Suzanne paced around the waiting room of the doctor’s office. Three days had passed, and she had not seen or heard from Luke. Suzanne and Hank had driven past the ramshackle address Tillie had scrawled on the paper, but upon seeing Smoky tethered out front, they decided not to intrude on the private moment. He must’ve ridden fast, to beat us to the house like that, Suzanne mused to herself. Had he found his father? Or had he found someone at that address who had sent him to another town? Why hadn’t he let her know what was going on?
Her father was responding well to the medicine, and for that, she was thankful beyond words. Still, she couldn’t stop thinking of Luke. She was ready to swallow her pride and try to locate him if he hadn’t left town already.
She thought back to the conversation she and her father had had while James, Miss Martha’s nephew, had driven them to Dr. Crownover’s office in his small buggy. James was a tall, gangly young man of nineteen who vaguely reminded her of Art Parkinson, though he had more class. He worked for Miss Martha as chauffeur, errand, and delivery boy.
“I’ve asked everyone I’ve come in contact with about a Luke Thomason,” Hank had blurted the name that was uppermost in their minds, though neither had spoken. “Nobody knows him; he must have left here years ago.”
“And now Luke’s gone, too,” she had responded with uncharacteristic pessimism.
Hank had said nothing more. She knew he was disappointed, as well. How could Luke have left without telling them good-bye?
“Miss Waters.”
The sound of Dr. Crownover’s voice pulled her thoughts back to the waiting room of the doctor’s office.
Her eyes flew to the doorway of his private office, where he now stood, wearing what she hoped was a pleased smile. “Could you step in here, please?”
“Of course.”
He was going to give them his opinion on Pa’s heart condition now. She wrung her hands tightly before her and followed him into the cozy room where her father sat in an armchair opposite the doctor’s desk. She settled into the other armchair, giving her father a reassuring smile.
The little doctor came back around the desk and took a seat. He looked at them with keen hazel eyes that had taken on a pleasant sparkle, Suzanne noticed. He shuffled through the papers on his desk, reading something briefly, then looking back at them.
Why doesn’t he hurry up and say something? Suzanne thought wildly, wondering if she and her father could contain their suspense for another moment.
Dr. Crownover cleared his throat. “I’m pleased to report that Mr. Waters’ heart rate is slowing down to a normal pattern since he’s been on the medication. And all the other tests indicate good health.” He smiled, looking from Suzanne to Hank. “I believe you can go back to the ranch now. Just check in with me every three months. Or sooner, if there are any problems.”
“You mean we can go home now?” Hank yelled, as excited as a child. “I’m going to be all right?”
“As all right as a man of your temperament can be!”
“Thank God,” Hank said, dropping his head for a second.
Suzanne jumped up to hug her father. “Oh Pa, I’m so relieved. Now we can go back to teasing and arguing and living a normal life!” She laughed as tears of happiness filled her eyes. She turned to the doctor, wanting to give him a hug as well. She refrained from doing so, sensing that such a gesture would simply embarrass the shy little man.
“The fussing will be up to you two.” He grinned. “I am going to require him to give up his pipe, and limit his coffee to one cup at breakfast.”
Hank moaned, but Suzanne placed a hand on his shoulder. “Can he still work with his horses?”
Hank’s eyes shot to Dr. Crownover.
The little man studied Hank for a moment, then grinned. “I wouldn’t think of denying him that pleasure. Just be reasonable about doing anything strenuous.”
A grin spread over Hank’s thin face. “Thanks, Doc.”
Suzanne opened her purse and withdrew the money she had earned on the cattle drive.
“We can’t thank you enough, Dr. Crownover. How much do we owe you?”
The doctor shook his hand. “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to use your father as a guinea pig, so to speak.”
Hank’s gray brows peaked. “Beg your pardon?”
Dr. Crownover chuckled. “Don’t be offended. It’s simply a medical term for asking a patient to try out a new drug. You aren’t the first patient to use this drug, but you are the oldest. I’d like access to use your records in my teaching and writing, if you have no objection.”
“No, Doc. Don’t reckon I mind if someone else could be helped.”
Suzanne looked from the doctor to her father, then back again.
“You mean we don’t owe you anything?” She couldn’t believe it.
“You’ll have to buy your own medicine when those I gave you run out,” he said. “And the medicine is a bit expensive.”
“We can manage,” Suzanne said. “Thank you.” She threw her arms around the man heedless of his awkward stance.
“You two are setting off on that long journey back all by yourselves?” Miss Martha asked incredulously.
“Suzanne and I will make it just fine,” Hank replied. “Don’t trouble yourself any. Now, if you can figure up our bill, we’ll be on our way.”
Miss Martha fidgeted with her apron strings and shook her head. “I owe Mattie a big favor, one I’d feared I’d never be able to repay. She never comes to town.”
Suzanne had entered the large kitchen, where her father was drinking a glass of ice water rather than his usual coffee. Upon hearing the conversation, Suzanne walked over to Miss Martha’s side.
“I don’t understand. What does your owing Mattie a favor have to do with us?”
Miss Martha grinned. “Well, seeing as how you two are special friends of hers, I consider you guests in my home. I couldn’t allow you to pay.”
Suzanne looked from Miss Martha to her father.
“Oh no, ma’am,” Hank protested. “We can’t intrude on your hospitality that way.”
She shook her head. “Mattie and her dear husband spent a winter here once. She became the best friend I ever had in my life. I can’t count the times she insisted on cooking the evening meal when I was worn out or feeling poorly. This is the least I can do for Mattie. But”—she looked Pa over with mischievous blue eyes—“you can pay me back by showing kindness to her. She’s pretty fond of you.”
Hank shuffled awkwardly, tugging at the lapel of his coat.
“We’re fond of Mattie, too, aren’t we, Suzanne?” He looked desperately at Suzanne, trying to conceal his embarrassment.
“Of course we are. Mattie has become a good friend, too, Miss Martha. And I think Pa feels the same way.”
“Well, if we can’t pay you, we’d best get on our way,” he said, hurrying from the kitchen.
Suzanne stared after him for a moment, then looked back at Miss Martha. “I hope you don’t think he was abrupt,” she said, a bit embarrassed.
Miss Martha shook her head and grinned at Suzanne. “No, I just think he and Mattie are kind of sweet on each other.”
Suzanne bit her lip, trying to suppress a laugh. “Well, that’s fine with me,” she said, hugging Miss Martha. “Thanks for all you’ve done for us. When we come back in three months, it has to be understood we’ll be paying guests. Otherwise…”
“All right, it’s understood. I’ll look forward to your coming. Just drop me a note in advance if that’s possible, so I can have your rooms ready.”
Suzanne stood in the immaculate bedroom, her eyes scanning every corner. The cherry four-poster bed and matching dresser and washstand had been a sweet taste of luxury, a reminder of the home she had left behind in Denver. Yet, she did not feel sad about returning to the ranch. With extra money the doctor and Miss Martha had refused to take, they could now buy another horse or two, and make it through summer. She was looking forward to going home.
She was saddened by the fact that Luke hadn’t stopped by before he’d left for… wherever he had gone. But perhaps there was a reason for that. She had foolishly blurted out her love for him—and he had expressed love for her. But he had also told her, in so many words, that he was not ready to settle down.
What had he said? He had to straighten his life out first. He had asked her to be patient, but what did he expect? He knew they would be returning to the ranch soon.
Maybe he had thought it would be easier for both of them if he left without a good-bye.
She reached down to snap the lid on her trunk. She had to stop thinking about him, but even as she made that vow, an ache filled her heart, reaching to her throat. She hadn’t allowed herself to cry over him. She’d been too busy being grateful about Pa. And it seemed wrong, somehow, for her to be crying when she should be so relieved, so happy that the medicine was working for Pa.
Still…
The trunk blurred before her as the tears she had fought now slipped over her lashes and down her cheeks. I can’t help thinking of him. And I can’t help loving him, she thought miserably.
There, she had admitted it again. Maybe she’d feel better.
James knocked on her door. “Are you ready, Miss Waters?” he called politely.
“Yes, I’m ready,” she said, glancing around the room to be sure she hadn’t forgotten something. “Come on in.”
He smiled shyly as he entered, and she thought about how kind he had been to them.
“I hope you have a good year at the college.”
Miss Martha had confided that her nephew was attending the prestigious college here in Colorado Springs.
“Thank you.” He smiled.
She’d never get to go to college, but someday she would like for her children—
She halted her train of thought. It appeared unlikely now that she would ever marry. The only man who’d ever appealed to her had ridden out of her life forever.
“I’ve put your father’s satchel in the buggy.”
Suzanne nodded. “All right. I’m ready.”
“Don’t forget your letter,” he said, reaching for the trunk.
Suzanne stared at him. “What letter?”
“The letter on the hall table.”
Suzanne rushed past him, her skirts flying about her ankles. As soon as she spotted the envelope and saw Luke’s scrawl, her heart began to hammer. She tore into the envelope and removed the brief note bearing today’s date. Today?
Dear Suzanne,
I came by to see you this morning, but you and your father were still at the doctor’s office. I’ll be back around noon. I have some business to take care of, but when I’m finished I’d like to see you back to the ranch.
Love,
Luke
Suzanne reread the note as relief, then happiness, flooded through her.
“Pa, wait!” she called, running out the front door.
Luke swung down from Smoky and tied the reins to a sapling. He retraced his steps up the walk to the same cabin where only three days ago he had heard the most startling story of his entire life. He had spent these past days alone in the boardinghouse when he hadn’t riding over the countryside, pondering his life and his future. He had purposely stayed away from Suzanne and Hank until he had sorted through his feelings. Now he had—and he knew exactly what he wanted to do.
He stepped on the porch, avoiding the buckling board, hearing again the scampering sound underneath. He knocked on the door, then removed his hat, waiting for the slow thudding steps to eventually reach the door. Finally the door creaked open.
“Miss Rogers?”
He had been so stunned by this woman and the story she had told that he had overlooked some important details, like where his father was buried. He had found the town cemetery, however, and the tombstone marked Luke Thomason. He had stood there for a long time, making his peace.
“Hello, Luke,” she said weakly. “Would you like to come in?”
“I can’t stay.” The words he had planned to say now hung in his throat as he twirled his hat in his hands and glanced back down the row of cheap cabins. “I went to my father’s grave,” he said, looking at her again. “The caretaker at the cemetery told me you’ve seen to its upkeep all these years. I really appreciate that.”
She tilted her head and looked at him curiously. Then she smiled faintly. “I’ll be put to rest beside him. I hope you don’t mind.”
It occurred to him he hadn’t told her his mother had died.
“No, I don’t mind,” he said quietly. He felt sure the souls of his father and mother had been reunited. The physical aspects of life didn’t seem to matter that much anymore. “Is there anything I can do before I leave?”
“Yes.”
He waited, wondering what she would ask.
“You can forgive me.”
His lips twitched as he tried to smile. “I couldn’t have done that when I left Kansas. Along the way, I met a beautiful, kind woman. She and her father have taught me a lesson in forgiveness. And I’ve been doing some soul-searching myself these past days.” He took a deep breath and his smile widened. “I forgive you,” he said at last. “Try to find some peace now in the time you have left.”
Tears streamed down the wrinkled cheeks, and for the first time the dark eyes held an expression of hope.
“Thank you, Luke. And I do hope that you and your young woman find the love that”—she paused, then continued—“your parents had for each other.”
He swallowed hard. “Thank you.”
At noon, he cantered Smoky up Tejon to Miss Martha’s Boardinghouse. He spotted Hank, sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch. Luke sensed Hank’s restlessness from the way the rocker was moving back and forth in swift, almost frantic, motions.
When Hank glanced toward Luke, spotting horse and rider, his face lit up. He bolted out of the rocking chair and hurried down the porch steps to greet him.
“The medicine worked,” he called to Luke.
Luke swung down from his horse and shook Hank’s hand. “That’s real good news, Mr. Waters. I had a feeling everything was going to turn out just fine for you.”
Hank nodded. “And what about you? We were anxious to hear, but we thought maybe you’d left town.”
Luke looked into Hank’s eyes and shook his head. “I’d never do that without coming to see you first.” Luke squared his shoulders. “My father died fourteen years ago. It’ll take a long time to tell the story, so we’ll have plenty to talk about in the wagon.” Luke took a deep breath and spoke the words he had thought about long and hard. “I’ll be accompanying you home,” he said.
Home, did he say? Hank grinned. “Be mighty glad to have you,” he said. “And I’m anxious to hear that story.”
Luke hesitated. “If you have no objection, I’ll be staying on.”
Hank’s brawny hand fumbled absently with the breast pocket of his shirt. “Keep forgetting I’ve given up my pipe. Luke, that’s the second dose of good news I’ve had. My old ticker may get out of rhythm again!” Hank stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Luke?”
Luke was looking toward the house, and Hank figured from the wistful expression on his face, he might be hankering to see Suzanne. Still, Hank wanted to speak his piece.
“Yes, sir?” Luke looked back at him.
“There’s no strings attached at my ranch. I’d never let my daughter talk me out of keeping my word like that lowdown Godfrey fellow did.”
Luke grinned. “Mr. Waters, I never thought of you as an eavesdropper.”
“Nobody said that conversation was confidential, as I recollect.”
“Well, sir, back to the subject of the ranch. What I had in mind was a partnership with you. I have some money now.”
Hank looked surprised. “You don’t say? Well, sure. That’s something else we can jaw on in the wagon.”
Luke grinned and glanced toward the house. “Where’s your daughter?”
“She went out back with Miss Martha to see that flower garden one last time before we go.”
“I’d like to talk with her,” Luke said, shoving his hands in his pockets. He turned and walked around the side of the house, his head bent, his brow furrowed.
He spotted Suzanne in the rear of the yard, bending over a rose-bush. The funny-looking little woman had gone trotting back to the house for something, and Luke quickened his steps, seizing the opportunity.
“Hello,” he called.
She whirled, and the thoughtful expression on her face turned quickly to one of radiance.
“Luke, I’m so glad to see you.” She came forward and wrapped her arms around him. “Are you okay?”
Surprised and pleased, he hugged her back.
“I’m okay. More than okay.” He reached down, tilting her head back. Adoring gray eyes shone up into his face. “I have a lot to tell you, but the most important thing is what I need to ask you.”
She looked puzzled. He reached into his pocket and removed the gold wedding band. “I’d like to give this back again. This time, I hope you’ll agree to wear it—as my wife.”
Suzanne gasped. Her eyes dropped to the ring, then returned to his face. She smiled, raising her hand so that he could slip the ring on her finger.
“We’ll need a ceremony to make it official,” he said, looking nervous.
She smiled. “I think that can be arranged when we return to Morning Mountain.”
His lips came down, brushing over hers gently. Then, as her arms went around him again, he pulled her against his chest, kissing her as he had longed to do since the day he’d met her.
When they broke apart, breathless, Luke began to chuckle. “I think we’d better plan that wedding pretty soon. Suzanne, I have so much to tell you.”
“I want to hear! You have no idea how anxious I’ve been, how I’ve watched the window, hoping you’d come back.”
“I’m a better man now,” he said, looking with pride at this woman who had agreed to be his wife. “I have something to offer you…”
“You’ve always had something to offer me,” she said, reaching up to caress his cheek. “You’re all I could want in a man. There’s just one thing,” she said, trying to think how to broach the subject.
“Suzanne, I’ve made my peace with God,” he said quietly.
She looked at him for a moment, saying nothing, adoring him with her eyes.
“Then there’s nothing more to say,” she said, linking her arm through his.
“Morning Mountain.” Luke rolled the words over on his tongue. “That sounds like a great place to begin a new life.”
He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “For all the mornings of our lives…”