Mail Order Doctor

by Cynthia Woolf

  He came into the kitchen for breakfast, dressed in a chambray shirt and denim pants. “I’ve finally finished. Those are quite the missives you wrote.”

  Julia stood at the stove, wearing a sky blue blouse and her normal black skirt. The light bounce off her red hair making it glow like fire. She didn’t turn around, but continued with cooking their breakfast. “Well, I wrote what was in my heart.”

  He came up behind her and hands on her upper arms. “I can tell that. I’d like to read the letters that Walt sent you as well, if I may.”

  “Sure. I’ll get them for you after breakfast.” She turned when he dropped his hands. “You’re dressed very casual today.”

  He looked down at his clothes. “I thought I’d take you on a picnic if you’d like and if you’d fix us a lunch, it would be appreciated.”

  “Sure I’d like—”

  Suddenly a frantic knocking sounded at the door to the office. Matthew went through and opened the door to a frightened young boy on the other side.

  “It’s time. It’s Lizzie,” said the boy.

  “Well, we get to see just how good you are.” Matthew put on his coat and headed out the door.

  “Yes, we will won’t we?” she said to his back as he left to harness the horses to the buggy.

  Julia saw the youngster was very anxious. “What’s your name, young man?”

  “I’m Jamie Cobb.”

  “Is Lizzie your sister?”

  He nodded vigorously.

  “Well, I’m Julia. I’ve delivered hundreds and hundreds of babies and I’ll deliver Lizzie’s, too.” She smiled to relieve his agitation. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

  “Okay.”

  “Did you ride your horse here?”

  “Yes ’em”

  “Well, why don’t you ride back home and tell them that the doctor and I are on our way. Tell them to have towels and hot water ready for us when we get there.” She rested a hand on his shoulder. “Can you do that for me?”

  “Yes ma’am.” He ran out the door.

  “Well, he was in a hurry.” Matthew passed Jamie in the doorway. “Did you give him a job to do?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “He was so nervous, this way he’ll concentrate on his task and not on worrying about Lizzie.

  “Good plan. Got your coat and bag?”

  She held up both items for him to see before she set down the bag to put on her coat.

  “Here let me help.” Matthew was suddenly behind her, holding the coat so she could don the garment easier.

  Julia took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  “Then let’s get this show on the road, shall we?”

  “We shall.” Julia walked out into the light of day, knowing the sky would very likely be dark when they returned home.

  * * *

  They arrived at the Brandon ranch in about thirty minutes.

  “Hurry, I think she’s dying.” Mal told them as they entered the foyer.

  The house was a big two-story structure that reminded Julia of a drawing of a southern plantation she’d seen in a book or magazine when she still lived in New York. The house was lovely with a huge porch and white columns gracing the front.

  Julia put her hand on his arm. “Take me to her, Mal. I’m sure she’s just fine.”

  They walked up the stairs to the last bedroom on the left side of the hall where they found Lizzie in bed, writhing with pain.

  Julia set down her bag and went to Lizzie. She was taking short breaths and she was perspiring a bit. “I know it hurts. When did your water break?”

  “About two hours ago.”

  “I’ll check you now. Let’s see how you’re doing, hmm?”

  “Is Matthew here, too?”

  “I’m here Lizzie,” Matthew walked up next to the bed. “You’re in good hands with Julia.”

  “Now,” Julia took the blanket off Lizzie, leaving only the sheet which she pulled out so it was loose upon her, then slid her nightgown to her hips and covered her again with the sheet. “Raise your knees for me please and open your legs as wide as you can.”

  “Will this take a long time? I’ve heard stories of women in labor for days. Oh, oh!” Lizzie was in the throes of a labor pain and probably didn’t want to hear what Julia had to say.

  “I won’t lie to you, birthing takes awhile but very rarely does real labor last for days. Now let’s see what’s happening.”

  Julia examined and measured Lizzie. She felt her stomach to see where the baby was and make sure he was headed down. “Everything looks good. The little one appears to be doing everything he’s supposed to. Now I want you to get up out of bed.”

  “Get up, but why?” said Lizzie.

  “Yes, why?” echoed Matthew.

  “I’ve found labor to be eased and quickened if you walk. Just take Mal with you and walk around the house. Stay inside and just walk. Talk about what you’re naming the baby or whatever you want. I’ll walk with you if you want.”

  “Oh yes, I’d like that.”

  “All right then, let’s walk and get that little one here sooner.”

  Julia helped Lizzie out of bed and into her robe. “We’ll just walk up and down the hall up here rather than risk the stairs. Matthew, will you get Mal, please?

  “Sure.”

  When the men returned, Mal was clearly upset. “What is she doing out of bed?”

  “It’s all right,” said Matthew. “We’re just helping to get that babe here sooner. Come walk with them.”

  “Yes, Mal, join us. You and Matthew can walk behind and I’ll walk with Lizzie. So tell me what names do you have picked out?”

  “Roy if it’s a boy, after my father and Becky if it’s a girl after Mal’s mom.”

  “Oh, those are wonderful names. I will name our first daughter Angela after my twin sister,” said Julia.

  “Good grief, there are two of you?” said Matthew.

  Julia smiled when he didn’t insist they weren’t married. She thought that was headway. “Not anymore. She died when we were ten. An ice skating accident. She fell through the ice, and I couldn’t pull her out. By the time my parents got to her she’d been in the water too long. She died of exposure in the hospital a few days later. I don’t think my parents ever forgave me.”

  Again she was surprised the pain was still so intense after all these years. Pain for the child she was, the one who didn’t understand. She was determined to never show favoritism to any of her and Matthew’s children. Listen to me. Our children. She was assuming they’d stay married, which she wanted more than anything since getting to know him and working at his side.

  She felt Matthew’s hand on her shoulder. He gave her a little squeeze of comfort. The gesture though small, spoke volumes. He cared.

  The four of them walked like that for a couple of hours.

  “Let’s go see where you’re at.” Julia stopped at the bedroom door.

  “I think I can feel him coming,” said Lizzie.

  “Then we definitely need to get you into the bed. Mal, you go downstairs, please.” Julia walked ahead of Matthew who helped Lizzie. She moved the sheet on the bed so she could cover Lizzie for modesty’s sake.

  “All right now, lay back in the bed with your knees up and spread for me.”

  Lizzie did as she was told and got into bed with Matthew’s help.

  Then he stepped back and let Julia work.

  Julia gave her hands a quick wash in the basin on the bureau. She stood next to the bed and leaned down to examine Lizzie and found that the baby was just beginning to crown. “I’m ready for you to start pushing Lizzie. Grab the bed post if you must to give you leverage, but push, push now.”

  Lizzie grunted with effort and then screamed in pain.

  The baby was coming. The head was definitely crowning.

  Lizzie pushed several more times, each one bringing the baby closer to being born.

  “Okay, rest a minute. Then I want you to give me the hardest push you can. The baby�
��s almost here.” She patted Lizzie’s leg. “I know you’re tired, but let’s try. Go, Lizzie, push. Push. Hard.”

  The head was out now the shoulders needed to come. Julia spread her fingers to support the baby’s neck and rotated the shoulders so the baby was facing Lizzie’s thigh.

  “Take a deep breath and push, Push now. Push. Just a little more. That’s it.”

  The baby slid out and Julia caught the slippery form. “You’ve got a beautiful little boy.” Using her fingers, she cleaned his mouth and slapped his bottom.

  He let out a howl of protest.

  Julia then tied off and cut the cord. Took him to the basin of warm water and cleaned him, then swaddled him and placed the baby in his mother’s arms.

  “He’s beautiful,” said Julia.

  Using the back of her hand to brush damp hair from her forehead, Julia turned to Matthew. “Would you please go get Mal so he can see his new son.”

  “I’m right here.” Mal rushed into the room and across to the bed. “Lizzie, are you all right.”

  Smiling, she nodded. “I’m wonderful. Look at your son.”

  Together they opened the blanket and counted toes and fingers, touched his tummy and rubbed the soft black hair on his head.

  Matthew came over and put his arm around Julia’s shoulders. “You did great.”

  “Thanks.” She was grateful he’d stayed out of her way and recognized her expertise. “I appreciate hearing that from you.”

  “Lizzie, you should be just fine.” Julia spoke while she packed her bag. “Stay in bed for the next week if you need to, but I’d like you to get up and walk some, too. We want you back on your feet as soon as possible.”

  “Goodbye, you two, congratulations on your beautiful son,” said Matthew.

  “Send someone for me if you start bleeding excessively,” said Julia.

  “We will. I hope you don’t mind if I don’t show you to the door,” said Mal.

  Julia smiled. “I think we can manage on our own.”

  They approached the buggy and Matthew stopped. He turned to Julia, took her in his arms and kissed her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. For a month she’d longed for this, longed to have his strong arms around her, since that first little peck she’d given him. And the kiss was all she hoped for.

  “Congratulations on delivering your first baby in Tombstone.” He whispered against her lips.

  Then he was gone. He dropped his arms and stepped back, back into his protective shell.

  She was an outsider again.

  “Matthew, I—”

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I haven’t changed my mind about the annulment.”

  He helped her into the buggy without another word.

  The trip home was a silent one. She wanted to cry. They’d made some headway and she knew now that he wasn’t immune to her charms, but he was very good at resisting them.

  When they reached the house, Matthew helped her down.

  “What about that picnic?” she asked as he let go of her hand.

  “The idea was a mistake on my part. I can’t, won’t get any closer to you.”

  “We still need to talk. I want to know what you thought about the letters.”

  He nodded. “We do. I’ll be in shortly.”

  Julia hung her coat on a peg by the kitchen door. I thought I was getting through to him, but I must have been wrong. After that kiss he seems as distant as he was the day I came. I’ve got to do something to make him lose his control. I know he’s getting to like me, but he’s refusing to let himself show it. Until today. Until that kiss.

  She busied herself making coffee, wanting to catch Matthew as he came in, only he didn’t. Instead she saw him ride out on one of the horses. He was avoiding her that was for sure. Disappointment and hurt shot through her momentarily. Then she realized that she was having an effect on him, if he was going to so much trouble not to talk to her.

  CHAPTER 6

  April 9, 1882

  Matthew rode hard to Walt’s house. He needed to talk to his brothers and he knew they would all be at Walt’s today, Sunday. It was family tradition for all of them to gather on Sundays to have dinner, play some poker and just be together.

  He tied the horse at the hitching rail in front of the house and went in.

  “Where is everybody?” he called while hanging up his coat and hat on the pegs in the hallway.

  George appeared in the hallway. “We’re in here.” Then he disappeared back into the card room.

  Matthew walked down to the room and found all three of his brothers there, lounging in the overstuffed chairs by the fireplace and holding glasses of amber beer.

  “Well,” said George. With his golden-blond hair and blue eyes he was a heart-breaker and had broken plenty of hearts in Tombstone. “We wondered when you would show up again.”

  “Been spending time with that little wife of yours?” teased Will. The shortest of the group he stood at five-feet eleven inches. His dark brown hair and playful gray eyes disguised the scholar hidden inside.

  “Not funny,” said Matt, stiffening. “I can’t abandon her. It’s Walt’s fault she’s here. Anyone hear from him yet? It’s been a month.”

  “Haven’t heard a thing,” said Dan. He waved a hand toward the table where the drinks were. “You might as well grab a beer and let’s play cards.”

  “I’m not in the mood for cards,” said Matt. “I need to figure out what to do about Julia.”

  “Have you filed the papers for the annulment yet?” asked Dan.

  “No. I don’t know why I keep putting it off. She says she fell in love with me through my letters.” Matt rubbed the back of his neck.

  “So what was in those letters? You’ve surely had a chance to read them by now. Did Walt exaggerate all your good qualities and forget to mention your bad ones?” asked Dan with a smirk.

  “No. That’s part of the problem. I might as well have written those letters.” Matt pointed at his chest. “Walt was dead on with everything he said and every question of hers he answered.”

  “So,” said George. “The girl did fall in love with you. Where did he get a picture to send of you? They sent pictures back and forth I’m assuming.”

  “Yeah, they did. Remember that shootout down on Fremont Street, by the OK Corral last year?” asked Matt.

  They all nodded.

  “My picture got taken for the paper when I was working on some of the injured men. He sent that one.” Matt shook his head. “A newspaper clipping.”

  “Well, at least she knew you really were a doctor that way,” said Will with a shrug.

  He knew Will was trying to be helpful but it really wasn’t working. Matt had read the letters to and from Julia. After knowing her for a month, he found he was more attracted to her than he wanted to be, but he didn’t want to be married. Not bamboozled into it by Walt. No way was he standing for that.

  “I take it you haven’t bedded her yet.” Dan waggled his eyebrows

  Matt picked up a pillow from the settee and threw it at his little brother. “I wouldn’t still be holding out for an annulment if I had, now would I?”

  “No,” admitted Dan.

  “So what will you do?” asked George. “Maybe you should put the marriage under consideration and court her. If you start being nice to her, she’ll definitely be confused if nothing else.”

  Matthew frowned. “I’m nice.” He was nice, dammit.

  “You’re about as nice as a badger with its foot in a trap,” said George, who at thirty-seven was the closest to Matt’s age.

  “I’m not.” Matt said, but he knew he hadn’t been as nice as he could have been.

  “You are,” said the other three simultaneously.

  “You treat her like a slave,” said Dan. “She helps you all day in the office, she cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner and would probably do your laundry if you didn’t already have someone to do it.”

  Matt wave
d his hand. “She likes doing that stuff. I don’t force her to do any of it.”

  “Do you compliment her? Do you thank her? Do you tell her how pretty she is, because I’ve seen her?” Dan turned to his other two brothers, “She a beauty. He’s lucky to have her.”

  Matt paced the room. “You don’t need to tell me how lucky I am” he grumbled. “Do any of you want to marry her?”

  Silence.

  “That’s what I thought,” said Matthew. “I’m not ready to be married, either. I want to choose my own woman and get to know her and—”

  “What have you been doing?” asked George. “She lives right under your roof, you work with her all day and then spend the evening together. You two should be getting to know each other pretty well.”

  “I know. I know. It’s just…” Matt was at a loss for words.

  “Afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands off her?” asked Dan with a knowing nod. “I know I’d have a hard time not bedding her.”

  Blood pounded in his ears and Matt took a swipe at Dan, who ducked.

  “What was that for?” yelled Dan.

  “Don’t talk about her like that,” Matt clenched and unclenched his hands. “Like she’s some floozy at the Bird Cage. She’s a lady and a smart one.”

  “You need to decide what you’re doing about this situation. It can’t continue as it is.” Will put his hand on Matt’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’re on edge, and even we don’t want to be around you when you’re like this.”

  “Well, you don’t have any choice.” Matt scrubbed his hands over his face. “I can’t take my frustrations out on Julia, so I come here.”

  “And hope we beat you up? That’s just plain stupid,” said Dan. “Besides, if you leave here with bruises all over your face, Julia will have our hides.”

  “Fine, then give me a drink. Whiskey. Three fingers.” Matt slouched into one of the chairs.

  “Don’t forget you have to ride home and hopefully not fall off the horse.” George laughed and was joined by the other two brothers.

  They were having a good time at Matthew’s expense and the situation was his fault. He could end this. All he had to do was bed her. They were married, after all, and Lord knew he wanted to.