The man who’d tried to help her sit up glanced around. “I think I’d best lift you rather than leave you lying here in the street.”
“Yes. Thank you.” With a jolt of fear, she asked, “How’s the driver?”
“He jumped free at the last minute. He’s just fine and busy trying to calm the horses.”
The stranger put one arm behind her back and another under her legs. He was so very gentle.
“What is your name?” she asked.
He smiled. “Nicodemus Clark, but most call me Nick.”
“Nick. Thank you again.”
He frowned. “You might want to wait to thank me. This will probably hurt.”
“I know.” She drew a deep breath. “Go ahead.” She gritted her teeth, determined not to cry out.
“Elise!” Her father appeared. “Bring her in the house. I’m sure Joe won’t mind.” He instructed Nick where to go and turned back to Elise. “They said a freight wagon hit you. How do you feel, darlin’?”
“Confused, dizzy, and in pain.” She smiled. “How are you?”
Her father chuckled. “Much the same without the aid of a freight wagon.”
Nick carried her into the house and placed her on the empty kitchen table. The pain wasn’t quite as bad as before.
“I’m a doctor,” a man said, pushing past several of the bystanders who’d followed them inside. “If you aren’t related to this young woman or live here, then I want you to leave.” Several people filed outside.
Elise’s father grabbed her hand. The look on his face nearly broke her heart. He looked at the doctor. “Can you tell if her back is broken?”
“My back isn’t broken,” Elise assured him. “It hurts, but look—I can move my legs and arms, and with a little help I can sit up.” She looked to the right and found the same man who had helped her earlier. “Would you lend me a hand?”
“It’s best you don’t stress your body at this time, miss,” the doctor declared. “I’ve already sent a man to bring ’round the ambulance.”
“That was hardly necessary.” Elise knew her protest fell on deaf ears.
“The carriage was totally demolished, Elise,” her father added.“We’ll need some form of transport for you. The young man who helped you has no wagon either. We can’t very well expect him to carry you home.”
Elise tried to swallow her embarrassment. She shrugged, and it hurt from the base of her neck down the back of her legs. She didn’t so much as grimace, however. Papa was already worried, and she didn’t want to give him something else to worry about.
The doctor forced a large spoonful of medicine into her mouth. “Take this. It will help with the pain.”
She swallowed the bitter medicine and couldn’t hide her displeasure. “I don’t know what that was, but I believe the pain was less difficult to bear. That tastes terrible.”
Her father laughed. “Good medicine often tastes bad.”
“It will make the ambulance ride more bearable,” the doctor said.
She felt a wave of dizziness. “Well, I’ve never ridden in an ambulance. I suppose there are first times for everything.” She forced a smile and looked at the man who’d helped her. “What did you say your name was?” The medicine was making her sleepy.
“Nick.”
She fought to keep her focus. “Yes. Nicodemus. Such a wonderful name.” She closed her eyes. “Thank you for helping me.”
“I would say it was my pleasure, but I’m not sure that’s exactly the right word.”
She smiled. “Nor would I. But I appreciate no longer lying in the middle of the road.”
“The ambulance is here,” someone called from the open door.
