Betsy--#8--Orlan Orphans Read online

  “I don’t understand. Is she going to be all right?” Betsy tried to understand what Dr. Harvey was telling her.

  Dr. Harvey leaned over and placed a hand on Betsy’s shoulder. “She’s very, very ill, Betsy. You should go home and get some rest. We should know more in the morning. I’ll be back with more medicine tomorrow.” With that, Dr. Harvey took off toward her own house and her own family.

  Betsy was terrified. Amy had to recover…she just had to. And no way was she going to leave Charles all by himself. It sounded silly, but in a way, they all had become a kind of family—Betsy, Charles, and all the children. She would not abandon them in their time of need.

  David was sleeping in the corner of the porch, exhausted by the past few days’ events. Matthew was dragging a stick through the dirt right next to the porch, and Samuel was reading a book.

  Betsy sat down and put an arm around Samuel. “That’s great that you’re doing your reading, Samuel. I’m sure Charles will be very happy.”

  “Charles doesn’t care about us.” Matthew stopped dragging the stick and changed directions. “He just cares about Amy.”

  “That’s because she’s sick, Matthew. I’m sure in a few days, when this is all behind us, things will go back to normal.” Betsy wasn’t sure if that would happen, but she hoped it would.

  “Normal is no good, either. Charles is so mean to us. We have to do school work all the time. We can never play or do anything fun!” Matthew was practically shouting.

  Betsy worried that Charles would be able to hear. She stood up and walked over to the boy. “That’s because he loves you and wants what’s best for you. I know it.” Betsy gave Matthew a hug. He surprised her—and himself—by hugging her back. The poor dear, Betsy thought. He must miss his mother so much.

  “All right. I need to go in and check on Amy and Charles. I’ll be back outside later. Have you eaten yet?” Betsy thought the boys looked a bit ragged. Matthew shook his head.

  Betsy went into the house to look for Charles. She found him standing at the kitchen sink, half-asleep. She went up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  Charles jumped, startled. Betsy was in front of him—or was he just dreaming that? No, it was actually Betsy. She looked beautiful, standing in his kitchen with a concerned look on her face. He found himself wishing they were anywhere but where they were.

  “Have you slept at all?” Betsy noticed a piece of hair had fallen across Charles’s forehead, and she brushed it back out of his face. She felt a ripple of desire course through her body.

  “No. Amy needs me. I should get back in there. I was just getting fresh water.” Charles held up the glass he held in his hands. He filled it at the sink and started walking toward the bedroom. Then he turned around, as if just remembering that Betsy was still there. “Betsy, what are you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t stay away. I wanted to find out how Amy was doing…and you need help, Charles. The boys need to eat. I’ll make them dinner.” Betsy had never talked or taken charge so much in her entire life as she had over the past few weeks. She was finding out that sometimes, she liked to take charge. Especially when she knew the right thing to do.

  Charles couldn’t fight back. He didn’t have the energy, and she had a good point. He took the glass into the bedroom.

  Betsy found some salt pork in the pantry and began to fry it. She also found a few potatoes that would probably go bad soon, so chopped them as she boiled a pot of water. A little while later, she put a small portion of salt pork and potatoes onto three plates and took them outside to the boys.

  David still looked very sleepy, but he perked up immediately at the sight of food. The three boys ate hastily and hungrily. Betsy knew they were worried about their sister. She also didn’t know where they would sleep that evening. There wasn’t enough space in the front room for all three boys and Charles. But they couldn’t go into the bedroom with Amy, or they’d be at risk to catch what she had.

  As Betsy was wondering what to do, she saw a buggy in the distance. As it got closer, she realized it was Cletus.

  “What are you doing here?” Betsy was so relieved to see a familiar face.

  Cletus stopped and put the horses up. “When Edna Petunia heard about the young girl falling sick, she forced me to come over here with pie. She baked three kinds…there’s cherry, apple, and rhubarb.” Cletus pulled three dishes out of the buggy. Betsy giggled. No matter the occasion, Edna Petunia baked.

  “And who are you?” Cletus walked up to little David. David stared up at the older man.

  David slid over, hiding behind Betsy.

  “Oh, now you’re going to be bashful?” Betsy ruffled her hands through David’s here. “Go ahead, introduce yourself. This is my father, Cletus Sanders.”

  “I’m David.” David spoke after a few moments spent staring at Cletus.

  Cletus grinned and stuck his hand out. “Pleased to meet you, David. Now, I don’t suppose you like marbles…do you?” Cletus reached into his pocket and held out a handful of marbles.

  David’s eyes widened and he looked at Betsy. Betsy smiled at him. He grabbed the marbles from Cletus’s hand and began to examine each and every one.

  “What do you say, dear?” Betsy reminded him.

  David look confused for a second, but then grinned. “Thank you, Mr. Cletus!” David showed Samuel his new marbles, and even Matthew came over to look at them.

  Cletus pulled Betsy aside. “Do these boys have a place to stay tonight?”

  “I don’t know. Charles is in there with Amy, and he hasn’t slept yet. I’m worried that he needs more help. And the boys aren’t going to fit into one room. It’s a small house.” Betsy pressed her lips together. It was getting late. They were going to have to figure something out.

  “All right, it’s settled then. Boys!” Cletus called.

  Betsy was confused. “What’s settled?”

  The boys looked up as Cletus called them. “How would you like to go for a ride? I might even let you drive if you behave yourselves!”

  Betsy stared at Cletus, horrified.

  “Only joking.” Cletus tipped his hat. “Edna Petunia asked me if the boys had a place to stay tonight. She thought it’d be best if they were out of their older brother’s hair. This way they won’t catch whatever the little one’s got. We have plenty of room at our house.”

  Betsy was touched. It was so kind of Edna Petunia and Cletus to open their home to the boys, even though they barely knew them. “I should make sure Charles knows about this.” She didn’t want him to worry about the boys. He had enough on his mind.

  Betsy walked back into the house and found Charles at Amy’s bedside. The poor girl was still sleeping. Charles had one hand resting on her forehead. He looked up when Betsy came into the room.

  “Thank you for everything.” Charles looked up at Betsy. It was amazing how much she had done for him and his family in such a short amount of time. He could hardly remember how anything had been before Betsy. It seemed like she had always been around.

  “Of course. The boys are getting tired, and Cletus is here. He brought some pies from Edna Petunia, and he’s offering to take them to our house. We have plenty of space, and it will be safer for the boys to stay away until Amy recovers.” Betsy peeked at Amy. She looked so frail and sick.

  Charles nodded. “That’s so nice of them. I can’t accept that…”

  “Yes, you can. It’s what’s right for the children.” Betsy put her hands on her hips.

  Charles laughed softly, not wanting to wake Amy. “Betsy Sanders, did you know you’re beautiful when you’re being bossy?”

  Betsy could feel her cheeks and ears going red. She knew Charles didn’t mean anything by it—he had to be very tired—but it still made her feel wonderful to hear him say she was beautiful.

  Charles nodded. “Fine, then. The boys can stay at the Sanders’ house. Please tell Cletus I said thank you very much.”

  “I will.” Betsy closed the bedroom door
gently and went back outside. “Cletus, Charles said you can take the boys. Boys, please come here for a second.” Betsy ran her hand over David’s hair, smoothing it. “Cletus is going to take you to my house. There are beds and blankets for you there, and toothbrushes and food and anything else you may need. But it’s very important that you listen carefully to Cletus and his wife, Edna Petunia. You must follow all their rules and listen to them. Do you understand?”

  Cletus looked amused, but the boys listened dutifully. When Betsy had finished talking, Matthew was first to speak up. “Yes, we understand, Betsy.”

  Betsy hugged each of the boys and then watched as they got into the buggy with Cletus. “Good night!” Betsy called after the wagon.

  When the buggy had disappeared into the distance, Betsy went back inside the house. She cleaned the dishes that were in the sink and tidied the kitchen and front room. Next, she went back into the bedroom, tiptoeing in case Amy was still sleeping.

  Charles looked terrible. He was sitting in a chair next to the bed, leaning over Amy, and his eyes were bloodshot. His hair was stringy, and he kept nodding off and jerking back awake.

  “Charles. You need to sleep. I’ll watch Amy.” Betsy’s tone was kind, but firm.

  “I can’t allow you to do that. You should go home.” Charles protested, but he seemed too exhausted to care. Betsy helped him to his feet and walked him out to the front room. In a few moments, he was lying in his usual spot on the floor, fast asleep. Betsy quietly crept back into the bedroom.

  She held a cool rag to Amy’s forehead. The girl was still burning up. She wished she could do something—anything—to help Amy.

  Betsy was exhausted, but she passed the hours away by thinking of the one positive thought she could imagine—Charles. She felt guilty for thinking about him in a romantic way while his sister was fighting for her life. She squeezed the girl’s hand and prayed.

  In the morning, Charles found Betsy fast asleep, still sitting in the chair next to Amy. Charles felt Amy’s forehead and grabbed Betsy’s shoulder to wake her up.

  “Betsy!” Charles cried out. “Amy’s fever broke!”

  Betsy woke up with a start. It had been a long night, and she wasn’t sure where she was. As she got her bearings, she realized what Charles had said.

  “Oh my goodness! I’m so happy!” Betsy’s eyes began to well up.

  Charles was so thrilled he bent over, tipped Betsy backwards, and gave her the biggest, longest kiss she could have ever imagined.

  Amy rubbed her eyes. “Charles, why are you kissing Betsy? You said I’m not allowed to kiss boys.”

  Charles and Betsy both burst out laughing.

  “We’re both very happy that you’re all right, Amy. You were very sick, but you’re getting better now, and we’re both going to be here to take care of you.” Charles helped Amy sit up a bit in bed.

  “I’ll go get you some more water.” Charles took the glass from the bedside table and took it into the kitchen.

  Betsy thought about what was still in the pantry. “I can make some eggs for you if you’d like. I bet you’re hungry!”

  Amy thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, I want eggs! Thank you, Betsy.”

  As Betsy turned to leave the room, Amy called out to her again.

  “Betsy? You said you’re not my new Mama, you’re just my friend. But you stayed in my room and held my hand and sang me songs, just like a Mama would do. So even if you don’t think you’re my Mama, I think you are.” Amy smiled sweetly.

  Betsy nearly broke down sobbing. She loved this little girl with all her heart. There was part of her—maybe even a big part of her—that desperately wanted to be Amy’s mama. But it was much more complicated than that. The poor girl had been through enough, and Betsy didn’t want to confuse her. Still, she didn’t have the heart to disagree. So she nodded and smiled, then went into the kitchen to make fried eggs.

  Charles was still standing at the kitchen sink.

  “Are you all right?” Betsy wasn’t sure what he was doing.

  Charles took a deep breath. “I was just thinking, Betsy.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve never seen another woman be so loving and tender to my brothers and sister like you have. It’s nothing short of miraculous. It feels like God placed you here in Nowhere just so you could meet us and take care of us…” Charles trailed off.

  Betsy nodded her understanding, but in truth, she didn’t understand what Charles was trying to say.

  “I’m sorry. I’m babbling. I should get back to Amy.” Charles started to go back into the bedroom. “Oh, and Betsy?”

  “Yes?”

  “You should go back home and get some rest. I’ll take care of everything from here. Thank you again for all that you’ve done.”

  Betsy sighed, feeling glum. She had felt something when Charles had been talking about her helping out with the children. She had hoped he might say something about a possible future together. But then he had stopped and seemed very business-like, telling her to go home.

  Instead of going home right away, Betsy decided to make the eggs so Charles and Amy could at least have breakfast. She had just put the food on the table when she saw Cletus’s buggy pull up outside.

  Betsy ran out to meet Cletus and the children.

  “I have wonderful news, boys! Amy is feeling much better!” Betsy could hardly contain her joy. She forgot about Charles’s strange behavior and allowed herself to be fully happy with the boys. As they climbed out of the wagon, they started jumping up and down in excitement.

  “Okay, boys. There are fried eggs on the table. I’m going home with Cletus now, because I need to get some rest.” Betsy hugged each of the boys and sent them into the house. She climbed into the buggy with Cletus.

  “Cletus, I love you and you saved the day yesterday and today. But right now, I really need to sleep.” With that, Betsy promptly fell asleep as Cletus flicked the reins. He chuckled as they set off into the distance.

  Chapter 7

  Betsy hummed to herself as she peeled potatoes in the Brooks’ house. It had been three weeks since Amy’s illness and recovery, and things had finally returned to normal. Betsy still came three days a week to help with cooking and cleaning. Charles was back to work at the auction house, and he had even started showing her the most interesting items again.

  The boys were still rambunctious, of course…but that was to be expected, Betsy thought. Charles had a different opinion. He had come across a book at the auction house that said children were best behaved when they had proper exercise. Each night before dinner, Charles led everyone in nightly stretches and sports while Betsy prepared dinner. She secretly thought it was rather silly, but didn’t have the heart to tell Charles that.

  That evening, the children were outside doing their calisthenics. Charles, who had been reading a book in the front room, stood up and walked into the kitchen. He set the book down and slid his arms around Betsy’s waist. He buried his head into her hair.

  Betsy set down the potato she was peeling. Her neck stiffened as she felt Charles’s warm breath against it. He held onto her tightly and began to kiss her neck. She turned around to face him. She was barely in control of her own body. He found her lips with his own and began to kiss her passionately.

  Betsy struggled to catch her breath. “Can you…wait…just a second?”

  Charles stopped, his eyes full of concern. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you like that?”

  Betsy exhaled. “No, of course I did. It’s just that—I don’t really know what I’m doing, and I’m…nervous and scared.”

  Charles smiled at her. “I don’t ever want to pressure you into anything, Betsy. You know that. It’s okay to be nervous and scared. But I hope that you’ll be comfortable with me kissing you. Because it’s one of my favorite things to do.”

  Betsy loved hearing this. “I think kissing would be all right.” She was sure she was probably blushing, but she knew she needed to get over that.
She was an adult now, and she needed to be able to do and say things without getting so embarrassed about them.

  “Well, that’s a relief!” Charles bent down and tugged at her bottom lip with his teeth. His tongue gently explored Betsy’s mouth, pushing and pulling. Betsy kissed back, shyly at first, then slightly more confidently as they went along.

  “What’s for dinner?” Matthew shouted as he came running into the house. “We’re all done!”

  Charles and Betsy pulled apart, laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Matthew demanded.

  “Nothing.” Charles and Betsy spoke at the same time, then burst out laughing again.

  Matthew went outside to get the rest of his siblings for dinner. “Adults are strange.”

  Betsy’s heart felt like it might explode inside her chest. She didn’t understand how her married sisters were able to contain themselves. If this was what love felt like, she didn’t know how long she could even last. It was exhilarating and it was exhausting. And it also felt very, very good.

  The rest of the children came in for dinner and gathered around the table. Betsy had begun staying for dinner once or twice a week, and she had come to cherish the times when the entire family was all in one place. She had started thinking of the children as her own. She knew that wasn’t completely true, but in a way, she was the only mother they had right now.

  “Thank you, God, for this delicious meal, and for gathering our family here together. We thank you.” Charles always started the meal with a prayer, which Betsy loved. She thought it was very important and found it deeply satisfying that Charles did, too. “Thank you, Betsy, for this delicious dinner.” Charles also liked to model polite behavior for the children.

  Betsy smiled. “You’re welcome, Charles.”

  “Thank you, Betsy, for spending all night with me and helping me heal.” Amy piped up.

  Betsy stood up, walked over to her, and gave her a hug. “Of course, Amy. I’m so glad you are doing so much better.” She took her seat again and they all began eating.