“What about loose teeth?” Ruth pressed on, “I was not aware it was a symptom of leukemia.”
“Yes, it is, and he did. My dear friend suffered much.” Alistair’s answer did not display his usual confidence and from Ruth’s knowledge of the disease she knew that Alistair had lied. “Mind you, I did all I could. No one in Wyoming is as knowledgeable as I am in certain matters.”
“By this you mean alchemy and medicine?” Ruth responded with false admiration.
“Yes,” Alistair’s thick brows furrowed. “You are full of questions today. I have to wonder why you want to know about Alexander.”
“I find your expertise impressive, and I would like to know more,” Ruth’s eyes were wide with innocence; she tilted her head and smiled. “Especially your wise advice about Daniel’s high probability of developing the same disease. You know so much and I love to learn. My father encouraged me to seek knowledge, especially from those with years of experience. You are certainly the epitome of experience.”
Alistair was quiet for a moment and Ruth wondered if she’d pressed too much as he stared at her curiously.
Ruth remembered the half-empty bottle of mercury that she had found and hidden at the ranch, and everything she’d read from the book of medicine that belonged to Alistair.
“So, you want to know more about me, do you?” Alistair said in delight and his expression was animated. Ruth realized she needed to convince him. She felt a nudge in her heart and knew there was more than what he had told her and she needed to gain his trust.
“Who wouldn’t want to know about your accomplishments?” Ruth praised him and he graced her with a proud smile, as she continued, “I may have been misinformed about you initially, and as you have already mentioned, Alistair, we may have gotten off on the wrong foot.”
“How right you are!” his head bobbed in agreement, and he puffed himself up. “You are as I imagined—intelligent as well as beautiful.”
Ruth smiled sweetly and pretended shyness. “You are too kind, Alistair.”
“Have dinner with me tonight and I’ll tell you everything there is to know about me.” His smile was self-satisfied and his eyes gleamed as he relaxed.
Ruth breathed a sigh of relief that she’d managed to convince him of her fabricated interest, but the idea of having dinner with him disturbed her.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” Ruth replied, “I doubt Daniel will approve because I do need to go back to the ranch soon and mind Matthew.”
“Ha!” Alistair bellowed in disgust. “Of course, he will. I shall have a word with him, and—”
“Forgive me for interrupting you,” Ruth fluttered her eyes at him. “Allow me time to convince Daniel first, and if you can guarantee your housekeeper will remain after the meal is prepared, I will agree to have dinner with you.”
“Alright, my dear,” Alistair said with his usual pompous demeanor. “You seem to know what you are doing, so I’ll graciously acquiesce.”
“Will your housekeeper be able to stay?” Ruth asked sweetly. “After all, I do not want my reputation tarnished, a woman meeting a man at his home, you know, with no one else present.”
“You are quite right,” Alistair agreed and offered his arm to her, which she took as he began to lead her back to the clinic. “I admit enthusiasm dulled my thought. I have a reputation to uphold, too. I am sure you understand that I do not intend to tarnish anyone, nor be tarnished in return.”
“I could not agree more,” Ruth smiled and noticed his smug countenance, like a hunter having caught its prey.
“While you arrange matters with Daniel, my dear, I shall purchase appropriate attire for you.” He eyed her from head to toe. “For dinner, of course, you cannot wear a nurse’s uniform,” he chuckled. “I mean no disrespect to you, my dear. You always look ravishing; however, you must wear proper dinner attire.”
Ruth became worried about Daniel, and wondered if her suspicions were correct, then he could be in danger. Her conversation with Alistair worried her. He was the only person that who had the knowledge and skill to make medicine, and her discovery of one of his books and the half-empty bottle of mercury hidden amongst the books was not a coincidence. The dangerous symptoms of too much ingested mercury mentioned in the old book were too similar to the symptoms Dr. Alexander Grant had displayed.
Did he suffer from leukemia or was it something else? Could Alistair have poisoned Alexander Grant? If so, was it possible that he planned to do the same to Daniel?
Aside from being a pompous egotist, was Alistair also a cold-blooded murderer?
She knew that God had led her to find the half-empty mercury bottle and the old medical book. Ruth silently prayed,Lord thank you for your guidance and providing me with courage and strength.She felt at peace and knew that the Lord would help her to make further discoveries over dinner. Ruth was reminded in Deuteronomy 20:4 that, “For the Lord your God goeth with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Daniel was unsure how long he sat at Richard’s bedside. He sighed heavily and hoped that Ruth was alright. She had looked distraught, and he knew she needed time on her own. He had told Mary and Tom about Richard’s passing and as expected, they were shattered. It broke his heart to see them in such anguish.
He was relieved that no one else was infected, and he had received word from the Memorial Hospital that they had not received any diphtheria cases. Rose kindly offered to send her son, Henry, to notify the Cheyenne mortician, Edgar Brady, about the death of Richard and to collect the body.
Daniel remembered holding Ruth and how good it felt to have her close. He hadn’t wanted to let her go. He was aware that he could have kept her in his arms forever. As much as he felt pain from the loss of his friend, he knew he needed to tell Ruth how he felt about her. He did not want to waste another day without her knowing, and hoped she felt the same about him. He felt a connection with her and somehow knew that she did, too.
Daniel thought she could not have gone too far and decided to look for her. He left the ward and headed toward the clinic’s back door. He decided to look in the livery first. He knew that would be the first place she might have gone. As he rounded the building toward the street he stopped in his tracks and time stood still as he saw Ruth with Alistair a few blocks down the street, her arm looped through his. At first, he could not breathe, and he looked at them in a daze, feeling blindsided. He shook his head.No, no.This was not right, he thought,this could not be happening.Alistair?Why Alistair?A man who was more than twice her age—it was not possible. Could she possibly love …Alistair?
