Winter Promise

by Martha Rogers

  She smiled and handed the newcomers a form. “Just fill this out and you can check out books today if you’d like.”

  They thanked her and stepped aside to fill it out. An older couple Abigail didn’t recognize came into the library, and Aunt Mabel hurried to greet them.

  Aunt Mabel’s heart may be in the right place, but running the library would leave little time for courtship. And she had no idea what kind of man would be right for her anyway. God would have to knock her on the head to let her know when the right man came along, if he ever did.

  Elliot wandered up to the front windows during a space between patients. More and more people came in for checkups or for minor ailments on Saturdays now when they came to town. He usually took care of them to free Doc up to make house calls out in the country.

  A steady stream of men and women entered and left the library across the street. When he saw Miss Monroe earlier, she’d been a pretty picture in her plaid skirt and white blouse. She was getting more adept at using those crutches too.

  He imagined her now holding people spellbound with her charm and knowledge of books. That was not the direction he wanted to go. He turned from the window to bump into his uncle.

  “Looks like our library will be a success.” Doc smiled and inclined his head toward the building across the way.

  “Yes, it does, and I’m happy for Miss Monroe. Her enthusiasm is catching.”

  “And she’s the kind of girl you ought to consider for a wife. Doctoring can be mighty lonely if you don’t have someone to welcome you home after a particularly hard day. Don’t know what I’d do without Maggie.”

  Elliot clenched his hands into fists at his side. Why did everyone want to see him married off? He liked his life, and it kept his heart shielded from more hurt. He said nothing but continued to stare out the window.

  Doc placed his hand on Elliot’s shoulder. “Son, it’s been long enough to grieve. What happened was tragic, and you did all you could.”

  A lump formed in his throat. “Yet it still wasn’t enough. I should have done more.”

  “Elliot, you’ve been in medicine long enough to know that some of our patients can’t be saved. Since God knows us from the moment of our conception and ordains our days, none of us will go before it’s our time, and when God calls a person home, it’s the end of their days. Have you read that psalm I gave to you? If not, then you must read it. Psalm 139 tells you everything you need to know about God’s plan for your life. God doesn’t blame you for not saving Angela, nor does anyone else.”

  Elliot pulled away. “Doc, you didn’t see the look on her parents’ faces at the funeral. They wouldn’t even speak to me. They knew I had failed as a doctor. God should have been able to keep her from dying. He could have shown me what to do and guided my hands, but He didn’t. I’m not ever going to put myself in that position again. I’m thinking it may have been a mistake to let you talk me into staying in medicine and coming here with you and Aunt Maggie.”

  “I don’t want to hear that from you. You’re a good doctor, and your colleagues in Cleveland thought so too. They all had high praise for you. Remember, I told you I wouldn’t consider letting you share my practice if I didn’t believe in you as a doctor. You’ve done a wonderful job here, and the people of Porterfield appreciate you very much.”

  Elliot did like the town and did enjoy helping the people who came through the infirmary. He had begun to regain some of the confidence lost back then, but in the back of his mind the question of what if it happened again plagued him.

  Doc tightened his grip on Elliot’s shoulder then released it. “I see Mrs. Pettigrew coming up the walk with that determined look on her face. Wonder what ailment she’s come up with now.” He stepped away. “I’ll take care of her, and you think about what I said. Forgive yourself, and you’ll be much better off.”

  His uncle greeted Mrs. Pettigrew, who immediately began to list her complaints. Doc’s final words presented the problem for Elliot. He didn’t want to forgive himself. Because if he did, he could make that mistake again. And that was something he had vowed never to do.

  CHAPTER NINE

  ON SUNDAY AFTER church, Abigail rode out to the Muldoon ranch with Kate and Daniel. “Everyone was so nice this morning, and they told me how much they appreciated having the library. I’m so glad we were able to open it in spite of my accident.”

  Kate nodded and turned in her seat. “Me too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the town this excited about a new enterprise since the bakery opened several years ago.”

  Daniel nodded. “I’m really proud of my little sister. You’ve accomplished more in two weeks than most people achieve in a lifetime.”

  Abigail laughed. “I learned it all from our father. He said if I was going to go out on this adventure, he wanted to be sure I did it right. He didn’t want me to waste the inheritance Grandfather left me. He taught me how to keep accurate records and how to be organized and on top of things.” She remembered the many hours he’d sat with her as they’d made plans for the library’s holdings.

  “Looks to me like you learned well. Anytime you need Daniel or me for anything, just let us know.”

  “That I will for sure.” She wrinkled her brow. “Kate, I noticed Doc Elliot was not in church this morning. He wasn’t there last Sunday either. Was there some emergency at the clinic?” With Kate here, that probably wasn’t the case, but what other reason could there be for his absence?

  Kate shook her head. “Elliot hasn’t been to church but once or twice in the time he’s been here. He’s a wonderful doctor, but he once told me he had no use for religion.”

  Now that was strange. How could a man be in the business of healing people and not see that a Greater Physician than he took care of people? Besides, he wasn’t a drinking or carousing man like most of the men who weren’t Christians, but then Elliot hadn’t said he wasn’t a Christian, only that he had no use for religion.

  “That’s too bad. We ought to do something about that.”

  Daniel’s eyebrows arched, and he turned to peer at her. “Abigail Monroe, you need to think twice about prying into a man’s private life.”

  “I’m not going to pry. I’m only going to show him what it means to have God in his life and how important it is.”

  “I’m just saying don’t go asking a lot of questions.”

  Kate nodded. “He’s right, Abigail. There’s something in Elliot’s past he doesn’t want to discuss, and he closes up whenever it’s mentioned. He wouldn’t even give Henry Wilder an interview for the newspaper when he came to town.”

  “What was his answer for not doing it?” Henry had hinted at such when he’d interviewed her and asked questions about how the doctor had treated her. None of that had been in the article printed in the newspaper last Friday.

  “He said that if people wanted to know more about him and his skills, they could come to the infirmary for treatment of any ailments they might have.”

  Abigail laughed. “Sounds like a good answer to me.” Still, she intended to get to know more about the younger doctor. After all, it was her Christian duty to witness to unbelievers.

  She glanced down at her ankle. Had it not been for her injury, she might not have had any contact with him thus far. The only reason he’d spoken to her was because he wanted to check on her ankle. The mystery intrigued her and whetted her curiosity. In spite of her brother’s warning, she determined to find out more about the mysterious Dr. Elliot Jensen.

  Elliot sat in his room and enjoyed the aroma of Aunt Maggie’s cooking. Her pot roast was the best he’d ever tasted, and she said her recipe was foolproof. The most important step was to put it on a low burning flame and go to church, leaving it to cook itself done. Must work, because he relished the meat, potatoes, carrots, and onions swimming in rich gravy.

  The sounds of dishes clattering and silverware clinking told him dinner would soon be ready. He closed his book, ambled over to the washstand, and cleaned up. The house had
been quiet while Doc and Aunt Maggie had been at church, but now the sounds from downstairs beckoned him.

  He entered the kitchen and went over to plant a kiss on his aunt’s cheek. “My stomach’s been craving that roast all morning, and as always it looks as good as it smells.”

  The heat of the late summer day added to that of the kitchen gave a rosy glow to her cheeks. “Well, you can sit yourself right down there at the table, and I’ll have it on the table quicker than you can unfold your napkin.”

  Elliot laughed and joined his uncle, who was already seated. True to her word, plates of hot meat and vegetables appeared on the table in minutes. He bowed his head as much from habit as from respect and waited for Doc to say grace.

  After the dishes made their rounds, Aunt Maggie peered over at Elliot. “You missed a good message this morning. Reverend Winston is a fine young preacher. You ought to go hear him sometime.”

  She knew he wouldn’t, but she said the same thing every Sunday anyway. Elliot gave the same reply in return. “Maybe I will someday.”

  Today she didn’t stop with that as she usually did. “Abigail Monroe was there with her crutches and appeared to have only a slight limp. She must be following your instructions to have it do so well.”

  That stubborn girl was bound to have her way. “I told her to keep off that foot for several weeks, and it’s only been a little over a week.”

  Aunt Maggie shrugged. “She looked fine to me, and she was mighty pretty in a yellow dress with a straw hat to match. I still say she’d make a fine wife. She’s smart too.”

  Aunt Maggie was bound and determined to find him a mate, but so far he’d managed to escape her matchmaking efforts. This time would be no different. “I’m sure a lot of young men in town have noticed that as well. I saw plenty of them coming and going from the library yesterday when it opened.”

  Aunt Maggie reached over and grasped his hand in hers. “Son, it’s time for you to let the past go and look to the future. Like the apostle Paul said to the people at Philippi, forget the things that are behind and press on to find what God has in store for you.”

  Elliot hid a smile. The verse didn’t go exactly like that, but then Aunt Maggie always put her own spin on the Scriptures. “But I don’t want to forget Angela and the wonderful times we had together.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. You don’t need to forget her, just what happened and how it happened.”

  “I can’t.” He couldn’t even admit how panic had almost set in last year when the Davis home burned and the family had been injured. Fortunately, the injuries had not been life threatening, and he’d made it through the emergency.

  Aunt Maggie sat back and shook her head. Doc laid down his fork. “I’ve told you over and over again that none of that was your fault. For one thing, doctors at the hospital didn’t want you to resign. None of them blamed you, or you would have been reprimanded and put on notice. Did her family accuse of you of letting her die?”

  Doc knew the answer to that, but he kept insisting on asking. Elliot’s appetite disappeared, and he shoved back from the table. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

  His uncle reached out to stay his departure. “You still haven’t read that scripture I recommended, have you?”

  Elliot shook his head. He hadn’t read it, and he didn’t have any plans to read it. It wouldn’t make any difference anyway. Nothing could change what happened. “Excuse me. I have some more reading to do this afternoon.”

  They’d continue to discuss the situation after he left, but he didn’t care about that as long as he didn’t have to be around to hear what they had to say. His plans for the future did not include taking a wife. He had plenty to do to keep him busy helping his uncle take care of the good people of Porterfield, and that’s all he needed.

  Back in his room, he tried to concentrate on the latest medical journal, but one face kept intruding. If he had no room for a wife in his future, why did Abigail Monroe’s image keep popping up on every page? Maybe it was time to get out of the house and take a walk to clear his head.

  Henry Wilder stood on the front porch of the boardinghouse and scanned the street leading out from Mae’s to downtown. He spotted a familiar figure on the boardwalk a block away. Why would the young doctor be outdoors on a hot afternoon like this? That man had eluded every attempt to interview him. The only information gleaned so far had come from Doc Jensen and Kate, and that hadn’t been much at all.

  He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and rocked on his heels as he observed Elliot Jensen. Since he was so secretive, the doctor must have something to hide, but so far his sources hadn’t provided him with anything worthwhile.

  On impulse, Henry strode out to the street and in the direction of Elliot. Maybe a casual meeting like this would open up the young man and reveal something interesting. “Doc Elliot, wait up a minute.”

  Elliot turned at the sound of his name. He stopped, stared at Henry a moment, and took a few steps away. Then, as if he’d reconsidered, he stopped and waited for Henry to catch up. “What can I do for you today? Are you ill? Injured?”

  “No, no, nothing like that. I just wanted to visit with you. Things are pretty quiet around here on Sunday afternoons.” He swept his hand to the side. Every place of business was closed up for the day, and no one walked the streets save for the two of them.

  “Yes, they are. I actually came out here to walk because of the quiet.” He raised his eyebrows to get his point across.

  “I see. Well, I won’t bother you then.” Henry turned around to head back to the boardinghouse.

  “No, wait. As long as you don’t probe into my background, we can walk along together.”

  Henry rejoined Elliot. Something was better than nothing, and who knew what a little casual conversation might reveal.

  Elliot proceeded to stroll along the boardwalk. “I have never understood why you have been so interested in me in the first place. I’m just another doctor who came to town to practice medicine. What makes that newsworthy?”

  “A reasonable question, but the good citizens of Porterfield like to know about the people who come here and set up business. Of course doctoring isn’t a business as such, but you’re still treating them and taking care of their ailments, so they like to know all about you.” He and Elliot had arrived at the same time, but Henry had never been able to really make friends with the doctor.

  “It’s a little late for that since my uncle and I have treated just about everyone here in Porterfield, including you when you had that chest cold and were so sick last year.”

  “Maybe so, but it’d still be interesting for people to know about your life in Cleveland. You’ve never talked about it.”

  Immediately a veil fell over Elliot’s eyes, and Henry wished he could take back the statement. He’d broken the first request made, but Elliot himself had opened the door.

  Elliot stopped then turned and headed back toward the infirmary. “Suffice it to say that is one thing I don’t want to discuss. I left all that behind to come here, and so far it’s been a good thing. Leave well enough alone, Wilder.”

  Henry opened his mouth to comment further, but then snapped it shut. If he had any hopes of ever learning anything about Elliot Jensen, he must be more careful with his words and approach. This young man had hurt written all over him, and Henry would give anything to learn the reasons for it.

  They walked in silence for a few minutes before Elliot spoke again. “That was a nice article you wrote about Miss Monroe and the library.”

  “Thank you. She is a most delightful person and is likely to be snared by some lucky young man in town. If I was a few years younger, I might consider courting her myself.” Henry noted the mixed emotions now playing about Elliot’s face. “Have you considered that for yourself?” he asked.

  That question brought storm clouds to Elliot’s eyes. “No, I haven’t, and I don’t intend to. I’m not in the market for a relationship.” Wit
h that, he pounded his feet on the boardwalk and entered the infirmary.

  That had touched a nerve in Elliot. Henry could only speculate, but he’d bet his last dollar that the sadness in the doctor came because of a woman. But how was he ever going to find out if Jensen wouldn’t talk to him? He sighed and turned back to the boardinghouse.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ANOTHER WEEK AND a half passed, and Abigail decided to discard her crutches. Her ankle had only a slight twinge of pain now, and she had grown to hate the crutches. Now she sat at her desk in the library checking the list Jessica Miller gave her against the box of books just delivered. The students showed great excitement about the library and were due in for a tour in the early afternoon. She looked forward to seeing them and telling them about the library. As she wrote labels to be pasted to each book, the stories raced through her mind. Bronte and Dickens were two of her favorites, although sometimes Dickens could be depressing.

  She stood to test her ankle. Satisfied that only the twinge remained, she walked across to shelve some returned books. At least she’d been able to walk in church a few days ago. She needed to take those crutches back to the infirmary later today and get rid of them for good. A smile played about her lips. She could see Doc Jensen without being injured this time. Now why did that give her pleasure? He had no interest in her, and she shouldn’t have any in him.

  During the week not many people came into the library as they had chores and business to attend to, but last Saturday had been so busy, she’d hardly had time to sit down. The cowboy named Lowell had returned his book and checked out another one. Jessica Miller had been there, and Abigail noticed a spark of interest between the two when the cowboy greeted the teacher.

  They would make a nice pair. If Aunt Mae or Aunt Mabel saw the two of them, they’d be in their matchmaking mode faster than Abigail could count to ten. She’d even heard the two of them whispering after church last Sunday and glancing her way a time or two. It’d be interesting to find out with whom they were trying to pair her. Cory or Doc Elliot? Neither of the two men had shown any interest lately. She sighed and picked up another book. She hadn’t come to Porterfield to get a husband, and she needed to remember that.