“How’s Faith?” Reese asked Mary as soon as he pulled his wool scarf from around his face.
“Lonely. Bored. Missing you,” Mary replied bluntly.
Reese was silent.
“Well?” Mary asked.
“What?” He stared at his cousin.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” she demanded.
“Has Kevin been in to see her?”
Mary heaved a dramatic sigh. “Not yet, but I expect him this afternoon.”
“Doesn’t he have any other patients?” It bothered Reese to know the handsome Irishman was spending so much time on the Trail T. He’d asked Kevin to check on her. He hadn’t asked him to move in.
“Faith invited him for supper tonight,” Mary told him.
“She what?” Reese slammed his coffee cup against the saucer. Drops of hot coffee splashed the back of his hand.
“Faith invited Dr. Kevin for supper. It’s her birthday, you know,” Sarah replied in Cherokee, setting a plate in front of Reese.
“Yes, I know it’s her birthday.” Reese muttered an obscenity beneath his breath. “I telegraphed David several days ago. Has he sent a reply?”
“On your desk,” Mary told him. “It came yesterday.”
Reese shot up from his chair and hurried into his study. He ripped open the telegram and scanned the contents. David was brief. He and Tempy were arriving in Cheyenne on the 4:15 train. Reese walked back to the kitchen and finished his breakfast. “I’m going to try to grab some shuteye,” he told Sarah. “Will you wake me in a couple of hours?”
Sarah nodded, then went about her business.
Reese rose and started back to his study.
“Aren’t you going up to see Faith?” Mary asked the question everyone in the kitchen was dying to ask.
“I’ll see her at supper,” Reese replied, then strode into his private retreat and slammed the door.
* * *
Four hours later, freshly bathed, shaved, dressed in a clean suit and overcoat, Reese climbed into the surrey. Joy, bundled into her heavy coat and mittens, sat next to him. The temperature had risen above freezing, but the hard-packed, dirt roads were still solid. Reese prayed the train carrying David and Tempy would arrive before the ground began to thaw, and the roads turned to mush.
He hadn’t planned on Joy’s company, but decided to bring her along when she threatened to tell Faith. He had forgotten what a tyrant Joy could be when she wanted something. She was in the barn feeding lumps of sugar to her pony when Reese ordered the team hitched to the surrey. He was going somewhere and Joy was determined to go with him.
Reese made a tactical error when he attempted to dissuade her by explaining why he was going to town. Joy seized the opportunity. When the promise of a licorice whip failed to buy her silence, Reese was forced to bring her along. He’d been outmaneuvered by a six year old expert.
Joy was immune to Reese’s bad mood. She climbed over his thigh, then settled herself on the wedge of seat between his legs. Placing her red-mittened hands over his gloved ones, Joy proceeded to guide the vehicle into town.
* * *
The train pulled into the station right on schedule. Tempy could hardly wait to alight from the railroad car. She danced on her tiptoes, searching for Reese. David Alexander chuckled in amusement.
“Conduct unbecoming a grown woman?” Tempy asked, hearing the rumble in David’s chest and sneaking a glance at his amused expression.
“Not at all.” David shook his head, trying to appear serious despite his obvious laughter. “I think it’s entirely appropriate for an aunt who dearly loves her nieces.” He had visited Richmond over the past few months and come to know the ladies of the sewing circle fairly well. He knew Temperance Hamilton best of all; especially after spending four days traveling alone with her.
David smiled at the memory. Virtuous Jessup had pitched a fit over that prospect.
“Temperance Hamilton, you can’t be seriously considering traveling all the way to Wyoming alone with him?” Virtuous had asked, outraged.
“Faith is ill,” Temperance calmly replied.
“But what will everyone think? He’s so dark and a Yankee to boot.”
“I don’t care what anyone thinks. My…Faith needs me.” Tempy was adamant. “I’d travel with General Sherman and a whole band of Yankees to be with Faith.” Tempy’s hand flew up to cover her mouth, suddenly cognizant of the fact that David Alexander was privy to the heated exchange. “No offense intended, Mr. Alexander.”
“None taken, ma’am.” David inclined his head.
“Well, you were never one to care much for proprieties.” Virtuous sneered. “First, an Irishman, and now, a Yankee!”
“Virt!” Hannah and Agnes gasped in horror.
Tempy blanched at her sister’s unexpected attack, but stood her ground. “And I won’t care much for proprieties when I trounce you in front of Mr. Alexander, either, Virtuous May! Now, get out of my way. I’m tired of arguing with you. You’re wasting my time.” Tempy picked up her bag. “Do keep in mind while I’m gone,”—she smiled sweetly at her older sister—“that if something happens to Faith, the money you’re so pleased with will be forfeit. Think about that, Virt, while I worry about your niece!” Tempy had pushed past her sister and followed David Alexander out the door.
Temperance Hamilton was small, petite in stature, just like her niece, but David now understood where Faith’s temper came from. She had inherited it from Temperance. He smiled at the irony of that. He’d become quite fond of Faith’s aunt.
“There he is!” Her cry of recognition brought David back to the present. “Joy’s with him and… Oh, dear Lord, she’s got on a black coat! I hope Faith…” She leaped down from the car to the platform, pushing through the startled onlookers in her frenzied haste to reach Reese.
David was just a few steps behind her. He had spent the better part of the journey assuring Temperance that Faith was fine, but the older woman was convinced Faith was seriously ill. She had repeatedly reminded David of her niece’s sick spell before departing Washington. David had done his best to persuade her, but apparently, he’d failed. Miserably.
“Faith? Is she…?” Tempy burst out, colliding with Reese’s hard chest as he stepped down from the surrey.
Reese’s hands reached out to steady the woman. Her eyes were wide, bright, and frantic with worry. Her gaze darted about his face, searching for the truth. Her heart hammered against his chest, her breasts heaving with exertion.
“She’s resting. At the ranch,” Reese said softly.
“Thank God!” Temperance slumped against him in relief.
“Didn’t you get my telegram?” Holding the woman close, Reese glanced over her head to find David standing behind her.
“Yes,” David replied. “I even showed it to her, but she was concerned about her niece.”
“I can see that,” Reese said dryly.
“The little girl is wearing a black coat. Miss Hamilton thought…” David elaborated.
“It’s her warmest.” Reese explained. “I never dreamed…” He looked down at the older woman. She had regained her breath and most of her composure. “I apologize to you, Miss Hamilton, for giving you such a fright. Faith is fine. In fact, she’s much better.”
Temperance managed a weak smile. Mr. Jordan’s gaze was warm, even tender, the frown between his brows confirming his genuine concern.
Reese gave Tempy his best smile of assurance, then turned to Joy. “Say hello to your aunt, sprite.” He lifted Tempy up to sit beside Joy.
Joy hugged Temperance, then began bombarding her with all the news of the ranch.
“Climb in,” Reese told David. “I’ll see to the luggage.”
“We left in a hurry,” David said. “We each brought only one bag. I told Miss Hamilton she could buy whatever she needed when she got here.”
“Fine,” Reese agreed. “I’ll get your bags and we’ll be on our way. I need to make one stop before we leave town.�
�
Tempy interrupted Joy’s nonstop chatter. “Is that necessary, Mr. Jordan? I don’t mean to pry, but I’m anxious to see my…niece.” She leaned forward.
Reese grinned, then turned his charming smile on Temperance Hamilton. “Very necessary. Today is Faith’s birthday, and in addition to you, I have a couple of other gifts to pick up.”
Tempy sat back in her seat. “Oh, my goodness, how could I have forgotten? I didn’t even bring a gift!”
David laughed aloud. “My dear Temperance, you are the gift!”
Reese nodded, his cocoa-colored eyes sparkling, “The best gift I could hope to give her.”
Chapter Twenty-three
“Is everything ready?” Reese asked as he entered the kitchen of the main house.
“Yes,” Sarah replied. “She thinks we’ve forgotten her birthday.” Sarah lifted the large sheet cake from its resting place on the work table. “All I have to do is take this to the dining room.”
“Good,” Reese said. “David and Faith’s aunt, Temperance, are hiding in my study. They’re part of her surprise.”
Sarah’s face brightened at the mention of her son’s name.
Reese smiled down at his beloved aunt. “And part of yours, Aunt Sarah.”
Sarah wanted to hug him, but didn’t dare display that sort of childish affection for a grown man. She rapped him on the arm with her wooden spoon instead. “You should have told me.” she chided.
“And spoil your surprise?” Reese asked. “Not likely. You take the cake on into the dining room, then spend a couple of minutes with David. I’ll go upstairs and get the birthday girl.” Reese smoothed a stray hair back from Sarah’s face as he moved past her.
Faith looked up from her book as Reese entered the bedroom. Her gray eyes hungrily scanned his face. It had been days since she’d seen him. She missed him. “Hello.”
“Hello yourself,” Reese replied, his brown-eyed gaze soaking up the sight of her. She was wearing a ruffled, flannel nightgown and a quilted bed jacket. Her black hair was loose and falling over her shoulders. She looked wonderful. He moved to the foot of the bed for a better view.
“I haven’t seen you lately,” Faith murmured. “I thought you’d forgotten all about me.” She turned back to the page in front of her, pretending disinterest.
“I’ve been out on the range for the past three days. The snowstorm was hard on the cattle. The newborn calves were in danger of freezing. We had to get them in.” Reese felt awkward standing there in front of her.
“Really? I hadn’t noticed,” Faith lied.
Reese didn’t know whether to shake her or to burst out laughing at her bald-faced lie. How could anyone not notice snow whirling past the windows and a fifty degree drop in temperature? “Well,” he decided to play along. “I guess you’ve been busy.” He sneaked a glance at her to gauge her reaction. “Sewing baby clothes and all…”
Faith glared at him. The baby clothes were still a sore point with her. She’d done nothing but sew on the tiny garments for the past three days. How dare he imply she hadn’t on the one afternoon she decided to read? It was her birthday after all, even if no one on this godforsaken ranch remembered it! “As a matter of fact, I have been very busy. And I’m busy right now…”
“Too busy to join us downstairs for dinner?” Reese asked softly.
“What?” She was startled by his invitation.
“You did invite Dr. McMurphy to supper tonight, didn’t you? Or, perhaps, you’d rather he dined up here with you?”
“Yes. No.” Faith faltered.
“Which is it?” Reese’s tone of voice was harder, almost cutting.
“Yes, I did invite him,” she answered, “and no, I don’t want him to join me up here.” She looked up at Reese. “I’d like to eat downstairs with the rest of you. If it’s all right?”
“It’s fine with me,” Reese told her. “Kevin said it would be all right if someone carried you downstairs. I’m the someone. Take it or leave it.” He glared at her, demanding an answer.
“I’ll take it!” Faith practically bounced up and down on the bed.
“You’ll need this.” He thrust a gray velvet robe at her.
“Can’t I get dressed?” Faith pleaded. “It won’t be too hard if you help me.”
On the contrary, Reese thought, he wouldn’t be anything but hard if he helped her dress. Looking at her was bad enough. He cleared his throat. “One thing at a time. The doctor didn’t say anything about letting you dress for supper. Take it or…”
Faith opened her mouth to protest, but a glance at Reese stopped her. “Leave it.” She finished his ultimatum for him.
“Well?”
“I’ll take it.” She removed her bed jacket and took the robe. When she was securely wrapped in velvet, Reese scooped her up in his arms and carried her down the stairs to the dining room.
* * *
“Surprise!” The dining room erupted with joyful shouts the minute Reese walked through the door with Faith in his arms. “Happy Birthday!”
“Oh!” Faith swept her gaze over the familiar faces. The members of Reese’s family were crowded into the dining room, but her one invited guest was absent. Reese lowered her into a dining room chair.
“I don’t know what to say,” Faith began. “I thought you had forgotten.” She looked at Mary, then at Sarah.
“We know.” Mary groaned, looking for all the world like a long-suffering martyr.
“Thank you,” Faith said simply. “Thank you all.”
“Look, Faith!” Joy bounced up and down next to Faith’s chair. “Sarah made you a birfday cake!” She pointed to the large confection of flour, eggs and sugar. “And we all got you presents. Can we open them now? And eat the cake?” Joy’s eyes sparkled greedily.
Faith glanced at Sarah, then down at her young sister. “We probably need to have supper first. The cake will spoil your appetite.” It was hard to contain her own excitement. She hadn’t had a birthday cake since her sixteenth birthday. She looked up at Reese. “Where’s Doctor McMurphy? I thought he was here.”
“That was a ruse to get you downstairs.” Reese couldn’t help the frown marring his handsome face. “I hate to disappoint you, but the doctor sent word he’d been delayed. He said not to wait supper on him. He’ll be late.”
“Then I guess we should start.” Faith was hurt by the hostile tone in Reese’s voice. Some of her delight in the wonderful birthday surprise evaporated.
“Thank goodness!” David announced from the doorway of the dining room. “I’m so hungry I could eat a bear!”
“David!” Faith exclaimed, excited once again. “This is a surprise! How did you get here?”
“By train,” David replied. “Reese sent for me.”
“How is everything in Richmond? Is everything settled? How are my aunts? How is Aunt Tempy?”
“Why don’t you ask her?” David stepped aside to reveal Temperance Hamilton.
“Aunt Tempy!” Faith cried, tears of joy shimmering in her eyes. “Oh, Aunt Tempy…”
Temperance ran to her niece and hugged her tightly.
“How did you get here?” Faith wanted to know.
“I came with David.” Temperance smiled, smoothing Faith’s hair away from her face. “Happy Birthday, darling.”
“You came with David? Reese sent for you?”
“Of course,” Tempy told her. “How else?”
Faith looked up and found Reese.
“Surprise,” he said.
A lump formed in Faith’s throat. Tears slipped down her cheeks. She tried to thank him, but words failed her. She simply gazed at him, her love for him shining in her eyes.
Reese stepped forward and took her hand. He raised it to his lips and tenderly brushed her knuckles with his lips. “Happy Birthday, Faith.”
The last of the supper dishes had been cleared away and most of the gifts presented to the birthday girl before Doctor Kevin McMurphy entered the dining room.
Fait
h glanced up as he stepped inside the doorway. “Doctor Kevin, I’m so glad you made it! We waited to cut the cake.” She extended her hand toward him. “Come in, come in. There’s someone special I’d like you to meet. Reese surprised me by sending for her.” Faith took Kevin’s hand in hers.
Reese glared at the couple from his vantage point halfway across the table. The room was full of people standing together in little groups, laughing and talking. Celebrating. Reese sat at one end of the table. Alone. His good mood had deteriorated with Kevin’s entrance. He had another present for Faith, but he wanted to give it to her when he could be assured of some privacy. Reese shifted in the hard chair and angrily tossed back the remainder of his brandy.
“Aunt Tempy,” Faith called over the noise of the group. “The doctor’s arrived. I want to introduce you.”
Temperance was laughing at something Mary said when Faith called to her. She turned. Her laughter died on her lips when she saw the man standing next to Faith. Tempy’s face whitened in shock. Blood roared through her brain. Her knees trembled. The cup and saucer slipped from her fingers and shattered against the hard floor.
Tempy opened her mouth. Her lips formed his name. “Kevin.” Then, like a flower gracefully bowing to a strong wind, she swayed. Seconds later, Temperance followed the cup and saucer down to the hard floor.
“Aunt Tempy!” Faith shouted, jumping to her feet.
“Mary, Mother of God! Temperance!” Kevin gently pushed Faith back into her chair. “Someone get my bag. I need some smelling salts.” He hurried to Tempy’s side. “Step back,” he ordered David, Mary and Reese, who hovered over her. “Give her some air.”
A few seconds later, Sam arrived with Dr. Kevin’s medical bag. Kevin uncorked a vial of smelling salts and passed it under Tempy’s nose.
Unnoticed by the crowd gathered around Temperance, Faith left her chair and worked her way through the group to stand at Reese’s side.
Tempy’s eyes opened. She looked up into Kevin McMurphy’s dark blue eyes and smiled. “Am I dreaming?” she asked. “Kevin, is it really you?”
“In the flesh.” Kevin helped her sit up, then assisted her to her feet. She leaned against him. He curled a protective arm around her.
Golden Chances Page 21
