I can pay the bill. I can’t stick around and work for you with Jenkins after me.”
“Did I ask for money? As I recall, I asked you to hold the lantern.” He folded his arms across his barrel chest. “Besides, there aren’t any charges.”
“You can’t make a living treating folks for free. And I don’t believe in charity.”
“Doctoring is my job, my life. If I’d gone into this to make money, I’d be in a different part of the country, not Vernal.”
Casey laughed as she looked into his round face. “I promise I’ll send you money as soon as I get work, but I’ve got to get out of here real soon.”
“You’re not rested enough.” He wagged his thick finger at her, as though the little girl in her would cower at his demands. “You’ll be sick and have no one to take care of you.”
“I’ll be fine.” She massaged the back of her neck. “When Morgan wakes up and I know he’s out of danger, I’m leaving.”
Doc stood and paced the floor. “I don’t suppose there’s any use in arguing with you. I declare, you are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met. Makes me want to tie you up.” He towered over her, and she grinned. “If you’re bent on leaving, there’s got to be a way I can help.”
Casey shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ll be just fine.” A thought struck her. “Yes, there is something.”
He raised a brow.
“A Bible, Doc. Do you have a Bible?”
He eyed her strangely. “Well, as a matter of fact, I do. What do you want with it?”
“To read. I want to read it.” Her own words startled her. With her limited knowledge of the Good Book, she knew God had answered her prayers about Morgan. Maybe there were a few other things she needed to know. Like how to live right.
A wry smile spread over his ample cheeks. “Let me fetch it for you.” He disappeared into the bedroom where Morgan lay and returned with a worn, black leather book. With his huge hand, he wiped the dust from the cover as though the contents were pure gold. “This belonged to my father. I reckon I don’t get it out enough.”
She reached for it with both hands and carefully laid it in her lap. “Thanks. I’ll be real careful.” She ran her fingers over the rough grain of the binding. A bit of fear assaulted her. She understood her life had not been as this book directed. Slowly she opened it and gingerly leafed past the pages of personal information about Doc’s family until she found the listing of all the Old and New Testament books. Confused, she glanced up into his face. “Where should I begin? My ma used to read stories to me and Tim before she got sick and lost her eyesight. I remember her telling us about three men in a lion’s den, baby Jesus, and a blind man getting healed.”
Doc took in a deep breath. “I believe it was Daniel in the lion’s den and three men in a fiery furnace. But anyway, it depends on what you’re looking for.”
“I want to be certain God is really there, or if we’re on our own from the day we’re born to the day we die.”
“What are your feelings about God right now, this very minute?” Doc kneeled on the floor beside the rocker. The big man looked humble, the sound of his voice solemn.
“I’m not sure. Maybe I want to believe because I’m so miserable with my life and so scared about the future. I remember when Morgan got shot, I asked God to spare him. I told Him I wanted to change, and I planned to live right whether Morgan lived or not. Now he’s doing much better, and I’m grateful. I want to trust and believe like my ma, but I don’t have any idea where to begin.”
Doc nodded and lifted the Bible from her lap. “I suppose you could start at the beginning with the creation. Hmm, that would probably be the best. Yes, read the book of Genesis, then go to the first book in the New Testament called Matthew.”
“What’s this all about?”
He licked his forefinger and turned the pages. “I’m no preacher, but the Old Testament is full of trustworthy accounts about how God helped the Jewish people. He blessed them when they were obedient and punished them when they weren’t. They were His chosen people, His children. All the way through