by Natalie Dean
"Where are his horses?" Lottie asked, as though suddenly aware the animals were gone.
"Cecilia arranged for them to be brought to the livery and Mossy Murphy took the cows to milk them. He'll return them if Frank's wife or brother shows up. He's a good man. It doesn't seem like Frank knew what he was doing. Pity really. I always thought it was a nice size piece of land to get started with as one learned the ropes of farming. At least he had some hay for bedding, so the cows and horses weren't neglected." Doc looked at the small barn. It served its purpose.
"What's that smell?" Lottie asked. Her keen sense of smell picking up a familiar whiff.
"It's fire! Lottie, the barn is on fire!" Doc yelled as he saw smoke and flames. Instinctively, he pulled Lottie close to him. He grabbed her hand and began to run toward the barn doors, but the doors slammed shut. They were trapped.
"This has to have been the killer," he said as he felt Lottie quiver in his arms.
"Doc, the children! No one will know about them. We have to get out of here."
The fire was spreading quickly through the barn. Their lives were under threat. Doc leaned down and kissed her on the lips. There was no time to hold back. She needed to know that he loved her. Her lips were soft, and he could feel their hearts beating together.
As Lottie realized they were trapped, her only thought was for the children. They would never know how much they were loved, by a stranger. Then Doc kissed her, and it took her by surprise. It was her first kiss, and she could feel him envelop her. She never wanted him to stop. As the heat arose around them, so the heat rose within their bodies. Lottie was going to perish with the man she was quickly falling in love with. In her brief time in Bannack, she had achieved more than she had in a lifetime in the city.
Doc broke away from their kiss as Lottie began to cough and collapsed in his arms as the smoke overcame her. They didn't have long. The barn with its timber frame and hay content was a tinderbox. The roof was beginning to cave in.
"Not on my watch, Lottie. I've waited a lifetime for you, and we're not going to die in here." Doc remembered seeing an ax. If he could only find it but the smoke was making it difficult to see. With Lottie in his arms, he made his way to where he thought the ax was. He had to lay Lottie on the ground. He stretched his hands to feel for the ax. There it was. He picked it up and with a few blows to the timber wall, he made an opening. He kicked through the timber to make a bigger hole. But Lottie’s legs had been hit by falling debris. The air had never felt so sweet as he inhaled and turned to get Lottie. He carried her out and lay her on the ground.
Her face blackened from the smoke, her body was limp as he carried her. She wasn't breathing, and Doc screamed out as he held her in his arms.
"No, Lottie! I need you. Wake up!"
Laying on the ground, Doc thumped her chest to resuscitate her. He began to blow into her mouth, and she began to cough. She was back. As she opened her eyes, Doc's face was so close to hers. Lottie reached up and kissed him.
"You saved me," she said in a croaky voice.
"Don't try to speak. I'll get us some water. You're safe now." Doc didn't want to leave her, but she needed a drink. He looked around. There was no sign of anybody. As he wondered who could have started the fire, he looked over and saw that the cabin was alight now too. There was no need to concern Lottie with that information for now.
She watched the doctor walk away. They were safe. Lottie tried to sit up, but her legs hurt her. It was easier to lie back on the grass. What a relief.
Closing her eyes, she was so grateful to be alive although she was feeling very weak. She had put the letters in her pocket. God willing, they would find a way to bring the children here. Doc had promised her that. Lottie had no doubt now that Doc meant he was talking about the two of them. The sun was warm and felt good.
A shadow was cast over her and Lottie opened her eyes. She couldn't make out the face and assumed it was the Doc.
"You're in my light, Doc," she smiled as she joked, but the face moved closer. It was an old man with a shaggy beard, and he spat his tobacco beside her. She had seen him before.
"Yer not gettin' me gold. Ain't right, strangers taking my gold. It's mine," Willie Parsons spat in her face.
Had this little old man killed and destroyed this place for gold?
"I don't want your gold," Lottie said, not wanting to rile him up any more than he was.
"Git up," Old Willie was surprisingly strong and he caught Lottie by the hair and pulled her up off the ground. Lottie screamed out in pain. He warned her to be quiet, or he'd kill her. He raised his stick into the air and Lottie could see it was splintered. It looked like it was probably the weapon that had struck Frank and her.
"Interferin' in a man's business. Ain't right, I tell ya, ain't right. That gold is mine. All those years I looked for it, and then he goes and finds gold."
Lottie didn't answer. Willie Parsons wasn't talking to her, he was talking at her. The man was deranged, she could see this.
"See him, I'm gonna kill him and then ya or maybe ya then him. Ain't no matter who I kill first. Ain't no greenhorn or city slicker taking what's mine."
Willie moved her to the other side of the burning barn. Willie was a wily old coot and pulled Lottie's hair more tightly as a warning to her not to make a sound. She couldn't let him hurt the man who had saved her life and come to her aid on more than one occasion. Willie had killed Frank, and he had to be punished.
As Willie shoved her to the ground, Lottie screamed out. Willie stuck his handkerchief into her mouth and kicked her burnt legs. He quickly bound her hands behind her back. The doc hadn't heard her. Willie knew what he was doing.
Lottie could do nothing as Willie crept up behind Doc who was leaning over the well and he clubbed him with his stick. She tried to scream as she watched Doc collapse to the ground. He didn't move. Willie went to the cabin which was in ruins by now, a few embers remaining. She was going to die here as she closed her eyes. The pain was overwhelming her. Willie was going to get away with murder again was her only thought. They had never even considered him as a suspect.
Lottie had to fight. She prayed for God to give her the strength to get up. She opened her eyes and glanced over to where Doc had been lying, but he was gone. Was he still alive? Did Willie move him? She sat up and looked around. There was no sign of Willie or Doc. If only she could get out of these binds. The sun was hot as it streamed on her. She couldn't breathe properly with the dirty gag in her mouth. Lottie was exhausted.
In her mind’s eye, Lottie could see her and the Doc running in the field. Five children ran around them. Everyone was laughing, and love abounded.
"That's all I ever wanted," Lottie thought, "to love and be loved."
"Lottie, wake up. Give me the water," Doc pulled the handkerchief from Lottie's mouth and doused her face with water.
"Will she ever recover?" Cecilia asked as she looked at the state of Lottie's face.
Mrs. Lavery shook her head. Lottie was in a bad state.
"Let's get back to your place, and I'll treat her there. So much sunburn. We must get plenty of fluid into her. You drive the wagon, Cecilia and I'll need you Mrs. Lavery in the back with me."
Lottie drifted in and out of consciousness.
"Doc, I’m falling in love with you. If only we had more time together," Lottie said but was gone again.
"I don't think she realizes what's she saying," Doc said, feeling a little embarrassed.
"She knows," Mrs. Lavery said. "We all know. You have to marry this girl as soon as she can stand up beside you. And we're not taking no for an answer."
Doc smiled shyly at Mrs. Lavery.
"When I saw her lying there, I thought she was dead. Willie really put her through the wringer."
Mrs. Lavery leaned over and put her hand on Doc's. "He put you both through a dreadful time, but you've come out the other end alive. We’ll get everything sorted out. You focus on Lottie's recovery. She's a brave girl, that's for sure,
and we need more like her in Bannack."
"Put her in her hotel room, we can take shifts caring for her. Cecilia, you take the first shift while I get Doc sorted out. You can stay in the hotel. Horace, prepare a bath for the Doc." Mrs. Lavery was in charge once they returned to Bannack.
Lottie still wasn't conscious and had developed a fever. She tossed and turned in her bed, shivering one moment and burning up the next.
"I'll make an Indian cure to bring down the fever," Doc said as he left Mrs. Lavery to care for Lottie as he returned to the surgery to make the treatment. He had learned about herbal medicine from the local tribes. He used them when his meager offering failed to make inroads. Lottie needed everything he had at his disposal.
"Willie must have had some disease on that filthy rag he stuck in her mouth." Doc was feeling angry that he couldn't prevent what happened to Lottie. It was only now that his eyes began to well up. What if he couldn't save her?
A knock on the door brought him to his senses. Moll Sanders stood outside.
"Let me in, Hamish. Quickly before I'm seen." His cousin brushed passed him.
"Cecilia has kept me informed of what's been happening. You need to pull yourself together and save Lottie."
Moll had always been bossy and growing up. Hamish McLennon was no match for his older cousin.
"Willie was always getting bitten by something. None of my girls would touch him, not that he could pay in any case. But one of them mentioned seeing a nasty bite on his arm recently. You should check it out if you still have his body. He had that old handkerchief tied around it. If that's what he put in your girl's mouth, that could be giving her the fever. Take this," Moll handed him a parcel of herbs.
"What's this, Moll?" Doc asked.
"It's purple coneflower. It treats bites. I know she doesn't have a bite as such, but it may counter the effects. Let me know how it goes. I'd better leave now."
"Moll, if people only knew what you do in the background. Let me tell folk you're my cousin."
"Hamish McLennon, you are a well-meaning but naive man. You and Cec see the world very differently from me. I have no desire to be accepted by your friends. I am content in my life. I am more than happy to help when I can. Say no more."
Moll left Doc standing there. If only Mrs. Lavery knew the truth about Moll, but it was Moll's decision to stay in the background. He returned to preparing a concoction. He hoped this would treat all Lottie's ailments. It had to.
Chapter 7
Lottie opened her eyes. It took a few moments for them to adjust as the room was dark apart for the candle that was about to burn itself out. She was alive. Safe in her hotel room. She could hear breathing and turned to see Cecilia asleep in the chair.
She must have come looking for them.
"Poor Doc, Willie must have killed him," Lottie began to cry. It had to be the only reason he wasn't by her side.
"Cecilia, take me to Doc. I need to see him," Lottie said as she leaned over to tap the sleeping Cecilia.
"Lottie, you're awake! You gave us quite the fright. You know it’s been a week of us taking turns to sit with you. I'll light another candle and get Mrs. Lavery. She wanted to be woken as soon as you came ‘round," Cecilia said as she left the room, plunging Lottie into darkness.
"She never mentioned Doc. It's my fault, I should have warned him." Lottie said to herself. She wanted to be grateful to have survived, but it was bittersweet.
"See for yourself,” Lottie heard Cecilia say as Mrs. Lavery burst into the room.
"It's true, you’re awake. That's wonderful news. Did you tell her?" Mrs. Lavery looked at Cecilia as she spoke.
"Doc is dead, isn't he? I should have called out. I tried but Willie had that cloth in my mouth, and I couldn't stop it."
Cecilia tried to calm Lottie who was paying her no heed.
"Is it true, is she awake?" the man's voice so welcome and so familiar. Lottie screamed out, "You're alive!" as Doc sat by her side.
Lottie then realized she had been very forward. She could feel her cheeks flush as Doc leaned closer to listen to her heart beat.
"What happened? I saw Willie hit you but I must have fainted and when I woke you were gone. I was sure Willie had thrown you down the well," Lottie said.
"I was almost a goner…"
"Lottie, we arrived to see Willie running off. We paid no heed to him. He's a scavenger by nature. We were more concerned by the smoke and embers, and I could see you lying there. I was sure you were dead. Then I saw Doc trying to follow Willie to capture him."
Mrs. Lavery took over from Cecilia, "Seeing the doctor giving chase, Cecilia followed him, and I took you in my arms. Your breathing was faint, but where there's breath, there's hope."
"Did you catch Willie? Is he in jail?" Lottie asked, anxious to know what had happened. She watched them look at each other. Something had happened.
"Willie kept running, and there was a herd of buffalo coming through. They roam through the prairie. He didn't stand a chance," Doc said as he took Lottie's hands in his. He was hoping he could be a supportive friend and perhaps more if she'd have him.
"It's over now, and we've been investigating Frank's wife. It turns out she's dead too. She got pneumonia and succumbed to it," Cecilia told her.
Lottie wanted to know about the children. "We still haven't been able to track down Frank's brother. We're working on it, and I feel sure we'll find them."
Lottie looked so downhearted.
"I think Lottie needs some tea and bread. Then you'll have to rest. It's doctor's orders," Doc smiled as he pulled the bedclothes around Lottie.
"And perhaps you'll rest now too, Doctor McLennon," Mrs. Lavery said, "you come with me and get something to eat too. Cecilia can tend to Lottie."
After Mrs. Lavery and Doc had left the room, Cecilia said, "You should have seen the way he took care of you, Lottie. He never wanted to leave your side, but Mrs. Lavery is a force to be reckoned with. We were worried we'd lose you. You will stay in Bannack now, won't you?"
"Where else would I go? Did Doc tell you about the letters we found? We found out why Frank had sent for a wife."
Cecilia nodded. Frank was doing the right thing.
"I told you, Lottie, if Frank had money he'd have spent it on you. He just lacked direction."
"Cecilia, what will happen to Frank's farm? I mean, if we don't find his brother."
"You don't need to worry about that, Lottie. Much has happened while you were sleeping. It turns out that Sheriff Palmer was running the gang. He knew the routes and times of the stages and of anyone who found gold.”
The children were still on Lottie's mind. Them and Doc. Had she imagined what had passed between them?
Horace arrived with breakfast for Lottie. Famished, Lottie began to eat her food so fast that Cecilia was sure it’d all come back up in a minute.
Horace peeked his head in the door and said, "Mrs. Aikens, mother would like you to join her downstairs."
Lottie was alone. Life certainly moved at a faster pace than she thought it would here. While she wanted to feel sorry for Willie, she couldn't help but feel he had brought this on himself. Where had Frank gotten the gold from? There hadn't been any signs of digging.
Her bedroom door opened and Doc came in.
"Lottie, there's something I want to tell you, well… ask you…"
Lottie however, cut Doc off with questions of her own. "Doc, where did Frank get the gold? We didn't see any digging," Lottie asked unaware of his discomfort. However, he recovered himself to answer.
"Cecilia went back. It seems that old Willie had made a hide-out under the floor of the cabin. Some people do this in case of attacks from Indians or outlaws. Anyway, she came across the hide-out, and there was a bag of gold coins. Frank didn't find gold on the land. He came across the gold. We think he might have found where the gang stashed their loot."
"I see," Lottie said, not quite sure that she did see. Who would own the gold now? Could they keep it as a reward? So
many unanswered questions.
"What happens with it now?"
"Lottie, I answer one question, and you ask another. Please stop."
She looked at Doc who was very flustered as he stood before her. What did she say to upset him?
"I'm sorry, I only wanted to know what happened. I don't know how…"
Doc leaned forward and kissed her to stop her talking. He pulled away from her.
"It was the only way I could get you stop talking. I need to ask if you will marry me and stay in Bannack. Before you answer, please be aware that I stand here with my heart in my hands, so take care not to hurt it."
"Doc, I would love to marry you, but I have one question?"
"Ask."
"I cannot marry a man whose name I do not know. So, can you tell me your name?"
They began to laugh.
"It's Hamish, Lottie. My name is Hamish McLennon."
Epilogue
"You look beautiful, Lottie," Cecilia was adding flowers to Lottie's hair.
"I don't feel nervous at all. Isn't that strange? Dear cousin Cecilia. I'm so happy to have a family now."
Lottie admired herself in the mirror. It wasn't something she was used to doing, but today she wanted to look lovely. Cecilia had done a fine job. Lottie's hair was down at Doc's request. He loved her fiery wild red hair.
"It's a big day for the town too. Our new Sheriff arrives. I wonder what he'll be like," Cecilia said.
Lottie was too excited to think about a new Sheriff. It was three weeks since that dreadful business with her illness. She had received a telegram from Mary to say that Daniel Peabody was arrested for the murder of a young woman. It seemed he wasn't as powerful as he thought he was. His influential friends had immediately distanced themselves from him. Lottie felt justice was being served for Mr. Peabody. Although part of her had to have gratitude towards him. If it weren’t for Daniel Peabody's appalling behavior, she would never have come to Bannack.
"How much time do we have left, Cecilia?"
"It's time, Lottie. Let's go."
