American Frontier - Chapter 8

If Parker thought work had gone slowly the previous day as he waited for his outing with Missy, today was going even more slowly. Knowing that he wouldn't get to see her until tomorrow evening made it hard to keep going.

Thankfully, it was a busy day. He had morning appointments to check up on a few of the doctor's patients who needed someone to look in on them more frequently than the one day a week that Doc Jones usually spent in Landerville.

Parker was just getting back to the apothecary shop when he heard a young voice calling, "Mr. Eddington!"

He looked around and saw young Timothy Jenson hurrying up the street towards him.

"Hello Timothy! How are you today?" he asked, smiling.

Timothy didn't return his smile. Instead, he said in an urgent voice, "Missy asked me to fetch you to the bakery. She said Mrs. Dillon isn't feeling well and she's right worried about her."

Parker turned and started heading to the bakery. He moved so quickly that Timothy had to run to keep up.

"Thank you for delivering the message," Parker said as they hurried along.

"You're welcome! I'm glad I could help. Do you need any help looking after Mrs. Dillon?"

"No, I should be able to handle it," Parker answered. "But perhaps Missy will need some help while I check up on her," he added, noting the boy's crestfallen look.

Timothy perked up. "That's true. She's dealing with the shop alone right now."

His words spurred Parker to go even faster. The thought of Missy dealing with the shop alone and worrying over her boss' health made him anxious to reach her side and hopefully ease some of her burden.

As he stopped to open the door to the bakery, an unexpected voice drifted out. He opened the door just in time to hear Isabella say, "you little hussy!" and grab Missy.

"What's going on here?" Parker asked, stepping into the bakery. Missy and Isabella stood only a few steps from the door, both frozen and staring at him. Isabella wore a worried look while Missy appeared relieved.

"Parker! Thank goodness you're here!" She shook off Isabella's grip and ran to him. He was expecting her to be grateful that he had apparently saved her from Isabella's wrath, but of course she wasn't concerned with herself. "Emmaline is upstairs. She wasn't feeling well this morning, so I told her to lie down." She began pulling him towards his patient, completely ignoring Timothy and Isabella. "She's been sleeping all morning, and I've been checking on her, but the last time I went to check, she was running a high fever and I couldn't wake her up."

Parker had to shake his head to clear his questions about what he had walked in on. Emmaline was more important right now. He replayed Missy's words in his mind. Fever, refusing to wake up. He thought through possible illnesses and was grateful that he had his checkup bag full of common, useful medicines with him.

Missy led him up the stairs to Emmaline's room. "Do you need any help? Can I get you anything?"

Parker looked at the pale woman tangled up in the bedding. "I could probably use an assistant, if you'll help me. But first, could you set Timothy and Isabella to fetching us some cool water, please?" He kept his tone businesslike, though he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms.

"Of course," Missy answered with a worried frown. "I'll be right back."

Parker had to tamp down an urge to follow her and wipe that frown away. But he knew that the best help he could give Missy was to help Emmaline.

He quickly began examining his patient, checking her temperature and looking for any other symptoms. He had done all he could without removing her clothing when Missy returned. She looked a little less anxious, so he had to assume that all had gone well belowstairs.

"They'll be up with the water shortly," she reported. "Now what can I do to help?"

"If you could hold her up so I can finish my exam, that would be very helpful."

Missy came to the bed and Parker showed her how to hold Emmaline so he could finish checking for symptoms. When he was done, he turned to his bag.

"I think she's got a bit of the ague that's been going around. I'll leave her some medicine that should help. Mostly, she needs to get lots of water and nutrients. Someone will have to spoon feed her broth to make sure she gets nourishment until she can feed herself."

"Jacob is at work for a few more hours. I can make her some broth and watch over her until he gets back," Missy offered.

"Are you sure you're okay to stay that long?"

She looked up at Parker with a furrowed brow. "Someone has to. I think I'm closer to her than anyone else, and I'd be happy to take care of her."

Parker was again touched by Missy's simple, humble selflessness. Her love for others was so much a part of her, she didn't even seem to worry about herself when someone else needed her help. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. Wrapping his arms around her, he gave her a tight hug.

He leaned down. "You're incredible," he whispered next to her ear.

She tightened her small, strong arms around him. "So are you. Thank you for coming so quickly."

"I'm glad I could help." Reluctantly, Parker let her go. "I'll go down with you and make sure you have everything you need."

"Thank you." She stood on her tiptoes and placed a light kiss on his cheek before stepping back.

He placed a hand over the spot she had kissed and smiled as he followed her back down the stairs. They found Isabella and Timothy at the large sink in the bakery, quickly pumping water into a large metal bowl.

"Oh, Parker! How is she?" Isabella asked as he entered the kitchen.

"I think she'll be fine. She just needs rest and lots of liquids. Missy has volunteered to stay and take care of her until Jacob gets home."

"Perhaps I should stay instead," Isabella said with a pout. "Then Missy can take care of the bakery."

Parker was about to answer, but Missy spoke up. "If you would be willing to sit with her for a bit while I close the bakery, that would be very appreciated. Once I have everything cleaned up, though, I can stay. I know her best, and I think she would feel most comfortable with me if she were to wake up."

Isabella looked like she was going to argue, so Parker quickly agreed. "That sounds like a perfect idea. And Timothy, perhaps you would be so good as to carry word to Jacob. He's at the carpentry shop across town and I'm sure he would want to know how his wife is doing. Just let him know that she should be fine. I'm leaving instructions with Missy to pass on to him when he gets home. I'll stop in and check on Emmaline's progress tomorrow."

"Yes sir," the boy answered with a solemn look. "I'll go right now!" He darted out the door, leaving Isabella with a half-full bowl under the now inert pump.

"I'll help you finish this up," Parker offered. He looked around and realized that Missy had left already.

"Thank you so much," Isabella said, batting her long lashes at him flirtatiously.

He shook his head. "We need to talk."