Melody does not want the crowd to see her cry, especially the treacherous Tam and Rob, but the pain is too much to hold back her tears. She hears loud whispers skip through the crowd asking what happened and sees Rob and Tam’s puzzled faces among the scavengers as Morrison rushes her to the inn.
“Go on then! Ge’ oot the way. Have ya nae decency?” Morrison commands the scavengers as he pushes past them with his heavier body, making sure Melody’s foot is protected. “I tell ye, they jus’ wonnae stop.”
Finally, they make it into the inn and up the stairs to Melody’s room. It is in the peace and quiet of her room that Morrison is able to think more clearly and decides to call Dr. Ian Bell for a closer look.
It is now early evening and Dr. Bell nods as he sits at Melody’s bedside, content with his findings. “You really did a number on it didn’t you, Miss Winter?” He nods his head to confirm his own statement.
“Yeah,” Melody answers sheepishly, her embarrassment to share with anyone what really happened becoming more apparent. She can imagine the deer headlights that would follow a statement like, Oh, I was out on an afternoon stroll when I decided to spy on two men, roll down the hill and lastly, hurt my ankle while swinging from a bush. Even she doesn’t buy it, but that is exactly what happened and now, she is confined to this guest bed for what already seems like an eternity. Thankfully, Morrison has agreed to attend to her until she is healed.
She taps her fingers, anxious to get back to her investigation and learn more about Tam and Rob’s alliance. I should have trusted my instincts about Rob, she thinks. He was working with Tam all along.
Not long after assessing her foot, Dr. Bell announces it is her ankle that is partly injured, but not broken. He prescribes a few days of rest to allow her foot swelling to go down and assures her she’ll be back to work within a week.
“A week!” Melody retorts.
Her displeasure is equally met by a knowing look from the doctor who is now sitting up straighter than when he first arrived, “Miss Winter, might I remind you that you are very fortunate you didn’t break a bone?”
Melody retreats, realizing she’s not going to win this time.
“Now,” Dr. Bell instructs as he packs his brown leather bag. “I’m going to let Morrison know of a few items he can pick up for you.” He stands and walks to the door then turns to say, “If you do exactly as I say, they’ll help speed up your recovery. I’m sure you can appreciate that since you’re so eager to return to work.”
She looks up with a smile of gratitude.
“I hope the Deacons understand what a hard worker you are.” Dr. Bell offers and smiles, revealing a few crow’s feet around his eyes. His slick hair makes it difficult for Melody to pinpoint his age, but it appears the wrinkles may be a combination of carrying the town’s burdens on his shoulders while looking seemingly unscathed and his age. “Goodbye, Miss Winter.” As quickly as he arrived, he now vanishes out of the room with a little more than a light patter of his feet.
When the gently creaking wooden steps quieten, Melody picks up her phone and notifies Will at once of her unplanned short leave. “I’m sure it’ll only be a few days.”
“Not a problem Miss Winter. I will let Rebecca know so she does not worry. We will see you when you are well.”
Melody is a little surprised by how understanding Will is of her injury. She half expected him to ask for a formal request for a leave accompanied with a doctor’s note. But he was actually quite… pleasant.
She looks out of the window from her bed and takes in the vast seas extending for miles into the darkening horizon. Moments ago, the sun dipped below the sea line and now an afterglow shedding the last of its rays lingers. Since her arrival, Melody has not had a chance to tour the island. She would love to walk by the seashore, collect some sea shells and dip her toes in the water.
As she stares into the horizon, hoping to arouse a glimpse of the place she calls home, far away on the other side of the Atlantic, Melody longs to bring into view her family and friends again. Going to the beach was one of her favorite activities in Boston and she did it with people she loved.
She hears a knock at the door. “Come in.”
“Dinner is served!” Morrison cheerfully waltz in, hoisting a plate in one hand and a couple of whiskeys in another.
“What are we having?” Melody sits up in bed, now alert to her hunger pains. While she was enthralled with the view outside her window and consumed deep in thought about her family back in Boston, she had missed the tell-tale signs of hunger as her stomach lightly growled. Just as well because she hasn’t eaten anything since breakfast this morning.
“You, Miss, are eating shepherd's pie.”
“Is that…?” A scrumptious aroma fills the air and Melody pines for a taste of this new dish.
“Yes, minced meat, peas and mashed potatoes. Mum’s the word though; this here is my granny’s secret recipe.” Morrison proudly shares with a knowing wink.
“I can’t wait to try it. Will you join me? I don’t mind if I do. I have a friend in to care for the barflies tonight.” Morrison grabs the chair across from Melody and sips
