2 years later

The bell above the door jingled. Even though Marlowe had heard that sound almost every day, it still filled her with excitement. That sound represented how far she’d come. Just a few years before, she never would have dreamed that someday she’d be running her own practice.

“I’m coming!” Marlowe hurried out from the back room to greet her next patient.

Even though she never went to medical school, the townspeople still trusted her to help cure their ailments. That didn’t mean that she relied on her father’s training. She bought every medical book she could get her hands on, and studied new methods and findings all the time. Her father also came by every few months to share his knowledge and help her at the practice. She still learned so much from him.

Emery was escorting Iola along as she held one hand on her back and the other over her distended belly.

“I thought you were just going to escort me here,” Iola chided. “You said you’d stop hovering so much.”

“I can’t help it,” Emery said, keeping an eye on her stomach. “What if I leave and you go into labor?”

“You’d be back in a second to hold her hand throughout it all,” Marlowe said in amusement.

“I don’t want to miss a thing,” Emery said, shaking his head slowly.

“Was Leander the same way when you were carrying Martha?” Iola asked in amusement, rubbing small circles over her belly.

“He was,” Marlowe admitted. “Men get this way with their first child. I’m sure he’ll be calmer when your next one comes along. Either that, or he’ll be too distracted with the baby to follow you around all day.”

“See?” Emery gestured at Marlowe. “This is perfectly normal. Stop trying to get rid of me.”

“Oh, darling.” Iola cupped Emery’s cheek gently. “I’m not trying to get rid of you. I’d just like you to calm down a little. I’m not fragile.”

Emery put his arm around Iola’s shoulder.

“All right, what’s the problem?” Marlowe asked. “Or are you just here for peace of mind?”

“She had some pains last night,” Emery said, glancing at his wife with a sorrowful expression.

“I told him it was nothing to worry about,” Iola said indulgently. “He’s so worried about every twinge.”

“Well, it’s good that you came to check on it,” Marlowe said. “How about we do a quick examination? I’m sure everything is fine, but let’s just take a look anyhow.”

Emery frowned and nodded, still holding onto Iola.

“Emery… I need to have some room, please,” Marlowe asked kindly as they walked toward the back room.

He hesitated but Iola patted his hand reassuringly. “Why don’t you wait out front? I’ll be right out.”

“I’ll take good care of her, I promise,” Marlowe said.

Emery swallowed hard and stepped away.

“Poor thing,” Marlowe sighed. “These last few weeks before the baby comes are always so stressful for the fathers.”

“He’s making me anxious!” Iola chuckled. “He wouldn’t even let me wash the dishes last night because he was worried I might slip on soapy water.”

“Enjoy it,” Marlowe said. “They aren’t always so eager to do the dishes!”

Iola smiled and shook her head as Marlowe quickly checked for swelling and any other warning signs.

“I’m getting more nervous with every passing day,” Iola admitted. “Did you feel the same way before Martha was born?”

“I did,” Marlowe said. “And don’t worry, Nora told me she felt the same way before she had her son. I think it’s perfectly natural to be nervous. You’ve never been a mother before.”

“I’m so ready to hold the baby,” Iola sighed. “I can’t wait anymore. Although, I’ll miss teaching while I’m away those first few months.”

“Did the substitute teacher arrive yet?” Marlowe asked.

“She did!” Iola’s smile grew. “Nancy is her name, and the children already love her. She had them make me drawings wishing me well. I think the children may be just as excited as we are!”

“They love you very much,” Marlowe said. “It’s little wonder. You’re a great teacher.”

“Thank you.” Iola tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

“Looks like everything’s fine,” Marlowe said. “A few pains aren’t uncommon leading up to the birth, but send for me if you’re worried about anything. Listen to your body, and trust your instincts.”

“I don’t know if I have any instincts yet.” Iola grimaced.

“Trust me, every woman has them,” Marlowe said, placing a hand on Iola’s shoulder. “If something’s wrong, you’ll know it. You can come to me even if you’re just unsure about something.”

Iola nodded slowly as Marlowe helped her off the chair. She walked Iola out to the waiting room where Emery was pacing back and forth.

“Well?” Emery raised his eyebrows worriedly.

“Everything’s fine, honey,” Iola assured him. “And Marlowe said that you should listen to my instincts.”

“What about my instincts as a father?” Emery asked, holding out his hands to her.

Iola rolled her eyes good-naturedly as she allowed him to escort her out of the practice.

“See you,” Iola called out over her shoulder.

“Thanks for your help, doc,” Emery said with a grateful nod. “We’ll be back soon.”

A thrill went through Marlowe. She still couldn’t get used to people calling her ‘doctor’. It was one of her favorite parts of the job. Every time someone referred to her as a doctor, it made her more confident in her role.

“I don’t doubt it,” Marlowe said with a laugh.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur, and soon it was time to leave. She made her way out of the practice, whistling as she locked the door behind her. Marlowe mounted her horse, Starshine, a patient mare who’d spent the day grazing in a nearby field.

As she rode through town, people waved or tipped their hats at her. The sun was steadily setting, and the streets were filled with people making their way home after a long day at work.

Sheriff McAllister waved when he spotted her and hurried off his porch, holding his hand out to her. “Wait!”

Marlowe tugged on the reins to tell her horse to stop.

“How are you doing, sheriff?” she asked politely.

“As good as ever,” he said, putting a hand on his hip. “How’s the family?”

“Everyone’s doing well,” Marlowe said. “Leander’s right in the middle of birthing season. I reckon I’ll be helping out with that tonight instead of sleeping.”

“Poor thing,” the sheriff said with a wince.

“Oh, I’m used to it by now.” Marlowe waved her hand dismissively. “Martha still won’t sleep through the night. The little rascal loves being awake too much.”

“Like I said, poor thing,” he said with a laugh. “Anyhow. I wanted to catch you before you left. This came for Leander today…”

He handed her a letter. Marlowe frowned as she read the return address. Her heart clenched and she looked up at him in alarm. “Heavens…”

“I’m sorry,” he said, taking his hat off. “I don’t know what he’d want to say to Leander, but it’s not my job to wonder. I’m just here to help.”

“Thank you,” Marlowe said, nodding toward him. “I’ll let you know what it says the next time I see you.”

Sheriff McAllister tipped his hat at her before returning it to his head. “You have yourself a fine evening.”

“You too!”

Marlowe tucked the letter in her pocket and clicked her tongue, urging Starshine forward. A troubled feeling settled in her chest as they rode back home. Before long, the house came into view.

Leander had been spending all his free time on the house, transforming it from a ramshackle cabin into a solid, three-bedroom house. They’d built it around the old fireplace, so the new living room mimicked the footprint of the living room he’d grown up with.

There was talk of expanding the house if they chose to have another child, but right then it was the perfect size for their little family. Marlowe released Starshine into the field with the other horses and hurried to the house.

“Mine!”

“Ma!”

She walked into the living room to find Jason sitting across from Martha. He was a darling toddler at two years old with rosy red cheeks, curly brown hair, and bright blue eyes. He was tugging a silver spoon away from Martha, but the little girl refused to let go.

Martha was already a year old with straight white-blonde hair and eyes the color of pine needles.

“Ma!” Martha insisted.

“Oh dear…” Nora came into the room with a frazzled expression. “Fighting over the spoons again, darlings?”

“Whose spoon is it?” Marlowe asked in amusement.

“I have no idea,” Nora sighed. “But there’s only one solution.” She went into the kitchen and returned a few moments later holding an identical spoon.

Nora plucked the spoon from their hands, causing them both to start crying. She hid the spoons behind her back then knelt in front of them and handed them each a spoon. Jason grinned happily and took one. Unfortunately, Martha ignored the spoon offered to her and tried to grab Jason’s spoon instead.

The toddler grunted, got up and ran off, causing Martha to wail.

“Oh dear, oh dear…” Marlowe picked Martha up and bounced her a little, kissing the top of her head as she did so.

“How was your day?” Nora asked as Martha’s cries subsided.

“Busy,” Marlowe admitted. “Where’s Leander?”

“He’s tending to Juliette,” Nora said. “Looks like she’s going to give birth any moment.”

Marlowe winced as she handed a calm Martha to Nora. “Do you mind if I go help him quickly?”

“Of course not,” Nora said, kissing Martha’s cheek. “I’ll have dinner ready for you both when you’re done.”

“What would I do without you?” Marlowe asked, shaking her head slowly.

If it weren’t for Nora’s help, she wouldn’t be able to spend so much time at the practice.

As Marlowe approached the barn, Benji emerged. He was growing quickly and already had the beginnings of a moustache lining his top lip.

“Howdy, Mrs. Calloway,” Benji said, tipping his hat at her.

“You headed home already?” Marlowe asked in surprise.

Benji nodded. “Leander reckons it will be a few more hours before Juliette goes into labor. I’m sorry to miss the birth, but I’ll be back here first thing tomorrow.”

“I don’t doubt it!” Marlowe said.

She made her way into the barn where Leander was standing by one of the stalls, watching a tall mare pace the length of her stall uneasily. Marlowe leaned against the doorpost and watched her husband for a moment. Her heart softened at the sight of him.

He glanced up and smiled enthusiastically. Leander hurried over and hugged her tightly.

“How was your day, darlin’?” he asked.

“It was good.” Marlowe hesitated. “But Sheriff McAllister asked me to give you this.” She took the letter from her pocket and handed it to him.

He frowned as he took the envelope. “Well, it’s been a little over two years since we last saw Corlett. I’m surprised he didn’t write sooner.”

A bitter taste flooded her mouth as she crossed her arms over her chest. Colt had stood trial for his crimes and the judge had sentenced him to life in prison. She’d hoped that meant they would never have to think about him again. Unfortunately, that snake found a way to reach out.

Leander ripped the letter open and read it quickly. He shook his head before handing it to her.

“What does it say?” Marlowe didn’t want to read it for herself.

“He’s asking how we’re doing,” Leander said. “Apparently he’s bored behind bars and has had time to think about his crimes. He can’t get away with his bad behavior there, so I figure he’s probably softened somewhat.”

“Will you respond?” Marlowe asked with a frown.

Leander tilted his head as he regarded Juliette. “I don’t rightly know. I didn’t expect him to write. At the same time, he’s probably going to try and manipulate us. Although, one day Jason’s going to ask questions about his father and I’d like to tell him with a clean conscience that I did everything I could for Corlett.”

Marlowe pressed her lips in a thin line but pushed her misgivings aside. She made her way to Leander’s side and put her arm around his waist.

“You’re the best man I know,” she said, laying her head on his chest.

Leander smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You reckon you’re up to helping me with Juliette?”

The mare neighed and grunted, looking back at her stomach.

“Of course,” Marlowe said, rolling up her sleeves. “Try and stop me!”

Leander grinned and entered the stall with her close on his heels. Excitement rushed through her at the thought of working alongside her husband to bring a new foal into the world.

Marlowe had found her place, and she was grateful for that fact every day. There was nowhere else she would rather be.