Healing Hazel by Jennifer Moore

Author:Jennifer Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2022-08-29T17:06:39+00:00

Chapter 11

Hazel remained on the bench in the cloister after Dr. Jackson left. She touched her lips, feeling as if they must be buzzing. An evening breeze blew over her, but it didn’t cool the heat that spread inside of her. She leaned back, watching the moon and trying to make sense of what had happened. And, even more, trying to understand her reaction to it.

Dr. Jackson’s declaration had come as a surprise. She had been certain he held no pleasant feelings toward her. But this . . . A delicious shiver moved through her at the memory of his touch. Even more surprising than his words—than his kiss, even—was her reaction to them. It was as if his admission had awoken something inside her. But that something didn’t seem to be new. It had been there all along, and she’d simply not recognized it. What was it? Attraction? Tenderness? When she tried to give it a name, none felt fully correct. Her sentiment was a combination of emotions, some completely new and others familiar but, in this case, shaped differently.

As she considered, another emotion entered the mix. A feeling of uncertainty made a cold emptiness where there had been a pleasant warmth. Their situation was temporary. As soon as Captain Bryant and Nella were able to resume travel, Hazel would leave. Dr. Jackson must know that. He must know there was no future for them together. Did he hope for a short-lived . . . tryst? Her cheeks went hot at the thought. She didn’t think he was the type of man for such a thing. And his affection had felt genuine. But what did she know of men? Aside from her father and uncle—and now Captain Bryant—she’d hardly spent time with any man. Perhaps this was exactly how a tryst happened. And while the idea of a secret romance in a foreign land was exciting, the idea didn’t sit easy with her.

The emotions awoken with Dr. Jackson’s kiss were too real—too strong to simply be played around with and tossed aside when the time came. His feelings must not be the same as hers.

She left the cloister, feeling naive, embarrassed, and extremely foolish.

Seeing Dr. Laurent in the passageway, she called out, “Doctor, if you have a moment . . .”

He turned, and his round face lit up. “Good evening, mademoiselle. I always have a moment for you.” When she got closer, his brows rose, and he looked closely at her. “You look flushed, ma chérie. Are you unwell?”

“Just tired, I imagine,” she said, waving her hand in a lighthearted manner.

“Ah, oui. Zhat must be it.” But he continued to study her.

She didn’t think he believed her attempt to appear carefree, but she continued on. “Doctor, I helped Jakinda write a letter. It is for her husband, but I don’t know how to send it to him. I’d hoped Mikel’s father might take it, but with her condition . . . declining”—Hazel swallowed at the tightness in her throat—“I thought he should have it as soon as possible.

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