Read Online Jewel of the Pacific by Linda Lee Chaikin - Free Book Online Page A

braided coil at the back of her neck. The reflection of her sober face in her hand mirror revealed the stressful imprint of the past month. In the shadows of the cabin her eyes looked darker than her unusual green and revealed her inner turmoil to those who knew her best.
    Eden wore an older nursing outfit for the rough landing, and also to identify herself as a representative of the Board of Health.
    Lepers always came to the beach to meet the boats rowing in, and in the dark they had probably mistaken the
Minoa
for the monthly steamer that brought them food, mail, and a few new lepers who were being forced to join the settlement.
    She gathered her possessions and marched toward the ladder. Grasping the handrail, she mounted the steep, narrow steps to the deck. As she reached the top and pushed against the low door, the wind struck her. She placed her palm to her stomach, feeling nauseated. Never one for the sea, she held on to the casing in the doorway to steady her.
    The sun was rising, reflecting on gray-green billows. The wind smelled of brine water. She glanced at crew members on deck getting whaleboats ready for the excursion to the shore. Their sure-footedness and strength impressed her, as did their grins and nods. She suspected they knew she was the girl their Captain Easton had held a strong interest in. They probably knew nothing of the breakup.
    Meanwhile the
Minoa
pitched in the rollers coming in from the north. The rugged coastline amazed her, so stark against the morning light. Below the cliffs the sea-beaten rocks and boulders stood their ground refusing to surrender to the attack of the rollers.
    Oh Lord, You are my rock, my fortress. Strengthen me
.
    Dr. Jerome’s loud voice burst forth. “There’s no time to waste!”
    She released her grip on the door and moved toward her father. He was upset over something, and was protesting.
    “There is no reason for this delay,” he said to Keno. “It’s not as though we had an eternity here on earth. I won’t stand for it, young man.”
    Keno calmly shook his head and said something that roused her father more. His voice rose, “I tell you I want
all
of the supplies unloaded from the ship this morning and taken to Kalawao. There’s no reason why this must wait until tomorrow.”
    “I’m sorry, Doctor, but it’s too risky,” Keno said. “The
kanakas
know what they’re doing. They have plenty of experience bringing heavy supplies ashore. They ask that we wait until the wind lowers and the swells ease. And I’ve agreed.”
    “There must be a way to avert this delay, Keno! I must get that clinic started.”
    “Be sensible, Jerome,” Ambrose interjected, walking up. “You’re no novice about the sea. Look at those waves. Keno’s captain for good reason. Think of how you’d feel if supplies were lost before reaching shore.”
    The wind whipped Eden’s long skirt, and blew sea spray against her, prickling her face.
    Suddenly, Eden noticed her father’s countenance change, and the flesh over his high cheekbones turned a ruddy color. She had been worried about her father’s health the last few weeks. He had been overburdened by attending to Rafe day and night, and then by the task of preparing the medical supplies for this trip. Now that he was finally getting his clinic, he had become irritated with minor hindrances.
    Keno grabbed Jerome’s shoulders as the doctor started to slump. “Sir?”
    Eden hurried past them to the captain’s cabin, opening the door. “It’s his heart. Keno, bring him in here.”
    “I’m all right,” Dr. Jerome gasped. “I’m all right.”
    Eden knew he was not.
    Keno brought him to the bunk bed in the corner of the cabin, stretched him out, then moved back toward the door as Ambrose entered.
    Eden rushed to her father’s side and knelt beside him, unbuttoning his shirt collar. He was perspiring and pain was written across his lined face, his eyes staring at the cabin roof.
    “His heart?” Ambrose asked, bending