I’m feeling better,” Hank called from the kitchen table.
Suzanne was in her bedroom, putting on her riding boots.
“I know.” She had been relieved to see that the bluish tint had faded from his skin, but he still looked pale. “I’m just going to make a quick trip over to Trails End to see if Doc Browning has some medicine he wants to send.”
Hank was opening his mouth to protest as she hurried off, but she threw up her hand. “Don’t waste your breath arguing about it. I’m going,” she said and was off.
“Don’t have any breath to waste,” Hank muttered as the front door closed.
The Little River Cattlemen’s Association had been meeting at Trails End once a month to discuss cattle prices and markets. The purpose of today’s meeting was to cover last-minute details of the cattle drive south to Pueblo.
Arthur Parkinson stood on his porch, looking from Arthur Junior, lounged against a post, to the ranchers gathered. There was Ben Graves, Harry Stockard, John Grayson, and now a tall, dark-haired stranger who had just ridden up, seeking work.
“What did you say your name was?” he asked.
“Luke Thomason.” He looked Parkinson straight in the eye and spoke calmly. “I’ve been on cattle drives in Kansas. I know what has to be done.”
Parkinson turned and looked at the other men, who nodded their approval.
“All right,” he said, “you’re hired. We’ll be leaving tomorrow. In the meantime, you can put your gear in the bunkhouse and head to the cattle pens to help the hands.”
“Thank you, sir.” At that, Luke turned and left.
Arthur stared after him momentarily, noting the way he held his left arm close to his side. Still, he looked strong enough. He’d probably do as well as the others, maybe better.
“Here comes Doc Browning,” one of the ranchers spoke up. “He’s the last one to vote on the price we’re accepting for the cattle. Now maybe we can finally get this thing settled and be on our way.”
A white horse cantered up the driveway, and the men began to wave.
Nathaniel Browning was a native of St. Louis, attending medical school there, yet choosing the wide open spaces of Colorado to practice medicine. He was a short, rotund man with a giant heart and a penchant for raising cattle.
He had just arrived at the gathering and greeted the other ranchers when once again attention was diverted to another rider loping up the drive.
“It’s Miss Waters,” Art said, coming to life for the first time all day.
He bounded down the steps and waited at the hitching rail as Suzanne reined Nellie in. She accepted Art’s hand as she tumbled from the horse, smiled briefly at him, then made a dash for the front porch.
“Miss Waters, what brings you over?” Art called to her.
“My father.” She headed straight for Doc Browning. “Please, come over and take a look at him.”
Doc Browning patted her shoulder. “Relax, young lady. Mattie told me about his fall, but he’s too stubborn not to mend.” He turned to the other men. “Have you men got all the details in order?”
“Just need your vote on the price.”
“You have it.” he waved a hand dismissively. “Anything else?”
“We’re short a cook. Ned’s come down sick. Of course Rosa is still going,” Arthur stated with a frown.
One of the ranchers groaned. “Without Ned there to keep the chili peppers out of everything, we’ll be holding our stomachs.”
“Why doesn’t someone persuade Mattie to go along?” Doc suggested. “Mattie’s a fine cook.”
“Who’d keep the post open?” Parkinson frowned.
Suzanne had only half-listened to the conversation until now, but suddenly her attention was riveted to the subject at hand.
“I can cook,” she offered, looking from one man to the other. “How much are you paying?” She knew she could work out the details if she could have an opportunity to earn some money for the ranch.
Art was at her side instantly. “Oh no, Miss Waters, you wouldn’t want to consider anything like that.”
The men turned startled faces to the pert young woman dressed like a cowhand, but looking quite feminine with flowing blond hair and fair skin.
“It’d be too hard on you, Suzanne,” the older Parkinson cut the idea short. “We’ll find someone. Doc, Mrs. Parkinson is overseeing a big lunch. Why don’t you check on Hank and then come back and eat fried chicken?”
“Good idea,” he nodded, rubbing his paunch. The subject of food was always of interest to him. “Let’s go, young lady.”
Doc Browning took his time placing his stethoscope back in his black bag, zipping the bag, then turning to Hank, lounged on the couch. Suzanne hurried in from the kitchen, bearing a tray. Doc rubbed his stomach, remembering he’d missed breakfast. He reached for the mug of coffee and began to munch the fluffy hot biscuit.
“Young lady, this may be the best biscuit I ever put in my mouth,” he said, around a generous bite. “But don’t tell Mrs. Browning.” He winked.
Hank looked disinterestedly at the biscuits, then fixed a keen eye on the doctor. “Did I crack another rib?”
Hank was dressed in fresh clothes with his gray hair whisked back from his face, his beard neat. Suzanne had been relieved not to have to tangle with him about his appearance; in fact, he had been quietly cooperative when she’d informed him the doctor was coming. And this, too, worried Suzanne, knowing it was highly out of character for Hank. She wondered if he was depressed over Luke leaving. He’d had very little to say since she had broken that news.
“Your ribs will heal,” Doc answered, “and your ankle’s doing okay. That’s not what has me worried.”
Fear clutched Suzanne’s heart. “What’s wrong with him?”
Doc finished the biscuit and reached for his coffee. He seemed to be stalling for time as he gathered his thoughts. “I’d like Hank to see a doctor in Colorado Springs,” he finally replied. “I’m afraid there might be a problem with his heart.”
“His heart?” Suzanne repeated, dropping into the nearest chair.
“Aw, Doc, there’s nothing wrong with my heart. My chest is just sore from the fall I took.”
The doctor appraised him gravely. “Hank, your heart’s beating too fast.”
“It’s ’cause I got all worked up yesterday,” Hank said in a rush, glancing at Suzanne.
“Too fast?” Suzanne echoed. She had resorted to repeating everything the doctor said, but she couldn’t seem to form her own words around the fear that was growing in her heart.
“Maybe it’ll correct itself in a day or two,” the doctor offered hopefully. “Maybe not.” He sipped his coffee, staring at the floor for a few seconds. “I read in my medical journal about a new medicine that slows the heartbeat. And I know a special doctor in Colorado Springs who treats patients with heart conditions.”
Suzanne took a deep breath, trying to rally her voice since Hank had suddenly gone speechless.
“Well, of course we’ll go to Colorado Springs,” she said, hardly hearing her words above the fierce pounding of her heart. “We can—”
“I’m not going anywhere!” Hank protested. “If the old ticker’s going out, there’s nothing they can do. I lost a friend in Denver that way. It’d just be a waste of time and money…” His voice trailed, as he avoided Suzanne’s face.
She stared at her father. Money, that was what was keeping him from seeing a doctor. Her father was a reasonable man, despite his gruffness. When Doc Browning thought his condition was serious enough to go to Colorado Springs, her father would be willing. It was that nearly empty cookie tin that brought this protest.
“Hank, your heartbeat is strong,” Doc continued smoothly, “and you’re in pretty good physical condition, considering how rough you treat yourself. That medicine may be all you need to get straightened out.”
“What medicine?” Suzanne asked, seizing the hope Doc offered.
“The name wouldn’t mean anything to you, but I hear it helps folks. Tell you what,” he said, coming to his feet. “I have a colleague who’ll be coming in from St. Louis in a day or two. I’ll bring him out for a look at Hank. If he agrees with me, I’m going to insist you two go to Colorado Springs.”
Silence settled over the room, broken only by the creak of a floorboard as Doc headed for the door.
“We’ll think about this,” Suzanne said, reaching for the bundle of biscuits and placing them in Doc’s hands. He looked from the muslin-wrapped gift back to Suzanne and smiled, understanding this was his payment for seeing Hank.
“You take care,” he called to Hank, as Suzanne walked him out the door. She followed him to the hitching rail, where his white horse pawed restlessly.
“Doc, I need your help,” she blurted. Her outburst startled him. He was about to place a boot in the stirrup, but now he hesitated, looking at the young woman whose gray eyes were fixed worriedly on his face. “What can I do?” Doc asked earnestly.
“There’s no money left for this medicine or a trip to Colorado Springs. If I can persuade Pa to go over and stay in one of Mattie’s cabins, I want to go on that cattle drive and help Rosa cook.”
He began to shake his head. “It would be too rough—”
“Doc,” she cried, “who do you think runs this ranch now? And nothing could be rougher on me than watching Pa lie in there sick and helpless, knowing we can’t afford the medicine he needs.”
Doc lifted a hand to stroke his chin. “It’s a good idea about him staying at Mattie’s place. If he got worse, she could get word to me a lot quicker than if you two were over here by yourselves.”
Suzanne nodded, already making plans. “I can pay Mattie back for her trouble.”
“Mattie’s got a heart of gold,” Doc said, turning his eyes from Suzanne back to the cabin. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. Still, there had to be an easier way. “Young lady, don’t you two have family up in Denver? Surely, there’s somebody to help you.”
She shook her head sadly. “No, there’s no one. Ma’s parents died years ago, and Pa was an orphan. There’s only an uncle, and he’s the one who cheated us.” She bit her lip, fighting tears. “I have to do something, Doc. I’m the only one who can. Please put in a word for me with the ranchers. I can cook for them, you know I can.”
He sighed. “Well, if the rest of your cooking matches these biscuits, those men’ll be glad to have you along. And Rosa would be there…” He mulled the words over, obviously contemplating the prospect of Suzanne on a cattle drive.
“Doc, will you talk the ranchers into letting me come along? Please!”
She hated begging, but she would swallow her pride and do anything to help her father. He was all she had.
“Who’ll take care of your horses?”
“Did I hear you say it was only a two-day trip?”
He nodded, stroking his chin. “Pedro owes me a favor. He’s a bit slow but honest and dependable. He’s been laid up at my place. Maybe I’ll send him over here to see to things while you and Hank are away. We’re talking four days at the most.”
Suzanne grabbed his sleeve. “Doc, if you’ll help me with this, I’ll never forget it. God bless you!” She leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Doc Browning grinned down at the pretty young woman, who was about as desperate for help as anyone he’d encountered. How could he refuse? “All right, missy. But you don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for.” He smiled tenderly. “Guess it wouldn’t matter. You’re about as stubborn as Hank!”