"I'm glad you suggested a dog." The earnestness in his voice planted hope in her chest. Maybe he would be open to other suggestions.
She moved around in front of him, lay down the scissors and comb, and perched in the chair beside his so she could take his hands. His expression looked amused as he settled his hands in hers.
She leaned in. "I have another suggestion, and I think it will be as helpful for the family as getting the dog."
His gaze turned wary, but he didn't pull his hands back. "What?"
"I know you're worried about allowing strangers on the ranch, but there are probably many good people around. People you could trade with, people who would be happy to lend a helping hand. Neighbors who might want to buy your stock."
She inhaled a breath. "And...people who might need medical care. Not just emergencies like bear attacks and smallpox outbreaks, but regular things, like a festering tooth or the ague. There probably hasn't been anyone in this area to help, but when they learn there's a doctor nearby, people will start showing up.”
He sat back in his chair, the strong line of his jaw locking in place. This man was every bit as stubborn as he was handsome.
She pressed on. “We could get ahead of that by establishing a regular day and place where they could come for what they need. It doesn't have to be here at the house, or even on the ranch. But that way, we could help the people in this areaandhave some measure of control over who comes and when."
She finally paused to wait for his answer. She'd said everything she could think of that would appeal to him.
He didn't speak for a dozen heartbeats, maybe more. She gave his hands a little squeeze. He didn't return the pressure.
At last, he said, "I like the idea of keeping people from coming on the ranch, but where would this clinic be?"
Hope surged within her. "I don't know. Near the Mullan Road? That might be too far away. Somewhere on the far edge of your property? You know the area best."
He was quiet again, his brow gathering in deep lines. She'd cut more off his hair than she'd planned to, but this shorter style made her heart swoon with every glance at him.
The door opened again, and Lillian strode in. "I think this is all the butter that's going to come."
Dinah kept her gaze on Jericho. Would he give an answer before she had to turn her focus to the girl?
He met her look, his eyes earnest—though troubled. "Give me time to think on it."
She squeezed his hands and smiled. "Thank you." If his niece hadn't been in the room, she would have leaned forward and brushed his lips with hers. Just a little something to sweeten the idea.
But hopefully they would have a chance for that later.
CHAPTER22
Dinah cradled Jericho’s face between her palms, relishing his arms around her. "Go do your work. Don't worry about us." He’d stayed near the cabin for two days since Mr. Chalmers came. Surely his brothers needed him with the animals.
He studied her, his face a handsome storm. "I don't like leaving you all here with a stranger." His eyes darkened and he lowered his voice. "I don't like leavingyouat all."
She grinned and met his kiss. Not a long or deep one, but enough to make her wish hewasn'tgoing out to help his brothers in the valley pasture. When he pulled away to rub her nose with his, her chest ached. "Just come back to me."
A growl rumbled in his throat. "You're making it hard to leave."
She giggled, then slipped her hands down to his chest and pushed. "Go then."
He stepped back and mounted his brown-and-white horse with a smooth motion that showed his lithe muscle. He sent her a final grin as he nudged the gelding forward. "I'll be back."
The longing that knotted within her made her insides ache. Why did love have to bring both pain and joy at the same time?
When he disappeared, she turned back toward the house, the sound of her footsteps muffled by the soft dirt.She needed to spend time with her patients, helping Jonah practice on the walking sticks and changing the bandage on Mr. Chalmers's arm.
Inside the cabin, Lillian was cleaning dishes from the morning meal. Naomi must be in their bed chamber. Sometimes she lay down to rest after the men rode out in the mornings.
Dinah turned to the men resting on the left side of the main room. "Are you two ready for the doctor's rounds?" She focused on Jonah. "You first. Let's see how the walking sticks fit after the adjustments I made."
He'd left the bed for the first time yesterday, but the walking sticks his father once used were too short for Jonah's taller frame. He managed a few steps, but he couldn’t keep his injured leg from dragging the ground. Hopefully, adding extra layers of cloth had raised the T-supports high enough.
