Chapter 2

Preston's mind stayed on the news about his mother while Alfred kept quiet. The man had a sixth sense when it came to other people's feelings. The news had shaken Preston's joy at being home. Why hadn't they told him?

All the way from Boston, Preston had thought about Millie Burnett and wondered if she was still unmarried and not engaged. He hadn't heard of her getting married. Mother would have told him, but now, he wondered if she would have thought about it. What was wrong with her? Father was a bear to deal with on a good day. Preston couldn't imagine what he'd be like if Mother was seriously ill.

Although Preston was eager to get his practice underway, having Mother as his first patient was not what he'd expected. She'd always been the healthiest one in their household. While he or one of his four siblings might get sick, Mother never did. She was the rock her family clung to in hard times.

Annabelle Lee Chadwick was the stock that pioneers came from. Nothing got her down. Not blizzard or drought. Heat or floods. Claim jumpers, Indians, and outlaws all felt the sting of her rifle. Then there was Father. Jeremiah Chadwick. He was carved out of the mountains he loved so much. Unfortunately, his love was never openly extended to his family.

Mother bore the brunt of his granite-like personality, softening him before he dealt with his three sons and two daughters. Father was hardest on Ernst, the first-born son. Preston was the second-born. Next came Lila and Corinthia. Last, and in this case least, came Frank.

Ernst worked with Father in their mining venture. They didn't dig in the mines anymore but owned and managed them. The mines were one reason Preston became interested in medicine. After several cave-ins and accidents, he saw the need to take care of the miners. Lila was married to a man who worked in Father's office. Corinthia was not married yet but worked in her dress shop in Denver.

Frank was the baby and the black sheep of the family. Preston would be surprised to see if Frank was any different after four years. None of the letters mentioned that his younger brother had a change of heart or a steady job.

Finally, Alfred pulled up to the big house on the hill. The rose bushes were a little larger. The flower garden wasn't as well-kept as when he'd left. There was a patch that looked almost dead. Then again, the roses were Mother's domain. Their poor condition was evidence his mother wasn't well.

The carriage pulled up around the drive to the front door. Alfred jumped down and opened the carriage door for him. Preston thanked him and ran to the front door and inside the house. "I'm home!"

Preston had thought someone would be there to welcome him. Still, it was only two in the afternoon. Father and his brother would be at work. Who knows where Frank would be? Then he heard her come shuffling down the stairs.

He whirled and, with arms wide, rushed to grab his mother in a hug. "I missed you."

"Preston, I'm so glad you're home. We missed you so." Mother kissed his cheek.

He stared into her green eyes and noticed the spark had dimmed. Her cheeks were gaunt, and her face pale. "Mother, I got a report that you're not feeling well."

"Oh, Preston. Really. That is not how I want to start your visit." She chuckled and waved him off while going to sit in the comfy chair in the parlor. This was not the mother he was used to.

A bit perplexed, he followed her. "Visit? I'm home for good. I couldn't get to Denver quick enough. I'm going to set up my practice here in the city." He gave her his expert doctor smile. "You will be my first patient."

She smiled wanly. "I am glad to hear that. I was afraid some girl had captured your heart, and you were going to stay in the East. Although, I would like you to find a girl to marry."

"Now, Mother. Isn't it enough you have Ernst and Lila married. I would think you would have some grandchildren by now."

"You would think so." She grinned. "In fact, Lila and Ernst's wife, Gianna, are with child. You haven't met Gianna yet. You'll like her. If I can just hang on long enough, I'll be a grandmother."

"Whoa, what's with this hang-on language? I'll have you know I was the best in my class. Your son, the wonder doctor, is home and will fix you right up."

Mother stared into his eyes. "The Lord has our days numbered in his hand. I'm not worried and don't want you to be worried either."

"You will let me help you, won't you?" Preston took her hand in his and held it close to his heart. "I didn't come home to lose my mother."

Annabelle Lee smiled. "No, you didn't. It is in God's hands, Preston. I trust Him."

"I do, too. Still, I can see what I can do to help you feel good and get that spark back in your eyes." Preston believed in the Lord but didn't have the faith his mother did. He hoped to get some free time to search the land and mountains he loved so much and sit and talk with God.

He'd missed that while in Boston. Not that he couldn't have gone out to the beach or woods, but he never had the time. He was always knee-deep in papers and studying.

With a sly grin, he glanced at his mother. "Millie Burnett. Have you heard anything about her?"

Mother matched his grin. "You mean, is she married or seeing someone? I haven't heard a thing. Her father went to Germany and brought back a champion dog and a trainer. Her father was trying to get her interested in the man. Millie is a woman comfortable in her own skin even though she shies away from high society. If you have set your sights on her, you have got your work cut out for you. I told you that before you left for Boston."

Preston sighed. "Yes, so you have told me before. I just can't get her out of my mind." He'd thought of her all day. If his mother hadn't been sick, he would probably be on her porch asking to talk to her right now.

He sighed and kept his gaze on his mother. Right now, he'd have to concentrate on helping his mother. Then there was his father he was going to have to deal with. Jeremiah Chadwick was a force in his own right.