Pony Express Special Delivery

Clayton grinned. “I’m hoping to become a doctor.”

“Figured as much.” The doctor nodded. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m getting up there in years.” He kept his gaze on the horse’s back.

Clayton answered, “No, I didn’t notice.”

The good doctor laughed. “Well, be that as it may, I’ve been thinking about retiring in a few years. Think you might be interested in becoming my assistant, if the Pony Express doesn’t pan out?”

Was this God’s way of blessing his plans of becoming a doctor? Clayton swallowed. This was just the opportunity he’d prayed about. “I would be honored, but I can’t leave the Pony Express right now.”

“No, I don’t reckon you can. But, if you are serious about becoming a doctor, I’ll be happy to loan you a couple of books. Maybe you can study those and then we can talk more about your future.” He dug in his bag and pulled out one of the books.

Clayton rode the horse close to the buggy and leaned down to take the book Doc Anderson held up to him. Then he straightened and examined the soft calfskin cover. It was light brown with the words “The History and Treatment of the Diseases of the Teeth, the Gums, and the Alveolar Processes, by Joseph Fox” on both the front of the book and the spine.

“In my line of work, I’m often called to pull teeth or doctor a tooth that has infection in it. That’s probably one of the best books you can find right now, so don’t lose it.”

Clayton flipped it open and was happy to see that there were numerous illustrations of teeth and different forms of decay. “I’ll take good care of it.” He slipped it into his saddlebag.

“See that you do. Here’s the second book I want you to study.” He held up a smaller book for Clayton to take.

Clayton took the book and silently read the cover. The Family Doctor: A Counsellor in Sickness, Pain and Distress, for Childhood, Manhood and Old Age. Containing in Plain Language, Free from Medical Terms, the Causes, Symptoms, and Cure of Disease in Every Form...with Engravings of Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Henry S. Taylor. It never failed to amaze him that books came with such long titles. This one would be interesting to read. He just prayed that with his Pony Express duties he’d have time. “Thank you, sir. How long can I keep them?” He ran his finger over the raised lettering of the title.

“As long as you need. That one is fairly new. Came out last year, but I have an older one that says pretty much the same thing. Just remember to take good care of it. Books aren’t cheap, you know.”

Clayton nodded. He added the book to his saddlebag. His thoughts went to Maggie and the kids. “Doc? How well do you know Maggie Fillmore?”

“Well enough, I reckon. Why do you ask?” His gray eyes searched Clayton’s face.

“I met Gus Fillmore and he seems to not like the widow. Is there anything I should know about her?” That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to ask but felt it was a good starting place.

“Gus Fillmore is Jack’s cousin. He’d hoped to inherit the ranch and when he didn’t, he offered to buy it from Maggie. She refused. I’m sure Gus is still a little sore about all that and is holding a grudge.”

Just as he suspected. Clayton nodded. “I think you’re right.” He focused on the road home and even tapped Bones’s side with the heel of his boot to get the horse to go a little faster.

The doctor urged his horse to do the same.

Clayton didn’t like the idea of Gus Fillmore having ill feelings toward Maggie. He didn’t know her very well, but what he did know, he liked. She’d braved having a child on her own, then had the sense to tell her younger sister to get help, and when he’d arrived, she’d trusted him to make the baby breathe. Maggie seemed like a strong woman, but would she be strong enough to keep Gus Fillmore from taking over the ranch?

Chapter Three (#u6ecfeaa6-52a6-5793-ba54-41ff99cbd19a)

It seemed as if Clayton had been in town far longer than he needed to be, if he were concerned about baby James. Maggie’s eyes were drifting closed when she heard the men arrive in the front yard. She pushed herself up into a sitting position.

The baby stirred in her arms and Dinah awoke with wide eyes. The little girl had slept for over an hour.

Maggie reached over and brushed the blonde hair from her eyes. “Sweetie, I think Clayton and the doctor have arrived. Would you go look out the window and make sure it’s them for me?”

Dinah came awake instantly. She scrambled off the bed and ran to the window. Her little hands tugged at the drapes.

Maggie grinned as the girl disappeared behind them.

“It is Clayton and the doctor.” Dinah came out. “Want me to go open the door for them?” She ran to the bedroom door and waited for an answer.

“Yes, please.”

Maggie listened as Dinah ran down the stairs. A few moments later she heard the doctor’s voice and sighed. Now she could relax. Clayton was back, and the doctor would make sure the baby was healthy.

Over the last couple of months, the older gentleman had fussed and insisted she come see him on the first Monday of every month. Yesterday, this time, she would have loved to have had him close but instead had faced having baby James alone.

A soft knock sounded on the door. She called, “Come in.”

Doc Anderson entered first. “Well, hello, Maggie. I wasn’t expecting you to have that little bundle for another week.” His gray eyes searched Maggie’s.

Maggie smiled at him. “I know. Baby James came a little earlier than we expected. Not only was he early, but his coming into the world wasn’t as easygoing as we’d hoped.”

The doctor glanced with concern from Maggie to Clayton. “What happened?” He walked across the room and took the baby from her arms.

Hadn’t Clayton told the doctor how he’d saved the baby’s life? She watched as Dinah slipped into the room and took Clayton’s hand in hers. Her little sister pressed against his leg. Obviously, Gus’s visit had scared her more than Maggie had realized. Or was the little girl simply happy to see the man responsible for James’s well-being?

Maggie pulled her gaze from the pair and explained the difficult delivery in a low tone, wishing Dinah were in the other room. Her voice cracked as she told him how the baby wouldn’t breathe for her. She looked to Clayton and said, “Thankfully, Mr. Young arrived and saved him.”

The doctor turned to look at Clayton. “Is that right?” It wasn’t really a question as much as an expression of admiration.

“It wasn’t really me, sir. God used me to help the child.” Clayton’s neck and cheeks turned red under the doctor’s interested gaze.

“Well, then I’m glad the good Lord sent you when you were needed the most.”

Maggie searched Clayton’s face. So, he believed in giving God credit for what he’d done. It gave her comfort to think that Clayton might be a God-fearing man.

Doctor Anderson turned to face them once more. “Clayton, why don’t you take Miss Dinah downstairs for a little while?” He didn’t give Clayton time to answer before he spoke to her. “Maggie, I’m going to examine you both and make sure that you’re healthy enough to get back to a regular routine.”

Worried blue eyes met hers. Maggie said, “Dinah, you can stay if you want to.”

“No, I want to go with Clayton.” She clung tighter to his hand. “He’ll keep me safe.”

Maggie moved her eyes to search his. Had he heard the fear in Dinah’s voice? What would he think if he knew just how badly her cousin-in-law wanted the ranch?

Clayton nodded. “I can use her company in the horse barn, if that’s all right with you.”

Maggie knew he’d take care of Dinah and for a brief moment allowed herself to dream that he really could keep them all safe. “Thank you.”

Half an hour later, the doctor and Maggie walked out onto the front porch. “Now, don’t forget, Maggie, this first week rest downstairs until bedtime at night. Stairs will delay your healing. And no lifting anything heavier than the baby. If there are any indications of sickness in either of you, call on me right away. Otherwise, I’ll expect you to come into town in about six weeks so that I can check on the babe.”

“I will. I’m glad we are both doing well. Thank you, Doctor, for coming out.”

* * *

Clayton felt Dinah’s small hand slip into his once more. They walked across the yard to the house.

“Is baby James all right?” Dinah asked.