Page 13 of Scarlett

Gladys pushed a cup into the woman’s hands. “Drink this. It will be a bit before Jenny can go home.”

While the women spoke on the other side of the room, Emmett and Evan began examining the girl, moving her as little as possible. Each time the girl cried out, the mother would look over, concern etched on her face.

Finally over an hour later, the girl was sent home. Thanks to a healthy dose of laudanum, she’d sleep for the rest of the day.

Just as they finished cleaning up, a man who’d been kicked by a cow was carried in. Thankfully, the man would recover. Other than a broken nose and two very bruised eyes, he’d be very sore the next day.

By the time they returned home, Emmett could barely stand. Evan shoved him into a chair and placed his palm over his brow.

“Damn it Emmett, why didn’t you tell me you didn’t feel well. You’ve got a fever.”

“No I don’t.” Emmett tried to stand, but Evan pushed him back.

“Sit still.” His brother went to the medical satchel and retrieved several items. Seconds later, he’d been examined and diagnosed with the grippe.

“Oh no,” Aurora stared down at him. Her pretty face pinched, lips in a tight line. “I’m so glad we left our son with Wilhelmina.” She held both hands down. “Don’t touch anything Evan. I have to air the house out and wipe down everything with vinegar...or is it lye?”

“Either one,” the brothers replied in unison.

“Off you go,” Aurora pointed toward the bedrooms. “To bed. You will stay in that room.” She looked to Evan. “He needs to bathe and we will do so as well once he’s done.”

It didn’t occur to either of them to protest as Aurora wouldn’t relent and it was best to do as she instructed. Besides, a bath sounded like a good idea to Emmett. He was sure he wasn’t afflicted by the grippe. He’d taken every precaution when caring for patients.

By that evening, he became less sure as he shook beneath the blankets not able to feel warm no matter what he did. Curled into a ball, he closed his eyes as sweat dripped from his temples. It was the worst time to be ill.

“Emmett?” Evan had come to check on him again. “You need anything?”

“A new head,” he gritted out the words through the pounding of his temples. “New bones would be nice.”

His brother checked the pulse at his neck and helped Emmett sit up. Evan then pressed a cup of water to his lips. “Drink up, I’ll make a bromide mixture for your chest.”

Closing his eyes and drinking down the liquid, he couldn’t help but wonder when the mail order bride would arrive. Hopefully not for a couple weeks, since everyone he’d treated with the grippe took about fourteen days or so to recover. Even then, the progress from that point was slow.

If he calculated right, he didn’t expect she’d arrive until late the following month. There was plenty of time to recover.

Another thing to consider was the fact some died from the grippe. If he were to succumb, then it would be horrible for his potential bride.

“I may need you to send a telegram for me.”