Wild and Tender Care

by Haley Whitehall

  She looked at all the people lying on the parlor floor. “Where am I going to sleep?”

  “I’m sure Miss Page would gladly share her bed, Mrs. Caldwell.”

  “Share her bed with me?” she said, raising her voice. “After all those men who—”

  William interrupted her. “Please, ma’am, there are children present.”

  Mrs. Caldwell quickly clamped her mouth shut. “Well, if I must. Where is her bedroom?”

  William led her down the hallway to Ida’s room. He knocked on her door.

  “Come in,” Ida said.

  He opened the door and Ida gasped.

  “Mrs. Caldwell, I never thought you’d set foot in my house.”

  The woman grunted. “Me neither. Even worse, the doctor said we’re sharing a bed.”

  Ida scooted over, giving Mrs. Caldwell half of the bed. “I don’t bite.”

  With most of his patients healing, their lesions crusting over, William saw the end of the epidemic in sight. It took nearly two weeks after initial infection for symptoms to develop. If there were any more cases the people should become ill in the next few days.

  “I was just trying to be friendly to the newcomers,” Mrs. Caldwell grumbled, sitting on the mattress. “That’s part of my duty as the mayor’s wife, welcoming everyone to Big Rock.”

  “Yes, I know,” William said. “I’m sure they appreciated the welcome as much as I did.”

  “I told Mr. Newly where the doctor’s office was,” she said. “Sorry to hear about the poor man. How is the boy?”

  “Toby is doing fine. He is my new medical assistant. I’m sure you’ll see him again shortly.”

  “I’d like that. I like children.”

  Enough small talk; she needed to lie down. “I see you didn’t bring anything with you,” William said. “One of Miss Page’s nightgowns would likely fit. If you change you’d be more comfortable.”

  Mrs. Caldwell groaned. “Yes, that would be nice. But I don’t feel like moving. I ache all over.”

  William rubbed his forehead. And the lady didn’t think she was getting smallpox. “I can help you into the nightgown if you wish,” he offered.

  “Certainty not!”

  “I’m a doctor, Mrs. Caldwell.”

  “I don’t care.”

  William turned, ready to leave. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with her haughty attitude right now. He had other patients who appreciated him.

  “I can help you change, ma’am,” Ida said. She pushed herself out of bed, walked over to her chest of drawers and pulled out a white nightgown. “I think she would prefer if you left, Dr. Steere.”

  “I will be back shortly to check on you ladies.” Closing the door behind him, he scurried to the parlor and then finally allowed himself to chuckle.

  Mrs. Caldwell and Ida sharing a bed for the coming week. Surely fate was laughing. He not only had to see to their fevers and aches but he had to make sure they didn’t start a fight. Although he had no doubt Ida would win.

  Chapter 12

  Mrs. Caldwell didn’t look that formidable wearing one of Ida’s nightgowns and sleeping in the bed beside her. The first day they had been stuck together the upper-class woman barely talked to her, but not given much of an alternative to relieve the unsettling silence she’d finally given in.

  “How are you feeling?” Ida asked. “Would you like a drink of water?”

  The woman pushed herself to a sitting position, resting her head against the wall. “Yes, that would be nice, dear. Thank you.”

  Dear and thank you. Mrs. Caldwell’s fever must be getting higher. Ida reached for the glass of water sitting on the table on her side of the bed and handed it to her.

  The woman drank the glass in four gulps and Ida dragged herself out of bed to refill the porcelain pitcher and then their glasses of water.

  “You shouldn’t be taking care of me. You should be resting.”

  “Seems like all I’ve been doing is resting lately. I’ve had the smallpox a couple more days than you have, Mrs. Caldwell. I know how horrible it is when it first hits.”

  The woman closed her eyes, her ivory skin moistened with sweat. “That’s the truth.”

  “Here, drink some more water.”

  “I feel so hot it must evaporate before it even makes it down my throat.”

  That didn’t sound good. “Do you want me to call for Dr. Steere?”

  Mrs. Caldwell shook her head, eyes still closed. “Don’t bother the man. He has his hands full taking care of everyone. I’ll be fine.”

  “You haven’t eaten much. Would you like a bowl of broth?”

  Mrs. Caldwell put a hand on her stomach. “I doubt I’d be able to even keep broth down. My insides are churning.”

  Ida sat next to her and brushed sweaty strands of hair out of Mrs. Caldwell’s eyes. The woman’s skin was hot to the touch. If she could muster the energy she should give Mrs. Caldwell a bath. The woman didn’t like Dr. Steere seeing all of her.

  Ida looked at the backs of her own hands and then her palms. In the sunlight coming through the bedroom window she examined the lesions. The hard bumps all had a depression in the center. When they fell off what would her scars look like? Here she was worried about her hands. They could be covered with lacy gloves. She touched the rash on her cheek. It was harder to hide one’s face.

  “You should try to eat something, Mrs. Caldwell. You need to keep your strength.”

  Mrs. Caldwell nodded. “All right. If you insist. You seem determined to make yourself my nurse.”

  Was that a complaint? “I just want to get you feeling better.”

  Mrs. Caldwell didn’t respond.

  Ida rolled on her side and reached for the bell sitting on the bedside table. She rang it for a minute and then waited.

  “How are my two favorite patients?” Dr. Steere asked.

  Ida smiled. It was good seeing him more rested.

  “Hungry,” Ida said. “Now we get to find out your cooking skills.”

  “You don’t want to find out my cooking skills,” he replied. “Although I think I can manage some broth. I’ve sent most of the people from the wagon train home or I guess back to their wagons now that their blisters have crusted over.”

  “That’s good. I hope they have wagons to go back to.”

  “I haven’t heard word they were burned. We were thankful no one in town tried to start a riot. I had been concerned about Austin for a while.”

  “He’s mostly bluster,” Mrs. Caldwell said. “So we’re your last patients.”

  He nodded. “Looks like it. So that is why you’re also my favorites.” A blush rushed into his cheeks. “If you feel up to more than broth, Mrs. Horton from the wagon train could assist me in the kitchen. She had been kind enough to stay and help.”

  “Just broth for me,” Mrs. Caldwell said. “I’m not sure I can manage that.”

  “I’d like a fried egg,” Ida said. “I better take advantage of this service while I can. I doubt I’ll be getting meals in bed all the time.”

  William chuckled. “I’m glad to see you’re still in good spirits. I’ll be right back with your orders.”

  A bit later Toby held the door open while Dr. Steere carried in the tray with their two plates.

  “Toby,” Dr. Steere said, “can you clear off the bedside table for me?”

  “Sure,” the boy said, carrying the pitcher and glasses of water over to the dressing table.

  “Thank you. You’ve been a big help.”

  The boy walked over to Ida’s side of the bed and smiled at her. The first smile she’d seen since his father died. “I hope you are feeling better.”

  “I am. Thank you. I am glad to see you’re strong again.”

  Toby nodded. “Dr. Steere said he’s going to teach me all about medicine. I’m going to be a real assistant!”

  Ida looked over to William, and the man grinned. She hadn’t realized how serious he had been when he’d promised to take the boy in. Would the townspeop
le allow it? The dying father’s word should carry some weight in court, but if people wanted to protest a boy shouldn’t be raised by a half-breed and a prostitute…Ida sighed. There it was. The evils of her past haunting her again.

  Mrs. Caldwell tried to drink the broth but it wasn’t long before she vomited. Thankfully Ida handed her the chamber pot in time to prevent her from spewing all over the sheets.

  “Oh,” Mrs. Caldwell groaned. “I don’t feel well.”

  Ida took the bowl of broth out of her hands and placed it back on the tray. “Just rest. I feel better after my egg. I’ll wipe you down.”

  “You’re a good woman, Ida,” Mrs. Caldwell said. “I’m sorry for being against you so long.”

  Did the smallpox give her a moment of conscience? For a second she was too stunned to reply. “Thank you. I do my best.”

  “We should have given you a chance,” Mrs. Caldwell said as Ida brushed the wet cloth across her forehead and down the sides of her face. “I guess it is human nature to be judgmental. I’m sorry.”

  Ida didn’t know what to say. The apology sounded genuine. “I like it here in Big Rock. I mean, it has been my home for several years now. I don’t want to leave.”

  “And there is no reason you should.”

  Ida dropped the cloth in the bowl of water again and wrung it out. “What about Dr. Steere?”

  “Of course he’s welcome to stay here.”

  She licked her lips, her tongue brushing across some of the bumps. “That’s not what I meant. I was wondering about us. We’d like to get married.”

  “Then I’ll be happy to attend the wedding. Come to think of it, after this epidemic is over I think the town should have a big celebration.”

  “We just had the Independence Day picnic,” Ida said.

  “We’ll host another picnic with food and music and dancing. Of course I might have to wear a veil.”

  “A veil?”

  “To cover the pockmarks, dear. I hope my husband doesn’t mind. When we were courting back in Philadelphia he said I was the prettiest girl in the city. My two sisters were jealous.”

  “I’m sure he’ll still find you beautiful, Mrs. Caldwell. A man loves more than a woman’s looks.”

  Mrs. Caldwell patted Ida’s hand. “I heard a rumor that Toby’s father asked you and the doctor to take care of him.”

  Ida inhaled sharply. She hadn’t expected such a turn in the conversation. “Yes, that is true.”

  “I’m glad. The boy takes to both of you. You’ll be good parents.”

  “You’re not going to protest?”

  “No. We don’t have an orphanage in Big Rock. Someone needs to take him in.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Caldwell. Thank you.”

  “And if Reverend Wade says anything I’ll take care of it. Don’t you worry.” She turned her head, nestling into the pillow. “I think I’ll dream about that picnic.”

  * * * *

  “We don’t want to be late to our own celebration,” William said. “And we shouldn’t leave Toby with Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell too long.”

  “After you got her through the smallpox I don’t think she minds watching him for a while.”

  “Are you not wanting to go to the party?” he asked, putting his hands on hips. “You’re still in your nightgown.”

  “I want to go in a bit. I don’t care if we are late,” Ida said, tugging on his collar of his frock coat. “As soon as I was better, you promised to make love to me.”

  He pulled off his coat and then began stripping as fast as he could.

  “Aren’t you worried the townsfolk will gossip? They’ll take one look at us and know what we did this morning.”

  Ida shook her head. “I don’t care if they know. I told Mrs. Caldwell we were getting married.”

  William froze his trousers around his knees. “And when were you going to tell me?”

  “I think I just did.” She gave him a sultry smile and beckoned him to come to her with her finger.

  “I thought the man was supposed to do the proposing,” he said, taking off his long johns and joining her on the bed.

  “I’m not your ordinary woman, you know.”

  “I guess that was one reason I was drawn to you, Ida.”

  He cupped the sides of her face and lowered his lips to hers. The first couple of kisses were soft and tender and almost chaste. Then he deepened the kiss and she moaned.

  “You’re beautiful,” he breathed.

  “Not as beautiful as I was,” she said. It had been terrifying looking at herself in the mirror for the first time since all the scabs had fallen off. The light scars on her neck could be easily hidden if she wore her hair down. She ran a finger across her cheek and chin. Some of the scars would show though. At least most of the scars were hidden under her clothing. The pain she’d worked hard to stomp down resurfaced and a large tear dropped onto her cheek. She still had her figure, but…

  He placed a hand over her heart. “Your beauty is here, Ida. All those men who shared your bed before me were attracted to your face, but I always wanted to get to know your inner beauty.”

  His kind words warmed her chest. “Oh, William. You are such a wonderful man. Almost too good for me.”

  “No I’m not,” William said quickly.

  She chuckled. “I said almost.”

  He peppered a trail of kisses from her throat down to her bosom. “I’ll make this one fast so we can get to the party. When I take you home we can love all night long.”

  His words and kisses already had her wet. Her legs fell open, ready for him. “Yes,” she rasped. “Yes, take me. I’m yours.”

  He lifted her ankles onto his sturdy shoulders and his arousal pushed against her moist heat.

  He thrust into her with soft, steady strokes. It had been too long since they’d first made love. She longed to feel him come inside her again. “More,” she cooed. “More.”

  Bracing himself over her, his arms flexed. His hips moved with each thrust and his eyes burned with passion. Passion for her. He found the right spot and her mouth opened. She mewled louder and louder.

  Increasing his pace, she panted faster in time with his movements. Heart thrashing madly she tilted her head back, sinking deeper into the pillow. Something about William brought out the wild abandon in her. She did not have to worry about his pleasure. He saw to hers.

  “Yes,” she said in a ragged breath. He filled her so completely, not only her body but her heart as well. She’d been lonely for years until he came along and tended to her needs. All of her needs.

  His cock left her body and entered her again, this time with such force her eyes widened and her breath left her lungs. Her thighs clenched and she inched closer to the peak. Feeling William buried inside her was almost enough to make her come.

  She ran her fingers up his chin, feeling his freshly shaven skin. So close. Her body trembled, one thrust away from shattering.

  Her inner walls tightened around his cock and she came, hands tangled in his long hair. “William,” she shouted.

  He roared his climax right after hers and then he held her tight as they rode the waves of aftershocks together.

  “How was that?” he asked, his face glowing.

  Sitting up, she nearly laughed. Couldn’t he see her joy? He’d asked the same question after their first time together. Did he need reassurance every time they made love? If so, she didn’t mind. He was the man for her.

  “It was wonderful,” she said and then kissed him, sliding her tongue inside his mouth.

  William’s warm tongue toyed with hers and his fingers rested on the tops of her bare shoulders.

  Finally, he broke their kiss. “You know you could entice me to make love to you for hours, but it would be impolite to miss the party.”

  She let out a loud sigh. “All right. I’ll get ready.” She watched him quickly dress and then brush his hair.

  “I’ll bring the buggy around.”

  She nodded and padded over to her wardro
be. Mrs. Caldwell said this was going to be like a second Independence Day picnic. It seemed fitting to wear the same red-and-white checkered dress. On the first town picnic they had found each other and on the second picnic they would pledge their endless love and devotion.

  Lord, thank you for sending Dr. Steere to Big Rock.

  Chapter 13

  William proudly escorted Ida to the celebration taking place on the church lawn. Neither of them received dirty looks from those already in attendance. In fact the ladies smiled and some of the men nodded to them in greeting.

  Mayor Caldwell and his wife hurried over to them, Toby at their side. “Welcome to the celebration,” Mrs. Caldwell said. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

  “Waiting for us?” Ida asked.

  “Oh yes,” Mayor Caldwell said. “You’re our guests of honor.” He motioned to the buffet table. “Fill your plates and then I will make a toast.”

  William swished his tongue around his mouth, suddenly nervous. What kind of toast?

  Toby gave him a big hug, the boy’s arms wrapping around his waist. “You’re a hero,” he said.

  Tears stung William’s eyes. A hero? He hadn’t done anything really, and he hadn’t been able to save Toby’s father.

  Toby let go of him and flung himself into Ida’s arms. “I’m so happy I’m not an orphan. You’re almost as pretty as my real ma.”

  Ida picked the boy up. “Why, thank you, Toby. You’ll have to tell me about her sometime. Can you keep a secret?”

  Toby nodded.

  “Dr. Steere and I are orphans too.”

  “Honest?” Toby asked, looking at William.

  “That’s right. I lost my parents when I was about your age.”

  Ida set the boy back down. “Have you eaten?”

  “Nope. I was waiting for you.”

  “Well, I’m hungry,” William said. He put his hand on the middle of the boy’s back and guided him to the buffet table.

  The three of them filled their plates and then sat under the cottonwood tree ready for Mayor Caldwell’s speech.

  He got everyone’s attention and held a glass of punch in his hand. “I’d like to make a toast to Dr. Steere and Miss Page. The two of them tended to the sick and got Big Rock through the smallpox epidemic. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.”