The Dark and the Dawn (Kansas Crossroads Book 3) by Amelia C. Adams

Author:Amelia C. Adams [Adams, Amelia C.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2015-05-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Despite his exhaustion, Phillip woke at dawn the next day, his mind churning with thoughts. He took an hour before breakfast to update his patient charts, and then after eating, he pulled out his stationery and penned a letter to Frank Russell, a friend who worked at Woman’s Hospital in New York under Dr. J. Marion Sims. He began with the standard greetings, then launched into the reason for his letter.

I’ve just begun working with a bright young woman who wishes to train as a nurse. Yesterday was her first experience in the medical profession, and I believe she handled herself with grace and maturity. She has great potential. However, I find myself lacking as her teacher. I’ve never taken on a student before, and I know you have trained many. What advice could you offer me?

After folding the letter, Phillip leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. He was deep in thought when Mrs. Hadley came bustling in, carrying a tray. “I wondered if you could use more coffee,” she said. “You had such a trying day yesterday.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Hadley.” He took a sip. “What do you think of Miss Peterson?”

“I like her quite a lot. How did she do her first time out?”

“Remarkably well, considering the circumstances.” He took another sip and then set down his cup. “I find myself confused by her, though. She won’t say anything about her family or where she lived before she came here. Whenever I ask a question, she gives me a vague answer and then changes the subject as quickly as she can. I feel she’s hiding something.”

“You don’t mean she’s escaping the law, do you?” Mrs. Hadley’s eyes grew wide. “She’s rather young to be a criminal, isn’t she?”

Phillip smiled and shook his head. “Mrs. Hadley, you’ve been reading too many exciting stories lately. I only mean that she has secrets, things she doesn’t want me to know. She doesn’t strike me as a bad sort—in fact, far from it. I’m just not sure why she won’t answer my questions. I haven’t asked anything too personal or inappropriate—at least, I don’t think I have.”

Mrs. Hadley chuckled. “You do sometimes overstep your bounds, Doctor, but I can’t imagine you being inappropriate. Perhaps she just doesn’t feel comfortable enough to share at this point. Some people do take longer to open up.”

Phillip nodded. He could see that being the case. “Thank you, Mrs. Hadley. I’ll keep trying, and hopefully, she’ll begin to feel more relaxed. I do know this must be a difficult time for her—a new town and job, and now, embarking on a new career with virtual strangers.”

“She’s a brave one.” Mrs. Hadley clicked her tongue. “I can’t imagine doing half of what she’s done when I was her age. I didn’t have near the spunk. Well, I’m off to do your laundry. That shirt may not be cleanable, Doctor.”

“I have others,” Phillip said absently, his mind already absorbed in the mystery of Miss Peterson. With

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