Christy's Choice by Catherine Marshall

Author:Catherine Marshall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc.
Published: 2010-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

Eight

I’m scared, Miz Christy,” Bessie Coburn said. “If it didn’t hurt so bad I wouldn’t let no one cut into me. No how, no way.”

Bessie was in her hospital bed, propped on starched white pillows. Her face looked pale and drawn. Her eyes were wide with fear. Ruby Mae and David stood nearby. David seemed unusually withdrawn to Christy— almost as if he were pouting.

“Do you reckon it hurts much when the doctor cuts into you?” Ruby Mae asked.

“Bessie won’t feel a thing, I’m sure,” Christy said. “The doctor will give you ether, Bessie, and you’ll simply fall asleep. When you wake up, you’ll start mending, and soon you’ll be your old self again.”

“Let’s hope we’ll all be our old selves again soon,” David muttered darkly.

“What did you say, Preacher?” Bessie asked.

David sent Christy a sidelong look. “I was just making a comment about people being their old selves, Bessie. As opposed to turning into someone different, just because they happen to find themselves in a different circumstance.”

“I’m sure that would never happen to any of us,” Christy said to David.

“Happens all the time,” David said. “People change. Sometimes they change in the twinkling of an eye.”

“No one has changed, David,” Christy said with feeling. “Just because a person enjoys an evening relaxing and talking to old friends does not mean that person has changed.”

“Ruby Mae?” Bessie whispered. “What are they goin’ on about?”

“Miz Christy has herself a new beau,” Ruby Mae said. “His name is Lance and he’s about the handsomest—”

“Aha! See?” David said. “Do you hear what Ruby Mae is saying?”

Just then Doctor MacNeill came in. He was wearing a white cotton coat over his regular clothing. “So how’s the patient?” he asked Bessie.

“Hush, Doctor,” Bessie said, “we’re listenin’ to Miz Christy and the preacher fussing with each other.”

“We are not fussing with each other, Bessie,” Christy said. “Where did you ever get such an idea? We’re here to see you, and to keep you company.”

“And you should be glad of it, Bessie.” The doctor grinned. “Miss Huddleston has many demands on her time. It’s generous of her to be here at all.”

Christy was stung by the accusations of David and Neil. True, she had spent most of the previous evening with Lance and her old friends. But that was only normal, wasn’t it? She hadn’t seen any of them in a long time.

“Are you ready to start your operation, Doctor?” she asked. “Or are you too busy making unfair remarks about me?”

“No, I’m not ready,” the doctor said. “Doctor Mecklen, who’ll be assisting me, isn’t here yet. He had an emergency across town and will be delayed.”

“Delayed? For how long?” Christy asked.

“We should be able to start the operation by eight-thirty .” Doctor MacNeill narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Why? Do you have a pressing engagement?”

Christy tried to look nonchalant. “I was supposed to go riding with . . . with a friend . . . at nine-thirty.”

“A friend!” David repeated. “A friend, indeed! I’ll wager you mean that Lance fellow.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.