A Man Who Needs Love

By Doreen Milstead

Woman Alone On The Oregon Trail: God Is My Only Companion, Against all advice, a newly-certified woman doctor from back east travels alone on the Oregon Trail, headed for California to help a man she met through correspondence and to assist him in nursing sick Native Americans through a virulent smallpox epidemic.

Mary Finds Charles In The River, is a love story about faith and the human spirit. When a young woman sits reading her bible by a favorite spot on the riverbank, a wild-looking black stallion that plunges into the water surprises her, throwing off its rider.

Ana & The Man With Far More Children Than Expected - When Ana signed up as a schoolteacher in California, she thought she was going to be working in a schoolhouse near Sacramento.

A Family For Jacob -- Jacob knew he was dying but wanted a family and son more than anything else in the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365547508

Book preview

A Man Who Needs Love

A Man Who Needs Love

By

Doreen Milstead

Copyright 2016 Susan Hart

Woman Alone On The Oregon Trail: God Is My Only Companion

Synopsis: Woman Alone On The Oregon Trail: God Is My Only Companion, Against all advice, a newly-certified woman doctor from back east travels alone on the Oregon Trail, headed for California to help a man she met through correspondence and to assist him in nursing sick Native Americans through a virulent smallpox epidemic. She also plans on helping him with a school as well, and spreading the word and love of God. Many obstacles lie in her path but she finds comfort in God on the lonely trail, and with her horse as the only living being by her side, the solitary journey begins.

January 1859, George Washington University

There she is, Peter Scovill nudged his colleague to get his attention.

She doesn’t seem old enough to even be out of the schoolroom, remarked Justin Barkley.

Well, that may be, but my aunt says she’s brilliant and has the soul of a saint.

Really, Justin was impressed, having met Peter’s aunt and having great respect for her. So, did your aunt happen to mention why it was so important that I meet her tonight?

Peter looked at his friend and tried to hide his grin, Well, it seems that Miss Sawyer is taken with the notion of traveling to California, to be of help to the Indians there. She believes God is calling her there.

Wow… Does she have any idea of the perils that kind of journey hides? I am not looking forward to spending the next several months traveling from sunrise to sun set.

Your train leaves New York in two days’ time?

Yes. I’m heading out first thing tomorrow morning. I’ve missed my dad and brother so much. Justin thought back to what awaited him in California. Having done much of his growing up there, it had been very hard for him to leave his childhood home and travel to the East Coast and medical school.

Justin had always been fascinated with the workings of the human body, and attending medical school had been the fulfillment of his lifelong dream. The six years that had been required dropped away as he envisioned his homecoming in several months. They had been arduous and full of disappointments, including the passing of his mother, which he had been notified of by mail.

Not being there to offer his dad or brother comfort, or to pay his last respects to his mother’s grave had tested his resolve; his dream of becoming a frontier doctor had won out.

Finishing medical school several weeks earlier, Justin had been sought after by many hospitals, wanting him to stay on the East Coast and use his talents and research skills for them. He had declined any and all offers, since his goal was to return to California as soon as possible. He would be leaving New York in two days’ time, in order to reach St. Joseph, Missouri with ample time to prepare a wagon train for the journey home.

Pulled from his ruminations by another nudge from Peter, he blinked at the realization that he had been maneuvered across the room and was almost upon the young lady they had been discussing.

Excuse me, stated Peter as they reached her hearing.

Looking up from where Jenny had been studying the various foods laid out on the buffet, she was startled to see two gentlemen standing just beside her. Blushing as she realized they were indeed speaking to her, she tentatively offered, Yes, can I help you?

Peter offered her best smile, Ma’am, my Aunt Josephine Tillman asked me to look in on you this evening.

Jenny smiled; Aunt Jo was one of her favorite people and a source of continued encouragement and unfailing support. You must be Peter then. Jenny held out her hand, which Peter promptly took, placing a brief kiss on the back of her hand and bowing gallantly.

Turning to the other man, Jenny asked, And you are…?

Sorry, I’m completely forgetting my manners. Miss Sawyer, can I introduce you to Justin Barkley? Peter watched as Jenny offered her hand to Justin. I believe you and Justin have a common interest.

Oh? And what might that be? asked Jenny as she retrieved her hand and looked at Peter.

Peter smiled, California. My aunt tells me you are thinking about making the journey after you take your board exams. Justin here grew up in California and is heading home in a few days’ time. Aunt Josephine thought you might enjoy speaking with him.

Jenny knew she needed to contain her enthusiasm, or risk scaring Justin off, but this was too good to be true. She had been reading some of the newspaper articles coming from the California mining towns and had been appalled at the lack of proper medical care available. Combine that with the reports of the Indians and how they have suffered from the Whiteman’s diseases, and her fate had been sealed.

Jenny would be taking her medical board exams in eight weeks time, and then her desire was to head out for California. Having no family to speak of, she had been grateful for the advice and support of Sister Josephine Tillman and Reverend Pyle through the years.

Jenny had first met the Reverend as he was visiting a sick child on the ward where she was doing her final pediatric rotation. Jenny had always volunteered for the night shifts, as she enjoyed the quiet and found a sense of accomplishment in being able to get to know some of the patients during the wee hours of the morning.

She had also found it comforting to have time to pray and read her Bible when everyone had been calmed down and lured into sleep. Her faith was what had sustained her through her teen years as she saw not only her mother pass away, but also a freak accident claim her father and two younger siblings. Without God, Jenny knew she would have given up and wasted her gifts.

Sister Josephine had come along several days later; Jenny had been instantly taken with the confident woman who made sick children giggle and laugh with her stories. Jenny had often found a reason to stick around and hear the stories herself. All of them spoke of hope, joy, and life – the very things that drove Jenny’s dream of becoming a doctor.

Justin watched Jenny’s face and was curious as to what she had just been thinking about; it appeared to have made her both happy and sad. Gesturing towards an empty table, he inquired of her, Would you like to sit for a few minutes? Peter tells me you’re thinking about making the journey out West later this year. Having made the journey once, and getting ready to head back, maybe I can answer some of your questions.

Jenny eagerly nodded, That would be great. I have so many, I’m not really sure where to start.

Justin grinned and waited until she had taken her seat before sitting himself. So, what are you hoping to accomplish by going to California?

Jenny felt the heat rise in her cheeks again, I want to work with the Indians, mostly. I’ve read horrific stories of their plight and believe I can help. I believe God would want me to offer whatever assistance I can.

Justin admired her confidence. You really need to speak with my brother if you want to know about Indians, he told her.

Looking around for the presence of another man, Jenny turned back to Justin when she found no one else standing next to them, I’m sorry, I don’t see him. If you could point him out to me, maybe I could invite him to join us?

Justin laughed, That would be mighty hard, since he’s still in California.

Jenny was confused, he had just stated that she should speak with his brother, but his brother was not here? But you said….

Justin held up his hand to ward off her question, Yes, but it was only a wish. My brother Trevor works with the Indians near where I grew up. He started a school for the children and helps the parents, who are willing, to learn to read and write.

That’s amazing. I would definitely love to talk with him. Jenny was silent for a few moments, and then a thought occurred to her, What if I started writing to him? Do you think he would have time to write me back? I wouldn’t want to impose upon him.

Justin nodded his head, I’m sure he would be more than happy to answer your questions. If you have a piece of paper, I’ll give you his address. Seeing Peter approaching the table and looking at his watch, Justin hurriedly wrote down Trevor’s address on the paper Jenny provided.

Justin, I hate to interrupt, but if we don’t head out, you’re going to miss the train to New York.

Rising from the table, Justin held his hand out to Jenny, Miss Sawyer, it was a pleasure to meet you. Please, write to my brother. I know he’ll have no problems answering your questions.

Taking the proffered hand, Jenny shook it and then dropped it saying, Thank you again. I enjoyed speaking with you.

Be sure and tell my aunt that I was a good boy and introduced myself to you, Peter requested.

I will be sure to do that. It was nice meeting you as well. Turning back to Justin, Jenny offered, Have a safe journey and I will keep you in my prayers. God speed.

Justin nodded his head and then turned and left with Peter. Jenny watched the young men leave, holding the piece of paper with Trevor Barkley’s address tight in her hand. She would write to him first thing in the morning.

February 12, 1859

Mr. Trevor Barkley

Carson Valley, California

Dear Sir,

Please forgive my forwardness, but I had a chance to meet your brother, Mr. Justin Barkley, last evening and when I found out he was from California I was overcome with enthusiasm and questions. I believe I quite overwhelmed him. My name is Jennifer Sawyer and in a matter of a few weeks I hope to be a board certified physician.

When he found out the context of my questions was in regards to the Indians, he was adamant that I contact you and ask my questions from an expert. I would like to say that I believe it is a noble cause, what you are doing with the Indians.

I am in the process of finishing studying to take my medical board exams. After which, I will be actively looking for an opportunity to travel to your part of the country. The stories, which have reached us here on the Eastern Seaboard, are very sad. The plight of the Indians and the impact upon their health white men have had is appalling. I would love to be part of helping ease their suffering.

Justin told me that you were teaching their children and also the parents to read and write. I would love to hear about your experiences. Please write to me at the enclosed address. I will be praying for your brother’s safe travels and quick return to your family.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Sawyer

Jennifer finished reading her letter one more time and then folded and placed it in the envelope. Donning her coat, she hurried out into the cold and walked the two blocks to the local post office. After dropping the letter off, she returned home to her studies. There were only six weeks left before the board exams, and Jenny planned to pass them with flying colors.

As she settled down to study, she wondered how Mr. Trevor Barkley would receive her letter.

Trevor took the envelope Tom Flanders handed him, looking at the return address and wondering who could be writing him from Maryland. He had received a telegraph from Justin several days earlier letting him know that he had reached St. Joseph, Missouri and would be heading home on the first wagon train of the season. He was expecting to arrive sometime in May.

Opening the envelope, he pulled the letter out and started to read. The way the letter was worded amused him as he envisioned a very proper young lady sitting at her very proper writing desk composing the letter. She had better leave all of that properness on the East coast; there was no room for that here.

After reading the letter, he headed off to the school and began his day. Thoughts of the unknown Miss Sawyer plagued him all day, and he finally decided he would respond to her letter.

As the schoolroom emptied, he sat down and composed his response.

March 1, 1859

Miss Jennifer Sawyer

Baltimore, Maryland

Dear Miss Sawyer,

I received your letter. Thank you for your prayers; they are greatly needed by many here.

I hope that studying for your exams is going well. Good luck! Please let me know the outcome.

Working with the Indians has been a life changing experience. In addition to teaching them to read and write English, it has been my great pleasure to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have seen many of them come to Christ and can’t imagine doing anything else.

What type of medicine are you hoping to practice in California? How do you plan to get to California? As of yet, the railroad does not come this far, so that only leaves the wagon trains. From what I hear, that is a very long, and strenuous journey. Will your family be making the journey with you and relocating to California?

I look forward to your next letter. I came across this verse today in my meditation time with the Lord –

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’

- Job 37:5-6

I see evidence of this every day. I hope that you also see how marvelous God is.

Oh, please think of me simply as Trevor. The formality of your previous address makes me think of an old man.

Sincerely,

Trevor

Jennifer was so excited to open Trevor’s letter, she