The Montana Doctor's Love (New Montana Brides Book 8) (3 page)

Chapter four

A Reunion

“I heard you were back. It never dawned on me, you might answer my call,” she said.

“It’s nice to see you, Mary Louise,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”

“It has been a long time,” she said. “About twelve years. Press is in the bedroom.”

She led the way to the bedroom. The room contained a dresser, a chest of drawers, one chair and a bed. Patrick went straight to the bedside, and placed his hand on the man’s head. He opened his bag and took out a thermometer, and a stethoscope.

“Mr. Wells, I need to get your temperature,” he said. He soaked a cotton pad with alcohol and wiped the thermometer several times and then shook it down.

“Call me Press, Doc,” he said. “Thanks for coming.”

“Hold this under your tongue,” Patrick said, and took his pulse. With the sphygmomanometer, he took Press’s blood pressure.

“Can you sit up and let me listen to your chest and lungs?” he asked. “Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly.” He listened, and moved the microphone, “Again.” Two more times and then he repeated the process from the back.

“What do you think it is?” Mary Louise asked.

“Pneumonia. His temperature is 103º. The pulse is a little fast. The profuse sweating, the shakes and there’s fluid in the lungs. All of these are indicative of pneumonia.”

“What do we do?” she asked.

“I would be more comfortable with him in Saint John’s,” Patrick said.

“Can’t I take care of him here?”

“You could possibly do that, unless there’s an emergency.”

“Isn’t there anything you can give him?” she asked.

“It’s not something I have, but there is an inoculation available, but it’s a preventive rather than a cure. His pneumonia is advanced and I don’t think it would be effective, but they will try everything. Unfortunately, it’s not something we carry in our bags.

“Some hospitals use an oxygen therapy, but in my experience at Washington General, it was ineffective. He should be kept hydrated, so give him plenty of liquids, such as hot soup, and he should drink plenty of water.

He nodded his head toward the hallway. When they were out of the room, he asked, “Is there a problem with taking him to Saint John’s?”

Her cheeks flushed. “Patrick, I don’t know how we could pay for it. Without both of us working, there’s nothing coming in.”

“Take him, there and tell them the circumstances. They will admit him, and you can worry about it later.

“Pneumonia is not something to play around with. It can be fatal. If he’s coughing, he’s spraying the germs around. You and your daughter can catch it too. I would keep her out of the room, by the way. You should cover your mouth while you’re in there.

“Would you like for me to make the arrangements? I’ll be happy to do so,” he said.

“I don’t know,” she said.

“Well, let me know. I’ll come back tomorrow to check on him.”

She put her hand on his arm. “Thanks for coming over. I appreciate it. I’ll think about it and let you know,” she said.

The next day…

Patrick had finished his rounds at the hospital and returned to his office. The nurse and office person said, “Mrs. Wells called and asked me to tell you to go ahead and make the arrangements. Her husband’s cough got worse during the night.”

Patrick called the hospital and arranged to have Preston Wells admitted. He asked them to send an ambulance to pick him up and take him to the hospital.

He asked the operator to connect him to the Wells home. A very tired sounding Mary Louise answered. “Mary Louise, an ambulance should be there any minute to take him to the hospital. Do you have anyone to stay with your daughter?”

“No, our neighbors are at work. Can’t she go with us and wait outside?” she asked.

“No, they won’t allow it. I’m going to call Mom and tell her you’re bringing your daughter to our house. When the ambulance comes, you take her to Mom. What’s her name by the way?”

“Emily. Her name’s Emily. Patrick, I can’t let you do this.”

“You always did argue too much. Now do as I said, then come to the hospital. I’ll be there,” Patrick said, the tone of his voice indicated he would brook no argument.

“Thank you, Patrick,” she said and hung up.

He called his mother. “Mom, I just admitted Mary Louise’s husband to the hospital with pneumonia. It’s pretty bad. She doesn’t have anyone to look after her daughter, until she can take her to her parents. I told her to bring her to you. Is that all right? If not, I’ll send Lorna over to get her. Her name is Emily, by the way.”

“Of course it’s all right,” his mother said. “Is he going to be all right?”

“I don’t know, Mom. He has a raging fever, and Mary Louise said he coughed all night.”

“Oh no,” she said. “Are you going to the hospital?”

“As soon as I hang up.”

“Tell her I’ll be praying for him,” she said.

“I will, Mom. Thanks for the help.”

Chapter five

Mary Louise Wells

Patrick turned when Mary Louise came into the room. “Did you get Emily taken care of?” he asked.

“I did, and I really appreciate it, I’ll take her to Mom and Dad’s as soon as I can. Their phone was out of order, so I couldn’t call them.” she said.

“Mom loves kids. She will enjoy having her there. With Lucy having her own place, it’d just the two of them. And me. We have your husband settled in here too.” He motioned her into the hall. “Tell me about last night.”

“His cough was a lot worse. It was a terrible racking sound. I don’t know that he got any sleep at all. He was perspiring so heavily, I had to change the sheets. I was up with him all night, afraid to leave him.”

“When a person has a lot of fluid in their lungs, there’s little room for air. It literally is a life and death struggle. They are basically drowning. Did he complain of chest pain?” Patrick said.

“Yes, he did. Is that his heart?

“No, it’s caused by the buildup of fluid.

“Is he going to make it?” she asked.

“I wish I could give you some encouragement,” Patrick said, “but, frankly it doesn’t look good. Influenza and pneumonia are the leading causes of death. It is particularly deadly for the very old and very young.

“Let the sisters take care of Preston, you need to take care of yourself. Have you eaten?”

She shook her head. “I had no appetite. I fixed something for Emily, but I can’t even tell you what it was.”

“That is not good. You’ve been inhaling the germs. You need to be strong, so your body can protect itself. I recommend you get the inoculation. It may help prevent you getting it.

“Was your daughter exposed to the coughing?” he asked.

“Some, but not during the night. Should she be inoculated too?” Mary Louise asked.

“I don’t believe they do it for someone as young as she is,” he said. “I’ll ask the sisters. The inoculation causes a very mild pneumonia, when the body fights it off, it becomes immune.”

“Am I at risk?” she asked.

“I don’t mean to sound flippant, but everyone is at risk. That’s why I suggest you get the inoculation.”

“Have you had it?” she asked.

“I have. I was inoculated when I was at Washington General.”

“I have to go to the office, I’ve got patients coming in, but the sisters will call me if he worsens. I’ll check on him later. I’m going to have them bring you a blanket. You need to get some rest.”

Patrick made a house call to one of the outlying ranches to help the rancher’s wife with a delivery in a breech birth. After he was able to turn the baby, the delivery proceeded normally from that point. The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon when he returned home. He bathed, dressed and went into the kitchen.

“How was Emily?” he asked his mother.

“She is afraid for her papa. I think she’s still asleep. She is a delightful little girl.”

He ate quickly, and returned to the hospital. Mary Louise was asleep in a chair in the corner of the room. He checked the chart at the foot of the bed. There was little change in the patient’s condition, his temperature was still elevated, his pulse rate was rapid, and his breathing ragged.
This is not a good sign.

“
I guess I fell asleep,” said a voice from the corner. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I just got here. You were sleeping so peacefully, I tried not to disturb you.”

“You didn’t.” she said, “Do you have any idea how noisy this place is?”

“I do. I did three years residency in a noisy hospital. It was a madhouse, twenty-four hours a day. How much sleep did you get,” he asked.

“Some, not much, I guess,” she said. “Is Emily okay? Did she ask where I was?”

“I don’t know. I was out most of the night on a delivery. It was daylight when I got home. She was still asleep when I left. Mom said she was delightful.”

“Good. I’m glad she hasn’t been much of a bother. I’ll try to get word to Mother and Dad, so they can come in and help

“How is Press?”

“I don’t see much change in the chart.”

“That’s not good, is it?” she asked.

“I was hoping for improvement. He seems more comfortable than he was when we brought him in. Has he been awake?” Patrick asked.

“Some. He was trying to talk but it didn’t make sense.”

“How long since you ate?” Patrick asked.

“I don’t know,” she said.

“You have to eat. When I come back, I’ll bring something. In the meantime, ask one of the sisters if there is any food.”

“Are you this fussy about all of your patients?” she asked.

“If you are asking do I care, the answer is yes. If you’re asking if your husband is getting special treatment, that answer is also yes.”

“I’m going to talk to the sister. I’ll be back later.”

“Thank you, Patrick.” She gave him a wan smile.

When he returned at eleven, he gave her a plate of cold chicken, and potato salad his mother had fixed. “I would have been back earlier, but I fell asleep,” he confessed.

“I talked to Emily, and Mother is right, she is delightful. I told her you were staying with her papa, but would see her later this afternoon. I had one of the stable hands go tell your parents what was going on. You will probably see them before too long.”

She touched his hand. “You’re more than a good doctor, you’re a good friend, and I appreciate it. Thank you.”

When he returned to the hospital at two o’clock, her parents were there. Her father, Zebulon, asked Patrick if they could speak privately. “Tell me the truth doctor. What do you think?”

“Truthfully, I’m disappointed he hasn’t improved. He’s fighting for his life, and right now, he’s losing. The fluid in his lungs is putting pressure on his heart. I don’t know how much it has left. I would suggest you begin preparing Mary Louise for the worst.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. They’ve had a hard time, but he’s a good husband and a good father.”

“I haven’t been as open with her as I am being with you. When she asked how he was after I examined him this morning, I told her not much change. She knows that wasn’t good, but I didn’t want to take all of her hope away.

“Emily is staying with my mother, so don’t worry about her. Mom is enjoying it. She wants grandbabies and right now it doesn’t look as if there is one in the future from me or Lucy,” Patrick said.

“We appreciate the help you’ve given Mary Louise. If you ever need anything, you only have to ask.”

“Thank you, Mr. Parsons. Mary was my friend. I did what any friend would have done.”

Chapter six

A Sad Day

“Patrick!”

“What is it? Move back. Let me examine him.” He couldn’t find a heartbeat. He started pressing against the heart with both hands. After twenty minutes, he stopped, and said, “He’s gone. His heart just gave out. I’m sorry, Mary Louise. I’m truly sorry.” He moved away from the bed.

She went to the bedside, and put her hand against his cheek. “Goodbye Press, I love you.” With that, she turned to her father and said, “I want to go to Emily.”

Zebulon stepped to the side and motioned for Patrick, to join him. “Doctor, what do we need to do here?”

`“The hospital will hold him until you tell them what to do,” Patrick said. “Normally, the undertaker takes the body and prepares it for burial. He transports the body to the funeral and then to the cemetery. I can help with the arrangements if you like.”

“You’ve done enough already. I just needed to know what was necessary,” Zebulon said.

“I would like to attend the funeral if I may,” he said.

“I’m sure Mary Louise would appreciate it. We’ll let you know as soon as the arrangements are made.”

The Christian Church four days later…

Preston Wells’ funeral was held in the church with Jack Owens conducting the service. The deceased was laid to rest in the Forestvale Cemetery. Patrick, his father and his mother attended the services.

“How are you doing, Mary Louise?”

“I’m trying to cope, Patrick, but it’s so hard. It was too soon to lose him.

“I’m trying to be strong for Emily. She’s angry, because she no longer has the papa she adored.”

“I know you have your mother, but if you need to talk, Mom asked me to tell you, you can talk to her. She’s seen a lot of grief in her time, her first husband, and then Papa’s first wife, who was her best friend. He said she saved his life.

“Are you going to be staying in town?”

“I think Emily and I will go back to the ranch with Mama and Papa.”

“Well, if I can do anything for you, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Patrick. We appreciate all you’ve done already,” she said.

* * *

A Sunday morning seven months later…

The cowboy lay on a table in the bunkhouse, his right leg twisted at an ugly angle. His face contorted with pain, he didn’t speak as Patrick walked in.

“What happened?” Patrick asked.

“’At ole bull stepped on him. He’s lucky the horn didn’t get him, else we’d be planting him up on the hill,” the lanky cowpoke on the other side of the table responded.

“You men hold him down while I examine him.” After his examination, Patrick said, I’m going to use ether to put him to sleep. All cigarettes out. No matches. We don’t want to burn this place down. The bone didn’t punch out, but it’s going to have to be set.”

The cowboy’s face had relaxed under the effect of the ether. I’m going to cut the leg off the jeans. Taking them off could cause more damage.” He cut the pant leg. Now make sure you’ve got a good grip. He won’t feel anything but I don’t want him to move.

He took hold of the leg below the break. “Hold tight, here we go.” He pulled hard. “Hold tight. Once again.” He pulled harder, and felt the broken edges of the bone mesh, and said “Got it.”

He removed some gauze rubbed in plaster of Paris powder and wrapped it around the damaged leg, extending from the knee down and over the ankle and foot. He wet the gauze.

“What’s that stuff Doc,” one of the men asked.

“It’s called plaster of Paris. It will harden and protect the leg. After a while he can put some weight on the leg, but it’s going to hurt for a few days. He’ll have to use crutches to get about. After that, if he feels up to it, he can walk on the cast. I’ll remove the cast in six weeks.

“I’ll stick around until he comes out of the ether, and Make sure he’s all right.”

On occasion Patrick was unable to make it to church because of house calls. Today had been one of the occasions.

“Too bad you were unable to go to church today,” his mother said. Mary Louise was there with Emily and her parents.”

“How is she doing?” he asked.

“She seems to be all right, still grieving, but that’s understandable. Emily is really growing. She’s going to be a beautiful girl, just like her mother.”

“I’m sorry I missed them. I would have liked to see her. I admire the way she held up during her husband’s ordeal. She was a rock.”

“She asked me to thank you again and to tell you how much she appreciated what you did.”

Three months passed…

Patrick was sitting in his office. It was a slow day. He was glad for the respite. Roundup time was approaching and that usually brought with it some broken arms, legs and worse, as the cowboys worked the cattle and drove them to market.

Lorna stuck her head in the door and said, “Doctor, there’s someone to see you.”

“Thanks, Lorna, send them back.”
I knew it couldn’t last.

Mary Louis walked in. He stood. “Has something happened? Is it Emily?”

She smiled. “No nothing like that. I guess you’re used to people coming in with problems. We came in with Mama and Papa for some things, and I thought I would say hello. Emily is talking to your mother.”

“I’m glad you stopped in. This is a treat for me,” he said. “How are you doing? Mom told me she saw you in church a while back. I was out setting a broken leg that day.”

“I’m doing well,” she said. “It has been a difficult time, but I’m getting better. Emily too. She doesn’t ask about her father anymore. We’ve talked about it.

“I’m going by the cemetery while I’m in town, but I don’t think I’ll take her,” she said.

“I apologize if this offends you, but could I come with you? If it bothers you, just say no. I’ll understand,” he said.

“I would like that, Patrick. When will you be free?” she asked.

“I’m free right now. It has been slow, but it’s the lull before the roundup flood.”

“Now is good. Would you call your mother and tell her I’ll collect Emily in a little while?”

“I will. Could I take the two of you to lunch?” he asked.

“I would enjoy that. Emily will too.”