Page 49 of Wyoming Promises
Pay? He picked a vase off a shelf, admiring the fine quality. He wasn’t sure what they owed Ike, but he hated to leave them penniless.
“Please, sir,” the old man rasped, “don’t break it. We’ll make up the difference in two weeks, when you come back for the windows.”
Bridger settled his hat back on his head. Lola might like the vase. He’d been thinking of her a lot this week, wishing he worked in her woodshed instead of doing Ike’s errands. The delicate strength in the design of the glass reminded him of her. “I’m not sure what interest—”
“We’ll pay the interest, too,” the man assured him.
His pulse jumped. Ike’s true nature of business grew crystal clear.
He set the decorative vase on the counter and took a deep breath. He couldn’t tip his hand. “If you have something you need delivered to him, I’m happy to oblige. But I’m not about to take your last penny, and I’d like to buy this vase for a friend of mine, if that’s all right.” His voice bounced against the glass items, making his words louder than intended. Or maybe frustration caused it.
The woman glanced at her husband, then turned her skeptical eye toward him, eyebrow curled in disbelief. “Now you listen, sonny. You want that vase, it’s five dollars. You can add it to this envelope and take it with you, because the sooner we square up with your Mr. Tyler, the sooner we don’t have to look at ye.”
* * *
“It’s good to see you, Grace!” Lola greeted her friend as she stepped out of the general store. “I didn’t know you were coming into town today.”
“Father sent me for some special liniment for his horse. Can I give you a ride home?”
Lola swung her parcel into the wagon and scrambled over the wheel. Ike’s man Toby stood on the walkway, arms crossed, a scowl etched across his face.
Grace chirped to the team and moved into the flow of wagons rumbling through town. “Not the same cheery little store, is it?”
Lola glanced back. “Toby is none too happy about minding the customers and doesn’t care who knows it. As if going in there without Mr. Anthony wasn’t hard enough.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat.
Grace clenched the reins as they passed the hotel. “Everything in this town is hard anymore.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Mr. Anthony’s service was real nice, but it opened the memory of Pete’s funeral like a fresh wound.”
Lola wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “I know,” she said. What else could she say? Quiver Creek had suffered a miserable year, and it didn’t seem the Lord had finished whatever lesson these trials were supposed to teach.
Doc Kendall waved as he crossed the street in front of them. “Good morning, ladies. How are you feeling, Mrs. McKenna?”
Lola leaned forward as the wagon slowed.
“Much better than a few weeks ago, Doctor,” Grace said.
“Glad to hear that. I plan to be in town for the next few weeks, so stop into my office sometime. I like to keep an eye on my future patients,” he said.
Lola smiled. “I’m glad you’ll be home for a while.”
“As am I, Miss Lola. I’m sorry to hear about Cecil. I know how special you were to him.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “I apologize, ladies, but I’m on my way to Mrs. Adamson’s place. She was feeling poorly last time I came through, and I want to see how she’s progressing.”
“You’re a busy man,” Lola said.
“As are you, my dear. I hope to talk more with you soon!” He bowed and tipped his bowler, then hurried off at a fast clip across the road to his horse.
“That man spreads himself thinner than a coin on a railroad track,” Grace said.
“We’re blessed to have him. But a town this size, what we really need is a full-time doctor,” Lola said, watching the man trot down the street. “He can’t be but a few years older than we are, but he’ll work himself to an early grave.”
Grace’s soft gasp drew her attention. “I remember saying the same thing to Pete,” she whispered.
Lola closed her eyes. Why did she forever say the wrong thing? “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“I know. But I did. I was angry when he left, gone looking for some big cat when he should’ve been home mending fences, checking the stock, finishing that cradle...” Grace’s voice grew softer. “Being with me.”
Lola hugged her friend. Hadn’t she thought the same about Bridger? She needed him to finish work for her, but she had to admit, she missed his company more.