her bedroom. I fumbled to open the door, my arms full of my heavy three-year-old daughter.

My eyes took in Susie’s bed in dismay. Her sheets were on the floor and her bed was soaking wet with her sweat. Her pillowcases were off and the pillows at the end of the bed. Her supper was spewed on the floor.

I turned around and said gently, “How would you like to sleep in the guest room next to Mama and Daddy?”

Susie’s eyes failed to light up.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Susie would always jump at the chance to sleep next to Mama and Daddy’s room. Something must be truly wrong.

I carried her there and laid her down in the clean sheets. I felt her burning forehead and reckoned it to be a high fever. I glided over to the wash bowl and dipped a washcloth into its cool contents.

I wrung it out and placed it on Susie’s forehead. She sighed in relief, her eyes closing.

I sat beside her all through the night, changing her nightgown when she got too sweaty, keeping her washcloth cold, rubbing her back and speaking words of reassurance when she emptied her stomach, and humming to her when she was yanked from her sleep with a nightmare.

Just as the sun was peeking through the curtains, Chad slipped into the room. “What’s the matter?”

“Susie has a high fever and bad stomach. She says her body aches and her throat hurts.” I rubbed my temples wearily.

Chad’s face filled with concern. “Should we send for the doctor?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. But your mother might be a help… if she’s available.”

Chad exited the room to go search for Elizabeth Carter.

In a few moments my mother-in-law entered. “The poor dear,” she murmured when she saw Susie’s flushed face.

Mother turned to me and asked, “How long has she been like this?”

I racked my brain, trying to remember the time she had woken me at. “I think it was around 1:35,” I replied.

“What are her symptoms?”

I recounted to Mother what they were.

Mother’s lips pursed and she turned back to her granddaughter. Her skilled fingers moved over Susie’s hot body. Finally, she whispered the dreaded words, “It’s the influenza.”

I gasped. No! Please, Lord!

“We must keep everyone away from Susie. Chad, continue on in your ranch work but don’t go near any of the hands. Ellianna and I will watch after Susie.” Mother turned to me and said gravely, “I would suggest sending Thomas away to Melinda’s home. It could be deadly if he contracts it.”

 

 

   ****

Three days later

 

“Hello? Is anyone home?” the familiar voice called through the house.

I closed Susie’s door behind me and stepped to the banister. “Kate?” I gasped in astonishment. “What are you doing here?”

Kate smiled. “ I thought it was high time for a visit. How are you, my dear sister-in-law?”

I moaned and buried my face in my hands. “Didn’t you know that this house is under the disease of influenza?”

Kate’s face turned pale. “Mother… no one… told me.”

I leaned forward, my stomach pressing against the railing. “Please tell me you didn’t bring your children.”

Just then Hannah and Betsy popped around the corner. “Hi, Aunt Ellie!”

I groaned. “Where is Levi?” I demanded.

“He’s out looking for Mitch,” Kate said quietly, as she placed a restraining hand on her daughters.

I took in a sharp breath and looked at Kate. “You must go to Andi’s quickly. Wash your hands well and don’t touch anything in this house!”

Kate nodded and gathered up her children before hightailing it to Andi’s.

Before I could do anything else, Susie screeched, “Mama!”

I spun around and ran to the room. Dear Lord, help me! Help us overcome this sickness and don’t let anyone else come down with it!

 

****

Three nights later

 

     I stepped out onto the overhanging porch outside of my bedroom. Leaning against the banister, I pressed a hand to my rolling stomach.

     I had not been feeling well over the past few days but I knew it wasn’t the influenza.

I was pregnant.

I worried for the safety of this baby. If I contracted the illness, the life of myself and my baby would be at risk.

     A tear slipped down my cheek as I thought over the past nightmarish few days.

     Susie was hanging between life and death. Her poor little body had taken a beating and was slowly giving way to the sickness.

Chad had also succumbed to influenza. He tossed and turned day and night, muttering words I could not make out.

Mother had fallen under it too but hers was a light case. She had spent one day in bed and then was out and about caring for Chad and Susie.

Mitch was ill as well but I nor Mother didn’t have to worry about him. He had Libby Flanders, his betrothed, tending to him.

Kate and her family had somehow contracted it and were all staying here. I prayed that Andi and her family would stay healthy.

I was the only one who had not received it and prayed desperately that I never did.

“Argh!” Chad groan reached my ears through the open doors.

I ran to his side, a washcloth ready. He moaned and grasped my wrist in a vice-like grip. His eyes were glassy and I knew he was having a nightmare.

I tried to extract my hand from his grip but that was next to impossible. I said soothingly, “Chad, darling, if you let me go I can go fetch you a cold lemonade.”

Chad stared at me and his grip got tighter. I gave off a yelp of pain.

“Don’t ever try to do that again to my daughter!” Chad bellowed.

“Chad! It’s me! Your wife!” I started to tremble.

He didn’t seem to hear me. He leaned closer and snarled, “If it happens again… you can be sure of my fist.”

Before anything else could happen, I did what I knew would wake him up for sure. With my free hand, I grasped hold of the washbowl. With a heave, I dumped freezing water over his head.

Sputtering and coughing, he awoke. His shocked gaze met mine. He tried to speak but, for once, no words came.

I couldn’t hold it back. I sank to the floor shaking with laughter. “Your—your—face—” I choked out.

He laughed with me. It felt so good to laugh after so many heart-stopping days. Maybe Chad was on the mend.

“W-what happened?” Chad asked.

“You were having a bad dream,” I explained. “So I woke you up with ice cold water.”

Chad shivered. “I know that.”

I grinned cheekily. “And it worked.”

 

****

 

     I still had not told Chad that I was pregnant. Mother knew about it without me saying anything—just like her.

     I thanked God many times over that everyone was starting to heal. Susie had made it out alive and now had a story to tell and I had a heart of gratitude.

Mother had said that Thomas could come back home in three days. I was counting down the hours until I could hold my precious son in my arms again.

                                                                

****

Four Months Later

 

     “Could you pass me the butter?”

     “Have you heard what the new president is doing?”

     “I just can’t wait until she starts to walk!”

     I smiled happily to myself. The whole Carter family was squeezed into the dining room enjoying a Sunday dinner.

     I glanced around the room. Melinda and Peter had their two children with them, William and Louisa; Andi and Riley with their three children; Kate and Troy with their trio; Justin and Lucy had their four, Samuel, Gracie, Rose and Mark. Mitch was sitting next to his new wife, Liberty Flanders.

Then I turned my attention to my brood of little ones. Susie and Thomas. Tears filled my eyes as I thought about that moment four months ago when I had thought I was losing my little girl.

But God had carried us through. I knew that we were safe in the arms of Jesus.

I rubbed my hand over my rounded waist, smiling as I remembered Chad’s reaction when he had received the wondrous news.

     “A-another little one? El…sweetheart…I don’t know what to say….” Tears filled his eyes.

     He knelt beside me on the bed and leaned his head against my belly. “Hello little one. I’m your daddy. I’m going to teach you how to rope and ride a horse when you get bigger. But right now you just snuggle tight to Mama. I can’t wait until I meet you.”

    

We had shed happy tears together. Nothing made my husband melt more than hearing that another child was on the way.

     The rest of the family had been exuberant. Thumps on the back were given to Chad and many gentle hugs and kisses to me.

     “Mama, can I go outside with everyone else?” Susie asked, tugging on my arm and tugging me out of my musing.

     I nodded. “Put on your coat and make sure you have your shoes on.”

     “Yes ma’am!”

     “Ma-ma,” babbled Thomas. I scooped him up and plopped a kiss on his smooth cheek.

     “Do you need something, little man?”

     “Pway wid Susie.” He looked up at me, eyes pleading.

     I laughed. “You have to grow up a little more to go play with her and your cousins. But you can go play with Uncle Mitch. He loves romping with you.”

     Thomas waddled off and I smiled fondly after him.

     Chad squeezed me, careful of my belly. He placed his hand on my stomach and smiled as our child kicked. “He seems to be a feisty little one.”

     “How do you know it’s a boy?” I countered.

     “Boys like to kick…like me.” Chad grinned.

     I giggled and rose to my feet to clear our dishes.

 

Five months later

     “You delivered a beautiful little boy, El!” Chad exclaimed softly, his blue eyes sparkling.

     I blinked a few times, tried to focus and realized I must have collapsed into a deep sleep after delivering my new child.

I reached out my arms. “Let me see him, Chad.”

     Chad scooped up the warm bundle lying in a cradle, and placed him gently in my arms.

     I gazed upon my son’s ed face, tears pricking my eyes. Two piercing blue eyes stared back at me. Black hair lay thickly on top of his round head. So much like his father’s.

     “What shall we name him?” Chad asked.

 I didn’t even have to think. “Aaron Jeremiah Carter.” I smiled gently. “In honor of your middle name and Jem, my brother and your friend.”

     Chad smiled, his eyes misted. “Yes.”

     Together we prayed over our son. “May Your will be done, Lord, in his life,” I whispered.

     Thank you Lord, for keeping us safe under the shadow of your wing.