Wanted: Medicine Man (Silverpines Book 5)

by Christine Sterling

Take the old man on the end, trapped under a pile of logs when he was rescued. The logs crushed his legs, pelvis and lower back. Robert could see that there was damage to this man's organs as there was blood in the chamber pot next to the cot. As they were talking red spittle began to form around his mouth, indicating further damage up in the lungs.

  “How's your pain, Old Man? Got a name?” Robert asked, brushing away the hair on his forehead so he could feel for fever.

  “Wilson. Must admit, I've felt better.”

  “I'm sure you have. Mind if I take a look?”

  “No need. I'm not long for this world.”

  “Do you know what Miss Hattie was giving you?”

  “Miss Hattie? Rubbed something on my neck. It burned and smelled peppery.”

  “Probably to block the nerves to your brain. Okay, let's try something a little stronger.”

  Robert picked out a bottle from his bag and read the label. “I'm going to give you a bit of Laudanum. It will dull the pain and make you sleepy.”

  “Doc, save it for someone who really needs it. Someone you can help. If you can get me a shot of whiskey, though, that I'd appreciate.”

  Robert went to the bar and filled a glass with a quarter shot of the amber liquid. He propped another pillow under Wilson's head and used a spoon to drizzle the alcohol into his mouth. Not a fan of the amber liquid, he understood the medicinal uses and although he knew it could dull physical pain, it also dulled emotional pain. It was his constant friend at one time.

  “Shame about her,” Wilson said between sips.

  “About who?”

  “Miss Hattie. She's a fine girl. Doc Hamilton didn't like her so she didn't do no real doctoring here in Silverpines.”

  “Why didn't he like her?”

  Wilson sputtered a laugh, “Have you seen her? She’s part Injun.”

  “Indian. She's half Indian.”

  “Full. Half. It don't make no difference to anyone here. Some folks won't even give her a chance. I don't know why. Her treatments were always good. And she sure is pretty to look at. Don'tcha think, Doc?”

  “Yes, Wilson. I have to agree with you on that. Have another sip.”

  “I think Doc abused her. Not physical, like. But he was awful mean to her. She'd come up to Timber Town and she skittered around like a jackrabbit. Scared like Doc might say something to her. Then the folks started in on it, too.

  “I know several of the men wanted to court her, but she wanted none of it. Then those men talked about how wild she was. Savage is what they called her. Said she thought she was too good for them. I think she needs someone to treat her right. She's a good doctor - same as you.” Before Robert could ask what he meant, Wilson closed his eyes and said, “I need to rest. Thank you for visiting, Doc.”

  Robert was perplexed. Wilson was the first person who referred to Hattie as a doctor. Everyone else referred to her as a healer, a medicine woman or even those outliers that thought she was a witch. It took everything inside him not to walk over and gather up Hattie in his arms and tell her that he would protect her for the rest of her life. Their lives.

  Was it possible to fall in love with someone in one day? Robert wasn't sure it happened in one day, but over the course of his two-week train journey as he admired her photograph and now as he heard all the conflicting stories in the saloon.

  He heard the sound of women's voices approaching and stood to allow them to pass back to the bar. There were three ladies. An older woman dressed in black, a young blonde woman and the third he recognized from the photograph. His heart lurched. This must be Tess. He forgot all about her while dealing with his patients. He couldn't take Hattie in his arms like he wished as long as he was beholden to Tess Daniels.

  Hattie brought up the rear, eating an apple. “Dr. Robert Childs, may I present, Fannie Pearl Edmundson, Betsy Hamlin and Tess Daniels. Fannie Pearl provides guidance to most of the women in town, along with the spinster sisters. Mrs. Hamlin is recently married to our marshal.” Betsy snorted, as Hattie continued, “And Tess is the one I told you about earlier. She is my dearest friend here in Silverpines.”

  Dearest friend? That certainly added a new layer to his dilemma. “Pleasure to meet you ladies.”

  Fannie Pearl extended her hand, “Dr. Childs, it is a pleasure to have you here in Silverpines. Our Hattie was telling us all about you. I understand you come from Boston? Did you know that Tess here comes from Boston?”

  “Is that so, Miss Tess?”

  “Why, yes, I do.”

  “I would love to discuss it with you sometime. May I assist you in serving lunch to the patients? What you made sure smells good.”

  Tess giggled as Hattie rolled her eyes. She didn't think she’d ever heard Tess giggle in the entire time she had known her. “We didn't make it. We just brought it over. Here, you quickly eat and we can start dishing it out.” She and Betsy started unloading the baskets and laying out the contents on the counter. Marty followed them in with a large pot and placed it next to the baskets before leaving. He gave Robert a quick glance and then looked at Hattie who dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

  Tess dished out a bowl of soup and handed it along with a slice of bread to Robert, directing him to a barrel in the corner to sit.

  “What do you think?” Fannie Pearl said, as she pulled Hattie aside.

  “What do I think about what?”

  “Don't be silly, child. Tess and Dr. Childs. He is a fine-looking man. Reminds me of my Paul, when he was younger.”

  “I don't think anything of it. Dr. Childs is only here for a few weeks until all of these patients are taken care of, then he will head back to university.”

  “Hattie, but isn't this a wonderful opportunity for your friend? They could fall in love over the next few weeks and maybe he wouldn't have to go home! He could even stay to help you.”

  “The town doesn't need another doctor. I am their doctor now.”

  “I know, dear, but wouldn't it be nice to have someone to help you?”

  “I don't know.”

  “Look at how happy your friend, Tess looks. Let's see how this plays out. Promise me you won't discourage them?”

  Hattie looked at Fannie Pearl then took a bite of her apple, chewing thoughtfully. She adored the older woman and had sought her counsel many times. “I won't discourage them. But I won't encourage them either.”

  “Splendid. Now let's help get this soup served.”

  Hattie took another bite of her apple. This time it tasted sour in her mouth.

  Chapter 4

  Robert had been in town for five days, working around the clock next to Hattie. It took just three days before exhaustion set in, so he knew Hattie was beyond needing rest. He still hadn’t had a chance to discuss the letter with her and every chance an opportunity would come up, she would change the topic. She did send Marty to the train station in New Hope but there wasn’t a trunk of supplies to be found. He was, however, able to pick up some supplies at the mercantile there, as things were slow coming into Silverpines at the moment. Fresh sheets appeared each morning and Marty spent time with Diamond cutting them into long strips for bandages.

  It was getting frustrating and Robert knew he needed to address the situation soon.

  It was by sheer chance that Robert ran into Betsy and Alexzander walking in the street. He could tell the young couple was much in love and he desired that for himself one day. He approached the couple and after a bit of small chat, got directly to ask Alexzander for a meeting about his current dilemma.

  “Marshal. Ma'am. I have a bit of business I need to talk to you about, Marshal. Do you have a minute?”

  “Something wrong, Doc?”

  “No. I just have a letter I need to discuss with you that is a matter of some urgency. I was also wondering if you were up to doing a bit of hunting?”

  “Hunting?”

  “I couldn't help but notice your buckskins. Which makes me think you like to hunt. Supplies are running low and until the harbor
opens, Hattie can't get any new medicines, and the patients sure would benefit from a meat dinner. I saw plenty of deer running through the woods when I took the stage from the train to town. I thought I could go up there and get a deer or other game that she could use for the meals for the injured. As Hattie put it, cellar apples and vegetable soup is getting mighty old.”

  “That sounds like Hattie.”

  “Oh,” Betsy said, “If you do that, I will talk to the women about helping to prepare it. That takes the burden off Hattie right now.”

  “Much obliged, ma'am. Do you think I could stop by tomorrow to discuss the letter?”

  “I don't see why not.” Alexander thought for a moment. “Why don't we go hunting tomorrow morning and we can discuss your letter at the same time? It would give me a chance to see what is happening up in the Timbers, anyhow. Betsy, hold off discussing it with anyone just in case we don't bag anything. We can meet up an hour before sunrise in front of the jail.”

  Robert gave them a quick nod and let the couple be on their way. He was sure that the Marshal would have a solution for him. He headed to the mercantile hoping that he could find a muzzleloader, powder and something to wear that wasn't a suit.

  Hattie was none too pleased when Robert disappeared for the day. He left word at the saloon saying he had business with the Sherriff and he would be back as soon as it was rectified. There were still patients to see, linens to change and she was hoping to show him today how she made some of the mixes and elixirs for her patients with the few supplies she had left. Plus, they were running short of bandages again. She needed to have someone in the saloon, so she could go scavenging for supplies.

  Selfishly, she was just hoping to see him.

  It was hard to believe that he had been here for only a week and she was already relying on him. He didn't scoff at having to change dressings or bedpans. He was fascinated at the poultices she applied to the wounds and asked questions, comparing her native medicines to the ones found in the hospitals. She was all too familiar with the hospital’s remedies, she just didn't like the side-effects or the dependencies that sometimes came with them.

  Taking a quick break, Hattie stepped outside to sip a cup of coffee on the porch. She hated the stuff, much preferring tea over the dark bitter brew, but it did make her alert and that is what she needed right now. Marty and his mother, Odessa, were walking by and Odessa lifted her hand in greeting. This was the first time she had seen Mrs. Gale since she recovered from respiratory distress right before the disasters.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Gale. Marty.” Hattie said between sips of coffee.

  “Good morning, Hattie. How is everyone doing today?”

  “Still the same. How are you doing, Mrs. Gale?”

  Marty answered, “Me and Momma, well we are taking a walk around town trying to get some air. You said she should do that.”

  “Yes, I did, Marty. You are a good son. Your color is returning, Mrs. Gale. I'm glad to see you about.”

  “Miss Hattie?” the old woman asked. “I can't find that salve you made for me. Any chance I could get another one? It was really helping me breathe.”

  Hattie had created a salve just for Odessa that she could rub on her chest at night to help her sleep easy. “Of course. I'll be at the apothecary with Dr. Childs this afternoon, so send Marty over anytime.”

  “Oh, he’s gone hunting with the Marshal. I saw them leave before dawn. I dunno if he’ll be back before this afternoon,” Marty informed her.

  “Hunting?”

  “He said…”

  “It’s okay, Marty,” she interrupted, pursing her lips. “Thank you for informing me.

  “I'll see you later, Miss Hattie,” Marty waved as he began to escort his mother back down the street.

  Hattie was livid. Hunting? She was still here working her fingers to the bone and that man was out there gallivanting through the woods. She wanted to stomp her feet. There was work to be done and he was treating this as a holiday.

  Hattie finished her cup as Tess came up the steps with a basket of linens. “You look like a bear with a sore paw,” Tess observed, resting the basket of linens on the top step.

  “I am just tired. Here, let me help you,” she offered, taking the top of the pile from the basket. “I've not had a chance to change the bedsheets this morning, so your timing is a welcome break. Dr. Childs had something he had to take care of.”

  “Dr. Childs? I thought I just saw him in town heading towards the apothecary.”

  Hattie paused. That contradicted with what Marty just said. She couldn't think of any reason he would need to go to the apothecary.

  “Marty said he was hunting.”

  “Hunting? That is odd.” Tess lifted the basket and rested it on her hip. “I do know he purchased a new rifle from Sarah Gillham.”

  Hattie shrugged her shoulders. “I'll have to ask him about that. Let's get these inside and you can catch me up on all things Momma.”

  Tess laughed, “Momma is Momma. Just the same. She has it in her head that I should get married and settle down. She is determined to find me a husband. There is only one man I will marry, he just doesn't know it yet.”

  Hattie felt the coffee start to rise in her throat. She pushed it back down and gave her friend a slight smile. “I'm sure you'll be happy whatever you do.”

  Tess put her basket down on the counter and eyed her friend. “Hattie, is something wrong? Are you ill? Shall I run and find Doc Childs.”

  “No,” Hattie barked. “I'm fine. It really is exhaustion. I might go for a walk in the woods later and see if I can collect some nuts and bark. We are running out of willow bark tea and that helps with pain and inflammation.”

  “You are working yourself too hard. You need a rest too. You won't be good to any of us if you are dead.”

  “I'm doing what I've always done, Tess. I do the work that Doc Hamilton didn't want to do, or couldn't do.”

  “Yes, you are doing Doc Hamilton's work. Stop competing with a ghost. You are taking care of these people, Hattie. You are. It is time for you to step out of his shadow and into your own light. “

  “I've never taken care of this many people before, Tess. It is like running a hospital, a counseling center, and an emergency clinic on top of my own practice. I think about how many people I’ve lost and it just eats at me.”

  “But think about how many people you saved, Hattie. There were hundreds of people injured in that earthquake. You and Betsy figured out where to put everyone to get them out of the storm. You and Fannie Pearl went from house to house to see if anyone needed assistance. You and Flora figured out the best way to use the saloon for maximum allowance. You and I coordinated with the restaurants to make sure that these patients were being fed. You, Hattie. You did all this.”

  A single tear trickled down Hattie's face as she listened to her friend. Was her pride really that hurt, that she failed to recognize the contribution she made to the community? She nodded to Tess and moved to the nearest empty cots to change the linens.

  Tess put a hand on her arm. “Let me do it, Hattie. Flora, the girls and I will take care of everything today. You need to go home and rest. You've run yourself to the point of exhaustion. Dr. Childs can check on the patients this evening. We don't need you right now. You just focus on getting some sleep.”

  Hattie nodded, too consumed to even speak. She grabbed her shawl and basket and headed back towards the main part of town. The walk was short, but allowed Hattie a moment to gather her thoughts. The words Tess said rang in her mind. She had helped her community. That was true. But they didn't need her. Not even her dearest friend needed her. They had Dr. Childs, so why would they need someone who could barely keep it together when a disaster hit?

  She took the long away around, weaving through an alley which would lead back to the apothecary. As she walked she noticed one of the residents hanging their laundry on the line. Socks, dungarees, shirts and sheets! Three large sheets were waving in the cool breeze almost as i
f signaling Hattie to their presence.

  She waited until the woman went inside and made her way to the backyard. Removing the pins, she quickly took two of the sheets, crumpling them up in a ball. It wouldn’t do if she took all of them. She heard the door open, so she quickly darted around to the next alley and made her way towards the park.

  Hattie scurried the short distance across the park to her apartment, holding her precious contraband, and let herself into the garden area. She noticed the seedlings taking off in the pots and stopped to pinch several of them down, which would allow the plants to thrive and grow. Walking to the door to her private entrance, she was surprised to see it slightly ajar. Entering the apothecary she saw nothing out of place. Sneaky Pete was asleep in his room, an empty bowl of soup next to his cot. Perhaps one of the girls went out through the garden and didn't pull the door completely shut. Dismissing the thought, Hattie continued upstairs to her apartment.

  Dropping her basket and shawl on the table as she entered, she walked past the one large bedroom, and the smaller room next to it where Kijab was staying so she could hear him in the night if he cried. She continued down the hallway, running her fingers along the wainscoting as she made her way towards the kitchen. She passed the lavatory and entered a large sitting area, which walked through to the kitchen in the back of the house. It was small, cozy, and hers.

  After living with seven rambunctious brothers and the crowded women’s dormitory, at college, Hattie was quite happy with her current situation. Most women would fear living on their own, but it suited Hattie just fine.

  In the kitchen she had set up a line between the two walls. She pinned the sheets up so they could dry. She would take these to Diamond tomorrow. She hated having to steal from the townsfolks, but very few responded when she put the call out for supplies. She had been around to the houses several times asking for extra supplies, spices and linens, but even those supplies had dwindled. Folks didn’t understand the gravity of the situation unless they were impacted directly. The few sheets she pilfered ended up saving many people.