The Cowboy's Ready-Made Family (21 page)

Kate wouldn't leave her comfortable life in the famed city. Not that he could blame her, since she had a young daughter. But his sister, with her many society connections, might know about a matronly woman with nursing experience. An elderly widow would do nicely. He wanted nothing to do with having a young unmarried woman living in his house.

The doctor's forehead furrowed. “I understand your hesitation, but when you left my office last week I was certain you'd given me consent to seek someone for you.”

“I did, but that's only because I was taken by surprise when you told me how rapidly the disease is progressing. When
Mutti
brightened at your offer to locate a young lady to help her, I couldn't say no. But I've realized how hasty I was and have come up with a more prudent plan.”

James gave a single nod, firm and forceful. He'd put a stop to things, and now he could proceed with his plan to locate a nurse himself.

Dr. Wright stood, leaned against a tall bookcase filled with medical books and raked a hand through his hair. “It seems we have a problem.”

His serious tone didn't bode well. “What do you mean?”

“As a physician, I'm used to taking immediate action. Before you'd even reached Diamond Springs that day, I'd stopped in at the Wells Fargo office. I sent a telegram to the minister of my church back in Chicago, asking if he knew of a young woman willing to come West and received a reply within the hour. A positive one. I've been looking forward to surprising you with the good news. I knew you could use some.”

Apprehension swirled in James's gut. He would do anything for
Mutti
, but he couldn't allow a young lady to live in his home. No good could come of such an arrangement. Not that she'd even agree to stay if she did come. She'd probably take one look at him and change her mind. He wouldn't blame her if she did.

After the accident, he'd come to his senses. He'd planned to ask for Sophie Wannamaker's hand, but he'd realized that a lowly man like him didn't deserve a woman of society like her.

He could still hear the shouts of those asking who'd tumbled down the snow-covered bank following the explosion—along with the clipped response.
That Irishman, O'Brien.

No one had mentioned the fact that he was an engineer. He was just seen as another immigrant, even though he'd been born in the States and spoke with no hint of the musical lilt his dearly departed father had.

While James might have been able to overcome the handicap of his heritage, he could do nothing to conceal the ugly scar that frightened small children and caused adults to avert their gazes. It would come as no surprise if this woman were similarly affected. Not that he would have to worry about that, since she wouldn't be coming anyhow.

He stood. “You're not saying he has someone in mind already, are you? Because if that's the case, you'll have to tell him the need no longer exists.”

“I would relay your message if I could, but Reverend Hastings and his wife put the young woman on the train the next day.” Dr. Wright flipped open his pocket watch and nodded. “Barring any delays en route, she should be in my waiting area with your mother.”

Shock surged through James. “She's
here
?”

Copyright © 2016 by Keli Gwyn

ISBN-13: 9781488007767

The Cowboy's Ready-Made Family

Copyright © 2016 by Linda Ford

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