A Handyman for Helen by Amelia C. Adams

Author:Amelia C. Adams [Adams, Amelia C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-24T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Helen was heartsick as she walked across the yard toward the main house. Cora was sitting with Zeke now, an easy task as he was sound asleep, but they didn’t want him to be alone when he woke up. Helen could barely drag herself up the porch steps and over the threshold, she was so exhausted. It wasn’t just her body—it was her soul. Every particle of her was worn out.

Wade had helped Margaret out to the parlor, and she was situated on the sofa with her legs up and a blanket covering them. It seemed there was a meeting of sorts being held—Dr. Wayment was there, leaning with one arm up on the mantel. Mike sat in the corner on a wooden chair from the kitchen, as his clothes were dirty from his long day of work. Sully sat in the opposite corner, fingering a carving, but not whittling at the moment. Wynonna and Jack sat in front of the fireplace, Fiona and Rowena off to the side.

“His recovery will mostly depend on him, but not entirely,” Dr. Wayment was saying. “There are things he can do to help himself, but in the end, it’s a matter of waiting to see if his body heals itself. He should get plenty of rest with very little excitement, and he shouldn’t strain himself under any circumstances. He’ll need someone nearby at all times until he’s learned to navigate his world. Does he have any family?”

“No,” Mike said. “He’s been on his own most of his life.”

“We’re his family,” Sully interjected. “We’ll do whatever he needs—and there are enough of us that someone will always be around. He won’t be able to get rid of us.”

Dr. Wayment smiled. “Now, I hesitate to have him move back into the bunkhouse—he’d really do best staying where he is, in Mike’s cabin. There’s a little more room, and he can learn to feel his way around with more accuracy. Plus, I took a peek into the bunkhouse and noticed that potbellied stove there in the middle—that’s a hazard for him now.”

“I didn’t think about that,” Sully said. “We’re gonna have to watch him every minute, like a baby learnin’ how to walk, aren’t we? Well, we can do it. Just teach us what needs to be done.”

Helen couldn’t listen to this anymore. It was preposterous and demeaning. “Now, just wait a minute,” she said, stepping farther into the room and holding up both hands. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Two days ago, Zeke was a hard-working man making a living from the dust of this land, and now you’re talking about him like he’s a liability and a burden. Why wasn’t he invited to this meeting? Shouldn’t he be involved in deciding his fate, where he lives, and who should take care of him? You can’t plan his life for him behind his back and expect him to go along with whatever you say—he’s a man with pride and with feelings. You must let him make as many of these decisions as he can.

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