Review: The Ring That Binds. by Linda Carrol-Braddock
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 17, 2013
Such a beautiful story about an Irish widow seamstress, Celina Inness, and her young daughter, Kenna, and their relationship with the tall, strong, dark handsome General Store owner, Mikel Toussaint,  who recently moved to Colorado from Bilboa, Spain.  Two years ago,Celina's husband, Nolan, got Silver fever, left his family, moved to the mine, and eventually was killed working there.Celina was alone to raise their daughter, Kenna.  She started a seamstress business, which was successful from the start. Many of the local wealthy women relied on her talents.  At night after Kenna was asleep, Celina created small decorative articles in her spare time. Presently, she was creating Christmas decorations as Christmas was nearly here.  Mikel sold some of her articles in his store that he owed with his brother.  Mikel had feelings for Celina since he first saw her, following her husband's death.  He admired her stamina and courage that she demonstrated while caring for her young daughter alone.  She was completely devoted to her  learning and fine developing good character and manners.  Kenna was outgoing, friendly to all who crossed her path.  She exhibited much maturity for a four year old, helping her mother with the chores, always with a smile.  Kenna was a happy child,  Mikel adored her and enjoyed watching and joining while she played.  Telling stories of the old country was her favorite pastime, as she devoured each word, dreaming of those far away places.The weather turned ,bitter cold. Frequent snow squalls and raging icy winds were common.  Keeping the fires burning in Celina's store and living quarters took constant care.  Chopping wood was difficult, carrying the logs and staking  wood piles nearly impossible for a woman, but Celina forged forward as best she could.  Not a day went by she didn'tc miss Nolan's help. That's when Mikel had a chance to get to know Celina better by offering his help.  He charmed, Kenna with stories from the old country.  A strong bond developed between Mikel and Kenna.  Celina promised one of her regular wealthy customers  she would deliver her dress to her home.On the morning she promised to deliver the dress, a blizzard raged, fierce winds blew  Celina must deliver the dress as promised.  She gave her word.  She woke Kenna and found her burning up with fever, drenched with sweat, obviously  very ill, too lethargic to rise, begging  her mother to let her sleep.  Celina  explained they must deliver the dress as she promised.  Kenna could barely function.  Celina carried her downstairs. wrapped her in a blanket and carried her to the outdoor privy.  She tried to get Kenna to take a sip of broth and try a few bites of oatmeal to keep your strength up.  Too tired and sick, Kenna had difficulty swallowing, she repeatedly tried to lay down. Celina  bumgling her up, coaxing her onward.  Celina had to pull her along feeling guilty for having to take her out in this brutal weather fearing she would get sicker.  They finally stumbled to Mrs. Peabody's house with the dress, exhausted,  When they arrived, a young girl maid answered the door who could have come to get the dress instead of Celina having to expose her young daughter to the vicious elements when she was sick and hould be home in her warm bed,On the way home, Celina could barely walk carrying Keena on her back, covered lwith a warm blanket Mrs. Peabody loaned her, feeling terrible that Celina's sick child had to be exposed to this weather  explaining her husband was out of town with the car. And had no way to get her home.  Celina forged on, stumbling with Kernna on her back, havingto stop frequently to catch her breath.Then, thank God, along came Mikel to their rescue.  He loaded them in his wagon, covering Kanna .  Celina climbed up sitting beside Mikel, feeling warmly grateful.  Mikel wasted no time heading to Celina,s shop.  He helped them out of the cart and into the house.  He carried Kenna upstairs and helped Cerlina get her out of the wet clothes and into dry warm clothes.  he looked at Cerlina ordering her to get out of his wet clo thes. When Mikel saw her head to her room, he fired up the fireplaces.  They tried to get Kanna to sip some beef broth lout she was too weak toto keep her head up.The doctor got in touch with Celina and Mikel advising them to get the medicine at his house, giving him a prescriptionthat His wife would know what to do. And that she would have the medicine.  how much is the medicineCelina worried about. The cost.  It would be five dollars. Five Dollars! She didn't know where she could get that much money. Mikel said not to worry he would buy it.  Cerlina refused to allow that.  She already had more debt than she could bear and refused to add to it.kThey went a few rounds arguing when Celina pulled off her wedding band and asked Mikel and his broyher if she could sand  she didn't know where she could locate thst much money.Mikel felt so terrible that she had to pawn her wedding ring.  I would on anything to save my child,  If that isn't enough, you can take my china teapot.  It only has a small chip off on the end of the spout.Mikel went to get the medicine and got the instructions how to administer it, How much to give and how often.  They started Keena on the medicine.  It helped bring down then fever.He came back to check on his ladies and found was relieved to find Kenna's fever down and feeling better. Now is the time for presents.  He reached in his pack and brought out a beautiful small red box and handed it to Celina.  She opened it to find a gold ring with a diamond chip in the middle.  Her eyes filled with tears.Mikel said," I wish to make you my wife,  Celina Innes."  He slipped the ring on her finger.Tears rolled down her cheeks as she admired the ring."Does that mean you will?"She.hugged him with tears of joy rolling down her cheeks, " Yes, yes.""Is there anything else you need, my love.""You, Mikel Toussaint is what I need."He picked her up twirling her around, hugging and kissing saying this was the best Christmas present he ever could receive, his happiest Christmas ever.Kenna laughed and clapped her hands. Mikel smiled at her as he placed a large package of gayly colored Christmas gifts on her bed, saying, "Happy Christmas, little one, now it is your turn."She hugged him saying, "It is my ihappiest Christmas ever, too."