“Perhaps, it might do the man good to have some company for a change, what you think?” Before she could answer, Hope’s husband, Billy, came up and wrapped a loving arm around his wife’s waist. “Are you ready to go home? I’m tired.”
“Yes, I’m ready. I’ll go round up the children. I’m certain Mrs. Starr is ready for a few of them to go home. The poor woman. I don’t know how she does it, watching children all day and then volunteering to do it again at night,” Hope declared.
Her husband followed her out the parlor door, but Mary heard his parting comment as they crossed the foyer and headed up the grand staircase to retrieve their children. “I’ll tell you how she does it. Hiram Hanover pays her a small fortune, that’s how she does it. The woman would be crazy to turn down that kind of money to watch a few children.”
Hope laughed and Mary found her reply humorous. “Well, then Mr. Buchanan. Why don’t you hit Hiram up for a job tomorrow? Let’s see how good you think the money is after a week of watching twenty children, dear husband.”
Mary watched the couples disappear up the stairs to the second floor. She marveled at how in love and happy they all seemed with each other. Even her brother and his wife were the picture of a blissful marriage. Melancholy settled in her heart as memories of her own husband surfaced. Gray Eagle had died more than a decade ago, and she still had happy memories of their times together, but she had accepted their journey together was not to be a long one. She had put her grief for him in her past, as she had done with her first family.
And, although she once had hopes of living out her life with her husband and his family, fate was not in agreement with her wishes. Could Doc have had something similar happen in his life?
“Goodnight, Mary. Sleep well,” Charity said on the arm of her husband.
“Thank you. I hope you have a good night too. Sleep well,” she repeated.
Charity laugh on the way to the front door and Mary saw her nuzzle into her husband’s embrace. “Oh I’ll have a good night, but I won’t be sleeping,” she mumbled and kissed her husband with gusto just before the front door closed behind them.
Mary grinned at the unusual woman. She liked her a lot.
Thoughts of Doc’s quick departure resurfaced and she thought about Hope’s insight into the man. If Doc did have something in his past that caused him great pain, didn’t she owe it to the man who reunited her with her brother to find out exactly what that something was?
“Good night, everyone. I think I’ll head on to bed as well. I have an early appointment in the morning.”
The next morning, Doc was up early. He wanted to be out of the office before Hope arrived to avoid the inevitable questions. He was not naive enough to think his unexpected departure didn’t meet with some scrutiny, especially by Hope. And she was the one person who could give his ruse away to Mary, although he hoped she wouldn’t. He’d hate it if Mary thought he’d lied to her.
It was almost six-thirty. He didn’t expect Hope until nearly nine so he had plenty of time to get his pack organized for the trip up into the mountains. His only dilemma now, was whether or not to ask Mary to join him. Yesterday, his plan sounded brilliant. This morning, he found himself hesitating to ask her. The question was why?
He left his quarters in the back of his office and unlocked the front door. One by one, he stacked each piece of equipment he intended to take with him on his trip today next to the front door. He’d leave it there and then go get his horse.
Returning to his desk drawer, he sifted through his journals and soon found the one he wanted. He flipped through the stained pages, glanced at his scribbled notes and the picture of a dandelion plant he had drawn in this journal. “Ah Miss Dandelion. Queen of my heart.”
“Good morning, Doc. Who is the queen of your heart?”
Startled, he jerked around to see Mary standing in the doorway. “I . . . um . . . what are you doing here? Is something wrong with the Hanovers?” His mind a blur of shock and confusion, he reached for his coat and medical bag.
“No, there’s no emergency. I thought you said something last night about riding into the mountains to collect species of herbs and roots and, after last night’s discussion about me spending more time . . . in the mountains, I thought perhaps I could invite myself along. That is if you don’t mind?” She closed the door and stood waiting for his answer.
“I said something about going this morning into the mountains? Odd, I don’t remember doing that.”
Suddenly, the office door flew open again and Hope offered him a bright smile. “Well, good morning. I had no idea you would still be here, Doc. I thought you were heading up into the mountains.” His assistant’s comment was innocent enough, but the gleam in her eye told him she was here this early for a reason.
“Well, yes, but I didn’t say anything about riding up into the mountains today—”
“Of course you did. Don’t you remember? Last night at dinner. You said you wanted to take Mary up to the mountains where the two of you could collect specimens.” He watched Hope send a look to Mary. “Isn’t that right, Mary? It was just last night at dinner, wasn’t it?”
Mary sent him an innocent look and both women were nodding as if their necks were broken. “Yes, you did, Doc. You most certainly did.”
For the life of him, he didn’t remember saying that. At least, he hadn’t mentioned going this morning. Had he? Well, that didn’t explain why Hope had arrived so early now did it?
“I don’t remember that, but it is true I’m leaving this morning. And Mary, you are certainly welcome to go with me, but that doesn’t explain why you are here so early, Hope.” He thought he caught a look of panic on Hope’s face, but it was gone so quickly he couldn’t be sure.
“Mary told me you had to leave last night because we had a patient arriving early this morning. I must have forgotten to put it on my schedule, but now that I know, I came in early so you would be free to go on your herbal collecting trip. With Mary. Who is it anyway?”
“Who is what?” His head was spinning.
“Who is the patient? Coming in early this morning?” Now Hope’s question had him panicking.
“Um, it was . . . Mr . . . well, now I’ve forgotten. You really should do better at keeping our appointment book, Hope.”
She nodded in agreement. “I promise to do better. Don’t you think you two should get going?”
“Yes, I really don’t want to miss a minute of spending time in those mountains. It’s just what I need,” Mary chimed in.
Hope grinned. “It’s just what the doctor ordered if I remember correctly from last night’s dinner conversation. Now go. The both of you get out of here before a real emergency puts a quash on the whole day. Get. Go.” Doc scrambled to put his journal and pencils in the bag before his assistant pushed him out the front door.
He grabbed his coat from the hook next to his desk. “I have to ask Hiram if I can borrow his horse again. I only have the one—”
Mary grinned and looped her arm through his. “Don’t worry. I asked Liam about it this morning when he came by for Hiram before court and the two of them were delighted at the prospect. Big Angus has Jasper already saddled. He’s waiting for us in the Hanover courtyard. Shall we go?”
Doc looked at Hope, but she appeared to be focused on getting the office ready for their patient. The one that wasn’t coming. And a glance at Mary revealed a happy woman just glad to be getting out of the confines of her unaccustomed home and back to her beloved mountains. He was used to going alone, but he had to admit he liked the prospect of taking Mary with him. But yet, after last night’s kiss, he wondered if that was wise?
Mary waited at the door. “When I told Aggie I was coming with you, she packed us a lunch. She said there was so much food left over after last night’s dinner, she practically insisted on me taking it. It would have been rude to refuse, don’t you think so? Shall we go?” Mary opened the door and waited for him to follow. He cut another look to Hope, but she’d t
urned her attention to setting out her medical tools and she never once looked in his direction, but he could swear her mouth was twisted in a smug grin.
“Goodbye, Hope,” he said trying to get a response from her.
“Goodbye, Doc. Mary. Have a wonderful day.” She kept right on cleaning and working and never once looked up. He didn’t know what to make of everyone’s behavior this morning.
He glanced to the front door where Mary was waiting. There was nothing else left to do but go. He followed Mary out the door. Across the alley, Faith waved from behind her front screen door. “Good morning, Mary. Hi, Doc. Looks like you two are off on an adventure. Take care.”
Liam’s wife was grinning at the two of them as if she found something very amusing. He wanted to ask exactly what was going on because he sensed a conspiracy between the two sisters, and yet when he turned in her direction, she stepped back inside the house and closed the door stopping him in his tracks. Mary looked at the door Faith had disappeared behind and said to him, “She’s really a very nice person, don’t you think?”
“Who, Hope?” He was so confused.
“No, Faith. She’s quite lovely and very interesting. We talked a bit last night about her family and her past. It was quite extraordinary, you know. Wouldn’t I have liked to have gone from orphan to being a royal princess, but I’m not sure how this tattoo would have been received at court, do you?”
“I suppose if you’re the princess, you would have had say in how it was received.”
“I suppose you’re right. I didn’t think of that. Well, now what? Shall I go with you to the stables to get your horse?”
“Why don’t you wait for me at the Hanovers and I’ll pick you up there. We can ride out together.”
“That sounds like a perfect plan. I’ll meet you there.”
“No, I’ll walk you there first and then I’ll go get my horse. By the way, how did you get to the office this morning? I hope you didn’t come alone.”
“No, Liam walked me over. He picked up some papers for that woman’s trial. What was her name? Charlotte?”
“Yes, Charlotte’s her name. Good. I’m glad you listened to my advice about not walking these streets alone.”
“I learned my lesson. I promise.”
Doc and Mary each carried his gear to the Hanovers. When he arrived, Angus was just tying Jasper up the hitching rail by the back door. “Good morning, Angus. I’m going to go get my horse. Would you please keep Mary company until I get back?”
“You don’t have to worry, Doc. I’ll be right here until you return.”
“Good.” He relaxed a little bit and turned up the street toward the stables. Two blocks up, he crossed over onto Main Street and passed by the Hanover-O’Brien Law Office. He had just cleared the offices when he heard Liam’s voice call out.
“Doc, got a minute?” He rolled his eyes heavenward and squeezed them shut. He didn’t have time for another brotherly lecture this morning.
“Sure, Liam. But only a minute. I’m headed out of town this morning, just as soon as I can get my horse saddled.”
Liam stepped inside the office and Doc followed. His friend led him to his office and offered him a seat across the desk from him. “I really don’t have a lot of time, Liam. Is this something that can wait until this evening?”
“It’ll only take a minute, I promise.” Liam sat back in his chair and waited for Doc to sit. As soon as he was settled, Liam leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone which seemed odd considering there was no one else in the office but the two of them. “I heard from the sisterhood that you are taking Mary with you to the mountains today. To hunt for herbs and roots and berries and whatever else you collect up there.”
Doc’s instincts fired. “The sisterhood? How did everyone know I was going to the mountains today, but me?”
“What? I don’t know what you’re asking me. Does that mean you aren’t going to the mountains today?”
“Yes, as it turns out, I am.”
“And are you taking my sister?”
“And yes, as it turns out, I’m taking her too. Is that a problem, Liam? I thought we’d talked about this and you were agreeable to allowing Mary some freedom—”
“Yes, I’m fine with it. Completely fine.” Liam’s enthusiasm was confusing. Last night he was a big ball of reservation. Today, he was practically pushing Mary at him.
“What’s going on here? You said the sisterhood. Are you talking about your wife and Hope?”
Liam grinned and nodded. “Yes, Faith and Hope are sisters. Charity and Grace are too.”
“They are up to something, aren’t they?”
“Why would you think they are up to something? Like what?” Liam acted confused, but Doc could see the gleam in his eyes. Something was definitely up.
“This morning Hope was at the office two hours before her usual time. Mary showed up with a picnic basket, and Faith was watching everything from your front door. Now, I’m not a smart legal mind like yourself, Liam, but I know a con job when I see one. What is going on?”
“I can assure you, nothing is going on that you or Mary don’t want to go on.
Doc frowned. “What does that mean?”
Liam leaned forward again and lowered his voice. “I heard about the kiss and—
“Now wait a minute. I didn’t kiss Mary. I swear it. I wouldn’t disrespect her or our friendship by taking advantage of your sister—not after everything she’s been through.”
“Oh, Doc. You misunderstand. It was Charity who witnessed the kiss and she said Mary did the kissing. So, no trouble there. None at all, my friend.”
Doc relaxed. “Okay, so if there’s no trouble, why do I feel like I’ve been called before the teacher for misbehaving?”
“Doc, I’m sorry you feel that way. No, no. Just wanted to let you know that I’m thrilled about you and Mary.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. What do you mean me and Mary? There is no me and Mary.” Doc stood and paced behind the chair he just vacated. Things were getting out of hand. And fast.
“I know the two of you’ve only just met. I understand that and as her brother, it falls to me to keep things in perspective.”
“What are you talking about? Things in perspective? What things?”
“Look, I know you aren’t looking to get married, at least not right away—”
“Get married?” Doc nearly screamed the words.
“But I would consider it a huge favor if you continued to court my sister. You know, make her feel special. She’s had a rough time the last eighteen years. And although she thinks she wants to return to live with the Utes, if she had something—or someone—to serve as a distraction, she might be persuaded to stay in town.”
It took Doc a minute to actually hear what Liam had said after the get married comment, but when his meaning finally registered, he didn’t know whether to punch his friend in the face or pretend like he hadn’t heard a word he’d said.
“Are you saying you want me to entertain your sister so she’ll stay in town instead of going back to the mountains with the Utes?” Doc couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Liam nodded and exhaled a sigh of relief. “I knew I could count on you. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Chapter 11
Mary waited for Doc at the Hanovers while Big Angus kept her company. She enjoyed keeping the big Irishman company as he went about his daily chores. She was sitting on a bale of hay watching him clean out the horses’ stalls while he told her stories about the old country when the barn door opened. Mary was surprised to see Sarah, the Hanover’s cook and housekeeper.
The woman was halfway across the barn when she caught a glimpse of Mary sitting on the hay. “Oh, my, I didn’t know you were here. Um, I was just bringing Angus his breakfast.” Sarah’s face flushed with embarrassment and she cast a guilty look to Angus.
Ah, so Sarah wasn’t just sweet on Doc, it seemed. No sense in making the woman feel awkward. “Hi, Sarah. Angus is
keeping me company this morning while I wait on Doc to arrive,” she offered by way of explanation as to why she was sitting in the barn with Angus. She caught the furtive glances Sarah and Angus exchanged and it was obvious this morning wasn’t the first time the cook had brought the big man his breakfast. And lunch and dinner if Mary’s instincts were right.
“Like I said, I just came to bring Angus his breakfast. I’ll leave it here and . . . I’ve got a lot of work to do inside,” she stammered.
“No, you stay. Doc should be here at any moment. I’ll go keep Jasper company outside and wait for him there.” She turned a keen eye to Angus whose attention was solely on Sarah.
Without another word, she went outside into the bright sunshine and shut the big barn doors behind her in case the two inside needed some privacy. She found this morning’s surprise visit from Sarah interesting for she had thought the woman was in love, or at least strongly in like with Doc. Perhaps she was infatuated with Doc, but something more was brewing between her and the Irishman.
Mary walked to where the black horse was tied and rubbed his ears. She wished she could mount up and ride him to meet Doc at the livery stable, but she had learned that lesson the hard way. Moving about Creede alone was not a good idea. At least not until people got to know her better and the only way that was going to happen was to be escorted everywhere by someone everywhere she went. It wasn’t an ideal situation. She hated it in fact, but that was her reality and she would have to deal with it just like she had every other obstacle in her life.
Mary took a seat on the steps to wait. Memories of her impromptu kiss last night returned. She had been attracted to Doc the moment she laid eyes on him even though at the time she tried to deny it. He was quite handsome, no doubt about that, but there was something about the man she found soothing, if that was the right word. She felt her anxiety lessen around him, and she liked his sense of humor, but most of all, she saw kindness in the man. Not just because he was a doctor who cared for people. No, there was something underneath the man’s deeds and words, something about his spirit and soul that connected with hers.
Mary Page 13
