New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) Read Online Free Page B

and wondered what would have happened if she recognized who he was. “She seemed to know a lot about medicine, said she was a nurse in the American War when she was back east.”
    “Where were you so lucky to end up? I am sure your horse must have chosen where you went,” the doctor said as he rewrapped the wound.
    “She called herself Sara. Eric says I was at the Gardiner home.”
    “Sara?” The doctor glanced up at his patient, a questioning look on his face. “Are you sure? I thought she went back home to New Brunswick after her husband died.”
    Sam shrugged back at the man. He could only tell him what he was told.
    “I know she has the medical experience to do this. I have asked her several times to work with me, but she had so many problems at home. After William died, I invited her to move into the back of my office, but she said her plans were to go back to her family.”
    “What kind of problems did she have?” Sam asked. He was starting to wonder about someone else, a very new experience.
    “I’d have to tell you about that another time. It is a long story and Mrs. Kent went into labour this afternoon. I promised the midwife I’ll check in on them later today.” Doc Brown mixed a liquid in a glass of water and gave it to Sam. “This laudanum will relieve the pain, and help you have a good night’s sleep.” He handed his patient the glass, then packed up his bag with the medical supplies. “I’ll stop back tomorrow to check on you.”
    After the doctor left, Eric carried Sam up the stairs to the bedroom, the housekeeper following close behind with a pot of tea and a plate of toast. The hired-hand placed his boss on the bed and Mary carefully adjusted the pillows and tucked the bedcovers around him and he was settled for the night. The medicine worked quickly and made him very tired. Without drinking the tea or eating his toast, he fell asleep. The two left the room, discussing how fortunate Mr. Fielding was to have found Sara.
    “Sara used to come to the Sunday Services in Grand Valley and after the Reverend Roddick moved to the Brandon Hills and gave services at Lake McPherson she never missed a Sunday. But no one has seen her since a short time after William died,” Mary said to Eric, “Do you think it was really her?”
    “Doc Brown thought t‘was her work on Sam’s leg.”
    “I can’t imagine why she would stay and never come into town anymore. I have heard some odd rumours about her though.”
    They both shrugged their shoulders, realizing Sara was probably the only person who knew the answers to their questions.
    Sam slept soundly for several hours, until suddenly he sat upright in the bed, his face covered in sweat. Mary was using the guest room with a connecting door to the master bedroom so she would be close by if Mr. Fielding needed her during the night. She slept lightly and went quickly into his room when he stirred. Thinking it was the pain from his wound, she mixed him another glass of the medicine, which he accepted graciously. What he didn’t tell his housekeeper was the dream he was having. In the nightmare it was he who shot William, stepping directly over the dying man to retrieve the horses and Sara watching from the porch, crying. He lay awake in his bed wondering about her until the medicine finally took effect and he fell asleep.

 
    Chapter Three
    It was several days before Sam could get out of bed and back to his work. It was very unusual for him and very difficult, but with the doctor’s insistence he remained there.
    Mary stayed dedicated to Mr. Fielding and while she didn’t agree with most of the things he did, she did admire the man. He had worked his way from a poor street child to what he was now, completely on his own. He never spoke of his family and she never asked. In turn he never asked about hers. In fact, he never showed any interest in anyone other than himself.
    Sam tried very hard to push Sara out of his thoughts and didn’t like this new