Chapter 28

28

L orinda peered out the front window for what felt like the thousandth time today. An equal number of times, she'd opened the door to the bedroom where Miriam rested in the bed that had been Lorinda's before her marriage. Each time, the woman still slept, but her breathing was more even and less labored that it had been earlier in the day. That gave Lorinda a bit of faith to cling to.

Franklin had left her and Mrs. Oleson to watch over the frail woman while he went out to work, but often when she looked out, she noticed him working close enough so they could call to him if they needed his help. Of course, he would be worried about anyone under his roof that was in as bad a shape as Miriam, but Lorinda hoped that was all of his interest in their guest. For a moment, a stab of jealousy entered her heart, but she pushed it away. Franklin was her husband now.

When Charlie returned with the message that the doctor would come as soon as he could, Lorinda hoped it would be sooner rather than later. Now most of the day had passed, and the sun moved ever closer to the western horizon.

All this waiting reminded her of the day her son was born. The doctor couldn't come because of the mine cave-in. She'd been terrified, and the fear rose up inside her again, as it did that day. She hoped nothing would prevent him from coming now. Mrs. Oleson had been able to help her while she was in labor and after Michael was born. But she doubted she could do much to help Miriam. Even Mrs. Oleson didn't know exactly what to do with someone this bad off.

What if Miriam died before the doctor arrived? What would they do next? She turned away from that line of thinking. It would only make her more unsure of herself.

Mrs. Oleson had started boiling beef bones early in the day. She told Lorinda she wanted some of the rich broth when Miriam woke up. And she kept the teakettle on the stove, ready to brew weak tea for their patient or Dr. Winston.

Miriam hadn't moved since Franklin laid her in the bed. Occasionally, Lorinda went close enough to her to make sure she was breathing. When she saw the faint lifting of her chest, she turned away. Once she even placed her hand on the woman's brow to see if she was still cold. Thank goodness, her skin had warmed once out of the chilly wind.

On her next trip to the front window, she noticed a buggy coming down the lane. A buggy just like the one Dr. Winston drove. Lorinda heaved a sigh of relief. Their patient was still alive, and help was on the way. She hurried to the kitchen.

"Dr. Winston is almost here."

"Praise the Lord." Mrs. Oleson threw her hands up before she moved the teakettle closer to the middle of the range, so it would heat even more. "The doctor may need some really hot water while he's taking care of Miriam."

Lorinda headed back to the bedroom. She tiptoed across the room and leaned close to the patient's face to check her breathing again.

Miriam's eyes slowly opened. She had a blank stare, and Lorinda didn't want to move and startle her. After a moment, she focused on Lorinda's face.

"Who...who are you?" The words rasped between her dried and cracking lips.

Lorinda quickly straightened, clasping her hands in front of her to keep them from shaking. "I'm Lorinda Vine. Franklin's wife."

The hint of a smile flitted across Miriam's face as her eyelids slowly slid closed. "I'm...so glad…Franklin found someone...to love him."

The words that had seemed so hard for the woman to say brought an ache to Lorinda's heart. Yes, she loved her husband, but he didn't love her. And he had no idea that she loved him. Her life had never been so complicated. Now Miriam brought another unknown complication into her uncomfortable existence.

A knock sounded on the front door. Lorinda hurried from the bedroom to answer the summons. "We're so glad you're here, Doctor. Our patient is not doing very well."

"I'm sorry to have taken so long. We almost lost Mrs. Philpot. I just couldn't leave her until I'd done everything I could. I hope you understand." He handed her his hat, and she hung it on the hall tree.

Lorinda led the doctor down the hallway. "Does this mean Mrs. Philpot will be all right.?"

"I believe so." As they entered the bedroom, he swiftly approached his patient. "Miriam has been gone from this area for quite a while. What seems to be the problem?"

"We don't know." Lorinda wrung her hands as she talked. "She's very weak, and she is...with child. Mrs. Oleson made beef broth in case she needs some, but the woman has slept almost all the time since Franklin brought her into the house."

Dr. Winston pulled the only chair in the room up beside the bed. He took his stethoscope out of his bag and held the metal bell in his hand for a couple of minutes. When he reached over to place it on Miriam's chest, she tried to pull away, then settled back down, never opening her eyes.

"Sorry this didn't warm up more." His voice sounded soothing.

Lorinda wondered if he used that tone for all his patients and if Miriam could even hear his words.

After moving the bell of the stethoscope around on Miriam's chest, he turned his attention to the baby in her womb. "Both her heartbeat and the baby's are strong, so whatever is wrong with her hasn't affected the little one...yet."

Lorinda gave a sigh of relief, but she still worried about the woman being able to give birth. She remembered how hard it had been for her, and she was much stronger than Miriam.

"Mrs. Oleson was wise to plan for when Miriam awakened." The doctor folded up the instrument and stowed it again in his bag. "I believe she's dehydrated. We need to encourage her to take the broth and as much water and weak tea as we can get down her. Has she had a fever since she arrived?"

Lorinda shook her head. "She was almost freezing when she got here. It took her a while to get warm. Do you have any idea when her baby is due?" Lorinda hoped it would give them time to build up the mother's strength.

"From the looks of her, I'd say it won't be very long." He frowned.

"Do you think she'll have any trouble giving birth?" Lorinda's voice trembled. What would they do if he said yes? Would he stay with them until the impending birth, or would he go back to town?

"I'm not sure. We really need to start building up her strength. In addition to the liquids, I'm leaving you a box of Carter's Little Liver Pills, a bottle of Hensel's Tonic, and a bottle of Manola Tonic. These should help strengthen her." He dug in his bag and pulled out a small rectangular box and two corked bottles sealed with wax. He held out the box to her. "Give her one of these in the morning and one at night."

Lorinda took the box and laid it on the table beside the bed. "Let me get paper and a pencil, so I can write down your instructions."

Within a minute, she returned. She listed the pills and dosages on the paper.

Dr. Winston next gave her the Hensel's Tonic. "Mix one teaspoon of this into a quart of water. Have her drink a glass twice a day."

While Lorinda wrote those instructions, she kept glancing at Miriam to see if there was any change. When she finished, Miriam opened her eyes.

"Hello, Miriam." The doctor leaned close to her. "Do you remember me?"

She gave a slight nod.

"Are you thirsty?" He continued to study her.

"Yes." The whispered answer was so soft that Lorinda almost thought she'd imagined it.

"Good." Dr. Winston turned toward her. "Please have Mrs. Oleson bring some broth and water."

As she left the room, the doctor leaned closer to Miriam. "Do you know when your baby's due?"

Lorinda didn't hear the answer.

She and Mrs. Oleson rushed to the bedroom with the requested items. The doctor lifted Miriam's head and held the glass of water to her mouth. The patient tried to gulp the cooling liquid.

He pulled it back after the first mouthful. "You need to take it easy. It's been quite a while since you had water, so you must sip it at first. Then I'm going to let Mrs. Oleson spoon-feed you the broth."

After a few sips, he continued to hold up her head while the housekeeper added another pillow under her. Then she started dribbling the broth between Miriam's lips.

Even though some color had returned to Miriam's cheeks, she was still much too pale. Her gauntness made her look so frail she might fall over if a person blew a small puff of air toward her. Lorinda wasn't used to being around anyone so ill.

Dr. Winston turned back to Lorinda. "Here's one more liquid medicine I want you to give her. She should have one tablespoon of this Manola Tonic before each meal and at bedtime. I've had good results with it, so you need to follow my instructions exactly."

"Thank you. I will." Lorinda watched him pack up his bag and get ready to leave. "I'm not sure where Franklin is. He stayed close to the house much of the day, but I haven't seen him recently."

"That's fine. He can pay me next time he's in town. I trust him." He went out into the hallway, took his hat, and left through the front door.

She glanced out the window to watch the doctor leave. Franklin met him at his buggy. The men started a conversation. The expression on Franklin's face showed great concern.

Pain shot through Lorinda's heart. Was her husband sorry he'd married her? Was he wishing he'd waited for Miriam to return? And his former fiancée carried a child who could be his heir as easily as Michael could. Does he realize that?

Lorinda wondered if she would get to the place where she truly trusted Franklin.

She wouldn't give up hope.

But...