Wanted: Medicine Man (Silverpines Book 5) Read online

  Wanted: Medicine Man

  Silverpines

  Available Now From

  Christine Sterling

  Her Secret Past

  (Black Hills Brides #1)

  Her Secret Baby

  (Black Hills Brides #2)

  Wanted: Medicine Man

  (Silverpines Series)

  Coming Soon From

  Christine Sterling

  Her Secret Shame

  (Black Hills Brides #3)

  June 2018

  Her Secret Love

  (Black Hills Brides #4)

  August 2018

  Victoria

  (Heart of Gold Brides #1)

  Autumn 2018

  Wanted: Gravedigger

  (Silverpines Series)

  Autumn 2018

  Wanted: Medicine Man

  Silverpines Series

  Christine Sterling

  Wanted Medicine Man

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.

  Scriptures quoted from the King James Holy Bible.

  Wanted: Medicine Man ©2018 Christine Sterling

  Cover Design by Josephine Blake of Cupcakes & Covers https://coversandcupcakes.wordpress.com/

  Editing by Carolyn Leggo and Amy Petrowich

  Acknowledgments

  All glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was blessed with the gift of storytelling, but His love story is the greatest of all. Everything for you, Lord.

  To my husband, Daniel, who encourages me to write daily and goes after me when he knows I have deadline to meet. This is as much a collaborative effort as it is just me. I love you, sweetheart.

  For my beautiful daughters, Rebecca, Nora & Elizabeth. I love you to the moon and back.

  Thank you to the authors of the Silverpines Series: George, Barb, Sophie, Lynn, Renea, Marianne, Parker and Josephine. When George invited me to be a part of this series, I was delighted. However, the bigger blessing came in the form of these wonderful friendships, as we developed this series. Thank you for welcoming me into the inner circle.

  To Carolyn and Amy, thank you for reading my work and providing amazing and constructive feedback. You help me be a better writer. #editorsrock

  Special thanks to the following readers: Cindy Nipper, Ruth Bishop, Debra Brigden, Peggy Lemos, Karen Riley, Sheila Mast and Marty Moore. Thank you for participating in the Silverpines reader group and making valuable contributions for the development of this story (including naming Kijab)!

  For Britny

  I am so grateful for your guidance, coaching and making sure I stay in alignment with my calling. You hold me accountable when I stray off the writing path.

  You are much more than a mindset coach. You are a sister, cheerleader and friend. I love you, sister!

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  In April 1899, the town of Silverpines, Oregon suffered a tremendous loss when two back-to-back earthquakes shook the land, taking much of the population with it. The first quake struck the silver mine, collapsing the entrance, killing most of the miners. The second earthquake hit the nearby Timber Town. The quake, coupled with the substantial rainfall caused a landslide covering the area with mud and debris. Many loggers, equipment and horses were lost. Citizens rushed to the area to help, and many died during the rescue. The only surviving townsfolks were widows, children, a handful of young men and the elderly. It would take months for the town to recover.

  The town's doctor was killed the previous month, so the care and recovery of the remaining men, women and children that survived the disaster became the responsibility of Hattie Richards, the one remaining medical person. Armed with the supplies left behind from the deceased doctor, an apothecary of natural remedies and the assistance of the surviving women, Hattie set up makeshift triage and care centers around the town to take care of the wounded. She trained the soiled doves to clean and cauterize wounds, stitch gashes, and make the last days comfortable for those that were not going to survive.

  The women were quick studies, but realizing she needed more assistance, she sent a telegram to her contacts back East, asking for an available doctor to be sent to assist in the recovery.

  Chapter 1

  Early May 1899

  Doctor Robert Childs arrived in Silverpines on a lovely spring afternoon, with a letter tucked inside his inner vest pocket. The trip, however, was not without constraints. He travelled by train from Boston to a small town on the edge of a large forest, where he boarded a stage, along with four other passengers, headed for several towns near the Oregon Coast. The rails were still under repair from the recent disaster, so passengers disembarked and boarded stages to be shuttled to the depot on the other side of the affected areas.

  He couldn’t believe his fortune when Doctor Rhodes approached him about moving west to start his own practice. “It is time for a change,” he said. The only caveat? Court and marry a local young woman named, Tess. The letter her mother wrote appeared part desperation and part interference. He hoped Tess didn’t have those traits. Robert pulled out the daguerreotype that had been sent with the letter. It was worn on the edges, the silver rubbed off, where he repeatedly pulled it from his billfold.

  He stared at the picture of the two young women smiling. One had a mischievous grin on her face and bright eyes that sparkled with excitement. She had light hair that was peeking out from under the hat she wore. This was the lady he was to marry. Yet, it was the other woman in the picture that caught his attention. Standing a few inches taller than her blonde friend, this woman stood proudly as she stared into the camera. Her mouth hinted at a slight smile, and Robert could barely drag his eyes away from her full, luscious lips. But it wasn’t that which captured his attention.

  Where her companion was fair-skinned and light-haired, this beauty was the complete opposite. She was darker skinned with lovely long dark hair that cascaded in waves around her shoulders. None of the women back east would be caught with their hair down. But not this beauty. She was exotic and strikingly handsome. High cheekbones, lips meant for kissing and her eyes – oh her eyes. Robert thought he could get lost in those dark pools surrounded by long lashes.

  Robert suppressed a groan and shoved the picture back into his coat pocket. He bowed his head and silently prayed as the stagecoach hurried the passengers towards their destination.

  Heavenly Father, I praise you for your many blessings. I thank you for providing the means for me to come west and experience your glorious creations along the way. I am so thankful for this adventure. I know I am to marry Tess Daniels as part of the contract. However, Lord, if it is your will, can you please guide me on what to do next? I find myself attracted to the woman in the picture. I know I have made this commitment, but Lord, I beg you. I do not wish to be married to someone I'm not at
tracted to. I will sit and wait on your direction. Amen.

  Robert lifted his head and looked at the surrounding landscape. He was expecting trees as tall as the eye could see, but instead, they were entering hills that were barren and covered with mud.

  “What happened?” one of the passengers said, peering out at the desolate landscape.

  An older gentleman answered. “That is what is left of Timber Town. There was an earthquake and a landslide. All that mud from the mountains came down and covered those logs.”

  “How dreadful!” the woman exclaimed. “Were there any survivors?”

  “The town survived, but most of the men from the mining company and the lumber company were killed. The survivors that did make it are in pretty rough shape.”

  “When did this happen?” Robert inquired.

  “About two weeks ago,” the older gentleman replied. The coach fell silent as each passenger contemplated what they just heard. Robert realized that his situation may have just changed.

  “Were any of the woman or children killed?” he finally asked.

  “From what I understand, most of the women were in the actual town at the time. I am sure there were a few in Timber Town or the mining camp that were killed, but I don't know actual numbers.”

  “And the injured? How are they being cared for?”

  The gentleman thought for a moment. He rubbed his chin and finally replied. “I know Doc was killed a bit before the quake, but if I recall, they had a healing lady that assisted Doc with most of his stuff. Right pretty girl if I remember.” The gentleman paused. “For an Injun,” he added as an afterthought.

  His travelling companion hissed and poked him with her elbow. “Not natural for an Indian to be taking care of white folks. I wouldn't have her around none of my kin.”

  “Well then, Daisy, it is a good thing you won't be stopping there, isn't it?” Daisy huffed and sat back in her seat.

  “So young man, what brings you this way? I detect a slight accent? Boston, perhaps?”

  “Yes, sir. Doctor Robert Childs at your service. I'm headed to Silverpines, at bequeath of one of the town folks. Now the town's doctor is deceased, I just wonder what I'm walking into.”

  “Town Doc, eh? I guess someone wanted a degreed Doc instead of one of those homegrown varieties that seems so prevalent out here. Although, given that the town has an Injun doc, maybe you could say you are a Medicine Man. Might get this gal to help you 'cuz there is going to need to be a lot of helping.”

  “I'll take it under advisement. Are you stopping in Silverpines?”

  “Oh no, my boy. Daisy and I are headed straight through. We will pick up a train further south and continue on our journey.”

  “I can’t wait,” Daisy interjected. “I paid for a luxury car on the train and instead, I am detoured through this hornswoggle.”

  Her travelling companion sighed, and they rode the rest of the way in silence.

  The town was nearly deserted when Robert finally arrived. A few women wandered the streets, but they appeared dazed and just going through the motions without much thought of destination or direction.

  Robert disembarked the coach and made his way to the luggage being removed from the roof. He gathered his bags and proceeded up the street towards the Inn he had noticed early.

  A bell rang announcing his arrival and a pretty, young lady turned to greet him.

  “May I help you?” the young woman behind the counter asked.

  “I’m looking to get a room to let for a few days.”

  “Oh,” she responded. “Let me see what I can do. Most of the rooms are took up with the nursing since the disaster.” Running her finger through the ledger, she stopped about half way down. “Mr. Harvey passed away this morning and we just cleared the room. I need to have it cleaned and the bed made up, you ok with that? I can get it set up for you in no time. Price is $2 a week, clean sheets on Fridays.”

  “Sounds good. Is there somewhere I can get cleaned up and grab a quick bite?

  “We have baths upstairs. It will take a bit, but I can have hot water brought up, or you can go to the barber’s down the street. They have baths, but there isn’t anyone left if you need a shave.”

  Robert scratched his beard. He didn’t want to shave, but perhaps he could find scissors for a trim. “Guess I look bushy from travelling a bit.”

  “Oh, not at all. That wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to let you know since a lot of the menfolk died.”

  “I heard. My condolences. Where did you mention to eat?”

  “We have a fine dining room here at the inn, complete with a Gentlemen’s room and brandy service.”

  Robert looked at his dust filled travelling suit. “Perhaps something a little less formal?”

  The clerk tilted her head to the side and thought for a moment. “Your best bet is the diner down the way. About four blocks up. You can get a hot meal there and they are very informal.”

  “Thank you, Miss…?”

  “Mulvaney.”

  “Miss Mulvaney. My pleasure. May I leave my bags here until I return?”

  “Of course.”

  Robert placed a few bills on the counter and signed the ledger.

  The ringing of a bell caused Robert to turn around and he felt his breath leave his body. Entering the lobby was the woman from the photograph. She looked tired, her long dark hair held back by a ribbon. Robert realized he preferred it down around her shoulders. The picture didn’t do her justice. Her skin was the color of the sands he passed through in the desert. Her lips were most definitely kissable and the color of ripe berries, begging him to taste them. Her pert little nose was just the right size, but her eyes! They were deep brown and her irises almost disappeared in their depths.

  Robert continued his quick appreciation of the beauty before him. She wore a light dress adorned with beads and a cord at the waist. Robert knew he could span her waist with both hands. Her feet were enclosed in soft leather boots, also adorned with beads and white fringe.

  “Hello, Hattie!”

  “Evening, Ella Grace. I just came in to check on my patients. I hope to have them out by the end of the week.” Robert noticed a basket in her hands. It was filled with dark bottles of varying shapes and sizes. In her hand she held long flowers covered with bright purple leaves.

  “No rush, we only have a few guests right now.

  Hattie brushed past him to the desk and laid the flowers down. “These are for you. They are Alliums.”

  Ella Grace wrinkled her nose. “They stink.”

  “Of course, they do. They are part of the garlic family. These will help cleanse the air. Put them in some water. Here is some pine oil to add to the soap and water for Mr. Harvey’s room.”

  “What’s that for?” Ella Grace asked, taking the vial from Hattie’s outstretched hand.

  “It helps with…”

  “Removing the scent of death.”

  Hattie’s eyes flew up to the stranger. “Yes, it does. How did you know?”

  “We used it in the hospital back east.”

  “Are you a physician?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He flashed a smile showing all his teeth. No discoloration. That was good as far as Hattie was concerned. She was a firm believer in dental hygiene. Too many of the men in Silverpines didn’t practice it. Robert continued, “I was the chief resident at Boston General before coming out this way. Doctor Robert Childs.” He held out his hand and Hattie placed her small one inside, before pulling it back due to the electricity tickling up her arm.

  He is extremely handsome, Hattie thought. About half a foot taller than her, she knew that made him well over six feet. His hair was sandy colored and came to his shirt collar. His eyes were bright green and sparkled as they looked at her. She could see he was muscular, his arms bulging through his suit that was caked with dust from his trip. Hattie gulped and turned back to the flowers on the counter. She was half-Indian, so she had no reason to be thinking these thoughts about a white man, o
r any man for that matter.

  Robert coughed and asked, “May I assist you in your patient care? I’m sure medicine isn’t that different from back home.” Her smile fell.

  “I’m sure your patients don’t curse at you for taking care of them,” she whispered.

  “Beg your pardon?”

  “Nothing. What brought you this way, Doctor Childs?”

  “I received a communication asking me to come.”

  “Oh,” Hattie said, “I completely forgot about that. You made very quick time. I wasn’t expecting anyone for at least two more weeks. I can definitely use your assistance.”

  “Do you wish me to assist you this evening? You appear as though you could use a respite.”

  “Tomorrow is soon enough. I’m just checking on the few patients remaining here. Come to the apothecary in the morning and we will walk to the various stations together. Most of the patients are at the Lucky Lady Saloon, but as you can see,” she pointed upstairs, “we have a few scattered throughout town. I need to attend my patients now, so I look forward to seeing you in the morning, Dr. Childs.”

  “See you then, miss. I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Richards. Hattie Richards.”

  “Good night, Miss Richards. Miss Mulvaney.” Robert tipped his hat and left, heading down the street with a whistle on his lips. He was feeling lighter than he had felt in weeks.

  The apothecary was situated next to the park where the stagecoach dropped off Robert the day before. The front of the building had two large windows, one of which was covered by a wooden board. The other had a long crack through the gold lettering.

  Silverpines Apothecary

  Herbs, Oils, Women's Issues & General Health

  Hattie Richards, Proprietress