17
wasn’t luxurious by any means, but the wood-paneled walls and
antique pictures made it seem like you were in someone’s front
parlor, not a physician’s oɚce.
“The doctor retired a fewmonths back.” The lines around her
mouth drooped when she caught sight of Paddy’s blood-stained
hand. “Is this man hurt? Please, bring him inside.”
“Is there someone replacing the doc?” Nick stayed in the
doorway.
“You’re looking at his replacement. I’m Doctor Katherine
Winston.”
In Nick’s moment of hesitation, I dragged Paddy around him
and inside the oɚce.
Doctor Winston raced to an open room a few feet away and
we quickly followed.
“Set him down on the exam table,” she instructed.
“You . . . You’re a doctor?” Nick stuttered as he helped me set
Paddy onto the long table in the center of the room.
A small tick at her lips warned this wasn’t the first time she’d
seen shock on a man’s face. My heart sped up as she moved to a
nearby table and picked up a stethoscope. I’d heard of lady doctors
before but had never been in the presence of one.
“Your friend here is losing blood fast. May I get started?”
Before Nick could utter a word, I said, “Yes, please help our
brother.”
