Chapter 2
Dr. Gideon Hayes stepped through the front door with a weariness deep in his bones, the kind that no amount of rest ever seemed to fully ease. The day had been long, too many patients, too many small emergencies that could not be ignored. And yet his thoughts had not once strayed far from home.
From Lila.
He set his bag down near the door and made his way to the kitchen. He could hear Mrs. Abernathy moving around, probably preparing something for his dinner. She had been a huge help, agreeing to come and help him with his niece until he found a more permanent solution.
“Good evening, Mrs. Abernathy,” he said, exhaustion bleeding into his tone.
“Dr. Hayes, good evening. Lila is already up in her room. She was so tired after eating dinner. She tried to stay up, but the poor dear fell asleep.” Mrs. Abernathy shook her head. “Poor child, though I did explain you were most likely saving someone, or you would have been here.”
Gideon nodded.
“Two someones, actually, Mrs. Davis had her baby. Turns out it was twins.”
Mrs. Abernathy beamed.
“I knew she’d give birth any day now. Boys or girls?”
“One of each.” Gideon forced a smile. “I’ll go check on Lila before I eat.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Abernathy waved him away, and he stepped into the hallway, heading toward her room. Then he heard it.
A soft, strained cry from further into the house.
His chest tightened.
“Lila?”
He was already moving, his stride quickening as he reached her room and pushed the door open. The lamplight flickered softly against the walls, casting long shadows, and in the center of it, Lila twisted beneath her blankets, her small hands clenched tightly in the sheets.
Her breaths came fast, uneven.
Gideon crossed the room in two quick steps and knelt beside her bed. “Lila,” he said gently, reaching for her shoulder. “You’re safe. It’s all right.”
Her eyes flew open, wide with fear, though no sounds followed. They never did. For a moment, she didn’t seem to see him. Then, slowly, recognition broke through. Her grip on the blankets loosened just enough for her to reach for him, her fingers trembling as they caught at his sleeve.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, steadying her as best he could. “You’re safe. Nothing’s going to hurt you.”
She shook her head faintly, her breathing still uneven, her eyes searching his face. Gideon felt the familiar helplessness rise in his chest. It was the same every time the nightmares returned.
He eased himself onto the edge of the bed, guiding her gently until she leaned against him, his arm settling around her shoulders. Her small frame trembled for a while, before it began, slowly, to quiet.
“I know,” he said softly. “I know.” His niece was in pain. She was still struggling with losing both of her parents. Gideon never saw himself as the type of man to have children, and he never would have, if it hadn’t been for his niece needing a home.
He did not ask what she had seen in her dreams. It would be worse to make her relive it, to think of it all over again. Even if it was in the presence of light and another person, where her dreams couldn’t hurt her.
Mrs. Abernathy appeared quietly in the doorway, her expression lined with concern.
“She woke again?” she asked in a low voice.
Gideon swallowed hard, wishing that they didn’t have to go through any of it. He wished there was something he could give, or something he could change to go back in time, to give her back her parents.
He wished his sister were still with them. She always knew what to do. Mrs. Abernathy stepped inside, folding her hands together. “It’s been worse this week,” she said gently. “More frequent.”
“I’ve noticed,” Gideon replied, his voice quiet.
Lila shifted slightly against him, her fingers tightening again in the fabric of his shirt, as though afraid he might leave.
“I’m right here,” he murmured. He waited until she was calm again before laying her back down, tucking the quilt up to her chin, and kissing her forehead. She’d fallen back asleep, though even so, she didn’t look peaceful.
Mrs. Abernathy watched them for a moment before speaking again. “You can’t be in two places at once, Doctor,” she said, not unkindly. “And she needs more than what you’re able to give her between calls. I can only help you this upcoming week, and then I can’t come anymore.
Gideon’s jaw tightened slightly. He stood and stepped out of Lila’s room, Mrs. Abernathy following him. Mrs. Abernathy was right; he didn’t spend as much time as he should with Lila.
“I’m doing what I can.”
“I know you are,” she said. “But sometimes what we can do isn’t enough on its own.” The words settled between them. “You need to find someone to help you who can be here long term.
“How am I supposed to find someone good enough?” Gideon asked gruffly.
There was no one who could replace his sister.
Lila was seven years old and needed a woman in her life, but who?
He didn’t have a wife or anyone he considered could qualify for one.
He’d made the decision a long time ago not to marry, for many reasons.
Now he was having to reconsider that decision for the good of his niece.
Mrs. Abernathy stepped closer, her voice softening. “She needs someone steady. There are several young women at church. Perhaps you could find someone who would like to start a life with you, or at least someone who would be willing to come back and forth for Lila.”
Gideon swallowed, the truth of it pressing in on him.
“I’ll think on it,” he said at last. Mrs. Abernathy had a point.
Either way, Gideon needed to find someone to help care for Lila.
A wife would be the simplest answer, but the idea sat uneasily with him.
He wasn’t ready for a relationship, and it didn’t feel right to marry someone simply so they could care for a child.
Mrs. Abernathy gave a small nod. “That’s all I’m asking.”
***
Later that evening, once the house had settled again into quiet, Gideon found himself once more at Lila’s bedside. The lamplight burned low now, the shadows gentler.
She slept more peacefully this time, her breathing even, her small hand curled loosely near her pillow. She looked very little like him, though they had the same blue eyes. She’d gotten her father’s bright blond hair, unlike his dark brown hair. She looked every bit like his sister at that age.
Perhaps that was why it was easy for people to assume she was his daughter.
Gideon knelt beside the bed, resting his forearms lightly against the mattress as he bowed his head.
“Lord…” The word came quietly, worn with exhaustion.
“You gave her into my care,” he continued, his voice low.
“And I’ve tried to do right by her. But I don’t know if I’m enough.
Mrs. Abernathy is right, she needs a mother, someone to give her proper tending, but how can I provide such a thing?
I don’t know what she needs, not fully. Not in the way she deserves.
” He exhaled slowly. “If there’s something I’m missing, show me.
If there’s someone who can help, then make it plain.
The room remained still, the only sound the quiet rhythm of Lila’s breathing.
Gideon stayed there a while longer before finally rising. His chest felt a bit lighter, and his head more assured. There had to be a solution that didn’t involve him bringing a wife into his life forever.
He just had to find out what that was.
***
The jail smelled faintly of iron and dust, the air thick and unmoving as Gideon set his bag down beside the cot. The man before him winced as Gideon examined the injury, though he made no complaint beyond that. He didn’t particularly like calls to the jailhouse in town.
“Hold still,” Gideon said, his tone calm and practiced as he adjusted the man’s leg.
“I am holding still,” the man muttered under his breath.
From the doorway, Deputy Ford gave a small, amused huff. “That’s about as still as he gets.”
Gideon rolled his eyes. Deputy Ford had always made his jokes. He was a good deputy, and everyone in town respected him. He tried to make Gideon’s job more pleasant when he did get called to the jailhouse to care for a patient.
Gideon did not look up as he finished securing the bandage. “Try not to undo my work,” he said, straightening. “You got a pretty big gash on that leg. You’ll need lots of rest, which shouldn’t be a problem while you’re locked up here for the week.”
“No promises,” the man replied, with a glare. “I didn’t successfully steal anything, so my staying in jail for a week makes no sense.”
Gideon gathered his things, snapping his bag shut as he left the cell, joining Deputy Ford on the other side of the bars.
“How is he?” Ford asked.
“Just fine, he’ll be in a bit of pain, but I’m sure he knew that when he decided to get mixed up in the wrong crowd.” Gideon shook his head.
“They should know by now this town doesn’t tolerate crime.” Ford shrugged. “Marshal Thomson has a reputation for keeping this town clean for a reason. The job keeps him too busy. I’ve told him he can pass me some of the responsibility so he can have time for a life, namely a wife.”
“It’s not a bad idea. Have you had any luck finding someone suitable?” Gideon asked.
It was a running joke between them, considering that Ford had tried to set Marshal Thompson up with at least three women.
“Actually, yes, but not in the way you’d think. Apparently, after the last woman didn’t work out, he put in an advertisement. Back east.” Ford’s eyes glowed with mischief, as if he couldn’t wait for Gideon to ask him what he was talking about.
Gideon chuckled. “What could Marshal possibly want with an advertisement?” he asked.