The Heart Remembers (28 page)

Brockman returned the smile. “Nice to see you, too, Tharyn.”

Tharyn followed her husband and Chief Brockman into the examining room, where three patients were waiting for the doctor to show up. Chick Barton was placed on the table in section number four.

Moments later, Tharyn administered the anesthetic to the patient. As she assisted her husband in going after the slug in Barton’s shoulder, with Chief Brockman looking on, Dr. Dane told her the whole story.

After the slug had been removed, Dr. Dane stitched Barton up and put his arm in a sling. Chief Brockman waited until the sling was tied securely, then said, “Doc, how soon can I take the gang and head back to Denver?”

“Well, Barton could go now if you took him in a wagon and laid him on a mattress or something just as soft. But Finch won’t be able to travel for a couple of weeks.”

Brockman nodded. “My men and I will take the outlaws’ horses to Central City’s livery stable and rent a team and wagon. We’ll take Barton and the other two today. I’ll wire you in a couple of weeks and see how Finch is doing, and if he can travel by then, I’ll send two of my deputies to get him.” He paused, ran his gaze over the faces of doctor and nurse, and added, “I have no doubt that when they face trial in Denver, they will be hanged.”

Chick Barton was coming out from under the chloroform, and his mind was clear enough to assess what Brockman had just said. He began to weep. “I don’ wanna die!”

Brockman set steady eyes on him. “The Bible says a man reaps what he sows, Barton. It also says the way of transgressors is hard.
Nobody forced you to be a killer and an outlaw. You chose that path yourself.”

Barton closed his eyes and swallowed hard, but did not reply.

The chief looked at doctor and nurse. “Barton and his gang have left a trail of innocent blood all over Kansas for over three years. Then they came to Colorado. They held up banks yesterday in Byers and Strasburg, and killed people in both banks. I received a wire this morning from the town marshal in Golden. The Barton gang robbed Golden’s First National Bank shortly after it opened this morning and killed a bank officer and a teller.

“My deputies and I rode hard this morning to pick up the gang’s trail. When we got to Idaho Springs, we found out that they had held up the bank there. They shot a bank officer and two tellers. Then when they came out of the bank, they were met by the town marshal and his deputy. There was an exchange of gunfire in which one of Barton’s gang members was killed. That’s when Bud Finch was wounded. Sad thing is, the marshal was shot in one of his arms, and the deputy was killed.”

Dr. Dane shook his head. “I’m sure glad you and your gang are out of business, Barton.”

Chick closed his eyes, rather than meet the doctor’s gaze.

Brockman pulled a pair of handcuffs from his belt and said, “Doc, I’m going to cuff him to this bed. I know he’s weak, but I don’t trust him. I want to be sure he’ll be here when we’re ready to take him to Denver in an hour or so.”

Barton gave the chief a sullen look when he cuffed a wrist to the iron frame of the bed, but said nothing.

Dr. Dane then said, “Tharyn and I will be traveling to Denver this Friday, Chief. Dr. Carroll sent a wire about a man who needs a hip replacement. We’ll be doing the surgery on Saturday. We’ll stay over Sunday, and come home on Monday.”

Brockman smiled. “Well, good. You’re welcome to stay at our
house, but I’m sure Tharyn’s parents will want you to stay with them.”

The doctor smiled. “I’m sure they will, but we’d like to spend some time with you and Breanna and the kids while we’re there.”

“Well, we’ll work that out when you get there. I know we’ll see you at church.”

“You sure will,” said Tharyn.

“Well, I’ve got to get a wagon so we can head for Denver. Be back to get Barton in a little while.”

When the chief U.S. marshal was gone, Tharyn took Dane by the hand and led him into an empty curtained section.

Puzzled, he looked at her askance and said, “What’s this all about?”

She wrapped her arms around him, and her body trembled as tears filled her eyes. She stepped back so she could look at him, and wiped at the tears. “Darling, I had no idea of the danger you were in. They could have killed you.”

“Sweetheart, I’m fine. The Lord was with me all the way. He knew I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

She nodded and blinked at additional tears that were surfacing. “I know, darling. I know. But now that the threat is over, I’m just a little bit in shock over the danger you were in. I heard the shot, of course, as did everyone else in town. I didn’t know where it had been fired until just before you and Chief Brockman came down the street, carrying that outlaw. I was so relieved to see you.”

He kissed her forehead. “I love you so much.”

Tharyn reached up and touched his cheek gently. “I love you so much, too. You certainly are the town hero now. Of course from that first frightening day when my parents were killed and you saved my life, you became my hero. You grew more heroic when I had to join you and the other orphans on the streets of Manhattan, and you protected me so well.”

Dane placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “I hope I can always fill that role in your life.”

She smiled. “Without a doubt, my love. Without a doubt.”

It was midafternoon when the three federal men placed the handcuffed Chick Barton in the bed of the rented wagon on an old mattress, and helped Ed Loomis and Vincent Wagner in also. They were handcuffed as well.

Glenn Bell climbed into the wagon seat, took the reins, and they moved out with Bell’s horse tied behind the wagon as Dr. Dane Logan, Marshal Jake Merrell, and Deputy Len Kurtz looked on.

The sullen outlaws sat beside Barton and kept their heads down while riding in silence.

TWENTY
 

m
arshal Jake Merrell, Deputy Len Kurtz, and Dr. Dane Logan watched in silence until the wagon, sided by Chief U.S. Marshal John Brockman and Deputies Casey Knight and Tyler Hufford on horseback, passed from view.

Merrell looked at the doctor and said, “Well, Len and I need to get back to the office. You know what?”

Dr. Dane shook his head. “No. What?”

“If you weren’t such a good doctor, I’d say you ought to be a lawman. You sure handled those outlaws adeptly.”

Len nodded and smiled. “You sure you don’t want to give up medicine and put on a badge?”

Dr. Dane chuckled. “Positive.”

Both lawmen laughed and headed up the street toward the marshal’s office.

Dr. Dane turned to enter his office when he heard a familiar voice call out from behind him, “Hey, Dr. Logan!”

The doctor wheeled about and saw Charlie Holmes hurrying across the street, waving a yellow envelope. “Telegram for you!”

As Charlie drew up, Dr. Dane asked, “Is it from Dr. Carroll?”

“Sure is. By what he says, Dr. Logan, you won’t need to send a reply, so I’ll get on back to the office.”

“Okay, thanks, Charlie.”

Dr. Dane quickly read the telegram and entered the office. He noted that the waiting room was almost full. Tharyn was just coming from the back room, and spotted the telegram in his hand. “From Dr. Carroll?”

“Uh-huh. Everything’s set. The hip replacement is scheduled for ten o’clock Saturday morning. Max Thurman will be checking into the hospital just before noon on Friday morning, so we can stop in and see him before going to your parents’ house. And Dr. Carroll says your parents are excited about us coming to stay with them.”

“Good. I’m glad our plans fit with the hospital’s schedule. And I’m so excited to see my parents!”

Even as she was speaking, the front door opened and Kirby Holton came in. Smiling, he said, “Dr. Logan, I just got word up at the mine about the town hall incident. You’re amazing! I must commend you for your courage and quick thinking in capturing those outlaws. I understand you even shot the gang leader.”

“He gave me no choice. All of those ladies were in grave danger.”

“Is the gang leader going to live?”

“Well, I patched him up so the federal men could take him on to Denver. But to answer your question … Chick Barton is going to face a judge and jury in Denver, and because he’s a cold-blooded murderer, he is not going to live long. He will face the hangman’s noose.”

“I see. Well, bully for you for stopping those low-down criminals. Could I take you and Tharyn to supper this evening?”

Dane looked at his wife. “That okay with you?”

Tharyn sighed and placed the back of her hand to her forehead. “It would be a blessing not to have to cook supper.”

That evening in Central City’s nicest restaurant, Kirby Holton talked to the Logans about what a joy it was to know he was going to heaven, and how much he enjoyed being in church.

“We’re so happy for you, Kirby,” said Tharyn.

Kirby grinned. “Thank you. Now, new subject. Dr. Dane, I’ve been amazed at how your practice has grown in the short time you’ve been here. Almost every time I go into your office, there are many patients in the waiting room. I know you make a lot of house calls, too. Do you ever get any rest?”

Before the doctor could reply, Tharyn said, “He gets very little rest, Kirby. Of late, he’s even had people getting him out of bed at night.”

Kirby nodded. “I know Dr. Fraser is not feeling well. I’m wondering how long he’ll be able to fill in for you when you need him.”

“That’s been on my mind a lot,” said the doctor. “The dear old man is having quite a bit of trouble with his back. But bless his heart, he’s still willing to come whenever I ask.”

Kirby took a sip of coffee and set the cup back in the saucer. “Aren’t you going to have to bring in another doctor to help you?”

“Yes, sir. That’s in the offing.”

“Oh? Tell me about it.”

Dr. Dane told Kirby of the plans he had for the new clinic when he could afford to buy a piece of ground and have a building built.

Kirby nodded. “Got any special piece of land in mind?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve got my eye on the vacant lot just down in the next block south on Main Street from the present office, between Hampstead’s Clothing Store and the Central City Pharmacy. Being next door to the pharmacy would be a good thing.”

“Sounds like it would be perfect. Any doctors in mind that you’d like to choose from?”

The doctor nodded. “There’s a fine young Christian doctor who’s interning at Mile High Hospital in Denver. His name is Tim Braden. He’ll finish his internship next May. Dr. Tim is going to marry Tharyn’s best friend, Melinda Kenyon, shortly thereafter. Tharyn and Melinda have been friends since they were orphans
together on the streets of New York City as teenagers.”

Kirby smiled and looked at Tharyn. “I’m sure it would make you happy to have her here in Central City.”

She smiled broadly. “Words couldn’t describe it.”

Dr. Dane went on. “Thayrn and I are going to Denver on Friday. We’re going to do a hip replacement at Mile High Hospital on Saturday. While we’re there, I’m going to talk to Dr. Tim about coming to work with me in the practice, in view of becoming a partner when we establish the clinic. If Dr. Tim comes—and I really believe he will—Dr. Fraser can retire completely, which he needs to do.”

Kirby smiled. “Sounds good. I hope it works out. I’d like to see you get the help you need, and I’d like to see Dr. Fraser be able to get the rest he needs.”

At midmorning the next day, there was a lull in patient appointments, and Tharyn took advantage of the break to go to the general store and pick up some groceries. When she entered the store, the proprietor and his wife greeted her warmly, then the proprietor’s wife said, “It’s sure nice of Dr. Logan to give you up at the office so you can shop, Tharyn.”

She paused and chuckled. “Well, it just so happens we’re between patients at the moment. I dare not lollygag, though. More will be in soon.”

Tharyn noticed there was a large cookie jar at the counter, where some children were enjoying free cookies. She moved down the long aisles between shelves, where other customers greeted her warmly, calling her byname.

Suddenly Tharyn heard a child gagging and choking at the front of the store. She looked up to see the proprietor running down the aisle of shelves. “Mrs. Logan!” he gasped. “We need you up front!”

Tharyn laid what goods she had in her arms on an empty spot on a shelf and ran to the front of the store. There she found a boy about six years old who was doing the gagging and choking. His mother’s face was pale and she was holding him. “It’s a chunk of oatmeal cookie!” cried the mother, setting fear-filled eyes on Tharyn. “Can you help him? Billy’s turning blue!”

Tharyn grabbed Billy and tried to reach the foreign object with her fingers, but she could not. She picked Billy up by the waist with one hand, bent him over her thigh, slapped him hard between the shoulder blades, and said, “Cough, Billy! Cough real hard!”

Billy did so, and Tharyn continued to slap his back. Suddenly the chunk of oatmeal cookie came up, and the boy sucked in air. Tharyn let go of Billy so his mother could take hold of him.

The relieved mother wrapped her arms around her son, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, said, “Oh, thank you, ma’am! Thank you for saving Billy’s life! He would have died in a few more minutes!”