Chapter 71 Encountered Again
Wentworth opened his eyes and looked out the truck window.
Driver Mark Carroll had already gotten out and was talking to Matilda.
"Hey, girl, it's you again? Didn't your van just break down yesterday? And now it's broken again?"
Matilda smiled ruefully. "I have no idea. Maybe I'm destined to meet you guys. Every time my van breaks down, I run into you."
"Let me take a look for you."
"Thanks."
Matilda stepped aside.
Inside the truck, Danny couldn't help asking Wentworth again, "Captain, isn't she the person in your photo?"
Wentworth was silent for a long moment before saying, "No, you're mistaken."
"Huh? I'm mistaken?"
Right, a man wouldn't mistake his own wife, would he?
But Danny was still confused. "If it's not her, then why do you keep staring at her?"
Wentworth was indeed watching Matilda—he'd noticed blood stains on her coat.
"Go down and ask her about the blood on her clothes."
Danny grinned. "Captain, you're worried about her, aren't you?"
Wentworth glanced at him. "Did you forget what our duties are?"
"Protect the personal safety and property of community residents."
Wentworth gave him a "so what?" look.
Danny immediately understood and hurried out to ask. Soon he returned to report, "She says she's a doctor. She performed a cesarean section on a farm woman today and probably got blood on her accidentally."
She actually performed a C-section?
Wentworth said again, "Ask her where she's from and why she came to the Stoneford area."
Danny was puzzled. "Captain, you really seem to care about her."
Wentworth said flatly, "Just ask what I told you to ask. What if she's hiding something? We can't let our guard down."
Danny had to go down again. After a while, he returned. "She says she came to support the community clinic, only arrived less than a week ago, and isn't familiar with the area yet."
Wentworth said, "That's enough."
Then he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes again.
Soon Mark came back up too.
Mark said, "The van's fixed. She's just not used to this old manual transmission—keeps riding the clutch and forgetting to shift gears. The clinic doesn't have a better vehicle for her to use. I just taught her how to drive it properly."
Wentworth just grunted in response.
Matilda got back in the van, and as she started it up, the military truck passed by her. She looked up and caught a glimpse of a tall figure in the back seat—because he was so tall, he stood out prominently.
It looked like Wentworth.
But she thought it was impossible. How could he be here?
After driving back to Stoneford Community Health Center, there weren't many patients in the clinic. Levi and Sarah were both busy with their own tasks.
Seeing Matilda return, Levi looked up and asked, "What took you so long? Did the van break down again?"
Matilda said, "Yeah, ran into the military truck again. Same driver as yesterday—he said my driving isn't up to standard."
Levi comforted her. "You'll get used to it with more practice. This van's been in use for almost twenty years. If it really breaks down, that's the vehicle's problem, not yours."
Sarah asked, "Dr. MacAllister, didn't you apply for a new vehicle?"
"Still waiting for approval. They say this one can last a few more months—might have to wait until next year."
Sarah stuck out her tongue.
Matilda said, "I'll go change clothes first, then grab something to eat."
Today had been exhausting, and she hadn't eaten much at the farm family's house. Now that she was relaxed, she suddenly felt very hungry.
Levi told her to hurry along and reminded her to rest after eating.
He then told Sarah about Matilda performing the cesarean section today, leaving her stunned.
Matilda returned to her dorm and changed into a different down jacket. The town had no dry cleaner, so she could only hand wash—after soaking her coat in a basin, she went to the restaurant across the street.
The restaurant owner and waitress were cleaning up leftover food from a large table.
Matilda greeted them. "Business looks good today!"
Seeing Matilda, the owner immediately beamed. "Yeah, that group of tourists who came with you that day ordered a whole table of food but didn't finish it or take it to go."
Matilda was surprised. "They still haven't left?"
What was so interesting about Stoneford Town that could make people stay for so many days?
"Nope. Yesterday they went to the river to collect stones, today they said they're going camping. I warned them not to spend the night outdoors in this weather, but they wouldn't listen—they think having a big group makes them safe."
Matilda sat down and asked, "Is camping dangerous?"
"Of course. This is the edge of plateau territory—temperatures can drop and snow can fall anytime. It's easy to get hypothermia."
Matilda said, "If they want to go, they must have prepared for it. Let them be."
The owner asked, "What would you like to eat today?"
Matilda laughed. "Besides beef and mutton, plus cornbread and soup, what else is there?"
The owner laughed too. "Beef or mutton—pick one."
"I'll have liver and onions, with extra peppers." Matilda wanted to replenish her blood today.
"Coming right up."
Matilda sat at the small table waiting, using the restaurant's decent WiFi to browse news on her phone.
Soon another group of customers came in.
She didn't look up, absorbed in entertainment news—some so-called top celebrity's persona had collapsed.
But as she read, she suddenly felt a sharp gaze fixed on her.
She remembered Wentworth once saying that if you feel someone staring at you, then someone really is staring—you must be alert and find a way to get away.
She looked up, following her instincts.
The moment she saw that tall figure, she almost dropped her phone.
Wentworth?
But Wentworth's gaze withdrew at that moment. He found a table and sat down with his back to her, acting like he didn't know her.
Danny, Rick, and driver Mark all greeted her.
Mark smiled. "Girl, we really are destined to meet! Running into each other again so soon!"
Matilda's gaze was still on Wentworth. Hearing Mark's words, she snapped back to attention. "Yeah, what a coincidence."
Danny looked back and forth between Matilda and Wentworth, sensing something off between them—like they knew each other.
But Wentworth was tall and handsome—he'd attract attention wherever he went. Having girls stare at him was normal.
Rick went to order—beef, mutton, and cornbread, the works.
The owner was very warm with them—clearly they were regulars.
After ordering, Rick saw Matilda sitting alone and called out, "Hey doc, since we keep running into each other like this, why don't you come join us?"