The rugged doctors redem.., p.23
The Rugged Doctor's Redemption, page 23
Herman’s brows slammed over narrowed eyes. That night Flora was sick, Herman thought darkly. Eugene came to the door. I remembered seeing a large strawberry birthmark on his neck but thought nothing of it, my fears for Flora were a far greater concern but… it can’t be a coincidence. It just can't be!
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lena sighed as she sat at the kitchen table that afternoon.
The ranch chores had been attended to early with Lena waking up at the crack of dawn, along with her ranch hands, to get them done. Now she had nothing to do until dinner time. Usually by now, Herman would have come over to the ranch to visit Lena.
Herman can’t come over now, Lena thought sadly. Not with these malicious rumors floating about. She sighed and drew small circles onto the tabletop with her finger. I hope these awful rumors go away soon and that this whole thing blows over and everything can return to the way it once was.
Her mind chose that moment to flashback to Herman. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the way his black locks fell over his brow. His strong muscular build. She recalled their kiss and her stomach tingled.
A heavy sigh escaped Lena's lips, a melancholic lament that seemed to reverberate within the confines of her thoughts. "I miss Herman," she thought, her lips curling into a deep, furrowed frown that mirrored the depths of her yearning.
In the solitude of her own mind, Lena envisioned Herman's presence as a balm for her troubled soul. She could almost feel the worries dissipating, their looming shadows chased away by the sheer comfort of his company. With him by her side, she knew that he would effortlessly unravel her fears with his soothing words, like a skilled troubadour playing a sweet melody to soothe a restless heart.
Lena's thoughts inexorably circled back to the haunting memory of her recent visit to the bank, a futile endeavor that had left her with a sinking feeling of despair. She pushed herself up from the dining table, a restless spirit compelled to pace the length of the dimly lit room.
"The ranch... it's in serious trouble," she muttered aloud, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air like a storm cloud. The mere thought of their predicament sent a chill coursing down her spine.
Unshed tears welled in Lena's eyes as she recalled the sting of rejection that had accompanied the responses to the letters she had dispatched. They were more than just discouraging; they were cruel, venomous words that had spread like wildfire, their flames licking at the farthest corners of the town. Her once-thriving business had been reduced to ruins in the eyes of the townsfolk. She was now branded a pariah, a tainted figure in their unforgiving eyes, and her despair was palpable.
Her reputation was in such tatters that even the farm store owner refused to let her ranch hands buy on account, for the simple fact that they were associates of Lena. She felt the tears prick her eyelashes, and this time she did not chase the tears away but allowed them to fall freely down her face.
She closed her eyes and fisted her hands together as she ducked her head and prayed.
“Lord,” Lena prayed. “Please hear my prayer. Please listen to my pleas. Bring help, some form of help, to save my grandmother and me from our predicament.” Lena sniffled. “I feel like I am drowning in the darkness of despair, and I come to you, Lord, to help shine the light on my path and help me find my way again. Please, Father, it is in Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen.” Lena then opened her eyes and wiped away her tears.
No more tears, Lena thought. I will leave it in The Lord’s hands now. I will roll my anxieties upon him and trust that he will take care of the rest.
***
Lena found her spirits had indeed lifted somewhat after her prayer to The Lord was given. Her face was downcast no more. Lena said about tidying up around the house. A knock at the door had her pausing from dusting off the coffee table in the living room.
Her initial thought was Herman had come by for a visit and a smile split her cheeks. Then, she recalled the rumors and remembered her and Herman’s agreed plan to keep away from each other in the meantime. Her smile slipped from her face, as she swallowed thickly.
That is not Herman at the door, Lena thought sadly. Putting down the cloth that she had used to dust, Lena approached the front door. She opened it and who she saw standing on the other side, caused her heart to drop. Malcolm Kane stood, one knee bent as he cocked his waist, a self-assured grin on his lips. He tipped his Stetson at Lena.
“Afternoon, Miss Moore,” Malcolm Kane said.
Lena’s hand fisted the door handle so tightly, her knuckles turned bone-white. Still, she forced a grin onto her face. “What can I help you with Malcolm?”
He let out a dark chuckle. “I think the question you should be asking is how can I,” he said, gesturing to himself, “help you.”
Lena cocked her head raising her brow. “I don’t follow.”
Malcolm Kane looked pointedly at the threshold. Every cell inside Lena’s body screamed not to let him in the house, yet a part of Lena paused. She could not help but admit she was a little intrigued about in what way, Malcolm Kane was offering to help.
Lena slowly moved to the side, allowing Malcolm Kane to walk into the house. He strolled through the house to the living room, his hands behind his back.
Lena frowned. He walks in here like he already owns the property.
He pivoted around to face her. “I am here to make another offer,” he said.
Lena’s features twisted into a scowl.
“I am offering six hundred and not a penny more.”
Lena’s mouth fell open. “That’s less than the last offer you gave us,” Lena snapped.
Whatever happened to the thousand dollars he was trying to bribe us with?
Malcolm Kane’s eyes hardened. He folded his arms across his chest. “One would think that a woman like you in your current predicament would be grateful for such an offer… given your scandal and such.”
Lena gasped in indignation that Malcolm Kane had so bluntly pointed it out. Her mouth opened up, a sharp acrid retort heavy on the tip of her tongue. Then she paused, her mind racing back to the night she prayed to The Lord.
Bring help, some form of help, to save my grandmother and me from our predicament.
Lena set her jaw. What if Malcolm Kane’s offer was coming from the Lord? Lena herself never thought that he would be by to make another offer again—not after the way she had dismissed him from her house and with the scandal. Maybe this was The Lord guiding her path.
Lena licked her lips. “Um…,” she said, rubbing her arm. “I-I…”
“Why don’t I allow you some time to think about my offer?” Malcolm Kane suggested, a smirk teasing his lips.”
Lena could see the gloating in his eyes—the sheer enjoyment he was getting from willing such power over her, but the fight had left her. She and her grandmother needed to survive, and Lena needed income to help care for her grandmother.
So, Lena swallowed the retort, and said, “Thank you, Malcolm Kane, for the offer and the time to think it over.”
Lena could not help but feel like she swallowed nails saying those words to him. Malcolm Kane gave her an easy grin.
"Now that was not so hard, now, was it? If only you’d been more agreeable the first time, I made my offer.” Lena glared at him. Malcolm Kane turned and made his way to the front door.
“Oh, and I will give you until this evening to think it over,” Malcolm Kane called over his shoulder. “I expect to be hearing good news.” With that, he saw himself out.
Lena stared at the door with a bleak expression. She sighed, and grabbed the cloth to continue dusting, though her limbs felt numb, her movements sluggish.
I have only till this evening to decide, Lena thought as she chewed on her bottom lip. What should I do? I love this house, this land, and so does my grandma but love doesn’t pay the bills and will not help us survive. If only I knew the correct path to choose.
Lena lifted her eyes toward the heavens. Is this really your will, Lord?
***
That evening, Flora and Lena sat at the dining room table enjoying a meal of shepherd’s pie. Rather, Flora was enjoying her meal. Lena found that she just jabbed at her food with her fork, her appetite gone away with the wind. Flora looked up from taking a bite of her meal.
“What’s wrong, Lena?” Flora asked, lowering her fork to her plate.
Lena’s lips thinned, her breathing becoming shallow. She avoided looking her grandmother in the eyes choosing to stare at her plate. How do I tell her that I am considering selling the property? And to Malcolm Kane, of all people.
“I, uh, I have some news to share,” Lena said, slowly.
Flora blinked at Lena. “Good news, I hope,” she said, her voice laced with concern.
Lena pursed her lips. “Honestly,” she said with a mirthless chuckle, “I don’t know whether it is good news or bad news. I am at such a loss as to what to do.”
Flora reached forward and took Lena’s hand in hers. “Why don’t you start at the beginning, and will figure out what kind of news it is together?” She said a gentle smile on her face.
Lena felt her lower lip tremble, but quickly bit down on it. She inhaled deeply. “Malcolm Kane came by this afternoon,” Lena began. Flora’s brows lowered over her eyes, and Lena hasten to add, “he made another offer on our property. I…,” She sighed. “I am considering taking him up on his offer.”
Flora gasped and the sound nearly wrenched Lena in two. “But why? Why would we even consider such a thing? And to the likes of him.”
Lena rubbed at her brow. “Grandma, you and I both know that we took a huge blow to our income with the loss of the cattle. We need money.”
“What about the loan at the bank? Did you not go?”
Lena shook her head. “They would not do business with me.”
Flora’s features twisted in confusion. “Why ever not?”
Lena fisted her hands. “Because of the rumors going around, the scandal. I did not tell you that the bank had denied me access because I did not want to trouble you,” Lena admitted. Tears brimmed her eyes. “You were already so upset at hearing about the rumors, I did not want to add to your emotional burden.”
“Oh, Lena,” Flora breathed. She squeezed her granddaughter’s hand. “I can bear the unfortunate news just as much as you can my dear. I am not some child to be coddled and kept in the dark, withholding information from,” she chided softly. “You have to trust that no matter what happens we are in this together. I need to know these things.”
Lena nodded, squeezing her grandmother’s hand back. “Yes, I know that,” she said, smiling at her grandmother softly. “I know I should not keep things from you. And I am sorry, Grandma. Please know that I was just trying to protect you.”
“I know you were, sweet child,” Flora said, gently. “But I am stronger than I appear.”
Lena chuckled. “Yes, Grandma.” Her thoughts returned to Malcolm Kane and the laughter died in her throat. “What do you suppose we do?”
Flora licked her lips, her shoulders tense. “Well, after considering all the cattle we lost, and the fact that no one wants to do business with us anymore…” she heaved a sigh. “We very well might have to sell the property.”
Lena’s heart writhed at the words. She squeezed her eyes shut against the tears threatening to overflow. She could not fall apart in front of her grandmother, she had to be strong for both of them.
Just then, another knock sounded at the door, or rather someone pounded their fist against the door. Lena felt her stomach knot up.
Is Malcolm Kane already here for his answer, Lena thought with dread. But we have not reached a decision!
Flora went to stand, but Lena threw out a hand to still her. “No, Grandma, I have this handled.”
Flora wrung her hands. “Do you know what your answer will be to Malcom Kane?” She asked.
Lena padded away, stopping when she reached the hallway. She glanced over her shoulder at her grandmother and saw the anxiety and hopelessness that was etched across her features. Lena shook her head slowly. “No. But I will have my answer once I lay eyes on him.”
She approached the front door, each footstep that she took, causing dread to rise within her like a tidal wave. Reaching for the door handle, she opened the door with her breath hitched in her lungs.
She gasped.
Herman stood on the other side of the door. His brows were lowered over narrowed blue eyes, and his hands were clenched at his sides. He appeared highly agitated.
“Herman?” Lena cried. “What are you doing here?” She cast an anxious glance around him. “Shouldn’t you keep away from here till the rumors die down.”
“I need to talk to you,” Herman said. “It’s urgent.”
Lena backed aside and Herman strode into the house. “What is it? What could possibly be so urgent, Herman?”
“Come to the table,” Herman called from over her shoulder. “It has to do with Malcolm Kane.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Herman sat at the table, Lena seated next to him and Flora opposite of Herman. He had just told them what he’d learned about Doctor Phillips being run down by a man on horseback.
Both women sat with their mouths gaped open, eyes widened in horror.
“You…you think Eugene tried to kill him?” Lena asked. “For what reason?”
Herman huffed in frustration. “I don’t know yet, but I do know that Doctor Phillips said he distinctly recalls the man having a strawberry birthmark on his neck. He pointed at the exact spot.” Herman demonstrated this by pointing at his neck. “You have seen his birthmark, Lena. Not many people have one that size or that color.”
Lena’s throat grew distended as she swallowed. She nodded her head shakily. “Yes, I have seen his birthmark, it is peculiar,” Lena admitted.
“I have seen it too,” Flora said. “Not that well, due to my eyesight, but it is big enough that I can tell there’s something on his neck.”
Herman nodded. He looked at Lena. “Where did you find those two ranch hands? And did they have any references?”
Lena looked down at her hands. She shook her head. “No, they didn’t. Now that I think about it, they just showed up and were looking for a job, so I hired them on the spot.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I was just so happy to finally have some more relief from the ranch chores,” she shot a sheepish glance at Herman, “not that I didn’t appreciate all your help, Herman.”
Herman chuckled and gave Lena a reassuring grin. “No worries, Lena. I understand.”
His grin ebbed, a frown taking its place. “I find it strange that not one man, but two, happen upon your ranch, and suddenly, to be hired.”
“When you put it like that…” Flora said, her lips pursed in thought. “It does seem rather odd.”
“So, here’s what we have,” Herman said, listing off the events on one hand. “First the doctor gets trampled by a guy on horseback. Then there’s a fire in your sorghum crop.” Herman glanced at Flora, “Then you get very ill. And now there is the case of the moldy alfalfa.” Herman looked over at Lena and saw her brow creased with deep concentration. He could see the gears turning in her head as she put all the pieces together.
“What is it, Lena?” Herman asked. Both he and Flora turned to look at Lena.
She sat in silence for a while. Then her head whipped up, her eyes sparking with realization. “It must be Malcolm Kane,” Lena said, her voice hard with conviction.
“Malcolm Kane?” Flora cried. “How could all these events possibly tie to Malcolm Kane?”
“Don’t you see?” Lena asked. “It makes perfect sense.” She looked at both Flora and Herman. “The ranch hands work for Malcolm Kane, and Malcolm Kane wants to drive Herman and me apart, so he had Eugene go to the next town and attempt to kill the doctor. That way Herman would forever be stuck with a massive patient load until they were able to hire a new doctor.”
“But why would he be interested in you and Herman’s social lives?” Flora said, scratching at her cheek. “What reason could he have?”
Herman found realization slammed into him like a fist. “Because I was helping Lena with her ranch chores. The property was starting to get back on its feet, with the two of us working together.” He frowned. “Malcolm Kane would not want that. He wants your property, wants to see you fall on your faces.”
“Exactly,” Lena said. She faced her grandmother. “The fire at the sorghum crop was probably started by the ranch hands, which would explain why it was allowed to burn for so long without notice.”
Herman’s hand clenched into a fist. Lena was hurt in that fire…. she could’ve been killed, Herman thought, fear sinking into his gut. It was soon replaced by anger so palpable that Herman could taste the bitterness at the back of his throat. Then he felt Lena’s hand slip into his. He glanced up to find her gazing up at him, with a soft smile gracing her lips. As if she could sense what he was thinking.
