Standing in front of the Ace with Eddie, Ella was surprised to see four riders escorting the stage.
Eddie shouted and waved, "There's Jimmy and Lily!"
The two lead riders waved back. When the stage pulled up, Ella recognized the other two riders as deputies from Houston who had come to Fort Fetterman with Marshal Hayes.
"Deputy Mason, Deputy Locke, it's a pleasure to see you again."
"Thank you, Mrs. Coatsworth," they replied, then followed Jimmy and Lily toward the stables at the Ace.
By now, the steps were in place and the driver was helping a passenger out. Ella was shocked at the changes in Dr. Martin. He had written that the Army had used an injury to his leg as an excuse to force him to retire, but he had not mentioned that he was using a wooden peg instead of a left foot! His hair had all gone gray and he looked like he had aged twenty years. Ella wondered if he would be able to take care of the El Paso medical practice.
The driver handed Dr. Martin his crutches, and turned to unloading his baggage.
"Dr. Martin, welcome to El Paso! Eddie will bring the carriage around to carry your baggage to the house."
"There's not that much baggage, Mrs. Coatsworth, just those two bags. One learns to pack lightly in the Army, after all."
"The house is a few blocks away. Would you rather walk there or ride in the carriage?"
"I've had enough of sitting. Let's walk."
Eddie had already collected the two bags, so they set out. Ella watched Dr. Martin carefully, but he was walking easily, using the crutches only for balance, not for support.