The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas - Jodi Thomas Page 0,104

like you could use a long rest.” The doc took a drink of his whiskey, then said, “I’m glad to have this chance to speak with you alone.”

Clint gave him a worried look, thinking he may give him bad news about Amelia’s condition.

Seeing the concern on Clint’s face, John held up his hand. “It’s not about Amelia. I think she’s going to be just fine. I wanted a chance to tell you that . . . well, I think highly of your mother. I know it’s too soon, but next year, after she’s had time to recover from her loss, I’m planning on asking her to marry me.” He took a deep breath. “I guess what I’m asking is, would I have your blessing? It would mean a lot to me, as I am certain it would be necessary for your mother.”

Clint hadn’t considered his mother would ever be married to anyone other than his father. But he wanted her to be happy, and if that included the doctor in her life, then he wasn’t going to stand in the way. “If you make my mother happy, that’s all I care about.” He gave the doctor a stern look. “Don’t ever give me a reason to regret giving my blessing.”

The doctor looked him in the eye. “Neither one of you will ever have reason for regret. We’re both alone now, and I think we’d like to have someone to share what future we have left. If I’ve learned anything while caring for folks through this illness it’s that we never know what tomorrow may bring. We should all grab as much happiness as we can today.”

Clint thought the doc sounded very much like his mother. “You sound like Ma.”

“I take that as a compliment.” He extended his hand. “I’ll make her happy, Clint.”

Leaning toward the doc, Clint shook his hand. “She’s going to need some time, but I will support her decision. I want her to be happy.”

John pointed to the blanket Clint had tossed on the floor. “Are you sleeping there?”

“I can hear Amelia from here if she needs anything.”

“She’s a fine young woman.”

“Yes, she is.”

John glanced at the dogs on a pallet beside Clint’s blanket. “They look as though they’ve already adapted to their new home.”

“It’ll be nice having some dogs around again,” Clint replied. “Amelia’s girls wanted a puppy for Christmas, so I want Ma to keep them out of sight when I get back. I want to surprise the girls on Christmas morning.”

“That will be great fun. There’s nothing better than watching the excitement of children on Christmas morning.”

Clint leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “Now, Doc, can you tell me where I can find a goat?”

The men drank their whiskey as they planned Christmas surprises before they said goodnight. The doc walked to the extra bedroom where he was sleeping, and Clint stretched out on his blanket by the fire. Within seconds he was sleeping soundly.

Chapter 9

“Ingrid, how much chloral hydrate did you add to his glass last night?” John asked as he leaned over Clint to make certain he was still breathing.

“Just a dash, like you told me,” Ingrid replied, kneeling beside her son and placing her hand on his chest. “He needed some rest. He told me he hadn’t slept much since he left Santa Fe. From the looks of him, he couldn’t go on that way or he would be the next one to get sick. I think he was planning on riding out again today if Amelia decides to stay in La Grange. She looked up at John. “Is he going to be okay?”

John nodded. “He’ll be fine. Now don’t worry. I wouldn’t have agreed if he didn’t look like he was ready to drop from exhaustion. Maybe we can talk him into leaving tomorrow. But you want him back by Christmas, so he needs to leave soon.” John stood and walked to the door. “While you take Amelia some breakfast, I’ll see to the animals.”

* * *

“Did Clint leave?” Amelia asked Ingrid when she entered the bedroom.

“No, he’s still sleeping.” Ingrid placed the tray on the table while she propped up pillows behind Amelia.

“I’m sure he’s worn-out. He never slept on our way back. Every time I woke up, he was watching over me.”

“He was very worried about you.” Ingrid placed the tray on her lap.

“Ingrid, he was heartbroken when he thought you had died. He rode all of the way to Honey Creek grieving for his