Chapter 16.
Autumn settled in with its rain and early nights, and, for Emily, the weeks slipped by in a gentle rhythm of sewing and visits to the Barkley Ranch. She found herself helping Audra at the piano, enjoying an occasional afternoon with Nick outdoors, dinner with the family, and always there was an intimate buggy ride home.
Emily may have remained cozy and content but for her growing worry about Sarah's mother. It was a worry she shared with many, but mostly with Sarah.
By late November, Ruth was bedridden with pneumonia. Emily didn't think she would survive but she kept that to herself. Her worry shifted to Sarah and her visits to their home, not far from her own, became longer and more frequent.
Heath, too, became a more frequent guest and Emily could see the same silent worry in his eyes. Often, Emily would arrive to find Heath and Sarah sitting at the table together, the house still and quiet except for the sound of Ruth's labored breathing coming from a nearby room.
Emily eventually stopped bringing food to Sarah and Ruth as there was now an abundance brought over from concerned friends, neighbors, customers, and, of course, the Barkleys.
Many people came to help, to sit with Ruth, offer comfort or run errands for Sarah, but it was Heath and Emily who formed the core of Sarah's support.
With Ruth so ill and unable to attend to sewing, customers began taking their business elsewhere and financial survival became a very real concern for Sarah despite assurances from Heath and Emily.
Emily, too, had declined some work to be more available to her friend and she took secret, albeit guilty, pleasure in turning Susannah Ahern away.
A solemn Thanksgiving came and went. On the morning of the following Tuesday, as Emily brought hot tea to Sarah who sat holding her mother's hand, the dying woman let out a long breath and did not take in another. Emily stood rooted to the floor at the foot of the bed and Sarah, sitting beside her mother, waited, frozen, and they both watched the woman's face relax.
Sarah looked up at Emily, her face a registering a combination of fear and questioning.
Emily quickly, quietly, placed the cup and saucer on the dresser, the nearest flat surface, and swept over to her friend, placing one hand on Sarah's shoulder and the other against Ruth's neck, feeling nothing at all.
She turned to Sarah and said, "Honey, she's gone."
Actually, Emily wasn't certain; She'd never watched anyone die before. But she was as certain as she could be.
Sarah had turned back to her mother, head bent, and crying. Emily moved to stand behind her friend, still with a hand on her shoulder, and wondered what to do next. She didn't want to leave Sarah alone but she thought someone should know, someone with authority should help, and she wanted to be useful.
After some minutes had passed, Emily asked if Sarah wanted her to fetch the doctor and Sarah nodded her head. Emily knew Dr. Merar could do nothing as she was now very certain that Ruth was dead. Sarah nodded her head again when Emily asked if she would be all right by herself for a short time.
Emily left slowly, quietly, as if in a dream. She wrapped herself in her wool coat and blinked at the frosty morning light. She'd gone only a few steps on the wooden sidewalk when she saw Heath approaching on Charger. Strange she should notice him as she hadn't noticed anyone else. She stopped and waited for him.
Heath stayed in his saddle as Emily looked up and told him that Ruth had just died.
"I'll get Dr. Merar," he said, and started to leave but Emily stopped him.
"No, Heath. I'll get the doctor," she said, "Please go be with Sarah. She needs you, not me."
Heath nodded silently and dismounted, tied Charger to the fence, and went inside the house. Emily was glad to have a useful mission, grim though it was.