Hearts of Iron (Book 7 in the Legacy of Love series)

Chapter 4: Two Worlds

Clara Belle Carter knelt beside the injured worker, her hands steady as she cleaned the wound on his forearm. The midday sun spilled through the open doors of the trading post, illuminating the wooden counters stacked with goods from distant places. The man, gritting his teeth, held his arm out obediently, his face pale but determined not to flinch. Clara Belle's mother, Caroline, stood nearby, quietly instructing her daughter as she worked, her presence calm and grounding.

"Press a bit harder, Clara Belle," Caroline said gently. "He'll be fine, but we need to stop the bleeding first."

Nodding, Clara Belle followed her mother's directions, her touch gentle yet firm. She knew she was under watchful eyes; customers and curious townsfolk wandered in and out, some pausing just long enough to see what the commotion was. The Carter trading post was a hub for locals and travelers alike, a place where goods, news, and stories flowed as freely as the river nearby. It was no surprise that a small crowd had gathered around them now, observing the spectacle of Clara Belle's budding medical skills.

"I didn't know you had such a gentle hand, Miss Carter," the worker said through a pained smile. He looked at her with admiration that made Clara Belle blush slightly, though she kept her focus on his arm.

"Learning from the best," she replied, glancing up at her mother, who offered an encouraging nod. Despite her youth, Clara Belle had been helping her mother with small injuries and ailments for as long as she could remember. But today felt different. The gravity of the injury, the audience watching her, and the pride in her mother's gaze all settled heavily on her shoulders, and she was determined to prove herself.

Across the room, her older brother, Charles, leaned against the counter, surveying the scene with a critical eye. Tall and lean, with an air of quiet authority, Charles was more accustomed to dealing with figures and trade routes than injuries. However, he observed with interest, his expression one of approval mixed with a hint of unease. The Carter family was stepping into roles they had not anticipated, adapting to the times with resolve and resourcefulness.

Clara Belle finished dressing the wound and looked up with a smile, catching her mother's approving nod. "There," she said softly to the worker, "you're all set. Just take it easy for a day or two, and if it starts to swell, come back."

The man gave her a grateful nod and eased off the stool. "Thank you, Miss Carter," he murmured, dipping his head respectfully to Caroline as well. "I'd have been in a bad way without your help."

As he left, the small crowd began to disperse, resuming their shopping and conversations. Caroline placed a hand on Clara Belle's shoulder, her gaze warm and proud. "You did well, darling. Your confidence is growing, and it shows."

Clara Belle smiled, the praise filling her with quiet pride. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed her younger siblings watching her with wide eyes from the edge of the room. Twelve-year-old Rose and two-year-old George stood side by side, both curious and awestruck, their expressions contrasting comically—Rose's quiet intensity matched by George's open-mouthed fascination.

"You'll be a fine healer one day, Clara Belle," Rose said softly, her voice full of admiration. She held her little brother's hand, who wriggled with excitement, his face breaking into a wide grin as Clara Belle approached.

Clara Belle bent down, ruffling George's dark curls. "One day, maybe," she said with a laugh. "But for now, I'll leave the big cases to Mother."

Charles approached, arms crossed but a hint of a smile on his face. "Just don't start thinking you're the family doctor, Clara Belle. We still need you to help here." His tone was teasing, but there was an underlying seriousness that Clara Belle understood. The trading post was more than a business; it was the lifeline of the Carter family, and each of them had a role to play.