Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. I'm so close to being done with school for the summer, and I am planning on updating twice a week starting next Tuesday until September. Also, tell me what you know about barn raisin's. And if you review, I might update before next Tuesday.
Chapter 8
Cold dread washed over her. For weeks now, she'd lived in terror of this possibility. She'd begged God to spare her of this. "I must go," Bella twisted to the side and slid off the table.
"Miss Swan."
She shook off his hand, "Grandfather needs me." Desperate to get away, she yanked open the door to the waiting room.
Alice Brandon jumped to her feet, "Are you feeling better now? You've never done that before."
"Then I suppose it was my time. I really must go."
"I'm due to make a call to your grandda." Dr. Cullen picked up his satchel, "I'll accompany you."
"Oh, that's so kind of you. I'd have worried myself sick if Bella had gone alone."
"Bella!" Alec burst into the office.
"What are you doing out of school?"
"Teacher sent David out to get chalk, and he came back and told me-"
"Tales, Alec, and we never listen to tales. Now, march right back to school."
The doctor waited until her little brother left, and he chuckled. "And to think I always thought growing up with older brothers was difficult!" He smoothly took hold of Bella's elbow. "Now that it's settled, let's go see your grandda."
"He's fine. You saw him, yourself, at church just yesterday."
"Aye, that I did. After six weeks of healing, the time's come for him to regain strength in the limb."
"Can you do that?" Alice pressed a hand to her chest. "It's a miracle how you didn't have to amputate. No one expected him to walk again."
"I don't take credit for the miracles," he said, "I take responsibility for the ordinary-like teaching Mr. Swan some movements to help the strength return."
"And that Bella rests," Alice added. "Good-bye. Oh, Bella, Leonard brought a pound of coffee over. He said that's what you came to town for."
Using that as an excuse to break free from the doctor's hold, Bella reached out and accepted the bag. "I'll be sure to thank him when I get my horse." She knew the doctor didn't own a horse, so Bella figured she'd managed to get rid of him.
She wasn't that fortunate. Five minutes later, as they rode out of town, he'd finished telling her about how is brother Emmett had bought the dappled mare for a pittance because it had been in sorry shape. Clearly his medical skills extended to animals as well.
He cleared his throat, "I apologize for speaking so much, but I assumed you didn't want anyone asking questions, so I dominated the conversation."
Bella grasped at the opening provided, "The old doctor said he'd taken an oath to give patients privacy. Did you take that oath?"
"Aye, The Hippocratic Oath."
"Good. Then you're not going to tell anyone…" she couldn't bring herself to say the words.
He said nothing.
When a prompt agreement didn't spring forth from his lips, she halted. Ever since that day, she'd hardly looked directly at anyone. Deeply shamed, she couldn't. But this was too important, "You took the oath. You must uphold it."
"Tisn't a secret that will keep for long, lass."
"It can be kept until Grandfather is strong. Then I will go away." She stared off in the distance.
"Lass, your grandda willna be fully recovered for four more months. You'll not be able to hide the truth till autumn."
"Of course I can." I have to.
"I canna begin to understand how difficult this will be for you, but I'll be speaking plainly. Your brother will say something about the fainting."
The reins moved through her fingers. Everything was slipping through her fingers- her love, her reputation, and now this.
The doctor leaned forward and collected a rein. Pressing it into her hand, he whispered, "For your own sake as well as his, don't you think it would be best if we told him now?"
She gave no answer. They reached the farm shortly after, and the doctor's brother sauntered from the field. Either or both of his brothers came every day. At first, they'd come into the house to ask what needed be done. As he'd improved, Grandfather met them on the porch.
The doctor dismounted and helped her down. His brother strode over, and the two of them greeted each other as if they'd been separated a year. The second Jasper turned her way, Bella dipped her head.
"Your grandda is in the barn, Miss Swan."
"I'll go get lunch then."
Jasper smiled, "Only for yourself. We found the sandwiches you left and polished them off. Edward, while you're here, take a look at Freckle's runt."
"He's in the barn?"
"Aye." Jasper headed back to the field.
The doctor looked at her, "Would you like to eat first?"
"First? The decision is mine to make."
"Yes, 'tis." He didn't pause. "But Freckle isna about to let me near her wee little pup unless you're there."
He'd spoken the truth. Freckle didn't mind anyone with the other puppies, but she was protective of the runt. She sighed, and walked toward the barn.
"Did you have a nice trip to town?"
Bella didn't answer the question. "Look at you, Grandfather."
"If you're done riding for the day, I'll unsaddle your horse," the doctor offered.
"That is kind of you," Grandfather smiled.
In the doctor's absence, Bella slipped away and leaned over Freckle's box. The whole time the doctor unsaddled her horse, Bella lavished attention on Freckle and admired each pup. Finally, she lifted the runt. "I'll bring her right back."
Grandfather let out a sigh, "She crept out of the box today and followed Alec while he was milking. The cow stepped on her tail."
"Let's see." The doctor stepped closer. Bella tried to hand him Dot, but he made a dismissive gesture. "I'll be better able to assess her tail if both hands are free."
His breath washed over her wrists, and she longed to pull away. Deft and gentle, he examined the pup. "Poor wee pup, the tail's broken."
"I feared that," Grandfather said. "Freckle's been licking it, and the skin's broken. We'll put it down before Alec gets home."
"That's premature," the doctor took Dot from her and cuddled the pup to the center of his broad chest.
Half an hour later, Bella put Dot back with Freckle. "She doesn't have the part of her tail we name her for."
"Stubby," the doctor's voice sounded humored.
Grandfather chuckled, "It is a good name."
Bella straightened up.
"Bella." Grandfather sobered, "You don't laugh? What is the matter?"
He looked from her stricken expression to the doctor. Then he groaned and rubbed his hand down his face.
Everything in her wanted to scream in denial. But no sound would come out, and her feet wouldn't move.
The doctor pressed something into her hand. Bella stared at the handkerchief for a moment, and rubbed it across her face to wipe away the tears. "I will go away."
"No!" Grandfather limped as fast as he could to her side.
"Are you wanting to be alone?" The doctor asked softly.
She nodded. A moment later, she and Grandfather wrapped their arms around each other. "I won't let you go. You are not to blame, and neither is the child."
She couldn't put into words how she felt.
"No sneaking off." He held her tighter, "I have worried there would be a child. This child-we will love it, for it is yours."
The knot in her throat made it hard to speak, but she managed a whisper, "I don't know if I can."
"We can." Grandfather's voice held great determination. "We can do this."
See you Tuesday, maybe before.
