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“I wrote Da a few weeks ago,” she murmured, taking the letter. “I didn’t think word would come so soon.” Her heart beat heavily inside her; would it just be another short, meaningless missive from a man she didn’t know anymore?
She opened it while Hamish waited, scanning the few lines with a wrinkled brow.
“Well? What does my brother say?”
“Dear Ellen,” she read in a quiet voice, “I’m sorry to hear about Ruth. I know Hamish loved her, and it’s a terrible thing, being parted from a wife. It makes me realize even more how frail we all are, and I am glad you wrote me. I know I haven’t done my best by you these last years, but if you’re still willing I’d be glad for you to visit me here in Santa Fe. Perhaps you’ll stay awhile, even. I have a small house and a good job, which is more than most can say. Please write when you can visit. As ever, Your Da.”
Hamish was silent, and Ellen folded the letter back into the envelope. “I asked him if I could come stay,” she said as she slipped the letter into the pocket of her apron. “I need to see him again.”
“Ruth would have wanted that.”
“Yes.”
“It’ll be strange, I expect.”
“Yes. I’m not sure if we’ll have anything to say to one another anymore, but I need to find out.”
“And you should go in style,” Hamish said, and Ellen stared at him in surprise. “Pullman Palace Car, all the way to Santa Fe. My treat.”
“Pullman Palace!” Ellen had only seen such things in newspapers. “Oh, Uncle Hamish, I couldn’t—”
“And why couldn’t you, missy? It’s about time you did something in style. And I’ve got a fair bit put by, you know. I’d like to spend it on you. A first class ticket and a store bought dress. How about that?”
She smiled, glad to see Hamish looking so cheerful. “You’re too kind. Thank you. I look forward to traveling in such grand style.”
He nodded, satisfied. “And how long will you stay? It will take the better part of a week to get there—your school starts up at the end of the month.”
Ellen took a deep breath. “I’m not going back to school.” It was a decision she’d come to, slowly but certainly, over the last few weeks. It felt strange to say it aloud, but right too.
Hamish’s eyebrows rose halfway up his forehead. “Not go back? But you’ve done so well, and you’ve only one more year.”
“Have I done well?” Ellen gave a small smile. “I wanted to become a nurse because it was safe and easy in its own way, although my time at KGH has been some of the hardest work I’ve ever known. But it’s not for me. I know that now. I think part of me knew it from the moment I stepped into the Nurses’ Home, lovely as it is. I don’t want to live my life out on the wards. I don’t want to choose the safest path.”
“Well.” Hamish shook his head slowly. “What shall you do then?”
“I don’t know.” Ellen gave a little laugh, the sound tinged with both hope and fear. “I really have no idea at all.”
“Well, you’ve time yet. And you don’t need to worry about money, as far as I’m concerned.”
“I couldn’t—”
“I told you, I have a fair bit put by. And you’re like a daughter to me, Ellen, whether you realize it or not.” The smile he gave her was slightly shame-faced. “Whether I’ve treated you that way or not.”
Ellen glanced down at her lap. “Thank you. You’re very generous, and it will be good not to have to worry on that account. But I must still do something, Uncle Hamish, and I don’t yet know what that is. I don’t want to be idle.”
“Like I’ve said, you’ve time. You can spend a few weeks with your father and think things through.”
“I suppose.”
Hamish glanced at her thoughtfully. “Are you angry with him?”
“No,” Ellen said after a moment, realizing it was the truth. “But he’s a stranger. And I don’t like leaving you alone so soon.”
Hamish shook his head. “I’ll do fine. The people of Seaton will see me right, and I’ve always got the store.”
“Still...”
Hamish held up a hand. “Don’t make this house into another sickroom, Ellen, taking care of me. Ruth told me you’d try to do that, and I’m warning you, I won’t have it.” He looked so determined that Ellen had to smile.
