Page 15 of Brian and Cora (The Bachelors of Three Bend Lake #2)

“I guess I took for granted the time I spent with Grandpapa and Grandmama, too, before she died.” Cora felt a shift in her grief.

She still mourned her grandfather. But now she could feel a profound sense of gratitude for their relationship.

Thank you, Elsie. In that moment, she vowed to be a good friend to the younger woman, who displayed such innocent wisdom.

Not being willing to share her newfound thoughts without pondering them further, Cora turned the conversation back to Elsie.

Her new friend confided how, at the beginning of the summer, she’d left her family’s isolated farm on the prairie to move to town and become an assistant to the dressmaker.

Blushing, the words coming slower, Elsie revealed she had a beau and shyly told her about Hank Canfield, who lived in the most beautiful place—Three Bend Lake.

Tears forming in her eyes, she told of Hank and his neighbor, Brian Bly, having been part of the posse and how she’d endured the most frightful week until her beloved returned safely. She still felt unsettled by the ordeal.

“Brian Bly,” Cora murmured. “Isn’t he the one who was wounded?”

“Shot in the thigh. Hank says he’s being the most dreadful patient.”

“Most men don’t make good patients,” Cora said knowledgeably.

“Dr. Angus and Hank wanted Brian to stay with the Flanigans for another week. But he insisted on leaving when Buck Skold does. Buck was shot in the shoulder, but he’s mobile. They return to town the day after tomorrow.”

An idea started to form in Cora’s mind. “Is either man married? Do they have someone to take care of them?”

“Brian doesn’t. Mr. Skold works as a cowboy on the Thompson ranch. I don’t think he’s married.”

“Wonderful! They’ll need a nurse.”

Elsie’s eyes grew big. “Perfect for you! But…but Brian’s not the most…

.” She hesitated, scrunching up her forehead.

“Well, he’s not very friendly. Keeps to himself.

But he’s really quite personable when you get to know him.

He and Hank helped the Smiths and my family bring in the harvest. They made such a big difference. ”

“I have plenty of experience in dealing with difficult patients.” Cora set her plate and teacup on the table and stood. “Come on.”

When Elsie moved too slowly, Cora grabbed her hand and towed her over to Aunt Rose, who conversed with three ladies, all well-dressed and coiffed.

“Aunt Rose, Elsie and I were just talking about the men wounded by the robbers. She says they’re returning to Sweetwater Springs the day after tomorrow.

Neither one of them is married or has relatives, so they must be alone with no one to take care of them. ”

Rose’s expression pinched.

The auburn-haired woman smiled kindly at Cora.

“Buck Skold is one of our ranch hands. I promise we’ll take very good care of him.

She nodded toward the twins chatting with the doctor’s wife.

“Alana is the one in the blue. She and her husband, Patrick, came to Sweetwater Springs for the Harvest Festival. She’s a nurse who’s studying to become a doctor.

They’ve stayed on at our place in case her services were needed and will depart after Buck is well. ”

At first, Cora was disappointed. But then she realized she wouldn’t be able to be two places at once anyway. She swept them all a triumphant smile. “Then if Buck Skold is in good hands, that leaves Brian Bly to me. I will nurse him. After all, that’s what I’ve been studying for.”

Elsie frowned, and her hands fluttered. “I don’t know.” She glanced around at the circle of five women. “I haven’t been to Mr. Bly’s house. But Hank Canfield, who’s his neighbor?—”

“And Elsie’s beau,” Cora interrupted with a smirk and knowing glance at her new friend.

Elsie blushed and elbowed Cora. “As I was saying, Hank told me Mr. Bly lives in a small, one-room cabin, and the interior is rather sparse. I don’t think you’ll be comfortable.”

Cora wasn’t about to let anyone discourage her. “I’ll manage,” she said breezily, with an airy wave of her hand. Somehow. She braced for the uproar.

Rose gave Cora a disapproving frown. “Absolutely not. You will not go live with a man in a one-room cabin—” she ticked off one finger “—in the middle of nowhere—” a second tick “—without any chaperone.” She held up a third finger before closing her hand and lowering her arm.

Mrs. Cobb, who’d left her group to linger close by with her teacup and saucer, her ear so near she almost overbalanced, sidled up to them.

“Miss Cora, I must agree with your aunt. Mr. Bly’s leg was injured.

To nurse him, you’ll have to see his bare limbs, touching him unclothed. Quite out of the question.”

“That’s what nurses do.” Cora bristled, raising her chin. “If anyone is so evil-minded as to say otherwise—” she glared at Mrs. Cobb “—I don’t care about their malicious opinions.”

Delia touched Rose’s arm and leaned to speak softly into her ear.

Cora strained to hear but couldn’t quite make out their conversation. But Aunt Rose’s agitated state seemed to somewhat subside.

Delia turned toward the others and raised her voice. “We can certainly send a brigade to Three Bend Lake to clean up Mr. Bly’s place and stock the pantry with food. If we build another room onto the cabin, then, at least, Cora would have separate sleeping quarters.”

Rose wagged a finger at Delia. “You’re sounding like your father. Taking charge of everything and, in the process, flinging around a great deal of money.”

A slow smile bloomed on Delia’s face. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Of course, you would,” Rose murmured, not hiding her sarcasm.

“Just a minute,” Elsie said softly. “I need to speak with Mrs. Swensen.” She left their group and hurried over to a thin, shabbily dressed woman, perched on the sofa, whose blond braid coiled around her head, European fashion.

She held a plate with a sandwich in her lap and was chatting with Mary Norton, Delia’s mother-in-law, who sat next to her. In front of them, the laden dishes almost obscured the flowers painted on the top of the butler’s tray table.

Elsie paused, apparently waiting for a lull in the conversation to interrupt. She pinched a few inches of her skirt and moved the fabric to and fro.

When the two ladies stopped talking to allow Mrs. Swensen to eat a petite four, Elsie took a seat next to her, saying something in her ear that made the woman stop eating, frown, and shake her head.

With concerned expressions, the two put their foreheads together, talking fast and casting anxious glances at Mrs. Norton and then at Cora and Rose.

What are all these secret conversations about?

By their nods, the two women seemed to come to an agreement. They pulled apart, said something to Mrs. Norton, and the three stood and came over to their group.

The minister’s wife introduced Anna Swensen to Rose and Cora, mentioning that the Swensens were neighbors of Brian Bly and Hank Canfield, although they lived higher on the mountain than the bachelors of Three Bend Lake.

While Mrs. Swensen chatted with the ladies about her family, Cora stopped listening, mentally planning everything she’d need to pack. Surely, Dr. Cameron will provide medical supplies.

Mrs. Swensen shifted her plate to one hand and gave Rose a shy look. “Elsie told me about your niece wanting to nurse Brian Bly, and that you have some concerns.”

Her attention pulled back into the conversation, Cora listened anxiously, almost afraid to take a breath.

Looking at Rose, Mrs. Swensen tilted her head. “Would it ease your mind if I checked on Cora every day?”

Not being entirely alone would certainly ease my mind. But Cora didn’t say so, not wanting the women to know she had any doubts.

“That would be kind,” Rose said stiffly. “But we wouldn’t want to impose.”

With a sniff, Mrs. Cobb inserted herself into their midst. “A daily visit doesn’t settle the proprieties, though, Miss Collier.

Who knows what mischief a young man and woman alone could get into?

” She gave Rose a steely look. “The niece of our librarian must be respectable. After all, her actions reflect on you.”

Rose bristled. “Then I will appear in a most favorable light, considering Cora’s good-hearted willingness to be of service to a hero in misfortune.”

Mrs. Cobb scowled. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I predict no good will come of her doing this.”

Mary Norton drew herself up as far as her petite stature allowed.

“Why, Hortense Cobb,” she scolded, her fierceness at odds with her gentle demeanor.

“Those uncharitable sentiments are exactly what we hope to allay, and I expect you to do everything in your power to express support for Miss Cora’s dedication to what she sees as her duty to our injured warrior. ”

“I am concerned about Mr. Bly,” Mrs. Cobb said stiffly. “We must find someone else—someone more mature—to take care of him.”

“Who?” Delia asked bluntly. “Mrs. Murphy might normally be willing. But her boardinghouse is full of guests. You know what a busy time of year this is. Everyone who lives nearby and could possibly help out already has responsibilities and is also working hard to stock their larders for the winter.”

Mrs. Cobb looked taken aback. “Well!”

“That’s settled, then,” Delia said briskly, brushing her palms together. “Cora will nurse Brian.”

Cora wanted to squeal and dance for joy.

But she didn’t dare appear childish and forced herself to remain composed.

Yet even as she felt elation at finally achieving her dream, doubts started to float into her head.

She’d imagined working in town under the auspices of a doctor and near her aunt.

Now she’d be all alone with her first patient—and a difficult one at that.

Can I really do this?