“Of course, I’m sure.” He stood. “Now, I better run and check on some of my patients who are really sick.”
“I’ll see you to the door, Sheldon.” Henrietta smiled at her daughter. “I’ll be back in a minute, honey.”
Sophie nodded as Henrietta and the doctor left the room. At the door Henrietta said, “You must be almost worn out, Sheldon. Are you getting any rest?”
“Enough to get by. Until today, Esther has been a lot of help to me. She handles the patients who walk in as well as I can.”
“What do you mean, until today?”
He sighed. “She came down with a fever last night. I hope it’s not the measles, but I’ve put her to bed.”
“Oh, my. What about her children?”
“They’ve taken it well. This morning Benita cooked breakfast and Joel has been helping me keep the examining rooms clean. I thought it best to keep them busy so they wouldn’t worry about their mama.”
“Since Sophie is doing so well, would you like to send the children here? I wouldn’t mind and I know Teddy would love having Joel close.”
“Thank you, Henrietta, but I think they want to stay near until they find out what’s wrong with their mother.”
“They’re not with her, are they?”
“No. They realize it’s too dangerous for them to go into her room. I do let them talk to her through the door.”
“Where are they now?”
“I left Joel reading a medical journal I lent him, and Benita is sitting at her mother’s desk and having the people who come to my office stay in the waiting room and not burst into the back looking for me.”
“Well, Sheldon, if you decide they need a break, send Joel here to spend some time with Teddy? I’m having a hard time keeping him in since Sophie has improved so much.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Positive. It will be good for both of them.”
“Then, if he’ll leave his mother, I’ll let him come visit for a little while, but I want him to come back to sleep at home.”
“I’ll see he gets home by supper.”
“Thanks, Henrietta.”
Closing the door behind the doctor, Henrietta went into the kitchen. “The doctor pronounced Sophie cured. He said she could eat most anything she wants.”
“That’s good news. I’m making chicken pie for supper. I know she likes that.”
“Thank you, Effie.”
“If Sophie’s well, can I go out to play?”
“Not yet, Teddy, but I do have a surprise for you.”
“What, Mama?” He didn’t sound too interested.
“Doc said he’d send Joel over and let him visit with you this afternoon.”
“Really?” His eyes lit up.
“Yes, really.”
“Great.” He jumped up from the stool at the kitchen worktable where he’d been playing checkers with Grace and headed for the door. “I’m going to my room to get some things out I think he’d like to play with.”
“I guess that means I win,” Grace called after him.
“Yep. For this time anyway.” They heard him say as he headed down the back hall.
Grace smiled. “You made his day, Henrietta.”
She chuckled. “I’m glad. I’m sure he’s been trying your soul.”
“Not at all.” Grace began boxing up the checkers. “I’m glad Joel’s coming over here, though. It’ll be a nice change for him.
“I thought it was a good idea to get Joel out of the house. Esther is sick, but Doc isn’t sure yet if she’s come down with the measles or not. With Esther sick I’m sure Doc doesn’t have time to entertain a lively ten year old.”
“Oh, I hope she doesn’t have the measles.”
“So do I, Grace.”
“It’ll be good for both boys,” Effie commented. “It’ll keep Joel from worrying about his mama and it’ll give Teddy something to do.”
“I think so, too. Doc thought it would be a good way to get the boy out of the house for a little while.”
“What about the girl?” Effie asked.
“She’s trying to help the doctor by sitting at her mother’s desk and greeting patients.” She noticed the frown on Grace’s face. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. It just crossed my mind that I’m not really needed here.”
“Don’t be silly. You’ll always be needed, Grace.”
“I know, Henrietta. You’ve always treated me like family, and I wasn’t complaining. I just thought maybe I could go over to the doctor’s office and help out.” She gave Henrietta a nod. “You know with Joel coming for a visit, I won’t have to help you keep an eye on Teddy, and Effie has everything in the kitchen covered. With Sophie doing so well, you’re freed up to take the meals to the jail. I think I could be of more use at Doc’s office.”
“We don’t want you going and getting them old measles, Miss Grace.”
“I think I’ll be fine, Effie.”
“The doctor did look awfully tired when he came to check Sophie,” Henrietta said. “Maybe you could be a help to him, but I want you to speak to Frank about it.”
“Where is Mr. Frank today? I ain’t seen him since breakfast.” Effie picked up a wooden spoon and stirred in one of her pots.
“After he ate this morning, he closed himself in his office. He said he had to see how shutting down the hotel was going to affect us. I think he’s a little worried.”
“I know it’s not much, but tell him I’m not taking any pay until this measles situation is over. I’m not working enough to pay for the food you’re feeding me.”
“I agree with Grace. I don’t need no money either.”
“The both of you are awfully sweet, but…”
“No buts. I mean it. I feel like family and family has to help out when they can.” Grace stood and put her arm around Henrietta. “Now I’m going over to Doc’s and see if I can be of any help there.”
* * * *
Lance looked around hoping to see Grace as the jailhouse door opened, but was surprised when Juliette Cramer walked in.
“Hello, Sheriff,” she said in a little-girl voice. She batted her eyelashes at him. “My feelings are hurt because you haven’t come to see me since I got home.”
He frowned and ignored her statement. “What are you doing here, Juliette?”
“Aren’t you glad to see me?”
“You shouldn’t be out and about. Hasn’t your father told you how dangerous it is to be in town with the measles running rampant?”
She waved her gloved hand in the air. “Daddy is such a worry wart. I don’t see many people in town today, but I guess most of them are busy.”
“Most people have sense enough to stay home like they’ve been asked to do until this disease is gone.”
“Didn’t you know I’m not most people?”
Lance stared at her. “Do your parents know you’re out?”
“My goodness, Lance, you sound like Daddy. He’s such a worrier.” She moved toward a chair. “Aren’t you going to invite me to sit?”
“No, Juliette. You need to go home and stay there. Listen to your father. He’s only trying to take care of you.”
She gave him a coy smile. “I’m a big girl. I don’t need Daddy to look after me.”
“Then you should take better care of yourself by staying home.”
She laughed. “Oh, come now, Lance. I wouldn’t be here if I thought I was in danger.”
“Juliette, go before you get sick. We have enough ailing people in town now.”
“Oh, how sweet. I’m so glad to know you care what happens to me.”
“I care about all the people in town.”
“But I know I’m special.” She turned toward him. “Now, let’s talk about something else. I’ve heard all I want to about this silly old disease from Daddy and Mama. They talk about it all the time.”
Lance came around the desk and took Juliette’s arm. “The only thing I have to say to you is good-bye
.” He ushered her toward the door.
She looked at him. “I can’t believe you’re throwing me out. I only wanted to spend some time with my old friends, and I thought of you. I haven’t seen you in several years and I was too young at the time to appreciate you. Now that I’m grown, we need to learn more about each other so we can be good friends.”
“Now is no time to be visiting.” He opened the door. “Maybe we can spend some time together when this disease has run its course. Now, go home and stay there. I’m sure your father will let you know when it’s safe to be in town.”
Juliette stepped outside. “Well, look who I see coming up the walk. Is that who you’ve been waiting for?”
Lance glanced down the street and saw Grace headed in their direction. “I’m not waiting for anyone. Grace Hunter brings the food for the prisoners.”
“I don’t see a basket of food in her hands. It looks to me like she’s coming to see you.”
“We’ve already had the food. She’d coming for the dirty dishes.”
Juliette shrugged. “I think she should stay away from here if I have to.”
“Do you want to cook and bring food for the prisoners in her place?” Lance’s voice was beginning to sound irritated.
“Don’t be silly. Of course I don’t.”
“Then, go home before I lose my temper, Juliette.”
Her father came riding up in his buggy. Pulling the horse to a stop, he yelled, “There you are, Juliette. I’ve looked everywhere for you.”
“I just took a little walk, Daddy. I was going crazy being cooped up at home and I hadn’t seen Lance since he welcomed me back to town. I wanted to come by and say hello to him.”
“Well, you’ve seen him long enough to say hello. Now, get in the buggy and I’ll drive you home. You know I’ve told you that you shouldn’t be out on the streets at a time like this. Why didn’t you listen to me?”
“Oh, Daddy, don’t get so upset. I’m coming.” She turned toward Lance, kissed her hand and waved it toward him. “I guess I’ll have to go with him this time, but I’ll be back.” Without giving him a chance to answer, she climbed in the buggy beside her father. “Let’s go, Daddy.”
Hal Cramer nodded to Lance and they rode off.
Lance shook his head and waited until Grace reached the door. “I’m glad you’re here. What took you so long?” He smiled at her.
“Esther is sick so I went to help in Doc’s office for a while. Then I headed here, but I started to turn around and go back when I saw you had company.”
“I wish you’d come fifteen minutes ago.” He stood aside for her to go in then followed. “Grab a seat and let’s eat. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“You mean you didn’t give my stew to your guests.”
He frowned. “Did you really think I would?”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t sure. Some men would be so awed by the beautiful Miss Cramer that they’d fall all over themselves to cater to her.”
“Grace Hunter, don’t you ever accuse me of catering to that woman. Now sit down and let’s eat. The food is probably getting cold.”
“Effie sent it in a pot this time. We can always put it on your stove and warm it up. I see you have a pot of coffee going.”
“Let’s do it then.” He took the pot with the stew from the basket and sat it on the stove. “How are the people doing at the hotel today?”
“Now that Sophie is on the road to recovery, everybody seems to be happy.” Grace looked pensive. “Do you think things could get worse, Lance?”
“I don’t think so. He looked closely at Grace. “Are you not feeling well?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. So far, of the people at the hotel, only the Olsen children have been sick.”
Lance stirred the stew. “I think this is hot enough now. Would you hand me those clean bowls?”
“Sure.” Grace handed them to him.
He filled the dishes and moved to the desk. “Now, have a seat and let’s enjoy this meal.”
She sat and smiled at him. “I shouldn’t be doing this.”
“And why shouldn’t you?” He took his seat.
“I…well…maybe you’d rather…”
“Grace, please don’t say that I’d rather have Juliette Cramer here, because I don’t want that woman coming around at all. I haven’t seen her since the day she got back to town and then she comes in here and acts like we’re long lost friends.” When Lance saw the stunned look on her face, he chuckled and added, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s just that Juliette is so beautiful and…well…”
“She might look pretty, but her actions sure aren’t very pretty.” He smiled at Grace and took a bite of stew. “I think you’re much prettier.”
“Me?” She looked stunned as her face turned a dark pink.
“Yes, you. You’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Grace.”
“But I’m crippled.”
“What has that got to do with anything? Just because you limp a little doesn’t mar your beauty.”
“But…” Her face went from pink to red.
“Honestly, Grace. You argue as much as you did when you were a kid. Now, stop disagreeing with me and eat your food.”
She didn’t answer, but she did put a spoonful of stew in her mouth. Yet, she couldn’t help wondering if Lance was saying these things because he felt sorry for her, or did he really think she was pretty?
Chapter 8
On Monday, Frank Olsen opened the hotel and the dining room. When the stage came through, three passengers came to eat their supper. Lance followed them inside. He winked at Grace when she nodded toward the table in the back where he always sat when he came to the dining room.
He sat and tossed his hat on one of the empty chairs. He watched as Grace seated the passengers and couldn’t help the little tingle of jealously he felt when she sat the lone man at a table by himself then gave him a beautiful smile. Lance glanced at the other two who were obviously a couple. She put them at a table to themselves.
After taking all their orders Grace came to the table they always tried to keep empty in case Lance showed up. He knew Frank had instructed them to do this because the sheriff liked to have a full view of the entire dining room and the door.
“I heard there were no prisoners to feed today.” Grace smiled at him.
His heart leaped and he smiled back. “Right. Kemp sobered up and I let him out. The prison wagon picked up the other man today.”
“I see. Do you want the special like you usually do, Lance?”
“Yes, please.” He started to tell her she had a dust smudge of flour on her cheek, but she seemed to be busy so he didn’t say anything. Anyway, it looked cute on her.
Again studying the people in the room, he couldn’t help wondering if they were all leaving on the morning stage. He especially wondered about the lone man. Though he was dressed like a tenderfoot, he figured the young women would consider him handsome. He didn’t like the thought that Grace would think this.
* * * *
Grace headed to the kitchen to pick up the orders. It wasn’t that she minded waiting on Lance. In fact, she enjoyed it. But when he came in for supper, he always had the daily special—no matter what it was. She knew she’d get a chance to speak to him when she brought his food. That was, if no one else came into the dining room.
Entering the kitchen, she said, “Effie, the sheriff is here for supper.”
“I guess he wants my fried chicken special.”
“Yes, ma’am. So do the other three.”
“I figured the sheriff would like that.” She grinned and quickly made three plates. “Now you take these, and I’ll fix my special for the sheriff while you’re delivering these.”
Grace did as she was told. When she returned, she watched Effie put a chicken breast, a thigh and a drumstick on the sheriff’s plate.
Effie looked at it, shook her head, and added another drumstick. She then piled on the vegetables.
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Grace couldn’t help smiling. Though Effie Vaughn often appeared to be ridged and uncaring, Grace knew better. The woman had a heart as big as all Wyoming, and she had a special spot in it for the sheriff of Settlers Ridge.
After the plate was done, Grace said, “Effie, if you put any more food on that tray I’m not going to be able to carry it.”
“Well, we can’t have the lawman going hungry, can we?”
“I guess we can’t.” Grace picked up the tray and headed to the dining room.
“That’s right. If’n he don’t get enough to eat he could pass out when he’s trying to arrest some mean ole outlaw.”
Grace laughed and left with the tray.
Lance grinned when she brought the food and set the tray on the edge of his table. “I hope you’re planning on joining me.”
“You know I’m working. There’s no way I can join you.”
“I don’t see why not; there’s no way I can eat all that food.”
“That’s your problem. Effie said we have to keep the local lawman well fed so he can do his job. If you think you have too much, you’ll have to take it up with her. I can’t help it took two plates to hold it all.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to see how much of it I can eat.” He winked at her. “Sure you can’t join me?”
“I’m sure.” She turned and her eyes drifted across the room to the front door. Her heart dropped. Coming into the dining room were Juliette and her parents. Though she knew Frank needed all the business he could get after being closed so long because of the measles outbreak, why in the world did part of that business have to come from the Cramer family?
“Oh, Daddy, look.” Juliette’s voice rang across the room making everyone look at her. She went on. “It’s Lance and he’s all by himself. I’m sure he’d like somebody to talk to. Let’s go join him.”
Though it was under his breath, Grace heard Lance utter a curse word, then he looked at her. “Put all this stuff back on the tray and take it to the kitchen and if it’s not too much trouble, put it in a basket and I’ll take it home and eat it.”
“Are you sure?” She glanced at him.
“I’m more than sure. Please do it.”
“If that’s what you want.” Grace began returning the plates and his coffee cup to the tray.
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