“Oh, I’m not disputing your claim or your right to build.” Annetta wished she’d never even broached the subject. “It’s just that…well, when I first got to town, I imagined a hospital right there, near the church where visitors could stop in and pray for their sick or injured loved ones. And perhaps you and Luke would visit the patients…”
Jake was silent.
Annetta feared she’d crossed the line with him now. “A silly pipe dream is all it was. Please don’t be offended.”
“Offended? Are you kidding?” Jake chuckled. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“You do?” Annetta folded her legs and peered across the way at him.
“I’ll build you your hospital. I’ll just move my plans for the rectory someplace else. As I said, we’ve got plenty of land to work with.”
“Jake…” Annetta couldn’t believe that he’d agreed to her idea. She never thought she’d see a hospital in Silverstone. “I’m so filled with gratitude that I don’t know what to say.”
“You just said it.” He laughed again. “’Course we’ll have to get the town board to approve it. But I doubt there’ll be a problem. Ed Winters wants to see this town grow. Keeping folks alive is one good way to do it.”
Annetta giggled—actually giggled. Then she stood and walked around to Jake’s side of the campfire and knelt beside him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He sat up, his arms supporting him, and she hugged him around the shoulders. “And thank you for having the foresight and seeing the need.”
Sitting back, she stared at him, smiling. The dying embers from the fire cast a soft glow all around them, and Annetta felt her feelings for this man mounting. She guessed from the way he looked back that he had strong feelings for her too.
Reaching out, Jake plucked a piece of straw from her hair, and she realized what a wreck she must look like. Dirt had smudged both her riding skirt and blouse, and she’d lost several hairpins.
Thunder rumbled, long and low, and Jake winced and moved to stretch his leg.
“Is it bothering you?”
“Usually does when it rains. But I’m fine.”
The physician in Annetta grew curious. “Did the ball fracture your leg?”
“Yep. It shot clean through the front and exited the back of my calf, although I likely have lead fragments in the bone. At least that’s what my family doctor in Jericho Junction said.”
“It probably wasn’t set correctly.” She reached out to touch his shinbone then paused. “May I? As a physician?”
“Annetta, I think we should probably get some shut-eye. My leg is just fine.”
“But what if I can fix it and reduce your pain?”
He didn’t reply, and Annetta took his silence as permission to examine his lower leg. She didn’t even need for him to roll up his trousers. Through the woven fabric she ran her fingers down the length of his tibia and found a lump halfway down about the size of a small plum.
“Mmm-hmm, just as I suspected. It wasn’t set properly.”
“Well, I can’t very well harbor a grudge. The medic on the battlefield did what he could. He had worse injuries than mine to deal with.”
“I understand.” Annetta thought about several different ways she could go about repairing the disfigured bone, the most obvious being to rebreak it. “Jake, will you consider allowing me to try and fix your leg? I believe I can. And wait!” She moved forward quickly and put her fingertips over his lips. “Before you answer me, please know that you would be doing me another great favor.” Slowly she drew her hand away and sat back on her haunches. “If I fixed your leg, I’d earn the respect and gain the confidence of both the men and women in Silverstone. I wouldn’t be seen as ‘the doctor who should have been a man.’ I’d be seen as their doctor.”
After a heavy, weighted silence, Jake finally replied. “I’ll think about it.” His grumbled reply rolled like the thunder.
“Thank you.” Annetta smiled, sensing he’d eventually agree. “And guess what?”
“What?”
“I won’t even charge you for my services, Preacher.”
He groaned and stretched out on his bedroll. “Get back on your side of the campfire, will you? I’ve got to get some sleep.”
She laughed and stood. “All right.” She softened her tone, wishing she could curl up beside him. “Good night, Jake.”
“G’night, Netta.” His tone seemed to caress her. “Sleep well.”
TWENTY-TWO
ANOTHER DOWNPOUR CAME AND WENT, AND BY THE TIME Warring Spirit took his leave only a few errant raindrops fell from the sky. Bethany thought the cool, clean air felt refreshing after all the months of tireless, thick heat. Luke took her hand and wrapped it around his arm as they headed for the boardinghouse.
“I need to speak with you about an important matter.” She regarded him askance. “That’s the second reason I came to see you tonight.”
“What’s on your mind, Beth?”
“It’s Angie,” she whispered. “I’m hiding her in my room.”
Luke paused right there on the boardwalk. “You’re…what?”
“I managed to sneak her into the boardinghouse during all the commotion.” Bethany searched for his expression in the darkness. “Luke, we have to help her escape to San Francisco. She says she has a sister there who will take her in.”
He let out a long, slow whistle. “San Fran, eh? That’s a long ways from Silverstone.”
“Does that mean it’s impossible?”
“No. With God nothing is impossible.”
Bethany sighed with relief while giving herself a bit of chastening for doubting.
They began walking again. There were still a few men talking in front of the boardinghouse, although it seemed strangely quiet without the bawdy music from the saloon.
Luke opened the door, and Bethany stepped inside.
“There’s something else, Luke.”
He held out his hand, indicating the parlor. Bethany took his lead and, once inside, lit one of the small tabletop lamps. A soft glow filled the room.
Luke removed his hat before lowering himself onto the settee, and Bethany sat beside him. Their gazes met, and she realized Luke’s eyelashes had been singed in the rescue. Once again she thanked God that He’d spared Luke’s life.
He took her hand. “What is it, Beth? Tell me.”
She blinked, recalling the pressing issue regarding Angie’s impending escape. “Angie said once Chicago Joe notices that she’s missing, Chicago Joe will send her hired man, Dirk Crawford, to find and…perhaps even kill her.” Bethany wetted her lips. “Angie told me my life may be in danger as well because I’m the one hiding her.”
A glint entered Luke’s blue eyes. “I can handle Dirk Crawford. Don’t worry about him.”
A frown furrowed her brown. “You’ve had run-ins with him in the past?”
“You might say so. Jake told me that Crawford mistreated Annetta yesterday. Even so, Annetta tended to Chicago Joe’s medical needs.”
“He mistreated Annetta?” Bethany squared her shoulders, feeling some of her original fight course through her veins. “The brute.”
“Like I said, I can handle him. And I’ll let the Winterses know you’re hiding Angie here, with my say-so. They shouldn’t object when I explain we’re looking to move her.” Luke took her chin, and his thumb brushed against her bottom lip. “Don’t worry about that man. Don’t give him a second thought.”
“All right.” There was only one man crowding her thoughts at the moment. “Luke, I felt so scared when you ran in to save Chicago Joe.”
“Well, you can see that I’m just fine.”
“I know, but…” She wanted to say she loved him, wanted to be near him always, even if it meant remaining in Silverstone the rest of her life. But she couldn’t think of where to begin.
Then suddenly Luke lowered his head and touched his mouth to hers in a feathery-light kiss. Next he sighed and pushed to his feet. “I reckon it�
��s time I get back home. I’ll think on what to do about Angie, but it’s too late to do anything now. And I’d like to talk to Jake about it.”
“But…” She wished he’d stay, although she realized what just occurred bordered on improper. “Yes, I suppose you should.”
Luke grinned as he donned his wide-brimmed hat. “You still want to wait until spring to get married?”
“Actually…” Bethany stood. “I’ve been thinking about that.”
“And?”
“I’ll marry you anytime, Luke McCabe.”
He tipped his head and stepped forward. “Even if it means living here instead of Jericho Junction?”
“Yes.” Oddly she felt no regrets. “My place as your wife is by your side, wherever that may be and…I want to be your wife, Luke.”
He held her by the shoulders. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
A light entered his eyes, and a broad smile curved his lips. He looked like he might erupt into one of those famous McCabe whoops. Bethany touched her finger to her lips in hopes of reminding him of the people sleeping in the boardinghouse. It worked. Luke refrained, much to Bethany’s relief. Instead, he pulled her to him and kissed her square on the lips without apology.
“G’night, Beth,” he whispered at last.
She knew he was happy that she’d changed her mind. “Good night, Luke.” She extinguished the light and then he walked her to the steps. She began ascending with only one backward glance. He watched her. A question swirled in her brain. What about love?
Upstairs, she stood at her bedroom door, listening to Luke’s booted footfalls echo on the hardwood floor. She heard the murmur of voices as Luke talked to the Winterses.
Entering her room, she found Angie asleep on the bed and baby Michael still sleeping soundly in his makeshift cradle. She unbuttoned the back of her dress and slipped into her nightclothes. Taking a spare blanket from the wardrobe, she made herself a bed on the floor.
She lay down, stretched, and silence engulfed her. In those moments, Bethany felt her excitement in becoming Mrs. Luke McCabe waning, overshadowed by words unspoken.
I love you.
Would she ever hear those words from Luke?
I love you.
Bethany deduced they were the three most abused and underused words in the English language.
The next morning Luke awoke and washed up. As he buttoned a freshly laundered shirt, he stared out his bedroom window. The early morning sky waxed glorious as the sun stretched its golden fingers over the mountain peaks and onto a sleeping desert below. Luke paused for a few minutes to admire God’s handiwork. Then he left his bedroom and peered into Jake’s. No one there. Hopefully Jake had found a place to hunker down for the night.
Leaving the cabin, Luke made his way to the boardinghouse. Layers of sand and dust covered most of the wooden walk so he traipsed along close to the buildings. He’d gotten about halfway there when he heard riders approaching. He turned a hopeful gaze on them and wasn’t disappointed. Jake and Annetta slowed the horses as they rode through town and halted in front of the clinic.
“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in.” Luke gazed up at his brother and smiled. Thank You, Jesus. He turned to Annetta and dipped the brim of his hat. “Dr. Cavanaugh.”
“Hello, Reverend.”
Luke chuckled at their feigned formality.
Jake dismounted and helped Annetta to the ground. Luke thought her appearance was somewhat disheveled, but she looked otherwise unharmed.
“We made it to Old Man Potter’s barn just as the storm hit.” Jake glanced over his shoulder toward the ruins of the saloon and brothel. “Whoo-whee! What’s happened over there?”
“I’d say God’s judgment.” Luke continued to grin.
“Was anyone injured?” Annetta gaped at the empty side of the street, save for the sheriff’s office. A cast-iron cookstove stood amidst the cinder and ashes.
“No one hurt or killed,” Luke assured her.
“What about Chicago Joe and her hired gun—or whatever he is?” Jake swung both horses’ reins around the hitching post. The animals drank from the overfilled trough beneath it.
“She and Crawford left town, but she vowed to come back.”
“Hmm…”
Luke turned to Annetta. “How was the circuit?”
“Well…” She flicked a glance at Jake. “I’d say it’s been a life-altering experience.”
“Is that right?” Luke inched the front of his hat up a little higher.
“Yes. I’ve seen God do some amazing things in the last twenty-four hours.”
Luke didn’t miss the smile she sent to Jake. He tucked his chin and grinned.
“But if you’ll both excuse me, I’d like to wash up and change.”
Luke stepped aside and watched his brother unnecessarily tug at Cannonball’s saddle straps. He was sweet on her, all right.
“See you later, Netta.”
“Yes, perhaps you will.” On that rather audacious note, she strode to the clinic, unlocked the door, and entered without so much as a backward glance. She closed the door behind her.
Jake’s face reddened with chagrin. Then he shook his head, and he grinned all the while. “Nothin’ like a sassy woman.”
Folding his arms, Luke drew in a deep breath. “I trust you were a perfect gentleman where the doctor’s concerned.”
“Of course.” Jake walked over and leaned his forearm on Luke’s shoulder. “And it was the fight of my life.”
Luke arched a brow. “Yeah?”
Jake nodded.
“You falling in love with her?”
“I think…well, yes, I reckon I am.”
“I knew it.”
“You think you’re so smart.” Jake gave him a brotherly shove. “You go get your breakfast. I’m going home to clean up first, maybe get some shut-eye.”
Luke eyed his brother’s dusty figure and red-rimmed eyes and figured his news about Angie could wait. “You do that.”
Bethany saw Luke striding for the boardinghouse and snagged a hold of his shirtsleeve as soon as he crossed the threshold.
“Well, g’mornin’, Beth.” He smiled and removed his hat.
She noted the light in his blue eyes then saw the back of Jake’s dusty coat as he headed home. “They made it back safely.”
“They did. Can’t you tell? I’m rejoicing.”
“You always find something to be happy about.” Bethany meant it as a compliment, but it didn’t come out as such. She pushed out a smile. Between talking with Angie since sunup and caring for Michael, who fussed and cried for a good hour, not to mention having slept on the hard floor, exhaustion weighed on her limbs.
Luke didn’t seem to notice her waspish mood. He glanced around the lobby and sent a look into the parlor. “Where’s your guest?”
“Upstairs. She’s feeding Michael the pap that Rosalinda was kind enough to prepare.”
“Ah.” Turning slightly, Luke nodded toward the dining room. “You ready to eat?”
“No…um…” Bethany shifted her stance. “Luke, I need to talk to you about Angie. She’s terrified. I relayed what you said last night, that you can handle Dirk Crawford, but she has her doubts.”
“You too?”
“No.” Bethany shook her head. “I have complete confidence in you.” She meant each word.
“Glad to hear it.” He narrowed his gaze and worked the side of his mouth between his teeth. “Well, Crawford is a viable concern, I’ll grant Miss Angie that much.” He thought a moment more. “Tell you what, why don’t you go eat some breakfast and maybe take a plate up for Angie. I’ll talk to Jake, and we’ll figure something out.”
“Thank you, Luke.”
“You bet.”
He smiled into her eyes, and Bethany’s heart swelled with love. However, almost as quickly, insecurity gripped her. In another place and at another time, Luke McCabe wouldn’t even know she stood in the
same room as he did. Sharing her room with Angie Brown last night proved a cruel reminder of just what a plain little field mouse she really was. Angie possessed a natural beauty, evident from her blonde hair and blue eyes to her well-turned ankles.
“Beth? What is it?”
“Oh, nothing.” She’d feel foolish, telling him the truth. She ran her hand down the skirt of her light-blue dress. “As I said, I’m tired.”
“Well, get some nourishment and then rest. I s’pect Ralph Jonas will come for his boy soon.”
“I have my doubts about that too. In order for the older children to come to school, Mr. Jonas needs someone to mind the younger ones.”
“Will Angie watch the baby for a while so you can teach?”
“I think so.”
“Good. That’s one problem solved…for now.”
“For now,” Bethany repeated. “But Angie can’t remain in my room for days on end.”
“An obvious point. The Winterses have been gracious thus far, but we can’t push them.”
“Will you keep me abreast of the situation?”
Luke nodded. “You have my word, Beth.”
She expelled a long, slow breath. That’s all she needed to keep her courage from crumbling.
“Tell you what.” Luke took her by the elbow and led her outside. “Let’s go talk to Sheriff Montaño. He’s really the one who should know you’re hiding Angie and there could be trouble because of it.”
She nodded and glanced across the street at the adobe building. “You’re right. Let’s go.”
TWENTY-THREE
LUKE EASED HIMSELF INTO A CHAIR INSIDE THE ADOBE government building. Beth had already been seated beside him. The smell of smoke still permeated the air. Only the thick clay walls had saved this place from burning along with the saloon and brothel.
“What can I do for you?” Montaño’s dark eyes bounced between the two of them.
“We need your assistance in getting someone out of town,” Luke said. “Quick.”
“Oh? And let me guess. This has to do with one of Chicago Joe’s girls?”
“How did you know?” Beth scooted to the edge of her seat.
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