“Judith. Judith, open your eyes.”
She heard the male voice from far away. It was pleasant and gentle. It was the voice of someone who cared about her. She struggled to open her eyes and found the dark-headed, angry man staring down at her. He didn’t look angry anymore. Instead, his face held an expression of grave concern.
A smile touched her lips, and her eyes closed again. She was no doubt dreaming. Surely that’s what happened.
“Judith, open your eyes. Come on. Take a deep breath.”
She obeyed the order. Things began to clear a bit more. She suddenly realized that she wasn’t alone. Mrs. Turner and herdaughter were on the other side of Roman, and all of them looked quite concerned. She sat up after realizing she was lying on the pew. Roman was squatted down beside her.
“Easy does it. Take it slow,” he commanded.
“What in the world happened?” She put her hand to her head.
“I think you overheated,” he said, still watching her as if she might faint again.
“It seems I’ve done it once again. I do not bear the heat well.” She straightened and leaned back against the pew.
“It’s no wonder. You do not perspire, I’ve noticed.” Roman felt her forehead. “I’m wet with sweat, and even Mother is damp, but you’re dry, and your skin is hot to touch.”
“And quite red,” his mother added.
Reverend Knickerbacker and his wife soon joined them. “How’s our patient, doctor?” the reverend asked.
“Much better.”
“I’ve never had my sermons cause someone to faint,” Reverend Knickerbacker said smiling. “I hope that won’t be a regular thing for you.”
Judith tried to hide her embarrassment and got to her feet. “I was just apologizing. I have trouble with the heat.” Roman jumped up to stand beside her. His nearness made things all the worse.
“Yes, it’s terrible,” Sarah Knickerbacker declared. “I felt a little overcome myself. Let’s get her outside. The fresh air will help a great deal.” She handed Roman a wet handkerchief. “This might help.”
“Yes, thank you.” Roman reached out and dabbed the damp cloth against Judith’s forehead. “Did you come in your grandfather’s carriage?”
She looked up, feeling acutely aware of the man and his past with her grandfather. “Yes.” She barely whispered the word.
Roman put his arm around her waist and all but carried herout of the church. The others followed. Roman didn’t seem to notice them, however. He got her to the carriage, and the driver immediately opened the door.
“I’m going to ride home with her and make sure she doesn’t faint again,” Roman announced, climbing inside. At least he had the good sense to take the opposite seat.
“I’ll stop by tomorrow and see how you’re feeling and also speak to your grandfather,” Reverend Knickerbacker announced.
Judith eased back and closed her eyes. “That would be fine, I’m sure.”
“Driver, let’s get her home. She’s overheated and needs to rest.”
Almost immediately the carriage was in motion, and Judith knew she’d have to face the fact that she was alone with Roman Turner.
“Thank you for helping me.” She forced herself to look at him. His eyes were narrowed as if fearing she was growing sicker. “I feel quite fine now. Just a little shaken up.”
He handed her the handkerchief. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you in speaking about the lack of perspiration. It’s likely a physical condition you may have had all your life. Do you recall ever perspiring?”
“No. I never really thought about it, but I’ve never been one to sweat.”
“That’s most likely the reason you suffer with the heat. Your body has no means of cooling as it might normally do. I don’t know a lot about such conditions, but I’ll try to learn more and advise you.”
“I hadn’t ever really thought about it being a problem.”
“When you get home, it would help if you could take a cool bath,” he said.
