“Yes. Heard many come see you now,” Sigmund smiled. “Help?”
“Of course. What hat are you making for Lia?”
Sigmund clicked his tongue. “Secret.”
“Then I won’t ask again,” Doc said. “Now, let’s see how your blood is doing.”
~*~*~
Doc was glad it wasn’t raining today, as that would’ve made the trip out miserable for the women. The temperature was slowly warming each day, as well. Spring is coming, or is already here, Doc thought.
His pace slowed when he saw the heavily-armored wagon come into view. The four mechanical-horse team walked at a quick pace, easily pulling the heavy wagon. The two men on top of the wagon scanned the street with wary eyes, one of them giving Doc a long look before dismissing him.
Crossing the street, Doc kept going toward the bank, wondering if Goodman would be there to cause a scene. Doc’s hand touched the grip of the pistol on his hip as he walked, and he hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Entering the bank, Doc smiled when he saw the coachman and Goodman having a heated discussion. He stepped to the side and waited as he listened to them argue.
“It doesn’t matter what you think!” the coachman snapped. “The boss has declared that you need to expand the vault and be able to handle the influx of cash. The quality of the soul stone and ore is damned near perfect, and it’s been noted. Besides, dropping this chunk of money off, I have to find the mine owner and deliver a message.”
“He’ll be gone in a few weeks,” Goodman said tersely. “He’s been making enemies of everyone of import in town.”
“The boss disagrees with your assessment,” the coachman snorted.
“And he’d be right,” Doc said, stepping forward. “I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Excuse me, but you caught my ear. I’m Doc Holyday, owner of the mine that produces the items you were speaking of.”
The coachman looked at Doc and nodded. “Yeah, I remember you. You stole his useful secretary out from under him.”
“Guilty,” Doc laughed.
“Holyday,” Goodman said tightly. “What can I do for you today?”
“Here to make sure the money gets transferred into my account correctly. No offense, Mayor, but your current secretary is useless for business. I’m sure her other assets make it up to you, but for the rest of us? Not so much.”
The coachman laughed. “I’d rather have the half-elf. She was a looker and sharp.”
“She is that,” Doc agreed. “You had a message for me?”
“My employer, Roquefell, wanted me to extend an invitation to you. When you make it to Furden, he would welcome you to dinner.”
Doc nodded, even though he had no idea what a Furden was. “I’d be more than happy to have dinner with him.”
“I’ll pass that along. He’ll be keeping an eye on how things play out down here.”
“Can I get your name, sir?” Doc asked.
“I’m not important, but I’m Tom Rondle.”
“Thank you. If he asks me, I can tell him how helpful you were,” Doc said.
Goodman cleared his throat loudly. “If you two are done, I believe there is business to conduct?”
“As soon as the money is brought in and accounted for,” Doc said. “Oh, Rondle, can the bank just deposit the money in my account instead of sending you down with the physical cash? I’m not paying it out that much. A lot of it is credited toward debts that the bank holds, anyway.”
Rondle’s eye twitched. “What? We didn’t have to bring this load all the way here?”
Goodman’s lips thinned. “That isn’t true. If he’d told us, then—”
“Ayla did tell you,” Doc cut him off. “She’s been doing her job, and doing it well. You’d know that if you weren’t trying to get your cheat-riddled gambling house to compete with the Lily. Instead, you leave your secretary here to fuck… up.” Doc changed the last word a little lamely, as he didn’t feel like throwing the teller under the bus.
Goodman’s face flushed a dark red. “You’re pushing your luck, Holyday.”
“No, I’m just stating facts. If you don’t like them, you can change so that it won’t be factual anymore. I’ll be back to check on the account once the money is brought in.” Doc turned to Rondle. “Thank you, sir. I hope you have a good day.”
“Good day, Holyday.”
Doc could feel Goodman’s eyes burning into his back as he left the bank.
Chapter Forty-five
A rough voice called out to Doc just as he was almost back to the Lily. “Your hide is done.”
Doc’s head whipped to the speaker and his heart wound down from the spike it had hit. “Grax?”
“My name,” the bestial snorted. “Your hide is ready.” Pulling the sling from his back, Grax held it out to Doc. “Urma said we’ll do more work if you bring it in.”
“Thank you,” Doc said, taking the rolled hide. “How much was it, again?”
“With the discount, forty-five,” Grax said. “What will you do with it?”
Doc pulled out the right amount and passed the coins over to Grax. “Give it to a friend.”
Grax snorted again. “Expensive gift.”
“Their friendship is worth much more,” Doc replied.
“Good friend,” Grax said before walking away.
“She is, indeed,” Doc agreed as he turned back to the Lily.
Jasmine gave Doc a grin and a wink as he passed the bar. Doc smiled back at her and chuckled before climbing the stairs. Putting the hide into his room, Doc went right back down.
“You the healer?” a man wheezed, staggering up to Doc when he got to the main room.
“I’m Holyday,” Doc said, pulling back slightly from the man, who wore whiskey like perfume. “What’s wrong?”
“Sick,” the man managed before he let out a long, rough series of coughs.
“Let’s go into the back,” Doc said.
“Hey, I was here first!” another man yelled, leaving his seat at the bar.
“So was I...” a woman with a long, hairless tail said from her seat near the hallway door.
“Piss off!” the inebriated man sneered at the other two. “He said he’d see me.”
“Easy, easy,” Doc said with authority. “I’ll see all three of you. I apologize that things aren’t going smoothly. This is why Posy normally handles my queue. Sir, have a seat, and after I see the people who were here before you—”
“What!?” the drunk snapped at Doc, rounding on him. “You telling me no?”
“No. I’m saying that—”
“Rather take the rat into the back?” the drunk sneered. “Bet she squeaks when you see to her.”
Doc stared at the drunk, his anger spiking at the implied meaning. “Sir, if you continue—”
“No! You’re just a beast lover,” the man spat at Doc’s feet. “I’ll go see a real healer.”
Doc watched the man wobble his way out the Lily before looking at the quiet room. “I apologize for the drunkard. For those who came to see about some healing, Posy will be bringing you back one by one. Any disrespect to the staff or customers will get you pushed back or ejected from the premises. Any questions?”
No one said anything, and Doc bowed his head. “Thank you.”
Posy was standing just inside the doorway to the hall, her face serious. “I’m sorry, Doc.”
“Not your fault, Posy,” Doc said softly. “Do you know who was here first?”
“Yes.”
“Bring them back one at a time, please. If anyone bothers you, push them back in line or have Joey kick them out.”
“Okay, Doc.”
“Can you bring back a drink for me, too, please?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks, Posy. You’re the best.”
Posy was all smiles when she went into the main room.
Taking a seat, Doc exhaled deeply, trying to push the drunk from his mind. He gave the bestial woman a smile when she came into the room.
He thanked Posy and took a sip from his mug before setting it down.
“Good day to you, miss. What can I do for you?”
The rat-tailed woman gave Doc a worried look. “I came because of a problem I’ve been having...” she said slowly.
“I’ll help if I’m able to,” Doc said, motioning her to sit across from him. “Take your time and explain it to me, please?”
Licking her lips nervously, the woman sat on the edge of the chair. “I… uh… that is… umm…”
Doc just waited for her to be able to form the words, a pleasant smile on his lips as he sat there. After a full minute of her not being able to find the words, Doc gently interrupted her. “Miss, it’s okay. I’ve heard a lot of different things. There’s no need to be nervous. Nothing you tell me will leave this room.”
Taking a deep breath, the woman glanced at the door and looked like she’d bolt for it, but instead, she blurted out, “I’m barren.”
“Okay,” Doc said evenly, not reacting to her words, “I can try to help.” Laying his hand on the table palm up, he spoke gently, “Lady, a woman has come asking for your help. She only wishes to have children. Please, help her.”
Seeing his hand glow, the woman’s breath caught in her throat and her eyes locked on his hand.
“When you’re ready, place your hand on mine,” Doc told her gently.
Slowly, hand trembling, she reached out and placed her hand in his.
Energy rushing into the woman, Doc closed his eyes. She’s not barren... she has eggs and they seem healthy. It’s her uterine walls. They’re warped, malformed, and stopping her from being able to carry the egg. This might take a lot out of me. Pushing the worry of cost aside, Doc focused his energy on reshaping her uterus to carry a viable egg.
Exhaling deeply, the glow faded on Doc’s hand as he picked up the mug and took a drink. “All done. You should be able to carry a child now.”
The woman was staring at him with wide eyes, her cheeks burning. “You… my body…?”
Doc winced. “Sorry. Your insides were twisted. They’re fine now. Did it hurt?”
“No,” the woman whispered, then shook her head. “Oh, uh… payment. They say that we just have to say a prayer to your goddess?”
“That’s right,” Doc smiled. “Lady Luck. Maybe she’ll bless you with a child soon, too.”
Cheeks going crimson, the woman jerked to her feet. “Thank you, Holyday, and your goddess, Lady Luck, too.” She rushed out without waiting to hear more.
Doc rubbed his neck. “Note to self—fixing female problems might cause other problems.”
A minute later, the man from the bar knocked on the door. “Excuse me, sir.”
“Come on in,” Doc greeted him. “Have a seat.”
~*~*~
Doc felt drained when the latest person left the room.
“That’s the last one, Doc,” Posy told him.
“Good, I’m done,” Doc told her tiredly. “Anyone give you problems?”
“No, Doc.”
“Good.”
“Do you have time to help me study?” Posy asked shyly.
“Of course,” Doc said sitting upright. “Go grab your stuff.”
~*~*~
Doc’s fingers flew over the last few keys, and the song came to an end. “And that’s the song. Got it?”
“Let’s find out,” Heather grinned, her smile bright as she cracked her knuckles and set her hands over the ivory keys.
Doc tapped his foot in time to the song while Heather played. The patrons clapped along if they weren’t in the middle of a pot. When the song came to an end, applause and whistles rocked the room.
“I’d say you do,” Doc laughed as he got to his feet. “It’s all yours, Heather. I’ve got to get some food in me.”
“Fine,” Heather mock-pouted before giving him a grin. “Thank you for playing with me again.”
“Whenever I have the time,” Doc told her.
Making his way to the dining room, he waved to Daf in the kitchen, who gave him a nod. Settling into what was fast becoming his chair in the dining room, Doc sighed. The room felt empty without anyone else there with him.
After a few minutes, Posy came in with his dinner. The large plate was filled with a massive steak, along with mashed potatoes and gravy. Doc was just starting to dig in when the door opened, and he paused to find out who it was.
Lotus stuck her head into the room and gave him a tentative smile. “Doc, are you up for some company?”
“You? Always.”
“And me?” Jasmine asked, her head coming into view behind Lotus.
“You, too,” Doc smiled.
Both women joined him at the table, and Posy brought them each a plate. They ate in companionable silence. Doc’s eyebrow went up when a foot began to rub his leg. Looking up, he didn’t see either woman looking his way, and since they were both across from him, it was hard to tell which one it might be. After a moment, the foot withdrew and Doc went back to focusing on his meal.
“That was good,” Doc sighed happily.
“Daf makes the best food,” Lotus said.
“Fills you up,” Jasmine added.
“But there can always be room for dessert,” Lotus said as the foot began to rub against his leg again.
“Oh, yes. Dessert sounds good,” Jasmine agreed, a second foot joining the first.
“Ladies, did you want something?” Doc asked with an amused smirk.
Lotus and Jasmine grinned and Lotus leaned forward slightly. “Fiala and Sonya told us both that they gave us their blessing while they’re gone. Jasmine and I decided to see if you were agreeable to the idea.”
“I’m agreeable,” Doc replied. “In fac—”
“Doc, come quick!” Posy exclaimed as she burst into the room.
Doc was on his feet in record time and running after Posy, who was bounding down the hall, not having stopped to see if he was following her. The sound of chairs being shoved back echoed behind him.
Running into the main room, Doc’s eyes went wide when he found both deputies there. Spot was on the ground bleeding, and Fido was kneeling next to him, holding his hand.
“Stay with me!” Fido howled as he clutched at Spot’s hand.
Doc stumbled as he crossed the room, falling to his knee, which became a point of fire when it slammed into the wooden floor. Hissing, he dragged himself the couple of inches to lay hands on Spot.
“Lady, now! Please!” Doc cried as he triggered healing hands.
Four gunshot wounds. Two through the intestines, which are already going septic. Another broke a rib… There are pieces of bone floating free in his chest cavity. The last one is through the shoulder. All of the wounds were catalogued in Doc’s mind as he pushed what energy he had into Spot.
“Posy, Henrick! As many healing potions as she can give,” Doc said without looking away from Spot, who was staring at him. “I can help, but he’s gravely wounded, and I’ve healed a lot already today.”
“Yes!” Posy called out as she dashed out the door.
“Cassia, my room! Four potions in the chest,” Doc called out. “Need them now!”
“I’ll get them!” Lotus shouted, having followed him.
“Hot water, clothes, and soap!” Doc commanded.
“On it,” Jasmine replied, rushing back toward the kitchen.
“Doc, please…” Fido whispered. “He’s my only family.”
“Spot,” Doc said, staring down into the deputy’s eyes, “hold on. Cling to life. I can save you, but only if you fight for it.”
“F-fight,” Spot stammered, wheezing.
Doc focused on trying to staunch the bleeding first. Spot wouldn’t make it if he couldn’t stop the blood loss. He didn’t need to heal them entirely, but just enough to stop the bleeding.
“Stay with me... fight for it!” Fido growled as he squeezed his brother’s hand.
The bleeding began to slow, and Doc prayed the others would get back with the potions soon. Lotu
s was the first one back and almost immediately beside him with what he asked for. Grabbing one vial from her, he popped it open and shoved it into Spot’s mouth. Spot swallowed reflexively, coughing when he finished. Doc force-fed him the next three, which helped stop the bleeding entirely. Doc focused on Spot’s gut wound next.
Cashing In (Luck's Voice Book 2) Page 37
