CHAPTER FOUR

Hoping that Drake would be unconscious for a while yet, at least until his shift was over, the preacher ventured off of his post and to the infirmary. He found the door closed but the lights on and, through the windows, he could clearly see Kaylee, hugging herself as she lay on the examination chair, crying freely.

He wondered critically, as he opened the door, how anyone could see the girl so upset and not rush to comfort her.

“Go away!” Kaylee yelled, when he only had the door half-open. “You don’ wanna see me so just . . . just go away.”

“But,” Book said, very kindly as he stepped into the room. “I do want to see you.”

“Wha’?” the girl asked, opening her bloodshot eyes and seeing that it was the shepherd, not the doctor, who’d intruded on her misery.

“Although,” he continued, walking up so that he was standing next to her. “I must say, I never thought I’d see you in such a state.”

“Preacher,” the girl said, forcing herself to take deep breaths and wiping the tears from her eyes. “I’m sorry. I thought you were Simon.”

“I figured as much.” Book told her compassionately. “Would you like a glass of water?”

She nodded and tried to smile at him, though she looked intolerably sad.

Book turned to the nearest faucet and, after digging a second in nearby counters, found a glass for water. “You know,” he said, as he filled the small vessel. “Maybe I should be complimented ‘bout you thinking I was Simon. It’s not every man who’s mistaken for someone a third his age, by a pretty young girl none the less.” When he turned and handed her the glass he found her genuinely smiling through her tears.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice was cracked and rough and in obvious need of liquid.

“It was my pleasure,” Book said, smiling at her as she drank her water. When she was done he took the cup back and asked, “Would you like some more.”

“Naw,” her voice sounded much better. “I’m fine.”

“You certainly look better,” Book observed. “How do you feel?”

“A little achy,” Kaylee admitted. “A lot of numb.”

“A lot