Swinging her legs over the side of her bed, she stretched and then looked at the clock. After eleven in the morning! Good heavens.
She jumped up and raced around to gather her clothes.
A knock sounded at her door.
“Come in.” She pulled her dressing gown over her frame and tied the sash.
“Morning, sis.” Madysen peeked through the doorway and then carried in a wooden tray. “I brought you some eggs and biscuits.” Her tiny feet padded around the bed toward her.
“Thank you. I can’t believe I slept this late.”
Maddy set the tray on the end of the bed. “Oh, I can. It was late by the time you made it home last night, and from what Dad told us, you probably haven’t slept the past week.”
She shrugged. “I have to admit you’re right. But it felt good to help Peter minister to those men.” Whitney climbed back up on her bed and tugged the tray closer as her stomach rumbled. “Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome.” Maddy climbed onto the bed facing her. “You look rested.”
Whitney pushed her hair out of her face and realized her braid had come undone in the night. She must have slept hard. “Ifeelrested.”
Her youngest sister leaned forward and grabbed her hand. “It’s good to have you home.”
With a squeeze, she patted Madysen’s hand. “I can honestly say I’m glad tobehome.” She sighed. “I’m sorry for my behavior lately. I don’t know what’s been wrong ... but Dad and I talked.”
“Wow. Like ...talktalked?” Her sister’s eyes were wide. “That’s a first.” Her hand shot over her mouth. “Sorry.”
“That’s all right.” Whitney shrugged and let out a small laugh. “I guess it is pretty shocking after how I’ve treated him. But yes ...talktalked.”
“Are things better between you?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen him since. But I will admit that he gave me a lot to think about. That and, well ... Peter.”
“Does that mean that you’ve come to care for the good doctor?” The sly grin on her sister’s face caught her by surprise.
“No.” She put a hand to her chest. Even if she admitted it was true, there wasn’t any way he could ever feel the same for her. Not after what he’d shared about Charlotte. Whitney could never measure up to his soul mate. “Not like that. But heisa good friend.” It was best for her to keep reminding herself of that. “Besides, I’ve allowed Judas to court me.”
For the first time in several days, her mouth watered with the craving for a swig of whiskey.
Ever since she’d handed over her flask to Peter and the reality of her actions had hit her square in the face, she had been able to push it from her mind. So why had it come back with such a vengeance now?
“He asked about you several times while you were gone.”
Whitney refocused on her sister. “Who?”
“Judas, silly.”
“Oh.” She took a bite of biscuit to cover her lack of interest. She might be courting the man, but that didn’t mean she was in love with him. In fact, she’d hardly thought about him while she was gone. What did that say about her?
A change of subject was in order. “How’s Ruth doing?”
“Losing Stan hit her hard, even though I think a part of her expected the news. Dad has been so gentle with her, but Eli and Bethany also took it hard. They grew up with their uncle around. Ruth cries herself to sleep every night and misses her children terribly. That’s the one thing that I think can fill the hole. But you know as well as I do there’sno chance she will be able to see them until the first ship comes in and she can go home.”
Whitney gasped. “She won’t leave, will she?”
“At this point, I think she wants to be with her children. And who could blame her?”
“I can’t imagine what she is going through.” Whitney rubbed her forehead as the throbbing in her head started up. “Could you bring me some hot water?”
“To wash your hands?”
