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“My apologies. Didn’t mean to cause concern.”
“Have you had breakfast?”
“I have. I won’t be back this evening.”
Dovie eyed him. “Okay. Thanks for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome.”
Descending the stairs, he passed Jarvis on the way up. Their eyes met. Garrett nodded a greeting, but the cold-faced businessman offered nothing in return.
Outside, Garrett set out for the short walk to Dr. Lee’s office. Unlike Jarvis, the few people on the walk acknowledged him as he passed. He wondered how many of them knew about him and Spring, but refused to dwell on the question. Their opinions didn’t matter.
Entering the office, he found Lee placing equipment and small vials into a worn black medical bag.
“Are you ready?” he asked Garrett.
“Yes. Can we stop by the livery? I want to retrieve my gelding.”
“Sure. You can either ride or trailer him to the buggy.”
“I’ll ride for now.”
Lee gave him a nod and they left to begin the rounds.
As he rode, Garrett thought back on his talk with Lee concerning Spring. Confessing his feelings about her had not been his intentions. He was usually more guarded with his intentions, another holdover from being enslaved, but the words seemed to have sprouted on their own. Yet, he’d spoken truthfully. He did want to be in Spring’s life, and although he hadn’t really considered returning to Paradise, the decision made sense.
Thanks to Porter James’s offer, he’d have a job. The town’s pace was slow and peaceful, unlike the frenetic pace of Washington. He’d saved up a bit of money with the hopes of one day moving out of his rented room, but what if he used it instead to buy a small piece of land and build a place of his own?
That possibility was exciting, and although there weren’t many people of the race around, the Lees hadn’t shared any tales of overt racial animosity or being targeted for the color of theirskin. In the Territory, he might be relatively free to be himself and not constantly reminded of having to stay in his place. Jim Crow was infecting the country like a disease, and more than likely would eventually show its ugly face in places like Wyoming Territory, too, especially by men like Ketchum. Presently, however, it didn’t seem to be as virulent or as ingrained as it was back East, and for him that was also a plus. The true plus though was Spring Lee. If in the end, she decided she wanted no parts of him, he’d accept that verdict because he’d still be free to work and live life on his own terms. Growing up enslaved, it was more than he ever thought he’d have the option to do.
The first stop on Dr. Lee’s rounds was at the home of the Taylors to check on a bull terrier named Lucky. Walking to the porch, Lee explained the reason for the visit. “Lucky picked a fight with a porcupine and lost. He had so many quills in him I didn’t think he’d survive, but he’s a tough little fellow. I came to make sure I removed all the quills, and that none of the punctures are infected.”
They were greeted at the door by Mrs. Taylor, who was short, thin, and had red hair. Her threadbare calico dress and apron indicated a woman with little wealth. Lee made the introductions.
“Nice meeting you, Mrs. Taylor,” Garrett said.
“Same here. Come on in. Silas and Lucky are in the parlor.”
Lee, carrying his medical bag, asked, “How’s Lucky doing?”
“Limping a bit, but healing. I swear that dog is really a cat. He has nine lives just like one.”
Garrett guessed the red-haired freckled-faced Silas to be about ten years old, and upon seeing Dr. Lee the boy smiled widely. “Hello, Dr. Lee.”
“How are you, Silas?”
“I’m fine.”
“How’s Lucky?”
The black-and-white terrier was lying in a large basket atop a pile of blankets. At Lee’s approach he shrank back and whimpered. Silas stroked the dog’s back. “It’s okay, Luck. Doc Lee just wants to make sure you’re healing up right.”
Lee hunkered down by the basket. “Removing those quills caused him a lot of pain. I understand why he’s a little wary of me.”
While Garrett and Mrs. Taylor looked on, Lee gently examined the dog’s wounds. Garrett saw the small reddish patches that covered Lucky from nose to tail.
Lee said, “Looks like you’ve been taking real good care of him, Silas.”
