One Shenandoah Winter by Davis Bunn Page A

Reynolds and his two victims. “Who do you think you are, laying into Will Green like that?”
    Nathan Reynolds had no choice but to take a single step away from the woman. “But he said—”
    â€œI know what he’s saying, and I know what he’s doing. He’s working hard for a man who’s never learned the value of a simple thank you kindly !”
    Will called over, “That’s all right, Miss Connie. I don’t mind.”
    â€œWell, you should, Will Green. You most certainly should!”
    Clearly the doctor was not used to being addressed in such a fashion. “I . . . He . . . You . . .”
    â€œHmph. That’s the best you can do with all your citified ways?” She squinted at the doctor. “Now if I recollect correctly, you are supposed to be doctoring . Which I suggest you do with a lot less yelling around here for all our sakes.”
    Nathan Reynolds stared at her in utter confusion. “You’re the mayor’s assistant.”
    â€œAssistant mayor, if you please!” A movement caught her attention, and she wheeled about to glare at the people clustered in the clinic doorway, watching the fireworks. “What do you folks think you’re watching, a show?” When that did not have them moving fast enough, she finished with, “If you’re sick you shouldn’t be standing, and if you ain’t you shouldn’t be here!”
    Their retreat was made in total silence. But the doctor was made of sterner stuff. “I remember now.” He gave one of his sharp little nods. “You’re the one who ruined that thirty-four Terraplane pickup.”
    That focused Connie’s rage back on the doctor. She waved a furious hand in an arc that started an inch in front of his nose and stopped so it was pointing back at Hattie. “You listen up real good, now. The next time you address this angel of a receptionist, I’d strongly advise you to begin with a simple how-do !”
    The doctor looked from one woman to the other, clearly baffled. “How-do?”
    â€œWell, that’s a start. A small one, but a start.” She snorted her derision. “And that truck happens to be a nineteen thirty-six, for your information.”
    The eyes began to narrow. “I told you they—”
    Connie took a single menacing step toward him. “I came here full of friendliness and light. But if you don’t stop with your nonsense right here and right now, we’re gonna see the sparks fly!”
    When Nathan Reynolds clenched his jaw shut, she gave a nod. “That’s better. Now then. We’ll all just start over here.” She took as much of a breath as her anger allowed. “My uncle is a man of some renown in these parts. And he’s the second most ornery man I’ve ever met in all my born days. Poppa Joe has got it into his head that you need to come up and meet him, don’t ask me why. I’d just as soon hand him a live copperhead. But Poppa Joe don’t bend easy and he lets go of ideas even harder. And I am fed up to my back teeth coming over here and giving you further chances to act nasty!”
    She planted fists on her hips. “So this is what’s gonna happen, sir. Tomorrow morning I’m picking you up and I’m taking you to Wilkes Mountain.”
    Nathan was absolutely astonished by the pronouncement. “Come again?”
    â€œYou need your ears cleaned out? I said . . .” Connie was halted by a gentle hand on her arm.
    Hattie came up beside them, smiled Connie to silence, and spoke to Nathan in her quiet soothing way. “Poppa Joe Wilkes is famous in these parts. He guards his privacy too. An invitation to go see the old man is a genuine honor.”
    â€œAmen to that,” Will Green called over. “I ain’t been up Wilkes Mountain more’n two, three times my whole life. Give anything to go see the old man again. He’s something, Poppa Joe