Rebellious Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

from his mouth first. Doc was famous for smoking his cigars right down to a stub, his contention being that he ate less when he kept the stub between his teeth, though the size of his distended belly proved otherwise.
    It was his deep commitment to his patients that Lil admired the most. He was always there for them, no matter how late the hour or how bad the weather. The townsfolk of Little knew they could count on him. He was a special man, and he held a special spot in Lil’s heart.
    Holly was waiting for her to share the noonday meal and local gossip as usual. Lil hastily readied herself for the short walk down the street to Holly’s house. Her hair was in place, or out of place, since it had a mind of its own, which was fine with Lil. She wasn’t given to following fashion, especially with the tons of undergarments a woman was expected to wear, and that stupid, nonsensical bustle.
    Comfort and sensibility were more to her liking. She often needed to get close to patients or to move away fast, and a mountain of clothing only managed to impede her work. So her wardrobe consisted of plain, nondescript, and practical clothing, like the dark blue skirt and white starched blouse she wore. She checked the ornate brooch at her neck to make certain it was in place. It had been the only piece of jewelry her mother had owned, and it had passed to Lil upon her death.
    She rarely, if ever, wore a bonnet, so after checking the two-room office she stepped outside, eagerly anticipating her noonday meal with Holly.
    “Excuse me, ma’am,” a voice from behind her said, a bit out of breath.
    Lil didn’t recognize the cowhand standing before her, hat in hand and looking as though he had ridden hard, though not far. “Can I help you?”
    “This is the doc’s office, ain’t it?”
    “Yes, it is. I’m Lil, Doc Talbert’s assistant.”
    The man looked nervous. “You mean the doc ain’t here?”
    Lil shook her head. “No, he’s out at the Murphy place. He’ll be gone for another day at least.”
    The man ran his hand through his thick wavy hair and let out a weary sigh. “That man’s gonna be mighty pis—” The cowhand caught himself, remembering he was in the presence of a lady. “He’s gonna be mighty mad.”
    “Who?”
    “That Jonathan fella that works for Lord Sherborn. The lord had an accident, and he’s bleeding. Don’t look real bad to me. Might need a few stitches, but I can’t say it’s a mortal wound. Jonathan told me to make certain I brought the doc back real fast or I’d be out of a job.”
    “I can see to Lord Sherborn’s injury,” Lil said secure with her medical ability, but not optimistic about Lord Sherborn’s response to her treating him.
    The cowhand took a step back and shook his head slowly. “I don’t know, ma’am.”
    “Suit yourself. Tell this Jonathan that Doc Talbert won’t be available for another day or two, so he must see to Lord Sherborn himself.”
    The cowhand started to sweat and wiped at his brow.
    “That’s not a good idea, ma’am. I think maybe I better bring you back with me and let Jonathan decide what to do.”
    “Sounds sensible. I just need to get my medical bag. Do you see that boy about five buildings down, holding the dog?” Lil asked, pointing in that direction. “Tell him Lil needs him to run an errand.”
    The cowhand took off to get Billy while Lil reentered the office and quickly gathered the supplies she felt would be necessary to care for Lord Sherborn. The thought that he might refuse to allow her to treat him did cross her mind. But on other occasions she had dealt with people who doubted her ability, and she had handled them. She would handle Lord Sherborn and this Jonathan fellow.
    Billy ran happily down the street with the note for Holly in his hand as well as a coin from Lil for running the errand, while Lil climbed into the buckboard the cowhand had driven to town.
    It took only minutes to get up to the house on the hill. She climbed down