again, even if just to thank her for her kindness. But even more, he’d like to confirm her claim that she was gifted as a healer and get to know what other gifts she might have.
“Captain?” It was Denny again.
Andrew frowned. “Is there a problem?”
“No, sir. I found a lady on the dock. She said she needed to see you.”
Andrew closed the log and got to his feet. “Take me to her.”
Denny led the way, and much to his delight, Andrew found himself face to face with the very woman who had been on his mind.
“Miss Kenner.” He tried his best not to sound overly enthusiastic. “What brings you here?”
“I heard the Morning Star was in port. Or dock. Whatever it is you say.” She smiled. “I felt it my duty to come check your arm. It has been nearly two weeks since I set the stitches.”
“Yes, I suppose it has.”
“Have you had them removed?”
“No. I haven’t had the time, to be honest. I was delivering up around Astoria.”
“Might I examine your arm and remove them now?” She held up her black bag. “I have all that I need to do the job.”
“I suppose there’s no harm in that. Come to the wheelhouse.” He led the way. Once they reached the wheelhouse, however, he paused and held the door open. “After you.”
Miss Kenner stepped past him and placed her bag on the counter. She then pulled off her gloves and began unbuttoning her coat. Andrew watched, almost mesmerized. What was it about this woman that so captivated him?
“I think you’ll find it quite cold in here,” he said. “You might want that coat.”
She shrugged out of it just the same. “I find it easier to work when I’m unencumbered. Now, please sit and roll up your sleeve.”
Andrew removed his wool coat and did as instructed. “I just stopped using the bandages. The wound has completely closed and no longer seemed at risk of oozing or taking in dirt.”
She nodded as she considered it. “It looks perfect. I’ll remove the stitches for you.”
She opened her bag and rummaged around until she produced a bottle of her family’s special cleaning tonic. Andrew’s nervous energy left him unable to remain silent.
“Say, that stuff is rather remarkable. I wonder if you might sell me several bottles. We often have wounds onboard, and I believe it would be a good thing to keep in stock.”
“I can do that,” Miss Kenner replied, returning to the bag for something else. She finally brought out a pair of tweezers and scissors, as well as a small piece of cloth. “There, now we can proceed. Do you have a clean towel?”
“Ah . . . yes.” He reached into the cupboard behind him. “It’s not very large.”
“That’s all right. I just need it so I can clean up.” She spread the towel over the counter, then carefully poured a little of the fluid over her scissors and tweezers. She finished by doing the same with her hands. When she seemed satisfied, she looked up and smiled. “I’m ready if you are.”
He nodded and watched as her delicate fingers made easy work of removing the sutures. He couldn’t help but wonder at this stranger. Why wasn’t she married with a family of her own?
“What does your beau think of you working as a physician and helping strange men?” he asked.
Miss Kenner laughed, something Andrew hadn’t anticipated. “You don’t seem all that strange to me,” she replied.
He smiled. “I meant that in the sense of us being strangers.”
“But we’re not. You’re the captain of the Morning Star, and I’m the woman who nearly painlessly stitched your arm.”
“Painless? You thought that was painless?”
She laughed again. “See there? I’m learning more about you by the minute. And to reciprocate, I am not married.”
“Might I ask why not? I mean, you’re still in your youth and not hard on the eyes.”
“I’m thirty. Quite the spinster, I’ll have you know.” She cleaned her instruments again, then put them back in her bag. Her intense blue eyes seemed to flash with amusement as she met his gaze.
“Yes, I can see that.” He smiled. She did have the most remarkable way of putting him at ease.
Just then the door opened. “Sorry. I didn’t see you had a visitor.”
“That’s all right.” Andrew motioned the old Indian man into the room. “Come and formally meet the woman who stitched me up. Miss Kenner, this is Benjamin Littlefoot, but most folks call him Ben. He’s from the Nez Perce tribe.”