Later that evening everyone was sitting in the parlor getting to know each other all over again. Soon that asked about topic of Matthew’s came up.
“I
don’t know about the rest of you,” Rebecca said, “but I’m waiting to hear about
this new girl in Matthew’s life.” She winked at him. Everyone laughed. Matthew
blushed. “Well? Do tell.” She urged him.
“Her
name is Elizabeth Spencer, she’s 22 years old, and she’s been working at the
bank with Preston.”
“Preston? That tells me a lot about her character if
she can put up with him,” she smiled.
“She
is pretty tough. She can handle
anything.”
“Even
Matthew,” Colleen added her input.
Matthew blushed again, as the room exploded in laughter.
“Is
it serious?” Becky asked him after the laughter had died down.
Matthew
hesitated for a moment. “Yes, it is.”
He turned to his aunt. “No offense,
Aunt Rebecca, but I’m going to be happy to get back home.”
“You
should have brought her with you. I
would have loved to have met her.”
“I
asked her to come, but Preston wouldn’t let her leave. You know how Preston is.”
“Then
why are you here, Andrew?” Rebecca asked him.
“Dr.
Cassidy from Denver is taking over both clinics, Michaela’s and mine, while
we’re away. I have to go without pay, of course.”
“Well,
I’m glad you’re here. All of you.”
“I
second that.” William finally spoke up from beside Rebecca. “I appreciate all of you coming.” Rebecca
started coughing. “Are you alright?” he
asked her.
“Yes,
I’m fine. It’s just a little tickle in
my throat. Could I have some more tea,
Asia?” She asked.
“Of
course.” Asia took her cup to refill it. “Coming right up.”
A
few minutes later there was a knock at the front door. “Let me go get that.” Nick told
everyone. Dr. Pierce, the town doctor,
soon followed Nick into the room.
“Good
evening, Dr. Pierce,” Jo greeted him.
Everybody else said hello.
“Good
evening, Mrs. Bhaer, everyone,” he looked around the room.
“I
don’t recall sending for you. We all
seem to be in good health.” Jo told him.
“That’s
good, but this isn’t a business call, Mrs. Bhaer,” he told her. “Actually, I heard that Rebecca’s sister was
in town for a few weeks.”
“Yes,
that would be me,” Michaela got up to shake his hand. “Dr Michaela Quinn, at
your service,” they shook hands.
“Dr.
Quinn, pleasure to meet you. Rebecca
tells me that you’re a fine doctor.”
“So
I’ve been told.”
“The
reason I came here is that I just got a telegram from my sister. Apparently my mother is very ill, and she
want me to go as soon as possible to see them.”
“I’m
sorry to hear that,” Michaela told him.
“Thanks,
but since I have to leave right away, and I’m not quite sure how long I’ll be
gone, I need somebody to keep an eye on things. Case there’s any emergencies or anything. I can show you where everything is at my
clinic. Will you?”
“Of
course, I will. Don’t you worry about a
thing. After all, I’m not the only
doctor in town. You’ll have three
doctors to keep things in order.”
“Three?”
“Yes,
Dr. Pierce,” Rebecca pointed over to Colleen and Andrew. “Michaela’s daughter,
Colleen just graduated from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania this
month, and her husband Dr. Andrew Cook graduated from Harvard medical school
over four years ago. She has two more
doctors in the family besides herself.”
“Well,
then, I guess I have nothing to worry about.” He looked at the three of
them. “If you could just stop by my
clinic tomorrow morning, I’ll show you where everything is.”
“We
will, Dr. Pierce.” Dr. Pierce left.
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Later
the next morning, Michaela and Becky joined Rebecca at her dress shop to help
her get her wedding dress fitted properly.
Colleen came along to watch Katie, Amanda, and Kaytlin.
“I
can’t believe that I’m getting married in a couple weeks,” Rebecca exclaimed,
as she stood in front of the mirror in her shop.
“You
are going to be a beautiful bride,” Michaela told her sister.
“You
getting nervous?” Becky asked her.
“A
little bit. More excited then nervous,
I think.” The ladies smiled.
Rebecca
started coughing again, “Are you alright, Rebecca? You look a little flushed,”
her sister asked her.
“I
guess I’m not feeling very well. It’s
probably just a simple catarrh, Michaela,” Rebecca shrugged it off.
“Still,
I’d like to make sure that’s all it is. Just let me examine you.”
“OK.” The two of them went over to the clinic.
“Now
what are your symptoms?”
“Coughing,
sneezing, runny nose, a bad headache.”
After
examining her, Michaela decided that Rebecca was probably right. Just a catarrh. “But you need your rest.
Especially if you want to be well by the wedding.”
“OK,
I promise, I’ll rest.”
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“How’s
Rebecca?” Jo asked Michaela as she came in the door the next morning after
going to check up on her sister.
“She
still doesn’t feel well. I think she’s
getting worse. I’m definitely going to have
to keep a close eye on her.” Michaela
sat down at the breakfast table and Jo poured her a cup of coffee. “William’s
been over to see her. He’ll probably
check in on her whenever he doesn’t need to be at the office.”
“Oh,
well, I certainly hope she gets better by the wedding.”
“Yes,
so do I.” They both looked up to see
Andrew walk in the kitchen. “Morning Andrew.”
“Good
morning, ladies. Mind if I join you?”
“Of
course we don’t mind. We enjoy the
company of handsome men.” Jo told him.
“Did
somebody say handsome men?” Franz asked as he walked into the kitchen. “Does this include me?”
“Well,
aren’t we blessed this morning, Jo.” Michaela told her. “Two handsome men in
our presence.”
“Where
are your wives?” Jo asked, “or do we get you two to ourselves this morning.” She
said as Franz sat down beside her.
“Becky
is feeding Kaytlin. She’ll be in as soon as she’s done.” Franz told her.
“Colleen
should be in pretty soon. She was
getting out of bed when I left.” Andrew said.
“Oh,
well, we have you two for a couple minutes then.” Jo smiled. She stood up to make more coffee.
A
few minutes later, Colleen walked into the kitchen. “Good morning, Colleen.” Michaela told her daughter. Colleen was
quiet. “Are you alright?” Colleen
looked a little green.
“Alright?
Uh, yeah, I’m OK.” She began to sit down between her mother and husband, but
quickly changed her mind. She ran out
of the kitchen.
“Is
she sick?” Jo asked.
“Maybe
I’d better go check on her,” Michaela started to get up.
“No,”
Andrew said, “Let me.” He got up and headed out the door.
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
