Love Is Patient Romance Collection

by Vetsch, Erica; McDonough, Vickie; Barton, Janet Lee

  Dan held on to the side of the buggy as Doc Howard raced through town. The doctor pulled the horse to a stop in front of a large adobe house. Dan looked on in amusement as the older doctor jumped down, waving his buggy whip at two boys playing beside the railroad tracks. “Hey, you young rascals! Ray and Charlie!”

  Two guilt-filled faces turned their way.

  “Get away from them tracks. You want to get yourselves killed?”

  “No, sir!” the boys yelled in unison, then ran in through the side gate and took off around to the back of the house.

  Dr. Howard shook his head. “I’ve been telling folks we need to move the children to another location ever since the railroad came through. I hope someone doesn’t have to get killed before they’ll listen to me.”

  Dan nodded. “It does seem hazardous.” Just another case of folks not caring. He followed Doc Howard up the stone walk and stood to the side as the older man tapped on the door. A little girl with bronze-colored skin and long black braids opened it. She stared at the doctor with wide dark brown eyes, then scooted aside for them to enter, yelling loudly, “Miss Elaine, the doctor is here.”

  “All right, Rainsong. I’m coming.”

  Dan stared at the woman who came through the door. Her deep auburn hair had come loose on the sides and hung in bouncy curls on each side of her face. She appeared to be in her midthirties. Her dark blue eyes stared into his, and a delicate pink flush washed over her very attractive face. Lowering her gaze, she shifted the child she carried in her arms and turned quickly to the older man.

  Elaine swallowed with difficulty. She couldn’t believe she had been staring at the stranger. What must he think?

  “Dr. Howard, thank the Lord you’re here at last. We have a situation.”

  “A new child, right?”

  “Yes, but more than that.”

  She led the men down the hall and into the parlor. Her glance shifted to the stranger, and she blushed as she caught Dr. Howard’s amused smile.

  “Elaine, let me introduce you to Cactus Corner’s new physician, Dr. Dan Murphy. Dan, this is Miss Elaine Daly. She assists Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson in the care of the children.”

  Elaine offered her hand to the new doctor and instantly wished she hadn’t. His strong hand enveloped hers, and heat rushed through her palm and up her arm. A little involuntary gasp escaped her throat, and she felt heat rise to her face.

  A scream reverberated through the room. Elaine started, jerking her hand free as both men looked at the little girl with concern.

  “And that,” Elaine said, her voice shaking, “is one of the problems.” She moved to the rocking chair and sat down with Autumn on her lap. She motioned for the doctors to take a seat on the sofa. Once they were seated, she quickly apprised them of the details.

  “Hmm, well, let’s get her onto a cot, and I’ll take a look.” Doc Howard rose from the sofa and picked up his bag.

  “Er—maybe I’d better hold her. She screams every time I put her down.”

  He blinked in surprise and peered at her through his spectacles. “Nevertheless, I think you’d better put her down so I can examine her. I’ve attended to screaming children before.”

  Elaine rose reluctantly and led the way to the toddlers’ nursery.

  Apparently one of the volunteers had taken the two-and three-year-olds outside to play, leaving the room vacant. Elaine laid Autumn down on a small cot and, after giving the child an encouraging pat, stepped back.

  Elaine glanced at the stranger and felt a twinge of pleasure when he smiled at her sympathetically. She let her lips form just the tiniest smile, then looked away.

  Dr. Howard gently examined Autumn, seemingly undeterred by her screaming. After a while, he stepped back, snapped his bag shut, and motioned for Elaine to pick the child up.

  They went back into the parlor, and Autumn quieted as soon as Elaine sat down and began to rock her.

  “Doctor, what’s wrong with the poor little thing?” Elaine waited anxiously for his answer.

  “Not exactly sure. No sign of injuries, anyway. And the child isn’t ill.” He twisted one side of his mustache. “She could be deaf. Or it could be some sort of shock. I’ll know more about that after I talk to Turner.” He shook his head and sighed. “To tell you the truth, Elaine, I think the child is just spoiled.”

  Elaine stared at Doc Howard, then down at the little girl who sat peacefully looking up at her. Laughter tickled her throat, and she chuckled. Well, the little stinker. “Spoiled? Do you really think that’s all it is?”

  “Mm-hm. Of course, I don’t know for certain. But I’d just about be willing to bet on it.” He stood up. “Send for me if you need me, and I’ll let you know what I find out from Turner.”

  “I will, Dr. Howard. Thank you. At least she’s not ill or injured.”

  Both men headed for the door, where Dr. Murphy turned and smiled.

  For the first time, Elaine noticed the enticing gold flecks that sparkled in his dark brown eyes. Stop it, Elaine. They’re just brown eyes. Stop it before you make a fool of yourself!

  Tipping his hat, he said, “Good day, Miss Lainey. Don’t let little Autumn wear you out.”

  She gasped as he turned and followed Dr. Howard down the path. He called her “Lainey.” No one had called her that since she was eighteen. A smile tugged at her lips. Lainey. She liked it.

  Chapter 2

  Dust swirled around Dan’s boots as he walked down the street. When he neared the saloon, a cacophony of noise assailed him. He paused and gazed at the swinging doors. Drawing in a deep breath, he took a determined step forward and pushed his way into the smoke-filled room.

  Men in various stages of intoxication stood at the bar and sat at the tables. A garishly painted woman tripped across the outstretched boot of a customer at a gaming table. Ribald laughter reverberated against the walls. Loud angry voices floated down from the upper rooms, and something crashed to the floor. Dan blinked against the acrid smoke that burned his eyes. He clenched his teeth as memories assaulted him.

  Five-year-old Dan squirmed and twisted, trying to see his mother’s face, but her arms held him tight against her. She coughed, and a glob of blood hit Dan’s hand. A jolt of fear pierced him as she fell to the floor, pulling him with her.

  “Ma!”

  She hit the floor with him still clutched tightly to her chest. Terror held him in its grip as her loud, rasping breaths suddenly stopped. Burly arms pulled him from his mother’s grasp, and he struggled against them.

  “No! Ma!”

  He twisted and turned, striking out at the tall figure who held him captive. Bending forward, he bit down hard on the man’s hand. The man cursed, and then a blow landed on Dan’s head….

  A loud guffaw brought Dan back to the present. A shudder ran through his body. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to volunteer to do this for Doc Howard. Clenching his fist, he strode to the bar.

  “What’ll it be?” The surly bartender didn’t bother to turn around as he continued wiping down bottles.

  “I’m looking for a woman named Mary.”

  “Yeah? Well, we got three of ‘em.” The bartender faced Dan and gave him the once-over.

  “The one I’m looking for was taking care of a baby until recently.”

  The man raised his eyebrows, and his lips turned downward. “What interest would you have in that baby?”

  At the suspicious tone, Dan held up both hands. “Nothing except pure concern. I’m the new doctor in town. I need some information about her medical history.”

  “You mean if she’s been sick or something?”

  “That’s right.” Dan smiled.

  “Ain’t never been sick as far as I can remember. Mary took good care of the kid.” The man narrowed his eyes and glared at Dan.

  Dan nodded. “I’m sure she did. But most children have some sort of childhood disease at one time or another. I really need to speak to Mary, if you’d just tell me where she is.”

  “Cha
rlie, quit bein’ so contrary.” A frowsy-looking redhead with kind eyes sauntered over and grinned at Dan.

  “So you’re the new doc, huh?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Just arrived yesterday. Would you by any chance be Mary?”

  The woman chuckled. “Nope, name’s Lottie.” She tilted her head toward the stairway and grinned. “Mary’s busy right now. But I could probably tell you anything she could. We all took care of Baby.”

  “Well, Lottie, that’s kind of you. Any information would be greatly appreciated by me as well as the good women at the orphanage.”

  Lottie frowned. “Humph. Good women, eh? And what does that make us girls in here? I can just imagine what they think and say about us.” She slid onto the stool next to Dan. “You might want to buy me a drink. Turner don’t take too kindly to idleness.”

  Dan smiled. “I’ll tell you what, Lottie, how about if I just pay for your time and we forget the drink? Will that satisfy your boss?”

  “Don’t know why it wouldn’t.” She motioned the bartender over. “Charlie, the doc wants to talk and is willin’ to pay for it. So you just mark down two drinks every fifteen minutes or so.”

  “I dunno, Lottie.” Charlie scratched his chin and frowned.

  Lottie gave a huff and retorted, “Never mind what you dunno.” She smiled and softened her voice. “It’ll be okay, Charlie. Just do it.”

  “Well, okay. If you say so.” He cast a sideways look at Dan. “But you call me if you need me.”

  “Come on, Doc. Let’s sit over at that corner table. It’s a little bit quieter there.”

  Lottie slid off the bar stool, her red and white satin skirts swinging around her legs, and motioned for Dan to follow.

  A half hour later, satisfied that Autumn was a healthy little girl, Dan left the saloon. As he stepped outside the doors, his eyes met those of a woman just coming out of the general store across the street. He tipped his hat. She gave him a cold stare and turned away.

  Uh-oh. I’ve only been in town one day and I’ve already given the good ladies of Cactus Corner ammunition against me.

  “Miss Elaine, Miss Elaine. That baby won’t hush up, and I’m tryin’ to do my ‘rithmetic.”

  “Arithmetic, Charlene.”

  “Yes, ma’am, that’s what I said—’rithmetic.”

  Elaine sighed and brushed the stringy blond locks from the girl’s forehead.

  “All right, Charlene, bring her to me. I’ll take care of her.” She looked into the girl’s face. “Why are you doing your homework in the toddlers’ room anyway? You’re supposed to use the dining room table.”

  “Grace asked me to help watch them while she went to fix bottles. But those babies are makin’ me crazy.”

  “Get your things and go into the dining room. I’ll watch the toddlers until Grace gets back.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The girl made a beeline for the door.

  “And go find your ribbon. It seems to have fallen out of your—” Elaine stopped talking, as the girl was already out of the room. She groaned. This was the most hectic day they’d had in a long time. There were usually at least two volunteers each day to help the Jacobsons and Elaine with the children as well as to oversee the younger volunteers who came in from time to time. But Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson’s train would not arrive until late afternoon.

  Anika was in the middle of a legal dispute of some sort, and India was busy at the ranch. Elaine was tempted to ask Jody to come in, but her friend’s boss had been keeping her so busy lately that Elaine hated to disturb her on one of her few days off.

  Elaine entered the toddlers’ room and found not only Autumn screaming but seven more youngsters, as well. Grace’s helper, Jane, sat in the rocker with two crying babes in her arms. She cast a frantic glance at Elaine. Several older toddlers sat on the floor in obvious distress.

  Grace came through the door, huffing and puffing and carrying a basket full of milk bottles. “Sorry, Miss Elaine. Cook was busy and couldn’t help.” She set the basket down and handed bottles out to the little ones who were not yet weaned.

  “I understand, Grace. It’s been a difficult day for all of us. I really think we need to move the children who are off the bottle into the next dormitory. The others’ screaming just gets them all going, and nap time is almost impossible.”

  Elaine went over to Autumn’s crib. The little girl drank peacefully, with a tiny stream of milk running from the corner of her mouth. Elaine glanced around the room. It was finally quiet now that the babies were eating. Breathing a sigh of relief, she waved to Grace and Jane and headed for the kitchen to help Carla.

  She passed through the hall just as someone knocked on the front door. What now? It had better not be those rascal boys playing tricks again. She opened it to find herself standing face-to-face with the new doctor. His eyes crinkled as he flashed a smile.

  “Dr. Murphy—” Elaine cleared her throat and tried again. “May I help you with something?” She reached up and patted at her wayward curls. Why can’t they ever stay in the bun where they belong?

  He looked down at her from his considerable height. Again that smile about knocked her off her feet.

  “As a matter of fact, I think perhaps I can help you. I have some information about your newest charge.”

  “Oh.” Elaine stepped back. “Do come in, please. We’re rather at sixes and sevens around here today, but I’m sure I can find a few moments.”

  He followed her to the small parlor, and they sat on the sofa. A lock of sandy hair had fallen across his forehead, and Elaine could almost feel her fingers brushing it back. She forced the thought out of her mind, wishing she had sat on the chair across the room so she wasn’t so close to this man who left her flustered.

  “It seems Miss Autumn’s mother was one of the … er … entertainers at the saloon. She died shortly after the baby arrived. Since the mother had never mentioned family, there was nowhere for the child to go.”

  “Well, for goodness’ sake! Why didn’t they bring her here instead of waiting nearly two years?” Elaine felt the creases between her eyes and consciously composed her face.

  He raised one eyebrow and said, “It seems some of the ladies in the establishment thought she would be better off with them than here.”

  She gasped. They thought the child would be better off in a saloon than with godly Christian people? “How could they possibly believe a child should be raised in a saloon?”

  A painful look clouded his eyes, but the next moment his mouth twisted in a sardonic smile. “Ah … well … Lainey, there are worse places than saloons.”

  Heat warmed her cheeks. Lainey. That name again. She glared at him. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

  “Nothing personal, my dear. I was merely stating a fact.” He rose and picked up his hat.

  “Wait. What caused them to change their minds?”

  “They didn’t. Turner didn’t want the child around anymore, so he took matters into his own hands.”

  “Did you ask about the screaming?”

  “As a matter of fact, that was the clincher. Turner told them they’d spoiled her so much he couldn’t stand to have her around anymore. Apparently her tantrums and screaming were hurting the business. There’s not a thing wrong except she’s been spoiled rotten.” He gave a nod in her direction. “Well, Miss Lainey, I’ll get out of your way. Don’t work yourself to death.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Murphy. I do appreciate the information.” She reached out her hand, which he took and held for a moment.

  “You’re more than welcome. I’ll do anything I can for these orphans. And I’ll do anything I can for you, as well.” Turning, he left her standing in stunned silence.

  Now what did he mean by that?

  Dan ran his hand over the mare’s glistening chestnut flank and gave her a final pat. He had run her harder than he liked to, but he’d wanted to see how she would do in an emergency.

  “She’s a beauty, Mrs. Dillinger. I’m surprised you can part with h
er, but I’m glad you are.” He tied the reins to the back of the buggy. His newly purchased horse had rested enough for the slow trot back to town.

  The young woman smiled and tucked a loose strand of blond hair behind her ear. “Just take good care of her. And please call me India. After all, we are neighbors now.”

  “I’m sorry I missed your husband. Maybe next time.”

  “I’m sure we’ll see you in church. You can meet Joshua then.”

  The lovely young woman smiled broadly and waved to him as he pulled away in Doc Howard’s buggy.

  Dan whistled as he rode through the saguaro and other cacti, which grew profusely in the area. Mrs. Dillinger was a beautiful woman. She’d grace any big-city drawing room. He couldn’t help but wonder why she chose to live in this hot and dusty country. Of course, Arizona Territory had its beauty. Like now with the sun setting behind the mountains. If a man didn’t know better, he’d think the mountain itself was on fire. He had to admit he’d never seen a sunset like this in San Francisco. Still, life wasn’t easy here. Especially for the women and children.

  He had wondered about Miss Elaine Daly. It was obvious she came from back east somewhere. He grinned. The prim and proper Miss Daly hadn’t said a word about his familiarity with her name. He had no idea why he was deviling her the way he was—trying to get under her skin. He couldn’t deny the attraction he felt for her. A grin quirked his mouth. He had to admit he enjoyed the reaction he got when he called her Lainey.

  Amazing, the difference in women. These ladies, although obviously used to hard work and no-nonsense lifestyles, were nevertheless genteel and gracious.

  Then there was Lottie and her kind. Dan frowned, and his body tensed into the familiar fighting mode. Most likely Lottie’s life had been a lot different from Miss Daly’s or Mrs. Dillinger’s. It wasn’t her fault she hadn’t had the same advantages as the other ladies. No doubt they snubbed her and made her feel like dirt under their dainty little shoes when they saw her on the street.

  Dan took a deep, cleansing breath and relaxed. He wouldn’t let the past mess up the chance of a fresh start here in Arizona Territory. He was going to stay on the straight and respectable path here. The “Lotties” would have to fight their own battles this time.