White Wedding For A Southern Belle. Susan Carlisle

anyone.”

      “You wouldn’t. They didn’t come across the street until they saw me. They’ll be along in a minute.”

      He glanced out the door. “But we don’t open for another hour.”

      “That may be so but they’ll be here nonetheless.”

      Margaret was correct. He closed the door and showed her to the office. She’d just locked her purse in the desk when the buzzer sounded.

      “I’ll see to that,” Margaret announced.

      “I only have the one exam room set up. I thought we’d have time to work on the other two between patients.”

      “I doubt that’ll happen. Despite some in the neighborhood being against this clinic, the people around here need it. They’ll come until they’re scared away. I’ll put your first patient in the exam room.” With that she walked heavily down the hall.

      What had he got himself into?

      A boy of about three was his first patient. The mother didn’t look much older than eighteen. Much too young to have a child. Her hair was pulled back, which added to her look of youth. The little boy was clean but his clothes were well-worn and a little small on his chubby body.

      “Hello, I’m Dr. Bradford. What’s the problem today?”

      “Mikey has a bad cold.”

      Kiefer could see that clearly. The child had a horribly running nose and a wet cough. Kiefer went down on his heels. “Mikey, I need to listen to your chest for a minute. This won’t hurt.”

      He placed the stethoscope on the boy’s chest. His heartbeat was steady but his lungs made a raspy sound. After that Kiefer checked Mikey’s mouth and ears. Both were red and irritated.

      Kiefer looked at the mother. “Mikey’s going to need antibiotics for ten days. Then I want you to come back.”

      The girl’s face took on a troubled look.

      Kiefer stood. “Mikey should be just fine.”

      “Is there something else you can do for him?”

      “The medicine should fix him right up.” Kiefer looped the stethoscope around his neck.

      “I can’t get the medicine,” the mother said softly.

      “Raeshell.” Ashley spoke to the mother from the open door. “I’m on my way to the drugstore right now. Dr. Bradford can write that prescription and we’ll have it filled.”

      How long had Ashley been standing there? Was she checking on him?

      It dawned on Kiefer that the girl couldn’t pay for the medicine. “I’ll do that right away.” He stepped out into the hall.

      He would make some calls when he had a chance and see about getting a few drug companies to help out. A couple of drug reps owed him favors. He’d be calling them in.

      Kiefer pulled the pad out of his pocket and wrote the prescription. He then removed his wallet and took out some bills. He handed them to Ashley. “This should cover it.”

      “You don’t have to,” she whispered.

      “If I don’t, you will. You can’t pay for everyone that comes through here. We’re going to have to get some help in this area.”

      “I hadn’t given much thought to people’s inability to pay.” She shoved the money into her pocket.

      “Well, it’s time to do that.”

      “I’ll be back in a few hours. Maybe you’ll have a few minutes for us to discuss it then,” Ashley said.

      “I have some ideas of my own that I’ll work on as well.” Returning to the room, he told the mother, “Ms. Marsh is waiting outside to drive you to the store. Don’t worry about the cost. It’s taken care of. I’ll see you and Mikey back here in ten days. You make sure he takes all of the medicine. It doesn’t work if you don’t.”

      “Thank you, Dr. Bradford,” Raeshell said meekly.

      “You’re welcome. Bring Mikey back if he gets worse.”

      “I will.” The girl gathered her child close and left.

      * * *

      By noon he almost regretted his words to Ashley earlier. He hadn’t stopped once. There was a constant stream of patients, each with varying degrees of need but none that he couldn’t handle. His worries about being bored were long gone.

      Already Margaret was proving to be a treasure. She knew the people who came in and put them at ease. Maria, his receptionist, showed up around nine. By then Kiefer had already seen eight patients. Margaret handled telling Maria what to do, leaving him to see a waiting patient. If every day was anything like this one, working in the ER would look like spending a day at the beach.

      Around two o’clock Ashley stopped in again. This time she was wearing a simple dress and sweater. She looked refreshing on a hot day. “How’re things going?”

      “Busy.”

      “I’m glad to hear it. I was afraid Marko might bully people into staying away.”

      Kiefer looked at the notes he’d made on his last patient. He was going to have to start a charting system. “I don’t understand why he wouldn’t want a clinic here. The police, yes, but the clinic, no.”

      “It’s all about power and control. He’s afraid I’m taking it away.”

      “Doesn’t his family live in the area? Need medical service on occasion?”

      Ashley brushed her hand over her skirt. “Sure they do, but he doesn’t care. Look, I’ve got to go. I have that community meeting. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

      “Afraid I’m going to up and leave, Alderman?” He gave her a pointed look.

      “I can’t say it hasn’t crossed my mind.”

      “Rest assured, I’ll be here when you come back.” He wouldn’t be got rid of that easily.

      * * *

      It was late that evening when Ashley opened another supply box and searched the contents. Having no idea what they were, she left the box for Kiefer to see to. Her afternoon meeting hadn’t gone as well as she’d hoped. The businessmen were worried about retaliation if they participated in the block party she had planned to celebrate the opening of the clinic. They had complained about the cost as well. In her opinion, the neighborhood needed to come together, start acting as one, if they were ever going to make a real difference. She wanted it so badly and couldn’t figure out why the community leaders didn’t.

      Her evening council meeting had gone better. At least she’d had the good news that the clinic was up and running. It had been dark by the time she’d returned home. She’d changed clothes once again and had come down to the clinic to start arranging supplies.

      Kiefer was behind the nineteen-forties metal desk in the closet-sized office, dictating into his phone, when she went by. He hadn’t even looked up. She’d been impressed with his treatment of Raeshell and Mikey, especially when he’d offered to pay for the medicine. Despite his impulsive behavior at the party, he seemed to be a stand-up guy since he had already put in a full day and was now doing extra hours. She’d been disappointed that he’d not stayed later the night before to finish up organizing the supplies, but he’d more than done his share today.

      A few minutes later he joined her in the supply room. “Hey.”

      “Hi,” she returned.

      “It’s been some day.”

      “It always is in Southriver.” She opened another box.

      “That would be a great slogan for your Welcome to Southriver signs,” he said.

      “I’ll