Christine Renee Cassidy stepped out of the train and down to the ground, ignoring the porter's outstretched arm. She tucked a rebellious strand of hair behind her ear and surveyed the station platform.

It was swarming with hordes of travelers and those greeting them, all engaged in their own little affairs of hugging and kissing and crying welcomes and farewells; but one man caught her eye.

He stood leaning against the wall, looking indifferent to the surroundings, himself with a strand of rebellious hair that just refused to stay back. His hair was black as coal, his brown eyes piercing, and yet very gentle.

She felt a girlish giggle rise up as his gaze met hers, but quelled the impulse and strode towards purposefully him, her head high.

"Excuse me sir. Christine Cassidy. Might I impose on you for a minute?" She extended her hand briskly. He took it, the warmth of his large hand enveloping her small ones.

She felt intimidated suddenly, at his largeness in comparison with her own petite build; he stood a whole head higher, and could probably fit both hands around her waist, fingers touching.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, smelling the faint scent of sun-warmed citrus.

"Indeed. Adam Cartwright." His voice was warm and welcoming, and he smiled mischievously, still holding her captured hand.

Her eyes narrowed with displeasure, and she snatched her hand away from him, the tone of her voice was so cold that Adam almost shivered.

"Well then, Mr. Cartwright, could you possibly be so kind as to point me in the direction of Doctor Martin?"

Slightly confused at her sudden anger, Adam nodded, his face, though now puzzled, still holding his engaging grin.

"Certainly, Miss Cassidy, why don't I show you the way to his place?"

"That would be adequate, thank you." The frigid tone hadn't left her voice, but her face remained impassive, itself betraying no sign of her displeasure.

Adam offered to help her with her luggage, to which she replied a curt "No" as she gathered a small carpet bag and a smaller black leather bag and turned to follow him to the doctor's. He turned and left the station, with her close behind.

Outside on the dusty street he turned to look at her again, unsure if he should apologize for offending her, unsure how he had managed to offend her. While deciding this dilemma he was approached by the doctor, who spoke rapidly.

"Adam! Why I thought that was you. Who is this lovely young thing? My Adam, you do have quite the eye. Say, did I see you coming from the train station just now?"

Adam grinned at the intense flow of words coming from the doctor, and jumped in at the pause.

"Doc, this is Christine Cassidy, she asked me to introduce you to her. And yes, I did just come from the train station."

The doctor continued, having barely listened to what Adam had said.

"Ahh excellent, you didn't, by any chance, happen to see a doctor get off the train did you?" The doctor looked expectantly for an answer.

"I can't rightly say Doc; I don't know that a doctor looks any different from any other man when getting off a train." Adam grinned again.

He heard the girl next to him clear her throat, and glanced at her, noting her expression had indeed now changed to reflect her displeasure, but her hint was ignored by the doctor.

"Well, I got a telegram from the medical school in Chicago that a Dr. C. R. Cassidy would be arriving on the ten fifteen train today. The school is run by an old friend of mine, and he wanted me to give this Cassidy fellow a try at doctoring out here."

The doctor finally paused for breath, and Christine took her chance. She placed her hand on her hip and pushed in front of Adam, directly into the old doctor's line of sight. He looked at her expectantly, a slightly puzzled look on his face.

"Yes dear, can I help you?"

"Doctor Martin? I am Doctor Christine Renee Cassidy. Pleasure to meet you."