“What was that all about?”
“Nothing, we’re just eager to get Matthew settled, just as we are to get the girls from The Duchess married and in homes of their own.”
“What’s the rush? I thought we agreed we would let them make their own choices. With Jane’s feelings for Doc Brubaker, if they last, that’s one less we have to worry about.”
“I know, but everyone seems to be dragging their heels. I want to be thinking about getting settled in our own home.”
“We will be, soon,” she promised quietly, reaching to pat his hand. “You have to let nature take its course, Morgan. I’m sure everything will turn right in the end. Now here’s our breakfast. Let’s just enjoy it and not fret anymore.”
“Easy for you to say,” he responded beneath his breath.
After breakfast,Callie Mae slipped her arm in his and they strolled down the boardwalk, not crossing until they were in front of Lilly’s shop.
“I can’t believe she had the gall to reopen,” Callie hissed angrily. “What’s worse, women are buying from her. She should be in jail.”
“And she may very well be once the circuit judge comes through.”
“Who do you think put up her bail?”
“I have no idea. Someone sympathetic to her cause, I suppose. Not everyone is happy about having the saloon open.”
“I don’t know why it should bother anyone,” Callie Mae insisted angrily. “It’s not as though we hold a gun to a man’s back and prod him inside.”
“That’s true. Still, there will always be men who spend their money over the bar or in a card game when it would be better spent providing for their families. I imagine there are a few women in this town who don’t take kindly to their men fawning over pretty young things as well.”
“Well, if they didn’t come to The Duchess, they’d go somewhere else.”
“Not here. You’re the only game in town,” he pointed out.
Callie pulled her arm from his and stepped off the boardwalk.
“You seem determined to try to annoy me this morning, Morgan. I’m going to The Duchess and lie down for a while. I do believe you’ve given me a headache,” she stated coolly. Spinning away from him, she seemed to sway for a moment, and before she could take another step, she began to fold up like a paper doll.
Swiftly, he stepped forward and caught her in his arms before she could hit the dirt. After looking both ways, he carried her across the street to Doc’s office. He must have witnessed the incident from the window, for he had the door open for Morgan before he got there.
“Take her up to my office,” he instructed briskly. “Has she been feeling ill?”
“Not that I know of,” Morgan replied. “We went for breakfast at the café, but she only had tea and toast,” he continued as he took the stairs two at a time.
“Anything unusual happen this morning?”
“Not really,” he replied, laying her on the examination table and taking her hand. “She seemed a little agitated with me, but that’s nothing new.”
Doc stepped up and took Callie’s other hand in his, pressing his fingers to her wrist. Then he got his stethoscope and held it to her chest. He rested the back of his hand on her forehead.
“She doesn’t appear feverish. You say she didn’t say she was sick?”
“Only that I gave her a headache,” Morgan admitted worriedly. “We were talking about the saloon and…”
“I understand,” Doc replied with a nod. “The Duchess will forever be a sore spot between you two. I wish she’d sell it outright.”
“So do I, but she’s committed.”
“She may not be quite so committed after my examination,” he offered as he held smelling salts to her nose. “She’s coming around now. Why don’t you go out to the waiting room and let me examine her?” he suggested kindly. “Jane,” he called out.
“What is it?” she asked, appearing in the doorway. “Oh, good heavens, it’s Callie Mae! What happened? Is she going to be all right?” she asked worriedly, rushing to the table.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine, but I’d like you to stay in here while I examine her. Go and sit down, Morgan. I’ll be out shortly.”
