Blessed Assurance by Lyn Cote

believe that our goals oppose one another. I can’t believe you would turn your back on a person, white or black, who needed you.”
    A brief silence transpired.
    The doctor broke it. “I tell you what. I will give you medicine and information you need to nurse them.”
    Lee heard the rocker creak. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Jessie take hold of the man’s hand.
    Jessie said, “Thank you.”
    Lee’s stomach clenched, but why? He didn’t care about the widow and the doctor. He walked toward Linc. “It’s time we take a rest.”
    Linc frowned. “I’m not tired.”
    â€œI am.” He rested his hand on Linc’s back. Doing this was starting to feel natural, comfortable. At the back porch, he and Linc leaned back against the railing side by side.
    Jessie drew her hand from the doctor’s.
    â€œWell, young man,” the doctor said, “your catching and pitching, they’re improving.”
    â€œDid you play ball when you were a boy, sir?”
    Lee hung back but let Linc take a step forward.
    â€œYes, but I was not as good as you or Mr. Smith.” The doctor grinned and stood up. “I must go. I am on duty at Rush Medical Hospital early on Saturday mornings.”
    â€œThank you for coming, Doctor.” Jessie rose.
    The doctor bent over her hand, refused her offer to walk him to the front door, and departed.
    Susan walked out onto the porch. “I come for Linc. Time for bed, mister baseball player.”
    â€œMother, please?”
    Lee said, “I’m tired myself, sport.”
    Linc’s face fell.
    â€œBut if your mother doesn’t object, we’ll continue our game of catch tomorrow evening.”
    â€œHooray!” Linc jumped straight up.
    â€œCome on, Linc, your bed be callin’ you.” Susan and Linc started toward the back door. “Oh, I forgot your mama stop and left you a note.” Susan pulled it from the pocket in her apron and handed it to Jessie. Then she led Linc away. The boy looked back at Lee until the last moment.
    While reading the note, Jessie stood facing him. He could see why the doctor might be intrigued by her. Even dressed in black,and buttoned up tight as can be, Jessie Wagstaff still caught the eye. “So you’re trying to find yourself a doctor?”
    She surprised him by tearing the note in two and shoving it into her pocket. “So you were eavesdropping? Yes , I am. My stepfather has just written me that asking my own doctor to treat them was outrageous. Is that what you think?”
    Her vehemence didn’t surprise him, but her naiveté about the deep prejudices in this ugly, old world sharpened his voice, “Don’t you realize no doctor in this city will take Susan’s people as patients?”
    â€œDr. Gooden has agreed to help me.”
    â€œHe’ll give you medicine and advice, but don’t expect him to visit shantytown any time soon.” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
    â€œIt’s easy to sneer at someone who has a higher calling, but what would an office clerk know about the pressures a man like Dr. Gooden faces?” With a swish of her skirts, she swept away like Queen Victoria herself.
    He stared after her. I know all about men like Dr. Gooden. I used to know one like him a long time ago. Watch out, Jessie, a man like that can let people down badly.

Chapter 6
    June 15, 1871
    â€œBeer, bitte .”
    â€œNot pink champagne, Slim?” Though Lee grinned as he pulled down the spigot of the beer keg, he mentally tried toshrug off a restlessness that had gripped him for several days.
    â€œFunny, Smit’.” The large, broad-shouldered German tossed a nickel into Lee’s hand.
    Lee aimed and expertly flipped it into the cigar box behind the bar, which served as Pearl’s cash box. Talking helped keep him from thinking. “How’s your day?”
    â€œSix hours more work and