Chapter Eight

Jarrod rode home; EJ greeted him at the door.

"My love, I am so glad you are home. Rionach collapsed at the shop. It seems she was trying to put something on a higher shelf. Aine went for help. Sally and Heath brought her here. Dr. Merar and Nick are with her—-your Mother too."

"Where is Aine?"

"Outside with Audra and Posy.I came in to meet you. I saw you across the field."

Jarrod frowned and realized his 'talk' with Audra would have to wait.

"Let's go see if we can be of help to my sister." he said with worry.

"Outside sounds wonderful. Heath went out to take care of payroll and some of the tack that was delivered. Nick was going to do that when they brought her home."

"Do you know any more, my love?" and he kissed her on the forehead.

"Sally and Heath yelled for help at the front door. Heath carried her in, unconscious and said the doc was on the way. Silas got Nick and he immediately ran inside. She was in the cutting room on the floor. Her head was bleeding. That's all I heard. I took Aine and Posy outside to distract them. Audra took my place when I saw you."

He stopped her at the French doors, "EJ, I promise I will explain later. You have my word. Can you tell me about the day last week when Rionach drew the dresses? Everything, you remember?"

She looked at him quizzically. He repeated his promise.

"It was her second day home from the hospital. She slept until after lunch. We were wedding planning in the study. The conversation turned to dresses. One thing led to another and she agreed to draw one for Audra. It was amazing. Perfect for her. Then she did two more; one for me and one for Sally. Jarrod, they were what dreams were made of. I never saw someone with such a gift. She was really nervous doing it and yet it was magical—her face was full of joy in a way I had not seen before. Made us promise to keep them to ourselves. Show no one. Sally told us to find the fabric—Rionach even estimated the yards and trim. We wrote down all the ideas on our drawings. Sally said she would cut the patterns. Rionach volunteered to stitch the dresses as her gift. But no one was to see them or know she did it. Your mother was really concerned—mentioned Rionach's pain in her eyes when she realized we were choosing her dresses. She really cares about the girl. Well, we all do."

"EJ, one more question, do you think she was the one to design for Madame LeClerc?"

"Yes, —yes, yes. The tucks and folds, the neckline—-I would think it's quite possible. And that's why she was so mad to find her?"

"It may be the case. And it seems my sister—-," he frowned, " may have let the cat out of the bag. One of the most powerful men in the country saw the drawing and is looking for Rionach. He came to my office today—-"

Their conversation was interrupted by a running Posy yelling, "Home" and making Jarrod base.

"Safe!" and he picked up the giggling girl.

Audra and Aine came running up to them.

"Jarrod?" Audra looked at him with concern.

"Little sister, it seems we need to take a walk."

She simply nodded knowing the look on Jarrod's face. The guilt had eaten away at her all afternoon.

Somehow he knows.

—-&—-

Nick sat by Rionach's bed. He would touch her brow and push away errant curls as Dr. Merar straightened her crooked foot.

"Just another moment, Miss O'Sullivan. I wish I could give you laudanum but with the bump on your head—-it would be dangerous."

Nick had given her quite a bit of whiskey to try to help; Rionach lost consciousness several times from the pain.

"There, there we do. Get some sleep young lady. You were hands down the bravest patient I ever had. Much better than these Barkley boys I patch up, " he winked.

Rionach barely opened her eyes, "Lose foot?" she said in confusion.

"No, dear. I believe the carbolic acid treatments that saved your life may have weakened that bone. It broke. I have it in place as best I can. When the swelling goes down, I can cast it."

Nick soothed her, "Go to sleep, Ri. You will feel better when you wake."

She softly moaned and leaned into his touch. He noticed the gesture and left his hand there.

The click of the medical bag brought back his attention.

He stood up confident that Rionach was asleep.

"Nick, I need to cast it so she won't walk on it again. A good long while. She's stubborn like someone else I know. "

He ran his fingers through his hair, "I can see that. Is she going to be ok?"

"Yes. I am glad you brought her here. There is no way for her to rest at the shop with a child to take care of. I am worried about the bump on the head. It looks like the corner of a table but she took a hard knock. Rest rest rest."

"Will make sure of it." Victoria spoke up.

"I assume there is someone to watch her daughter?'

"Daughter? That's her little sister." Nick piped up still staring at the pale Rionach.

"Ok my mistake. I knew she was awful young. Iva heard it in town. I will tell her differently."

Jarrod's voice surprised them from the door, "Tell Iva of course. But don't correct any rumors just yet. It might do well that some folks with their nose in her business think erroneously. At least for a week or two. Keeping her underwraps for a bit longer."

Nick's head spun around, "She in danger ?"

"Not that I know of but I think it prudent that Rionach be a homebody until she gets well."

Victoria and Nick both looked at Jarrod; they knew there was more to the story.

Howard nodded, "You are a prudent man, Jarrod. The town will hear no different from us."

"Thank you, friend."

"Keep an eye on her. Any changes, just send a hand. Sweet little lady. She has had a rough go of it. Those doctors in San Francisco performed a miracle saving her foot. In my day, they would have just amputated. But know, that part of the foot is damaged. It will always be a problem for her."

"Yes sir."