Healing Hearts (Proper Romance) by Sarah M. Eden

Author:Sarah M. Eden [Eden, Sarah M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: 2019-02-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Rupert was a mystery. Despite thoroughly examining his leg, Gideon could find no reason for the boy’s limp. Miriam had taken Rupert onto the porch to watch the stage come in.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Mrs. Fletcher,” Gideon admitted. “His leg has healed, and, watching him walk, he seems to be limping with both legs. I can’t account for it.”

She wrung her hands. “Neither can I.”

Gideon scanned the paper containing Rupert’s medical history. “He seems in perfect health. He’s energetic and growing as he should.”

Mrs. Fletcher looked as bewildered as he felt. “He’s had such a difficult few months. My heart aches seeing him still hurting.”

“Has he complained that he’s in pain?” The boy hadn’t seemed overly uncomfortable.

“He seldom complains about anything.”

Gideon hated not being able to help. First Miriam and now Rupert. What good was he if his list of suffering patients only grew?

“That deputy, Andrew, is some kind of checkers genius.” Father entered the parlor with no more introduction than that. “Hasn’t lost a game all morning.”

“He’s also an excellent tree climber,” Gideon said. “You should challenge him to that.”

Father laughed. “I’ve not climbed a tree in years. I ought to give it a go while your mother isn’t around to grow faint at the sight.”

“Father, this is Mrs. Fletcher. Her boy, Rupert, came in for an exam today.”

Father greeted her, a farmer’s wife in drab clothing, with the same bow he would have given a fine lady. “Your boy is the one on the porch, I’d guess. He and the nurse seem to be good friends.”

“Yes, Miss Bricks is wonderful with him.” Something of Mrs. Fletcher’s tension dissipated. “Between her and Dr. MacNamara, this town is well cared for.”

“Dr. MacNamara.” Father spoke as though he was feeling out the words, getting the taste of them. “Your grandfather would have thought that a fine thing. A doctor in the family.”

If only Father had come to visit on his own. Mother was a harder medicine to swallow.

Miriam stepped inside. “I believe I can begin demanding a higher wage.” Her gaze settled on Father and lingered a moment before jumping to Gideon, then back again a few times. “Good heavens, the two of you look alike.”

Father pretended to pluck a bit of lint from his cuff. “Gideon always was a fine-looking lad.”

Miriam’s mouth shot upward on the instant. “You must be his father.”

“I must be.” Father gave her his usual deep-waisted bow. “And you are Nurse Bricks, I understand.”

“At the moment, I am a solver of mysteries.” She turned to Gideon. “I have discovered the reason for young Rupert’s limp.”

“How did you manage that?”

“I asked him.” She cocked her head to the side in an overdone show of pride. “I told him he walked as though his feet hurt, and he said that they do, but only when he wears his shoes.”

“Oh, what a fool I am.” Gideon slapped his hand against his thigh as the entire picture became clear. “He has grown quite a lot since spring.

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