When the Heart Heals by Ann Shorey Read Free Book Online Page B

friend Miss Haddon lives there.”
    â€œA strange setting for such a well-turned-out young lady.”
    â€œI agree.”
    The farm passed out of sight behind a grove of trees. When the doctor stopped his buggy in front of the frame house, Mr. Haggerty swung off his mount and took the reins from his hands. “Just go on in. I’ll take care of your horse.”
    Red gingham curtains hung over the front window in the tidy room. A kettle steamed on the stovetop. Two young girls sat side by side on a bench next to a table, shoulders touching. The older one appeared to be around four years old. Their wide blue eyes fixed on Rosemary. “Did you come to make Mama well?”
    â€œI’ll help the doctor make her well.” She smoothed the little girl’s hair. “Why don’t you go see if your papa needs you?”
    They scrambled out of the room, their faded calico dresses fluttering at the backs of their stocking-covered legs.
    A groan issued from behind a curtain pulled over a doorway. “In here.” The woman’s voice sounded more like a gasp than speech.
    Dr. Stewart gestured for Rosemary to precede him. When she stepped into the room, a sweating blonde woman gave her a tremulous smile and held out a hand. “Thank the Lord. I’ve been so afraid. Never had this much . . .” She closed her eyes and moaned. “Baby’s been coming for hours.”
    Rosemary took her hand. “Dr. Stewart knows what to do. Don’t worry.” She hoped she sounded calmer than she felt.
    He turned to Mrs. Haggerty. “I need to examine you. Miss Saxon will be right here helping me.”
    Mrs. Haggerty clutched Rosemary’s hand with a bone-bending grip. “Go on, Doctor. Long’s I’ve got someone to hold on to, I’m ready.”

    Rosemary cradled the squalling baby boy next to a basin of warm water and stroked his pink body clean with a square of toweling. A lighted lamp hanging from a rafter burnished the blond fuzz covering the top of his head. “You’re a handsome one,” she whispered, grateful the birth had gone well. Her fears that she wouldn’t know what to do had evaporated while she followed Dr. Stewart’s calm instructions.
    After tucking the infant into a soft flannel gown, she wrapped him snugly in a blanket and cuddled him close to her chest. “Let’s go back to your mama.”
    She placed Mrs. Haggerty’s new son in her arms and stepped away from the bed. A lamp glowed on a bureau across the room. Dr. Stewart dropped his forceps into a leather satchel, then unrolled his sleeves and fastened the cuffs at his wrists.
    â€œYou need to rest for a few days, Mrs. Haggerty. Is there a neighbor who could look after you?”
    She settled her newborn son at her breast. “No. There’s two ladies at Mr. Bingham’s now, but they’re about as useless ascan be. Swan around doing fancy work and reading books. That old man who looks after the place isn’t likely to be much help, either.” She shifted her shoulders. “I’ll be fine. My husband can cook a fair bit. You tell him to come in now, would you?”
    Rosemary followed Dr. Stewart as he strode to the door and swung it open, allowing lamplight to flow onto the porch. The two little girls sat on the top step, bundled into coats against the chill of the evening. Mr. Haggerty sat in a rocking chair behind his daughters.
    He sprang to his feet when he saw Dr. Stewart. “Is Carlene all right?”
    â€œShe’s doing well. You have a healthy son.”
    â€œI’m grateful to you, Doc, and you too, Mrs. Stewart.”
    Rosemary hoped the dim light hid her embarrassment. “Dr. Stewart and I are not—”
    â€œMiss Saxon and I are not married.” The doctor cleared his throat. “Miss Saxon is a nurse, employed in my practice.”
    Mr. Haggerty stared at the two of them. “Well, if that don’t beat all. I