Chapter Six
After lunch the following day, Dovie came to Garrett’s room to let him know Dr. Lee was waiting for him in the parlor. Ecstatic, Garrett picked up his journal and pen and hurried down to meet the man he’d traveled halfway across the country to see. Dressed in a worn black suit, Colton Lee was much taller than his sister, but they favored each other in skin tone, leanness, and features.
“I’m Garrett McCray,” he said, extending his hand.
“Colton Lee. My apologies for not being here when you arrived.”
“No need. Seeing to your patients was more important. Shall we sit here, or would you be more comfortable in your office?”
“I’d prefer my office—just in case I’m needed.”
Garrett understood. “Let me get my coat.”
Thanks to rise in temperatures over the past forty-eight hours, the bulk of the blizzard’s snow was just a memory. The sun was shining, the air warm. Garrett was no expert on the Territory’s weather, but it appeared that spring had arrived.
As they entered the office, Garrett looked around, taking in the desk and chair, and a door that he thought maybe led to an examination room.
“Have a seat,” Lee invited. “I hear you were rescued from the storm by my sister.”
“Yes, and she took me in.”
“She said you injured your knee? Do you need me to look at it?”
“No, it’s still a bit sore but that’s all. She encouraged me to stay off it, and I took her advice.”
“She has a way of making you listen to her.”
Garrett nodded. “Yes, she does.” He hadn’t seen her since the incident at the saloon and wondered how she was faring. He doubted she missed his presence but he liked to think she did.
He and the doctor spent the next hour talking about everything from Colton growing up in the Territory, to his training at Howard Medical School under Dr. Alexander T. Augusta, the famous Colored Civil War surgeon.
Looking up from his notes, Garrett asked, “Why not practice medicine back East?”
“It would probably be more lucrative, but there are only a few doctors here and I’m needed. Plus, I’d miss the mountains.”
“They are rather inspiring.” The pull of them and the towering timber seemed to be growing in him with each sunrise.
“And being here brought me Regan after the death of my first wife. Life for my daughter Anna and I would be infinitely poorer without her.”
“Congratulations on your son.”
“Thank you.”
Garrett wanted to ask if he knew about Ketchum’s threats against Spring but thought that wasn’t his place. Lee and the sheriff were reportedly good friends. Lambert would tell him about the confrontation if he hadn’t already.
The office door opened and in walked banker Arnold Cale. Short and round as a turnip, he exuded the air of being the biggest fish in the Paradise pond, even though it was no more than a puddle by back-East standards.
“Afternoon, Arnold,” Lee said. “What can I do for you?”
“The wife’s having a dinner party and wants to invite McCray along with you, Regan, and Spring.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow evening, if possible.” He looked at Garrett. “You available, Mr. McCray?”
“Yes, and thank her for me, please.” It was short notice, but he had nothing else planned. That he might see Spring again also fueled his ready acceptance.
“What about you, Dr. Lee?”