Brides of the West: Josie's Wedding DressLast Minute BrideHer Ideal Husband

by Victoria Bylin

  What did Elise say to that? That she missed him, too?

  Even back in town, David was absent, somehow changed. Though he had insisted on helping with the party, he’d built a wall that shut her out. He was avoiding her. Avoiding his patients. As if he had something to hide.

  “Someone said they saw Doc in church but he left before the service ended. Do you know what’s going on?”

  “No, I don’t.” She’d change the subject. “Don’t worry. Dr. Lucas will take good care of you and Tommy.”

  “Suppose so, but Doc Wellman delivered this boy, knows his history and knew his mother.”

  Tommy’s mother, Grace, a victim of rape, had given him up, blessing the Thompsons with this precious boy, then left town in search of a new beginning. David had taken care of her and all the unwed mothers Callie housed, whether they could afford to pay him or not, treating them with gentleness and dignity.

  He’d delivered Katie, too. During the months of Elise’s pregnancy, they’d forged a connection. A connection Elise had not trusted. Yet six weeks after Katie’s birth, David paid a call. Soon they took nightly strolls with David pushing the pram, wearing the wide grin of a proud dad. Elise had lowered her guard. What a fool she’d been to believe he had cared.

  “Doesn’t seem right someone else is taking care of Tommy and will deliver this one.” Sally patted the bulge beneath her skirts. “Albert and I never dreamed we’d give Tommy a brother or sister.”

  Childless for years, the Thompsons discovered they were expecting a baby four months after adopting Tommy. “Thanks to God for such a wonderful miracle,” Elise said.

  “Amen.” Sally kissed her baby’s forehead. “I suppose one day you’d like to give Katie a sibling or two.”

  The patter of feet in her house, the echo of laughter and affectionate hugs every night—the life Elise craved. Warm. Secure. Perfect. “Someday. Yes, I would.”

  “I thought you and Doc might get hitched.” Sally arched a brow, giving Elise a pointed look.

  Elise ignored Sally’s nudge to confide, instead dropped her gaze to the open appointment book. What could Elise say when she didn’t understand David’s withdrawal herself?

  “Will you be coming to Callie and Jake’s reception?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Sally said, then turned to go.

  “Remember it’s a secret.”

  Secrets could be fun, innocent, but some secrets separated and hurt people. David’s refusal to confide in her since his return said plenty.

  Unable to remain seated, Elise wandered the empty waiting room, unusual for a Monday morning, lining up chairs with the precision of a drill sergeant lining up recruits. If only she could put her life to rights as easily.

  As she rounded her desk, David stepped inside the office. Tall, broad-shouldered, blond and blue eyed, so handsome her breath caught. She’d once believed she could lean on those wide shoulders. How wrong she’d been.

  His eyes were bloodshot, shadowed. What was wrong? She chided herself for worrying about a man who didn’t care one whit about her.

  “I hope Dr. Lucas appreciates you. He’ll soon learn you’re far more than a receptionist.”

  Like David had? “I’m sure I’m replaceable.” She arched a brow. “Are you here to see patients?”

  “I…I’m not sure I’ll return to medicine.”

  She retreated behind the desk. “Why?”

  David’s gaze focused on a spot above her right shoulder. “I…can’t. Not now.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  He lowered his gaze. In his eyes she saw evidence of some terrible sorrow. “I need time off. I’m here to discuss that with Jeremiah.” He cleared his throat, shifted on his feet. “Were you able to invite the congregation to the reception?”

  “Callie and Jake stayed after services so I couldn’t say much, but I told Flossie and Mildred Uland to spread the word.”

  “Then the whole county knows by now.”

  “Most likely.” She smiled at him and he smiled back with a glimmer in his eyes she hadn’t seen since he’d returned. Then the light dimmed, the moment of levity passed.

  From his behavior and appearance, something had taken him away for three weeks and impacted him still. Yet he didn’t trust her or care enough to explain.

  “I understand dinner’s at six at Callie’s place. Shall I come for you and Katie?” he asked.

  He behaved as if nothing stood between them. “No.”

  Hurt flared in his eyes. “I understand.”

  She sighed. “This dinner means we’ll lose an evening preparing for the party. But I couldn’t refuse the invitation without explaining why.”

  “I’ll do some chores during the day.”

  “You prefer to handle menial chores for the reception than return to your practice?”

  “My dad always said hard work never hurt anyone.” He gave her a thin smile then trudged toward Dr. Lucas’s office. He’d looked downtrodden, depressed, yet hadn’t explained the reason. Once they’d shared their innermost thoughts. If he wasn’t talking to her, she hoped he was talking to God.

  Lord, help David handle whatever is wrong.

  In the months they’d spent taking walks, attending church socials, working together in his practice, she’d thought they were very close and getting closer, had a future together. Concerned she wasn’t fit to be a doctor’s wife, she’d gone so far as to suggest he find someone else to spend his evenings with. He’d merely smiled. Told her she wasn’t getting rid of him that easily. Now he’d stepped away, holding himself aloof. Had he met another woman?

  Whatever the reason, he’d abandoned her. Just like Gaston, just like her father, just like the entire town. Her hands fisted. She had no choice but to work with David on the reception. Seeing him every day would require a price. If not for her deep affection for Callie and Jake, a price Elise would not pay. Well, she could be as polite, standoffish and indifferent as him.

  She’d never let another person discard her. Or Katie. She’d protect her daughter by closing her heart to David forever. Starting tonight.

  * * *

  David walked down the hall toward Jeremiah’s office. Thanks to the open window in the outer office, he’d overheard Elise tell Sally Thompson she wanted more children. He’d failed his sister and her baby and now…now they were gone. The same thing could happen to Elise.

  He’d never marry. He’d never resume his practice. Never.

  Outside Jeremiah’s office door, David sucked in a steadying breath and rapped his knuckles on the frame, just as Jeremiah and Lenora strolled out, holding hands and gazing into one another’s eyes like newlyweds. Come to think of it, they were.

  Dark hair slicked back, a handlebar mustache under his aristocratic nose, Jeremiah looked more a gentleman of leisure than a doctor. “David, when did you get back?”

  “Saturday. I don’t want to interrupt.”

  “My wife is on her way home to prepare my lunch.”

  “I’ll return at noon, Jeremiah. I want to make sure you’re eating properly.” She smiled at David. “Welcome back.”

  As with everyone else in town, David saw the unspoken question in her eyes. “Thank you.”

  After a tender goodbye with his wife, Jeremiah ushered David inside. “I was going over the list of the patients I treated in your absence.”

  “Anyone in trouble?”

  “Only the usual complaints.” Jeremiah studied him. “I haven’t known you long, but I’m concerned about the change I see in you. Something’s wrong. Is it your health?”

  “If it were, I’d be sitting in your examination room.”

  “Appreciate your confidence in me.” Jeremiah dropped onto the edge of his desk. “Care to talk about it?”
>
  “Talking won’t change a thing.” David looked at his hands. Hands he’d once trusted to bring healing. “I’d appreciate it if you’d continue handling things here.”

  “I like keeping busy.”

  “Then it’s settled.”

  “You know, if you stay away, your patients may switch doctors.”

  “Couldn’t blame them.” David forced up the corners of his mouth. “When you asked to join the practice, I questioned if Peaceful needed two doctors. Now I see God’s hand in your decision.”

  “God’s hand and a shove from my wife. Lenora spent summers on her grandparents’ farm outside of town. Has good memories of the area.”

  “Peaceful is a nice town.”

  David had lost the peace he’d once taken for granted. In a matter of minutes everything could change. With a heavy heart, he stepped toward the door.

  “Doctor, what you don’t know is your patients miss you. I’m second choice. They hope you’re returning. I hope the same.”

  At the kindness of his tone, David’s throat closed, cutting off his words. He gave a nod.

  “Not that it’s any of my business, but a certain young receptionist misses you, too.”

  “Elise is a wonderful woman.”

  “And an excellent assistant. I’m glad to have her help.”

  The reminder of how much he’d let down his patients, let down Elise, added to David’s burden. Better to disappoint than risk failing them in matters of life and death.

  Yet how long could he avoid what he’d once felt called to do? Now that call rang hollow. If not medicine, what would he do with his life?

  It struck him then, he didn’t even care.

  Chapter Four

  The aroma of fried chicken teasing his nostrils, David stepped into Callie’s foyer Monday evening. His stomach rumbling in anticipation, he shook hands with Jake.

  At Jake’s side, Callie looked as fresh as the daisies David held. “For our hostess, one of the best cooks in town,” he said, handing her the bouquet.

  “Thank you!” She gave him a hug. “Good to have you back, David.”

  “Elise and Katie are here.” Jake waved toward the parlor. “Keep them company while I help Callie put these in water.”

  “Since when do I need help putting flowers in a vase?” Callie said, beaming at her future husband with adoring eyes.

  “David can talk to Elise without us breathing down their necks.” Jake gave a wicked grin. “Besides, it’ll give me a chance to breathe down yours.”

  A blush bloomed in Callie’s cheeks.

  “Only twelve more days and I can move out of that lean-to and into this house.”

  “Isn’t that just like a carpenter? Why, I think you care more about this old Victorian than you do about me.”

  “We’ll see about that, almost wife.” He wagged his brows. “In the kitchen.”

  With Callie’s giggle ringing in his ears, David stepped into the parlor, a second bouquet clutched in the hand he held behind his back.

  Copper curls shimmering in the gaslight, Elise sat on the sofa, studying photos in an album. Chewing on a rattle, Katie nestled on her lap. Elise was a picture herself. Not only beautiful, she possessed a generous nature and genuine warmth that had made David feel special, worthy. She lit up a room—and his heart—with her smile.

  As he approached, she glanced up, brown eyes wary. No smile for him. A closer look revealed those eyes were bloodshot, as if she hadn’t slept. Or had been crying. The possibility knotted his stomach.

  “Hello.” She closed the celluloid cover of the album.

  With a flourish, he brought his hand around, revealing what he hoped would be a peace offering. “I got flowers for Callie, a thank-you for dinner. These made me think of you.”

  “Why?”

  He felt the smile slip from his face. “Aren’t violets your favorite flowers?”

  She raised a palm, as if pushing him away. “Stop pretending! We both know nothing’s between us.”

  The vehemence in her tone filled him with regret. Yet he knew she spoke the truth. The connection between them had been severed. Even if she’d let him, he wouldn’t attempt to suture the wound.

  Katie gazed up at him, dark eyes wide, as if baffled by the tension in the air.

  “I agreed to come tonight, not because I wanted to, but to appease Callie.” Elise lowered her voice. “Since I’m here, and we obviously have to talk, we can discuss the reception menu.”

  Until this moment, he hadn’t realized the depth of Elise’s anger. He dropped the flowers on a table. Obviously she’d been coerced into coming. The prospect of a congenial evening was wilting faster than the violets. Not that he blamed her.

  “Jake’s favorite food is ham,” David said, an attempt to comply with her wishes.

  “Callie’s is deviled eggs.”

  David smiled. “I remember when she was expecting Ronnie she couldn’t get her fill.”

  “Does potato salad, green beans with bacon and coleslaw sound good with ham and deviled eggs?”

  “Perfect.”

  But nothing about this evening was perfect.

  Without thinking, David reached for Katie, plucking the little girl from Elise’s arms. Inhaling her powdery scent, he sat on the sofa. Katie rose on tiptoe in his lap, giggling as she faced him eye to eye. “She’s so like you, Elise.”

  Tenderness filled Elise’s eyes, but then the warmth faded. She reached out and pulled Katie into her arms, tucking the rattle into her hand.

  With a feisty grin, Katie promptly slung the rattle to the floor. David retrieved the toy and returned it to Katie, who promptly tossed it again, giggling at the game.

  As he continued picking up the rattle and giving it back to Katie, David’s gaze roamed the parlor. “Where’s Ronnie?”

  “He’s spending the night with his grandparents, kind of a rehearsal for Dorothy and Commodore. They’re keeping Ronnie during Callie and Jake’s…honeymoon.”

  Elise had stumbled over the word. Did the suggestion of romance remind her of what they’d once had as it had for him?

  Unable to keep his eyes off her, those soft pink lips, David groped for words. “They’ve planned a…great trip. A train to Chicago, tickets to see the Cubs.”

  “And a play,” Elise said, staring back at him.

  “I believe, ah—” mesmerized by the tiny specks of gold in her chocolate eyes, David could barely string a sentence together “—Jake said The Wizard of Oz.”

  Something ugly shot through David, something akin to envy. Not of those baseball and theater tickets. He longed for the same happiness his friend had found with Callie. If only he were a fit husband and father, a man who could give his heart.

  Jake popped his head in. “Dinner’s served.”

  As Elise rose to their feet, David said, “We should make an effort to be pleasant. Long faces will dampen their happiness.”

  “I can act as well as anyone. But you— You look like you’ve lost your best friend.”

  The shock of her words knocked against his heart. He had not only lost his sister, he’d lost Elise—the best friend he’d ever had. The sorrow and shame of failing his sister, her baby, had destroyed what he and Elise had shared. He’d treasure each moment spent with them this evening.

  Later, he and Elise sat in Callie’s dining room with Katie sitting between them in Ronnie’s high chair. With the aroma of food, the table aglow with candlelight and flowers, the room exuded romance. Callie and Jake sat side by side, smiling at them and at each other. David found he’d lost his appetite. Still he ate every bite and joined the conversation.

  Animated, as if she were the happiest woman alive, Elise chatted away, the exact opposite of her
demeanor in the parlor. Evidently not fooled, Callie studied Elise with troubled eyes.

  “Your patients must be glad to see you back, almost as glad as Elise,” Jake said with a wide smile, obviously not as astute as his wife.

  No matter how much he and Elise pretended, the gaiety of the evening was forced. All this awkwardness could be laid at David’s feet.

  “I’m not back at the office, Jake.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m taking some time off. So if you and Callie need any help with the wedding, I’m available.”

  “I envy you. I’ll have to keep my nose to the grindstone, if I hope to have Mildred’s house remodeled into Peaceful’s Historical Museum by fall.”

  “Mildred loves living in the carriage house out back,” Callie said. “She doesn’t feel as forlorn as she did living alone in the big house.”

  “Mildred’s husband has been gone for over twenty years but she’s still chastising the poor guy for leaving her.” Jake chuckled.

  The humor fizzled. Images of his brother-in-law and Jillian’s motherless children paraded through David’s mind.

  Jake took Callie’s hand. “Mildred knows the value of someone to share your life. Like Callie and me. You two should think about getting married.”

  Elise chocked on the water she was sipping.

  Until now, David and Elise had made a valiant effort to hide their true feelings yet Jake’s attempts at matchmaking had fallen flatter than an under-baked cake.

  * * *

  Elise bit back a sigh. The attempt to add levity to what had been an awkward evening knotted the food in her stomach. Callie had always been able to read her face and no doubt suspected something was amiss between her and David.

  “Dinner was delicious, Callie,” she said.

  “Thank you. Want to help me clear the dishes?”

  “I’ll help.” Jake bounded up, gathering dishes, no doubt attempting to give Elise and David time alone. Callie picked up the platters and bowls then led Jake from the room.

  Refusing to meet David’s eyes, Elise glanced at her daughter. Katie had been on her best behavior, picking up tiny pieces of potato, peas and chicken with her fingers, now, with her tummy full, she ran messy fingers through her hair.