Page 70 of Healing Hazel

Hazel nodded, thinking how diverting it would be to make the journey with Sophie’s eccentric grandmother.

“Mr. Thomas is familiar with train schedules and routes,” Vivian said, offering the assistance of her fiancé’s man of business.

Dahlia made the notetrain schedule.

“I will need to give my apologies to the Hospital for Women and somehow convince my uncle,” Hazel said, her nervousness changing into something more akin to anticipation. “And I must pack some practical shoes this time.”

Dahlia noted each item.

Hazel looked around the circle at her friends, excitement making a humming in her ears. “I’m really doing this,” she whispered.

“You’re really doing this,” Elizabeth said, taking her hand and squeezing. The others joined hands as well, reminiscent of that first night in the Marquess of Molyneaux’s library, and the mood turned bittersweet as Hazel realized she was leaving her friends again—these women, who were the core of all she was, her strength. She blinked at the tears that came to her eyes, knowing that no matter where she went, where her passion for healing took her, these four women would be behind her, and that knowledge gave her the courage to do the impossible.

Chapter 24

Jim watched through the windowas the train pulled into St. Pancras railway station in London. Even in New York City he’d never seen so many people in one place.

He came down the steps onto the platform and was immediately engulfed by a crowd. The sound of many of the people around him speaking English was a change he hadn’t anticipated. Some people hurried past, others embraced loved ones, welcoming them home, or wept as they bid them farewell. Jim made his way along the platform, holding his hat with one hand and his traveling case with the other. He had only the one piece of luggage, making a stop at the train’s baggage car unnecessary.

As he moved into the station, he considered his next steps now that he’d finally arrived. His immediate instinct was to go directly to Hazel’s house. But he realized he’d been traveling for over a week and should first find a place to wash and change his clothing. He needed to find a room anyway and had a list, given to him by the new Mrs. Laurent, of boardinghouses in neighborhoods that were reputable but not too costly. She had also provided letters of introductions to various hospitals, and Dr. Laurent had written glowing letters of recommendation.

Leaving the Red Cross Hospital had taken longer than he’d anticipated once he’d made up his mind to do it. He’d waited nearly a month for his replacement, a Dr. Blanchet, and had spent another week training the man.

He was frustrated the process had taken so long. But he was here now, and just being so near to actually seeing Hazel quickened his footsteps.

In the noise around him, he thought he even heard her name spoken as he passed by. He paused but realized he was being foolish. In his eagerness to be with her, he’d surely imagined it.

Jim glanced toward where he’d thought the sound had come from, and he saw a group of young women standing together on the platform.

A man pushed past him, hurrying to catch a train, and Jim caught his balance.

He glanced again at the women, tipped his hat, and continued on. But an uneasiness settled into his thoughts. There was something... and an instant later he knew what it was. He spun, coming back to the young ladies.

“Excuse me, miss.”

The woman he spoke to turned toward him. She was slender with dark hair and intelligent eyes. And just as he’d thought, on her lapel was a brooch exactly like Hazel’s. When he glanced at the others, he saw they all wore them as well.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but are you Miss Hazel Thornton’s friends?”

The woman blinked. “I beg your pardon, sir?”

“Your pin, I... Miss Thornton wears the same brooch, and I—”

“How do you know Miss Thornton?” Another of the women asked. She was shorter with light-brown hair. She put her hands on her hips, appraising him with a suspicious scowl.

“I beg your pardon. My name is Dr. Jim Jackson. Hazel worked with me at the Red Cross Hospital in Spain.”

Eight eyes stared at him, and at the same time, they all went wide with panic. The sight made him uneasy.

Then the four women spoke at once.

“Dr. Jackson?”

“You are here!”

“Hazel is returning to Spain.”

“She is already on the train!”

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