Karen Michelle Nutt (10 page)

In spite of Arianna’s reserve, Keldon seemed not to miss the exasperation in her voice. He glanced up at her.

“They're... well they're...” She struggled for the right words. “How should I say it…” She met his gaze then snapped her fingers. “Self-centered people."

Keldon’s lips twitched. "Aye, that they are."

Arianna thought about the old saying or at least, what she thought was an old saying.
Birds of a feather flock together
. “Am I like them, too?”

Keldon tilted his head to one side, curious about her newfound revelation. Her large blue eyes held his, hope lingering in their depths. For a moment, he thought to shield her from the truth, to lie about how horrible she was to live with.

He shook his head of the fanciful thought. He could ill afford to show compassion with her. He decided to tell her exactly how she behaved. He didn’t care what Leighton expected him to do. He wouldn’t lie. One day she’d regain her memory and his hell would begin all over again. For protection, he’d keep his heart hardened against her. "Do ye really want me to tell ye?” He waited for her to answer, giving her one last chance to tell him no.

She pursed her lips and nodded.

“Then aye, ye’re like them and worse. Ye’re a spiteful uncaring woman, Annabelle.” Even to him, his voice sounded harsh. Her head bowed, but not before he witnessed the raw hurt, he inflicted. A flash of guilt gripped his insides and he looked away. He thought he'd take great satisfaction in wounding her, but instead he felt hollow inside.

Her weary sigh made him look at her again.

"Why did you marry me, Keldon, if I was such an awful person? Why?"

Why couldn't she let this go? He didn't want to discuss their marriage.

“Please tell me.”

He should refuse her.

“Keldon, please, I must know.”

"It was arranged by our fathers.” Bitterness laced each word.

“You weren’t happy with the union?”

A low moan from one of the stalls interrupted before Keldon could reply.

Arianna rose to investigate, obviously forgetting her own problems for the moment.

"What's wrong with the cow? Is she sick?”

"She's in the birthin’ stage.” Keldon had joined her.

"She looks so small."

"Aye. That she is. I’m a wee bit worried. She may be needin’ help."

She glanced over at him. “Have I ever seen a calf being born?"

He found her childish enthusiasm intriguing, making him wonder if Annabelle had been this innocent before influences and her father’s indulgence made her selfish. "No’ that I be knowin’."

"Then it's settled," she announced.

"What is settled?"

"I’m staying."

By her stance of hands on her hips, he realized she wouldn’t reconsider. The fact she entered the barn in the first place, surprised him, but of late, everything she did puzzled him. He wondered how a simple bump on the head caused her to change and he wished this wondrous transformation could be permanent.

"Ye can stay," he said with a shrug. He appreciated the company, but he would never tell her so.

For hours, the animal labored to expel her burden. Arianna and Keldon waited, both anxious as the minutes passed with no results.

Arianna turned to Keldon. “There’s something wrong, isn’t there?”

"It's as I feared,” Keldon commented more to himself than to anyone. He glanced at the pistol he’d been cleaning. He dreaded the thought of using it.

"I don’t like how you look, Keldon. What’s wrong?"

He didn’t answer but moved toward the laboring animal, careful not to startle her. His examination proved he’d been right. The calf faced the wrong way, making delivery impossible. He shook his head. The poor beast wouldn’t make it unless he helped.

He looked up. "Annabelle, ye need to find, Leighton for me.” His eyes must have betrayed his worry. She didn’t leave.

"I'm here. Let me help you. What do I need to do?"

He quirked his eyebrow up as he considered her offer.

“Don’t turn me away,” she pleaded.

He nodded. He'd take her assistance, but they had to move quickly, if they were going to save mother and calf. "Ye need to hold onto the mother's upper body. She's no’ goin’ to like what I'm aboot to do to her, but it's the only way.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked as she moved into position.

“I plan on turnin’ the wee calf inside her."

Arianna's eyes widened. "You can do that?"

"I'm goin’ to try. Now, hold her steady."

Arianna held on tight to the squirming animal. The strain started to take its toll. Just when Keldon thought it was beyond him to save either animal, the calf suddenly turned, slipping out with its clamoring protests.

The exhausted mother immediately moved out of the way, grateful her burden was finally gone. The newborn calf, still bloody from the after birth went right to Arianna and promptly sat down on her lap. Arianna’s mouth dropped open in surprise, but she recovered quickly, and hugged the calf close to her. Tears sprung to her eyes, causing Keldon to panic.

“Where are ye injured?” He was at her side, his hands roving over her.

She stilled his attention with a touch of her hand. "I'm fine," she said between sniffles. "I’ve never seen something so beautiful.”

The calf finally realized Arianna wasn’t her mother and headed in the opposite direction to find her.

Keldon smiled as the young calf latched onto his mother's udder, sucking furiously. "All births are special," he claimed even though the familiar dull ache crept through him. He remembered their child who had never had the chance to take his first breath. He glanced at his wife and he knew she remembered nothing of her questionable miscarriage.

She watched the calf, her expression serene, a smile touching her lips. He took in her disheveled appearance. Her hair had fallen into disarray, her face was smudged with dirt, and her clothes splattered with blood, but she smiled. What a captivating picture she made. He couldn’t stop himself from pondering. Could he have been mistaken about her ending the pregnancy? He sighed. He may never know and maybe he didn’t want to.

He glanced again at Arianna’s soiled dress. He then looked at himself. What a sight they both made with their clothes and hands a bloody mess. "Yer gown may be ruined," he stated the obvious and braced himself for her to start a temper tantrum, but she just shrugged her shoulders, not seeming to care.

"It doesn't matter," she said with a sigh. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world.”

Her response floored him. He had the temptation to pinch himself, to make sure he hadn’t fallen asleep. She sat there contented, not caring if her clothes were beyond repair. The old Annabelle would have ranted and raved over a speck of dirt on her clothing. He shook his head in disbelief. This must be another affect from her head trauma, if only she would remain the way she was now. He could fall in love with this woman. The thought startled him. He must be careful. He must resist the pull she had on him. The way she was now wouldn’t last. "Come away now. Ye need to clean up."

Arianna didn’t want to leave, but she knew Keldon was right. Already the blood had crusted to her skin. She walked toward the stable doors, but noticed Keldon hadn’t followed her. She stood in the doorway and looked back at him. "Aren't you coming?"

"Aye, in a moment. Ye go on ahead now. I willnae be long.”

His voice sounded funny, quiet and withdrawn. She wondered why he looked so gloomy, when they had witnessed a miracle. She opened her mouth, but the way he looked at her, cautioned her not to ask. She chewed on her lower lip uncomfortable with the fact she couldn’t figure him out. “Thank you, Keldon for letting me be here today.”

He pursed his mouth shut, but he managed a stiff nod.

She headed toward the house, relishing in what she witnessed. A small smile curved her lips. She felt like she belonged today.

"Whut’s happened ter you?" Maeve said from the porch, her eyes widening in horror as she caught sight of the blood running down the front of her dress. Arianna was sure the silly grin that was plastered to her face, made the situation worse. “You’s in shock.” Maeve’s hands patted her down and turned her around, obviously intent on finding the wound that had caused so much bloodshed.

"No, no. I'm fine, really. I helped Keldon deliver a healthy baby calf."

"Gud Lord. No wonder you look a sight. We need ter get you out of them clothes and clean you up. You don't know wut I wuz thinkin' when I saw you.”

Arianna followed Maeve up the stairs.

"I will draw a bath."

"It was a miracle that happened before my eyes.” Arianna couldn't stop talking about the experience. "I never saw anything like it."

“Yas’m, ain't a new life wonderful.” Maeve agreed whole-heartily.

****

Keldon washed his hands, and spread fresh hay on the ground. He once again checked on the new family. He was on his way out, when Leighton slammed into him.

"What’s wrong? Keldon questioned as he steadied Leighton.

"What’s wrong, ye ask.” Leighton’s voice had a steely edge to it. "Have ye lost yer senses, lad?” He lifted his hand to reveal Arianna's bloody garment as his gaze wavered over Keldon’s clothes.

"Oh that.” Keldon relaxed, realizing there wasn’t an emergency. “You best get rid of it. Why are ye fussin’ over it anyway?"

Leighton sputtered, cursing under his breath.

"Is there somethin’ else you wish to tell me?"

"Sweet Jesus!” Leighton ran his hand through his hair. “Have ye no sense? I said, take care of Annabelle, no’ kilt her dead!"

Keldon frowned. "What are ye witterin’ aboot?"

"The dress, lad. I see the dress.” He waved the clothing in front of Keldon's face to emphasize.

"Ach, Leighton. Did ye think I ran her through, then?” Keldon was first exasperated, but he soon saw the humor of the situation and began to laugh.

Leighton didn’t share his amusement. "Weel, if this here blood isnae hers, who's is it?"

"She helped me birth the calf.” Keldon pointed behind him, revealing the new offspring.

"We're talkin’ aboot Annabelle here," Leighton said. “It be easier for me to believe ye kilt her.”

"She did help."

Leighton scratched his head, his worn face holding a frown of disbelief.

"I know what ye’re thinkin’.” Keldon shook his head. “Our Annabelle wouldnae have dirtied her hands let alone her clothing, but I witnessed it. She helped without a whimper or a complaint.”

Leighton stared at him. “Have ye lost yer mind?”

"Leighton, do ye no’ think a person can change?"

Leighton’s eyes narrowed. "Tell me yer no’ thinkin' Annabelle has really changed, for ye be a damn fool to think so."

"Aye, but ye witnessed it, too."

"I've seen that she’s put on a good show, I'll grant ye that. But mark my words, the sky is forever blue, and the grass is green and there be nay changin' it. Annabelle be the same person deep inside and doonae be forgettin' it."

Chapter Ten

Arianna spotted Sally Mae heading toward the house and quickly called to her. The child stopped and walked the few spaces back. Arianna didn't miss the fear that flickered across the little girl's face and hurried to put her at ease. "It’s okay, Sally Mae.”

"Maeve says ter let you be and not bother you."

"You aren't bothering me,” Arianna assured her. “Didn't you like playing the harpsichord with me?"

"Yas'm.” A smile spread across her face.

"Why don't you join me,” Arianna suggested. It's such a beautiful day. We could plan a picnic and then afterwards, if you want, I can show you how to play another tune.”

Sally Mae looked over her shoulder. Concern puckered her brows. "But I's not done yet,” she stammered. “I's in charge of de upstairs,” she added with pride.

"You're just a child."

"I kin do de job," Sally Mae defended her position.

"I'm sure you can.” She hadn’t meant to offend her. Sally Mae could be no more than eight or nine. "You should have fun, too. Don't you ever play with the other children?"

"There ain't no time ter play.” Sally Mae shifted to one foot then the other as if she wasn’t sure what she should do. "Shud I go now?"

Arianna nodded. What else could she say to the little girl? She did however know what she wanted to say to her husband.