“Good. Then I will trust you to hold off on any orders of materials.” Judith stood.
“Is that all you wished to discuss?” Bert asked, trying not to sound overly eager. “I was hoping perhaps you would allow me to extend an invitation to have dinner with me.”
“I thought I made myself clear.” Her tone was firm, but her expression softened. “I do not have any interest in being courted by you. Please do not ask me again. I wouldn’t want things to become unpleasant between us.” She headed to the pocket doors and turned with a smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my grandfather will want to see me right away.”
Bert wanted to demand she return and agree to his request but knew that was hardly acceptable behavior. And, after all, it was perfectly in keeping with proper etiquette that she should refuse him while dealing with such an overwhelming family situation. He smiled. She cared for him. He knew she did.
Roman finished his examination of the man’s leg and smiled. “It’s healing nicely, Eb. You’ve kept it clean, and that was the best thing you could do for the wound.”
“Never held much store by washin’ up and such. Spent the first forty years of my life living in the wilderness. Not a lot of soap to be had.” The old man chuckled and lowered his trouser leg. “Seems I’ve always got a bar of the stuff in my hands these days.”
“Well, it’s probably saved you from amputation this time. Keep doing what you’re doing, and I believe you’ll be just fine.”
“What do I owe ya, Doc?”
Roman looked at him. “Have you been able to work this week?”
“Yes, sir. Been down at the rail yard loading.”
“Then ten cents will cover the new bandage and ointment.” Roman knew better than to suggest the service was free. Eb was very proud and would never take charity.
The man pulled some coins out of his pocket and found a dime. “Here ya are. Do I need to come back?”
“No, not if you keep it clean and dry. This should continue healing and scab over. If it doesn’t, or if it swells and becomes painful, come back and see me. You’ll be able to tell if it gets worse.”
The man nodded. “I know what proud flesh looks like. I’ll watch it close.” He headed for the door. “Thanks, Doc. Got to get back to work now.”
Eb was his last railroad worker for the day, and Roman was glad to be done. He collected his medical supplies and stuffed them back into his bag. Things had gone well today, despite his thoughts being constantly distracted by Judith Stanford.
He had considered her as he’d fallen asleep the night before. She was also the first thing on his mind when he’d awaken. The fact of the matter was that she was constantly at the forefront of his thoughts. Even his mother had noted that he was awfully deep in contemplation that morning at breakfast.
It wasn’t going to fix itself or go away. That much he knew. Other things in life had bothered him in the same manner, and until he was willing to deal with them, they caused him no end of trouble. Judith wasn’t exactly trouble, but she was something, or rather someone, that he needed to deal with.
He thought of that moment outside his aunt’s bedroom. He had never wanted to kiss anyone as much as he’d wanted to kiss Judith. He found himself wanting to speak to her of love and a future. In all honesty, there had never been any woman in his life that made him feel the way she did. Judith Ashton Stanford had completely captivated his heart.
“See you next week, Doc?” one of the men asked as Roman made his way from the building.
“Of course. I’ll be here then and hopefully not sooner. Try to keep the men out of trouble.”
The man laughed. “We do our best, but sometimes accidents just find their way to us.”
“I understand that.” Roman gave the man a wave and put on his hat in one sweep of his arm.
He glanced skyward. The cloudless canopy reminded him of a crystal-blue lake he’d learned to swim in. Oh, for the carefree days of youth. When he’d been a boy, he might have asked his father what to do about his feelings for Judith.
“Take it to prayer,Roman. Youcan never go wrong by taking a matter to prayer,”he remembered his father telling him more than once.
Since allowing bitter hatred toward James Ashton to grow, Roman’s prayers had been limited. It was hard to pray when he knew the anger he held. Now that he was working to let that go, Roman found he considered prayer and Scripture more often.
“Well, Lord,” he murmured as he walked toward the toll bridge, “You know I’m trying to change my heart.” He glanced around, hoping no one heard him. The rest of his prayer was silent.
Ineed to know what to do. I’ve fallen inlove with my enemy’s granddaughter. I know there isn’t another woman in the world for me. Judith isthe woman I believe You would have me marry.
That realization nearly stopped him in midstep. This was where all of his thoughts had brought him. He wanted to marry Judith Stanford. And he wanted to do it soon. Now he just hoped she wanted the same thing.
Judith found her grandfather asleep when she returned and decided against waking him. He was sleeping more and more these days. A part of her was saddened at the thought of his passing. She couldn’t honestly say that she was all that closeto him, but he was her grandfather. She had always known about him. Known about his anger toward her father and unwillingness to accept her mother. However, she wished she could know him better. Everything about him. Understand his reasons for the choices he had made. Know the heart of a man who could turn his back on his only son and desert him.
She glanced back at the door to his suite. Perhaps if given time, she could find something to love about him. God knew there were probably more than enough people who hated him.
