No wonder she enjoyed being next door instead.
She took a deep breath and entered the waiting room where Marty Gale was waiting.
Chelsea had just put the sack of sugar in her basket when she heard Tess Daniels call her name. Tess was Hattie’s best friend, and Chelsea had come to enjoy the young woman’s company very much during her time in Silverpines.
Tess walked over to the counter and enveloped Chelsea in a quick hug. Chelsea noticed Tess was positively glowing, apart from the dark circles under her eyes.
“Not resting much?” Chelsea asked, eyeing Tess’s large belly. She was due in late spring, but Chelsea didn’t think she would last that long. Not quite five months along, she looked much larger than the average woman carrying.
Tess shook her blonde curls. “Not really. I’m still concerned about Momma. She isn’t doing very well.”
“Is Charlotte sick?” Millie Cutler just came from behind the curtain leading to her stock room and placed some cans on the counter.
Tess looked at Chelsea. “She hasn’t been feeling very well. Most likely the winter melancholies.”
“Well it doesn’t help that we are getting all this snow. I swear I’ve been so busy today with everyone stocking up. I’m almost out of everything. That will be 86-cents.” Millie pushed the cans towards Chelsea and looked around the counter. “Did you get your sugar?”
“Yes. I placed it in the basket already, along with the rest of the items.” Chelsea picked the cans up and put them in the basket before taking the money from her reticule and handing it to Millie. “Tess, I’ll be by on Friday to see your Momma. If you need me before then, send a message to the clinic, alright?”
“Of course.” Chelsea turned away and heard Tess rattle off her list to Millie. She made her way down the street, her boots trudging through the slush. The snow was sticking everywhere, and icicles were beginning to form on the rooftops. If anyone slipped, then she knew she would be called.
There was one thing she missed from college. It was having access to the latest tools. When she examined Marty, she didn’t think he had broken his arm, but it would have been so much easier if she had access to one of those fancy x-rays machines she saw during a lecture.
It was amazing that the little tube could emit rays that passed through paper, clothing and even skin to show what was underneath. Unfortunately, they were still new and rather costly, so Chelsea didn’t expect to see another one again for a long time.
She had just made it back to the clinic when she saw Brawny riding like the devil was on his heels. He drew the horse up short and dismounted.
Chelsea felt her heart lurch. She hadn’t seen him in nearly six-weeks, and he was just as handsome as she remembered. His hair was a little longer and his skin was red from the wind.
“Where’s Doc Childs?”
“What’s wrong?”
“I need a doctor immediately.”
“I’m a doctor.”
Brawny looked down. Chelsea noticed his hands were clenching. “I need Doc Childs.”
Chelsea tried not to be hurt by his easy dismissal of her. It must be something serious if he came into town racing like the wind. She gave him the benefit of just being emotional. Chelsea looked at him a moment before placing her hand on his arm. “Come into the clinic.” Chelsea went inside and placed her basket on the reception desk. “Doc Childs is out of the office. I’m here, I can help. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Ma.” Chelsea had never seen him this worried. Even when he came in to see Robert, he wasn’t normally like this. He started to pace. “She got this cold and it hasn’t gone away.”
“Was she seen?”
“No. Started as a cough right around the same time as this,” he said, pointing to his patch. “So, I didn’t think anythin’ of it. She’s got colds before. It is just that this one isn’t getting any better.”
Chelsea pulled a bag out from under the counter. “Lacey Lou!” she called. The young woman came out of one of the examination rooms.
“Yes, Dr. Tory?”
“Can you take this bag and start gathering supplies? Dr. Childs has the clinic bag with him and I’m going to need one.”
“Yes’m,” she said, taking the bag and disappearing back into the examination room.
“Be sure to add lye soap and alcohol to the bag,” she called.
“I will,” Lacey Lou said.
Chelsea turned back to Brawny. “What have you been doing for her so far?”
“She has been drinkin’ lemon and cinnamon tea with honey.”
“Hmmm. Those would have helped with the cough and secretions. But she hasn’t gotten better?”
“I tried an onion-mustard poultice last night.”
“Apart from smelling terrible, did it work?”
“No. This has been goin’ on for quite a while.”
“Have you heard anything when she coughs?”
“Like what? Can’t you just get your bag and come out?”
Chelsea could tell he was impatient. “I know you think that I can just waltz out of here and follow you, but I can’t. Doc Childs isn’t back yet and that means there isn’t anyone to watch the clinic. Besides, I’m trying to ascertain how serious she is, so I know what to bring.” She scribbled down a few items on a piece of paper. “So, let me ask you again, have you heard anything when she coughs?”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“Any wheezing? It would sound like a whistle, or like a door rattling.”
“It sounds like she can’t get her breath. She complains of her chest hurting, and she started coughing up blood this morning.”
“Red blood or brown blood?”
“Brown.”
She handed the paper to Brawny. “Go next door and ask Hattie to gather these items, while I finish up here and we’ll head out.” Brawny nodded and ran next door.
“Is she going to be alright?” Lacey Lou asked, placing the bag on the counter next to Chelsea.
“I hope so. It sounds like pneumonia.”
“That’s serious, ain’t it?”
“It can be.”
“Will she die?”
“Not if I can help it.”
Chelsea finished gathering the supplies and was wrapping herself up in layers when Brawny returned with a sack from Hattie’s. “Place that in the basket, and let’s go.”
Brawny picked up the basket and followed her out the door.
Chapter 5
Brawny loosened his arms around Chelsea. She was seated in front of him, with her back against his chest. The basket of supplies and her doctors’ bag was in her hands. He could see her knuckles turning white against the dark leather of her medical kit.
Every time she shifted to try and balance the weight, he was assaulted with the scent of honeysuckles. How could she smell like summer in the middle of winter?
The snow was starting to fall harder. It was sticking to the ground and trees. If he wasn’t so desperate to get back to Ma, he would have taken the time to enjoy it a bit more.
“How much further?” Chelsea shifted again, adjusting the basket on her lap. Brawny tried to suppress a groan.
“About two miles.”
“You really do live far out.”
“Yes, I do.” He felt her shiver against him.
“Are you cold?”
“Just a bit. I wasn’t thinking of how cold it would be on the ride.”
He wrapped his arms back around her, holding the reins against her basket. “We’ll be there soon. Maybe 20 minutes more. Once we get inside, I’ll stoke the fire to get you warm.” Chelsea nodded. “Lean back against me, that might help.”
She stiffened slightly, but then relaxed into his embrace. He felt the ice that clung to her hair melt against his chin. She was the perfect height. Holding her like this, her head tucked perfectly against his neck.
“How long do you think the snow will last?”
Brawny looked up at the sky. It was a darker gray, making it ap
pear twilight, even though it was before noon. “Might last all night.”
“We should probably hurry up so we can get back to town tonight.”
Brawny mumbled his response. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that she probably wouldn’t be making it back to Silverpines that evening. The snow was coming too fast and it was getting dark too quickly.
“Oh look!” she exclaimed, pointing just underneath a tall pine tree. “What a pretty bunny!”
“That’s a hare.”
“What’s the difference?”
Brawny chuckled lightly. “Keep your voice down.” The hare watched their progress in the heavy snow, not moving from his position under the tree. “A rabbit is smaller, more compact. A hare has longer legs and ears. They run like the dickens.”
“I’ve never seen a white bunny… I mean hare before. At least not a wild one.
“They are brown during the summer. Their coats turn white in the winter. They are pretty difficult to catch.”
Chelsea turned to look at him. Her movement startled the hare and it took off under the nearby brush, leaving small pawprints behind. “Why would you want to catch one?”
“They are mighty fine eating.”
“I can’t believe you would eat one of those!”
“Doc, you’d be surprised what you would eat if you are snowed in and starving.”
“Promise me you won’t shoot one. They are just beautiful.” He was saved from having to respond as they crested the ridge to the valley below. The fire was still going as a thin stream of smoke appeared from the chimney. “Oh,” Chelsea put her fingers to her lips. “It is just beautiful.”
Brawny leaned his head down and whispered in her ear, “I’m glad you like it.”
He led the horse down a small path into the valley and up to the barn. “Head into the house, the back door is unlatched. I need to put the horse up and then I’ll be right in.” He held the basket while Chelsea slid from the horse. His eyes followed her as she headed to the house and disappeared inside.
He quickly unsaddled the horse and led it into a stall. He put some hay in the feeder and the horse munched happily as Brawny made short work of removing the ice and snow that was clinging to its legs. He covered the horse with a blanket and headed back to the house.
When he got in, he saw Chelsea’s basket on the table, but no sign of her. He at least expected her to warm herself up before seeing to his mother.
Hanging up his coat, he then walked back to Ma’s room. Chelsea was kneeling at the side of the bed, listening to her chest. She hadn’t even removed her cloak.
“Braun,” Mary croaked, seeing him in the doorway.
“I’m here Ma. Doc Tory is going to fix you.”
“Shhhh,” Chelsea chastised. “I need to listen to your lungs.” She looked at Brawny. “Can you help me sit her up? That is the only way I can listen.” Brawny nodded and lifted his mother, while Chelsea placed several pillows she found on the settee behind Mary.
“Hold her for a moment,” she asked placing a listening device against Mary’s back. “Take a deep breath for me, Mrs. Winters.” Mary emitted a small cry and leaned her head against Brawny’s arm. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you. Can you do it once more?” Chelsea moved the stethoscope and signaled for Mary to inhale. She took in another deep breath while Brawny could hear Chelsea counting softly. When she was done, Chelsea removed the tubes from her ears and signaled for Brawny to lean Mary back.
“Mrs. Winters?” Chelsea asked, touching the woman’s arm. “I think you have pleurisy. I can hear the pneumonia in your lungs, but the tissue surrounding them appears inflamed.” Brawn took a seat in the chair in the corner of the room.
Pneumonia. People died from pneumonia. He wasn’t ready to lose Ma.
“What can you do for her?” he asked, looking at Chelsea intently.
Chelsea put the stethoscope back in her doctor’s bag. “Well, if we had a hospital, I’d have her admitted immediately. She needs plenty of rest. Broth if you have it. You need to make sure she stays hydrated. And I recommend giving her some heroin-hydrochloride.”
“What’s that?”
“It will help her rest so her body can fight the infection.” Chelsea pulled a small glass bottle from the bag. “I can make a tea and give it to her that way.”
Brawny nodded. “Let’s go to the kitchen.” He kissed Mary on the forehead and followed Chelsea out of the room.”
“How bad is it, Doc?”
Chelsea placed her bag on the table and turned to look at Brawny. He looked tired. “It doesn’t look good, but I’ll do everything I can to help her. I would say we move her to the clinic, but she wouldn’t survive the trip. It is way too cold for her out there.”
“Coffee?” Brawny held up the coffee pot?
“Yes, please.” Chelsea removed her cloak and the two layers underneath that and placed them on an empty chair at the table. Brawny placed the cup in front of her and she took it in both hands allowing the warmth to seep into her fingers. “Do you have hot water?”
“I left the kettle on the stove. It isn’t boiling, but it is hot enough.”
“I just need a cup with that water then.” She took a sip of the black brew. “This tastes so good.”
“You must have been chilled if you think that.” He brought a tea cup filled with hot water and placed it on the table. “How do we make the tea?”
Chelsea uncorked the bottle and placed a few drops in the cup. The water turned a light brown and then went clear again. “It is going to be very bitter. Do you have anything to sweeten it?”
Brawny nodded. “No, I don’t. We don’t go to the store much.”
“Oh, the store! I forgot.” Chelsea looked around the room. “Where did I put my basket?”
“Let me get it.” Brawny went into the next room and returned with the basket. “I placed it on the bench.”
Chelsea rummaged through the basket, moving the cans aside until she came across the paper sack that held about a pound of sugar. “I bought this for Hattie, but in the rush, I didn’t get a chance to give it to her.” She added a spoonful of sugar to the bitter brew and gave it a stir. “Let’s see if we can get her to drink this.”
“What is it going to do?”
‘”It will take away her pain so she can breathe a bit easier. Ease the coughing, so she can sleep a bit better.” Brawny nodded.
“I want to give it to her,” Brawny said.
“Alright. Just give it to her a teaspoon at a time.” Chelsea followed him back to the bedroom with her cup of coffee and watched as Brawny started to administer the tonic to his ma.
Mary was still sat up in bed, her hand placed on Brawny’s arm as he spooned the bitter liquid into her mouth. He was murmured reassuring words to her as Mary took spoonful after spoonful of the medicine.
Between sips, Chelsea could hear Mary talking to him. She didn’t recognize the words as they sounded almost guttural. She hoped that the infection wasn’t affecting her speech.
When Brawny was done, he handed the cup to Chelsea and helped his mother get comfortable in the bed. When she had situated herself, he tucked the blanket around her and gave her a kiss on the forehead before leading Chelsea out of the room.
“I’m going to keep the door open, so her room stays warm,” he said, pulling the door about halfway closed.
“You are a very good son. Most men I know wouldn’t take care of their mother the way you have.”
“She’s all I have. And I think most men would. At least my brothers would have.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything.” Chelsea placed her cup on the table and sat back down on one of the wooden chairs. “When I was working as a resident in Tennessee, I cared for several elderly and extremely ill patients. I noticed that most of the men there, not here, would leave the care and feeding to either the nurses or their wives.” She looked at Brawny intently staring at her with his visible eye. It was still as blue as ever; in fact, it appeared
brighter against his scarred skin. “It just appeared easier, than taking care of the sick person themselves..”
Brawny refilled her cup before joining her at the table. “I can understand that. Not many people like being around the sick or dying. But if it is my family member, you better believe I’ll be there.”
Chelsea didn’t know what to say, so she looked out the window next to the door. The snow looked like it was coming down harder now. Chelsea stood up to look at the window.
The tracks where she had walked from the barn to the house had completely disappeared. “The snow is coming down sideways.” She had never seen snow blowing sideways.
Brawny walked up behind her. She could feel the heat radiating off him as he leaned his head over her shoulder to look out the window. Every nerve on her neck stood at attention as she felt his warm breath against her skin.
“That’s the wind. Looks like a blizzard. I need to get back to the barn and check on the animals. I didn’t even milk the cow before I left this morning. She is probably hating me right now.”
“You are going out in that?” Chelsea pointed out the window.
“Well, I can’t milk the cow from here,” he said, grabbing his coat from the hook. Chelsea bit her finger as she watched him get dressed in an undercoat, his long duster, a scarf and the ugliest knitted hat Chelsea had ever seen. “Why darlin’,” he said, coming over to stand in front of her as soon as he was done dressing, “I would almost think you were concerned about me.”
“I’m concerned of you going out in that silly cap.” It was a hodge-podge of different colors knitted together in no real pattern or design. “Won’t the cow revolt?”
“Ma made this from the boys’ sweaters. She made one for Pops, too. It was so we each had a piece of the other wherever we went.” He gently pushed her aside. “So, I and this ugly hat, which keeps me very warm, are going out. Close the door behind me.”
“Wait!” Chelsea put her hand out to stop Brawny from leaving. “I didn’t mean anything about the hat.”
Snowbound Page 4
