The O'Neal Girls Chapter 16

Chapter 16 

Cassandra, Nadia, and Megan were the next to arrive back at the cabin. Grandma Corie pounced on Cassandra as soon as she entered the cabin. 

“Dear, how is my son?”  

Cassandra shook her head. “I really don’t know...” 

“You have to know something!”  

“Please...let me sit down!” 

Belle rushed to Cassandra and helped her to a chair. She grabbed a towel and furiously fanned Cassandra’s pale face. “Cassandra, calm down.” 

“What’s wrong?” Lillian said, walking over. 

“She almost always faints at the sight of blood,” Belle sighed. “It’s a miracle she lasted this long!” 

Lillian left Danielle to get a glass of water for Cassandra. Cassandra gratefully accepted the cool drink. She pushed the brown strands of hair back behind her ears.  

“I’m sorry…” she said putting down the cup. 

“Don’t be,” Belle laid her hand on her sister’s shoulder.  

Cassandra sighed and leaned back in the chair. Nadia and Megan went into their room to change into dry clothes.  

“Bring the wet clothes out to me then,” Lillian called after them. She went back to Danielle. “Are you feeling better now?”  

“Yes, ma’am,” Danielle said quietly.  

Lillian stood up and strung the clothesline in front of the fireplace. She added another log to the fire and the flames shot up. Grandma Corie was sitting in the rocking chair nervously wringing her hands. Her pale eyes continued to rivet to the window. Belle felt a wave of compassion sweep over her. She walked over to the elderly woman and sat beside her. 

“Try not to worry...God is in control,” Belle laid her hand over Grandma Corie’s.  

The older woman looked up thankfully. “Thank-you, dear. Thank-you.” 

 Faith and Lynn came through the door. They whipped off their hats and shook the snowflakes out of their hair. They were giggling and smiling. But when they saw Danielle with her big bandage and Cassandra’s pale face and nervous Grandma Corie, their faces fell. 

“What happened?” Lynn asked shyly. 

Lillian drew the two into the kitchen. “There has been an accident with Mr. Corie and Danielle had an injury. Go change into some dry dresses and bring me the wet ones.” Lillian sent them to their rooms as Megan and Nadia came out with their bundles of clothes.  

“Here, Ma,” Nadia said, depositing her bundle into Lillian’s arms.  

“Thank-you, Sweetheart.” 

“Here,” Megan echoed, dumping her load on top of Nadia’s. 

“Thank-you, Pearl.” Lillian took the clothes and she and Belle started hanging them on the line.  

Danielle stood up off the couch.  

Lillian noticed Danielle standing and said, “Oh, Darling, you shouldn’t—” 

“I want to go lay down on my bed,” Danielle told her.  

Lillian seemed upset but allowed Danielle to go upstairs. She turned around and continued to hang up the clothes. 

Danielle gratefully disappeared upstairs. She couldn’t get the horrible picture of Mr. Corie out of her mind. She kept seeing him falling and William yelling. She laid down on the bed and whispered a short prayer for Mr. Corie.  

~~~ 

   Paul pulled William and Silas away from Titus. “I’m sorry, boys.” Paul turned back for a quick glance at Titus. His last breath had been taken. He didn’t even make it for the doctor to arrive.  

   William’s eyes filled up and Silas angrily brushed away his own years.  Paul watched the boys in anguish, not sure how to comfort them.

He jumped aboard his horse and helped the boys on behind him. “Let’s go home.” 

The ride was absolutely silent. Every so often, Silas or William would sniffle or cough to hide a sob. Paul felt horrible. These poor boys, he thought sadly.  

    ~~~

When they reached home, Elsie and Doctor Young were mounting Esther to ride out to them. Doctor Young lifted his eyebrows in question. Paul shook his head no. Paul dismounted Ruth and William and Silas jumped off next. Doctor Young jogged over to Paul. 

“Do you need help with the body?” he asked kindly. 

“I’d appreciate it, Doc,” Paul said. He looked over at the house. “I need to go break the news first.” He strode inside and motioned Lillian over into the kitchen. Lillian followed him over.  

“What’s wrong?” she asked. 

“Shh, lower your voice,” Paul said. 

Lillian’s eyes widened in surprise.  

“Titus is dead.” 

“What?” Lillian uttered in complete shock. Her hands flew over her mouth.  

“He must have brought a jug of whiskey along; I found an empty jug in the woods nearby his body. William said he saw found Titus in the woods and he had a gun and shot himself by accident.” Paul shrugged. “That stupid, drunken fool! That man ruined his life!” 

Lillian shook her head. “Those poor boys...and Grandma Corie…” Lillian stole a sorrowful look at Grandma Corie.  

“I’m going to tell Grandma Corie now. Would you take the girls into their rooms?” 

Lillian answered that she would and left to complete her task. Paul took off his hat and walked into the parlor. He waited until all the girls had left. He knelt by Mrs. Corie and looked sorrowfully at her.  

“My boy is dead?” she whispered to Paul. 

Paul swallowed deeply. “Yes, ma’am...” 

“He was drunk, wasn’t he?” 

“Yes, ma’am.” 

Grandma Corie rocked back and forth in the chair. She closed her eyes and quietly spoke. “Lord...help me through this...” 

Paul left as Grandma Corie continued to pray. He went outside to where Doctor Young was chatting with the Corie boys. William and Silas were talking quietly but at least they were talking. 

“Boys, why don’t you go inside and get a snack and something to drink?” Paul pointed at the house. 

William and Silas thanked him and walked side-by-side into the house. Paul saw Lillian meet them at the door with a ready smile and shepherd them inside. Paul turned back to the doctor.  

“Let’s get this over with,” Paul sighed. He mounted on Esther and the doctor on Ruth. 

~~~

Danielle gasped as she heard Paul talk with Grandma Corie. Titus Corie was dead and it was Danielle’s fault. It was her fault she didn’t tell anyone that Mr. Corie was hurt! Danielle gripped the edge of the bed with panicky hands. 

She couldn’t believe it. How could she tell her parents? How could she tell her sisters? She couldn’t. She was afraid to stay; she had to escape. Danielle wearily lifted herself from the bed and walked to the edge of the loft. She snatched a light jacket before heading down the steps. Grandma Corie was the only one in the parlor, but Danielle heard Lillian talking with Belle in the kitchen. Danielle quickly hurried into the parlor and towards the door.  

“Danielle, darling?” Lillian called.  

Danielle turned around, “I…I…have to get something from outside.”  

Lillian nodded, “Alright.”  

Danielle spent a few seconds gazing at the lady who loved Danielle enough to adopt her and become her mother. She suddenly began to rethink running away. She didn’t want to leave her family. She loved them. How could she leave her new family? 

Lillian noticed her daughter’s stare. She cocked her head to the side and gave her daughter a smile. “What’s wrong?”  

Danielle suddenly rushed forward and threw her arms around Lillian’s neck. “I love you, Ma!”  

Lillian laughed in surprise at Danielle’s outburst. Never had Danielle been so blatant in her displays of affection before. In fact, Lillian couldn’t remember any of the girls saying “I love you” to her before. Lillian hugged her daughter back. “I love you too, dear.” 

Danielle relished Lillian’s warm embrace before turning and walking outside. She went out past the barn and headed for the Black Hills above her. She jogged for a few minutes then slowed to a walk. She paused at one point and looked over her shoulder. She could see a thick curl of smoke puffing up from the O’Neal cabin. A single tear dropped from Danielle’s eye as the sadness overcame her. For an instant, Danielle wanted to run back home, but she pushed that thought away and plunged forward through the snow.  

~~~

William and Silas hitched their chestnut mares up to their wagon that afternoon. Paul and the doctor had taken Titus over to the Corie place and the doctor promise to make arrangements for a funeral in two days. Grandma Corie wished to go home so they packed up and prepared to leave. William helped his grandmother up onto the wagon and Silas clamored into the back. William climbed up and snatched the reins. He turned back to the O’Neals and looked at them solemnly.  

Nadia, Megan, Lynn, Elsie, and Faith were standing out front waving. Belle and Cassandra were all behind them. Paul and Lillian were standing to the side. Paul had his arm around Lillian and she was leaning on him. 

William waved at the family. “Thanks fer yer kindness!” 

Silas waved too. “We’ll never forget you!” 

Paul and Lillian laughed lightly through their sadness. The Cories were kind people. They were a bit rough but very nice on the inside.  

“Alright, everyone inside to help clean up,” Paul said. He and Lillian watched the girls bound in the door.  

“Where is Danielle?” Lillian asked suddenly.  

“She didn’t come say goodbye...she must be in the loft,” Belle answered. “I’ll go see how she is feeling.” Belle followed her sisters inside and she made her way up to the loft.

“Danielle...” Belle gasped at the empty bed. She looked around the loft in confusion. Then she noticed a note lying on the bed. Belle picked it up and read it. “ ‘Goodbye, everyone. I love you.’” Belle raced downstairs and wildly looked around.  

“Belle, what’s wrong?” Cassandra asked as she noticed Belle’s panicked look.  

“I think Danielle is missing!”  

“Missing?” Elsie cried walking over.  

“She’s left this note!” Belle felt her heart pound against her chest.  

Cassandra snatched the note out of Belle’s hand and read it. “What on earth?!”

“I’ll look in the barn,” Faith offered. She flew outside in a hurry.  

Lillian walked out of the kitchen. “What’s going on out here?”  

No one answered her; no one was sure what to say. The girls blankly stared at Lillian.  

“Girls...?”  

Faith threw open the door and rushed inside. “She’s not outside. She’s gone!”  

“Who is gone?” Lillian raised her voice impatiently.  

“Danielle,” Belle whispered.  “She ran away.”

~~~ 

Paul, Belle, Cassandra, Elsie and Faith raced out on the horses in order to search for Danielle. Lillian found herself alone with Lynn, Megan, Nadia, and Oakley. It was evening now and to make matters worse, it was beginning to sleet. Lillian sent the girls to bed early. They didn’t complain. They knew better than to argue.  

Lillian came out to the parlor after tucking the little girls in bed. She sat down in the rocking chair and rocked her son back and forth. Lillian had never felt so puzzled and confused before. Why would Danielle do this? She’s never done anything like this before. She said she loved it here...she said she loved her family…she said she loved me...what would make her want to leave? 

~~~ 

Danielle kept walking in the nasty sleet. She was freezing and couldn’t see where she was going, but she kept going. Daylight would be coming soon and she was exhausted from her long night. She placed her foot out in front of her but her foot found no solid ground. Frightened, Danielle threw herself backwards just in the nick of time. She felt her dress catch on something and rip as she fell on the wet ground. She sat up and peered around. She realized she had almost fallen off a steep cliff. Danielle scooted away from the edge and hugged her knees to her chest.  

“Why didn’t you let me die, Lord?!” she cried. “I’m a murderer! I deserve to die!” 

A Voice spoke to her. You didn’t kill Mr. Corie. It was an accident.  

“No! I killed him.” Danielle replied defiantly.    

It wasn’t your fault, the Voice pursued. I don’t want you to die. I have things in store for you. But, you need to go back to your family.  

“But if they find out that I killed Titus—” 

They’ll understand. Titus’s death wasn’t your fault. You can’t run away.  

Danielle stood up and looked up at the blinding rain. “Lord, if You want me to go back to my family, show me the way.” She went back the direction she came from and began walking.

The entire walk was a struggle. A vicious war was going on in Danielle’s head. Part of her urged her forward while the other part told her to leave. Visions of Titus falling down and crying out in pain would not leave Danielle’s mind. She could still see the blood and hear the screams. She shuddered and stopped walking.  

“No one will forgive me!” Danielle cried in despair. 

Danielle! The Voice shouted at her. I have already forgiven you! Paul and Lillian love you! They will forgive you. Your sisters will forgive you too. Your family loves you and cares about you. I love and care about you too. 

Danielle was close to giving up. She had been wandering aimlessly for hours. Her head pounded with a fierce headache and her feet begged her to rest. Thankfully the rain had cleared up, making it easier for Danielle to see where she’s going. Danielle kept her eyes forward and suddenly, she saw a small light. She then recognized where she was—on the hill overlooking the O’Neal cabin.

With sudden relief and energy, she propelled herself forward; racing to the tip of the hill. She dragged herself to a halt as she reached the top. The sun was rising and shed some light on the earth. Danielle saw Belle and Cassandra walk past Lillian and into the cabin. Paul came out of the barn and walked toward Lillian.  

“I found this...at Walter’s cliff,” Paul said slowly and sadly to his wife. He was holding a scrap of something.  

Danielle realized it must be part of her dress. 

“Oh, Paul! No!” Lillian’s voice rose loudly. “No! It can’t be her!” 

“She must have fallen…” Paul’s voice caught and he couldn’t continue.  

“Why would she do this? Why on earth did she run away?” Lillian burst into uncontrolled sobs. Lillian fell into Paul’s arms and sobbed long and hard. 

Paul hugged Lillian and seemed to be holding back his own tears. 

Danielle suddenly realized how no matter what happened the day before, she would be forgiven. Danielle felt ashamed. As the sun peeked over the Black Hills, Danielle ran down the hill and onto the O’Neal yard.  

“Ma!” Danielle called as she neared her parents. “Pa!” 

A silence fell over Lillian. “Danielle?” Lillian looked up in complete shock. Then without warning, she lifted her skirts and ran to Danielle. She reached her daughter and enclosed her in a hug. Danielle let herself relax into Lillian’s loving arms.  

“I’m sorry...so sorry!”  

“Oh Danielle, darling! I was so worried!” Lillian had started crying again as she hugged Danielle.  

Danielle was holding back tears as she hugged Lillian back. “I’m all wet,” she protested suddenly, pulling away.  

Lillian didn’t allow her to pull away, “I don’t care; as long as you are safe—as long as all my daughters are safe, I don’t care one bit!”  

Paul rushed over and enveloped both women in a hug. “Danielle…I’m so glad you’re safe!” He pressed a kiss to Danielle’s wet hair.  “Let’s get you inside.” 

Paul and Lillian led Danielle inside where her entire family greeted her warmly.