RNWMP: Bride for Matthew (Mail Order Mounties Book 9)

by Kirsten Osbourne

  When she’d finished, the two men came back. They had a woman with them who looked down at the man. “Is Thomas going to live?” she asked, seeming very casual about the whole thing to Sinead’s way of thinking.

  “I believe he is. We’ll have to see how he is when he wakes up.”

  The woman nodded and sat beside her husband on the bed. “All right, then.”

  “Do you not want him to live?” Sinead asked, wondering what was going through the woman’s mind.

  “Of course I want him to live. I’m just making sure.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Janice.”

  “All right, Janice. I think it will do him good to see you as soon as he wakes up.”

  “I can stay for a little while, but then I need to get home. My daughter is staying with the little ones, but she’s only twelve. She doesn’t know how to put supper on.”

  Sinead had never seen someone so apathetic about their spouse being badly injured. “I hope he’ll wake up soon, and then he can go home with you.”

  Thomas stirred then, groaning loudly. “I feel like I got kicked in the head by a horse!”

  “That’s exactly what happened,” Sinead told him.

  “Who’re you?”

  Sinead sighed. “I’m Dr. Montgomery. I’m new in town.”

  “Oh.” He lay there for another minute before sitting up. “I’ll be going home now.”

  Janice looked at Sinead. “What do we owe you?”

  Sinead named a price that had the couple looking at her with surprise. “Dr. Jenkins would have charged ten times that.” Janice got the money from a small drawstring purse she carried.

  Sinead counted to ten in her head before responding. “I’m not Dr. Jenkins,” was all she said, but there was so much more she wanted to say. The only thing that held her back was the way Miss Hazel was looking at her. “I’d like to see you in three days to remove your stitches, Thomas.”

  “How much will that cost me?” he asked.

  “Your wife has already paid me. There won’t be a charge for removing the stitches.” Sinead knew she was charging a little bit less than she would have in the city, but she knew these people couldn’t afford much.

  “I’ll see you in three days then.” Thomas carefully got to his feet, his wife putting her shoulder under his to help prop him up. “Much obliged, Doc.”

  As Sinead watched them go, she turned back to the women sitting at her table, still working on sewing. “I have half a mind to march down to the health institute and give Dr. Jenkins a piece of my mind!”

  Beth stood up, wringing her hands together. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Our husbands want you to stay put today.”

  Sinead sat down in a chair and picked up the curtain she was making. “I know they do. I don’t want to stay home, but I’m doing it.” She was grumpy about it too. She understood why she shouldn’t leave, but everything in her was dying to get out of the house. “I want to go for a walk. Surely if all of us go, nothing can happen to me.”

  Miss Hazel shook her head. “I’m not so sure about that. The men are adamant that you’re staying inside today. They don’t even want you to take them supper at the Mountie office.”

  Another knock at the door, and Molly stuck her head inside. “It’s a party, and I didn’t get an invitation?” She put her hands on her hips and glared at Sinead. “You sure have been causing a lot of trouble. I think everyone in Cougar Springs knows who you are now.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” Sinead asked.

  “I don’t think it’s a good thing.” Molly sat down at the table. “What are you all making?”

  “Curtains and a table cloth,” Sinead said. “They won’t even let me take a walk.”

  “I think that’s for the best.” Molly’s eyes met Miss Hazel’s. “Easton said she’s not even to go to the outhouse without three of us with her.”

  “Nathaniel told me the same thing,” Claire said, sticking her needle back into the fabric.

  Sinead stood up, no longer caring about the curtain at all. “I can’t believe all of you are just willing to be prisoners in my home! Go out and enjoy yourselves!”

  “We can’t,” Beth told her. “We promised.”

  Sinead groaned. “I’m going to bake some bread, then. If I have to sew another stitch, I’m going to go insane.”

  Miss Hazel watched her for a moment, grinning like a lunatic.

  “Why does that amuse you so much, Miss Hazel?”

  “As much as you hate to be in the kitchen, I think you’re turning into a nervous baker. It’s wonderful!”

  “Why exactly is it wonderful?” Sinead asked, wanting to kick the older woman. She loved Miss Hazel, but there were times when the woman made her downright crazy.

  “Because you’re choosing to bake. It’s good for you!”

  Sinead turned her back on her as she pulled the ingredients for the bread out of her cupboard. “I’m just going to bake my bread.” She was done talking to them. She loved all four of the women in her house, but at that moment, she just wanted to scream. It was bad enough she wasn’t allowed to go to the health institute and yell at Dr. Jenkins, but she wasn’t even allowed to take a walk. Her imprisonment needed to end soon.

  While she kneaded the dough, her brain worked through everything she’d been told. Finally, she turned to the table. “What’s happening today that’s making everyone think I need to stay inside?”

  Miss Hazel gave a little shake of her head when Beth took a breath to talk. “I’m not allowed to say,” Beth said, obviously not willing to tell another untruth.

  Molly stood up and walked over to Sinead. “We’re not supposed to tell you, but I know you well enough to know that if someone doesn’t say something, you’re going to go out there and see for yourself.” She took a deep breath. “There’s very unusual activity at the institute today. Dr. Jenkins told all the maids to go home, and he had all the Pinkerton men in his office. People have been coming and going all day. We’re not sure exactly what’s happening, but something is, and the Mounties feel that you’re better off staying at home where you’re safe from harm.”

  Sinead looked between them, seeing on all of their faces that there was nothing else they were hiding. “So I’m stuck here until activity dies down at the institute?”

  Molly shrugged. “We think so. No one has really given us more information than that. Easton tried to get me to come over here with some fake medical concern, but I refused. We’re friends, and I won’t lie to my friends.”

  Sinead nodded. “Thank you for that.” She wished she could come up with a plan so she could do something, but what was there to do? She’d have to wait it out. “I guess I’ll finish baking this bread. Does anyone want to bake some cookies?”

  By the time Matthew got home from the office that evening, the women had finished the curtains, the table cloth, and made six dozen cookies, two cakes, and eight loaves of bread. “Have you turned my cabin into a bakery?” he asked.

  Sinead glared at him, all of her anger at being confined focused on one man. “You had my friends come here and lie to me! You wanted them to pretend to be sick so I’d stay home and not know what was going on outside! How could you?” She had tears in her eyes, so angry she could just spit. “You’re supposed to be the person who wants what’s best for me, and lies are never the best thing for anyone!”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Sinead saw Miss Hazel lead the other ladies out the door.

  Matthew sighed. “I didn’t want to have them lie to you, but I didn’t want you to leave to investigate for yourself.”

  “I’ll have you know that I’m furious with you, Matthew Montgomery! Now tell me what’s going on at the institute!”

  “We still don’t know. We think that Jenkins is going to leave to keep from being thrown into prison.”

  “Wouldn’t that mean that he’s no longer focused on me? So why can’t I leave?”

  “We aren’t sure. He could be gathering
his men together and have someone come after you. We have no idea what he’s really up to. He’s shot one of his closest companions—that’s odd behavior, even for Dr. Jenkins. We have to keep you safe. You’re my wife, and your well-being is my first responsibility.”

  She frowned at him. “I’ll stay home, and I’ll stay safe. But I want you to know that I’m no less angry with you. Next time you need to tell me the truth.” The dishes had long since been washed after the women ate the stew she’d made. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”

  She turned and walked away from him, not sure she’d ever be able to trust the man again. Of course, she still loved him, but trust? That was something completely different!

  Chapter Nine

  When she woke the next morning, Sinead was still mad at everyone. If Matthew had just trusted her enough to be honest with her, everything would have been fine…but instead, he’d had her friends pretend illnesses to keep her occupied. Deceptive behavior was not something she dealt well with.

  She found Matthew in the kitchen, talking to Easton in low tones. “Am I required to stay in the house all day again?”

  Matthew glanced at her, looking almost nervous. “Dr. Jenkins disappeared during the night. We had someone watching him, so we’re not sure how he slipped away, but he did. There’s a new doctor there now, and he’s already shown his credentials.”

  “Is he going to run the sanitarium the same way Dr. Jenkins did?”

  “No idea. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

  “I’m going to go see him.” Sinead disappeared behind the curtain to dress. If Dr. Jenkins was gone, then her danger was over, and she was free to go where she pleased.

  “No.” Matthew went behind the curtain with her. “I want you to stay away until we know what kind of doctor this Dr. Porter is. There’s no reason for you to endanger your life again.”

  “What if he’s looking for someone to work with him? I’d have a way to practice medicine! Or if he’s as bad as Dr. Jenkins, we want to know right away, don’t we?”

  Matthew closed his eyes and counted to ten. “Why don’t you write down a list of questions for me to ask him when I go introduce myself?”

  “I want to ask myself. I want to see his face when he answers them.” Sinead sat down to put on her socks and shoes. “You can go with me if you need to, but really, this is a doctor-to-doctor interview.”

  “I don’t want you getting hurt! How many times do I have to tell you that?”

  “You taught me to shoot! I’m good at it. I also am very aware of my surroundings. I’m a doctor. It’s my job to help people, not stay here in the house all the time.” She stood up, reaching for a hat, which she pinned to her hair. “There, I’m ready.”

  Matthew caught her arm as she walked out into the main area. “I don’t want you doing this!”

  Sinead’s eyes met his. “As a doctor, this is my job. I will not let you keep me from what I’ve vowed to spend my life doing. Please remove your hand from my arm. Come with me or stay here, but I’m going.”

  She grabbed her medical bag from the table and hurried out the door, aware that Matthew was right behind her. “I don’t like this, Sinead!”

  “I know you don’t. I don’t like that you think it’s your job to tell me what to do.”

  “You do realize I’m your husband, don’t you?”

  Sinead stopped walking and glared at him. “And you realize that I’m a woman with a mind that actually works, don’t you? That I know how to take care of myself, that I’ve been doing it for a long time. How do you think I survived in Toronto during medical school? There was no one watching over me there!”

  “That was before we married. Now you’re my responsibility.” Matthew couldn’t remember ever being quite so angry with someone. Sinead was special to him, and he wasn’t about to let her get hurt, no matter what fool notion she got in her head.

  “You’ve known me for less than a week. How can I be your responsibility?”

  “How can you not? We’re married!” Didn’t she even know what the word married meant?

  “I kind of got that impression when we were sharing a bed all week.” She picked up the bottom of her skirt to keep from tripping and continued on her way. “I assume you’ll be coming with me for my first audience with Dr. Porter?”

  He caught her arm. “Sinead, I’m known for my even temper. I never frown. I’ve always got a smile on my lips, or I have one waiting to come to them. But you have me so angry right now, I’m ready to throw you over my shoulder and carry you right back to our cabin!”

  “I know you’re angry, I can see it on your face. but I’m doing this. I feel it’s important for my career. You may accompany me, or turn around and go home. Either way, I will do what I feel is my duty as a doctor. I don’t want you to be angry. I don’t want to defy you. But I will. Make your choice, because I’m going!”

  For a moment, he seriously considered throwing her over his shoulder. He knew she’d never forgive him, though, and he wanted a happy, peaceful marriage. Well, as peaceful as it could be when he was married to the most stubborn woman in all of Canada. Finally, he shook his head. “I’ll come with you. You leave me no real choice.”

  She smiled at him, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “You’re a good husband, Matthew.” Then she turned and hurried down the street toward the health institute. When she went in the side entrance, and stood outside the director’s door, she knocked, noting that Matthew was still at her side.

  When the door opened, she faced an older man, who seemed to be relaxed in his new office. “I’m Dr. Sinead Montgomery.”

  He opened the door wide, inviting her inside. “Come in, Dr. Montgomery. I was informed you would be making a call soon after I arrived. Have a seat.”

  Sinead took the seat directly across from the doctor, while Matthew stood behind her, his hand on his weapon. She ignored his stance and folded her hands in her lap, smiling at the man. “I understand you’ve taken over for Dr. Jenkins.”

  “I bought him out, lock, stock and barrel. The institute is now mine.”

  “It’s a beautiful place. What do you intend to do with it?”

  “Do with it? I intend to run it, of course. And I have a need for qualified physicians. Where did you go to school, Dr. Montgomery?”

  “The Ontario Medical College for Women. Where did you go to school, Dr. Porter?”

  “I see you already know my name.” Dr. Porter smiled. “I went to the Toronto School of Medicine. I graduated in 1890, and I’ve been a physician for twenty years. I’d heard about the healing properties of hot springs while in school, and I have been to several different hot springs throughout Canada.”

  “And do you believe hot springs are a cure all, Dr. Porter?”

  “I do not. I believe they can be very helpful in patients with arthritis and rheumatism, because they massage the afflicted area, causing there to be some pain relief. I focus primarily on rehabilitation of injuries, so I believe that after a session of exercise with me, a patient will find some relief by soaking in the springs.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Do you believe they are a cure all?”

  She shook her head adamantly. “I think we believe along the same lines. Are you aware that Dr. Jenkins was a charlatan?”

  “Oh, there’s no doubt in my mind. I won’t be running things the same way he did.”

  “You won’t?”

  Dr. Porter laughed. “You seem almost deflated. I’m a legitimate physician, Dr. Montgomery, and I plan to do everything I can to turn this institute into the finest one of its kind. There will be no whiskey-filled tonic given to patients, and I will not claim that I can help people with things other than aches and pains. I do think I can make a difference in some lives, but not in all as Dr. Jenkins was fond of saying.”

  Sinead felt a smile stretch across her face. “I’m so glad you’re going to do things the right way, Doctor!”

  “I’m glad to see that you care about how things are run, whether you’
re involved or not. Have you established a practice here in Cougar Springs yet?”

  “No, sir. I’ve treated a few patients, but I don’t have an office or anything like that set up yet.”

  “I like the optimistic ‘yet’. I do have a small office on the first floor that I’ll no longer need. I’ve had the elixir Dr. Jenkins was selling removed and disposed of. If you would like to use the room, I’m sure you’d find it acceptable for patients.”

  “I would like that a great deal. What would you charge me for that?”

  “Consider it a professional courtesy. If you have enough patients in six months to pay for the office, we’ll reevaluate then. I hope you won’t mind if I send cases that I’m not interested in taking on your way.”

  Sinead frowned. “What sort of cases?”

  “Oh, just about anything other than rehabilitative medicine. This place is only good for that. If I send others to you, will you take them on?”

  Sinead nodded. “Only if you’ll accept my cases of arthritis and rheumatism.”

  Dr. Porter smiled widely. “You have yourself a deal, Doctor.”

  She got to her feet and offered her hand. “Thank you. I will enjoy having a good professional relationship with you.”

  “If you will come by first thing on Monday morning, I’ll show you your new office. For now, I have a lot of paperwork to deal with to make sure everything is taken care of properly. Thank you for your time.”

  “And you, Doctor.” Sinead turned and smiled sweetly at Matthew, who was standing with his jaw slack. “I’ll be taking my husband away with me now.”

  “It’s good to meet you, Constable Montgomery. I like how careful you are about keeping her safe. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of dealings.”

  Matthew nodded. “Good to meet you, Dr. Porter. I’ll let the other Mounties know where you stand.”

  “Thank you.” Dr. Porter returned to his seat, and Matthew closed the door quietly behind them.