by Cyndi Raye
So, Elizabeth was glad Nurse Ellie was too busy to talk. She didn’t feel like holding a conversation with anyone today. Bringing up the past even in her mind was too distressing. She fumbled at the door to the back yard, stepping in chicken poop one too many times. After a struggle, Elizabeth collected the eggs she needed, placed the money on the counter and quickly left the doctors office without speaking to any of the patrons waiting on the porch.
“Good day, Elizabeth,” Nurse Ellie told her as she came out to gather the next patient.
Elizabeth turned to wave to Nurse Ellie who was staring down the street, a look of awe all over her face. It wasn’t normal for the nurse to show her emotions. She heard Ellie speaking to one of the townsfolk. “Do you know who that is?”
Elizabeth watched the exchange, wondering why the look of adoration appeared on everyone’s face when they began to stare.
Slowly, some townsfolk stood. “It is him! I saw it in yesterdays paper.”
“Who?” Elizabeth asked, confused.
“Why, it’s all over the news. The Mill Ridge Journal put the story out yesterday. Didn’t you read the paper, Elizabeth?”
“I, uh, no.” She was ashamed to admit she bought the paper for her renters but was usually too busy to take time to read. Day old paper made good starter for the cook stove.
“You missed it then,” Ellie noted. “I can’t believe we are fortunate to have in our town the Texas Ranger who single-handedly took down the Riley Gang.”
“Texas Ranger? Impressive.” Even though she wasn’t impressed. Where was the law when those outlaws wiped out everyone she had loved in her small Kansas town? She almost hated law men as much as she hated outlaws. Elizabeth should be ashamed of feeling so awful. The bitterness would eat her alive if she didn’t keep it in check. No matter, she had to get back to help Rose with breakfast. The renters would be up and ready to be served by now.
“Have a good day, Nurse Ellie. Stop in for tea soon.”
Nurse Ellie nodded, still staring at the stranger. Elizabeth shook her head, swinging around to see what the big deal was.
The horse was about two feet away. She noticed the Ranger’s clothing first, as the horse was so tall she came face to face with the man’s thigh. She needed him to move on so she could cross the street. When he stayed right there, she tried to keep her temper in check. “Oh for Pete sake, mister. Would you mind, I’m trying to cross the street.”
Elizabeth’s patience was running out. She hadn’t realized she had dallied so long, it was important for her to do her job and make sure her guests were fed and on their way. She pulled the egg basket closer, gathered up her skirts with her free hand and stepped on to the street.
“Elizabeth,” the raspy sound came from the man on the horse, its familiar lull causing her to raise her head in utter surprise.
Her head began to pound, the sound of his voice the only thing she understood. Voices in the background faded out. All Elizabeth saw was a pair of blue-gray eyes staring down at her.
His eyes.
The man she had loved with all her heart and soul.
She let the basket of eggs slide from her fingers. Some rolled from the basket, cracking as they hit the dirt ground.
Her heart felt as if it were pounding a mile a minute, her throat so tight she didn’t have the capacity to speak. Shock overcame reality. She knew he was speaking to her, saw the motion of his mouth but had no clue how to make out the words he was saying. He began to slide from the big stallion, and yet she kept her eyes on his, like a magnet, as if she didn’t dare break contact.
If she did, this would be a dream and she knew she’d wake up to realize it wasn’t real.
Her throat became dry, her nostrils flared. She reached out, wanting to touch him so bad. Her body felt as if it were floating away from him instead of towards him, so she tried to grab him as he came closer. It didn’t work, the clouds gathered around and pulled her away. “Noah,” she whispered, his name on her lips as she fell into the darkness.
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