Cashing In (Luck's Voice Book 2)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “There is no monetary charge. All that I ask for in payment is that you say a prayer to Lady Luck in thanks.”

  Her brow furrowed, but she nodded slowly. “Okay.”

  “Lady, this woman is in need of your blessing. Please, help her,” Doc said as he triggered healing hands.

  The woman inhaled sharply when his hands glowed green.

  “Just place your hand on mine,” Doc told her, putting his hands palm up on the table between them.

  Hands trembling, she hesitantly reached out to place one of her hands on Doc’s.

  Doc breathed slowly as his energy rushed into her. Stomach pains from a small ulcer, broken little toe on her right foot, and her left ear is infected. Start with the ear— that’s what brought her in more than the other things. The ulcer isn’t going to take much, not with as small as it is. Hm… her toe can remain broken. It’s years old.

  Doc let the energy fade when he finished the things he was going to help with. He gave the woman a gentle smile. “All done. Your ear and stomach are healed.”

  Eyes wide, she sat there, blinking at him for a few seconds after he finished speaking. “That…” Trailing off, the woman just stared at him for another few seconds. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, pulling her hand from Doc’s and speaking softly, “Lady Luck, thank you. I will do my best to thank you as often as I can.”

  “That’s all she asks,” Doc said. “If the pain in your stomach comes back, come see me again. We can try to figure out what’s causing it if it returns.”

  “Thank you, sir,” the woman said, getting to her feet. “Thank you, and your goddess.” Giving him a curtsy, she left the room.

  Doc stood up as she left. Taking a moment to check his stats, he frowned. Energy consumption is going to be a problem if multiple people need healing... He looked at his faith stat and whistled softly. Okay, maybe I can help with that.

  He was lost in thought when a knock on the door got his attention. “Yes?”

  “Excuse me?” the man asked nervously. “I came to speak with the healer.”

  “That would be me,” Doc said, meeting the bestial’s yellow eyes. “How can I help you?”

  “My cousin said you helped him, and my back’s been bothering me,” the man said.

  “Farmer like him?” Doc asked.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Have a seat,” Doc said.

  It didn’t take long to remove the knots in the man’s back and explain what the problem had been. As the farmer left, Doc went back to what he had been doing while he waited for the next person.

  Need to either increase my energy pool or reduce the cost of healing, Doc thought as he looked over the options he had.

  Doc had just finished his selection when someone cleared their throat. “You the healer?” The speaker’s pain-tinged voice got Doc’s full attention.

  “I am. What’s the matter?” Doc asked as he looked up at the bestial man by the door.

  Limping into the room, the man grimaced. “Can you heal old wounds?”

  “It becomes very taxing, but it’s possible,” Doc said. “Please, have a seat?”

  Sinking into the seat slowly, he hissed before exhaling. “It was a few years back. I was shot while riding protection detail on a bank coach. The bullet nearly cost me my leg. The doctor I saw was able to save it, but the pain has been constant since then.”

  “Probably a nerve injury,” Doc said. “I’ve already helped a few others today, so I’m not sure I can do what might be required today. If I can’t, I’ll make sure to be ready to see you tomorrow.”

  The man nodded grimly. “I’ve spoken to Whittaker and a few others. None of them say they can help. I’m not holding out hope for you, but I’d be a fool not to see if it’s possible.”

  “Let’s see,” Doc said. “Lady, this man has an old injury that causes him distress. Please, help him.”

  The bestial grunted when he saw the green glow surrounding Doc’s hands. “That’s different.”

  “Just clasp my hand,” Doc said, extending his as if to shake with the other man.

  Knowledge rushed into Doc’s mind when they shook hands. His ligaments are frayed nearly to failing and his muscles look like swiss cheese. The bone shrapnel in his leg has been wearing them down. I need to remove the shrapnel, first, then fix his ligaments.

  “I can help with part of it today,” Doc said, not letting go of the man’s hand. “You have bone chips that have been slowly shredding your ligaments. I can fix the bone today, but I’ll have to fix the rest tomorrow.”

  The man grunted. “Hmm... I feel something different, so go ahead.”

  Doc pushed his energy into what he set out to do. The feeling of the small pieces of bone being slowly pushed to the surface of the man’s leg caused him to frown. Doc exhaled slowly when the last piece was expelled and the tiny wounds closed.

  “All done. Shake out your pant leg. The bone chips are there.”

  The man was still frowning, but pushed his chair back from the table and shook his pant leg. Small flecks of white began to dot the floor, the largest almost half the size of a pinkie nail. Blinking, the man picked up the bone sliver and stared at it. “This is… my bone?”

  “A small piece of it, but yes.”

  The man touched the edge of the bone chip, hissing when a drop of blood welled up. “And this was inside my leg?”

  “It’s what was causing most of the pain. Your muscles and ligaments suffered a lot of damage, but I can fix that up tomorrow. Your leg isn’t going to feel a lot better today, though.”

  “I’ll reserve judgement until tomorrow, then,” the man said as he pushed himself upright.

  “I didn’t catch your name,” Doc said, getting to his feet, as well.

  “I didn’t throw it,” the man snorted with an edge of humor. “I’m Clyde Rossal.”

  “I’m Doc Holyday, Clyde. I go by Doc.”

  “Might be the best Doc I’ve met if you can do what you think you can,” Clyde said. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Doc waited for someone else to show up, but instead, Posy poked her head into the room. “The man who left said you were done healing for the day. Is that true?”

  “Is anyone else here?” Doc asked.

  “No, but I wanted to see if he was right.”

  “Let anyone else who shows up know to come back tomorrow, unless it’s an emergency.”

  “Okay.”

  Doc sat there for a moment longer as he looked at his character sheet again.

  Doc Holyday- 42

  Half-Breed Elf/Dwarf

  Voice of Luck

  Energy: 0/20

  Vitality: 5/20

  Health: 15/15

  Faith: 53 (153)

  Racial Bonuses:

  Natural affinity to nature magic, improved reflexes, keen hearing and sight, resistance to poisons, improved vitality, night vision, natural affinity to metal crafts

  Goddess Gifts:

  All In, Stand Down, Missed Me, Healing Hands, Cleansing, Energy Reserves, Medic

  Might be able to double that from faith in the town, but maybe I’ll pick up some more from the other clans when their representatives get back, Doc thought. Medic was the best pick— reducing the cost of healing by a quarter will help a lot.

  Doc shook his head. “I should go make sure Sophia’s mom is not going to hold a grudge.”

  ~*~*~

  Doc pulled his coat tight when he stepped outside. The rain was a steady drizzle and the breeze— while not as biting as it had been when he’d first come to town— was brisk. Setting off for the courthouse, Doc grimaced when his boots squelched into the mud, but he kept walking.

  Few people were out in the weather, and Doc didn’t blame them. It made his walk quieter than normal, though he still caught sight of one of the deputies trailing him. Doc gave them a small wave, but otherwise, let the deputy do their job without hassle.

  Even after using the scraper bes
ide the door, Doc knew his footwear would still need a good cleaning to get all the mud off, but at least he wouldn’t leave clumps inside the building. Raised voices got his attention when he entered the courthouse, and he started to walk faster when he realized they were coming from the clerk’s office.

  “I don’t care what you say. She was legally able to cancel that contract,” Elta snapped.

  “Only having one person to run both departments is a hindrance,” the other voice replied waspishly. “Do you know how hard it is to get qualified people?”

  “Better than you do,” Elta snorted.

  “Excuse me,” Doc said, opening the door, “I don’t mean to intrude, but you know… business.” He shrugged at Elta and Judge Bero.

  “You!” Bero snarled. “This is your fault!”

  Doc gave the judge a smile. “I’ve heard that a lot lately. What did I do now?”

  “You seduced our records keeper away from her rightful job.”

  “Seduced? Judge, your words might cause people to get the wrong idea,” Doc said stiffly. “She was offered a position as legal counsel for Luck’s Holdings. I didn’t even approach her— my financial officer did. So, please, reword your accusation.”

  Elta snorted. “She was offered five times what she was making here, and you know that the town will never match that. She joined a highly profitable organization.”

  Bero’s teeth ground together before he glared at Doc. “I see… Grange is right about you, after all.” With nothing else to say, Bero left the office in a huff, slamming the door closed behind him.

  “Who knew hiring good people would cause such drama?” Doc shrugged.

  “How can I assist you?” Elta asked Doc with a repressed smile.

  “I was coming to check that you were okay with her joining the company,” Doc chuckled. “I guess I worried for nothing.”

  Elta gave Doc a tenuous smile that wobbled with sadness. “I thank you for what you tried to do for my husband, and for finding out what happened to him. My daughter has a kind heart, but she’s also very sharp. When she told me about the offer, I was uncertain. I know you will have many troubles around you.” Her lips stopped wavering and a soft smile filled them. “She explained why to me, and I could see her passion for wanting to help. So, yes. She had my blessing to join your business.” She stared into Doc’s eyes. “You’ll make sure she’s safe, right?”

  “I’ll be doing my best to keep anyone near me safe. You have my word that I will do my utmost to keep her safe.”

  “Thank you. Thank you for worrying about me, as well.”

  “I remember being told to stay away from her,” Doc said seriously. “I didn’t want to upset you.”

  Elta laughed lightly. “If only everyone actually listened. I just don’t want her to get hurt. Because I know you will do everything you can to keep her safe, I withdraw my previous statement.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ve heard the church is starting to talk about the Lily, and you,” Elta said seriously. “Are you sure you are going to be able to stand up to McIan?”

  “Sure? No. Will I regardless? Yes.”

  “May Luck watch over you, then,” Elta said solemnly.

  “May she smile upon you, as well.”

  Chapter Forty-three

  “Doc, now that they’re done with learning about horse care, we should get things ready for me to take them out shooting,” Lia said when they finished breakfast. “They would have today to tidy things up and get ready.”

  “I’d need a wagon,” Sophia said softly.

  “I can arrange one,” Lia said. “The hard part will be finding a driver.”

  Doc smiled when he thought of who he’d be talking with shortly. “I might have an answer for that soon. If not, I’ll see about finding someone.”

  “I’ll leave that for you,” Lia said. “I’ll arrange horses and supplies with the livery. As for guns, you’ll send your old ones?”

  “That was my thought, yes.”

  “I’m sure I can arrange for another couple from Blackbeard. He owes me a favor or two, and I know he has some older guns.”

  “Ladies? Comments or concerns?” Doc asked the others at the table.

  “None,” Sonya said.

  “I’ll do my best,” Ayla said.

  “I’m not sure I’ll enjoy them, but I’ll learn everything I can,” Sophia added.

  “None from me,” Fiala said last.

  “That gives you all of today to finish up any work you need to,” Lia said. “We’ll be gone for at least three days, maybe four.”

  Ayla got to her feet. “I need to make sure everything is in order, then.”

  “I might be able to finish up some things by then,” Sophia said, following her out the door.

  “I don’t have anything planned,” Fiala added.

  “Me, neither,” Sonya agreed when the other two had left.

  “Then you should come with me,” Lia said. “You might need to arrange similar things in the future.”

  “That’s a good point,” Sonya nodded.

  “A very good point.”

  “Lia, the ebb of business yesterday? How bad was it?”

  Lia gave Doc a smile. “Half of what we’d been doing, which is still double from before you came. We’ll be fine. Once the remodel is done, I’m sure we’ll have even more business.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you all later,” Doc said.

  ~*~*~

  It wasn’t long after Posy finished cleaning the dining room that Clyde arrived. He limped into the room, though not nearly as badly as he had the day before. “Holyday, how’re you today?” Clyde asked.

  “Rested and refreshed. Are you ready to be healed?”

  “I’ve been ready for years,” Clyde said, sitting down across from Doc. “I don’t feel as much pain, but it still hurts like the dickens.”

  “Let’s make that stop, then,” Doc said as he extended a hand. “Lady, he’s back for your blessing.”

  Clyde studied the green glow for a few seconds before taking Doc’s offered hand.

  Doc let his energy flow into Clyde, directing it right to the old injury. Small snippets of energy patched each tear. To Doc’s mind, it was like watching a hundred thousand fireworks all going off in rapid succession. As his energy finished healing Clyde’s leg, Doc found another problem and silently healed it, as well.

  “All done,” Doc said as the energy faded from his hands.

  Clyde sat there with a stunned expression on his face. “The pain is gone.”

  “Take a walk around the room,” Doc suggested as he leaned back in his seat.

  Clyde took a deep breath and slowly pushed himself to his feet, waiting for the pain he always felt to reappear. Swallowing when nothing happened, he took a hesitant step. Foot landing firm and solid, Clyde began to grin as he took two quick steps, then began to jog around the room.

  “It’s healed!”

  “It is, indeed,” Doc chuckled.

  “Thank you!” Clyde said, coming to a stop beside Doc. “Thank you. It’s a miracle.”

  Doc tried not to notice the tears coming from the man’s eyes. “Luck provides, and asks only that you offer up a prayer now and again.”

  “Of course,” Clyde said, wiping at his eyes. “Bless you, Lady. Bless you.”

  “On an unrelated note, you said you worked on the bank wagons? Does that mean you can drive a wagon?”

  Clyde was still wiping the tears from his face. “Yes. Everyone on them needs to be able to drive.”

  “Could I hire you for four days?” Doc asked. “I have some friends who’re taking a small trip out of town, and they need a skilled driver.”

  Clyde put his handkerchief away. “I’ll do it for free. My thanks to you.”

  “No,” Doc said. “I’ll pay. It’s the right thing to do.”

  Clyde just shook his head. “I can’t ask you to pay me, not after this. I have my life back.”

  “Then don’t ask me to pay,” Doc r
eplied with a grin. “I’ll just give you an appropriate amount, instead.”

  “You’re a stubborn one,” Clyde laughed. “I give in.”

  “Tomorrow morning, they’ll be at the livery.”

  “Understood,” Clyde said, his smile wide. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Doc said, shaking Clyde’s hand as he showed him out.