After the librarian departed, Leah reached for the latest box of candy from Clay. Her muscles strained in a good way, stretching and rebuilding the weak tissue.

She opened the box and smiled at the licorice allsorts inside. So many jolly colors and stripes and sprinkles, and the anise scent felt clean and invigorating.

Leah popped one into her mouth and chewed it slowly. The taste of coconut wasn’t one she favored, but she imagined a Hawaiian beach at sunset and ukulele music, and the taste fit.

Would Clay visit tonight? Not only was he fine company, but the visits seemed to cheer him too, especially when the nurse let him play the violin. Then he’d stroll the ward and take requests. His music was so lively, so heartfelt, so touching, and it lifted everyone’s spirits.

A dozen beds lined the long building, filled with women who worked at Camp Forrest or whose husbands served or worked there. Some had undergone surgery to remove appendices or tonsils or gallbladders, and some had been injured on the job or in car accidents.

All were weak and all were bored, and Leah was glad her friend could bring some joy.

Despite the teasing of some of the patients, Leah never thought of Clay as anything but a friend.

His manner to her was kind and generous, but he never looked at her like the other patients’ husbands and boyfriends looked at them.

Leah chewed on a licorice button, pale pink with sprinkles and a delicate flavor.

The heroines in her favorite novels would have moped if such a splendid man saw them only as friends, but Leah didn’t. The thought of any man touching her where the wolf had touched her—well, it made her sweat and hyperventilate.

Maybe it would be different if she were in love. It would. It had to. But she didn’t want to find out for a very long time.

“Good day, Miss Jones.” Dr. Reeves came to the foot of the bed with a clipboard.

“Hello, Dr. Reeves.” Leah gave him a curious look. It wasn’t time for rounds.

He wore a solemn face.

Leah’s breathing stalled.

Dr. Reeves cleared his throat and looked at his clipboard. “I need to discuss a test result with you.”

A test result?

Her stomach constricted around the tiny bits of licorice. Such a grave expression could only mean bad news. What if it kept her away from the library much longer? Would she lose her job?

What then? What would she do?

Oh Lord. She clutched the box of candy. Please help me.

10

“I’m glad you’re here, Private.” The ward nurse met Clay at the door. “Miss Jones requested no visitors, but she couldn’t have meant you. She needs cheering up tonight.”