Flower of My Heart
Caine did not expect to sleep as long as he had. It was dark when he rose. He was still weak but not as severely as before. His strength was slowly returning. Caine looked around and found his clothes draped across the bed. He was surprised to find them thoroughly cleaned, pressed, and mended. He examined the handiwork of the stitching and was amazed at the delicate work. Where there had been two bullet holes, there were two neatly sewn lines.
After dressing Caine moved from the bedroom into the larger living and kitchen area. Lillian was standing by the stove string a very large pot.
"I hope you don't mind. I didn't have the heart to wake you. You looked so peaceful." Lillian approached Caine and placed her hand on his face and forehead. "Fever has remained down. That's good. Would you care for a bowl of soup?"
Caine gave Lillian a short bow then sat on the bench next to the large table. A loaf of bread and a pitcher of milk with two cups were already present. Caine watched Lillian dish up two bowls and place them on the table. He continued to watch her as she then placed a spoon by each bowl then also sat down. He eyed her curiously as she bowed her head in prayer and gave thanks for the meal. Caine waited patiently until she picked up her spoon and began eating her soup before he picked up his. The soup was warm and nourishing. Chunks of vegetables could be seen floating in the broth. It was obvious she had respected his belief in not eating meat. As they were having their meal, outside rain began to pore down. Showers had moved into the area earlier and now it would seem that they were here to stay for the rest of the night.
"AAAhhhh," Lillian screamed in surprise as water began dripping down into her lap. Soon the drips became heavier and turned into a steady stream. "I should have realized that something had to be wrong when I bought his place." Lillian jumped up and grabbed a nearby bucket and placed it in the spot she had just vacated. She was just about to sit elsewhere when another spot began dripping as well. It wasn't long before she was using all her pots except the soup pot to catch water dripping from the ceiling. "Great. It hadn't rained since I arrived and I had no idea this place had any roofing problems." Concern caused her to check out the other rooms. "At least the bedrooms are dry."
"I will repair the roof after the rain has stopped, Miss . . . Lillian Montgomery?" Caine offered.
"Call me Lilly. I can't ask you to do that. You're still recovering from a bullet wound. You might begin to bleed again."
"The wound is healing," Caine stated. "The roof will not without assistance."
Lillian smiled at Cain's strange phrasing. "Well, we might as well finish our meal. There's nothing we can do until morning. At least I don't have to go out and get water to wash the dishes."
A smile spread across Cain's face and he began to laugh. He rarely did that. It felt wonderful.
"Did you know when you smile, your whole face lights up?" Lillian said. "I bet you don't hear that very often."
Caine shyly looked away and began cleaning up the dishes. A silence fell between them that was both awkward and comfortable at the same time. As soon as the dishes were done, Lillian picked up her sewing basket and began repairing one of her travel-worn dresses. In the insuing silence, Caine picked up his flute and began to play.
"That's beautiful. Where did you learn to play?"
"At the temple in China."
"Temple? You're some kind of a priest?" disappointment filled Lillian.
"Yes. But not that kind of a priest."
Lillian blushed at Caine's words, ashamed of what she had been thinking earlier. "Well, it's getting late. I need to get up early and report into my job."
"Where do you work, Miss Lillian Montgomery?" Caine asked, curious.
"Please, call me Lilly," Lillian insisted. "Every one does. I'm a singer. I don't have to begin singing until tomorrow night at the saloon. I asked them to give me time to get my house in order, but I can't put them off any longer."
"Why must you sing in a saloon?
"Well, I really don't want to, but I need the experience right now. I hope to some day go to St. Louis or some other large city and join a theater company, but right now that's not possible. You better get to bed as well. This is the first night you've been up and you don't want to over do it. You can take the bed. I'll sleep . . ."
"That is not necessary. I have a bedroll."
"Oh I should be horsewhipped! I forgot. I washed it and left it out on the line to dry. Now it's soaked again from the rain."
"I will find a place to sleep. I can sleep in the barn."
"No. You will do nothing of the kind. You'll catch a cold out there. We'll think of something."
"Perhaps we may share the bed?" Caine suggested
Lilac's heart skipped a beat. While Caine had lain wounded, she had slept in a chair. It wasn't the most comfortable place, but it had been better than nothing at the time. "Well, I usually do not take a strange man to my bed, but if it's only to sleep, I guess it will be all right for one night."
"I promise to . . . behave myself?"
Lillian smiled at Caine's way of reaching for words that were unfamiliar to him. 'Perhaps he would at that.' she thought. Still, she could not help feeling like a shy new bride on her wedding night.
End of Part 3
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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