Dr. Theodore Banning stepped down from the stage with his black doctor's bag in his hand. He turned to assist his fellow passenger and heard someone say, "Ted? Is that you?" He turned to see an old friend, Paul Martin. Banning smiled and held out his hand to Paul. "It's good to see you again, Paul. How have you been?"
Paul clasped his hand warmly. "Well, thank you. Marian is looking forward to seeing you."
The stage driver tossed down two carpet bags, and Paul picked one up. "Is this one yours?"
"Both of them are," Banning said as he drew a woman forward. "Paul, I'd like you to meet my wife, Sabrina."
Paul looked at Banning's bride. She was tall and slender, and dressed simply for travel. She held out her hand and her voice was soft and low. "Hello, Dr. Martin. Ted has told me so much about you and Mrs. Martin I feel as if I know you."
He didn't mention you at all, Paul thought, but he smiled and took her hand gently in his. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Banning."
They walked down the street to the Martin's house which stood next door to Dr. Martin's clinic. Marian Martin opened the door as they came up the walk, and came out to greet Ted Banning. She held out her hands to him. "Ted, it's so good to see you again. I'm glad you accepted Paul's offer."
Ted kissed Marian's hand. "It's good to see you, too, Marian. You haven't changed a bit. I'd like you to meet my wife, Sabrina."
Marian welcomed her with a smile. "I'm so happy to meet you. Please call me Marian." She drew Sabrina into the house ahead of the men. "Come with me - I'm sure you'd like a cup of tea - and you can tell me how you and Ted met and how he ever convinced you to marry him and come all the way out here."
Sabrina smiled and followed her hostess back to the kitchen while Paul and Ted took their bags upstairs to the Martin's guest room. Ted dropped his bag on the bed, opened it, and decided to unpack it later. He took off his coat and hat, and went downstairs in search of his wife and a cup of coffee.
He found Sabrina and Marian seated at the kitchen table, sipping tea and talking. They stopped long enough to give him coffee and send him to Paul's study. Paul was reading a newspaper, but he put it down when Ted appeared in the door. "I see you found your way to the kitchen."
"All I had to do was follow my nose," Ted said. He sat down opposite Paul and relaxed with a sigh.
"So...tell me what happened after you left medical school. You had only a year left - why did you stop?" Paul asked.
"My father died, and he left debts. I went to work, paid them off, and found an opportunity to practice medicine."
"Without your degree? Without a license?" Paul asked.
Ted hesitated and then nodded. "Yes. I was a good doctor, Paul, better than the licensed doctor in the next town. I was sober, steady, and a good diagnostician. I ran into some trouble, though, when one of my patients committed suicide. Some kind people helped me, and when everything was cleared up, I went back East and completed my degree. I met Sabrina while I was working in the hospital in Philadelphia. I saw your ad for a partner, discussed it with her, and wrote to you. I wasn't sure you'd remember me after all these years."
"I was glad to get your letter," Paul admitted. "We're not exactly in the middle of things here, but there's too much work for one doctor. We have mining, timber, and ranching here plus all the usual problems you find everywhere."
There was a knock on the door, and Paul went to answer it. He was back in a few minutes with a boy. "Ted, this is Joe Cartwright from the Ponderosa. There's been an accident."
Ted put his cup down and followed Paul and Joe outside. A wagon was parked in front of the doctor's office, and a man lay in the back. Joe reached in and touched the man's shouder. "Shorty, you're going to be all right now. The doc is going to fix you up."
Paul climbed into the wagon and squatted next to Shorty. He took his pulse, and then put his ear against his chest and listened for a heart beat. Ted ran back to the house for his bag, and came out as Paul straightened up. He opened the bag, and taking out his stethoscope, handed it to Paul. Paul put it to Shorty's chest, and listened again. He slid down from the wagon, and looked at Joe. "I'm sorry, Joe. He's gone. Can you tell me what happened?"
Joe bowed his head and let out a deep breath. "We were in the south pasture counting cattle. Shorty saw a cow caught in a ditch, and he went over to get her out. Somehow she fell on him, and then managed to step on him when she was getting up." He paused and wiped his eyes.
Paul nodded. "She crushed his chest, Joe. You did your best for him, but he was hurt too bad. I'm sorry, son." He put his hand on Joe's shoulder. "Is Ben at the Ponderosa?"
Joe shook his head. "No, he and Adam are out of town for a few days. They left Hoss in charge, and we were trying to get the counts done before they got back." He looked at Paul. "I guess I should take him over to the mortuary and see about a service for him."
Paul gave the boy's shoulder a squeeze. "Joe, why don't I go with you?"
The boy looked relieved. "I hate to bother you, Dr. Martin, but..."
"It's no bother, son." Paul turned to Ted. "Would you tell Marian where I am and that I'll be back soon?"
"Sure," Ted agreed, and he turned to go into the house as Paul and Joe drove the wagon up the street towards the Virginia City Mortuary.
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That night Sabrina Banning lay in her husband's arms, her head resting on his chest. "What are you thinking, love?" she asked.
"I'm thinking that I brought you from civilization to the wild West," he said. She pulled a little on his chest hair.
"You sound like you regret it, Ted."
When he didn't answer her, she raised her head and looked at him. The room was dark, but the moon shone through the window and she could just make out his features. "Stop it - I'm feeling strong, and this is a new beginning for us. I can work as your nurse as Marian does for Paul, and I can keep your books for you. We have a real opportunity to make a difference out here. We can be a part of things. If we'd stayed in Philadelphia, you'd be working at the university hospital, doing research with my father, and getting farther and farther away from your patients. You'd be doing good work because you aren't capable of anything less, but you wouldn't be happy - and if you aren't happy, I'm not happy. Coming to Virginia City was the right thing for us - understand?"
Ted took her hand in his and kissed it. "Yes, ma'am. I hear you loud and clear."
She lay back down beside him. "Then stop worrying and go to sleep."
