Yes. She did. Already had, if she was honest. Did she love him?
“You really helped me, Whitney. Helped me to see that my losses weren’t about my failing the people I loved. I sat down and reasoned with myself. I’ve seen badly injured men who had no doctor to help them at all survive and come through just fine. Equally, I’ve seen men with teams of doctors diedespite having so many learned men working to make them well. It isn’t about me and what I can or can’t do. It’s about accepting that in all things God has a plan and it is His will and way—not mine.”
His words went straight to Whitney’s heart. “Yes.” It seemed very clear now. “And even though we don’t like what’s happened or approve of it, we need to hold fast and maintain our trust in God Almighty. After all, what is the alternative?”
“Life without Him.”
They sat in silence, gazing into each other’s eyes. Words weren’t necessary to continue the discussion. And there was something so very right about it.
Peter pushed up to stand, breaking the connection. “I need to get back to town. I just wanted to check on everyone and make sure you had enough supplies.”
“Oh?” She stood with him.
“The other two doctors had symptoms of the sickness, and many in town are sick. I’m afraid we’ve got an epidemic on our hands.”
“I’m so sorry. Do you need my help?” As much as she wanted to stay with her family, she longed for him to say yes.
“You’re needed here to take care of your family. But I would greatly appreciate your prayers. I wish I could be here to help, but I know they’re in good hands.” He reached for her hands. “I’ll come back and check on everyone in a day or two.”
She clasped his, and they held on for several seconds.
“Take care of yourself.” The timbre of his voice was low. Intimate.
She didn’t want to release his hands. “You too. I’ll be praying for you.”
He let go and took a deep breath. “Well, I better be going.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
But after he put on his coat and hat and opened the door, they were greeted with the howl of the wind.
“Oh no! Another storm.”
He shook his head. “I still have to get back to town. Too many people need me.”
Whitney walked out and looked at the sky. At least she could still see the barn.Lord, please take care of him.“You better take the dogs and a sled. They’ll fare better in this weather than a horse.” She took the halter of the animal and headed to the barn. “Come on. You’ll need to hurry before this becomes an all-out blizzard.”
TWENTY-THREE
Judas paced his office.
There’d been no word on anyone from the farm in several days. He sure wasn’t going to risk going to the hospital to find out anything. Not with that horrible disease rampaging through the ranks of men. He’d sent his secretary several times, and that was good enough.
Better to put someone else’s life at risk rather than his own. He was too important to the town.
The ticking of the clock blended with his steps and began to get on his nerves.
This was ludicrous. He had plenty to keep him busy.
Besides, Whitney would surely come to visit him soon and beg for his assistance for poor, dear Martin. As soon as word reached her—and he made sure that it would—she would come to her family’s rescue, and he would be obliged to help her once again.
The door opened, and his secretary entered. “These arrived for you.” She placed a few packets on his desk.
Rubbing his hands together, he dismissed her and opened the first large envelope.
He perused the document.
Perfect.
