The Healing Touch of his Love, page 13
“Can I offer you anything before you head home? A drink of something, or a bite to eat perhaps? I appreciate all the trouble you’ve gone to for us. I know this is the second time we’ve woken you up from a good night’s slumber,” Manny noted. There was a softness to his tone Kenton had never witnessed before, and he almost took up the saloon owner’s offer. Kenton desired to get to know the man better now and felt that he had perhaps misjudged him upon first glance.
“Alas, I have to be up early in the morning, so I’d best be getting back to bed. Glad I could be of service here. I’m sorry that the night ended up being so dramatic for you.”
“It’s just part of the territory. If you run a saloon, you know that you just might end up mopping up some blood sooner or later. I’m just glad that Ginny wasn’t here to witness that. Thank you again, Dr. Cook, and I hope that I won’t be calling on you again any time soon!”
“For your sake, I hope so as well. Still, I’ll be by to check on Rory one last time. He’s been making a swift recovery, however, so he should be back on his feet in no time. Goodnight, Mr. Hill,” Kenton said as he tipped his hat to Manny and headed back into the cold toward his horse.
It seemed impossible to him now that Manny could have been the man he’d seen in the general store stocking up on lamp oil. Even more impossible was the notion that he could have been the one responsible for the house fire. Not only would Manny have no motive that Kenton could imagine, he also now seemed a gentle and kind soul.
Kenton was almost ashamed for having thought Manny capable of the crimes he’d imagined. He made a pact to himself that he would try and get to know the man better. If he’d produced someone as charming as Ginny Hill, then Manny was probably worth becoming acquainted with.
Chapter 12
As the sun started creeping higher into the sky, the anxiety in Ginny’s stomach started rising as well. She knew that Dr. Cook would be making his final visit to check in on Rory’s ankle that very morning, and she was determined to be prepared for once. Every other time that she’d seen Kenton, she’d been worse for wear. Ginny knew that she’d been no great beauty in her father’s overcoat and smoke-stained face the night of the fire.
Each time since that the young doctor had come by the house, Ginny hadn’t expected to see him. Now, she finally had the opportunity to put her best foot forward, make sure her hair wasn’t flying in all directions, and maybe even put on a clean apron. The only trouble was that her mother was surely expecting her to help with the animals, and Ginny needed an excuse to get back to the house.
“Ow!” Ginny exclaimed quietly as one of the hens pecked her fingers.
“Be careful, my girl. If they think you aren’t paying enough attention to them, they’ll let you know. Where’s your mind wandering to this morning?” her mother asked. Ginny stumbled to find an explanation; her mind still focused on the handsome doctor.
“I was just thinking about how much there’s still to do on Tara Hunter’s dress,” she answered, thinking quickly. “Would you mind if I headed back to the house and continued my work on the hem?”
“Of course, go do what you need to. I can collect the rest of the eggs easily, and all the goats have already been fed. I don’t want to put a damper on your entrepreneurial endeavors!” Mrs. Hill smiled proudly toward Ginny and shooed her away toward the house.
“Thank you, Mama, I really do appreciate it. I’ll prepare lunch when the time comes!”
Carefully keeping the basket of eggs level, Ginny started jogging lightly back, making sure to get a bucket of water on her way. She felt mildly guilty lying to her mother, especially since Ginny knew she’d be upset if she knew the truth. Not the truth about preparing herself for Dr. Cook’s arrival per se, but instead the truth about what she intended to do with the money she was saving from her sewing projects.
Ginny had already confessed to her mother that she wanted to keep the funds for herself but had neglected to reveal that she wanted to save the money to start a life elsewhere, or at least attend college and travel. It pained Ginny to hear how proud her mother was of her without knowing of her true intentions.
None of that mattered just then, however. Ginny’s primary focus at that precise moment was preparing for Dr. Cook’s arrival and avoiding any teasing or ridicule from her family on the matter. Carefully, Ginny warmed the water she’d retrieved from the pump over the kitchen stove once she’d returned to the house and considered what she might want to do with her hair.
She’d already picked out the dress she wanted to wear in her mind, modeled slightly after the one she’d made for Mrs. Martin. It was very pretty, but also simple enough not to attract too much attention. Ginny didn’t want Dr. Cook to think she’d put in too much effort.
Still, Ashley’s words had resonated with Ginny somewhat. If she did, in fact, care for Dr. Cook and wished for some reciprocation, she needed to make it clear that she fancied him. She wasn’t quite ready to say as much out loud, but she hoped that making an effort with her appearance would be communication enough.
Ginny soaked a cloth in the warm water and washed the dirt and grime from her body. Pressing some lavender leaves against her neck, she breathed in deeply, enjoying the soothing scent. Without rushing, she brushed her hair and pulled it back into a simple bun. There wasn’t enough time to do anything more impressive, and besides, she didn’t want to raise the suspicions of her mother or brother.
Finally, she fastened a crisp, clean white apron over her carefully selected dress and looked at herself in the small mirror. She appeared just how she’d intended: pretty, clean, but simply dressed. Nothing too fancy, but an improvement on how frazzled and gritty she’d looked every other time the doctor had come by. It flummoxed her how he appeared so professional at all times. Even when she’d woken him up in the middle of the night, it seemed as if he’d already shaved and was wearing a tie around his neck.
Just as she was pushing a final lock of hair around her ear, she heard Dr. Cook’s knock on the door.
“Wake up, Rory, the doctor’s back to see you,” Ginny called out, banging on her brother’s door as she rushed by and bounded toward the front entrance. Halfway down the stairs, she slowed herself, not wanting to appear out of breath once she reached her destination.
“Good morning, Kenton,” she cooed just as she opened the door. There he stood, looking just as handsome as ever. He smiled at her kindly, though it seemed there was something distracted about his gaze. Ginny wasn’t sure that he even noticed her put-together appearance. He’d always been sure to compliment her in the past, so it was odd to her that he didn’t on that occasion.
“Good morning to you as well, Miss Hill. Is Rory upstairs?” he asked, pushing his way past her and walking right up the stairs without waiting for her response. Ginny was taken aback by his behavior but tried not to let it fluster her.
“Yes, he’s just where you left him! He has been walking about now and then, however. With your permission, I think he wants to start work again.” Racing up the stairs to catch up with the doctor, Ginny found herself out of breath again. Once she reached Rory’s room, she found Dr. Kenton had already unwrapped Rory’s ankle.
“It’s looking very good to me, very good indeed. If I press against it here, can you feel any pain?” Dr. Cook asked the sullen Rory.
“No.”
“How about if I turn it?” Kenton rolled the boy’s ankle in his hand, studying his face as he did. There were no signs of pain.
“Feels fine,” Rory answered.
“Good! Very glad to hear it. Well, I think you ought to be careful, of course. You don’t want to risk re-injuring the ankle. That being said, I think I can release you from bed rest. You can get back to helping your mother around the house.” The doctor immediately started packing up his belongings, and Ginny started panicking. She wasn’t even sure that he’d looked at her twice.
“Can I get you anything before you leave, Kenton? Some water perhaps, or a glass of lemonade?” she asked, desperate for all her troubles to have been worthwhile.
“I’m afraid I can’t linger today. I slept in a little too long this morning, and I’m running late for all my appointments. I’m sure you heard about the stabbing at the saloon last night. Everyone is fine, thank goodness, but still, it was a late night. Apologies for rushing out like this. I’ll see you both at church this Sunday,” Kenton announced cheerfully enough before disappearing down the stairs toward the door. Ginny moved toward the front-facing window in Rory’s room, catching one last glimpse of the doctor as he sped off down the road on his horse, as if he couldn’t get away from the house fast enough. She hadn’t even had time to ask him about the stabbing! She knew her father and Sam were safely asleep and therefore unharmed, but she was still worried for the rest of the townsfolk. Violence was rare in Park County, but there were still many people drifting in and out of town who were up to no good.
“You got all dressed up for him and everything,” Rory teased from behind her, and Ginny resisted the urge to twist his earlobe.
“I did nothing of the sort. You heard the doctor; you’re all healed up now. I’m going to start work on lunch. You should go help mother with the chickens,” Ginny ordered her younger brother. He grumbled in response, but Ginny didn’t wait around for the protests she was sure would come.
Ginny fumed to herself for the next half hour as she put together some food for the family. Her father was still sleeping upstairs and likely wouldn’t be coming down for lunch at all, given the previous evening’s events. Maybe Kenton was just so tired of coming to her family’s rescue that he’d given up on her. She shook her head to herself, frustrated that she’d let Ashley get her hopes up. The dashing doctor likely had been carrying on similar flirtations with countless women around town. Ginny had no reason to believe that what they’d shared was in any way special or unique.
“Gentle with the plates, my dear!” Mrs. Hill said as she came in the back door with Rory close behind her. “What’s gotten you all bothered now?”
“She got all dressed up for the doctor, and then he left without looking at her twice,” Rory spoke up before Ginny could get a word in edgewise.
“Rory! That’s not true,” she retorted, feeling her anger rising despite herself.
“Yes, it is. I’ve had to lie there in that bed for weeks now listening to the two of you flirt on about nothing. You’re welcome, by the way, for pretending I was asleep all those afternoons. Looks like the doctor’s moved on to someone else now, however.” Rory picked up a piece of cheese and was about to pop it into his mouth when Mrs. Hill slapped his wrist, and he dropped the bite.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“Stop teasing your sister. I’m glad to see that you’re back up on your feet now, Rory. You ought to make the most of it. Why don’t you start by pulling the potatoes out of the vegetable garden? You can eat your lunch later,” Mrs. Hill retorted.
“I think I’d rather …”
“It’s not really a question. You can consider that more of an order.”
With a final, significant look from his mother, Rory grumbled one last time and left toward the back door once more, grabbing a small trowel on his way out.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Ginny said, though she was grateful to her mother. She was still feeling a little too sensitive to handle her brother’s teasing.
“I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. Come, sit and eat. Tell me what’s been bothering you so.”
Ginny collapsed into the nearest chair with a huff and picked up the same piece of cheese that her brother had abandoned.
“Rory’s right about everything. I’ve managed to develop a bit of a shine toward Dr. Cook, just like every other young lady in town. I thought that maybe what we shared was different, but I’m not so sure that it is anymore. You didn’t see him, Mother, but he was in and out so quickly it almost made it seem as if he wanted nothing to do with us. Nothing to do with me,” she clarified.
Mrs. Hill smiled. “My dear, it’s important to have a little bit of patience in these matters. It’s impossible to know the full truth without actually discussing everyone’s side of it. I know that Dr. Cook was up late last night at the saloon. I woke up when your father came home. There was a stabbing. Tensions between some group of outlaws got out of hand. Luckily everyone’s alright now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the late-night pushed some of his appointments today, and he was just in a rush. I’m sure it had nothing to do with you in particular.”
“I completely forgot to ask more about the stabbing! Oh, now I feel awful. I’ve been so self-absorbed thinking selfishly about what Kenton thinks about me without considering how shaken Sam and Papa must be. Is everyone really alright?” Ginny asked, hot shame flushing her cheeks. She felt like the infatuation with Kenton had turned her into a very silly girl indeed.
“Everyone is really just fine. That Dr. Cook of yours came to the rescue and stitched up the victim good as new. You ought to give him a bit of slack. Who put the idea in your head that you needed to dress up for him?”
“No one. I suppose I put the idea in my own head. Ashley told me that I shouldn’t waste any time before making sure he knows how I feel, or else he’ll move on to the next lady in line.” Ginny fiddled with a bit of lace on her sleeve, realizing just how foolish it all sounded as she explained it out loud to her mother.
“That’s a bunch of poppycock. Not to say that you ought to be hiding your feelings. No, no, there’s no reason to be ashamed. Still, if he is a man worthy of you, then there’s no need to put on any kind of performance for him. If he goes running off to someone else, well then, he never deserved you in the first place. That’s what I think. I’m sure that the next time you see him at church, Dr. Cook will be the same consummate gentleman that you remember. If it’s meant to be, then it will all work itself out,” Mrs. Hill said with a curt nod as if she’d just spoken the last word on the matter.
“You’re probably right, as you usually are, Mother. I suppose I’m just feeling a bit confused about a whole lot of things right now. There’s part of me that yearns to marry someone like Dr. Cook and settle down. He’s the perfect man in so many ways. Then there’s another part of me that wants nothing more than to start a life for myself on my own terms, potentially far away from here. I’ve been anxious to tell you that, but I suppose I shouldn’t hold it in any longer,” Ginny confessed.
Her mother nodded solemnly. “Is that what you’ve been saving your sewing money for? Leaving Park County?”
“Yes. I’m not sure if I want to travel or go to college somewhere, or both. Or simply to try out life somewhere new. I don’t want you to feel like I’m abandoning you or the rest of the family, which is why I was nervous to tell you the real reason behind my savings. Everything with Dr. Cook has left me feeling confused now, though. How am I supposed to start a life with a good man like him and leave to pursue my dreams all at the same time?” She realized as she was speaking just how lucky she was to have so many hopes and desires at her fingertips. So many people just did what they needed to survive, yet she had been granted the opportunity to dream.
“I have a feeling that you’ll figure it out all on your own. If I’ve ever met a person who could sort out how to have her cake and eat it too, it must be you, my dear. You have a fabulous imagination. In the end, if he truly loves you, Dr. Cook will support you in all your endeavors, even if they might take you far away from him.”
“What about you, Mother? Would you be terribly disappointed if I left Park County?” Ginny asked nervously.
Mrs. Hill smiled back at her, eyes shining with tears. “Like any good mother, I just want you to be happy. Of course, I would miss you tremendously. If leaving Park County is what would make you happy, then that’s what I want you to do. Wherever you go and whatever you do, make sure that you are staying true to yourself. If you can do that, then nothing and no one can stop you.”
Chapter 13
“Thank you for such a lovely service. Your words fill me with hope and good cheer,” Kenton thanked the pastor and shook his hand. As he did, he couldn’t help letting his eyes wander, looking for wherever Ginny might have been. He knew that she ran the Sunday School, but he was sure that the lessons were done for the day. The last time he’d seen her had been so rushed, and he desperately wanted to make up for any offense he may have caused.
