Page 18 of Healing Hazel

Camila spoke, pointing from Hazel’s head down to her feet, then crossed herself.

Hazel understood her meaning, putting her hands together as if in prayer. “You’re right. I am very fortunate.” She had come out of the train accident with no more than a few aching muscles and a cut hand. The result could have been so much worse. She shivered and vowed to be more grateful.

The morning passed pleasantly, and once the laundry was cleaned and rinsed, the two women hauled it in large tubs to the cloister to hang it on the lines.

When they stepped out into the courtyard, Hazel tilted her head toward the breeze. The monastery, with its lack of windows, felt stuffy and closed. She was certain Miss Nightingale would not at all approve, being a strong believer in the benefits of clean air.

The day was cool, but they had been working hard, and the mountain chill felt welcome.

The women made quick work of pinning laundry to the clotheslines, and once they were finished, they stood for a moment, admiring the rows of white sheets.

Since no more washing could be done until the first batch dried, their task was finished, for now. Hazel bid farewell to Camila and went into the East ward to visit Nella. She had hardly seen her friend in the past few days, and she was eager to tell her about the surgery she’d assisted with as well as the final moments of the poor British soldier. She also hoped to learn about Captain Bryant’s condition.

When she arrived at Nella’s bedside, Dr. Laurent was there. He sat on a chair in the space between Nella’s bed and the wall, holding a fan of playing cards. Nella held cards as well. When she saw Hazel, her face lit up. “Oh, there you are, dear. You just missed luncheon.” She motioned to a tray of dishes that sat on a small table next to her.

Dr. Laurent stood, inclining his head. “Good day, Miss Thornton.”

Hazel greeted the doctor and moved to the other side of the bed, taking her friend’s outstretched hand. “How are you feeling today, Nella?”

“Much better.” Nella released Hazel’s hand and waved at her elevated leg. “The pain has become quite bearable.” She flicked her gaze to Dr. Laurent, fluttering her eyelashes. “Especially when I have something pleasant to distract me.”

The man’s cheeks were red.

Hazel blinked, unsure of what she was witnessing. Was Nella flirting? And was Dr. Laurent blushing? She stared for a moment before remembering her manners. “Thank you for taking such good care of her, Doctor.”

His cheeks darkened again, as did the top of his bald head. He was definitely blushing. “Of course, mademoiselle. She is a very...amiablepatient.” He cocked a brow at Nella.

“Oh, you.” Nella swatted at him with her cards.

Hazel was suddenly desperate to leave. Or, at the least, for a change of subject. “I thought to check on Captain Bryant. Do you know, Dr. Laurent, how he fares?”

“Ah,oui.” The doctor’s expression turned serious. “Zhe poor captain, he has still not fully woken, but I believe his pain has lessened. His breathing is deeper, and his blood pressure—”

Explosions sounded in the distance, cutting off his words, and the three glanced toward the wall, though of course they could not see anything. The sounds were not unusual. Hazel had heard them often enough since her arrival two days earlier, but these continued longer than was typical. And some of the blasts, such as the one that had interrupted the doctor, were much louder than any she’d heard before. She wondered if they were closer or if the fighters were using a more powerful explosive.

Dr. Laurent turned back. “As I was saying—”

But he was cut off again when Dr. Jackson rushed into the ward. “The ambulance wagons are loaded. We leave now.”

Dr. Laurent set the cards on the bed beside Nella and turned to face Dr. Jackson. “I must stay here.” He motioned toward the other patients in the ward. “Zhere are patients who still need care.”

“Dr. Ruiz can manage the hospital with a small staff of nurses for a few hours,” Dr. Jackson said. “The fighting is close—in Santa Rosa, I believe. If we can reach the wounded even an hour earlier...” He pushed back his white coat to rest his hands on his hips and scanned the ward. “I’ll take Lucía, of course. Isabel, Sabrina...” He motioned to the nurses.

The women left the patients they had been tending and joined the doctors at Nella’s bedside. Dr. Jackson spoke Spanish, with Dr. Laurent adding to his orders.

The women looked uncertain, but they put aside the charts, instruments, and linens they’d been using and started away toward the entry hall.

“And Miss Thornton, if you please.” Dr. Jackson motioned after the women with a jerk of his head. “Bring a medical kit. We leave immediately.” He strode away quickly, not waiting for a reply.

Dr. Laurent rushed off as well.

Hazel felt frozen, her heart racing. The idea of going onto a battlefield was terrifying. But knowing he’d chosen her specifically... Could she do this? Or was this just another opportunity that would be ruined by her panic spells? She stared after Dr. Jackson and then looked at Nella. “He can’t mean it, can he?”

“Of course he means it, dear.” Nella made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on, then.”

Still feeling stunned, Hazel bid Nella farewell and followed the nurses to the hospital wagons waiting outside the monastery. Lucía gave her a medical kit, and they climbed into the back, sitting on the benches beneath the canvas coverings. More nurses, among them Camila and Lucía, and some orderlies joined them, and a few moments later, the wagon lurched and started off.

Having nothing else to hold on to, Hazel gripped the wood of the wagon seat. The benches ran along both sides of the wagon’s interior. It was strange to travel sideways and have no view of where they were going. Except for the rear, the wagon was completely covered. And behind, where the other wagon followed, Hazel could see only dust. The day was not hot, but within a few moments, the orderlies were loosening their buttons and the nurses tugging at their bodices, trying to get some airflow in the stuffy space.

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