Wings of Promise by Bonnie Leon Read Free Book Online Page A

people kept coming. Paul treated bronchial infections, stomach ailments, sore throats, and skin infections, and he pulled bad teeth, something Kate remembered all too well. Although the villagers usually went to Alex Toognak, they seemed glad to have a real doctor. Most thanked Paul before leaving. He was paid with coins, furs, and tobacco, and one woman gave him a jar of crowberry jam.
    As Kate witnessed Paul’s generosity and genuine concern for his patients, her love grew. Why had God given her such a fine man, and why did Paul love her? She didn’t know the answer, but she was grateful.
    The last patient left just as Nena finished preparing dinner. Paul and Kate hadn’t eaten since breakfast. There hadn’t been time. Kate suddenly realized she was ravenously hungry.
    “You like some soup and biscuits?” Nena asked.
    “I’d love some,” Kate and Paul said at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed.
    Everyone except Peter sat down at the table.
    “Where’s Peter?” Kate asked.
    “He said he’s not hungry, that his belly hurts.” Nena looked at Paul. “I didn’t want to bother you over a stomachache.”
    “No trouble. I’ll take a look at him.” Paul stood. “Where is he?”
    “In his bed.” Nena led the way to the children’s room.
    The boy lay on his side, pale and fevered. Alarm thumped through Kate. He’d seemed fine earlier.
    Paul kneeled beside the bed. “So, you’re not feeling so good, huh?”
    Holding his stomach, Peter shook his head.
    “Can you tell me where it hurts?”
    The boy touched his upper abdomen.
    Paul nodded and rested a hand on Peter’s forehead. He glanced over his shoulder at Nena. “He’s running a fever. Probably just a bug of some kind. I doubt it’s anything to worry about.”
    Nena’s brow furrowed with worry. “After lunch, he said he wasn’t feeling good. And he seems worse now.”
    Paul turned back to his young patient. “Peter, can you roll onto your back?”
    With a quiet groan Peter managed to do as he was asked. He looked at his mother, eyes fearful.
    Paul gently probed his stomach. “Does this hurt?” Peter shook his head no. “How about this?” Paul pressed two fingers gently into the right side of the boy’s abdomen.
    Peter winced. “Ouch!”
    “And here?” Paul moved his hand to the other side of his stomach and applied pressure. Peter shook his head no.
    “Hmm. The pain’s sharpest in the area of his appendix. No way to tell for certain if that’s it.” He straightened. “We’ll keep an eye on him and see how he does.”
    Nena stayed with Peter while the rest of the family returned to finish their meal.
    With her hunger satisfied, exhaustion swamped Kate. She struggled to keep her eyes open. Even so, Nick talked her into a game of Go Fish. With Paul and Joe chatting, she tackled the tenacity of the five-year-old, who had obviously played a lot of card games.
    After Nick beat her three times, she headed to her makeshift bedroom. Joe had made up a place for her in what looked like a storage room. He’d apologized but didn’t want Peter’s illness to disturb her sleep. Finally comfortable and warm beneath the covers, she drifted toward slumber, her mind on the people of Kotzebue. It had been a good day.
    One of the highlights had been a woman who was advanced in her pregnancy. Paul had let her use the stethoscope to listen to her baby’s heartbeat. When she first heard the muffled thumping of the child’s heart, her eyes lit up and she’d exclaimed her joy. To her, it was a miracle. Kate’s eyes closed and she wondered if she’d ever hear the sound of her own child’s heartbeat.
    Kate didn’t know how long she’d been asleep when Nena roused her.
    “Kate,” she said, her voice tense. “Wake up.”
    Her mind still feeling muzzy, Kate pushed up on one elbow. “What is it?”
    “Paul needs you.”
    “Me? Why? Is something wrong?”
    “It’s Peter. He’s very sick.”
    Now fully awake, Kate hurriedly