The Doctor's Daughter: A Virtue, Arizona Novel by Patricia Green

Author:Patricia Green [Green, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blushing Books Publications
Published: 2016-10-11T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Joshua made the long trek home that night, and even though he'd come home in the early hours of the night, rose with the sun the next morning and, before the family awakened, went back into town. By the time he got back into Virtue proper, his leg was throbbing and the bruise he'd spotted at home had swelled, stretching out his trousers. He didn't like the limp he had regained, but there was no fixing it. He had things to do and nothing ought to stop him.

He went directly to the livery stable and paid some of his gambling money to Mark Milner, the owner. He got a good quality pie-eyed, dapple gray, quarter horse. There was some spirit in the gelding, but he responded well to Joshua when he gave the animal a test ride. The ride made his leg worse, but he gritted his teeth and dealt with it.

The next stop he made was the mercantile, where Mr. Dobson sold him a pair of sturdy duck pants, some underwear, three good quality shirts, a blue and silver brocade vest, and black frock coat and trousers in the style popular around Arizona Territory. How he knew about men's fashion was a mystery, but since the memory of suiting up was vague, he went with what he intuited. Mr. Dobson threw in a cheap set of saddle bags to keep the items in. While he was there, Joshua bought some traveling supplies and grooming supplies.

Later, at the gunsmith, he picked up a Colt Peacemaker and ammunition at a good price. The weapon felt familiar in his hand, and he could manipulate it well, even doing some tricky turns and spins. The holster didn't cost much, but it was strange to know exactly what he was looking for without thinking about it. It was if he had worn a weapon on his thigh many times. It was puzzling, because a farmer or a carpenter, or another peaceful worker would not need a weapon like this. A hunting rifle yes, a shotgun, maybe, but not a .45 revolver. Nonetheless, he put it on and got on his horse—which he named "Horse," because if he didn't have a name, why should his horse?—and made his way slowly through the town and back to the Bucknells'. They had finished breakfast and were all at their various pursuits, except for Hope. She came out of the parlor as he was closing the front door.

"Oh, Joshua! We were so worried when you didn't come to breakfast. You said you'd be out late, but we had no idea you'd stay in town."

"Good morning, Miss Hope. I didn't stay in town. I was here. I tried not to wake anyone. Had some business in town to take care of this morning." He patted the saddle bags he wore over his shoulder.

"Those are new, aren't they? Does this have anything to do with your new job?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She teased. "Did you become a bank robber?"

Joshua chuckled, picking up her playful mood.

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