Oh no. Another headache. There had to be something else he could do to help relieve her misery. When he got back tohis office, he’d have to search every medical text he owned. One more time.
Taking long strides toward her, he didn’t try to quiet his steps. Just so she’d have warning that he was approaching.
She turned and tucked something in her pocket.
Oh, Whitney. Not the tonic again. How much of a habit had this become? How did she have any left ... or was she refilling the same bottle when it emptied?
The desire to confront her fought with his compassion. Perhaps now was not the time.
Lord, I need Your divine wisdom here. Please help me understand when I need to bring up this topic with Whitney. I want her to trust me so she knows my concern is genuine and for her benefit.
“Hi.” Her voice cracked. Though he’d seen her eyes appear to be teary a few times, she hadn’t sobbed like her sisters. “Thank you for coming.”
He’d expected her to keep control of her emotions, because she was the constant strength for her sisters. But she needed a good cry. To grieve. If only he knew the solution. “I wanted to offer my condolences.”
“You already did back at the house. But I appreciate it nonetheless.” The hankie in her hand twisted with the ribbon between her fingers.
“I realize you probably would like some time to yourself, and I won’t stay, but I know you prefer talking one-on-one.”
A sad smile lifted her lips, but she wouldn’t make eye contact. “You do seem to understand me, Peter Cameron.”
That was encouraging. “I think it would be good if we made an appointment later this week for me to assess how your head injury is healing. I want to make sure you aren’t having any adverse reactions in your vision or hearing. Thoseare the most common side effects that people ignore, not realizing more damage was done than originally thought. I don’t wish to miss anything.” Maybe appealing to her logic would get her to acquiesce.
“I’m fine. But I appreciate your concern.” Wrapping the ribbon around her fingers, she stared at the ground.
“You’re not fine. You’re in pain. Another headache?” He inched closer, as if he was approaching a timid animal.
Her shoulders drooped as she let out a long breath. “I didn’t want anyone to notice.”
“It’s my job to notice these things.” Another step. Keeping his eyes on her face, he hoped she wouldn’t flee again.
She whipped around to face him, her eyes narrowed. “I don’t care.” Clamping her lips shut, she softened as tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to snap. But my family doesn’t need anything else to worry about. They need to grieve, and it’smy jobto take care of them now.”
Of course she would take the responsibility of the world on her shoulders. “All right. I won’t push for now. But I’m here if you want to talk to someone. I understand and I won’t judge. I do need to see you within the next month. Agreed?”
She shrugged. “If it will keep you from nagging me.”
“Is the good doctor nagging you?” Judas Reynolds’s smooth voice behind him made Peter frown. He turned.
Havyn and Madysen walked on either side of the man.
Peter forced a smile. “Only doing my duty as her physician.”
“Of course, of course.” Judas patted Peter’s back, then he walked past him to Whitney.
“Judas wanted to check on you, Whit, and so did we.” Havyn stopped beside Peter. “Thank you for coming, Dr.Cameron. We are indebted to you for your impeccable care of Granddad.”
Madysen stepped over to her eldest sister and linked arms with her before kissing her on the cheek. “We didn’t want you to be alone.”
“As you can see, I’m not alone. I’m fine.” The words were stiff. Without emotion. Poor Whitney.
Madysen patted her arm. “Well, I know Judas wanted to speak with you, so we will head back inside.”
John appeared beside Peter as he tried to keep an eye on Whitney. What was Judas up to? The man offered Whitney an arm and she took it.
John stepped into Peter’s line of sight. “Could I ask you a question?”
“Of course.” He moved his eyes to John, but kept his ears attuned to the other conversation happening.
