Tempest in the White City

Tempest in the White City Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: Tempest in the White City Read Online Free PDF
Author: Deeanne Gist
ears down so they’ll do you for wings.” A spasm curled him up like a scorpion’s tail, robbing his breath.
    Carlisle sighed. “Listen, this isn’t so bad. Lots of people have had one. And if you don’t do it, then I’ll have to work all your shifts. Besides, you’re acting as scared as a rabbit in a wolf’s mouth. It’s embarrassing.”
    Embarrassing? Carlisle wanted to talk to him about embarrassing ?
    Holding Hunter’s gaze, Carlisle removed his hat and jacket, then rolled up his shirtsleeves. “I’m going to call her in here. And when she comes, you hunt up something you can use for a backbone, because if you give her any trouble, I’m going to knock you out cold as a meat hook.”
    This could not be happening. “I’ve got more backbone in my little finger than you have in your entire spine.”
    “Then let’s get this over with.”
    But it wasn’t Billy who came back in—it was the nurse. Hunter did as he was told, and when all was finished, Carlisle kicked the nurse out while the treatment took effect. Finally, Carlisle led him back to the cot. Hunter collapsed into an exhausted sleep.
    When he woke, he was alone, and it took him a moment to get his bearings. Once he did, he threw an arm over his eyes. Death and the deuce, but he hated doctors. Still, he had no pain and didn’t hear any harp music, so the purgative must have worked.
    He tapped his ribs, looking for his watch, but his jacket and shirt had been removed, leaving him in nothing but trousers and undershirt. There was no window, so he had no way of gauging the time.
    Someone had cleaned the exam room, lit a flowery-smelling candle, and set a fresh bowl within reach on his invalid’s table.
    The diploma on the wall snagged his attention. Billy Jack. What kind of parents named their daughter Billy Jack? And what kind of woman went to college to take up a man’s profession?
    But the more he thought about it, the more he admitted to himself that Billy Jack Tate was no quack. She’d managed to diagnose his problem in a matter of minutes and to cure it without sawing, leeching, or administering electric currents. Not that he was happy with the solution she’d come up with—but still, he’d seen an awful lot worse.
    As if his thoughts had conjured her up, she opened the door and stuck her head inside. “You’re awake.”
    He didn’t reply, not sure whether to thank her or strangle her.
    Stepping into the room, she shut the door and leaned against it. “How do you feel?”
    “Like I’ve been riding the rough string with a borrowed saddle.”
    She pushed away from the door. “What does that mean?”
    “Means I’ve felt better.”
    “Does your stomach still hurt?” Approaching the bed, she glanced at the sheet twisted about him and tugged it loose, then brought it up to his chest. “Well? Does it?”
    “I’m all right.”
    She folded the lip of the sheet over and smoothed it across him.
    “You tucking me in?”
    “You still sleepy?”
    “I need to get up. What time is it?”
    “Around eight o’clock.”
    His eyes widened. “At night?”
    “Yes.”
    Throwing off the covers, he pushed himself to a sitting position. “I’ve got to go. My shift started three hours ago.”
    She placed a hand against his arm. “Not so fast. Mr. Carlisle said he’d work your shift for you.”
    “He should have woken me.” Swinging his legs over the side, he paused. The room only spun for a few seconds, and his stomach made no objection at all.
    “You’re too weak to be doing any guarding, Mr. Scott. If something were to happen, you’d be in no shape to take it on. I have some dinner for you. Then my orders are for you to return to your barracks, drink your tea, and head right to bed.”
    He studied her. “You always work this late?”
    “If a patient needs me.”
    “What’s for dinner?”
    “Bananas and creamed potatoes.”
    He cringed. “Not much of a cook, are you?”
    Smiling, she removed the bowl and rolled the invalid’s
Read Online Free Pdf

Similar Books

Artemis

Andy Weir

Wanderlust

Elisabeth Eaves

Breath of Earth

Beth Cato

The Last Reporter

Michael Winerip