“Forget that, we have some planning to do,” Richard interrupted.
It seemed with Richard in this kind of mood it was best to humor him, Dutch felt, or he might be the one to end up dead.
The two sat around as Richard offered, then threw out plan after plan to kill the one that got away, followed by finding the other three.
Dutch ventured, “Maybe we should just go back to Pond City?”
“No!” Richard roared, glaring at Dutch.
“Now listen,” Dutch continued, “if we go after these people, we could end up in more trouble. Why not let them come to us?” When he finished, Dutch held his breath, he normally just went along, but they were getting nowhere. Still, when Richard was in one of his rages, you had to tread carefully.
Slowly, Richard took a deep breath, then smiled. “Dutch, you just may have something.”
Dutch relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief.
“Now we can get back to our planning,” Richard said, refilling his cup after throwing out the cold contents. “First, I think maybe a trip to the nearest town for supplies, and maybe some money,” Richard offered, “of course, we’ll make sure to drop Bull’s name.”
Dutch shivered when Richard started laughing, as the two made ready for the night.
Chapter 19
The early summer heat wave of the past week drove Will’s patience past all control. He was sitting in Josie’s office, his hands moving under the bandage on his head.
“Fussing with your bandages won’t make your wound heal any faster,” Josie said grinning.
“A lot you know, lady doctor,” Will shot back.
“Insulting me will not help either,” Josie laughed. The look of frustration on Will’s face was too ludicrous to keep the laugh inside.
“I’ll show you,” Will snarled as he began unwinding the bandage on his head. Almost as quickly, the kitten, seeing movement pounced on the flying ends.
It was too much, Josie laughed so hard tears were falling. She held her ribs, gasping for breath.
Sheepishly, Will grinned, reaching over to pet the kitten. “Perhaps you could…”
Still gasping, Josie could only nod her head in assent, her green eyes sparkling at Will’s discomfort. She knew she should be professional, but between the kitten and Will’s discomfort, she just couldn’t keep a straight face.
In the meantime, the kitten reverted to its ancestral self, attacking the bandage with a vengeance. The way the kitten pounced, attacking the ends, then pulling, it appeared she might manage to topple Will over.
Jumping up, Josie picked up and moved the kitten away. Taking a pair of scissors, Josie began cutting the bandage from around Will’s head. Once she’d removed the bandage, she gently examined the wound from the bullet. “Well, you’re healing nicely, but that wound is still looking like a piece of rare meat.”
“Are you saying you could place my head between two pieces of bread?” Will grinned.
“I doubt it would be very good, too tough,” Josie retorted.
“What, you don’t like it tough?”
Josie wasn’t comfortable with the way the conversation was heading. Will was her patient, but…
“What, the cat got your tongue?” Will quipped.
Josie grinned, “No, but if you don’t watch it—,” Josie never finished her statement. The kitten, with no one paying attention, had managed to tangle itself up in the discarded bandage and was meowing its distress.
Josie leaned over to undo the kitten just as Will did the same. Their eyes met and then Josie was catching Will as he continued to topple toward the stranded kitten. Getting her shoulder under the tall man, she pushed up with her legs, and with his help, got him upright in the chair.
“We’ll have to wait a moment,” Josie told the kitten. “I need to make sure he doesn’t fall on you.”
The kitten quieted, watching the scene between the two, sitting among the used rags.
“We’re going to have to keep the wound covered, but I don’t think we need to cover your whole head,” Josie told Will, then under her breath, “not that it wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“I heard that,” Will said, grabbing Josie’s hand as she began covering the wound. Gently holding it between his two large hands, he rubbed the back of it, then carried it up to his lips, leaving a kiss before releasing it.
Josie stared, then quietly said, “You did that once before,” as she finished her bandaging, and leaning over, took the kitten in her arms. There, the gray ball of fur began purring, clinging as Josie went to put it on the desk.
“What do you mean before?” Will asked, taking the kitten from Josie. Just as quickly, the kitten curled up in Will’s arms as Josie set about cleaning up the dirty bandages.
“When we first met,” Josie said as she returned her tools to their proper place. “Do you think you need help back to your room?” Josie wanted to spend time with Will, she wanted him to take her in his arms, and do more than just kiss her hand. But just as quickly, Josie remembered who she was, what she chose to do in this life. He was just flirting, and while fun, Josie just didn’t feel she could play along without getting serious.
“I might,” Will grinned at Josie.
“I’ll see if Amos can help you,” Josie said as she exited the room, failing to see the light go out of Will’s eyes. Then the kitten jumped from Will’s arms and took off after Josie.
Chapter 20
Two days after Josie had changed his bandage, Will was frustrated with himself. Sitting under the tree behind the hotel, bits and pieces of his memory were returning. Those memories left him with reservations about liking who he was. The person he saw in those memories scared him. Was that what was scaring his charming doctor away? The thought depressed him.
On the tail of that thought, his break with his parents popped into his head. He heard his father’s voice, “If you can’t abide by our rules, then it’s time to leave.”
“Your rules are stupid. Why would I abide by them, if I don’t...” Will said, storming out the door. Just before he shut the door, Will saw his mother standing off to the side, tears falling, but making no move to dry them. It seemed to Will the last images he had of his parents was his father, stooped from hard work, and his mother with a look of fear for her husband and child.
If these memories were true, he must have been a difficult child. He wondered if his parents were dead. If not, maybe he could go back and apologize, let them know he was going to change.
Will sat, staring at his hands, hands that if the bits and pieces he was seeing were true, had done so much damage. Would he ever be able to atone, wash the dirt he’d accumulated over the years? Were there any good memories? He sincerely hoped so. Well, starting today, Will decided to turn over a new leaf. Rising from his spot under the tree, Will headed back to the hotel. It was time to eat, and Will found he was actually hungry.
Climbing the stairs to his room, a sixth sense stopped him. Gone was the thought of food, his intent to turn over a new leaf. Instead his stomach clenched, his hand reaching for the gun that wasn’t there.
The door he’d locked before leaving was open, a rustling sound emanating from inside, but not a noise like anything he’d heard before. If anything, the sound almost overrode his caution, but not quite.
Carefully, he approached from the side, left hand going to the door, right hand clenched to throw a punch if necessary.
Who or how had the door been opened? Looking at the lock, it didn’t seem to have been forced. If that was the case, maybe someone had forced Amos or Mason to open it. Neither one had been at the desk when he’d come back in. Breathing deeply, Will held it a moment, then letting it out in a rush, Will jumped into the room. The room was a disaster, the bed was torn apart, chair turned over, and the window open and curtains laying on the floor.
“What the…” Will started when he jumped aside as a gray ball of fur streaked by, followed immediately by a white/tan blur.
Will stood stunned, his mouth
open. He couldn’t believe it, the white/tan blur looked like the wolf that had helped him. That Josie’s cat had been in his room was clear, but how did these two get into the room? Who or what had opened the door? In fact how had the wolf made it into town without someone shooting it? Where had the two gone, and would the wolf eat Josie’s cat? The thought brought Will up short. He needed to catch the two and quickly.
Starting in the direction the two had headed, Will heard a murmur of voices. Since it was in the direction the two animals had headed, Will quietly headed in that direction. He wasn’t eavesdropping, he told himself, that was until he heard his name. Yes, perhaps it was distasteful, but in light of the recent events, he swallowed his feelings.
Quietly, Will moved to the door down the hall. The voices were coming from Josie’s door. All thought of the animals flew from Will’s mind. Will stood, listening, a nasal voice saying, “You are an unmarried woman.”
“Yes, you must be careful,” a squeaky voice continued.
“We are only concerned for your reputation,” came the first voice again.
“Ladies, I appreciate your concern,” Josie began.
“As well you should,” squeaky interrupted.
“But as a doctor,” Josie continued ignoring the interruption. “I am and will be in situations where, by necessity, I will sometimes have to be alone with my patients.”
“That may be,” the nasal voice began, “but if your reputation—.”
“My reputation is none of your concern.” Josie declared. Will could hear the frustration building in her voice. The others didn’t seem to catch on, if the next statement was any indication.
“Still to be spending so much time with, with that man,” the nasal one continued.
“He is my patient, and yes, as you were saying, he is young and pleasant to look at, but he is a patient, nonetheless. One who is still under my care, until I deem him able to return to the life he knew.”
“Good looking,” Will replayed Josie’s words in his mind. She’d called him good-looking. Will threw his shoulders back, a smile lighting his eyes. His chest felt light. Will hadn’t realized how much he wanted Josie to think well of him, until he’d heard her words.
Will was so caught up with the overheard conversation, he was almost caught. At the last moment, he heard the door creak, to be followed by a prune face spying him, standing there in the hall.
Before she had a chance to speak, Will quickly said, “It seems my door was open and the animals escaped. Although the wolf is tame…”
“Wolf?” Prune Face gasped.
“Well maybe half wolf,” Will answered with a big grin, in the hopes of diffusing any worry in case the wolf was found.
Josie, following the others out, saw the tableau and, hearing the last of the conversation added, “Was Cassie involved?”
“Yes, ma’am, I believe she was. I’m hunting for them now.”
“Well, we better be going,” Prune Face said as she and the other lady marched down the hall.
“Mrs. Jenkins, Miss Parsons, Mrs. Weaver,” Josie said, halting the procession, “allow me to introduce you to Will Murphy.”
Putting on his sweetest smile, Will bowed over each hand, gently carrying it to his lips. “It is my pleasure ladies. I apologize for startling you. The wolf really is tame, in fact, it is because of him I survived my attack.”
“Well,” Mrs. Jenkins — the Prune Face— smiled and glancing at the other blushing ladies, “I’m sure you are doing your best. If we see your ‘pet’, we’ll have someone let you know.”
“Thank you, you are very gracious, considering my situation,” Will answered, bowing to each lady as she went past and down the stairs.
“What?” Will started.
“How much did you hear?” Josie interrupted. “And don’t tell me you weren’t listening.”
Will hedged, looking past to where he thought the animals had gone, then asked, “Did you or someone else open my door?”
“No, why?”
“When I came back up, the door was open and those two, well if you look, you’ll see. Now, I’d better find that wolf before someone shoots it. I wasn’t joking when I said it helped save my life,” Will finished as he started off after the two.
“This isn’t over William Murphy,” Josie called. “I will find out how much you heard.”
William. That sounds about right, Will thought as he walked away, did she know something he didn’t, or was it just a guess she spoke in frustration? That he frustrated her gave him both a lift and a pause.
Chapter 21
Josie was exhausted and it showed in her walk and stance. The day had been one full of one emergency after another. The day started with Homer and his lessons, but quickly dissolved into a couple of broken bones, the Fresch boy, who had gotten his cast wet, and cuts and scrapes. Just when things looked like they would slow down, she’d had to go out to the Kruger homestead to assist Mrs. Kruger, who had gone into labor early and was having difficulty.
Josie was pleased that mother and baby were doing fine. Still, she’d had a bit of trouble convincing Mrs. Kruger and her husband that ‘laying in’ was not the best for mother and child. When she’d had Mr. Kruger, who was nervous about his first child, start to boil water, he’d no idea it was to wash the sheets. But wash them she had, after enlisting the poor father’s help.
In the end, when she explained about cleanliness and the way it would help with Mrs. Kruger getting better more quickly, he fell right in. The love and pride the two had for each other and their son gave Josie hope for the future. She knew she would probably not get married for she knew most men wouldn’t want such an independent woman who had her own job. She also knew she’d never get a quilt that her grandmother made for the grand children who married. That thought made her sad. But she’d made her choice.
It was on days such as this, when she was tired but pleased with her day, that Josie wondered what the world would be like in another fifty years. Would doctors still be visiting patients, or would there be hospitals where those same patients could stay if there were complications. What would her life be like? The world continued on and, Josie knew, advances were being made in so many areas.
Thinking of Mrs. Packham, and her problems with the twins and their struggle to thrive after getting the poisoned food, Josie dreamed of a time when medicine would be able to help speed recovery or eradicate disease altogether. When the science had advanced enough, doctors would be able to tell if people like Mrs. Kruger were going to have complications.
Here in this small town, Josie was the sum total of what the medical profession had to offer. Her fear was she might not be enough. Sitting down, after removing her hat, Josie placed her head on her desk, fighting back tears and exhaustion. Sighing, Josie thought she’s rest her eyes a few moments, then write the case notes of all she’d done today.
“Josie?” She heard from a distance. “Doctor Josie, are you okay?” Raising tired, bloodshot eyes, Josie saw Amos standing in the office doorway. She wondered if, in fact, she’d dozed off.
“I’m fine Amos, just a bit tired,” she answered, lips struggling to form a smile, as she pulled the paperwork close.
“You look all in. Why don’t you go up and rest a bit?” Amos suggested, tentatively moving farther into the office. “I’ll call you so you don’t sleep through the night, although that would probably do you more good,” he finished.
“There are still some things I have to…” Josie began in a tired voice when she heard “You are heading up to that room and resting.”
The determined order came from Will as he entered Josie’s office, looking fit and oh so handsome. The bandages had been removed from his head, and other than the bald area around the wound, he looked very healthy. But Josie wasn’t going to be ordered about. She was an independent lady and no matter how good looking he was, she would do as she pleased.
“You can just take your suggestion and —,” Josie shot back just as Will swooped in, and,
without hesitation, lifted Josie from her chair. With his arm around her back, Will started carrying her from the room, maneuvering around a startled, grinning Amos.
When Will had heard Josie return, he’d headed downstairs to see her. Why, he couldn’t have said, but the desire to talk with her, exchange ideas and possibly learn more about her and help him to perhaps remember more about his past. The memories were just beyond reach. Besides, now that the wolf was secure and the town somewhat accepting of the animal, he had more time to try to find out who he was and what he’d been. He was still worried about who had fired the shot that had almost ended his life. Instead, he’d found himself in a position to hold Josie without causing too much alarm.
Startled into silence, Josie soon found her voice. “Let me down,” each word punctuated with a blow to Will’s chest. Josie’s eyes held fire and determination, which Will found funny and an exciting challenge at the same time. Oh how he enjoyed having such a beautiful bundle of independence in his arms. Still the punches hurt. Josie was stronger than she looked.
“Ouch,” Will flinched, “stop that,” he ordered. But did not let her down, this was one time his lady doctor would get a bit of her own medicine. Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw Amos holding his sides, silent laughter lighting his face.
“I will not, I have work to do,” Josie declared, despite worrying that she may have really hurt Will. He might look healthy, but she wasn’t sure he was out of the woods yet. He really had no business lifting anything, let alone her.
“No, you are going up to rest,” Will ordered. “If you don’t take care of yourself who will take your place?”
The truth of what Will said hit home. He was right, and she’d forgotten her purpose in her surprise. Josie stopped struggling, conceding to Will’s logic. “Very well, I’ll take a short rest. Now put me down.”
The feel of Josie in his arms gave Will a feeling of — he wasn’t sure what, but he wanted to keep her there now that she’d stopped struggling. “I intend to finish what I started,” Will said as he climbed the stairs to Josie’s room.
Josie's Dream (Grandma's Wedding Quilts Book 9) Page 7
