NoRegretsColeNC by Christina Cole Read Free Book Online Page B

her.
    Beneath
the harsh exterior, Willie had a kind heart. She must find a way to help him.
    But
how?
    If only
she knew more about him, perhaps she could find the way. Just as Dr. Abner
Kellerman believed in the oft-ridiculed theory of those little invisible
creatures he called bacteria causing disease, Hattie Mae Richards had her own
theory of suffering. When a body was hurting, it was more than a physical
affliction. To heal, a physician had not only to bind up wounds but also to
consider the patient’s thoughts and feelings.
    From
the start, Hattie had suspected the truth. Willie no longer wanted to live.
    But
why?
    With
their little bargain now off the table, he had no incentive to do as Dr.
Kellerman asked. So long as his mind remained intent upon dying, he would never
fully recover from his injuries.
    When
she reached the stairway, Hattie noticed the soft glow of lamplight coming from
the nearby kitchen. Curious, she poked her head around the corner and peered
through the doorway.
    “Mrs.
Kellerman, good evening,” she said in a quiet voice, not wanting to startle the
woman.
    Charlotte
looked up from the plate of cookies set before her. She winced, then smiled. “Good evening, Hattie. You’ve caught me with my
hand in the cookie jar.” She laughed. “Please, don’t tell my husband. He’s got
the notion in his head that too many sweets are bad for the digestion. He’d
probably give me a scolding if he knew I’d been filching macaroons.”
    “I
happen to agree with him,” Hattie replied, but she kept a smile on her face. “I
suppose we can keep this as our secret.”
    How odd
that once again she was being asked to withhold information, only in this
instance it seemed almost trivial. It was quite easy to agree. Willie’s
request, however, now weighed heavily upon her mind. She’d made a bad bargain
with him. Her deception had quickly come out. Hattie pursed her lips.
    “Are
you all right, dear?” Charlotte frowned. “You’re welcome to join me,” she said,
pushing the plate in the girl’s direction. “I promise I won’t tell Dr.
Kellerman.”
    “Thank
you, but I’m not particularly hungry.” It occurred to Hattie that she’d hardly
eaten a bite all day. She’d been too nervous, too anxious, and far too busy to
give food a thought. Even now, she had no appetite. “I would like to talk to
you, if you have a moment.”
    Charlotte
nodded toward a chair. “I can tell something is bothering you, Hattie. You
know, you’re not very good at hiding your feelings.”
    “I never
knew I was supposed to hide them.” She shrugged. “I guess people do that a lot,
and maybe that’s what’s wrong with the world. People saying
one thing and doing another, pretending not to care when all the while their
emotions are tearing them apart.” Hattie’s breath came out shaky. “Why
can’t people just tell the truth, Mrs. Kellerman? Why can’t folks say what they
mean…and do what they say?” she added.
    “What’s
brought this on?” Charlotte eyed her with a suddenly wary look.
    “I’m
not sure, and that’s the honest truth.” Weariness overcame her. She all but
collapsed into the closest chair. Leaning forward, she cradled her head in her
hands. “It’s…”
    Willie.
    She
almost spoke his name aloud. Such familiarity would be improper, of course.
Hattie lifted her chin, looked directly at Charlotte Kellerman, and said what
was on her mind.
    “Tell
me about Willie Morse.”
    “What
about him?” Charlotte stared back.
    “Folks
talk about what a rough time he’s had of it in recent months, but from what
I’ve seen, it’s his own doing, isn’t it?” When the
other woman raised one eyebrow, Hattie hesitated. Had she spoken out of turn?
Had she somehow offended? She plunged ahead. “What I mean is that drinking is a
choice he’s made—”
    Charlotte
reached across the table and took hold of Hattie’s hand.
    “It’s
not so easy as that,” she said in a quiet voice.
    “No,
I’m sure