Free Expedition of Love by Jo Barrett

them.
    She prepared some dry toast and yet another pot of tea and made her way down the corridor. With Mr. Walters tending his fellow student, and Mr. Anderson apparently enjoying the entire adventure with her father above deck, left her in charge of the doctor.
    Her face flushed as she reached his door. “You're being silly, Kristina,” she fussed at herself. He's only a man.
    Lifting her hand, she knocked firmly.
    "Who is it?"
    His voice was weak, stiffening her spine against her ridiculous fears. The man needed nourishment. “It's Kristina Peterson, Doctor. I've brought your dinner."
    She heard his low moan and reached for the door handle. He didn't want her assistance or food, but he was going to get it, like it or not.
    Bustling into the cabin, she made her way to his bedside. His color seemed better, but there was no mistaking the anger in his eyes.
    "You may as well stop glaring at me, Doctor. I won't leave until I've seen to your comforts.” She set the tray on the bedside, then sat down on the bed. “I've made some dry toast and some more tea. Which would you like first?"
    "I'm quite capable of feeding myself,” he growled.
    "I'm sure you are, but to be perfectly honest, I don't trust you."
    "You don't—of all the—Miss Peterson, would you kindly leave?"
    "No.” She went about pouring his tea, enjoying the huff and puff of his indignation. Over the years she had noted how men tended to growl and snarl when they found themselves at a disadvantage, especially around a woman.
    She turned to find him propped up in the bed with a grim frown and a deeply furrowed brow. A sense of disappointment niggled at her thoughts, as he wouldn't need to be held to take his tea.
    "Here you are, Doctor Baxter. I'm glad to see you've improved.” She handed him the cup and their fingers brushed, causing treacherous goose bumps to ripple across her skin. Determined to ignore them, she turned back to the table to retrieve his toast and avoid his steady gaze. It unnerved her.
    "I'd feel even better if you would leave,” he said.
    Her discomfort vanished with his grumbling. Oh, what an old bear, and so much like her father when he was sick. “I'm sorry to hear that. I thought you might enjoy some company after being confined all day."
    He closed his eyes on a sigh after sipping his tea. “Miss Peterson, under any other circumstances I would greatly enjoy your company, but this is highly improper."
    The devil that her father claimed possessed her at times perched atop her shoulder. “Well, Doctor, you shan't worry any longer. Your virtue is quite safe."
    His mouth fell open as she stood.
    Withholding her laughter, she strolled to the door. Pausing, she looked back over her shoulder. “You will eat your toast and take all of your tea, or I shall have to return and force feed you. And don't think I won't. Good afternoon, Doctor."
    Her show of strength faltered once she left his cabin. Hurrying to her room, she collapsed on her bed with a pounding headache. Verbal jousting with the man wore her out completely, not to mention the foreign yearnings stirring inside her, but this had to stop. She could not be attracted to him. She simply didn't have the time to fool with such things.
    Her last thoughts as she drifted off to sleep were of an adorable looking scientist struck dumb by her scathingly impudent remark.
    * * * *
    Edwin tapped at his daughter's door. “Kristina?"
    "Come in, Papa."
    He didn't care for the odd tone of her voice. Moving to the bedside, he found her lying atop the covers, her eyes closed, and in her nightclothes at such an odd time of day.
    "Are you all right, my dear?"
    He brushed her cheek as he sat down on the edge of her bed, not sure if she felt feverish or not, having no real experience in dealing with such things.
    She opened one eye then closed it again.
    "Kristina?"
    "I've only a headache. Not to worry, Papa."
    His worry dissipated, but only somewhat. “I thought you might like to take in the sunset with