“Stop being so prickly, Lily,” Harriett admonished. “If he wants to send us dinner, let the man.”
Finished with signing in, Lily put down the pen and opened her mouth to object further, but John silenced her with a smile and a finger pressed to her lips. “Ah-ah-ah, your aunt was my first patient. It’s just a small gesture of thanks.”
“But, we should be paying you...”
“Your name?” the little man asked him. “For the food bill.”
“John McCutcheon. I’m the new doctor in town.”
The hotel clerk scribbled a little note and held it up for John to sign. Finished, John leaned close to Lily and whispered, “Will you two be okay?”
She nodded, then after two heartbeats her lips curved up into the soft smile that he’d come to know so well in such a short time. Aunt Harriet reached out and laid her hand on his forearm. “We’ll be just fine, Dr. McCutcheon. Thanks to you.”
“Anyone would do the same,” John replied.
“Perhaps,” Harriet said, letting her hand fall away when a bald-headed man picked up their bags and headed for the stairs. “But, it wasn’t anyone, was it, Dr. McCutcheon? Will we see you again?” she asked over her shoulder as she and Lily turned to go.
John took another fleeting glance at Lily. “Without a doubt.”
Chapter Four
Uncle Winston and his two cousins helped John find overnight storage for his two boxes of medical equipment, books and small safe that they had unloaded from the stage while he was getting the women settled. As soon as that was accomplished Uncle Winston presented John with a horse, chosen from their best stock, and gave it to him as a gift. When John tried to refuse, Uncle Winston’s face fell so far John reversed direction immediately and thanked him kindly.
“He’s beautiful, Uncle Winston. What’s he called?” John asked as they rode down the trail. He liked his glossy chestnut color and fine conformation. A white blaze ran down evenly between the gelding’s eyes.
“Hobo, but I call him Bo,” Uncle Winston said. “He’s a four-year-old and is as intelligent as all get out. Was keeping him for myself until I got your last letter. We’re all excited to have family moving to Rio Wells. Aren’t we, boys?”
“Yep,” Dustin replied after several beats.
“Sure,” Chaim added.
Was it his imagination or was there a lack of sincerity in their tone? Who knew, maybe he’d feel the same if one of them was moving into Y Knot. John shrugged it off. His uncle was glad to see him and that was a fact he couldn’t deny.
“I like him, Uncle Winston. But like I said before, it wasn’t necessary.”
“Of course it was necessary. It’s been twenty-nine years since we had a Montana McCutcheon come to visit. Last one was my little brother Flood. He brought your two older brothers with him when they were just wee lads…” His uncle’s voice trailed off and it was a moment or two before he continued in a sober tone. “Six and four I think they were. Your pa wanted them here while he was off searching for your mother after she’d been abducted.” He shook his head. “That was a few years before you were born. Regardless of the reason, we enjoyed having them. And now, it’s been much too long in-between. We’re glad you made the decision to take the job in our town and make Rio Wells your home. I couldn’t be prouder if you were my own son.”
Embarrassed, John looked off the side of the road at the dry lands so different from what he was used to. Prickly pears, as well as bluebonnets, were everywhere. Plus an overabundance of rocks. “How are things at Rim Rock?”
“We’ve been better. But, we can’t complain. Texas has always had its problems—be it water, weather, drought or some kind of pestilence. There’s always something to kick the snot out of us. But we’re tough and it’ll take more than any of those things to best us. Isn’t that right, boys?” The last question, thrown over his shoulder to Dustin and Chaim, went unanswered.
“That’s the same with us. The Heart of the Mountain always has something that needs fixing or doing or driving. I miss it, though, and that’s a fact.” John thought he heard a soft snort when he said the fanciful name his mother had given their ranch all those years ago, but he couldn’t be sure. “It takes a lot of sweat to keep things moving forward.”
The sun was low in the west and the thought of laying his head on a clean pillowcase was inviting. He reminded himself he still had a passel of introductions to go through and a welcoming party, he was sure. If these McCutcheons were anything like his family, it’d be hours before he could retire.
“The ranch is just over that hill. Go on boys and give the women a heads up. We’ll be right behind you.”
Dustin galloped up the hill, with Chaim directly behind.
Uncle Winston gave John a look. “No one in this family has ever been to the university before. They don’t know what to say. Give ‘em time to get to know you.”
John looked up, surprised. He hadn’t thought of that. Never even considered it. Except for him, no one on his side had been to university either. It did make him somewhat of an anomaly. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Nothing to say. Just wanted to make you aware of the situation. They’re usually welcoming.”
Chaim, the younger, and of his own age, might be a bit shy, John thought. He seemed a nice enough fellow with his sandy blond hair and easy smile. But he’d hold out judgment on Dustin for the time being. His older cousin made him uneasy for some reason, and John didn’t know why that should be.
John could now make out the ranch house in the distance. It was large with white adobe walls and big glass windows. Several earthen pots filled with flowering bougainvillea plants and a few cacti sat in front. “Uncle, she’s beautiful. That must be Aunt Winnie waiting out front.”
“It is. And here come Becky and Madeline,” Winston went on, raising his arm and waving. Dustin and Chaim were nowhere to be seen.
The three women rushed over as the men dismounted. They crowded in, and for a moment John felt a flash of homesickness for his family in Montana.
His aunt went to embrace him, but pulled back quickly. “You’ve had an accident, John.” She placed her cool palm on his forehead, making him smile. “You’re warm, too.”
She took his arm and pulled him toward the house. “And you’re tired. You’ll take your supper in bed after you have a bath and a shave, where you can relax. You’ve had a long, exhausting trip.”
That was music to John’s ears and he wasn’t going to argue.
“But, but…Mother?” the younger girl spoke up, a note of disappointment in her voice. “What about the dinner we’ve been planning?”
“It’ll wait until he’s feeling up to it, Becky. Another time.”
“Don’t we even get to meet him?” The two girls were following closely behind. Uncle Winston brought up the rear, carrying John’s saddlebag.
“Just briefly,” Aunt Winnie replied. She stopped and turned to the girls. “John, this is Madeline and Becky. Girls, this is your cousin, John.”
With his free hand John tipped his hat. “It’s nice to finally meet my Texas relations. I look forward to getting to know you.”
Their faces turned pink. Madeline was the eldest, with an oval face and big brown eyes. Her hair was dark like his and she was slender and very pretty. Becky, the younger of the two looked a lot like Charity. She had the same blondish hair and was the same age as his little sister. Pretty as well.
Becky giggled, making him feel a bit awkward, and Madeline’s blush deepened. He shuddered to think how they would fare even a day at the ranch amidst his brother’s teasing, if a little statement like that embarrassed them. They nodded in return as his aunt took his arm, and led him away.
Chapter Five
After washing up, Lily went to the window in her bare feet. The rosy, golden sunrise waxed poetically over the mountaintops and spread throughout the town, but today the beauty of it brought little delight.
Why on earth Texas? The question was still there.
With each passing day, as they got farther and farther away from Boston, the only home she’d known since coming to America a year and a half ago, her anxiety grew.
She glanced over at Tante Harriett still asleep in the hotel bed. Always generous, her mother’s older sister had sent for her in Germany. The ocean crossing had taken two months. Since her arrival, Lily had made many friends. Learning to be a seamstress had been her dream. But the puzzling truth was, throughout the time spent with her aunt she’d never once mentioned anything about leaving.
It wasn’t until the night they’d left that Tante Harriet had shown Lily the agreement between her and a Mr. Bartlett here in Rio Wells for the lease of his shop on Spring Street.
She sighed. It was a mystery. For now she’d let it be.
And now there was John. And her attraction to him. She needed to remind herself often that he was engaged. Her conscience prickled for the childish way she’d treated him when they’d arrived. Especially after all he’d done for them. But, she’d not been able to help herself. She’d grown used to sitting at his side, as distracting as it was, and she would miss him horribly now that the trip was over.
Somewhere a door slammed, making Lily jump. People passed down the hallway and were gone. Tante Harriet stirred under the quilt, then reached for her spectacles on the bedside dresser. She put them on and blinked.
“Why, Lily, you’re up.”
Lily came close. “Yes, a new bed in a new town. You know.”
“Yes, indeed I do,” Harriett said, scooting up. She positioned her pillow behind her back and leaned against the shiny brass headboard. “That’s exactly what you said your first day here in America. I’m sorry, dear. I can say it had little effect on my sleep, though.” She reached out and stroked Lily’s hair. “Tell me what’s troubling you.”
Lily didn’t have the heart to voice her concerns. She knew her aunt would never hurt her intentionally or break the law in any way. She was just going to have to be patient, until she could figure this out on her own. She wouldn’t burden her aunt’s already weighted shoulders.
“I just feel bad Abigail is dead. She was such a wonderful person.” She felt her eyes well up but blinked them back. “Now she’s gone. And the two men. How can people be so cruel?”
“That’s a question I don’t have an answer for. It’s strange, isn’t it? How humans can protect their own with such fierceness and loyalty, yet not blink an eye when it comes to destroying someone else. I wish I knew, Lily. I really do.”
Harriett flipped the cover back and swung her spindly legs over the bed. Her pink flannel nightgown swirled around her feet as she went behind the dressing screen and used the chamber pot. A moment later sounds of water pouring and splashing, then quiet. “Let’s go get a nice cup of hot coffee downstairs and then go and see what kinds of things our new home has to offer,” she called past the blue and white gingham fabric stretched taut on the wooden frame. “How does that sound?”
“Fine.”
Harriett peeked around the screen. “Just fine? Would you rather have a hot cocoa and strudel?”
Lily smiled at her aunt’s efforts to cheer her up. She went to her trunk and debated on which dress to put on. “I doubt they have strudel here,” she responded as she took off her nightshirt and donned her undergarments. Gathering yards of blue material she pulled her dress over her head and took a moment of shifting this way and that, to get it straight.
“Perhaps John McCutcheon, with his flashing green eyes, will be at the restaurant this morning. I think that would cheer you up.”
Lily was fixing her hair but stopped to gape at the screen in the reflection of the mirror. “What are you saying? You heard him speak of Miss Emmeline Jordan. He’s engaged to be married.”
“I’m saying I’m getting hungrier by the second. If I don’t have my coffee soon, and maybe some toast, I’m going to evaporate into thin air and float away.” Lily heard a bang and a swish and then a scooting sound. “There. I’m ready.”
Tante Harriett came around the screen dressed for the day. She picked up her parasol and her small hand-clutch, then stuffed a white cotton kerchief up the sleeve of her dress. She went to the door and waited patiently.
It was amazing how fast her elderly aunt could get ready. Lily pushed away a wispy golden strand that was dancing before her eyes and hurried to the door.
Tante Harriett took Lily’s hands into her own. “I don’t want you worrying about a thing, child. I can see it in your pretty blue eyes that you’re pining away about something, and that only sets off my anxiety and makes me dizzy. You don’t want to do that, do you?”
Of course Lily didn’t want to distress her. Fine, then. Until something horrible happened she’d put her suspicions aside and consider this a new chapter in her life. She’d read novels about the wild American West when she was a little girl. She’d dreamt about the handsome cowboys and the ruthless outlaws. Today she’d concentrate on all the new things in her life.
John was finishing his breakfast of sliced beef, potatoes and gravy, and a cup of strong coffee when Dustin came through the front door. He hung his Stetson on a peg and pulled up a chair opposite John, next to his sister Becky.
Dustin nodded and picked up the china cup that Maria, their maid, had just filled. He took a sip. He replaced it back with a loud clatter, causing Becky to flinch.
“You’re a moose,” she said, giving Dustin a look of chastisement. “When are you going to learn some manners? You were saying, John?” She daubed her mouth with her napkin. “Still single, Charity likes to ride and tend to cattle?”
John pushed away a small niggle of irritation, realizing Becky was just curious about her cousin. “She’s had a longtime beau that’s just waiting for the right moment to ask for her hand.” He sliced a portion of beef and forked it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed. “You see, we all know they’ll end up together—well, all of us except for Charity. She’s as hard-skinned as an armadillo.” He laughed to himself, knowing how Charity would react to that description.
“Who’s the beau?” Dustin asked.
“Brandon Crawford. Sheriff of Y Knot.”
“A sheriff?”
John glanced up from his plate, wondering at his question.
“Hardly a match for a McCutcheon, do you think?” he scoffed.
John glared. He was about to tell his condescending cousin to go to hell when Becky beat him to it.
“Mind your manners,” Becky gasped, looking to see how he’d taken the offhand comment. “That’s a rude thing to say.”
John stood when Aunt Winnie came into the room, then helped her with her chair. “That’s nice of you, dear,” she said, getting comfortable. “But unnecessary. I want you to feel like family. Which, of course, you are.” She leaned in close and looked at the slash on his face and all the stitches holding it closed. “How’s it feel this morning?”
John had stared at his wound long and hard in the mirror. Surely Emmeline wouldn’t care about something superficial, would she? He’d cleaned it again and put on the disinfectant. That was all he could do. The rest was up to fate.
“Aches some. But nothing I can’t handle.”
“It’s a nasty one, all right.” Dustin was leaning back, staring at him. His mouth was a hard, straight line.
Winston and Chaim came through the door together. They hung their hats and hurried to the table, scraping their chairs across the cool tile floor.
“Are you heading out this morning?” Uncle Winston asked.
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind. I’d like to head into town straight away, retrieve my things and start setting up.” He also wanted to check on Lily and Harriett. He’d hated going off without getting them properly settled.
“I thought as much,” Winston replied, digging into the breakfast Maria set in front of him. “Just stay right at the two forks and that will dump you at the end of Dry Street, next to the school. Dr. Bixby’s office—er, I mean your office is just down the street. It’s
not hard to find. Didn’t you say something in your last post about a young woman?”
John glanced at Dustin. “I did. We’ve been keeping company and she is planning to follow sometime in the next few months.”
“You’re engaged?” Aunt Winnie exclaimed, looking between John and the rest of the family at the table. “This is exciting news. Congratulations!” She shook her finger at her husband. “You never tell me anything, you bad man. We’re going to have a wedding to plan. How wonderful!”
Chapter Six
Lily’s feet stopped when she saw Dr. McCutcheon riding down the middle of the street, toward her and her aunt. It was still early in the morning and there were only a few people on the boardwalk. She and Harriet had taken breakfast in a little restaurant called the Apple Dumpling, across the street from where they’d stayed.
“Look who it is,” her aunt whispered into her ear.
“I see,” Lily answered quickly, embarrassment warming her cheeks.
“Be sure to say hello to him when he rides by. “
Lily turned to Harriett. “He’s almost a married man, Tante. Surely, you haven’t forgotten so soon.”
“Oh, pooh. I know your intentions are good, but things out here in the West are different. He’s not married yet.”
Dr. McCutcheon reined up in front of where they stood, tipping his hat. “Mornin’, ladies.”
“Good morning, Dr. McCutcheon,” Harriett said. She walked to the edge of the boardwalk, closer to the street, bringing Lily along with her.
“So, how is little Florence this morning?” He said to Lily, his smile teasing. “Did you sleep well?”
“Very,” she fibbed, hardly getting the word out. Sitting on his horse, he looked even more devastatingly handsome than she remembered. He had bathed, shaved and it looked as if his hair had been trimmed. His mischievous green eyes reminded her of the foamy sea, deep and all-knowing. Her gaze briefly touched the spot she had so recently, and somewhat intimately, tended for him and heat rushed to her face.
Texas Twilight Page 3
