Chapter 73 Can Finally Have a Good Sleep
Matilda stayed silent.
She hadn't looked carefully before, but now examining it closely, she saw a letter engraved on the metal surface of the thermos—"W."
It really was his!
If he was going to pretend not to know her, why give her his thermos?
Matilda gripped the lanyard on the lid tightly.
She decided not to return it just yet.
So she slung the thermos behind her back and continued changing bandages for the tourists, teaching them simple self-massage techniques to help relieve muscle and joint stiffness.
Seeing that the situation had mostly stabilized and knowing the clinic couldn't be left unattended, Levi said to Matilda, "I'll head back first. You keep an eye on things here for a while longer. Call me when you're done and I'll come get you."
Matilda agreed. "Okay."
She wasn't worried about getting back since the tourists would definitely return to town soon—they had transportation, and she could ride with them.
After finishing changing one tourist's medication, Matilda stood up too quickly and immediately felt dizzy, her vision going black as her body started to collapse.
However, a warm, strong hand steadied her firmly.
She found herself pressed against a broad, familiar chest.
Opening her eyes, she saw Wentworth's deep, sharp gaze.
His expression seemed concerned—or maybe not.
He asked flatly, "Are you okay?"
Matilda was and wasn't okay—the dizziness came from working too long without proper rest, food, or sleep, causing low blood sugar. She'd recover after resting a moment, but right now she couldn't stand.
Danny walked over, seeing Matilda leaning against Wentworth. He knew his captain never got close to women—when females had approached him before, they'd all been coldly rejected.
Worried that Matilda would also be rebuffed, Danny quickly asked, "Captain, should I help Dr. Spencer instead?"
Wentworth glanced at him. "No need."
Danny immediately shut up.
Wentworth kept his arm around her waist, helping her to a folding chair by the fire to rest.
Matilda felt a bit better and instinctively kept her distance after sitting down, then said politely, "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Wentworth's gaze fell on the thermos behind her.
Matilda deliberately acted like she hadn't noticed, thinking to herself: 'I won't return it first—if you want it back, ask for it yourself.'
But Wentworth didn't ask.
He turned to Danny. "Make Dr. Spencer some ginger tea."
Danny complied, though he was puzzled—wasn't he cold yesterday? Why was he helping her and making her tea today?
He couldn't help thinking: 'Could the captain suddenly be interested in her? But what about his ex-wife at home? Captain, please don't make a mistake.'
Matilda drank the ginger tea and felt much warmer.
Wentworth instructed driver Mark, "Mark, take Dr. Spencer back to town first."
Hearing this, one tourist protested unhappily, "If the doctor leaves, what about us? What if someone feels sick again?"
Wentworth's expression darkened. "She's one of only two doctors in town. If she gets sick from taking care of you, can you bear that responsibility? You knew there was a blizzard last night and still went up the mountain—that was your choice!"
A soldier's anger carried tremendous presence, even shocking Matilda.
Mark had already come over to take her away when Wentworth said, "Never mind, I'll drive her. Give me the keys."
Mark hesitated for a moment but handed over the keys.
Wentworth took them and said to Matilda, "Get in the car."
Matilda thought: 'Just because you tell me to get in, I should get in?'
But glancing around, she saw everyone watching her. If she refused, Wentworth would lose face, making it look like a couple's quarrel.
So she followed him.
The jeep's heater was running full blast. Matilda sat in the passenger seat, placing the medical kit by her feet.
Wentworth focused on driving without speaking.
Matilda also stayed quiet—after all, he was her ex-husband. She didn't know what to talk about.
His driving her back was probably just military duty, and she was indeed weak.
Outside, the mountains remained desolate, covered in snow, cold and silent. Every time she saw such scenery, Matilda's heart would grow calm, yet she'd also feel the urge to smoke, drink, or even shout.
For the moment, she forgot about Wentworth beside her.
Until Wentworth spoke. "Are you adjusting okay here?"
Matilda paused. "It's fine."
Just physically exhausting.
"You didn't eat today?"
"No."
She thought: 'What does whether I ate have to do with you?'
Wentworth parked in front of a small restaurant in town and asked, "You usually eat here?"
"Yeah."
Though the clinic had a kitchen, cooking for one person was too much trouble, and she wasn't good at handling beef and mutton—couldn't get rid of the gamey smell, and it was tough to chew.
Wentworth said, "Go eat then."
Matilda got out with her medical kit, wondering if Wentworth was going to eat with her.
But the moment she got out, the jeep started up and Wentworth drove away.
Matilda stood in silence.
She shouldn't have gotten her hopes up.
Wentworth returned to base, and soon Danny and the others came back too.
Danny went to the office to report on the tourists' arrangements, saying they'd been driven to the county seat.
Wentworth nodded, indicating he understood.
But Danny didn't leave, still standing in front of the desk.
Wentworth looked up. "Something else?"
"Captain, Matilda... you're the one who drove her back?"
"What else? Was I supposed to abandon her?" Wentworth glanced at him. "You seem pretty concerned about her."
Danny smiled awkwardly. "Dr. Spencer is so pretty—shouldn't all men like her?"
Wentworth's expression immediately darkened. "You guys cannot like her."
Danny was stunned.
He'd just been making casual conversation, and that kind of "like" wasn't romantic interest anyway. Why was the captain reacting so strongly? Was he worried they'd make mistakes?
Danny quickly said, "Right, someone with our status couldn't match up to her anyway. Captain, shouldn't you take your medication?"
His insomnia medication.
When they'd been assigned to Briarford County, Brian had specifically told Danny to remind Wentworth to take his pills on time.
The medication was temporarily developed by The Gonzaga Group. Though it couldn't cure the condition, it helped alleviate insomnia.
If not for his insomnia and divorce, Wentworth wouldn't have voluntarily requested transfer to such a remote area.
Wentworth shook his head. "Not today."
"Why not?"
"I'll sleep well tonight. If there's nothing else, you can go." Wentworth said.
Today's brief contact with Matilda convinced him he'd sleep soundly tonight.