Snowbound

by Christine Sterling

  “In the wardrobe.” Mary pointed to a wooden box in the corner. Chelsea found a wrapper and helped Mary slide her arms in, tying the housecoat around her waist. Once Mary had her house shoes on, Chelsea held her arm and led her to the sitting room.

  She assisted Mary to sit on the sofa. Mary leaned forward and dipped her fingers in the water. “Oh, it is so warm. I’ve not had a bath in so long.” She looked at Chelsea. “The tub is too heavy for me to carry,” she explained.

  “I’m sure that Brawny will be more than happy to get it for you. All you have to do is ask.”

  “Did I hear my name?” He asked, coming in the room.

  “Can you get me my stethoscope, and a cloth I can put over her head?” Chelsea asked. “My medical bag is in the back room.” Brawny went to retrieve the items as Chelsea helped Mary remove the wrapper.

  When Brawny returned, Chelsea listened to Mary’s chest. “I’ll listen again when you get out and see if anything moved.”

  Brawny draped a blanket over the entrance to the room to allow Mary some privacy as Chelsea helped her into the tub.

  “Do you need my help to wash your hair?” Chelsea held out a bar of soap.

  Mary snatched the soap out of her hands. “I’m not dead yet, I should be able to do it.” She pointed to the settee. “Sit there just in case.”

  Once Mary was done washing, Chelsea had her lean forward and she placed the towel over Mary’s head to capture the steam that was left. “I’m going to get some hot water to warm this up a bit.”

  She was in the kitchen when she heard the coughing come from the sitting room. It didn’t sound like the coughing that she had heard before. It was a combination of a cough, wheeze and a sucking sound.

  Chelsea ran into the room. Mary was leaned back in the tub gasping for breath.

  “Brawny,” Chelsea yelled. “Brawny, I need you now!”

  Brawny came running in and took one look at his ma. “What happened?”

  “She’s suffocating. We need to drain her lung.”

  Chapter 9

  Brawny carried Ma back to her bedroom. Chelsea wrapped a towel around her when he lifted her out of the tub, but modesty wasn’t his concern right now. He needed to get her breathing.

  Chelsea followed with her medical kit and the basket that seemed to carry everything “Lay her down on the bed and roll her on her side.”

  Brawny took care placing his mother down and pulling the bedclothes over her before rolling her on her side. “She’s turning blue,” he said.

  “That’s because her lung is collapsing. I need to get the fluid out of the plureal space.”

  “Plureal what?”

  Chelsea looked up at him, “I need you to listen to me, very carefully, Brawny. You are going to need to help me with this. I can’t use chloroform because I can’t risk what it might do. She is going to be awake.”

  All the color drained from his face. “You mean you aren’t going to give her something to make her sleep?”

  “I have no time.” Chelsea was speaking quickly. Brawny only caught part of the words. “Are you listening, Brawny?”

  “A jug?”

  “Or a jar. I saw one on top of the stove. Rinse it and bring it. I also need a some tubing.”

  “I don’t think we have any.”

  “Find me something, then. And get back here immediately. I’ll need you to hold her. We don’t have much time.”

  It only took a minute for Brawny to return with the jar. “I couldn’t find anything that could be substituted for tubing.” Chelsea was rubbing alcohol on Ma’s side, just below her rib cage. She picked up a needle and Brawny saw her inject something into Ma’s side.

  Mary looked at him, her eyes large and round. Brawny dropped the jar on the bed and went to hold her hands.

  “It will be alright, Ma. Chelsea will take really good care of you.”

  “Brawny, can you look in the medical bag and see if there is any type of tubing in there. I don’t know what Lacey Lou packed when we left.”

  Brawny pulled the bag over and rummaged through it without loosening his grip on Ma’s hand. He couldn’t find anything that would qualify as tubing. There were sutures, gauze, bottles of this and that and two stethoscopes.

  “There isn’t anything here,” he said. “What can we do?”

  Chelsea looked at the contents he had placed on the bed spread. She picked up the second stethoscope and tossed it to him. “Cut that and dip it in the alcohol bottle.”

  Brawny picked up a pair of scissors and cut the tubing from the stethoscope, dropping it into the bottle of alcohol.

  He saw Chelsea pour alcohol over her hands and the instrument in her hand. She took a deep breath and walked her fingers up Ma’s side before rubbing a spot and then placing her scalpel there.

  “Let me know if you feel anything, Mrs. Winters. You might feel pressure, but you shouldn’t feel pain.”

  He saw his mother nod and reach back out for Brawny’s hand. Brawny took her hands in her own. Her fingers were so cold. He saw Ma flinch.

  “Brawny, why don’t you talk to your Ma.” Chelsea said. “Can you place your hand there and hold her still?” Brawny placed his hand at the top of his ma’s ribcage. He could feel the sluggish rise and fall of her chest.

  “What should I talk to her about.”

  “I don’t know. Can you think of anything that might bring her comfort? A prayer, or a story?”

  Brawny looked at Ma laying there on the bed. “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”

  “The book of Jeremiah?” Chelsea asked, looking at him over the bed. Brawny nodded. He looked at Ma and repeated the verse.

  “Okay, Brawny, I’m almost there. I need you to pass me that tube and get the jar ready.”

  Brawny passed her the tubing. He looked away holding the jar in his outstretched hand. Suddenly the sound of suction and then liquid passing into the jar was heard. It was almost instantaneous, the relief Brawny saw move over his mother’s features. The blue in her lips started to fade and her color slowly returned to a paler shade of normal.

  He felt Chelsea take the jar from him. “Looks like a half a cup. That is quite a bit. How do you feel, Mrs. Winters?”

  “So much better,” she said. “Like a weight has been lifted from me.”

  Chelsea patted the woman on the shoulder. “You did a great job. The wheezing will still be here, but we can address that rather easily. It should go away in a few days. I’m going to stitch you up and then let you rest.”

  Tears filled Brawny’s eyes as he heard the intake of breath and then the steady rise and fall of his Ma’s chest. As Chelsea reached over to the suture kit laying on the bed, he quickly grabbed her hand.

  Chelsea’s eyes flew up to meet his own. He rarely cried. Even when he was lying in the clinic feeling the doc cauterize his skin, he didn’t cry. But as he looked at her, he allowed the tears to flow freely down his cheeks.

  “Thank you. You saved her life. I’m forever in your debt.”

  He saw Chelsea’s eyes water and a single tear roll down her cheek as she nodded and gave his hand a quick squeeze. Then she picked up the sutures and proceeded to close the incision.

  Six days later …

  “I think I can get you to Silverpines by tomorrow.”

  Chelsea put down her coffee cup. “Really?”

  “I was able to make it to the ridgetop today. I just want to make sure Ma is recovered and then I can take you back tomorrow after breakfast.”

  “Can we go this evening?”

  “The sun is melting the top layer, so where I could get you down there, I couldn’t get back after dark. It would be too dangerous. And I can’t leave Ma alone overnight. We can leave after breakfast.”

  It was hard to believe that it had nearly been 7 days since she had to drain Mary’s lung. But as soon as the fluid was gone, her breathing returned to normal. In two days, the wheezing was gone, and the coughing lessened
. Now, a week later Mary was actually feeling well enough to sit with them in the kitchen.

  Brawny was so grateful he emptied the tub and refilled it with fresh water so she could have the bath he promised her.

  “I can’t believe I’ve been here for ten days. It seems like a lifetime.”

  “Tell me about it. I can’t wait to drop you off so I can get back to the peace and quiet of home.”

  Chelsea threw a dishcloth at him in mock indignation. “Just for that I won’t visit with you when I come back to check on your Ma.”

  Brawny laughed. “Yes, you will visit me. You are crazy about me and you know it.”

  “Crazy is right. I’m looking forward to something other than checkers and chicken soup.”

  “How about I take you to Lily Jo’s when we get back to town? I could go for a large slice of meatloaf.”

  “Hmmmm,” Chelsea moaned. “That sounds heavenly.”

  “Good. Now I have a treat for you since we can’t leave tonight. Get on that coat and let’s go outside.” Brawny handed her a thick coat made of plaid fabric and a hat which matched the one he wore when she first came to the cabin.

  “I can’t wear this,” she said, fingering the different colors of thread in the hat.”

  “I know you said it was ugly.”

  “No, it isn’t that. But this contains all those memories you talked about.”

  “It will keep you warm, and maybe you can make some new memories with it.” He looked at her. “Now put it on and let’s go outside.”

  Chelsea pulled the hat over her wavy hair and followed him outdoors, putting on the coat as she walked. The sun had melted the snow enough that she could walk through it without difficulty. Even though it was warm enough, she found gloves in the pocket and slid them over her fingers.

  “Where are we going?”

  Brawny grabbed her gloved hand. “You’ll see.” He led her to the side of the barn and a hill that wasn’t as high as the ones going to the ridgetop but was high enough to cause damage if someone fell down.

  He didn’t let go of her hand until they reached the top. Then she saw it. Leaning up against a tree was an old wooden toboggan.

  “I thought you’d like to go sledding.” He took the toboggan from the tree and put it at the top of the hill.

  “Oh my,” she said. “I’ve not been sledding since I was a child. I don’t remember how to do it.”

  Brawny took her hand. “We can go together the first time.” Chelsea nodded and sat down on the sled, moving as far up as she could.

  Brawny sat behind her, still holding onto the rope at the front of the sled. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back to lean against him. She felt perfect in his arms.

  He knew instantly why Pa liked holding Ma like this. “Ready?” he whispered in her ear. Chelsea nodded. “Hold on tight to me.” He used his feet to push them closer to the slope and once the sled started to move with gravity, he pulled his feet up, wrapping his legs around Chelsea to sit them on the front of the curl.

  He could hear her squeals as they raced down to the bottom of the hill. He steered the sled to the side so it would slow down and stop just as they reached the flat part of the pasture.

  He rolled off the sled and reached his hand out to Chelsea. She placed her smaller hand in his and he pulled her up. Her cheeks were rosy from the wind and her eyes were bright. She was breathtaking.

  He reached his gloved hand out and touched one of the curls peeking out from under the hat. He caressed it for a minute before releasing it to bounce back in place.

  “Ready to go again?” he asked.

  Her mouth opened and her tongue peeked out to wet her lips. It was all the invitation Brawny needed to bend down his head and kiss her. He realized if he didn’t do it now, he wouldn’t have a chance once they made it back to town and reality intruded.

  She was a well-respected doctor. He was a scarred man. Once he got her back to Silverpines, he knew that the town would judge Chelsea based on his face and reputation. But for now, they were still secluded in the valley. For now, she was his.

  He poured all his feelings into the kiss, hoping she understood how much she meant to him, even if he couldn’t find the words.

  When he finally lifted his head, her lips were swollen, and her green eyes were swirling with flecks of gold. “Ready to go again?” he asked.

  “If this is what happens when we get down here, absolutely.” She gave him a big grin and pushed him back towards the taboggan. “Race you back to the top!” she shouted.

  Brawny was up like a flash chasing her up the hill. He remembered his parents doing the same and realized he wanted to have that type of life. Lots of sons, a house full of love and a woman to share it with. This woman. His life was nearly perfect.

  Chapter 10

  Chelsea was riding in front of him, just as she did on the way to the cabin.

  “This doesn’t look like the way to town.”

  “It’s not,” he responded softly. “I need to go over to the mine office and check in with Mac.” He felt her stiffen in his arms.

  “I don’t want to go that way. I want you to take me home right now.”

  “It will only be a few minutes out of the way. You’ll still be at the clinic before noontime.”

  “I can’t, Brawny.”

  “Why not?”

  “I just can’t. Please don’t ask me.”

  “I really need to stop by the office, Chelsea. It honestly will only take a minute.”

  “Just let me off here, then. I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

  “I’m not going to have that.” She didn’t respond. “Fine. I’ll take you to the clinic first and then I’ll go to the mine on my way home.”

  “Thank you.” She relaxed a bit and leaned back into his arms.

  They just entering town when they heard the first whispers. Chelsea’s back stood up straight and she grabbed tighter to the basket on her lap.

  “Look at that.”

  “She’s been gone for a week.”

  “Who knows what happened out there.”

  “Snowed in with that ruffian.”

  “Ignore them, Chelsea,” he said. “You and I both know nothing happened.”

  “This is a small town, Brawny. Word gets around. It didn’t take much for Hattie to lose her business, did it?”

  “She got everything back.”

  Chelsea turned to face him in the saddle. “She had to fight for everything she got. She was falsely accused, and the town turned against her.”

  “That isn’t what’s happening here.”

  “Let me off the horse,” she said and started to slide off the saddle. Brawny quickly stopped to let her get to the ground.

  She ran ahead down towards the clinic while he followed behind, slowly walking the horse through the town. He was nearing the parsonage when he saw several of the town women clustered together chatting. They took one look at him and turned away.

  “No one will ever go to the clinic now.”

  “She’s a ruined woman.”

  “Stuck out there with that monster.”

  Brawny wanted to roar and tell them exactly where they could take their gossip, but instead he rode to the clinic and dismounted. He entered the clinic to see Chelsea unpacking her bag.

  “Let’s talk,” he said.

  “What about. I think you stated your case perfectly well. Nothing happened.”

  He saw Lacey Lou stop stocking medicines and look at him.

  “Chelsea. Please.” He grabbed her arm and took her into one of the examination rooms.

  He closed the door and turned her to look at him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you here in town. Marry me and then it all goes away. Then they have nothing to talk about.”

  “Just marry you? That’s it?”

  “Yes.”

  “No.”

  Brawny paused.

  “I’m not marrying anyone. I thought I might at one time but not anymore. Let them
talk. It doesn’t matter to me.”

  “Chelsea, I don’t want…”

  “I don’t care what you want, Brawny. Marrying me to protect my reputation is not the path I’m taking.”

  “But…”

  Chelsea opened the door.

  “We are done here.

  “Would you just listen to me?”

  “No.” She pointed to the front door.

  Brawny looked at the street. People were starting to mill around the front of the clinic.

  “Fine,” he said. Putting his hat on his head and heading out the door.

  “Fine,” she responded.

  He looked at her, but she had turned away, pretending to help Lacey Lou with sorting medicines.

  She may think they were done, but they were only done for now.

  The bell on the apothecary door rang and Chelsea stormed in, slamming her hand down on the counter. “That man is absolutely insufferable.”

  “Which man?” Hattie asked.

  “Brawny Winters. You know he just asked me to marry him? As if I would do that after what he said.”

  “What did he say?” asked Tess.

  “He said he felt obliged to marry me. He was afraid for my reputation after he heard gossip in town about my being stuck at his mother’s house. I was caring for a patient, for pity’s sake, not consorting in the snow.” She remembered the kisses after sledding. The wonderful kisses. She remembered and then quickly dismissed them from her mind.

  “It doesn’t sound unreasonable. Perhaps it could work,” Hattie replied coyly. Chelsea caught the glance she sent to Tess.

  “Arrrrgh! I came over here because I thought you would see it my way.” She poured herself a cup of tea from the pot and added a bit of honey before taking a sip. “That is lovely. I only had coffee to drink for the past week.” She took another sip. “He really is a cad, you know.” One more sip. “It is a shame he is such a handsome one. His eyepatch makes him look… dashing.”

  Tess giggled, and Hattie joined in. Chelsea tried to feign indignation but eventually ended up laughing as well. “You know it would serve him right if I married him. I don’t think he knows what he would be getting with me as his wife.”