by Ginny Dye
The light from the street lanterns revealed the open cuts and swelling on Spencer’s face. One eye had already swollen shut, the other was a mere slit. “Spencer!” Abby cried. “What happened?”
Spencer shook his head and gestured toward the back seat. “They got Jeremy!” he gasped, pain making his voice hoarse. “They beat him up real bad!”
Thomas groaned and sprang forward. Jeremy was crumpled lifelessly in a heap on the seat. His face was even more battered than Spencer’s. Both arms were cocked at odd angles.
“Is he…alive?” Abby asked in a broken voice.
Matthew stepped forward and held his finger against his neck. “He’s alive,” he announced, motioning Peter forward. “We have to get him in the house.”
“Should we move him?” Thomas asked between clenched teeth, fear and fury pulsing through him in equal measure.
May had joined them on the road. “Get him out of that there carriage,” she commanded firmly. “Take him up to Miss Carrie’s old room and cover him up good with some blankets to keep him from going into shock.”
Thomas blinked at his housekeeper.
“What? You think I didn’t learn plenty from Miss Carrie when she been treating all them people in our house?” May’s gaze swung back to Matthew and Peter. “Matthew, you go after Dr. Wild once you get Mr. Jeremy inside. I hear he still be in town. Somebody at Jackson Hospital gonna be able to tell you where he is. That’s who Miss Carrie would want to treat these two.”
Thomas felt completely helpless as he watched Matthew and Peter lift Jeremy as gently as they could. Matthew cradled his bloody head against his chest in order to keep him as immobile as possible.
“Thomas…” Abby whispered. “How could this have happened?”
Thomas bit back the bile in his throat as he fully realized just how serious Jeremy’s injuries were. His brother’s face was an ashen gray. The only thing convincing him he was still alive was the sporadic heaving of his chest. “We had a guard for you,” Thomas snapped, the sight of Jeremy’s broken body fueling his anger and guilt. “I never thought to make sure Jeremy had one, too.”
Abby spun around to face him as Matthew and Peter disappeared into the house. “This is not your fault,” she said firmly. “It’s not possible for someone to be with all of us every moment. Jeremy and Spencer both carry guns.” She shook her head. “How did this happen?”
“They came out of nowhere,” Spencer gasped.
May had stayed outside while Jeremy was carried in. She turned on Spencer now. “You get out of that carriage right now,” she ordered. “Get into the kitchen where’s I can take care of you next.”
“Nonsense,” Thomas said quickly. He motioned to Miles. “Help me get Spencer into the room behind the kitchen. I don’t want him climbing the stairs to the upstairs bedrooms.”
Abby rushed forward. “It will take me just a minute to get the bed changed.”
“He’ll be needing some…”
Abby interrupted May. “Yes, I know he needs some blankets. We’ll get him settled, May. Please go check on Jeremy now,” she said gently.
May nodded, exchanged a long look with her, and then ran up the steps. Thomas put one arm around Spencer, waited for Miles to move in on the other side, and helped him up the stairs.
“Jeremy be the one hurt real bad,” Spencer groaned.
“You’re both hurt very badly,” Thomas replied. “Thank you for getting him back here, Spencer. We’ll get you settled and then check on Jeremy. There’s not much we can do until the doctor gets here.”
Thomas heard Matthew clatter down the stairs and then run across the porch. Moments later he heard the carriage rumbling down the road. He prayed Dr. Wild would arrive quickly. When they had Spencer prone on the bed and covered with a thick blanket, he told Miles to stay with him, and then he and Abby raced upstairs.
Jeremy was lying unconscious under a mound of covers. His skin was gray and clammy. Blood from deep gashes in his head had already turned his pillows bright red. His breathing was shallow and rapid.
May looked up when they walked in. “This boy be in shock,” she said crisply. She motioned to Thomas and Abby. “Get me all the pillows you can find. We gots to elevate his legs and thighs.” Then she turned on Peter. “I ain’t leaving Mr. Jeremy right now, so you gots to listen real close and do what I tell you.”
“Anything,” Peter said, his own face almost gray as he looked at Jeremy.
“I wants you to go downstairs and make me up a shock formula. You start with one cup of warm water. There should be enough in the tea kettle. Then you gonna add in two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. You gonna find both of them on the first shelf of the pantry,” she instructed. “Now this be the most important part. You gonna add in one teaspoon of cayenne. One teaspoon. You got all that?”
Peter nodded. “I got it. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
May held up her hand. “I wants you to make up two batches. Make Spencer drink one of them. I don’t care what he says. Just make him drink it. Shock don’t always set in right away. He got beat up real bad, too,” she said grimly.
Peter nodded, turned and disappeared.
Thomas and Abby finished positioning Jeremy’s legs on the pillows. “What now?” Thomas asked.
May inspected their work carefully before she nodded her approval. She turned to Abby. “I need you to go to Carrie’s medicine cabinet and find that bottle of shepherd’s purse tincture she made up last year when Moses be so sick. It needs to go in them drinks Peter be making, but I didn’t think he could remember everything. That tincture be the best thing to bring up Mr. Jeremy’s blood pressure and…”
Thomas knew what she wasn’t willing to say. “He could have internal bleeding,” he said quietly after Abby disappeared. “The tincture could help stop it.”
May nodded reluctantly. “Don’t know for sure, but he got beat up bad so we gots to act like there be bad things going on in there.” She closed her lips firmly, turning as Miles entered the room with a basin of warm water and a bundle of clean rags. “Thank you. I was gonna send Mr. Cromwell for that next.”
“You ain’t be the only one who learned things from Miss Carrie,” Miles said, his eyes fixed on Jeremy’s gray face. “The boy gonna be alright?”
“He will be if I got anythin’ to say about it,” May replied sharply. “How’s Spencer?”
“Complaining that we be wasting time taking care of him,” Miles responded. “I told him if he moved out of that bed that you wouldn’t never be saving another piece of pie for him again. He’s grumbling, but he’s staying put. Mr. Peter almost got them drinks made. I made Spencer promise to drink it.”
May nodded with satisfaction. “You go back down and see what you can do for Spencer’s face. I’s gonna need a big bucket of ice up here real quick.”
“I’ll do that,” Thomas offered.
May shook her head. “Nope. I needs you to massage Mr. Jeremy’s hands and feets to keep the blood movin’. Miss Carrie told me that be real important when someone be goin’ into shock.”
Thomas sprang to do her bidding as May began to gently wash Jeremy’s cuts. She wrapped a long cloth about the one that was bleeding the worst, tying it securely to hold it in place. When Peter arrived with the drink, she directed both of them to hold Jeremy’s limp body up against the pillows so she could ease the liquid down his throat slowly.
Abby arrived moments later with a basketful of tins. May managed a smile when she saw what was in the basket. “I guess we all be learning something from Miss Carrie,” she observed. “Give me some of that gypsy weed ointment to put in this water. It will help me get these cuts real clean.”
“I also brought some plantain,” Abby offered. “I saw Carrie use it on Clint’s burns. I remember her saying it’s also good for cuts.”
“It sho nuff be,” May said. “Honey be real good, too, but I’m figurin’ Dr. Wild gonna have to stitch up some of these cuts on his head. I c
an’t be putting nothing on them quite yet.”
Abby eyed her. “How did you learn all this, May?”
May shrugged, talking as she continued to gently bathe Jeremy’s head and arms, pulling the blankets back over him as soon as she had them clean. “I spent a whole lot of time helping Miss Carrie. First, it was Miss Georgia, and then Moses after he got shot. There weren’t hardly no time before we were taking care of Mr. Robert. I learned me a little bit more with each one. I asked a whole lot of questions. Miss Carrie always be happy to answer them. I reckon she figured the day would come when I would need to know it.”
“That day has certainly come,” Thomas murmured.
“Oh, I done been using it right along,” May said casually. “Lots of folks seem to know I learned a lot. They come to get me every now and again.”
Abby smiled. “I’m glad they have you.” She leaned down to look more closely at Jeremy’s face. “Am I imagining that he looks a little better?”
“His feet are warmer,” Thomas offered, “and his breathing seems to have slowed down some.”
May stared at him for several long moments before she nodded. “He not be quite so bad,” she announced. “I need him to wake up, though. We won’t really be knowing how bad off he be until he wakes up.”
Thomas stiffened at something he heard in her voice. “What are you saying?”
May hesitated before she answered. “Ain’t no use asking for trouble before we get it,” she muttered.
“But…?” Abby asked, suddenly frightened. “Just tell us what you are thinking, May. Please.”
“I ain’t thinkin’ nothing,” May protested. “I just seen men take beatings like this that ain’t never quite right again,” she said reluctantly. “But there ain’t no reason to think that done happened to Mr. Jeremy. He’s bound to have a concussion, but I know lots of people who come back and be right as rain after one. Ain’t nothin’ but time gonna tell us how Mr. Jeremy gonna be.”
Almost two hours had passed before they heard the sound of a carriage rattling down the road. Abby leaped up and peered out the window. “It’s them,” she called over her shoulder. “Thomas, I’ll stay here with May and Jeremy. You and Peter go downstairs and tell them what you know.”
A few minutes later Dr. Wild appeared in the doorway. “Good evening,” he said cheerfully. “I do manage to spend quite a bit of time in this house. I thought that would die off with Carrie gone, but I see y’all are determined to keep me coming around. It took Matthew a little while to find me, but I’m glad he did.”
Abby smiled hesitantly, not sure how to respond to his cheerfulness. She was still too frightened for Jeremy.
Dr. Wild read the thoughts flitting across her face. “I believe Jeremy is going to be fine,” he said quickly, moving forward to gaze down at him. “Thomas told me his color has come back and that his breathing is steady again.” His face turned grim as he stared at Jeremy’s battered face. “Who did this to him?”
“We don’t know,” Thomas answered. “We’re hoping he can tell us when he wakes up.”
“What about Spencer? Wasn’t he with him?”
“Spencer is sleeping downstairs,” Miles announced. “We figured that be the best thing for him.”
“I ain’t sleeping no more.” Spencer walked in slowly.
Dr. Wild turned quickly and gently pushed him into a chair. “You probably should be,” he said sternly.
Spencer scowled. “I been beat worse than this on the plantation before I got free. It’s Mr. Jeremy I’m worried about.”
“Who did this?” Thomas snapped.
Spencer shook his head. “I ain’t got no idea,” he admitted. “It was real dark and they just came out of nowhere. The first thing they did was throw a rock that hit Jeremy real hard. Some men grabbed the horses and then a whole passel of them jumped in the carriage and beat Jeremy.” He bit back a moan. “I tried to stop them, but two more men jumped on me before I could reach my pistol. I remember the bat, but it was too dark…it just happened too fast.”
Abby jumped up and laid a hand on his shoulder. “We know you did everything you could,” she murmured. “I’m so sorry you were hurt.”
Spencer shrugged and turned to Dr. Wild. “Is Jeremy gonna be alright, Dr. Wild?”
“I believe he will be,” Dr. Wild responded. “Thanks to May.” He turned to her, his eyes warm with admiration. “When did you learn how to do all this? Peter told me about the drink you had him make for both of them. There is not one thing I would have done differently.”
May grinned and ducked her head. “I just did what Miss Carrie taught me how to do.” She glanced up. “I cleaned his cuts, but I didn’t put nothing in them. I figured you might have to sew some of them up. His arms don’t look so good either, but Miss Carrie never taught me how to set bones.”
Dr. Wild probed gently with his fingers and then nodded. “Three of the cuts are going to require stitches. His right forearm is broken. So is his left wrist. Several of his ribs are broken, as well,” he announced, his eyes flashing angrily. “Whoever did this did a real job on him.” He reached for his bag and pulled out a needle and suturing thread. “I’m going to start with his cuts. Then I’ll set his bones and wrap his chest to support his ribs. It will be easier if I do it while he is unconscious.” He looked around the room. “If any of you have sensitive stomachs you might want to leave the room.”
No one moved.
“We’re not leaving until Jeremy wakes up,” Matthew announced.
“Except you,” Abby said quietly, smiling at the look of surprise on his face. “Can I ask you to do one more thing? Jeremy is going to want Marietta here when he wakes up, and I know she’ll never forgive me if I don’t let her know what has happened. Until you got back with the carriage, I couldn’t do anything about that. Do you need directions to her boarding house?”
“I know where she lives,” Matthew assured her. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Matthew had been gone about an hour when Jeremy moaned and moved his head a little. The slight movement made him moan more loudly.
Dr. Wild moved quickly to his side. “Nice to have you back,” he said cheerfully. “Try to not move your head. I’m afraid it’s going to hurt badly for a few days.”
Jeremy remained still. “What happened?” He whispered.
“We’re hoping you can tell us more about that,” Thomas said, relieved beyond words that Jeremy was awake and talking.
“My eyes,” Jeremy murmured.
“They’re swollen shut,” Dr. Wild informed him. “We’ve been putting cold compresses on them, but it will take a while for the swelling to go down. You were beaten badly,” he said calmly.
“Where…?”
“You’re at home, Jeremy,” Abby said tenderly. “Spencer brought you here after you were attacked.
Jeremy frowned, the movement causing him to groan again. “Spencer?” he gasped. “How…?”
“I be just fine,” Spencer said roughly, coming to stand beside him.
“They got you too,” Jeremy whispered, confusion rippling across his battered face.
“They didn’t get me as bad as they got you,” Spencer said. “I’m real sorry, Jeremy,” he muttered.
“Not…your…fault,” Jeremy managed, pain twisting his face.
Dr. Wild looked at May. “Will you please make me some ginger tea? It will help with his pain. And will you bring me some honey to treat his wounds?”
May looked surprised. “You use the same stuff Miss Carrie use?”
Dr. Wild smiled. “There is a time for drugs, but Carrie taught me that nature has already provided most of what we need. I saw her treat every person who came into the black hospital with herbs and plants. I’d be a fool to not use what I learned.”
May returned his smile and then left the room.
“Do you know who did this to you?” Thomas asked, desperate for some answers.
Jeremy began to shake his head and then gasped, tears seeping
through his swollen lids.
“No more talking,” Dr. Wild announced. He looked around the room. “I want everyone out of here,” he ordered sternly. “Jeremy has suffered a severe concussion. He needs to remain quiet and still. You’ll get your answers, but you’re not going to get them tonight. May will stay with him through the night to monitor him for any additional signs of shock, but I don’t want him to say one word,” he commanded. “Is that clear?”
Thomas nodded quickly. “Of course.” He reached down and placed his hand on Jeremy’s leg gently. “We’re all going to be here for you, Jeremy. All you have to worry about is getting well.” He understood the look that flitted across his brother’s face. “The factory will be fine,” he said firmly. “And I will make sure both Abby and I have an armed guard with us at all times.” He was relieved when the anxiety melted from Jeremy’s features.
Dr. Wild nodded solemnly and smiled. “He’s asleep again,” he said quietly. “It’s what he needs more than anything. Even if he wakes up during the night, I don’t want anyone talking to him.”
“A young woman named Marietta is coming over,” Abby whispered. “He is quite in love with her. Will it be alright if she sits with him?”
Dr. Wild considered the question. “Only if she is very clear that he is to not talk about anything. Any additional strain could do more damage, and it will certainly slow his healing.”
May appeared in the door, her hands full of supplies. “Won’t nobody be talking to him while I’m in this room,” she said staunchly, her eyes flashing. “If I could keep that Moses quiet, it ain’t going to be nothing to take care of Jeremy. He ain’t near as stubborn!”
Dr. Wild chuckled. “I’m confident he will be in good hands.” He turned to Thomas. “I’m going to stay here with him a little longer before I leave.”
“Matthew will drive you home as soon as you’re ready to leave. He should be back any minute.”
A rumble of carriage wheels confirmed his prediction.
It was almost twenty-four hours before Jeremy woke again. It took him a minute to remember where he was, but then the memories came roaring back. He was relieved when he could force his eyes open into a slit. He moved his head slowly, reassured when the pain wasn’t quite as intense as it had been the night before. It still hurt, but it didn’t feel quite so much like a train wreck in his head. He tried to take a deep breath, gasping as pain knifed through his chest.