Read Online The Trouble with Patience by Maggie Brendan - Free Book Online Page B

it.
    â€œWell, Cody was there too, but the marshal took over and sent him to fetch the doctor,” Emily explained. “I heard the scream and got here just as Cody left.”
    â€œNice of the marshal to help.” She took another bite ofbread and looked over at Emily. “What? Why are you giving me that look?”
    â€œOh, I’d say that the marshal was doing a little more than just a nice thing. I think he’s interested in you,” Emily answered, eyebrows arched. “I saw his expression when he was feeling for a pulse in your neck—fear, then relief.”
    â€œYou must be joking. It’s his duty to help. He was probably wondering if I’d be bringing him breakfast biscuits again,” she tried a little chuckle but quit when it hurt her side. So it was Jedediah who took care of me.
    Emily was shaking her head. “No, it was more than duty, Patience. He carried you up here after the doctor said you could be moved. He was very attentive and has already come again to check on you. I told him you might be able to receive visitors in the morning if he wanted to stop by then.”
    Patience felt warmth spread to her face. Jedediah’s arms had lifted her, carried her right into her bedroom. “I’m sure he thought I was nothing more than a clumsy fool. Emily, I can’t thank you enough for being my nursemaid. But I feel pretty good now that I’ve had something to eat.”
    They continued talking, finding out they shared more than a few similarities. Patience told her new friend about her family and her near engagement to Russell, then his death, and Emily shared how after her parents had died from an outbreak of diphtheria she’d become the ward of her uncle, who gave her everything she needed growing up. She had the sense that Emily was about as lonely as she was.
    â€œOh, goodness! Look at the time. And I have to be up early.” Emily stood, lifting the tray. “Do you need help getting ready for bed?” At Patience’s shake of her head, Emily said, “Fine then. If you need anything—anything at all during thenight—just give me a holler. I’m sure I’ll hear you across the hall. I’ll stop by in the morning before I leave for Longhorn’s.”
    Patience gave her arm a squeeze, then slowly stood and followed her to the bedroom doorway. “Emily, thank you again. I enjoyed getting to know you better, even if the circumstances were not the best. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, please let me know.”
    Emily shrugged. “It’s what friends do for each other. Don’t forget, you don’t need to get up early to prepare breakfast—everyone has been forewarned.” She slipped from the room, and Patience closed the door to prepare for bed.
    She soon found herself between the covers and allowed the warmth to envelope her like a cocoon. She thought about what Emily had said concerning Jedediah’s interest in her. Her friend had seemed pretty certain about it, but Patience wasn’t. Jedediah? Interested in me? Emily must be mistaken. Still . . .

    Jedediah had trimmed his mustache, splashed on a bit of toilet water along his newly shaven jawline, and donned a clean chambray shirt. Outside he spied a patch of blue bachelor’s buttons growing alongside the stage depot. He looked around to see if he was observed, then quickly bent to pick a bunch. It was mid-morning by then, so he’d decided to check in on Patience. He did need to pay her for the boxed lunches, so he had a good reason for the visit.
    He sauntered down the boardwalk past his office, but slowed as he neared the Creekside Inn. The cowboy—he’d forgotten what he’d said his name was—stood high up on aladder, slapping yellow paint on the outside of the inn. The same yellow that was matted in Patience’s hair. What in tarnation is he doing that for? Is he a good friend of Patience?