Howdy Partners! I'm feeling my oats because of all the awesome reviews ya'll left me last chapter. :)

To "feel oats" is a cowboy term for "feeling lively" or "to have great confidence in your importance or ability"

Thanks!

I'd like to thank "GeezerWench" for prereading / creative consulting. :)

It's cold and raining and I'm stuck in the house, so here's a chapter.

I'm excited to see what ya'll think about Edward, so read on.

Mid-October, 1866

A week or so had passed since the botched river crossing, and the journey had become increasingly difficult due to the loss of rations. The travelers were subsiding on beans, pemmican, and potatoes three times a day. It was all they had left. When they prepared their meals they did so sparingly, and went to bed hungry every night.

Tensions were high. The Whitlock brothers were at each other's throats most of the day, taking turns blaming each other for the unfortunate turn of events. Charlotte threatened to leave them when their bickering became too heated, while Bella generally cowered worriedly in despair.

It seemed they would never reach the fort. Yet, everyday they moved a bit closer. The brothers knew once they arrived they would have no choice but to sell off their wagon and team just to buy food. They'd be forced to spend the winter at Fort Boise, and look for work. The pressure of providing for the women weighed heavily on their minds, stressing them.

As if that weren't enough, the coffee and tobacco had run out, setting everyone on edge.

Then, when it looked like it couldn't possibly get any worse, everyone caught a cold. They were still fit to travel, but no one slept very well, due to the sounds of hacking coughs and startling sneezes, that woke them all throughout the night. The illness had also ruined the brothers hunting trips. It was hard to sneak up on an animal when plagued with the sniffles.

Over the next week, instead of getting better like everyone else, Peter's illness took a turn for the worse. Maybe it was the lack of rations or sleep, or even the stress of fighting constantly with his brother, but soon Peter had to lie inside of the wagon for them to continue on.

They didn't want to stop and rest for fear of running out of food completely. They had to keep going.

Peter wasn't improving, but Jasper wasn't too worried over his brother's condition because his mouth seemed to work just fine. All day he yelled for someone to fetch him this or that, or complained incessantly about how bumpy the ride was. Jasper thought that Peter was just putting on for show—that he wasn't really as sick as he made out. He was angrier than ever because while his brother was laid up, he had to do twice the work, while Peter did nothing.

Jasper envied him, until one morning. Peter's complaining stopped.

Charlotte woke to find her husband consumed with fever, and wet with perspiration. He wouldn't take any water, and when she tried to sit him up, his head lolled back and forth like a wilted flower upon a stalk. He was incoherent. His eyes rolled back in his head, and Charlotte began to wail. She was inconsolable. Her hands shook as she sobbed into Jasper's chest, her fingers clutching at his shirt. She felt as though she had already lost Peter.

Jasper had to do something. His brother was dying, and he, all at once, felt scared and overwhelmed with guilt. It was his fault. If it wasn't for Jasper's gambling back in Texas, they'd still be safe and happy on the farm.

Through the tears streaming down her face, Charlotte begged Jasper to ride ahead and fetch the doctor. Maybe if they could find some medicine for Peter, he'd pull through.

Determined to help her fiancés brother because they had all done so much for her, Bella decided to fix a treatment for Peter. There were a few things she remembered about tending to someone with a fever that she'd read about in Dr. Cullen's book. She prepared some cold compresses, and laid them around Peter's head and neck to try to bring his raging fever down. Then, she left Charlotte to watch over him while she searched for a wildflower, called Yarrow, which was known to help reduce fevers.

If she could only find it.

Jasper hated to leave the women to fend for themselves, but Charlotte and Bella both knew how to handle a gun, and with any luck, he'd make it back with the doctor before sundown. It was a risk he'd have to take to try and save his brother. He couldn't let him die; he needed to make-up with him. It was the type of guilt that would eat at Jasper till the end of his days. As much as they had fought, Peter was his brother, and his best and only friend. His heart ached at the thought of losing him.

He said his good-byes and kissed Bella on her forehead before he mounted Jenks, sans saddle, and rode off as fast as he could toward Fort Boise.

Jasper rode hard for the better part of the day, only stopping to feed and water the horse. When he crested the top of the hill and saw the Fort and the small town that surrounded it, he breathed a huge sigh of relief.

There were over a hundred buildings: homes and businesses. He never dreamed that Boise would be such a booming town. He had no idea where to start looking for Dr. Edward Cullen, and suddenly, he worried that finding him would be more difficult than he had imagined.

In a rare stroke of luck, Jasper quickly found the post office, which also served as the general store. It was a wonderful place, filled with good food and drink, but Jasper didn't mosey. His only objective was to find help for his ailing brother.

A kind, older gentleman took Jasper to the Doctor's house, which also served as his office. It was an impressive two-story, wood-built structure, painted white with green shutters. It had a large front porch, and an engraved, bronze placard that hung just beside the front door that read, "Dr. Edward Cullen."

Jasper knocked, took a step back, and removed his hat while he waited for an answer.

The door swung open, and a clean, well-dressed, young man with unruly copper hair and ruddy cheeks answered the door.

He looked too young to be a doctor, so Jasper decided not to make any assumptions. "I'm here to find Dr. Edward Cullen."

Edward Cullen was used to dealing with travelers, and he knew immediately, by the looks of the stranger who had come to his door, that that's exactly what he was.

Dirty, dusty, unshaven, and wanting his services, without any means to pay. Edward hated having to tend to those people, especially the women and children. Who in their right mind would make a conscious decision to put themselves or their loved ones in such peril? Ignorant farm people, more than likely, he thought.

Edward lifted his chin and looked down his nose. "I am Dr. Cullen. What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping you could help my brother, sir. He's taken sick with a cold, and he's gotten worse. He's got a fever, and won't wake up."

Edward looked over the stranger's shoulder and noticed an extremely weary, hard-driven horse, which was wet with perspiration and frothing at the mouth. He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and asked, "Where might your brother be?"already wary of the answer before he'd received it.

"He's a few hours by horse from here—on the trail," Jasper explained.

"Yes, well, I'm sorry, but I don't travel that far to see patients. Good day."

Edward was in the process of shutting the door in Jasper's face, when Jasper stuck his boot over the threshold, creating a wedge.

"Hey! I wasn't finished talking to you yet!" Jasper pushed the door, swinging it open hard, causing Edward to jump back.

"I said, Good Day!" Edward exclaimed, gritting his teeth, and balling his fists. He wasn't going to let this stranger intimidate him, no matter how rough or strong he looked. Edward hadn't survived living in Boise by letting people walk all over him. The young Doctor wasn't brawny, but he knew how to defend himself.

"If you'd let me finish," Jasper growled, as he pushed his way into the Doctor's house. "Your Uncle Carlisle has sent us here. Our party includes Bella Swan. We've had a rough time of it—"

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Edward interrupted. He pinched the bridge of his nose, as he closed his eyes and furrowed his brow.

Jasper frowned as he waited for the doctor to quit making faces and talk business with him; his brother was dying. He decided that he didn't like that Dr. Cullen one bit, and if his brother's life hadn't depended on his help, he would have punched the arrogant son-of-a-bitch in the face and tried to find another doctor.

"I'm so sorry," Edward exhaled. "You know my aunt and uncle meant well, but when I received their letter saying that they had sent a young lady out here to be my nurse . . . I was so angry with them."

"Is that right?" Jasper blinked, taken aback.

"You've left the women alone with your sick brother?" Edward asked, already knowing the answer. He was appalled, and unable to keep the fire from his green eyes. "That was an extremely dangerous, foolish thing to do."

Jasper bit his tongue and nodded.

"I'll come with you," Edward sighed. "I'll have to hire a coach to bring your brother and the women back here, assuming they are all still alive when we find them."

Jasper recognized the dismal flash of emotion that passed over Edward's features. For one so young and soft, Edward had been hardened to the cruel nature of life, sickness, and suffering out west. He was no stranger to death and violence; he was used to it.

The doctor turned on his heel, and went to collect a few things from his shelves. He threw them into a large, leather satchel, collected his heavy suede coat, and pulled a fancy black hat from its peg beside the front door. "You'll leave the horse here. There is a corral behind the house. We will walk to the stage station." Edward spoke quickly with an air of authority as they exited the house.

Not having any other choice, Jasper followed him down the dusty road, all the while praying that his brother and their women were alright.

The stage station was rustically built from rough hewn timber, yet filled with fine people. Bustling with activity, the travelers and attendants were coming and going, and most of them looked well-to-do. Edward went straight to the counter to speak with the clerk about getting a coach, while Jasper stood back, holding his hat in his hands.

After a brief discussion, Edward paid the clerk and turned to explain to Jasper that the coach would be ready in about thirty minutes.

"I'll pay you back, of course," Jasper said as they left the station.

"Of course," Edward nodded then pointed to a building that sat just across the street. "We shall wait there, in that café."

When the door opened, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee hit Jasper's nose, he realized that he hadn't had anything to eat or drink all day. In his haste to find the Doctor, he'd forgotten.

"We will be traveling many hours," Edward pressed his lips together in a thin smile. "Are you hungry?"

Jasper was hungry, but his nerves were so shaken, that he could hardly think about eating. There were plenty of good things to choose from. Up on the counter sat fancy cakes and pies that were sheltered under glass domes to keep the flies away. His eyes became misty with tears as he remembered how much Peter loved sweets, and how he had eaten his brother's last pie during a drunken stupor.

"Nothing but coffee for me, but we might take something back for the women." Jasper said decidedly. "We lost most of our rations crossin' the Snake River, and I know they'd appreciate it."

Edward called for the waitress and ordered some coffee and apple pie. When she brought everything back to the table, he watched the traveler gulp the coffee down, and stared at the sight of the clean, white porcelain mug against his dirty, calloused fingers. As rough as the man appeared, he seemed to care for the needs of his fellow man, and his uncle had spoken well of him in his letter. Maybe he had been too hasty in his previous assessment. "I believe we started off on the wrong foot," Edward sighed, as he ran his hand through his hair. "What is your name?"

"Jasper Whitlock. My brother is Peter."

"And Peter's wife's name is Charlotte, and Bella Swan is supposed to be staying with me to become my nurse," Edward scoffed. "I would have never in a million years imagined my uncle sending a young, innocent girl out west. It's too dangerous. It's preposterous. She could have died."

Jasper kept his eyes down, and stared at the table. "She almost did."

Edward finished chewing his pie, swallowed, and then wiped his mouth with a crisp, white napkin before asking. "What happened?"

"She almost drowned in the Snake River. I pulled her out."

"Well, for that I am grateful, but to be honest with you, Jasper, I just don't have any idea what to do with the girl. I need a nurse, of course, but you know how silly and prone to nonsense young women can be, and think of her safety. It's extremely dangerous as well. I have no idea what Carlisle and Esme were thinking, sending her out here. I would have never approved of it . . . to have her come here—if I had been given the opportunity to voice my opinion." Edward shook his head disapprovingly then took another bite of pie.

Jasper sat back in his chair, and finished off his coffee. "You don't have to worry about Bella. We're gettin' hitched as soon as possible. I'll take care of her."

"Oh?" Edward raised one eyebrow in surprise. "My uncle didn't include that bit of information in his correspondence."

"He wouldn't have." Jasper folded his arms across his broad chest. "I asked her to marry me on the way here."

"Congratulations," Edward said politely, then glanced at his watch. "What do you suggest we take back for your bride-to-be? We should order now; to ensure we catch the stage as soon as it's ready."

"She's not picky. How 'bout a pie?" Jasper asked as he raked his thick fingers across the stubble of his cheek.

"Yes, let's buy a few. The pie here is excellent." Edward displayed a true heartfelt smile because he had been freed from his obligation to the girl. He'd buy Jasper as many pies as he wanted. The rough-edged traveler had unknowingly made his life a lot less complicated by agreeing to marry Bella Swan.

Minutes later, the men took their parcels, boarded the coach, and were on their way.

Edward and Jasper made polite conversation during the long ride back towards the camp. Jasper was mentally and physically exhausted but he couldn't sleep, not only because he'd had coffee, but because he was worried sick for his brother's life and the women's safety.

It was twilight before the coach neared the camp. The drivers were greeted by Bella and Charlotte: guns raised.

When the women realized that it was only Jasper and the Doctor, they dropped their weapons and ran to greet them with open arms.

Jasper was so relieved to find Bella safe and sound, that he almost forgot about his brother, until he heard his raspy voice shouting, "What's goin' on out there?" from within the wagon. The fact that Peter was able to yell made Jasper's heart so happy that it felt like it was about to burst.

Dr. Edward Cullen disembarked and stood beside the coach in shocked silence. It was almost as if he had forgotten how to breathe. The letter he had received from his aunt and uncle had provided a description Bella, but they had failed to disclose how beautiful she was.

There she stood—Bella Swan, the girl he'd been loath to meet—a vision of loveliness, covered in trail dust. Surely the heavens were mocking him. She was his dream angel. Everything he had ever wanted in a woman; dressed in rags; horrid, ugly native boots, and engaged to marry the trail ruffian.

She was so small and fragile-looking that Edward, without knowing her, wanted to protect her, to save her. It was then that the letter from his aunt and uncle began to make sense. They had sent her to him, entrusting him with her care. They loved Bella and spoke of her as family. Edward kicked himself for not realizing it sooner. They hadn't been sending him a nurse; they'd been sending him a wife. It was then that he clenched his jaw and the unimaginable happened. He began to feel jealousy and envy towards Jasper. That line of thinking didn't last for long. She hadn't married him yet. Edward still had a chance. He could give Bella another choice—a way out of those deplorable conditions. Surely, he was the better option. He'd simply have to show her.

Edward was startled from his thoughts by the sound of an ailing man shouting and coughing from within the wagon.

Everyone rushed over to the makeshift bed that Charlotte and Bella had set up for Peter.

Peter was in a foul mood, and he didn't want to cooperate with Dr. Cullen when he tried to make an examination. "I'm fine! I'm not goin' anywhere. Let me be." Peter rasped, and then worked himself into a coughing fit.

Bella calmly explained to the Doctor everything she'd done for Peter, and the way his symptoms had progressed, since it was almost impossible for him to examine the fitful patient.

Everything Bella had done and the way she spoke, intrigued Edward further. He held her by the shoulders, "You've done a magnificent job, Bella. The best thing for him now would be to take him back to my office. He is very sick, possibly delirious with pneumonia."

Charlotte gasped and covered her face with her hands in worry.

"Don't worry, madam. With my treatments, he'll be back on his feet in a few days." Edward spoke reassuringly to her, and then turned to Jasper. "You'll need to carry your brother over to the coach. We'd best be going."

Jasper didn't like the way Edward had touched and looked at Bella, and then ordered him around, but he held his tongue for Peter's sake.

He hoisted Peter over his shoulder, which was no easy feat.

His brother was resisting him and fighting to be put down. "Jasper, I don't wanna go, dammit! I have a bad feelin' about this! Put me back in the wagon!"

"I've seen this many times before." Edward shook his head with remorse. "The resistance is just the illness speaking. He's gone mad with fever."

Peter was much too weak to struggle and fight, so Jasper eventually got him into the coach.

Charlotte and Bella wrung their hands not knowing what to do.

"Get in ladies, let's not waste any time. You will stay with me. Of course, Jasper will be along with your belongings in a few days," Edward commanded, as he assisted them into the coach.

"I'll take good care of everyone, Jasper." Edward spoke quickly, and then gave the drivers a signal, and they took off.

Jasper was left alone at the dreary camp. It was dark, and the cold wind was beating at his back. He sat down beside the fire, tried to warm himself and settle his thoughts. He was annoyed that he hadn't had the chance to kiss Bella good-bye; but what bothered him more was how she had jumped into that coach as fast as she could, without so much as a backwards glance.

He poked at the pot of leftover beans, but he really didn't feel like eating. He hoped that his family made it back safely, and he was glad for them. Glad that they'd be warm and have a roof over their heads that night.