Good Medicine Read Online Free PDF

that’s not the best idea, either, big brother. If she’s single, the sight of you might entice her to remain in spite of the rain and the lack of a mall. You’re not half-bad to look at, although your manners leave a lot to be desired.”
    Laughing, Silas made his escape when someone else came by to talk to Christina. He took the path that would lead him out of the village, along the forested path to where he’d built his compact cabin.
    The rain that had been falling all day had stopped. The rising wind, chill and brisk, blew the clouds away, and overhead the late-afternoon sunset streaked the sky crimson and gold. Boats rocked at anchor in the bay, and kids in T-shirts raced up and down the gravel road on their bikes, impervious to the chill air. He was thinking about what he’d said, about there being no pizza joint in Ahousaht.
    Personally, he’d settle for a faster and more reliable connection to the Internet.

CHAPTER FOUR
    A CAB DROPPED Jordan and her two gigantic suitcases on the end of the pier just after ten on Monday morning, June 26. As well as her sizeable medical bag, she also had two shopping bags stuffed with groceries. The small convenience store in Ahousaht reputedly carried only the most basic essentials, so she’d just visited a large grocery in Tofino.
    â€œShe leaves at ten-thirty or thereabouts,” the cabdriver said, waving a hand at a decent-size boat bobbing in the water at the bottom of a walkway. “You got lotsa time.” He eyed the suitcases with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. “I’ll get these on board for ya.”
    He was a small, older man, and he walked with a limp. He’d struggled with the bags at the small airstrip the evening before, when Jordan arrived from Vancouver. He’d carried them into the inn where she’d spent the night and then lifted them back into his cab this morning. Envisioning herniated disks and heart attacks, Jordan tipped him lavishly and shook her head.
    â€œNope, not again. You’ve been great, and I thank youfor the offer. But I’ll get someone on the boat to help me. You’ve wrestled with these long enough.”
    He looked relieved. Thanking her profusely, he hurried away through the rain before she could change her mind.
    Unsure what to do next, Jordan hefted her medical bag, abandoning the suitcases and groceries on the dock. By now quite wet, she clung to the railing, gingerly making her way down the slippery wooden ramp to the tiny floating pier. Moored to the dock, the aluminum boat the cabdriver had pointed out rocked as she scrambled aboard.
    There was no one on the small deck. Feeling awkward, hoping she wouldn’t slip and catapult straight down into the cabin, Jordan gingerly climbed down the narrow ladder, surprised by how large the interior was.
    There was space for about twenty-four passengers, and so far, she was the only one. Two tall, heavy native men were seated in the cockpit, talking as they drank from gigantic mugs of coffee. They turned and looked at her, dark, weather-beaten faces devoid of expression.
    â€œI want to go to Ahousaht,” she began. “I’ve left a couple of heavy suitcases and a bunch of groceries up on the pier. Could someone help me carry them on board?”
    Without a word, the younger man got up. When Jordan turned to follow him, the older man shook his head and motioned at a seat.
    â€œBilly’ll get them.”
    Jordan set her medical bag down and slid into a seat. “Thanks, that’s very kind.” She reached into her handbag for her wallet. “How much is the fare?”
    â€œYou’re the new doctor.” It wasn’t a question.
    â€œYes, I’m Jordan Burke. Hi.” She got up and they shook hands, hers swallowed by his rough paw. His scarred face softened into a smile.
    â€œCharlie Tidian. No charge this time, Doctor Jordan Burke.”
    â€œThank you, skipper.” Jordan smiled at him.