White Wedding For A Southern Belle. Susan Carlisle

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СКАЧАТЬ of the guys said, “Okay, we were just makin’ sure you’re okay. Marko is spreading the word that he’s pissed about what you’re doing around here. We’ll get that trash cleaned up for you, Miss Ashley.” The guy dipped his head respectfully.

      “Thanks, Wayne. I appreciate that.”

      Kiefer shook his head as if confused. Then, indicating the garbage, he said, “Why do you put up with this?”

      “Because this is my home. I’m not leaving it because someone doesn’t like me.”

      She was a gutsy lady, Kiefer would give her that. Most of the women her age he knew were always looking out for themselves. How they could financially better their situation. Like Brittney. She’d certainly done a number on him. It had turned out she’d married him because he was a doctor and would be able to give her a good life. When she’d found out Josh’s bank account was even larger she’d moved on to him. Now Kiefer had no use for women other than a casual night out and a few laughs. He couldn’t trust one not to use him. As far as he could tell, they all wanted the same thing. What they could get for themselves.

      “Come on in.” Ashley opened the door wide. “We need to get ready. Patients should be here soon.”

      “Those guys said you live in the back.” Kiefer followed her in.

      “That isn’t exactly right. The entrance to my place is there. I actually live upstairs.”

      “You don’t mind living above the clinic?”

      “It’s my building and my idea. The people around here needed a place to come for medical care and I had the space.”

      Kiefer was impressed. She really was committed to seeing her ideas work, even to the point of financing them. Outside of his mother, few people he knew were that devoted to anyone other than themselves. How much Ashley reminded him of his mother made him feel uncomfortable. Did all her work to better the world leave Ashley with any room for anything more in her life? Did she have a boyfriend? Want children? Something to care about besides her political agenda?

      That wasn’t his concern. He believed in helping people. His mother had instilled that in him, but he was still aware that some people would take advantage of you. His impression was that Ashley Marsh hadn’t learned that lesson yet.

      She was saying, “I’m sorry I’m not going to be much help today. I have a speech to give this morning, a committee meeting with the local businesses and then a council meeting tonight.”

      “I didn’t expect you to spend the day with me. I can handle the clinic. That’s why I was given the job.”

      “I’d hoped to be here but these meetings were already on the calendar and couldn’t be moved. I just thought I could help smooth things over with the community. My neighbors can be mistrusting until they get to know you.”

      “I’ll be fine. I’ll have a nurse to assist me, won’t I?”

      “Yes. Margaret will be here soon. She was also born and raised in Southriver. She’ll be a great help. Well, I’ve got to get ready for my day.”

      Ashley left him and he started working on arranging the supplies they’d not got to the night before. Forty-five minutes later the buzzer sounded and he went to the main door. He checked out the window. After last night he wouldn’t take any chances that Marko or his gang would catch him off guard. A dark-skinned, silver-haired, heavyset woman dressed in purple scrubs stood there. He unlocked the door and opened it.

      “I’m guessing you’re Dr. Bradford,” she said before Kiefer had a chance to speak. “I’m Margaret Nettles. I’ll be your nurse.”

      “Nice to meet you, Margaret. I’m sure I’ll be glad of your help.”

      She looked around the waiting room. “Ms. Ashley has high hopes for this clinic and I agreed to help because she’s such a fine person, but I don’t know that it’s going to work out. I’ll do my part and help you do yours. Now, can you direct me to where I can put my purse? We need to get started. You already have a couple of patients waiting outside.”

      “I didn’t see anyone.”

      “You wouldn’t. They didn’t come across the street until they saw me. They’ll be along in a minute.”

      He glanced out the door. “But we don’t open for another hour.”

      “That may be so but they’ll be here nonetheless.”

      Margaret was correct. He closed the door and showed her to the office. She’d just locked her purse in the desk when the buzzer sounded.

      “I’ll see to that,” Margaret announced.

      “I only have the one exam room set up. I thought we’d have time to work on the other two between patients.”

      “I doubt that’ll happen. Despite some in the neighborhood being against this clinic, the people around here need it. They’ll come until they’re scared away. I’ll put your first patient in the exam room.” With that she walked heavily down the hall.

      What had he got himself into?

      A boy of about three was his first patient. The mother didn’t look much older than eighteen. Much too young to have a child. Her hair was pulled back, which added to her look of youth. The little boy was clean but his clothes were well-worn and a little small on his chubby body.

      “Hello, I’m Dr. Bradford. What’s the problem today?”

      “Mikey has a bad cold.”

      Kiefer could see that clearly. The child had a horribly running nose and a wet cough. Kiefer went down on his heels. “Mikey, I need to listen to your chest for a minute. This won’t hurt.”

      He placed the stethoscope on the boy’s chest. His heartbeat was steady but his lungs made a raspy sound. After that Kiefer checked Mikey’s mouth and ears. Both were red and irritated.

      Kiefer looked at the mother. “Mikey’s going to need antibiotics for ten days. Then I want you to come back.”

      The girl’s face took on a troubled look.

      Kiefer stood. “Mikey should be just fine.”

      “Is there something else you can do for him?”

      “The medicine should fix him right up.” Kiefer looped the stethoscope around his neck.

      “I can’t get the medicine,” the mother said softly.

      “Raeshell.” Ashley spoke to the mother from the open door. “I’m on my way to the drugstore right now. Dr. Bradford can write that prescription and we’ll have it filled.”

      How long had Ashley been standing there? Was she checking on him?

      It dawned on Kiefer that the girl couldn’t pay for the medicine. “I’ll do that right away.” He stepped out into the hall.

      He would make some calls when he had a chance and see about getting a few drug companies to help out. A couple of drug reps owed him СКАЧАТЬ