The Prairie Doctor's Bride

by Kathryn Albright

  She blew out a breath. “He can’t take no for an answer. I sure wish that woman in Fort Wallace hadn’t up and married a soldier. As long as Carl was seeing her, he left me alone. Now he’s right back at it like a dog worrying a stick.”

  Nelson stopped and lifted her chin with his finger. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “He thinks I’m putting on airs, being here—that it’s not my place. He figures I should be with him. Tommy too.”

  “Then we better go check on Tommy first.”

  Peace like she hadn’t known existed rolled through her as Nelson turned toward the sound of laughter and hollering that came from behind the blacksmith shop. Nelson understood. He would protect her if need be from Carl or anyone else. She had never had that assurance before, not even with Thomas. Thomas had left her to fend for herself and she had done all right. But the way Nelson looked after her, she felt precious and special. She laid her head against his strong arm for just a second as they continued their walk.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Nelson knew Sylvia would need to check on her son after Carl’s visit. He wished the man hadn’t shown up. Sylvia had enough on her mind without him causing more turmoil.

  The large back door of the smithy was open, and a breeze swirled through Brett’s shop. Wyatt, Rhett and Tommy were out back, practicing roping a wooden crate, with no sign of Carl’s presence.

  Nelson and Sylvia walked on and found Hannah White outside her house, trying to quiet her four-month-old, Dora, and at the same time take her dry clothes off the line.

  “I don’t know what the trouble is,” Hannah said when she saw them. It was obvious she was frazzled as the baby kept fussing. “Could she have a tooth coming in this soon?”

  Nelson examined the baby’s gums. “It’s early for teething. Have you eaten anything different in the past day or two?”

  Hannah blushed. “Some canned beets.”

  “Dora probably isn’t ready for them in your milk.”

  “Here,” Sylvia said. “Let me take her a minute so you can rest your arms. I remember how mine ached from holding Tommy when he would get this way. He didn’t want me to put him down or sit down myself. All he wanted was for me to walk with him.”

  While Hannah took the dry clothes off her line and folded them, Sylvia walked back and forth with the fussy baby. She smiled as she handed the baby back. “It seems babies this age just know when their mother has her thoughts on other things and they don’t like it. They like to be the center of their mother’s world at all times.”

  Dora wasn’t any less fussy, but Sylvia’s attention to Hannah and her frustration made a decided difference on Hannah. She was calmer and ready to try again with renewed patience.

  It was such a little thing, but Nelson would remember it in the future in dealing with those who came to his office for help.

  They strolled past the school, and the new schoolteacher stepped out the door.

  “I’m Miss Burnett. Kade Austin told me about Tommy being in town because of the flooding. Your boy is welcome to come to school while you are here. Some of the other children in your same situation have been coming.”

  Sylvia thanked her.

  They walked on, and when they were out of hearing distance, she stopped him. “You were right about there being a lot of new folks in town.”

  “Oak Grove is growing, with an eye for the future. I want you to be part of it.”

  She squeezed his arm. “It sure would be something.”

  In his room now, and thinking of their walk, Nelson smiled to himself. Sylvia had managed to walk through town on his arm without incident and had even relaxed somewhat and enjoyed it. It had been a test, of sorts, and it had gone well. She didn’t know it, but tonight was the second test. He was taking her and Tommy to supper at the restaurant. Surprisingly, it was his mother’s suggestion. He wasn’t sure what to make of that. His mother said she had talked with Sylvia and that was all he could get out of her.

  He finished tying his shoestring tie and made sure his collar stood up straight. He straightened his vest. Hooking his coat off the end of his bed, he shrugged into it. Being black, the coat served well as a mourning frock, but it had always been his standard clothing ever since he became a doctor.

  His initial shock at Ellison’s death had worn off and he remained conflicted about the man. Learning the truth had freed him in one sense—he now knew why he’d been a thorn in the man’s side—but it also gave rise to so many more questions about his real father. Questions that had no answers.

  His mother could not be persuaded to join them. She still wore black in respect for Ellison’s passing and would for some time yet. Any semblance of enjoying herself in public was out of the question for at least another year. If he were to marry Sylvia, there would be no reception or celebration. He hoped, however, that his mother would attend the small ceremony.

  Tommy waited on the top stair for a piggyback ride down to the main floor. Nelson scooped him up, surprising him and carrying him down instead. Then he let him scramble onto his back and handed him his crutches. The boy wouldn’t want to be seen being carried into the restaurant, but Nelson was certain a ride to the restaurant was another thing.

  Sylvia stood at the door, looking resolute and nervous all at the same time. She wore the same purple-and-white checked dress. Seeing her so fresh and becoming, with her hair done up, it was hard to recall the woman he’d first met at the mercantile, when the man’s hat she wore hid her lovely face and eyes. That seemed like a year ago, not just four weeks.

  They arrived at Austin’s Hotel and Eatery at the same time that Sadie was lighting the candles on each of the tables. Sylvia moved in closer to his side when they entered the large room. Tommy swung in on his crutches like he knew just what to do and showed Sylvia the way to Nelson’s regular table. Although it was only the second time Tommy had been there, he acted as though he ate there every night.

  Nelson held the chair out for Sylvia. After a brief hesitation, she slid into the seat.

  “Hiya, Tommy!” Wiley ran in ahead of his brother, Kade. Kade brought in saucers and teacups. They wobbled precariously in his hands.

  Sylvia quickly grabbed them. “This is kind of fancy, don’t you think?”

  “It’s perfect. I’m glad you agreed to accompany me. I don’t like to take my meals by myself. Before you or my mother came, I ate here nearly every night, often with the mayor or one of the other bachelors in town.” He felt a twinge of guilt at playing to her sympathy, but if it kept her in town, he’d worry about his conscience another day.

  “Never thought of that. I never had much time to get lonely. Not with Tommy around. There was always something to do and Tommy to talk to.”

  “I’ll admit, sometimes I would take the meal back to the house so that I could study. There is a lot to know, a lot to keep up with in medicine. I want to provide Oak Grove with the best, most current medical care.”

  As he spoke, the restaurant filled up with other residents of the town. A few of the women from the train gathered at one table. Miss Weber and Miss O’Rourke smiled and waved cheerfully at him and Sylvia. Miss Pratt shot him a sour look and then slid her focus to Sylvia, obviously displeased that they were together. He hoped some man would come along and soften her up. In her present state, he had a hard time believing anyone would marry her.

  Rollie came from the kitchen and approached the table with a puzzled look on his face. “Doc. Miss Marks, ain’t it? This is a surprise.”

  “Hello, Rollie. Sylvia and Tommy are staying with Mother and me until she can get back to her land. Although I am trying to convince her to stay in town.”

  Rollie’s expression cleared—a little. “Tommy is your boy?” he said, turning his attention to Sylvia.

  “Yes. He’s been playing with the Blackwell boys, and I think with Kade and Wiley a time or two whi
le we have been here. You have real nice boys there, Mr. Austin.”

  “I like to think so. What are you having tonight, Doc? You know the choices. Steak or stew.”

  “Steak, I think. For all of us.”

  “All right. Three plates.”

  “I will take a fourth plate to take back to my mother.”

  Rollie scratched his head. “I’ll let the cook know.”

  When he had gone, Sylvia leaned forward. “Are they busy like this every night?”

  Nelson nodded, enjoying watching her take in the townsfolk in the room.

  “Sure seems like those gals have a lot of bachelors eyeing them. When do they have to choose?”

  “The weddings are set for Sunday at one o’clock. Would you like to go?”

  “I don’t know any of them but Miss Weber and Miss Vandersohn.” Her eyes brightened. “Oh—I guess I do know Miss Simcock. It would sure be a sight to see. I guess the entire town will show up.”

  She shrank back in her chair.

  He smiled and reached across the table to clasp her hand for a quick squeeze. “You’re doing fine, Sylvia.”

  He almost suggested that they join the brides and add one more couple to the celebration, but he knew Sylvia wasn’t ready for that yet, and if he mentioned anything, it would probably scare her away. Besides, if she did agree to marry him, he didn’t want to share the moment. He wanted her to have a wedding beyond anything she could dream up. She deserved it after all she’d been through.

  Their plates came then, carried in by Rollie, and followed by Sadie with hot tea.

  “Mrs. Austin,” Sylvia said, straightening. “I want to thank you for the fine meals that you’ve been sending over to the doc’s.”

  Sadie smiled warmly at Sylvia while she filled the teacups. “He saved little Wiley’s life not too long ago. Did he tell you? The doc is a blessing to us. We’ve got to keep him happy here.”

  After she’d left them to their meals, Sylvia leaned forward. “Does Mrs. Austin’s gushing make you uncomfortable, Doc? She’s right. We do want to keep you happy here, don’t we, Tommy?”

  “Sure do!” Tommy said, starting right in on his steak, making the table shake as he cut a piece.

  Sylvia grabbed the table but still wasn’t quick enough to keep the tea from spilling out of their teacups. “Tommy! Put down that knife! Sorry, Doc,” she said with a mortified expression. “He isn’t used to steak.”

  “Hold on there, Tommy!” Nelson said, chuckling. He reached over and helped him cut his meat into small pieces. “Take your time. No choking.”

  Although Sylvia kept very still and looked dignified, her gaze darted about constantly, watching him, watching Tommy and watching the other patrons in the room. He wished she would enjoy herself a little more. She was a bundle of nerves and looked uncomfortable. It was as if she expected something terrible to happen. That bothered him. Hopefully, with a few more visits here, she would learn to relax.

  Charming him, Sylvia waited until he had taken the first bite and followed his motions. It made him wonder if she had ever been in a restaurant before in her life. He listened to the chatter going on around him. At first other men walking into the restaurant would stare at them both, but after a moment they went on about their business.

  “Did you enjoy our walk today?” he asked her, hoping to get her mind on something else.

  She nodded but didn’t say anything.

  “I thought Miss Burnett, the new schoolteacher, seemed nice.” When that garnered no response from her, he focused on Tommy. “She asked about you, Tommy. She said you are welcome in class as long as you are staying here in town.”

  Sylvia stiffened. “Doc—”

  Maybe he should have waited to speak with her about it more, but he was anxious to move ahead with his plans—and have her a part of them. She had to understand how important it was to him to have her and Tommy with him. He was tired of being alone. Tired of being lonely. His mother would soon return to Boston and that house would be too big for just him.

  “Growing up, I lived at a boarding school. I only saw my mother on holidays like Christmas and Easter. Sometimes my father would be there, but not every year. The older I got, the less he made it a point to spend time with me. Tommy, you are very lucky to have your mother with you all the time.”

  Tommy looked over at Sylvia and a silly grin spread across his face. Nelson chuckled. Sylvia smiled.

  When they were nearly done with their food, Jackson Miller walked over. His clothes were spattered with mud, so he was careful to stand back from the table. He swiped his flat cap from his head. “I just got back into town. Thought I’d let the folks staying here and Miss Marks know that we found the ferry. It’s at the landing now. It held up. Won’t take much work to get it back in shape for use. If everything goes well, it should be ready for use by noon tomorrow.”

  The man couldn’t have brought more unwelcome news.

  “Thank you, Jackson.”

  Jackson nodded a goodbye and headed over to speak to another family at a table by the far wall.

  “I never would have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes!” Mrs. Gallagher stood in the large doorway to the restaurant. Her sharp voice cut through the light dinner conversations going on around the room.

  Sylvia slowly lowered her teacup, the contentment on her face fading away.

  Mable Gallagher marched over to their table with a haughty look on her face. The space by the table that Jackson had just vacated immediately filled with the loud woman.

  Nelson rose from the table.

  “I am surprised to see you here, Doctor. And with Miss Marks.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I assumed you would be in mourning over the death of your father. To see you enjoying a meal with her—well—after speaking with your mother, I was led to believe Miss Marks had left town.”

  “I’m not sure why it should matter to you, but there are extenuating circumstances concerning the mourning that I’m afraid you are not privy to.”

  The woman’s nostrils flared at the dress down.

  “And with the river flooding—where do you propose Sylvia go? The hotel rooms are full.”

  “I thought—uh—to Mr. Caulder’s place. He did offer to take her in.”

  “Mr. Caulder isn’t the most upstanding citizen in Oak Grove.”

  “But he is the boy’s uncle.”

  He pretended to consider her words. “That could create talk of a disagreeable nature, wouldn’t you say? I would hate for that to happen to such a lovely woman as Miss Marks.”

  Mrs. Gallagher nearly gagged. “But her reputation is already questionab—”

  “I believe you’ve said enough.” Tommy listened, wide-eyed and impressionable, as did everyone else in the room. The woman should have better sense than to say such things in front of the boy. “Sylvia is comfortable at my house. With my mother there to chaperone, it seems the most sensible place for her and her son until she can go back to her own home. They are welcome there for as long as they wish to stay.” He wanted Mrs. Gallagher and everyone else in the town to know he wasn’t going to tolerate anyone smearing Sylvia’s character ever again.

  “Well,” Mrs. Gallagher sputtered. “Well! You surprise me. I thought, with the things your mother said—Enjoy your supper, Doctor.”

  She turned to her husband, Henry, who stood behind her. “I believe I’ll fix something at home after all. The company here disagrees with me.”

  With that, she stormed out of the restaurant with her husband trailing her like a puppy.

  Nelson relaxed and turned to take his seat. Hopefully, this made up for his silence last week when Mrs. Gallagher had hurt Sylvia at the mercantile. He couldn’t completely remove the sting of that altercation, but at least now the woman would think twice before being rude to Sylvia.

&n
bsp; Across the table from him, Sylvia looked pale and shaken.

  “It’s over now,” he said. “She won’t dare say a thing after this.”

  Sylvia shook her head and stared at her half-eaten steak. “How can I go into the mercantile ever again?”

  “Don’t let her get to you. You won’t have any more trouble with her.” Didn’t she see that it was over?

  She met his gaze, her own fierce, her jaw set. “I want to go back.”

  “Sylvia, you haven’t done anything wrong.” He didn’t want the evening to end like this. “If we leave now—”

  “I want to go back. Now, please.”

  “All right. All right,” he said, disheartened. “We’ll go.” He pulled his money holder from his vest pocket and withdrew two bills, dropping them on the table. “Come on, Tommy.”

  He said his thanks to Rollie, who handed him a covered plate of food for his mother. Rollie had witnessed the entire spectacle, as had every other person in the restaurant. Nelson took hold of Sylvia’s elbow to help her down the two steps to the boardwalk. Once on the road, she moved from his reach.

  “Sylvia, talk to me.” He sensed a desperation rolling off her. Tommy too could tell something was very wrong and kept silent.

  At his house, she climbed the stairs to her room, went inside and shut the door.

  He stood there in the hallway, staring up the stairwell. What had just happened?

  His mother called from the kitchen. “How did it go?”

  The fact that she asked was odd. His mother had expressed little interest in Sylvia or Tommy.

  He walked toward her. “She said she wants to go back. Whether that meant back here to this house or back to her own place—I don’t know.”

  Then another thought, more suspicious this time, came to him. “Tell me, Mother, did you know Mrs. Gallagher would be at the restaurant? You saw her earlier today. Had you said something to her?”

  She stared at him, her gaze cool, neither confirming nor denying her involvement. “Sylvia will come to her senses. Give her time.”