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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐍 peaked through the curtains of the clinic as Mrs. Stafford-Smythe began to stir awake. Montana walked into her room, a warm smile on her face. "You're awake. Good. How do you feel today, Mrs. Stafford-Smythe?" the blonde asked as she sat in the chair next to the bed

"Tired." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said as she began to sit up, and Montana gave her an extra pillow.

Montana smiled warmly at her. "Your speech is better today."

"But not my arm." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said

"With physical therapy, it's possible to regain use of your arm." Montana said

Windsor entered the room, a bright smile on his face. "You're awake madam. This is wonderful."

"Don't fuss over me Windsor." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said.

"We should let her get some rest, Mr. Windsor." Montana gently spoke.

"Of course, miss." Windsor said, then looked at Mrs. Stafford-Smythe. "I'll be in the next room, madam. I won't leave you."

"I know you won't, Windsor." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said

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30 minutes outside of Austin, on the Lockhart ranch, which neighbors the Walkers, Nathan, Aaron, August, Robby, Bobby, and Jimmy repaired the barbwire fence.

"I would be at a great disadvantage if you guys hadn't been available to help me fix up the place. I'd never have got it good enough to sell." Jack said

"Well, we're happy to help you." August said.

"It's no problem. Drew was always helping me out at the church, and people around town. It's the least I can do." Bobby said

"Drew was one of the first to welcome Jenny, the kids and I to Austin." Jimmy said as he cut the wires for the fence

"Hey be careful there, you're gonna cut yourself on a rusty—" Nathan started, but before Nathan could even continue, Jack cut his hand on a rusty wire. "That wire."

Setting his hammer, and wire cutters down, Nathan walked over to examine Jack's hand, which was a deep puncture wound. "Let me take a look at it." he said

"It's nothing—" Jack said

"Let me see your hand." Nathan said, as Jack showed him the deep puncture wound on his hand. "Oh, that puncture wound is deep. One thing you don't mess around with is is rusty wire, and rust in a cut, you'll get a nasty infection. Now, I want you to go into town, and I want you to see Dr. Jackson, Stella, or even Montana."

"I'm fine, really." Jack said

"Hey, one thing you don't mess around with is rust in a cut. We'll finish up here." Nathan said.

"Yes sir." Jack said

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In the doctor's clinic, Stella and Montana were putting away supplies, when they heard footsteps on the front steps of the clinic. Looking out the window, the blonde smiled as she saw Jack.

"I have some paper work to finish." Stella smiled as she walked towards the back

Montana smiled at her mother, then walked to the door, and opened it to Jack, who held his hand behind his back. "Hi Jack." she smiled brightly

"Hi Montana." Jack smiled. "I came to see Dr. Jackson about my hand, is he here?"

"He's out checking on patients." Montana said gently. "Why? What's wrong?"

"I had a little run-in with a rusty wire." Jack said. "When do you expect the doctor to return?"

"Not for hours." Montana said, then gently took Jack's hand and examined it. "Rusty wire? Tetanus can take hold pretty quick. You had your tetanus shot?"

"Yes ma'am." Jack said

"Well, I don't mind taking a look at it for you, if you want to come on in." Montana said

Jack nodded and walked in the clinic, and sat down near the table, while Montana grabbed the supplies. "My uncle Bobby told me you went to Columbia University. You didn't mention that the other night at supper." the blonde said as she began to carefully clean his wound

"I guess I could have worked that in." Jack said

"Well, between my father interrogating you, and my brother and uncle talking about their karate glory days, you didn't get a chance to get a word in edge wise." Montana chuckled. "You're fortunate to have the opportunity to have studied at Columbia."

"Which university did you attend?" Jack asked

"Well, I went to Texas University at Austin for my nursing. But it's always been a dream of mine to become a physician, especially after seeing my friends injured in the rodeo and I could never do anything about it. However, medical school is just entirely too expensive, so I used my rodeo scholarship for nursing." Montana smiled.

Jack winced as Montana secured the gauze. Noticing his discomfort, Montana gently spoke, "Oh, I'm so sorry if it stings. I should have given you a heads up about that."

Jack shook his head and smiled fondly at the beautiful blonde in front of him. "Oh, no. It's all right. Actually, you've been very gentle. You're an excellent nurse, and you'll make an excellent physician."

Montana smiled brightly as she felt her heart flutter in her chest. "You're all set. Remember to keep the wound clean."

"Thank you, Montana." Jack smiled as he looked into her beautiful and hypnotic violet eyes

"You're welcome. Be careful on the rusty wires. Maybe let my grandpa, brother, and uncles handle them?" Montana suggested

Jack chuckled, and smiled in reply. "Yeah, maybe. I'll see you later."

"Please tell my grandpa, brother, and uncles I said hello." Montana smiled

"I will." Jack smiled

After walking to the door, he turned around and gave her one last look. The two looked into each other's eyes, and there was a moment of comfortable silence.

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"Those sheets are rough." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe complained as Dr. Jackson checked her pulse, and Stella and Montana changed her sheets.

The mother and daughter looked at each other and chuckled, then at Dr. Jackson, who was clearly annoyed. "They're all I've got." he deadpanned

"That cot is like sleeping on a board. And the draft in here practically blows the blanket off my legs. How long until I can leave?" Mrs. Stafford-Smythe asked

"You can move to the boarding house today, Mrs. Stafford-Smythe. If Montana will stay with you...can you do that?" Dr. Jackson asked

"But I thought I'd continue to work here with you and my mom." Montana said

"Mrs. Stafford-Smythe needs a nurse." Dr. Jackson said. "Which is what you are."

"Actually, I'm—" Montana started

"It's all settled then." Dr. Jackson said

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"Windsor, is this the best room the boarding house has to offer?" Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said as she laid in the bed

"I'm afraid so, madam." Windsor said

"I suppose it's a step up from the clinic." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said as she began to fluff her pillows. " Still, these pillows are much too flat. They'll never do, and surely they've got better linen."

"I'm mortified by these inferior accommodations, but I'm afraid it's not possible to get anything better in this, uncivilized outpost." Windsor said

A knock was heard at the door, and Windsor walked to the door and opened it to Montana. "Oh, Ms. Lawrence. Please, come in."

"Thank you, Mr. Windsor." Montana smiled

"Madam, I'll just be down stairs in the restaurant to check on your tea and pastries." Windsor said

"Wash the China yourself Windsor. I don't trust these people to have high standards of cleanliness." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said

"Yes, madam." Windsor said

"How are you feeling today, Mrs. Stafford-Smythe?" Montana smiled.

"How do you think I'm feeling? Being forced to endure these primitive conditions.

"You know, we're not all uncivilized here." Montana said

"Really? Did I somehow miss seeing the opera house or a good library or even a hat shop with the latest fashions from Europe? No? I thought not." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe asked

"Austin has other things to offer." Montana smiled as she sat down beside the older woman

Mrs. Stafford-Smythe raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Such as?"

"Good people, and a church that welcomes everybody including strangers. We take care of each other in difficult times." Montana said

"Let me ask you something Ms. Lawrence, have you even been out side this small town?" Mrs. Stafford-Smythe asked

"My father's originally from the San Fernando Valley in California. I used to visit when I was toddler. I prefer Austin." Montana said. "Shall we begin your therapy?"

Gently taking Mrs. Stafford-Smith's arm, Montana gently began to move it in gentle circular motion. "Now, remember as I'm moving your arm, you've got to imagine you're doing it on your own, ok?"

"I saw you reading late into the night last night." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Did the light keep you awake?" Montana said

Mrs. Stafford-Smythe shook her head. "My age keeps me awake."

"I'll turn the light out earlier tonight." Montana said

"Must've been a very interesting book to keep you awake at that hour." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said

"Oh it is. It's called The Laws of Life, and it's written by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell." Montana smiled. "My grandma Loretta's great-great-grandmother heard her speak once in Boston. I can't imagine what it must have been like to hear her speak in person."

"You sound like you greatly admire her." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said

"I mean she did so much to pave the way for women to become doctors." Montana smiled

Mrs. Stafford-Smythe softly smiled at the statement. "Ah, and that's what you want to be."

"I'm fortunate that I was able to become a nurse. You see I rodeoed all my life, and won a scholarship, and the scholarship money only covered so much. So I chose nursing school. But it's always been my dream to be a sports physician." Montana said as Mrs. Stafford-Smythe barely held her arm off the bed. "You moved your arm."

"Your powers of observation are remarkable." Mrs. Stafford-Smythe said

"This calls for a cup of tea." Montana smiled as she reached behind her and grabbed a tea cup. "Now, imagine this is your favorite Earl Grey. See if you can lift your arm enough to take it." she said as she held the tea cup in her hand.

"What? Like a dog doing tricks?" Mrs. Stafford-Smythe questioned

"Like a woman who wants her independence back." Montana said. "You know, if you apply your willfulness to your therapy, you might get better."

Mrs. Stafford-Smythe gently lifted her arm off the bed, but it wasn't enough to reach up and grab the tea cup. Letting out a sigh of exasperation, the older woman closed her eyes in frustration. "It's alright. We'll try again in the morning."