A small slither of light caught Tessie's eye and hearing movement by the bed she lurched upright. It was the blonde woman standing beside her.
"What day is it?" Tessie spoke quickly, afraid she had again slept away three or four days.
"The same day you arrived," she answered. "Wednesday."
"Did yer tell me your name?"
"You did not tell me yours, my dear.”
"Tessie. Tessie O’Shea.”
The woman seemed to startle, flashing her green eyes but recovering quickly. "I am Ruby St. Claire. And it is time for your medicine." She spoke in a hushed voice as she poured a small thimble full of liquid into a glass and handed it to Tessie. "This here is laudanum for the pain. And there is willow bark tea here to help your fever."
Tessie took it without argument. "The doctor?"
"He's been and gone. He c
