Chapter 72 Encountered Again 2
Matilda instinctively glanced at Wentworth.
He ignored her, obviously because they were already divorced.
Yes, many couples became enemies after breaking up, let alone divorce. And he had tried to save their marriage back then, but she hadn't given him time.
So he probably hated her now and didn't want any further entanglement.
She shook her head and said to Rick, "No thanks, I already ordered food, and I have a small appetite anyway."
"Don't be so polite. You're a doctor, we're National Guard soldiers, we're neighbors—we might run into you again in the future."
Mark and Danny chimed in, asking her to join them.
Even the restaurant owner smiled and said, "Yeah, eating alone is still eating, eating with a group is still eating. Since fate brought you together, sit together—you can look out for each other in the future."
Matilda thought about it and felt that refusing again would seem pretentious.
But... she glanced at Wentworth again.
Danny noticed and asked Matilda, "Are you worried our captain won't approve? Don't worry, our captain's like this—he likes to keep a stern face wherever he goes. Just ignore him."
Wentworth shot Danny a withering look.
Danny chuckled.
They made room for Matilda, so she moved over.
Since Matilda had ordered first, her liver and onions came out quickly.
She immediately invited them, "Everyone eat together."
Danny asked, "You eat it that spicy?"
Matilda said, "I don't have much appetite today, so I ordered it spicy to help it go down."
Danny added, "By the way, you're from Phoenix City, right? Our captain is also from Phoenix City."
Matilda glanced at Wentworth again. He was looking down at his phone like an outsider.
Pretending not to know me? Fine, you don't know me, I don't know you either. Who cares?
She said to Danny, "Phoenix City is huge. I've never seen him."
Wentworth's hand trembled slightly.
They proceeded with introductions—where they were from, what to call each other, etc.
Danny asked Matilda, "Do you drink?"
Matilda immediately said, "Yes, I can hold my liquor pretty well."
This was true. She didn't know why her alcohol tolerance was so good—it seemed natural. Whenever she was upset, she'd have a little drink. Once when she was dating Reuben, he tried to get her drunk, but he passed out while she was fine.
Of course, Danny and the others wouldn't try to get her drunk—in this high altitude cold region, locals were used to drinking a little whiskey or bourbon. A little drinking was pleasant, too much was harmful.
Matilda drank and chatted with these soldiers.
Back and forth, she became familiar with them. Rick and Mark had been serving in this area for years; Danny was Wentworth's aide, and the two of them had only recently come to Stoneford Town.
Matilda asked Danny, "Where did you serve before?"
Danny laughed, "Before... that's classified."
Matilda understood and didn't ask further.
Throughout this process, Wentworth barely spoke, just kept his head down eating. Everyone treated him like he was invisible.
After dinner, Matilda returned to her dorm room at Stoneford Community Health Center.
She boiled water to wash clothes, then lay on her bed.
For some reason, Wentworth's figure kept appearing in her mind.
The soldier who helped transport the medication back yesterday—that must have been him too.
She'd heard people in the truck call him "Major Gonzaga," so his rank wasn't low.
He'd only recently come to Briarford County, so before that...
Also, had his insomnia gotten better?
Matilda thought about these things as she drifted off to sleep.
In the early morning, the clinic's landline kept ringing incessantly, like a death knell.
Matilda knew it must be an emergency and quickly got up to dress.
Levi was even faster. After answering the phone, his face changed, and he immediately notified her, "Matty, quick, grab the emergency kit. A group of tourists are trapped on the mountain."
Seeing his tense expression, Matilda didn't dare delay and quickly prepared.
Before coming to provide support, she'd received emergency training, especially for the high altitude climate and environment here. If people were trapped on the mountain, it was likely weather-related.
She prepared portable oxygen bags and some emergency medications, then got in the van.
Levi was familiar with the mountain roads in this area, so he drove.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the foot of a mountain.
Temporary tents had been set up at the base, with two National Guard military trucks parked there.
Matilda saw Wentworth directing soldiers to set up windproof tents and build fires.
Several tourists were being carried down on stretchers one by one. Matilda and Levi couldn't worry about the cold and immediately went forward to check their conditions.
A blizzard had hit the area last night. These tourists had pitched their tents on the mountaintop, thinking they could weather it, but the snow was too thick and collapsed their tents. There was no signal on the mountain either. It was the travel blogger who risked coming down the mountain for help that alerted the nearby patrol to rescue them.
Matilda provided first aid and oxygen therapy, working until noon before these people gradually regained consciousness.
She and Levi were also exhausted.
At this time, Danny came over and called to her, "Matilda, we've set up a new windproof tent over here. Want to come warm up by the fire?"
Matilda didn't stand on ceremony and went over with Levi.
A campfire was burning in front of the tent, with waves of heat washing over them.
Only after sitting down did she realize her feet were nearly frozen stiff.
She'd never had a chance to buy snow boots, and today she'd left in such a hurry that she only wore running shoes. She hadn't noticed while walking around in the snow earlier, but now she felt her toes going numb.
Not caring about appearances, she took off her snow-soaked shoes and socks and put her feet near the fire to warm them.
At this moment, she felt a burning gaze again. Following her instincts, she looked over and saw Wentworth standing behind her.
Their eyes met, but neither showed any emotion.
Remembering how he'd pretended not to know her yesterday, Matilda simply ignored him and focused on warming herself by the fire.
She was tired and hungry, having not even had a sip of water since morning.
Wentworth turned and walked away.
Soon, Danny came over and handed her a thermos and several MRE compressed crackers.
"Matilda, drink some hot water to warm up, and here are some crackers. They don't taste good, but they'll fill you up," Danny said.
Matilda took them and said, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it. My captain asked me to bring these over," Danny smiled.
"Him?" Matilda couldn't quite believe it.
Danny explained, "Our captain is just a quiet guy. He looks like a stone, but he's kind-hearted. Just because he didn't talk to you yesterday doesn't mean he doesn't care about you. Besides, you worked all morning—you worked the hardest."
Matilda glanced into the distance and saw Wentworth handing food to the travel blogger.
Indeed, he cared about everyone.
Matilda drank the hot water and ate a few crackers, feeling much warmer.
She was about to return the thermos to Danny when she couldn't find him, but ran into Rick instead.
Rick glanced at the thermos in her hands and said, "Isn't that Major Wentworth's thermos?"