by Kit Morgan
“What?” Oswald said in shock. “Surely you’re not going to let this… this… amateur take over for you?”
“Of course, I am. Ye dinna think I’d be in the same room with the lass while I’m like this do ye? Ye think I wish to catch what she’s got?”
Oswald looked at Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, then Dr. Campbell. “But he doesn’t know what he’s doing!”
“Of course, he does. Who d’ye think taught him everything he knows, ye cloit heid!”
Oswald swallowed hard. Doc did his best not to enjoy his discomfort and instead headed for the stairs. He wanted to see Sarah and now. It might be the last time.
“Oh!” Oswald cried.
Mrs. Chambers gasped. “Oswald, what is it?”
“It’s my stomach,” he said, a hand over his belly. “I don’t … oh!”
Doc shook his head. Oswald was obviously trying to keep him downstairs. Unfortunately, it worked.
“Waller, see what ye can do for the man!” Dr. Campbell bellowed.
“Oh dear, oh dear!” Mrs. Chambers said and turned this way and that. “I suppose you could examine him in one of the upstairs guest rooms.”
Doc smiled. “No need. Besides, if he has something really bad, I wouldn’t want to put Miss Clemmons or Miss Chambers in danger.”
“You’re quite right,” Mr. Chambers said. “Our Elizabeth is upstairs with Miss Clemmons even now. Heaven forbid she catch something too!”
Oswald grimaced and grabbed his gut with both hands. “Ugh!”
Doc had to admit the man was a superb actor. “Come along, Petite, let’s use …” he smiled. “The morning room.”
“The morning room?” Oswald said with a grimace.
“Aye, toss him on the table and examine him there,” Dr. Campbell said then turned to Mr. Chambers. “I’ve a wee chill. Ye wouldna happen to have anything to warm a body, would ye?”
“Er, uh, I’ve some brandy in the library.” He looked at his wife, shrugged, then said, “Follow me.”
He led the doctor down the hall and disappeared. Doc took Oswald by the arm and headed for the morning room. “Come on, Petite. Let’s find what ails you.” To his surprise, Oswald didn’t argue.
They reached the morning room and just as he thought, the dishes had been cleared and the table was empty. “Hop up and lie down,” he instructed.
Oswald smiled. Here it comes.
“Very well,” Doc said. “Out with it.”
“I’m to marry Miss Clemmons.”
Doc’s heart plummeted to his toes. “What?”
Oswald’s smile broadened. “Her parents have given their full consent.”
Doc took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I see.” He glanced toward the hall. “I take it Elizabeth doesn’t know?”
Oswald stiffened. “She can find out when the rest of the public does. Right now, this is between the Clemmons, Sarah and myself.”
“Then why are you telling me?”
Oswald straightened. “Because I want to.”
“Hmm, well, now you have. Get on the table.”
Oswald smiled. “So, tell me. What do you think of Miss Clemmons now?”
Doc fought the urge to punch him in the face. The sacred oath of do no harm entered unbidden. He wished it hadn’t. “Do you want me to examine you or not?”
Oswald laughed, then promptly doubled over in pain. “Oh!”
Doc’s eyes widened. “Great Scott, you’re not faking!”
“Nooo,” he groaned. “I’m not.” He staggered to the table.
Doc noted a fine sheen of sweat covered his brow. “Get on the table, Petite. Now.”
Oswald complied and rolled onto the morning table, his hands on his belly. “Gad!”
“When did the pain start?”
“Yesterday,” he said through gritted teeth.
Doc had him sit up, helped him off with his frock coat and tossed it aside. He then went to a nearby chair, grabbed a cushion, and put it on the table to act as a pillow. “Here, lie down.”
Oswald didn’t argue as he groaned again and laid himself on the table surface. “Get Dr. Campbell!”
“I’m afraid the good doctor is imbibing at the moment. You’re stuck with me.”
“Ohhhh,” Oswald moaned and made a horrible face.
Doc’s mind raced over the possibilities, his biggest fear cholera. He’d have to remove Sarah posthaste and take her home. “Any nausea or vomiting?”
“No!”
“What about …”
“Doc!”
He turned. Sarah stood in the doorway with Elizabeth Chambers. “Sarah, stay back! You too, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth took one look at Oswald and gasped. “Oswald!”
Oswald looked at her, and despite his obvious pain, smiled at the use of his Christian name. “Miss Chambers …”
She turned to Doc with a frantic look. “What’s wrong with him?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out. Now if you ladies would please leave …”
“Ughhh!” Oswald cried.
“No, I can’t!” Elizabeth said. “Oswald!”
Sarah rubbed one temple and shook her head. Doc glanced between the women. “Elizabeth really is sweet on Oswald,” he stated.
Sarah nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”
He watched Oswald’s face. He looked at Elizabeth Chambers like she was some angel of mercy. But if the feeling was mutual then …
He turned to Sarah. “Miss Clemmons. May I be the first to congratulate you on your recent engagement.”
Her eyes popped wide. So did Elizabeth’s. So did Oswald’s for that matter, though the latter was in no shape to comment. Sarah, on the other hand …
Sarah stared at Doc. He knew! How did he find out? She looked at Oswald, his hands to his belly, staring at Elizabeth like she was his only lifeline. Then why did he ask for Sarah’s hand in marriage?
Her hands went to her hips as she looked from one person to the next. She wasn’t going to be able to puzzle this out on her own. “Oswald, what is going on?”
“Stomach pains, that’s what,” Doc said.
Sarah snapped to attention. She’d been so busy trying to figure out her so-called engagement, she forgot something was obviously wrong with Oswald. Why else would he be lying on Elizabeth’s morning table? “Symptoms?”
“I’m still trying to gather them.” He put his hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders and steered her away from the table. “Would you kindly stay out of the way? I must examine the man. Better yet, leave.”
Elizabeth grabbed Sarah by the hand and went to the other side of the table. She wasn’t leaving any time soon. Doc shook his head and went back to examining his patient.
Sarah held Elizabeth’s hand as they watched Doc do his work. Was it cholera? Oh, please not that ascites! She’d read about it. Oswald’s stomach did look distended. Oh dear, was Doc going to pull up the man’s shirt? “Perhaps we should leave,” she suggested.
“No!” Elizabeth said and gripped her arm.
Sarah exchanged a knowing look with Doc. The girl had it bad. At least they still shared that knowledge between them. She put an arm around Elizabeth. “Doc has to examine Oswald and that may entail disrobing.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth said and blushed. “I … suppose …”
She began to steer her toward the door. “By the way,” she said when she got near enough to whisper to Doc. “I’m not engaged.”
“What?” Oswald said and tried to sit up.
Doc held him down. “Mr. Petite doesn’t share your opinion.”
“Excuse me?” Elizabeth said. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing!” Oswald said and pushed himself up by the elbows. “Don’t listen to them.”
Sarah eyed him. The man might have a bellyache, but he also had his pride. Which would he pick, his pride or Elizabeth? “Oswald, are we engaged?”
Oswald’s eyes bulged before his shoulders hunched with pain. “Yeesssnnnoooyeeesssnnooo …”
“Oh, do something!” Elizabeth cried. “Can’t you see he’s in agony?”
“Yes, and I’m beginning to suspect why,” Doc said with a frown. “When was the last time you moved your bowels?”
“What has that got to do with anything?” he snapped then fell against the cushion.
“Everything,” Doc said. He glanced at Sarah. “I suspect a hindrance of the intestines caused by over indulgence.”
Oswald’s head popped up. “What’s that?”
Doc and Sarah ignored him. “Really?” She walked around to the other side of the table. “Oswald does like his food.” She looked at Doc. “I’ve seen him eat at balls and parties enough to know.”
“Miss Clemmons!” Oswald said and tried to sit up again.
Doc put his hands on the table and leaned toward her, blocking him. “So, are you engaged?”
She stared at him. Why did he care? Unless … “Shouldn’t you be tending your patient?”
He leaned further. “I …” he stopped, wrinkled his nose, and then sniffed the air.
Sarah backed away, red faced.
Doc leaned toward her as far as he could and sniffed again. “Ah ha! You had the garlic toast I suggested.”
Her eyes went wide. She raised an arm to her face and sniffed. “Oh, goodness!”
“Yes, I forgot to warn you. Sorry about that.”
“You’ll be sorry if you don’t take care of me!” Oswald threatened with a grimace.
Doc shook his head. “Fine.” He poked and prodded around the man’s stomach. “So, you’re not engaged to Miss Clemmons?”
“No! I’m not!” Oswald cried.
Doc looked at him and smiled. “Oh, really? What about earlier? Did I hear wrong then?”
Oswald glared at him, eyes narrowed to slits.
“Yes, Oswald,” Elizabeth said in a weak voice. “What’s this all about?”
Oswald’s eyes softened. “Actually, I did speak with Miss Clemmons’ parents …” He stopped as Doc pressed a hand hard against his belly. His eyes popped wide, followed by a large amount of flatulence.
Sarah’s hands flew to her mouth as Doc went about the business of relieving his patient of what ailed him.
Elizabeth stood, mortified. Until she got a whiff of her own hands, then an arm, and exchanged a look with Sarah. “Garlic. Ew.”
Oswald sounded off again.
“That’s not all,” Sarah said and waved a hand in front of her face.
“All right! I confess!” Oswald wailed. “I couldn’t stand the thought of Waller courting you!” He looked at Sarah. “You’re too good for him.”
“Am I?” She leaned over him. “Shouldn’t I be the judge of that? And what gives you the right to get my parents’ hopes up? Were you even jealous?”
Oswald cringed, passed more wind, and shook his head with a grimace.
Sarah put a hand over her nose and mouth and just as quickly took it away. She wasn’t sure what was worse, she and Elizabeth, or Oswald. “So, you did it on a whim?”
“I … I …” Oswald cringed again, but kept control of himself. “I’m sorry. But I could tell he had intentions.”
Sarah looked at Doc. He stared at her, waiting, but for what? She swallowed hard and gave her attention back to Oswald. “And what would you say if I told you I had intentions too?”
Doc slowly turned to her as Oswald looked at Elizabeth. “I was wrong,” Oswald said and glanced between the two women. His eyes settled on Elizabeth again. “I’m a fool. Forgive me?”
Elizabeth glanced between Doc and Sarah. “I’m still not sure what’s going on, but … let me think on it? I need time to understand.”
“I understand,” Doc said. He turned to Sarah. “I understand perfectly.” He cleared his throat and straightened. “Marry me.”
“What?” She fell against the table, steadied herself and stood. “Excuse me?”
Doc went around the table, got down on one knee, and took her hands in his. “I know I’m not like Petite. I’m not a rich man, I don’t belong in your social circles, but by golly, I’m a man who can take care of you, Sarah Clemmons. You’re everything I could hope for in a woman. You’re sweet, kind, generous, and you want to heal people as I do.” He stood, cupped her face with one hand, and before she could protest, kissed her.
“Oh, Doc,” she said in dismay when he broke the kiss.
“Oh …” his brows shot up. “Sarah. How much garlic did you ingest?”
She gave him a lop-sided smile. “A lot.”
He shook it off, took her in his arms, and brought his face to hers. “It doesn’t matter. None of it matters. Except that I’ve told you how I feel.”
She gazed into his eyes. “And how do you feel?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve fallen in love with you.”
She swallowed hard. “I just wanted to hear you say it.”
His eyes filled with concern. “And you?”
She nodded. “I’ve fallen in love with you too.”
He sighed in relief and tightened his hold. “Then marry me, Sarah Clemmons. Be by my side and work with me. Think of all we can accomplish together.”
She smiled. “I already have.” She threw her arms around him. “Yes! I’ll marry you, Doc Waller.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Oh, Oswald, isn’t this the most romantic thing you’ve ever seen?”
He put a hand to his belly and looked at her. “After a fashion.”
She turned to him. “Are you feeling better?”
“A little. I’ll feel even better when you forgive me for being a dolt.”
She stared at him a moment. “Let me think on it.”
His eyes went to the table. “Yes, of course.”
Doc grinned. “Well, I guess congratulations really are in order. Sarah and I are now engaged!”
Elizabeth pulled her attention from Oswald and smiled. “I can’t wait to tell everyone!”
“Everyone?” Oswald said alarmed.
“Yes, everyone. Can’t you see they’re in love?”
He slowly nodded. “Yes, I can. Congratulations, Waller, Sarah. Forgive me for trying to keep you apart.”
Sarah smiled. “Thank you, Oswald. And you know what? I think you’re going to be all right.”
Doc eyed him. “I concur.” He turned to his future bride and tossing propriety out the window, kissed her soundly.
Epilogue
Vandalia, Illinois, 1822
“It’s a small place, I know,” Doc said as they looked over the tiny hamlet. “But there are a lot of outlying farms.” He turned to Sarah. “Gettysburg must seem like a huge city compared to this.”
“Gettysburg was a hamlet compared to Philadelphia.” She laughed. “But pay it no mind, Doc. You take us where you think we’re needed. No one can argue that you don’t know your doctoring.”
He smiled. “Good old Dr. Campbell. I still can’t believe he left after a few brandies and forgot about you the day I proposed.”
“Or you, for that matter.” She tightened her shawl about her shoulders. It was late October and the days were growing colder. She thought of Philadelphia and her old life. They married there, (much to her mother’s dismay, but she got over it) then stayed until Doc finished his studies. After two years and several letters from Doctor Campbell, he graduated. They lived with her parents during that time, and believe it or not, her mother calmed and grew to love her new son in-law.
But he still had a hankering to go to Missouri or Illinois, both of which had recently joined the statehood. Each was made up of wild country, lots of it. Doc and Sarah, after a couple of years in Gettysburg, worked their way steadily west and stayed in little towns and hamlets when needed. Once bones were set, babies birthed and sickness healed, they’d move on to some other town or village. Where they would go next was anyone’s guess. Maybe they’d go further west. Who knew? Or, could be they’d spend the rest of their lives in Vandalia.
“How do you think the others are doing?” Doc asked.
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br /> “Elizabeth and Oswald, or Ned and Nanette?”
“All of them.”
“I have no idea. I’ve not heard from them for a spell. I hope Oswald’s been behaving himself. Land sakes, I never thought I’d see the day when that polecat straightened out and became good enough for Elizabeth.”
He smiled at her. “Why, Mrs. Waller. You’re sounding more and more like a country woman all the time.”
She grinned. “That’s because I am a country woman. At least now, anyway.” She glanced at the rolling plains around them. “I like the country. I feel like I was born to it.”
“That’s good, because there’s plenty.” He gripped the lines in his hands. “Shall we go see if anyone needs mending?”
Sarah put an arm around her husband and kissed him on the cheek. “Whatever you say. You’re the doctor, after all.”
He smiled. “And you’re my wife who works by my side. I like the sound of that, don’t you?”
She kissed him again. “Always.”
He smiled, gave the horse a slap of leather, and drove them to their new home.
About the Author
Kit Morgan, aka Geralyn Beauchamp, lives in a log cabin in the woods in the wonderful state of Oregon. She grew up riding horses, playing cowboys and Indians and has always had a love of Westerns! She and her father watched many Western movies and television shows together, and enjoyed the quirky characters of Green Acres. Kit’s books have been described as “Green Acres meets Gunsmoke,” and have brought joy and entertainment to thousands of readers. Many of her books are now in audio format, performed by a talented voice actor who brings Kit’s characters to life, and can be found on Amazon, Audible.com and iTunes.
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If you want to read about Grandma and Doc Waller traversing the Oregon Trail, then check out Trail to Clear Creek, part of the multi-author Thanksgiving Books and Blessings Series. Now available for pre-order.