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She looked up, and his eyes burned into hers. He wasn’t looking through her this time. “Yes?”
“Mary Alice?”
Ruth smiled her biggest smile. “She’s awake. Go on into her. I’ll get the water.”
Was that a return smile? His lips edged upward ever so slightly. Then he turned toward the house, his pace increasing in speed.
As Ruth returned from the creek, she wished she had grabbed a pail for the water. It sloshed over the sides of the basin to the point she wasn’t sure any would be left by the time she reached Mary Alice. She did her best to walk slowly and carefully, but her concern took over and she nearly ran.
When she entered the small bedroom, Mary Alice was sitting up in bed. Doc sat next to her, and Garth paced at the foot of the bed.
“I hope I didn’t take too long, Doc. Here’s the water.” She set the basin on a bureau.
“Thank you, Ruth,” Doc said.
“How is Mary Alice?” she asked.
“I was just telling Mr. Mackenzie, her heartbeat is strong and she appears well hydrated. No fever. There doesn’t seem to be any reason for her swoon.”
“Oh? Perhaps she’s a bit overworked?”
Garth scowled at that remark, but she held her ground. The man needed to stop insisting the child spend her life doing chores.
“She may be a little fatigued,” Doc said. “But still, she seems healthy enough.” He looked to Garth. “This child needs to stay in bed for a few days. No chores. No nothing.”
“But you just said there’s nothing wrong with her,” Garth said.
“I said there’s nothing wrong with her that I can see. But something caused this faint, Mr. Mackenzie. Doctors don’t always have all the answers. That’s why it’s called the practice of medicine.”
“For corn’s sake,” Garth said, shaking his head. “I always knew you all were just a bunch of quacks.”
“Mr. Mackenzie!” Ruth stepped toward him. “Doc came all the way out here to treat your child. He interrupted our”—she warmed, and then cleared her throat—“outing. You might show him a bit more respect.”
“Calm down, Ruth,” Doc said. “I’m used to skeptics. It’s part of my business.”
Garth’s handsome face reddened. Had she actually shamed him?
“Beg pardon, Doc,” he said. “I haven’t had the best…experience with so-called doctors.”
Before Doc responded, a pounding echoed from the front door. “What on earth?” Ruth turned and looked over her shoulder. “I’ll see what this is about. You two stay with Mary Alice.”
She crossed the front room, opened the door, and looked into the frightened face of Oliver Hobbs.
“Miss Blackburn—” His voice shook. “Is Doc here?”
“Why, yes, he is, Mr. Hobbs.”
“Thank God. Jon Sanderson said he saw him headin’ out this way. I need him. The baby’s comin’.”
“Gracious! Come in, and I’ll get the doc.”
Ruth hurried back to Mary Alice’s room. “Doc, Mr. Hobbs is here. Louise has gone into labor.”
Doc stood. “All right. I’ve done all I can do here for now. Bed rest for a few days. I’ll be back to check on her tomorrow or the next day.”
“Let me get your payment,” Garth said.
Doc held up a hand. “Later, Mr. Mackenzie. I have to go to Mrs. Hobbs. These things sometimes progress quickly. You just never know.” He turned to Ruth. “I’m sorry. You’ll have to come with me. I can’t take the time to see you home.”
