Michaela's Choice (13 page)

Fourteen

Philip Macintosh got off the train and stood on the tiny platform, wondering what his next move should be. Snow flurries whipped around him beneath a darkened sky. Maybe he had been foolish for coming to Cranton without telling anyone, but after receiving the telegram from Daniel about Michaela’s accident, he’d had no choice.

Philip tightened his long coat against the wind. He couldn’t believe how desolate the town looked. The snow had drifted into deep piles along the sides of the buildings, and few people braved the harsh elements. He didn’t blame them.

The sun would be setting soon, taking with it any lingering traces of light. His best option would be to find the nearest hotel and get a good night’s sleep before traveling to Daniel’s farm in the morning.

Philip picked up his bag and started for the center of town. The hotel proved easy to find, and soon he made his way through the front door, thankful for the warmth of the lobby. Rubbing his hands together, he took a seat at a table next to the fireplace and ordered a cup of hot coffee.

A man was talking to the hotel manager at the nearby desk. Philip turned his head when he heard mention of Michaela’s brother.

“I hear Daniel’s wife had a boy.” The manager leaned his elbows on the counter.

The second man nodded. “I saw him yesterday. They seem
to be doing great.”

“Sorry to hear about the fire that destroyed your barn,” the first man continued.

“I’m just thankful no one was killed.”

Philip leaned toward the men. What about Michaela?

“So Daniel’s sister, Michaela. Is she all right?” The manager slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“Got quite a knot on her head, but she’s doing fine. We were worried for a while, but the doctor says with a little rest, there shouldn’t be any complications.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“I need to get on home, George. I’m afraid it’ll be a rough ride. I wouldn’t have come in today if it hadn’t been absolutely necessary. Been the first break in the weather all week, and now things are stirring up again. I’ve got to get home before dark, and at that I’m not likely to make it.”

The man headed toward the door with broad, determined steps. Philip decided this was his chance.

“Excuse me, sir.” Philip stood and quickly crossed the room and introduced himself. “My name’s Philip Macintosh, Michaela Macintosh’s brother-in-law. I just got into town, and I wondered if you could tell me how to get to her brother’s farm. I guess I’ll have to wait until morning, though.”

“Do you have a horse?”

“No, sir, I just got off the train.”

“I’m on my way home right now, and my farm is right past theirs. I had to pick up a few supplies, so I brought the sled. You can come with me if you’d like.” The man shook Philip’s hand. “Name’s Eric Johnson, by the way. We’d better get going if we’re going to make it before nightfall.”

“Nice to meet you. I sure appreciate this.” Philip left enough money for the coffee and a tip and followed Eric out the door. “Didn’t think I could make it out there tonight.”

“God must have wanted our paths to cross. I had planned to leave over an hour ago, but I got held up.” Eric raised his voice against the howling wind as they hurried to the sled. “Another storm isn’t far behind us. I guess you heard about the accident.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

“She’s doing fine now. The doctor said the beam that hit her just missed doing some very serious damage.”

“I’m just thankful she’s alive.”

The snow was picking up and the wind whipped against Philip, making further conversation impossible. He climbed into the sled, anxious for the moment he’d see Michaela again.

❧

“Looks like another severe storm’s about to hit.” Michaela paced the living room floor, wishing the long stretch of winter weather would be over soon. For the past week, the storms had come one after another, and as soon as one let up, there seemed to be another one hitting even harder. She knew that Eric had planned to go into town today, and she prayed he’d made it home safely.

“You’re pacing again,” Emma commented as Michaela started across the room once again.

Michaela shrugged and continued her trek. “The storm’s getting worse.”

Emma stuck her needle into the taut fabric, then pulled it out gently. “Would you like to help me with the quilt? It would help you get your mind off whatever is bothering you.”

“Eric was supposed to go into town. I was hoping he made it home all right. I’d hate for the children to be alone right now.”

She looked at the quilt Emma patiently stitched together, piece by piece. The vivid reds, greens, and yellows were already starting to form the intricate pattern. If only life was as simple as following a pattern. Instead, it was full of detours, turns, and at times, heartache.

Someone pounded on the front door. Michaela jumped. “Who could that be?”

Daniel opened the door.

“Eric!” Relief flooded through her as she hurried toward the door. She stopped when she noticed a man standing next to him, bundled in a heavy coat. “Philip?”

“Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes.” Philip picked her up and swung her around. “I didn’t think I’d ever get here.”

“How did you. . . ?” Michaela looked to Eric, then back to Philip, confused.

Eric strode across the room to the crackling fire. “Found your brother-in-law in town as I was leaving. Didn’t want him to have to spend the night in town.”

Philip held her for a moment, then went to stand by the fireplace beside Eric, his gaze never leaving Michaela’s face.

“After I got the telegram about the accident, I left Boston on the next train.” Philip rubbed his hands together. “Never imagined it would be so cold.” He turned to Eric. “I’m sure Michaela’s told you. We’re planning to get married as soon as she gets back to Boston.”

Eric’s gaze locked momentarily with Michaela’s. She looked away, not able to bear the mark of pain in his eyes. What had she done?

Eric shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “I need to get home before this storm blows full force.” His voice was void of emotion as he quickly made his escape to the front door. “It was nice to meet you, Mr. Macintosh.”

A brief gust of wind blew in, and he was gone.

Michaela’s gaze lingered on the closed door for a moment before she turned back to Philip. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

He smiled at her and took her hands in his. “I was so
worried. I know it’s crazy to come all the way out here, but I
just had to see for myself that you were all right.”

“I’m fine.” Michaela squeezed his hands, then showed him where the board had hit her. “Just a very bad bump on the head and a headache that lasted for days.”

Emma stood up and motioned Daniel to follow her into the kitchen so the two of them could be alone. “We’ll get you some hot tea.”

“Michaela.” Once they’d left the room, Philip ran his thumb down the side of her cheek, his face lit with relief. “You don’t know how much I’ve missed you.”

He reached down and kissed her slowly on the lips. Michaela pushed away any feelings of doubt. Seeing him put everything back into perspective. She was going to marry Philip, and together they’d adopt Anna.

Fifteen

“There you are.” Michaela stopped along the side of the Johnsons’ new barn, where Philip stood high up on a ladder, nailing shingles onto the roof. The last couple of days had been a whirlwind of activity as the men in the community gathered to rebuild Eric’s barn.

Philip finished driving a nail before glancing down at Michaela. He blew out a puff of air and smiled. “Hi.”

Michaela took a step back and studied the gabled structure, amazed at how much work had been accomplished. “You men have done a wonderful job on Eric’s new barn.”

“Good thing there was a break in the weather.” Philip looped his hammer on his belt and climbed down before stretching his back. “Is that for me?”

Michaela handed Philip the steaming mug of coffee. He took a deep sip. “I sure needed this. The snow might have stopped, but it’s still icy cold.”

She shoved her hands into the deep pockets of her wool coat. “Lunch will be ready soon. There’s quite a feast prepared, including roast beef, ham, potatoes, bread—”

“Stop, you’re making my stomach growl.” Philip held up one of his hands and grinned. “I want to finish the section I’m working on, then I’ll come in.”

He took another sip, keeping his eyes focused on her. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks at his intense gaze.

She tilted her head, lowering her brows in question. “What is it?”

“The trip out here’s been good for you, hasn’t it?”

Michaela nodded and breathed in deeply. There was a peace about her she hadn’t felt for a long time. “I’ve been able to sort through things—let go of some things from the past.”

Philip took a final gulp of the coffee and handed the empty cup back to Michaela. “There’s a glow about you that you didn’t have back home. I’m glad to see you happy and relaxed. We’ve all been worried about you.”

“And who is we?” Michaela chuckled and fingered the rim of the mug. It was nice to have someone fuss over her.

The blue of his eyes lightened in the bright sunlight. “Me, for one. Aunt Clara. Caroline.”

“You’ve talked a lot about Caroline this week.”

He smiled at her teasing. “She and I tried to visit Anna as often as we could. Anna enjoyed it.”

“I’m glad.”

He ran his gloved hand down her sleeve. “The board said we could adopt Anna as soon as we’re married.”

Her heart soared at the possibility that the three of them could be a family. “I can’t wait to see her.”

Philip pulled the hammer out of his belt and jingled the sack of nails he held. “I’d better get finished. Can’t believe we’re heading home tomorrow. Seems like I just got off that train, and now I have to get right back on.”

❧

Philip paused to watch as Michaela turned around and walked back toward the house. Tomorrow they’d leave for Boston, and in a few weeks she’d become his wife. Eric approached Michaela, halfway between Philip and the house. She pushed a stray piece of hair behind one ear and fiddled with the mug.

“The barn looks wonderful.”

Michaela raised her head and smiled at Eric. They were close enough that Philip could hear their conversation.

“I’m grateful for all the help I’ve got.”

“Eric, I. . .”

A loud ring sounded from the porch as someone hit the dinner bell.

Clang.

Clang.

“I wanted to tell you. . .”

Clang.

Clang.

“Come on, let’s eat.” Someone slapped Eric on the back as three of the men who had been working on the barn surrounded him. “I’m starved as a bear.”

Philip watched as Michaela stood still in the snow while the men joked and laughed on their way to get their lunch. Her lips formed a frown, but he couldn’t read her expression. What had she wanted to say to Eric?

Philip decided to join the group for lunch and finish the shingles later. He hurried across the hard ground to catch up to where Michaela still stood. “Ready to eat?”

“Yes.” He watched as she glanced one last time at Eric before turning back to him. “Yes. I’m ready.”

Philip cupped Michaela’s elbow with his hand, but his focus remained on the man ahead of them. Was Eric the one who had brought life back to Michaela’s heart?

❧

“I can’t believe you’re leaving.” Emma cleared the last cup from the breakfast table, then wiped it down with a wet cloth.

Michaela held the sleeping baby in her arms, enjoying his sweet fragrance. “I’ll be back. I have to make sure little Nate knows who his favorite aunt is.”

“The wagon’s ready.” Daniel opened the back door and came into the kitchen.

Michaela handed the baby back to Emma, trying not to cry. She wrapped her arms around her sister-in-law for a moment. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“We’re going to miss you, too.”

“I want you both to know how much I’ve appreciated your hospitality these past few days,” Philip said as he picked up the last bag and held open the front door for Michaela. “I know it was a bit unexpected.”

“Just promise to take good care of her.” Emma reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

“You know I will.”

Michaela hurried toward the wagon, struggling to hold back the tears.

She had said good-bye to the Johnson children the night before. There had been a few tears shed, even by the boys, and Michaela promised she would write as soon as she got to Boston. There had been no time alone with Eric. No time to tell him how sorry she was for everything. She let Philip help her into the wagon, forcing herself to put Eric out of her mind.

The ride to town seemed short, and Michaela wondered if she’d have a chance to come back again. She looked out across the snow-covered ground. A bird flew overhead, singing a lonely tune. Crystals of ice sparkled in the snow below. She studied the scene, trying to memorize each detail so as not to forget.

At the station, Michaela stood silently on the platform as Philip put her bags on the train.

“I’m going to miss you, Michaela.” Daniel wrapped his arms around her tightly. “Promise you’ll come back.”

Michaela smiled through the tears, trying desperately to hold on to her emotions. She would miss them all so much.

“All aboard!”

“It’s time, Michaela.”

Taking one last look at her brother, Michaela followed Philip onto the train and waved good-bye for the final time.

❧

He’d been a fool.

Eric pushed his stallion as fast as he could across the frozen terrain. Forests of pine trees seemed to fly by, but only one thing seemed clear at the moment. Michaela. He never should have let her leave without talking to her. He’d let his pride get in the way of letting himself become vulnerable.

At the Cranton station, he jumped off the horse and quickly tied the lead rope to a post. His stomach turned as he caught sight of the empty platform. He was too late.

❧

Michaela sat across from Philip and looked out the window of the train, waiting for it to leave the small station. The familiar valley stretched out before her, a sharp contrast from the bustling streets of Boston.

“You’d better hurry if you’re going to get off the train.”

Michaela turned to Philip, lowering her brow in question. “What did you say?”

He leaned forward and took her hands. “From the moment I arrived, I saw something in your eyes when you looked at him. You’ve never looked at me that way.”

Michaela opened her mouth to respond, but he put a finger to her lips. “I’ve been awake all night trying to decide what to do. I’m a part of what’s familiar to you, what’s comfortable. . . . But you don’t love me, Michaela. You love Eric. And if I’m not mistaken, he loves you as well.”

Michaela closed her eyes, trying to make sense of everything. Philip had been a part of her life for so long. At a time when she’d needed him, he’d always been there. Yes, he was familiar and comfortable. . .but was that all? “I don’t know. I. . .”

“Do you love him?”

She closed her eyes and could see Eric—the dimple on his right cheek when he smiled. The sound of his laugh. The tenderness he showed to his children. She loved him. “I didn’t want to.”

“I know.” Philip reached out and wiped away a tear that had fallen down her cheek. “Go on. You’d better hurry.”

❧

Michaela stepped off the train moments before it roared away from the station. It was clear to her now. In not wanting to let go of the past, she’d held tight to what was familiar and comfortable. And in turn, she’d confused feelings of safety and protection for love. Her relationship with Philip would always be important, but she knew now she could never love him.

White light reflected off the snow that still covered parts of the ground. She watched the train pull out of the station, slowly picking up speed until she could see only a small puff of smoke lingering on the horizon.

Stepping out of the shadow of the station building, she saw Eric cross the street toward her.

“Eric.”

“Michaela?” His surprise to see her was obvious.

“You came to see me off?” She didn’t know what to say now that he stood in front of her.

“I wanted to, but I thought you were leaving with Philip. Why are you still here?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Eric took a step closer and gently wiped them away with his hand.

“I realized I love you.” Michaela’s voice was barely above a whisper. “And I couldn’t go with Philip. I thought I could love him, but then I met you and everything changed. I’ve just been too stubborn to admit it, even to myself.”

A smile spread across Eric’s face. “Did you say you love me?”

Michaela nodded shyly, surprised at her boldness.

Eric let out a shout of joy. “So you’ll marry me?”

A burst of laugher exploded from her lips. “You’re asking me if I’ll marry you?”

“Will you?”

There were no longer any doubts as to who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. “Yes!”

He picked her up by her waist, swung her around, and gently put her back down. He brought her face toward his and kissed her slowly. Michaela laid her hands against his chest, enjoying the sweet taste of his lips against hers.

After a moment, he pulled back, still cupping her face in his hands. “I suppose this isn’t the most appropriate place for displays of affection, but I can’t help it. I love you, Michaela Macintosh.”

Michaela just looked at him, realizing she’d been given a second chance for love. “What will the kids think?”

“They’re going to be six of the happiest kids in the county.
I’ve seen nothing but gloomy faces around my place since
you told them you were leaving.”

Eric brushed back the tears from her cheeks with the back of his hand. “I was going to buy a train ticket for Boston and come after you. You must be some catch to have men traipsing all over the country for you.”

“I finally realized the truth. There’s only one man for me.”

No more words were needed as Michaela felt his strong arms surround her and his lips met hers.