Free Redeeming Gabriel by Elizabeth White Page B

expected.”
    Gabriel supposed Admiral Farragut did have a certain claim on Delia’s time. She was leaving, so he’d have to get that cipher back one way or another. Even if he had to kidnap Camilla Beaumont to do it.
    “All right then, I’ll meet you at the wharf before dawn.”
    Delia bit her lip. “Don’t do anything to jeopardize the mission.”
    He gave her an ironic smile. “I’m not the one who got myself arrested. I have something to take care of. Lie low until tonight, and I’ll see you then.”
    “Be careful.” Delia melted into a crowd of women waving to a troop of passing soldiers.
    With an effort Gabriel shelved his worries about the missing cipher and turned toward the hospital.
    He found the little girl named Lecy lying in her cot, playing with a doll made from a hank of yarn tied to form head, arms and legs. The child was still pale, but her eyes were bright. Gabriel looked at the end of the bed. Both legs were still intact.
    Releasing a pent-up breath, he smiled. “Hello, Lecy. How are you feeling today?”
    The big Irish-blue eyes lit. “Pastor Gabriel! I’m getting well. My leg quit hurting after you were here the other day. Miss Camilla came to see me again.”
    “That’s good.” Gabriel hunkered beside the cot to examine her doll. “Where’s your mama?”
    “Home with my brothers and sisters. I got to get well so I can keep an eye on them while Mama works outside.”
    “There are eight in all,” said a quiet voice behind him. Camilla Beaumont moved to the other side of the cot. “Lecy’s number two. The oldest isn’t quite right, so her folks depend on her a lot.”
    Gabriel looked up Camilla, not entirely surprised to see her. A splash of sunshine from the open window made a nimbus of the gold-streaked hair curling about her face, and her ruddy blouse echoed the healthy color in her cheeks. Leaning over the bed, she looked like a guardian angel in primary colors.
    He dragged his gaze back to the child. “She’s doing better today, thank the Lord.” Startled by the rush of gratitude that flooded him, he jerked the sheet free of the mattress so he could unwrap the bandage from the wounded leg. It was free of infection, the skin a healthy pink. “She’ll be able to go home soon.”
    “I wasn’t able to find any carbolic spray, but I’ve been coming by here every day to wash her wound. It seems to have helped.”
    He showed her the contents of the canvas sack he’d set on the floor at the end of the bed. “I’d brought some myself. I was sure she was headed for amputation.” In reluctant wonder, Gabriel replaced the gauze strips around Lecy’s leg. Maybe Camilla’s prayers had done some good after all.
    “Young man, you overstep your bounds.” The heavy voice was accompanied by angry footfalls.
    Gabriel looked around, and Camilla straightened.
    Dr. Kinch strode toward them, his white imperial beard jutting. He nodded at Camilla, then glared at Gabriel. “I would like to know on whose authority you endanger my patient’s health.”
    Gabriel got to his feet, heat pumping from his gut to his extremities. “On the authority of God Almighty. Have you anything that outranks that?”
    Fishlike, Dr. Kinch’s mouth opened and shut.
    Hiding a smile, Camilla tucked the sheet back under the mattress. “I’m sure Reverend Leland meant no harm. We were marveling over how well Lecy has recovered.”
    “Indeed.” The doctor puffed out his lips. “But you shouldn’t unwrap that bandage. Contaminated air has been known to carry mysterious miasmas into open wounds.”
    Gabriel offered the doctor the antiseptic he’d brought. “I’ve heard military doctors are using this compound now to reduce such infections. I hope you’ll accept it as a token of my goodwill.” He forced a conciliatory tone. “I wouldn’t wish to do anything to slow down Lecy’s recovery.”
    The doctor huffed as he accepted the sack and its contents. “I’m sure you have the best intentions,