Tubby scratched his whiskers. His gaze darted between her and the two men. “I’m not leaving Jo alone. This is precious cargo.”
“I’ll arrange for some female company for Josephine tonight.” Marty patted Tubby’s shoulder. “You can return your crew to Juneau. I can’t begin to think of how I would explain any mishaps to my future bride.”
“I’ll be back this way first thing in the morning. Rest up, Jo.” Tubby kissed her cheek. He stopped briefly to talk with Dr. Miller.
Marty escorted Tubby out of the infirmary while Dr. Miller lingered at her bedside.
“Well, well, you were the picture of health this morning.” Dr. Miller draped a stethoscope over his tweed vest.
“That was before my dog decided to play with a bear cub. I ran into a branch when the mother bear charged me.” Her attempt at a smile cracked the dried blood on her cheek.
The silver-haired doctor lifted her bangs and inspected the gash on her forehead.
The pull of her skin made her stomach roll on an imaginary wave.
“Please don’t cut my hair.” It had taken months to grow out, and she didn’t want to be mistaken for a boy again. Once was enough. “I’ll tie it back.”
“I can work around your hair. Your temple needs a few stitches, but no rest for the weary. The tree gave you a concussion.” The doctor turned his attention to her arm. He tried to straighten it.
“Ow, ow, ow.” Her left hand squeezed the mattress so hard it thinned to the thickness of a sheet of paper. Rapid breaths chanted from her mouth as the doctor squeezed her wrist. “Is it broken?”
“Afraid so.” The doctor wrapped her arm with a cloth bandage. “A sling for now until the swelling goes down. I’d give you something for pain, but that would make keeping you awake nearly impossible.”
“You won’t mention my accident, will you?” She shimmied her back against the pillows.
Dr. Miller chuckled. He threaded cat gut through a needle. “It’s Marty you should be worried about. Don’t know if he can hold up under the interrogation of your sister. I wouldn’t dare get Juneau’s favorite writer in trouble.”
The doctor placed a warm, iodine-soaked washcloth on her forehead.
Every muscle in her body seized. Her fingernails embedded into her palm. Was that iodine or rock salt on that rag? She had done a thousand stitches, but not on skin. Her back arched when the needle pin-pricked her forehead. Closing her eyes, she tried not to hyperventilate.
The clickety-clack of heels caught her attention. Through a haze of searing pain, she spied the ruby-lipped smirk of the madam at Marty’s side. Josephine tensed.
“Wanda, you remember Miss Nimetz?” Marty pulled a chair toward Josephine’s bed.
“Ann’s baby sister. Of course, I remember.” Wanda flared her skirt and lounged in the chair. Fortunately, the striped leggings were gone or hidden by the longer skirt. Josephine didn’t think she could look upon those dizzying stockings tonight.
The familiar scent of peppermint and tobacco wafted toward Josephine. No whiskey soured Wanda’s breath. At least with Wanda sober and at her side, Josephine wouldn’t have to worry about unwanted visitors.
“Wanda’s offered to stay with you. Captain’s orders,” Marty said.
“Absolutely no sleeping, young lady,” Dr. Miller warned. “I’ll be in tomorrow to see how that wrist’s doing.”
No sleeping? How would she keep her eyelids open when it felt like an anchor rested on each one? “I’ll do my best.”
Dr. Miller nodded and strolled in the direction of the men in the far beds.
As soon as Marty and Dr. Miller left the room, Wanda hopped to her feet and inspected Josephine’s wrist.
“Not bad,” Wanda said, “I’ve seen worse. One pointing due north even.” She lifted Josephine’s bangs.
Josephine gasped. She shivered as Wanda’s fingers grazed her stitches.
“Won’t hardly notice that scar with all your hair.” Wanda’s hand slid down and stroked Josephine’s neck. She fingered Geoff’s locket. “Bet they’ll be more jewelry waiting for you when you go back to Mr. Chambers.”
“I won’t be going back to Mr. Chambers.” Regret swelled her windpipe. She struggled to swallow. She never dreamed her time with Geoff would end this way. How would she explain the injuries to her mother? Maybe Tubby could collect her possessions from the lodge and steal Riley away on the Maiden.
“Don’t tell me your arrangement isn’t working out?” Wanda stifled a laugh.
Josephine’s head sank back into the pillows.
“I can’t take care of Mr. Chambers with one arm.”
“Don’t you fall asleep?” Wanda patted Josephine’s cheeks. “I’ve been paid well to sit here and do nothing all night except keep your eyes open. Easy money.” The bed jiggled as Wanda propped her worn-heels on the mattress.
Beige stockings became visible. Good. No bold patterns graced the bedding.
“You’re from Juneau?” Wanda’s gaze swept over the room.
“Yes, mostly. You?”
“Boise. My papa came up here to strike it rich in the Klondike Rush. I was fourteen when he got gold fever.”
“Did he stake a claim?” Josephine hoped the conversation would keep her awake.
Wanda jumped to her feet and paced around the bed opening canisters of gauze and swabs as if they held special gifts. “A few. They never amounted to much. My mother cooked for the men on the trail. She made enough money to support my brother and me. When she took sick, I did the cooking.” Wanda grinned. “I made more money than mama.”
Watching Wanda parade around the bed made Josephine sleepy. “How’d you get to Douglas Island?”
“Took up with a prospector heading this way. We stayed together for a year and then one morning he boarded a sternwheeler and never came back.” Wanda stuffed a few bandages in her dress pocket before sitting down. “Been a businesswoman ever since.”
“I’m sorry he left.”
“Don’t be, darling. Douglas Island’s been good to me. I live in a two-story house, I’ve got money in the bank, and there’s plenty of entertainment.” Wanda’s wistful cackle disturbed a patient at the far end of the room. “And spending the night with a stranger is right up my alley.” Wanda scooted her chair closer to the bed.
“I read your article in the Companion. Is it all true?”
“About what?” Josephine’s heart rate sped. Marty knew what he was doing having Wanda keep her awake. Who else would pry into her private life at the lodge?
“Falling in love with a man with no legs. You do love him, don’t you?”
Josephine shifted her throbbing arm into a more comfortable position.
“I never wrote that in the article.”
“I saw it when you were here at the mine together. And it’s in the picture. You’re wide-eyed and smiling like a princess. Why go through all that nonsense if you don’t care?”
“Maybe I do.”
“That maybe has a bit of a yes in it, doesn’t it?” Wanda arched her eyebrows. She plopped down on the bed. Cotton balls rolled out of her pocket. “Don’t you find his form distracting?”
“Form?” Josephine remembered the night she had tumbled onto Geoff and discovered his legs were missing. That incident might as well have been a lifetime ago.
“He’s not all there. Is he?” Wanda winked seductively.
“Legs? Or…oh.” Josephine’s cheeks blazed. “I’ve seen Geoff’s legs for so long, I’m able to see past the stumps to the whole man.” She met Wanda’s curious gaze. “And he is a whole man.”
“Geoff?” Wanda giggled.
“Uh, Mr. Chambers.”
Wanda shifted back to her chair.
“I’ll be interested in reading your story next month. My advice,” she added, kicking her heels back up on the bed, “hold out for a big piece of jewelry. Mr. Chambers can afford it.”
“He didn’t cause my injuries.” I did.
“Then send the gold my way. With as torn
up as you look, you’re bound to get something valuable.”
Josephine didn’t want to think about Geoff or jewelry. The day had started out with sunshine and fern bouquets, but it had ended with injury and broken bones. She worried about Geoff falling at the lodge. Would Brice be any real help?
By nine thirty the next morning, even with Wanda’s stories and clacking heels, Josephine struggled to stay awake. A streak of adrenaline brightened her expressions when Marty and Dr. Miller entered the infirmary.
“It’s about time you two showed up,” Wanda said. “You didn’t tell me I’d have to converse all night, Martin. I’m in desperate need of a drink.” Wanda tapped Josephine’s pillow. “Remember my advice. Heal slow.” With a wink, Wanda excused herself. Her pockets bulged with confiscated bandages.
Dr. Miller eased Josephine’s arm out of the sling. A burning sensation sizzled in her wrist. She shook as if she was lying atop the Mendenhall Glacier.
“I can give you something for the pain,” Dr. Miller said. He removed a syringe from his leather case. A familiar vile graced the doctor’s hand.
“I don’t need relief. Aspirin is all.” She pulled the sheet over her limp arm.
“A little morphine will relax you and help you catch up on your rest.” Dr. Miller dabbed alcohol onto a cotton ball.
“No, thank you. I don’t like morphine. Mr. Chambers took that drug.” She edged away from the doctor and closer to her future brother-in-law. “Please. I promise to be still.”
“Settle down young lady.” The doctor’s voice sharpened. “A shot of morphine will calm your nerves. You can’t be wiggling all over while I treat that wrist.”
“I won’t move. I’ll be the best patient.”
“Marty, hold her still, will you.” Dr. Miller plunged the needle inside the morphine vial.
Marty obeyed. He slipped an arm behind her back and wrapped another across her chest. One arm was uncomfortably high and one arm was uncomfortably low. His hand anchored her hip to the bed.
“Don’t fight the doctor,” Marty ordered.
“Let go of me.”
She wiggled to free herself from Marty’s grip. His hold tightened. The waist-high sheet and blanket pinned her limbs to the mattress.
“Please. Don’t.” Her voice squeaked. “Send me home.”
Dr. Miller towered over the bed. “This will only sting for a moment, and then you’ll be nice and relaxed.”
She felt the cool swipe of alcohol against her skin. “I only need an aspirin.” Her muscles knotted. She attempted to rock herself free from Marty’s hold, but he was a boulder upon her body. “Don’t,” she screamed.
The door banged open.
Dr. Miller turned and dropped the syringe.
“Pierce her skin and I’ll pierce yours.” Geoff’s threatening voice took command of the infirmary.
And of her heart.
29
Marty sprang off the bed.
She struggled to catch her breath.
Dr. Miller stepped back into the cabinet, clinking the jars of swabs.
“Mr. Chambers? I didn’t expect to see you.” Dr. Miller adjusted his stethoscope.
With every step closer, Geoff jabbed his walking stick into the floor.
“Josephine was in a frenzy,” Dr. Miller stuttered. “I was calming her down. It’s what’s best for my patient.” He shoved his hands in his coat pockets.
Marty headed toward the infirmary door. “Now that you’re here to assist Dr. Miller, I think I’ll return to the office.”
Geoff stopped Marty’s exit with his wooden cane. “If I ever see your arms around Josephine again, I’ll need a new balancing stick.”
Marty nodded, his gaze never meeting Geoff’s glare. “Understood, Mr. Chambers.”
Geoff eased onto the bed. Air whooshed from the mattress as he shared her backrest.
“I believe Jo needs an aspirin.” Geoff laid a protective arm around her shoulders.
She collapsed into the warmth of Geoff’s chest. She thought she smelled a hint of her Cashmere Bouquet on his jacket.
“I’ll be fine now.” She straightened her elbow allowing Dr. Miller to examine her wrist. “Geoff can hold me still.”
“We’ll need to splint this arm. I’ll check its healing when I remove your stitches next week in Juneau.” Dr. Miller rummaged through a cabinet drawer. “I have to check in on your mother.”
“She won’t be staying in Juneau,” Geoff answered. “I’m taking her home to the lodge.”
She turned to look at Geoff. A dull ache throbbed in her forehead. She winced.
“It’s too much,” she said, sinking into Geoff’s embrace for support. “I’ll be a burden.”
“She’s correct.” Dr. Miller measured a splint against her arm. “There can be no use of this arm for four weeks, and she must rest for the next couple of days.”
“I understand your concern, Dr. Miller. But I’m not the man you treated in Juneau. I can take care of myself and Jo. I’ve had experience with removing stitches.” Geoff squeezed her shoulder.
She batted her eyes and tried to not cry. Geoff had removed her stitches. The stitches Ivan had given her. But it was her job to take care of him. He shouldn’t have to fuss over her injuries.
Geoff held her arm while the doctor wrapped it. Her veteran’s gentle touch and reassuring glances ignited her soul.
“I’ll make arrangements to visit you at the lodge then.” Dr. Miller packed up his bag. “Get plenty of rest. And no stairs for a few days.”
“Understood.” Geoff answered in a serious, military voice.
“Thank you,” she said, but Dr. Miller had already shifted his attention to the spastic coughing of the man in the last bed.
“Maybe Dr. Miller is right,” she whispered. “I can go back to Juneau and work something out with Ann.”
“Don’t go.” Geoff stroked her hair with a wisp of a caress. “I don’t want you to leave. I don’t want our time together to end this way. I can do this. It’s my turn to take care of you.”
She uncovered her legs and moved to the edge of the mattress.
“You can’t take care of both of us.”
He stopped her from leaving the bed. His gaze locked on hers. “I can and I will. I’m going to make this right. I’m ashamed of the way I acted with Brice.” He wrapped her good hand in his and lifted it to his face. His breath bathed her fingertips. “Forgive me, Jo. I should have remembered what Brice was like. I should have defended you and told Brice how much you’ve done for me. Please, come home with me.”
“Home?”
“To our home. At the lodge.”
He was so close. He was so sure. He was so brave. And he was rubbing a pattern across her skin that was making her insides float in the air.
Guilt welled in her chest. “I didn’t mean to hurt Brice. The burn was an accident.”
“It was a splatter. Brice overreacted. He definitely wouldn’t have survived muddied in a trench.” Geoff clasped her hand to his heart as if it was his most prized possession. “Brice wouldn’t have stayed one full day with me at the lodge. He barely lasted the night.”
Was that a compliment? She tried to smile, but the weariness of the last hours weighed her down.
“I’m glad you’re here.” And she was glad. Geoff had become part of her life. A friend. A confidant. A beau? “Dr. Miller listened to you. I had forgotten what it’s like to be frightened by the sound of your voice.”
“I don’t want you to be afraid of me ever again.” Geoff’s voice crackled with emotion. “I’m going to wrap you in blankets and spoil you for the next month.”
“With flapjacks and fish?” She straightened to be as tall as Geoff.
“With whatever you want.” He let go of her hand, got up, and pushed a wheelchair next to the bed.
She adjusted her sling. “We’ll need to notify my mother before Ann’s gossip reaches her ears.”
“Not to worry. I’ll send a message to Sophia. Better me waiting
on you hand and foot than her.” His strong arms steadied her as she sat in the wheelchair.
She reached up and wrapped a piece of his hair around his ear.
“You need a haircut.”
“Seeing as you only have one hand, your left hand, it will have to wait. I’m definitely not giving Tubby shears.”
“It can wait,” she said. “Long hair makes you look younger.”
“How young?”
“Young as me.” Her cheekbones grew hot.
The wheelchair slowed, and started, and slowed again as Geoff pushed her out the door, and down the dock. He balanced himself with the chair and his walking stick. Stop and go. Stop and go. Fortunately, her nausea had subsided.
The May breeze enlivened her senses and dulled the lingering aroma of rubbing alcohol.
Geoff guided her toward the Dorah.
“You didn’t come on the Maiden?” She remembered Tubby saying something about returning this morning.
“Nope. I came compliments of Todd Shipping. It was the least Brice could do after he saw how distraught I was when Tubby whisked you away from me.”
Geoff may have come on the Dorah but the Maiden was slipped one dock over. Before she could ask about Tubby, she heard the captain holler. “Don’t you dare put Jo on that imbecile’s ship?” The stomp of Tubby’s boots startled sea birds into flight. Tubby grasped Geoff’s’ coat. “I don’t need Brice’s charity. I brought Jo to Kat Wil on the Maiden, and I’ll be taking her home on the Maiden.”
Geoff stepped forward to reason with Tubby.
The force of Tubby’s pull on Geoff’s coat caused Geoff to teeter on his wooden legs.
“Tubby, please,” she shouted, “It’s all right now.”
“All right, is it? Look at yourself and tell me you’re the picture of health.” The captain seared Geoff with a hot hatred in his eyes. “What’s her mother going to say when she sees those stitches?”
Geoff gripped Tubby’s arms. “We’re not going to Juneau. We’re going to the lodge.”
Tubby’s head jerked toward Josephine. “Did that tree knock all the sense out of ya? How’s a man with no legs going to take care of a dizzy woman with one arm?”
“We’ll manage. Now both of you separate and stop scaring me to death.” Visions of Geoff plunging into the water seized her heart.
Until June Page 19