Im sure you dont.
I am exceedingly cautious.
Of course you are.
She didnt stalk away from him, as she should have. Argument over, she had won again, Luke thought.
If you change your mind, he said, theres a cot in my office. Its much more private and quiet than the patient rooms, but youd be right here, close to the action.
Something on her face softened just slightly. I am very tired. Maybe I can make use of that cot for a couple of hours. Would you wake me when the antibiotic arrives?
Of course, Dr. Martin.
She brushed back a strand of dark hair with a delicate hand. Her mouth twitched a little, and she cut her eyes to the side almost shyly. You can call me Faith, she said absently.
Why did he believe that this was a huge gesture, coming from her? The men she worked with, the trio of nerds, all called her Dr. Martin. She didnt seem to mind.
I will, he said.
A two-hour nap later, Faith felt refreshed and renewed. She should have grabbed a few hours of sleep last night, but the virus had kept her awake. Something was wrong. This disease acted like a hantavirus, but it wasnt. A mutating virus could be a very bad thing. She suspected the contagion was transmitted by diseased birds or mice, but until she had hard evidence she would not rest easy.
Unchecked, the virus could sweep across the country. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, maybe they could contain it. Stop it. Kill it, before it killed anyone else.
Lukes outer office was tiny, but there was a small anteroom with a comfortable cot, a refrigerator and microwave, and an even smaller attached bath, complete with shower. It looked as if he lived here. Perhaps he did on occasion, when it became necessary.
According to her watch, she had about a half an hour before the antibiotic arrived. The thought of a shower was more than good; the longer she imagined the feel of hot water spraying onto her skin, the more it seemed necessary. She peeked into the bathroom and saw that there were plenty of towels, soap and shampoo. In so many of the places shed worked in the past few years, a hot shower, complete with soap, would have been considered a luxury.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she began to take off her clothes. Ten minutes, tops, and shed be done.
Standing under the spray felt so good, she went well beyond her ten minutes. Her mind worked even as she stood there with water running over her face. Eyes closed, body still, she processed through her mind all the information she had collected. Usually these puzzles fell together for her in an easy fashion. Not today.
Faith had seen deadlier diseases in her career, many of them. She had treated more severely afflicted patients than those at the Carson County Clinic. But she had never studied a virus that perplexed her as this one did.
She left the shower, grabbing a large white towel to dry herself with. As she briskly dried her skin, she looked at her discarded clothes and sighed. She hated to put those dirty clothes on her clean body, but there wasnt anything to be done for it.
Unless Luke kept clean scrubs in his office. That he would do so made sense, considering the other amenities here. Her hair towel-dried and hanging over her shoulders, Faith wrapped herself in the soft white towel and stepped out of the bathroom. Where would Luke store extra scrubs? She glanced around the room quickly. On one side of the room there sat a small countertop with cabinets above and below. It was the only logical place to look.
She had gone through all the top cabinets and was bending over, reaching for the lower cabinet on the right side, when the door swung open without warning. Wake up. Your Luke stopped speaking abruptly, just as Faith stood and spun around to face him.
He stared at her. Your shipment has arrived.
Thank you, Faith said, holding the towel tightly to make sure it remained closed. It didnt cover enough, but she was decent. From breast to thigh, the white terry cloth covered her. She stood tall and maintained a somewhat professional demeanor. In many third world countries, where she worked and lived for months on end, modesty was not only silly, it was impossible. So why did she feel the heat of a blush rise to her cheeks now? I was looking for scrubs. Do you have any here? She saw no reason to explain to Luke that the clothes shed worn all day yesterday and last night did not appeal to her at the moment.
Sure. Far left cabinet on the bottom. Help yourself.
Thank you.
Luke stood there watching her for a moment longer, then turned to leave the room. Finally!
It wasnt until after he was gone that Faith realized her heart was beating too hard and her respiration was irregular. Her face was warm, as if she continued to blush, and there was a strange tingling in her toes and in the depths of her chest.
If she didnt know better, shed think she was coming down with something.
Luke wondered if anyone had ever told Dr. Faith Martin that she had a nice ass. Probably not. She probably dated guys who had more class than he did. Guys who gave her polite compliments and took her to dinner and maybe on the third date stole a passionless kiss.
No, that was wrong. Faith didnt date guys, he was sure of it. She dated professional men who were as uptight as she was.
He wanted to tell her she had a nice ass. After all, hed walked into the room and seen a good portion of it as shed bent over to open a cabinet.
On the outside, Faith Martin put on a good show of being efficiently detached and unemotional, all work and no play, a woman who never thought of anything but her work. Though shed been here less than twenty-four hours, he knew better.
Luke shook off the unexpected and inexplicable attraction to the doctor who was presently administering her newly developed antibiotic to his patients. It had been ten months since Karen had died, more than a year since hed last had sex. That was all this was. Sexual desire. Physical need. The wrong woman at the wrong time.
He had a feeling Faith Martin didnt go in for casual sex while she was on the job. She probably didnt go in for casual sex at any time. She was too old to be a virginwasnt she? But she was definitely virginal. Aloof. What man could break through that ice to find the woman beneath? Him? Not likely. He was a dismal failure where women were concerned. His wife had come to hate him in the last years of their marriage. Had they really thought a baby would make things better? How foolish. Since Karens death, a number of women had flirted with him, made it clear that they were available if he was interested. Not one of them had appealed to him, even though they had been, for the most part, sweet, pretty, available women.
Why Faith Martin, and why now?
She hadnt looked him in the eye since hed walked in and caught her wearing nothing but a towel. Her still-damp hair was pulled back as she worked. The scrubs, his scrubs, were too big for her, but shed managed to make them fit with an adjustment here and there.
Together they saw that all the patients were given the antibiotic treatment. Those who had received the medication last night were already much improved. There had been no new patients for four days, now. Maybe, just maybe, this was about to be over. Under control, at least. Then he could get Faith Martin out of his clinic, out of his town and out of his head.
Faith was pleased by the response to the new antibiotic. It seemed an effective treatment. While those who had been afflicted with the virus were not returning to
their full state of health immediately, they were no longer critical. Now she could turn her attentions to studying the virus itself.
The sheriff claimed his men had not found evidence of dead, diseased critters in the homes or workplaces of any of the victims. If he didnt come up with something soon, she would be forced to call in outside authorities to conduct the search. Shed wanted to give the local government a chance first. Otherwise they always got their egos wounded. Egos aside, she could not stand by and allow the source of the virus to remain undiscovered.
But by late afternoon, she was fading. Her short nap would not carry her through the night, and she liked working at night, when she could. The hospital would be quiet, her colleagues would be sleeping, and it would be just Faith and the lab. Faith and the virus. Faith and her world.
She slipped out without telling anyone but Molly where she was going. Shed grab a bite to eat, sleep in her motel bed and then shower again and put on her own clean clothes. This time there wouldnt be anyone around to walk in on her.
In the lobby, a young deputy sat at the reception desk. He was sound asleep. She wanted to be angry at the lax security, but she knew the deputies had been working long hours, even if the sheriff had not. But without protection, the sole remaining reporter caught up with her. The redheaded woman had a huge smile on her face as she approached Faith.
Faith knew she could turn her back on the young woman and refuse to answer any questions, but the interview was inevitable. Best to get it over with.
Hi there, the reporter said brightly. Would you answer a few questions for me? Please?
Faith looked around the quiet lobby. Sure. What happened to the others? It was a relief not to be hounded, but she had a suspicion that soon, very soon, every newspaper in the country would be interested in this story. It was intriguing. Unidentified diseases that killed always were.
They stepped out for a bite to eat, the reporter explained.
And you werent hungry?
I asked them to bring me something back. She smiled widely. And Im glad I did. Otherwise, I wouldve missed you.
Faith took a deep breath. I have very little time and theres not much I can tell you, but if you have a few simple questions Id be happy to answer them. If I can, she added.
Whats your name and why are you here? the reporter asked, her pencil poised above her notepad.
Dr. Faith Martin, NIAID. My associates and I have come to assist Dr. Winston.
The reporters eyes lit up. Great! Do you have any explanations for my readers, yet? What is Rockland Fever, anyway?
So far, the questions were easy. Simple. I can assure you and the public that the epidemic is under control. All the patients are stable at this time. As soon as I have a more definitive answer for you, regarding the disease itself, Ill make a formal statement.
It struck Faith as odd that the reporter wrote none of this down. The woman certainly seemed interested, but she really should take notes. Faith hated to be mis-quoted.
The redhead leaned in close to Faith and said in a soft voice, Little girl, little girl, where have you been? Gathering roses to give to the Queen.
Suddenly Faith felt dizzy, unable to remain steady on her feet. The reporter took Faiths arm and held on tight, whispering nonsense as she walked to the window, where a row of plastic chairs had been positioned. The window behind those chairs looked out over the parking lot. They both sat, and the reporters grip on Faiths arm remained firm.
All Faith could see of the lobby were fuzzy shapes in shades of gray. The room tilted and turned. The reporters soft words were hollow noise. They echoed in her head until she was forced to lean forward and take her head in her hands. Still, the noise wouldnt stop. God, she wanted it to stop! Eyes closed tight, she tried to breathe. And couldnt.
She was moments away from passing out, and knew it. Faith Martin never fainted. Never! She hung on to consciousness, clung to reality with the last iota of strength she could muster. Was the woman beside her screaming? It certainly felt that way. No, not screaming, whispering. Whispering words that echoed and jabbed and made no sense.
Without warning, Luke was there. He knelt down, pushed the reporter aside and wrapped his fingers around Faiths wrists. The touch of his hands was real, and it gave Faith something to hang on to. Luke very gently pulled Faiths hands away from her face and looked into her eyes. Yes, she could concentrate on his face and those blue eyes and the touch of his hands and feel her reality returning. Luke was solid; he was real.
Whats wrong? he asked gruffly.
Faith tried to answer but couldnt.
I think shes having an attack or something. Maybe a seizure, the reporter explained.
Luke glared at the young woman. Who are you?
Mitzi Chastain, reporter for the Bozeman News.
Luke released his grip on her wrists. Faith? he asked in a kinder tone of voice. Are you okay?
Faith reached out to lay a hand on his shoulder. Luke was solid and warm, and she needed that now. Colors and shapes began to return; her head no longer pounded. Ill be fine.
Of course you will, he assured her. He turned his head. Michael Franklin!
The deputys head snapped up. What? he asked sleepily.
If you cant stay awake on the job, Luke practically yelled, then call someone in to relieve you!
Michael yawned. There isnt anyone to call, Luke. Were all working double shifts.
Luke cursed, then took Faiths hand and helped her to her feet. Apparently that hand was not enough, so he slipped his arm around her waist.
Faith usually shied away from assistance of any kind. She didnt lean on anyone, not ever. But right now she took great comfort in Lukes support. She was acutely aware of his strength, his height and the way he towered over her. She felt weak and small in comparison, but she also felt protected, sheltered.
It was nice. She relaxed and let herself fall against him.
No! She stiffened suddenly. This wasnt nice. It was bad. Very bad.
Come on. Im taking you home with me, he said.
You are not! she insisted.
I am, he asserted without anger. I want to keep an eye on you for a while. Besides, Nelda always makes enough supper for a small army. Youll rest, youll eat, and if I decide youre all right Ill take you to the motel later.
She wanted to argue with him but didnt. Something was still wrong, and she knew it. Maybe it wouldnt be a bad idea to have another doctor around for a while. Okay.
He supported her gently as they walked out of the clinic. As they left the building a blast of cold air slapping against her face helped Faith to feel more aware, more awake. Luke led her away from the clinic. Yes, the air was cold, much colder than it had been in D.C. when shed left.
What happened back there? Luke asked when they were well away from the clinic.
Im not sure, Faith said in a low voice. I agreed to answer a few questions for the reporter. Mitzi. Shed said her name was Mitzi.
What did you tell her? Luke asked gruffly.
Faith opened her mouth to answerand couldnt. She remembered nodding at the redhead, agreeing to answer a few questions, and then nothing. I cant remember, she conf
essed in a low voice.
What do you mean you cant remember? Luke snapped. He held her a little more tightly as they hurried along. She saw their destination ahead. A solid log house surrounded by trees.
You live here, she said softly as he assisted her up the steps and onto the porch.
Yes.
Luke opened the door and led Faith inside, and her senses were assaulted. The tantalizing aroma of dinner on the stove filled the air, and the warmth of the house wrapped itself around her in an almost tangible comfort. Colorspillows and afghans and a bookshelf filled with books and knickknackswere a stark contrast to the grays of the hospital.
In the kitchen, a baby laughed.
Weak once again, Faith weaved back and forth on her feet. Luke held on and led her to a fat green sofa that looked very welcoming at the moment. Sit here. Dont move.
Faith was not accustomed to taking orders; she gave them. But this time, just this one time, she obeyed Lukes command.
Four
N elda took one look at Faith and decided she was the one. Luke could see it in the unnatural sparkle in the older womans eyes. It was the first time hed brought another woman into the house since Karens death, but stillDid Nelda have to look so blasted happy about this newest turn of events?
His indispensable nanny and housekeeper also decided the new doctor needed to be fed. On that account, Faith did not disappoint her. Most women, especially those as slender as Faith, picked at meals like the ones Nelda prepared. Pot roast, corn, homemade bread, potatoes. Faith ate slowly and neatly, but she didnt eat like a bird. The woman must have the metabolism of a linebacker.
They all sat at the kitchen table, Nelda closest to the stove in case she needed to refill a serving platter or bowl, Faith on Lukes left. To his right, Abby sat in her high chair and fed herself mashed potatoes. Nelda had already given Abby her baby food. At least, she had tried. Lately the baby had been insisting that she could feed herself. She could, but she made such a mess of it Nelda tried to keep the process under control. She was usually unsuccessful.
Family Secrets: Books 5-8 Page 75