A Christmas Miracle

by Phyliss Miranda

  “I apologize. I’m not used to having a man around.”

  “And I’m not accustomed to having a woman tell me what to do.” He rewarded her with a shy, almost boyish, grin that disarmed her.

  No doubt, she had more than she could handle with Dr. Grant Spencer.

  Chapter 5

  Just as Grant predicted, the next forty-eight hours were long and weary, with neither he nor Mattie Jo getting much rest. As a doctor, he had to set his emotions aside and treat Katie as he would any other patient. And he had to try to treat Mattie Jo as any other family member, while at the same time, fighting his attraction to the sassy Texan.

  Grant wasn’t too surprised when Violet didn’t return his buggy the next day after he’d sent her back to town. The snow got deeper by the hour, and he didn’t want her walking to work, as he knew she’d insist upon. In truth, he was happy she didn’t return.

  Every waking minute had been spent giving Katie the treatments as he’d outlined.

  One moment he’d feel sure he had made the right diagnosis, while at other times, he wasn’t so certain. He sat at the kitchen table going over the little girl’s symptoms. He felt comfortable in ruling out scarlet fever; yet, the enormity of her symptoms and whether he was missing something weighed heavy on his mind. What if he hadn’t been able to ‘see the trees for the forest’, a saying his father always used. Then, he’d tell Grant to look at one tree at a time, and then each limb until he found his answers. That’s the way he’d always managed his patients when a specific diagnosis wasn’t obvious. He might feel a little unconfident, even uncomfortable, with women unless they were his patient…but never as a doctor.

  Sipping coffee, he went through Katie’s symptoms one more time. He’d kept abreast of all the newest medical treatment and felt certain he was on the correct path with Katie. Yes, he concluded, she definitely had the measles, and the course of action being taken was the right one.

  Being around Mattie Jo was driving him crazy. She was one of the most caring people he believed he’d ever met besides his mother and sister. Discounting the fact that her father was on the run, Grant wanted to know why the people of Carroll Creek seemed to dislike Mattie Jo so much. Surely, working as a waitress at the Longhorn wasn’t the whole reason. Grant had been in Lucas’s establishment and played some cards. The saloon was more of a place where gentlemen could congregate, swap war stories and enjoy their favorite beverage without being bothered by ruffians. Obviously, Lucas had been forced to set up shop next to the rowdy saloon as far from the main part of town as possible. The only reason he could think of that the people wouldn’t want Mattie Jo as part of the community was because of the sins of her father.

  He looked at his pocket watch and jotted down the time on the piece of paper he used to keep track of when he’d given aspirin to Katie. He’d brought the packet of powder to the kitchen for safekeeping, away from childish hands. He took out the aspirin powder and dropped another dose into a mixture of warm water and honey. He returned his black medical bag to the shelf in the kitchen where he’d been keeping it out of the reach of the child.

  As much as Grant didn’t want to wake Mattie Jo, it was time for him to give Katie her medicine. He went to the bedroom and quietly opened the door.

  To his shock, Mattie Jo kneeled beside the bed and held her sister’s hand. Mattie Jo’s face was thrust into the quilt covering the bed, and soft, muffled sobs floated through the air.

  “Mattie Jo,” he said softly, but she didn’t move.

  Taking her hand, he helped her up. She fell into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder. He could feel the tears soak through his shirt. He had experience in consoling a loved one, but this was different. Slipping his arms around her, he pulled her tight to him.

  “Please don’t cry,” he whispered. “I honestly believe she’s turned the corner and is improving. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  “I know you wouldn’t, and I pray you’re right,” she whispered, her hands on his chest. “I only have enough money to pay you for the two days you’ve already been here, due to the generosity of Lucas and two men playing cards at the Longhorn. I know you have others to tend to, so you’ll have to go back to town when Violet returns your buggy.”

  “Money isn’t the reason I came to this town. I came to help people—and you need me.” He took his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped away her tears. “I’ll be here as long as this takes, Mattie Jo, whether it’s only until morning or an eternity. I promise.”

  Mattie Jo’s eyes were filled with such gratitude that he felt overwhelmed. A burning need to kiss away her tears and worries consumed him, but now wasn’t the time to let his desires take over. The care of his patient had to be his number one priority. He hoped and prayed that once the crisis was over, he could continue his friendship with Miss Mattie Jo Ashley…But with what he was feeling now, he hoped for much more than ‘friendship’ with her.

  Grant conjured up all the strength he had not to kiss her. “I’ve got a bottle ready, so if you’d like to give it to her, I’ll brew some tea. I want you to drink a cup, then go to bed. I’ll watch over Katie while you rest.”

  “But you need to rest, too.”

  “I will, after you get some.” He accepted his handkerchief she offered and walked to the kitchen where he put on a kettle of water.

  ****

  Before the tea had time to steep, Mattie Jo walked into the kitchen and slipped into a chair.

  With elbows resting on the table, she held her face with her hands and kept a sharp eye on Grant. “She took all of the bottle, and even opened her eyes and gave me a little smile. She didn’t cough as much and seems to be less congested.”

  “That’s good news. Did you notice any more spots on her body?”

  “Yes. They’re all over her stomach and back.”

  Setting the cups and the teapot on the table, Grant said, “Well, it looks like we’re on the downhill side and she’s progressing exactly as I prayed she would.” He poured tea in Mattie Jo’s cup, then his. “That’s the good news. Now, for the bad news…”

  By the look on her face that screamed she couldn’t take more bad news, he wished he could take back his comment. Quickly, he continued, “That didn’t come out the way I intended. I mean that she needs to be isolated for another three to four days, so the bad news is that you’re stuck with me.”

  Relief shrouded her face. “I’m so thankful she’ll be okay. I don’t have the money to pay for more house calls, but I’ll clean your office, take on extra shifts at the Longhorn or do anything I can to come up with enough money to pay you for what you’ve already done,” she said with a voice he could barely hear. “Can I take care of her myself?”

  “I’ve already told you that I’m staying around for the time being.” He walked to the only window in the kitchen. “I know I haven’t been in Texas long, but from the looks of the snow that has fallen, unless you have a sled, I’ll be staying here until spring.”

  She nearly turned over her chair as she rushed to the window and stared outside. “I don’t think it’ll be until spring, but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen this much snow come down so fast.”

  Looking up at him, he enjoyed the first true smile he’d seen on her face since he met her.

  “Looks like we’ve got a lot of time on our hands, so let’s have tea and get to know one another,” Grant held a chair for her. “Katie is sound asleep, and you’re going to find a comfortable place and sleep until I wake you up.”

  She slid into the chair and took a sip of tea. “Tastes good.”

  Once he was seated, not wanting to bombard her with questions, he decided to begin the conversation with telling her about his family.

  “I’m a third generation doctor with a nurse for a mother. My father was a member of the Bucktails in the war where he met my mother, who was a nurse.”

  “Bucktails? I’ve never heard of them.”

  “Union’s Thirteenth Pennsylvanian Reserves. That was t
heir nickname because new recruits had to show the tail of a buck as proof they could shoot with skill.” He leaned back in his chair. “My grandfather is a war hero. Fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, where over fifty thousand men died. And, I have a brother who is also a doctor. My baby brother is a lawyer, while the youngest followed Mother’s footsteps and is a nurse.” Suddenly he felt sheepish telling her about the undertakings of his family and wished he could take back his words. He was extremely proud of his family, although he always felt overshadowed with their accomplishments. “Now you can see why I feel awkward around my family. They’ve been so successful—”

  “Grant, you are successful yourself. You might not be a war hero, but you’re my hero.” She gave him a soft and caring smile.

  The compliment wasn’t lost on Grant. “I appreciate that. Let’s talk about your family. Tell me about your mother?”

  She folded her arms and looked him straight in the eyes. “Don’t you really want to know about my outlaw father?”

  “Tell me whatever you want me to know, and if you’d prefer not to discuss any of it, I understand. I didn’t mean to pry. I have a couple of people in my family that I left out.” He tried to smile, not wanting to make light of the conversation. Although, she didn’t seem the least bit reticent about sharing.

  “I apologize for being rude, Grant.” She offered a shy, yet confident smile. “Most people find a man running from the law a whole bunch more interesting than a wonderful mother.”

  “I’m interested in you and that makes me interested in your whole family.”

  “Okay, my mother was a school teacher before she and my father married. They were both from back East … I’m sure that surprises you.”

  “Why would it? You’re obviously an educated woman with values. The War Between the States ended years ago, and I don’t plan on keeping it going. I suspect you don’t want to, either.” He sipped on his tea.

  “My father never did anything that would hurt anybody. He did what he had to do for his family. Yes, I’m furious with him over robbing the bank, and at times, feel I never want to see him again. But since Katie got so sick, I’m beginning to see things a little more clearly.”

  “Emmett Matthews told me your mother died giving birth to Katie.”

  “Yes. I delivered her. Since the only mid-wife wasn’t available to help me, I did the birthing by myself.” She cast her eyes downward.

  “That had to be hard. But, I’ve seen something special in you that I’ve only seen in two other women—my mother and my sister, who are both nurses.”

  She looked up and eyes the color of jade stared at him. “What are you saying?”

  “You’re a natural to be a nurse. You have that special something that I can’t describe, except for the highest compassion I’ve seen in a long time. I suspect that you did what you could to help your mother. And you’ve done a wonderful job raising your brother and little sister.”

  “Grant, I did everything I knew how to do. Mother was educated and told me exactly how to proceed, but once she began bleeding so heavily after Katie was born, I didn’t know what to do. I sent Brady into town to get the mid-wife, but by the time he got back, Mother was gone.” She picked up her cup, but didn’t take a drink. It was as if she held onto it as an anchor. “Lucas made the casket for Mother.”

  As if wanting to change the subject, she continued, “My father isn’t a bad man. Yes, he robbed the bank, but it was because they took our land. He and Mother thought this town was perfect for them. He bought this parcel of land, which at the time, had a lot more acreage. When he fell on hard times and couldn’t make the payments, they took the land away from him, leaving us only this little tiny lot. It took him months, but finally he got the money together. He went to the bank and paid the money. They said he owed more, and wouldn’t give him our land back. I don’t know what happened, nobody does, but he ended up taking back what he thought was his. I think he couldn’t stand the shame he’d once again force his family to endure. He ran out of town when the sheriff showed up. Mother was forced to go to work for Lucas to support us. She died of a broken heart more than anything.”

  “I understand, believe it or not. When Katie is better, I want you to come to work for me. I can use an extra pair of hands. You can bring the baby with you. I have plenty of room, and will make a place for her away from the people coming into the office.”

  “As much as I wish I could say yes, I can’t. The citizens would only run you out of town because of me. Look at the way they acted when they learned you were going to help Katie.”

  “Let me worry about that. I’m tougher than I might act and they need me, so if I say it’s okay, it’s okay. Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

  “I’ll think about it.” She got up and picked up their cups and set them on the cabinet. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she noticed the small cedar tree in the corner that he had cut down the evening before. “What is that tree doing here?”

  “When Katie gets well and the rash goes away, which should be by Christmas day, I want her to have a Christmas tree.” He felt a bottomless peace and happiness at the look on her face. “And, I wanted one for you, too. You go get some sleep. I found a couple of boards and some nails out in the mudroom, so I can build a little stand.”

  Without warning, Mattie Jo walked up to him and threw her arms around his neck. A vaguely sensuous light passed between them. To his own surprise, he found himself kissing her. Not just a thank you kiss, but a full-fledged wanting kiss that sent lightning strikes throughout his body. He had to fight his overwhelming need to be close to her, but common sense kicked in. As much as he didn’t want to, he released her.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” he said.

  “Do you want to take the kiss back?”

  “No,” he answered, his voice rough. He gave a short laugh. “Take it back? God help me I want—”

  She took his face in her hands and held it gently.

  The touch of her hand was suddenly almost unbearable in its tenderness. Swinging her into the circle of his arms, he said, “Yes. Yes, I want to take it back.”

  His lips pressed against hers then gently covered her mouth. His kiss was urgent and exploratory and he was shocked at his own eagerness to cross the imaginary line between a doctor and a patient—although she truly wasn’t his patient.

  “If you ever want to take back another kiss, you can, anytime you wish,” she said, as she lightly kissed him on the cheek. “We need to check on Katie.”

  “And, I need to make a stand for the tree, but not until we make sure your sister’s fever is still under control,” Grant said, as he walked out of the kitchen feeling blissfully happy, fully alive. Over his shoulder he said, “I’ll check on Katie, so you go to bed.” He turned back to her. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to be in a snowstorm in all my life.”

  Ten minutes later, after Grant had checked Katie’s temperature and washed her eye lids, he walked back into the living area to tell Mattie Jo that for the first time in days, Katie didn’t have any fever. Mattie Jo was covered in a blanket, sound asleep, in front of the fireplace.

  Slipping down beside her, Grant gathered her into his arms. With the intention of lying there for a few minutes before making the Christmas tree stand, he slipped off to sleep with dreams of the pretty lady in his arms floating through his mind and heart.

  Chapter 6

  Mattie Jo stood at the kitchen window and watched the melting snow drip from the sod roof of her small house. The last three days weighed heavy on her mind. She and Grant had gotten little sleep, but it seemed to her that Katie had improved by the hour. The smell of coffee boiling on the stove floated through the air.

  She heard footsteps coming from the sickroom and turned to greet Grant. “How is Katie this morning?” Mattie Jo asked, deliberately easing into a smile. “I checked on her when I got up and she was sleeping soundly.”

  “Other than the itching that goes with healing le
sions, she seems pretty normal to me. Lots of lanolin and calamine lotion.” He shot her the grin that she’d become accustomed to. “Coffee smells good. Is there any of the date nut loaf you prepared yesterday still around?”

  “It’s breakfast time, not supper.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh at the disappointed look on his face.

  “I just remember my mother making it and how good it was. I think your candy is better, but if you ever meet Mother, please don’t tell her that.” He poured two cups of coffee.

  “I promise, I won’t.” Just looking at him gave her joy, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. “How about waiting on the date nut loaf until I’ve fixed some breakfast? Do you think Katie can eat some scrambled eggs and maybe a bite or two of toast—or is it too soon?”

  “We can always try,” he said, as he stood beside Mattie Jo looking out the window. “Since the snow has stopped and the sun has come out, I anticipate that Violet will return my buggy today. If she doesn’t before long, can I borrow your wagon?”

  “Grant,” she turned toward him. “I don’t have any horses. I had to sell them so I’d have the money to bury Mother.”

  “I’m truly sorry.” He put his arms around her and pulled her close to his side. “I can always walk to town. You’ve managed quite well, I suspect, for a while now.”

  Those were the words she had feared for days. Just knowing that he’d have to return to town saddened her. Yet, she had so much love and affection in her heart for him being there during her hours of need that she felt ashamed of her thoughts. He’d taken such good care of Katie that she knew she could never repay him, except for ....

  “You asked the other day if I’d come to work for you. Is the job still open?”

  She looked up at him and saw a sensual smile veil itself over his features.

  “Yes, ma’am, it is. By the time Katie’s lesions are completely healed, I can have my extra room fixed up, so she’ll have a place to play. I’ll get a bed, and then she’ll have somewhere comfortable to take her naps.” He squeezed Mattie Jo tight. “You’ve made me a very happy doctor, pretty lady.”