When they got to the bag, Jack forced both to squat so Hattie could grab the leather satchel. As they stood, a shot rang out from behind the house and Jack fell to the ground. Hattie stood there for a moment. She took a step and saw Robert emerge from the trees. A warmth overtook her, and she looked down. Her beautiful green dress was covered in blood. It started at her shoulder and expanded towards her breast. Then the fire started, a pain unlike any she had ever experienced radiated from her.
Hattie screamed as she realized it was her blood, not Jack’s that was staining her dress. Then everything went black.
Epilogue
Hattie tried to sit up, but she still couldn’t put pressure on her arm. The bullet that killed Jack Winters went clean through him and lodged in Hattie’s shoulder. If Robert hadn’t been part of the rescue party she would have surely died. She now rested on the chaise in the waiting area of the apothecary, so she could take visitors that dropped in to see her.
Marty and his mother were visiting, and he recounted the tale of the brave Pinkerton agent with expert marksmanship who managed to save Hattie. Apparently, the shot was well placed, and although he didn’t want to shoot Hattie, he knew she could recover from a shoulder wound. Robert did his job by quickly removing the bullet and cauterizing the wound, so Hattie could be transported back to her apartment to rest. He hadn’t left her side, spending his evenings praying over her, or just holding her hand. He even took care of Kijab during this time.
Alexzander confirmed the death of Jack Winters, and their mother established that Jack was sick out of his mind over the death of his brothers. Mrs. Winters, deep in her grief, was horrified when Jack showed up, first with items from Hattie’s apartment and apothecary and then with Hattie, herself. She was ashamed of her son’s behavior, and Alexzander realized she didn’t have any part of the events that played out. She had been so wrapped up in her own trauma she didn’t notice how it was affecting her son.
Robert insisted that they marry as soon as Hattie regained consciousness. He didn’t even want to wait for a church wedding, instead, asking Pastor James, the new preacher that had recently arrived in town, to marry them in a private ceremony at the apothecary. The Pastor didn’t even blink that Hattie took her vows from a reclining position as her new husband knelt by her side with Kijab between them. Robert slipped a gold ring on Hattie’s finger and leaned over to place what she thought was the sweetest kiss ever on her lips when the pastor pronounced them man and wife.
Betsy and Tess were her attendants and Hattie saw them each wiping tears away as the ceremony ended. Alexzander stood up for Robert.
Brawny, it turned out, was in New Hope when his brother was killed. He came by to visit Hattie and Robert and offered his regrets for his brother’s actions and his congratulations for the newly married couple. His eyes lit up when he was introduced to Chelsea Tory and was thrilled when he found out she was going to move to New Hope.
Hattie smiled at the thought of Dr. Tory finding a new love in her new life out West. She wished the same for Tess. Clive Adair, alias for Dawson Elliot, disappeared once they returned to town. He didn’t give a reason for staying in Silverpines after the disaster, and he didn’t give a reason when he left. Tess tried to appear cheerful, but she knew that her friend’s heart was broken.
A squeal down the hall caught her attention followed by a child’s laughter. Kijab came running into the room, flinging himself on the sofa where she sat. Robert followed immediately and raised his arms, pretending to grab the small child in a monster’s grip. Kijab laughed with delight as his new father tossed him in the air and grabbed him to his chest in a tight hug.
Hattie laughed, and Robert put Kijab down to come over to his wife. He took her hand and kissed it, his eyes filled with adoration.
“Did you like your wedding present?”
Hattie smiled, squeezing his hand. “I love it. It is exactly what I wanted.”
Hattie looked at the front of the apothecary. The window had been replaced and new gold lettering announced that the apothecary was now a family operation.
Silverpines Apothecary & Health Center
Dr. Harriet Morningsong Childs, M.D.
Dr. Robert Childs, M.D.
We treat all, regardless of ability to pay
She leaned her head down to rest it against Robert’s hand and he gently brushed a kiss against her forehead. She felt complete. She had found her Medicine Man.
The End
Want to find out what happens next in Silverpines?
Follow the link below for a Sneak Peek of “Wanted: Preacher” book six in the Silverpines's series by Renea Wetlyn.
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I hope you have enjoyed Robert and Hattie’s story of finding love in the most difficult of circumstances.
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About the Author
Christine Sterling lives in a pre-civil war Farm House with her husband, three dogs – Morgan, Brandi and Samson, and about a dozen rescued barn cats. She has been writing since she was eight years when her grandparents gave her a Sears & Roebuck typewriter with a hard-plastic cover for Christmas in 1977.
She spent her teen years crafting stories to include all her friends and then she discovered her true love -- romance when her beloved grandmother, Gigi, brought home a free promotional book from the Second Chance at Love Collection.
She was hooked and began to write and read every single romance book she could get her hands on. She has since authored and published many short stories, magazine articles, and the occasional novella. She has also ghost-authored and collaborated as a writing coach on many books.
She is passionate about writing, cooking, gardening, teaching others to write and publish their first book. She straddles the line between fiction and non-fiction, not only writing historical and contemporary romances, but and personal development books as well.
One of her big goals is to grow a 150lb pumpkin and feature it in the county fair.
She loves hearing from her fans and will answer every email personally. You can write her at [email protected].
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Wanted: Medicine Man (Silverpines Book 5) Page 11
