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?”
“I’ll have to see how Regan feels. Tell Glenda I’ll let her know as soon as I’m able.”
“The wife says she can bring the baby and Anna if she needs to.”
“I don’t think an adult dinner is a place for our children, but her offer is very kind, and I’ll pass it along. Thanks for the invitation.”
Garrett expected Cale to depart after that, but he didn’t.
Lee asked curiously, “Is there something else I can help you with, Arnold?”
He drew himself up importantly. “The town council wants to know if Mr. McCray plans to interview us for the newspaper story, too. Miller and I think your readers might like to learn more about our town and some of the other people who reside here.”
Garrett sensed Cale was really referencing himself. “I’d be very interested in talking to the council. Newspapers have limited space, so I can’t promise all we discuss will be in the final draft, but let me know when’s a good time to speak to everyone.”
He beamed. “Can we meet this evening at Dovie’s? Say around seven?”
“Sure. I don’t see why not.”
“Good. We’ll be there. I’ll let you two get back to your business.”
Once he was gone, Lee said, “Let’s hope he and Miller don’t end up fighting over who gets to talk the most.”
“Are they competitive?”
“Yes, and spend a lot of time attempting to top each other.”
“How so?”
“Last year on the Fourth of July, they tried to outdo each other with the size of the American flags they displayed on their businesses.”