Orphans and Inmates by Rosanne Higgins

Author:Rosanne Higgins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, poverty, nineteenth century, orphanage, erie canal, romance historical, buffalo new york, almshouse
Publisher: Rosanne Higgins

Chapter Fifteen

Dr. Michael Nolan sat astride his dependable chestnut gelding as the horse slowly made its way up the long drive to the almshouse. It had been six weeks since they had performed that horrific treatment to save poor Johnny’s leg. In just a few weeks the lad had gone from being Big Johnny to Poor Johnny. Really, they should be calling him Lucky Johnny, or Blessed Johnny. Dr. Nolan still could not believe the boy had lived and that his leg was on the mend. He never would have had the courage to pour boiling water into the wounds of a child had it not been for Ciara. Some of the other physicians thought he was mad to spend that much time on an orphan child’s leg. Others thought it was a brilliant experiment. Ciara knew it was the only way to give the young boy a chance. He sometimes thought they had succeeded through the sheer force of her will for the boy to live. He had come often in the beginning to check on the lad. If he was being honest with himself, he did not need to come to the almshouse as often as he did. He came to see her. Ciara was like no other woman he had ever known. It was her courage that he admired. For all she had been through she was strong and determined to see the good around her. Above all, it was her love for and commitment to the children that had won his heart.

He had run into Sean Farrell several times during his visits to the almshouse. He seemed a decent enough man to accompany his mother here each week. It was true enough that Sean shared his mother's regard for Miss Sloane, but was it more than that? Michael was not sure. Ciara seemed to enjoy Sean's company, but in a polite sort of way, similar, he had to admit, to how she behaved toward him. Aside from the few moments when they really connected, a touch here, a look there, the time when she wrapped their hands together, Michael could not read anything other than polite interest and an eagerness to learn what she needed in order to better care for the children. Had she had any of those special moments with Sean? The mere thought filled him with a jealousy that surprised him, but he quickly pushed the feeling away. He was here, after all, to check on the boy. Johnny deserved his full focus and concentration.

“Good afternoon to ye, Doctor. Are ye here to see the lad?” It was Mr. Hanley walking toward the front of the house, rake in hand, that took Michael Nolan from his thoughts.

“I am, Mr. Hanley. How is Johnny?” (He made a decision on the spot to stop referring to the lad as Poor Johnny.)

“Better, last I saw him. I don’t get up to the children’s ward much these days - trying to get grounds ready before the snow comes,” Mr.

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.