Free Vivid by Beverly Jenkins Page B

rifle went off. In the resulting silence, not
even the birds dared sing.
    Rifle in hand, Nate Grayson, dressed in
his trousers and without a shirt, turned a malevolent look on the crowd and
shouted, "What the hell's going on here?"
    Eli stepped down from the porch and said,
"They're all here to see Dr. Lancaster, Nate. Can't say as I blame them.
Look at her. I'm thinking about stepping in a bear trap myself."
    The gaze Nate turned on Vivid would have
sent any other woman running back into the cabin. She knew he would consider
this display a prime example of why she was unsuitable, but Vivid was not
responsible in any way and refused to allow him to blame her. Vivid stepped
into the yard. Ignoring Nate Grayson, she said in a loud voice,
"Gentlemen, I am only going to say this once. I am here to be your doctor.
I am not seeking a husband. Do not court me. Now, anyone needing medical assistance
may stay. The rest of you, go back to your homes."
    There was a bit of grumbling and a few
disgruntled faces, but they complied. After she took care of the few men with
cuts and bruises, she was ready to contend with the Grayson cousins.
    Vivid turned to Eli and said, "I
would appreciate it if you would not write about this in your paper."
    "You're news, Dr. Lancaster. The size
of the crowd alone attests to that."
    "I didn't come here for a husband,
Mr. Grayson, just to practice medicine."
    "Then practice it wearing something
other than your nightgown, Lancaster," Nate snapped, stepping up on the
porch. His worse fears had come true. Once word got around about her beauty and
lack of husband, men and lumber beasts from as far away as Saginaw and Muskegon
would descend on the Grove in droves to court her.
    Vivid looked down at herself. She'd
forgotten her state of dress when all this began, but her gown was not a
revealing one. She sensed part of his temper could be traced to the melee in
the yard, but she vowed to keep her retorts to herself. Grayson held her future
in his hands. It would not do to have herself dismissed and escorted to the
train station over an issue she considered trivial. With him, she would have to
pick her battles. "You're correct, Mr. Grayson. The next time someone
comes pounding at my door, I will make certain I am dressed properly. I only
hope a seriously wounded patient won't mind bleeding to death while waiting for
me to comply with your wishes."
    Eli chuckled, "Dr. Lancaster, the Grove's
going to enjoy having you here."
    Nate turned to his cousin and asked
coolly, "When did you get back?"
    "Last night. And don't worry, I won't
be here long. I'll be heading for the Centennial in Philadelphia in a few
weeks."
    "Good. Stay out of my way."
    Vivid could almost touch the tension
between the two cousins as they glared at each other. She'd no idea what lay
between them, but she had had enough brawling for one morning, so she told
them, "If you two cocks are going to fight, do it elsewhere, please."
    Eli spoke first, "Nate's the one
spoiling for a fight, aren't you, cousin?"
    “You keep printing that hogwash in that
rag you call a paper and there's going to be more than spoiling."
    Nate turned angrily and took off across
the grass.
    "You'll have to forgive his manners,
Dr. Lancaster," Eli said. "He and I are having a political
disagreement of sorts. He's always right and I'm always wrong."
    Vivid silently watched Nate until he
disappeared through the line of trees that separated the cabin from the main house.
"What do you mean?"
    "I'm a registered Democrat."
    Vivid turned to him and stared. "A
Democrat! You are jesting with me?"
    "No."
    Vivid, thinking about the terror in the
South, said quietly, "Some folks would say your cousin has a right to be
angry."
    "I agree, but the Republicans have
done nothing but betray us."
    Vivid knew about the debate raging
nationwide over which political party deserved the Black vote in the upcoming
presidential election. But to be a Democrat?
    "How do you justify all that's
happening in