The Vicky Series: Book 1: Chasing a Dream

Chapter 54

Vicky sighed and resigned herself to Katie fussing. After all that Katie had done for her, it really was a small thing.

Katie carried Naomi Beth's basket out to the buckboard where Ernest lifted Vicky easily to the seat. He walked around, climbing up next to her and set the basket between their feet.

As soon as they were out of sight of Arrow Q, Vicky shrugged out of the sling. She bit her cheek to hide the twinge of pain it was much better, and all this fuss was driving her mad. She much preferred Uncle Jebb's method of nursing. Get you on your feet as soon as possible and work through the pain.

"Penny for your thoughts."

"Ernest, they aren't worth that much. I was just complaining to myself." She smiled," I was thinking about when I first came here. I was nearly beaten to death and my nurses got me on my feet as soon as I could stand without passing out. I was working through the pain so my muscles wouldn't stave up."

"Are you afraid you might lose some use of that arm?"

"No. not really. Its feeling better every day. It's just that I've gotten used to doing for myself and all this fuss is rather bothersome."

He chuckled.

"Miss Vicky, you're a handful, that's for sure." He paused thoughtfully. "You know he's going to make you put that back on, don't you?"

"Ernest, Jeremy will do no such thing. He loves me and he'll not MAKE me do anything I don't WANT to do." She snapped.

Ernest shrugged and they rode in silence the rest of the way to the station.

***

Jeremy paced nervously. He'd been engaged to Victoria Bradley for two years. Now they were finally going to the alter. He was surprised at the butterflies. He turned again to pace the boardwalk when he saw the buckboard coming. Just like that the butterflies flew and his smile grew until his face hurt.

Ernest pulled to a stop and bit his cheek to keep from laughing as he saw Jeremy step up to help Vicky down. He arched an eyebrow when he noticed the missing sling. He looked past Vicky to Ernest. Ernest only shrugged and handed the basket down to Jeremy.

With the basket in one hand, he leaned down to kiss Vicky on the cheek.

"You look-"he couldn't think of a word adequate enough to say what he saw. "Stunning."

"Thank you." She blushed, feeling suddenly bashful. "You look rather dashing yourself."

He was wearing a new suit, and the dark stripes made him look taller. He offered his free arm.

"Shall we go?"

She nodded as she slipped her arm into his.

"Where's your sling?" he asked nonchalant as they stepped back to allow Ernest to pass with the trunk

He arched his eyebrow and tipped his head to look at her. The look made her squirm.

"I don't see why I must' I feel much better."

"I don't see why I must see the doctor in Boston; I feel much better." He said in a sing-song voice.

"Jeremy." She sighed.

"One month more is what the doctor suggested."

Vicky sighed again and pulled the sling from her reticule. She heard a sound from Ernest that sounded suspiciously like a suppressed chuckle.

"Not a word, Ernest." She scolded." Not. One. Word."

Jeremy had opened his mouth to ask, but after a quick glance at Vicky he clamped his jaw shut with a snap.