Page 69 of Healing Hazel

“You survived pneumonia,” Dahlia said seriously.

“You fell in love.” Vivian moved the stethoscope bell to her ribs, listening through her corset as she coughed. After a moment she glanced up, realizing the room had gone quiet and the others were all staring at her.

“Oh, was I not supposed to mention it?” Vivian grimaced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was a secret.”

“It was a bit obvious,” Elizabeth said.

Hazel’s cheeks burned as she thought back through every conversation they’d had about her journey. She’d been so careful never to mention anything that might give even the slightest hint about her feelings for Jim. “How?” was the only question she could think to ask.

“The way you speak about Dr. Jackson,” Dahlia said, her voice kind. “You mention him often, but you seem to be holding something back whenever you do.”

“And your eyes become...dreamy.” Elizabeth exaggerated the word dramatically. “Rather like those two.” She cocked an eyebrow and pointed between Sophie and Vivian, both of whom were engaged to be married.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Vivian said. “Emotions are natural.”

“It’s true,” Hazel admitted. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about it earlier.”

“We knew you would tell us when you were ready,” Dahlia said. “Your feelings must still be very tender.”

Hazel sighed. “I thought—it’s silly, I know—but I hoped he would come, that he would leave the Red Cross Hospital behind and one day knock on my door.”

“Why should he have to be the one to do it?” Elizabeth frowned. “Because he’s the man? You have just as much of a right to make the decision about your future as he.” She drank the rest of her champagne in one swallow, setting down the glass and leaning forward. Her eyes were intense, and they held a mischievous glint. “If you want to be with this Dr. Jackson, you should go to him.”

“Elizabeth!” Dahlia put a hand over her mouth, shocked by her cousin’s words.

“It is hardly proper, dear,” Sophie said, shaking her head and lifting her brows high, as if to convey to Elizabeth that she should not put such ideas into Hazel’s mind.

“Why not?” Elizabeth asked. “Because she is a woman?” She scoffed.

“I can’t simply get on a train and return to the Spanish mountains,” Hazel said, feeling a nervous tingle in her belly.

Elizabeth shrugged. “You did it once before.”

“But there were... circumstances then.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “You should not have to wonder, to wait helplessly, just because Society tells us that a woman should not be the one to initiate a relationship.” She spread her arms wide. “Look at all you’ve accomplished, Hazel, all you’ve endured. You are strong and intelligent and entirely capable of choosing your future. You should not have to depend upon a man to choose it for you.”

Hazel’s heart banged into her ribs. She thought of how her father had always made decisions for her, how he’d shipped her off her to London in the first place, sent for her to come to Spain, then brought her home when she’d not wanted to leave—all the times plans for her life were made without even asking what she wanted. What if she did make this decision on her own, choose her own path? Did she dare?

“Why do men have to make everything so difficult?” Elizabeth muttered, blowing an exasperated sigh that made her lips puff out.

“If you did go,” Sophie began, and then she held up her hand before a shocked-looking Dahlia could interject. “Can you be certain... would Dr. Jackson be... pleased to see you?”

“I believe he would.” Hazel shook her head. “I know he would. He loves me; I’m sure of it.”Can I do this?Hazel’s heart still pounded. She imagined Jim’s face when he saw her. The smile that showed a flash of teeth and made lines spread from the sides of his eyes.

Vivian moved the stethoscope bell to listen to Hazel’s rapid heartbeat. “It sounds as though you are considering it,” she said, smiling.

The others laughed, and just like that, Hazel had made her decision.

They all moved to the floor, scooting close to sit around the low table.

Dahlia brought paper and dipped a quill into an inkpot. “Ladies, shall we make a plan?”

“I cannot travel alone,” Hazel said.

Dahlia wrote the wordstraveling companionon the page.

“I may have an idea about that one,” Sophie said, looking thoughtful. “Mimi would love an opportunity to travel, but she will insist on bringing her dog, you know.”

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