Thirty-three

Zachary

Sitting in a chair beside Patrick’s bed, I watched him rest soundly. I was grateful Eveline had taken my advice on strengthening her own body before she could continue to care for her son.

Touching his forehead for the tenth time in the two hours or so since she left, I determined that the heat had finally abated, but I could not keep my fingers from hovering over his lips as well, just to assure myself his breathing had not suspended. Memories of how recently I had done this very thing with my father surfaced, yet it felt so different. Father was at the end of his life, having lived, loved, and raised children. Patrick was just at the beginning of his life.

I had never known such fear as the moment I learned of Patrick’s disappearance. The words so deeply engrained in my chest I struggled to breathe as I mounted Thunder. Growing up in the country is one of life’s paramount gifts, but it comes with hazards some are not prepared for. I believe one of the reasons I survived to adulthood was due to either Lucas or Evie talking me out of participating in some wild-eyed idea… and I had many.

I have not known Patrick for long and never imagined such a desire could bring so powerful of emotions to the surface. My father’s pitiable treatment of me had soured me to the idea of having my own children. Yet, the times I spent at Eveline’s home, I bore witness of the love and goodness a kind father can provide. Was such a fortune possible in my future?

Touching Patrick’s lips and forehead again, I sighed at the wisp of breath coming from his mouth then smiled at the memory of him calling me Papa back at the watchtower . The title stunned me at first, then I recognized the fierce emotions tied to such a word and the fire that lit behind my urgency to bring him home safe and sound. I wanted that calling… no, I desired that calling.

I had departed Havenscrest in such an urgency that the letters I had written to my friends remained on my desk. The same letters that contained news of my proposal. Yet, nothing in the brief conversations I had with any of them upon my return had led me to believe that Eveline made such an announcement. Could whatever Frederick had said truly changed our future?

“How is he?” Eveline entered the room, taking my breath away as she always did. Her hair was back in a simple chignon with the one random strand across her forehead, the same one that seemed to take residence there. She wore a new pale blue dress, presumably dry and comfortable. I ached to embrace her, wishing to hold her as we awaited Patrick’s recovery together.

I stood to greet her properly. “He is sleeping soundly, and I no longer feel the heat emanating from his forehead.”

She stepped over to him and did precisely what I had done every few minutes while here—she checked his breathing.

“Forgive me for taking so long,” she mumbled. “I finished my bath, changed, and sat on the bed to put my slippers on and somehow fell asleep. I did not mean to be away for so long.”

I smiled. “I am glad you got some rest, I’m certain you needed it.”

She stared at me for what seemed an eternity but could only have been a few seconds. “Thank you, Zach. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you arrived when you did. I cannot begin to fathom what would have—”

I cut her off and stepped closer. “—the worst did not happen, and he is going to be fine. Do not torture yourself, Evie. It is not your fault Patrick’s eager curiosity took him on a little journey.”

“It is my fault.” Her lips trembled. “I was watching him, well, sort of, I was reading my correspondence when he disappeared. It was my duty as his mother to keep an eye on him and keep him safe.”

I took both her hands in mine and gently brushed my thumbs against her palms. “Do you recall the time I wanted to fashion a rope from one of the highest limbs of Cornelius and swing on it with the intent to leap into the pond?”

Her lips lifted in a partial smile. “Yes, I remember.”

“Boys have this innate drive to be curious and explore, only it generally involves something dangerous.” I chuckled. “What about the time I trapped the fox and wanted to make it my pet?”

Her smile grew.

“And then there was the time I dug a pit, against your wishes mind you, while playing Robin Hood. You were the fair Maid Marion, and I was attempting to win your hand by capturing the Sheriff of Nottingham, who was Lucas.” I gazed at her tenderly. “Then, as the days passed, I forgot all about the contraption, with its sticks and leaves covering the opening, and ended up falling in myself, twisting my ankle.”

She laughed.

I continued to rub her palms gently. “I believe the Lord had to make us boys strong enough to withstand our poor choices and place women in our lives to help us deviate from those poor choices. I can’t count high enough the number of times your wise counsel prevented me from certain death.”

She gazed down at our hands, still touching.

“Evie, you are going to make a wonderful mother, not only to Patrick, but for other children who have yet to bless your life.” I led her to the chair, urging her to sit down beside her son.

Despite my yearning to beg and plead for me to be the man who gives her those children, Patrick and his recovery was our priority. I needed to set aside my own selfish desires for a later time, hoping that whatever damage had been done, I could prove to Eveline that she is my world.

She and Patrick.