“But . . .” Amelia started to protest.
Clint held his hand in the air. “It’s settled.” He pulled his chair close to the bed and leaned over until he was mere inches from Amelia’s face and grinned at her. “So you think I’m wonderful, huh?”
Amelia’s eyes widened, realizing he’d been listening to their conversation. “Well . . .”
He arched his brow at her. “How about handsome?”
“I can’t believe you were listening to us. Wait until I tell your mother,” Amelia teasingly threatened.
Clint laughed. “Do you think she’ll be surprised?” He picked up her braid that was draped over her shoulder. “So, do you think I’m wonderful or not?”
“I believe my words were, you took wonderful care of me,” Amelia responded primly.
“I don’t think that is precisely what you said.”
Amelia couldn’t argue with him because she couldn’t remember her exact words. And she did think he was wonderful . . . and handsome.
Clint tugged on her braid until her lips were within kissing distance. “Doc says you should be completely well in a couple of days.”
“Yes,” she whispered, her eyes on his lips.
Clint really wanted to kiss her again. But he didn’t. Instead, he stood and told her he would see her later.
* * *
The doctor checked on Amelia after dinner as Clint dried the dishes for his mother.
“Amelia is crazy about you,” Ingrid told him.
“What makes you think so?”
“The way her face lights up when she talks about you.”
Clint smiled, thinking of how she’d blushed when he was teasing her.
Ingrid handed him a plate and stared at him. “Do you return her feelings?”
Instead of answering her question, Clint asked one of his own. “What do you know about her husband?”
Ingrid told him what she knew about Amelia’s marriage to Richard. “Amelia’s sister was so in love with Richard, but, sadly, she died after Annie was born. Richard had serious injuries from the war and he knew his time was near. I know Amelia married him so the girls could stay with her and her parents when he died. Of course, no one could have predicted that Amelia’s parents would die from the fever. That left Amelia all alone with so many responsibilities on her shoulders.”
“What can you tell me about Casey?”
Ingrid dried her hands and turned to face Clint. “He’s worked for Amelia’s family for a few years. Amelia’s mother told me Casey fell in love with Amelia from the start, but I don’t think she returned his affection. He told Amelia he would stay at the ranch until she returned.”
Clint thought about the few times Amelia had mentioned Casey. He didn’t think she had feelings for him, but then again, she hadn’t mentioned Casey was in love with her.
* * *
After checking on Amelia one last time before he turned in for the night, Clint walked to the front room and found the doctor sitting by the fire. Two glasses were on the table between the two chairs. The doctor pulled a bottle of whiskey from his bag and filled the glasses.
He handed a glass to Clint when he took a seat. “For medicinal purposes.”
Clint laughed as he accepted the glass. “I haven’t had whiskey in a while. It’ll probably knock me out.”
“I’m counting on it. You look like you could use a long rest.” The doc took a drink of his whiskey, then said, “I’m glad to have this chance to speak with you alone.”
Clint gave him a worried look, thinking he may give him bad news about Amelia’s condition.
Seeing the concern on Clint’s face, John held up his hand. “It’s not about Amelia. I think she’s going to be just fine. I wanted a chance to tell you that . . . well, I think highly of your mother. I know it’s too soon, but next year, after she’s had time to recover from her loss, I’m planning on asking her to marry me.” He took a deep breath. “I guess what I’m asking is, would I have your blessing? It would mean a lot to me, as I am certain it would be necessary for your mother.”
Clint hadn’t considered his mother would ever be married to anyone other than his father. But he wanted her to be happy, and if that included the doctor in her life, then he wasn’t going to stand in the way. “If you make my mother happy, that’s all I care about.” He gave the doctor a stern look. “Don’t ever give me a reason to regret giving my blessing.”
The doctor looked him in the eye. “Neither one of you will ever have reason for regret. We’re both alone now, and I think we’d like to have someone to share what future we have left. If I’ve learned anything while caring for folks through this illness it’s that we never know what tomorrow may bring. We should all grab as much happiness as we can today.”
Clint thought the doc sounded very much like his mother. “You sound like Ma.”
“I take that as a compliment.” He extended his hand. “I’ll make her happy, Clint.”
Leaning toward the doc, Clint shook his hand. “She’s going to need some time, but I will support her decision. I want her to be happy.”
John pointed to the blanket Clint had tossed on the floor. “Are you sleeping there?”
“I can hear Amelia from here if she needs anything.”
“She’s a fine young woman.”
“Yes, she is.”
John glanced at the dogs on a pallet beside Clint’s blanket. “They look as though they’ve already adapted to their new home.”
“It’ll be nice having some dogs around again,” Clint replied. “Amelia’s girls wanted a puppy for Christmas, so I want Ma to keep them out of sight when I get back. I want to surprise the girls on Christmas morning.”
“That will be great fun. There’s nothing better than watching the excitement of children on Christmas morning.”
Clint leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “Now, Doc, can you tell me where I can find a goat?”
The men
