Read Online Edge of Time (Langston Brothers Series) by Melissa Lynne Blue - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Melissa Lynne Blue
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fine, she set off to assist the sick and injured men with reading, writing and whatever else they might need that did not immediately deal with blood or gore.
Fine indeed , Marissa thought grumpily, taking a moment to gain her bearings and then set off in search of Dr. Langston. When a quick survey of the facility failed to reveal any sign of him , she inquired after his whereabouts with another man in gray. “Excuse me, sir I was looking for Captain Langston.”
The man looked at her in surpr ise then grinned appreciatively. “I say, Miss, are you sure it’s Captain Langston you’re looking for? I would be more than happy help you out.”
Ignoring the man’s flirtatious gaze Marissa plastered a polite smile on her face and assured the man that it was Craig Langston she needed to see.
“Why is it all of the pretty ones want to see him ?” The comment was directed upward as though appealing a higher power. Turning a mischievous grin to her, he waved a hand. “Follow me then, and I’ll see if we can’t find him. I am Captain James Rowe, army surgeon extraordinaire , and glad to be of your assistance, mademoiselle .”
The man’s grin had an infectious quality and before long Marissa was smiling genuinely in return. Now that the shock of the hospital’s atmosphere — and its lamentable downfalls—had ebbed she couldn’t help but be morbidly fascinated. Moving toward the back of the hospital her eyes drank in every aspect of the place and while it looked more like a holocaust camp than a hospital — mentally she made note not to mention Nazis, Hitler, Word War II, or World War I, for that matter — it felt like a hospital. Men in uniform strode with importance about the facility, young orderlies scurried up and down stairs, completing errands, following orders, and volunteers were carrying out any variety of tasks.
As if on cue Craig Langston appeared before the wide door of the operating room chucking a bloodied apron into the corner. Her heart positively lurched in the face of the pure devastation mirrore d in his eyes. The man looked tired and drawn , and so terribly young in that moment … all she wanted was to wrap her arms around those broad shoulders and pull him to her .
Slowly she ap proached. “Craig? Are you all right?”
He glared at her, as if asking himself what the hell she was doing there. “Miss McClafferty,” he clipped , “if you have come to once more take me to task about my methods of healing, you may leave. I am not in the mood to listen.” His attention shifted t o Dr. Rowe . “I lost Billy Cole this morning.”
Instantly Marissa understood his dour mood and once again t he shattered pieces of her heart trembled in sympathy. She wasn’t entirely sure she liked it, but her knowledge of medical advances yet to come assailed her conscience and she bled for him. No doubt many physicians in this day had lost countless patients who could have been saved in her time. How many young soldiers had placed broken bodies into Craig’s hands, trusting his skills to perform miracles and give their lives back to them?
“What do you need me to do?” Marissa asked quietly. “Remember, I agreed to help in whatever way I can.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, then without looking at her again, said, “James, please show her the cleaning closet and whatever else you think she’ll need. The lady find s the condition of our wards unacceptable. ” This time, he shot a pointed look at Marissa. Heat flamed in her cheeks but she refused to be intimidated. Maybe she wasn’t a charwoman, but if that was all the use he could see to put her to, then so be it. Then, to her amazement, he went on, speaking again to the other doctor. “When you have done so, start rounds in the third ward. Corporal Tanner may need his wounds debrided.”
So, her point about debridement had stuck with him. She hadn’t really expected him to acknowledge the fact the idea had come from her.
Already having formed
Fine indeed , Marissa thought grumpily, taking a moment to gain her bearings and then set off in search of Dr. Langston. When a quick survey of the facility failed to reveal any sign of him , she inquired after his whereabouts with another man in gray. “Excuse me, sir I was looking for Captain Langston.”
The man looked at her in surpr ise then grinned appreciatively. “I say, Miss, are you sure it’s Captain Langston you’re looking for? I would be more than happy help you out.”
Ignoring the man’s flirtatious gaze Marissa plastered a polite smile on her face and assured the man that it was Craig Langston she needed to see.
“Why is it all of the pretty ones want to see him ?” The comment was directed upward as though appealing a higher power. Turning a mischievous grin to her, he waved a hand. “Follow me then, and I’ll see if we can’t find him. I am Captain James Rowe, army surgeon extraordinaire , and glad to be of your assistance, mademoiselle .”
The man’s grin had an infectious quality and before long Marissa was smiling genuinely in return. Now that the shock of the hospital’s atmosphere — and its lamentable downfalls—had ebbed she couldn’t help but be morbidly fascinated. Moving toward the back of the hospital her eyes drank in every aspect of the place and while it looked more like a holocaust camp than a hospital — mentally she made note not to mention Nazis, Hitler, Word War II, or World War I, for that matter — it felt like a hospital. Men in uniform strode with importance about the facility, young orderlies scurried up and down stairs, completing errands, following orders, and volunteers were carrying out any variety of tasks.
As if on cue Craig Langston appeared before the wide door of the operating room chucking a bloodied apron into the corner. Her heart positively lurched in the face of the pure devastation mirrore d in his eyes. The man looked tired and drawn , and so terribly young in that moment … all she wanted was to wrap her arms around those broad shoulders and pull him to her .
Slowly she ap proached. “Craig? Are you all right?”
He glared at her, as if asking himself what the hell she was doing there. “Miss McClafferty,” he clipped , “if you have come to once more take me to task about my methods of healing, you may leave. I am not in the mood to listen.” His attention shifted t o Dr. Rowe . “I lost Billy Cole this morning.”
Instantly Marissa understood his dour mood and once again t he shattered pieces of her heart trembled in sympathy. She wasn’t entirely sure she liked it, but her knowledge of medical advances yet to come assailed her conscience and she bled for him. No doubt many physicians in this day had lost countless patients who could have been saved in her time. How many young soldiers had placed broken bodies into Craig’s hands, trusting his skills to perform miracles and give their lives back to them?
“What do you need me to do?” Marissa asked quietly. “Remember, I agreed to help in whatever way I can.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, then without looking at her again, said, “James, please show her the cleaning closet and whatever else you think she’ll need. The lady find s the condition of our wards unacceptable. ” This time, he shot a pointed look at Marissa. Heat flamed in her cheeks but she refused to be intimidated. Maybe she wasn’t a charwoman, but if that was all the use he could see to put her to, then so be it. Then, to her amazement, he went on, speaking again to the other doctor. “When you have done so, start rounds in the third ward. Corporal Tanner may need his wounds debrided.”
So, her point about debridement had stuck with him. She hadn’t really expected him to acknowledge the fact the idea had come from her.
Already having formed
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