Cassidy's War

by Susan Macatee

  Quinn’s rust-colored brows rose. “The schoolteacher?”

  “You know her?”

  “Cassie just introduced me to her. She’s young and very pretty.”

  George nodded. “Just the type of patient Madison likes to prey on, I reckon.”

  “You mean he...?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out. I interviewed Miss Baker, but all she’d say was that he’d treated her arm and nothing improper happened.”

  “Wait a minute.” Quinn’s gaze narrowed. “Cassie said the teacher cut her arm, and Cassie had to suture it. What was she doing seeing Doc Madison?”

  “That’s interesting.” George stroked his beard. “She said he’d applied antiseptic to her arm. Wouldn’t she have gone to your sister if she had an infection?”

  Quinn nodded. “Something’s not right...but if Miss Baker heard about the Taskers, she may have been wary of seeing Cassie again.”

  George sighed. “Reckon I’ll have to have another talk with the teacher. Of course, I’m a stranger and a man. If something improper did happen, I’m the last person she’d tell. She’s likely humiliated and fears ruining her own reputation.”

  Quinn shrugged. “So, what can we do?”

  “I thought...” George threaded his fingers together. “...I thought maybe we should tell Cassie. She’s a woman and a doctor, and she’s already treated Miss Baker, maybe she could coax the information out.”

  “Why don’t you just ask Cassie yourself?”

  George shook his head. “I’m not sure she trusts me. But this is to go no further, Quinn. The last thing I need is for Madison to find out I’m investigating him.”

  Quinn nodded. “I’ll talk to Cassie.”

  ****

  After dinner, Quinn kept his promise and escorted Cassidy to town square. She gathered her wool shawl around her shoulders to ward off the April chill. As they stopped outside the mercantile, Quinn shook his head.

  “You know, even though I’ve only been away a few months, it’s still startling to recall just how tiny this town is.”

  Cassidy giggled. “Can you blame me for wanting to go to Philadelphia?”

  “No, ma’am.” He grinned.

  “I’ve heard medical schools are very picky about the women they allow in, at least that’s what Pa used to tell me. He said, even if they did accept me, they’d be very hard on me.” She glanced at her brother. “He didn’t think I’d make it.”

  “I don’t agree, Cass. You’ve had tons of experience nursing during the war and assisting Pa. If you’d like I could send a recommendation.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “Sure. Don’t know how much it would help, though. I’ve just completed my internship.”

  “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me, Quinn.”

  He led her to a bench at the end of the street. “Cassie, sit down. I have a favor to ask.”

  After settling on the bench in front of the closed shoemaker’s shop, she frowned up at her brother. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

  “Not with me, Cassie. The favor I’m asking for concerns George.”

  “George? Why should I do him a favor?”

  Quinn sighed. “Well, this favor would help not only George, but our practice and others in town.”

  “How?”

  “Well, it concerns the reason George is here.”

  “He’s here to pay respects to his father.”

  Quinn shook his head. “That’s not the real reason he’s here.”

  Cassidy’s pulse quickened. “Then why is he here?”

  “He’s investigating Dr. Madison.”

  “So that explains why he hasn’t left yet! But why? George isn’t in law enforcement or working for a newspaper, is he?” His story about living as a professional gambler might just be a front.

  Quinn cleared his throat and leaned toward her so they almost touched. “He told me Madison took liberties with one of his patients in Philadelphia. The patient in question is the daughter of a colonel we served under during the war.”

  Cassidy’s pulse quickened. “So George is doing the man a favor...or is the colonel paying him?”

  “I can’t really say, but if Madison’s as unscrupulous as George claims...”

  Cassidy’s face heated. “I’d do anything to see the weasel discredited.”

  “Colonel Wellingham is the one who allowed you to bring George home after he was wounded at Gettysburg.”

  Cassidy recalled an image of a kind, dark-haired officer. He’d made sure she had the means to bring George home to recover.

  “I remember Colonel Wellingham,” she said. “But how is George supposed to prove Madison harmed the colonel’s daughter?”

  “He can’t. That’s why he has to watch him, to see if he harms another patient here in town.”

  “And how can I help?”

  “Well, George visited the doc, pretending to be a patient and saw a file on Miss Baker. She was the doc’s last patient. George tried to talk to her, but all she’d tell him was that the doc treated her arm for an infection. He thought...” Quinn gazed across the square. “...he thought if you could try to talk to her, maybe she’d open up about her visit with Madison.”

  Cassidy’s blood warmed. “She went to Madison after I’d stitched up her arm? I told her to see me if she had any sign of infection. She’s also supposed to come back in a few days to have the stitches removed.”

  “I told George you treated her. Maybe she’d heard about the...um...”

  “You can say it.” Cassidy’s face burned. “The Taskers. She heard about the Taskers and ran to Madison.” She sighed. “Can’t say as I blame her. She wasn’t a regular patient, being new in town.”

  Quinn draped his arm over her shoulder. “Don’t dwell on it, Cassie. We need to know if the doc acted improperly. George couldn’t get anything out of her, but maybe you could.”

  “Maybe she’s just nervous talking to a strange man. George can be charming, but he can also...” She closed her eyes. “He can set a woman’s heart racing.” She eyed her brother. “And it could turn out to be nothing, just like she said.”

  “But at least he’ll know. And if Madison did harm her in any way, you’ll be doing Miss Baker and the town a favor, as well as George.”

  Cassidy bit her lip. What harm to have a conversation with the teacher? Her mind drifted to an image of the attractive, charming, but arrogant physician. The way he’d blamed her, discredited her as a doctor. If he was using his position and looks to take advantage of young women, she’d do all she could to disgrace him.

  “All right.” She nodded. “I’ll do it. When will you see George again?”

  “As soon as I have your answer, which I already do. Thanks, Sis.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You won’t regret this.”

  Chapter Ten

  Wednesday afternoon, Cassidy piled plates and cups in the sink, then wiped down the table. Movement in the kitchen doorway caught her gaze. Matt approached waving a paper.

  “Cassie, a post came for you.”

  “For me?” She strode toward her brother. “Who’s it from?”

  He scanned the envelope. “The University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.”

  Her pulse raced. “Give it here.” She snatched the post from her brother’s hand and held it against her chest, taking a deep breath. In anticipation of Quinn’s return to the practice, she’d applied to the school, hoping to be accepted for the September class, so she’d be around through the summer to help Quinn. This had to be her medical school acceptance or rejection. Her hands trembled as she considered the possibilities.

  “Well, aren’t you gonna open it?” Matt frowned.

  “I—why yes.” She pried the seal and opened the parchment trying to keep her gaze focused. Dizziness swept over her. She plopped into a chair.

  Matt shook his head. “If it’s bad news, you should just read it and get it over with.”

  “Reckon you’re right.”
She took a deep breath and read the post.

  Dearest Miss Stuart,

  We regret to inform you...

  Cassidy’s face heated. They weren’t going to accept her. She refocused to read the rest of the post.

  ...unfortunately, your qualifications aren’t up to our standards.

  Sincerely,

  Dean of Students, Mr. Emory Braun

  Cassidy set the post on the table and bit her bottom lip. Her vision blurred.

  “Bad news, Sis?” Matt asked.

  She jerked, then recovered, smoothing her skirts. She cleared her throat. “I’m afraid so. Looks like I won’t be going to medical school anytime soon.”

  Her brother stepped to her side and squeezed her shoulder. “I’d miss you too much anyway if you went off to Philadelphia.”

  She reached up and grasped his hand, willing herself not to cry. A lump rose in her throat. She swallowed hard.

  “Thanks, Matt. Guess I’ll just have to figure out what else I can do with my life.”

  “You can stay here and help Quinn, like you did for Pa.”

  Cassidy nodded but said nothing. Her throat thickened, and she feared her voice would betray her feelings.

  “You all right, Cassie?” Her brother seemed hesitant to leave her side.

  “Sure, Matt. You go on now; I’ll be fine.”

  After he left the kitchen, she buried her face in her hands. Her dream of going to Philadelphia and attending a real medical school shattered. She took a deep breath, hoping to compose herself before any other family member saw her. She’d allow herself to cry in her room.

  Rising, she grasped the post. Burning it would be for the best. Then she’d never have to look at those hateful words again. A sound in the doorway startled her. Had Matt returned?

  The man in the door wasn’t Matt, but George. Had her mother let him in? He eyed her and frowned, his gaze drifting to the post in her hand.

  Oh, Lord, just the man I don’t want to speak to right now.

  “Cassie, Matt tells me you got a post.”

  Drat, Matt! She chewed on her lower lip. Might as well tell him, he’ll find out anyhow.

  She swallowed. “It’s from the medical school in Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania.” She dropped her gaze.

  “And?” George prompted.

  “They won’t accept me as a student.” She gazed into his eyes and shrugged. “I shouldn’t have tried.”

  “I’m sorry, Cassie.” He stepped to her side and settled his arm over her shoulder. “I know how much this meant to you.”

  She longed to collapse in the comfort of George’s arms. She’d found solace there years ago, when she thought him the man for her. But instead, she stiffened her spine.

  “It’s all right,” she said. “It was foolish of me to try.”

  George enveloped her in his strong arms. She bit her lip hoping to stave off the torrent of tears threatening to course down her cheeks. She yearned to bawl and scream at the injustice. She had the same credentials as Quinn, except for his experience as a steward during the war. But she’d served as a nurse, basically the same thing. Why wouldn’t they allow her to try?

  George rubbed her back in an all too familiar gesture. The men in her life always felt the need to soothe her hurt away. Her father would’ve done the same.

  She glanced up, frowning. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  He grimaced. “Not happy to see me? Reckon I deserve that. I spoke to Quinn. He told me he’ll be rebuilding your father’s practice.”

  She nodded. “Now, he’ll be able to see patients over the summer and I’d hoped...” She swallowed, crumpling the post.

  “It’ll all work out, Cassie.” He spun her to face him, and she buried her face against his rock hard chest. He’d filled out since she’d seen him five years ago.

  She raised her face to his, losing herself in his dark gaze. He brushed her cheek with his fingers, then lifted her chin, sending delightful shivers through her body. Her lips parted in anticipation as he lowered his face to hers. His mouth brushed hers, gently at first, then pressed against her, shooting hot sparks to her core. His comforting scent of sandalwood, leather, and male enveloped her.

  She sighed into the kiss, her tongue swirling inside his mouth. Her insides coiled with spiraling heat. She’d never been with a man and often imagined what it would feel like to have limbs intertwined, bodies pressed tightly with the one who set your soul aflame.

  “Oh, George,” she gasped as he released his hold. Her skin moistened, body growing hotter by the minute. As a physician she knew what went on between a man and woman, but George sent her analytical thoughts spinning as want and need threw everything to the wind. She didn’t want the kiss to ever end.

  “I know exactly how you feel, Cassie, but we have to stop now.”

  “I know.” She nodded, not wanting to leave the warmth of his strong arms, but knowing she must. She gestured to one of the chairs.

  “Sit, I’ll make tea. Then you can tell me why you’re here.”

  ****

  George sat across the table from Cassidy and sipped the sweetened tea. His blood raced and his shaft hardened, making concentration difficult. An image of Cassie sprawled on her bed as they made love caused his breathing to quicken. But he couldn’t entertain the thought. Not in her home.

  “Quinn told me about Miss Baker.” Cassidy sipped her tea and flicked her tongue out to lick her lower lip.

  George took in a deep breath, trying to regain his concentration. Cassidy eyed him with a tilt of her chin.

  “He also told me about Colonel Wellingham’s daughter. How horrible, if it’s true!” She set her cup in the saucer.

  “I can assure you, it is. The colonel’s convinced his daughter didn’t make up this story. It happened.”

  Cassidy sighed. “We have to prove Madison is the monster you believe he is, before he harms anyone in town.”

  “Unfortunately, I need proof; otherwise, Madison goes on as he has.” George leaned on his folded arms. “If you could get it out of her, I know I could find some way to prove it.”

  “But what if he only examined her, as she claims?”

  He shrugged. “Then I’ll have to stick around town a little longer. He’s bound to slip up sometime.”

  Cassidy’s lips curved into a slight smile. Was she happy at the prospect of him staying in town? He hoped so. She drew her cup to her lips again and sipped, her delicate tongue swirling over the cup rim.

  George drew in a deep breath. How much longer could he stay without taking her in his arms and running his tongue over her lips and cheeks, down her ivory throat?

  “George?” Cassidy’s gaze narrowed. “Are you all right?”

  He cleared his throat. “Fine.” He swallowed the rest of his tea, now cooled.

  “What do I have to do?”

  “See Miss Baker. Maybe you could pay her a friendly visit at the boardinghouse. Tell her you’re concerned about her arm. Anything. Then get her talking. Maybe she’ll confide in you.”

  “I don’t know. She seems to be a very private woman. I don’t know if she’d tell me if Madison assaulted her or even kissed her.”

  George sighed. “Well...it’s worth a try. Otherwise, we’ll have to start over. I’d have to visit and interview all his patients, but I suspect he preys on young, beautiful women who have no one else in town. Exactly like Miss Baker.”

  Cassidy leaned forward. “You’re right, of course. Who else would that weasel prey on? I’ll pay her a visit first thing tomorrow.”

  ****

  Scott spent Thursday morning treating patients for cuts, scrapes, fevers, and other minor ailments. But his mind never strayed from the liberties he’d taken yesterday with Miss Baker. His mistake...acting too soon on his impulses. He should have taken his time, perhaps courted her. But now, if his threats didn’t keep her quiet, he might just find himself in a heap of trouble as he had in Philadelphia. Maybe he should forget the vixen and move on. But
with the Stuart practice in shambles, he’d never have a better opportunity to embed himself in a new town.

  He lanced a boil on his patient, Mr. Jenkins. The elderly man cried out.

  “Sorry, sir,” Scott apologized. “My mind’s a bit befuddled today.”

  The old man winced. “Well, can’t blame a man for getting overwhelmed. See you got a house full of patients waiting on you out there.” He poked his thumb over his shoulder toward the office door.

  “Have I?” Scott smirked.

  “Seems you’ve gotten to be the popular doc in town.”

  “The only doc in town,” Scott emphasized.

  Mr. Jenkins nodded, as he slid off the exam table.

  After finishing with his last patient and eating the lunch Tillie had prepared, Scott decided a walk through town would be in order. Maybe he’d just take a stroll by the boardinghouse.

  Scott stepped down the lane, adjusting his coat. He greeted all passersby and shop owners who were outside on this fine spring day. While browsing in the mercantile, he learned a bit about the man, George Masters, who’d visited his office.

  He’d lived in town years before and returned a Civil War veteran but had left after standing Miss Stuart up two days before their wedding. His most recent homecoming to pay respects to his late father, buried behind a shack on the outskirts of Burkeville.

  So, if this were true, why hadn’t Masters left? Did he hope to rekindle his romance with Miss Stuart? Scott tipped his hat to a passing pair of middle-aged women, then gazed across the street.

  Ah, the lady in question.

  Miss Stuart stood outside the mercantile conversing with an elderly woman. As the woman took her leave, he decided to make his move. Making sure Miss Stuart didn’t catch him watching her, he eased his way across the street out of her line of vision. As he grew close, he caught her scent. She turned abruptly toward him as if she’d sensed his presence. He bumped against her, as if by accident, then took a step back.

  She gasped, then stared at him.

  “I’m so sorry, ma’am.” He grasped her arm to steady her. “You must excuse my clumsiness.”

  She adjusted her hat. “I’m quite all right, sir. Would you care to unhand me?”