“I could look at it if you want me to, just to make sure?” Why am I nervous about offering that? Of course, Doc wouldn’t mind, he never did. It does feel odd coming back in here, though. Like I’m encroaching on another man’s territory.
“I would love it, Frank. There are a few people here that you could look at with me later this week. Oh…and I wanted to thank you for helping Allie out. Her face is going to heal up fine with your nice stitchery. Shouldn’t leave too big of a scar. If I didn’t know better, I would think your momma used to have you doing some sewing.” Doc raised both eyebrows and tried to hide his grin. That usually meant he thought he was on to something and found that notion quite funny.
Frank blushed a bit. “You’re right, there. My mother thought it was important for me to know how to stitch up a few things along with a few other household chores. I guess knowing I was college bound and wouldn’t settle down for a while, she decided I needed some basic skills to get me by before I took a wife. Living in a logging camp, I sure have put those skills to use. You wouldn’t believe how many times I have had to stitch up my own socks. I put more holes in those now than I ever did when I was a boy.”
Doc patted him on the back. “You’re a good man, Frank! Good man! So, what brings you by today?”
“I just wanted to say hello and see if you needed me for anything. Pa has me working the books and my head is going to explode if I can’t get away from them,” Frank confessed, running his hand through his hair. He sighed to exaggerate the point.
“Sure thing. Like I said, there are a few patients you could come give a second opinion on later this week if you want. First one’s due in Thursday around eleven. That one, I only need you to agree with me. Mrs. Wimble is a stubborn one. Hoping you and I can gang up on her.” Doc tugged on his beard.
“Sounds good, I’ll be back by then…if not sooner. Headed out to go check on Allie.” With that Frank put his hat on his head and reached out to shake Doc’s hand.
Doc returned the hand shake. “Good! That will save me a trip. Remind her, though, I want her to come into town soon, so I can check on her again.”
“Will do, Doc. Thanks!” Frank walked out into the sunshine and headed straight for Allie’s home.
CHAPTER 11
Allie found the cool water of the creek that ran out back of her home to be heaven sent. Not only was it stuffy in the house for March, but her family was a bit stifling as well. She knew they cared for her, but she needed time to think. She couldn’t do it when someone was hovering over her everywhere she turned…like she was fragile and about to break.
The mighty pine that stood next to the creek was sometimes her only friend. It would hold her up when she leaned against it and fell apart. This was her spot. She would come here often during her childhood. Anytime she wanted to get away for a while. The side corner of the house could still be seen up the hill…but barely. That meant no one could see her. She used to climb up the tree and sit among the needles, like a bird. A few daring times, she undressed and took a dip. It was still too cold for that. Here she could think and look for answers in the gushing flow of the water, rustling of the needles, and whispers of the gentle breeze like the one blowing today.
Allie made it home. That was her plan. Now what? She hadn’t thought this far. It seemed like such a feat to just get away, that her mind couldn’t even fathom the idea of the plan actually working and being here now. She had a few options, but none of them sounded great: go back and make do, kill him and become a widow, or divorce. The first wouldn’t work of course. Once she went back, he would see fit that she never saw another day herself. And, that would make him a free man to snare another victim.
She supposed she couldn’t kill him, either. That one did sound promising, but she would just trade one form of chains for another. Divorce was the only half-decent choice. That word was not spoken aloud much around here, and when it was it came from the husband, never the wife. The law allowed for wives to divorce their husbands and there were some that went through with it, but she only heard about it through hushed whispers. She was wrestling with the idea of it when she heard steps approaching.
Frank knew right where she would be when Ma couldn’t find her. The creek was a common place for Allie and he had found her here many times in the past. He could watch her all day, but knew, for her sake, he needed to approach and let her know he was there.
“Hi, Allie,” he said as he walked over and sat next to her.
“Hi, back,” she said only turning her head slightly in his direction.
Frank reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny penny. “Penny for your thoughts?”
She took the penny so she could have something to fiddle with while they talked. It was a game he used to play with her. He would give her the penny to pay for her thoughts and when she was done she would give it back to buy his response. How she wished she could go back to those times where her problems were much simpler. “Just sitting here thinking about my options.”
“And what options would those be? Which way to inflict revenge on Gladys for stealing me from you when we got off the train?” His voice sounded like he was playing, but his face was serious.
Allie held the penny and her fingers to her mouth stifling a laugh. “No, but that was quite rude. I wonder if she has figured out who you were looking for yet. I bet my story has spread through town like wild fire by now.”
“I didn’t hear anything, but I also don’t get out much. My parents have kept me busy until today—when I forced my way out. Went to see Doc. He says to remind you that he wants you to come and see him. You okay?” He leaned into her and nudged her shoulder with his own.
Her heart gave a hiccup. “Yes, yes! I’m fine. Just wants to double-check me is all, I guess.”
“Well then, let me have a gander at your face? I want to see how it’s healing up. He tugged on her chin and encouraged her to turn her head. He held her eyes in his own for a moment. Tried to peer into the depths of her thoughts, but she was always a deep thinker. He never could quite pin-point where her thoughts took her.
“Your bruising is looking good. It’s turning lighter in color and there aren’t too many broken veins showing. That stitching looks pretty good, too, but I might be bragging about that!” He gave her a wink. “How are you feeling?”
Frank was a fine-looking man. If he only knew about her childhood crush! Maybe…maybe her life would have gone differently. She tried to shake the thought from her head without him knowing her mind was elsewhere right now.
“I’m okay. My face doesn’t hurt anymore, and I can look in the mirror a little easier.” She ducked her head. Why she said that, she had no clue. Quickly changing the subject away from her face, she added, “My ankle is still sore, but I can tell it is improving.”
“You know…putting it in the creek a bit might help.” He motioned for her to take off her shoe and stick her foot in the cool stream of water.
Once she settled her foot in the water, he asked, “Are you worried he’ll show up here?”
“Who? Eddie? No! He’s more of a coward than anything. He knows I have many people here to fuss over me and wouldn’t come waltzing back in trying to take me back by force. He’ll sit back and wait for me. He knows I have few choices.” She relaxed back a bit more letting the cool water soothe the ache.
Frank hesitated and cleared his throat. “You know he can take you by force. Right? A lawman can do that for him…or supervise him doing it. Law’s on his side, not yours, in this situation. Sure, enough people here would fight for you. But in the end, you can’t fight the law.”
A sob bubbled up out of her and Frank wrapped her in his arms. They stayed that way for a while until she calmed down some. Through her tears she agreed. “I know. I’ve always known. That’s what kept me from leaving for so long. I wanted to leave the first day he hit me, but knew it was pointless. I just…I just had to try, you know?”
“You are strong, Allie. Probably one of the stron
ger women…people…I know. Even back before Eddie, the way you stepped up to care for your family was heroic. There has got to be a way and I will help you find it.” He tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear. “What were you thinking about when I came?”
“My options: go back willingly, kill him, or divorce him. They would all amount to killing myself.” She pulled her head against her bent knee. “I don’t love him…never did. I thought in the beginning maybe I could. He was good looking and a smooth talker, but the hitting came on very fast. It didn’t allow me a chance to truly fall in love with him.”
Allie wanted to continue, telling him he was the one she loved, but why would he love her back? Sure, they were friends…had been for a long time. But, she was a married woman who would either remain married and untouchable, widowed and in prison, or divorced–ruining her chance for any kind of decent future. She would be branded the rest of her life.
Frank sat quietly for a long while tossing her choices around in his head. The first was not an option, if he had any say about it. The second she couldn’t do but wouldn’t mean he couldn’t. And the third, well, that one seemed the best for now. “You should talk to Sheriff Griffin. Let him share some insight into your “options.”
“I probably should…just to be on the watch in case I am wrong in what I think he might do.” Her brows pinched together making worry lines on her forehead.
“Come on. Your foot has been in the water long enough. Time to take it out and dry it off.” He assisted her while she placed her shoe back on her foot and stood.
“Thanks, you didn’t solve my problem this time. Does that mean I get to keep your penny?” She smirked in a teasing way.
“Keep it, I gave it to you in the first place remember?” He took her hands in his. “Time for me to be going now. My mother will be pacing before too long if I don’t get back. Can’t share me for nothing, can they?” He gave a wink and walked back up the hill.
She fell back down and stifled her tears in her skirt.
CHAPTER 12
Time passed and Allie decided she should check in with Doc. She didn’t want to. But knowing him, if she let any more time pass he would show up out here and she would not have the privacy she desired. Her ankle had improved immensely in the few days she had been back. Rest and cooling it in the creek was helping.
Walking into town wouldn’t be too painful now. With the bruises subsiding, she could show her face and not be too embarrassed by what others might see. Powder would have helped more, but she did not want to be associated with those who chose to wear that. She had heard rumors of some women back east beginning to wear powders and blushes, but that hadn’t trickled out to the far reaches of Montana yet.
Only those in certain industries wore it out here. Why anyone would want to cover up their natural appearance daily was beyond her—until recently. Some women had reason to hide. This she understood all too well now. Maybe those women who worked questionable jobs and allowed their bodies to be used also had reasons to hide. Life was not what she thought it was when she was just a girl. She had received quite the education over the past several months.
The walk was not long, but it was beautiful. Many of the birds had returned from their winter travels and could be heard in every direction. She loved this time of year. Spring was a new beginning. Everything was coming back to life. For Allie, the colors seemed more vibrant than normal. They were almost calling to her…letting her know she could take hold of her life and it could be more colorful than it had been in recent months. Of course, that could be attributed to the fact that spring had come early this year. Everything had grown more by now than in years past. She would need summer clothes before too long, if the weather kept this pace up.
Allie needed to do a little shopping for Ma while in town. Ma had sent her with a list and some coins…and told her to go to the restaurant and buy herself a sandwich while in town. She knew she was just trying to get her out and back with her friends. Allie had put a protective shell on and Ma was going to try to bring her out of it any way she could. Since money was so tight and Ma was suggesting this, she knew she would go to any means to achieve her goal. Allie was in for it. When Ma set her mind to something, she always got what she wanted. What Allie wanted was more time to think about her future. She wanted time alone, but she couldn’t fault Ma. Allie knew Ma just wanted what was best for her.
Town was at the peak of the midday bustle. First, she would go to Doc’s and see if he was free. Then she would run her other errands. And Doc’s office was closer than the grocer. Maybe she wouldn’t be seen just yet. Keeping her head down, she made her way as quickly as possible to his office and let herself into the waiting room. No one was in the waiting room, but she could hear voices coming from the exam room. She sat and waited quietly for whoever was in there to finish.
It didn’t take long before Allie heard a voice she would rather not hear…Mrs. Wimble. “Oh, good morning dear! I heard a rumor you were back in town. Just visiting your parents for a while?”
Allie could tell she was trying to sound sincere, but she knew all Mrs. Wimble wanted was gossip and she refused to give her more than what she could outright see across her face. “Yes, I am back as you can see. That rumor is true. I am at my parents’ house, but I don’t know for sure how long I’ll be staying.” This wasn’t a lie. She knew she could be hauled back to Idaho by her bully of a husband at any time.
Frank pushed through the doors as he spoke to Doc over his shoulder. “I will just make the notes in the book out front for her next appointment. Ah! Allie! What a pleasant surprise.”
Frank drew the attention of both women. The grin on his face calmed Allie’s nerves a bit and she certainly didn’t mind that he was here right now. “Hello, Frank!” Allie kept her eyes on Frank and she could feel Mrs. Wimble staring a hole in the side of her head.
“Well, then! I must be going now,” said Mrs. Wimble with a defeated sigh. “Allie, I do hope we can catch up another time. Tell your mother hello for me.”
With her eyes still on Frank, Allie replied, “I will, Mrs. Wimble…a pleasure as always.” She and Frank both stifled a giggle.
“Allie, are you here for your check up?” Frank looked at the schedule and finished entering Mrs. Wimble’s name for two weeks out.
“If Doc has time for me. Are you staying awhile?” Her heart started beating louder in her ears. She could not go through with this exam if Frank was anywhere near this building.
Frank’s brows drew together. “I was just going to head over to my house and grab a bite for lunch, but I would enjoy your company more. Would you care to go to lunch with me after you see Doc?” He could clearly see her nervousness.
Allie tried to steady her hands by intertwining her fingers. “That would be lovely. After I finish here, I was going to grab a bite and then head to fill Ma’s list before returning home.”
“Good, good! I will scoot over to let my mother know I won’t be there. I’ll come back here and pick you up in a little while and we can visit over lunch.” He reached for his hat and placed it on his head with a slight nod in her direction.
With a deep sigh that Frank was gone, Allie slumped in the chair to wait for Doc, which didn’t take long.
“Hello, Allie. I am glad you came. I was going to come find you if you hadn’t shown up by tomorrow. Just finished straightening the exam room. Come on back?” He said it with a question, but Allie could hear an underlining order in his tone. It was clear he was worried about something.
They made their way back and Doc closed the door behind them. There was no window in this room, so Doc had two lamps burning. “Allie. I’m going to need to do an extensive exam on you. Could you please remove your shoes and outer layers?”
She was nervous. His tone was not settling and increased her fear that something was indeed wrong. “Of course, Doc, I’ll only be a moment.”
“Thank you. You can step behind the screen, if you wish, and I will wait for you righ
t here.” He turned his back providing more privacy for her.
Undressing quickly, she returned to lay on the table. “I am ready, Doctor.”
Doc turned and walked next to Allie. Starting at her head, he examined the stitches and bruising. Then he bypassed her midsection and moved down to her ankle moving it in small circles.
“Things are progressing nicely, I would say. Your ankle seems much better. The swelling is completely gone, and the little movements don’t seem to bother you so much. Your bruising is also greatly improved and won’t be visible before too long. As for the stitches, those will need to be removed in a few days. That gash is healing nicely. I think Frank should do the honors of removing them since he had the privilege of placing them. What do you think?” He took one step back and clasped his hands behind his back.
“That would be fine Doc, are we finished?” Allie asked, but knew the answer already.
“No dear, not yet.” I must do an abdominal exam first. When did you say your last monthlies were?” He placed his hands on her lower abdomen and gently palpated it.
“A few weeks ago. I had bleeding that lasted for over a week and was quite heavy and painful. Now, I just spot sometimes, nothing I thought to worry about.” Allie closed her eyes wondering what was coming next.
“Your uterus seems larger than it should be. Allie, I need to examine you internally.” Doc urged her knees up and apart while she stiffened her muscles and fought him. “Allie, I must do this. I’ll be gentle, but I think you may have had a miscarriage that didn’t completely take.”
Shocked, Allie pulled herself up on her elbows. “What can you do?”
“If my suspicions are correct, I will need to put you out and perform a simple procedure to remove any remaining tissue. Right now, I need you to lie back and take deep calming breaths. This part will be uncomfortable but shouldn’t hurt.” He began by inserting his fingers to investigate internally. “Just as I suspected. I want you to remain where you are. I am going to find Frank, so he can assist with the next step.”
By His Hand Page 5