Wanted: Medicine Man (Silverpines Book 5)

by Christine Sterling

“I understand you have a new doctor in town.”

  “Yes. What of it?”

  “I would hate for anything to happen to him either. It would be a real shame if Silverpines lost all their doctoring folk.”

  “What does that mean?” The chill returned, and Hattie rubbed her hands up and down her arms.

  “It means whatever you take it to mean. I’ve been seeing you with that new Doc. Right friendly fellow.” The rider leaned back in the saddle and spat a stream of tobacco juice at her feet. It landed on her boots, but Hattie didn’t move. She continued to meet his gaze with defiance. “It would just be a shame if anything were to happen to him because you didn’t take care of my brother. Remember what I told you. If Pete loses that leg or anything happens to him, it will come back ten-fold on you.”

  “I-I-I remember,” she murmured. “I’m doing everything I can for him.”

  “You continue to do that, Miss Hattie. I’ll be watching you.” He tipped his hat to her before clicking to his horse. Turning, the rider disappeared into the woods.

  Hattie released the breath she didn’t know she was holding and leaned up against the tree for a minute. Her breath became heavy and she let out a sob. Trying not to make a sound, she cried silently, her chest heaving under the weight of the emotional encounter. Once the horse disappeared, she ran back to town as quickly as her feet would carry her.

  Neither encourage nor discourage. Hattie replayed those words as she set about her task early in the morning. She was using the saloon’s small kitchen to prepare another batch of willow bark tea with honey and ginger. The words were loud in her brain so she tried to change them up by singing them to herself, changing the emphasis on which syllable should be the loudest.

  Neither EN-courage nor discourage.

  NEITHER encourage nor discourage.

  Neither enCOURage nor discourage.

  She was just about to put the emphasis on the dis- when the swinging doors to the kitchen flew over and Marty rushed in, followed by Robert and then Tess. DIScourage, Hattie thought to herself.

  Marty was breathing heavily and sweat glistened on his ruddy cheeks, as if he had just run a great distance.

  “My word, Marty, whatever is wrong?”

  Marty leaned down, placing his hands on his knees and took several deep gulps. “I just ran from the park. The stagecoach just arrived. There was a man that says the main road to the harbor is starting to open again.”

  “That is fantastic news! Was there anything else he said?”

  Marty took another deep breath and released it, standing up straight to meet her gaze. “He said there is a large ship from the Far East that was damaged, and they have finally been able to right it. It needs to sell its cargo. They have those special herbs and oils you use. I guess they are planning on unloading it tomorrow. Did you want to take a ride down there?”

  “What a wonderful opportunity to pick up some supplies. Let's ask around to see if anyone else needs anything and we can take the wagon instead of just horses. We'll leave at first light tomorrow morning. Would you like to go, Dr. Childs?”

  “Oh, how I long to see the harbor,” Tess cooed.

  “Well then, what say we all make a trip of it? I'd like to see what you get off these ships of yours. Sound like a plan?” Robert volunteered.

  No. No. No. Hattie wanted to stamp her foot. Tess had no interest in seeing the harbor. Hattie asked her to take the trip several times and the answer was always the same, she hated the breeze, the salt, the crowds and the bartering.

  Recalling the words she promised to Fannie Pearl, Hattie forced a smile. “Wonderful. Can you take the lead on gathering the supply list, Tess? Dr. Childs and I need to start serving this tea to the patients before it gets cold.”

  Chapter 6

  Hattie showed up at the livery a few minutes early. It was just before dawn and the sunlight was starting to peek above the horizon. She spent the evening before with Victoria, even taking some leftover venison stew for dinner. She was finally able to spend a few minutes really checking in on how Victoria was since the death of her husband, Silverpines’ Mayor.

  Hattie tried to convince her friend that it was safe to venture outside, but Victoria didn’t want to hear any of it. Instead, she left her with some herbs for tea and a tincture that she could take under her tongue to help settle some of the emotions. The one thing Hattie couldn’t heal, was Victoria’s heart. Oh, how she wished she could.

  As Hattie was leaving, she let Victoria know she was going to the harbor for the next morning and wouldn’t be bringing Kijab by to visit. At her friend’s insistence, however, Kijab stayed the night at Victoria's, as they thought it would be easier than disrupting him in the morning. Hattie knew it was because Victoria didn’t want to be alone and didn’t embarrass her friend by pressing it. Instead, Hattie appreciated the quiet in the apartment and had her first semi-decent night sleep in weeks.

  It was hard to believe that Robert had been in Silverpines for nearly three weeks now. He was a tremendous help and was taking on more duties now. They were able to send a third of the people home or to other caregivers around town, freeing up space in the saloon. A third, unfortunately passed away, including Mr. Wilson. The final third still remained, but Hattie was making arrangements to move them into Doc Hamilton's clinic as soon as space became available. The apartment had been cleared and Robert moved in the week prior.

  Hattie admitted she enjoyed her work more when Robert was present. He was slowly winning over the town folk. He had certainly won over Tess and her mother, accepting an invitation for dinner a few nights prior. Where Hattie was excited for her friend, sadness was present because she found herself more attracted to Robert's gentle ways. He was the first man she felt affection towards. Perhaps it would turn in a brotherly way if he married Tess. She would paste on a smile and never let him know how she was dying inside.

  She was excited about the day trip. She loved going to the harbor and seeing the spices and herbs that had travelled from the far reaches of the world. Many of the medicines she used in her shop she grew herself or foraged from the local forests. But it was always exciting to find something new to add to the apothecary.

  She needed to securely pack her wooden box before they left. It contained over a dozen empty jars that she would put her purchases in for the ride home. The wagon had already been hitched but Marty was nowhere around. Sliding her box into the back of the wagon she climbed up to push the box as close to the seats as possible. This was a double-seated wagon, which meant it could carry four people, plus supplies.

  “Morning.” Hattie called when she saw the liveryman appear in the doorway. “Have you seen Martin Gale?”

  “Yep,” he drawled, spitting a dark substance on the ground. “That boy said he had to run back home. Says he forgot something.”

  “Oh, okay then. I'll just wait.”

  Hattie sat on the box in the back of the wagon. Marty had the ropes to secure the box, so it wouldn't move during their journey. It was only a few minutes before she noticed Marty running back to the wagon with the ropes in his hand. He rested for a moment and then helped Hattie secure her cargo. Dr. Childs and Tess strolled up the street. She had her arm linked in his and was chatting while pointing with the parasol in her free hand. Hattie said a quick prayer that the trip was relatively painless and moved up to the front bench.

  “Good morning, Hattie. Marty,” Robert called.

  “You're late. We need to get going. We don't know what shape the roads are going to be in and we need to get back before dark.”

  “What happens at dark?”

  “Thieving, Dr. Childs,” Marty answered, handing Hattie a rifle that she placed underneath the seat. “The woods are full of people looking for food, medicine and supplies. On the trip home we will have all three.”

  “Oh goodness,” Tess cried, clutching Robert's arm closer, “Will it be safe?” Hattie rolled her eyes.

  “They are less likely to attack a group, and we should g
et going so we can make sure we are back. We have a long list of supplies to gather.”

  “I am so glad you are here, Dr. Childs. I feel much better knowing that a big strong man will be with us.” Hattie exhaled and gave her friend a glare. Tess smirked at Hattie and put her leg up on the wheel. Robert helped Tess into the wagon and draped a blanket around her legs. He grabbed a second one from the wagon bed and returned to place it over Hattie's legs. His fingers brushed hers and she felt the sparks dance up her arm. She quickly pulled her hand away and murmured her thanks before facing forward.

  The drive down to the harbor was much easier than anticipated and they made quick time. They followed the tracks of the stages and wagons that had come before them. Since the rain had let up the roads were fairly dry with just large puddles here and there. The group made lively chatter, and even Marty joined in, causing the time to pass quicker than usual. Hattie shared stories of her previous trips and the Chinese men she encountered who freely shared their knowledge with her. In return she shared her knowledge of native herbs and spices with them. In fact, she had a few tucked into her box just in case she ran into her favorite merchants.

  Hattie could smell the salt air and her pulse quickened as she thought of sharing this experience with Robert. Quickly calling back her feelings, she realized that Tess had already staked her claim and she would do nothing to dissuade her friend's happiness. Neither discourage, nor encourage was the promise she made.

  Robert had experienced market day in Boston, when the merchants would bring out their goods and sell them on the street. This was a much smaller version of that. The boat tilted at the dock and was held in place with large mooring cords to prevent it from slipping into the sea. There was a large hole in the side of the boat where it had knocked against one of the pilings and a crack appeared about half way down the side of the ship.

  Men in black and white outfits were frantically moving wheelbarrows up and down ramps, removing items from the ship and placing them on the dock where other workers would line them up for sale. Robert had never seen anything like it. They ran empty wheelbarrows up the ramp at the front of the ship, disappearing from sight. They would soon reappear at the rear of the ship and head down the ramp with their wheelbarrow overflowing with goods.

  “Oh, good. The crowds haven't gathered yet,” Hattie said, answering Robert's unspoken question. So there would be more people arriving. “Marty, do you want to take the list and start seeing what is available after you take care of the horses? We can meet at the livery in just over two hours?”

  “Yes ma'am, Miss Hattie.”

  Hattie, Robert and Tess climbed out of the wagon and Hattie retrieved her box before Marty headed down the road to the local stables.

  “Dr. Hattie! Dr. Hattie!” a voice called from behind one of the displays.

  Robert strained his neck to see a small man, dressed in the same black and white clothing as the others, wave Hattie over. She beamed a huge smile and his heart just stopped, she was more breathtaking than before as she made her way over to her friend. He felt a tug on his arm and looked down at Tess, who was eyeing him quizzically.

  “I don't think you heard a word I said.”

  “You are correct, I didn't.”

  “I said, the view is quite magnificent.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Tess laughed. “Come on, let's catch up.”

  Hattie introduced them to the Chinese man. Lee Sing, she called him. He had baskets of herbs and spices laid out and Hattie stopped to go through each one. There was ginseng, anise, cinnamon, sandalwood, nutmeg, and some items Hattie had never heard of. Lee Sing took his time describing each one and what it did. Hattie took notes on what he said and Robert, although trying to pay attention, didn't hear a word. All of his attention was focused on Hattie.

  Hattie quickly made her purchases, deciding on some herbs and a few oils before placing them in her chest. She pulled out several wax paper bags and placed them into Lee Sing's hands along with a few coins. The man bobbed up and down. “Good trade, Dr. Hattie. Good trade. We see you soon.”

  “Before the snow flies,” Hattie agreed and picked up her wooden chest. She made her way down the market and stopped at several merchants to examine their merchandise and haggle over prices. Quickly her chest was overflowing with the herbs, spices, and oils as well as cloth for bandages, some dried fruit, and a few more things Robert couldn't see tucked in the sides.

  Looking to her companions, she tilted her chin towards the direction Marty went. “The stable is just a few blocks down. Let's drop this off at the wagon and see if we can find Marty. He should have at least part of the supplies by now.”

  Robert took the chest from Hattie and hoisted it on his shoulder. Hattie looked down and Tess batted her eyes at him. He sighed and escorted the two down until they found Marty with a box full of assorted items.

  “I found most of the list, Miss Hattie. They are being loaded into the wagon now. They didn't have no coffee, sugar or meat. They did say there would be another boat arriving next week with coffee and sugar.”

  “Not to worry right now, Marty. I am sure the town will manage. We still have plenty of venison and cellar apples. Let's get loaded and headed home. Do we need anything else?” Robert placed the chest on the edge of the wagon so Hattie could move it where she wanted it for the ride home.

  “If you don't mind, Hattie,” Robert interjected, “I'd like to see a man about a case of whiskey. Which way should I head?” Marty pointed him in the right direction and Robert trotted off in search of his whiskey.

  “He don't strike me as the drinking type.”

  “He isn't, Marty,” Tess replied. “It isn't for him.”

  It took little time to load the wagon as there were two men helping Marty. By the time they headed back to Silverpines it was just at noon. Marty stopped along a creek so the horses could chew some of the sweet grass that was starting to grow back and they could eat the lunch Hattie had packed.

  The first items she pulled out were the cellar apples she spoke of, followed by cold fried chicken, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, a loaf of bread and several mason jars of water. She also pulled out four smaller jars filled with a light brown liquid. “Peppermint tea,” Tess chimed in. “Did you sweeten it with honey?” Hattie nodded. She knew it was one of her friend's favorites.

  “This is the best fried chicken, Miss Hattie,” Marty said licking his fingers.

  “I concur,” Robert said waving a leg in her direction. “Where did you get the chickens?”

  “From my yard. I had a few that were no longer laying as many eggs and I thought this would be a nice treat.”

  “Miss Hattie has a lot of chickens. You got how many?”

  “I don’t recall, Marty. Quite a few.”

  Marty wiped his mouth and continued speaking around bites of chicken. “You have at least 30.”

  “Thirty chickens? How in land’s name did you come by 30 chickens?” Robert shook his head in disbelief.

  “They were given to me from patients.”

  “Really? They gave you chickens?”

  Tess laid her hand on Robert’s arm. “Not everyone can afford a doctor. So those that couldn’t pay, paid in other ways. Sometimes with home goods, work or in this case, a bunch of poultry. Hattie never turns anyone away regardless if they can pay or not.”

  Hattie nodded at her friend for defending her. Regardless of how she felt at this moment, Tess was still a good friend and one of her staunchest defenders.

  “Folks haven’t even paid for all the care since the earthquake.”

  “Hush, Tess. Folks are worried about other things right now.”

  Tess didn’t look contrite. “It is true, Hattie. I know you are paying for the supplies and feeding everyone at the saloon. You have to be running out of money by now.”

  “Is that true, Hattie? You aren’t charging?”

  Hattie felt shame down to her toes and it was slowly replaced by a burning anger. Doc Hamilton had told h
er several times that she had no business being in the business of doctoring as she didn’t requirement payment upfront. She felt everyone deserved care regardless of their ability to pay. “I have plenty of money, Tess. And yes, Dr. Childs, I’ve not been pressing for payment in this grim time.”

  Broaching no further discussion, they sat quietly eating their lunch in the grass. When they finished, Hattie got up to walk to the creek to wash the few items. Marty left to check on the horses. This afforded Robert a chance to talk to Tess without Hattie about.

  “I noticed Lee Sing called Hattie, doctor,” he began. “Why is that?”

  “Because she is one, you silly. Hattie is a doctor.”

  “She is? Why doesn't she act like one?”

  “Who is to say how a doctor is to act? As long as they are taking care of their patients, isn't that doctoring? I know there is history between Doc Hamilton and Hattie. She came into the town as a doctor to continue her learning under him, and shortly afterwards she just stopped seeing patients. She would only see the ones Doc sent to her, or some of the womenfolk when they had issues. I know she had her medical thingy...”

  “Diploma.”

  “Yes, diploma, hanging on the wall. But after a while it just disappeared.”

  “Why is Sneaky Pete the only patient in her clinic? She won't talk about it.”

  “He was the loudest at the saloon. Oh my, his insults could burn the ears off a cob of corn. He also had a natural talent for riling up the rest of the patients. He would say the nastiest things to Hattie and then the rest would join in. It got to the point where it was disrupting the patient care. Especially after the threats from his family.”

  “Threats?”

  “His brothers told Hattie if she didn't save his leg then they would come after her. “

  Robert growled at the thought of anyone threating his Hattie. Yes, his Hattie.

  “Where are his brothers?”

  Tess picked at an invisible string on her dress. “They lived in Timber Town. After the slide, I think they went to one of the logging camps further east. I’ve not seen Jack, but I do see Brawny ride through town every so often.” Tess paused and then continued. “Then there was the incident with Lacy Lou.”