The Montana Doctor's Love (New Montana Brides Book 8) (5 page)

Chapter ten

Baltimore

Patrick’s mother and father had gone to bed when he came in from the hospital. There was a note pinned to the door of the icebox.

The note said, “Mary Louise called twice. She sounded upset.” He looked at the clock. It’s past midnight.
It’s too late to call tonight.

He sat at the table with the plate his mother had left for him. He was bone weary, but knew he had to eat. It was almost tomorrow, another day. A few more bites and he gave it up. About to fall asleep at the table, he covered the plate and put it back in the ice box.

He sat on his bed and removed his shoes. He fell asleep, fully clothed, and didn’t awaken until daybreak. He staggered into the kitchen and found his father, at the table with a cup of coffee.

“Did the hospital call?” he asked.

“No, were they supposed to?”

“I asked them to call if our patient took a turn for the worse,” Patrick said.

“What time was it when you finally came home?”

“It was past midnight,” Patrick said. “They asked me to help with another emergency, a gunshot wound. I checked on our patient after I finished helping with the gunshot wound. He was holding his own, so I came on home. I’ll get a quick bath and go back over there.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Carter said. “You go back to bed.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll take you up on it.” Back in his bedroom, he undressed and fell asleep a minute after his head hit the pillow.

It was mid-morning when we awakened again. He bathed and dressed. He went to the kitchen.

“Mr. Patrick you look like something the cat drug in and the dogs didn’t want. You sit down and I’ll fix you some breakfast,” the housekeeper said.

“Thank you, Thelma. I need to make a phone call first.”

The phone was on a table in the parlor. He took it off the hook and cranked it. “Central, would you get me the Circle P ranch please”

It was answered by Charlotte after the third ring. “Hello,” she said.

“Mrs. Parsons, this is Patrick Palmer. Could I speak to Mary Louise, please?”

“Oh Patrick. She was expecting you to call last night. She’s not here. She and Emily left for Baltimore this morning. She’s staying with my sister for a while.”

“I was at the hospital all day and a good bit of the night. This was kind of sudden, wasn’t it?” he asked.

“She decided Wednesday, and called Martha. When she couldn’t get you yesterday, she asked me to tell you, she just wasn’t ready.

“Don’t be upset with her, Patrick. She feels guilty about the feelings she’s having about you, and didn’t know what to do. For what it’s worth, she cares about you. So do we, for that matter.

“I shouldn’t even tell you this, but she and Preston were having a hard time of it. He wouldn’t accept our help. They could have stayed with us, and worked the ranch with Hiram, but he wouldn’t have it. Then when he passed, she had no choice but to come back home. Zebulon paid the hospital bill, because she couldn’t. She thought it was all her fault.”

“I didn’t know any of that. I appreciate you telling me. It’s a three day trip to Baltimore. I imagine she will be calling you when she gets there. Would you tell her I understand, I’ll be waiting whenever she is ready?”

“You’re what she needs Patrick. A good man.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you for telling me about it. I guess maybe I was pushing her too soon.”

“It wasn’t that. She was overwhelmed. I’ll tell her what you said, when I talk to her.”

He hung up the phone and turned to the breakfast Thelma had ready for him.

Patrick’s mother saw him in the kitchen and asked, “Did you call Mary Louise?”

He didn’t look up. “She’s gone. She left with Emily for Baltimore this morning. She’s going to stay with her aunt for a while.”

“You talked to Charlotte?”

“Yes. She said everything that’s happened caught up to her and she was overwhelmed,” Patrick said.

“What are you going to do,” she asked.

“The only thing I can do. Work. I’ll get over it. Speaking of, I had better get going. I want to go by the hospital and see how the man Dad and I operated on is doing.”

“He told me last night, he really enjoyed working with you yesterday,” she said.

I wish I had his hands. He’s incredible.”

“He had a lot of practice in the war. He told me once he had amputated over a thousand legs during the war,” she said.

Patrick kissed her on the cheek, and said “I hope I never have to experience anything like that. I’ll see you later. I’ll be in the office after the hospital.”

In the hospital, one of the nurses accompanied him to the room. “What kind of night did he have?” he asked.

“For the most part, he was quiet,” she said. “They took his temperature at four o’clock and it was 100.2°, so it hasn’t gotten worse.”

The patient’s wife was asleep, in a chair, her head on the bed. “We’re going to have another sick one if she doesn’t get some rest,” Patrick observed.

“I tried to get her to leave, but she had to stay. She didn’t want him to be alone.”

They were talking softly, but she stirred, and woke up. “What… Is something wrong? Is Frank… did he… ?”

“Frank is doing all right, and that’s more than I can say for you. You need to eat and get some sleep.”

“I’m all right, Doctor. I slept in the chair,” she said. “How is he?”

“His temperature hasn’t gone up, and that’s a good sign. The incision isn’t red, so we may have beaten any infection, Patrick said.

“My office is across the street, and they will call me if necessary. Doctor’s orders, eat.”

Chapter eleven

Mary Louise Called

Three weeks later…

“I talked to Mary Louise yesterday,” Charlotte Parsons said to Patrick when he picked up the phone.

“How is she?” he asked.

“She sounded fine. She’s seen several of her friends from college. Emily is over her bout with whatever was bothering her.”

“Did she say anything about coming back?” Patrick asked.

“I’m sorry to say she didn’t.”

“Is she even coming back?” he asked.

“I’m sure she is. I just don’t know when, and I don’t think she does either.”

“When you talk to her again, tell her I asked about her,” he said.

“I will do that. How are you doing, Patrick?”

“I’m okay,” he said. “Working a lot, with roundup time and all the accidents that go with it. With the flu going around, it keeps the two of us busy.”

“Take care of yourself. We need you. Tell your mother and dad hello for me.”

“I’ll do that, and thanks for calling. They’ve been on my mind.”

“I’ll tell her that too. Goodbye, Patrick.”

Monday morning two weeks later…

Finished setting a broken arm for a cowboy who had gotten pinned against a corral post, Patrick sat at his desk between patients.

“Doctor, you have a telephone call,” their nurse said.

“For me or for Dad?” he asked.

“It’s for you,” she said.

“Hello, this is Doctor Palmer.”

“Patrick? Is that you?” The scratchy voice came over the line.

“Yes, this is Patrick.”

“Emily and I are coming home Friday. Will you meet our train?” Mary Louise said.

“Yes, of course. Mary Louise? I’m glad you’re coming back.” he said.

“Me too. See you Friday. I haven’t told Mama yet. I want to surprise them.”

The connection was broken. “Another patient?” his father asked from the doorway.

“No, that was Mary Louise. She’s coming home Friday,” Patrick said.

“Good, maybe now you will quit moping around,” his father laughed.

“I do not mope. I’m full of eagerness and enthusiasm.”

“You’re moping.”

Friday finally came. Patrick was on the platform at the depot when the westbound train huffed and puff its way into the station. Steam hissed from beneath as the engineer applied the brakes. Patrick moved closer as the conductor placed steps to make it easier for the passengers to step from the train to the wooden platform.

There she is. I like her hair down, and that is a beautiful dress. She really looks good in the yellow. She looks more relaxed. Emily looks like she’s grown three inches since they left.

He walked toward them. “Mary Louise. Over here,” he called out.

She turned, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. “Now that’s what I call a real greeting,” he said.

“I missed you. That’s why I came back. I’m sorry we left without talking to you, but I called.”

“I know. Mother left me a note. It was well past midnight when I got home from the hospital. I thought it was too late to call.”

“Mama told me.” she said.

He turned to Emily. “You have grown. It looks like you’re this much taller. ” He held his fingers about three inches apart. “You are a young lady now. A pretty young lady.”

Emily smiled. “Thank you,” she said.

“I need to talk, Patrick.” Mary Louise said. “I’ve learned something about myself since I left.”

“You really look nice, and I love your hair down. You look a lot more relaxed now. I think it was good for you to get away for a while,” he said. “Where would you like to talk?”

“Any place we can have some privacy.”

“My house okay?” he asked.

“Your house would be good,” she said.

“The buggy is over here. If you point out your baggage, I’ll load it up.”

“I’m going to drive slowly. I want everyone to see me with you two pretty girls.” Mary Louise patted his hand.

“We’d like for everyone to see the handsome doctor we’re with, wouldn’t we Emily?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Thelma?” Patrick called out to his housekeeper, “I’m going to be in the living room with Mrs. Wells. Would you see we’re not disturbed, and see if Emily needs anything?”

He indicated a chair, and said, “Would you like to sit here?”

“I’d prefer the sofa if you don’t mind, and I’d like for you to sit by me.”

She took his hands. “I’ve rehearsed what I want to say, but it didn’t sound right, so I’m just going to come out and say it.

“I had to get away. I was angry over Preston’s death and I blamed myself for our troubles. Then you came along and were so kind and caring, it confused things more.”

“I… “

“No, don’t say anything, please let me finish. I don’t know why we lost touch with each other back when we went off to college, but I regret it. When I came back home, Preston swept me off my feet and we were married. We were happy at first, especially when Emily came along, but things turned sour. Papa offered to help, but Preston wanted no part of charity. I was convinced it was all my fault. Then he got sick, and I blamed myself for that.

“You stepped in without being asked and took care of Emily and of me. I felt guilty about that too. I was all messed up.

“I’m at peace with myself now, and realize it wasn’t all my fault. There, that’s pretty much all I had to say.

“I came to realize I care for you. I’m ready to get on with my life. I want you to be part of it, if that’s what you want too.”

“Whether from school or whatever, there’s been no one for me since our church social days,” Patrick said. I came home from Johns Hopkins for Christmas, hoping to see you, but Mama told me you had gotten married. I was disappointed, but I hoped you were happy. I still had five more years of medical school, internship and residency. I was too busy to be lonely.

“So where do we go from here?” he asked.

“That’s pretty much up to you,” she said.

“I don’t want it to be up to me.
It has to be both of us. Emily too. I love my parents, but I want to have a family. I would like to have you as part of my family.”

Her green eyes were shiny with moisture. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

“I am. Mary Louise, will you be my wife?”

“I will. It’s what I came back for.” He took her in his arms and kissed her. She tightened her arms around his neck and returned the kiss.

“Mama, why are you kissing Doctor Palmer?” Emily asked from the doorway.

“Because I love the doctor and he just asked me to marry him,” she answered.

“And I love you and your mama,” Patrick said.

“Oh, okay.”

“When would you like for this to happen?” he asked.

“As soon as possible. I don’t want to waste any more time,” she said.

Patrick’s mother came in from the office. “Mary Louise! Patrick told me you were coming home today. It’s good to see you. How are you?”

“Never better,” Mary Louise said.

“Mother, tell her what it’s like being a doctor’s wife. I asked her to marry me, and she accepted.”

“Well, good for you,” his mother replied. “It’s what I’ve been hoping for. When?”

“In her words, as soon as possible,” Patrick said.

Elizabeth, ever practical said, “You have some things to get done, then. You’ll have to get a license, arrange for the preacher, and the church. I presume you will want the church?”

I would like for Jack to perform the service, how about you?” he asked Mary Louise.

“It’s fine. I’ve had a big wedding. I just want to be your wife,” she said.

“Now for the deal breaker,” Patrick said. “Emily,” he called out. “Could you come in here for a minute?

“I’ve asked your mother to marry me. Is that all right with you?”

“Yes. Where will we live?”

“We haven’t decided that yet. I wanted to make sure it was okay with you.”

“It’s okay,” she said.

Could I have a hug?” he asked.