Elaine wasn’t in the toddlers’ room or the kitchen. He found her in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry. She looked both directions when she saw him as if searching for a way to escape.
“How are the children?” She averted her eyes and gazed at the railroad tracks as though watching an invisible train go by.
“About the same. I’m afraid it’s influenza. One of the miners came down with it. He’s doing better, but it’s much more dangerous for children. You’ll need to watch them carefully.”
She nodded and bit her lip, then bent down and pulled another sheet from the basket at her feet.
“I believe they were exposed the day the mob was outside the general store.”
“Oh no. They’d been sent with a message for me, but I didn’t see them in the crowd.” She concentrated on the sheet, two little furrows between her eyes.
“Have you had any symptoms? Sore throat, headache?”
“No.”
“Elaine, please look at me.”
She lifted her face and looked straight into his eyes. The pain and accusation he saw there overwhelmed him. She cared about him. But she didn’t trust him. Well, why should she? The evidence against him was pretty strong.
“Listen. I couldn’t sleep last night. I went outside to get some air. Lila was there before I knew it. She’d been drinking. She tried to talk me into … well, never mind. The next thing I knew, she had thrown her arms around my neck. That’s when I saw you. I know it looked bad, but I had nothing to do with it.”
A shadow of doubt crossed her face, then straightening her shoulders, she glared at him. “Well, perhaps she loves you. Perhaps she’s desperate for her child’s father to marry her. Although I don’t know why any woman would want a scalawag who walked out on her when she was—” She stopped and blushed.
“I’m not her baby’s father, Elaine.”
“Oh, then why would she say it’s you?” She placed her tiny hands on her hips and tapped her foot on the ground.
“Because she hates me and wants revenge.”
A startled look crossed her face. “Revenge for what? Walking out on her?”
Dan sighed. “No. We never were together. She wanted a relationship. I didn’t. So she drifted on to someone else. She hates me because I killed her lover in a gunfight.” There. He’d said it. She’d turn and run now. But at least it would be for the truth.
Her mouth opened slightly, and his eyes were drawn to her soft lips. Oh, how tempting to take her in his arms and claim those lips as his own.
Gasping, she drew back. Apparently she’d read his expression too well.
“So you’re a cold-blooded killer? You killed the man out of jealousy?” Incredulity was written on her face.
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the passion in his eyes that had caused her to gasp.
“No, Elaine. It wasn’t like that. It’s a long story. But I was protecting someone when I shot the man.”
“Mm-hm. Well, Dr. Murphy, I’d say that’s a pretty wild story, and it’s your word against hers. Since she has a little baby as evidence, and I can’t imagine anyone claiming a killer as her child’s father, I’d say her story rings a lot truer than yours.” She picked up the empty basket and headed for the house.
“Elaine, please send for me if you have any sign of illness.”
Tossing her head, she went in and shut the door firmly behind her.
Dan inhaled and blew out a loud breath. He didn’t know what it would take to convince her of his innocence, but he’d be blamed if he’d give up trying.
Elaine straightened and wiped her sleeve across her perspiring face. She’d been bending over the ironing board longer than she wanted to think about, and the muscles in her back and shoulders were screaming at her. With sick children in the house, everyone had a little more work to do. She put the iron away and took the stack of shirts and dresses to the dormitories.
Three days after the children became ill, they still weren’t over the sickness. Elaine had managed to avoid Dan each time he’d come to check on them. He had stressed extreme cleanliness, and they had complied, boiling everything they used and scrubbing their hands with strong lye soap dozens of times a day. Thankfully none of the other children were showing symptoms, but several miners and a few of the townspeople were ill. Dan had told India and Joshua that the sickness was definitely some strain of influenza and was reaching epidemic proportions.
That wasn’t the only thing India had told her. In no uncertain terms, she’d informed Elaine that her husband believed totally in the doctor’s innocence, and many of the townspeople were also rethinking their original position on the subject. Even Etta, who had championed the young woman in the beginning, was starting to be disenchanted with her. In fact, she had told Jody that if it weren’t for the baby, she’d send the girl packing.
Elaine sighed. She dared not get her hopes up again. And besides, if he was innocent, he’d probably never forgive her. She’d been pretty hard on him.
Deep in her thoughts, she headed down the hall toward the kitchen. Just as she reached the kitchen door, Dan walked out, almost running into her.
She drew in a sharp breath and stammered, “I d–didn’t see you c–come in.”
“Apparently not, or you’d have hidden again.” A sad smile appeared on his lips.
“Excuse me? I most certainly have not been hiding from you.” She could feel her cheeks flaming. A dead giveaway.
He leaned against the door frame, and the gold in his eyes flickered as he looked at her. “You don’t need to hide from me, Elaine. I won’t force my attentions on you.”
Elaine’s heart raced as she watched him walk away and out the front door. She went into the kitchen and sank into a chair at the table.
Carla looked up from the dishpan. Removing her dripping hands, she dried them on a white cloth. “Miss Elaine, I think you need a cup of strong coffee. You’ve been going like a wildfire all day.”
“Thanks, that sounds wonderful.” She leaned against the tall ladder back of the chair and watched the wiry cook as she poured strong, black coffee and set the steaming mug on the table in front of her. Elaine added sugar and cream, then inhaled gratefully as she lifted the mug to her lips and let the sweet, milky liquid trickle down her throat.
“Oh, that’s heavenly. Who would think coffee could be so refreshing on a hot day like this?”
“Hmm, you need to get off those feet more often. I see you scurrying all around the place day and night.”
“Well, we all have to do our part. The volunteers are working hard, too.” In fact, India and several of the ladies from the church had helped nearly every day. They couldn’t always stay long because of other responsibilities, but they did what they could. Anika and Jody had come at night a couple of times and promised to help out on the weekend if the children were still ill. Elaine breathed a prayer of thanks for her friends.
She stood and stretched. “I’ll send Mary and Charlene in to help with supper. They should be finished with their studies by now.”
After locating the girls and sending them to the kitchen, she headed to the toddlers’ room.
Children in varying stages of walking and running tripped around the room. One little boy stood firmly and let out a yell as another child attempted to take a wooden horse from his hands. Ellen, one of the volunteers, settled the argument by distracting both children with other toys. Autumn lay in her crib with her arm around a stuffed bear and her thumb in her mouth.
“How in the world does she sleep with all this noise going on?”
Ellen shook her head. “I was wondering the same thing. She must have been tired. She’s been asleep since right after lunch. She’s usually the first one up after nap time.”
Elaine walked over to Autumn’s crib and placed her hand on the soft curls. She didn’t feel hot. Ellen was probably right. The child was merely tired. Still, Elaine determined to check on her later to make sure. As tiny as she was, influenza could be especially dangerous.
Dan opened a can of beans and poured them into a bowl. He wasn’t too excited about eating cold beans, but he didn’t want to build a fire on a hot day like this. He thought longingly of Etta’s hot bread and beef stew. She always had stew on Tuesdays. He crumbled a piece of two-day-old corn bread into the beans and tossed in some stewed tomatoes a patient had given him for payment. Cutting some onion into the mix, he sat at the table and tried to enjoy his meal. Actually, it wasn’t bad.
I’ll bet Elaine’s a good cook. Dan threw his spoon down. Couldn’t he do anything without thinking about Elaine? Her blue eyes appeared in his dreams. The sound of her laughter would ring out across the street when he went outside. He’d turn only to find some other woman laughing outside the dress shop or walking a child. Often he’d feel a wave of anger that anyone should dare to have Elaine’s laugh. Then he’d direct the anger at himself for being such a fool.
He scraped his bowl, then washed and dried it and the spoon and put them away. He went outside and stood on the weathered board sidewalk. The air was beginning to cool. Maybe he’d take a walk.
“Doc! Doc!” Startled, Dan looked down the street. Charlie and Ray came up the street in a dead run. This didn’t look good. He met them halfway down the block.
“What’s wrong?” He grabbed each boy by an arm as they skidded to a stop.
“Miss Elaine says come fast.” Ray gasped and choked out the words. “That baby, Autumn … she’s been taken with the sickness.”
Chapter 7
But why can’t we help? We ain’t tainted, you know.” The plump redhead stood outside the door wringing her hands, frustration and indignation written all over her face. Her companion stood quietly, with her head down.
Elaine had never experienced embarrassment the way she did at this moment. She knew the women were from the saloon. What in the world should she do? With eight sick children and several of the staff down sick, she desperately needed the help. But these creatures? Surely not. On the other hand, to send them away would be depriving the exhausted staff and volunteers of extra helping hands.
“Look, lady, I know you think we’re trash. But we heard Baby was sick, and we’re the ones raised her, you know. Mary here was the closest thing to a mama the little one had. Please, if you’d at least let us see her for a minute.”
Elaine glanced at Mary, who lifted soft brown eyes filled with pleading. She couldn’t have been more than eighteen or nineteen, and beneath the paint, Elaine could detect a vulnerability she wouldn’t have expected to see in a saloon girl.
Surprising herself, she pulled the door open wider and motioned them in. She hardly knew why and knew even less what to say to the two. Should she offer them chairs?
She ran the back of her hand across her forehead and felt herself sway. A pair of firm hands grasped her arms and lowered her to the settee.
“Mary, find someone and fetch some water. Honey, stay with me, now. Don’t faint.”
Elaine could hear the words but couldn’t find the voice to answer. The room was spinning wildly, and she closed her eyes and gave in to the darkness.
“Elaine, wake up.”
Someone was shaking her. She wanted to tell the person to stop but didn’t have the strength to form the words.
“Elaine, can you speak?” She recognized Jody’s voice, filled with worry.
She opened her lips and breathed. “Jody? What happened?”
“You fainted. That’s what.” Relief filled her friend’s voice. “Nearly scared me to death. I thought it was influenza.”
Fear clutched her. She couldn’t be sick. The children needed her.
“It’s not, is it?”
“I don’t think so. You don’t have any of the symptoms. Seems like plain old exhaustion to me.” Jody stooped beside her and patted her hand. “But just to be sure, we sent for Dr. Murphy.”
Elaine tried to sit up, but Jody pushed her back down. “Don’t even think about it until the doctor gets here.”
“But, Jody, I don’t want to see him.”
“Well, that’s too bad, because you’re going to.” She stood and looked down at Elaine. “You know, you’re just about the only one in town who still believes the rumors about Dan Murphy. Don’t you think it’s about time to consider the possibility that he may be innocent?”
Elaine pushed herself up and glared at her friend. “I have work to do. Let me up.”
“Sorry,” Jody said with a triumphant grin. “Martha says you’re not to do anything till the doctor looks you over.”
Elaine jerked her head around, and her gaze fell on the two women from the saloon. They were standing in the corner of the hallway self-consciously but looked at her with sympathy. Whatever was she going to do about them?
The door opened and Dan burst in. His eyes widened at the sight of the saloon women, but when he saw Elaine, he hurried over to her. Before she had a chance to protest, he lifted her into his arms and started up the stairs.
Unfamiliar feelings coursed through Elaine. Her skin felt hot where his hands gripped her arm, and the scent of his cologne made her head reel. She snapped to herself. “What are you doing? Put me down.”
“You need to lie down while I make sure you’re not ill. Miss McMillan, will you come with us and help her get into bed?”
“I’d be more than happy to, Doctor.” Was that a tinge of glee in Jody’s voice? Oh, would she get an earful when Elaine was strong enough to deliver it.
An hour later, Elaine lay propped up on soft pillows while her friend fed her sips of soup. “For heaven’s sake, Jody, I can feed myself.”
“Dr. Murphy said you’re not to do anything until morning.” Jody held the spoon up to Elaine’s lips.
“Well, he didn’t mean I have to be fed like a baby. Give me that spoon.”
Jody laughed and relinquished the utensil. “Okay, I’ll let up. But promise me you’ll stay in bed until morning. I’m going to stay overnight so you can rest.”
“What about church? Who’s going to teach your Sunday school class?”
“They’ve canceled church tomorrow due to so much sickness. Dr. Murphy said there shouldn’t be any more public gatherings than are absolutely necessary.”
“But, Jody, I’m needed to help.”
“Well, we have two new volunteers.”
“Really? Who?” At the look on Jody’s face, she knew. “Not those—”
Jody interrupted her friend. “Mr. Jacobson says we need everyone who is willing to help. After the initial shock, Martha agreed.” A peculiar expression crossed Jody’s face. “Dr. Murphy said not to worry. They don’t bite.”
Elaine pressed her lips together. “He would.”
Jody sighed and shook her head. “You’re making a mistake, Elaine. Dr. Murphy is an honorable man.”
Pain jabbed at Elaine’s stomach. She pushed the tray away and turned over onto her side. Jody’s footsteps whispered across the floor, and Elaine heard the door shut softly as her friend left the room.
Thoughts whirled around in her mind like fireflies, darting here then there. So the whole town was coming around to Dan’s side? But they’d all been just as adamant before that he was guilty, so who was to say they were right about his innocence? Did she dare believe in him?
She tossed her head back and forth in an attempt to clear the thoughts away. A pair of gold-flecked eyes made their way into her mind. “Oh, go away and leave me alone.” She crammed a pillow down over her head, but somehow she knew those eyes would find her there, too.
Dan chuckled to himself as he rode up the rocky mountain path. What a sight it had been to see Lottie and Mary working side by side with the upstanding ladies of the town. He cut the laughter short and frowned. He wondered how often those upstanding ladies stopped to scrub their hands to make sure something didn’t rub off on them. Well, he hoped something would rub off. Maybe something like Lottie’s full-hearted kindness or Mary’s sweet compassion. Dan sighed. It wasn’t that he thought their lifestyle was right. Th
e Lord knew he didn’t think that. But he knew that most of them had become trapped by one thing or another and would give anything to be able to settle down and live decently and respectably.
He didn’t know Mary’s story, but Lottie had told him her father had sold her when she was thirteen. She’d been beaten and almost killed before she lost her will to fight. It didn’t take long after that for her to completely give up any thought of things changing for the better.
It was another “Lottie” he’d been protecting when he killed Lila’s lover. Dan had been walking by a saloon on the outskirts of San Francisco when a scream pierced the air. He took the outside stairs two at a time and crashed through the door just in time to see Tom Furley’s fist land on Annie Carter’s face, causing blood to gush from a two-inch gash. The ensuing fight had ended in Furley pulling his gun. Dan drew his own and fired before Furley had a chance to shoot.
He’d lived with the guilt ever since. Maybe he could have talked the drunken man into putting the gun away. Dan sighed. He’d never know. All he knew was he hadn’t worn a holster since. Like Lottie, he just wanted to settle down and live a decent, God-fearing life. But trouble seemed to find him wherever he went. People judged harshly. Even then, when he’d saved the woman’s life, folks pointed fingers and raised their eyebrows. And Lila had vowed to get revenge. Dan supposed it was easier to turn her rage on him than on the lover who’d betrayed her.
After searching for an hour, Dan found another miner down with the sickness and managed to get him into town with the help of the man’s friend.
They’d turned the hotel into a makeshift hospital for the miners and others who had no one to care for them in their sickness.
Finally, when he’d treated the last sick miner and everyone was as comfortable as possible, he headed home to get a couple of hours of sleep. If he didn’t get some rest, he wouldn’t be any good to anyone.
Sun was streaming through his window when he awoke. He jumped up and quickly washed up, not bothering to heat the water. After he was dressed, he headed out the door. His stomach felt hollow, and after a moment’s hesitation, he turned and walked to the café. Lila or no Lila, he was stopping for a hot breakfast.
Love Is Patient Romance Collection Page 36