Page 554 of Conveniently Wed
“I’ve had plenty of help. I’m just glad you’re better.” Lorinda picked up one of the medicine bottles. “Let’s get this all taken care of, then I’ll go get you something to eat.”
Miriam sniffed at the air. “Something smells really good.”
While she measured and administered the medicines, Lorinda continued to question her patient. “We have biscuits and scrambled eggs. Do you think you can eat them now?”
“I know I’m hungry enough, and I’ve been taking broth and lots of water. Surely the biscuits and eggs are mild enough for my stomach.” A loud rumbling sound from her direction confirmed just how hungry she was.
Before Lorinda left the room, she helped Miriam sit up in bed and added a couple of pillows behind her patient. Even thoughshe was still very thin, Miriam didn’t look as weak as when she arrived.
When Lorinda carried in the food tray, Miriam smiled at her. “I hope I haven’t been too much of a bother for you.”
“Not at all.” Lorinda set the tray on the table and went to get another pillow to help balance it. “I’m sure you’re tired of people feeding you.” She moved the tray to the pillow she had laid across the patient’s lap.
“That’s right.” After Miriam took a bite of the egg, she put the fork down and took her time chewing. Her eyes closed as if she wanted to remember every sensation. “This is so delicious. It seems like forever since I’ve had enough to eat.”
Questions bounced around in Lorinda’s head, but she didn’t ask them out loud. Why was it so long since she’d had enough food? Surely, there was someone near her who could’ve helped. But probably not, since she rode to the ranch to get help from the man she had treated so badly. She must have been desperate.
Lorinda knew what it was like to be in an impossible situation. Much of her growing up years were like that. There hadn’t been anyone to help her either. She’d been bothered by the arrival of Miriam, but now she felt sympathy for her.
After a few bites of both the egg and the biscuit with butter and honey, Miriam leaned her head back on the pillows. “I really need to talk to Franklin. Do you think that would be possible today?”
“I’m sure it would.” Maybe now they could find out just what happened to this woman. “I’ll tell him when he comes in for dinner.”
“Thank you.” Miriam raised her head again and went back to taking small bites of the food and slowly chewing them. She seemed to relish every single morsel.
Lorinda met Franklin at the front door when he came to the house for the noon meal. His smile melted her heart even morethan before. She was as addicted to him as her father and uncle were to liquor, but this addiction didn’t hurt anyone...except herself.
“I have something to ask you.” She smiled up at him.
He took off his Stetson and coat and hung them up in the front hallway. “What do you need?”
His gentle tone felt almost like a caress. He would probably think she was silly if he knew what she was thinking.
“It’s not so much what I need, but Miriam wants. She asked if she could talk to you as soon as possible.”
“I think that can be arranged. Tell her I’ll talk with her as soon as we finish our meal. I want you to be with me if that’s all right with you.” His dark eyes bored into hers, filling her with a deep longing.
While he washed his hands, Lorinda went into the room where Miriam was. “Franklin said he would come and talk to you as soon as he’s finished eating.”
Miriam heaved a sigh. “I’m so relieved. I really need to get everything out in the open. I won’t be able to rest easy until I do.” Her fingers fidgeted with the colorful patchwork quilt covering her.
When Franklin put his napkin on the table beside his plate, he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Michael’s head. Then he took Lorinda’s hand and led her to where Miriam was.
“I brought my wife with me.”
“Okay.”
Lorinda moved to stand out of the way, hoping she could be unobtrusive. She just wanted to know what was going on, not get into the middle of the conversation.
Miriam scooted up in the bed and rearranged the pillows behind her shoulders. She kept her head down, almost as if she were praying. Lorinda wondered if that was what she was doing. She assumed Miriam had gone to the same church as Franklin.
“So much has happened...it’s hard to say it out loud.”
Franklin sat in the bedside chair and leaned back, crossing one booted foot over the other knee. He didn’t push her...he just waited. Lorinda held her breath until Miriam finally spoke.
“I’m so sorry for the way Marvin and I treated you, Franklin.” She stopped and took a deep breath, keeping her eyes averted.
“That’s water under the bridge.” He didn’t move from his relaxed position.
