Chapter Eighteen

Previously:

"She's been an immense help to us." Eliza, who was unaware of just who Mariah's husband was and was extremely grateful for all the woman had done, spoke up as she looked at Mariah. "If it wasn't for all she's done, who knows what kind of condition you'd have found us in."

… …..

By the time the Mrs. Madden was through, Mariah wanted to disappear-as she was uncomfortable with so much praise. On the other hand, Nick was smiling from ear to ear. After what he'd heard; maybe, just maybe he would actually be thanking Adam instead of punching him. Maybe...

Reaching the surviving stagecoach accident victims had been more time-consuming than anything. First, getting word to the rest of the men searching that the four surviving people had been found had not exactly been easy. The rough landscape that surrounded them and the inability to contact those same men the moment the passengers were found meant that messages had to be relayed multiple times through more than one person. And, secondly, finding another route to reach the passengers had taken time as well-simply because they had to wait for the local men to show up- men who knew the area well enough to know another way to get to the Maddens, Brian Keagan and Nick's new wife.

Thank goodness securing wagons had been rather easy. It's not like the majority of Ripon's residents didn't have an available wagon. Though, it had taken time to secure the wagons and then drive them out to where they were needed. However, after what seemed like an eternity, Brian and Phillip, along with the women, were taken back to Ripon - even it if was also a rather slow process. Now, Phillip (who had been treated and released by Ripon's doctor) and Eliza were with Fred at the home of a dear friend of theirs while Jarrod and Heath got a room at Ripon's boarding house. When it came to Nick, he was sitting in the foyer of the doctor's office with Mariah while Brian-who had down right insisted that the Maddens be looked at first-was now with the doctor in one of the two examination rooms.

Nick glanced around the doctor's foyer. The fact that the man was having the place remodeled was blatantly clear as the front door and waiting room-as the upper half of the wall between the waiting room and one of the examination rooms had been removed. While two of the other three walls of that same examination room had not been touched, the third one had also been removed-thus revealing a large space between it and the back door. Nick could see a solid wooden desk that set next to the front door. The coloring of the same desk was faded and the furniture had scratches all over it. It stuck out like a sore thumb-as the walls appeared to be freshly painted.

Shelves lined one wall that looked as if it also been repainted. Naturally, it was no surprise those same shelves held medical books, some looked brand new while others definitely older and were discolored. Though, he quickly turned his attention to the dark-haired beauty who was sitting across from him, looking more than nervous. With all that had happened, he understood perfectly well why that was the case.

"From what our doctor in Stockton says, Doctor King is very skilled in his profession. He had no problem helping the Maddens. He'll do fine with your brother." Nick did his best to reassure Mariah.

Mariah, who had always had an easy time talking, for the first time in her life, found herself struggling to find the words she wanted. She had never expected to feel anything at all when she laid eyes on Nick Barkley. Only she had...the moment she saw him guiding his horse down the hill. It was as if someone had pushed her out of a darkened room into the light. Until Nick said who he was, Mariah was seriously thinking to tell her brother she couldn't go through with the arranged marriage after all. From that moment on, she'd felt like a fish out of water, only she'd focused on her injured brother and the Maddens. Now, with everyone being taken care of, she found it difficult to keep her mind where it should be-and it embarrassed her. Finally, she found her voice. "I am sure of that. I..I.." she stammered and then forced herself to continue. "Brian was only in part of my thoughts. I was thinking about…" She paused.

Nick didn't have to ask her to continue to know what she'd been thinking about. If they had a chance at all, he had to be honest with her. "You were thinking about the marriage contract-and us." He turned his hat around in his hands, though he kept his eyes on Mariah. "Before you think too much more on it, you should know something." Now it was he who paused, causing Mariah to stiffen just a little.

"And that is?" She asked, curiosity filling her eyes.

Slowly, Nick explained everything, though he quickly added afterwards. "I'd like to give us an honest shot. That is, if you're willing. If not, I won't fight you backing out either."

Mariah, whose mouth had felt as if it had fallen to the floor, couldn't help it. She found herself laughing-and laughing hard. "I..I'm sorry." She managed to say as tears were literally forming in her eyes from laughing so hard. "I...I shouldn't be l..aughing so hard...but… I can't ...help it! Please, tell..me you don't make a habit of that. I mean, signing something you haven't read."

Nick, who was grinning ear to ear, had joined in the laughter. "C..Can't say I b..blame you and, n..no, I usually read anything I sign very closely."

Only when Dr. King stepped out of the examining room did their laughter stop. "Sorry, Doctor. We were just having a little laugh." Mariah and Nick spoke as they stood up.

"A little?" Doctor King's eyebrow rose as if to say he could debate that point, but he continued speaking-giving neither Mariah or Nick time to reply to the short question. "Mr. Keagan will be fine. I have put casts on both his arm and his leg. He says your destination is Stockton; I don't suggest he travel by any wagon since there is a train available. Dr. Merar can remove the casts in six weeks." Then, knowing only that Mariah was Brian's sister and that Brian had said Stockton wasn't his permanent home, added, "or whatever doctor is nearby when that time comes."

"Why don't you go see Brian while I go get us a couple of rooms at the boarding house and talk to my brothers." Nick turned his head in order to look at Mariah and smiled. "We can talk some more later."

Mariah, still laughing inside, didn't resist to reply. "I'm sure Brian will have no problem with that." Inwardly, the silent laughter grew as a look that said 'Can't we just skip that part' appeared in Nick's eyes. Though, she said nothing as she left Nick and Dr. King to join her brother.

When it came to Dr. King, who had seen the uneasy look appear in Nick's eyes, asked out of genuine concern, "Is there something wrong? Anything I can help with?"

The questions brought Nick out of the silence that had started to envelope the room. Nick put on his hat and gave the doctor a polite smile. "Thanks, but no. You'll excuse me. As I just said, I have things to do." Nick walked away, leaving Dr. King still wondering just what he had missed.