The Heart Remembers (36 page)

“We’ll find him, ma’am. Try to rest easy. The Lord is taking care of him.”

Beth Ann pointed out the parlor window and said, “Mommy, here comes Pastor Shane.”

They met the pastor at the door, and as he stepped inside, he told them that Dr. Tim had come to the parsonage on his way to the office to tell him about Dr. Dane.

Tharyn told him about Pal returning home earlier with the medical bag tied to the saddle.

The pastor prayed with Tharyn, Beth Ann, and the marshal, asking God to bring Dr. Dane home safely.

Time passed.

The snowstorm in the Colorado Rockies was over by Sunday, October 1. On Monday, after eating supper with Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Stanton, the amnesic man spent some time with them in the parlor. Dr. Stanton was talking about an operation he had performed recently.

“Ether doesn’t work like chloroform,” Stanton said. “Ether was all right when it came into use in Europe and America in the middle of this century, but the recent advent of chloroform is such a blessing.”

“Oh, no, Dr. Stanton,” the amnesiac said. “Chloroform has been in use in Europe for several decades. Queen Victoria was given chloroform when she gave birth to Prince Leopold in 1853.”

Dr. Stanton blinked. “How do you know this?”

Dane shook his head. “I can’t tell you. It just came to me.”

Dr. Stanton left his overstuffed chair, went to a large bookshelf, and took down an encyclopedia. Standing there, he flipped pages while his wife and the amnesic man looked on. It took only a moment to find what he was looking for. He read a section of the page, and looked back at his guest. “I’m amazed at this. You’re right, my friend. Queen Victoria was administered chloroform when she gave birth to Prince Leopold in April 1853.”

Mrs. Stanton said to their guest, “You must really know your history, or you have medical knowledge. Or both.”

Dane shrugged. “Wish I knew. Well, folks, I’m getting pretty tired. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go to my room and bed down for the night.”

Later, lying in bed, Dane pondered his knowledge of Prince Leopold’s birth.

Is my memory coming back? How else would I have been able to comment correctly on Queen Victoria? But why would I know this?

He swallowed with difficulty. “Lord, please bring my memory back completely.”

In the middle of the night, Dane dreamed restlessly and woke himself up, calling out, “Tharyn! Beth Ann!”

He sat up abruptly, putting splayed fingers to his head. “Tharyn. Beth Ann.”

Then, like a flash of lightning, he was riding on a train. His beautiful redheaded wife was cuddling a little girl in her arms next to him. Tharyn said to the child, “So your name is Beth Martin.”

“Mm-hmm,” said the little girl. “My real name is Elizabeth Ann, but everybody calls me Beth.”

Suddenly there was a tap on his bedroom door. By the moonlight that flowed through the bedroom windows, he looked toward the door. “Yes?”

“Friend, are you all right? I heard you shouting.” It was Dr. Stanton’s voice.

“I’m fine, but please come in.”

Dr. Stanton stepped into the bedroom, a lighted lantern in his hand.

From where he sat on the bed, Stanton’s guest said with a lilt in his voice, “Dr. Stanton, my name is Dane Logan!
Doctor
Dane Logan! I own a clinic in Central City. I was on my way to Glenwood Springs to perform a hip replacement for a patient of Dr. Tomas Watson.”

Stanton’s eyes widened. “Dr. Dane Logan! Yes, I’ve heard of your expertise in hip replacements!”

Smiling happily, Dr. Dane said, “My wife’s name is Tharyn, and we have a little five-year-old daughter. Her name is Elizabeth Ann. My pastor’s name is Mark Shane. The mayor’s name in Central City is Mike Anderson, and our marshal’s name is Jake Merrell! My memory’s back, Doctor!”

“Praise the Lord!”

Dr. Dane’s hand went to his forehead. “I’ve got to send a wire to Dr. Watson.”

“You won’t be able to do that right away. The telegraph wires have been down since late Thursday afternoon.”

Dr. Dane blinked. “And this is Monday, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’ll go on home, then, and wire Dr. Thomas as soon as the wires are back up. I … I don’t have my wallet, Dr. Stanton. Could you lend me the money to buy a horse and tack? I’ll send you the money as soon as I get home.”

Dr. Stanton smiled. “I’ll buy you a horse and tack as soon as the stable down the street opens. It will be my pleasure.”

Dr. Dane shook his head. “I appreciate that, dear brother, but I
will
send you the money when I get home.”

“Well, if you insist. I’ll let my pastor know that your memory came back and that you’ve left Vail on your new horse.”

In Central City late on Tuesday afternoon, Tharyn and Beth Ann were sitting in the parlor talking about Marshal Jake Merrell coming to see them yesterday morning to let them know he and some townsmen were about to ride out to look for Dr. Dane.

Holding the secret of her coming child inside, Tharyn pulled Beth Ann close to her and prayed in her heart,
Dear Lord, what will I do if they never find Dane? What if he’s dead? I’ll have two children
to raise and support. I—I know I’m borrowing trouble, but it’s so hard not to think the worst. Please, Lord, help me to trust You as I should, and let Your peace rule in my heart
.

Beth Ann had been listless most of the day, and had clung close to her mother’s side. Looking up at her mother with tears brimming in her eyes, she said with quivering lips, “Mommy, I miss my daddy. He’s the only daddy I’ve ever had. Can’t Jesus bring him home to us?”

Tharyn squeezed the precious child tightly. “Oh, baby, of course Jesus can bring Daddy home. Sweetheart, Jesus knows exactly where Daddy is, and He also knows what is best for each of us. We have to trust Him to do what is right in our lives. Let’s you and me pray right now that Jesus will take care of all three of us, and especially Daddy.”

Beth Ann wiped her tears on the sleeves of her dress and sniffed. “You pray out loud, Mommy. I know Jesus hears all of your prayers. You prayed for a little girl like me, and here I am.”

Her childlike faith touched a deep spot in Tharyn’s heart. She took Beth Ann onto her lap, held her tight, and prayed.

When she finished praying, Tharyn placed Beth Ann back on the sofa where she had been sitting earlier, and said, “Honey, I’ve got to go check on the roast in the oven. You stay here. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Beth Ann had one of her dolls beside her on the sofa. She picked the doll up and walked to the parlor window.

The sun was shining, and the snow on the ground was melting.

Suddenly Beth Ann saw a rider come down the street and turn his horse into the yard.

From the kitchen, Tharyn heard Beth Ann calling, “Mommy! Mommy! It’s Daddy! Daddy’s home!”

Tharyn ran down the hall, shedding tears, and whispered, “Thank You, Lord! Oh, thank You!”

When she reached the door, Beth Ann had it already open. Tharyn dashed past her onto the porch as Dane was coming up the steps, limping slightly. Beth Ann was quickly on her heels.

“Dane! Oh, Dane, darling!” Tharyn cried.

“Daddy! Daddy!”

Dr. Dane Logan blinked at his own tears and gathered them both in his arms.

GOLD GLIMMERS, AND THE RUSH IS ON!

NEW DREAMS OF GOLD TRILOGY
By Al & JoAnna Lacy

Get in on the first book in a new trilogy by master narrators Al and JoAnna Lacy. Set in North America’s nineteenth-century gold country, the tales are adventure filled and gripping!

ISBN 1-59052-389-X

Jim Bannon leaves his family’s Wyoming farm in hot pursuit of gold in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. Will he secure the wealth that is his ticket to marry the love of his life?

ISBN 1-59052-477-2

Livia does not expect to meet anyone like Matt Holden on the Golden Stairs. While he saves her life, no one knows if her father has been as fortunate …

ISBN 1-59052-561-2

Young frontier doctor Dane Logan is gaining renown as a surgeon. Beyond his wildest hopes, he meets his long-lost love—only to risk losing her to the Tag Moran gang.

ISBN 1-59052-308-3

While Dr. Dane gains renown by rescuing people from gunfights, Indian attacks, and a mine collapse, Nurse Tharyn mourns the capture of her dear friend Melinda by renegade Utes.