Page 19 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas
Eliza climbed gingerly into the creaking wagon, arranging her skirts while avoiding Spencer’s eyes. He flicked the reins, and they jolted forward, the horses’ hooves crunching through the frozen ruts.
Neither spoke as the wagon rolled and pitched its way toward town, the frosty countryside glinting past. She studied Spencer’s stony profile. His jaw was clenched, eyes fixed ahead. The chill between them felt colder than the winter wind.
When they reached Splendor, Spencer pulled up at the hotel. He stepped down and wordlessly helped her to the ground before carrying Eliza’s luggage inside. She followed, her tension easing as her boots echoed on the wooden floorboards.
He deposited her bags with the clerk, touched the brim of his hat, his expression unreadable, and strode out without a glance back. Eliza watched him go, an unexpected pang in her chest. With a shake of her head, she turned to arrange for the telegram to her parents.
After relaxing and eating lunch, she decided to enjoy the warmer afternoon weather. Eliza made her way along the boardwalk toward the mercantile. A young boy rushed up to her, waving a piece of paper.
“Ma’am? Are you Miss Gladstone?”
“I am.”
“This message is for you. It’s from the docs.” He handed her the slip, tipped his cap, and dashed off again.
Her brows furrowed. “The docs?” she muttered. “Wait a moment, young man.”
When he turned around, she held out a coin. “Thank you for the message.”
He flashed a huge smile, took the coin, and rushed back down the boardwalk.
She scanned the message. It was from Doctors Clay McCord and Drake Ralston, inviting her to join them for supper at the Eagle’s Nest restaurant that evening. Intrigued, she continued on to gather her supplies, pondering what they wished to discuss.
Exiting the Splendor Emporium, Eliza spotted the boy who’d brought her the message. “Boy?”
He turned and waved when he recognized her. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Would you be available to deliver a reply to the doctors at the clinic?”
Nodding eagerly, he took the paper she held out, along with another coin, and ran off.
Chuckling, Eliza stood on the boardwalk, watching as he disappeared around a corner. She continued her walk toward the mercantile, stopping when she realized it would require her to cross the foot-deep muddy street.
Deciding to try again tomorrow, she entered the boardinghouse restaurant, craving a slice of Suzanne’s pie. As she sipped coffee and ate the delicious pie, Eliza watched as soft flakes of snow drifted to the ground. She hoped it would ease and not worsen over the next few hours.
Dressed in her best skirt and blouse, Eliza entered the lantern-lit interior of the Eagle’s Nest. She spotted the doctors when they stood to welcome her to their table. Clay and Drake offered smiles as she approached.
“So glad you could join us, Doctor Gladstone,” Clay said, holding out her chair. “I’m Clay McCord, and this is Drake Ralston.”
“It’s a pleasure, gentlemen. Please call me Eliza.”
Over hearty helpings of expertly seasoned buffalo stew and warm buttermilk biscuits, the men explained the origins of the Splendor Clinic, how the town had grown, and their need for another physician.
Answering her questions, she couldn’t miss the pride both men had in the clinic and their work. She also didn’t detect any hesitancy about working with a woman, a refreshing attitudeafter dealing with so many doctors in New York who refused to consider her a trained professional.
“We could certainly use a doctor of your skills and dedication,” Drake concluded. He and Clay watched her expectantly.
Eliza sat back, considering the offer. “I’m honored, gentlemen. As I said, I’m in Splendor because the pass to California is closed. However, I’d like to see the clinic, if I may. Then I shall give you my answer.”
As they continued their conversation, Gabe rushed to their table. “Apologies for the interruption, but there’s been an attack on a wagon train just east of town. I’ve got over a dozen injured, some critical. They’re at the clinic. We need your help.”
McCord and Ralston exchanged grim looks. “We’re on our way,” Clay said. He turned to Eliza. “Eliza, would you care to assist us?”
She was already standing. “Absolutely. Let’s go quickly.”
They rushed out to Gabe’s wagon. As they jolted down the rutted road, he gave them details of how the Crow ambush happened less than a mile from Splendor.
“Gunshots were heard by several people in town. I heard them, too. By the time I grabbed some men and rode out to the wagons, the Crow party had disappeared. Morgan Wheeler rode back into town and got Noah’s wagon. We loaded the injured and took them to the clinic.”
