14
Jean-Michel paced beside his sister’s bed, the thump of his cane growing louder with each pass.
Dr. Reilly gave him a pointed look. “Mr. Langelier, your sister will be fine. I’ve already told you that. I think you can go rest in your room now.”
“Non.” He shook his head. Collette couldn’t be abandoned. Besides, this doctor appeared quite young, so it was entirely possible he didn’t know what he was talking about.
The doctor stood and approached him, successfully cutting off Jean-Michel’s path. “It’s not a suggestion, sir.”
“I cannot leave her.”
The doctor swiped his face. “Look, I just came back to check on her. The Powell boy is already up and running around again. Miss Langelier will be soon, I’m sure of it. She just needs a little more rest. There is no indication that anything else is wrong.”
Movement from the bed caught his eye, and Jean-Michel leaned to see around the doctor.
“Frère, I am fine.” Collette pushed herself up to a sitting position. “I just got a bit more chilled than little Davey.”
The doctor went back over to her and put a hand to her forehead. “Mr. Langelier, she has no fever and no other symptoms. I simply wanted her to take it easy for a few days to ensure her health would return fully.”
Collette smiled at her brother. “Truly. Go rest. Every time I open my eyes, you are here.” She looked at the doctor. “In fact, maybe after you rest, I’d like to go for a short walk if that is allowed?”
“Most certainly. I would encourage it.” The doctor picked up his black bag. “And now, if you will excuse me, I’d like to check on Mrs. Brennan.” He exited the room.
Jean-Michel went to Collette’s side and sat on the edge of the bed. “I was so concerned. . . . I didn’t know what would happen if I lost . . .”
She patted his hand. “Don’t allow yourself those thoughts. I am fine, and more importantly, the Powell boy is fine.”
“What made you think of jumping into the river?” He knew his tone was cross, but he couldn’t help the worry.
“Someone had to save him! He would’ve drowned!”
Jean-Michel saw his sister with new eyes. Not only had she done an unselfish and truly heroic act, but she seemed all grown up. It couldn’t have happened overnight. “I am proud of you, Collette.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Merci. But you know what? I think Father would be proud too. I’m beginning to see a hint of what he wanted for me. And I like how that feels. I’m sure I will still make poor decisions and disappoint, but it’s a start.” She brushed the tears away and smiled at him. “Now tell me, have you had a chance to speak with Katherine yet?”
The question pierced his heart like a dagger. “Non. I wrote her a note when they first brought you back to the room and the doctor wasn’t sure how long it would take for you to recover.”
“What exactly did you say to her in this note?”
“That I wouldn’t be able to take our walk.”
“That’s it?” She sat up straighter and made a face at him. A face he couldn’t decipher.
“Well, I assumed that she’d heard what had happened. What was I supposed to say? I wasn’t going to leave you.”
Collette sighed one of those sighs that he’d heard many times before. From several different women. Somehow, he felt a scolding would be forthcoming. Something along the lines of how men just didn’t understand. Didn’t he know better . . . etcetera.
He waited.
She took his hand and squeezed. “You must go write to her now. Then take a nap. You look horrible.”
“Grandmother, I really need your assistance with this, please.” Katherine packed a small case.
“My dear, I’m not really sure I understand why we need to leave right now. We just arrived in Curry—”
“I can’t . . .” Tears choked her throat. How could she explain? She took a deep breath. “I can’t see him right now. I just can’t. I need time.”
“I thought you were going to go on a walk with him?”
“He canceled. Not that I blame him. Collette jumped in the river to save that little boy and Jean-Michel has been by his sister’s side ever since. But don’t you see? That’s what I have to avoid. I can’t bear the thought of talking to him just yet. My heart is all over the place. I’m so confused.”
Grandmother walked over to her and set a hand on her quaking arm. “I understand, Katherine. I do. Just promise me that you won’t avoid him forever.”
“I won’t. I just need enough time to gather my thoughts and to pray.” At least she hoped it was true. Seeking God’s help was all so new.
“All right. Let me pack a small case as well and we’ll take the train north to Fairbanks. I hear there are some lovely sights to see.”
Katherine held up her hands and watched them shake. Why did the thought of speaking with Jean-Michel unnerve her so?
They’d had such a close friendship before. In fact, she’d never felt as comfortable around anyone else. Ever. She could always share her deepest thoughts and secrets with him.
Now all she could do was worry. And shake. And be afraid.
Lord, help my unbelief. Grandmother has told me it’s a sin to worry, but I don’t know how to stop. I’m afraid, God. Please show me what to do. Give me the words to say. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A few days away would hopefully clear her mind and help her heart. If that didn’t work, she wasn’t sure if anything could.
Grandmother came back in the room with a small suitcase and her cane. “I’m ready, if you are.”
“It’s okay to leave everything else here?” Katherine hated being a bother.
“Yes, my dear. In fact, I’ll speak with the front desk before we leave if that would ease your mind.”
She nodded. Following her grandmother out the door, she thought of the way Jean-Michel had looked at her when he first noticed her across the room. Her heart had leapt and for a brief moment, joy filled her.
But then everything else came flooding back. Everything she’d been through. Everything Randall had said. Everything she couldn’t have.
If there was a way to move forward without all her troubles of the past, she’d gladly take it. But that was the problem.
It would go with her, like a ball chained to her ankle, for the rest of her life.
The thought crushed her weary heart.
She loved Jean-Michel. But she could never marry again.
Thomas picked up the heavy stock pot and set it on the stove for Mrs. Johnson. “Here you go, Cook.”
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that helps my poor back.” The older woman smiled at him and patted his shoulder.
They’d come a long way since his first days helping out in this polished kitchen. Their head chef had just about kicked him out for good because he was so clumsy.
It had been Cassidy who’d encouraged him and stuck up for him. Then her dad had come to his rescue more than once. Without the Ivanoffs, Thomas wasn’t sure where he’d be today.
The thoughts of John and Cassidy made his heart twinge. She’d been laid up for a while now after her fall down the stairs. John and Allan had a full schedule with excursions, but somehow they were taking turns being at Cassidy’s side. Thomas had been taking her place in the kitchen so they could continue to feed the crowds at the Curry, but they’d need him to return and help with tours. Thankfully, Mr. Bradley told him help was coming.
Maybe it was time he went to visit her. She was his friend after all and he’d love to do whatever he could to cheer her.
“Thomas, would you take this tray up to Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, please?”
He smiled. Perfect timing. “I’d love to, Mrs. Johnson.”
“No dillydallying.” She pointed a finger in his face and softened. “But I guess it would be fine to spend a few minutes with them and let us all know how she is doing. Let me just add a sandwich or two for you.”
He nodded and waited for her to load the tray and then grabbed it. Taking the stairs two at a time, Thomas was excited to see his friends. Even if it was only for a few minutes. They’d poured so much into him that he hoped and prayed he could do something for them in return.
With a knock on the door, Thomas plastered on a big smile and lifted the tray to his shoulder.
“Thomas, how good to see you.” Allan welcomed him into their quarters. “Maybe you can help convince my wife that she is wrong.”
Thomas laughed and set the tray down. “I highly doubt that would work, sir.”
Cassidy lifted a hand in a wave. “Come on over here and catch us up on all the comings and goings. Maybe we can distract Mr. Brennan from his current topic.”
In all his years, he’d never seen a couple more in love and more fun to watch when they argued. “I’d actually like to hear all about the current topic.” He crossed his arms. “Sounds entertaining.”
Cassidy rolled her eyes.
Allan took a deep breath. “You see, my beautiful wife here is trying to convince me that it’s all right for me to go back to work and leave her—”
“It’s not just my opinion, Mr. Brennan, and you know it. The good doctor said I was fine. I just am confined to bed rest until the baby comes.” She huffed.
Thomas chuckled at the two. “So let me get this straight. You’re worried about Cassidy, so you don’t want to leave her, but the doctor has said she is fine and you can go back to work?”
“Exactly.”
“Exactly.”
The married couple exchanged glances.
Cassidy then looked at Thomas. “He’s driving me crazy, to tell you the truth. I love the man, but he sure does need something to occupy him. And he hovers. It’s bad enough that I have to be bedridden, but I can’t even think too hard or he’ll scold me.”
“Wait just a minute—that’s not true.” Allan tapped the end of their bed and then his brow scrunched up. “I’m not that bad . . . am I?”
“Yes, you are.” She lifted her chin. “But I love you anyway.”
Thomas laughed again at them. “You guys need to do a show for all the staff. It’s quite entertaining.”
Cassidy picked up a pillow and threw it at him. “You’re not helping.” But her smile told him she wasn’t angry. Maybe a little stir-crazy, but not angry.
Allan sat on the bed next to his wife. “You’re determined that you’ll be all right without me?” At her nod, he looked at the tray Thomas had brought in. “Okay, then. I surrender. As long as we have someone to check on you every hour, I guess I’ll agree to it.” He picked up a sandwich. “As long as you promise me you won’t get out of this bed for any reason. None at all!”
She put her hand over her heart. “I promise. And Thomas is here to witness it.”
Thomas nodded. “I sure am, Mr. Brennan. Now can we please eat?”