When the Heart Heals Read Online Free PDF Page B

senior practitioner’s opinionated personality.
    After several silent minutes, Dr. Stewart emerged and escorted his patient to the exit, then turned and nodded at Rosemary. “Please show this young lady into the examination room.”
    Jolene blanched.
    â€œDon’t worry, ma’am. My nurse will stay with you.” He stepped to the open door and stood to one side. A lamp glowed on the side wall, casting yellow light over the long table under a curtained window.
    Rosemary took Jolene’s arm and led her to one of two chairs inside. Stepping back, she waited under a second window while Dr. Stewart closed the door behind them.
    â€œThis is Miss Graves, Doctor,” Rosemary said.
    He straightened his black coat. “What can I do for you, miss?”
    â€œI’ve been terrible sick. Can’t keep nothing down. Took everything I’ve got to get dressed and come here today.” She sucked in a deep breath and held it for a moment. “I can’t hardly do my work at Miss Lytle’s Millinery—can’t do nothing.”
    Rosemary stifled the impulse to ask Miss Graves if she’d tried raspberry leaf tea.
    Dr. Stewart leaned toward the patient. “I need to take your pulse. Would you please remove your gloves?” When she complied, he lifted her wrist and rested two fingers at the base of her thumb, his other hand holding his watch. After a minute, he closed the timepiece. “A little rapid, but nothing abnormal.”
    He palpated the glands in her neck. “No swelling.” Stepping back, he studied her face.
    â€œHow long have you been ill?”
    â€œA few weeks.”
    â€œAny other symptoms?”
    â€œNo . . . well, I’m tired, but that’s because I’m sick.”
    He leaned against the table. “Is there any possibility you might be expecting a child?”
    Her face grew whiter, then flushed scarlet. “Yes,” she said, her voice nearly inaudible. “I was hoping you’d say it was something else.”
    â€œA baby’s certainly better than a disease. I believe the druggist carries Hoofmann’s German Bitters. That should help with your nausea. Tell him I sent you.” Compassion softened his features. “You’ll need to tell the father.”
    â€œHe’s gone. Went north looking for work. I don’t know where.”
    â€œYour parents, then.”
    â€œI dassn’t. They’d kill me.” Tears rolled over her cheeks.
    â€œI doubt that, Miss Graves,” Dr. Stewart said in a gentle voice. “I suggest you talk to them.” He turned to Rosemary. “There’ll be no charge for this visit. You may see the patient out.” He entered his private office and closed the connecting door behind him.
    Jolene covered her face with her hands. “What am I going to do?” She choked the words through her sobs.
    Rosemary put an arm around the girl’s shoulders. “Come with me. I have some ginger water in my carryall. It might help settle your stomach.” She kept her voice low, mindful of the doctor’s prohibition against her “potions.”
    She settled Jolene on the sofa and poured ginger water into a cup. “Sip this slowly,” she said, then perched next to her. “You can’t hide this from your parents.”
    â€œYes, I can.”
    â€œThey’re sure to notice as time passes.”
    â€œI don’t live with them. I share a room in town with two other girls.” Fresh tears slid from her eyes. “But I can’t work. I can’t pay my part of the rent.”
    Rosemary threw a glance at Dr. Stewart’s closed door. “I can show you how to brew a tea that may help you. That way you won’t have to spend money on patent medicine. Can you come to my house this evening, say around half past five?”
    Jolene’s woebegone features brightened. “Oh, thank you, miss. I know I could think better what to