Alistair threw his hands up into the air. “I am sorry, you’re right. I guess I was a bit harsh.”
“Harsh?” Daniel resisted the urge to throw something. “Don’t ever speak like that of my father and let’s be clear. I amnotyour son, and you work forme!”
Daniel didn’t wait to hear Alistair's response; instead, he stood and walked to the lounge area and poured himself coffee.
“Rose,” he called as she was about to go back downstairs. “Please bring more charcoal and flint. I would like the stove to be lit. It’s beginning to get a bit chilly.”
“Will do, Dr. Grant,” Rose answered with a small nod and went in search of the charcoal and flint.
Daniel thought over Alistair's earlier words about Ruth. They bothered him tremendously. Why would Alistair start thinking about a wife at his age? Did he regret not having a son?
“Daniel, Daniel,” Alistair said, following him to a leather chair within arm’s reach of the coffee. Daniel thought his voice was patronizing. Why was Alistair so unctious today?
“I know you miss Alexander and I do, too. He was a good friend as well as a business partner. I don’t mean to speak badly of him; I always admired him.” Alistair’s smile was weak. “Your mother was very beautiful, and Alexander was lucky to have met her. I never understood why he took so long to marry her. I would have married her the same day I laid eyes on her.”
Daniel sat opposite Alistair and felt the warmth from the small stoves as Rose lit them.
“What is this about, Alistair?” Daniel’s cold stare was lost on Alistair as he sipped on his coffee. “Are you still going on about the nurse advert? Do you intend on comparing them and hiring who you think is the prettiest?”
“I don’t see why that is a problem,” Alistair met Daniel’s gaze and frowned. “I think I see what’s eating at you, though. You want a wife.”
Daniel felt his blood begin to boil. “I already had a wife and have no intention of getting another. I want a nurse who is capable and skilled. It doesn’t matter to me whether she looks like Evelyn Selbie or Mary Haroney. She just must know how to get the job done.”
Alistair looked aghast and almost slammed his mug onto the tray. “You simply cannot compare an engaging, sophisticated actress like Evelyn Selbie with an outlaw like Mary Haroney. Besides, she has a big nose. She wouldn’t be calledBig Nose Kate, for nothing.” He lifted his shoulders back smirked. “I don’t see why we should settle for anything less than the best. A pretty nurse will bring us more patients.”
“Pretty or not, a nurse’s duty is the ward and surgery room, not entertaining patients.” Daniel thought of Ruth again, and hearing Alistair's words made him cringe inside. “Alistair, let us just wait and see who responds to the advert. Have you not already interviewed some of the nurses that came to Cheyenne?”
“I did,” Alistair said and looked at the tray. Seeing his reflection, he began preening, combing his hair with his fingers to straighten his hair. “None of them were pretty enough.”
“What about skills?” Daniel was irritated with the whole tiresome conversation.
“I thought we already spoke about this,” Alistair said in frustration, “I will not have a nurse with a big nose under our employ.”
“Alright, fine!” Daniel said, disgusted by Alistair’s superficiality. “We’ll do the interviews together, then. Now if you will excuse me, I am finished for the day. I am expecting more foals to birth any day now and Jimmy will need help.”
He returned to his desk and collected his hat and surgical bag. As he was about to walk down the staircase, he said, “Alistair, please make sure we have adequate supplies of medicine, including chlorinated, lime, carbolic, and sulfur. I know you don’t think much of the germ theory, but I do, and it works. Please get Rose to check the rest of our stock.”
As Daniel continued down the stairs, he heard Alistair complain and grumble under his breath.
***
Daniel breathed deeply as he left the clinic and headed to the livery. How his father had started a business with Alistair was beyond his understanding. Despite his flaws, Daniel knew that Alistair was extremely knowledgeable in alchemy, and the Memorial Laramie County hospital had approached him many times for his assistance. This, of course, puffed up his already overgrown ego.
Robert had Spark ready and waiting for him at the livery.
“Thank you, Robert,” Daniel said as he mounted his horse.
“Off to Old Gem now?” Robert asked casually which discomfited Daniel and took him by surprise.
“Ah, no,” he answered, feeling uncomfortable as Ruth filled his thoughts. “I’m headed home. We’re expecting foals soon.” Was that the only reason he needed to get home?
“That’s great, Doc,” Robert leaned back with his hands on his hips. “One of these days I need to come by the ranch and buy myself some of your fine horses.”
“Anytime, Robert,” Daniel said with a broad smile. “You’ll find no other ranch in these parts with such fine stock.”
With an appreciative nod in Robert’s direction, he pressed his knees against the horse’s sides and clucked his tongue. Within moments they were headed down Central Avenue.
For this time of the afternoon, the streets were busy, but clear of wagons and carts. Daniel pulled gently on the reins and Spark came to a halt. For a split second, he felt tempted to stop at the Old Gem Saloon, but in the back of his mind he was reminded about something he had heard, long ago from 1 Corinthians 10:13,“… no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able …”A deep sadness filled him and he placed a fisted hand over his chest, feeling a pain that he knew no medication in the world could heal. What would Mary Jane say if she saw him now? He knew she would be sad and disappointed. He found himself thinking of Ruth and couldn’t help but wonder if he disappointed her. Again, for some reason, it mattered to him what Ruth thought.
