In order to be heard over the noise of everyone talking at once, Court leaned over and spoke to her. “They seem to be glad to see us.”
“They are. A visitor is rare and medical help even rarer. We need to see the chief and pay our respects.”
Maggie led the way to the largest hut. A tall, lean man with a bright but toothless smile waited for them. Maggie dipped her head to acknowledge his position as leader and then turned to Court, pleased to find that he had followed her lead. Maggie explained to the chief who Court was and why he was there.
When she stopped talking Court said, “Tell him I am pleased to be in his village and look forward to meeting his people.”
Maggie did as asked. The two men sized each other up and then both nodded to each other again.
“Welcome, Miss Maggie,” the chief said. “You have brought good medicine to us again.”
“Do you want us to hold clinic in the same place as before?”
“Yes. And one of my wives will be staying with me so you stay in her hut.” He looked at her and then at Court.
Her heart fluttered and then found its rhythm again. She said thank you and turned to leave. “Thank you for your hospitality. And your wife’s,” Maggie said, with more sincerity than she felt.
When she and Court were outside he asked, “What did he say? I can tell by the look on your face you’re not pleased.”
Maggie opened the truck door and then looked at him. “We’ll be sharing one of his wife’s huts as our quarters while we’re here.”
“Really? There’s not another option? Another hut where I could stay?”
“I don’t like it any better than you do but I can’t offend the chief by complaining about the arrangements. And neither can you. This isn’t a fancy hotel where you can just get another room if you’re not pleased with the one you have.”
She started climbing into the truck. Surely they could survive a few nights in a hut alone. Court hadn’t made a move to touch her since their kiss in the mess hall anyway.
The chief had followed them out and Neetie skidded up to him. “I show.”
The chief nodded, his smile indulgent. “Come eat tonight,” he called to Maggie and Court.
Neetie climbed into the truck and started throwing the bags out. Court walked over and helped, hefted hers over his shoulder along with his. “Lead the way, Neetie.”
Maggie fell in behind the two of them. Neetie led them to the hut the farthest out of the village. Court pushed back the heavy blanket that served as a door. Neetie ducked under Court’s arm and entered. Court continued to hold it, allowing her to enter before him. “Home, sweet home,” he mumbled as she passed.
Maggie groaned. Court wasn’t going to make this easy.
Neetie dropped the bags he carried and left before Court made it into the hut. “Bye,” he said over his shoulder.
Maggie laughed, and called after him. “Have a good time with your cousins.”
She glanced at Court. He was surveying the hut with its pounded dirt floor and fire pit in the middle.
“Not the fancy five-star hotels you’re probably used to, is it?” Her voice held more humor than sarcasm.
“This’s pretty primitive.”
“Ready to go home, Doctor? This is a million-dollar-home in this village. Did you expect room service?”
“I did not, but more than a dirt floor I did expect. Where’re the beds?”
Maggie pointed to the mat on the floor. She couldn’t control the quirk on her lips. “You do know if there had been any other way I would’ve gotten us out of this. But in this village in particular, the chief’s word is law. No one argues with him.”
“Well, if it’ll make you feel any better, I’ll stay on my side of the circle if you stay on yours.” He picked up his duffel bag and dropped it beside the woven mat on the floor across from where she stood.
“I don’t think it’ll be a problem,” Maggie said, pushing her bag with a foot toward the other mat to put at least six feet between them.
“Before it gets dark, why don’t you show me where we’ll be holding clinic?”
“Sure. But let’s stop by the truck and get a flashlight before we head over there.”
They were making their way to the other side of the village when Court said, “So, tell me about Neetie’s family.”
“There isn’t much to tell. He doesn’t have any.”
“But you said he was playing with his cousins,” Court said as they weaved through the huts.
“He is but he has no brothers or sisters. His father was killed in an accident and his mother died during an epidemic a few years back.”
“So who is responsible for him?”
“No one person. But I hope to change that. The village does what they can but taking someone extra into their home can mean major hardship.” She stopped and turned to him. “These people are poor and one more mouth to feed can be one too many.”
“So how did Neetie end up at the compound?”
“He had a bad wound that needed care. He was bright—”
“And you took him under your wing and he stayed.” It was dark enough that Maggie couldn’t quite make out whether or not his reaction was disapproving or encouraging. “Yes, I know I shouldn’t get too attached but I can’t help it.”
Court touched her shoulder briefly. “I don’t think you can help it. It’s part of who you are.”
A warm trickle of pleasure ran down her spine. She missed his touch.
Maggie showed him the structure in the center of the village where they would be working the next day. There were no chairs or tables, just a few benches off to the side.
“This is why we brought so much equipment, including tables,” she commented as they walked beneath the open-pole shelter. “The chief holds his council meetings here, also ceremonial events. He allows us to use it because he values the medical care we provide. Otherwise it would be off-limits to us foreigners.”
“How many patients should we expect?”
“The number varies but it’s always a full day. People will be standing in line by daybreak.” Maggie said, heading back the way they had come. “We shouldn’t keep the chief waiting.”
* * *
Court took the flashlight from Maggie and directed the beam out in front of them as they walked back to their hut. Out of necessity, they had to remain close. He could almost fill the hum of happiness radiating off her.
“I take it you and the chief had a good meeting.” She’d told him on the way over to the chief’s hut that she planned to ask the chief about adopting Neetie.
“Oh, yeah. At first I thought he wouldn’t agree. He’s concerned about Neetie losing his heritage.”
“I assume that you told him differently.”
“I reassured him I would honor who he is and his people, and that I only wanted to give him a place to live, food and clothing and most of all love. I had to do a good deal of convincing but he agreed living with me was best for Neetie. He knows the village can’t give Neetie what he needs. I promised we would visit often and Neetie could stay for a long visit during school breaks.”
“I know you’ll give him a wonderful home.”
“Now all I have to do is make it legal with the government. I’ll start working on that as soon as we get back. So, how did you find dinner with the chief?”
“Interesting. It wasn’t my usual fare but it turned out better than I expected.” His words carried in the silence of the evening.
“You did better than I expected. You didn’t even flinch when you were offered the bowels.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I think that might be one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received. I’m generally not opposed to new challenges.”
“You’re certainly braver than most of the visiting doctors we get. I’ve gotten so used to eating like the locals I don’t know that I’d even want to have a steak if offered one.”
“I know a wonderful little hole in the wall near Fennel Hall, where they grill the most fantastic steaks,” he said. “You visit the next time you’re in the States and I’ll take you. I think you’ll be more than tempted.?
?
“I don’t get home often. When I do, I don’t travel much.”
“It’s just an invitation between friends, Maggie, not a binding trade agreement between two countries.”
She snorted. “Am I that uptight?”
“Maybe. But you’ve had a long day. With some rest you should be the same efficient and in-control person you’ve always been.”
“I don’t mind the efficient description but I’m not sure in control is a compliment.”
“It is. There’s nothing wrong with a woman being strong. I kind of like a woman who knows what she wants.”
When they reached the hut she stopped and turned, “Would you mind giving me a few minutes before you come in?”
“Sure. I’ll, uh, double-check that the truck is secure.”
“Thanks. I’ll hurry.” Maggie turned and ducked through the doorway.
Court looked up at the star-studded sky and moaned. Maybe he should be gentleman enough to bed down in the truck. Only he’d get more sleep in the hut with Maggie than he would cramped up in the truck with his feet sticking out the window. After killing as much time as possible, Court returned to the hut. He waited a few minutes outside before Maggie pulled the blanket back. “I’m done.”
She slipped back inside before Court could grab the blanket. Entering, he paused, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light provided by the low fire. Maggie had already crawled inside her sleeping bag. The other rolled-up bag lay on his mat across the room.
“There’s water in the buckets by the fire if you need to wash up. The one closest is still warm. I left a cloth,” she said, before turning her back to him.
Sharing the hut with him didn’t seem to be rattling the self-assured Maggie at all. For some reason that disturbed him.
* * *
Maggie tried to ignore the rustle of a shirt being removed. Every muscle in her body tightened. Her lungs ached from holding her breath. Would the sound of a zipper be next?
Curiosity had always been her downfall. She couldn’t resist the urge to look. Trying to roll as if asleep, she shifted to her back. Her eyes flicked open.