Mail Order Bride - Westward Sunrise: Historical Cowboy Romance (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 9) (19 page)

              Ben gave Doc a doubtful look.  “Who would do such a thing?”

              “Joe Dwyer.  I’ve already got his commitment to it.  He did the same thing for Marcus,” Doc said.

              Marcus nodded.  “It’s true.  Joe funded the rest of my education so that the town would have a doctor once Doc retired.  More people are moving here all the time, Ben.  Hannah and I could certainly use the help.  Doc’s right; having a surgeon around would be great, too.  With the size of this place, we could set up a small surgery.  C’mon, Ben.  Don’t make me beg here.”

              Ben had to curb his excitement over the idea.  “Why would Joe do that?  I can understand him doing that for you.  You’ve known him for forever, but me?  I’m new here and I really don’t know him all that well.”

              Doc said, “A lot of people don’t understand what Joe’s all about.  He’s matured over the past years and what he cares most about is people.  Since he’s been mayor, Joe’s demonstrated how much he cares for the townspeople over and over.  When I talked to him about you, he jumped at the chance for Dawson to have another doctor.  He’s ready to write out the check for your tuition and room and board.  All you gotta do is say the word.  You gotta make up your mind quick though, because the new semester is starting in a couple of weeks.  Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until after the new year.”

              “I need to think about this,” Ben said as he thought about Abby.  He had to talk to her.

              “I understand.  Joe has one condition about giving you the money,” Doc said.

              Ben asked, “What’s that?”

              “That you come back to Dawson and stay for at least five years.  Are you willing to do that?  Call it collecting on his investment,” Marcus said.

              Ben thought about it and nodded.  “If I decide to do this, I would agree to that.  I’ll have an answer for you tomorrow.”

              Doc said, “Good enough.  All right, then.  I’ll be seein’ you.”

              Marcus rested a hand on Ben’s shoulder and said, “Don’t pass this up, Ben.  You’re too close.  I’ve been where you are and a chance like this doesn’t come along that often.”

              Ben watched them walk out of the bar and sighed. 

              Abby answered the knock at her door to find Elliot on the other side.

              “Hi,” he said with a warm smile.

              “Hello,” Abby said stiffly, even though her heartbeat accelerated.  Just seeing him flooded her with happiness and desire.  Nothing like that happened when she saw Ben.

              “May I come in for a moment?” he asked.  Seeing Abby brought all of his love for her bubbling to surface and he wanted nothing more than to hold her again.  Soon, he thought. 

              Abby said, “I have nothing to say to you.”

              “That’s okay.  I have something to say to you,” Elliot said.

              “Say it right there,” Abby said.

              “All right.  I need to explain to you what happened the other night, but I can’t right now.  I’m going to give you a little more time.  Meet me one week from today on the ridge at sunrise so we can talk,” Elliot said.

              Abby stiffened.  “Why there?  I know what you’re trying to do, Elliot.”

              “It’s private there and no one will disturb us.  That’s all, Abby.  I promise.  Meet me there so I can explain.  If you’re not there by seven that morning, I’ll know that we’re really through,” Elliot said.  He turned and walked away. 

Abby was stunned.  What was she going to do?  As she stood there with the door open, Ben appeared on the walkway to her cottage.  He’d come from the opposite direction as Elliot.

“Hello, sugar,” he said with a smile.  “You got a few minutes to spare?”

“Yes.  Come in,” she said.

Ben noticed her preoccupation and asked, “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.  How are you?” Abby asked.

“Thoughtful.  I have to ask you something, Abby,” Ben said.

“Okay.  What is it?” Abby said.

He took her hands and said, “I know it’s soon, but I need to know if you think there’s a possibility that you would ever have feelings for me?  Please be honest, Abby.”

Abby looked deep within herself and remembered the conclusion she’d come to the night before.  “Ben, you’re a wonderful man and you’ve been a good friend to me.  Kissing you last night was very pleasant, but I don’t think I would ever fall in love with you.  I may never fall in love with anyone again because I’m still in love with Elliot.”  With her eyes, she pleaded for him to understand.

He closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled a little. Ben was surprised by the amount of sadness her admission caused him.  He opened his eyes and said, “Thank you for your honesty.  I needed to know because I’m leaving soon and I needed to know if you would wait for me to return.”

“You’re leaving?  Why?  Where are you going?” she asked.

“Joe Dwyer wants to sponsor me to go back to school to finish my medical degree.  I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.  It depends on how many credits transfer over from my other university,” Ben said.

Abby hugged him.  “That’s wonderful, Ben!  You can’t pass up an opportunity like that!”

Ben held her and fought back a few tears.  As he drew away, he kissed her cheek.  “You’re a special woman and Elliot’s a lucky man.  Any man would be fortunate to call you his, Abby.”

“Thank you, Ben.  The same goes for you.  Maybe you’ll meet someone wherever you’re going.  Where
are
you going?” she asked.

“Chicago.  I’ll have to leave this weekend to make it in time to register and start this semester.  I’m going to miss you, Abby.  Will you write me?”

Abby felt tears burn the backs of her eyes.  “Yes, of course I will.”

Ben nodded.  “Thank you.  Well, I’ll leave you to whatever you were doing.  I’ll say goodbye now because I don’t know if I can later on.”

Abby watched him walk away as a lump formed in her throat.  She hated hurting Ben, but she couldn’t lie to him because that would hurt him even more in the end.  Closing the door, Abby’s mind began to whirr as she considered Elliot’s ultimatum. 

Ben surprised Elliot again that same day when he stopped by the store. 

“What do you want?” Elliot asked with narrowed eyes.

Ben smiled.  “I came to congratulate you.”

“On what?”

Holding out his hand, Ben said, “The best man won and it’s not me.”

Elliot understood what he meant and said, “I hate to say I told you so…”  He took Ben’s hand and shook it.

Ben said, “You’ll also be happy to know that I won’t be around for a while.  I’m going back to medical school, compliments of Joe Dwyer.  I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.  Long enough for you to get that sweet woman to the altar.  I know you don’t need to be told to take good care of her.  Goodbye, Elliot.”

“Goodbye, Ben,” Elliot said as elation soared through him.  He wanted to go to Abby right then, but knew that if he pushed her, he’d lose her.  Smiling, he turned back to his work.

Abby thought about what she was going to do about Elliot so hard that week that she was making herself physically sick.  She had terrible heartburn, headaches, and sometimes couldn’t keep food down.  She had tried to eat at the Grady House one evening, but had to go to the ladies’ room because she became sick.  Sammi was in the restroom at the time and made sure she was all right.

“Something not agree with you?” she asked.

“I’ve been under a lot of stress lately and it’s catching up with me, I’m afraid,” Abby said.  “I have heartburn quite a bit and it’s hard to keep things down sometimes.  And the headaches are terrible.  Other times, I can’t get enough to eat.  My clothes are a little tight.  It’s nervous eating.”

“Well, if it keeps up, go see Marcus. He’ll give you something for your nerves,” Sammi said.

Abby said, “Thank you for your concern.  I’ll do that.” 

Her need for Elliot tortured her at all times of the day, but her pain and disappointment over his actions towards Jake and her wouldn’t let her go see him. 

She couldn’t think straight.  Abby needed to get away from it, from him.  Abby knew that if she stayed in Dawson, it would only keep her anguish over her lost love fresh.  She decided to go back to Wabasha.  At least she’d have Betty there and she’d find some kind of work again. 

Before she could change her mind, she packed and went to the depot to buy her ticket for the next morning.  The coach would leave at seven forty-five.  Abby thought that was a good time because Elliot would probably still be up on the ridge and she wouldn’t have to worry about him seeing her.

Early the next morning, Marcus went up to the Grady House to get some coffee for Hannah and him.  He ran into Sammi.  They chatted and Sammi got to talking about Abby and how poorly she was feeling. 

“She’ll probably be coming to see you.  Her nerves are terrible.  You should give her something for them,” Sammi said.

Marcus frowned.  “What did she say exactly?”

Sammi told him the symptoms Abby had told her about and his eyes widened.  “Sammi!  Don’t you recognize those symptoms?”  He moved closer to her and whispered in her ear.

She drew back from him and said, “No!  Do you really think so?”

“I’ll stake my degree on it. I’m going to see her.  Thanks for tipping me off,” Marcus said as he took his thermos from Alice and paid for the coffee.

He left the restaurant and began walking towards the clinic as he thought about moving to the new site.  There were times he still couldn’t believe that Jake had given it to him.  As he came to the corner, he saw someone getting on the coach that had pulled in.  Marcus always looked to see who was coming or going.  It was a natural curiosity, he felt. 

As the stage pulled out, it came down the street and went past him, he recognized Abby.  He knew about her and Elliot breaking up and surmised that she must be leaving town. 

“Oh, no.  That can’t happen,” Marcus said, and started running for the store.  It was still closed so he went to Elliot’s house.  Elliot wasn’t there, but Marcus knew he’d be there eventually because of opening the store.  The store owner showed up about fifteen minutes later.

“Elliot!  Hey, you have to go after the coach.  Get a horse and follow it!” he said.

Elliot came up on the porch to stand by Marcus.  “What would I do that for?”

“Because she’s on it,” Marcus said.

“You mean Abby?” he asked.

“Yeah.  I think she’s leaving.”  Marcus gripped Elliot’s shoulders and said, “You have to go after her.  You have to go after
them
!”

Elliot’s eyes grew huge behind his glasses as Marcus’ meaning became clear.  “You mean she’s…?”

“I’m pretty sure.  I need to examine her.  Go get a horse now!” Marcus ordered.

Elliot started taking off his shirt.

“What are you doing?” Marcus asked.

“I don’t need any damn horse, Marcus,” he said as he handed Marcus his shirt and took off.

Elliot sprinted through the square and turned left and east out of town.  It was the direction the early coaches always went.  Once he was around the corner, Elliot lengthened his stride and began eating up the distance before him.  He started closing in on a horse team and buggy and recognized Joe.  His quick mind thought about how he was going to get Abby back to town.  Beth wouldn’t turn around because of keeping her schedule.

He drew alongside the buggy and Joe grinned at him.

“Are you trying to race me, Elliot?”

“No!  Follow me!”

“Why?”

“Just do it!” Elliot yelled and increased his speed. 

He knew that as fast as Rook and King were, he could outrun the team.  He had done it before.  His need to get to Abby spurred him on.  Elliot began running flat out, his powerful legs working like pistons.  Joe watched in amazement as Elliot pulled farther and farther away from the team.  He set his horses at their fastest pace but knew that they weren’t going to catch Elliot until he tired or got to where he was going.

Onlookers saw Elliot fly by and then a short time later, Joe’s team hot on his trail.  They smiled and figured that a race was on.  It was, but not the kind they thought it was. 

As Elliot sped after the woman he loved, the rest of the town was reading an interesting post in the paper.

For all those of you who have been wondering, I did not vote for Dawson to become a dry town.  I stuck by my friends and tried to do what I thought was right for the town.  Thank you, Elliot Bradbury.

              Elliot smiled as he saw the coach up ahead.  He wasn’t sure how, but he actually had something in reserve and drew on it now.  The coach was moving slower than he was so that helped him catch up faster.  Beth was surprised to see him pull up alongside her team.

              “Beth!  Stop!  Please!  I have to talk to Abby!  Please, stop!” he shouted over the sound of the horses’ hooves and coach wheels.