Scott tipped his hat as she approached. “Ma’am?” She inclined her head but scowled at him with those lovely eyes. He held the door for her.
Lifting her chin, she slipped out and left without a word. He stared after her a moment, noting the sway of the posterior of her non-bustled gown.
He turned back, meeting the hostile gaze of the man, but decided to ignore him, maneuvering through the aisle to find his needed supplies.
The stranger walked through the aisles, choosing a few articles of clothing before paying the clerk. After the man left, Scott approached the counter with his items.
“How do, Doc.” The rail-thin, balding clerk added up his purchase.
Scott handed him a few coins and stuffed the items in his pockets.
“How’s business?” The clerk folded his arms, propping them on the counter.
Scott scowled. “It would be a mite better if I had more patients. But it seems the young lady who just left is practicing medicine, too. I’d thought after her father passed, she’d give up on it.”
The clerk shook his head. “Cassie Stuart has had her heart set on being a doctor since she nursed soldiers during the war. Her pa was training her, and people around here say she has a knack.”
“But she hasn’t had any formal training. I’d think people would want to be treated by a real doctor.”
The clerk leaned toward Scott. “Well, if you’re really set on taking over Doc Stuart’s practice, you’d best make your move before his son returns from Harrisburg. He has been to medical school. Reckon he’ll take over when he returns, and Cassie can go back to being his assistant like she did for her pa.”
“Her brother attended medical school?” Scott’s blood heated.
Just what I need...more competition.
He’d have to quash this in the bud right now. In a town this small, he had no hope of making the kind of money he would have in Philadelphia, but right now, with half the populace going to Miss Stuart, he barely made enough to keep up his household.
After he bade the clerk farewell, a plan to discredit the dark-haired beauty started to form in his mind, but he had to do the deed before her brother returned.
Chapter Four
Cassidy woke from a vivid dream of a battlefield during the war. Although she’d gone to Gettysburg about a week after the bloodshed had ended, cannons boomed in her nightmare. Men fell, writhing in pain and the smell of blood rent the air. A soft voice called to her. She glanced down at the bodies littering the field for the source. A hand on her shoulder jolted her. She gasped as she gazed up into her mother’s eyes, realizing she was in her own bed. What a vivid dream! Those horrific days as a battlefield nurse would never leave her.
Her mother lit the bedside lantern.
“What is it, Ma?”
“Ned Tasker was just here. His wife’s about to give birth. They need you over there quick.”
Cassidy shook off the dream and rose, gathering the clothing she’d taken off last night and left hanging on the back of a chair.
She swallowed hard. She’d hoped Mrs. Tasker’s baby would’ve waited until Quinn had returned. The only other local doctor was Madison. She sensed Ned would have preferred the male physician, but Ellie insisted Cassidy deliver her baby. She’d assisted her father at a number of births before his death. She knew the procedures and should have no trouble.
Cassidy removed her nightgown and quickly dressed. “Reckon I’d best get going then.”
Her mother nodded.
Cassidy gathered a bag full of supplies from her father’s office, then lit a lantern to guide her in the dark, and walked to the Tasker home.
Ned met her at the door of the well-kept white with blue-trim house. Lanterns lit the interior.
“Where is she?” Cassidy asked.
“Upstairs in our bedroom.”
She nodded and followed the stocky man up the stairs into a narrow hall and slant ceiling room. His wife, Ellie, lay in the bed, her face pale, brow beaded with sweat.
“Oh, Cassie, I’m so glad you’re here. I think the baby’s coming quick.”
Cassidy stepped to the bed and placed her hand on the woman’s protruding stomach, trying to feel for the position of the baby. The head was down, so this should be an easy, uncomplicated birth.
She smiled at Ellie. “I’ll examine you to see if you’re ready.” Glancing at Ned, who hovered in the doorway, she added, “I’ll need a pan of water and some sheets or towels.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ned disappeared.
Ellie reached up and clasped Cassidy’s hand. “If anything happens, please tell Ned I’ll always love him.”
“Shh.” She patted Ellie’s hand. “Nothing will go wrong. I promise.”
“But just in case.” The woman’s face contorted as a contraction caused her to spasm. She sank into the mattress, gasping, her gaze focused on Cassidy. “You swear you’ll tell him.”
“Of course I will,” she assured Ellie.
After a brief examination under the covers, Cassidy warned her patient, “You’re almost ready to push, but not yet. I’ll tell you when.”
Ellie nodded. “It hurts so much. I don’t reckon you can give me anything for it.”
Cassidy shook her head. Many physicians now gave their childbirth patients chloroform to draw patients away from midwives.
Ned arrived with water and towels, and Cassidy instructed him to dab his wife’s brow. “It’s best I don’t give you anything for the pain, Mrs. Tasker. You’ll recover much sooner.”
As the contractions and Ellie’s moans continued, Cassidy watched the clock. A first baby should take a while. She’d attended many first births, and some of them had lasted a whole day.
Toward dawn, Cassidy’s body quivered with exhaustion. With Ellie finally in position to push, Ned clasped her hand, while Cassidy pressed on her stomach trying to help the baby into the world. But the longer nothing happened, the more worried she grew.
Ellie shrank against the bedsheets, her face ghastly white.
Ned’s brow knitted into an intense frown, and he kept glancing at Cassidy. “Why isn’t the baby coming?”
She shook her head, feeling helpless. “She needs to push harder. Encourage her.”
Ned glanced at his wife and smoothed her brow. “Come on, Ellie. Miss Cassie says you have to push.”
“I can’t,” Ellie moaned. “I’m too tired.”
Ned glanced at Cassidy, his gaze boring into her. She swallowed hard but tried to compose her features. She didn’t want him to lose faith in her abilities to see this birth through.
“Miss Cassie,” he whispered.
She rose to look Ellie in the eye. “Come on, Mrs. Tasker. Don’t you want to see your baby?”
Ellie shook her head. “I can’t do this.”
“You can and you will. Hold Ned’s hand. Just breathe and do as I say.”
Ellie clutched her husband’s hand. Cassidy gave him a nod and resumed her place at the foot of the bed. A spasm overtook the woman.
“Take a deep breath and push as hard as you can,” Cassidy said.
Ned patted his wife’s hand and nodded. “Come on, Ellie. You can do this.”
“Now push,” Cassidy ordered.
Ellie moaned, keeping her gaze locked with her husband, who called encouragement.
After two more long pushes, a downy head emerged. “The baby’s coming,” Cassidy said. “One more push should do it.”
Ellie screamed and a torrent of blood gushed over Cassidy’s hands as she tried to maneuver the baby out. A chill raced down her spine. Too much blood.
“Ellie.” Ned’s voice warbled. “Miss Cassie, something’s wrong.”
Cassidy lifted the baby. A bluish cast tinged the tiny face. She concentrated her efforts on encouraging his first breath.
“Ellie, darlin’,” Ned said, “don’t go to sleep now. Our baby’s here.”
Prickles of fear shot through Cassidy’s body. The baby wouldn’t breathe. She massaged the tiny
chest, trying to draw a gasp. Her body chilled and her heart thudded.
“Ellie, please!” Ned groaned. “She won’t wake up.” He grasped Cassidy’s arm. She still held the baby, but her efforts weren’t bringing him around.
“I’m sorry.” A feeling of unreality swept over her. This couldn’t be happening. “Take the baby.” She thrust the child into Ned’s hands, then moved to Ellie.
Examining the woman, she realized nothing would save her. She’d lost too much blood, her face pale as marble. Turning to Ned, Cassidy’s lips trembled as she tried to form words.
“She’s gone, isn’t she?” He laid the still form of his child on the bed by her side. “And so is my son.”
“Ned, I’m so sorry.”
A knock at the door revived the man. He trudged down the stairs. A few minutes later, he reappeared, followed by another man.
“It’s Doc Madison,” Ned intoned.
Cassidy glanced up. Madison strode into the room, scowling. She didn’t have the strength to ask why he’d arrived now. Ned couldn’t have summoned him.
“One of my neighbors told me your wife’s child was due any time and thought I could be of help...” His words trailed off as he took in the scene.
Cassidy dropped her head. She wanted to scream, she wanted to hide.
What have I done?
****
Scott examined both mother and child, pronouncing them dead. He stole glances at Miss Stuart, huddled in a chair by the door, her apron and hands covered in blood.
When he’d learned of the impending birth and that the mother wanted Miss Stuart to attend, he’d kept his ears peeled. One instance of medical incompetence would discredit her as a physician, and then he’d have the town of Burkeville in his pocket. He thanked his good fortune this had occurred before her brother’s return.
“There’s nothing can be done for them, I’m afraid,” Scott told Ned. “I’ll stay until you summon your family to take care of the bodies.” Keeping an eye on Miss Stuart, Scott leaned toward Ned.
“You should have called me before this. I could have saved them both.”
The young husband nodded, stealing a glance at Miss Stuart. “Ellie wanted her.” His face twisted with grief.
Scott patted his shoulder. “Go wash up and fetch one of your relations. I’ll take care of Miss Stuart.”
As Ned descended the stairs, Scott bit his lip to hold back a grin of triumph.
****
Cassidy sat like a stone, unable to move, think, or feel. After what seemed an eternity, she lifted her face to view the horrific scene. Although Ned had left the room, the image of his pale, drawn face, and Madison’s accusatory glare were etched in her memory. The doctor blamed her for the deaths. She longed for her father’s presence, or Quinn’s.
“You’d best go home, young lady,” Madison suggested. “This is no place for you.” He took her arm, urging her to wash the blood from her hands, then escorted her to the door. She hadn’t even noticed the blood, in her numbed state.
Dazed, Cassidy arrived home where her mother quizzed her on what happened, but she couldn’t explain without bursting into tears. With an offer to make tea, her mother sent Cassidy to her room to rest.
She climbed the stairs, as if her legs were made of lead, and collapsed across the bed. She’d killed two people—a mother and an innocent baby. The sight of the tiny blue face would haunt her forever. She lifted an arm to cover her eyes in an effort to erase the horrid vision.
A light tap on the door was followed by her mother entering the room with a cup of hot tea. “Drink this, Cassie.”
Cassidy shook her head.
“It will make you feel better,” she urged.
“Nothing will make me feel better.”
Her mother sat beside her and placed the tea on a nightstand. “Tell me what happened.”
“They’re dead! And I killed them!”
Her mother gasped. “Mrs. Tasker?”
“And her baby.” Cassidy scrubbed her hand across her face. “I’m not fit to be a doctor.”
“Cassie, don’t say that. It wasn’t your fault.”
Cassidy’s eyes stung. “I should’ve been able to save them. It was a routine birth.” She rose and paced, her hands crossed over her chest. “You were right all along.”
Her mother hugged her, but Cassidy didn’t want comfort right now.
“Ma, I really need to be by myself to think a bit.”
Her mother bit her lip but nodded and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Alone again, Cassidy broke into a sob. No patients would want to come to her for treatment ever again, especially after Dr. Madison told them all of her guilt.
Chapter Five
When George entered the hotel lobby, patrons and staff were abuzz about the happenings of the previous night.
“If only Ned had called Dr. Madison instead of that poor girl. Just because she assisted her father, doesn’t make her a doctor, or even a skilled midwife.” The thin clerk shook his head.
“But Miss Stuart assisted at many births,” an amply bosomed woman protested. “Her father had every confidence in her skills.”
The names Madison and Miss Stuart in the same conversation sent a shock through George.
“Pardon me.” He approached the clerk. “I know the Stuarts. Are you by any chance talking about Cassidy Stuart?”
“Yes, sir.” The clerk nodded. “She was assisting at the Tasker’s birth last night. Sad story.”
George’s blood chilled. “Why? What happened?”
The woman shook her head. “Both mother and baby have passed on. If only her brother had been there. She shouldn’t have tried to birth the baby alone.”
“Or if Dr. Madison had arrived earlier. He heard of the impending birth from one of his neighbors and rushed over there, but it was too late.”
“I see.” George turned away and raced out the door. His business with Madison would have to wait.
He rushed to the familiar house, ignoring the stares of people passing by. He didn’t care what anyone thought of him now, or then, he needed to see Cassidy.
He gulped as he ascended the porch steps. How many times had he spent here as a boy with Josh? And the day he paid a visit to Cassidy to see if she still cared for him lingered in his mind. That day he’d decided to return to his regiment.
His hand lifted, but he paused. After taking a deep breath, he rapped on the door.
A moment had passed before the door swung inward. Mrs. Stuart’s mouth gaped, but she recovered. He always remembered Cassidy’s mother as a gracious lady. No matter what she thought of anyone, he’d never heard a harsh word pass her lips.
“How do you do, ma’am,” he said. “I’ve come to pay a call on Cassie.”
Mrs. Stuart gazed at his shoes, her tongue grazing her lower lip. “I’m afraid Cassie isn’t feeling well today.”
“Ma’am.” He tipped his hat. “I’ve heard about the incident at the Tasker’s. I thought I could be of some help.”
Her face crumpled. “It’s horrible what happened. If only Quinn had been here last night...”
George shook his head. “I know Cassie. She’s dedicated and knows how to care for patients. If it had been possible to save them, she would’ve.”
Mrs. Stuart’s throat worked. He hoped he’d convinced her to allow him entrance. After glancing over her shoulder, she flung the door open. “If you can help Cassie, please do. I can’t stand seeing her suffer like this.”
George removed his hat as he passed her. “Ma’am, I hope she’ll allow me to talk to her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tossed me out bodily.”
He ascended the stairs, Mrs. Stuart on his heels. “I’ll stand outside the door for propriety...that is, if she even allows you in.”
“Of course, ma’am.” He rapped on the door.
“Who’s there?” A muffled call answered.
“Cassie, it’s George. I’d like to talk to you. Will you allow me in?”
/>
Silence followed his question. He pressed his ear to the door and heard footsteps. The door opened, and Cassidy glared at him, eyes swollen, face streaked and puffy. Dark hair had pulled loose from her bun, hanging in tendrils around her pale face.
“If you would allow me in, maybe I can help.” He gestured toward Mrs. Stuart. “Your mother will be right outside, keeping watch.”
Cassidy glanced around him, frowning. When she spotted her mother, she nodded and stood back, allowing him entrance.
He traced his finger down Cassidy’s arm and gazed into her eyes. Sweet, familiar sensations he’d missed all these years. “I want you to tell me everything that happened last night.”
She bit her lip, then nodded. Once the story started, she seemed unable to stop. She ended with the blood all over her hands. “There was just so much blood. And the baby wouldn’t breathe, and Mrs. Tasker was so white...”
She collapsed against him, her warm, soft body inviting his embrace. Careful not to alarm her mother, he brushed his hands over Cassidy’s back as she sobbed against his coat, her familiar warmth and scent increased his yearning to have her back in his life again. He turned back to catch Mrs. Stuart’s glance. She mouthed, Thank you, then turned away.
“There, there,” he said to Cassidy. “You can’t blame yourself for what happened.”
“But I thought I could be a doctor. I’m nothing but a failure.” Her arms tightened around him as if she clung for her life.
“I heard in town the new doc—Madison, I think his name is—arrived afterward.”
She didn’t speak but didn’t release her hold. After a long moment, she lifted her tear streaked face. “Yes, he was there. Too late to help...and he blamed me for all of it.”
“The bastard!” George gripped her tightly wanting to protect her. “Pardon my language, Cassie, but I can’t abide the man.” He wouldn’t let Madison allow her to take the blame for something not her fault. “What did he say?”
She frowned as if trying to remember his exact words. “Something about...Ned should have called him. He could have saved them both.” She tightened her grip around his waist. “Oh, George! I’ve never felt this horrible in my whole life. Even during the war...”
Cassidy's War Page 3