Angie thought a second, "Why not use the mattress?" Sahe asked. "The one from his bed. Just rearrange some things so it fits, and we're good. It would be best, I think, for him, at least. The jostling wouldn't be as severe as it might be otherwise."
It would mean bringing the mattress back, which might be more than Addy would want to do. But she wanted to make sure Pops was as comfortable as possible for the trip into town. It was how she thought; the patient came first. Maybe Addy had a better idea, she would be open to anything.
"I can get him ready, which won't take much, and between us, we can get him to the wagon, well maybe the necessary first, which I need to visit after that coffee!" She informed Addy.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Oh, sure, that's a good idea," Addy agreed with using the mattress, then she grinned. "And them blankets we used last night, that way ya don't gotta put 'em away!" She winked, moving to light a lantern, then added, "Th' necessary is truly necessary!" Sure, they could stop and do their business in the bushes, but it was preferable to avoid that if they could!
After lighting another lamp, Addy headed to the barn, where the eight big horses there greeted her with eager whinnies, ready for their breakfast. It only took a few minutes to divvy out flakes of hay from the loft to the stalls, then gave her horses some grain mix and made sure everyone had water. The company team would only be alone for a couple hours before one or more of the Hagen boys would be here to see after things.
The necessary trips out of the way, Angie managed to rearrange thje back of the wagon and get the mattress laid in the bed of the wagon while Addfy cared for the horses. The blankets were next, as well as a pillow for Pops who would be moved to the wagon last. This would be an undertaking for the two women, though both were strong enough, Angie from moving patients and Addy from moving freight. They had not worked together moving something or someone. Though Pops did not weigh that much, he would almost be dead weight.
Angie looked toward the barn as Addy was leading out the horses. "Wagon's ready. "She called out as she started forward to lend a hand hitching the team. "Loaded up some food and water, too."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Addy smiled as she led her team from the barn. She'd turn Angie into a teamster in no time! "Looks like ya done right good there! Let's get these brutes hitched up, an' we'll be on our way."
Working together, they finished with the team as the first glow of dawn was tinting the sky. "Gonna be a nice day," Addy observed, "leastways don't look like there's gonna be any rain."
The conditions seemed right for a good trip, and they should make good time.
"So, let's close up an' see 'bout gettin' Pops loaded up. I think if I get him under th' shoulders an' you get his knees we can get him out, then figure th' rest..." Actually getting the man into the wagon was going to be a challenge.
"Looks like ya done right good there! Let's get these brutes hitched up, an' we'll be on our way."
"Yes, let's, and thank you. Lots for me to learn out here, and I've always thought of myself as a good student, and that being said, you are a good teacher." Angie told her as they led the horses
"Gonna be a nice day," Addy observed, "leastways don't look like there's gonna be any rain."
"That's good, I think, this country is just so beautiful. I know I keep saying that, but it's the truth. Lush, green, and trees everywhere, it takes the breath away!" But then it was back to the business at hand, Pops, as Addy reminded her./
"So, let's close up an' see 'bout gettin' Pops loaded up. I think if I get him under th' shoulders an' you get his knees we can get him out, then figure th' rest..." Actually getting the man into the wagon was going to be a challenge.
Both women were of good size, and Angie had been moving patients for a good many years. While Addy, with the constant heavy lifting of cargo in and out of the wagon and dealing with the teams as well as handling the reins on the stage coach, they were not dainty, nor weak by any means.
"Yes ma'am, let's get this show on the road!" Angie said.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
It took a good deal of pushing, pulling, hefting and laughing -- a comedy of errors that Addy was glad no one had witnessed -- to get Pops settled into the back of the wagon. After that, there were a few quick things to take care of, and they were on the road with Gus
The shadows were still long and the Sun just showing through the trees when Addy turned off the main road onto a short drive that lead to a ranch house, barn and yard. Several mutts ran to greet them, barking madly as they exchanged excited play with Gus. The commotion brought out a woman and boy of about twelve from the house, and a man and older boy from the barn.
"Addy!" the woman called, smiling. "What brings you here?"
As the small ranch family gathered around, Addy explained the situation and introduced the new doctor. "This here's Doc Laurant, she's gonna be workin' at th' new hospital there in Kalispell. Was a good thing fer ol' Pops she was with me. Angelique, this here's Dave Hagen, his wife Lisa, an' th' boys are Luke an' Daniel."
The boys in question had already run off to the barn to saddle up.
"Pleased to meet you, doctor," David greeted. "We're happy you were able to see to Pops, he's a good man. Will he be all right?"
"Pleased to meet you all as well." Angie greeted the Hagen family, "Pop's should be just fine once we get him to Kalispell and help there." Which was true, the care that he could receive there would make all the difference. "Glad I was along and glad we were able to get preliminary treatment started. He's tough, and I believe it would take more than being caught in a trap to take him down."
It had been one of those things that happened where the right people were in the right place in time to help out someone in need. Pops would be fine once they had him in town with the doctors there with the medications to help the man back to full health. It could have been much worse. but, it could have been some better; however, it was what it was, and they had been in time to save him from the loss of his foot.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"We know you'll take good care of him," David commented, glancing toward the barn as the older of their boys galloped out on a bay horse, headed for the station. "Dan will see to things until someone gets here."
"I thank ya fer that," Addy answered with a nod and a touch to the brim of her hat. "I'll get someone on th' way soon's we get ta town."
Lisa had disappeared into the house, and now returned with a bundle wrapped in a linen cloth that she handed up to Angie. "Here's some fresh bread, cheese, butter and a jar of my strawberry preserves...you'll need to eat, and I won't take no."
So this was Western Hospitality, and it was refreshing for a city girl used to the hustle and bustle of city life where people were too busy to hurried, too stressed to be as caring as they might. Living out here would be an experience unlike any she could remember, and it thrilled her to the core.
"I appreciate your generosity, my being new out here, it is beyond refreshing," Angie said as she accepted the foodstuffs that were presented to them, as well as humbling to know how real neighbors responded in a time of need out here.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Thank ya." Addy touched the brim of her hat again, then snapped the lines and they were off again. "Nice folks, th' Hagens, but most folks are like that here...yer not friendly ta yer neighbor, they might not be there when ya need help." She glanced behind them, glad to see that Gus had decided to stay behind. The dog did a lot to keep things safe around the station, and wasn't really suited to being in town.
"'Course, that don't mean everyone's so nice, but it's more important in a small place like this that ya keep congenial with yer neighbors." Addy shrugged. "Reckon in a big city, ya might be better off keepin' to yerself. Dunno, th' closest I come ta that was when I was drivin' wagons durin' the War, an' everyone was all in yer business, tellin' ya what ta do an' where ta go." She pondered for a moment. "Reckon it made sense ta keep ya safe an' outta trouble!"