And she'd been living in this man's house for 3 days, eating his food, using his medicine. The debt was mounting, and eventually it would have to be paid. Nora checked Tommy one more time, still sleeping peacefully, then made her way downstairs on legs that trembled from more than just exhaustion. Elias stood at the kitchen stove, his back to her, stirring something in a pot. He'd removed his hat, revealing dark hair threaded with gray at the temples.
His shoulders were rigid, his movements precise and controlled, as if he were holding himself together through sheer force of will. "Mr. Ward? " Nora's voice came out smaller than she'd intended. He turned, and for just a moment something flickered across his face, surprise maybe, or something softer, before his expression closed down into that now-familiar guarded neutrality. "The boy? " he asked.
"Better. The fever broke. He's sleeping, but it's real sleep now, not" She gestured helplessly. "He's going to be all right, thanks to you. " Elias nodded once and turned back to the stove. "Good.
He'll need food when he wakes. Broth first, then we'll see if he can handle solids. " "Mr. Ward, I Nora clasped her hands together to stop their shaking. I need to talk to you about payment. About what I owe you.
I meant what I said about working. I'm strong and I'm a hard worker. I can clean, cook, tend animals, whatever you need. And I won't ask for wages, just room and board until the debt is settled. I know it might take a while, but I promise I'll Mrs.
Gray. Elias's voice cut through her nervous rambling. He still didn't turn around. When did your husband die? The question caught her off guard.
What? Your husband. You wear a widow's dress and you've got a ring on a chain around your neck. When did he die? Nora's hand flew to her throat to the ring hidden beneath her collar.
7 months ago. The influenza. And you've been on your own since then? You and the boy? Yes.
No family? No one to take you in? James was an orphan. His parents died when he was young. And my family Her voice hardened.
My father made it clear I wasn't welcome after I married James. Said I was choosing poverty over sense. I haven't spoken to him in 5 years. Elias was quiet for a long moment. The only sound was the gentle bubbling of whatever he was cooking and the morning breeze through the open window.
How'd you end up here? He finally asked. Nora swallowed hard. She didn't want to tell this story, didn't want to relive the humiliation and desperation of the past months. But he'd asked and she owed him at least the truth.
After James died, I tried to keep us going in Tulsa. I took in washing, mending, whatever work I could find, but it wasn't enough. The boarding house wanted payment I couldn't make. They threw us out 2 weeks ago. Her voice remained steady though it cost her.