Under the Midnight Sun Page 17
“Indeed.”
Collette tried to think of something to add to the conversation, but it was as if her mind was void of thoughts.
“Will you be joining us for lunch today at the hotel? I understand Collette had a hand in the preparations. She has been making some of the most amazing lunches for our picnics, so I’m certain you won’t want to miss lunch.”
Matthew looked at her. “I’ve had many of your fine meals, Miss Langelier. They are indeed fabulous, and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity for another.”
“Thank you, Dr. Reilly.” Now what was she supposed to say? Should she mention she was starting to feel a little light-headed? He was a doctor after all.
Tayler jumped in again. “I hear that you have a new building for your home and clinic?”
The handsome doctor gave a smile. “Well, yes, it’s new to me, one of the buildings they moved in from Chickaloon, but it hasn’t been used. So I’ve been taking the time to get it into shape before I bring patients over there permanently. It’s ready, but the windows are so dirty, I can’t even open them. At least not yet.” He stepped out of their pew and into the aisle. “But it’s a much bigger building than the small room I used in the dormitory, so I’m happy they saw fit to allow me to use it.”
“I’m sure as more people come to Curry, they will be so grateful for your services.” Collette gave him a smile.
Dr. Reilly nodded at them and bid them good-bye.
Tayler leaned in close. “I heard him tell Allan yesterday that he was going to hike this afternoon.”
Exactly the opportunity she needed to serve the man she admired. An idea took root. “And you think that would be a good opportunity to clean some windows, yes?”
Tayler nodded.
Collette hugged her friend. “That is the perfect idea!”
15
Tayler held Collette’s hand as they sat in the new clinic office. Dr. Reilly began stitching Collette’s other hand and she winced.
Why did she ever tell Collette about Matthew’s hiking plans? Maybe she was trying to help her friend, but the results had been a disaster.
A broken window and Collette’s cut hand.
The dirty windows were painted closed and covered in soot from the trains. No wonder the doctor hadn’t messed with them yet. The inside of the clinic was pristine—evidence of his diligent work—but he was probably waiting for someone to help get the windows open before he tackled the project.
Which should have been what Tayler and Collette had done.
Dr. Reilly tugged on another stitch. “I’m sorry, I’m all out of my numbing powder. I don’t want to hurt you, Miss Langelier.”
“Merci, I am fine. And please, you can call me Collette.” She sniffed and turned her face toward Tayler.
Tayler watched her friend’s eyes glisten with tears. Getting stitches wasn’t a pleasant experience. Collette was such a lovely and dainty little thing. When they’d both pushed on a window to try to get it open, it hadn’t ended well, and the sweet girl had almost fainted from all the blood gushing from her hand.
Dr. Reilly finished the stitching and wrapped a bandage around it. “You must keep it clean and covered if you work in the kitchen. Perhaps you could wear a glove of some sort? That would be best.” He put away the supplies. “The pain will probably persist for a few days, so no heavy use of that hand. Mrs. Johnson will have to keep an eye on it for me.” His look toward Collette was tender, but she probably didn’t notice, as she seemed so embarrassed by the whole thing.
Collette nodded.
The doctor continued, “You know, perhaps you should let me check it every day after work. To make sure there isn’t any infection and that it is healing properly.”
“If you think that’s best. I will come.” Her head drooped a little.
“Exactly how did this happen?” Dr. Reilly crossed his arms over his chest.
Collette looked to Tayler and then back to the doctor. “I heard you mention that your windows were dirty, and I just thought it would be a kindness to you to clean them.”
“And you ran into the same problem I did—the windows are all stuck.”
Collette nodded. “I am sorry to cause you more work, Dr. Reilly. You probably didn’t want to be disturbed on your hike, especially to come back and stitch up my hand. And now you have a broken window to contend with.” Tears trickled down her face.
“It’s all right, Collette. And please, call me Matthew.” He gave her a smile. “But perhaps you should stick to the kitchen from now on, since that is where you excel.”
Collette stood and nodded again. “Thank you, Matthew.” She wiped her cheeks with her uninjured hand.
Poor Collette, she’d tried to do something nice for the man, and it had ended in disaster.
They left the clinic, and Tayler put an arm around her friend’s waist. “Does it hurt?”
“Oui. More than I can describe in words.” She shook her head. “Tayler, why do I get myself into these things? I didn’t even get to accomplish what we set out to do. In fact, I didn’t help him in any way, just caused him more work.”
“That may be true”—Tayler leaned in close—“but look on the bright side. Now you have a reason to go see him every day.”
Collette giggled. “Oui. That is true. Thank you, Tayler. For being my friend.”
Collette’s words had touched Tayler’s heart in an unexpected way. For the first time, she had friends. Real friends. Not social acquaintances, or peers, or co-workers. But friends. After spending some time with Collette and Mrs. Johnson—who fussed over her young charge—Tayler wanted some time to think, so she decided to take a walk down by the river. It was a beautiful day and the lupine were beginning to bloom. The velvety blossoms had just started opening. In the coming weeks, she imagined the beauty she would behold in this field of periwinkle. As she walked past the end of town, she followed a path by the railroad tracks. The peace and quiet around her soothed her weary soul. It had been two months since she left her home under circumstances that were not the best. In time, she would need to mend things with her mother, but this separation had been good for Tayler.
In Denver, she’d grown up with the same girls, but they didn’t share any interests at all. Most of them were boy crazy when they were younger and only cared about catching the richest one. Then at Yellowstone, there weren’t many women employees. And she rarely saw any of them, since her job kept her extremely busy during the summer season.
But now, things were different. Coming to Curry had been a fresh start. There were no high-society expectations of her here—in fact, no one knew she came from a wealthy family. And the more she got to know people, the more she realized she could be a part of the group, no matter what. Just look at the Brennans. They owned a very successful business in Seattle that was known nationwide. Then there was Collette. Her friend had shared in confidence about her background as well. She had a substantial inheritance but chose to work in the kitchen with Mrs. Johnson. It was unheard of.
The only thing she could attribute to all this was the fact that each one of them had God as the center of their lives. Not money. Not wealth. And they were happy and content right where God had them.
That was what Tayler wanted. But when she thought of how she’d run away from her problem, guilt threatened to overwhelm her. Then there was Joshua. What had happened to her beloved sibling?
One thing was certain. She’d really have to pray about how to deal with the situation at home. Maybe Pastor Wilcox could give her some sound advice once she knew him a little better.
Her heart constricted a bit. It would be nice to be loved for who she really was—just Tayler. The longer she spent with these people in Curry, the more she longed for a loving relationship like Cassidy and Allan had. Their marriage had been an inspiration and encouragement to her. And a reminder that she didn’t want to settle for an arranged marriage with an unfaithful husband.
A tall figure approached her from down the tracks. Her heart
did a little jump as she recognized Thomas. His long legs ate up the distance between them.
“Good afternoon, Tayler.” He tipped his hat at her and gave her a smile.
“Hello.” She noticed a string of fish in his left hand. “Looks like you have had a very productive fishing trip.”
“That I have.” He looked down and then back at her. “Would you perhaps like to try your hand at it for a bit? I’ve still got plenty of bait.” He smiled and lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh, my goodness, I would love to!”
His grin widened. “Why don’t we go back to Deadhorse Creek where some of the others are fishing? We could probably catch a few and then be close enough to make it back for dinner.”
“Couldn’t we just fish right here?”
He grimaced. “That’s not a good idea. I wouldn’t want your reputation to be at risk.” His cheeks turned pink.
Tayler felt herself warm on the inside. He was being cautious, and that made her feel cared for and protected. She hadn’t even thought about the fact that they were out here alone. But he had. Her respect for him rose. “Thank you. Lead the way.” They walked back toward the hotel and made it to the creek in just a few minutes.
“John tells me you are quite good at fishing . . . so how would you like to make it a bit of a competition?” He squinted at her. “Let’s say whoever loses has to wash dishes at the campsite when we take the group up to Curry Ridge?”
She stuck out her hand. “Deal.” It was a no-brainer. She could beat him at fishing. She hoped. Besides, she’d always won out and made the boys wash dishes on camping trips. She couldn’t lose now. She hated washing dishes.
After they shook on it, she rubbed her hands together. “So what are the rules?”
“Easy.” He handed her a pole. “Whoever catches the most fish in the next thirty minutes wins. And we have to be fishing in the same area. No cheating.” He walked up the creek a bit. “This looks like a good place.”
Tayler smiled. She could see the fish in the water. This would be an easy win. “Okay, when do we start?”
“Do you need help getting the bait on the hook?” Thomas’s expression told her he was teasing her.
“No. Do you?” It was fun to banter with him.
“Now that you mention it”—he held out his hook—“I really don’t like to touch—”
“Oh, stop.” Laughter bubbled up and spilled out. “Ready, set . . . go!” She cast her bait into the stream. Within seconds, she had a fish on the line. She jerked the pole just a tad and set the hook. As she reeled it in, she gave Thomas a smug smile. “That’s one for me.”
Thomas caught one in a matter of seconds after that and the game was on. “So . . . what’s your favorite thing to do?”
“Pretty much anything outdoors.” She cast her line out again. “Hiking, fishing, exploring, mountain climbing . . . I love all of it. But I also love to sketch and paint.”
“That sounds like me. I hadn’t expected this would become a love of mine until John took me under his wing.” He paused and looked down at the water. “I didn’t know you were an artist. Would you let me see some of your work sometime?”
“Of course.” His interest seemed sincere. “What did you do before that?”
“I was the lowest of the low men on the totem pole in the kitchen.” He laughed. “I took scraps out to animals, fetched things, and generally ran up and down the stairs a lot. Mrs. Johnson wouldn’t let me do much else. I think I gave her patience a good testing when I was younger.”
“And you’ve been at the Curry Hotel all this time?”
“Yep. Since it opened in 1923. Of course, I went off to college in Fairbanks, but returned here on holidays and for the summer seasons.” He reeled in another fish. “Two for me! So how about you? What did you do before Yellowstone?”
“Well, I spent my growing-up years in Colorado climbing mountains, fishing, and doing camping expeditions with my father and brother.”
“Do you still take trips with them?”
“My dad died last year. And I don’t see my brother much anymore.” It sounded so pathetic and sad, but the words were out before Tayler could get them back.
“I’m so sorry.” Thomas watched the water for a few moments. “I never knew my parents. I was raised in an orphanage by missionaries, and when they decided they couldn’t afford to feed and clothe me anymore, I was out on my own.”
Tayler reeled in another fish and looked at him. “I had no idea.”
“It’s okay. I’m not embarrassed by it. At least not anymore.” He shot her a grin. “I guess that’s two for you. We’re tied.”
Tayler took her fish off the hook and baited the hook once more. She sneaked a glance at Thomas. Maybe she had misjudged him in more ways than one. Granted, their first meeting hadn’t been stellar. And their second and third hadn’t been glorious either . . . but now she was seeing a totally different man. Kind of like the one Cassidy had described to her.
She put her line out in the water again and a fish hit it almost immediately. Laughing as she reeled in another, she glanced at Thomas. “Look who’s got three.”
He moaned. “I do not want to do dishes. Here fishy, fishy.” He whistled at the water.
Tayler laughed at his antics, and it made her feel joyful. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time. The simplicity of life here really did suit her. She turned back to him as she baited her hook again. “I don’t think they come when you call them.”
“Hey, it’s worth a try.” The smile he gave her warmed her all the way to her toes.
The air around her suddenly felt sucked away and then pushed at her face as a rush of wings bombarded her ears. Ducking out of instinct, Tayler hit the ground while Thomas did the same.
Before she could catch a breath, an eagle swooped down and took off with two of her fish. As it flew away, Tayler couldn’t believe she’d been that close to a bald eagle. The majesty of the massive bird enraptured her.
Thomas stood back up and brushed off his pants. “Well, at least you still have one.”
She blinked several times. “Do they normally come this close?”
His chuckle broke her fascination of the moment. “Yeah, if you’re fishing. Guess we gave him an easy lunch.”
Even though she’d never seen an eagle up close before, her mind shot back to the competition. “Let’s just remember that I had three. An eagle taking off with two of mine doesn’t count.”
Thomas’s laughter was contagious. “Okay. You had three. But it’s not over yet.”
Female voices reached her ears. It made Tayler want to groan aloud. It was none other than that group of girls who stuck to each other like glue. They seemed to complain everywhere they went—when they weren’t fawning all over the men.
Unfortunately, the group was headed straight for them.
She let out a sigh and breathed a prayer heavenward. Her peaceful afternoon would be gone now.
“Oh, Thomas! Is that you?” The tallest of the group waved to him with her handkerchief in the air.
Clearly it was him. Good grief. Tayler pulled in another fish as the girls approached.
“Oh, look. He’s fishing.” One of the girls giggled.
How observant. Well, at least they had evidence of brains. Tayler scolded herself for her ugly thoughts. “Four for me.” She looked at Thomas and raised her brows.
But his gaze was fixed on the girls. She couldn’t tell what his expression meant. But he was staring.
“Good job.” His answer seemed absent-minded.
The group of socialites reached them and stood on the other side of the creek. The tallest one had reddish brown hair that was stylishly done in finger waves. She had a hard look about her, but the way she sauntered and stuck out her hip made her look very sultry and seductive. A fact that Tayler didn’t like at all. How old were these girls, anyway?
“Thomas,” the red-haired girl purred, “I would simply love to learn how to fish. Won’t you teach us?”
“Oh, pretty please? My daddy will pay you whatever sum of money you require. We’re bored.” The girl pouted and lifted her skirts—entirely too high—to walk across the stones in the creek.
The other girls followed their leader.
Thomas looked perplexed.
“Please?” The redhead sidled up next to him and looped her arm through his. “I really want to learn.”
The group of other girls was behind Tayler now. “He’s so cute,” one of them whispered.
“He is. But he’s no match for Essie. She always gets what she wants,” another voice replied.
Tayler couldn’t help rolling her eyes. She glared back at Thomas.
He looked at her and half smiled. But not a mention of how they were fishing together or of their competition. It made her fume. Well, if that was how it was going to be, fine.
Tayler reeled in yet another fish. “That’s five.” She glanced at her watch. “Looks like I win, Mr. Smith.” Her tone had turned cold, but she couldn’t help it. She handed him the pole and picked up her fish. “I’ll let you get to your fishing lesson.”
She eyed him one last time and saw a moment of hesitation cross his face. Then Essie had her hand all over his arm again, and he smiled down at the alluring redhead.
Tayler walked away without another word. Seemed like she’d misjudged him again.
He was just like Emerson.
MONDAY, JUNE 3—DENVER
Emerson hung up the phone and swiped a hand down his face. Nothing was going as planned.
Absolutely nothing. And Pop wasn’t going to help him. No matter how much he begged and pleaded. The old man thought that Emerson needed to earn things the same way he had—the hard way. The only option he offered was to marry Tayler and bring the family fortunes together.
Well, Emerson was trying. But nothing had gone right with that plan either.