Chapter Six
Bundled against the snow, Shannon headed for the mercantile. A covered wagon was parked in front. The five Doan children played with the four newcomers who were clad in little more than rags.
As she drew near, Shannon met Riley. She gestured to the four children she didn’t know. “Looks like they have measles. They’ll start an epidemic and the Doans’ five will be the first.”
A frowning man followed a mousy-looking woman from the mercantile.
He growled at the children, “Told you to stay in the wagon. Get back in there now.”
Looking frightened, the four children climbed into the wagon. The woman, who must be the mother, appeared uneasy and climbed in unaided by the man.
Shannon stepped in front of him. “Good afternoon. I’m Dr. Callahan and I noticed your children have measles. Please stop and get them someplace warm and away from the snow’s bright glare. They can lose their hearing or develop pneumonia.”
The man beat a fist against his chest. “Bob Flaherty don’t need no woman telling me how to take care of my family.”
“Sir, bright light while they’re infected can damage their eyesight. Measles is a serious disease you’re spreading to anyone you come in contact with who hasn’t already had them.”
“Get away, lady, and quit interferin’. Snivelin’ children get all kinds of stuff. Part of growing up. Now git outta my way.” He shoved around Shannon and climbed onto the wagon seat.
“Sir, I implore you to reconsider. Put your children’s welfare above your lack of regard for me.”
With only a glare for her, he clicked the reins.
She grabbed Riley’s arm. “Sheriff, can’t you arrest that man and make him take care of his children?”
“Nope. Much as I’d like to, a man is the legal head of his family and a lawman has no right to interfere. Otherwise, long ago I’d have hauled Daniel Jacobs in for hitting his wife every time he gets drunk.”
Shannon recalled treating Mrs. Jacob’s cuts and serious bruises several times. Poor woman was terrified her lout of a husband would find out she’d sought help. Mr. Jacobs battered his wife as only a heartless bully would.
Shannon walked with the sheriff. “Then I guess if I beat the stuffing out of Mr. Jacobs you’d arrest me?”
He nodded and smiled at her. “Privately, I’d want to give you a medal. Legally, I’d have to haul you in for assault.”
She snapped her fingers as well as she could wearing gloves. “Well, that does away with one of my plans. I suppose I’ll have to get on with my shopping instead of taking justice into my own hands.”
“Good idea.” He tapped the brim of his hat and walked across the street.
Shannon couldn’t stop worrying about a measles outbreak. On the spur of the moment, she visited the Doan home. Mrs. Doan was a harried woman carrying a child of about four with another about six peeking around her skirt.
“Oh, hello, Doctor Callahan. I’m Mary Doan. Come in.”
“I came to alert you that your children were exposed to the measles today so you can watch for symptoms.”
A look of dread spread across her face. She sat down while still holding her child. “Who in town has the measles?”
“A family passing through let their children play with yours. All four of those traveling had measles so, unless yours have already had the disease, they’ll probably develop them within a week or two.”
Mary clapped a hand to her chest. “Dear Lord, reckon they’ll all come down with them at the same time?”
“Possibly. How many children do you have?”
“Five, and they keep me run off my feet even when they’re well. People in town complain they’re wild, but I do the best I can.”
“I’m sure you do a fine job of mothering. If you let me know when they get symptoms, I’ll help you care for them.”
“You would?” The woman’s surprise irritated Shannon.
“Of course I would. That’s what a doctor does, cares for the sick.”
Mary must have realized she’d said the wrong thing. “Don’t mind me, it’s just that I’m not used to anyone being willing to tackle my crowd. Some folks call them the ‘horrible horde’ and want nothing to do with my children.”
“That sounds severe. I’ve seen your five playing but they never appeared to be engaged in anything mean-spirited.”
Relief spread across the other woman’s face. “Thank you for saying so. ’Course I love them and see the good in them.” She paused then met Shannon’s eyes. “I almost come to your free clinic but getting all of them together and to one place is too hard.”
Having witnessed the children’s energy, Shannon could only imagine what Mary Doan faced daily. “I can understand. Having all of them sick will be hard. Let me know so I can help. And please keep them quarantined as soon as they start feeling bad so they won’t spread measles through the town.”
“I’ll do my best. Thank you for coming.”
Shannon strolled home. Maybe she should talk to Mary about precautions available to prevent more children.
That evening when Riley came by, she had pie and coffee ready. When he came in, he eyed the peach pie with appreciation.
He took off his hat and coat. “Looks like you shopped at the café. I love their pies.”
She stood with her hands behind her back. “Me, too. I barely resisted cutting a slice of this one until you arrived.”
“Wait no longer. I’ll pour the coffee.”
She loved that he was comfortable enough to help. Did he count her as a friend as she did him? She didn’t want to ruin things by asking.
When they were seated at the chessboard with their pie and coffee, he asked, “How are the free clinics going?”
“Not well. I met a nice family through them, though. Vennie and John Gibson and their son Johnny came to the first one. Vennie and I have had tea several times. She’d a lovely person.”
“Her husband’s a good sort, too, and their son Johnny’s well-behaved. Glad you’ve made friends.”
Before she could call back the words, she asked, “Riley, do you count me as a friend?” Oh, no, she hadn’t intended to ask that.
He appeared stunned. “Well… sure. We’re friends or I wouldn’t come by most every evening. I mean I’d come by to check on you, but I wouldn’t come inside or play chess.”
“I’m glad because I want to count you as my friend.” She wanted to consider him as much more than a friend but he didn’t need to know that.
He cleared his throat. “Good pie. Peach is my favorite.”
“Mine, too. Although I also like apple.”
She didn’t admit that Harriet at the café had told her that his favorite was peach. Knowing that Harriet realized Riley would be sharing the pie gave Shannon a fluttery feeling. Vennie had known he stopped by most evenings. Who else knew? Did people think of them as a couple?
He polished off his dessert. “Thursday’s Thanksgiving. You doing anything special?”
“No, Harriet said they’ll be open. I thought I’d eat dinner there. What about you?”
“Same.” He swallowed a gulp of coffee. “How about we have dinner together? Better than each of us eating alone.”
Her heartbeat sped up and she could have shouted for joy. Keeping her face calm, she smiled. “I’d like that. Dining alone isn’t much fun, is it?”
She carried their plates to the kitchen, hoping he couldn’t read her mind to know that inside she was dancing.
***
Riley wondered what had gotten into him. People were already making snide comments about him and the doctor. When he showed up at the café with Shannon tomorrow, people would label them as a couple for sure.
Couldn’t people eat together without others making a big deal about a simple meal? He’d eaten with other people in town. Well, not single women, but with families.
John and Vennie had him for dinner about once a month. Doreen and Colin Murphy did, too. Aw, hell, he was in for a lot of ribbing.
He pictured Shannon’s face when he’d invited her to dine. She’d lit up like a lamp. He figured that question about whether or not they were friends was responsible. Appeared to him she wanted more friends, needed them.
Sure, he’d given her plenty of trouble about being a woman doctor. Thing was, he’d decided she knew what she was doing. Mrs. Zimmerman had convinced him Shannon was a miracle worker.
Wondering if Will Jones would have been able to save the babies and the mother made Riley feel disloyal. He remembered a couple of times Will was caring for them when the mother or the baby died. Shannon had said sometimes there was nothing the doctor could do. Still, Riley couldn’t stop wondering if Emily Fraser and both her twins would have survived with Will as their doctor.
When he called for Shannon the next day, she wore a dress he’d never seen. The deep blue color highlighted her eyes. Her hair was frilly on top with curls trailing down her shoulders. He wished they could stay in by themselves. No, he couldn’t give way to those kinds of thoughts.
He cleared his throat. “You look especially nice.”
She smiled and twirled to show off her finery. “I wanted to dress up because this is a holiday. I know not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, but my family always has a special dinner.”
He helped her with her coat. “The café puts on a good spread for all of us who don’t have big families we can join.”
“Where’s Sylvester?”
“Left him guarding the jail. Abner gave me enough food to keep Sylvester happy for the day.”
She pulled on her gloves and wrote on the blackboard. “Do you ever visit your family?”
He escorted her toward the café. “Haven’t seen them in maybe six or seven years. Hear from them three or four times a year.”
“Where do they live?” She grimaced. “Sorry, that slipped out before I remembered what you said.”
“Georgia.” He exhaled, hating to talk about his family and changed the subject to her. “Your family all in New York?”
“I suppose I have second and third cousins somewhere else but everyone I know is in New York. My grandparents died and left their estate to my father. My brother lives with them in his own apartment.”
“You lived with them too until you came here?”
She nodded. “But, I admit I enjoy having my own place here. I’ve been making Christmas decorations.”
They arrived at the café and joined the line inside the door. Harriet motioned them to a table near the back corner. “This is quieter and more private.”
What the hell did she mean, more private? He seated Shannon then took his chair. “Crowded today.”
She looked around. “There’re no menus.”
“Only one choice on special days. Reckon we’ll be served turkey with all the trimmings.” He nodded to Uriah and Millie Cobb. He was still a little annoyed with the barber.
“Do you know everyone here?”
“Sure, you want introductions?”
She looked at her hands in her lap. “Not unless they speak first. I’ve seen some of them in church but most haven’t bothered to introduce themselves.”
He hadn’t realized she hadn’t even met everyone who attended church. “Sorry you’re having a rough time. Give people time to get used to you. When Mrs. Zimmerman gets back and raves about you, she’ll sway a lot of minds.”
“Maybe.” He thought she would have said more but their food arrived, delivered by a frenzied Harriet.
“Here you go. Never been this busy. Guess the town’s growing.” She dashed back to the kitchen.
They were eating pumpkin pie when George and Hester McGarry stopped at the table.
Hester smiled at Shannon. “I’ve wanted to meet you, Doctor Callahan, but I let time get away from me. I’m Hester McGarry and this is my husband George.”
Shannon beamed at them. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
George said, “I run the bathhouse. We have a secluded side for women if you ever wish to take a hot bath where you don’t have to heat and carry the water.”
Hester nudged him. “George, what a thing to say when you’ve just met the doctor.”
Shannon chuckled. “I’m glad to know there’s a nice bathhouse in town, but I’m especially happy to have met you both.”
“Well, we’ll see you later.” Hester tugged George toward the door.
After the McGarry’s had broken the ice, several others came by to introduce themselves. He was glad Uriah and Millie were among those who did. After dinner, he and Shannon strolled back to her place.
Riley’s shoulders shook in a shiver. “Wouldn’t be surprised if we had a big snow before long.”
“You mean those we’ve had weren’t?”
“Not a blizzard. You have plenty of coal and wood?”
“Enough for all winter, I believe.”
They reached her house and she took time to erase the blackboard before she opened the door. “That was a lovely dinner, Riley. Thank you.”
“Um, my pleasure. Let me check the wood and coal before I forget. Takes a lot to get through our winters.”
“Come in. The wood’s on the back porch and the coal’s in the cellar.”
Shannon hung up her coat and started coffee boiling while Riley checked her supplies.
When he returned, stomping snow from his feet, she took his coat and offered him a cup of coffee.
“Thanks. Getting colder out there.” He sat at the kitchen table.
She poured her coffee and sat at his right. “What’s your verdict?”
“You’ve enough wood to last until maybe February. Believe there’s coal to last until spring.”
“Riley, if I remain here, I don’t know how to replenish the fuel. When I came, the wood was already split and stacked.”
“Don’t worry about it. You can hire someone to do that for you.”
She watched his face to judge his opinion. “So, you’re not encouraging me to leave after January?”
He shrugged. “Not unless you choose to leave. You saw people at the café respond to you. Soon you’ll have more patients than you want.”
“I don’t wish people ill health, but I do wish they’d consult me when they have ailments.”
“They will. Tell me about these Christmas decorations you’re making.”
“Really?” Shannon couldn’t believe her ears.
She stood and led Riley through the house. “The decorations are through here. I don’t know what this little room off the parlor was for, but I’ve set up Santa’s workshop.”
“Will used this as a library. He didn’t have that many books that weren’t about medicine, but this is where he kept them.”
“I put them all in this one bookcase. I’ve read several of them. Anyway, here are my decorations.” She showed him a wreath. “I’ll add greenery closer to Christmas and hang this on the front door. These are tree ornaments.”
He held an angel up by his face. “You captured me pretty well.”
“Ha, ha. Not even close. But, this one is supposed to be Sylvester.” She displayed a stuffed dog made from brown wool.
He laughed. “That’s good right down to the color. And I see from the eyes and nose that you do embroider in spite of your disdain for women who pursued that activity.”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t embroider, just that I don’t want that to be my life’s work. I sew, cook, embroider, crochet, and knit. Medicine is what I enjoy, though.”
“Like saving babies and their mother? I can understand that. Saving Emily Fraser’s life and safely delivering her twins must have been close to a religious experience.”
She touched his arm. “Thank you, Riley. That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”
Gently, he grasped her shoulders and met her gaze. “Have I been that hard on you?”
“N-Not lately.” Oh, my, he was so close.
His mesmerizing brown eyes cast a spell. She knew he was going to kiss her, wanted that kiss as much as she’d ever wanted anything. When he lowered his head, she tilted hers to meet his lips.
At first, his kiss was gentle as a caress. He took a breath and pulled her closer within his embrace. The pressure of his lips increased and she thought she might dissolve into a blissful puddle at his feet.
Instead, she met him with the heat she sensed building within her. She held on to him as if she would fly away otherwise. The ridge of his response pressed against her lower abdomen. When he released her, she yearned to hold him near again. Hold him forever.
“I hope you don’t think I intended to take advantage of you, Shannon. I honestly wanted to check your fuel. We always have a blizzard around this time.”
She rested her forehead against his chest. “I don’t need more heat right now, thank you. Nice to know I’m prepared for winter, though.”
He cradled her against him. “Yeah, I noticed that suddenly the room’s a little warm. Feels good, though.”
“Very good.” She pulled away from him reluctantly. “Would you like another cup of coffee to cool off?”
He scrubbed a hand across his face. “I suspect I’d better go while I have the willpower. Need to check on Sylvester.”
“Tell him I miss seeing him.”
He leaned in for a quick kiss. “I will.”
“Riley, if there’s a blizzard, don’t come check on me. Conserve your strength and keep warm.”
When Riley left and she locked the door behind him, she floated through the house. Time enough to make a couple more replicas of Sylvester before bedtime.