“Yes. As soon as I finish the gravy we can eat.” Miko turned and smiled at Billie. “It’s so nice to see you again. Did you have supper yet?”
“No, I haven’t, but I don’t want to impose.” Billie realized she should have waited to come until after the evening meal. She hadn’t even given a thought to arriving just as the Laroux family was about to sit down to eat. She’d merely wanted to reach Zane and share her news with him.
Miko motioned one hand toward the table. “It’s no imposition at all. We just need to add another place setting. I hope you don’t mind eating in here instead of the dining room.”
“I much prefer in the kitchen,” Billie said. “Unless there’s a big group or a party, dining rooms seem rather formal and stuffy. Kitchen tables are so much friendlier.”
“I agree,” Miko said, spooning the gravy into a serving boat while Rock added a place setting to the table. She looked at Zane and grinned. “I’m glad to see Sleeping Beauty awake.”
“I didn’t mean to sleep away the day,” Zane said, rubbing a hand over his head, then along his shadowed jaw. Billie wondered if Rock would help him shave. One of the orderlies was good at shaving the men and had scraped away Zane’s whiskers two days ago.
“You sleep all you like,” Miko said, carrying the gravy to the table. “If you’d want to wash up, Nurse Brighton, the bathroom is just through that doorway.”
“I would like to wash away the dust,” Billie said. She removed her hat and left it and her handbag on a little stool by the telephone on the wall then went to the bathroom where she took a moment to freshen up. After washing her hands and tucking a few loose curls back into the roll she wore pinned at the back of her head, she returned to the kitchen where Rock helped Zane into a chair.
Rock seated Miko then held out a chair for Billie. She nodded to him politely and sat down on Zane’s other side.
After Miko asked a blessing on the meal, she placed Zane’s left hand on the edge of his plate. “Roasted chicken at noon. Green beans at four, mashed potatoes at seven, and a roll with jam at ten. A glass of juice is at one o’clock above your plate.”
Zane smiled at the woman and picked up his silverware then took the napkin she handed him and draped it over his lap. “Is there more of that good butter on the dinner roll?”
“Of course there is,” Miko said with a smile. “What good is a roll, hot from the oven, without butter melting into every little bit of it?”
“Now you’re talking,” Zane said, biting into the roll.
Billie might have felt a prick of jealousy if Miko hadn’t already been married to Rock. She knew the woman was trying to be helpful, but it annoyed her that Miko and Zane already seemed to have established a good rapport. Zane acted like Miko was a long-lost sister. Considering the fact he viewed Rock as a blood brother, and with great reason in light of his biological brother, she could understand why he might slide into an easy friendship with the lovely woman.
Not that Zane knew she was lovely, but still.
Billie hated to admit it, but she was the tiniest bit envious that Rock had gotten past the crush she was sure he had on her nearly as soon as he left the hospital. Apparently, he’d swiftly fallen in love with Miko.
Before jealousy turned her into a ranting, raving lunatic, she shoved it away. She was happy for Rock and genuinely liked Miko. She also reminded herself how good Zane looked, how happy he seemed, after only one day at the farm with his friend. Too bad she couldn’t bring more of the men out to soak up whatever elixir existed in the fresh air and sunshine at Double J Farm.
As soon as they finished the meal, three faces bearing expectant looks turned to her.
“I suppose you’re all waiting to hear what happened today,” she said, smiling at Miko and then Rock.
“We’ve been waiting, Billie, girl, since the moment you got here,” Zane said, leaning back in his chair. “Tell us about today.”
“Our plan worked perfectly to catch Doctor Bartle and Nurse Homer. Doctor Ridley hid behind a screen in the corner, along with two officers, and they heard every word Doctor Bartle and Nurse Homer said. We had an orderly pretend to be Zane and when Doctor Bartle started to give him a shot, the orderly yanked the gauze off his face, grabbed the needle and almost scared the daylights out of our two criminals.”
“Did they confess to plotting to do me in?” Zane asked.
“They did. Doctor Bartle admitted he’d struck a bargain with your brother. You won’t believe it, but Doctor Bartle is a nephew to Nurse Homer. It seems in the last few years, she’s done horrible things at the hospital. She gave a full confession, but it’s just terrible.” Billie felt tears sting her eyes.
“What did she do?” Rock asked. His hand reached out and settled over Miko’s. Billie watched as Miko turned her hand over so their palms connected and fingers meshed together. Even that small touch spoke of their love.
“Billie? Nurse Homer? What did she do?” Zane asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.
“The last two years, she’s, um… well, she killed more than a dozen patients.”
“What!” Rock’s face bore a look of shock while Zane’s jaw tensed. “How could that happen? At the hospital, no less.”
“She would choose her victims based solely on their family records. If they had no family, no one who might claim what was theirs, particularly officers, she falsified documents listing her as the sole heir and made sure they were filed. She then made it look like they died of natural causes.”
“That’s one of the most horrible things I’ve ever heard,” Miko said, glancing from Billie to Rock. “Do you suppose…” Miko’s voice caught, unable to finish her question.
“You’re wanting to know if she was trying to kill Rock?” Billie asked then sighed. “She didn’t list his name, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. From what Doctor Ridley shared, she only included the names of men who had actually died due to her tampering.”
“Tampering? What does that mean?” Zane asked.
She could see frown lines creasing his forehead above the white gauze of his bandage.
“Sometimes she gave a patient too much of their medication. Other times she withheld the medicine they needed. Or substituted something that would make them ill. She also admitted to suffocating two patients when they lingered longer than she deemed necessary.”
“So all that was about money? Stealing an inheritance that didn’t belong to her?” Zane asked.
“So it seems.”
Rock shook his head in disbelief. “I’m so glad she won’t be able to harm anyone else. What about her nephew?”
“Apparently he’s done things like give patients fatal shots before. His father is a muckety-muck of great importance. Anytime Bartle got into trouble, his father would move him someplace new to start over. This is the first time he’s been arrested and there are too many witnesses for him to get away this time.” Billie was so glad the two people who’d been terrorizing the hospital wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone again, but she grieved for the lives taken by their greed. Guilt assailed her as she questioned whether she’d missed some clue she should have noticed about Nurse Homer’s actions.
As though they could read her mind, Rock placed a hand on her shoulder while Miko reached across the table and took her hand.
“I’m sure there is nothing you could have done,” Rock said. “People like that are good at hiding what they do, who they really are.”
Zane turned toward her. “Don’t you take on any guilt when you went to so much effort to stop them, Billie. Everyone should be grateful to you, Peggy, and Doctor Ridley for catching them before anyone else was harmed.”
Billie blinked back tears and nodded her head.
“What about Floyd? Is he in the calaboose with them?” Zane asked.
“No, Zane. I’m sorry. He managed to get away during his arrest and the police haven’t been able to find him.”
“He most likely hot-footed it to the train station and caught the
first train heading east.” Zane shoved his hand through his hair, sending it into a state of disarray. He looked as though he wanted to get up and pace the floor as nervous energy fairly jounced around him. “Or he’s hiding out somewhere planning to finish the job.”
“We’ll keep you safe.” Rock hurried to offer reassurance.
“That’s why I took the bus out here. I figured if he was watching me, he’d get lost after I switched buses the third time.”
Zane grinned and visibly calmed. “That’s my girl.”
“In light of the fact Floyd is still on the loose, I do think it best if Zane remains here,” Rock said.
Billie nodded in agreement. “I do, too. What do you think, Zane? Will you stay here a while longer? Or would you rather be back at the hospital?”
“I’ll stay here if Miko will serve a piece of that apple pie I can smell.”
Miko smiled and rose from her chair. “That, I can do.”
Later, after the dishes were washed and the evening shadows grew long, Billie sat on the front porch with Zane. Rock offered to drive her home, but she hated to use up his gas rations, so she agreed he could take her to the bus stop in Beaverton when she was ready to leave. From there, it was an easy bus ride home.
“It’s sure a nice evening,” Zane observed. He looked relaxed and content.
“It’s lovely out here. No wonder Rock healed so miraculously if this was where he regained his health.” Billie leaned back and breathed deeply of the rich night air, redolent of flowers, approaching autumn, and country life.
“I’m glad you came out, Billie. I wanted to say thank you. It’s because of you I’m still alive and kicking.” Zane started to reach out to her, then paused, as though he was uncertain he’d find her hand.
She clasped his hand between both of hers and smiled at him as he sat beside her. Rock had suggested he put on a shirt after dinner. Zane appeared slightly embarrassed he’d forgotten he hadn’t worn one at all. Billie rather hated to see him cover up all that glorious skin, but it was too cool for him to go without a shirt in the crisp evening air.
“You’re welcome, Zane. I have a particular interest in you staying alive and especially in getting you well.”
“And what might that be?” he asked. His voice sounded low and husky as he spoke.
“I think you know, but in case you don’t, I look forward to the day you’ll dance with me again. Maybe even climb up the tree into my room, although I’m not sure you could sneak past Miss Burwell a second time.”
Zane grinned, dimples popping out in his cheeks. “I’ll look forward to that day. How is Miss Burwell?”
“Better, actually. She’s been a little more accommodating with us since we’ve all been working extra hours and can’t always get home on time. And she even made me a wonderful sweater for my birthday.”
“That was nice of her,” Zane said, lifting her hand to his mouth and pressing a kiss to the back of it. “Did you have a good birthday?”
“I did,” she said, realizing he must not have received the last month’s worth of letters she’d mailed. “My birthday was the nicest one I’ve ever had, and everyone spoiled me so much, I felt quite overwhelmed by it all.”
His second kiss to the back of her hand nearly unsettled her. The first had created a swarm of butterflies in her stomach, but now they threatened to take flight. She tried to focus on anything but the intense, frightening, entirely magnificent feelings he stirred in her. The thought of pulling her hand away from his never entered her mind, though. Not when it felt so right to have his rough callused skin pressed to hers.
“I loved the handbag you sent, and the other gifts, too,” she said, snatching up the thread of conversation about her birthday. “I gave the cook at Miss Burwell’s some of the nuts and she made the most divine cookies. All the girls raved about them. If I can talk her into making them again, I’ll bring you some.”
“I’d like that,” Zane said, grinning at her. “Did you have cake on your birthday?”
She laughed. “Twice! Peggy, that sneak, arranged a party at work and another at home. It really was so sweet and I received some lovely gifts. The boys in your room at the hospital even chipped in and bought me a scarf.”
“Oh, they did? What color was it?”
“Green, like the one I gave you.”
Zane frowned. “I’m sure sorry, Billie, girl, but your scarf was destroyed when the plane crashed.”
“You… you carried it with you?”
He nodded. “In my pocket, close to my heart. I took it with me on every mission, along with your picture. Bud decided you could do a whole lot better than this ol’ cowpoke from the sticks.”
Taken aback by the thought he cared enough about her to carry her scarf and photo with him, she didn’t know what to say.
“You really did too much for my birthday, Zane. The handkerchiefs would have been plenty.”
“No,” he said. His hand skimmed up her arm until he reached her face, then he tenderly cupped her cheek. “I needed to fill up that little bag for you.”
“I’m glad you did. I think the shell was my favorite gift, though.”
He scowled. “That was just a silly thing I found on the beach.”
“I know, but you said you thought of me when you picked it up and that’s what makes it special.” Billie rose before she exposed too much of her heart to this man. She loved him, of that she had no doubt, but what to do about it remained a question she was too tired to contemplate. “I better head back or I’ll miss the last bus.”
He stood, hands at his sides, as though he was afraid to reach out to her. “I’m glad you came, Billie. Be safe.”
“I will, Zane. And if you need anything, promise you’ll let me know.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
He grinned and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a hug. “I promise, beautiful. Now, go on and get out of here. Rock’s been peeking out the door every little bit for the past ten minutes.”
“I have not!” Rock denied, then realized he’d been caught.
Zane laughed and Billie felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
She thanked Miko for dinner, squeezed Zane’s hand, and then followed Rock out to where his car was parked at the end of the walk.
Did she dare give Zane her heart? Would he stick around and cherish it or would he leave and break it? Only time would tell.
Chapter Twenty-One
In the three days he’d been at Rock and Miko’s farm, Zane felt as though he’d turned a corner in regaining his health. Each day he felt stronger, more like himself. And even though he couldn’t see, his hope returned that he eventually would.
Miko fed him delicious, nourishing meals made from fresh, wholesome ingredients. He rested well and often. In between naps and eating, he soaked up the warm sunshine or helped do simple tasks.
Since it was Saturday, the high school students that worked for Miko and Rock were all there. He’d met three girls who worked in the produce stand and a handful of boys who helped with the harvesting, weeding, and watering. Today, the boys picked boxes full of pears while the girls alternated between picking tomatoes, pulling carrots, and working the counter at the produce stand.
The lack of sight didn’t keep Zane from being amused by the innocent flirting taking place among the young people. He sat in a patch of sunshine in the side yard on a bench, shucking ears of corn Rock had picked early that morning. He’d filled two dozen gunnysacks to sell in the produce stand, and brought two more to the house for Miko to can.
Zane volunteered to shuck the corn. He’d shucked plenty in his day and set to work, content with the world around him.
The hum of conversations blended with the music playing from a radio in the produce stand. It seemed Rock and Miko had a radio on nearly all the time. He supposed Rock didn’t want to miss any news about the war and the way Miko sometimes hummed along to a song gave him the idea she enjoyed listening to the music.
When Roy Acuff
started singing about the “Wabash Cannon Ball” on the radio, Zane whistled along while his toes tapped, keeping time to the music.
“I’ll tell it to the world, but you sure can whistle, mister,” a voice said from nearby.
“Thank you.” Zane turned his head toward the boy. “Do you know how to whistle?”
“Sure I do,” the boy exclaimed then proceeded to share a few shrill blasts.
A warm, wiggly body that smelled of dog, sunshine, and licorice plopped down beside him. “Who are you?” the boy asked.
Zane heard him pull back the husk on an ear of corn as the bench vibrated. He pictured the boy swinging his feet back and forth as he worked. He tipped his head toward the youngster and smiled. “I’m Captain Zane West. Rock and I have been friends for a long time.”
“Well, how about that,” the boy said, suddenly growing still. “Another Captain. Golly, but that’s swell. Cap, that’s what I call Rock, and Miko are both the bees knees. If you’re a friend of Cap’s, then I s’pose you’re a real humdinger, too.”
A little hand, sticky with corn juice, connected with his. “I’m Petey Phillips. We live on the other side of the pasture behind the barn.”
Zane shook the small, grubby hand and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Petey. Miko and Rock told me you’re quite the hero.”
“Well, shoot! You already know my story of glory,” Petey said, returning to shucking corn and swinging his feet. “How long are you staying here?”
“Until I’m feeling better.”
The feet stopped swinging again and there was a long, quiet pause. “Did you get hurt flying planes like Cap?”
Zane nodded. “I did. My plane crashed in the jungle last month.”
Zane felt the boy press against his leg, as though he wanted a close-up look at Zane’s face.
“Did you hurt your eyeballs?” Petey questioned.
Rock had suggested Zane might be more comfortable wearing sunglasses instead of the bandage wrapped around his head. The pair he’d given him blocked the light as well as if not better than the gauze. He wore them constantly, except when he was sleeping. It made him feel less like an invalid without the bandage covering his eyes.
Dream of Her Heart Page 20
