“This will have to do for now, Mr. Gray. If you will accept our hospitality for the night, we will have your own clothes in order by tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” he said. “This is fine.”
Cameron watched in fascination as he slipped on the shirt and stretched it over the taut muscles of his shoulders and chest, quickly tucking it into the waistband of his pants. When Cameron saw Reverend Mother’s narrowed eyes boring into hers, she forced herself to look away.
“The doctor is finished with Sister Leona,” Reverend Mother said. “She would like to see both of you before the sedative he gave her takes effect.”
Reverend Mother walked to the doorway, and Cameron and Michael quickly followed. Walking behind Reverend Mother into Sister Leona’s room, Cameron stopped abruptly. Sister Leona had always been the strongest woman in the convent. Her erect carriage and solid, sturdy build gave the impression of a person completely in control. This stranger lying in the bed frightened Cameron. The removal of her headdress, revealing short, gray hair curling slightly about a pale face, made her appear older and more vulnerable, more human. Her breathing was even, as though she were asleep. Her arm was swathed in thick dressings.
“Sister Leona, Cameron and the young man are here,” whispered Reverend Mother.
Turning to Cameron, Reverend Mother admonished, “You have only a few minutes with her. She needs her rest.” Turning, she softly closed the door as she left.
Sister Leona’s eyelids fluttered open, and she turned a weak smile on Cameron.
Relief and guilt flooded through Cameron. She flung herself on her knees at the bedside.
“Oh, Sister Leona! I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” she sobbed.
“Here, here, child. Whatever are you sorry for?”
“For coaxing you to ride with me. I knew you weren’t up to it. It was so selfish of me.” A tear coursed down her cheek as she pressed her hand over Sister Leona’s.
“Cameron, stop that. Do you hear? It wasn’t your fault my horse bolted. It was a snake, I believe. And you did just fine, child. Why, you and this man saved my life.”
As Cameron wiped her eyes, Sister Leona stared up at him. “Reverend Mother tells me your name is Michael Gray,” she said slowly.
“Yes, Sister.”
“Michael, do you believe that the hand of God directs all our lives?” Sister’s voice was thick and muffled from the sedative.
“It’s not something I’ve given a lot of thought to, Sister. But I’d say yes, I believe that,” he replied seriously.
“Good. Good.” She seemed to be speaking to herself. Then louder, to both of them, she added, “I don’t know how you happened to be on Allumette Island today, Michael, but I do know that God required both you and Cameron to work together to save my life. Neither of you alone could have done what you did together.” Her words were slurred, as though talking had become a great effort. “God bless you, Michael Gray. You will be in my prayers always.”
Cameron leaned down and kissed her cheek and followed Michael Gray from the room.
Before they had left the room Sister Leona was asleep.
As they descended the stairs, the wonderful aroma of cooking reached them from the kitchen.
Little Sister Adele smiled shyly at Michael and said, “Reverend Mother wants both of you to come and eat.” Putting her arm around Cameron’s shoulders, she murmured, “Dear Cameron. You must be exhausted.”
Cameron smiled at her and allowed herself to be led once more to the kitchen. There were only two places set at the table, and Cameron realized with some apprehension that she would have to sit and face Michael Gray over dinner. He held out a chair for her, and she averted her eyes as she sat down. Several of the sisters were busy washing up pots and pans, making tea, and hunting up any other chores that would keep them in the kitchen to hear what Mother Superior would have to say to the stranger.
Reverend Mother entered the kitchen, and Michael rose to his feet. He held her chair, then moved back to his place at the table.
“Will you be staying long on our island, Mr. Gray?” she asked.
“No. I was leaving today, when”—and he turned a smile on them both—“I found myself detained. I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Cameron’s heart sank.
“We are most grateful, Mr. Gray. Sister Leona believed that you and Cameron behaved most heroically today.”
Michael glanced at Cameron with a bemused expression. Her cheeks burning, she lowered her eyes and moved the food around her plate. It was very warm in the kitchen. Warm and safe. If only she could rest her head for a moment. As the voice of Reverend Mother and the deeper timbre of Michael’s voice washed over her, she set down her fork and propped her head on her hand. The steamy warmth of the room comforted her. The familiar kitchen sounds were lulling her. Her eyelids fluttered, then closed. The next thing she was aware of was a sensation of being lifted in strong arms. She was floating. There were distant voices, and she thought she heard Reverend Mother say, “Her room is up here.”
Cameron brought her arms up around a rough shirt and buried her face in warm flesh. She could feel a pulse beat against her lips. She sighed contentedly and heard a deep, throaty chuckle.
Under her warm quilt, she slept soundly.
…
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