Wagonmaster (16 page)

Addie had apparently neglected to tell Foster about it. The news upset him.

Dr. Fletcher showed concern, but his interest inspired another question. “How many did you lose?”

Addie's eyes revealed her distress. Josh stepped in. “One. A little boy about two years old who was less than hardy to begin with.”

The doctor's eyes widened. “Only one? How widespread was it?”

Josh smiled. “Addie saved us. We'd have lost half the train without her. Thanks to her treatment, everyone recovered. Even Dr. Jennings herself.”

Foster almost choked. “You had cholera?”

Josh nodded. “Had me scared for a while. We weren't sure she was goin' to make it.”

Addie remained silent. Fletcher directed his question to Josh. “How did she manage to treat the others if she was sick too?”

“Addie was one of the last to show symptoms. She taught us how to make the medicine and treat those who were sick. So when she fell ill, we were able to treat her.”

Foster spoke again. “Medicine? How do you make medicine for cholera?”

Addie finally found her voice. “Studies indicate that most cholera patients die from the dehydration it causes.”

Dr. Fletcher cut in. “I read a dissertation last year about using large doses of water with sugar and salt.”

Addie nodded. “Actually, I found that honey was as effective as the cane sugar, but yes, that was the treatment I used.”

Fletcher leaned back in his chair. “Amazing.”

Josh agreed, “Yes, she is.”

Foster laughed. “Indeed. Adelaide has always amazed me.”

Josh finished his meal and excused himself. He couldn't stand another minute of Fletcher's adoration of Addie. She hadn't responded to the doctor's flirtation at all. In fact, she probably hadn't even recognized it. Damn the man! Didn't he understand the woman was mourning the loss of her father? And why did it annoy him anyway? This was what he wanted for Addie...wasn't it?

Addie dried her hands on a cloth next to the sink. “Thank you, Mrs. Simmons. I appreciate your help.”

“Nonsense. I enjoyed it.”

“Mr. Reynolds loves fried pie. I made some while we were on the trail. It's so much easier in a kitchen.” Addie attempted a smile. She should have been making pies for her father too. His death had changed everything, and she'd be losing Joshua soon. Tonight could be the last time she had supper with him.

“Mr. Reynolds seems like a good man.”

“He is. I'm fortunate to have received his help. I would never have made it here without him.”

Martha tilted her head. “And you care for him. Do you think you'll marry him?”

Addie swallowed, tears threatening again for the hundredth time today. “Actually, Mrs. Simmons, Mr. Reynolds and I are already married.”

The woman's face showed her surprise. “You are?”

“Temporarily. You see, the train wouldn't let an unwed woman join them. So Mr. Reynolds agreed to marry me so that I could travel with them. Mr. Foster is probably writing the petition to have the marriage dissolved as we speak. He said he'd do it this afternoon.”

The older woman leaned against the counter. “I know it ain't none of my business, Dr. Jennings, but why would you have the marriage dissolved? Any fool can see you love him.”

Addie suppressed a frown. “Mr. Reynolds doesn't want a wife.”

“Poppycock. The man loves you.” She crossed her arms.

“I…you're mistaken, Mrs. Simmons. I think he cares for me, but—”

“He wasn't here for long last night, but I'll tell you here and now, child. He loves you. No doubt about it.”

Hope glimmered in Addie's heart, but she smothered it, not willing to harbor foolish expectations. “Even if that's true, he doesn't want a wife. He…he had a wife before. She died, and he blames himself.”

Mrs. Simmons let out a labored sigh. “Men can be so durn stupid sometimes. It's up to us women to set them straight. Course not all of them are worth the trouble. You reckon Mr. Reynolds is worth it?”

Addie nodded. “He'd be worth any trouble.” She shrugged and twisted her apron in her hands. “But I've tried. I guess I just don't know how to…to set him straight, as you say.”

“Maybe you've just given up too soon.”

“I never gave up. It's just that he's leaving. I've run out of time.” Addie untied her apron.

“Hmph. Well, you'll just have to think of a way to make more time. Keep him around a while.”

She folded the apron and laid it on the counter. “He has to lead the train the rest of the way. He can't stay.”

“You could get him to come back.” Mrs. Simmons washed vegetables in the sink.

“He'll come back to sign the papers, but then he'll go to San Francisco. He goes there every winter.” Addie stared out a kitchen window. The view might have been beautiful if she were in the mood to enjoy it.

“How long will he be gone? I mean, before he comes back to sign the papers?”

“I don't know. I think about two weeks, maybe longer.”

Mrs. Simmons grabbed a paring knife and began slicing the carrots and potatoes. “Good. You've got two weeks to figure out how to make him realize he doesn't want to live without you.”

Addie bit her lip. “How do I do that?”

The older woman smiled and winked at her. “I reckon a woman who's smart enough to become a doctor is more than a match for a man foolish enough to even think about walkin' away from the woman he loves. You'll come up with somethin'.”

* * * *

The pleasant supper ended too soon. Addie stood near the front door with Joshua and his cook.

Jimmy donned his hat and coat. “Thanks again, Addie. That was the best meal I've had in ages.”

“Thank you for coming, Jimmy. I'm going to miss you.” On impulse, Addie grasped the man around his waist and gave him a quick hug.

He laughed. “Ah, shucks. I'm gonna miss you, too, little lady. Maybe if I come back this way I could wrangle another supper invite.”

Addie nodded. “Any time. You're always welcome here.”

Jimmy gave a nod toward Joshua. “I reckon I'll see you tomorrow, boss.”

Joshua looked at Addie as he answered him. “Tell the rest we leave in the mornin'.”

Her breath caught, and her composure faltered, but she didn't speak. She couldn't.

Jimmy answered, “Right, boss. I'll tell 'em. The sooner we leave, the sooner you can get back.”

Addie watched Joshua for his reaction. As usual, she couldn't imagine what he might be thinking. His thoughts and emotions hid behind a calm and unreadable expression.

She closed the door behind Jimmy and turned back to Joshua. “Can you stay for a while?”

He shook his head. “I'd better go.”

Addie did her best to hide her disappointment. Inside, her heart cracked, and her stomach churned. “I understand.”

He stepped closer to her. “You're going to be all right, Addie. I was worried about you yesterday. Today at lunch I still wasn't convinced.” His fingers stroked her arm. “But tonight, I saw the Addie I know.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you're mourning your father. You're sad, but you'll recover. Tonight, I saw a glimpse of the woman who made fried pies for me before. I saw the woman who enjoys Jimmy's company when others are leery of him.” He touched her cheek. “She's still here.”

Addie turned her face to place a kiss in his palm. “I'm going to miss you.”

His arms encircled her. “No, you won't. You'll be too busy learnin' your way around the ranch. This is a big spread. And you've got the general store too.”

She laid her head against his chest. “I don't know anything about ranching or business.”

“You'll learn. When I get back, you'll have everything well in hand.”

“How long do you think you'll be gone?”

“About two weeks, I think.” He kissed the top of her head.

Addie lifted her face to stare into his warm brown eyes. “Be careful.”

“I will.” Joshua lowered his head and brushed her lips with his own, denying her the kind of kiss she craved. He released her, pulled on his coat and gloves, and strode the few steps to the door. “Take care of yourself, darlin'.”

The door closed behind him, and Addie's heart constricted. Fat, hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She reminded herself he'd be back in two weeks. A sob shook her. He'd come back, sign the divorce agreement, and she'd lose him forever.

* * * *

The days passed slowly for Addie, but she dreaded the nights even more. Every evening she'd crawl into her big, soft bed and stare at the ceiling. Tossing and turning, she'd think of her father and Joshua. She pondered her father's ledgers and notes. They might as well have been written in German. Nothing made sense.

After a couple of hours, she'd climb out of bed and settle in the chair by the fire. Sleep escaped her there, too, but at least she had the extra warmth. Sometimes she'd doze long enough for dreams to haunt the darkness. Finding herself lost and alone, fear and sorrow plagued her. At times, she ran in circles, unable to find her way. Dark shadows threatened, and rain left her chilled to the bone. Other times she pounded on the locked door of a damp, cold cellar, begging to be released.

She left the chair each day before the sun rose to return to her father's study. Just after sunrise, a daily argument began with Mrs. Simmons over Addie's refusal to eat breakfast. A similar exchange ensued every day at lunchtime. Once or twice over the last week she'd gone into town. She'd told Mrs. Simmons she'd eaten with her Uncle Rick at the restaurant. She hadn't, of course. Food held no appeal. Each night at supper, she'd force herself to eat a few bites. The soup she'd eaten last night settled without making her nauseous. Perhaps she'd ask Mrs. Simmons for soup again tonight.

Addie stared at the ledgers for over an hour. When the pounding in her temples became too much to bear, she closed the books and fetched a headache powder. She found the inventory audits and previous order history for the general store far less confusing. After reading over them for the fifth time this week, Addie realized the short list of medicinal supplies for the store needed revision and expansion.

She requested the carriage be readied and spoke to Mrs. Simmons about the soup. The housekeeper protested Addie's refusal of lunch again today, but Addie ignored her. On the ride into town, Addie considered the need to speak to Dr. Fletcher about the medicines. He'd called on her twice, once with her uncle, once alone. To her utmost regret and irritation, the young man made it clear he intended to court her. She should avoid him, but ordering supplies the doctor may keep well stocked in his office would be a waste.

Addie suppressed a groan. She stopped the buggy in front of the doctor's house and office. The possibility of making a big mistake with the store convinced her she needed to speak to him. Bracing herself, she climbed from the carriage and strode to the door of the two-story building. Similar to all the others on the main street of Baker City, the wooden structure included the dangling tile over the front door proclaiming it the office of Jonathan Fletcher, Medical Doctor.

She bit her lip and twisted the handle. A bell jangled above her head.

“Coming,” a disembodied voice called from another room.

Addie surveyed the waiting room. Two wooden benches with blue pillow cushions lined the walls. A painting of a mountain range hung above them. A small, round table in the corner held an oil lamp, and a blue, oval rug covered the floor in front of the benches. The rest of the room remained undecorated, including the front windows. No curtains or shades hung over the paned glass.

“Dr. Jennings?”

Addie jumped at the sound of Dr. Fletcher's voice. “Hello, Dr. Fletcher. I wonder if you have a moment to speak to me.”

“Of course.” He grasped both of her hands in greeting and brought one to his lips. “Are you ill?”

Grateful for her gloves, Addie pulled her hands away. “Oh, no. I'm fine. I just—”

“I beg your pardon, but you don't look fine.” His concerned expression did little to soften his words. “You've lost weight, you're pale, and there are deep shadows beneath your eyes.”

Addie bit her tongue to stop a tart reply. “Thank you for your concern, Doctor. I will admit to a loss of appetite and difficulty falling asleep. Those are common symptoms caused by melancholy over the loss of a loved one. I am not ill.” She hurried to change the subject. “I needed to speak to you about medical supplies.”

“Supplies? Do you need medicine?”

“No, no. I was checking the inventory at the store and noticed a lack of common remedies, bandages, splints…that sort of thing.”

“Oh. I keep a small supply here.” He waved at one of the benches. “Please, have a seat.” He waited until she'd complied. “I order them from a company in San Francisco.”

“I see. Do you feel you are able to keep sufficient supplies for all of Baker City? I'd be happy to stock extra quantities at the store.”

“I've never had a shortage of anything.” He paused, his brows drawing together. “Dr. Jennings, why are you worrying over supply orders at the store? Does the clerk not handle that for you?”

“Well, yes. He prepares the orders. I'm simply learning how to manage the store and its finances. I'm looking for ways to improve, if possible.”

He sighed. “No wonder you look so tired. You've a clerk and your solicitor who can look after things for you. Your father trusted them. Let them handle things. A woman shouldn't have to worry over finances and business.”

Addie stared at her gloved hands. She couldn't look him in the eye or he would see the anger boiling behind her calm demeanor. “What exactly
should
a woman worry over, Doctor?”

He placed his hands over hers. “A woman should concern herself with her husband and children.”

Addie lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “And if she doesn't
have
a husband and children?”

One hand rose to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You could have a husband, Addie. Marry me.”

Shock stole her anger. “Dr. Fletcher—”

“Please call me Jonathan.”

Addie stood. “I'm sorry if I've given you the wrong impression.”

He rose and grasped her shoulders. “Addie, think of all we have in common. We are perfect for each other. You could help me with the practice until we have a family. I'd be a good husband.”

“I…I'm sure you would, but….” Addie searched for a way to discourage his interest. “But surely you don't want a woman who….” How should she phrase it? “Did Uncle Rick tell you that he's filed a request for a divorce?”

His eyes widened. “Divorce? Not an annulment?”

“Divorce.” She nodded firmly. “I'm sure you understand why one would be required.”

A muscle worked in his jaw. “I don't care. I—”

“You do care. You're angry. Your face is flushed.” She pointed at his hands. “And your fists are tight.”

“Yes, I'm angry. I'd like to kill Reynolds for using you like that, but—”

“He didn't use me.”

Jonathan stared at her. “No?”

“Dr. Fletcher, I can't marry you. It wouldn't be fair. Not to you.”

He sucked in a breath and blew it out in a whoosh. “You're in love with him.”

Addie didn't argue. “I think I'd better go.”

He grasped her elbow. “Wait. Addie, he doesn't want you, but I do. You'll learn to love me. I'll be good to you.” Without warning, he caught her face in his hands and covered her mouth with his lips.

Addie stood frozen, unable to move or respond. Warm lips pressed against hers, but they did nothing to move her. No butterflies filled her stomach. Her pulse remained calm, and her heart didn't skip a beat. He did not inspire the fire that filled her veins when Joshua kissed her. She felt—nothing.