A Midwife Crisis Read online

  “Dr. Keffer?” she said, saving his soul from hellfire, or at least from Gloria. “How good to see you again.”

  John wished he could’ve said the same thing. But finding Katie Napier standing before him, all primped and polished for church, didn’t set well with his already soured morning. He hadn’t intended to bring Julia along—was determined not to, in fact—but when he’d mentioned going, she beamed and squealed for joy.

  She wanted to make friends. That’s what she’d said, and John felt like a bastard for not realizing she hadn’t. So he’d endured countless questions and endless giggles as they walked to the church in hopes of making friends.

  Friends.

  As though that would fix anything.

  “Who’s the pretty lady, Daddy?”

  Pretty lady? “This is Miss Napier, Julia.”

  Julia held out the sides of her pinafore and curtsied like a princess. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Napier. Are you Daddy’s girlfriend?”

  Katie’s cheeks flamed pink. “I—um—”

  Could this morning get any worse? “Miss Napier and I only just met,” John said, trying to remove at least some of Katie’s discomfort. His own seemed to be a permanent fixture.

  “That’s right. Your father and I met the other day at the store.”

  Julia wrinkled her brow in earnest thought. “Are you Daddy’s friend?”

  Katie glanced at him before she smiled at Julia. “I hope so.”

  “You’re a girl, right?”

  “Usually.” A glint of humor twinkled in Katie’s eye.

  “Then you’re his girlfriend.” Julia said it as though it was the most logical and wonderful conclusion, and if it had been anyone other than Katie Napier, maybe it would’ve been. But he was about to take Katie’s place as the local healer, and he doubted she would use the word “friend” to describe him after that.

  An uncomfortable silence filled the air as Katie searched for an appropriate response. Luckily, Julia could fill silence better than anyone. “Miss Napier?”

  “Yes?” Katie answered.

  “Could I be your friend too?”

  The dimple by Katie’s mouth winked as she bestowed a smile on his daughter. “I’d like that very much. Maybe you two could sit with me, if that’s all right by your pa.” She glanced up at John for approval, as though he could refuse.

  “Could we, Daddy?”

  John gave his polite smile. “Of course.”

  Julia’s tiny hand clutched Katie’s as the three made their way toward the front of the church and Katie’s waiting seat. A quick introduction to Katie’s father and grandfather finally left John sitting in a place he’d never expected to be again. Hypocrisy didn’t set well with him. Yet here he was, about to worship a God who’d done nothing for John except turn His back when he’d needed Him the most.

  A tiny, gray-headed woman, so frail a puff of wind could swoosh her away, took her seat at the old piano at the front corner of the church. She closed her eyes, and just when John thought she’d died, she attacked the keyboard, filling the sanctuary with music…or some approximation thereof.

  Soon the congregation was singing along with the unidentifiable tune, which turned out to be a rendering of “Rock of Ages.” Even though John knew the song, he remained silent—mostly because he didn’t feel like singing but partly because of Katie.

  Her lilting voice drifted around him, surprising him with its purity. Not the trained vibrato of a New York opera singer, but a sweet, simple tone, void of pretense, replete with gentleness. Simultaneously soothing and aggravating him, it brushed against feelings he’d rather have left alone.

  He should’ve stayed home.

  The reverend stepped to the pulpit as the last note rang out in the sanctuary. Ruddy faced, and with a few extra chins, he hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his black vest and glared at the congregation.

  “Brothers and sisters,” he said, chins bouncing, “there have been a few issues brought to my attention that need a fixin’. Some of the boards at the back of the sanctuary are rotting, and if we don’t fix this rot-ation soon, someone’s going to fall through.”

  Rot-ation?

  “I also have discovered a polecat holed up behind the privy. Took a while to notice, seein’ as how the smell kind of blended in, but I think that varmint needs removin’ before he makes his mark on our congregation.”

  A few chuckles and murmurs rumbled through the room before the preacher regained their attention and warmed up for his sermon. “But now for the more serious matters.” Leaning across his pulpit, he made an arching sweep with his hand. “There are sinners amongst us that need a-savin’, and we best pray for their souls.”

  All heads bowed and eyes closed, except John’s. He bowed his head, but closing his eyes seemed like an open invitation for a sneak attack. So while the others prayed for sinners, he took the opportunity to study those around him, in particular, Katie.

  She was the closest, sitting just on the other side of Julia. Her lashes fringed against her cheeks like dark feathers, and the skin beneath the feathers looked as creamy as satin. Most of the women he knew wore satin. None of them actually resembled it.

  “Amen,” the preacher said, and John jerked his gaze away from Katie’s face.

  He hadn’t intended to study her so closely, but she was an enigma, and he’d always been mighty curious. Of course if he remembered correctly, curiosity had been known to kill a few cats.

  “Today’s sermon is from the book of Genesis.” The preacher held up his Bible as though the followers wouldn’t know to what book he was referring.

  Bibles flipped open around the room, and pages rustled to the right passage. John checked his watch. Ten o’clock, and the sermon had already started. Not bad. At this rate, he should be home before eleven. Settling into the old oak pew, he carefully schooled his face to appear rapt with interest.

  The minister rambled on about Sodom and Gomorrah, and how Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. For some reason, the tent pitching raised his fervor, and along with it came his voice. He shouted about the wrath of God and the vengeance meted out on the sinners in Sodom. And just when John thought he could get no louder, the preacher slammed his fist against the pulpit and yelled, “Lot pinched his tit!”

  Suddenly the congregation quieted. Then a nervous twitter—or should that be titter?—fluttered across the room along with coughing and a blurted giggle or two.

  The minister cleared his voice and said, “Lot pitched his tent.” But the damage was already done, not only to Sodom and Gomorrah, but to Lot’s tit as well.

  Grandpa hurried out of the sanctuary and across the churchyard to catch Harold Crowley before he could get away. It wasn’t a difficult task—Harold and Grandpa were old friends, and old friends didn’t move too fast.

  “How you doing this morning, Harold?” Grandpa slowed down to shake Harold’s hand.

  “I’m good. Yourself?”

  “Good,” Grandpa said, careful not to sound too anxious with the rest of his conversation. Harold had a big house and more money than he knew what to do with. Grandpa had thought about it for days, and if all went the way he hoped, he’d never have to work again in his life.

  “I was just wondering how you’re doing, living on your own and all. It’s got to be hard without Matilda.” He shook his head with so much pity it almost brought tears to his eyes.

  Rubbing his hand across his scruffy chin, Harold grunted. “It ain’t easy, but Tildy’s been gone for three years now, and I reckon I’m used to it.”

  “You hire someone to do your cookin’ and cleanin’, right?”

  Harold nodded.

  Grandpa sighed. “What you need is a wife to tend to those things for you.”

  “I don’t need no wife.”

  “But if you had a wife, you wouldn’t have to pay for cookin’ and such.”

  Harold frowned. “Why do you care all of a sudden if I have a wife?”

  Uh-oh, Harold was getting suspiciou
s. “I’m not saying I care, it just hit me the other day.” He pulled Harold away from the others and lowered his voice. “Don’t say nothing to nobody, but Katie’s looking to get hitched.”

  “What’s that got to do with me?”

  “I think you should marry up with her.”

  At first, Harold stood in total silence; then he blurted out a laugh and a half. “I’m old enough to be her grandpa! You of all people know that.”

  “Katie ain’t no spring chicken herself, and she ain’t looking for some randy pup to keep her up all night. She wants a good man who can provide for her, and one that’ll treat her right.”

  Harold shook his head. “That’s foolish.”

  “You sayin’ you ain’t man enough for her?” He’d known Harold a long time, and if that didn’t raise his dander, nothing would.

  “I’m man enough for any woman, but what makes you think Katie’d want to marry me?”

  Heh, heh. Got him. “I know for a fact Katie would marry up with you. She all but told me so herself.” Or she would once he explained it to her, but that was just a detail.

  “I don’t know…”

  “She’s a good woman, fine cook, and can whip up anything you need to fix what ails you.” Grandpa watched Harold’s eyes for a sign of agreement. It was close.

  “That would come in handy.”

  Real close. “What do you say? Are you up to it?”

  “If you’re sure she’s willin’…”

  He smacked Harold on the back and grinned. “Come on out Saturday, and we’ll set a date.”

  Gil Napier knew he wasn’t good with book learning and such, but he also knew he wasn’t a bad sort. Grandma, Grandpa, and sometimes even Katie seemed to forget that fact. Now with Katie fixing to marry up, there was too much of a chance for another to find him lacking…unless Gil found Katie’s husband first.

  He had to be a good man, one who would take care of Katie and agree to stay in the cabin to help out. He couldn’t be too smart or too dumb, just somewhere in between, like Gil. And he knew exactly who that man was.

  Freddie Powell fit all the guidelines and, as luck would have it, was coming Gil’s way. Granted, he wasn’t much to look at, a little skinny, and his hair did some wild curling, but he was a good kid mostly, and he’d been sweet on Katie for years.

  “Freddie?” Gil hiked his pants up, as much as his belly would permit, and sauntered over to talk to his future son-in-law.

  “How you doin’, Mr. Napier?”

  Gil liked that mister part. Showed the boy was respectful. “I’m doin’ good, Freddie.” So much for the polite talk, now it was time to get serious. “I was thinking about you in church this morning, and I wondered if you’re still livin’ with your ma.”

  Looking at his feet, Freddie cleared his throat and nodded. “Yeah, I ain’t got nowhere else to go right now. Why?”

  “Your ma ain’t too easy to live with, is she?”

  Freddie flushed, then grinned. “She can be a bit bossy.”

  “You know, what you need to do is get married so you can be your own boss.”

  “Married? I ain’t even got a girl!”

  “A fine feller like you don’t got a girl? You’ve got to be joshing me.”

  “No, sir, I ain’t joshin’.”

  Rubbing his hand across his chin, Gil frowned real hard to show he was thinking. Then he snapped his fingers. “I got it! Katie’s lookin’ to get married, maybe you could marry up with her.”

  “K-Katie?” Freddie stammered, and for a moment, Gil expected the boy to swoon. “Katie would never marry up with me.”

  “I happen to know for a fact she would. She knows what a fine man you are, and I suspect she’s always been sweet on you.”

  “Me?” Freddie gulped. “Are you sure?”

  “She ain’t said so right out, but I seen her looking at you.” Sort of.

  “Me?”

  Freddie was going to have to learn to say more than “me” if he planned on keeping a girl like Katie interested. “Katie knows a good man when she sees one. Why, I’m sure if you’d like to marry her, she’d be pleased as punch.”

  “I—I don’t know.”

  Gil’d better help the boy out. If Freddie turned any redder, his face might explode. “Katie’s a fine girl and marryin’ her would give you a chance to leave your ma’s and start a family of your own. You want to do that, don’t you?”

  “Sure, but Katie? I don’t think she’s ever even talked to me.”

  “She just don’t like to come across as forward. You know how women are.” Gil nodded and winked a conspiratorial wink. “She’s going to marry up with someone. You gonna let her get away?”

  “I don’t want to let her get away.” Freddie didn’t sound real convinced, but Gil knew the boy would cotton up to it soon enough.

  “Course you don’t, son.” Gil patted him on the shoulder. “I’ll take care of everything, just come on out Saturday, and we’ll set a date.”

  Who would ever have thought Reverend Stoker could preach for two hours? John knew it now and so did his backside. Julia wasn’t as tired, but then, she’d fallen asleep soon after the tit pinching and hadn’t awakened until the last amen. Lucky child. Careful to watch for rot-ation in the church floor, John stepped out into the afternoon sun.

  Most of the parishioners stood in the yard, gabbing about one thing or another. And try though he might, he couldn’t stop his gaze from seeking out Katie, not that it wasn’t easy to find her. She stood surrounded by people, all talking and laughing, and no doubt asking her for medical advice.

  A pregnant woman gave Katie a jar of something and another handed her a shawl. Two children tugged on her skirts, impatient for their chance to speak with her, and all the while, John felt invisible. None spoke to him, none smiled his way, and for all the good it’d done to come to church, he might as well have stayed home and adjusted diplomas.

  “Daddy?” Julia tugged his hand. “Did you have fun at church?”

  To answer that question properly, he would need words a child her age should not be exposed to, so instead, he glanced down at Julia and shrugged. “I suppose. Did you enjoy it?”

  “Oh yes! It was the most fun I’ve had in the longest time, and now I have a new friend!” She bounced with excitement while she giggled. “Can she come over for dinner? Can she please, Daddy?”

  Even his own daughter had been enthralled by the ever-popular Katie Napier. “I’m sure Miss Napier is very busy.”

  “Oh no, Daddy. She wouldn’t be too busy for me.”

  Who would have thought a person with such short legs could move so quickly? In a flash, Julia raced across the churchyard toward Katie and her throng of worshipers.

  “Hell,” he mumbled. Now not only would he have to fetch his daughter, but by the time he did, she would have invited Katie to dinner, if not to move in with them.

  He hurried across the yard; the dinner invitation was probably already set, but he might be able to keep the spare room empty.

  “Julia?” John used a stern “Father” voice that usually captured his daughter’s attention, but evidently his daughter had gone deaf. Lucky for her, she was already clutching the hand of the great healer.

  Katie threw her head back, laughing at something Julia said, and the sound of it stopped John in his tracks just a few feet from his destination. He cleared his throat. “Julia? You mustn’t bother Miss Napier.” He hesitantly closed the distance. “I’m sure she has plenty to do.”

  Katie turned to him with eyes sparkling and a smile still wide and inviting. Then quickly her smile lessened, and she lowered her gaze to Julia. “She’s no bother, Dr. Keffer.”

  Julia tugged on Katie’s skirt like the other urchins had done. “Can you, Katie? Can you come to dinner?”

  An embarrassed expression crossed her features before Katie smiled again. “I can’t today, but thank you for the invitation.”

  “But you can come sometime, can’t you?”

  John wou
ld need to talk to his daughter as soon as they returned home. Though he didn’t know what to say. Don’t be hospitable? Maybe he could inform her that it was wrong to make friends, at least with these people. They were different.

  “Well…” Katie’s voice sounded unsure, and now he knew what to tell Julia. It was wrong to make people feel uncomfortable, especially her father.

  John reached for Julia’s hand. “I’m sure Miss Napier has more important things to tend to.”

  Julia’s lip trembled as she looked up at Katie. “Are you too busy for me too?”

  His heart fell.

  Kneeling down to Julia’s level, Katie gave her a hug. “I’m never too busy for a friend.”

  “Julia and I would love to have you to dinner sometime, Miss Napier.”

  Who said that?

  Well, maybe John couldn’t blame that on a stranger passing by, but he could and would blame it on temporary insanity…and on his daughter’s trembling lip. If having Katie to the house once would make Julia happy, then it could be arranged. Of course if there really were a God, and the jury was still out on that, Katie would be unable to attend, ever.

  “Thank you,” Katie said. “That would be nice.”

  “Yeay!” Julia clapped her hands. “I’ll tell Mrs. Adkins as soon as we get home. I’ll make the biscuits.”

  Katie smiled again as John took Julia’s hand and led her away. He’d intended to take Julia’s hand but not Katie’s smile, yet oddly enough, it stayed with him as he walked down the street toward his home.

  Chapter Four

  As if dying wasn’t bad enough, now it appeared as though Grandma was going to have to endure a visit from Eunice Kopp.

  “Well, Mable,” Eunice said, after she plopped her ample bottom into a chair by the bed, “How are you doing today?”

  Grandma harrumphed. “I’m dying, Eunice. How do you think I am?” That would shut up a normal person, but Eunice wasn’t normal, so she giggled instead.