In His Time (Carried Through Chaos Book 2)

by Stefanie Bridges-Mikota

  “Now I know this is sparsely decorated. I hope you can make quick work on that end…”

  “Of course, I can,” Allie interrupted. “I made curtains with the dimensions you gave me and a quilt for the bed while I was waiting to come out. Ma also shared what she could - some towels, a set of sheets, and some odds and ends for the kitchen. We also have the wedding gifts that you hadn’t already brought with you. They’re all in the trunk out in the wagon. We need more furniture, but I’m sure we can get by with what is here for a while.”

  Frank smiled and thought she was being so positive. Seeing the bright side to matters like this came naturally to her.

  “I’m sure you will. As for my practice, I thought we could build a wall to partition off the dining room since the side door could be easily used for business only. That would leave a hallway connecting the living room and kitchen. It would also be convenient for me to clean up in between patients. Dr. Leman always stressed cleanliness to me. I’m so glad he did.”

  Allie folded her hands waiting for Frank to continue. She could tell he was turning the conversation into a serious topic and became a bit on edge for what was to come.

  “Typhoid seems to be a growing issue here. I know you saw the filth in Yakima. I have met with the other doctors and together we are working to educate the population to clean things up. Many people are turning a deaf ear to us, though. They don’t see it as a problem. I will continue to keep working to make this a safer place for all, but in the meantime, I need a few things from you.”

  Frank looked at Allie to make sure she was completely following and understanding the severity of the issue before continuing.

  “You probably took note of the pump and sink in the kitchen. I need you to boil any and all water you use even from the pump. Cooking, cleaning, washing up - it all needs to be boiled first before using. We have our own well and that should be fine, but until we know for certain where the disease is coming from and how it’s spreading, we must stay vigilant.”

  Allie was speechless, shocked into silence. She stood and walked to the window. Staring out, she could see the closest creek. “Does that also mean swimming is out of the cards?”

  Frank knew the relationship Allie had with water. “I think if you don’t drink it and you wash up after, you will be fine. That water isn’t stagnant and the creeks close by run to the Yakima River. The Yakima runs right through the city. These tributaries should be cleaner due to just being away from that mess. You might need to get permission from the Wiley family first, though, it’s not on this lot. That family homesteaded the area and own most of the land this town sits on”

  “Have you met them? Are they nice folks?” Allie was eager to learn more about her new home.

  Frank stood and walked over to the window standing next to Allie. He put his hands on Allie’s shoulders, turning her toward him.

  “They are wonderful people. Very hard working good folks. The street we are living on was actually named after the senior Wiley – Mr. Hugh Wiley. He was the first settler to this area. Allie, I know this is both exciting and terrifying for you. Starting a-new is full of hope and worry of what is to come. You have been through much in the last couple of years. I’m here. Lean on me. Let me be your rock. We will build a life here and thrive. This future will be much better than your last.”

  Allie drew in a deep breath as she locked eyes with her husband. He had the deepest chocolate-colored eyes. She knew she could trust this man with her life, but knowing that and feeling it was a different matter.

  She knew Eddie was dead and could no longer hurt her. It didn’t mean she didn’t still feel vulnerable, though. She still startled easily. She wondered if she did something that it would upset Frank the way Eddie got upset. Frank had never shown a temper directed towards anyone. Sure, he’d gotten angry at times, but he never harmed anyone.

  Working to remove those thoughts would take time, but Allie hoped one day she could get to that place - the place where she could fully relax in all situations. She leaned in and kissed her husband for the first time in their new home.

  CHAPTER 3

  March was right around the corner and although Allie was settling in nicely, she missed her community and hoped she’d form some deep friendships soon.

  Frank had hung her bright yellow curtains in their bedroom. Her Ma had some in hers and they always put her in a more cheerful mood. The quilt was laid on the bed. It was a simple quilt with squares of alternating fabric, a yellow floral print and the other was a solid navy.

  The downstairs room’s windows were covered with plain brown curtains. She wanted to keep the downstairs fairly neutral since she wasn’t sure how the medical practice would tie into the floorplan.

  The living room chairs had wood legs and arms with a red floral pattern on the seat and back. She would love a davenport someday, but first she knew they needed a kitchen table and chairs. Since the dining room was to be converted, they would place a table in the middle of the kitchen and eat there. There was enough kitchen-ware to get them started: towels, rags, a rolling pin, two cast iron pans and one pot, a few cooking utensils, plus a couple of dishes with silverware and glasses. Between her Ma and the church ladies, they set them up fairly well in the kitchen department.

  Frank was already working on the plans for the renovation. Because they were renting from the Wiley family, he needed their permission before starting. Frank would bring a much-needed service to this area and the Wiley’s had no issues with his idea. They even offered to chip in and asked the other town folk to help with the materials and labor.

  That was good news for Frank as he never did learn much about building. His father made sure to teach him all about banking and his Ma believed a man should know basic life skills such as cooking and mending but learning about carpentry was an opportunity that never presented itself.

  Frank was eager to get his hands on the wood and learn something from these people, though. With the proposed layout, one wall shortening the room would allow a hallway between the living and kitchen, and that was all that was needed. They all thought it could be put up in a few days’ time. That was good news for Frank, too. He needed to start actually practicing medicine, so he wouldn’t have to live off his savings.

  A group of four men came on a Tuesday with a wagon full of lumber. Frank introduced them as brothers, John and Bill Wiley, Peter Baxter, and Richard North. Those men moved fast, too. That didn’t really surprise Allie any, though. Her Pa was very handy with his hands and could also work quickly.

  In one day they had the wall framed with a spot for a door Frank could use so he didn’t have to go outside to go between home and work. Also, he could wash his instruments between patients quicker with having easy access to the kitchen sink. Allie just needed to remember to keep boiled water handy at all times for him.

  The next day started the next phase. They called it lath and plaster. Allie didn’t know what that was, and she wasn’t really interested in finding out. Building a wall was boring and noisy. She mostly just stayed out of their way, hiding out in their bedroom writing letters to her Ma and Blinne and several others.

  Blinne had been her best friend since they were young children. They parted when Allie left town with her first husband. Blinne married another childhood friend named George and moved into his grandparent’s old home. They had one daughter, Lena, and another one on the way. That pregnancy was still fairly early. She had discovered she was with child just before Allie and Frank wed.

  Allie missed Blinne dearly. They told each other everything and helped each other through difficult times. It would be hard to find someone to take her place and she wasn’t really sure she wanted anyone to do that. No one can really know you unless they grow with you. Knowing someone’s present makes fine friendships, but knowing their past brings a deeper level of understanding of the person. Sharing much of that past makes them family.

  With her letters written, she walked downstairs to check the renovation progr
ess. Frank was right in the middle of things and covered up to his elbows in plaster. He was smearing plaster over the horizontal boards pushing it between them. He didn’t notice her standing there. He was having fun learning something new and she thought that was cute. The other men spotted her and greeted her causing Frank to stop and turn around. Allie started giggling as Frank had plaster on his cheek and in his light brown hair.

  “What do you think Allie?” Frank said oblivious to how his face looked.

  Through laughter Allie replied, “It looks good… so do you, by the way.”

  Frank paused and looked down, confused as to what was so funny.

  Allie left for the kitchen to get a towel. When she came back she wiped his face off for him in order to keep the towel as clean as possible with his hands not touching it.

  Frank smiled and winked at her, realizing why she’d laughed. He turned back to the wall.

  “This is the first coat. It will have three by the time we are done. Being just this short wall means it won’t take long. Drying between coats will probably take longer than the application of the plaster.”

  “It sounds like you can start your practice really soon then.”

  Frank turned back around.

  “Yes, but I will need some essentials before then. I did order a few things that will be shipped from back East to Yakima, but they haven’t arrived yet.”

  “I sure hope they come soon. Going to Yakima to see the doctor isn’t awful, but it would sure be nice to have you up and running soon,” one of the Wiley brothers stated.

  “If you need some help hauling any of that just let me know. I’d be glad to do it,” the other Wiley brother added.

  “Thanks, that’s mighty kind of you.”

  Frank looked to Allie to see if she was paying attention to the helpfulness of the townspeople. He truly wanted her to feel accepted in this place and by these people like she did back home.

  “I wrote some letters. I’d love to post them as soon as possible.”

  Robert spoke up, “I’m headed there myself in a bit. I’d be happy to post them for you.”

  “Thank you so much. I’ll get them and the post fare for you.”

  Allie left to retrieve the letters. The men seemed to be well mannered and decent folks, she thought. She sure hoped the women were of the same character. She had met a few already and they seemed nice.

  Frank and Allie attended church every Sunday and everyone was friendly, but she hadn’t been fully accepted yet. The ladies, she felt, were still feeling her out. When they invited her to join one of their groups, maybe a quilting group, or put her on rotation for the picnics, then she would know they were extending friendship.

  Maybe they were waiting on her first or perhaps it just wasn’t the busy season, and no one was doing much with the women’s groups currently. Her first impressions with the congregation gave her hope. Maybe the ache from missing her parents and closest friends would soon ease a bit as she made new friends. She hoped that came sooner than later.

  When she returned downstairs, the men were cleaning up for the day. She was thankful for that. She loved her alone time with her husband and didn’t think she could ever grow tired of it. She handed her letters to Robert and thanked him again. The men finished and left for the day. They would be back in the morning to apply another coat.

  Frank tried to give her a hug, but she pushed back on him.

  “I’ll go heat up the water and pour you a bath.”

  “What? I’m not that dirty,” he chuckled and tried again to hug her.

  Allie squealed and took off running to the kitchen. Frank smiled and headed outside to try to get at least some of the plaster off before he completely dirtied their tub.

  Frank was very hopeful for the future and, so far, things were moving just as planned. He knew that some of the people, many of the natives and a few townsfolk, would not be able to pay up front. He would be taking payments and food and household goods also as payment or part payment for some. A few could pay right away and he would have to rely on those for the time being. He just hoped there were enough people who needed to be seen to get him up and running. Establishing a practice, he thought, would be the harder part. Keeping it going seemed easier. He knew whatever the case may be, he had a great woman supporting him. Together they could achieve anything.

  CHAPTER 4

  The spring weather was warming. The previous snow had melted and bulbs were poking up out of the ground here and there. Allie couldn’t wait to see the flowers in bloom.

  Today they were headed to Yakima to pick up what Frank had ordered. Having an exam table was necessary to opening the office, but Frank knew he couldn’t load and unload it himself. Robert volunteering to meet them in town was a blessing.

  Yakima had an expansive streetcar system and they even had a line that serviced Wiley City. It had opened last June. This meant Allie had a bit more freedom. She could ride the trolley to and from without need of Frank driving or borrowing the rig. She was used to walking everywhere she went, but now with the streetcar, she didn’t have to. The walk to the city was a much greater distance than the walk from her farm house to Deer Lodge. Having the city close by and transportation to get her there, but living more in a country location, gave Allie the best of both worlds. She loved that.

  Yakima still stunk. She didn’t know if she would ever get use to the stench and had hoped that between the first visit and now, improvement would have been made. The smell of cow manure was strong. The roads had droppings scattered here and there from various animals and with garbage randomly thrown, it appeared the city didn’t have any sort of system set up yet for this growing need.

  Frank dropped off Allie on First Street, so she could do a little shopping in the shops that shared the building with the Pacific Hotel. Frank and Robert headed to pick up the shipments. The hotel was close to the depot where she had first arrived and she recognized a few buildings from before. Some of those buildings housed more shops that she could pass the time in if Frank took a bit longer than expected.

  Allie raised her skirt a bit and was careful as to where she placed her feet. She wasn’t going to step in any muck between here and the hotel. She entered the building and was greeted by the most wonderful smell. Maybe it was so wonderful just because the outside smell was horrendous. Allie didn’t care. She walked into the little bakery and sat at one of the quaint tables. A small rounded lady approached asking if she would like a cup of coffee or tea and something to eat. She ordered tea and a slice of apple pie with sharp cheddar to top it.

  “I hope you like it,” the woman said. “This pie won a blue ribbon at the fair last year. Well, not this pie, but this recipe,” she joked.

  “Oh, Yakima has a fair?” Allie was excited having something to look forward to. She and Frank worked in Deer Lodge’s fair the previous year.

  “Sure do. It’s the last Monday in September. We lost the privilege of being state capitol to Olympia, but we have held onto the state fair,” the waitress winked and left her to her pie.

  As Allie sat enjoying her treat, she watched the busy street through the front window. She thought about what a state fair here would look like. Deer Lodge’s fair was the county fair. It was a big deal for them. She was having a hard time imagining what a state fair would look like, let alone how many people would be moving about for it.

  Just now, looking out at the street, it seemed people were coming and going in every direction. Horses were thrown in the mix, as well as some dogs, and even a cow or two being pulled on a halter. She guessed since some of the dairy farms were in town, seeing cows in town was not that unusual.

  Allie wondered what everyone was doing in their comings and goings. The town was not as well established as she was used to, although it was getting close by the looks of it. It was new. Compared to her hometown, it felt new, albeit dirty. The vegetation had grown up around the buildings there as if they had always been. North Yakima had more people, though. With the last
bite of pie in her, she finished her tea, paid the nice woman, and headed out to see what else she might find.

  There were several shops in walking distance to choose from. Allie ducked into a furniture store. They had some locally made furniture and some that was shipped into town from various locations. She admired the davenports that were shipped in. They did have a very good selection of locally made tables and chairs. Just a small table with four sturdy legs and two chairs would suit them for now. She hoped one day they would need more chairs, but that possibility was unknown.

  Allie had a miscarriage caused from the abuse of her first husband and when Dr. Leman confirmed and had to finish the work that her body tried and failed to do, he told her to be prepared that she may never be able to again carry.

  Allie was still trying to come to terms with this possibility. She wasn’t sure she could ever be satisfied without carrying her own child and bringing that babe into the world. Life had a way of working itself out in the end and she knew God had a plan and timing for everything. She knew patience would be a test for her. As she wandered through the tables, the bell above the door jingled. She didn’t realize it was Frank until he was right beside her.

  “Have you found one you like?”

  “Oh, my goodness, hi. You startled me.” Allie put her hand on her chest to calm her heart.

  Frank placed his hand on her back and turned her slightly towards him.

  “Sorry dear, didn’t mean to scare you. You looked lost in thought. Everything all right?”

  Allie took a calming breath before replying that she was fine. She knew Frank was aware of her medical history and the likely difficulties starting a family that laid in front of them. She didn’t want to talk about it though.

  “I’m just trying to decide if I like one of these table and chair sets. We will eventually need something. Eating in the living room is fine for a while, but I would like to have a real table to sit down and share a meal over.”