Dorothy Garlock (34 page)

“Ten years ago Corbin and I had to t-tell her that her husband had been killed. He was s-stomped on by a frightened horse. It was sad. It was as if the l-light went out of her, and she was n-never the same again.”

“She must have really loved him.”

“Here’s Corbin,” Doc said when a car stopped in front. April told Corbin about Mrs. Poole’s strange behavior the morning after she had spent the night at the clinic and about pounding on Fred’s door this morning. She repeated word for word what the woman had said about her and about Doc having women in his rooms.

“There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Fred saved me from being stabbed in the back. He has a gash on his arm from the knife. He shoved her back, and she stumbled and fell against the post. He’s blaming himself, thinking that he pushed her too hard. It was an accident.”

“It would seem so. Is there anything you want to add, Fred?”

“I told her last night that I wanted to move out and find a place of my own. The way she looked at it was that I didn’t appreciate what all she had done for me. I never thought she’d take it so hard.”

“What do you think of her mental state, Doc?”

“That’s not my line of w-work. But as an observer, I’d say she was not in her r-right mind.”

“I don’t see any need to drag her reputation through the mud. She is dead. It was an accident, pure and simple. The facts leading up to the accident will be left out of my report. I’ll put a notice in tomorrow’s paper that Mrs. Poole had an accident, she stumbled on the stairs and fell. It’s not far from the truth.” He looked at Doc. “Would you have believed it ten years ago that we’d be doing this, Doc?”

“No. But it’s b-best now just as it was then.”

Corbin reached down and took the butcher knife from Shirley’s hand and spoke to Fred. “Do you want me to stop by and speak to Herman?”

“I guess so. He’s the one who buried Ron.”

“He was on the city council with Ron when I first came to work here. He’s the only funeral director in town now. There was another one before the depression hit, but he pulled out.”

“I would appreciate it. I need to put a sign in the window at the hardware store saying it will be closed until after . . . after . . .”

“I can take care of that,” Corbin offered.

Fred dug in his pocket and pulled out a ring of keys. “There’s a second set of keys to the store in Shirley’s apron pocket. Would you take them out before she . . . goes?”

Corbin knelt down, took a ring of keys and a single key from one pocket and a small purse from the other. He gave both to Fred.

“I need to get back,” Doc said. “I haven’t checked on Jack since midnight. You need to come down to the clinic, Fred, and let me look at that cut. April thinks you’ll need a couple of stitches.”

April said, “I’ll stay with Fred until the undertaker comes. Then I’ll stop at the hotel and see about a room.” She spoke to Fred. “Is there anyone you want me to call?”

“No. Our folks are gone.”

Fred continued to sit on the stairs after Doc and Corbin had left. He sat with his elbows on his knees, his face in his hands. He looked terribly alone, but April was sure that as soon as word was out, the neighbors would be coming in.

“Do you mind if I make coffee, Fred?” It was something to do while they waited for Mr. Sellon, the undertaker.

He looked up. “Go right ahead.”

April left an hour later and walked briskly down the street to the hotel. The night clerk was still behind the desk. When April asked for a room, he looked her up and down.

“Do you have luggage?”

“Of course, I have luggage. Will you have a room by this afternoon or not?”

“Name, please.”

“April Asbury.”

“You’re a nurse?”

“How could you tell?” Her voice was heavily laced with sarcasm.

“The white dress and shoes.”

“Why, of course. How astute of you.”

“Fifty-cent deposit.”

“I didn’t bring my purse.” April rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “I’ll go back to the clinic and bring you fifty cents.”

“What are you doing here?”

April jumped back when she heard Joe’s voice close to her ear. “I could say the same to you.”

“I used Jack’s room last night. How is he this morning?” “I’ve not seen him.” Her knees began to shake. “I’ve got to run. I’ll be back with your deposit,” she said to the clerk and headed for the door.

“Wait a minute.” Joe took her elbow in his hand. “Why do you need a deposit?”

“I’m taking a room here and he”—she jerked her head toward the clerk—“wants a deposit.”

Joe walked back to the desk. “Why does she have to make a deposit on a room?”

“Because it’s the rules. The owner said not to rent rooms to women who come in without luggage, or the good name of the hotel will suffer.”

Joe leaned over the counter to say softly, “You’re a real honest-to-God prick. When she comes back to get a room, you’d better have one, or I’ll kick your ass up between your ears. Got it?”

April had gone out and down the hotel porch steps by the time Joe caught up with her.

“Why are you moving out of Mrs. Poole’s?”

“Mrs. Poole had an accident this morning. She’s dead. I can’t stay there with Fred.”

He caught her arm and stopped her. “Say that again.”

“I said it once. That should be enough. Mrs. Poole fell on the stairs and broke her neck. Is that plain enough?”

“Yeah, I guess it is. It’s too bad.”

Joe kept pace with her as she hurried toward the clinic. The merchants were opening the stores. The barber was sweeping the walk in front of his shop. He yelled at Joe.

“How’s Jack doin’?”

“All right last night. I’m going to see him now.”

“Let me know. Folks will be askin’.”

“Were you there when it happened?” Joe asked when they had passed the shop.

“Yes.”

When she said no more, he asked, “Will you need help getting your things over to the hotel?”

“No.”

“Is Harold Dozier going to help you?”

“I imagine he would if I asked him.”

“Well?”

April stopped and glared at him. “Why the questions?”

“I want to help you if I can.”

“Your help isn’t needed. And you needn’t worry that I took your little flirtation seriously.”

She continued walking. Joe stood on the corner and watched until she reached the clinic. He felt as if he had been punched in the gut. Damn that woman. What in tarnation was she talking about?

Chapter 27

B
Y THE TIME SHE REACHED THE CLINIC
, April was feeling weak and trembly and very nervous. Part of it was because she’d not had anything to eat this morning, but the larger part was the fact that Mrs. Poole had wanted to kill her and then had died as the result of it. Death was never easy to accept and especially one as sudden and violent as the one this morning. An old adage came to April’s mind:

Life is uncertain and death is sure.

Meeting Joe so unexpectedly had not been kind to her already strung-out nerves. It was typical of him to show up and stick his bill into her business. She was perfectly capable of handling the desk clerk, who was sure to be a relative of the owner of the hotel or he wouldn’t have the job.

She had known that she would have to see Joe at some time, but why did it have to be this morning when she had enough on her plate already to deal with. And what did he mean about Harold Dozier?

Oh, Lord. I had forgotten that on a sudden impulse I had agreed to go out with him next Saturday night.

April desperately wanted to go away somewhere and cry, but she stiffened her backbone and anchored her cap with its one black stripe to the top of her head with bobby pins. With a smile on her face she went into the surgery, where Doc was changing the bandage on Jack’s side.

“Good morning,” she said in her best professional voice. “You look like you could run a footrace this morning.”

Jack was clenching his teeth. “I was better until this old sawbones started poking at me.”

“He needed s-something to complain about, so I thought I’d help him out a bit.” Doc continued dabbing at the wound with a pad. “Think you’re up to the r-ride home, or would you like to stay here a day or two?”

“I could make it home on horseback. This is the hardest damn bed I’ve ever lain on. And I’m about to starve to death.”

“It’s your own fault. I offered to b-bring you some bread soaked in m-milk.”

“I need solid food, Doc. I’ve not eaten since yesterday morning.”

“Did you ever hear s-such whining?”

“I was sure that Ruby’s visit last night would sweeten him up. They looked pretty lovey-dovey to me.”

Jack grinned. “It was worth getting shot for.”

“I liked her. If she wasn’t so nice, I would probably hate her because she’s so pretty.”

Jack looked pleased. “She is pretty, isn’t she?”

“Yeah,” Doc said. “But not very s-smart.”

“Come on, Doc.” April winked. “Jack’s bound to have a few good qualities. Dogs like him.”

“Dogs like anyone who f-feeds them.” Doc finished with the bandage and moved the cart away from the bed. “Jethro coming to get you?”

“Him or Joe.”

“You’re to get right in bed and s-stay there. Mind what Eudora tells you. She’s had n-nursing experience. If you get an infection, it’ll mean a t-trip to the hospital in Mason, and I don’t need to tell you that it’s a r-rough ride.”

“I’ll do everything you say, Doc. Promise.”

“If you do, it’ll be the f-first time,” Doc grumbled, but he smiled. “Take care of yourself, or Ruby’ll be a w-widow before she’s a bride.”

The front door squeaked, and Joe appeared in the doorway of the surgery. April ignored him and put away the supplies Doc had been using.

“I want to go by Sparky’s and get some breakfast.” Jack lifted his head so he could see his brother.

Joe looked at Doc. “Pay him no mind,” Doc said. “Take him home and tell Eudora to feed him a soft diet.”

“Get my britches, Doc.”

April went back to the reception room while Joe and Doc helped Jack into his clothes. When they were ready to leave, April held open the door while they walked him slowly out to the car. Joe did not look at her or speak to her until after Jack was settled and the door closed. Then as he walked around to the driver’s side, he glanced up to where she stood on the porch.

“I’ll be back.”

Doc followed April back into the clinic. “Have you had breakfast?”

“I had coffee with Fred.”

“Caroline will fix you a p-plate.”

“I don’t want to bother—”

“Fiddlesticks.” Doc went through the connecting door and returned minutes later with a cup of coffee, a slice of toast and a dish of oatmeal balanced on a big platter.

“Thank you. That coffee smells good.”

“Sit and eat.”

Doc paced the room, then went to look out the door. April could tell that he had something on his mind and waited for him to unload.

“Caroline and I plan to l-leave at the end of the week. By then the water wells will have been t-tested, and if there is a chance of an epidemic, the p-proper authorities will be notified. I had a chance to talk to Evan l-last night. He has agreed to—or rather he insisted upon buying the house and equipment in the clinic. He is sure that if and when a new doctor comes, he will get his m-money back. This is a big load off my mind. He’s going to take care to see the h-house Caroline had is s-signed over to Silas. She wants it that way.” Doc turned and looked at her. “I’m sorry to h-have to leave you, April. It wasn’t fair of me to b-bring you here knowing that I wasn’t g-going to be able to stay in Fertile.”

“It was worth it to me just to know you and Caroline. I’ll be fine. I’ve got a little inheritance from my grandmother that I’ve been holding on to. I’m better off than most folks.”

“I fell in love with Caroline a year ago w-when her papa died. At first I thought that I just felt s-sorry for her, then I knew I had deeper f-feelings. Now I can’t imagine my life without her.”

“Not everyone finds a love like that,” April said wistfully. “Any collections that c-come in after I’m gone are yours. It will help a little to make up for my taking advantage of you.”

“No, Doc. When you are settled, send me your address and I will send them on.”

“It will not be m-much. Folks who can pay have already paid. I was h-hoping that you would stay here, that you and Joe—”

“No, Doc,” she said quickly again. “Joe just wants to flirt around. He doesn’t want anything permanent. And I could never love a man who has his eye out for every woman who comes along.”

“You think Joe’s that kind of man?”

“Oh, yes.” The little laugh stuck in April’s throat. “He’s got a practiced line that draws women like flies.”

“Hmmm. I guess I hadn’t noticed. I don’t r-remember him being stuck on anyone around here for any length of time. Not like Jack. He’s never b-been able to see anyone but Ruby.”

“That’s just it. Joe plays the field.”

“Well . . . you know what you want. I’ve known him for a long t-time. I’ve never heard of him leaving b-behind a string of broken hearts. The entire Jones f-family are as decent as any you’ll ever meet.”

The phone rang. It was Mr. Appleby asking if Doc was there. He wanted to bring over Mrs. Poole’s death certificate for him to sign.

Continuing his conversation with April, he said, “After Corbin leaves, I’m g-going to Mason to see my friend and ask him to c-come to Fertile one or two days a week until a doctor can be f-found. I’ll tell him about you and how c-capable you are. As soon as Caroline and I are gone, you can m-move into the house until it’s s-sold to another doctor. I don’t think it will be any time soon. This is not a very p-prosperous community right now.”

“I’ll stay at the hotel until then. What reason shall I give for your sudden departure?”

“I’m going to Tennessee to see my f-family. That’s the truth. I’ll take Caroline there to m-meet my sisters before we leave the country.”

April stacked her breakfast dishes on the platter.

“It’s strange about Mrs. Poole. She hated the Jones family for some reason. She accused me of all sorts of things with . . . both brothers. She lost her mind. That’s the only reason I can think of for her to take such a personal interest in my affairs.”