LeBeau cocked his eyebrows. “The man’s mind is superior, and I prefer to imagine he discovers a way to overcome the lion’s powerful might.” His lips curved upward into a smile that left little doubt he conceived himself equal to the challenge of the battle on his desk. “But you didn’t travel all the way to town to discuss bookends.” He leaned forward. “What can I do for you today, Miss Scott? I’ve been concerned about your wellbeing since I heard you moved back to your ranch.”
“Charlie and I are fine.” She lifted her chin as she gave the standard walled answer. On the way here, she’d practiced half a dozen times how she would present the issue, but she’d prepared the speech for Dr. Tucker, not Dr. LeBeau. She pressed her palms to her skirt folds. “It’s my brother Jeb. Well, not reallyhim. A friend of his came to let us know Jeb passed away in Andersonville.”
“I’m terribly sorry to hear that, Miss Scott. I offer my condolences. I remember you’d held out hope.” He whipped a handkerchief from his coat pocket and offered it.
She shook her head. “I’m all right.”
He laid it carefully on the desk more on her side than his and rested his forearms atop a ledger. “I reckon it might be years before all the losses from the war trickle in. But you said Andersonville? Was he a guard?”
She should have left the Andersonville part out of it. “My father and Jeb had a falling out a couple years before the war. Jeb went to live with relatives in Indiana. He enlisted with a regiment there.”
“A Yankee?” His eyebrows shot up.
She squirmed in her chair. “Yes, but a beloved brother all the same.”
“Of course, Miss Scott. I meant no disrespect.” He cleared his throat. “And this other Yankee traveled all the way to Texas instead of sending a letter?”
“My pa threw away the letters without reading them.” She fiddled with the lace on her sleeve cuff.
“I see. But I don’t understand. If your brother is deceased, why are my services required? Has the grief been too much? I could prescribe?—”
“That’s not it. Jeb’s friend, Mr.…Captain McKenzie is ill.”
He folded his hands. “What type of illness? Is he able to come see me?”
“Captain McKenzie is a bit stubborn about seeing a doctor. Doesn’t even know I’m here. But I’m concerned.”
LeBeau fingered his watch fob. “I’d be happy to drive out, Miss Scott. As a matter of fact, I’d be pleased to give you a ride in my buggy, and you could tie your horse up behind.”
“Would you? I’d much appreciate it.”
“Be happy to.” He smiled. “But could you describe his symptoms so I’ll have an idea of what to bring with me?”
She blew out a breath. Ben would likely see this as a violation of his privacy, but so be it. The doctor wouldn’t have any hope of helping if he wasn’t aware of the root cause of the symptoms. “He’s been sick in bed for the last five days. A stomach ailment, but more. Feverish, headache. I…I offered him some laudanum.”
“That often relieves digestive ailments. Did it not alleviate the symptoms?”
Her mouth felt like sandpaper. “It turned out to be the problem.”
“Excuse me?”
“I could tell from his adverse reaction at the very sight of the medicine that the laudanum was the problem. That he needed it…too much, and hadn’t had it for a while.” Just like her father.
“I see.” Dr. LeBeau exhaled and settled back in his chair, smoothing his fingers down his mustache and bearded chin. “That happens to some folks. They take it as medicine, and before they know it, they’re dependent upon it. The physical ailment for which they took the medicine in the beginning goes away, yet their need for the relief doesn’t. I don’t know if I can do anything for the mental ailment, but I can examine the man and prescribe something for his stomach and his headache. It’ll be up to him to work through the rest.”
“I’d be much obliged if there’s anything you could do to help.”
“I’ll do all I can.” He rose and walked around the desk.
She stood.
Chin firm, he held out his hand.
She glanced at his for a moment before responding and offering her own.
He gently encased her hand in both of his. “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with so much, Miss Scott. The loss of family, and now this man showing up at your house.”
She swallowed hard. “I owe him a great debt. I’m sure he traveled here at significant personal expense and effort.” Not to mention saving her land by emptying his purse. And here she was betraying him. Not betraying…helping. If anyone could do something to alleviate Ben’s illness, Dr. LeBeau could. “It’s just that I can’t have someone…” She slipped her hand from Dr. LeBeau’s skilled fingers.
