The Christkindl's Gift by Kathleen Morgan

Author:Kathleen Morgan [Morgan, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spiritual & Religion
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2012-09-27T21:28:41+00:00

Doc Waters put his stethoscope back in his black satchel and snapped it shut. “You’re a very lucky man, Anton Hannack,” he said as he rolled down his sleeves and buttoned the cuffs. “The ice left by that last big storm is as slippery as the dickens. I’ve got two ladies and one man in town with broken arms or legs from falling just like you did.”

“But there’s nothing broken on me, is there, Doktor?” Anton asked, leaning forward eagerly.

“No, nothing broken,” Doc Waters replied, “but you’ve really strained your back, twisted your knee, and suffered a severely sprained ankle. It’s bed rest for you for the next week, and then maybe only some light walking about for at least another week after that. If all goes well, you might be able to come to town for Christmas Eve church services.”

He turned to Anna. “I’m depending on you to make sure Anton follows my orders. Otherwise, there’s no telling what that ornery old coot will try.”

Two weeks. Anna bit back a groan. Anton was all but incapacitated for the next two weeks. But there was nothing that could be done for it. A body needed time to heal, and an elderly body needed even more time.

“I’ll do my very best, Doktor,” she said with a tight little smile.

Doc Waters turned to Ian, who stood in the doorway. “I’m glad the Hannacks finally got some sense and hired a hand. This place is just too much for them to manage on their own.”

“It is a bit of work, to be sure,” Ian replied agreeably.

“Well,”—Doc paused to glance at Anton and Anna—“I guess I’ll be heading back. Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Schmidt are both expecting their babies soon. I need to stay close to town as much as I can.”

“One moment, Doktor.” Anna stepped forward, her gaze skittering off Ian’s before meeting Doc Water’s once more. “This man has an injury that I thought it best you have a look at.”

Doc Waters turned to Ian. “Is that right, Son? Are you hurt?”

“Nay, it’s naught.” As he spoke, Ian’s expression shuttered and became unreadable. “Mrs. Hannack’s an excellent nurse, and the wound’s nearly healed. Don’t trouble yerself over it.”

“Suit yourself.” The doctor donned his hat and thick woolen coat, then slipped on his gloves. He picked up his bag. “Let me know if you need anything, Anton. If not, I’ll assume no news is good news.”

“Ja, Doktor,” the old man replied. “No news is good news.”

Anna followed Doc Waters out to his horse and buggy. The newfangled automobiles had gained much popularity in the bigger cities and towns, and Wilhelm Wolff, town banker and son of Wolffsburg’s founder, was a proud owner of the only Model T in these parts. Doc Waters, however, claimed to like the dependability of the old-fashioned horse and buggy. Anna couldn’t help but agree with him. Tried and true was good enough for her too.

“I was serious back there, Anna.” Doc paused beside his buggy. “Anton has seriously pulled out his back, and his knee’s in bad shape.

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