White Wind Blew by James Markert

Author:James Markert
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Retail, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781402284342
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Published: 2013-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Wolfgang searched for footprints the next morning, but the night’s dusting of snow had already melted and the wind had scattered the leaves. In the middle of his rounds, and a third of the way through his growing request list, he took a pause on the first-floor solarium to survey the woods. His face stung from last night’s attack. With his swollen tongue, he felt the hole in his gums where his tooth should have been.

Down the hillside, next to the barn, the cows were especially agitated, mooing, some in unison.

“They actually sound quite good,” Susannah said, coming up behind him.

Wolfgang looked over his shoulder. “Who?”

“The cows.”

Wolfgang laughed. Susannah moved on.

In the chapel just before Mass, Jesse approached Wolfgang, gripped his arm, and pulled him aside. “If you want me to, I can stand outside your place at night. Like a bodyguard. I know where it is and all. Wouldn’t be no trouble.”

“Thank you, Jesse,” Wolfgang said, “but it won’t be necessary. A few prayers would suffice.”

Jesse nodded and then ushered an elderly woman to the front row near the altar.

Wolfgang waited until after Mass to see Dr. Barker, and when he did, he heard Susannah’s voice inside his office. He’d evidently called her in as well, because he doubted she would have ever gone there voluntarily. Wolfgang waited just outside the door and listened.

“I saw you last night,” Dr. Barker said to Susannah. “Entering Dr. Pike’s cottage.”

“He was assaulted,” said Susannah. “I went to check on him.”

“People will talk, Susannah.”

“Let them.”

“Wait.” He paused. His tone softened. “Wait. Perhaps when you’re finished with your book, I can be of some help in getting it published. Maybe a medical journal.”

“You would do that?”

“If the work merits it,” he said. “We can both work on it. I’m going out of town for a week, but when I get back, I’d like to see it.”

“Oh, okay. Really?”

Wolfgang stepped closer to the open doorway.

Dr. Barker sighed heavily. “What should I do with Wolfgang? He continues to defy me. Just the other night we had patients from other floors up there listening to McVain play the piano.”

“I’m not sure I’m the one you should be asking,” said Susannah. “I’m in favor of what—”

“He thinks he’s giving them hope, but it’s a mirage, Susannah. Music can’t cure disease.”

“He’s lifting their spirits. And it’s taking Wolfgang’s mind off Rose.”

“And you think that’s important?”

She paused. “I think he truly believes God has sent him those musicians. It can’t stop now, sir.”

“But this isn’t about him. It’s about the patients.”

“Exactly, Dr. Barker. The patients.” Susannah paused. “I was with Frederick this morning on the fourth floor. He’s gotten stronger. He actually opened his mouth to swallow chicken broth this morning. I think he’ll live to hold his baby soon.”

“We can only pray that he does, Susannah,” said Dr. Barker. “It’s a miracle he has not gone down that chute. I thought we’d lost him.”

“Dr. Pike plays for him every night. You know that, don’t you?”

Wolfgang waited out in the hallway through a lull in their conversation.

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