One White Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

married. His wife was tucked in nice and tight beside him, sleeping on her side with her back to her husband. All Douglas saw was a puff of gray hair above the covers.
    He didn't use his gun to wake the elderly man. He simply put his hand over the doctor's mouth, whispered that he was a friend of Isabel Grant's, and asked him to come downstairs to talk. The doctor was apparently used to being awakened in the dead of night. Babies, Douglas knew, often came during that inconvenient time. Although the physician seemed wary, he didn't argue with him. His wife didn't wake up. Simpson shut the door behind him and led Douglas to his study. He pulled the drapes closed and then lit a candle.
    "Are you really a friend of Isabel's?"
    "Yes, I am."
    "And your name?"
    "Douglas Clayborne."
    "You don't intend to hurt Isabel?"
     
    "No."
    The doctor still didn't look convinced.
    "I want to help her," Douglas insisted.
    "Maybe so, maybe not," Simpson replied. "You aren't from around here, are you? How do you know our Isabel?"
    "Actually, I only just met her. Her husband sold me an Arabian stallion a couple of months ago, but I was expanding my business back then and couldn't come for the horse until I'd hired some extra hands."
    "But you're a friend. Is that right?"
    "Yes."
    Simpson stared at him a long minute, slowly rubbing his whiskered jaw until he had worked out whatever it was that was bothering him, and finally nodded. "Good," he said. "She needs a friend as big and hard-looking as you, young man. I hope to God you are hard when it comes to protecting her. You know how to use that gun you're wearing?"
    "Yes."
    "Are you fast and accurate?"
    Douglas felt as though he were undergoing an inquisition but didn't take offense because he knew the physician had Isabel's safety uppermost in his mind. "I'm fast enough."
    "I saw your shotgun on the table in the hall," Simpson said. "Are you also good with that weapon?" Douglas didn't see any harm in being completely honest. "I prefer my shotgun."
    "Why is that?"
    "It leaves a bigger hole, sir, and if I shoot someone, I shoot to kill." The doctor grinned. "I expect that's the way it ought to be," he remarked. He sat down behind his desk and motioned for Douglas to take a seat across from him. He declined with a shake of his head.
    "How's our girl doing? I sure wish I could see her. I expect she's getting big and awkward about now."
    "She had the baby last night."
    "Good Lord Almighty, she had the baby? It came much too soon. What'd she have? A boy or a girl?"
    "A boy."
    "Did he make it?"
    "Yes, but he's thin, terribly thin… and little. His cry is real weak too." Simpson leaned back in his chair and shook his head. "It's a miracle he survived. Besides being weak, is he acting sick?"
    "I don't know if he is or not. He sleeps most of the time."
    "Is he nursing?"
    "He's trying to," he answered.
    "Good. That's real good," he said. "His mama's milk will fatten him up. Tell Isabel to try to nurse him every hour or so until he's stronger. He'll only take a little each time, but that's all right. If the baby refuses to eat, or can't keep it down, then we've got a real problem on our hands. I don't know what good I could do for him if he gets into trouble. He's too young for medicine. We've just got to pray he makes it. A chill will kill him, so you've got to keep him warm all the time. That's real important, son."
    "I'll keep him warm."
    "I don't want to sound grim… It's just, you have to understand and accept the facts. There's a good chance the baby won't make it, no matter what you do."
    "I don't want to think about that possibility."
    "If it happens, you have to help Isabel get through it. That's what friends do."
    "Yes, I will."
    "How is she doing? Did she have any problems I should know about?"
    "She had a difficult time with the laboring. She looks all right now."
    "You helped her bring the baby?"
    "Yes."
    "Did she tear?"
    "No, but she sure bled a lot. I don't know if it was more than what's