Iris (Suitors of Seattle Book 8)

by Kirsten Osbourne

  Mallie nodded. "Yes, Dr. Sullivan." She looked down at her feet. "I just hate being still all the time."

  Iris laughed. "You remind me a lot of my sister, Lily. She spent all of her time in trees and fishing. I think if she'd ever broken her arm, she'd have run a race the next day."

  Mallie grinned. "I like the name Lily. I wish I had a flower name." She looked up at Iris with something akin to worship on her face.

  "Flower names are fine unless you're the eighth of eight of them. No one needs that many flowers in their garden." Iris loved her name, but sometimes she felt like just another 'flower,' as if she didn't have an identity of her own.

  Tracy looked at Iris. "Eight flower names? You'll have to tell me about the other flowers during lunch." She looked at Mallie. "Get your sisters. You three are riding home with Uncle Andy and me."

  "How come?" Mallie asked. She was obviously confused.

  "Dr. Sullivan is coming to lunch. Your pa's giving her a ride."

  Mallie looked back and forth between Iris and Francis. "That sounds good to me. I'd love to get to know Dr. Sullivan better."

  "Dr. Sullivan would like that too." Iris tapped Mallie on the nose with her index finger. "You three girls seem pretty darn special to me." Iris had always enjoyed children, but none quite so much as the three young Harvey girls. What it was about them, she wasn't sure, but they were awfully special.

  Mallie giggled before hurrying off to find her sisters.

  Francis looked at Iris. "Are you ready?" He looked around. "Is Edna Petunia coming with us?" He wasn't sure he was ready to be alone with the doctor for the thirty minute drive out to his brother's house.

  Iris shook her head. "No, she had other plans." She hoped no one would ask her about the older woman's plans. She really didn't know how to answer. Edna usually said everything that crossed her mind. Secrets were not normal, so Iris was a bit concerned.

  Francis shrugged. "Let's go then." He started to walk away, and then turned back. "Make sure you have all three girls," he said to Tracy.

  Tracy rolled her eyes. "You act like I don't know what to do with the children."

  "They're the only daughters I have. I have to be careful with them." He led the way out to the churchyard and helped Iris up into his wagon. "I guess you got to meet my sister-in-law Tracy."

  "She seems really sweet. You sure can tell by her accent that she's not from around here though."

  Francis climbed behind the horses and laughed. "Sure can tell the same with you too. Of course, you two sound nothing alike."

  "My brother-in-law is from New York. Jonas has an accent just like Tracy's. My aunt Harriett did, but hers has faded with time."

  "Which sister is married to Jonas?" He was trying to figure out which sister was which, but with eight of them it was difficult.

  "Violet. She's the artist. Seventh of the sisters." Iris knew that he was trying to figure out which sister she was talking about with what she had told him on Wednesday. She knew by giving him as much information as she could, he'd be able to remember better. She wished she had a paper with pictures of all her sisters like Violet had painted for each new brother-in-law to make it easier for him.

  "So she's the sister that's one older than you."

  Iris nodded. "Yes I'm the youngest and she's the second to youngest." She shrugged. "I promise I won't quiz you on it later."

  Francis grinned. "Glad to hear that. I don't think there's any way I can keep your complicated family straight. It would have helped if you did not all have flower names."

  "I promise, it was not my idea."

  "So what do you think of our town so far? You've been here what? A week?" Francis had lived in Nowhere his entire life, so he was very interested in an outsider's view of it.

  "Two weeks. And I'm not really sure what to think yet. The name fits. I do feel like we're in the middle of nowhere." Iris looked over the rolling hills that were part of Texas's Hill country. "It seems like a nice place, but I don't know that this area will ever accept a female doctor."

  Francis frowned. "I didn't think I'd have been able to accept a female doctor a week ago. Now I couldn't imagine taking my girls anywhere else. Why, I think I could even see you myself." He was surprised that he felt that way, but she seemed to be a good doctor. As long as it was nothing too personal, he could see her.

  Iris laughed softly. "You'll tell all your friends that I'm not a witch doctor?"

  Francis laughed. "Oh, no one thinks you're a witch doctor. They just think you're a midwife. I'll make sure everyone knows differently." He paused for a moment, being careful not to offend her. "Not that there's anything wrong with being a midwife."

  "Of course not. Do you live far from your brother and his wife?"

  He shook his head. "Only about a mile. I made sure I could stay close because family's everything." It had been hard for him to move out on his own, even though he'd been in his mid-twenties.

  Iris smiled sadly. "I agree. Yesterday was my sister's birthday. I hate that I couldn't be there for it."

  He felt badly for her. "You couldn't find work closer to home?"

  She laughed softly. "I couldn't find work anywhere for a long time. It took me six months to find this job. There's a shortage of doctors in the West, but still no one wants a female."

  "I can't say I don't understand it. I did feel the same way. But after watching you with Mallie, I realize that you're very suited to your profession. You were kinder and gentler with her than any doctor I've ever seen. I don't know if it's because it's your nature, or because you're a woman. Maybe more women should be doctors."

  Iris smiled at his praise. She knew she was a good doctor, but that didn't mean that everyone around her would see it. She was glad he did. "Thank you."

  Francis shrugged, a little embarrassed that he'd praised her. "Just telling the truth."

  "So who all will be at Tracy's today?" she asked, changing the subject.

  "My girls and me. Andy and Tracy and their kids. And you. My younger sister Mattie comes some Sundays, but she's expecting again, and she's not feeling well with it."

  Iris frowned. "Would she mind if I called on her tomorrow?"

  Francis shrugged. "I wouldn't think so, but you never can tell. I can give you directions out to her place if you'd like." He liked the idea that she cared enough to check on his sister.

  "That would be wonderful. I have some teas that often make women feel better while they're carrying."

  He pulled up in front of a large ranch house. He walked around and helped her down from the wagon. He knew she could get up and down on her own, but if Tracy were watching, she'd get onto him if he didn't help. Besides, he liked touching her and being close to her. "I grew up here."

  "Really? Was it only the three of you? You, Mattie, and Andy?" Iris was very curious about Francis. She told herself it was because she wanted to know about her patients, but she knew it wasn't true.

  "No, Arthur is younger than me but older than Mattie. He's in the area too, but he's north of Nowhere and we're south. He goes to a country church north of town."

  "Is he married as well?"

  Francis nodded. "He married a girl from school. He's the only one of us that married a local girl."

  "Any children?"

  "Four and another on the way. Are you looking for more patients?" he teased.

  Iris shook her head. "No, I'm just curious."

  Tracy came out of the house then, wearing her apron. "Dr. Sullivan! Come in!"

  Iris rushed toward the house. "Can I help with anything?" She hated sitting idly while another woman did all the work. She may not have learned to cook and clean growing up, but she'd learned since she moved out.

  Tracy's eyes widened. "No, of course not! You're a doctor."

  Iris laughed. "I'm also a woman. Would you have one of your friends help you if they came for Sunday dinner?"

  "Well of course I would, but they're not town doctors."

  Iris shook her head. "Why don't you call
me Iris? And you can think of me as just another friend. Yes, I'm a doctor, but I'd rather you called me friend."

  Tracy looked at Iris skeptically. "It just doesn't seem right. I'd feel like I wasn't respecting you."

  "I guess I'll need to call you Mrs. Harvey then, so you'll know that I respect you."

  "No, please call me Tracy."

  "Only if you call me Iris."

  Tracy grinned. "I guess you've got me there. All right, Iris." She offered Iris an apron that was hanging from a hook on the wall and led her into the kitchen. "I started a stew before church. It's just a matter of setting the table, pouring drinks, and getting the bread out of the oven."

  "Which would you like me to do?" Iris looked around her. "Where are the girls?"

  Tracy shrugged. "Edith has them off somewhere. She's really good with them. I think she's enjoying playing mother for a little while." She handed Iris a stack of dishes. "Why don't you go ahead and set the table? Do you have a beau back home?"

  Iris blinked a couple of times at the change in subject before setting the table. "I've been studying so hard I haven't really had time for a beau. Besides, who would want to marry a woman doctor?"

  "Oh, I can think of a few."

  Iris kept her eyes averted as she continued to set the table. "Do you want me to pour the drinks?"

  "Oh, sure. Do you want coffee or milk?"

  "I prefer coffee if you don't mind. Do the children get milk?"

  "Just the little ones. We're a coffee drinking family. Mallie, Ettie, and Katie are the only ones who will drink milk. Mine all drink coffee."

  Iris started to say something about children not drinking coffee too young, but as a friend she knew it wasn't the right thing to do. She was doing her best not to be in doctor mode. She followed Tracy's orders and poured the drinks for everyone.

  Between the two of them they had lunch on the table within minutes. "Would you mind going out to the barn and getting the men for lunch?" Tracy asked.

  "Not at all. Should I try and find the children as well?"

  "They'll be close enough to home that they'll see you get the men, and they'll know it's time to come in."

  Iris removed the apron and wandered outside looking for the barn. She'd been so focused on Francis when they arrived, that she hadn't noticed where it was. When she stepped into the barn, the men immediately stopped talking. "It's time for lunch."

  Francis walked over with an older version of himself beside him. "This is my brother Andy."

  Iris smiled. "It's nice to meet you Andy."

  Andy looked Iris up and down. "So you're the lady doctor, huh?"

  "I suppose I am." Iris wondered what he'd been expecting. She hated being a curiosity, but she would have hated not being a doctor even more.

  "You're a lot prettier than I thought a lady doctor would be." Andy looked at Francis. "You should marry her."

  Iris blushed. Why did everyone think she should marry Francis? She looked at him. He certainly was a nice-looking man. She knew how he felt about women working though, so she knew nothing could work between them.

  "Andy? Shut up." Francis looked at Iris. "Let's go in for lunch."

  Iris looked between the two brothers. "I think that's a fine idea."

  Andy nudged Francis with his elbow. "Offer her your arm. There's no reason you can't court a woman on my ranch."

  Francis glared at his brother. "I said, 'Shut up!'"

  "Oh, I heard you! I seem to remember you finding me my bride."

  Francis stormed out of the barn, leaving Iris alone with his brother. Iris looked at Andy. "Are you trying to make him angry?"

  Andy shrugged. "I've been waiting years to have revenge on him for the way he set me up. I love my wife, but he had no right to send for her."

  Iris bit her lip to keep from laughing. "I'm not one to get in the middle of family squabbles. Tease him all you want."

  All through lunch, Andy made faces at Francis nodding toward Iris. "Edith? Do you mind helping your ma with the dishes after lunch?" Andy asked.

  Edith shook her head. "No, of course not, Pa. Why would I mind?"

  "No reason. I was just hoping that Francis could take Iris for a walk after lunch. The spring flowers are in bloom. Maybe he could pick her a bunch. You know, just like they were courtin'." Andy grinned at Iris. "Ow. Tracy, why'd you kick me?"

  Tracy glared at Andy. "Behave yourself. You're a grown man. You don't need to be tormenting your brother."

  Andy shrugged, not looking contrite at all. "Just trying to help. He helped me find my beautiful bride after all." He took Tracy's hand and lifted it to his lips, his eyes twinkling at her.

  Tracy just shook her head. "And you've never forgiven him for it."

  Francis looked at Iris. He could play his brother's game. "Dr. Sullivan? Would you do me the honor of going for a walk with me after lunch? I'd like to pick some flowers for you and make cows' eyes at you."

  Iris had no idea what Francis was up to. He was probably just trying to get back at his brother though. "I'd love to. No one ever picks me flowers!"

  "I will." Francis thought he actually would. Anything to annoy his brother.

  Mallie's eyes grew around. "Pa, are you going to court Dr. Sullivan?"

  Francis frowned. He didn't want to get his daughter's hopes up. "We're just going for a walk, Mallie."

  "And then maybe you'll court her?" Ettie asked, sounding excited.

  Francis looked between his three girls. Were they all that desperate for a mother? "Don't get your hopes up, girls. We're just going for a walk." He wondered if it was smart to even go for the walk, but he couldn't back down now. Not without Andy calling him a coward. What was it about family members that made you act like a child again?

  "I think Dr. Sullivan would make a great new ma," Katie said. "She fixed Mallie's arm right up. If we had a doctor living in our house, we wouldn't have to worry about getting sick."

  Iris said nothing. She stared down into her stew. She didn't know how Francis was going to get out of it, but she knew he wasn't really interested in her. She told herself she didn't want him to be. But she knew it was a lie.

  Chapter Four

  As soon as lunch was over, Francis offered his arm to Iris, and they left the house. As soon as they were out of earshot, Francis said, "I'm sorry about that. Andy doesn't know when to shut up. I told him, but he still couldn't figure it out."

  Iris smiled. "So you invited me for a walk to get revenge on him." She understood how siblings worked. She may not have had brothers, but she had enough sisters to know.

  Francis sighed. "It wasn't exactly a hardship for me to ask a pretty girl to go on a walk with me." Did she think he hated her or something?

  Iris dropped his arm. "I understand. Are you worried about getting the girls hopes up?"

  "I am, but by the time I realized what they were thinking, it was too late to back down. I'm sorry."

  Iris shrugged. "I'm not. It's a beautiful day for a walk. I expected Texas to be much drier than it is."

  "It is in the summer. Spring is always beautiful though." He walked up one of the hills and started gathering flowers. "We have to make it look good. I really am going to pick you some flowers."

  Iris shook her head and laughed. "The girls are going to be asking for a wedding date."

  Francis kept his eyes averted. "Have you thought about marrying?" He knew he wasn't a good candidate for a husband for her. She was obviously from a well-to-do family, and he had three young girls. Who would want to marry him?

  Iris frowned. "Not really. Who would marry a lady doctor?"

  Francis looked up at her, his arms full of flowers. "Are you really worried about that?" She was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, so he had a hard time believing that she would worry about finding a man.

  "Of course I am. No man wants to marry a doctor. My mother's been telling me that for the past twenty years." She shrugged. Her mother hadn't meant to upset her, but really? Being told no one would ma
rry you for so long had convinced her she wasn't worth marrying.

  "Maybe if the lady doctor were ugly, or manly. You're beautiful. Any man would feel lucky to have you as a wife." Francis wasn't used to flowery words, but they seemed natural with Iris. She was special.

  "Any man but you, right?" Iris regretted her words as soon as they passed her lips. He would think she was being forward.

  "Why do you say that? Have I indicated I don't find you attractive?" Why didn't she realize how attracted he was to her?

  "Well, no, but you certainly didn't want to walk with me." She knew she'd already gone too far, but why stop there?

  Francis stood, walking toward her. "I did want to walk with you. I didn't want to be told to walk with you. There's a difference. It's strange to think about courting anyone. I've never done it."

  "It seems strange that you have three daughters, and you've never courted anyone. I know you had a mail order bride, but didn't you do some of the courting stuff with her?" Iris was puzzled.

  Francis shrugged. "I had a strange marriage. I'm going to leave it at that."

  Iris frowned, but she didn't ask any more questions. "Well, I'm glad we came for a walk. I'm enjoying getting to know you better."

  Francis smiled. "Maybe I could take you for a drive sometime." He held his breath while he waited for her response. He'd never really even asked the girl to go on a drive before. He'd known she'd walk with him, because she had known what Andy was up to. This was different.

  Iris studied his face for a moment and finally nodded. "I'd like that." As she said the words, she felt her heart beat faster. She'd just agreed to go for a drive with a man. A couple of med-students had asked her out, but she'd always felt like they just wanted help studying and didn't really see her as a woman. Francis? The look he was giving her told her he really did want to be with her.

  "Really?" He was surprised. Iris was not only beautiful; she was a talented doctor. What could she possibly see in a rancher like him?

  "Really. I like you. I like your girls. Why would I say no?"