“I’ll be happy to post it for you. I imagine she’ll be relieved to hear from you.”
“How much do I owe you for your treatment?”
Dr. Ross mulled over the question a few seconds. “Three dollars, but if that’s more than you can afford I’ll barter or you can skip payment.”
“I feel like I pay my way. I figured your charge would be more so I had this ready for you. Please accept it to make up for those who can’t pay.” He gave the doctor ten dollars.
The doctor looked at the money before pocketing the cash. “Very generous, Mr. Craig. Small town doctors don’t often see much cash. Many country folks pay in hens or produce and such.”
Dr. Ross stood and put the letter in his medical bag. “I’ll post your letter today. Let me know if you have a problem. I’m eager to get home and, hopefully, to bed for at least a nap. Glad my horse knows the way.”
***
Charlotte rapped on the door before entering with a tray. “I need to get some things to wear. The children and I will be going on the range. I’ve made you this sandwich in case you get hungry before we return. Will you be all right while we’re gone?”
“Yes, of course. I wish I could help but Dr. Ross was very clear. He scared me a bit with tales of what could happen.”
She looked through the armoire and drawers and gathered her overalls, shirt, and boots. “He told me the same stories because he suspected you’d be eager to help. We’ll be back by time for supper. We have to check the cattle and make sure they haven’t come to harm.”
“Surely there must be something I can do here.”
“Afraid not other than rest and recover. Perhaps you could read. That’s a quiet activity.”
“Already tried but reading makes my head hurt fiercely.” He made a circular motion with his finger. “I’m sure my eyeballs spin in their sockets.”
She grinned at him. “Somehow I doubt that. You could sit on the porch if you think that would be more entertaining than staying inside.”
“Yeah, I do. I’m taking my rifle in case your admirer comes again.”
“Hey, it’s not me he admires—it’s the ranch.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Something tells me he wants both.”
She feared the same thing but she had no intention of accepting Winfield’s proposal. “He’s getting neither if I can stop him.”
She went to Susie’s room and changed into her overalls. When she’d dressed, she wondered if Bret would be as shocked as Ike had been at her attire.
She stepped just inside the door to his room. “We’ll leave now.”
There was no mistaking the admiration in his eyes. “Don’t you look cute as a ladybug?”
Surprised, she looked down at her clothes. “You aren’t shocked?”
“No, why should I be? You’re appropriately dressed for riding the range. Is Susie similarly attired?”
“As a matter of fact, she’s wearing a pair of overalls Davie outgrew. Um, some think wearing any kind of pants is unladylike and scandalous.” Some like her late husband, Ike.
“If you wore that to a reception for the governor then they’d be right. Riding the range in a fancy skirt would also be wrong.”
“Thank you for understanding. We’ll return in a few hours.”
Outside, the excited dogs danced around the horses.
As the four of them rode toward the cattle, Charlotte was amazed that a man with amnesia had more empathy than Ike. Perhaps losing one’s memory wiped away preconceived ideas and prejudices. She wished Ike hadn’t been so critical.
Ike had seriously hurt her feelings when she was trying her best to take care of him, the children, and the ranch. In her head she knew he was angry at being shot, knowing he was dying, and worrying about the ranch and his children. Yet, in her heart she believed for the same reasons he could have been tender toward her and the children.
By late afternoon they were done checking on the cattle. Charlotte was satisfied that no more had been stolen. It was time to head home. She waved and called the children to her.
Jimmy was the first to ride up to her. “Mama, there’s a man watching us from behind those trees.”
“I saw him. Pretend he isn’t there.”
He appeared afraid. “Is he gonna shoot us?”
“No, he’s spying on us. I suppose Mr. Winfield or someone else who wants the ranch sent him.” On a sudden whim, she had a crazy idea. “Let’s do something silly to give him something to report.” She got off her horse and tied the reins to a bush. “Come on, children, join me.”
Davie tied his horse next to hers. “What are we gonna do? Are you gonna shoot him?”
“Certainly not. Jimmy, dance with Susie. Davie, partner with me. Let’s do-si-do.” She linked hands with Davie and twirled around as she called moves. Davie laughed and got into the spirit. Soon Susie and Jimmy joined in. The dogs thought it was a game and cavorted with them.
After five or ten minutes, she swung close to Jimmy. “Now trade and Jimmy dance with me and Davie with Susie.”
After a lot of laughter and another few minutes, she stopped. “All right, now let’s all join hands and take a big bow toward the spy.”
When they had, they mounted their horses and headed home.
She couldn’t keep from smiling. “Don’t you know we were a sight dancing on the prairie amid the cattle?”
Davie glared toward the trees. “Serves that man right for spying. On second thought, we probably made his day less boring.”
“I imagine you’re right. Must be a dreary duty watching others all day.”
In a few minutes, Davie rode beside her. “Bret—he said I could call him that—let me borrow his books about the Missouri Kid.
