Page 24 of A Letter to Carolina
“I’m sorry,” she apologized, turning back to the other women. “Molly is resting. If either of you can tell me what happened to her ribs, that would be helpful. For now, though, she needs to rest, and we’ll be able to keep watch over her.”
“You defended us.” Dot dropped into a nearby chair.
“No one’s ever done that before.” Carly shook her head, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Well. That was not how I intended to introduce myself. I’m going to take the girls back over to the saloon and will make plans to stop back in a few days.” Libby gathered the girls up and gave Carolina a measured glance. “If you need anything, send Tater over. Spades or I will help you in any way that we can.”
“Would you like to come back for tea or coffee in a few days?” Carolina offered, hoping that she would agree.
“I…I’m not sure I’m the friend you need after just arriving in town.” The other woman hedged.
“I believe you’re exactly the friend I want. If it won’t inconvenience you.” Carolina shook Libby’s hand.
“I can come Saturday afternoon.”
“I look forward to seeing you, then.” Carolina held the door open while the three women left. She watched as they walked down Main Street towards the Saloon, while the onlookers whispered and pointed.
Chapter Nine
Nate knew gossip was going to travel. He didn’t realize just how quickly it would travel throughout Flat River. That’s what happened when there wasn’t much happening in a small town that only received a stagecoach twice a month. Any event was worth sharing, no matter the topic.
Nate made his way to Whit and Sam’s office. The warmth of their friendship was enough to give him strength. He thought of all the times they had provided sound advice, and he was grateful for their wise counsel in that moment as he faced his own uncertainty regarding the outburst at the clinic.
After much back and forth, his options were simple. He could direct the ladies from Miss Marcy’s to come in through the back door or set up something over at the saloon. The thought of setting up space at the saloon for Carolina to see patients made his stomach churn. The last thing he wanted was to have her name attached to such a scandalous location.
As he paced back and forth in Whit and Sam’s office, he realized he had to decide quickly. The longer he waited, the more the gossip would spread and the more damage it would do to his reputation.
Finally, he decided and took a deep breath. “I’ll set up a back entrance for the ladies. But I need your help in keeping this quiet,” he said to Whit and Sam. They both nodded in agreement, knowing the stakes were high. They had to do whatever it took to protect their friend and keep the scandal at bay.
He headed home, wanting to discuss it with Carolina, but she was already asleep. It wasn’t a decision he could... or should make alone, as she was the one that would be tending to the women from Miss Marcy’s.
But as he lay in bed that night, he couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt. He had made a compromise, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. As he thought about the women of Flat River, he realized he needed to come up with a plan that would empower them without making them feel helpless.
He couldn’t sleep.
Shaking off the covers, he pulled on his pants and a shirt, not bothering to tuck it in. The pants hung loose on his hips as he didn’t want to be bothered trying to find a pair of suspenders.
Descending the stairs, Nate reached the room where Libby, Tater, and Molly huddled together in conversation. They agreed Libby would watch the clinic, and Tater would fetch Nate if necessary.
They all recognized the need for a change in Molly’s situation, and Nate made a mental note to speak with Jesse about the goings on at Miss Marcy’s as soon as possible. He felt sick at the thought of what went on there. The violence inflicted upon these women was happening right out in the open, with no one stepping in to stop it.
Jesse knew better, and together, perhaps the five of them could come up with a plan to make some changes.
All it took was one voice to speak out. His thoughts turned to Carolina.
I will not turn away anyone in need of care and neither will my husband.
Her confidence in him deserved to be repaid in action.
She wasn’t ready to consummate their relationship, but she had faith in him. That was all Nate could ask for right now.
“Do you folks need anything?” Nate asked.
“Are you alright Doc?” Tater gave him a questioning look. “Yer looking a little green around the gills.”
Libby and Molly giggled, making Nate laugh as well. “Tater, you’ve been green for days now. Envision a situation in which you wed the girl of your dreams, only to have her reconsider when the town makes a negative impression on her. Now you wait to see if she will stay or not.”
The other man snorted. “That girl is more likely to take over your whole practice than run off. You deserve her.”
