Depending on the Doctor (Nevada Bounty Book 2) Read Online Free
Author: Margaret Madigan
some beans onto my plate. “I suppose it depends on what I find there.”
I had no idea what Randall’s specific plans for Lydia were, but I had a general idea of what she’d find in Omaha. It wasn’t really any of my concern. All I had to do was deliver Randall’s sister to him and my debt would be paid. End of my involvement, or so I hoped.
Silence settled over the table, broken by the clink of silverware on china, slurping from cups, and the sound of chewing and swallowing. The tension in the silence wound tighter the longer it lasted, tempting me to excuse myself and head back to town. I certainly didn’t belong in the middle of this family argument.
“So Emmett, what do you do when you’re not delivering messages and escorting women across country?” Wyatt asked.
The question was casual enough, but his eyes hinted at professional interest. I supposed as sheriff it was an occupational hazard to be suspicious of everyone, but I bristled under the scrutiny. My past was none of his business.
I swallowed and wiped my mouth with a napkin while I collected my thoughts. “Actually, I mix and sell a selection of medicinal tonics,” I said.
“So you’re a huckster?” Beth asked.
I sighed and placed my napkin on the table. “No. I’m a physician—was a physician. Since then, I’ve developed several tonics which are legitimate remedies.”
“You’re not a physician anymore?” Beth asked.
Isaac cleared his throat, and placed a hand over Beth’s. She gave him a sour look, but took his gesture as the warning it was meant to be. “Beth’s father is a physician,” Isaac said, “and she trained at his side, so she has a particular interest in medicine. She’s been a midwife in Palmer, and filled in as physician when Doc Brown was too drunk to treat patients.”
“Well, then, you know that many of a physician’s tonics are worthy of more widespread sales,” I said, returning her sharp glare. I’d spent the last couple of years sparring with naysayers like her. It didn’t help that there were plenty of hucksters out there selling at best worthless, and at worst dangerous, tonics to desperate people.
“Why’d you stop practicing medicine?” Daisy asked.
“It’s a long story, and not terribly interesting,” I said. It was true enough, but most people would certainly find it interesting, especially Randall. I tried not to think about it for the pain and anguish it caused me. “Actually, I find I’m able to help more people with what I do now.”
Beth grunted her doubt across the table, but didn’t elaborate.
“How did you meet my brother?” Lydia asked.
She’d been quiet for so long, and I’d been so focused on Beth, I’d nearly forgotten she sat beside me. When I looked at her, she kept her attention on her plate, as if she could hide in plain sight.
“I ran into him shortly after I started on the road. That was when he was still on the tent revival circuit. I was trying to establish my business, but I was low on capital. He loaned me money in exchange for a future favor. That’s how I ended up here. He called in that favor.”
Lydia’s only acknowledgement was a little sideways tip of her head.
I scooted my chair away from the table. “Speaking of which, I’ve purchased train tickets out of Carson City for two days from now. We have seats on the stage for Carson City tomorrow morning. We’ll stay the night there, take the train up to Reno, then east to Omaha.”
General chaos ensued following my pronouncement, as I’d expected. It was best to get it over with so I could head back to town. Beth and Daisy both froze momentarily, then began protesting. I couldn’t make out what either of them said, other than they weren’t in favor of my plans. None of the men had anything to add, other than a variety of doubtful and suspicious glares. Nellie’s expression was unreadable, though her gaze never wavered, leaving me uncomfortable and ready to bolt.
Lydia’s eyes finally
I had no idea what Randall’s specific plans for Lydia were, but I had a general idea of what she’d find in Omaha. It wasn’t really any of my concern. All I had to do was deliver Randall’s sister to him and my debt would be paid. End of my involvement, or so I hoped.
Silence settled over the table, broken by the clink of silverware on china, slurping from cups, and the sound of chewing and swallowing. The tension in the silence wound tighter the longer it lasted, tempting me to excuse myself and head back to town. I certainly didn’t belong in the middle of this family argument.
“So Emmett, what do you do when you’re not delivering messages and escorting women across country?” Wyatt asked.
The question was casual enough, but his eyes hinted at professional interest. I supposed as sheriff it was an occupational hazard to be suspicious of everyone, but I bristled under the scrutiny. My past was none of his business.
I swallowed and wiped my mouth with a napkin while I collected my thoughts. “Actually, I mix and sell a selection of medicinal tonics,” I said.
“So you’re a huckster?” Beth asked.
I sighed and placed my napkin on the table. “No. I’m a physician—was a physician. Since then, I’ve developed several tonics which are legitimate remedies.”
“You’re not a physician anymore?” Beth asked.
Isaac cleared his throat, and placed a hand over Beth’s. She gave him a sour look, but took his gesture as the warning it was meant to be. “Beth’s father is a physician,” Isaac said, “and she trained at his side, so she has a particular interest in medicine. She’s been a midwife in Palmer, and filled in as physician when Doc Brown was too drunk to treat patients.”
“Well, then, you know that many of a physician’s tonics are worthy of more widespread sales,” I said, returning her sharp glare. I’d spent the last couple of years sparring with naysayers like her. It didn’t help that there were plenty of hucksters out there selling at best worthless, and at worst dangerous, tonics to desperate people.
“Why’d you stop practicing medicine?” Daisy asked.
“It’s a long story, and not terribly interesting,” I said. It was true enough, but most people would certainly find it interesting, especially Randall. I tried not to think about it for the pain and anguish it caused me. “Actually, I find I’m able to help more people with what I do now.”
Beth grunted her doubt across the table, but didn’t elaborate.
“How did you meet my brother?” Lydia asked.
She’d been quiet for so long, and I’d been so focused on Beth, I’d nearly forgotten she sat beside me. When I looked at her, she kept her attention on her plate, as if she could hide in plain sight.
“I ran into him shortly after I started on the road. That was when he was still on the tent revival circuit. I was trying to establish my business, but I was low on capital. He loaned me money in exchange for a future favor. That’s how I ended up here. He called in that favor.”
Lydia’s only acknowledgement was a little sideways tip of her head.
I scooted my chair away from the table. “Speaking of which, I’ve purchased train tickets out of Carson City for two days from now. We have seats on the stage for Carson City tomorrow morning. We’ll stay the night there, take the train up to Reno, then east to Omaha.”
General chaos ensued following my pronouncement, as I’d expected. It was best to get it over with so I could head back to town. Beth and Daisy both froze momentarily, then began protesting. I couldn’t make out what either of them said, other than they weren’t in favor of my plans. None of the men had anything to add, other than a variety of doubtful and suspicious glares. Nellie’s expression was unreadable, though her gaze never wavered, leaving me uncomfortable and ready to bolt.
Lydia’s eyes finally
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