Chapter 40: American Frontier - Chapter 13
Missy smiled into Parker's shoulder. While she hadn't wanted to have to expose this part of her life to him, she was glad he knew. She was also glad that she had found him before she passed out. She knew he would take care of her. That's just the kind of person he was.
"Do all your patients get this kind of treatment?" she asked softly, surprising a laugh out of him. He carefully settled her back on the pillows and stood.
"No, this is reserved for only my prettiest patients," he said with a wink. He looked at the door, then back at her. "Are you hungry? Mrs. Gardiner brought us some dinner."
Missy raised an eyebrow. "Did she bring food for both of us, or just for you?" It seemed odd that the owner of the boarding house would provide food for one of Parker's patients, but perhaps that was part of their arrangement. She hadn't really considered what he would do with those who needed to stay in the medical building for any length of time.
"I'm sure there's plenty for both of us," he answered.
She decided to let go of the fight and waited quietly as he left to fetch them food. Unable to see much through the doorway, she closed her eyes and found herself drifting off again.
Parker was shaking her shoulder gently when she woke up. She blinked in confusion, then focused on his dark eyes, which were watching her with a look of concern. "I didn't want to wake you, but you must eat to keep up your strength," he said softly, setting a plate on her lap.
Missy looked at the plate of food and sighed. It looked and smelled delicious, but her stomach lurched at the thought of trying to eat.
"You will feel better when you have some of it in your stomach," Parker promised, sitting in the chair by the bed.
She shook her head. "I don't think I can get any down."
"Just try a bite of the bread," he suggested. When she didn't move, he frowned. "Or do I need to assist you?"
Before he could grab the bread, Missy picked up the thick, soft slice and took a small bite, more of a nibble really. It went down more easily than she expected. A couple more bites followed and she soon found herself digging into the rest of the food ravenously. The nausea of moments before was gone.
She stopped when her plate was clean and shot Parker a sheepish smile. "I guess I was hungrier than I thought."
He laughed. "I'm glad that you were. There's far too much food for me to eat alone and I would hate for it to go to waste."
Missy would have wondered if he was exaggerating for her benefit if she couldn't see the very full plate he was still working his way through. She was glad that there was plenty for both of them so she didn't have to worry about depriving him of a meal.
"So we need to make plans for Monday," Parker said when he finished, taking her plate and setting it with his on the small nightstand.
"I'll likely have my shift at the bakery if Emmaline is feeling well enough to get out of bed."
"I've recommended to her husband that she remain in bed until Wednesday. That gives you two days to move out of your father's house."
She looked at him in surprise. "But where would I move?"
He rubbed a hand through his messy blond hair and frowned. "There will be another room available at the boarding house in a week. Until then, I was thinking that I could stay in the back room at my shop and you could stay in my room."
Missy blushed. "I don't know that that would be seen as completely appropriate, even if you weren't there with me."
"Well I can't leave you at the apothecary."
"I could stay with Father until then."
Parker raised an eyebrow, shooting her a skeptical look.
"If I stayed away when he was up and about, he wouldn't even have to know that I was there. I could just stay out after work until bedtime, then sleep at home. I leave well before he gets up in the morning."
"How stout is the lock on your bedroom door?"
"I don't know that it has a lock."
"And how would you ensure that he wasn't home when you got there?"
"I could just keep watch for him and wait until he heads to the saloon."
Parker shook his head. "I don't like it. Too many things could go wrong, and if you're avoiding your father, I assume any chance meeting will turn violent."
Missy couldn't deny that. "I don't know what else to do."
After a minute of thoughtful silence, Parker smiled. "Emmaline!"
"Emmaline?"
"You could stay with her and Jacob. They have a spare bedroom."
"I wouldn't want to inconvenience them though." She hesitated. "Do you think they would mind?"
"I'll pay them a visit tomorrow after church and ask."
"No, I can do it. I don't want to make you ask for me."
He shook his head with a soft smile and grabbed her hand. "It doesn't put me out at all to help you, darling. I offered because I want to. Beyond that, you're not getting up until Monday morning. My prescription for you is a full day of rest before I let you up."
"I don't need a full day of rest. Goodness, what would I even do with myself, sitting here in bed for an entire day?"
"You can make up a list of the things you want me to fetch from your father's house for you."
"But-"
"I'm not going to take no for an answer. You will stay here tomorrow and I will talk to Emmaline and Jacob for you. I'm sure they'll enjoy your company. It'll make it easier for you to step in if Emmaline needs a little extra help in the next week, as well."
"But-"
"I promise the time will fly by. You'll be-"
Missy finally placed a hand over Parker's mouth to stop him. "But I want to help gather my things on Monday. With you there for protection, I shouldn't have to worry. I'd just feel more comfortable packing for myself."
He nodded and she smiled, forgetting about her hand on his mouth until he gently reached up and grabbed it, lowering it to his lap.
"It's really hard to deny you anything when you've got your fingers on my lips."
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Acton_Bell Sorry it's a bit late today! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Love y'all!
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