The sun was high over head and glaring down at Dodge. People were moving slow, due to the extreme heat, which looked to be no a break in sight. It was the fifth day that the heat was close to 100 degrees and there had been little rain leading up to the heat wave. Everyone was grumpy.
Doc was down to just his shirt and vest not bothering with his suit coat. He mopped his brow with his handkerchief as he ambled down the stairs from his office. At least being on the second floor and able to open windows, there was a slight breeze, but just barely. Ground level felt much worse.
The doctor drew the handkerchief across the back of his neck as he rounded the corner. As usual, Wilbur Jonas was busy a customer, who appeared to be stocking up as it if were Fall. Doc entered the store that was just only slightly cooler. Jonas had just finished with Mrs Finch, thanking her for her business before he looked at the doctor. "Is there any relief in sight?" he questioned ads he too drew a cloth across his brow.
"Close the store and let's go have a beer," Doc snorted.
Jonas looked around, "Well," he stammered, "It is almost lunch time," he half smiled and pulled off his white apron. "Business has been slow, and I have no idea why people are out in this heat anyway," he stated as he placed the apron on the counter. He joined the doctor and turned the sign over on the door before pulling it closed.
The two men walked across the alley and stepped into the Long Branch. The saloon also wasn't particularly busy for the time of day. Everyone must be staying at home out of the scorching heat. Kitty looked up and was slightly surprised to see the two men, "Don't you two have anything better to do?" she joke.
"We do and that's to drink a cold beer," Doc winked.
"Well, I hope the beer's still cold. This heat is really taxing my root cellar," Kitty said as she walked behind the bar and pulled two beers, sliding them across the bar, "Thank you Miss Kitty," Jonas smiled. Doc ticked his head and gratefully took a mouth full as he placed twenty cents down.
"How's business, Jonas?" Kitty asked.
"Oh, slow. You know how it is. Most of my customers have come back," the store owner smiled.
"That's good to heard. But not the slow part," Kitty smiled.
"It's just been too hot for most folks," Jonas stated.
"We'll choke on those words come Winter," Doc scoffed.
"I recon so," Jonas said before he took a long drink.
Cecil Defoe stepped through the swing doors and looked around. "Uh, oh," Kitty stated. The newcomer to Dodge had made himself quite unpopular since his arrived three weeks earlier. Most businesses practically refused to do business with the farmer. Kitty for one wasn't happy to see him. Both Doc and Jonas looked over their shoulders. Doc's eyes narrowed – he didn't trust the man from the first time he met him. "What's he want?" Kitty asked in a hushed voice.
"Let's not provoke him," Doc said as he turned back to his beer. "In fact don't even make eye contact," the doctor urged.
"I figured I'd find the doctor and store-keep in here," Defoe snarled.
Both Doc and Jonas turned and looked at the farmer. "Business is slow," Jonas said firmly.
"Might be for you, but I need things," Defoe stepped closer. Doc and Kitty watched. "Fine," Jonas said, "I'll open for you," he didn't like the look on Defoe's face. Jonas set his beer mug down and thanks Kitty and Doc for the drink.
"I need you too," Defoe barked at Doc.
"What for?" the doctor asked.
"My horse is sick...what else?" Defoe growled.
"I'm not a veterinarian," Doc huffed and turned away causing Defoe to grab the doctor by the shoulder and swing him around. "My wife needs you," he snarled. Again Doc's eyes narrowed at the man then glared down at the hand clamped onto his shoulder. Defoe slowly pulled his hand back, but his eyes locked on to the doctor's eyes. Doc didn't even question why Vera needed him, he just pushed passed the farmer and left the saloon to see for himself.
Vera sat nervously on the wagon that was parked at the base of the stairs. "She said she isn't feeling good. Look at her," Defoe practically ordered the doctor. Doc assisted the woman down from the wagon and glanced over to here Defoe was now chastising Jonas in front of his store. So much so, the farmer was poking Jonas in the shoulder pushing him backwards. Doc excused himself and went to Jonas' aid, "Look here!" Doc said as he pulled Defoe way from the store owner who was now practically bent backwards over the bushel of apples.
Defoe turned and shoved the doctor away causing Doc to lose his footing and fall to the boardwalk.
Thankfully for the two men, Festus Haggen saw the whole thing unfold as he stepped out of the jailhouse, "Whoa now!" he shouted as he raced across the street, "What's all this about?" he yelled as he pulled Defoe away from Jonas. Doc was now back on his feet, glaring at the farmer.
"I want some things from the store," Defoe barked.
"Wall, pokin' at Jonas like yer doin' ain't doin' you much favors," the hill man eyed the farmer. Then looked over to Doc, "You all right?" The doctor nodded and resumed his business.
Festus looked back at the farmer, "Get yer stuff and leave Jonas alone," he snarled. The hill man looked at the store owner, "You all right?" Jonas nodded. He looked as thought he wanted to punch the farmer, but restrained himself. "I'm fine," he said gruffly as he readjusted his waistcoat.
Defoe huffed and held his head high as he stared down at the deputy. Jonas quickly opened the door and stepped behind the counter, wrapping the white apron around his waist. Defoe was distasteful even in his appearance – scruffy grey beard, sweat-soiled shirt and grimy britches with well worn boots that came up to just below his knees. His hat was about the best this he wore.
Jonas politely asked what the farmer wanted and after Defoe told him, he went about his business and filled the order.
Doc on the other hand was suspicious of Vera's aliments as she refused to allow the doctor to examine her properly. "I am a doctor. I took an Oath and I practice that Oath to the letter. I can't help you if you won't let me," the doctor said as he placed his eye glasses back into their case.
Vera shook her head, "I'm not taking my clothes off. You'll just have to do your best," the older woman said.
Doc scratched his cheek. There was little else he could do. He shrugged, "The best I can do at this point is to take your pulse and feel your glands," the doctor stated. Vera straightened her back as he sat on the examination table. "Very well then" she spat out as he stared forward.
The doctor pulled his glasses back out and placed them on his face. He then lifted Vera's right arm and gently pushed back the sleeve of her dress. He paused and looked at the deep bruise that looked like finger marks. "How'd this happen?" he asked over his glasses.
"I fell," Vera snapped. Doc kept his eyes on the woman who refused to make eye contact. He pulled his watch from his vest pocket and took the woman's pulse. Without a word he slipped the watch back into the pocket and then gently felt Vera's glans around her throat noting another bruise. This time he didn't say anything. The doctor stepped back and removed his glasses, "I think you are just suffering from the heat. Just take it easy and if you need to work, make sure you do it once the sun is setting," he offered and assisted the woman down.
"Some doctor you are. Not even a pill?" she snapped.
Doc shook his head, "I won't prescribe any medication until I do a thorough examination."
"You just want to see me naked! You dirty old man!" Vera shouted slapping Doc hard across the face before she stormed out of the doctor's office. The words couldn't be further from the truth for the doctor. Her appearance equaled her husband's. Doc held his hand to his stinging cheek.