Lottie

by Kinze Jaeger 

           

Mitch Carter drank in the cool of the morning as he waited patiently outside of the train station. For the first time in a long while, gray clouds rolled in with a promise of rain. Passengers rushed off the small, wooden platform desperate to set their feet on the steady ground. A woman clambered down the short flight of steps and caught his attention.

            She was gorgeous. Her curly auburn hair tumbled over her shoulder. She had deep tan skin and wore a simple blue skirt and white blouse that seemed to highlight her natural beauty.

            The conductor handed her a faded, old carpetbag and a simple handbag. A doctor’s bag. She couldn’t be the new doctor, but there was no one else around and absolutely no one else with a doctor’s bag.

            He walked up to her tentatively. “Excuse me, miss,” She turned and smiled at him, a stunning smile to say the least. “Are you the new doctor?” He asked.

            She nodded vigorously, “I am.” She set her bag down and stuck out her hand. “I’m Doctor Charlotte London.”

            He took her hand in his, “My name’s Mitch Carter.  I’ll be taking you to your boarding house and showing you your new office.”

            She shook the dust from her travel-worn clothes, “Oh, no you don’t have to do that…I’ll find my way around.”

            He shook his head and grabbed her bag off the boardwalk. “No, it is my duty as a gentleman to help pretty doctors get where they need to go.” He winked at her and gestured to her other bag. “I can take your other bag from you.”

            “I can handle it.” She challenged.

            He lifted one of his eyebrows and he shrugged, “All right then.” They walked down the sidewalk, passing the small town’s red brick buildings and hitching posts. “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to see a…uh…”

            She stopped dead in her tracks, “A woman? Is that what you were going to say?”

            “Miss London, I…”

            “Doctor London.”

            “I’m sorry…but I didn’t mean anything. I was just stating-”

            She set her jaw, “Stating that you thoughtlessly assumed that it would be a man stepping off that train?” With that, she gathered her skirts in her hands and marched down the boardwalk.

            He hurried after her, “Wait!”

            She stopped and turned around, her face set in a grim expression.

            “I’m sorry.” He spread out his hands apologetically.

            She snagged her other bag out of his hands and looked up at him. “Good day, Mr. Carter.” She gave him a polite smile, that didn’t reach her eyes, and walked away.

            What a way to introduce yourself, Mitch.

                                                ***********************

             “Hmmm, so how old is she?”

             “Four.”

             Charlotte nodded and continued to massage her patient’s arm. He had fallen from his horse and dislocated his shoulder. She rubbed his arm, working up until his upper shoulder. The most important thing was to keep him relaxed.

             “I’m sure you make a great father.” She commented.

             “Thank you. You should have heard her the other day she--”

              Pop.

              He looked down at his shoulder, “What was that?”

             “Does it feel better?”

             “Yes…but what did you do?”

             “Massaged your arm. You’re going to be okay now, sir. Have a good day and say hello to your daughter for me.”

             “I will.” He walked out of the office, scratching his head in confusion.

             She looked around her doctor’s office. A small smile crept up her face. Her office. It was perfect. There was a fully furnished waiting area, operating room, recovery room, and a storage closet, stocked full with medical equipment and medicines. She had never felt more at home anywhere else in the world. 

            Knock knock.

            She snapped out of her daydreaming as Mitch Carter opened the door and removed his Stetson hat. “Miss--Doctor London?”

            She crossed her arms, “Yes?”

            He cleared his throat, “I wanted to apologize for jumping to conclusions yesterday. It was insensitive of me.”

            She gave him a curt nod, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Carter. I have work to do.” She walked into the operating room and closed the door behind her.

            Her conscious screamed and guilt bubbled up inside her chest.

            She reached for the door handle, but a memory from her past flashed through her mind turning her legs to mush.

            A little boy had fallen out of a tree, two broken ribs, sprained ankle, many cuts, and bruises. She ran to help, but they wouldn’t let her. They claimed she was unqualified to help their son. By the time they had gotten a different doctor, he wasn’t able to do much to help the child.

            He only lived another three weeks.

            She steadied herself and took a deep breath.

            She shook her head and pushed away all the thoughts about Mitch Carter, but the hurt in his eyes haunted her like the clouds that hung in the skies above.

                                        ******************

            “Mitch! It’s ‘bout time you got here! I’m starving!”

            Mitch’s youngest sister gave him a joking glare. He laughed, “Sorry, Y'all.” He took his seat next to his sister and grabbed her hand. He looked up at his mother at the head of the table. She smiled at him and then bowed her head, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings on this family. Thank You for all the things You give us. Give us strength, especially our dear Melinda, as it grows closer to the birth of the newest addition to our family. In Your precious and holy name, Amen.” She opened her eyes and singled for them to eat.

            Mitch turned to his littlest sister, “So, Andi…have you gotten into any more trouble lately?”

            “Not any more than usual…” She answered dryly. “So, where were you today?”

            “I went to town.” He stated as he fiddled with his fork.

            Everyone looked up at him as silence eerily filled the room.

            “Well, did it burn down or something?” His older brother asked.

            “No.”

            “Then what’s the matter?”

            Mitch quickly explained the situation and awaited their responses.

            His brother shrugged and took another bite of his food. “Doesn’t seem like a problem to me…”

            “Chad Aaron Carter!” His wife exclaimed and elbowed him in the ribs. He dropped his fork and grabbed his side. “Sometimes I don’t know why I married you.” She commented.

            “You know you love me, Ellie.”

            “You just keep reminding me to make sure I don’t forget.” She smiled at him and took his hand.

            Mitch grinned at the couple and turned toward his mother. “What should I do?”

            “If you asked me…I would tell you to get her flowers! And make every effort to talk to her and win her heart!” His other sister whispered wistfully.

            “I’m not in love with her Melinda…I hardly know her.”

            “Not yet.” She challenged.

            His mother nodded, “I agree.” 

            “Mother, I--”

            “Mitch, listen, I think you should make every effort you can to try and apologize because it’s probably not you, she’s angry with.” She smiled. “It’s your job as a Christian to show her what Christ’s love looks like.”

            “Yes, Mother.”

                                                  *******************

            Charlotte London felt her patient’s forehead. “I don’t believe you have a fever. I don’t see anything wrong with you.”

            “I am telling you that I am feeling poorly! Don’t you believe me? I knew this would happen when we invited a woman of all people to be our new doctor!”

            She put her hands on her hips, exasperated by the elderly woman sitting before her. “What I believe is that you want to collect information on me to tell your little sewing circle. Am I wrong?” 

            She put her pale hand to her chest. “Well, I never! I mean I never would do such a thing!” She stood up. “Now listen here, Miss--”

            “Doctor.”

            “Doctor London! I am feeling poorly! Now, are you going to help me or not?”

            Doctor London sighed and nodded, “Alright, I will help you.”

            She grinned triumphantly, “Good.”

            “Now if you’ll just come with me I will check for sores and rashes.”

            Her face paled, “E-excuse m-me?”

            “Well, all of your symptoms point to an infection…and since you don’t seem to have a fever…”

            “No, no that’s quite alright…I’ll be going now.” She hurried to gather her purse and shawl.

            “But I wouldn’t be a doctor if I didn’t---”

            She scrambled for the door, “Oh, no…I’m feeling much better! Goodbye!” She flew through the door and almost barreled into a man passing by.

            Charlotte burst out laughing. A short, stubby man walked into the room, “Doctor Charlotte London?”

            She struggled for composure, “Just a minute…Please.” She managed in between giggles.

            “Is this a bad time?” The man asked.

            “No…no…I just…” She cleared her throat and smiled at him. “What can I do for you?”

            “Are you Doctor Charlotte London?”

            “Yes.”

            He handed her a gorgeous array of flowers wrapped in a delicate ribbon. “This was sent for you.”

            She took the bouquet in her arms. It was beautiful. How could someone have gotten me something so lovely? “From who?” She questioned him, her voice barely above a whisper.

            He reached into his pocket and handed her a creamy, white envelope.

            “Thank you.”

            “You’re welcome, Miss.” He tipped his hat toward her and exited the office.

            She tore open the envelope and quickly scanned the page.      

           

                        Dear Doctor London,

            I wanted to apologize; again, for what I said when we first met. I never meant to insult you. I hope you can forgive me, and we can put all of this behind us.

                                    Sincerely,

                                        Mitchell Carter

            Could I forgive him? She asked herself.

            A vivid picture of her as a child begging for money on the corner of the street flooded her eyes. The people’s smirks and looks of disdain were branded in her memory.

            She shook her head and forced the thought from her mind, but a tear escaped the gates of her heart, “Oh, God, help me to trust again.” She cried.

                                                *****************************

            Mitch patted his horse on his broad neck, “Good boy, Chase.” He cooed. He walked down the muddy boardwalk and found himself once again thinking about Doctor Charlotte London.

             Mitch wiped his brow and looked into the heavens.

             “Will this rain ever stop?” A man dressed sharply in a dark gray suit asked.

             Mitch laughed and shook his brother-in-law’s hand, “Well, I hope so. How are you doing, Peter?”

             He wearily shook his head; “I’m guessing you didn’t hear about the robbery then?”

            “No, what happened?”

            “Three men came in and completely took us off guard. They were riding away when the sheriff came. He’s pretty sure he was able to injure one of them. He said they couldn’t go too far without stopping to get help especially in this weather.”

              “Did he recognize any of them?”

              “One of them…He calls himself Scar Bentley. I’ve never heard of him though.”

               At that moment, Mitch watched as a man came sprinting toward Charlotte as she walked down the boardwalk. She quickly sidestepped to avoid a painful collision and slipped into the mud-filled street.

           Mitch hurried over to her, Peter not far behind, “Are you okay?” he asked.

            She looked up at him; anger etched in her dazzling features. “I’m fine!” She hit the mud around her with her hands. “Obviously!”

            Mitch offered her his hand, “Here, let me help you.”

            She ignored his hand and stood up shakily. Mud was covering her from head to toe. She wiped her hand over her face attempting to remove some of the wet clay around her eyes.

            “Can I do anything?”

            “No. I’m fine.” She tried to step away, but lost her footing and nearly crashed back into the muck.

            He grabbed her shoulders and steadied her. “Please. You need help.”

            She set her hands on her hips, “I’ll manage, thank you.”

            “Why do you have to be so stubborn?” He questioned her, a hint of anger in his voice.

             She looked up at him, a flicker of pain passing through her gray eyes, “You would n-never understand!

              “Can’t you see that my comment wasn’t made on purpose?”

              “No, no I can’t.” She turned and walked back to her office with her head held high.

               Peter turned to him, “What was all of that about?”

               Mitch sighed, “It’s a long story.”

                                                *****************************

            Charlotte dipped her pen in the bottle of ink sitting beside her, jotting down the final notes for the day. She set her pen down and looked up at the clock — 12 o’clock.

            She rubbed her tired eyes. Well, …it is late. I’d better be going, she decided.

            She lazily stretched in her plush chair and shuddered as a boom of thunder sounded, shaking the ancient building.

           Mr. Carter crashed through the door, holding tightly to a woman who was noticeably pregnant.

           “Bring her over here.” She ordered as she gestured to the white, operating table. “Lay her down as gently as possible.” Mr. Carter set her down slowly, and Charlotte quickly pulled out her stethoscope.

             “What’s your name, miss?”

             Her face paled as another wave of pain flew through her. “Melinda. M-Melinda Carter Wilson.”

            “When are you due?”

             “In a few weeks.” She gasped.

             Charlotte placed her stethoscope against Melinda’s abdomen and listened carefully. Drop in the baby’s heartbeat. She set the stethoscope aside and felt for the baby’s position.

             She bit her lip and looked at Melinda. “I’m afraid I am going to have to perform an emergency C-section. Your baby, instead of coming out head first like usual, is coming out feet first and interfering with the umbilical cord, which gives your baby oxygen. If we don’t act immediately, we could lose the child.” And yourself. She added silently.

            She watched carefully for their reactions. Melinda’s face paled, and her eyes grew wide with fear. Mr. Carter licked his lips, “Have you done this before?”

            “Yes, many times and each of them have been immensely successful.” She answered reassuringly.    

            He looked up at her and met her gaze. After a moment he nodded, “Will you need help?”

             He trusts me. So, why is it so hard for me to do the same?

               “Yes. Yes, I will.”

                                                            **********************

            “I believe you’re going to be just fine, Melinda. I don’t want you to move much, if at all, for the next few weeks though. Do you understand?”

            She nodded and snuggled the little package in her arms, “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you.”

            Charlotte smiled, “You don’t need to, it was my pleasure to deliver such a beautiful baby boy.”

            That’s when she heard it: loud, husky voices and the door slam shut.

            She turned to Melinda, “Whatever you do don’t move.”

            She hurried from the room and saw one man aiming his pistol at Mitch.

            Two other men stood behind him, guns at their sides.

            “You!” The gunman screamed, “Stand behind that man!” He gestured toward Mitch.

            She stood behind Mitch and studied the gunman’s face, noting the long, rigid scar that crossed it, a knife maybe? Broken bottle?

            “Is there anyone else in here?” Scar shouted.

             Mr. Carter shook his head, “No.”

            “Good. Now sit down both of you.”

            They obeyed silently, a million questions buzzing through Charlotte’s mind.

            “Which one of you is the doctor?”

            “I am,” Charlotte answered, her voice surprisingly unwavering.

            “Get over here.”

            She stood up confidently and watched as one of the men clutched a handkerchief tightly to his arm. Blood seeped through his attempts to apply adequate pressure.

            “Now, listen here Missy. You’re going to fix our buddy’s arm, and I’ll be making sure you do. My partner,” He explained gesturing to a tall, lanky man behind him. “Is going to watch to ensure your friend here doesn’t get any ideas. Understand?” He asked, looking around the room.

            They nodded.

            He grabbed Charlotte’s arm roughly and dragged her to the operating room. The patient sat down, and she worked to save his arm, hoping it wasn’t already too late. It was a bullet wound, but thankfully it had gone straight through. He grimaced, and she wondered how a man so young had gotten into something like this.

             She bandaged the man’s arm and stood to her feet. “I’m done.”

            A man shouted from the other room. Scar put his hand over her mouth and shoved his gun into her side.

            He nudged her forward, “Let’s go see what your little friend is up to.”

            He pushed her into the other room. She absorbed the scene all at once. The other criminal sat on the ground, his hands in the air. Mr. Carter stood over him the man’s gun in his hands.

            “Now, what is this?” Scar asked evilly.

            Mitch jerked toward them, his face a dusty white.

            “Now listen here mister, you’re going to put that gun on the floor, or this little filly is going get it. Understand?”

            “One.” He counted off.

            “Two…”

            Mitch clenched his teeth and gingerly set the gun on the floor.

            The tall man quickly grabbed the gun and stood up.

            “Now, let’s go.” Scar ordered. His companions rushed out of the small office.

            “Let her go,” Mitch commanded.

            “You think I’d let you follow us? She’s coming with us.”

            “You can’t do that.”

            “If you let us ride for a good hour, I might let her go. But if we see you following us…she’s as good as dead.” He shoved Charlotte towards the door. “Let’s go.”

            Charlotte shook, her fear taking control of her mind and body. Oh, God. Help me, please. She prayed silently.

            The man set her on his horse, and they rode away, away from the shelter, and away from security.

            The rain had finally let up, and they rode hard, their horses barely able to keep up with their master’s commands.

              Tears whipped around her face.

            What if this is it? She asked herself. What if I spent my entire life living in pain and misery? What if I was never able to fully grasp the true meaning of love and forgiveness because I couldn’t let go of the hurt of the past?

            The riders came to a sudden and forceful stop. The doctor nearly plunged into the road ahead of her.

            She looked up, the oxygen escaping her lungs.

            Mitch sat on top of his stallion pointing a shotgun at the man in front of him. “Let her go, boys.”

            She heard the man behind her growl. “On one condition,” he shouted in response. “You let us keep going.”

            “Put her down first.”

            The man shoved her off his horse. Her ankle twisted beneath her weight and pain engulfed her leg. She stumbled away and fell into a lump on the ground. She heard feet pounding the ground and the sound of hooves in the distance. She turned in time to see Mitch slide beside her. “Are you okay?”

            Her body trembled. She tried to nod and keep her tears at bay, but all her efforts were in vain. A flood of emotion poured down her face.

            “Did they hurt you?” He asked.

            She swallowed, “My ankle hurts, it’s probably sprained, and they shook me up a bit but-”

            He stepped back and peeled off her shoe, revealing her swollen and bruised ankle.

            “Can you walk?” Mitch asked.

             She shook her head. “Oh, I’m sorry! I should have never been so rude to you when we first met or when you tried to apologize. I guess I assumed the worst of you. I thought you would be like everybody else! I was wrong. So very wrong. I let my pride and pain get in the way...” She placed her face in her hands, sobs tearing through her body. “I’m sorry! I don’t know how you’ll ever be able to forgive me.”

           There was an empty silence. She felt more miserable then every before, I won’t be able to face him after this. Mitch bent down and plucked her from the ground. He carried to his horse and set his stallion into a slow, steady gate.

            “Doctor London?”

            “Yes?”

            “I’ll always forgive you.”

                                                            ************************

            Charlotte shuffled through papers. Her ankle had healed nicely, and from the Carters’ influence, many people in town began to trust her as their new physician.

            She heard a knock at the door, and Mitch slowly opened the door.

            “Can I come in?”

            “Of course.” She gestured to one of the chairs, “Sit. I just need to put some files away.” She scrambled to finish her project and joined him in the entry.

            He fiddled with his hat, rotating it in his hand over and over.

            He looked up at her, “Were you scared?”

            “Terrified.”

            “So was I.”

            He looked down at his feet, “How long are you going to be in Fresno?”

            “As long as I can be.”

            He swallowed, “How would you feel about coming on a walk with me sometime?”

            “I’d like that very much, Mr. Carter.”

            “Call me Mitch.”

            A dazzling smile appeared on her face, “Just as long as you call me Lottie.”

            “I’d like that very much, Lottie.”

            “So would I.”