Page 504 of Conveniently Wed
Just before his knuckles reached the door, it opened, and he almost rapped the pastor in the face. The man quickly raised his hand to catch Franklin’s fist.
“Sorry, Pastor. I wasn’t trying to slug you.”
The man of God smiled. “I know. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Both men chuckled.
“So what can–”
“So where were–”
After they spoke at the same time, Franklin stepped back. “Go ahead, Pastor.” He hoped the man wouldn’t be long-winded with his answer as he sometimes was on Sunday.
“I was asking what I could do for you.” Reverend Nelson thrust his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. “But you were asking me a question as well.”
“I’ve got to find Dr. Winston. No one answered the door at his house. We need him at the ranch right now.” It took all Franklin’s determination to keep himself from hurrying away. He would have if he’d had any idea where to find Doc.
“Mrs. Winston has gone to Denver to visit their daughter, and Doc is at Farncomb Hill. There’s been a mine cave-in. They’re digging out the men who were trapped. Some of them are pretty banged up. I was there earlier, but I came home for supper. I’m heading back over to see if I can help.”
“I’ll tag along. Mrs. Sullivan is in labor, and Mrs. Oleson sent me for the doctor. I sure hope he can go back with me.” What would he do if Doc couldn’t?God, please let him go.
“It’s her first baby, isn’t it? She hasn’t brought a child to church with her, but she could have lost a child before.” The minister swiftly headed toward the livery where he kept his horse stabled.
“Yes, it is. I’m sure she would have mentioned losing a child … at least to Mrs. Oleson.” Franklin led Major as he walked beside the pastor. He didn’t want to let on how worried he was about Lorinda. That could raise all kind of questions in Brian Nelson’s mind, and he didn’t need that right now. “How many men are trapped?”
“They’ve rescued most of them, but five were still inside when I left.”
Brian saddled his horse, and they headed east from town. Once more the bright moon lit the way. They rode so fast conversation wasn’t possible, which was fine with Franklin. His thoughts kept returning to the women at the ranch, and his stomach roiled. He wished he hadn’t eaten such a large supper. The way he was feeling right now, some of it might erupt at any time.
When they wound around the last mountain, the area of the mine was lit up, and men scurried all over the place like ants on an anthill. As the two men reined in at the front of the main building, the area of the mine was well-lit with a multitude of candles in the building, and lanterns swung from poles and trees. Searchers also carried lanterns with them.
After tying their horses to the hitching rail, they entered the large room that looked like a makeshift hospital.
When they opened the door, Dr. Winston raised his head from hovering over a patient.
“How’s it going, Doc?” Brian headed toward him. “Have they brought out any more men?”
“Not yet. But there’s plenty for me to do here.” Worry creased his brow as he glanced down at the man lying on the improvised bed on the floor, then walked over to meet them out of earshot of the injured men. “I’m not sure whether everyone here is going to make it.”
“I’ll go and start praying for them individually.” The minister stepped away.
Dr. Winston turned eyes, bloodshot with fatigue, toward Franklin. “Did you come to help?”
“No. Mrs. Sullivan has gone into labor, and Mrs. Oleson sent me to bring you back to the ranch.” He held his hat so tight, he crushed the brim.
The doctor dropped his head against his chest. Franklin waited, but the man didn’t say anything for quite awhile. This made Franklin more anxious. What could he do if the doctor wouldn’t come?
Finally the man raised his head. “I just can’t leave these men right now.”
Franklin knew the doctor needed to be here to try to keep as many men from dying as he could, but Lorinda needed him too. Despair fell over him like a smothering quilt.
“What do I tell Mrs. Oleson?” He couldn’t keep his worry from shouting through his words.
“That I can’t leave these men.” His tone emphatic, the doctor put his hand on Franklin’s shoulder. “And everyone around here is helping with the cave-in. Women have had babies since the world began, son. I’m sure Mrs. Oleson will do just fine helping Mrs. Sullivan. Maybe you can ask the pastor to pray for them while he’s praying for the injured miners.”
Before he left, he did talk to Pastor Nelson. Then he headed out to mount Major. He’d been gone from the ranch much longerthan he’d thought he would be. He was sure Mrs. Oleson was wondering where he was.
As he headed toward the ranch, he decided to take the doctor’s suggestion to heart. All the way, he prayed for the two women, and this time he didn’t run out of words. He’d never prayed for any woman the way he did for Lorinda. The widow’d had enough sorrows in her life, so he prayed for her labor and for the birth to be easy. He prayed for the baby to be healthy, and he prayed for Mrs. Oleson to know exactly what to do. He reached the edge of his property before he realized where he was. He’d trusted Major to get him home safely.
