The Perfect Holiday, page 28
Jim seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the room. “Have you examined the wound?” he asked her, and motioned for Seth to return to the table.
Seth hesitated for a moment before giving in. With another flick of his hand, Jim directed Seth to lie down. Again he paused before lying back on the red vinyl cushion. He lay with his eyes closed, and Claudia thought her heart would burst. She loved this man, even though he had cast her out of his life, tossing out cruel words in an attempt to make her hate him. He had failed. And surely he had lied, as well. He couldn’t possibly have decided to marry someone else so quickly.
Jim lifted the large bandage on Seth’s leg, allowing Claudia her first look at the angry wound. Festering with yellow pus, the cut must have been the source of constant, throbbing pain. When Jim gently tested the skin around the infection Seth’s face took on a deathly pallor, but he didn’t make a sound as he battled to disguise the intense pain. A faint but nonetheless distinct red line extended from the wound, reaching halfway up his thigh.
“Blood poisoning,” Claudia murmured gravely. She could almost feel his agony and paled slightly. Anxiously she glanced at Jim.
“Blood poisoning or not, just give me some medicine and let me out of here. I’ve got a business to run. I can’t be held up here all day while you two ooh and ah over a minor cut.” He spoke sharply and impatiently as he struggled to sit upright.
“You seem to think you can work with that wound,” Jim shot back angrily. “Go ahead, if you don’t mind walking on a prosthetic leg for the rest of your life. You need to be in the hospital.”
“So you say,” Seth retorted.
Stiff with concern, Claudia stepped forward when Seth let out a low moan and lay back down.
“Do whatever you have to,” he said in a resigned tone.
“I’d like to talk to you in my office for a minute, Claudia,” Jim said. “Go ahead and wait for me there.”
The request surprised her, but she did as he asked, pacing the small room as she waited for him. He joined her a few minutes later, a frown of concern twisting his features.
“I’ve already spoken to the hospital,” he announced as he slumped defeatedly into his chair. “There aren’t any beds available.” He ran a hand over his face and looked up at her with unseeing eyes. “It’s times like these that make me wonder why I chose to work in Nome. Inadequate facilities, no private nurses, overworked staff…I don’t know how much more of the stress my health will take.”
She hadn’t known Jim long, but she had never seen him more frustrated or angry.
“I’ve contacted the airport to have him flown out by charter plane, but there’s a storm coming. Flying for the next twelve hours would be suicidal,” he continued. “His leg can’t wait that long. Something’s got to be done before that infection spreads any farther.” He straightened and released a bitter sigh. “I don’t have any choice but to send you home with him, Claudia. He’s going to need constant care or he could lose that leg. I can’t do it myself, and there’s no one else I can trust.”
She leaned against the door, needing its support as the weight of what he was asking pressed heavily on her shoulders—and her heart. Despite the emotional cost to herself, she couldn’t refuse.
Patiently Jim outlined what Seth’s treatment would entail. He studied Claudia for any sign of confusion or misunderstanding, then gave her the supplies she would need and reminded her of the seriousness of the infection.
An hour later, with Seth strongly protesting, Claudia managed to get him into his house and into his bed. After propping his leg up with a pillow, she removed the bandage to view the open wound again. She cringed at the sight, thinking of how much pain he had to be in.
Her eyes clouded with worry as she worked gently and efficiently to make him as comfortable as possible. She intentionally avoided his gaze in an attempt to mask her concern.
He appeared somewhat more comfortable as he lay back and rested his head against a pillow. A tight clenching of his jaw was the only sign of pain he allowed to show on his ruggedly carved features. She didn’t need to see his agony to know he was in intense pain, though.
“Why are you here?” he asked, his eyes closed as he echoed the question he’d asked when she walked into the exam room.
“I’m taking care of your leg,” she replied gently. “Don’t talk now, try to sleep if you can.” Deftly she opened the bag of supplies and laid them out on the dresser. Then, standing above him, she rested her cool hand against his forehead. She could feel how feverish he was.
At the tender touch of her fingers, he raised his hand and gripped her wrist. “Don’t play games with me, Red.” He opened his eyes to hold her gaze. “Why are you in Nome?” The words were weak; there wasn’t any fight left in him. Protesting Jim’s arrangements had depleted him of strength. Now it took all his effort to disguise his pain. “Did you come back just to torment me?”
“I never left,” she answered, and touched a finger to his lips to prevent his questions. “Not now,” she whispered. “We’ll talk later, and I’ll explain then.”
He nodded almost imperceptibly and rolled his head to the side.
Examining the cut brought a liquid sheen to her eyes. “How could you have let this go so long?” she protested. Jim had explained to her that Seth had fallen against a cargo crate while in Kotzebue. Claudia recalled that he’d had a slight limp the day he picked her up from the airport. Had he let the injury go untreated all that time? Was he crazy?
He didn’t respond to her question, only exhaled a sharp breath as she gently began carefully swabbing the wound. She bit into her lip when he winced again, but it was important to clean the cut thoroughly. Jim had given Seth antibiotics and painkillers before leaving the office, but the antibiotics needed time to kick in, and as for the painkillers, their effect had been minor.
When she’d finished, she heated hot water in the kitchen, then steeped strips of cloth in the clean water. After allowing them to cool slightly, she placed them over his thigh, using heat to draw infection from the wound. His body jerked taut and his mouth tightened with the renewed effort to conceal his torment. She repeated the process until the wound was thoroughly cleansed, then returned to the kitchen.
“I’m going to lose this leg,” Seth mumbled as she walked into the bedroom.
“Not if I can help it,” she said with a determination that produced a weak smile from him.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, his voice fading.
She gently squeezed his hand. “I’m glad I’m here, too.” Even if she did eventually return to Seattle, she would always cherish the satisfaction of having been able to help Seth.
He rested fitfully. Some time later, she again heated water, adding the medicine Jim had given her to it as it steamed. A pungent odor filled the room. As quietly as possible, so as not to disturb him, she steeped new strips of fabric. Cautiously she draped them around the swollen leg, securing them with a large plastic bag to keep them moist and warm as long as possible. When the second stage of Jim’s instructions had been completed, she slumped wearily into a chair at Seth’s bedside.
Two hours later she repeated the process, and again after another two-hour interval. She didn’t know what time it was when Jim arrived. But Seth was still asleep, and there didn’t seem to be any noticeable improvement in his condition.
“How’s the fever?” Jim asked as he checked Seth’s pulse.
“High,” she replied, unable to conceal her worry.
“Give him time,” Jim cautioned. He gave Seth another injection and glanced at his watch. “I’m due at the hospital. I’ll see what I can do to find someone to replace you.”
“No!” she said abruptly. Too abruptly. “I’ll stay.”
Jim eyed her curiously, his gaze searching. “You’ve been at this for hours now. The next few could be crucial, and I don’t want you working yourself sick.”
“I’m going to see him through this,” she said with determination. Avoiding the question in his eyes, she busied herself neatening up the room. She would explain later if she had to, but right now all that mattered was Seth and getting him well.
Jim left a few minutes later, and she paused to fix herself a meal. She would need her strength, but although she tried to force herself to eat, her fears mounted, dispelling her appetite.
The small of her back throbbed as she continued to labor through the night. Again and again she applied the hot cloths to draw out the infection.
Claudia fidgeted anxiously when she took his temperature and discovered that his fever continued to rage, despite her efforts. She gently tested the flesh surrounding the wound and frowned heavily.
Waves of panic mounted again a few minutes later when he stirred restlessly. He rolled his head slowly from side to side as the pain disturbed his sleep.
“Jesus, please help us,” Claudia prayed as she grew more dismayed. Nothing she did seemed to be able to control Seth’s fever.
She’d repeatedly heard about the importance of remaining calm and clearheaded when treating a patient. But her heart was filled with dread as the hours passed, each one interminable, and still his fever raged. If she couldn’t get his fever down, he might lose his leg.
His Bible lay on the nightstand, and she picked it up, holding it in both hands. She brought the leather-bound book to her breast and lifted her eyes to heaven, murmuring a fervent prayer.
Another hour passed, and he began to moan and mumble incoherently as he slipped into a feverish delirium. He tossed his head, and she was forced to hold him down as he struggled, flinging out his arms.
He quieted, and she tenderly stroked his face while whispering soothing words of comfort.
Unexpectedly, with an amazing strength, Seth jerked upright and cried out in anguish, “John…watch out…no…no…”
Gently but firmly she laid him back against the pillow, murmuring softly in an effort to calm him. Absently she wondered who John was. She couldn’t remember Seth ever mentioning anyone by that name.
He kept mumbling about John. Once he even laughed, the laugh she loved so much. But only seconds later he cried out in anguish again.
Tears that had been lingering so close to the surface quickly welled. Loving someone as she loved Seth meant that his torment became her own. Never had she loved this completely, this strongly.
“Hush, my darling,” she murmured softly.
She was afraid to leave him, even for a moment, so she pulled a chair as close as she could to his bedside and sank wearily into it. Exhaustion claimed her mind, wiping it clean of everything but prayer.
Toward daylight Seth seemed to be resting more comfortably, and Claudia slipped into a light sleep.
* * *
—
Someone spoke her name, and Claudia shifted from her uncomfortable position to find Seth, eyes open, regarding her steadily.
“Good morning,” he whispered weakly. His forehead and face were beaded with sweat, his shirt damp with perspiration. The fever had broken at last.
A wave of happiness washed through her, and she offered an immediate prayer of thanksgiving.
“Good morning,” she returned, her voice light as relief lightened her heart. She beamed with joy as she tested his forehead. It felt moist but cool, and she stood to wipe the sweat from his face with a fresh washcloth.
He reached out and stopped her, closing his hand over her fingers, as if touching her would prove she was real. “I’m not dreaming. It is you.”
She laughed softly. “The one and only.” Suddenly conscious of her disheveled appearance, she ran her fingers through her tangled hair and straightened her blouse.
His gaze was warm as he watched her, and she felt unexpectedly shy.
“You told me you never left Nome?” The inflection in his voice made the statement a question.
“I didn’t come here to turn around and go back home,” she said and smiled, allowing all the pent-up love to burn in her eyes.
His eyes questioned her as she examined his leg. The improvement was remarkable. She smiled, remembering her frantic prayers during the night. Only the Great Physician could have worked this quickly.
She helped Seth sit up and removed his damp shirt. They worked together silently as she wiped him down and slipped a fresh shirt over his head. Taking the bowl of dirty water and tucking his shirt under her arm, she smiled at him and walked toward the door.
“Red, don’t go,” he called urgently.
“I’ll be right back,” she assured him. “I’m just going to take these into the kitchen and fix you something to eat.”
“Not now.” He extended his hand to her, his look intense. “We need to talk.”
She walked back to the dresser to deposit the bowl before moving to the bed. Their eyes locked as they studied each other. The radiant glow of love seemed to reach out to her from his gaze. She took his hand in her own and, raising it to her face, rested it against her cheek and closed her eyes. She didn’t resist as the pressure of his arm pulled her downward. She knelt on the carpet beside the bed and let herself be wrapped in his embrace.
His breathing was heavy and labored as he buried his face in the gentle slope of her neck. This was what she’d needed, what she’d yearned for from the minute she stepped off the plane—Seth and the assurance of his love.
“I’ve been a fool,” he muttered thickly.
“We both have. But I’m here now, and it’s going to take a lot more than some angry words to pry me out of your arms.” She pulled away slightly, so she would be able to look at him as she spoke. “I need to take some responsibility here,” she murmured, and brushed the hair from the sides of his face. He captured her hand and pressed a kiss against her palm. “I’d never once told you I loved you.”
His hand tightened around hers punishingly. “You love me?”
“Very much.” She confirmed her words with a nod and a smile. “You told me so many times that you needed me, but I discovered I’m the one who needs you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me when you arrived that you intended to stay?” He met her eyes, and she watched as his filled with regret.
“I’m a little slow sometimes,” she said, ignoring his question in favor of explaining how she’d come to realize she loved him. She sat in the chair but continued to hold his hand in hers. “I couldn’t seem to understand why God would give you a sign and not say anything to me. I was miserable—the indecision was disrupting my whole life. Then one day I decided to read the passage in Genesis that you’d talked about. I read about Abraham’s servant and learned that Rebekah had been given a choice and had made the decision to accompany the servant. I felt as if God was offering me the same decision and asking that I respond in faith. It didn’t take me long to recognize how much I loved you. I can’t understand why I fought it so long. Once I admitted it to myself, quitting school and leaving Seattle were easy.”
“You quit school?”
“Without hesitation.” She laughed with sudden amusement. “I’d make a rotten doctor. Haven’t you noticed that I become emotionally involved with my patients?”
“What about your uncle?”
“He’s accepted my decision. He’s not happy about it, but I think he understands more than he lets on.”
“We’ll make him godfather to our first son,” Seth said, and slipped a large hand around her nape, pulling her close so her soft mouth could meet his. The kiss was so gentle that tears misted her eyes. His hands framed the sides of her face as his mouth slanted across hers, the contact deepening until he seemed capable of drawing out her soul.
* * *
—
Jim Coleman stopped by later, but only long enough to quickly check Seth’s leg and give him another injection of antibiotic. He was thrilled that the fever had broken, but he spoke frankly with Seth and warned him that it would take weeks to regain the full use of the leg.
He hesitated once, and Claudia was sure he’d noticed the silent communication and emotional connection that flashed between her and Seth. Jim’s eyes narrowed, and the corner of his mouth twitched. For a fleeting moment she thought the look held contempt. She dismissed the idea as an illusion based on a long night and an overactive imagination. Jim left shortly afterward, promising to return that evening.
She heated a lunch for the two of them and waited until Seth had eaten. He fell asleep while she washed the dishes. When she checked on him later, her heart swelled with the wonder and joy of their love. How many other married couples had received such a profound confirmation of their commitment as they had? He had spoken of a son, and she realized how much she wanted this man’s child.
Smiling, she rested her hands lightly on her flat stomach and started to daydream. They would have tall lean sons with thick dark hair, and perhaps a daughter. A glorious happiness stole through her.
Content that Seth would sleep, she opened the other bedroom door, crawled into the bed and drifted into a deep sleep. Her dreams were happy, confident of the many years she would share with Seth.
* * *
—
When she awoke later she rolled over and glanced at the clock. Seven. She had slept for almost five hours. Sitting up, she stretched, lifting her arms high above her head, then rotated her neck to ease the tired muscles.
The house was quiet as she threw back the covers and walked back to Seth’s room. He was awake, his face turned toward the wall. Something prevented her from speaking and drawing attention to herself. His posture said that he was troubled, worried. What she could see of his face was tight. Was he in pain? Was something about his business causing him concern?
As if feeling her regard, he turned his head and their eyes met. His worried look was gone immediately, replaced by a loving glance that sent waves of happiness through her.
