CHAPTER SEVEN

“Richelleen?” Adele said.

“Yes?” she answered.

“What’s wrong, you haven’t said a word since we left the camp.”

She shrugged and turned to check on Nicholas who was napping in the back of the wagon. After a time she spoke softly, keeping her eyes on the team of matched black horses that pulled the wagon. “There is a...a position I want.”

“Yes, I know which one it is,” Adele said. “The one at the public clinic, you’re perfect for it.”

“Well, Dr. Cassell has made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t want me to have it. He’s been very evasive as to why---but he said that I lacked ‘subtlety,’ which I suppose has to do with my...directness. Apparently he thinks I’m incapable of reining in my feelings and dealing diplomatically with the other government agencies I’d be dealing with, and then there’s the lack of any kind of formal education...”

“Education?” Adele’s voice rose higher. “Why that sanctimonious so and so! You know more about medicine than Dr. Cassell ever did or ever will! How dare he...!”

Richelleen smiled in amusement at her friend’s growing ire. “Easy, easy my friend,” she laughed. “I honestly don’t think he means me any harm, he’s just....”

“He’s just a man!” Adele huffed. “It’s that old thing of ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,’ and he’s probably got some crony of his lined up to take your position.”

Richelleen hid her smile. “Really Adele, I don’t think that’s it or at least I hope that a man of Dr. Cassell’s standing would not be so base in his thinking. He has always been kind to me.”

“Humph,” Adele mumbled, shifting her hefty bottom to a more comfortable spot on the wooden bench. “If you ask me, you’re the one who’s being too kind and he doesn’t deserve you.”

Richelleen laughed. “Thanks my friend, but I think you are only seeing my side of it. I think for now we should concentrate on the issues at hand. Why do you think this meeting of the clan was called? Any ideas?”

“No, Richelleen, I don’t and I don’t mind telling you that I’m worried.”