Pony Express Special Delivery. Rhonda Gibson

studied his face. “Our farm is about fifteen miles from town. If someone got hurt or sick, I took care of them.”

      “And the books?”

      Clayton pushed away from the window. “I’ve wanted to be a doctor since forever. Ma bought me a few books. Typically animal care books, but most of the practices are the same.” Clayton still remembered the first time his adoptive mother, Rebecca Armstrong, had given him a book. He’d thought her the most wonderful person alive. Still did, if truth be told.

      The doctor surprised him with a burst of laughter. “Well, that’s the first time I’ve heard that, but all considering, you might not be too off with your thinking.” He rubbed his chin. “So, what brings you to my office?”

      “Mrs. Fillmore had her baby last night.”

      The doctor stood taller. “Did the delivery go well? How’s the baby?” He began grabbing items and thrusting them into a black bag. “Why didn’t you speak up sooner?”

      Clayton grimaced. “I wasn’t there for the delivery. The boy seems to be fine this morning and I got distracted with all your questions.”

      Doc Anderson slowed down and looked at Clayton. “I’d better go out anyway and check on Maggie and the babe.”

      Clayton grinned. “My thoughts exactly. That’s why I’m here.”

      The doctor gave him a funny look, then walked over to the bookcase. He chose two books and dropped them into his big black bag. “My buggy is sitting beside the house. It’s already rigged up. I was about to go to the Harper place, but they can wait until I examine Maggie and the baby.”

      Clayton followed him through the waiting room and out the front door. He watched the doctor lock the door and drop the key into his front pocket. “I’ll wait here.”

      The doctor nodded and then walked to the side of the house.

      A few minutes later, Clayton found himself riding beside the doctor’s buggy. He wasn’t sure he’d ever want to use a buggy for house calls. It was quicker to just jump on the horse’s back and ride.

      “I hear the Pony Express may be shutting its doors soon,” the doctor said in way of conversation.

      “Yes, sir. I’ve heard that, too.”

      “Do you have any plans for your future?” He clicked his tongue to get the horse pulling his buggy to go a little faster.

      Clayton grinned. “I’m hoping to become a doctor.”

      “Figured as much.” The doctor nodded. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m getting up there in years.” He kept his gaze on the horse’s back.

      Clayton answered, “No, I didn’t notice.”

      The good doctor laughed. “Well, be that as it may, I’ve been thinking about retiring in a few years. Think you might be interested in becoming my assistant, if the Pony Express doesn’t pan out?”

      Was this God’s way of blessing his plans of becoming a doctor? Clayton swallowed. This was just the opportunity he’d prayed about. “I would be honored, but I can’t leave the Pony Express right now.”

      “No, I don’t reckon you can. But, if you are serious about becoming a doctor, I’ll be happy to loan you a couple of books. Maybe you can study those and then we can talk more about your future.” He dug in his bag and pulled out one of the books.

      Clayton rode the horse close to the buggy and leaned down to take the book Doc Anderson held up to him. Then he straightened and examined the soft calfskin cover. It was light brown with the words “The History and Treatment of the Diseases of the Teeth, the Gums, and the Alveolar Processes, by Joseph Fox” on both the front of the book and the spine.

      “In my line of work, I’m often called to pull teeth or doctor a tooth that has infection in it. That’s probably one of the best books you can find right now, so don’t lose it.”

      Clayton flipped it open and was happy to see that there were numerous illustrations of teeth and different forms of decay. “I’ll take good care of it.” He slipped it into his saddlebag.

      “See that you do. Here’s the second book I want you to study.” He held up a smaller book for Clayton to take.

      Clayton took the book and silently read the cover. The Family Doctor: A Counsellor in Sickness, Pain and Distress, for Childhood, Manhood and Old Age. Containing in Plain Language, Free from Medical Terms, the Causes, Symptoms, and Cure of Disease in Every Form...with Engravings of Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Henry S. Taylor. It never failed to amaze him that books came with such long titles. This one would be interesting to read. He just prayed that with his Pony Express duties he’d have time. “Thank you, sir. How long can I keep them?” He ran his finger over the raised lettering of the title.

      “As long as you need. That one is fairly new. Came out last year, but I have an older one that says pretty much the same thing. Just remember to take good care of it. Books aren’t cheap, you know.”

      Clayton nodded. He added the book to his saddlebag. His thoughts went to Maggie and the kids. “Doc? How well do you know Maggie Fillmore?”

      “Well enough, I reckon. Why do you ask?” His gray eyes searched Clayton’s face.

      “I met Gus Fillmore and he seems to not like the widow. Is there anything I should know about her?” That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to ask but felt it was a good starting place.

      “Gus Fillmore is Jack’s cousin. He’d hoped to inherit the ranch and when he didn’t, he offered to buy it from Maggie. She refused. I’m sure Gus is still a little sore about all that and is holding a grudge.”

      Just as he suspected. Clayton nodded. “I think you’re right.” He focused on the road home and even tapped Bones’s side with the heel of his boot to get the horse to go a little faster.

      The doctor urged his horse to do the same.

      Clayton didn’t like the idea of Gus Fillmore having ill feelings toward Maggie. He didn’t know her very well, but what he did know, he liked. She’d braved having a child on her own, then had the sense to tell her younger sister to get help, and when he’d arrived, she’d trusted him to make the baby breathe. Maggie seemed like a strong woman, but would she be strong enough to keep Gus Fillmore from taking over the ranch?

       Chapter Three

      It seemed as if Clayton had been in town far longer than he needed to be, if he were concerned about baby James. Maggie’s eyes were drifting closed when she heard the men arrive in the front yard. She pushed herself up into a sitting position.

      The baby stirred in her arms and Dinah awoke with wide eyes. The little girl had slept for over an hour.

      Maggie reached over and brushed the blonde hair from her eyes. “Sweetie, I think Clayton and the doctor have arrived. Would you go look out the window and make sure it’s them for me?”

      Dinah came awake instantly. She scrambled off the bed and ran to the window. Her little hands tugged at the drapes.

      Maggie grinned as the girl disappeared behind them.

      “It is Clayton and the doctor.” Dinah came out. “Want me to go open the door for them?” She ran to the bedroom door and waited for an answer.

      “Yes, please.”

      Maggie listened as Dinah ran down the stairs. A few moments later she heard the doctor’s voice and sighed. Now she could relax. Clayton was back, and the doctor would make sure the baby was healthy.

      Over the last couple of months, the older gentleman had fussed and insisted she come see him on the first Monday of every month. Yesterday, this time, she would have loved to have had him close but