One Shenandoah Winter Read Online Free PDF Page A

them for a substitute.”
    Brian announced from the kitchen, “The formula is ready.”
    â€œFine.” Nathan dropped his eyes back to the baby. “Why don’t we give her the first dosage now before she eats.”
    The room seemed quietly galvanized. Sadie moved to the cupboard, Connie to the phone. She dialed the pharmacy number from memory and listened to it ring as Brian brought in the bottle.
    A languid voice said, “Sedrick’s.”
    â€œPhil, it’s Connie Wilkes.”
    â€œHey, gal. That doctor fellow showed up yet?”
    â€œYes.” Phil Sedrick sat on the town council with her. He was a slow-moving mountain man who had inherited the pharmacy and his mother’s easy manner but not his father’s intelligence. Connie asked, “Is the pharmacist on duty?”
    â€œNaw, she’s gone to lunch. It’s just me holding down the fort. What can I do you for?”
    She spelled out the drops. “See if you have them or an equivalent in stock. Call me back at Brian’s as soon as you know.”
    â€œSuppose I could give a look-see down back. But say—”
    â€œI have to go. Do it fast, please. Immediately.” She hung up before he could start on one of his rambling conversations.
    Connie stood there at the back of the room, watching the doctor speak in soothing tones as he forced the baby to take what clearly was a very unappetizing medicine. He did not flinch as she blew the first mouthful back into his face. Nor did he mind as she cried and fretted after swallowing the second try, or when she threw up half the bottle of formula down his shirt front. He simply held her and observed. His intensity of concentration was almost frightening.
    When the baby started to fall asleep, the doctor surprised them all by shaking the little girl back awake. “Let’s try it again now.”
    â€œBut won’t—”
    â€œLet me have the bottle again.” Though the tone was mild for the baby’s sake, the imperious manner was still there in full force. “Now.”
    Doubtfully Sadie Blackstone handed it back, and watched as he inserted the nipple and kept gently shaking the baby, forcing her to waken and suckle. To everyone’s astonishment, she did so without apparent discomfort.
    Even the baby’s eyes opened in surprise. Two little fists came up to curl around the bottle.
    Nathan Reynolds stopped shaking her, and sat there holding her and allowing her to take as much as she wanted. “Maalox has a very sticky consistency, specifically meant to keep it from being thrown back up. Her tummy is coated now, so this batch ought to stay down.”
    Sadie bent over, ran a finger down the side of her baby’s face. “This is a miracle.”
    â€œWe’ll have to monitor her closely. Her weight should begin to pick up, and when it does, her dosage will need to be adjusted. I’ll need to weigh her every few days for the next three to four weeks. Can you bring her by the clinic?”
    â€œOf course.” A single tear coursed down the side of Sadie’s face. She swallowed the shakiness in her voice and said, “What time?”
    â€œI have no idea. Let’s just play this by ear until I get settled.”
    He handed over the baby, used the washcloth Brian offered to wipe the worst of the formula from his shirt, then started for the door. “Until tomorrow.”
    Nathan Reynolds was out the door so fast the only mark of Sadie’s gratitude was an unseen hand raised to the space he had just left behind.
    Brian hastened after him, and Connie followed. The doctor was halfway across the yard toward his car before the scampering pastor caught up. “Doctor Reynolds!”
    Reluctantly the man turned back, the hostile chill clear in his eyes.
    In his quiet manner, Brian asked, “If you hadn’t been here, could my baby have died?”
    â€œIt depends on her constitution. Babies are stronger