Epilogue

Leah wasn't able to sleep. She couldn't stop thinking about Jed and Han.

She knew that Jed would be heartbroken when he found out about Han going away. She wondered what her parents would have said about it all. They loved Han, and they were horrified when he'd been sent to Valparaiso before.

As she tossed and turned in her bed, she admitted to herself that she had always been jealous of Han and his relationship with Jed and her parents. Not to mention the way Uncle David and Aunt Elizabeth spoiled him - a horse of his own, for heaven's sake! She would have loved to have her own horse.

She shouldn't have accepted so easily that there was nothing to do but send him to Valparaiso. Surely there must be someone in the town that could take him? She didn't even know who they'd spoken to. If the Sorensens could take Jed, why couldn't they take Han as well? She knew that sour old Mrs. Collins didn't like Han, but what about the Jenkins? If they could take Jed, why couldn't they take Han instead? Had they really spoken to everybody and explained the situation properly? Han was like a brother to Jed; it would break his heart to lose Han as well as everybody else.

Her parents wouldn't have been happy to know that she hadn't tried to help him. They would have been ashamed of her. The thought made her want to cry.

She wondered if she should go now and speak to the Monroes. She heard the stairs creak as they came upstairs to bed. It was late; she was sure they must be tired. She would speak to them first thing in the morning. It wasn't as if there was any rush, nothing could be done tonight. Tomorrow, she would speak to Charlotte's parents - her parents, now - and see what else they could do.

Happy with her resolve, she finally slept.

Doctor Schriever was riding back to town. He was exhausted. After checking on Han Heyes and Jed Curry, he'd been called to attend to a woman suffering with childbed fever. She had pulled through, but they had battled for almost three days to save her. He was glad that he'd been able to help, but he hoped he hadn't been needed in town during his absence.

He was beginning to think he needed an assistant. Indeed, if the town continued to grow the way it was, there would be enough work for three doctors.

As he rode past the church, his horse whinnied and shied away. He was startled to see John Elliot sitting outside in the moonlight.

He pulled up his horse. "Reverend Elliot!"

The reverend stood to greet him. "Doctor Schriever, what are you doing out so late?"

"I could ask the same question. I was tending to Heidi Weber." Seeing the concern on the reverend's face, he added, "She's on the road to recovery. Mother and baby are both doing well. But why are you out here?"

John Elliot shook his head and the doctor took a seat beside him on the bench. "I was thinking about Han Heyes."

"Han Heyes? What's wrong, should I call on the Monroes?"

"No, it's nothing you can help with. He's well enough, I believe. For now, anyway."

"For now?"

"The Monroes are adopting Leah. They asked my congregation if anyone could take the boys. Three people offered to take Jed, but no-one wants to take Han. They're going to send him back to Valparaiso."

"Valparaiso? For heaven's sake, why?"

"I spoke to some people I thought might have taken him. They all say the same thing - he always seems to be at the center of any trouble. I'm afraid there's some truth in that, but he's frequently blamed for things that aren't his fault. Most people still blame him for the diphtheria epidemic."

"I thought it was proved that he had nothing to do with it?"

"It was, but people are quick to blame and slow to listen to reason. He came to this town as an orphan of dubious birth and people can't ignore the taint of illegitimacy. Another few years and they might have forgotten it, but it's just too soon. The poor child will be sent to Valparaiso because he's been unfortunate enough to lose his parents twice."

Max Schriever considered his words. He knew the reverend was right. People still didn't entirely trust him as their doctor, despite his hard work and credentials. He was a newcomer, a stranger, just like Han Heyes. It would take the townspeople a long time to accept him fully.

He thought about the child.

Han was a bright boy - he learned things easily and picked things up quickly. He was sharp as a whip and worked hard.

Doctor Schriever was surprised to hear himself saying, "I could take him."

Reverend Elliot looked up in surprise. "You? But you have no wife! Why would you want to take the boy?"

"He's clever. I was just thinking that I need an assistant, and very soon this town will need two or three doctors. I could train him. It would be like having an apprentice."

"But it will be years before he could help anyone."

"As a doctor, yes. But he could look after the office for me when I'm away and deal with minor problems. And he isn't that young - he'll soon be in his teens and many boys start work then. In the meantime, he'll be able to learn what he needs to know."

The more he talked, the more he liked the idea. He liked Han Heyes; the boy would be a good student and equally good company.

The reverend smiled in relief. "My prayers aren't usually answered this quickly! We can go and speak to the Monroes first thing tomorrow morning!"

Leah woke early, filled with determination. Across the room, Charlotte slept on. Leah dressed quickly and headed for the door.

She stopped suddenly; there was a folded piece of paper under the door. She had a sudden feeling of dread as she reached for it.

Her name was written on the outside in Jed's untidy scrawl. Her eyes filled with tears as she read it.

She pulled open the door and ran to the guest room. It was empty.

She was too late.

The End (for now)!