Prairie Romance Collection

by Cathy Marie Hake

  Determined to lighten the mood, she asked, “Are you looking forward to the concert?” She spoke of the traveling singing group scheduled to appear next week.

  Mary wriggled in her seat. “With great expectation. I can hardly wait. I hear that this is the best group we’ve had yet.”

  “You’ve managed to get some good entertainment.” Mary belonged to a committee that arranged a special concert three or four times a year. “After that there’s the church picnic, then the debating team.”

  “Don’t forget the ball tournament.”

  Dora nodded. She enjoyed the crowd and visiting much more than the sport, but Luke was an ardent ballplayer, so Mary counted ball tournaments high on the list of activities.

  Later, at home in her tiny rooms, Dora thought about the day. Let Pastor Luke make his dire predictions; she knew better. It wasn’t lack of faith that made her determined to enjoy what God had provided. After all, hadn’t she proven her faith when she left home with nothing more than a worn satchel containing a second dress? She had prayed fervently for God to help her find a place to stay, and He had miraculously provided. He made it possible for her to finish her schooling by working after classes in return for her board. And, incredibly, a job in the hotel had opened up for her right after graduation. The job was not one she liked, but again she had prayed and trusted God. Now He had given her this job with Doc Mackenzie. And she loved her job. Perhaps someday she would enter formal nurse’s training and improve her skills.

  All the talk of Josh had triggered Luke’s comments. He and Mary were always nagging her about finding a fellow and getting married.

  But, she vowed, she would never allow herself to fall in love with someone like Josh.

  She prepared for bed early, eager for the morrow when she could return to work.

  The checkerboard lay across Josh’s bed. Dora put the checker pieces in place. “I’m going to beat you this time for sure.”

  Josh lay back, his arms under his head. “You probably could if you paid attention.”

  “Paid attention, indeed.”

  “I’ll even let you go first.”

  She narrowed her eyes and studied him. Did letting her go first give him an advantage? Ducking her head to study the board, she admitted she didn’t understand strategy. What difference did it make which checker she moved first? Oh, she hated to see him win so easily. Finally, she moved a checker.

  “Did I ever tell you about the time a grizzly bear licked my boots?” His attention was riveted on the game board, so she couldn’t see his eyes. “Your turn.”

  She hesitated then moved again. “Is this another of your tall tales?”

  His hand to his chest, he drew back. “I swear I didn’t make up any of them. Though I couldn’t guarantee the same for my friend, Twister. He insisted that he got his name from riding a corkscrew mustang. But I always kinda figgered it was because of the way he twisted the truth. Your turn.”

  Dora’s hand hovered over the game pieces, then she jumped one of his checkers and set it on the edge of the board.

  “Anyway, we were taking a break from branding, and I wandered down by the river. The day was nice and sunny, so I sat down by a log and closed my eyes. Your turn.

  “All of a sudden, I felt this bump against my foot. I opened my eyes, and there was a grizzly licking my boots. It’s your turn again.”

  Dora squinted at the board. How did he make his plays so fast? She hadn’t even followed what he’d done. She reached for one checker but caught herself before she touched it. Moving that one would set up a chain of jumps. She chose a different one.

  “It was just a cub, maybe two or three hundred pounds.

  “Well, you can bet I figured I was bear breakfast. I gave a quick look around for the mama and saw her about two hundred yards away with a second cub. They were rooting at an old tree stump. Probably eating bugs.” He jumped his man across the board and set three of her game pieces on the side. “Your turn.

  “I eased away from the cub and, slow as I could, got to my feet. You understand, now I was in a big hurry to leave, but I didn’t want to set the cub to crying. All the same, the cub woofed. Old mama bear rose up on her hind feet. Your turn.”

  His checkers were all over the board, but if she moved one of hers against the edge…

  “I hightailed it out of there. I could hear that mama bear thudding at my heels. I raced toward the camp.” He paused. “Your turn again.”

  “Josh. For goodness’ sake, tell me what happened.” She gave the board a quick glance and saw an opening.

  “I got ate up.”

  “Yeah. And came out the other end almost normal.”

  His smirk changed to a frown; then he laughed. “I guess not. No, I ran and ran. As soon as I saw the men gathered around the fire, I started hollering, ‘Bear, bear.’ They just stood there gaping at me. I skidded around the cook wagon, wheezing fit to kill. As soon as I could, I looked behind me. And there was nothing.” He shrugged. “Guess what I thought was the bear chasing me was really my own heart thudding.” He jumped three more of her checkers. “Crown me.”

  She was staring at Josh, caught in his bear story. She closed her mouth and gave Josh his crowning checker then moved one of her own men.

  “I never did quite live it down. Every so often, when things got boring, one of the men would get all big-eyed and flap his arms in my face and yell, ‘Bear.’” He shrugged. “It was kind of funny.”

  Dora began to chuckle. “I can just see you.” She nodded—“Bear, bear”—and laughed harder. “Wish I could have been there.”

  “Yeah, well, it might not have turned out so good.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “By the way, I beat you again.”

  Sobering instantly, she studied the board and saw he was right. “It’s not fair. You distracted me.”

  He shrugged. “Wasn’t much of a challenge.”

  “Why you!” She flung a handful of checkers at him.

  He flipped them away, except for one that he flicked back at her.

  She ducked, laughing. “Stop now. You’re supposed to be resting.”

  His deep chuckles made her laugh harder, and just about the time she had it under control, their eyes met and she started again. She couldn’t remember when she’d had this much fun.

  Chapter 3

  Over the next few days, Dora and Josh spent a great deal of time together as she tried to help him while away the hours. They talked about books they’d read and things they enjoyed, and Josh told her more about his family.

  She did what she could to make his convalescence pleasant and, in so doing, grew to enjoy his company more and more. He was a good patient, striving to be cheerful and cooperative even when she knew he ached to head west.

  Five days later, Doc bent over Josh’s dressing. “Young man, you have done very well.” He wiped his hands on a towel. “How would ye feel about getting up for a wee while this morning?”

  Josh’s eyes grew wide then narrowed suspiciously. “You wouldn’t be pulling my leg now, would you, Doc?”

  Doc beckoned to Dora. “You take one side, lass, and I’ll be holding the other.” He flipped the covers back and eased Josh’s legs over the side of the bed. Dora helped him to sit and steadied him as he swayed.

  “Not to worry, son. You’ll be a bit shaky at first.” Doc kept his fingers on Josh’s wrist, checking his pulse. “Sit until the dizziness passes, and then we’ll try standing.”

  Josh hung his head and groaned.

  “Take a deep breath and let it out slowly,” Dora instructed.

  “Ready?” Doc asked after a moment.

  Josh nodded, and together they stood. He swayed, his weight pressing against Dora. She watched his face, saw the color slip away and return as he gritted his teeth and steadied himself.

  “I’m all right,” he grunted.

  Dora glanced at Doc. He nodded slightly.

  “Let’s try a step or two.” They shuffled forward as a unit and stopped. “Turn n
ow, lad,” Doc said.

  With Doc and Dora on each side, he turned and shuffled back to the bed where he collapsed, sweat beading his brow.

  “That was fine, laddie. Just fine.” Doc checked Josh’s pulse and lifted his legs to the bed. “Now you rest a bit, and we’ll get you up again later. Dora, get the boy some lunch.”

  By suppertime, Doc announced that Josh could join them in the kitchen if he felt well enough.

  “I’ll do it,” he eagerly replied. He had insisted on donning his clothes earlier in the afternoon, and now he jerked to his feet.

  Dora tightened her lips as Josh, holding himself stiff and upright, walked down the hall to the kitchen.

  The next day Doc suggested that Josh might like to sit outside on the veranda and enjoy the warm sunshine. “You’ll soon be well enough to be on your way, lad.”

  Doc’s words thumped into the pit of Dora’s stomach. Her hands froze in midair.

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Josh sounded a great distance away.

  She took a steadying breath. Had she caught a hesitant note in his voice? She darted a glance at him. A mix of emotions flashed through his expression. She was sure his eagerness was tainted by something sad. Well, what should she expect? He’d never faltered in wishing he could be on his way.

  Nevertheless, Dora would be sorry to see him go. He had been a good patient, and she enjoyed his company.

  Before Doc could scold her for dillydallying, she hurried outside and moved the wicker rocker into the sun. Josh came out with Doc at his heels. Dora waited until Josh settled into a comfortable position; then she followed Doc inside.

  “There’s a lad who’s through and through nice,” Doc said as he folded his stethoscope into his bag and prepared to leave. “You’d do well to have a closer look at him, lassie.”

  “I—” But not waiting for her reply, Doc grabbed his hat and headed for the door.

  Dora stared after him. What a strange comment from Doc. He knew better than anyone how hard she had worked to be where she was.

  Pausing on the threshold, Doc glanced over his shoulder at her. “Be sure, lassie, that you don’t overlook a prize when you find it.” Then, before she could answer, he was gone.

  She put the instruments to boil, tidied Doc’s desk, and swept the waiting room floor. All the while, her thoughts circled round Doc’s comments like a buzzard after a bone.

  She would miss Josh something fierce. He had proven himself amusing and entertaining. But his plans hadn’t changed. He was headed west to try his hand at farming.

  Dora’s plans had not altered either. She intended to enjoy what God had provided right here in Freebank.

  Her chores done, she checked out the window. Josh sat with his feet up on the rail and a book in his lap, but his gaze was on some distant spot.

  A pair of girls passed—Jenny, the storekeeper’s daughter, and another she didn’t recognize. Jenny’s eyes widened as she spied Josh, and she nudged her friend. The two giggled, then Jenny called, “Hello, sir. I trust you are enjoying the sunshine.”

  Josh slowly lowered his gaze and smiled at the passing pair. “Good morning, ladies. It’s a fine day.” He seemed oblivious to their adoration and returned to his contemplation of the far horizon.

  They hesitated then sauntered past, preening and smiling.

  Dora smiled. If they thought to engage him in a flirtation, they had failed. Feeling rather pleased, she headed to the kitchen to make coffee and start lunch. That done, she prepared a tray for Josh and marched down the hall toward the veranda.

  At the sound of her footsteps, he looked up, his eyes dark with welcome.

  A shock shot through her as her heart responded to his look.

  She almost dropped the tray. The rope handles ground into her palm. The coffee scent stung her nose. The bright air was filled with birds’ songs and the happy sound of children at play. Her heart leaped for the dazzling sky, and she nearly stumbled.

  He attempted to rise as she stepped outside.

  “Stay where you are,” she ordered, her insides wobbling as she set the tray on the railing. “I thought you might like some coffee.”

  “You read my mind.”

  Keeping her face averted, she poured him a cup and offered him a cookie, all the while trying to ignore her tempestuous emotions.

  “Aren’t you going to join me?”

  His words jolted across her nerves, and she jerked to attention. “I have work to do,” she muttered. Without so much as a backward glance, Dora raced inside.

  Pressing her palms to her tight chest, she leaned against the door waiting for her panic to subside.

  She’d promised herself that she would not let this happen. Josh was set on heading west, and she could not—would not—venture into the way of life he had chosen.

  She would not allow herself to love such a man. Yet her pulse throbbed at the mere thought of him.

  How could she have fallen in love with him? She wanted to cry and shake her hands in his face. Instead, she moaned.

  I do not love him. I will not love him. We are headed in opposite directions. All I have to do is keep my distance for a few more days. Doc will surely discharge him, and I can forget I ever met him. Nodding briskly in agreement with her renewed resolve, she hurried off to the kitchen.

  Josh came in a short time later and looked around the kitchen.

  “Where’s Mrs. Mac? I thought I’d keep her company until supper is ready.”

  She must have heard his voice, for Mrs. Mac scurried in from the front room, her cheeks flushed as if she’d been dozing.

  “Ah, Mrs. Mac, I was hoping to see you.” He plucked two cups from the cupboard and poured coffee. “I want to hear all about your trip from the Old Country.” He ushered her into the front room. Dora heard a chair being moved and knew he was making sure Mrs. Mac was comfortable.

  Dora smiled. It hadn’t taken him long to discover that the doctor’s wife loved to talk about the Old Country and her family back there. Their voices rocked back and forth, one deep and strong, the other soft and reedy.

  She tried not to feel annoyance at Josh’s preference for Mrs. Mac’s company over her own. She gave her head a flick. Things were better this way. The less time she spent with him, the easier it would be to forget him when he left.

  Doc returned, and the four of them sat down for their evening meal. Dora jumped up every few minutes to get something from the stove or pantry. If Mrs. Mac wondered why Dora felt an urgency to have jam on the table during supper, she didn’t mention it. However, Doc raised his eyebrows when Dora got a second gravy boat and transferred the gravy from one container to the other.

  The minute Doc set his fork down, Dora scooped up his plate and started washing dishes.

  “Seems we aren’t going to linger tonight,” Doc commented, his voice dry. “Dora seems anxious to get the place cleaned up.”

  She felt three pairs of questioning eyes on her but kept her back turned and her hands immersed in soapy water. She hadn’t meant to rush them. But she felt a sudden, desperate need to get to her own rooms where she could sort out her thoughts.

  “I think I’ll run along.” She wiped the table. “That is, if I’m not needed for anything more.” She hung the towel and wet rag over the towel bar.

  “I expect we can manage without you.” At Doc’s teasing tone, she glanced up and caught him winking at his wife.

  A small frown furrowed Mrs. Mac’s brow before she turned and smiled at Dora. “Yes, dear, you go on home. You’ve worked hard all week.”

  Josh tipped his chair back. “I can certainly take care of myself. Have for years.”

  Dora lowered her head. She knew she was behaving strangely, but she couldn’t stop her insides from twisting and turning. Even so, she knew she had no excuse. She took a steadying breath and looked up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be impolite. I just suddenly realized how much I have to do at home.” She let her gaze touch each of them then turned and prepared to leave.


  Doc harrumphed.

  “It’s quite all right, dear,” Mrs. Mac said. “We do understand.”

  “You have a good night, Dora.” Josh’s voice, so filled with kindness, was almost her undoing. Nodding, she hurried out.

  By the time she closed the door of her house, she was gasping for breath. She leaned against the wall of the dark room and waited for the pounding in her head to ease. Slowly she relaxed and gained control of her thoughts.

  She had gone and done what she promised herself she would not do. She had fallen in love with Josh. How foolish to let this bother her so! Josh need never know how he had affected her. He would leave town in a few days, and she would soon forget all about him. In the meantime, she must still serve as his nurse— though there was little she needed to do anymore. She simply had to act normal.

  Having thus consoled herself, she prepared for bed.

  She overslept the next morning and had to hurry to get ready for church. She was about ready to walk out the door when a knock sounded on the other side. Dora drew her hand to her chest in alarm. Her heart thudding, she pulled open the door.

  “Hi,” Josh greeted her, his face swathed in a smile. “Doc said it would do me good to go to church. He seemed pretty sure you’d be willing to show me the way.”

  Dora snorted. The old codger was determined to get the two of them interested in each other. She wondered what he would say if he knew that he didn’t have to try on her behalf.

  “Certainly,” she said to Josh. “You’re more than welcome to come with me.” Her insides as unsteady as a newborn calf, she faced the room, foolishly relishing every minute spent with him. How could she bear the bittersweet moments of his company while still keeping her secret? And what on earth was Mary going to say?

  Filling her lungs and ordering her insides to be quiet, she demurely announced, “I’m ready.”

  He stepped aside to let her pass then fell into step beside her as they walked the four blocks to church.

  “It’s a fine morning, is it not?”

  Dora’s stomach fluttered at the sound of his voice.

  “Why, I can hear a half dozen different birds singing in the trees as we pass. Listen. Can you catch the robin’s song?”