Her Healing Ways Read Free Page A

nurse.”
    He stared at her, blowing over his hot coffee to cool it. He’d never heard of a white person adopting a black child. He knew, of course, that Quakers had been at the forefront of abolitionism, far ahead of popular opinion. What did he think of this unusual adoption?
    He shouldn’t be surprised. Just like him, Dr. Mercy Gabriel obviously didn’t live her life guided by what others might think. A woman who had nursed in the war. He recalled those few brave women who tirelessly nursed fallen soldiers, both blue and gray. As he sipped more bracing hot coffee, he studiedthis courageous woman’s face. The resolve hardened within him. I won’t let any harm come to you, ma’am.
    â€œWill thee tell me if thee has found any connection between the first victim and the others?” she asked.
    Glad for the distraction from his contemplation of her, Lon pulled the notebook out of his pocket and flipped through the pages. “The first victim, McCall, had just butchered and sold a few of his hogs to others in town. But some people who have died were not connected with this hog butchering or sale.”
    She nodded, still chewing the cookie. She daintily sipped her coffee and then said, “Once a contagion starts, others can be infected by coming into contact with those who have fallen ill.”
    â€œAre you certain it isn’t due to an ill air blowing through town?” His large round cookie was sweet, spicy and chewy. He rested his head against the back of the chair.
    She inhaled deeply. “Over a decade ago, Dr. John Snow in London did a study of the water supplies of victims of cholera in a poor district in London. The doctor was able to connect all the original cases to a pump in one neighborhood.”
    If Lon hadn’t been so tired, he would have shown shock at this calm recitation of scientific information. This woman was interested in epidemics in London? Few men hereabouts would have been. He studied her more closely.
    Her petite form had misled him initially, butshe was no bit of fluff. Despite death hovering in the room with them, her face was composed. She had taken off her bonnet to reveal pale, flaxen hair skimmed back into a tight bun, though some of the strands had managed to work themselves free. Her eyes—now, they stopped him. So blue—as blue as a perfect summer sky. Clear. Intelligent. Fearless.
    He recalled her tireless work over the past hours, her calm orders and take-charge manner. Some men might resent it. He might have resented it once. But not here. Not now. Not in the face of such a wanton loss of lives. This woman might just be able to save people. Maybe even him.
    â€œDo you think you’re having any success here?” he asked in a lowered voice.
    She looked momentarily worried. “I am doing my best, but my best will not save everyone who is stricken.”
    The swinging doors crashed open. A man holding a rifle burst into the saloon. “She’s dying! I need the doctor!”

Chapter Two
    E veryone around Lon and Mercy Gabriel froze.
    â€œDid you hear me?” the man shrieked. “I was told a doctor’s here! My wife’s dying!”
    Dr. Gabriel put down her cup, swallowing the last of her cookie. She rose and faced the man. “I am sorry to hear that. Why hasn’t thee brought her here?”
    â€œShe won’t come! She won’t come into a saloon!” The man swung his rifle toward the Quaker. “You gotta come with me! Now! Save her!”
    Lon leapt to his feet, pulling out his pistol, ready to shoot.
    â€œFriend, I am heartily sorry for thee, but I cannot leave all these patients—” the woman motioned toward the crowded room “—to go to one. Thee must bring thy wife here.”
    â€œWhat?” The man gawked at her and raised his rifle to his eye to aim.
    Lon moved toward the man slowly. He didn’t want to shoot if he didn’t have to.
    â€œThee must bring