FLAME SERIES #20 SO SWEET THE SMILE

CHAPTER 4

Social Call

Calleigh had promised Kitty that she would make a call on the Raggers. A combination social and professional visit. She was just passing Bricker's ranch when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Looking up over her left shoulder, she spotted Gaith at the top of Nubbins Peak. But Gaith wasn't alone. He was sitting on the ground with a blonde. "Cicely Ragger." She whispered to herself. "Looks like Festus was right."

Giving Belle a gentle kick she continued on to the ranch. It was a beautiful spot – if you were wanting to live a sedentary lifestyle. Calleigh could see where a young girl might be pretty bored way out here. Belle slowed down as she neared the hitching post. Just as Calleigh readied to dismount she spotted another little blonde.

Peeking out from the side of an overgrown hydrangea was half of a small pale face and a single yellow braid. Calleigh threw the reins over the post and turned toward the curious child but made no moves.

"Hello. My name is Calleigh. Who might you be?" She waited patiently not wanting to frighten the girl. Obviously, the redheads grin was just as infectious to children as adults. Soon the other half of the youthful face appeared along with a matching braid.

She took the step outside the flowering bush but remained silent. Calleigh watched the girl chew at her bottom lip while clutching a stuffed bear. "My little sister has a favorite bear named Bootsie." She nodded toward the furry toy. "What's his name?"

Trisha glanced down at the bear and then back to the stranger. "She's a girl. Her name is Muffin."

"I apologize. But I can tell that you're a girl. Wanta tell me your name?" Calleigh relaxed her stance hoping it would make the child more comfortable. It seemed to work and the girl took a step closer.

"My name is Patricia Jane but you can call me Trisha. We never have visitors. What do you want?" Her question was not rude but simply the blunt honesty of a child. She continued to stroke the bear's ear as she scrutinized the stranger.

"I just came to welcome you to Dodge. I live a few miles over that hill." With a nod, Calleigh glanced in the direction of the Double O.

Trisha leaned to one side looking past the stranger. "What is that bag on your horse? Are you a doctor?"

"Yes I am."

A youthful blend of doubt and curiosity brought the girl closer. "You don't look like a doctor. They're always old not pretty like you."

There is nothing more sincere than a compliment from a child. Calleigh accepted it with grace. "Thank you. My grandfather is a doctor too." She leaned down as if to whisper a secret. "He is kinda old." Trisha offered a shy smile when she realized Calleigh was teasing her. "I just stopped by to introduce myself. To let your folks know that either my grandfather or myself are always available."

Trisha stared at the bag. "Are you a good doctor?"

"Well, I think so. Is someone sick?"

The little girl clutched the bear tighter. "I don't know. Is scary the same as sick?"

"Trisha!" The voice was not harsh but unmistakably firm. It belonged to the well dressed woman standing on the front porch. Mary held out her hand and the girl ran to her. "Can I help you?" Her voice carried the same blunt inflection as her daughter but it wasn't quite as innocent.

Calleigh pulled herself to her feet and took the few steps back to the porch. "My name is Calleigh O'Brian. I'm one of the town doctors."

Mary pulled the child tighter to her side. "Yes, I remember. We met at the mercantile."

'That's right. I had forgotten." Calleigh paused and then feigned a look of embarrassment. "The truth is I have been making calls all morning and I forgot to bring any water." She cautiously took a step closer. "I hoped maybe I could beg a glass of water from you."

All of this secrecy was driving the nosy redhead crazy. For some reason, she really wanted to see inside the Ragger house.

Calleigh had thrown down the gauntlet and now the three stood in silence. Mary's eyes rolled slowly to one side, casting a glance at her home. This young woman had not left her much choice in the matter. Donning an obviously forced smile, she reached back to open the door. "Of course. Come in."

Calleigh stopped inside the front door her eyes quickly taking in the coveted surroundings. She wasn't sure what she expected to find but the only thing she saw was a tastefully decorated living room.

"Why don't you have a seat and I will get that water for you. Trisha, you come with me I don't want you pestering the doctor." Mary took the girl by the hand and guided her into the kitchen. The child looked back over her shoulder. She was obedient as her mother led her away but young curious eyes remained glued to the stranger.

It didn't take much of a genius to figure out that the woman feared her daughter might tell the family secrets like children often do. Instead of taking a seat, Calleigh opted to wander through the room looking at the various family photos.

Something caught her attention and she stopped, then backtracked to the pictures on the piano. In the center was a wedding picture. The couple was so young, so obviously in love. The nosy physician glanced back in the direction of the kitchen. What had happened to that happy young couple? She had only seen Mr. Ragger briefly in town but his face shared the same sober countenance as his wife. But that wasn't what caused her to take a second look. Curious eyes scanned the photos again. "There is no-"

"Hello." The male voice startled her and Calleigh whirled around as if she had been caught doing something wrong. Something other than snooping. Like his wife, he forced a smile and reached out to shake her hand. "We haven't officially met. I'm John Ragger."

Surprisingly enough, his grip was firm. "Calleigh O'Brian." She returned, "I am half of the Adams - O'Brian Clinic. I was just on rounds and-"

"Here you are –" Mary stopped suddenly her eyes bouncing between the two people. "Oh. John I thought you were in your study." She resumed her original task and delivered the glass. "Dr. O'Brian just stopped in for a drink of water."

"She was just telling me that. Won't you have a seat Doctor?"

"It's just Calleigh." She offered her usual grin and proceeded to take a seat. An offer that she knew was not genuine. "You have a lovely home. I used to come here often when I was a girl. The Testerman's had a daughter my age."

Realizing their guest was not going to leave, John took a seat in the armchair across from her while Mary excused herself to check on a pie she had in the oven. "Adams? Is that the older gentleman?"

"Yes, he's my grandfather." Calleigh glanced back over her shoulder. "I was looking at the pictures when you came in. You have a lovely family."

"Thank you." His calm seemed to be abandoning him.

"I have seen your older daughter in town a couple of times. My mother and I were wondering if she would want to come to the barn dance this Saturday?"

Mary opened the door to the kitchen ushering in the warm bouquet of apples and cinnamon. Unlike the inviting aroma her tone was cold and short. "She's very shy. I doubt that she would be interested."

"Oh, well maybe if I just talked to her-"

"No. She's sleeping. Cicely was up very late – reading. I don't want to wake her."

"Sleeping?" Calleigh's blue eyes traveled a slow but deliberate path between the two liars. "I see. Well uhm, maybe when she wakes up you can just extend the offer." She quickly downed the water as she rose to her feet. "That pie smells delicious. You must be a wonderful cook."

"I try to please my family." Mary took the empty glass and in a subtle move led the visitor to the door. "Thank you for stopping by."

Calleigh had scarcely stepped through the threshold when the door closed softly behind her. For a second she stood at the edge of the porch. "Hmmm. Here's your hat what's your hurry." She hopped down the few steps and walked over to Belle. "Let's go in to town. I suddenly have a craving for apple pie.