by Paty Jager
“Since your daughter isn’t here, and I’m pretty sure she’s sound asleep in the infirmary, why don’t you go on home and not rouse the whole school looking for her? When I see her in the morning, I’ll tell her to contact you.”
“I don’t want you telling her I barged in here thinking…” His voice trailed off. “Just because you weren’t in bed with my daughter doesn’t mean I condone you courting her. Stay away. I’d suggest you head back home soon and forget Rachel.”
“I am heading home sooner than planned. As for Rachel…I haven’t decided.”
Heavy breathing rasped above his head and heat from the man’s body loomed over him.
“You will forget her.” The growl in the judge’s voice knotted Clay’s hands into fists.
“Right now I just want to get back to sleep. Good night, Judge.” Clay slipped his feet under the covers and rolled to his side. The man found his way in, he could find his way out.
****
Rachel woke, dressed in the fancy dress she wore to the Fourth of July festivities the day before, and glanced out the window at Clay’s cottage. Had he slept well? She’d tossed and turned all night. She didn’t like disobeying her father, but she wouldn’t let Clay slip out of her life. He was the first man to stir her heart and set her body on fire, and he wanted her to continue practicing medicine. She didn’t care what her family thought. She’d be on the train with Clay when it left Salem.
The aromas from the morning meal drifted across the hall. Her stomach rumbled. Would Clay be eating breakfast? She checked her hair in the small mirror and hurried to the dining room.
Clay sat next to Donny, visiting and eating. He wore his usual work clothes. She stopped and watched him. He smiled more now than he had when he first arrived. He’d stopped fighting his blindness and had grasped the need to move forward. Her heart expanded with happiness. Part of his moving forward would be with her.
Rachel hurried into the kitchen and hastily added food to a plate. “Good morning, Mrs. Daniels.”
“Mornin’ to you, Doctor. I see you spent the night here. Any particular reason?” The woman’s rheumy eyes scanned her rumpled dress.
“I didn’t wish to go home.” Rachel swished her skirts out the door and nearly bumped into Mrs. White.
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Dr.Tarkiel, isn’t that the dress you wore yesterday?”
“It is. I spent the night in the infirmary if it’s any of your business. Excuse me.” Rachel walked over to Clay and leaned down to whisper. “Come to the infirmary when you’re done.
A frown creased his brow, but he nodded. Whispering to the man wasn’t going to keep the nosey women watching her from starting any number of rumors, but she had to talk to Clay before she gathered her belongings from home.
In the infirmary, she let out a breath and sat down to eat. She’d swallowed two bites of eggs when Clay walked through the door.
He stopped inside the door. “I heard Mrs. White. So you did spend the night here.”
“Yes. I told you I wasn’t going home. Though, I’m headed there shortly to gather my things. I’ll stop by the train station and get tickets on the next train headed north.”
Clay crossed the floor and stopped in front of her. “I want you to come with me, but I only want you to come because of me and not to torment your father.”
His serious expression and flexed fist made her heart ache. His pride wouldn’t allow him to be used for her retaliation on her father. She would never do that to anyone but especially not this man. He’d captured her heart and she’d do everything in her power to make him happy.
“You are the reason I’m going. I thought about it all night, barely sleeping. You’re the man I want to spend my life with. If you asked me to marry you today, I would.”
His face clouded over. “Is that what you want? To get married before we leave?”
Her stomach lurched at the unemotional delivery of his words. Did he plan to marry her, ever?
“No. I mean, not unless you do.”
“You’re the first woman I’ve ever considered marrying. But not until you’ve seen where we would live and determine if you like it. I don’t want you bound to me and hate where I drag you off to.” He frowned. “I’ve seen too many unhappy women who hitched themselves to a mining man and after years of primitive living, backbreaking work, and little to show for it, regretted they couldn’t get out.”
To allay her family’s worries, she’d hoped to use the news they were getting married to soften the fact that she was leaving with Clay. It would have also made her father less likely to do something drastic.
“I’m fine with your reasoning.” She was, after all, a forward thinking woman. She didn’t need to be married to a man to travel with him.
He cupped her chin in his strong, warm palm. “You’re sure you want to do this? Travel across the state with no guarantee of marriage?”
She swallowed the lump of disappointment in her throat. “Yes. I want to see where you grew up, what you have planned, and determine if the eastern part of the state is more open-minded to female doctors.”
His thumb slid along her jaw line. A smile grew and soon the dimple on his left cheek came into view. “You’re the most courageous woman I’ve ever met.”
He removed his hand, and she nearly fell into him.
Clay slipped a hand into his trouser pocket. “Take this to purchase the train tickets. Get them for as soon as you can be ready to travel.” He held out two five dollar gold pieces. “This should be enough for the first leg of the trip. I’ll write a note at a bank in Portland for the remainder of the trip. I’d planned to telegraph Hank for funds when I was ready to leave.”
Rachel took the money. “I can help. I’ve been saving. Besides, if I’m traveling as a friend, I might as well pay my own way.”
“I’d rather—”
“No, I insist. This way it doesn’t look like I’m a companion or mistress. Merely another passenger. Less chance of talk.” She reddened thinking of what they could do away from prying eyes. They could behave like smitten newlyweds holding hands in public and talking intimately.
“I don’t want you spending all your money on travel. You may need it to set up a practice.” He captured her hand. “And I’d be proud if people thought you were my mistress, companion, or wife.” The last slid off his tongue soft and low, making her heart pound and heat pool in her pelvic region.
“Clay, are you helpin’ in class today?” Donny’s voice broke into their conversation.
Rachel glanced beyond Clay’s shoulder to the boy standing in the doorway. What would he think when they both left?
“Coming,” Clay tossed over his shoulder.
When the boy spun out of the doorway and out of sight, Rachel put a hand on Clay’s strong forearm. “You have to let Donny know what you’re doing. He’s going to be devastated when you leave.”
Clay pulled her into a hug. “I’ve already figured it out. Jasper is going to bring the boy when he comes out to set-up our business. Donny can sell brooms out of our shop.”
Her heart swelled to bursting. This was one of the reasons she loved him—his thoughtfulness of others’ feelings. He had a caring nature that tugged at her own. He also knew when to be firm and take a stand. Like yesterday with her family and William.
Tremors of anticipation fluttered up her back. Wouldn’t these qualities make a good lover?
“You are a wonderful man, Clay Halsey.”
“Only because of you.” His lips descended on hers. The kiss wasn’t a see-you-later kiss. It was an open-mouthed, soul-deep connection of tangled tongues and heated tastes that left her dizzy and a bit wobbly when he pulled away. “Talk to you tonight.”
“Yes,” she forced through numb vocal cords and watched him—swagger? Yes, he had a definite swagger to his gait exiting the room.
Rachel giggled, pulled herself together, and set out for her house. If she was lucky, father would have left for work and she’d only have t
o deal with her mother.
****
“What do you mean you’re moving out?”
Her mother’s shrill voice bounced around Rachel’s room as she packed suitable traveling clothes in a valise.
“I’m a woman with a career. I’ll not live in a house where I am told who I can be friends with. I’ll move into a boarding house.” Rachel buckled the bag shut. “May I ask Samuel for a ride back to the school?”
Her mother blocked her way to the door. “I thought you were staying in a boarding house?”
“I will when I find one. I’ll leave my things at the school while I check out the possibilities.” If the train left tomorrow, there’d be no need to get a room at a boardinghouse.
“Your father isn’t going to like this.” Her mother didn’t step aside, just stood in front of the bedroom door, hands clenched in front of her.
“He should have thought about that before treating me like a child.” Rachel nudged past her mother their shoulders brushing. “If he wants to see me, I’ll send word where I’m staying, and he may call.”
Celeste strolled out of her room, dressed in a pale blue outfit that highlighted her attributes and flattered her coloring. “I’m headed to a luncheon date. Can I give you a lift?”
“That would be wonderful! I also have some books in the library if you wouldn’t mind packing them to the buggy for me.” Rachel sent her younger sister an appreciative smile.
They stopped at the library and Celeste picked up the four rather large books.
“I still don’t see why you have to leave,” their mother wailed, following behind them. “Celeste, you shouldn’t be helping her.”
Celeste faced their mother. “If Rachel has finally found happiness, you should be happy for her, not issuing ultimatums.”
Rachel gazed at her sister. Had her unhappiness been that visible to all those around her? She thought she’d hid her emotions as cleverly as her scar. Apparently not. At least her sister realized Clay made her happy and offered her help.
At the buggy, waiting for Samuel to stow the books and valise in the storage compartment, Rachel wrapped her arms around her sister.
“Thank you for understanding. I can’t give up Clay. He makes me happy and a stronger person.”
Tears burned at the back of her eyes. A lump crawled up her throat. She’d miss Celeste and Dr.Runkle. Before her father’s demands, she would have missed him, too. Now, his accusations against Clay stung as vividly as a physical blow.
“Hey, you helped me connect with my true love, I’m not about to let mother and father ruin your chance.” Celeste held her away and stared into her eyes. “Invite me to the wedding.”
Rachel laughed as Samuel handed first Celeste, and then her, into the buggy. “How do you know there’s going to be a wedding?”
Celeste’s eyes grew wide, and her mouth twisted into a frown. “He hasn’t asked you to marry him?”
“Not in so many words. He wants to make sure I can take the rural life before we make a commitment.”
Rachel studied her hands as the buggy lurched forward. She wanted the long term commitment from Clay. Dreamed of being Mrs. Clay Halsey. Even if he didn’t marry her, she would remain by his side if he continued to believe in her career as a doctor and make her feel like a beautiful, cherished woman.
Celeste touched her knee. “You’re leaving Salem aren’t you?”
“Don’t tell Father, but we’re taking the next train headed to Sumpter. Clay is ready to head home. I’ll travel with him as his companion.” Her stomach fluttered. They would spend countless hours together on the trip.
“Companion? If he doesn’t ask you to marry him you won’t be able to marry anyone if they find out you traveled as his companion,” Celeste whispered and clutched her hand.
“If he doesn’t ask me to marry him, I don’t want anyone else, but I will have had time with him.” Rachel patted her sister’s hand. “He makes me feel strong and beautiful.”
“You are.” Celeste touched the scar. “Even with this you are one of the most beautiful women in Salem. And becoming a doctor against father’s wishes and society— You are the strongest woman I know.” Celeste hugged her. “I’m proud to be your sister.”
Rachel swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. “I’m proud to be your sister, too. You’re beautiful and so politically smart. I know you will get us the vote one of these days.”
Celeste laughed and released her. “I’ll do my darnedest to make it happen in our lifetime.” She squeezed Rachel’s hand. “The school is in sight.”
Rachel nodded, squaring her shoulders and stilling her nervous stomach. Why did she have to leave now, when she and Celeste were finally becoming true friends? Growing up, she’d loved Celeste as only a big sister could, but she also felt inferior to the beautiful girl who turned heads. Now, hearing how her sister found her brave, looked up to her, and didn’t find fault with her traveling across the state with a blind man, she wished she could remain a bit longer and savor the elation.
She stared at the school and shuddered. As much as she adored the students and most of the staff, she was ready to move on to being a real doctor. Clay would provide that. Whether he married her or not, she would always have her sister’s love and admiration, Clay’s belief in her doctoring abilities, and her own knowledge he was the only man she would follow anywhere.
Life sure held ironic twists.
Chapter 18
Clay sat on the bench behind the school. He’d made it a point not to seek Rachel. Mrs. White had ventured across him nearly every hour. He’d surmised after the third time, she hoped to catch him and Rachel together. Not that he cared a wit if the woman knew they were getting closer, but he wouldn’t put it past the judge to have recruited the woman to spy. Donny informed him Rachel had returned near noon with a bag and books. After the midday meal, she left again. He hadn’t heard her voice at dinner and presumed she hadn’t returned. Either that or she planned to keep Mrs. White on her toes wondering what was happening.
The rustle of clothing and the faint whiff of citrus on the slight evening breeze brought a smile to his lips and lightness to his heart. The woman of his thoughts sought him.
She sat beside him on the bench. He didn’t know if they were being watched, but he ached to touch her. Clay slipped his hand from his knee, moving across the space on the bench between them, and bumped into warm slender fingers. He covered them.
He faced her and wished for a millionth time he could see her expressions. “I heard you had a busy day.”
“I packed some clothes in a valise and gathered the rest of my medical books. They’re all packed in a small trunk in the infirmary. I have our tickets. The train leaves at eight tomorrow morning.” She rotated her hand, placing her palm to his. “Do you want me to arrange for a cab to pick us up in the morning?”
His heart raced. He would head home tomorrow and take with him the desirable woman by his side.
“No. Jasper will take us. I’ll write up a note for Mr. Griffin. Thank him for all I was taught and let him know I’ve headed home.” He squeezed her hand. “You know what they’re all going to think when we both are gone?”
“I don’t care. Celeste says I’m doing the right thing.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve discussed our leaving with your sister? Don’t you worry she’ll tell your father and he’ll try to stop us?
“She knows everything and won’t tell. We actually understand one another better now. It’s a shame I have to leave when we’re finally getting along.”
The regret ringing in her voice seized his heart. “You don’t have to think of this as never seeing your family. If you don’t like the area you can return. I won’t keep you.” Even though my life would be empty without you. “And if you do stay, you can visit your family as much as you want.”
“I want to see where you grew up and meet your family.” Her soft lips grazed his cheek. “I appreciate that you allow me independence and don’t m
ake me follow traditional rules.”
“Are there people watching us?” He wanted to hold and kiss her to show her not only did he appreciate her independence, but he desired her as well.
“Most likely Mrs. White is peering from a window in the dorms.” She snuggled under his arm. “But I don’t care since we’ll be gone tomorrow.”
He drew her against his body, inhaling her unique scent of citrus, medicine, and Rachel. Clay settled his palm on her ribcage and fought the urge to caress her side and cup a breast. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.
“Are you spending the night in the infirmary again?” He tipped his head and kissed her hair.
“Yes, I didn’t see any sense in getting a room somewhere for one night. Though my parents think I’m staying in a boarding house.”
Her thoughtful tone piqued his senses. “I don’t like you fooling your parents. It doesn’t reflect well on our relationship.” He’d bet before their attraction she’d never told her parents anything other than the truth and followed all their demands. Guilt plagued him and churned in his belly like sour milk.
“I’m not fooling them. When I told my mother I planned to move into a boarding house, that had been my course of action until I found out the train is leaving in the morning and I purchased tickets.” She snuggled and twined her fingers with his. “I haven’t lied, just haven’t kept them posted on my whereabouts.” She sat up and twisted toward him. His hand slid to her back. “I’m twenty-six years old and a doctor. My parents don’t need to know my every move. If I were a man they would have pushed me out on my own by now, if I hadn’t left already.”
Clay rubbed circles on her back. She leaned into his touch. “True. I just don’t want them accusing me of tainting their daughter.”
Her soft lips brushed his. “Let me worry about my reputation. After all, it’s mine and no one else’s.” Her mouth pressed to his, her lips parted, and her wet, sweet tongue slipped between his lips. She’d proved a quick study in seducing his mouth.
