Bluebonnet Belle (15 page)

Leaning back in his chair again, he crossed his arms, grinning.

There, April.

Now who's the bigoted one?

 

“How are you feeling this week, Mary?”

Gray's hopes that Mary Rader was feeling better faded the moment she came into his office two weeks later. If possible, she looked paler than before.

Tears pooled in her eyes. “I don't know anymore, Doctor. I've forgotten what feeling good is like.”

They were sitting in Gray's office, he behind his desk, she in front of it, twisting a lace handkerchief into a tight knot.

Gray knew there was no need to examine her. He'd done so, from head to toe, and found no definitive problem that he could fix. Mary had female problems, and other than surgery that would dissolve all hopes of having a family, there wasn't a thing he could do about it. He had never felt so frustrated by a medical condition in his career.

“Well, Mary, I know we both hoped to avoid surgery, but it looks as if that's our only alternative.”

Twisting the handkerchief, Mary stared back at him, frightened, near tears again. “When?”

“As soon as I get you built up a little.” Reaching for the small brown bottle of Pinkham's compound sitting on his desk, he smiled reassuringly at her. “There's something I'd like you to try, Mary. A tonic. Frankly, I don't know how much it will help, but I know it won't hurt.”

He wasn't going to hold out false hope to her. If it helped in any measure, it would enhance her physical condition for the surgery. Handing her the bottle, he instructed her on the dosage.

She viewed the compound with lifeless eyes. “Will this stop the misery?”

“No, Mary. I'm only trying to get you stronger before I perform the surgery. Take a couple of teaspoons a day for the next few weeks, and then come back. We'll set up a time.”

Wiping tears from her eyes, she got up and followed him to the door. “Two teaspoons a day?”

“Three, if you like.” It couldn't hurt.

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Taking her hand, he held it momentarily. “I know you're scared. I would be, too.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I wish there was another way.”

“I've done all I know to do, Mary. I'm as frustrated as you are, but there's no alternative.”

“Severn is going to be angry. He wants children.”

Patting her shoulder, Gray said quietly, “I'm sure he's more concerned about your health. If he wants to talk to me, have him stop by the office. I'm here every night until late.”

 

“Ah, indeed, we're leaving first thing in the morning,” Henry confessed as he and April ate dinner that evening. The hotel dining room was quiet tonight, affording them much-needed privacy. “Dan and Will want to get in a full day, if they can. We might have to travel as far as San Antonio—even Brownsville this time.”

“I wish you didn't have to leave so soon,” April admitted.

Taking her hand, he stroked it gently. “We must make progress on marketing the compound soon, or I'll be out of a job.”

“I know. I was hoping the trip to Austin would be more successful. I hate the times we're apart.”

Henry's forehead furrowed. “As I do, dearest. We're doing everything possible, but women are reluctant to try something new. You know that.”

“Lydia and I have written more advertising copy and pamphlets. Poor Isaac traveled here, sick as he is to help fold the pamphlets and pack them. He's so supportive of Lydia's work.”

“He should be,” Henry muttered. “If the compound isn't successful, the Pinkhams will meet financial ruin.”

“You will faithfully write, won't you?”

“Of course, darling. Have I ever failed?”

Later, as Henry walked April home, he drew her close to his side. “I am going to miss you dreadfully,” he whispered.

Warmth flooded April's cheeks. “So will I. I was thinking. Perhaps I can come for a visit—”

“No!” Henry said quickly. “No,” he repeated more gently, when he noted her shocked countenance. “I won't hear of it. It's much too far—you would need a chaperone—No, it's out of the question.”

As they approached the mortuary, he pressed another benign kiss on her forehead, whispering, “How I am tempted to linger, but we'd best part quickly, my love. I wouldn't want to upset Riley.”

“You'll be so lonely! Perhaps I could travel to San Antonio and take a train to—”

“Such a lovely thought, but I will cloak myself in loneliness and count the moments until we are together once more.”

“You promise to write?”

“Of course, dearest. Every day.”

 

April stopped by the pharmacy late the next afternoon. With Henry gone, she had time on her hands.

The smells of herbs and liniment filled the shop. April always liked coming here. The creaky wooden floors, whitewashed walls and plain shelves were friendly. Beulah's plants hung in the windows, the southern light and her green thumb keeping them healthy as their trailing vines framed the wide windows. Over the years many a homemaker had pinched a start from Beulah's plants.

“Hi. Doing anything later?”

“Me? Nothing. Why?”

“Oh, I'm just lonely.”

“Henry off again?”

“Yes.” She sighed. “He left for Austin this morning.”

“Well, I've got a remedy for your melancholy. Just let me finish up, then we'll eat dinner out tonight.”

“We should go to the quilting bee. We haven't been in a while.”

“I don't want to go sew on some old quilt. Let's splurge and eat at the hotel.”

“I don't know. I haven't had dinner with Grandpa hardly at all lately.”

“He doesn't mind, does he?”

Actually, he didn't. April knew he would eat quickly and retire to the porch to play checkers with Jimmy.

As the two women walked home after a late supper, April filled Beulah in on her day.

“Did Will and Dan accompany Henry this morning?”

“Yes. I hope they're successful. We can't afford many more setbacks.”

“Speaking of Dan Pinkham, what do you think of him?”

April shrugged. “He's nice. He has some political ambitions.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Why?”

“Just wondering.” Beulah sighed.

“I think Will is much nicer. He has kind eyes, though I don't much care for the long muttonchops.”

“Dan's beard is nice.”

April laughed lightly. “I don't know why our opinion matters. Both men are married.”

Beulah released another long sigh. “All the good ones are, except Dr. Fuller, of course. But I did notice a nice young man in the doctor's waiting room a few weeks ago. A medical equipment and supplies salesman.”

“Oh? And did you happen to notice whether he was married and what his name was?”

“I might have, but since you're being so snippy, I don't think I'll share it with you. I did notice that
woman
was back to visit Dr. Fuller the other day.”

April's eyes rolled toward the sky with exasperation. “Haven't you anything better to do than spy on people?”

“Not really. Aren't you the least bit curious about what she's done to his living quarters?”

April stopped short. “No, nor should you be. You're becoming obsessed with Gray, and it has to stop.”

Beulah wasn't listening. “Shameless…she's utterly shameless!”

“Surely Gray—”

Beulah stepped in front of April. “‘Gray'? He's ‘Gray' now?”

April realized that some time in the past month she'd ceased thinking of him as Dr. Fuller and started referring to him as Gray. Oddly enough, she no longer thought of him as an adversary. He had been helpful with Riley, and she couldn't deny he was intelligent and informative to talk to. But so what? That didn't mean she thought of him in a personal nature, even if he was the most attractive man she'd ever seen. And so what if her heart skipped a beat at the very sound of his voice?

“He comes by the house nearly every evening to see Grandpa, you know.”

“But you call him ‘Gray'?”

“Don't try to make something of it. He's Grandpa's friend, not mine.”

Falling back into step, Beulah laughed. “Wouldn't it be funny if you two became friends? Or better yet, what if you were to take a fancy to each other! That would be so
so
romantic!”

“Not a chance. I don't dislike him, but I don't like him, either.”

Her friend grinned. “Wouldn't you just die to see his personal living quarters?”

“Beulah! What an outrageous thought. Why, if your papa or Reverend—”

“Oh shush. Let's do it!”

April suddenly halted, leaving Beulah to walk on for several steps before she turned and looked back at her. “What's wrong?”

“You're
not
serious.”

“Of course I'm serious. Why not?” She glanced in the direction of his office. “No lamp on upstairs. This would be the perfect time.”

“To
break
into his office?”

“Certainly not,” Beulah stated, lifting her chin. “To
look
into his living quarters. Come on. Enis Matthews keeps a ladder behind his store. We can use it.”

“Definitely not,” April said, intent on walking right past the doctor's office.

“It'll only take a minute. What happened to your spunky spirit?”

“It left at the mention of peeking in windows.”

“Well, I'm going to look.” Beulah started toward the narrow alley in back of the doctor's office.

“Beulah!” April whispered in horror.

“It'll only take a minute,” she whispered back. “Who's to know? It's obvious he's not there. Come on, scaredy-cat!”

“No—”

Beulah's eyes darted down the alleyway. “See? There's the ladder.”

“Leave it alone. I refuse to take part in this…this idiocy!” Sneaking around in alleyways, staring into men's bedrooms! It was shameful. Sure she was curious, but Beulah was going too far.

“We can lean the ladder against the back wall, climb up, sneak a peek in the window and leave.”

“No!” April whispered. “It's pitch-dark. How are we going to see in his bedroom?”

“I'm going to try anyway. If I don't see anything, then no harm's done.”

“You have lost your mind—” April found herself talking to thin air as Beulah disappeared down the alleyway. Cringing, she listened to faint bumping and scraping sounds as her friend dragged the ladder into place.

“For goodness' sake! You're going to hit the window and break it,” April declared in a harsh whisper. Stealing a second glance at the alleyway entrance, she dropped her reticule on the ground and hurried to help Beulah balance the ladder. “This thing must be fifty feet long!”

“Stop complaining. It's worth the effort.”

“We're going to look ridiculous, not to mention be put in jail, if we're caught.”

“There. Put it right next to the upstairs window. We can peek in…see? He's left the curtain open. How thoughtful of him.”

April closed her eyes with frustration. “I must be mad to let you talk me into this.”

“Not mad, curious. I'll go first.”

April held the ladder while Beulah hiked her skirts up to her knees. Holding the fabric with one hand, she clasped a rung with the other, slowly making her way up the steps.

The climb took forever. April's eyes darted toward the street to make sure they weren't attracting attention. Stubborn, pigheaded Gray Fuller was not worth the fuss!

Glancing to her left, she spotted a round, black shape lying on the woodpile next to the building. Standing on tiptoe, she peered at it more closely.

Why, that was his hat!

The hat Francesca had brought him from Paris! What was it doing lying on the woodpile?

Steadying the ladder with one hand, April leaned to the side and reached for it. She felt the ladder sway beneath her hand, and glanced up just in time to see Beulah lean to the other side.

The ladder began to wobble, then tip.

“It's going to fall!” April hissed.

But it was too late. Her friend leaned too far out and, before April could do anything, the ladder tilted grotesquely to one side.

Hands flailing, Beulah grabbed for the window ledge.