Conner's Contrary Bride by Barbara Goss (accelerated reader books .txt) 📗

She moved her leg from under his, and his eyes opened, his arm tightened around her, and he blinked. “I must be dreaming.”

“I think you’re awake, Sir Charming.”

“No, it must be a dream because I’m holding my beautiful wife in my arms.”

Elsie giggled. “It must be a dream for no one has ever called me beautiful.”

“Oh, but you are. I love you, Elsie Van Gates. Tonight I’ll make you my wife in every way.”

“No need to flatter me.” She reached up and caressed his cheek. “I’m looking forward to it.”

He pulled her closer and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Then shall we get up before it happens now?”

Elsie popped up. “Oh, no. I have so many things to do first. I want it to be perfect.”

Conner stroked her hair. “It will be.”

Throughout breakfast, the winks and smiles between Elsie and Conner were so clear that when Bertie came to refill their cups she said, “I hope you don’t mind if I skip out after dinner. Hazel’s not feeling well, and she has asked me to spend the night with her. Her handyman brought the note from her this morning. I promise to be back in time for tomorrow’s breakfast.”

Conner looked at Elsie. “Well, dear, you’re the lady of the house—what do you think? Should we let Bertie go for the night?”

Elsie blushed, knowing what was to happen that night. “Of course you may, Bertie. If Hazel continues to be ill, send a note, and we’ll get along here, somehow.”

“It’s so thoughtful of you to take such good care of Hazel, Bertie,” Conner said.

“I feel so badly for her being blind and all alone out there on Creek Road. She has her handyman, but though he’s in good shape, he’s almost eighty.”

Bertie picked up their plates. “I’ll make your dinner and put it in the oven, so the two of you can eat whenever you want. Just be sure to put the dirty dishes in the sink.”

After Bertie had disappeared into the laundry room, Elsie and Conner exchanged smiles. Conner whispered, “We’ll have the house all to ourselves.”

Elsie spent the day in the clinic with Conner, treating more patients with measles.

Conner felt unusually exhausted. Between patients, Conner helped Elsie with the clean-up. He sighed. “I’d hoped the epidemic would be over by the time I’d returned from Kansas City.”

“Especially with the schools closed for the summer,” Elsie said. “Most kids are working out in the fields, but at church, I heard Mrs. Miller telling Mrs. McDougal that Mrs. Johnson’s maiden daughter is holding a daily Bible lesson club for the whole month of August. The children meet at her home, and they play games and learn the Bible.”

Elsie bit her lower lip. “I should have told you, but with so much going on... well, each day while you were gone at least one child that was brought in had been attending her group.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, but I’ll have to pay her a call. It has to stop.

“Can you handle things while I take a quick ride out there?”

Elsie nodded. “Are you feeling all right yourself? You look pale, and your eyes are kind of red.”

“I’m fine. I just didn’t get my usual eight or nine hours of sleep last night.” He winked.

Conner felt even worse as he rode to the Johnson place, which was about a mile from town. He hoped there’d be time to take a nap before dinner. He had slept, but with Elsie in his arms, he’d awakened quite a few times through the night. Though he enjoyed having her in his arms, it wasn’t the most comfortable way to sleep, and he supposed that was why he was so unusually tired.

Elsie locked the clinic’s door. If any more patients came, they could knock. She had to prepare for the most memorable night of her life. Bertie seemed to know about it, but Elsie wondered how she could—she ran to her room to find that Bertie had put the tub in the corner of the room, and she’d brought up some buckets of steaming hot water, which she’d set beside it.

Bertie poked her head through the doorway. “Your dinner is in the oven. I’ll mind the clinic if someone comes in. Enjoy your bath.” She pulled something from her pocket. “I almost forgot—this is a special soap. Hazel makes it. Her handyman helps. I think this one is lilac scented.”

Elsie took the bar. “How can I ever thank you, Bertie?”

Bertie winked. “Enjoy your evening. See you at breakfast.” She closed the door.

Elsie wasted no time bathing and washing her hair. She wished she had a fancy nightgown, her winter flannel ones would never do, so she selected a mint green cotton one. While it wasn’t the typical wedding night apparel, she didn’t think Conner would mind.

After she’d toweled herself off, she put her day dress back on. First, they had to have dinner.

She heard the clinic door open and Conner talking to Bertie. She came out of her room to find Bertie struggling to keep Conner upright.

“What happened?” she cried, running to them.

Bertie walked him down the hall, and Elsie ran to help by supporting him on his other side. They finally got him onto his bed.

Bertie sighed. “He’s burning up with fever.”

“Oh, no! I’ll run to the hotel to see if Wadsworth is still in town.” Elsie scurried out of the room, through the house and clinic, and to the street. She made it to the hotel just as Wadsworth was descending the large curved staircase with his suitcase.

“Dr. Wadsworth!” Elsie said, running to the stairway. “Come quick! Conner’s burning up with a fever.”

“Are you sure?” He made it to the bottom of the stairs and set his suitcase down. “I’m to catch