The Montana Doctor's Love (New Montana Brides Book 8)

by Susan Leigh Carlton

  “That is not good. You’ve been inhaling the germs. You need to be strong, so your body can protect itself. I recommend you get the inoculation. It may help prevent you getting it.

  “Was your daughter exposed to the coughing?” he asked.

  “Some, but not during the night. Should she be inoculated too?” Mary Louise asked.

  “I don’t believe they do it for someone as young as she is,” he said. “I’ll ask the sisters. The inoculation causes a very mild pneumonia, when the body fights it off, it becomes immune.”

  “Am I at risk?” she asked.

  “I don’t mean to sound flippant, but everyone is at risk. That’s why I suggest you get the inoculation.”

  “Have you had it?” she asked.

  “I have. I was inoculated when I was at Washington General.”

  “I have to go to the office, I’ve got patients coming in, but the sisters will call me if he worsens. I’ll check on him later. I’m going to have them bring you a blanket. You need to get some rest.”

  Patrick made a house call to one of the outlying ranches to help the rancher’s wife with a delivery in a breech birth. After he was able to turn the baby, the delivery proceeded normally from that point. The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon when he returned home. He bathed, dressed and went into the kitchen.

  “How was Emily?” he asked his mother.

  “She is afraid for her papa. I think she’s still asleep. She is a delightful little girl.”

  He ate quickly, and returned to the hospital. Mary Louise was asleep in a chair in the corner of the room. He checked the chart at the foot of the bed. There was little change in the patient’s condition, his temperature was still elevated, his pulse rate was rapid, and his breathing ragged. This is not a good sign.

  “I guess I fell asleep,” said a voice from the corner. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I just got here. You were sleeping so peacefully, I tried not to disturb you.”

  “You didn’t.” she said, “Do you have any idea how noisy this place is?”

  “I do. I did three years residency in a noisy hospital. It was a madhouse, twenty-four hours a day. How much sleep did you get,” he asked.

  “Some, not much, I guess,” she said. “Is Emily okay? Did she ask where I was?”

  “I don’t know. I was out most of the night on a delivery. It was daylight when I got home. She was still asleep when I left. Mom said she was delightful.”

  “Good. I’m glad she hasn’t been much of a bother. I’ll try to get word to Mother and Dad, so they can come in and help

  “How is Press?”

  “I don’t see much change in the chart.”

  “That’s not good, is it?” she asked.

  “I was hoping for improvement. He seems more comfortable than he was when we brought him in. Has he been awake?” Patrick asked.

  “Some. He was trying to talk but it didn’t make sense.”

  “How long since you ate?” Patrick asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said.

  “You have to eat. When I come back, I’ll bring something. In the meantime, ask one of the sisters if there is any food.”

  “Are you this fussy about all of your patients?” she asked.

  “If you are asking do I care, the answer is yes. If you’re asking if your husband is getting special treatment, that answer is also yes.”

  “I’m going to talk to the sister. I’ll be back later.”

  “Thank you, Patrick.” She gave him a wan smile.

  When he returned at eleven, he gave her a plate of cold chicken, and potato salad his mother had fixed. “I would have been back earlier, but I fell asleep,” he confessed.

  “I talked to Emily, and Mother is right, she is delightful. I told her you were staying with her papa, but would see her later this afternoon. I had one of the stable hands go tell your parents what was going on. You will probably see them before too long.”

  She touched his hand. “You’re more than a good doctor, you’re a good friend, and I appreciate it. Thank you.”

  When he returned to the hospital at two o’clock, her parents were there. Her father, Zebulon, asked Patrick if they could speak privately. “Tell me the truth doctor. What do you think?”

  “Truthfully, I’m disappointed he hasn’t improved. He’s fighting for his life, and right now, he’s losing. The fluid in his lungs is putting pressure on his heart. I don’t know how much it has left. I would suggest you begin preparing Mary Louise for the worst.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. They’ve had a hard time, but he’s a good husband and a good father.”

  “I haven’t been as open with her as I am being with you. When she asked how he was after I examined him this morning, I told her not much change. She knows that wasn’t good, but I didn’t want to take all of her hope away.

  “Emily is staying with my mother, so don’t worry about her. Mom is enjoying it. She wants grandbabies and right now it doesn’t look as if there is one in the future from me or Lucy,” Patrick said.

  “We appreciate the help you’ve given Mary Louise. If you ever need anything, you only have to ask.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Parsons. Mary was my friend. I did what any friend would have done.”

  Chapter six

  A Sad Day

  “Patrick!”

  “What is it? Move back. Let me examine him.” He couldn’t find a heartbeat. He started pressing against the heart with both hands. After twenty minutes, he stopped, and said, “He’s gone. His heart just gave out. I’m sorry, Mary Louise. I’m truly sorry.” He moved away from the bed.

  She went to the bedside, and put her hand against his cheek. “Goodbye Press, I love you.” With that, she turned to her father and said, “I want to go to Emily.”

  Zebulon stepped to the side and motioned for Patrick, to join him. “Doctor, what do we need to do here?”

  `“The hospital will hold him until you tell them what to do,” Patrick said. “Normally, the undertaker takes the body and prepares it for burial. He transports the body to the funeral and then to the cemetery. I can help with the arrangements if you like.”

  “You’ve done enough already. I just needed to know what was necessary,” Zebulon said.

  “I would like to attend the funeral if I may,” he said.

  “I’m sure Mary Louise would appreciate it. We’ll let you know as soon as the arrangements are made.”

  The Christian Church four days later…

  Preston Wells’ funeral was held in the church with Jack Owens conducting the service. The deceased was laid to rest in the Forestvale Cemetery. Patrick, his father and his mother attended the services.

  “How are you doing, Mary Louise?”

  “I’m trying to cope, Patrick, but it’s so hard. It was too soon to lose him.

  “I’m trying to be strong for Emily. She’s angry, because she no longer has the papa she adored.”

  “I know you have your mother, but if you need to talk, Mom asked me to tell you, you can talk to her. She’s seen a lot of grief in her time, her first husband, and then Papa’s first wife, who was her best friend. He said she saved his life.

  “Are you going to be staying in town?”

  “I think Emily and I will go back to the ranch with Mama and Papa.”

  “Well, if I can do anything for you, just let me know.”

  “Thank you, Patrick. We appreciate all you’ve done already,” she said.

  * * *

  A Sunday morning seven months later…

  The cowboy lay on a table in the bunkhouse, his right leg twisted at an ugly angle. His face contorted with pain, he didn’t speak as Patrick walked in.

  “What happened?” Patrick asked.

  “’At ole bull stepped on him. He’s lucky the horn didn’t get him, else we’d be planting him up on the hill,” the lanky cowpoke on the other side of the table responded.

  “You men hold him down while I examine him.” After his
examination, Patrick said, I’m going to use ether to put him to sleep. All cigarettes out. No matches. We don’t want to burn this place down. The bone didn’t punch out, but it’s going to have to be set.”

  The cowboy’s face had relaxed under the effect of the ether. I’m going to cut the leg off the jeans. Taking them off could cause more damage.” He cut the pant leg. Now make sure you’ve got a good grip. He won’t feel anything but I don’t want him to move.

  He took hold of the leg below the break. “Hold tight, here we go.” He pulled hard. “Hold tight. Once again.” He pulled harder, and felt the broken edges of the bone mesh, and said “Got it.”

  He removed some gauze rubbed in plaster of Paris powder and wrapped it around the damaged leg, extending from the knee down and over the ankle and foot. He wet the gauze.

  “What’s that stuff Doc,” one of the men asked.

  “It’s called plaster of Paris. It will harden and protect the leg. After a while he can put some weight on the leg, but it’s going to hurt for a few days. He’ll have to use crutches to get about. After that, if he feels up to it, he can walk on the cast. I’ll remove the cast in six weeks.

  “I’ll stick around until he comes out of the ether, and Make sure he’s all right.”

  On occasion Patrick was unable to make it to church because of house calls. Today had been one of the occasions.

  “Too bad you were unable to go to church today,” his mother said. Mary Louise was there with Emily and her parents.”

  “How is she doing?” he asked.

  “She seems to be all right, still grieving, but that’s understandable. Emily is really growing. She’s going to be a beautiful girl, just like her mother.”

  “I’m sorry I missed them. I would have liked to see her. I admire the way she held up during her husband’s ordeal. She was a rock.”

  “She asked me to thank you again and to tell you how much she appreciated what you did.”

  Three months passed…

  Patrick was sitting in his office. It was a slow day. He was glad for the respite. Roundup time was approaching and that usually brought with it some broken arms, legs and worse, as the cowboys worked the cattle and drove them to market.

  Lorna stuck her head in the door and said, “Doctor, there’s someone to see you.”

  “Thanks, Lorna, send them back.” I knew it couldn’t last.

  Mary Louis walked in. He stood. “Has something happened? Is it Emily?”

  She smiled. “No nothing like that. I guess you’re used to people coming in with problems. We came in with Mama and Papa for some things, and I thought I would say hello. Emily is talking to your mother.”

  “I’m glad you stopped in. This is a treat for me,” he said. “How are you doing? Mom told me she saw you in church a while back. I was out setting a broken leg that day.”

  “I’m doing well,” she said. “It has been a difficult time, but I’m getting better. Emily too. She doesn’t ask about her father anymore. We’ve talked about it.

  “I’m going by the cemetery while I’m in town, but I don’t think I’ll take her,” she said.

  “I apologize if this offends you, but could I come with you? If it bothers you, just say no. I’ll understand,” he said.

  “I would like that, Patrick. When will you be free?” she asked.

  “I’m free right now. It has been slow, but it’s the lull before the roundup flood.”

  “Now is good. Would you call your mother and tell her I’ll collect Emily in a little while?”

  “I will. Could I take the two of you to lunch?” he asked.

  “I would enjoy that. Emily will too.”

  Chapter seven

  A Good Day

  A lot of wagons were on the street. Dust filled the air. They walked on the board sidewalk to the International Hotel Restaurant. It was beginning to fill, but they managed to find a table in the corner.

  “Emily, have you eaten in a restaurant before?” Patrick asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Well, they have this great big kitchen in the back and they cook for all of these people. I’ll tell you what they have today, and you pick whatever you want, okay?” He read the menu from the chalkboard to her.

  Mary Louise watched this exchange with a smile on her face. Patrick is really good with her. Wonder where he picked that up?

  “Did you decide?” he asked.

  She nodded her head.

  “Don’t forget, and when the lady comes to the table, you tell her and they’ll cook it for you. Would you like milk?” he asked.

  Another nod.

  The waitress came to the table. “What’ll you have today folks?” Mary Louise gave her order, and then Patrick did the same.

  “And the little girl?”

  “She’s a big girl now. Emily tell her what you would like,” he said.

  Emily gave her order, in a voice so low, the waitress asked her to repeat it.

  “You’ve been in school since you got out of Montana University?” Mary Louise asked.

  “Just about,” he said. “Or at least in training. I had a year internship at Johns Hopkins. That was the first time we had anything to do with patients. Then I did a three year residency at the Washington General Hospital. That was hard work. We would have shifts where we were on call for thirty-six straight hours. You could barely function at the end of a shift. It was busy, but it was good. I got to see all sorts of injuries and maladies.

  “Emily, do you have a doll?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “What’s her name?”

  “Lizbeth”, in a voice barely above a whisper.

  “Elizabeth is my mother’s name. Did you know that?”

  “No.”

  “Do you remember the lady you stayed with while your papa was sick?” he asked. “She’s my mother.”

  “Where did you learn how to talk with children?” Mary Louise asked.

  He laughed. “Not in school. I got it from watching Dad. He says a doctor needs to make a child feel comfortable so they can tell him where it hurts. Dad doesn’t stand erect and talk; he kneels down to their level. I never saw a child he couldn’t get to talk. I spent a lot of time with him, going on house calls with him during the summers, and if the patients allowed, I would be in the examining room with them. It was a great experience.”

  “I always liked him. I can see much of him in you,” she said.

  “That’s the nicest thing you could have said to me. He’s my idol,” Patrick said.

  They finished eating. “You did well, Emily. Would you like some pie or chocolate cake?”

  “Cake.”

  “What about you?” he asked Mary Louise.

  “I don’t think so. I’m not much for sweets.”

  “Is it too soon for me to ask if could call on you?” Patrick asked.

  Her eyes downcast, she said, “I’m not ready for that.”

  “I understand, and if I’ve offended you, I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not offended,” she said. “I’m flattered, but I just can’t… at least not yet.”

  “I’ll keep asking until you tell me to stop, he said.”

  The Christian Church had an all-day, service with dinner on the grounds several times during the summer months. Members brought food and in between the services, they had a picnic. The food was shared by everyone, and games were held for the children. Since Helena did not have much in entertainment suitable for families, the picnics were festive occasions and popular among the members.

  “Are you planning to come to the picnic next Sunday?” Patrick asked Mary Louise.

  “I don’t know. If Mama and Papa want to, we will, but I wouldn’t want to make that hour long ride with just Emily and me,” she said.

  “If you do, you’re invited to eat with us. There’s always a lot of good food. Emily might enjoy it too.”

  “We’ll see,” she said.

  * * *

  He stayed outside the church at the
beginning of services until the last minute. I guess they are not coming. Disappointed, he went inside.

  Two weeks passed, before he saw them again. Patrick and his father were having lunch in the small café down the street from the International Hotel. They were sitting by a window. “The Parsons are in town,” Carter said. “I haven’t seen them in a while.”

  “I haven’t either,” Patrick said. “I’m going to see if everything is all right.”

  “Courting the widow?” Carter asked.

  “She’s not ready for that. I asked,” Patrick said.

  “Well,” his father said, chuckling. “They’re in the store. This is your chance.”

  “Carpe diem, a wise man once told me. See you later.”

  He looked around in the store. He saw Charlotte and Zebulon, but no Emily or Mary Louise. He picked a box of pencils off one of the shelves and went to the counter to pay for them.,

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Parsons, Zebulon. I hope you are well,” he said.

  Mrs. Parsons said, “We are well, and thank you for asking. Emily and Mary Louise have been a bit under the weather, but they’re doing better.”

  “Were they sick?” he asked.

  “I think it was just a summer cold. They had a cough, and a fever for a few days, but that’s cleared up now.”

  “I’m glad they’re better. When you’ve been exposed to pneumonia as both of them were, it can lie dormant and then become active,” he said.

  “It was nothing like Preston had,” Zebulon said.

  “I suggested they get inoculated when they were at the hospital. I don’t know if they did or not, but the inoculation would likely have caused them to have a milder case.

  “Are they with you today?” he asked.

  “No, Emily is still a bit weak, so Mary Louise decided to stay at home.” Mrs. Parsons said.

  “That concerns me. Would it be all right if I checked on Emily.”

  “That’s a long ride, when it is probably nothing,” Zebulon said.

  “The fresh air would do me good, and I would feel better about it.”

  “I’m sure Mary Louise would appreciate it,” Zebulon said.

  “Thanks, I will do that,” Patrick said and left the store.