“Mrs. Colby can stay here and pick what she wants, perhaps browse around,” Ernie said.
“You only want to sell her extra stuff.”
Katie liked the friendly banter between the two men.
“Business is business,” Ernie quipped.
“Is it okay if I leave you with Ernie, sweetheart?”
She nodded. He had called her sweetheart, only for Ernie’s benefit, though.
“I’ll be back in about fifteen minutes.”
After he left, she browsed around. There was a lot of things she would like but didn’t want to spend too much. She decided to pick out blue cotton material for her dress. White muslin for the curtains and some lace and ribbon trim.
Ernie measured it out for her, giving her an extra six inches of everything for free. When she protested, he told her to look on it as a wedding present. It was a kind gesture and she felt moved by it. With buttons, sewing needles and white and blue thread plus scissors, pins and a thimble, the cost was mounting.
Suddenly the queasy feeling returned, her head felt light, then blackness suddenly overcame her.
Chapter Twelve
Katie opened her eyes and glanced around. She was lying on the floor of a storeroom with a pillow under her head and a strange man taking her pulse.
“What happened? Where am I? Where’s Steve?”
“You fainted. I’m Dr. McTavish. You’re in the storeroom at the mercantile and your husband should be here shortly.”
“I never faint.” She made to sit up.
“Slowly, my dear.”
She eased herself up and the floor didn’t spin. “I’m all right.”
“Now, Mrs. Colby what do you think is wrong with you?”
“I don’t know.” You’re the doctor not me, she nearly said. He helped her up and on to a chair. “I have been a bit upset in the stomach on and off for a few days.”
“How long have you been married?”
“A month. Why?”
“You and your husband have regular marital relations?”
“Yes.” Every night since we were married. Heat rushed into her face.
“When was your last monthly flow?”
“Um, a while ago, but I’ve never been regular.”
“My dear, I think you’re having a baby.”
“What!”
“I’ll need to conduct a more thorough examination. Once they find your husband, we’ll go to my surgery, it’s at my house. Your pulse is regular and even.”
The door burst open and Steve hurtled into the room. “Someone said you fainted.”
“I did.”
“I’m Dr. McTavish.”
“Steve Colby. What’s wrong with my wife?” His face looked white and stricken.
“I’m all right, don’t panic.”
“You’re not all right, you fainted. She’s been vomiting and feeling sick and dizzy.” He stepped over to her and picked up her hand. His was trembling.
“It’s all my fault, we shouldn’t….”
“You’re correct, young man, it is your fault.”
Steve’s face lost all color.
“Congratulations. I suspect your wife is expecting.”
“Expecting? A baby?” Steve exclaimed.
“Well, I don’t think she’s having kittens.”
“I never thought. I don’t know much about having babies,” she said, still digesting the news. Steve’s baby. Her hand went protectively to her stomach.
“You have all the symptoms, my dear. Come along now, so I can check you over a little more thoroughly. My wife will help you.”
The doctor who spoke with an English accent snapped his black bag shut. “Follow me.”
Steve put his arm around Katie. He was pleased with the doctor’s announcement, wasn’t he? He wanted children, a family of his own. Of course, he did. He just never thought it would happen so quickly.
He had run into Doug outside the sheriff’s office and had arranged to meet at the diner. Doug was acting all mysterious saying he had news Katie would be interested in. They followed the doctor down the street. At the back of the bank a shingle hung from a shop. Dr. Angus McTavish was written in bold black writing.
“Are you pleased?” Anxiety edged Katie’s voice.
“Yes, sweetheart. I’m just surprised.”
A middle age woman met them at the door. “Angus. What’s wrong, my dear?” I heard there was an accident in the mercantile.”
“No accident,” the doctor said. “This is exactly how rumors start. Mrs. Colby fainted.”
“Oh, my dear, please come inside.”
“I think she’s expecting.”
“Really? Angus is so good at predicting these things.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m a doctor, it’s my job to know. Take Mrs. Colby into my surgery. You wait here, young man.”
“Can’t I come? She’s my wife.”
“It is not appropriate. Wait here.”
Steve seethed at the doctor’s high-handed attitude. “I’m Captain Steven Colby ex United States Cavalry.”
“Well, I’m Major Angus George McTavish late of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, so don’t try pulling rank on me. Come along, my dear.” He smiled benignly at Katie, leaving Steve so mad he could bite himself.
Five minutes later the doctor returned slightly grim-faced.
“Is something wrong?” Steve felt sick to his gut.
“Nothing is wrong. I just wish to advise you that your wife should come and see me on a regular basis, and a couple of weeks before she is to deliver, I want her here in town.”
“Why? She’s only having a baby.”
“Listen to me, Mr. Colby. Your wife is only tiny, and you are a big man, chances are your child will be a large one. Too large for her to deliver it alone.”
“I’d make sure she wasn’t alone.” What did this doctor take him for? An idiot?
“And you’ve delivered a baby before?”
“Well, no, um not a human one that is. I’ve delivered plenty of foals.”
“Your wife is not a brood mare, Mr. Colby. You make sure she’s here within easy reach of me a couple of weeks before the birth.”
Katie came out with the doctor’s wife. He smiled at both women. “Now, my dear, I’ve spoken with your husband and he understands what needs to be done. You aren’t to worry.”
Steve couldn’t believe how nice the doctor was to Katie, yet rude and pompous toward him.
“Okay, I’ll do as you suggest. Do you feel up to going to the diner, sweetheart?”
“Of course, she does. She is not an invalid. She’s pregnant,” McTavish said.
Steve wondered why the smoke wasn’t pouring out of his ears he was so mad. This man really rubbed him up the wrong way.
Out in the street, he linked arms with Katie. “Just say if you don’t feel up to it.”
“I feel okay, I don’t know why I fainted. I’ve never done that before.” Well, she had at the hotel after she’d been drugged by the Sawyers.
“Doug is meeting us at the diner.”
“He’s such a nice man.”
Doug was already seated at a table. He waved when they entered the diner. He was a handsome man Katie thought but did nothing for her heart rate, whereas Steve always caused it to race.
He stood when she neared the table. “Ah, Mrs. Colby. How are you? You’re looking much better than when we last met.”
“Thank you, sheriff. Thank you for everything.”
“It’s Doug.”
“Please thank your wife and ‘Lovelorn’ for sending Steve to me.”
“It’s working out well for you both?”
The men shook hands.
“Sure is.” Steve grinned. “We’re having a baby.”
“Already?”
Katie felt hot all over. She wasn’t sure how long it normally took for a married couple to start having a baby.
D
oug chuckled. “I’m only kidding. Congratulations. What are you having, I’m paying?”
Steve laughed. “In that case a large beef steak.”
“That’s what I’m having. What about you, Katie?”
“I’ll have toast and a cup of tea.”
“Ah! Feeling rather sickly, are we?”
“She’s been vomiting.”
“Well, Beth was as sick as a poisoned dog with our first one, the next time around nothing.”
The waitress came to collect their order. Katie didn’t like the way the brazen young thing hovered over Steve. If he noticed her antics, he gave no sign. By the way he was grinning, now he had got used to the idea he was pleased about them having a baby.
“I’ve got good news.” Doug smiled at her. “The Sawyers are all dead.”
“Really?” She clenched her hands on the table. “How?”
“Apparently Peter Gilbert had an argument and shot his mother and killed her.”
Katie gasped in shock.
“Jake then shot Peter in the heat of the moment, then realizing his whole family was gone, blew his own brains out.”
“A good outcome, they all got what they deserved,” Steve growled.
Oh, the relief. She would now never run the risk of ever seeing them again. She glanced at Steve.
“You should still tell him, sweetheart, it will take your guilt away.”
Their food arrived and Katie was almost sorry she hadn’t ordered one of the sizzling juicy steaks but feared her stomach wouldn’t cope with it.
“Doug.” Steve stopped eating.
“What?”
“Tell him Katie, he can be trusted, and he’ll give you the right advice.”
Taking a couple of gulps of tea, she told him about the little package, the secret pocket and her visit to the prison.
He listened without interruption. “I wouldn’t say anything,” he said. “They’re all dead now so what’s the point. Anyway, you were duped so I don’t think the law would find you guilty of anything except being gullible. That’s not a crime.” He continued eating his food.
“Thank you, you don’t know what a relief it is to know that.”
“See, I said you were torturing yourself for nothing, sweetheart.”
“I’d like to sit and chat, but I can’t.” Doug swallowed the last of his steak. I’m getting the early afternoon train back home.”
“Will we see you again soon?” she asked. “I’d love to meet your wife and tell her how grateful I am.”
He laughed. “We might just surprise you. I’ve resigned from being sheriff. Well, it’s not official for another couple of months.”
“I thought you liked being sheriff,” Steve said.
“I do, I did. It’s taking me away from Beth and the boys too much. I have a hankering to become a rancher.”
Steve laughed. “A rancher! You called me an idiot for taking up ranching.”
“A man can change his mind, can’t he?”
“Anyway, the sheriff here is interested in taking my job, he’s got family living in Cheyanne. I was virtually giving him a job interview, and I think he’ll prove to be a good man.”
“Wouldn’t have to be much to be better than you,” Steve jeered good naturedly.
So much was happening today Katie could scarcely take it all in.
“Where will you get the money to buy a spread?” Steve asked. “I might be able to lend you some of it.”
“Thanks. No need.” Doug took a mouthful of coffee. “Beth inherited money from her uncle and with what I’ve saved over the years, we should have enough.”
“This is such good news. Why don’t you try and get a place near Steve’s?” Katie suggested.
“I’m going to. I’ve even put in an offer for one.”
Steve leaned across the table and clapped his friend on the back. “That’s the second best, piece of news I’ve had all day. Whereabouts?”
“The Triple Dice.”
“That’s only about eight miles away from us.”
“This has been the best day ever,” Katie said. “If only you can get it.”
“I’m in with a good chance. Old man Rivers is giving me first offer. He knows I have cash money and wants a quick sale. That’s where you come in Stevie boy.”
“Me?”
“I want you to check it out for me. I had a quick look at it last time I passed through.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“No. I was too busy trying to talk you into marrying the pretty gal sitting beside you.”
“I’m glad you did,” Steve said.
“Really?” she exclaimed.
“Yes, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me, sweetheart.”
Doug laughed. “You’ve got it bad, Colby.”
“I told Rivers you would be over to see him, and he didn’t mind.”
“Okay. I hear it’s a good ranch.”
“I heard that, too. I’ve been making a few discrete enquiries. His son is a bank manager in Denver. Mrs. Rivers wants to move there to be near the grandkids, so he decided to sell. He’s got no-one to pass it on to.”
After they finished eating, Doug paid for their food and they walked outside.
“Thanks for everything, Doug.” Katie stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
The men shook hands. “I’ll be seeing you real soon,” Doug said, before he swung around and strode toward the railway station.
“What a day this has turned out for us,” Steve said. You know something, sweetheart?”
“What?”
“I should have said this before but couldn’t. I don’t know why the words wouldn’t come out of my mouth even though I felt them in my heart. “I love you Katie Colby now and for always.”
Katie didn’t care about the people walking by. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him on the mouth. “I love you with all my heart, Steve.
He returned her kiss with a fleeting caress of his lips against hers, but it promised much more to come when they arrived home.
“Thank you, God,” Katie inwardly whispered. “Thank you, Lovelorn.”
Epilogue
Twelve months later.
Four-month old, Benjamin Steven Colby lay in his crib and Katie buttoned up the bodice of her dress. “He’s a hungry boy, this son of yours.”
Steve grinned. “Yeah, I know. Are you sure it won’t be too much for you having Doug, Beth and their rowdy boys over for lunch?”
“No, it won’t. It’s so good to finally have them as neighbors.”
Steve said. “They’re eight miles away.”
“Well, it’s nearly neighbors, and Beth was so kind going into Harris Junction and staying with me, so the doctor could deliver the baby.”
“I don’t think McTavish likes me, but he fawned all over you and Beth.”
Katie laughed. “He was just being caring.”
“Well, I have to say I was glad he was on hand in case of trouble.”
She gave him a little punch. “Your son isn’t trouble.”
“He sure is a handsome, boy.” Steve peered into the crib. “Like his Pa.”
“Steve sit down, I’ve got something to tell you. Nothing is wrong so don’t panic. I know this is probably a strange time to tell you, but it somehow feels right. I don’t know why.”
“What is it?”
“Remember how I’ve never told you about my childhood?”
“Yes.” He picked up her hand and held it tightly.
“It’s time you knew. When I was six years old, I was captured by a renegade chief called White Crow.”
The color drained from his face.
“The army rescued me when I was ten and took me back to my parents.”
“And they didn’t want you.”
“How do you know?”
A pulse convulsed in his jaw. “I was in command of a group of soldiers whose sole mission was to try and fi
nd white captives.” He shuddered. “Some families were so glad to get their children back, others like yours, didn’t want them.”
“I was afraid to tell you in case you condemned me like my parents and others did.”
“I would never condemn you for something that wasn’t your fault. Anyway, some of the children I rescued had lived with the Indians for so long they didn’t want to leave the tribe. Sometimes I can still hear them screaming as we took them away from the only family they could remember.”
His grip on her hand tightened. “I was shot by a burning arrow in one of the raids when I was trying to rescue a young gal. Her parents were so grateful to me they offered me this ranch for saving their daughter’s life.”
“That was generous of them.”
“It was. This place had been uninhabited for years, just about reverted to its native state. They signed the place over to me. When I realized my wound was bad enough to end my army career, I finally decided to come here.”
“You felt bad about taking it?”
“Yeah, I did, not so much now. I’ve worked hard to improve it. I write to Mr. Graham and give him updates from time to time and he’s pleased it’s doing so well.”
“What happened to the little girl?”
“She’s happily married to a doctor in California.”
Katie was glad this story had a happy ending for the Grahams and Steve. “Wouldn’t it be a coincidence if you had been the one to rescue me.”
“I don’t think it was me. I’ve never been to Raeburn and the name Katie McMullen didn’t ring any bells. I wasn’t the only one on these search and rescue missions over the years.”
“I hope you’re not angry that I didn’t tell you before.”
“Of course, I’m not. I’m just glad everything turned out so well for us.
“No more secrets,” she said.
“No more secrets, Katie. Ever again.”
The End.
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Lost in Laramie (Yours Truly: The Lovelorn Book 4) Page 8