“No. I will not be responsible for what would happen if you do.”
Alexis ignored the groan that came from Cloud when he heard Sally’s last sentence. “Then it’s settled,” she replied quickly, raising herself on her elbows. “I’ll be responsible.”
Too late Sally realized her mistake. She turned to Cloud for assistance. “Can you talk any sense into her?”
“I haven’t been able to yet.”
There was a long pause while Sally examined Alexis’s wound closely. Finally, she said, “Have it your way. But remember later that you forced me to do this.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t try anything strenuous. I’m glad you realize I can take care of myself.”
Cloud was appalled. “You can’t be serious, Sally. You can’t mean to allow her out of bed.”
Sally confirmed this with a nod of her head. “You heard her. She’s relieved me of the responsibility. She may do whatever she likes.” Her tone registered defeat but when Cloud opened the door for her she gave him a dimpled smile. It was a smile of victory.
Cloud stared at the closed door, as if it would give some clue to the woman’s behavior. No answers forthcoming, he focused his attention on Alexis’s struggle to get out of bed.
“You won’t get any help from me,” he told her.
“I was not aware I asked for any,” she said. But she could not conceal her grimace as she walked to the small cherry wood breakfast table only several feet from her bed. Nor could she hide her problem finding a position in a chair that caused only minimal discomfort.
“Why do you insist on being so stubborn, Alex?” Cloud asked her after he joined her at the table. “You’ve bullied Sally into going against her judgment. You are in no condition to be issuing orders—in or out of bed.”
“I won’t stay in this room a second longer than I have to.” She lifted her chin defiantly.
Cloud pushed away from her in disgust.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. Anywhere. I do know that I’m not staying around to watch you injure yourself. You promised not to do anything strenuous. Since you have already managed to get out of bed without toppling to the floor I assume you will want to try other, equally insane things.”
“But I thought you would share breakfast with me.”
“I’ve lost my appetite.” He opened the door but his path was blocked by Sally’s husband. Cloud stepped aside to let Frank enter.
When Frank realized Cloud was intending to leave he shook his head firmly. “My wife said you would be eating breakfast here. She doesn’t think Alexis should be alone.”
“And why is that?” Cloud remained poised between taking the initiative to leave and shutting the door.
“Sally just said she was not to be left alone.”
Alexis broke in. “It’s all right, Frank. If he wants to leave he can. You stay with me and we’ll go over those books you wanted me to see.”
“Oh, no,” Frank answered quickly. “That is, er—there’s nothing to do right now, not until we hear from Scott Hansom. He’s ten days late returning from Baltimore. When he arrives we’ll have a clearer picture of our profits.”
Alexis would have liked to inquire as to the possible reasons for Hansom’s delay, but she was sidetracked by the tray placed in front of her. The aroma of freshly cooked bacon stopped her from voicing an objection when Cloud shut the door and returned to his place at her side.
“Sally made these biscuits this morning,” Frank murmured, placing two on each plate. “And this tea is freshly brewed and piping hot. Sally says you’re to drink it that way, Alexis. She told me if you insist on getting out of bed you should have as much strength as you can.”
“You see, Cloud,” Alexis said, lifting her cup. “She hasn’t given up on me completely. She’ll worry and fret and complain, but she’ll help me do what I want.”
Cloud said nothing in return. He was more interested in Frank’s barely successful attempt to keep from grinning. He glanced from the man’s angular face to Alexis’s hands holding her cup and when he made the connection between Sally’s earlier confident smile and the steaming cup of tea, he raised his own cup to his lips to hide amusement and satisfaction.
After Frank was gone Cloud enjoyed his meal, ignoring Alexis’s attempts to justify her actions. When he was done he pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair, eyeing her expectantly.
“Why are you watching me that way, Cloud? It’s unnerving. It’s as though you hope I’ll collapse any moment.”
“I believe it is inevitable.”
