Chapter 9

Preston finally convinced Candace that he had to leave and check on his mother. The girl was all over him. Even before Millie left the shop, Candace had attached herself to his arm. He had to send his sister a look to get Corinthia's help to pull Candace from him.

Once outside, he left Corinthia's dress shop with a definite joyful step. Not only was he free of Candace, but Millie wasn't married and didn't sound like she was engaged. It was so good to see her again, much like a breath of fresh air. Though she looked nervous, he could see she'd been happy to see him.

How his father would deal with Millie was yet to be known. From what Preston could tell, the feud was still in full effect. However, he hadn't seen his father yet. The man worked hard, long hours, and always had.

Preston walked back to his horse and mounted. He had intended to look for a place to open his doctor's office, but he needed to check on his mother. An old doctor in Boston had taken him in and taught him how to care for patients, telling him to listen to the still, small voice in his gut when someone needed to be looked at. He'd heard that voice about his mother in Corinthia's shop.

"Let's go home, Sable." He patted the horse's neck and tapped his sides to get the animal moving. The urgency increased, pushing him harder, making him spur Sable on. Preston's mind ran through the symptoms and possible diseases. His heart sank after each one. None of them had a good outcome.

The frosty air freshened him. Then, closer to home, he noticed a foul aroma from the tannery by the hard end north of town. The wind was blowing from the northwest. Colder and raw, it chilled him.

He hoped Alfred had warmed up the iron stove in Mother's room. She didn't need to catch a cold on top of her infirmity. He sighed. "Lord, help me find out what is causing her problems. Please, Lord."

Preston reined Sable up the family drive and was concerned when he saw several buggies and a wagon from the mine. Fearing for his mother, he dismounted, threw the reins over the hitching post, and made a run for the house.

Bursting through the door, he stopped at the crowd in the foyer and heard Father's loud bellow in the parlor.

"Get away from me! I'm fine." Father's voice had more than one person shaking.

Preston stepped into the parlor and saw his father sitting with his left leg elevated. "What happened?"

Doctor Cumbers finished wrapping Father's ankle. "Just a sprain. Stay off it for a week, and then you'll be good to go. How is Annabelle Lee?"

Father growled. "Still sickly. You haven't helped her at all. Preston is home now. He can see to her care."

Doctor Cumbers glanced up at Preston. "Glad to see you, Preston. I heard you were going to stay and find an office here in Denver. It's a good thing. There are too many people for me to care for."

Preston gave a slight bow. "Thank you, Doc. I was looking for an office today, but felt I needed to get home to see Mother. And I guess, now, see about Father."

"You don't need to worry about me, boy. I'll be up by the time Doc Cumber gets out the gate." Father roared and then chuckled. There was nothing quiet about the man, and Preston doubted his father could whisper if he wanted to.

Preston walked outside with Doc Cumber. "I noticed on the way here that the air was foul. From the tannery, I think."

"Yes, it is. Not sure what they can do about it. They changed their process about six months ago, and that's when the odor started." The doc sniffed the air. "It is strong today. Your house is right in line for the northwest wind."

"Doctor, do you think that could be affecting my mother?"

Pausing before getting into his buggy, the doc nodded. "Perhaps. Haven't heard of anyone being bothered by it, but it could be something to consider."

"Thanks, Doctor. I better go in and make sure Father isn't terrorizing the others."

Doc laughed. "He's a bear, for sure." He tapped the whip on his horse and left, looking happy to escape the loud man inside the house.

Preston entered the house and heard Mother's weak voice trying to calm his father. Preston went to her and guided her to sit in one of the chairs. "Mother, you need to be resting. Father, how can I help you?"

Father glared at him. "Too bad you weren't here. I could have had you look at my ankle instead of that old horse doctor."

"Doctor Cumber is a good man." Preston resisted the anger rising up his spine. Now he remembered why he needed to move away from this house. "I'm glad it was nothing worse. What happened?"

"I just stepped where I wasn't looking. Twisted, that is all. I don't know why all the fuss."

Preston suppressed a chuckle. He could guess why. How about a roar like a grizzly and yelling at anyone and everything near him? Jeremiah Chadwick was not a quiet man.

Jeremiah cornered Preston with a look. "I need someone to go down to the mine and bring back my paperwork. Ernst is busy with other things. You're chosen to go."

Preston stepped back. "I came home to see about Mother."

"See about her and then go. If it's dark by the time you get there, stay the night and get back tomorrow morning."

Father said it as if it was a finished deal. "Father. I'm a doctor now. I need to take care of Mother."

"She's fine. Aren't you Annabelle?"

Mother coughed but nodded. "I'm fine. Go ahead, Preston." She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Please."

"Let me change clothes. It's going to be cold tonight. I'll need another horse, too."

Father growled at Alfred. "Saddle Frazer for him. That horse can run all night and day if he had, too."

"Yes, sir." Alfred put on his coat and went outside.

Preston shook his head and ran up the stairs to his room. Why did he let Father run things even now? While in Boston, Preston had vowed to keep out of his father's reach. Well, this would be the last time Jeremiah Chadwick told him what to do. He'd get back tomorrow at the latest. There was no way he was going to miss the Hightower Ball and his chance to see Millie again.