Chapter 4

Preston sighed and went about straightening his room. He'd never thought to come back and live in the big house. He was a man on his own and should have a place of his own, but Mother's illness had changed his mind. At least for now, he'd stay home in the enormous mansion Father had built.

Mother needed him. What Father would say, Preston had no idea. He hadn't been too excited about Preston's choice of career. Perhaps he would change his mind since Mother needed help.

Preston took out his medical books and placed them on his bookshelf. He needed to figure out what was wrong with his mother. But first, he needed to unpack everything. Once he found a place for his practice, he'd look into moving out.

He'd just pulled the last of his shirts and put them in the drawer when a rapid series of knocks warned Frank was on the other side of the door. Preston braced himself. He'd not seen his little brother in four years.

The door flew open, and Frank walked in. His bright eyes were just as Preston remembered. Blue as the sky and full of life. "Hey, Big Brother. Am I glad you're home." He rushed and grabbed Preston into a bear hug.

Preston returned the hug. "Good to see you, Frank. You've grown up."

"I have. I'm sure Father still thinks of me as the bad boy of the family, but I've got plans of my own." Frank looked around and flicked his finger at the medical book. "A doctor, I hear. Proud of you, Preston."

"Thanks, Frank." It was news to him that Frank had plans of his own. "So, what is it you've been doing?"

Frank grinned and stared at him. "There's time for that later." His smile waned. "What about Mother? Can you heal her?"

"I don't know. I wasn't even aware she was sick. How long has she been like this?"

Frank shook his head. "Father doesn't like to talk about it. He growls around, telling everyone she'll be all right in time. But she's been sick for at least six months. She barely eats. Doesn't do much. Remember how she always liked to work in the garden? I guess you saw it when you came up the drive. She hasn't touched her garden in months. She's always tired. I'm worried, Pres."

Preston could see tears in his younger brother's eyes. Frank wasn't known for caring about others, and it scared Preston to see the worry in his young brother. He pulled Frank into a hug. "I'm here now. I'll see if I can help her."

"Thanks, Preston. You came home at the right time."

Not wanting to spoil their common interest, Preston had to ask. "What are you doing, Frank?"

With a sigh, Frank shook his head. "You're not going to believe this, but I'm working for the Pinkerton Agency. I'm a detective, and I'm good at it."

"Well, that is a surprise. We all figured you'd be in the legal profession. We just thought it would be as an outlaw." Preston laughed.

Frank chuckled. "I deserve that. Father isn't happy about it. Mother is petrified that I'll get shot. Little did she know I was headed on the road to jail, but I had a change of heart. Now, I'm a detective and taking others to jail."

"You are a man of surprises, Frank. Is there any special woman I should know about?"

"No, I decided I'd give the Pinkertons my full attention for now. I am not sure I want to settle down when working in a job where I could get hurt or killed. When I find a wife, I'll find another job."

"Frank, older and wiser. I'm impressed."

He grinned. "Of course, now that there is a doctor in the family, I know someone who can fix me up if I run into any bullets."

"You bet. Family discount." Preston was relieved to see that Frank had landed on the right side of the law. He nodded down the hall. "You still live here?"

"For now. I didn't want to leave while Mother felt so poorly. Lila and Corinthia come over and keep her company. Father is busy with the mine, as usual. Ernst and Gianna have a house over on Pine Hill."

Preston nodded. "Father doesn't like to face hard times. I'm sure he stays busy, so he doesn't have to worry about Mother."

"Well, she needs him." Frank scowled. "We get into it at least once a week, and I don't see him more than that. So, I'm glad you're here. Maybe it will take the edge off when Father comes home."

"Does Ernst visit? Mother said they're expecting a baby."

"I think he gets enough of Father at work and can't take much more of him. Even Lila's husband steers clear of the old man. He's a bear, Preston. I know you think he always has been, but he's ten times worse since Mother's sickness. I'm sure if he ran into a grizzly, it would shriek and run the other way."

Preston patted Frank on the back. "I'm glad I'm home then. I hope I can help Mother and Father." He knew Mother would be the easier of the two. Father was loud and stubborn. "Alfred said we had a cook now, and dinner was about ready."

"Yes, you'll like Chen's dinners. He and his wife, Mei Lee, cook the best food. They're from China. Father found him in the mines and offered him more money to cook for us."

"What about the feud? Did Father ever give any idea what it's about?"

Frank blushed and looked down. "No. No one knows what the feud is about. The Burnetts are still off limits to see or talk about."

Preston shook his head. "I just can't imagine Raul doing anything to anger Father so much. Then again, he's just as mad at our father and us."

Frank had his back to him. "Odd how people so close can be driven apart over something so stupid."

Preston stared at his younger brother. "Whatever it is, it must have been something important. At least to our father and Mr. Burnett."

Frank grinned and clapped Preston on the shoulder. "We better get down there for supper. We don't want to make Father any angrier than he already is."

After they left Preston's room, Preston could smell an aroma that had his stomach growling. Soon, they were at the dining table. Mother sat at one end of the long table and Father at the other. Frank and Preston sat on the same side together.

Father lifted a bushy eyebrow. "Preston, my boy. I didn't know you were home." He glanced at Mother. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Annabelle Lee sighed. "Oh, Jer, I was too tired to mention it. Sorry."

Jeremiah looked at her with worry on his brow. "Good thing you came home, Preston. Mother needs you."

Preston nodded. "No one told me she was sick. I found out when I came home." Of course, he'd hardly heard from his family at all. They were not known for writing letters. Not that he wrote many himself.

Annabelle Lee shook her head. "Please, let's not get into a fight over me. I'll be fine."

Preston sighed. She was pale. As she dished out the meal, he could see her hand shaking. He also saw the meager portion she put on her plate.

Father shook his head and then turned to Preston. "Are you here for good?"

"Yes, I intend to start my practice here in Denver. Tomorrow, I'll go out and look for a building to use as an office."

"Good. We need a good doctor here in Denver." Jeremiah's eyes glanced at his wife. "Some need you more than others."

Preston got the message. His mother needed him, but his father didn't. Putting aside the trouble in the family, Preston enjoyed the food and complimented Chen and Mei Lee. Still, seeing his mother in such poor health tore at his heart. Tonight, he would have to go through his books and see if he could find out what her problem might be.

He needed to find out if she'd been getting any treatment in Denver. Doc Cumber was a fair doctor.

Father ate a healthy portion and then pushed his chair from the table. "Well, Preston. How are you doing? Did you bring home a wife?"

"No, sir. I couldn't get along with the girls in the east. I wanted to come home." He smiled, hoping Father would stay in a good mood. So far, he hadn't yelled at him for choosing to be a doctor.

Jeremiah patted his stomach. "Good food. Eat up, Annabelle. You need your strength."

Mother forced another bite from the nearly full plate and then set her fork down. "That's all I can eat." She stood and weakly smiled. "I'm going to lie down."

Preston watched her walk up the stairs.

Father came around the table to stand behind him. "I'm worried about her. I sure hope you learned something that can help her."

"Did she go to Dr. Cumber?"

"Yes. He doesn't know how to help her." Father put a hand on Preston's shoulder. "I'm counting on you to heal your mother."

"Yes, sir." Preston felt a burden settle on his shoulders. His heart had already been heavy, but now he knew his father would demand more of him. Preston would do what he could, but there was only so much a doctor could do. That had been one of the hardest lessons he'd learned in medical school.