Summer chuckles and Danny looks at Mrs. Zhang wondering what’s so funny.
“No, Mr. Yates ordered me to remain with you at all times.” He shrugs, “I can help you find runners though.”
“I am glad to have your company, Danny. London is a bigger city, but this one is more… savage. Explain to me this notion of a runner?” Summer asks while she works. Danny squeezes into a corner next to her with his back to a wall so he can watch the shop entrance.
“Someone who runs errands for money. The poor need money and they are willing to work hard.”
Summer looks at him closely and stops writing. This large man is seen as all muscle, but she considers his heart too. He is handsome with long dark hair, but her heart belongs to another. “It seems everyone here has a story to tell. I would be very thankful to have your help. I will speak to the hospital administrators about helping us as well.”
Two hours later she finishes her translations, knowing the rest will have to wait. “I know this is a lot to ask, but can you have some printed in each language quickly?”
“I can have the first batch of two hundred ready tomorrow, same time.”
“Lovely. I would like to leave some of the English copies with whatever businesses you think would allow it.” They move off to discuss it in detail. Summer pays him and collects the first half of her thousand flyers, along with an agreement to order as many as she needs in the future. They will distribute the five hundred, and she will take the other five hundred to the hospital. The second order, in other languages, will be sent to the Castle Garden immigration port, along with Star Island quarantine area to give to those entering the country, or to those who are caring for the sick.
Summer watches as Mr. Zhang hangs her flyer in his window and waves through the glass. Pride fills her heart, and she turns to find Danny staring at her. “What?” She questions.
“I’m thinking Mr. Yates is one lucky man. What you are doing is wonderful,” he snaps gruffly and opens the waiting carriage door.
“Thank you, I think my father would be proud,” she climbs inside, and they head to the hospital. The administrators are thrilled to meet the daughter of Dr. Charles Denning and offer a tour, which doesn’t take long. They are surprised by her suggestions, but gladly accept her flyers with an agreement to give them to the board in charge of both places she suggested. The biggest surprise comes when they offer to pay her for her time and expenses, reimbursing her for the cost and order five thousand more copies. They will cover the cost of translation and delivery fees as well. Tears of gratitude fill her eyes.
“That would be excellent, my father would have been honored to be a part of your establishment.” They take a stack of flyers to give out and walk her out, with Danny following. It’s hard to believe that by the time the sunsets her flyers will be working their way through New York City!
“Now, I need to get home and tell Mr. Yates what I’m up to.”
Danny’s laughter fills the carriage as the driver snaps the reins to the horses and they lurch off into the afternoon traffic heading to the ferry station.
Chapter 34
Summer arrives home in time to change before joining them for dinner. She rushes into her suite carrying her flyers and pulls the bell to summon Tarrah to help her change. Walking to the desk to put her flyers down, she stops moving and stares in horror at a small silver tin, tied with a red ribbon. A ringing sound fills her ears, and the room fades to black, her colored flyers are the last thing she sees, before she hits the floor
Tarrah opens the door and rushes to Summer’s aid. She rolls her over to search for wounds and doesn’t find any. Jumping up to grab a cloth she wets it in the water pitcher and screams for help. Victor hears the scream and runs towards the disturbance. Tarrah is yelling again as he pushes past her.
“What happened to her?” He demands as he checks her for injuries. Tarrah sits on the other side of Summer and presses the cold cloth on her forehead, then turns to prop her feet on a pillow.
“I don't know, she rang the bell, and I came in and found her on the floor.” As she talks, she unlaces Summers boots and pulls them free.
“What are you doing?” He demands watching her work.
“My Granny always said, when a person passes out to get their feet up!” Tarrah snaps as she pat’s her cheeks. “Come on Summer, wake up now.”
Victor watches, holding her hand as the color returns to her face, her eyes flutter open, and she stares at him. “That's right angel, open those beautiful blue eyes. Can you hear me?” He asks.
Summer begins to tremble, and her fear racks her whole body. “Blankets, we need blankets. Mr. Yates can you move her to the bed.” Victor lifts her and ignores the papers littering the floor. He lays her down on the bed and sits beside her.
“Summer, what’s going on? Talk to me. Tell me what happened. Are you in pain?”
The wail building in her soul works its way through her trembling body and erupts from her mouth. Victor leans back and stares at Tarrah as Summer rolls away from him, curling into a fetal position. He rubs her back and is murmuring to her, but all she can think is, I am found!
“Noooo!” Panicked, she leaps from the bed to rush to her closet and jerk
