Ben pulled a bottle out of his coat pocket. “I need a refill on Tessa’s medicine.”
“How’s she doing?” Doc took the bottle and put it on his desk, before motioning for Ben to take a seat.
“Still the same. She has terrible headaches when she goes outside.”
“Hmmm.” Doc pulled a ledger from the shelf above him and opened it. Scribbling in it with a pencil, he snapped it shut and returned it to the shelf. “Maybe she shouldn’t go outside.”
“She can’t be cooped up in the house all day.”
“Then take her outside.”
“Did you not hear what I said?” Ben’s frustration showed in his voice. “She can’t handle the sun, Doc. Every time she goes outside, she gets a crushing headache. It’s like the sunlight is attacking her.”
“I’m sorry, Ben.” Doc shifted in his seat. “I didn’t mean to upset you. We’ll try something else, okay? I’ll mix up something different for Tessa to try. Maybe it’ll help her feel better.”
Ben sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Thank you, Doc. I just feel so helpless, you know?”
“I know. You’re doing the best you can for her, and that’s all any of us can do. You’re a good brother, Benjamin.”
A small smile played at the corners of Ben’s mouth. “Thanks, Doc. That means a lot.”
Doc chuckled. “I’ll get that medicine for Tessa right now, then you can be on your way.” Making his way over to the shelf where he kept his medicines, he selected one from the back.“How’s the lamb?” he asked as he retrieved a measuring cup.
“I am convinced it thinks it is a goat.”
Doc gave a hearty laugh as he poured a dark liquid into the cup and put the cap back onto the bottle before replacing it on the shelf. “I’m glad you could keep it.”
“I wanted to be a rancher once we arrived here. I don’t know how I’m going to do that with a bunch of goats, some chickens, a rooster that is working its way towards the stew pot, and one wayward sheep.” Ben shook his head, his light brown hair brushing against his forehead. He swept it aside with his fingers.
“You have a few horses.”
“One is a swayback and the other two, I traded my wagon and ox for. Still doesn’t make a ranch.” Ben reached up and scratched his jaw. “I don’t understand how you ended up with a lamb.”
Doc gave a slight shrug as he poured the medicine into the bottle Ben brought with him. “Not everyone can pay me. So instead, they bring me things. Some things I can use, other things I can’t.”
“Like the lamb?”
“Like the lamb. Cleo, the woman who just left; she makes the best sour pickles. I’d take a jar of those any day.” Ben saw the older man’s face soften as he mentioned the woman with the cough. He wondered if Doc was sweet on her. Before Ben could contemplate any more about it, Doc continued. “Now if it was a suckling pig, I’d have given it to Weston to fatten and butcher for me. I wouldn’t do that with a lamb.”
“Tessa loves that animal. She even gave it a name.”
“Did she now?”
“She calls it Marigold, on account of that’s all it would eat. She’s even trying to convince me to bring it in the house this winter.”
Snorting, Doc capped the bottle and returned to this desk. “Your sister is very loving.”
“Do you think she’ll get better?”
“I don’t know. Anything is possible. Pray she doesn’t lose her child-like wonder even if she gets better.” Doc handed Ben the bottle.
“Thanks, Doc. What do I owe you?”
The doctor waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. Just keep an eye on her and let me know how she does with it. Just a teaspoon at breakfast time. Don’t let her take it on an empty stomach.”
“If you don’t let anyone pay you, that’s how you end up with lambs or chickens or suckling pigs. However, if you end up with a calf or a horse, let me know.”
Doc’s laughter filled the small office as Ben put a couple of coins on the desk and stood to leave, bottle in hand. He was thankful for Doc’s help. Leaving the office, Ben wanted to head back to the ranch and check on Tessa, but he had to go to the mercantile first and pick up some supplies. His sister would be fine for a little bit longer.
