The Last, Long Night (#5 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series) Read Free Page A

this close, I don’t think anyone will try to stop us.” 
    Carrie shrugged as Janie nodded her head.  She had quit wondering what would happen and had decided she would deal with whatever did happen.
    She knew Hobbs took his job seriously, though.  Only three years her junior, he seemed much younger. Hobbs had served under Robert until he almost lost his leg in the same battle that had almost taken Robert from her – that had him missing for nine months.  The boy remained fiercely loyal to his lieutenant.  Unable to fight anymore because of his wounded leg, he was now Carrie’s assistant at the hospital and helped provide security for her when she went into the most dangerous part of town to the black hospital. 
    Carrie had grown to love the redheaded boy with intense, shining brown eyes and unfailing enthusiasm.  “I think you’re right, Hobbs.  I don’t think it will take us long to take care of the patients today unless more have come in since we were last there.”
    Hobbs patted the rifle that sat across his lap.  “We’ll be fine, Miss Carrie,” he promised.  He knew of the times groups of men had tried to stop Carrie and Janie from going to the hospital, incensed that the “niggers” were getting help from white women. 
    “I think the boy be right, Miss Carrie,” Spencer agreed.  “I ain’t got word of no trouble.”
    Carrie smiled warmly at her driver.  Spencer was a free black that had been her driver for the last two years.  Their bond, forged by the challenges they had faced together, was strong.  “I’m not worried,” she said confidently and then leaned back to smile at Janie.   Both of them were content to ride in silence, letting the late afternoon air wash away the fatigue from the day.
    Pastor Anthony was waiting for them at the door of the hospital.  The kindly man with warm blue eyes was such an important part of her life and had done so much for her, including opening the door for her to operate as the sole doctor for the black hospital.  She wished, though, that she could shake the disappointment she felt everytime she looked at him now.  Not even Janie knew…
    Carrie shook her head impatiently; now was not the time to think about it. She had work to do.  “Hello, Pastor Anthony,” she said, jumping from the carriage.  “How are our patients today?” 
    Not waiting for an answer, she and Janie moved into the simple wooden building.  It was rustic and plain, but it was clean, and the patients had primitive wood slat beds that kept them off the ground.  It was a huge improvement from what she and Janie had found when they first arrived more than a year ago and discovered all the patients laying on the ground; coarse blankets their only bedding. . 
    Carrie took comfort from knowing the back room held shelves of herbal medicines she had made while on the plantation and then had managed to smuggle into Richmond.  She had brought them to the black hospital because the people in this part of town had no way of getting to the woods to collect plants.  As long as they were careful, there would be enough to last through another summer and winter.
    Carrie made her rounds of the beds and was glad to see most of them were empty.  Spring meant renewed activity at Chimborazo because of battles, but it also meant relief for the people in the black section of town that suffered so much from the bitter winter cold.  This hospital had not lost even one patient that winter, but Carrie knew serious illness could break out at any time. 
    She smiled when she got to Johnny’s bed and knelt down to meet him at eye level.  “Hello, Johnny.”  She was glad to see that the six-year-old’s dark eyes, glistening with fever the last time she was there, were now clear.
    “Hello ‘dere, Miss Carrie!  I be feelin’ a heap much better!”
    “It sure looks that way, Johnny,” Carrie agreed. “Are you eating?”
    “Yessum!”
    “Drinking?”
    “Enough dat I figur’ I gonna