“I’ll sew quickly then.” Though he refused my offer of whiskey to curb the pain, I still intended to cheat by deadening the affected nerves just enough to take off the edge. I had done the same thing plenty of times before when working with young children. But being so fond of William, I didn’t want him to hurt any more than necessary. Besides, it hardly took any effort and if done right, the transfer of power would be masked by the hot water I used to clean the wound.
“You know,” I said once the warmth began trickling from my fingertips. “It was hardly necessary to have your leg mauled for an excuse to come and see me. A simple social call would have sufficed.”
He shifted his weight, and I glanced up to find him looking somewhat embarrassed. “Nora and I decided to give you and Samuel a chance to settle in.”
For half a second I drew a blank as to whom he meant. “Oh, you mean Henry. Samuel is his second name.”
“However he’s called, we thought you might appreciate some time before we came pounding on the door, demanding tea and cake in the parlor.”
“Well, then I’m not sorry you were attacked,” I said, exasperated, “if that’s what it takes to get you to Brighmor. Old friends are always welcome, no matter who else might be here.”
He smiled in response to my rebuke. “I’ll make sure to tell Nora. She’s really missed you.”
“And, I’ve missed her.” I sighed. Much had changed, and I hoped Nora didn’t think herself replaced by a husband.
The door opened as I tied off the last stitch. Glancing up, I saw Ben and Henry walk in together. “Hello,” I called from my place on the floor, giving them each a quick once over to check for any serious damage. “There’s a line if you need to be tended.”
“What happened to you?” Ben asked, looking down at William’s leg.
“Got bit by a pig. Darn thing tried to take off my leg. Are you here for some doctoring?”
“Nothing too serious,” Ben said casually. “Just a sprained finger.”
“You’ll be after Rebecca’s bird,” I said, glancing at Ben’s hand. “The poor girl’s been sitting outside crying for her friend. I’m afraid her eyes are going to swell shut if it’s not tended to soon.”
“I’ll be fine,” Ben said, but from the way he cradled his hand, I guessed it might be more than a simple sprain.
While we spoke, Henry moved across the room to look at the shelves that held my herbs and remedies. From the corner of my eye, I watched him pick up a jar of evening primrose and turn it around in his hands. “There you go,” I said, once William’s leg was bandaged. “Good as new.”
He stood and gingerly distributed his weight between both feet. “Thank you, Selah,” he said, and then reached a hand down to help me up. “You have the gentlest touch.”
“You’re welcome, but if you delay again between visits, I won’t be so gentle next time.” We stood facing each other, my one hand still in his.
“I promise to call soon.” The warmth in his eyes assured me of his friendship.
For a brief moment I had forgotten the other people in the room. Henry cleared his throat, and I turned to find him watching us with an amused expression. William also looked and then immediately dropped my hand.
“Oh, goodness,” I said, discomfited by my bad manners. “Henry, let me introduce you to my dear friend, William Goodwin. William, this is my husband, Henry Kilbrid.”
Henry moved to my side and nodded his head in acknowledgement. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Goodwin.”
William tensed as he took in Henry’s full appearance. “And, you,” he said brusquely before returning his attention back to me. “I should be going. My mother and Nora are waiting at home. Thank you again, Selah.” He spoke courteously enough, though the warmth had gone from his eyes and his smile had tightened to a straight line.
“Will you give them my regards?” I asked, surprised by this sudden change in mood as he crossed the room to the door.
“Yes, of course.” He ducked outside without even saying goodbye.
Sometime soon I needed to verse Henry on the use of titles when addressing Quakers, but such a small offense should never have upset William. I debated following him out to demand a proper explanation when Rebecca peeked around the door, all grief and tears as she held out the basket. “Can you fix my bird now, Selah?”
“Bring it over, and I’ll see what can be done.” I pushed aside my concern for William in order to focus on my next patient.
Rebecca came right over. Removing the cloth from the basket, she placed it on my examining chair. Henry joined me on the floor when I knelt, and side by side we studied the unfortunate creature.
“Its wing’s broken,” he whispered, voice low so not to further upset Rebecca. “Why don’t you tell her the bird flew off to heaven while I go outside and wring its neck.”
I was touched by his rather morbid offer. Under normal circumstances killing the bird would have been the most humane course of action. But while I was here the circumstances were hardly normal.
“I’m not so sure it’s broken,” I said despite the odd angle of the feathered appendage. “Rebecca, can you do something very important for me?”