Her eyes closed for a long moment. “Yes. It was much worse as I was driving in, but it’s fading now.”
“You didn’t answer me about feeling anxious. Could that be why you fainted?” More than anything, he wanted her to feel comfortable and know that he wasn’t accusing her.
The look in her eyes reminded him of a deer’s eyes when it was caught without cover. “Well ... uh ... there’s been a lot going on lately. We lost our grandfather. But I’m fine. Really.” She stood and straightened her coat over her sealskin pants.
The tonic bottle fell out of her pocket onto the animal skins that covered the floor.
With a glance down, she snatched it up and stuffed it back into her pocket.
Peter kept his voice calm. Without judgment. “We’re going to have to discuss that sooner or later.” He pointed his gaze to where she’d stashed the bottle.
Her shoulders slumped. “I am fine. I admit there’s been a lot of added stress lately. Yes, it’s made me anxious. The headaches get worse with that. But I’m managing. I promise.” With both hands, she wound her hair back into a knot and tied it with a leather strip. “How are the villagers? Have you been able to figure out what it is?”
Well, he had two choices. Continue his questioning and potentially push her away and lose her trust. Or give her some space and allow her to win this round. Since they’d buried Chuck two days ago, he would give her some leeway. “It appears to be measles. Which is what I suspected. But it worries me.”
Whitney nodded, her eyes clear. “I’ve had the measles, so allow me to lend my help and support in any way that I can. It also helps that most of the children know me well. The adults too.”
“I appreciate that, but I think you need to rest first. You can assist me first thing in the morning.”
She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not an invalid, Peter Cameron. I’m fine. Let me help.”
He held her gaze for several seconds. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You eat. A hearty meal. Right now.” He raised his eyebrows and waited.
“You want me to cook something? Now?”
“No need. Amka’s mother told me she would bring over some stew. Since the night will most likely be long as we take care of the patients, we should eat to keep our energy up. But don’t hesitate to let me know if you need to sleep at any point. We can’t have any more fainting spells.”
Whitney rolled her eyes at him. “Yes,Doctor. Good grief, it’s—”
The door swooshed open, and Amka entered with her mother. They carried trays of food.
Perfect timing. He smiled. “We can eat in here and then get back to the children.”
Amka brushed her hands on her tunic after setting the tray on the floor. “Whitney, you will stay with me and Mother. Father and my brothers will move in here with Dr. Peter.”
Amka’s mother left without a word. Was it their culture that women not spend time with men they didn’t know, or was the woman wary of him still? Many of the natives looked upon white men—especially doctors—as untrustworthy. With good reason. Too many supposed doctors had come through over the years, peddling their fake medicines and stealing from the villagers.
“How are my teams?” Whitney’s voice turned tender.
“Good, good. Fed. Watered. And Yutu is playing with them now.” Amka put a hand over Whitney’s. “No need to worry. They are in excellent hands. Now eat.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Peter sat back down on the floor. “You will join us, won’t you, Amka?”
The beautiful native woman looked between them, waiting for Whitney’s nod. When it came, she smiled.
“I would enjoy that. Thank you.”
Madysen shivered under all her layers of clothing as she left the cheese kitchen. Maybe it was her imagination, but it felt like the temperature had dropped a good fifty degrees since she came out here. That couldn’t be right. She checked the sheep pens and milking shed while she was at it. At least the sheep were locked up tight and in shelter.
Heading to the house, the more steps she took, the more the chill reached her bones and the faster she went.
“There’s my beautiful wife.” Daniel’s voice came from behind her.
She shot him a smile, but kept walking. “Your wife is exceptionally cold at the moment.”
