Frank smirked a bit. “How about we pick one out today? I have room for it in the wagon and I agree, we do need one.”
Allie grew a bit excited at that and together they agreed on a basic round table with a single pedestal that had four feet extending from the base. The chairs were round back with spindles all in the color of warm honey. There were more elaborate designed ones with intricate carvings around the edge and even some with inlays, but this one would suite them just fine. Frank paid for it and together, with the shop owner, they loaded it in the wagon and headed for home.
The ride home took a bit longer than coming due to the extra weight and wanting to be careful not to jostle the items. Robert had gone on ahead and would be waiting for them for a short time. The day was beautiful and warmer than it had been since she arrived, but it was still just a bit chilly and she was thankful she had her lap blanket with her.
“Did everything that you were expecting arrive?” Allie turned slightly to Frank.
“It sure did. I can’t wait to get it home and start setting up. I picked up some paint and have a nice board I was hoping you would paint a sign for me.” Frank raised his brows and looked at her.
Allie’s face softened, “I’d love to, and I’ll start soon on it.”
She loved being useful. When she was barely an adult, not quite a child, she gained her first job waiting tables at a restaurant in town. That’s where she was working when she met Eddie. He’d come in to eat and decided before he left he would shortly make Allie his.
Eddie was the perfect gentleman for the first few weeks as he gained Allie’s trust and love. He knew precisely what to say to a wide eyed young lady. She learned shortly after marrying him, though, that what she thought she felt wasn’t true love.
It took Allie a good while to accept what she knew as true. Once she did, she realized she had to leave to save herself. After escaping back home she found employment working at the local paper. She loved that job and learned much about how to fight for herself.
After the railroad laid off hundreds and her boss let her go to make room for one of those men who needed employment, Frank stood up for her and taught her that she was worthy and just as important, an equal. Now that she was here, she wondered if she was expected to stay home and just do household duties, help with the patients in some way, or if she could find herself something to do. She wasn’t yet ready to bring that up to Frank and she would enjoy the little things that she had to do.
They pulled up to the house and Robert had already unloaded the smaller items from his wagon onto the front porch. He walked over and after Frank helped Allie down they worked to get the heavier items out of the back. Allie was the door holder. Once they were in, she worked at moving the smaller packages into the living room for Frank to sort later.
“I’ll be back in a bit. Have to go park the steed and carriage,” he explained, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“Oh Frank, stop.” Allie swatted at him and shewed him outside. She left the boxes and found some paper and a pencil to begin work on sketching a sign. Perhaps a bold script would stand out, or flowing letters would add some eloquence. Whatever the case, it had to be professional and catch the eye of someone in medical need. She wouldn’t start painting until Frank approved it first. It was his business and she wanted him to like it. She wanted him to approve of everything she did and wondered if that would be so if she had never met Eddie. She knew she needed to stop those thoughts, but they seemed to take over every chance they could. Several designs would need to be ready for Frank’s review upon his return and she forced her mind back to the present. It was nice to do tasks for him out of love rather than fear.
CHAPTER 5
Frank’s practice was up and running, albeit a bit slowly. He was a little frustrated, but knew that this was the most likely way of things and worked to stay patient. There were a few people who came by to see him for very minor issues. One was a black toenail they weren’t sure was fungus or not and Frank had determined through questioning the patient that it had been hurt. He explained it would fall off soon and new would regrow, hopefully. There was always a chance that he would forever be missing a toenail, but there was much worse one must deal with than a missing toenail.
A parent brought their child in a with stomach ache that turned out to be just gas. The room had to be aired out for a while after that one. In that moment he was thankful that they built a full wall with a door, so the rest of the house didn’t suffer as well.
There was a woman who had some basic pregnancy symptoms and Frank was happy to confirm the news. No Natives came and no one with anything serious yet. It could just be that in this sleepy little town serious medical issues were few and far between.
Frank was used to the revolving door at the Deer Lodge clinic and before that the hustle and bustle of the logging camp in Sandy, Oregon. It would take a bit of adjusting to this schedule. He just hoped he made enough with these minor cases to get by.
Allie always made the most with the little income. That is how she grew up. Her parents are wonderful hard working folks who never complain much. They have just kept pushing forward with what they have. Frank knew that, but he desperately wanted more than that for his wife.
Frank stepped outside to draw in some fresh air and spy if he could see anyone potentially coming. Twiddling his thumbs was becoming a maddening substitute for work. He had rearranged his instruments multiple times. They were polished until they sparkled. The file cabinets were set up and waiting to be filled with patient information. He had a container of lollipops ready for the many children he hoped he would see.
Allie had the household under control and he suspected she was a bit bored as well. Just the two of them didn’t cause many messes that required heavy, regular cleaning. Cooking was about the most she had to do and that was mainly because she had to make sure she continually had enough water boiled for not only the meal prep, but also the cleanup.
Frank looked up and saw the sign Allie painted hanging above him. She did a magnificent job on it and one couldn’t tell it wasn’t professionally done unless they were up close to it. DR. FRANK HUBBARD it read with a fancy curly border. Allie could do anything she put her mind to it had seemed.
Seeing that no one was headed his way, Frank walked back inside to brainstorm. He needed something to do and he knew Allie did, too. An ad in the paper would be one way to go, but he wasn’t sure how many Wiley City folks bought the paper from North Yakima.
Wiley City didn’t have one of their own. North Yakima townsmen wouldn’t travel out here when they had a few doctors to choose from right there. There were other small towns that sat around North Yakima. He wondered if they would have need of an on call doctor. It would mean he would be away from Allie for periods of time and he wasn’t sure he was ready to do that… nor was he sure, at this point, how that would even work. He wouldn’t have a place to practice there.
With his uncovered wagon it wouldn’t be practical to try to run an office from that. The only solution would be to see patients in their own homes. He would be the traveling house call doctor. How to set that up was perplexing to him.
The Catholic Mission was south west of here. They serviced the Natives. Maybe he could be of help there, he thought. Of course, that wouldn’t pay, most likely, anything. It would be something to do to pass the time, though. Gaining the trust of the Natives could also be beneficial in the long run.
He stepped into the hall and listened to see if he could hear where Allie was. Downstairs was silent, so he treaded the stairs to find her in their room writing a letter. “Hey Allie.”
She held up her finger indicating to give her a moment to finish her thought. She was sitting at the little desk writing what Frank thought most likely was a letter. After she finished, she turned and smiled at her husband.
“He walked over to her and gave her a kiss before taking a seat on the bed. “I’ve been thinking…”
“Uh Oh!” Allie teased trying to ligh
ten the air that seemed to hang around him.
“I’m serious right now,” Frank stated with furrowed brows, making Allie’s hazel eyes widen just a bit.
“You know I haven’t had many patients yet, and I’m trying to find a way to boost business, or at least give me something to do to pass the time.”
“Well you just started a couple of weeks ago. I would think this would take some time, don’t you?” Allie stood and moved slightly away as in habit.
Frank realized the significance of her actions and immediately changed his tone.
“Yes, of course, but I’m bored. I need something more to do.”
He laid back on the bed with his arms and legs spread and gazed at the ceiling. Allie remained where she stood, but relaxed her posture realizing that Frank wasn’t angry.
“I figure I have two options, or I could do both. First is to travel to the other local towns and see if there is a need. If I find some that do have a need, I could try to set up a day every week or every couple of weeks to go regularly to see patients in their homes. The other option is to head to the mission and try to serve the needs of the Natives,” he explained and sat back up, watching Allie as she processed the options.
Allie chewed on these a bit as she paced the room. Helping the Natives would be a kind gesture and it might even earn some trust from the locals, but she knew it wouldn’t bring in income. The surrounding towns would require him to be gone longer than just a day. She went round and round for a bit before she spoke.
“What if you start with the towns and see just what kind of need there might be? Maybe there isn’t any or maybe that will keep you busy most of the time. Then, if time allows, you can head to the mission and work in-between your rounds? I’m thinking keeping your practice open here three to four days a week and work the small towns one or two days with the mission taking a day once a month.”
Frank stood and walked to her. “I like it. It’s the best of both. I’ll make some arrangements and head out early next week to see what I can drum up.”
“Maybe I can go with you and help with getting started and then keeping files organized and setting up appointments?” Allie was hopeful, but didn’t want to fall too hard if he said no.
Frank wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, “That sounds like a great idea. I love you sweetheart.”
Allie melted in his arms and excitement for her new challenge lifted her spirit higher. Finally, a man that appreciated her for her brains and beauty. Frank chuckled and pulled her down on the bed with him. This time, Allie gave in without hesitation to his warm embrace.
CHAPTER 6
Frank and Allie set out first to Ahtanum. The town was only two miles east from Wiley City, making it an easy day trip and they would even make it home well before dark. It was conceivable that the folks from there might go to Wiley City to see him instead of into Yakima. After that trip they would need to take several days to head to Parker, Tampico, and the surrounding area.
Allie had made little cards that matched the sign above the office and on the back gave their address. They were to be handed door to door to help spread the word about the new doctor. Whether that was good advertising or not was yet to be seen.
The trip was pleasant. They stopped at many of the houses they came across and most greeted them warmly. A few welcomed them in for a cup of coffee, which was nice on this still cool day.
Of course, anyone could go to Yakima and see Dr. Green, or they could head south to Dr. Harvey or Dr. Campbell. Frank was just one more choice for them. Time would tell if this trip would pick up traffic at his office. Being so close, he didn’t see a need to set up a particular day each week to go see them. They could always do that later if it seemed there was a big enough need.
On the way home they stopped by a field and ate a picnic lunch Allie had packed. It was a bit later than lunch time and their stomachs let them know that fact. They didn’t want to stop in the middle of meeting the people, so they pressed on until they were ready to head for home.
Once they reached Wiley City, Allie asked Frank to stop at the post before turning for home. There was plenty of time before dark so he obliged. She was waiting for letters to arrive from Deer Lodge. She had sent a few already. Finding things to do to fill her days was tough so she had a lot of writing time on her hands. She needed something to do. If she had children that would most certainly occupy her time and she would be overjoyed. Somehow she had to come to terms with the likelihood of that not panning out. Something that she could do away from home would help. She wasn’t sure where she would be needed and wanted, though.
Frank parked the wagon and Allie went in to retrieve the mail. When she returned she had an excited smile on her face.
“Two! I have two, one from Ma and the other from Blinne.” Allie climbed up and sat atop her lap blanket. She was paying little attention to the cool air now.
“I’ll drive you read. Out loud if you don’t mind, but if you’d rather keep them private that is fine, too.” Frank took the reins and once again they were headed for home.
Allie opened Blinne’s first. She scanned the letter before deciding she could read it out loud.
Hello,
It was wonderful to hear from you. I am so glad to know that you arrived safe and have settled in well. Honestly, I was worried about you. You are fearless! I have never been away from Deer Lodge let alone by myself. I can’t imagine how I would do on a train traveling so far away alone.
Lena is growing like a weed. She is already eight months old and is crawling all over. It’s hard to keep up with her at times. This pregnancy has me very tired and I am still sick at times. Doc says I’m somewhere around three months along. This babe should arrive around September. I’m not sure what I will do with two kids, one just born and another just a bit over one. Life is going to get busy very quickly.
Allie paused absorbing that and found her heart to be a bit bitter about it. She wanted to be happy for Blinne, but was struggling to see it that way. What she wouldn’t give to trade places with Blinne, but then she looked over and realized that would mean she wouldn’t have Frank either. She shook her head a bit and continued to read.
George is doing well. He is so proud he walks around with his chest puffed out. Lena is his little girl and she already knows it. That stinker will cry and cry for me, but as soon as daddy gets home she is all smiles for him. I just can’t compete with her cuteness and I won’t even try. She steals the hearts of all the men she is around. We will need to watch that one when she gets older.
I better get going. I only have so much time during nap time to get much done. I hope this letter finds you well and look forward to hearing from you again.
Blinne
Allie folded the letter and put it back in its envelope.
“I’m happy for them aren’t you?” Frank tipped his head to the side to look at her.
Allie lowered her eyes to her hands that were folded in her lap on top of the letters…
“I am. I’m so glad she found her happily ever after. She seems to be loving her life.”
Frank put his hand on hers and squeezed a bit. Allie looked up and gave a small sad smile. They both knew her hopes for children and fears that it wouldn’t be possible, but neither voiced them.
“On to the next one, if you still want to read out loud.”
Allie opened the letter from her Ma and scanned it. She furrowed her brows. “This doesn’t sound good Frank.” Allie kept reading silently.
“What do you mean? Read it out loud please?”
My Dear Sweet Allie Girl,
Thank you for the letter. I love hearing from you and miss you so much already. You bring a joy to this house that goes missing when you leave. Drew misses you the most. He retreated to his room for a while, but has since started doing more again. It takes him a while to process change. Pa is hard as nails and just goes on like nothing has changed. I find my days quiet. I miss having you around to talk to. Being the only f
emale in the house again makes for a lonely time.
Here in the last couple of weeks I have developed a cough and have a bump in the middle of my throat. Doc Leman is sure I just have a virus, so plenty of rest for me. You know how well I rest. At least it isn’t watering season.
Allie paused and looked to Frank. “What do you think that means? Does she just have a cold?”
Frank hesitated as he thought about the symptoms.
“I’m sure Doc is right. He’s a good doctor and I wouldn’t second guess him. The bump she talks about is probably just a swollen lymph gland. We have them all over our bodies. Sometimes when we get sick they get swollen. If she can follow orders, I’m sure she will recover quickly.” Frank wasn’t sure he came across very convincing, certainly not to himself. He began chewing on the inside of his cheek and contemplated the other possible condition she could have, but wouldn’t worry Allie right now. “Go on. Does she say more?”
Last year with the worst drought in history, watering was awful. I would love not to see another year like that in my lifetime. I know I’ve said this already to you, but your timing in coming home was a Godsend. I know why you came home, but God made that work for the good for many people. Thank you for being brave and strong to do that. I know you were scared, but you kept a brave face and kept on despite the fear. I will always be proud of you.
I hope you and Frank are enjoying married life. The newlywed time can be a time of much fun and also lots of learning and growth for the relationship. Please keep God at your center and rely on him. A foundation built on Him will never fail. I love you, sweet Allie, and will write again soon. I need to go back and rest like Doc said.
Love Always,
Ma
“I really hope you are right, that she will be fine. I have a bad feeling about this.”
Allie folded up the second letter and returned it to its envelope. Placing the letters in her lap she worried her thumb on her index finger.
In His Time (Carried Through Chaos Book 2) Page 3