seemed more concerned with staffing than with Leah’s welfare, but then she’d only known Leah for a short time. Still, it pricked her heart.
Leah worked up a smile. “Dr. Reeves expects to discharge me from the hospital next week, and I should be able to return to work the following week. But he won’t make any promises until he’s sure I’m strong enough.”
“Oh yes.” A smile lit up Miss Mayhew’s pretty face. “You must regain your strength.”
“Thank you.”
After the librarian departed, Leah reached for the latest box of candy from Clay. Her muscles strained in a good way, stretching and rebuilding the weak tissue.
She opened the box and smiled at the licorice allsorts inside. So many jolly colors and stripes and sprinkles, and the anise scent felt clean and invigorating.
Leah popped one into her mouth and chewed it slowly. The taste of coconut wasn’t one she favored, but she imagined a Hawaiian beach at sunset and ukulele music, and the taste fit.
Would Clay visit tonight? Not only was he fine company, but the visits seemed to cheer him too, especially when the nurse let him play the violin. Then he’d stroll the ward and take requests. His music was so lively, so heartfelt, so touching, and it lifted everyone’s spirits.
A dozen beds lined the long building, filled with women who worked at Camp Forrest or whose husbands served or worked there. Some had undergone surgery to remove appendices or tonsils or gallbladders, and some had been injured on the job or in car accidents.
All were weak and all were bored, and Leah was glad her friend could bring some joy.
Despite the teasing of some of the patients, Leah never thought of Clay as anything but a friend.
His manner to her was kind and generous, but he never looked at her like the other patients’ husbands and boyfriends looked at them.
Leah chewed on a licorice button, pale pink with sprinkles and a delicate flavor.
The heroines in her favorite novels would have moped if such a splendid man saw them only as friends, but Leah didn’t. The thought of any man touching her where the wolf had touched her—well, it made her sweat and hyperventilate.
Maybe it would be different if she were in love. It would. It had to. But she didn’t want to find out for a very long time.
“Good day, Miss Jones.” Dr. Reeves came to the foot of the bed with a clipboard.
“Hello, Dr. Reeves.” Leah gave him a curious look. It wasn’t time for rounds.
He wore a solemn face.
Leah’s breathing stalled.
Dr. Reeves cleared his throat and looked at his clipboard. “I need to discuss a test result with you.”
A test result?
Her stomach constricted around the tiny bits of licorice. Such a grave expression could only mean bad news. What if it kept her away from the library much longer? Would she lose her job?
What then? What would she do?
Oh Lord. She clutched the box of candy. Please help me.
10
“I’m glad you’re here, Private.” The ward nurse met Clay at the door. “Miss Jones requested no visitors, but she couldn’t have meant you. She needs cheering up tonight.”
What had happened? Clay glanced down the ward. Part of him wanted to rush to Leah’s bedside, and the other part wanted to honor her wishes and leave.
Dr. Hill had taught him to respect patients’ privacy in order to maintain trust, but right now gnawing concern drove his feet down the aisle.
Leah wasn’t reading in the chair as usual. She lay curled up in bed, clutching the blanket under her chin, staring at the empty bed beside her.
Clay made his voice as soft as possible. “Leah?”
She startled, glanced up at him, and closed her eyes. “I—I’m sorry. Would you mind? I don’t feel like talking.” Her face was as pale as on the night she’d almost bled to death.
Clay lowered himself into the chair and set the violin case on the floor. “You don’t have to talk. I could read to you.”
She shook her head and rolled over, away from him.
Clay licked his lips. “I have the violin. I could play for you.”
“No, thank you.”
What was wrong? She hadn’t withdrawn after she’d been attacked, after she’d almost died. However, his curiosity gave way to compassion. “All right. I’ll sit here and pray for you, but I’m not leaving. You shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
Leah gasped and glanced back over her shoulder, brushing black curls off her face. “They told you?”
“No one told me anything. The nurse just said you needed cheering up.”
Leah’s head