“I just met you, Captain. But I won’t hold that against your people. You’re blunt.”
McVicars laughed. “I am, aren’t I?”
“But it doesn’t bother me.” Domenica lifted a stack of fresh sheets off the shelf from the supply closet in the laundry. “You’re just scared.”
“Whatever do you mean?” McVicars pretended not to hear her as he followed her out the laundry room door and back into the corridor. “I will have you know that I am known for my courage.”
“You did lead your men to the hospital tonight. Some are worse off than others, but all of them will heal. You had good luck.”
“You won’t say that when you see the Boidoin.”
McVicars followed Domenica into the examining room. He stood by while she made up the examining table with a fresh sheet. “Do you think we could be friends?” he asked.
Domenica helped the captain onto the examining table. “It takes time to make a friend.”
“Well, obviously you’re a quick thinker. What are your thoughts? Do you think you can be my friend? Like? Not like? Ruminating? Indifferent? Undecided?”
“You talk too fast.” She swung McVicars’s legs onto the examining table.
“How did you do that? I’m three times your size.”
“Hot towels.” Josephine opened the door with her hip and smiled at McVicars.
McVicars took a towel and wiped his face. “How’s this, Nurse?”
“Better,” Josephine said.
“How about you, Cabrelli, what do you think?”
“I don’t see an enormous difference. Josephine, how are we doing on the floor?”
“We’ve got the boys cleaned up. Dr. Chalfant is overseeing the binding. Sister Marie Honoré has already put three men to sleep reading Scripture aloud.”
“Forgive them.” McVicars shook his head sadly. “Tell the good sister to read the racing forms. They’ll stay awake for that.”
“I must go.” Domenica turned to leave.
McVicars grabbed her hand. “The nurse said the situation is under control.”
Domenica pulled her hand away gently. “She’s not the boss. It’s my shift and I’m in charge. That’s why I can ask you a question.”
“What is it?”
“Would you like a cup of tea, Captain McVicars?”
Stephanie poked her head in the door. “Domenica, you’re needed on the floor.”
“Excuse me, Captain. The tea and macarons are at the nurses’ station at the end of the hall. Help yourself.”
CHAPTER 18
As the sun rose over Marseille, the lobby of H?pital Saint Joseph was drenched in light. Olivier, exhausted, slowly pushed the mop back and forth across the floor.
“Why are you still here?” Domenica took the mop from Olivier.
“Sister Marie Bernard said I couldn’t leave until I got the smoke smell out of the lobby.”
“It may take a while. I’ll throw some cologne around.”
Olivier smiled and took the mop back from her to finish his chore. “Why are you still here, mademoiselle?”
“Because I’m the boss until the next shift begins.”
The hospital was quiet as Domenica made the rounds. The sailors of the Boidoin had been examined and treated. They slept quietly in their beds on the main floor. The nurses on the morning shift had already gathered in the hospital kitchen to prepare breakfast for the patients. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and hot croissants drifted through the corridor. As hungry as Domenica was, the thought of her bed was more appealing than food. She signed out of her shift and picked up the work log. She stopped to bless herself with holy water from the font outside the chapel when she remembered a final task she had promised to complete. She entered the chapel, closing the door behind her. She genuflected at the altar in the cool darkness. The scent of carnations filled the air. She placed the Holy Book on the lectern and placed the cruets, bells, and linens on the side table for Mass.
“I couldn’t find the light.” A man’s voice cut through the silence.
She squinted into the darkness. “Captain McVicars?”
“I’m not praying.”
“It’s not an accusation.”
“What are you doing?” the captain asked innocently.
“Sister Claudette asked me to prepare the chapel for Mass.”
“Is it Sunday?”
“We have daily Mass. What are you doing?”
“The laundress is pressing my uniform. I don’t know how she got the oil stains out of it, but she did. I offered to kiss her.”