In His Time (Carried Through Chaos Book 2)

by Stefanie Bridges-Mikota

“I’m sure it will be. Let me know when she writes again. I want to follow and make sure she is fine.”

  Frank directed the horse to the livery stables. They were within walking distance to home and the weather was perfect for a stroll with his wife. He hoped that might help take her mind off the letters.

  CHAPTER 7

  The following week Frank had a bit more traffic to the office. That pleased him. It turned out that leaving those cards Allie had made was working. Word had been spreading into the city that there was a new doctor in town. He wasn’t sure if he would need to head to the other outlying communities now or not. Time would tell, but for now he would stay put and see to his new patients.

  As the week wore on, Frank couldn’t get the letter from Allie’s Ma out of his head. He knew Doc Leman was a great doctor, but was struggling to believe Ma’s condition was a simple common virus. He decided to write Doc himself and see if he could glean any more information from him.

  He wanted to catch Doc up on the goings on here, too, anyway. He would also be waiting to hear anything more from Ma. Allie hadn’t been gone that long yet. She had said that everything seemed fine when she was there. Ma was still just as feisty and busy as ever. For Ma to seek out Doc Leman’s help something was definitely up. He just wasn’t ready to say aloud what he thought she might be suffering from.

  Frank worked to clean up his instruments and get them back in place before he wrote his letter, so all would be ready when the next visitor arrived. Visitor… that was all some of his patients really were. Some folks just wanted to see who the new people were in town even if they had to pay for his service to do it. He really wasn’t sure why they just didn’t knock on the front door instead. There they could make introductions like regular folk and it would be free. Oh well, business was up and that was all he needed for now.

  He had sat down and was part way through writing his letter when another person arrived at the door. He welcomed her in and asked her to sit.

  “Good afternoon, Ma’am. My name is Doctor Hubbard. What can I do for you today?”

  “Hello, doctor. I’m Mrs. Geoffrey. Isabelle Geoffrey. I don’t have an issue needing attention just now, but I did want to drop by and say my hellos and offer to host you and your wife to dinner this Friday night. I really should have been here sooner,” she wet her lips and paused. “I’ve seen you at church a few times now, this area sure is growing mighty fast. We get used to our circles and then new people show up. We were here before the railroad. Seen a lot of people come this way. Well, look at me just rambling on and on.”

  Frank shook his head to dispute her last remark. He was interested in the area and wanted to know more. He needed to understand what made this area and these people tick so he knew how to interact with them as their physician.

  “Allen and I live just east, outside of town on the left. And don’t worry about bringing anything. The two of you will be just fine.”

  “Well, thank you. That is mighty nice, and my Mrs. will be pleased.”

  Mrs. Geoffrey stood to leave, so Frank stood and walked her to the door.

  “Thank you for stopping by. It was very nice to meet you.”

  Mrs. Geoffrey nodded.

  “Pleased to meet you as well. We will see you Friday around five o’clock.” She turned and walked out the door.

  Frank was pleased as well. Allie would be tickled. It was their first invite and he knew she needed to make some connections. He decided to leave his letter to Doc Leman unfinished for now and go find Allie. He couldn’t wait to share the news with her.

  Allie was in the kitchen peeling potatoes for their evening meal. Frank walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She startled at first and then relaxed in his arms.

  “You will never guess what just happened?”

  Allie sat her knife and potato down on the counter and worked to turn in his arms.

  “Well let me see,” she took her finger and tapped her chin. “You walked out the door and stumbled onto a long line of patients all waiting to get in?”

  “No,” he shook his head with a smirk planted on his face.

  “You heard a loud crash and ran outside to discover a wagon tipped over and saved the day rescuing all aboard?”

  “No,” again shaking his head.

  “Ah, just tell me, please.”

  He let go of her and walked her to the table to take a seat.

  “I just had a very nice chat with a Mrs. Geoffrey. She came just to invite us to dinner at their house this Friday.”

  Allie squealed. Frank covered his ears and let out a hearty laugh.

  “Oh, I’m so excited! This will be fun!” Allie’s mind was spinning in circles. “Will it just be us or is it a get together of some sort?”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s just us. She didn’t make it sound like it was something other than dinner to meet the new folks.”

  Allie smiled and exhaled.

  “Oh, what should I bring?”

  “As she was leaving, she said just to bring ourselves. She made a comment about seeing us a few times. I’m thinking she might be feeling a little guilty about not inviting us sooner.”

  “Oh, well she shouldn’t. People are busy, and I’ve only been here just a handful of weeks. We are just finally getting settled in. The timing is perfect.”

  Allie stood and took up where she left off with the potatoes.

  Frank went and stood next to her. “You know, I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “How are you doing with all of this: the move to a new place, not knowing anyone but me?” He grabbed a potato and another knife and began helping her.

  Allie stopped mid peel.

  “I’m doing all right. I’ve been through serious situations in the past. This seems like a breeze. Of course, having a friend close by to talk to will be wonderful. There are just some secrets to a woman’s heart that can only be known to another woman. I could tell you, of course, and have most of it, but only a woman can really understand it.”

  Frank was hurt a little, but didn’t let it show. He wasn’t sure what she meant by that. Of course, he knew that she went through a horrible experience with the abuse and then the lost baby because of it. He hurt for her. He desperately wanted to make this new future as bright as possible for her but was at a loss how to do that. All he could do was just keep loving her and loving her he would. He placed a kiss on her temple and washed up his hands.

  “I’ll be headed back to the office now. I’ve had a few people stop by and I don’t want to miss anyone else just in case.”

  Allie was lost in thought about the upcoming dinner. She was already daydreaming about Friday’s dinner plans. This was just the thing she had been needing.

  “Oh, I’m sorry Frank, what did you say? I was in my own world for a moment.”

  He gave a little smile wishing he could be in that world with her. He wanted to understand her better. “Just that I was headed back to work.”

  “Oh, ok. I’ll be here,” she gave a soft chuckle and sigh.

  Frank headed back to the office and picked back up where he left off with his letter to Doc Leman. He couldn’t figure out Allie right now, but maybe he could at least get some answers about someone else Allie cared deeply for.

  CHAPTER 8

  Allie was so excited awaiting the day that she was having trouble sleeping. Friday was here, and she was dressing in her nicest dress while, Frank was downstairs waiting for her. She needed this night to go well.

  A friend, someone to talk to, would bring so much comfort to her. Even in her darkest months, over a year ago now, she had her neighbor to talk with. Out of fear, she waited until Eddie had left for work. Those few hours they spent together chatting over a coffee helped her get through the worst days of her life.

  She, of course, didn’t have to deal with those issues now. Frank was a dream come true. Talking about the past and what her heart still struggled with would help her grow. She wasn’t ready to talk wi
th Frank about all of that. She needed someone who could understand her, like only another woman could.

  Allie walked downstairs and into the front room where Frank was sitting writing in a journal. He had several and they all were to be used for different patient cases. One was on skeletal issues, another pregnancy, there was one for general illness and gout. He had one for each type of issue he had treated in the past. He said they were to help him with future cases. When someone came in he could grab the journal that best fit the current situation and use what he’d learned from the past to help with the current issue.

  He closed his book and stood when he noticed her.

  “You look stunning”

  “Oh, stop. I look the same as always, only the clothes are different.”

  “Well, that purple really sets off the green in your eyes. I love it,” he said as he walked to her, took her blushing cheeks in his hands, and kissed her soundly.

  Allie melted for a moment, then she pulled away.

  “We should go so we aren’t late.”

  She walked passed him and headed to the door. Frank followed behind. Once out, he helped her into the wagon and arranged the blanket over her lap. He then took his place on her left and sent the wagon into motion.

  The Geoffrey house was just outside of town. It didn’t take but a few minutes to get there. The home was made from logs. It was a small one story with a chimney that rose from the center made from rock. The Geoffrey’s were an old pioneer family and this home was the homestead. Frank helped Allie down and together they walked to the wooden door.

  Isabelle opened the door and welcomed them in. The home was small with a kitchen table in the center of the main room, a couple of rocking chairs along the outside wall, a stove in the back corner, and two doors on either side of the fireplace that led presumably to bedrooms.

  “Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard! I’m Mrs. Geoffrey and this is my husband Mr. Geoffrey, but people just call us William and Isabelle, or Bill and Belle for short.”

  Allie thought Bill and Belle was cute.

  “It’s very lovely to meet you. I’m Alice, or Allie, and this is Frank.”

  The men shook hands.

  “Dinner is almost ready. Please, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll have it on the table shortly,” Isabelle stated and walked back to the stove.

  “Is there something I can do to help?” Allie asked.

  “Oh, no dear. I’m treating you tonight. Go have a seat, please,” she coaxed, pulling heavenly smelling biscuits out of the stove.

  Allie sat down at the table and waited. The men took the seats along the wall and were hitting it off already. Bill was talking about the history of the area and Frank was hanging on every word, hungry for the information.

  The Geoffrey’s were older than she and Frank. They looked to be somewhere around their later forty’s. Bill was a tall man, but was at ease in this small home. Belle was shorter than Allie, but not extremely short. She held her silvery hair in a tight bun close to the nape of her neck. She was plump, but not overly so. Her eyes were kind.

  Belle placed a pot of stew and the biscuits on the table. The whole home smelled of rosemary and garlic. Allie’s mouth was watering. It was a humble meal, but judging by the smell it was bound to be delicious.

  “Dinner is served. It’s nothing fancy. We are not fancy folks. But it fills you up and warms your belly here in the coldest of days. Thank goodness those are behind us for yet another year. Yakima can get bitter cold in the deep winter and sweltering hot in the mid-summer. Right now, is the happy medium time when you can enjoy the sunshine on your face during the day, but still scoot up to the bone warming coals in the evening.”

  Belle took her seat closest to the stove. Bill made his way to the other end of the table and Frank sat opposite Allie.

  “So, Frank, Allie, what brings you to Wiley City?” Bill spoke as Belle started serving the stew.

  Allie looked to Frank. “Allie and I come from Deer Lodge, Montana. We went to school together. Shortly after finishing, I moved to the Portland area and earned my doctorate. Worked a bit in the area before making my way back home and reconnecting with Allie. Not quite a year later we were married and looking for a place to start my own practice. Many areas out this way are growing quickly, but this area stuck out at me as the perfect place for us. So, we came.”

  “That’s a wonderful story. Bill and I were born in this area. Our families were original settlers. This very cabin belonged to Bill’s parents and where he grew up. We have now raised our own children here. One has stayed close by, Martha, but our two boys headed to Seattle. They wanted an adventure, I guess.”

  “Martha married a great guy and lives in Prosser, east of here,” Bill talked through a bite of biscuit. “How is the practice coming, Frank?”

  Frank put his spoon down and finished his bite.

  “Dinner is delicious, Belle.” He gave her a smile before turning his attention to Bill’s question. “It started off pretty slow. I moved out here first and once I had a home for us, I wrote for Allie to join me. After she arrived, we quickly worked to do a little remodeling to make a private area to run the practice and picked up my orders for some essentials. I just opened a handful of weeks ago. With business starting really slow, we took a drive over to Ahtanum and passed out some cards Allie made to help spread the word. The following week traffic picked up a bit and seems to continue to grow.”

  “That’s great news. There are some doctors in these parts, but having you close by is a blessing. Sometimes you are just too sick or things are too urgent to have to head to North Yakima.” Bill stated, scooping a second helping into his dish.

  Allie was enjoying her meal and watching the interactions between the other three. She was thankful that Frank didn’t give away anything of her past. She would share that information when she was good and ready to those whom she chose to share it.

  “Allie, dear, tell me a bit about you,” Belle urged, playing hostess and including all her guests to join the conversation.

  Allie set her spoon down and folded her hands in her lap finishing her last bite.

  “Right now, I’m enjoying being a doctor’s wife, but I will back up a bit. Around the same time Frank left for his schooling I started working at a restaurant in town. I waited tables for a while to help my folks out financially. My parents are farmers. I have a brother, Andrew. He suffered an injury several years ago and now will always be a child in his mind.” Allie stopped afraid she perhaps should have kept that back.

  “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry to hear that. Your parents must have been devastated.” Belle placed her hand on the table close to Allie.

  “They were originally. Pa had great dreams for his son someday taking over the farm. They have settled to the new path that is before them, though, and are very thankful he is still with them. He is a sweet boy. I miss him dearly.”

  “Your parents sound like good folks,” Bill commented.

  Allie never saw a man eat so fast. She continued eating, feeling a bit rushed by it. Belle was still enjoying her food at a leisurely pace and that helped to calm Allie. The rest of the meal finished with little more of Allie’s past and mostly with small talk.

  The Geoffrey’s wanted to make sure the Hubbard’s knew as much as possible of this area, its history and people. Dinner was pleasant and, when finished, Allie helped Belle clear the table. She had tea ready for the four of them to enjoy after dinner.

  “It was a wonderful meal and I’m so happy to have met you both,” Allie said as she and Frank stood to leave.

  “Oh, heavens, I’m just sorry I didn’t invite you earlier. Shame on me for not being neighborly,” Belle chided herself as she walked them to the door.

  Bill shook Frank’s hand again. He seemed to be as genuine as Belle.

  “Good to meet you. I’ll come straight away should I need any doctoring. I’ll make sure to help spread that word, too.”

  Allie and Frank left elated. They had made new friends in
their new town.

  CHAPTER 9

  Flowers had been blooming for a couple of months. The fields were alive with yellow daffodils, blue and purple irises, dogwoods in shades from white to pink, and the fields of apple trees also joined the mix with branches covered in flowers. Baby bunnies, fawns, and other furry creatures could be seen playing here and there. The land was alive and thriving.

  Allie loved every minute she could spend outside. Inside work was monotonous. She swept, dusted, washed the windows, kept up on the laundry, boiled the water and prepared the food. Without little hands causing dirt, though, she was basically just cleaning things that were already clean, aside from the laundry and cooking of course.

  Frank had turned a small patch of land with a shovel and hoe he’d borrowed from the Wiley’s. It wasn’t a very big space, but it would do the job. After the garden was in, her front picket fence was next on the list. Frank would build it and she would paint it. That is, if he was able to find the time.

  His patient numbers continued to grow. The practice was off to a great start. Some people were able to pay and those who couldn’t, traded. They were mostly given food items, which Allie appreciated. The more they received, the longer she could stay outdoors instead of in the kitchen.

  Frank was concerned, knowing that not everyone was boiling their water like he preferred. He advised all his patients to do so. Some took his word seriously, others thought the way they had done things had been fine, and a change wasn’t needed. Frank hoped they were right, but all signs pointed toward water being the culprit for the growing typhoid issue.

  Frank and Allie were feeling more at home. There had been a handful more invites in the last weeks. Frank and Allie stayed busy many weekend nights, enjoying the company and hospitality of their neighbors. The people were good, hard-working folks, mostly.

  The church ladies asked her to join the quilting group. Allie wasn’t a skilled quilter, but she could do a decent basic job. She was excited to have something regular to look forward to and knew that her quilting skills would greatly improve with all the practice.