Read Tracie Peterson - [Land of Shining Water 02] for Free Online Page B

of the room where the cabinets ended when the sound of an approaching wagon filled her with dread. Had Father returned already? She wasn’t nearly finished. . . .
    Climbing down from her perch on an overturned box, Emmalyne went to the door. To her surprise and horror, however, she saw a smartly dressed man climbing down from a small buggy. He was tall and lean, with brown hair that looked kissed by the sun. Emmalyne thought him quite handsome, and when he turned and smiled, she couldn’t help but react the same way.
    “Welcome, sir.”
    “Thank you. Is this the Knox home?”
    Emmalyne couldn’t contain her chuckle. “Such as it is. I’m afraid we’ve a great deal to do in order to make it a home.”
    “I’m Dr. Jason Williams. I saw your mother at the hotel yesterday and promised to check in on her today. When I arrived at the hotel, they told me where you’d gone. Since I had to see a few other patients out this way, I thought I’d stop by.”
    “That was very kind,” Emmalyne said, fervently wishing she weren’t so dirty. “Please come in. I’ve been working, as you can see, but my mother is resting in her room. I’ll show you the way.”
    Dr. Williams entered the house behind her and followed her to the bedroom. Emmalyne opened the door a crack. “Mother? Dr. Williams is here to see you.”
    “Let him in,” her mother replied, her voice sounding frail.
    Emmalyne pushed the door open and stepped back. “I’ll be getting back to work now,” she said, excusing herself. “Let me know if you need me for anything.” Dr. Williams nodded and smiled, and Emmalyne found herself wishing she didn’t have to return to her task. He was such a nice-looking man. Tall too. She wondered what it might be like to dance with him, then chided herself for being silly. She had no time for dancing! Besides, there would be no man for her. Not with the tradition in place. That wasn’t going to change.
    She climbed back onto the box and busied herself with the cobwebs. Minutes ticked by, and Emmalyne couldn’t help but wonder what the doctor might conclude about her mother’s condition. For the last eleven years her mother had seen a bevy of physicians, druggists, and healers, and they always left her with bottles of medicines that seemed to only make her more disinterested in life and her family.
    Emmalyne moved onto a chair in order to reach the very tops of the cabinets and considered what she would do if Dr. Williams recommended the same treatments as previous doctors. It had been difficult to convince her mother that laudanum and the like were bad for her, but such drugs had Rowena all but incapable of minimal functions. If yet another person of authority suggested this treatment, Emmalyne feared Mother would once again succumb to the addictive grip of such medicines.
    Perhaps if I spoke to the doctor and explained the situation, he wouldn’t be inclined to give her such things , Emmalyne thought. The man seemed quite nice, and perhaps he would agree that such medications did more harm than good.
    “I hoped you would be nearby,” Dr. Williams said, coming up behind her.
    Startled, Emmalyne turned much too quickly and lost her balance. She caught her heel on the edge of the chair and began to fall. She let out a little squeal, trying to maintain her grip on the cabinet door, but the piece broke off in her hand.
    The good doctor stood ready to assist, however. He caught her easily and gave a laugh as the chair fell over.
    “You needn’t throw yourself at me, for I must admit I’ve already found you to be quite fetching.”
    Emmalyne’s face burned with embarrassment. “I . . . I’m so . . . so sorry. You startled me, and I lost my balance.”
    Their faces were barely inches apart. He grinned. “I know. I was here.”
    “Of course,” she said, shaking her head. “Thank you.”
    Emmalyne grew uncomfortable as he continued to support her. “Uh, you can put me down now.”
    “I suppose I should.”