Beloved Physician (26 page)

Dr. Dane’s brow furrowed as he looked at Nelda, then glanced at the clock on the wall. “You’re looking pretty tired, Nelda. It’s almost four-thirty. I’ll show you one Scripture, which deals with the Holy Spirit being God; then we’ll get out of here and let you rest.”

While Dr. Dane was flipping to the book of Romans, Eric set loving eyes on Nelda and said, “You really do look tired, dear.”

Dr. Dane found his passage. “Listen to Romans 8:9. Paul is writing to born-again people, who used to have a carnal, fleshly mind before they were saved. ‘But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.’ Did you catch that? The Holy Spirit, here, is not only called the Spirit of God, but He is also called the Spirit of Christ. We have here, the three in one. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God. There is plenty more on this subject in God’s Word, but that’s all for today.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” said Eric. “Now we know what Jesus meant when he said, ‘I and my Father are one.’ ”

Nelda’s eyes were droopy. “It’s just beautiful,” she said. “What a wonderful God we have!”

Dr. Dane suggested they have prayer, and as the four of them joined hands, he prayed about the surgery that would be performed on Wednesday and asked the Lord that all would go well.

When he had finished, Dr. Dane looked down at Nelda. “You get some sleep now. Soon it will be time for them to bring your supper. We need to get to the Brockman place so we can let Breanna know we’re here and can get settled in our rooms. We’ll be back to see you this evening.”

Eric kissed his wife’s cheek, Tharyn squeezed Nelda’s hand, and the three of them left the room.

As the trio was heading for the stairs, Dr. Dane and Tharyn saw Dr. Tim Braden coming toward them. He greeted them; then Dr. Dane introduced him to Eric, explaining that he was the husband of Nelda Cox, who would be having a hip replacement on Wednesday.

When the two men had shaken hands, Dr. Tim said to all three, “Dr. Carroll had advised me that the Logans would be bringing one of Dr. Dane’s patients in for a hip replacement.”

Tharyn quickly told Dr. Tim that the Coxes had received the Lord Jesus as their Saviour just this past Tuesday, and Dr. Tim rejoiced to hear it.

Dr. Dane said to Eric, “Dr. Tim is doing his internship here at the hospital, and will finish up next May. He’s engaged to marry Tharyn’s best friend, Melinda Kenyon, who lives here in Denver.”

Eric smiled. “Well, congratulations. When’s the wedding?”

“Next May, right after I finish my internship.”

Eric patted his shoulder. “I know you will both be very happy.”

“It wasn’t so long ago, Mr. Cox,” said Tharyn, “that Melinda
and Dr. Tim met at church and fell in love. Dr. Tim’s plan is to have his own practice or become a partner in a practice somewhere here in the West.”

“Well, he looks like an energetic young man to me. I’m sure he will do well in the medical profession.”

Tim looked at Tharyn. “Melinda talks about you every day, saying how much she loves you.”

Dane grinned. “Well, I can testify that Tharyn does the same thing about Melinda.”

“I’m not surprised. And I should tell you that the Brockmans have invited Melinda and me to dinner tonight so we can have some time with you two.”

“Hey, that’ll be great!” said Dr. Dane. “We’ll look forward to it.”

Tharyn’s features lit up. “We sure will!”

Dr. Tim glanced down the hall. “Well, I’ve got a patient to look in on, so I’d better get going.”

Moments later, while Dr. Dane was driving the carriage out of town toward the Brockman place to the west, Tharyn told Eric that she and Melinda Scott had become good friends when they both lived as orphans in an alley in Manhattan, New York. She went on to explain that they were on the same orphan train together, and that Melinda was chosen by George and Hattie Kenyon at Topeka, Kansas. She and Melinda kept contact by mail for many years. Then to her pleasant surprise, George Kenyon was sent to Denver by the Denning Hardware Company to manage their Denver store.

“It was so good to be reunited with Melinda, Mr. Cox. We are still very close friends. In fact, we are best friends. The Kenyons live out here in the country, near the Brockmans.”

Soon the carriage pulled into the yard of the Brockman place, and Tharyn pointed toward the house. “Oh, look, Dane! Melinda is here already! I see Abe!”

Dane focused on the bay gelding with the white blaze on his
face and the white stockings on all four legs. “Sure enough!”

Eric frowned. “Who’s Abe?”

“That bay horse that’s tied at one of the hitching posts in front of the house. Melinda named him Abe in honor of her favorite United States president of all time, Abraham Lincoln.”

“Oh. Well, that’s nice.”

“Aren’t those flower gardens beautiful? Breanna sure knows how to grow flowers!”

“She does. But you’re just as good at it. You just don’t have as much area around your house in which to plant flowers.”

She smiled. “Aren’t you sweet?”

Just as Dr. Dane pulled the carriage to a halt in front of the house, two blondes came out the front door, smiling at them. Melinda said something to Breanna and dashed off the porch as Dane was helping Tharyn out of the carriage. The best friends were quickly in each other’s arms.

Dr. Dane introduced Breanna and Melinda to Eric Cox. Eric was welcomed warmly; then Dr. Dane told them about Eric and Nelda being saved last Tuesday. Breanna and Melinda were overjoyed.

Breanna asked about Nelda, and Dr. Dane told her that she was in a private room at the hospital and resting well.

Eric said, “Miss Melinda, Mrs. Logan told me this is your horse over here.”

A proud look came over Melinda’s face. “Yes, sir.”

“Mrs. Logan also told me that his name is Abe.”

“That’s right, Mr. Cox. Would you like to pet him?”

“I sure would.”

The others followed as Melinda led Eric to her horse. While Eric was stroking Abe’s white-blazed face, he asked, “How long have you been riding horses, Miss Melinda?”

“Just about ten years. When I was first adopted off the orphan train, we lived on a small farm just outside of Topeka. I was given
a horse shortly after that, and I’ve been an avid horsewoman ever since. Daddy bought Abe for me shortly after we moved here. We live just about a mile southwest from here.”

“I see. So you ride him a lot, do you?”

“Oh yes, sir. Almost every day I take Abe out for a good fast ride all the way over to the South Platte River, which is two miles west of our place. There is plenty of open, level ground between our place and the river, and Abe and I enjoy being together. In fact, we just got back from a good ride, and I decided to come on over to the Brockmans’ place so I could be here to see Tharyn and Dr. Dane when they arrived.”

Breanna said, “Well, now that Mr. Cox has met Abe, I’d better take my guests inside so they can get settled in their rooms.”

Eric was led to his room and began unpacking his suitcase.

Tharyn and Dane’s room was the same one they had stayed in on several occasions before, but the beauty of it always struck Tharyn anew each time. The wide windows were open to a breathtaking view of the snowcapped Rockies. The room was decorated in lovely cool green colors and was a refreshing sight on such a warm day.

A bouquet of fresh-cut flowers sat on a small table and sent off a wonderful fragrance. Tharyn was amazed at how well-kept the Brockman house always appeared. She appreciated the loving effort that Breanna put into it.

After the guests had unpacked their suitcases and were settled into their rooms, Breanna took them into the parlor. Melinda and Tharyn sat down side by side.

Moments later, the Brockman children—nine-year-old Paul and seven-year-old Ginny—arrived home from school. They were glad to see Tharyn and Dr. Dane and to meet Eric Cox.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Tim Braden arrived, eager to spend some time with Dr. Dane and Tharyn.

After a little while, Breanna took Tharyn, Melinda, and Ginny
to the kitchen so they could help her finish preparing supper. They were busy at their task when the tall, broad-shouldered chief U.S. marshal came through the back door. Melinda had just stepped into the hallway and called to the men in the parlor, telling them supper was ready in the dining room.

Ginny rushed into her fathers arms, and after he had kissed her cheek and that of Breanna, he welcomed Tharyn, saying it was good to see her again. Breanna then led everyone in the kitchen to the dining room.

At that moment, Dr. Dane, Dr. Tim, Eric, and Paul entered the dining room from the hallway. Paul dashed to his father and hugged him.

John then shook hands with Dr. Dane, welcoming him, and did the same when he was introduced to Eric Cox.

John was pleased to learn that the Coxes had received Christ as Saviour six days ago. He then said, “Now, Mr. Cox, let me tell you something I know to be a fact.”

Eric looked up at the towering figure. “Yes, sir?”

“The Lord has provided your wife the best surgeon this side of the Mississippi River to do her hip replacement. He’s good at what he does. She’s in the best of hands.”

Dr. Dane laughed softly. “I appreciate your kind words, John, but let me add that even more important, Nelda is in God’s hands.”

The chief nodded. “Can’t argue with that.”

Breanna said, “All right, folks, let’s sit down here at the table. Supper is ready. I’ll show you where to sit.”

Breanna’s lovely features beamed as she seated the group around the large table. They all looked the food over and made comments on how tasty it looked. She had made a huge chicken pot pie, filled with succulent carrots and peas that she had grown in her garden. She had placed it in the middle of the table, which was covered with a snowy white, embroidered cloth.

Small bouquets of flowers had been placed at both ends of the table, sided by candles that sent off a soft glow.

Breanna had also made a large bowl of freshly picked lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes, mixed into a cool, inviting salad. A pink glass dish was piled high with warm applesauce, and bowls of pickled beets and green beans rounded off the meal.

John stood at the head of the table and prayed over the food, asking the Lord to guide Dr. Dane’s hands when he performed the surgery on Nelda Cox.

While they were eating, Melinda asked how long the Logans were going to stay in Denver. Dr. Dane replied that they were planning on heading back to Central City on Thursday. They would leave Nelda in Dr. Matt Carroll’s capable hands until she was feeling well enough to go home. Eric would be staying until that time also.

Dr. Dane continued, “When Dr. Carroll wires me that Nelda can travel, I’ll come back over and pick up her and Eric. I’ll probably be alone, since Tharyn will need to stay at the office.”

Dr. Tim set his coffee cup in its saucer and looked at Dr. Dane.

“Tell you what. I’m pretty sure I can talk Dr. Carroll into giving me a couple days off if I tell him I want to drive Mr. and Mrs. Cox back home. I’d like to do this for you, Dr. Dane, so you can carry on your work in and around Central City without interruption. I know you’re awfully busy. Yes, I also know that Dr. Fraser fills in for you when you’re gone, but I’m sure you would like to stay there and do your own work.”

Dr. Dane swallowed a mouthful of chicken pot pie. “It really would help me if you could do this, Dr. Tim. Could Melinda come with you?”

“I sure can!” Melinda said.

“Oh, wonderful!” exclaimed Tharyn. “I would love for you to see our house.”

“Well, that settles it,” said Dr. Tim. “I’ll talk to Dr. Carroll about it in the morning, and then we’ll know. I am quite sure he will go along with it.”

There was a moment of silence while everyone was enjoying the meal; then Dr. Dane looked at the chief U.S. marshal. “Oh, John, there’s something I want to tell you.”

“Mm-hmm?”

“Jake Merrell sends his greetings to you and your family. I need to tell you what he did.”

Everyone listened intently as Dr. Dane told John Brockman of his former deputy having to draw against Waco Belton and how he took him out.

John smiled. “I know about this guy Belton. He recently forced two lawmen up in Wyoming who used to be my deputies to draw against him and killed them. One in Laramie and the other in Rock Springs. Jake was one of the best deputy U.S. marshals I ever had. It doesn’t surprise me that Jake outdrew Belton.”

L
ate in the afternoon on the same day Dr. Dane and Tharyn Logan had arrived in Denver, Cassandra Wheatley was in her room, preparing herself for dinner with Greg Holton and his father.

She had washed her luxuriant black hair earlier in the afternoon and now stood before her dresser mirror in her white petticoat, brushing it carefully while continually adjusting herself so she could see the sides and back in the mirror. It was a shining cascade of curls falling down her back, almost to her waist.

She smiled at her reflection. “Yes! Greg will like this style.”

It was now time to put on the dress she had chosen for the occasion. Not wanting to appear too formal, yet limited by the number of dresses to choose from, she had selected a pale yellow dress printed with light green leaves. It had a high neck with a round white collar and elbow-length sleeves that were also trimmed in white.