Cassie Lynn on how to care for your niece, as well as a lotion to relieve some of the itching, and something for fever. I’m afraid that’s all we can do for now. If there’s anything else you need me for, you know where to find me.”
“Yes, sir. And thank you.” Then Riley straightened. “How much do I owe you for the visit and the medicines?”
“We can discuss that later. Right now you have sick children to see to.”
Miss Vickers gave the doctor a smile. “Thank you for coming so quickly, Dr. Pratt. Sorry I had to interrupt your supper. Please let me make it up to you by sending some pie home for you and Mrs. Pratt.”
The doctor gave her an appreciative smile. “You certainly don’t have to twist my arm.”
Riley followed them down the hall, wanting to ask the doctor another question. “Is there any chance at all we’ll be ready to travel in less than two weeks?”
The doctor gave him a pointed look. “I’m sorry if it messes up your plans, son, but I wouldn’t recommend taking those kids out in public until the blisters are gone. You don’t want to be spreading it to others, do you?”
“No, of course not.” So that was that. But if he missed the meeting with Claypool and Dixon in Tyler on Wednesday, he might not get another chance. And Dixon could hold the key to getting Guy put away for good.
Riley waited while Miss Vickers served up a generous portion of pie for the physician and escorted him out the back door.
Then she turned back to Riley with a bracing smile. “I know this seems overwhelming right now, but I assure you, you’ll get through it okay.”
“I appreciate your faith in my abilities.” He hadn’t been able to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, which wasn’t fair to her. “And thank you, too, for all you’ve done.” This time his tone was much more sincere.
Miss Vickers waved a hand dismissively. “All I did was fetch the doctor.” She eyed him thoughtfully. “It seems you’ll be spending more time here in Turnabout than you’d planned. I hope it’s not too inconvenient.”
It was, but that wasn’t her fault. He shrugged. “No point in railing against what can’t be changed.”
“That’s a very practical attitude.”
If she only knew how badly he wanted to kick and scream over this setback right now. “I’m just thankful that, if it had to happen, it happened here where we’d already made such gracious friends. I don’t like to think what might have happened if we’d still been aboard the train or had stopped in a town where we didn’t know anyone.”
By this time they’d made it back to the parlor, and he turned to Noah. “We’d better be heading to the hotel. You say your goodbyes while I fetch Pru.”
He saw Miss Vickers open her mouth to protest, but Mrs. Flanagan beat her to the punch.
“Absolutely not,” the woman said forcefully. “There is no sense in disturbing that child, especially when she needs her rest. She will spend the night right where she is.”
That he couldn’t allow. “But—”
“Mrs. Flanagan is correct,” Miss Vickers said in a milder tone. “Dr. Pratt gave her a liquid for her fever that also made her drowsy. She was half-asleep by the time he finished his examination.” She glanced toward his nephew. “In fact, since Noah’s already been exposed, he could take the second bed in that room and sleep here tonight, as well.” She gave Riley a be-reasonable look. “Dr. Pratt did say to keep them both isolated.”
Riley rubbed his jaw while he thought over the offer. It was downright embarrassing just how tempted he was to let them take this responsibility from him, even if it was just for one night. But he had promises to keep. “I appreciate what you ladies are offering, but I think it’s best I keep the kids with me.”
* * *
Cassie Lynn admired the man’s sense of responsibility, but one could carry that a little too far. “Have you ever nursed children through something like this?”
He grimaced, but his stubborn demeanor didn’t soften. “No, but I reckon this won’t be the last time I find myself in this situation. Best I go ahead and figure it out now while I have some folks I can count on to help me if I get in a bind.”
“That’s very admirable and responsible of you. But it will be a whole lot easier for us to help you if the kids are here. They’ll be closer to Doc Pratt, too, if you should need his services.” When Mr. Walker still didn’t look convinced, she played her trump card. “Unless you don’t trust us with the children?”
It wasn’t a fair question, and she knew it. After all, what could he say?
“No, of course I trust you.” He rubbed his jaw. “It’s just—”
Mrs. Flanagan didn’t let him finish that thought. “That’s settled then.” She shifted in her chair. “The children will stay here while you get some rest back at the hotel—believe me, you’ll need it. We’ll discuss long-term arrangements in the morning.”
“Long-term—”
Cassie Lynn saw the concern on his face and intervened by changing the subject. “By the way, Pru mentioned something about a Bitsy. Does that mean something to you?”
He nodded. “It’s her doll. She never goes to bed without her.” He seemed to gather his thoughts as he turned to his nephew. “What do you say, buddy? Are you okay with staying here tonight and keeping Pru company?”
Cassie Lynn was pleased. As much as he seemed to be uncomfortable with being separated from the children, he was doing a good job of not letting that show to his nephew.
Noah nodded. “Don’t worry, Uncle Riley, I’ll look out for her tonight.”
Mr. Walker gave his shoulder a light squeeze. “I know you will.”
Then he turned back to her. “I’ll go check in on Pru and then head back to the hotel to fetch Bitsy and a few other things they’ll need tonight.”
Once Mr. Walker made his exit, Cassie Lynn glanced back at the boy and saw a confused look on his face. “Is something the matter, Noah?”
He nodded, his nose wrinkling in puzzlement. “I was just wondering... The doctor said Pru has chicken pox, but we haven’t been around any chickens lately.”
Cassie Lynn gave him a grin. “You don’t get chicken pox from being around chickens.” Then she lifted her hands in an it-makes-no-sense gesture. “I don’t know why it’s called that. It is kind of a silly name for an illness, isn’t it?”
She suddenly snapped her fingers. “You know what? I just realized that with all this excitement, we never had dessert. How about I fix you and Mrs. Flanagan each a piece of that cherry pie I baked earlier, and you can eat it while I’m cleaning up the supper dishes. Would you like that?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Then Noah turned serious. “But if you need help with the dishes, I can do that first.”
It appeared the boy had been taught
