The Guilty Proposal (Heroes of Hays Book 1)

by Barbara Goss

  He approached the tall, young man. “You wouldn’t be Dr. Henderson by any chance, would you?”

  “Why, yes,” he said holding out his hand. “I’m Dr. Callum Henderson of Kansas City.”

  Travis shook his hand. “Travis Grayson.”

  Travis picked up his satchel. “I’ll take you to my house first so you can settle into your room before we visit your patient.”

  Travis could tell by the look on Libby’s face when Dr. Henderson walked into the room that she thought him handsome. She blushed and gave him a shy smile. Travis had thought that the doctor might be good looking, but he wasn’t sure because it was hard for him to tell those things.

  Libby was introduced to Henderson by Travis. Much to his delight, she hardly looked at him‒her eyes were all for the doctor.

  Dr. Callum Henderson addressed Travis and Libby’s parents who were standing nearby. “I’ll have to ask you all to leave while I examine Miss Libby.”

  Travis and the Fishers left the room and sat in the sitting room. Mrs. Fisher put out a tea tray, but Travis was too nervous to drink any. What if the doctor said there was nothing he could do?

  He’d have no choice but to honor his promise to marry Libby, and make the best of it.

  “Would you like to pray together?” Travis asked the Fishers.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking we should do,” Mrs. Fisher said.

  They joined hands and Travis led them in prayer for Libby.

  After the prayer, they sat and waited. Travis wanted to throw something at the grandfather clock in the hall because the constant ticking was making him even more nervous.

  Finally, the doctor entered the sitting room and sat on the sofa beside Travis and across from the Fishers.

  “Tea?” Mrs. Fisher offered.

  “I’d be delighted,” the doctor answered.

  Mrs. Fisher poured him a cup. Travis and the Fishers waited nervously while he drank. Mrs. Fisher wrung her hands; Mr. Fisher rubbed his temples; and Travis bit down on his lower lip.

  “Well,” Callum Henderson began, “the exam went well. I carefully fingered the bones in her legs, and I’ll try to explain using non-medical terms. Her legs are definitely in sad shape, with many small bone shards out of place from a bone called the fibula. One leg has more serious damage than the other. I managed to put some of the bone pieces back in place, but not the larger one, called the tibia. I wrapped them with bandages to keep them in place for now. The compound fracture of the tibia is the only injury I may not be able to fix.” When he saw the looks on the faces of his audience he added, “I say may not, but it is possible, and I’ll try my best.”

  “I treated a man recently who’d been run over by a wagon. He had a similar fracture and I was able to fix it, though he must walk with the help of a cane.

  Whoever treated her originally set that leg wrong. At first, I thought I might have to do surgery on it, but I’m going to try something else first. The first doctor did well in repairing the external fracture, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to apply a plaster cast which will be horribly uncomfortable for her, but in the long run, should let those larger bones fuse together.”

  The doctor sipped his tea. “Excellent tea,” he said.

  “Will she walk again, doctor?” Mrs. Fisher asked anxiously.

  “She will definitely walk with the aid of walking sticks soon,” he said. “If you’re asking will she walk unaided ever again, I can’t say for sure that she will, but I will say I’ll work toward that goal. It isn’t impossible, but it will take some time. Those bones should have been set correctly right away, but I think I can still help her. I’d hate to see one so young remain a cripple. She told me she has some important dreams she’d like to fulfill, and I’m going to do my best to make those come true for her.

  “I’ll put a large splint on her right leg and a plaster cast on her left leg. She can walk around with a pair of walking sticks that I’ll have made especially for her. At the end, when I remove the leg devices, she’ll have to work very hard to get her muscle tone back. That’s another reason I’d like for her to walk with the aid of walking sticks. We need to get back her muscle tone.”

  “How long before she can walk on those sticks?” Travis asked.

  “As soon as I put on the splint and cast. Is there a good carpenter in town?”

  “Yes, Sam Witherspoon,” Mr. Fisher said. “Shall I give you directions?”

  “I’ll need that and at least half the cost, which comes to around four hundred dollars. The total cost should end up being close to eight hundred, but that’s if there aren’t any complications. We can’t have any setbacks.”

  The doctor drank the remainder of his tea and stood. “Now, Travis, if you’d be so kind to escort me to Mr. Witherspoon’s I’ll give him the measurements for the walking sticks.”

  Travis stood. “Let’s go.” He turned around to see Ned standing in the doorway to the sitting room. “Did you hear what the doctor said, Ned?”

  “Yes. I think it’s an excellent report.” Travis was surprised to see him smile. It had been a while since he’d smiled—at least in Travis’s company.

  Travis escorted the doctor to the Witherspoons’, the apothecary, and then back to the Fisher home, where Dr. Henderson applied the splints and used plaster of Paris to make a cast for her left leg.

  Callum Henderson then asked Travis to take him back to his ranch. Sadie was making a delicious standing rib roast with all the trimmings, and he said he was looking forward to it.

  “Now, Travis, in two weeks you’re to pick up the walking sticks from Witherspoon. Make sure Libby gets up and starts using them right away. I want her to walk at least thirty minutes a day, but not all at once at first,” Callum ordered. “I’ll return in a month to check her progress.”

  Travis paid him the four hundred dollars he’d raised with help from the church. “I’ll have the rest when you return,” he said, still wondering where he’d get that much money.

  “The rest has been paid by the Fisher’s. A kind person from the church handed Libby an envelope that will more than cover my expenses.

  “My train leaves at a quarter past twelve tomorrow, so after breakfast, I’d like one more visit with the lass,” Henderson said. “Now, I think I’d like to turn in,” he said as he pushed away from the table. “It’s been a long day.”

  As soon as the doctor’s train pulled away from the station, Travis went out to the stables and saddled his horse. He knew Evie would be anxiously awaiting the news. He rode at a fast pace and arrived just as the sun was dipping below the horizon.

  Evie greeted Travis with a hug at the door, so Travis figured her father wasn’t in the sitting room. He returned her hug.

  “Good news, Evie,” he said as she led him into the sitting room. “Dr. Henderson thinks she’ll walk again. Well, for sure with walking sticks, but without…he isn’t sure.”

  They sat together on the sofa and Eveline moved as close to him as she could get.

  “Really? I’ve been praying. Praying is new to me, but I’m trying and it’s working,” she said.

  “I’m glad you’re praying,” Travis said, “because God's an important part of my life and whoever shares my life will have to make God just as important in her life.”

  “You talk as if you don’t know who you’ll be marrying, Travis,” she said, looking up at him with her large green eyes.

  “You know perfectly well who I want it to be,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I’ve been praying, too.”

  “Tell me everything,” Evie said, cuddling up to him and putting her head on his shoulder.

  “Where’s your father?” Travis asked.

  “He went to a meeting at the hotel. Ellen's upstairs,” Evie said. “Oh, Travis, just one tiny kiss before my father returns?”

  “Just one, then,” he said, and before he knew it, she was on his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. He touched her lips lightly and then pulled away.

&nb
sp; “That’s it?” she cried.

  He touched his lips to hers again, this time a bit longer, but as soon as she began to respond to it, he broke it off.

  “Stop teasing me, Travis!”

  “Now you know how I feel when you tease me. Now, get off my lap, sit beside me, and I’ll give you a decent kiss, but nothing heavy,” he said sternly. He knew if he was to keep his sanity and her virginity intact, he had to set rules. He feared more now than ever that if he stepped out of line, God might not grant his prayers for Libby to walk again.

  Pouting slightly, Evie sat down beside him. He leaned over and kissed her passionately, but not frenzied.

  “I love you, Evie. I may scold you, but at the same time, I love your impetuous nature. I love your enthusiasm, and I love your kisses too much, and I’m afraid we might go too far.”

  “I love everything about you, Travis. I hate that you’re bound by that promise and that guilty proposal is eating me up inside, but I love that you're set to honor it. I hate it and love it at the same time. Crazy, huh?”

  “Has your father told you that your mother's on her way back with Roger yet?” he asked.

  She nodded. “We have to do something soon.”

  Travis sat silently, deep in thought. The doctor seemed sure Libby would walk again, but there was no guarantee. Still, he seemed positive…he had to stop thinking like this. Anything could happen.

  Robert Radcliffe walked in just then and greeted Travis warmly.

  “Emma, my wife, sent me a telegram from Chicago. She should be here in a few days, with Roger,” he said. “She wants me to contact a justice of the peace, as if I’d let my daughter marry outside of a church.”

  Evaline gasped. “Oh, no! What will we do?”

  Robert sat down across from the sofa on his armchair. “We need to plan the kidnapping.”

  “I’d marry Evie tomorrow if I could, Mr. Radcliffe,” Travis said.

  “That'd be the perfect solution, but I’m well aware of your sensitive situation,” he said. “Here’s the plan: I’ll make sure Evie sleeps in the downstairs bedroom and I’ll leave the window open. You'll climb in, get Evie, and ride away with her. Now we have to do this before Roger arrives, because knowing Emma, she’ll have Evie and Roger married right away.”

  “Okay, but where do I take her?” Travis asked.

  “I don’t know. I was hoping your place. Would it get back to Libby if she stayed with you?”

  “My father and housekeeper would keep it quiet, and it would, at least, be chaperoned.” He looked at Evaline. “You’d have to stay out of sight, though, until this problem with Libby is solved.”

  “You said your nearest neighbor was over a mile away, so I could, at least, walk or ride around your land, couldn’t I?” she asked.

  “Of course. My only problem is my friend, Ned, but I’ll handle him.”

  Evaline smiled widely. “I think I’m going to enjoy being kidnapped.”

  Travis smiled back and then grew serious. “What if her mother calls the law into this?”

  “I’ll tell her that I’ll take care of it. I’ll ride to Hays and maybe pay your ranch a visit as it's something I enjoy doing. I like your father, Travis. When I return, I’ll tell her the law's looking for her and—hey, I’ll see if I can get someone to pretend to be a lawman and come to the house to investigate.”

  “But who, Father? Mother knows everyone here in Victoria.”

  “I’ll find someone,” her father said.

  Evie stood and wrapped her arms around her father. “I love you. Thank you for helping me.”

  “I’ll never let you or Ellen marry someone you don’t love,” he said.

  Chapter 12

  A telegram came a week later announcing the arrival of Dr. Henderson. Travis wondered at that. He’d said he’d return in a month. Maybe his quick return was a positive sign and that he had something more to help Libby.

  Travis drove the doctor to the Fishers’ in his buggy. He sat and had coffee with the Fishers and Ned while the doctor was in with Libby. He seemed to stay in with her for a very long time. Travis thought he must be giving her instructions on how to move about while wearing the splints and cast.

  When Dr. Henderson finally came out, he talked with the Fishers about her care, and then he signaled Travis, pointing to the pocketwatch he held in his hand. “We mustn’t be late. I have a seminar in Kansas City the day after tomorrow that I can’t miss.”

  Travis took him to the train station and while they waited, the doctor asked him an unusual question.

  “Is Libby seeing anyone special?” he asked.

  Travis wondered why a doctor would ask such a personal question. Rather than tell him the whole story, he simply said, “No, she isn’t being courted by anyone.” And that was the truth‒she wasn’t.

  “She’s a very pretty woman and I just wondered. She’s probably dreaming of marrying someday and having children. I hope I can make that possible for her,” he said.

  “She’s very worried that'll never happen for her,” Travis said.

  As the train appeared in the distance he said, “Don’t forget: walk with her the first few times walking with the sticks.”

  “What if I’m not here to help her with them?” he asked. “I may have to be away for a while.”

  “No problem. Her parents know what to do. I’ve also instructed them and Libby.”

  Travis let out a sigh of relief.

  The train pulled in, and Dr. Callum Henderson shook his hand. “It’s been a pleasure. I’ll be back in a week or sooner, if I can make it work.”

  Henderson boarded the train and it soon disappeared around the bend. Travis wondered why he’d changed his mind. He originally said he’d be back in a month, and now he said maybe sooner than a week. He certainly was a good doctor, to be so attentive to his patient.

  Now he had to set his mind on the kidnapping and how to explain it to his father and Sadie.

  Travis called a family meeting when he returned home from the train depot. His father was called in from the barn, and Sadie was in the kitchen as usual. He sat them both down at the table.

  “I’ve called you both here because I need your help,” Travis said.

  Edward and Sadie exchanged worried looks.

  “Go on,” his father said. “You know you have our support.”

  “I’m in love with the most beautiful woman in the world,” Travis began, “and she isn’t Libby Fisher.”

  “Uh oh,” his father and Sadie said in unison.

  “That’s just half the problem,” Travis said. “I need to kidnap her and bring her here for a while, but I don’t know how long.”

  “Why?” Edward asked. “And who is she?”

  “She’s Evaline Radcliffe. Her mother's arranged for her to marry a man named Roger who Evie doesn't care to marry. Her father gave up his true love years ago for his arranged marriage to Evie’s mother, and he doesn’t want the same for his daughter.”

  “Hmm,” Edward said. “Robert’s daughter. I like that. Good English blood in the family.” He winked at Travis. “But what about poor Libby?”

  “If she can walk again, as the doctor said she may, I’ll have to tell her the truth. I'd be doing her a bigger dishonor if I married her without loving her, don’t you think?”

  “I'd agree, yes.” Edward rubbed his chin in thought. “Why the kidnapping? Why not just marry this Evaline?”

  Travis said, “I wish I could, Father, but if Libby will be crippled for life and unable to marry and have children because of me, I have to marry her and give her those things, even if I don’t love her. I’d have to hope and pray to grow to love her.”

  “I’d love having another woman in the house,” Sadie said. “It’s fine by me.”

  “Kidnapping her and bringing her here is an excellent idea,” Edward said. “But what if they set the law out to look for her and find her here? We’ll all be arrested.”

  “Mr. Radcliffe assured me he’d reveal it was his pla
n and that she was kidnapped with his permission if that were to happen.”

  “I see,” Edward said.

  “He does, however, need someone to pretend to be a lawman to at least investigate the crime,” Travis said. “Do you know anyone?”

  “What about Ned?”

  “Good idea, Father. I need to have a long talk with him, anyway.”

  Travis went to visit Libby after finishing his chores. Ned was reading to her from a book he’d brought. Travis hadn’t visited since the day Libby had met Evaline.

  Libby looked up, but her eyes didn’t light up, which surprised and pleased Travis both. Maybe she and Ned would match up. Ned would love that.

  “Well, well, look who’s here,” Libby said. “Do we know you?”

  “I’ve been busy, and I apologize,” Travis said.

  “Why did you run out of here so fast the day the Radcliffes were here?” Libby asked.

  “I needed to catch up to them,” Travis said, thinking quickly as to how he might get out of this without lying. “Mr. Radcliffe and my father are working together, and I had to give him an important message. Then, what with collecting the money, picking up the doctor, ordering his supplies and all, I’ve been very busy.”

  “I appreciate all you do for me, Travis,” Libby said. “We just missed you, is all.”

  “I might have to be away again to do some of the things the doctor asked of me,” Travis said, “like picking up your walking sticks.”

  Ned looked up and smiled. “We understand, Travis. We’re just giving you a hard time. We did miss you, though.” He held up the book. “We’re reading A Tale of Two Cities. We're saving Moby Dick for you to read…when you can, that is.”

  “I’ve already read it. You’ll enjoy it. I’m really just checking in on you. I see you're in good hands with Ned. I’ve some errands to run, but I’ll be back soon with your walking sticks.” He turned to Ned. “Stop by the house when you get a chance‒I need to talk to you about something.”