Edward closed his eyes and shook his head ever so slightly. “I don’t remember much.”
“You don’t have to, son. There were plenty of witnesses.” Dr. Scott pressed a wooden tube against his ear and against Edward’s chest. He listened for several minutes, then moved the tube to another location on his patient’s chest.
“Your lungs sound clear and the heart strong. These are all very good signs.” Dr. Scott straightened. “Keep improving like this and we’ll have you home before you know it.”
The words were music to Marybeth’s ears. Still, she could see how very weak Edward was and that he needed to rest. She waited until Dr. Scott was finished examining him before posing a question.
“Should he eat something?”
Dr. Scott gave her a smile. “Mrs. Scott has a famous broth that I helped her create. It has curative properties. I’ll haveher warm some up, and you can spoon that down him. He doesn’t need to eat much, however. He needs to sleep. Rest is best. That’s what my mother used to say.”
Marybeth nodded and glanced back at her husband. Edward looked as if he’d fallen back asleep. She reached for the covers and pulled them up and over his chest. With the movement, Edward opened his eyes again.
“Do you need something?” Marybeth asked.
“No. You?”
“I just need you to recover. To get completely well. I was afraid I’d lost you.”
He gave the hint of a nod. “Almost.”
She trembled and pushed down her fears. “Guess God had other plans.”
17
Edward had been with the Scotts now for a week, and the doctor wasn’t yet talking about his release. He hadn’t taken an infection but was very weak from the loss of blood. Marybeth prayed daily for Edward’s recovery and did her best to be at his side to relieve Mrs. Scott from having to be his constant nurse.
Melody and Eve had worked out an arrangement for seeing to Carrie. Eve would have her at the house to play with the boys and take an afternoon nap. Then Melody would come by and pick her up and take her to the shed, where they would play until Marybeth got home. Sometimes Melody even made supper, which was quite nice. Always the shed was warm and welcoming, which helped to bolster Marybeth’s worried spirits.
Besides her concern over Edward’s recovery, Marybeth couldn’t imagine what this ordeal was going to cost them. Dr. Scott had said nothing of the bill, but Marybeth felt he was due his wage for saving Edward’s life. The assistant army surgeon had said that Edward would surely have died if they’d waited even five minutes more to stop the bleeding. There wasn’t any amount of money Marybeth wouldn’tpay in gratitude for that miracle. The only problem was that they didn’t have much money since Edward wasn’t working. Thankfully, Marybeth had come up with a solution that was seeing them through.
Fred walked her to the doctor’s each morning, but often Marybeth came home on her own. It just wasn’t convenient to wait and find someone who had time to escort her. She knew it was a risk, but one she felt she had to take. It was on one of those walks home that she saw a local laundry requesting a seamstress. Marybeth checked into the job and realized it was something she could easily manage. It didn’t pay a lot, but enough so that she could keep food on the table for her and Carrie.
A knock sounded on the door, taking her from her thoughts. She knew it would be Fred. Marybeth had already dropped Carrie off with Eve, and Fred had promised to come get her after he attended to a couple of things.
“Sorry it took so long, Marybeth,” Fred said as she opened the door. “You ready?”
“I am.” She took up her coin purse and slipped it in her pocket. “Let’s go.”
They began the walk to town with Fred commenting on Carrie. “I see she’s gotten over her cold.”
“Yes, I used that syrup that Eve gave me. It helped her so much, and now she’s feeling as good as ever.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I see you’ve brought your sewing again.”
Marybeth found it was easy to work on the mending while sitting with Edward. If he needed anything she could just set it aside and tend to him. “It’s something I can do to keep busy and not just fret over Edward.”
“I wish you’d told me sooner about the situation.” Fredshook his head. “I hate thinking of you two staying in that cold shed without coal or wood.”
When Fred found out they were low on coal he assured Marybeth that he would provide whatever was needed. And he did. From that day forward, the bin was full, and she didn’t have to worry about heating and cooking. Fred and Eve were both so good to check in and see if she or Carrie had needs. Melody and her father were helpful as well. In their short time in Cheyenne, they had made good friends.
“We’re doing fine. I was just thinking of how much God has blessed us here in Cheyenne.”
“I wish Eve could see it that way. She hates this place. She doesn’t say a lot about it because she knows I feel called to be here, but she’d have us packed and on the next train east if I gave her the go-ahead.”
“It’s a hard country to be sure. I heard someone say that come warm weather we’ll have Indians to worry about.”
“The army will keep them peaceful. There are really some good folks among the native peoples.”
