Chapter 24
“I’m pleased to meet you both,” Colton Benton said as he welcomed Carrie and Spencer into his office. “My little sister speaks highly of you. I can hardly believe we’ve not met before now.”
“Rosie’s amazing,” Carrie replied. “The way she manages my brother is proof enough. He was always a handful for our mother, but Rosie seems to keep him in line without any trouble.”
Colton chuckled. “She was always able to keep me walking a straight line as well. I thought I was in charge of our family, but I’m beginning to think that was just a ruse.”
Carrie laughed, and Spencer did likewise. He liked Colton Benton. He’d already done his research on the man via the Pinkerton Agency. Benton was quite wealthy and yet generous to charities and family. He had also recently become a deacon at the church.
“I suppose Mr. Astor told you to seek me out after his death.” Colton got right down to business.
“So he told you his real name.” This surprised Spencer. “I wasn’t sure that he had. For years he depended on being Rowland Knowles to keep ahead of the law.”
“He didn’t tell me until our very last meeting. He made me get my secretary to adjust everything to show his real name and alias so that there would be no question as to the legalities. I wasn’t anticipating problems until he told me in detail about his dealings with the Union Pacific.”
“And how did that go?” Spencer asked.
“It complicated matters, but not overly so. Given Astor was the meticulous soul he was, the Union Pacific feels confident that the accounting of what he took is in good order. They aren’t going to contest his will as it relates to you two.”
“I’m so surprised by all of this.” Carrie shook her head. “He was a patient of mine. Certainly not a family member. It seems odd that he should leave us anything.”
“As I understand it, his relationship to Spencer was more complicated. He told me everything. I’ve never had a client such as Eugene Astor, but I mean to see his wishes met and can’t imagine anyone more deserving.”
Colton pulled up a folder and opened it.
“Mr. Astor’s house has been sold, and that money, along with what he had in his personal account, is now yours.
Astor was quite the investor. I suppose when you aren’t worried about whether you can access more money, you aren’t afraid to invest in risky things, and that’s what Astor did.
There is a process to go through, of course, but in a short time the two of you will inherit some seven thousand dollars. ”
“Seven thousand dollars!” Carrie was aghast.
“Are you certain that it doesn’t belong to the government or even the UP?”
“As I said, there is a process to go through, and we will make certain to cover every possibility. I wouldn’t want you to receive the money only to have it stripped away.
I have already been making inquiries but basically have left it in the hands of the Pinkertons.
Their fees will come out of the balance, but I think you’ll still be left with a substantial amount of money. ”
“You can set up your research center,” Spencer said, looking to Carrie. “Wherever you want to have it.”
“I heard something about that.” Colton leaned back in his chair. “I’d like to know more. My wife, Emma, suggested we should have dinner together this evening. I believe Dr. Duval and my wife know one another.”
“We do. We met at school when we were younger, although we weren’t exactly close friends, since she’s older than me.”
“Well, Emma believes medical research can benefit us all, and so do I. If you aren’t already busy tonight, please join us for supper. Say, six o’clock?”
Carrie and Spencer exchanged a glance and nodded. Spencer looked back to Colton. “We’d love to come.”
Colton wrote down something on his business card and handed it to Spencer.
“Here’s our address. We’re up near the Capitol.
As I said, we’re both fascinated by Carrie’s interest and can’t imagine any better organization to help support.
As you know, my own sister suffers from damage done to her brain during birth.
If there are ways to prevent such things or help in the aftermath through your research, then I would like to donate to that cause. ”
Carrie appeared overwhelmed, but Spencer was more than able to speak. “I’m glad you’re interested because, frankly, I believe my wife and Dr. Compton are going to make incredible discoveries together.”
“I’m looking forward to hearing more and working toward a plan for the future.”
Carrie appeared uncomfortable enduring their praise and folded and unfolded her hands several times. Spencer took hold of her gloved fingers and gave a slight squeeze to encourage her.
She seemed to calm. “I’m honored that you would put your faith in me that way.
You must know that short of naming something for you, there’s nothing in the way of financial gain.
Unless, of course, I managed to invent some sort of machinery or instrument to sell.
” Carrie folded her hands together. “However, the work we do will change the future of medicine and allow us to cure more brain diseases and trauma injuries. And hopefully, we can better understand the brain’s role in a more intimate fashion. ”
“I’m completely intrigued by the prospects,” Colton admitted.
“And financial gain wasn’t at all my concern.
I would love to see you find answers to problems endured by so many.
I am talking a donation, not an investment, although I feel as though it’s an investment in the future.
Who can say, I might one day need help for something brain related, and you will have the answer. ”
“I pray that you never need that kind of help, but if you should, I will happily be there for you.”
Spencer grinned at Carrie. “She’s going to make the world a much better place using the unique talent God has given her. I couldn’t be prouder.”
“Your home is so beautiful,” Carrie told Emma Benton after they retired to a small parlor after a wonderful supper.
“Colton insisted on building me a palace,” Emma said, shaking her head. “I would have lived happily in a tent so long as he was at my side.”
“Well, this is a magnificent house. Mama told me they just finished building it last month.”
“Well, actually, they are still working on parts of the third floor. It can be quite noisy here some days. I usually make plans to visit the ranch or at least make extended visitations to friends.”
Carrie couldn’t imagine trying to live with the noise. She was about to ask Emma when they planned to be finished when the men joined them.
“So we want to hear about the plans you have for your research hospital,” Colton declared, taking a seat beside his wife. “Spencer tells me that you and Bruce Compton have been talking about all the possibilities.”
“We have. In fact, I went to see Bruce after you told us about the inheritance. He was quite excited when I mentioned that you were considering becoming a patron to our cause. We went from imagining a small single-floor laboratory and clinic to a two-story hospital and research center.”
“Perhaps you should think even bigger,” Colton said with a shrug. “You will want to entice the best minds to join you. I’m sure there will be a great need for space.”
Carrie couldn’t contain her excitement. “We talked about that as well. We both know doctors we’d like to encourage to come to Cheyenne.
Of course, we’ll need someone to help us with the budget and securing other donors and such.
We both thought you might be the perfect man to join our board of directors.
In fact, we think both of you would be worthy of a place on the board. ”
Emma looked quite surprised and laughed. “Me? Cheyenne only knows me as a troublemaker. When I was young, I was quite the hoyden, as you well know.”
Colton laughed. “What better way to make it up to them. I, for one, would be honored to serve and help you get this thing up and running.”
“Well, at least that way you can oversee things and make sure that you get your money’s worth.” Carrie sobered. “I must stress something else. My former fiancé, Dr. Oswald Nelson, has promised to ruin me in any way possible.”
“Nelson stole much of Carrie’s work and claimed it for his own,” Spencer interjected. “The man is despicable. He knows Carrie will have a hard time as a female physician anyway, but he has threatened to make her life miserable.”
“Well, that’s where the help of a good lawyer should benefit you,” Emma said, giving Colton glance. “Colton is quite good at what he does. He’s been challenged by some of the most devious businessmen and robber barons. I think you’ll find him more than capable of putting Dr. Nelson in his place.”
“Absolutely,” Colton said, frowning. “You can fill me in on all the details later. Perhaps come to my office, and we’ll discuss it at length. I can then figure out how best to handle the matter.”
“That would be wonderful, Colton,” Spencer said, giving Carrie a wink. “With him out of the way, I’ve a feeling there will be no stopping Carrie.”
“Good, then that’s settled.” Colton reached over and took hold of Emma’s hand. “I’ve already got one additional donor for you, Carrie. When I mentioned to my sister what you were about to do, she wanted very much to help as well. Robert was in complete agreement.”
“I honestly don’t know what to say.” Carrie was deeply humbled at the love and support she’d found.
Things had seemed so bleak and impossible when she’d left Chicago.
Now the possibilities seemed endless. Two wealthy donors wanting to fully support her desires.
“And frankly, I’m not even sure where to start. ”
“Like I said, we’ll meet this week and establish a plan.
We’ll lay out cost projections and establish salaries for you and Dr. Compton.
You might want to speak to him and get a list together of people you’d like to encourage to join you.
Then we can discuss what might be an enticing salary to encourage them to come to Cheyenne. ”
“We could speak with our builder and architect,” Emma suggested. “You and Dr. Compton could tell them what you have in mind for your place. That will help us establish what kind of money will be needed.”
Carrie could hardly think clearly. “This is happening so fast.”
“Sometimes God moves that way,” Emma said, her gaze moving to her husband. “I know He did for me.”
“As long as God is at the center, I know it will be perfect no matter how fast or slow we go.” Spencer took hold of Carrie’s hand. “You just have to let Him take charge.”
“Have you decided what you’re going to do now that the search for Eugene Astor is over?” Carrie asked her husband that evening as they sat once again in front of the fireplace.
Spencer put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her snug against him. “I figure I’ll focus on loving you.”
She smiled and placed her head on his shoulder. “I hope that won’t prove too arduous.”
He chuckled. “I haven’t found it to be so as of now. It’s easy to love you, Carrie. You’re smart and pretty and charming too. And your faith in God is understated but strong. I like that about you. You really are more precious than rubies.”
“What?”
“Eugene Astor mentioned that reference from Proverbs thirty-one. ‘Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.’”
“‘She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.’” Carrie remembered the verses from Sunday school when being taught what a godly Christian wife should be.
“I’m afraid I will never be the woman that Proverbs portrays.
Working at home with my maid servants and planting vineyards and bringing honor to my husband. ”
“You will be very much like her. As I recall, she’s quite active outside of the house as well as in.
She has many duties and handles them all with wisdom and dignity.
Just as I know you will. I especially lean toward the verses that say, ‘Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.’ You are very much like that and always will be.
God has given you a brilliant mind and an understanding of things that will merit and benefit many.
Just like the woman in those verses. I am more than blessed to call you my wife. ”
“But I’m completely unconventional.”
“Are you?” He shook his head. “I don’t see it that way at all.
The Proverbs thirty-one woman is mindful of her household, her servants, and her husband.
You might not work with wool and flax or plant vineyards, but you work willingly with your hands at the tasks God has given you.
For who has given you the desire to find help for injured or ill patients if not the Great Physician Himself? ”
“I’ve never really considered it that way.
I always figured my mother was the better example of the virtuous woman.
Working at home, sewing and gardening, cooking and cleaning.
She has made a great home for my father and for her children.
We always had her love and protection. I just couldn’t always see it or appreciate it. I do now, however.”
“And that’s what matters. It’s a part of our growing in the Lord.
His wisdom and direction will help us through.
There are many examples of virtuous women, Carrie.
They don’t all look the same, not even in the Bible.
And if God blesses us with children, they will rise up and call you blessed one day.
Perhaps not when they are young and unable to see the truth of why you do what you do, but, Carrie, I know you will love them, and you will love me.
Your work will be important to you, but I’ve no doubt we will be even more so.
I also don’t doubt that there will be a way for both if that’s what the Lord desires and designs.
Perhaps there won’t even be children for us, but no matter the future, I know there will be love. ”
He gently touched her chin and raised it so that he could kiss her. “I love you, Carrie, and I always will. No matter where life takes us. So long as we are together and put God first, I know we will be blessed.”