Emma of Crooked Creek (Short Story) by MK McClintock

Author:MK McClintock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: short story, civil war, western, cowboy, montana, american west, western romance, pioneer, frontier doctor, clean and wholesome
Publisher: MK McClintock

Three days had passed, and Emma still knew nothing of why the men came searching for Latimer, or why they spoke with such disdain toward her husband. Casey had caught fever. In the daylight hours, he slept almost peacefully, but when darkness came, he thrashed as though demons of the war haunted him. Emma had seen it before in some of her patients but had yet to find a way to relieve these men, and sometimes women, of their nightmares.

It wasn’t until Casey’s fever broke, and his laceration showed signs of healing, that Emma managed a full night’s sleep. She checked on Casey who still slept, and then stepped out onto the front porch of her clinic. The townsfolk went about their business, a few stopping to say hello as they passed by. Emma closed her eyes and soaked in the rays of light from the morning sun.

The clatter of wagon wheels and gentle clip of horses’ hooves drew her attention to the small regiment of soldiers riding into town.

When the squad of soldiers stopped in front of her clinic, the officer, a lieutenant of strong bearing and striking features, looked down at her with fierce green eyes. “We’re looking for the doctor.”

“I’m Doctor Emma Hawkins.”

The lieutenant hesitated for a moment. Emma was used to the curious glances and uncertainty from strangers—especially men—who weren’t used to women doctors. “We have an injured man in the wagon.”

Emma pushed away from the beam and walked swiftly to the wagon. A man lay half-covered with a wool army blanket that had seen a few battles of its own. The lieutenant climbed down from his mount and stood beside her. “We had to cut away some of his clothes, and our men did what they could in the field, but he’s caught an infection.”

She pulled back a corner of the blanket to reveal a blue, almost black, discoloration on both legs. She felt the skin, clammy and warm beneath her touch.

“Can you help him?”

Emma looked up at the lieutenant. “His gangrene is severe. He might not keep the legs.”

“Please, do what you can, Doctor.”

Emma nodded and directed the men to carry the soldier inside. She closed the door to the small room where Latimer slept. She washed her hands and cleaned the soldier’s legs. A young man of no more than twenty years, he reminded Emma of her younger brother.

“Lieutenant, I need you to stay and help, but your men must wait outside.” Emma mixed together medicinal powders, grinding them with a stone, before setting them in a cup and pouring hot water over them. She gently raised the soldier’s head, asking the lieutenant to hold him steady while she slowly poured the drink down the young man’s throat. Emma glanced up at the lieutenant. “That should make him a little more comfortable while I tend to him.”

The legs were another matter, and after carefully examining them, she did her best to hide her despair. “I cannot save the legs. The infection has likely gone to his bones, and it will continue to spread and probably kill him.

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