The lad took a shaky breath. “Is she here?”
She motioned toward the bedroom just off the kitchen.
Ryan put an arm about the boy’s shoulders. “Let’s go see her, lad.”
Together they made the short, yet painful, trek across the small kitchen. Ryan prepared himself for the worst, all the while trying to decide how he could possibly help Aidan through whatever they might find.
Mrs. O’Connor was inside, dabbing Maura’s forehead with a damp cloth. Maura looked paler than she had in all the months Ryan had known her, yet deep, worrisome color splotched her face, a clear indication of fever. As far as he knew, she’d not been feverish since coming to town. That could not be a good sign.
Aidan pulled away, crossing directly to the bed where his mother lay. “Ma?”
Would she respond? Was she lucid enough to even know her son stood nearby?
Her eyes opened. A feeble smile touched her lips. “Welcome home, lad.”
A sigh of relief rose in him. She was not so far gone as to be unaware of her surroundings.
Aidan sat on the edge of her bed. “Is this the brown lung getting worse?”
Mrs. O’Connor didn’t appear the least surprised at hearing Aidan so casually identify his mother’s illness. Had Maura told them at last? Had she done so before being laid low, or had her deterioration forced the confession?
“We knew I’d likely grow worse,” Maura reminded her son.
“But I thought it’d take longer.”
She smiled sadly, her heavy eyelids opening and closing slowly.
Emma stood in the doorway beside Ryan, watching the scene with pulled brow. He bent enough to talk to her in a low voice. “Have you something in the kitchen Aidan could eat? I’d wager he’s hungry, and stepping away a minute would likely do him some good.”
She nodded. “Katie made pasties this morning. There are a couple left.”
“Lad,” Ryan called.
Aidan looked over at him.
“Miss Emma has some lunch for you. Fill your belly. You can come visit your ma again after you’ve eaten.”
The boy didn’t argue. His shoulders slumped a bit as he drew nearer. He didn’t meet Ryan’s eye. Emma didn’t immediately vacate the doorway to let him pass. Instead, she held her hand out to him. Aidan took it without a word. Emma led him away and into the kitchen; neither child spoke. Ryan knew enough of Emma’s caring nature to know she’d be kind and tender with Aidan’s heavy heart. He needn’t worry about the lad while in the girl’s care, allowing him to focus on Maura.
He moved to her bedside but addressed Mrs. O’Connor first. “How long has she been so ill?”
“A couple days is all, though it’s grown far worse today.”
He knelt beside the bed and took Maura’s hand in his. She turned her head in his direction and opened her eyes.
“Hello there, love,” he said.
She squeezed his hand; she had strength enough for that. “I’ve missed you, Ryan Callaghan.”
“I’ve missed you, as well.” He kissed her hand. “This isn’t quite the welcome home I’d anticipated.”
“I’d fully planned to greet you on my feet, I’ll tell you that.” She had her wits still. “And I meant to brag of my midwifery skills.”
“You delivered another baby?”
“Cecily and Tavish have a new little boy. Tiny, but perfect.”
Mrs. O’Connor dabbed Maura’s forehead again, then her flushed cheeks. Maura coughed, a dry, rattling cough that shook her whole frame.
“That sounds different than before.” But was different worse?
“Indeed,” Mrs. O’Connor said. “I haven’t the first idea what to do about it.”
“And I ache,” Maura said in the midst of her continued coughing. “Every joint. And my head hurts something terrible.”
“Is that pain common with brown lung?” He didn’t know enough about the ailment to say for sure.
“I don’t know.” Maura closed her eyes again, clearly exhausted. “When the disease got bad in New York, the sufferers quit coming to work. I didn’t see them toward the end.”
Toward the end.
The end.
He kissed her hand once more, willing himself not to let the enormity of those words settle fully on his mind. He refused to believe the heavens would be so cruel as to take her from him so soon. “I’ve some good news for you.”
“You’ve brought me a new pair of lungs?” she asked with a tremulous smile.
“I’m not certain that’s possible.” He threaded his fingers through hers. “I’ve brought something else, though. A doctor.”
Both Maura and Mrs. O’Connor eyed him with surprise.
“I met him at the depot. Dr. Jones is his name. He hasn’t a practice of his own yet, and I suggested he might find work enough here to see him through the winter.”
“Truly?” Mrs. O’Connor’s mouth hung a bit agape.
“He’s coming with Joseph and Finbarr.”
“Oh, Ryan.” Mrs. O’Connor clasped his arm. “He’ll be here all winter?”
Ryan nodded. “There are enough of us, and enough in town with ailments, to keep him busy for the winter. I don’t know that he’ll stay beyond that.”
“But we’ll have a doctor for a time.” A sigh of unmitigated relief escaped Mrs. O’Connor’s lips. “We’ve needed one badly.”
“I’ve thought so as well.” He looked back to Maura, who watched him in silence, her expression unreadable. “Are you upset?” He couldn’t imagine why she would be, but he worried. Maybe he’d overstepped himself.
“Did you have to pay him?” she asked in a strained whisper.
“Not exactly.” He hadn’t paid Burke directly, but he’d purchased the supplies the doctor would need to set up even a temporary practice in Hope Springs. They hadn’t been cheap. He’d had enough left for only one hay barn, which wouldn’t store anywhere near all of his hay next year should the timing prove unfortunate. But even if he lost half his crop, it’d be worth it if Burke could ease Maura’s suffering, maybe grant her more time.
Ivy’s shouts of “Pompah!” announced Joseph’s arrival. Burke would be with him.
“I’ll go send in the doctor,” he told Maura.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He rose and moved swiftly from the room. If there was any chance Burke meant to make his way elsewhere, perhaps wander toward town, Ryan wanted to catch him before he got far.
Katie, with little Sean and her girls, greeted Joseph in an enormous family embrace. Finbarr was walking toward the house with the doctor. They stepped up onto the porch.
“Seems you’re to start right away,” Ryan said.
Burke’s expression grew immediately earnest. “An injury or an illness?”
“Illness. The woman I told you about with lung disease from working in a factory.”
Mrs. O’Connor had stepped out of the house as well. She gave Finbarr a quick hug before turning to Burke. “You’re our new doctor?”
“I am.” Burke spoke with conviction. “Where is the patient?”
“This way.” Mrs. O’Connor waved him inside. He disappeared into the house.
“Maura’s cough is from the factory?” Finbarr asked.
“It is, and she’s grown more ill while we were away.” He set a hand on Finbarr’s shoulder, lightly urging him in the direction of the house. Ryan intended to look in on Maura again but didn’t wish to be rude by leaving the boy standing on the porch, unsure where everyone had gone.
“Is that why you convinced Dr. Jones to come to Hope Springs?” Finbarr walked with him inside.
“Primarily, though he’ll help plenty enough of others, including your new nephew.”
“Cecily had her baby?” Finbarr spoke with excitement.
“Maura said so.”
The Archers were on their way inside, so Ryan stepped into the kitchen and out of the way. Soon the room was filled with the sound of their cheerful voices. A reunited fa
mily was a beautiful thing to watch.
“Did you bring us presents, Pompah?” Ivy asked.
Joseph brushed a hand along one of her braids. “I did, but you’ll have to wait until tonight.”
She pouted rather adorably even as her eyes shifted to Finbarr. She skipped over to him. “Did you bring us something, Finbarr?”
“Ivy,” Katie scolded, but was ignored.
Finbarr reached into his coat pocket and pulled out what looked like a wad of lace. He felt it a minute, then nodded. “These are for you, sweetie.”
She took the offering eagerly and unwadded it. “Lace gloves!” She jumped up and down, clutching the gloves to her heart. “I’ve wanted lace gloves.”
“I know,” Finbarr laughed.
“Did you bring something for Emma?” Ivy asked.
Poor Emma blushed. “Hush, Ivy.”
“Of course I did,” Finbarr said.
“You didn’t have to.” Emma was watching him closely, though.
“I know.” Finbarr stuck his hand in his other pocket, but didn’t immediately pull out whatever resided there. “It’s just something I thought you’d like.”
Emma inched closer. “What is it?”
“A scarf pin.” He shook his head. “I’m not certain what it looks like, but it feels very delicate, and the sales clerk said it’s nice. He could have been lying to get me to buy it. You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want to.”
“I could use a scarf pin,” Emma said. “Especially when it’s windy.”
“That’s what I guessed.” He pulled his hand out, but kept it fisted. “If you really don’t like it, though—”
“Just give it to her,” Aidan said from the table. “Emma isn’t fussy like that.”
She sent the lad a smile of pure gratitude and, if Ryan didn’t miss his mark, tender regard. Aidan returned his attention to his lunch, oblivious to the heart she wore on her sleeve. Poor lass.
Katie inched closer to Finbarr. “I’m dyin’ to see this pin now. Let’s have a look.”
Finbarr held his hand out, palm up and fingers open. Katie leaned forward. Emma stepped directly to Finbarr, near enough to see the pin with little effort.
“Oh, Finbarr,” Katie said. “That is lovely.”
“It’s very pretty,” Emma said. She took it from his hand, then cradled it carefully in both of hers. “Thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome, Miss Emma.” Finbarr buttoned his coat up. “I hear I have a nephew to go meet. I’ll be back tomorrow, Joseph.”
“I’ll see you then.”
After Finbarr slipped out, the Archer family made their way out of the kitchen toward the heart of the house, leaving Aidan and Ryan behind. Ivy had her gloves on already. Emma never took her eyes off her pin.
“Sometimes it’s hard to know if those two are friends,” Aidan said once the family had left.
“Emma and Finbarr?” Ryan asked.
Aidan nodded.
“They were once like brother and sister to each other. They’ve had a falling out, though.”
“I figured.” Aidan finished the last of his lunch. “I think they miss being brother and sister.”
“I think you’re right.” He eyed the closed door to Maura’s room.
What was Burke finding? Could the doctor help? Offer some hope, at least? Time couldn’t run out this soon, before he and Maura had even begun to build a life together.
Across the table, Aidan was watching the door as well. “Ma’s cough sounded bad.”
“It did,” Ryan said. “But she has a doctor now. He’ll help her.”
“We can’t pay a doctor.” Aidan met his eyes once more. “Maybe Dr. Jones has some work I could do for him.”
“I’ve already made arrangements with him, lad. Anything your ma needs this whole winter he’s already agreed to see to.”
Aidan pushed out a puff of air, the sound of bone-deep relief. “We probably shouldn’t tell Ma.”
Ryan could smile at that. Maura was proud, in the best sense. She’d fret about being a burden if she had any idea the arrangement.
The door to Maura’s room opened. Ryan rose. Aidan did as well.
“C’m’ere, lad.” Ryan waved him over. The boy moved to stand beside him. Ryan set a hand on the back of Aidan’s shoulder.
Burke looked at them as he stepped into the kitchen.
“How bad is the brown lung, Doctor?” Ryan asked.
“I’m not certain,” he said. “I’ll know better once this has passed.”
Passed? Ryan looked to Aidan but saw the same drawn-browed confusion he felt. “Once what has passed?” he asked.
“Her current difficulties aren’t from brown lung, though it is likely complicating her condition,” Burke said. “She has valley fever.”
Valley fever. That particular ailment had the potential to be serious, but generally resolved after a couple of weeks, sometimes a bit longer. More crucial still, ’twas hardly ever fatal. “Are you sure?” Ryan pressed.
“She has the tell-tale rash, and valley fever explains the achiness. Brown lung doesn’t cause either.”
Aidan moved closer to the doctor, Ryan’s hand falling away as he did. “She doesn’t have brown lung?”
“She likely does, but brown lung is not the reason for her worsened state.”
Merciful heavens. “Then, she’s not deteriorating?”
“I don’t know.” Burke moved to the back door. “As the fever clears, I’ll have a chance to assess that.”
He wasn’t losing her, not immediately. “It will clear then—the valley fever, that is?”
Burke nodded. “I’ve given Mrs. O’Connor instructions, and I’ll check on Maura a few times in the coming weeks—she’ll likely fight this longer and struggle more than most, considering her lungs are already weakened—but I believe she’ll be fine on this score.”
Aidan rushed into his ma’s room, not waiting for more reassurances.
Burke pulled the door open to leave. “Jeremiah Johnson suggested I check in at the mercantile to assess their medical supplies. I’ll meet you at your place when I’m done. I assume he’ll be able to tell me where to find you.”
“He will. And thank you.”
Burke paused in the doorway. “Thank you for convincing me to come. I’d begun to wonder if I’d ever have a chance to be a doctor again.”
“You’ll be needed here,” Ryan promised him.
After a moment, Ryan was alone in the kitchen. He lowered himself into a chair at the table. He dropped his head into his upturned hands and just breathed.
Maura had valley fever. She wasn’t dying. And she had a doctor.
Which all meant, they had a chance.
Chapter Forty
Maura remembered very little of the past few days. She hadn’t been delirious or unconscious, simply asleep.
She stepped from her room, unsure of the day, and only vaguely aware that it was afternoon, already rehearsing the apology she meant to offer Katie. She’d not done a bit of work since growing ill, yet she’d been housed and fed, and, she assumed, so had Aidan. In that moment, she could smell stew simmering on the stove, meaning someone had done the cooking she usually saw to.
Mrs. O’Connor stepped into the kitchen just as Maura made her way toward the table. “Oh, Maura. You’re up and about. Are you feeling better?”
“I am. Not perfect, but better.”
Mrs. O’Connor led her to the table, urging her to sit. “Dr. Jones says you’ll not be fully better for weeks yet. Valley fever can be very stubborn.” Little about her words made sense.
“Dr. Jones?”
“You don’t remember him? He’s been here a few times.”
Maura vaguely recalled someone unfamiliar being nearby now and then. “Black hair, with a deep, rumbling voice?”
Mrs. O’Connor nodded. “Very quiet when he’s not doctoring. I suspect he may be a bit shy, which seems to me an odd thing in one who makes his living interacting with people. Still, quiet
or not, he’s an answer to our prayers.”
“You’ve been wanting a doctor?”
“Needing one. We’ve lost so many to illnesses we didn’t know how to treat, and to injuries we didn’t know how to put right.” A deep, remembered sadness filled her face. Finbarr likely still weighed on her. How many others did? Family members Maura had never met who’d not survived this often-cruel life in the West. “Dear Mrs. Claire was a midwife, but she was too frail to serve that way during her last few years. Having you here has eased a lot of worries. Having a doctor will ease a great many more.”
Maura leaned her arms on the tabletop. How was it she was already devoid of energy? She’d only walked as far as the table. “I need to talk with Katie. She may need someone else to work as housekeeper for a while. I’m going to be rather useless.”
“Katie’s not worried, I promise you.” Mrs. O’Connor poured steaming hot water from a kettle into a teacup. “Nothing’s been neglected. But even if it had been, she’d be offended if any of us suggested she’d begrudge you the time you need to regain your strength.”
“I hadn’t meant for anyone to have to see to my work.”
Mrs. O’Connor set the cup on the table in front of Maura. “All the O’Connor women have been dividing our time between Katie’s and Cecily’s—and our own homes, of course.”
“How is Cecily? And the baby?”
“Both are doing as well as can be expected so soon after delivery,” Mrs. O’Connor said. “Tavish, however, is just about more than any of us can take, so ridiculously in love with that little boy of his. Gushes endlessly, he does. Cecily just laughs and smiles at him the way she always does.”
Maura set her hands on either side of the warm cup. “I know you’ve had your difficulties in Hope Springs, but the O’Connor family seems very happy here.”
Mrs. O’Connor sat across from her, then reached out and patted her hand. “We’re even happier now that you and Aidan are here with us.”
Guilt swept over Maura at that. “If not for me, Grady would’ve come west with you. He’d’ve been here instead of fighting. He’d still be alive. I don’t know how you can possibly want me here, knowing I’m the reason you don’t have him anymore.”
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