"What's the time, Loren?" The Reverend asked, as he and Jake paced around the store, at a loss for what else to do.
"Just after twelve. Shouldn't be much longer now," Loren checked his pocket watch, slipping it back into his vest as he glanced once again out onto the main street.
"Do you think it'd be appropriate for me, I mean, maybe I could go over, sit with them?" Timothy grasped his bible firmly, looking from Loren to Jake nervously.
"I dunno, Reverend. Maybe it's something we'd best leave to the women," Loren cringed awkwardly, his forehead wrinkling in discomfort.
"You got that right, Loren. I knew something weren't right the moment I walked in and saw her," Jake looked downcast. All three men quickly looked up as Horace entered the store.
"Ain't that right, Horace?" Jake glanced across at him for support.
"What's that?" The telegraph operator frowned, beginning to take in the somber mood surrounding him.
"When we found Dr Mike in the tepee, she say anything to you before I arrived?" Jake questioned, Horace immediately looking uncomfortable.
"Well, no, come to think of it, she didn't say a word. Was curled up on a pile of blankets when I found her, hair all messed up and," Horace drew a discomfited breath, Loren and Jake glanced around the room ensuring they were alone, before leaning towards him encouragingly.
"What?" Jake narrows his eyes, curiously.
"Ah, I don't think we should be talkin' about this, ain't right," Horace muttered, clearing his throat.
"Aww, come on, Horace," Loren's eyes glimmered; who said men didn't enjoy a bit of gossip.
"Well, when I was untying her wrists, I noticed, I mean, she sure weren't wearing much, was she, Jake? And her blouse was all torn like," Horace looked desperately at Jake, not wanting to continue.
"Not to mention all the blood," Jake sighed, Horace cutting him off, feeling more at ease with the disclosure.
"She jumped when I touched her arm too, and sh-she couldn't walk. You had to carry her Jake," Horace gestured towards Jake as he noticed the Reverend shaking his head in despondency.
"And then when I saw her bloomers laying on the ground, don't take a genius," Jake brought his hand to his chin, moving it along his jaw line trying to distract himself from the images invading his mind.
There was a long pause, the men studying the floor, adjusting their stances, each looking at the other, wondering who would be the first to speak.
"Wonder what she's gonna do. Gonna be hard to stay around here, once word gets out," Loren considered, his voice tinged with regret.
"Well, I guess that really depends on us, don't it? We gotta make sure everyone treats her right," Horace decided, Jake and Loren exchanging doubtful glances.
"She might not want to stay. Might prefer to take those children back to Boston with her. Start over," Jake shrugged, both the Reverend and Loren worried by this possibility.
"Horace's right. We gotta do all we can to support her, and the children. Maybe we should have a town meetin', quietly. Make sure anyone's got a problem with it, gets set straight?" Loren looked to the Reverend for support. He nodded, seeming to be a million miles away.
"Oh yes. You're absolutely right, Loren." Timothy responded after several moments of silence.
The men seemed relaxed as they began organizing to get a select group of the town together, grateful to get something else to think about.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"I'll stay with him, Matthew. Hopefully he'll sleep for a bit now," Robert E. reassured the young man as he took a seat besides the bed.
"Right, come on, Brian, we've got stuff to do." Matthew reached for the young boy's arm, eager to leave.
"Matthew, can't I stay?" Brian pulled from his grasp, looking up at him pleadingly.
"No, come on. We gotta go out to the homestead, check on the animals." Matthew insisted, nodding towards Robert E. and Olive as he encouraged Brian from the room.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
The brothers headed from the Clinic, along the porch towards the general store.
"Why'd you do that, I wanted to stay," Brian fussed, frowning in Matthew's direction.
"Well, tough. I told you, we got chores. 'Sides Robert E. can sit with him." Matthew brushed his hair back, placing his hat on firmly.
"Ma sure fixed him good, didn't she?" Brian smiled, thrilled at Sully's recovery.
Matthew didn't respond, Brian assuming he hadn't heard him.
"Didn't she, Matthew?" He repeated, slightly louder, as they stepped from the edge of the porch into the dirt road.
"Yeah, wouldn't 'ave bothered myself," Matthew muttered, exhaling noisily.
"Why'd you say that?" Brian looked up shocked and confused by Matthew's statement.
"Well, what happened to her, it's all his fault. Shoulda just left him out there," Matthew spoke darkly, unable to control his feelings of anger.
"It's Sully's fault?" Brian was thoroughly confused by this stage, however picking up on the emotion in his brother's voice.
"Yeah. He had to play the hero, didn't he. Wouldn't let none of us go out with him to help find her. We woulda stopped this happening. But no, we all trusted him. So did Dr Mike. He let us all down," Matthew trailed off noticing the men standing in the middle of the general store, deep in conversation.
Pulling Brian towards him, Matthew motioned for his younger brother to be quiet.
Slowly, they approached the doorway, careful not to be heard.
"Well, just saying ain't everyone gonna understand it that way. Some folks'll think she shoulda let herself get killed, rather. Look at Hank," Loren was trying to play devil's advocate, Horace trying to talk them out of a town meeting.
"That's just Hank, though. You know what he's like," the Reverend countered, not convinced they should be discussing such matters.
"No, Loren's got a point. You know how people talk. We'd best just get the story straight. Will only do more harm later if rumors start up. Then it'll be impossible to get to the truth." Jake voiced his support, Horace shaking his head nervously.
"I just don't think it's our place to talk, not behind Dr Mike's back and all." Horace wasn't comfortable with the idea of a meeting, fidgeting with his hat in his hands.
"Look, Horace, it's not talking behind her back. It's just sorting out the facts, so nobody gets the wrong idea. You know the way stories start 'round here, best put a stop to them now." Jake decided, the Reverend and Loren nodding their agreement.
"Stop it all of you, this ain't none of your business!" Matthew entered the room boldly, Brian tucked behind him, surprised once again at the fury in his voice.
"Matthew, we weren't, I mean, we," the Reverend attempted to defend the group, Matthew however not interested.
"Save it! I don't wanna hear another word. We just came for some supplies, then we'll be off, and you can talk all you want." Matthew quickly grabbed the feed and grains they needed, placing them on the countertop.
"Matthew, honestly, we were just concerned. Just wanna make sure people don't start spreading rumors, is all." Loren looked apologetically at the young man.
"Well, to see you all huddled like this talkin', that's exactly how rumors will start. Brian and I are headin' out to the homestead, check on things. Make sure Colleen knows where we are, right?" Matthew paid Loren for the goods, turning towards the door hurriedly.
"Sure, Matthew. Is there, anything we can do?" Loren glanced from the three men surrounding him to the younger man.
Matthew turned about to reply when they heard horses approaching. Everyone rushing out onto the porch, Brian quickly identified the source of the noise.
"It's the stage! Come on Matthew, the doctor's here!" Brian ran on ahead, the men reacting and running after him.
"Oh, thank God," Loren responded, the Reverend looking upwards in a silent prayer of gratitude.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"There he is!" Horace pointed, seeing the doctor emerge from the stagecoach, the group of men soon surrounding him.
"Oh, Dr Cassidy, thank-you for arriving so promptly." Horace greeted him, the short, gray hair doctor looking somewhat uncomfortable at the display of open affection.
"Well, as I replied in the telegram, I took the first stagecoach from Denver." Dr Cassidy nodded in gratitude as he was handed his bags from the driver. He looked at the sea of expectant faces crowded around him.
"My patient?" he queried, tired from his long journey and eager to get down to business.
"Oh, yes. Right this way, Doctor," Jake quickly began leading him toward the Clinic, the party trailing nervously behind him.
"I must say, I certainly didn't expect to be the center of attention," the Doctor muttered curtly, as they arrived on the porch.
"Well, given everything that's happened, everyone's been very concerned," Jake opened the door, leading Dr Cassidy upstairs.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
Dorothy turned as she heard the door open behind her, relieved with she recognized Dr Cassidy.
"Oh, Dr Cassidy, thank-you. We've been so worried," Dorothy approached him, ushering him into the recovery room.
"Well, you needn't worry yourself anymore, Madam. I'll take care of everything," Dr Cassidy quickly set his medical bag down on the edge of the bed, reaching to check Michaela's pulse.
"What seems to be the trouble here?" He sighed, frowning when he realized how faint it was.
"Ah, she, ah," Jake cleared his throat, Dr Cassidy glaring up at him impatiently.
"Well, several days ago, I don't know if they told you in the telegram, Dr Mike was kidnapped by renegade Cheyenne dog soldiers. We found her Wednesday morning, but she was hurt," Jake tried to give his final word just enough edge, Dr Cassidy however not picking up on it.
"Hurt?" the Doctor shook his head in non-comprehension, checking Michaela's head, and arms for any sign of injury.
"No, um, hurt," Jake tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. Dorothy, however, was frustrated enough by this point and was about to intercede should the Doctor have not comprehended the message.
"Oh, I see," he muttered in an emotionless tone. "I'm afraid I still don't see why you needed my assistance," Dr Cassidy opened his medical bag, idly retrieving his stethoscope and other instruments, checking her pupil reaction and heartbeat.
"Doctor, she's been bleeding. Since Wednesday. It stopped for a day or so but started again last night. We couldn't stop it this time," Dorothy finally spoke up, not in the mood for politeness, just wanting to ensure Michaela's life wasn't jeopardized.
"We?" Dr Cassidy replied cynically, immediately reaching for the quilt laying over her and brusquely throwing it to the end of the bed.
"I ah, I'll be downstairs," Jake turned a slightly red color, darting rapidly for the stairs.
"Her daughter Colleen, and myself. Michaela was awake yesterday morning for most of the day though, but she lost consciousness late last night, and Colleen did a blood transfusion this morning." Dorothy crossed her arms, resting her left thumb and forefinger on her chin and mouth, as Dr Cassidy coarsely began a cursory examination.
"I can't see anything through all the blood, let's get her downstairs," Dr Cassidy stood up and crossed the room for the doorway.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Thanks Jake," Colleen nodded awkwardly, as he placed Michaela back on the examination table.
"Right, where is everything in this place?" Thomas demanded.
Dorothy looked to Colleen, not entirely comfortable with the young girl in the room, but also knowing that he needed her.
Colleen sighed and crossed the room, quickly retrieving the items.
"Chloroform, Speculum, suture set, clips, forceps," she placed them in front of Dr Cassidy. "Anything else?" she muttered sarcastically.
"How did you know what I would require?" Thomas shook his head, slightly in awe of the young girls' skills.
"I've had a good teacher," Colleen replied flatly, gesturing to her mother.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to be here you know," Dorothy came up behind her, tenderly resting her arm on Colleen's shoulder.
"Who's assisting Dr Cassidy then?" Colleen raised an eyebrow. "Mr Slicker?"
Jake was looking down at the instrument tray when he heard his name.
"Ah," Jake stood back immediately.
"Exactly. So yeah, I do have to be here," Colleen muttered.
Thomas Cassidy shook his head disapprovingly.
"Come on man, you're the barber. Used to do all the doctoring stuff around here before, didn't you?" Thomas insisted, watching as Colleen fixed each stirrup in turn to the end of the examination table.
"Not, not this sorta stuff. Would've been done by the midwife," Jake defended immediately.
"Well?" Dr Cassidy looked over at Dorothy.
"Well, she's dead. Now, can we just get on with this before Brian loses his second ma?" Colleen demanded.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
Colleen walked up around the head of the table, checking her mother's pulse and breathing rate.
"How's she doin', Colleen?" Dorothy asked gently.
Colleen silently nodded, gesturing for Dorothy to continue the chloroform administration.
Dorothy reached forwards, resting her hand on Michaela's cheek as she placed another two droplets of chloroform onto the cloth. She reflected that it had only been several months ago that she was lying in the same position, when Michaela had confirmed that she was going through the change of life and managed the subsequent bleeding.
Dorothy wanted her friend back.
"You need anything Dr Cassidy?" Colleen offered wearily.
She gingerly moved closer when he didn't reply to her.
"No, no, not at this stage," the older doctor sighed, genuinely troubled by his patient's condition. "She's lost a hell of a lot of blood," he shook his head.
"I know. I thought about usin' silver nitrate to cauterize the bleeding, but, I didn't want to get it wrong," Colleen shrugged honestly.
"Very wise, young lady. It may have bought you some time, but it wouldn't have lasted long as there is arterial involvement," Thomas explained.
"Yeah, I could tell by how brightly colored the blood was," Colleen fidgeted with the towel in her hands.
"Yes, the transfusion was a much more effective intervention. Well done. Gauze," Thomas requested, reaching his hand across to Colleen.
Tentatively looking up to hand him the cotton material, Colleen couldn't help notice what he was doing.
Dorothy watched Colleen deliberately keep her eyes downcast.
"Sweetheart, you sure you don't want to swap places?" Dorothy offered.
Colleen looked up, tempted by the offer.
"No, she knows what she's doing, I need her here," Thomas insisted, finishing off his internal examination.
"Well, there's extensive damage. Looks to be a laceration of the posterior vaginal vault approximating the right posterior fornix. It runs into a branch of the internal iliac artery which is responsible for the bleeding." Dr Cassidy looked up, quite proud of his diagnosis.
Dorothy looked to Colleen worriedly, hearing only a jumble of words.
"What?" Colleen shook her head in shock, textbook words and images starting to invade her mind.
"Can you fix it, Doctor?" Dorothy asked, seeing the panicked look on Colleen's face.
"Of course madam," He answered curtly.
Both Dorothy and Dr Cassidy looked up as Colleen rushed across the room, leaning over to vomit into a nearby bowl.
"Colleen," Dorothy stepped forwards automatically, but knew she couldn't leave her position.
"I'll be okay," Colleen drew a breath, leaning over and heaving into the bowl once again, before wiping her mouth with a nearby cloth.
"Oh, darlin'," Dorothy sighed helplessly.
"Enough of these dramatics ladies, please!" Thomas' voice was gruff. "We need to get this finished as soon as possible."
Colleen took a replenishing breath, glancing across the room just at the right angle to see her mother's face, her eyes closed. Colleen blinked at the bruises and scratches on Michaela's cheek.
"I can do this. Ma needs me." she stated crisply and made her way back to Dr Cassidy's side.
Dorothy watched the surgery proceed from her position by Michaela's head, her eyebrows initially furrowed as she heard words and saw blood-stained medical instruments passed between Colleen and Dr Cassidy. Her expression relaxed as the operation progressed, impressed by Colleen's proficiency.
"Okay, I need you to apply abdominal pressure here, whilst I finish suturing," Dr Cassidy placed Colleen's right hand on the lower right-hand section of Michaela's abdomen.
Colleen simply nodded and obeyed the command.
"Firmer," Thomas demanded, "I need the uterus mobilized deeper into the pelvis."
Colleen felt numb, but nonetheless continued with his instructions.
"Damn," he sighed nosily. "It's not working, I can't get traction."
Colleen looked up briefly to Dorothy, before frowning and moving closer to Dr Cassidy.
"What can I do?" she offered. "Should I push harder?"
Thomas Cassidy paused, seeing the determined expression on the girl's face.
"It's not a question of pressure, it's a question of angle," he began explaining clinically. "Rupture occurs after extreme rotation of the uterus leads to hyper distention, which causes it to tear. Repair necessitates both immobilization of the uterus as well as elongation of the rupture site to reattach it."
"Because both structures aren't fixed in the pelvis?" Colleen sighed, shaking her head in thought.
Dorothy watched, intrigued, at the professional manner in which Colleen absorbed the information and interacted with the doctor.
"Yes exactly. Now do you see what I need you to do?" Thomas nodded, his eyes locked with the young girl's.
"I think so. Just a minute," Colleen rushed across the room to carry a chair back with her.
Dorothy watched as Colleen knelt up on the chair, carefully repositioning her hands on Michaela's abdomen.
"Right so locate the top of the uterus," Dr Cassidy instructed.
"Okay," Colleen moved her right hand further down, focusing her attention into a stare as she palpated Michaela's abdomen.
"Right, how's that?" She adjusted her hands, pushing diagonally from the top of the pelvis.
"Yes, that's better. Another inch if you can," Dr Cassidy continued.
"Medial, or lateral?" Colleen checked.
"Medial, and I can adjust as necessary," Thomas looked quickly between the rupture site and then back to Colleen, finding the young girl's medical knowledge quite extraordinary.
"Right," Colleen nodded.
"Good girl, hold it there." Dr Cassidy praised with a smile, commencing the suturing.
Colleen felt the warmth of Michaela's body under her fingers. Her eyes flickered between her hand and watching Dr Cassidy work.
Dorothy smiled; Michaela would be proud of her.
The room stayed silent for several minutes, Dr Cassidy completing the delicate suturing process.
"Right, ease off slightly, I want to see if that's going to hold," he gestured to Colleen.
Tentatively, she reduced the pressure on Michaela's abdomen.
"Good, stay like that," Thomas continued, continuing to manipulate the needle holder and forceps through the speculum.
Colleen found herself studying the focused expression on Dr Cassidy's face. As much as she knew he and Dr Mike had had their differences, Colleen could see his surgical diligence and professionalism.
"Okay, slowly remove the pressure, but be prepared to stop if I tell you," Dr Cassidy looked up again at the girl briefly.
"Okay," she acknowledged, gently reducing the pressure through her arm.
"Right, yes that's good. Sutures are holding." He sighed and placed the instruments on the tray next to him.
Colleen got down off the chair, and quietly crossed the room to get a cloth for Dr Cassidy's brow.
"Here," she came up next to him, presenting the cloth.
"Thank-you my dear. You have indeed been taught well." He nodded with a small smile.
Colleen accepted the compliment as she patted his forehead several times.
"Are you finished, Doctor?" Dorothy looked up.
"Just about," Thomas looked around the room. "Could you please fetch me the silver nitrate," he watched silently as Colleen handed it to him.
"I thought you said not to use it?" she questioned genuinely.
"It's only used on minor lacerations," he clarified.
Dorothy met Colleen's somber glare.
"It's gonna be all right, Colleen," she reassured.
All three remained quiet as Dr Cassidy finished the procedure.
"Right, that should do it," he sighed.
Colleen watched Dr Cassidy remove the speculum and place it on the nearby tray.
Colleen paused to study the cuts and bruises to Michaela's feet, before gently lowering her legs from the stirrups.
"Well, that's that. The rest will heal on its own with time," he sighed.
"Can I remove the chloroform, Doctor?" Dorothy asked.
"Not yet, let's get her upstairs and settled. Last thing I want is her coming around before we've moved her." Dr Cassidy turned to Colleen.
"What analgesia do you have?" he asked bluntly.
"Ah, Morphine and Laudanum," Collee replied quickly.
"Right, start with the Laudanum for now, let me know if that's not enough. You'll need it upstairs when she wakes."
"Any other post-operative instructions I need?" she clarified moving around to habitually check Michaela's pulse and breathing.
"Pulse is slightly slower, but strong and regular," she informed Dr Cassidy.
"Good. Ah yes, well blood loss should be minimal from now on, so just routine care, pain relief as indicated." He got up and moved across to the bowl by the wall, as Colleen poured the water in for him to wash his hands.
"I'll go ask someone to move her upstairs." Colleen placed the pitcher of water back down and silently left the room.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
Colleen slipped out the front door of the clinic, not prepared for the number of people on the verandah.
"Surgery's finished, just need to move her upstairs," Colleen looked to Matthew.
"Ah, sure," Matthew nodded and moved behind her into the room.
"Colleen?" Brian whispered, tears in his eyes as he crossed the porch to clutch her skirt.
"Ssh, it'll be all right, you'll see. What do ya say we go sit with Ma?" Colleen rubbed his back, taking his hand and walking back inside the Clinic.
"What do you think you're doing in here boy, this is no place," Dr Cassidy turned with a glare of disapproval as he saw Brian appear in the room behind him.
"He's not doing anyone no harm, Doctor." Dorothy defended, as Matthew stepped closer, preparing to move Michaela back upstairs.
"So long as he stays out of my way," Dr Cassidy groused, dropping some instruments into a bowl of hot water.
Quietly the three Cooper children moved Michaela upstairs.
Dorothy waited until only she and the Doctor remained in the room before speaking.
"I wanted to thank you for your help," she whispered, feeling awkward talking to the man. Dr Cassidy looked up from his work, about to reply, however pausing for a moment.
"Just doing my job. Although, maybe this'll knock some sense into that foolish head of hers, get her to give up this doctoring lark. Stay at home, like a woman should." He raised an eyebrow in Dorothy's direction, taking the instruments from the bowl and drying them.
"Oh, I hope not, Doctor," Dorothy replied slowly, a firm expression of determination on her face.
"Well, we'll know in a few hours, won't we," he muttered.
"What do you mean?" Dorothy frowned, reaching to bundle several sheets from the examination table.
"I've seen this in a few female patients back in Denver, you know. They never get over it. One even had to be sent to an asylum." He drew a breath, seeing the wave of shock sweep across Dorothy's face.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous. Michaela," Dorothy stopped, for she really had no way of knowing whether Dr Cassidy spoke the truth or not.
Thomas saw his opportunity and launched into a sanctimonious spiel.
"Well, as I've said, I've had some experience with women who've been subjected to this and it's not pretty. Aside from her medical injuries, which will require a week's bed rest or so, there's no telling what effect it will have on her emotionally and of course there are always complications," he cleared his throat. Dorothy's eyes widening in horror, as he continued, "She'd be better off moving away. Can't see anyone surviving such a scandal in a small town like this, unless someone agrees to marry her to save her reputation. But then, had she taken my advice in the first place this never would have happened," he shook his head, drawing a breath, oblivious to Dorothy's appalled glare, "I'll keep an eye on her for a few days, remove the sutures, make sure the bleeding doesn't return, but then you are on your own." Dr Cassidy reached for his bag.
"But Doctor," she didn't quite know where to start with her objection.
"If you don't mind, I've another patient to check on." He pushed past Dorothy roughly, heading towards the hallway. She stood for several moments; mouth open in stunned revulsion following his rant.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Ma?" Brian whispered, going to her side as Matthew placed her down on the bed, Colleen fixing the pillows behind her head and smoothing out the quilt over her.
"Hold her hand, Brian. Then she'll know we're here," Colleen smiled at the little boy, seeing the concern on his face.
She was distracted, hearing Michaela emit a low moan of pain, accompanied by her pulling her hand away from Brian.
"Colleen?" Brian looked to her worriedly.
Collen quickly reached forwards, removing the stopper from the bottle of laudanum by the bedside.
"Ssh, Ma, it's okay. Drink this, Ma," Colleen poured a small amount onto a teaspoon, lifting Michaela's head, and bringing the teaspoon to her lips.
Brian frowned over at his sister, watching the pain play out on his mother's face.
"It's all right Ma, you're safe. It's all over," Colleen stroked her forehead as she again administered the laudanum.
Waiting until the room was once again silent, Brian carefully moved closer up the side of the bed.
"Ma, it's me. You're gonna be all right," Brian consoled, looking back at Colleen for approval.
"That's it. Here Brian, we'll just sit with her for a while." Colleen took her seat on the chair beside the bed, reaching for the little boy to sit in her lap, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, kissing the top of his head lovingly.
The young girl sighed, trying to forget all that she'd seen.