by India Heath
"Hey Doc, got a new patient for you to look over." Sheriff Jack Keen walked into Springrock's doctor's surgery, almost dragging a petite figure behind him.
Sam looked at the young girl and frowned at the egg-sized lump on her forehead. His perceptive gaze quickly swept the length of her body, looking for other outward signs of injury but, apart from the bump, she appeared unhurt.
"Found her slumped against the wheel of her car on the Corby Road," said the Sheriff. "I figure she took the sharp bend too fast and skidded off into a tree. Damn lucky she ain't more hurt than she is."
Dr Sam Baxter's frown deepened in concern as he took the tiny girl's hand and gently led her towards him. "She still could be, Jack. The full extent of a head injury isn't always apparent straight away. Was she unconscious for long?"
The plump Sheriff shrugged. "Not sure she was unconscious at all. Just seems in shock to me. Hasn't said a word since I found her."
Sam smiled down at the girl. Wide, frightened green eyes stared back up at him from beneath a thick cascade of auburn hair. She really was beautiful. Her mouth was a perfect bow and the full bottom lip quivered slightly as though she were about to cry. "Hey Sweetie," Sam murmured, every protective instinct within him reacting to her forlorn expression. "You gonna let me take a look at you?" She didn't answer but stood passively still, her little hand still clutched within Sam's warm palm. "You wanna hop up onto the bed for me?" When she still didn't respond, Sam took matters into his own hands and spanned her tiny waist to lift her up onto the examining table. She was as light as a feather. "You say she was slumped in the driver’s seat, Sheriff? She doesn't look old enough to even have a licence."
"She's twenty-one, according to the ID I found in her purse. Name's Emma James. Judging by the rucksack on the backseat, I'd say she was probably just passing through." Jack's mouth set wearily. "She won't be going anywhere for a while though now, her car's bent up pretty bad."
"Anyone else hurt?"
"Nope," Jack sighed. "Didn't look to be anyone riding with her and no signs of another car being involved in the crash either."
In his capacity as Springrock's Sheriff, Jack had seen many a car accident in his day. It wasn't unusual for there to be no other cars involved. The small West Virginian town had its share of narrow winding roads, some with steep inclines. City folk came speeding through without a thought to wandering wildlife or dense stretches of road with no street lights.
"Hi Emma," Sam said and smiled. "I'm Sam." Green eyes studied him warily. "And as I'm the only doctor around these parts you're gonna have to trust me to fix you up. Is that okay?"
The Sheriff grunted with impatience when the little imp on the bed continued to sit in silence. "I'll leave you to it, Doc. I'll go follow up the information I have on her, see if I can't find a parent or guardian to come claim her. If I do, I'm gonna suggest they put her over their knee for a darn good spanking. Driving like a wild thing down a country lane was a damn stupid thing to do."
Sam happened to agree. If she belonged to him he'd make sure she didn't sit comfortably for a day or two either. Outwardly though, he kept his opinions to himself. Last thing he wanted to do was frighten the poor little thing any more than she already was. "Okay sweetie, let's give you a thorough check up."
The Sheriff disappeared as Sam began to gently probe Emma's head. His days at the surgery were always varied. It was one of the things he loved about being a primary care physician in a small town, no two days were ever the same. He could deal with anything, from gunshot wounds to snake bites, not to mention the usual array of viruses, sprains and breaks. Working in a farming community also meant that skin cancer was high on his case load. Too many folks spent far too long out in the glaring sun. Unfortunately it was a community hazard.
An hour later, x-rays revealed no hidden fractures and Sam was relieved that the extent of her injuries were no more than a sore head and a couple of bruises. She was one very lucky little girl. The least she deserved was a sore bottom too. If her daddy didn't turn up and give her one soon he might be tempted to do the honours himself. Only her continued silence had him worried enough not to say so. He didn't think she was mute or deaf and she certainly wasn't stupid, there was intelligence in her wide-eyed gaze. The only thing not yet eliminated was shock.
"Come on baby," he implored. "Talk to me, huh?" He ran gentle fingers through her long hair and she captured his wrist as she turned on her side, tucking his open hand beneath her pale cheek and closing her eyes. She nuzzled against his palm as though seeking comfort. Sam sighed as her breathing grew steady and sleep claimed her. He had house calls to make and paper work to do but right now nothing seemed more important than making Emma James feel safe as she slept.
"How's our reckless little patient doing, Doc?"
Sam eased out his hand from beneath Emma's cheek and shook it to get the blood circulating again. He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting with her but it was long enough for the evening sun to creep through the window and bathe her face in light. She looked ethereal, like a sleeping angel.
"She'll be fine, Sheriff. She still hasn't spoken though." Sam stood up and stretched his broad shoulders. "How did you get on? Any joy in finding out who she belongs to?"
Jack shook his head. "Nope. There was an address but it turned out to be a hostel. The manager said he remembers her but that she hasn't stayed there for months now. Nothing seems to be coming up on 'missing persons' and I can't find any mention of her in criminal records. Seems our mute patient there is on her own in the world."
Not any more, Sam almost snapped. Damn, where had that thought come from? She wasn't his responsibility. She was just a patient. When her car was fixed she would drive back out of town and he would never see her again.
"If you're done with her Doc, I'll take her off your hands."
"And put her where?" Sam questioned, instinctively putting his large muscled body between Emma and the Sheriff. He wasn't sure what it was about the little waif that made him feel so protective but he just couldn't prevent the innate response she seemed to evoke.
"She's got a bit of money in her wallet. Not much but enough for a few nights in a motel." Jack grinned cynically. "Anywhere's gotta be more comfy than your examining table, eh Doc?"
Jack had a point there but Sam was still reluctant to let Emma go. "I'm not happy with her being alone tonight, Sheriff. I'd rather keep her with me for observation. If she's still not talking by tomorrow I'll carry out more tests."
"You planning on leaving her on that there table all night then, Doc?"
Sam frowned and made an instant decision. "No, I'm taking her back to my place. My kid sister Rachel will be there. Maybe another girl of similar age will coax Emma into speaking." Sam rolled his eyes. "Lord knows, Rachel never stops nattering."
Jack chuckled. "She sure is a live wire, that sister of yours," he agreed. "Always getting into mischief. I bet you wore your hand out on her butt when she was a kid."
"She still earns the occasional trip across my knee," Sam admitted. "She's all sass and attitude."
Sam had raised his baby sister ever since the tragic death of their parents in a car accident ten years ago. Rachel had been eight and Sam still completing his residency at the Rural Family Medicine programme in Harpers Ferry. Between rotations, exams and part-time bar work, sleep had been a rare commodity. But letting Rachel go into foster care had never been an option. Now he was quietly proud of the woman his kid sister had blossomed into. She was pretty and smart, with a heart of gold. She had just got a job as an assistant to the local vet and had always had a knack of adopting any waif and stray animal that came along. Sam looked down at Emma. Maybe little waifs were his weakness too!
"Well it's up to you, Doc," the Sheriff said. "I guess it couldn't hurt to let Rachel talk to her. I'll give you a call if any new information turns up. In the meantime I've had her car towed to Walt's garage. He's gonna take a look at it and see how much damage there is."
Sam nodded. "Thanks, Jack. I'll check in on Walt tomorrow but I don't think this little girl will be in any fit state to drive for a good few days yet."
The Sheriff grinned. "I think you've taken a shine to her, Sam boy. But don't you be growing too attached. If she's a city girl then she'll be nothing more than a distant memory a month from now. You remember that."
Sam let the Sheriff's warning go over his head. He had no intention of falling for Emma, however long she stayed in town. The girl was little more than a child. He would look after her while she was vulnerable and needed him and wave goodbye the day she was fit to leave.
"Hey sleepy head," he murmured softly when the Sheriff had gone. "Wake up." Emma moaned drowsily and pouted at being disturbed. Sam was relieved to hear that she was at least capable of making sound. "Emma? Honey, you can't sleep here all night. I'm gonna take you home to my house."
Without even opening her eyes, Emma lifted her arms and curled them around Sam's neck. She even lifted her knees slightly as though inviting him to slide an arm beneath and carry her. Sam lifted the sleeping girl high in his arms. She sighed and burrowed into his shoulder. Her trust in him was heart-warming. Sam managed to turn off the surgery light, grab his jacket and lock up without waking her. He sat her in the passenger seat of his SUV, fastened the seat belt and then reclined the chair to make her more comfortable. She slept through the ten minute drive to his house. Sam and Rachel lived in a two story wooden house about two miles outside the main town. It wasn't large but it was comfy with woodland all around and Sam was quietly chuffed at having given his baby sister the security she needed following their parents sudden death. A rural doctor's pay was sometimes hit and miss. Many was the time Sam had fixed up a broken leg or nursed a child through mumps, only to be paid in live chickens or even vegetables. Sam appreciated the thought but corn didn't pay the mortgage. Still, he'd managed.
Rachel met him in the drive. She was weeding the flower beds in the front garden and had dirt smeared across her nose and on the seat of her shorts, where she'd dusted off her hands. "Hey bro, I wasn't expecting you yet."
Sam got out the car and gave her a hug. "Hi brat. I haven't done my house calls yet," he explained. "I'll have to go back out again after supper. But I've got us a house guest for a day or two and I wanted to get her settled in first."
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