by Natalie Dean
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 Seven
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."
The two friends left the hotel with Lottie carrying a basket. They walked arm in arm to the surgery. Mrs. Lavery was wiping the dust from Doc's jacket, and he smiled as he saw his wife. The pastor married them only a few weeks earlier while Lottie was still in her sick bed.
"You two go and get them. I'll have the food set out. Cecilia, Horace, you two come back to the hotel."
"Are you ready Mrs. McLennon?"
Lottie giggled as she put her arm through her husband's. Lottie and Doc went to the post office to await the arrival of the stage. It was the day Lottie had waited for. She got nervous as she saw the horses coming towards them.
"Hamish, will they like us?"
"They will love us, Lottie. Stop fretting," Doc said as he patted her hand.
Mrs. Lavery and Cecilia, with Moll's help, had many contacts. It transpired that George Ward, Frank's brother, had died. His three children, a son aged six and twin girls aged five were in Lottie's orphanage. This was the day the children were arriving with a chaperone. Lottie and Doc were adopting them. They had already hired a farm hand to manage the newly renamed Ward Place. It was the children's legacy, and when the boy got older, he could take it over.
Lottie could feel her heart race as the stage drew closer. It stopped, and Lottie tried to see, but it was too dark. Then a woman emerged and lifted out two little girls and then the boy.
"Welcome children, I'm Lottie, and this is Doc."
The children huddled around the woman. So much change had occurred in their young lives.
Lottie knelt down. From her basket, she produced two dolls which she handed to the girls. Then she handed a ball to the boy.
"Thank you, Miss Lottie. Their names are Betty and Gertie. My name is John." The young boy told his sisters to say thank you, and he reached out to shake hands with Lottie and Doc. He was very protective of his sisters. The chaperone held the girls' hands, and they all went to the hotel. Mrs. Lavery had lots of food, and soon the children looked a little happier.
Lottie smiled as she watched them together.
"We've done a good thing. No one else would take the three of them and they need each other," she said to Doc as he sat beside her.
"The reward money is theirs. The town has decided on it."
Lottie smiled. Doc had promised to take care of everything, and he had. She was so happy. She knew the children would need time to settle, but she had all the time in the world.
One Year Later
Doc paced back and forth with his daughters in his arms. John was following his father's footsteps in the dusty ground, jumping from step to step.
"Papa, where's mama?" Betty asked.
"She’s with Aunt Cecilia. Remember she's having a baby."
Doc couldn't settle. It seemed to be taking a long time.
"I want a brother. I'm sick of girls," John added and his sisters began to say they wanted a new sister.
It had been a busy year. Within a few weeks of arriving, the children seemed to sense they were in a permanent home. They settled and thrived in the fresh air. Lottie cried when Betty had fallen over and called for "mama" and meant Lottie. Doc was soon being called papa and adored being a father. John was his shadow and went on his house calls with him.
He and Lottie were happy. Ward Place was flourishing and the farm hand, Caleb, became an extended member of the family. It was only in the last few months that the new home was ready for occupation. And today it would welcome a new arrival.
A baby's cry sounded, and Doc felt relieved. Too much knowledge was a dangerous thing as he had allowed his imagination to run wild. Soon Cecilia was calling him and the children in.
"A boy or a girl?" he asked. Not really caring which so long as the baby and Lottie were healthy.
"See for yourself." Cecilia stood back to let them in.
Doc almost let the girls drop when he saw Lottie holding, not one, but two babies. She smiled as she looked at him and the children.
"A boy and a girl. I'd like to call the girl Grace, after Mrs. Lavery but I'm not sure about the boy's name."
John spoke, "can we call him Harry?"
"Sure, son, but why that name?" Doc asked.
"I just like it,” John said in a very matter of fact way. Lottie and Doc looked at each other and agreed.
"Come, children, meet Grace and Harry."
Cecilia knew Mrs. Lavery would be very honored to have the baby named after her. She would ride back to town and deliver the good news. As she stepped away, she watched them. The little girls on the bed peering at the new arrivals. Doc and John standing by the bedside. They were a family brought together through difficult circumstances. Now it was such a happy home.”
“Congratulations, Lottie. God willing, maybe I’ll be next in line for a wonderful husband and children." Cecilia smiled as she left the room to give the family some time alone.
THE END
CECILIA: Brides of Bannack Book 2
CECILIA
Brides of Bannack Book 2
A Western Romance Short Story
Book Description
Sheriff Lance isn't the kind of man Cecilia wants to be with. So why can't she stop thinking about him...
Cecilia has her whole life ahead of her. She refuses to be a pawn in her father's business ventures, especially if it means being married off to a dirty old man. Cecilia has a mind of her own and has decided to become a mail order bride. She finds true love on the American Frontier, only to become widowed soon after. However, she's a woman of strength, and her fierce independent streak enables her to make it on her own as the successful owner of the tea shop in town. She's doing just fine without a man. Or so she tells herself...
Then Sheriff Lance shows up. He thinks Cecilia is beautiful but too independent for his liking. Even if it is attractive the way she outwits the bad guys. Sheriff Lance rubs Cecilia the wrong way with all his chauvinist talk about "a woman's place." She hates to admit, he both intrigues her and frustrates her all at the same time. Who does he think he is - coming to her town thinking he has her all figured out?
A little murder mystery just might be the thing to throw these two opposites together. Can Cecilia help Sheriff Lance solve this mystery and keep the wrong man out of jail? And will they get past their bad first impressions of each other and fall in love?
Copyright 2017 by Kenzo Publishing - All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document by either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited, and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
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