Page 21 of The Witch

His face lights up. “You won’t be sorry.”

“But I have to tell you, I get zero phone reception at Pemberton, so it’s hard for me to make plans.”

“Amazingly, people managed to make plans prior to the age of cell phones.” He glances at his watch again. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six o’clock. How’s that?”

Part of me wants to tell him that I’ll meet him wherever he wants to go, but I’m sick of dealing with the spotty GPS service around here. I may as well catch a ride.

“Fine,” I say. “I’ll see you tomorrow at six. Should I wear anything fancy?”

Henry seems surprised by the question. I get the feeling he is always well dressed, to the point where it’s not even something he thinks about. Briefly, his gaze rakes over me, and a small smile touches his lips. “No, you’ll be fine.”

“Great.”

He holds out his hand to me again, and I shake it. His palm is warm against mine. “It was very nice meeting you, Julia.”

“It was nice meeting you too.”

As I turn around and walk toward the exit, I feel Henry’s gaze on the back of my neck. As much as I’m looking forward to a dinner out, I can’t help but wonder if there’s something he’s not telling me.

15

1692

CAROLINE

Judith Hatch looks as if she might not make it through the night.

The last time I saw her, she was carrying a bucket of water from the well, her white hair tied in the neat bun behind her head, and she flashed me a friendly smile as we crossed paths. I try to reconcile this with the skeletal woman lying on the bedstead, her face flushed and damp, her eyes partially rolled up in their sockets. The parlor has the scent of death that I remember from when my father passed. And there is one other similarity:

Dr. John Shaylor.

The good doctor enters the bedchamber, rubbing his hands together. He is wearing a cloth coat trimmed with silver lace and, underneath, a duchesse satin doublet. His slightly graying hair has been clipped neatly around his long face. He is carrying a heavy black bag in his right hand, and I shudder to think of what lies within. I noted the way his face fell when he entered the Hatch cottage and found that it was far shabbier than our own house down the road. Now he is ready to get to work, but if I know this man, there is one matter that must be attended to first.

“I wish you called me earlier, Goodman Hatch,” Dr. Shaylor says with reproach. “Your wife’s humors appear to have been unbalanced for some time now. We must act immediately if we have any chance to save her.”

“Pray help us, Doctor.” Hiram clasps his hands in front of him. “I will give you anything.”

“I am very glad to hear that,” Dr. Shaylor says. “My fee is ten pounds.”

The color leaves Hiram’s face. Ten pounds is far more than he can afford. It is more money than he likely has in the entire world.

“This is a complicated surgical procedure,” Dr. Shaylor explains impatiently. “Bloodletting takes great skill. And if we don’t drain her humor straight away, I fear we will lose her.”

I hold my breath, hoping Hiram will have the good sense to send him away, since he is unable to pay. But I see in his face that he will not do that. He is too frightened of losing Judith.

“Will you take my horse as payment?” Hiram chokes out.

I wince. Without his horse, Hiram and Judith will have no way to get into town. They will not be able to visit their children or grandchildren. That horse is all they have, and I cannot allow him to offer it to that man.

This is how Dr. Shaylor barters. He names a price that most townsfolk are unable to pay, and in their desperation, they offer him their most precious possessions. The doctor took ownership of my father’s shabby home after treating him for his illness—perhaps I should be thankful that my father had no need for it after Dr. Shaylor failed to save his life.

“Yes.” Dr. Shaylor agrees. “I reckon I could accept a horse as payment. Might I see your steed?”

“I will pay,” I speak up.

“Caroline!” Hiram looks at me in surprise. “You do not need to⁠—”

“I have the money.” I am looking at the doctor now. “Do not take his horse—I will pay.”