Free Caution to the Wind by Mary Jean Adams Page B

sounded casual, perhaps too casual.
    “Are you asking for my professional opinion?”
    “Yes.” He did need a professional opinion, but was this something in which surgeons received training? Somehow he doubted it.
    The doctor sucked in a breath, then let the air rush from his lungs. “Well, since he’s never come to me with any sort of ailment, I can only surmise he’s in good health. Although he doesn’t appear to be as strong as his shipmates, he’s a tireless worker and has an excellent bedside manner. To me, he’s—“
    “No, that’s not what I mean, Doctor.” Will tucked his hand back into the crook of his arm. “Adam’s a fine crewmember...if a bit unusual.”
    “Then perhaps I don’t understand what you’re asking.” The doctor tipped his head, inviting Will to elaborate.
    Will unfolded and refolded his arms. “Have any of other men commented on him? Said anything that might cause concern?”
    “Commented?” The doctor thrust out his chin and considered the first question. He brightened. “I suppose they have, now that you mention it.”
    Will’s gut tightened. “What have they said?”
    “Nothing in particular, but they seem to enjoy having the boy around. I suppose you could say the more they get to know Adam, the more they like him.”
    Will sighed and ran his hand across the back of his neck. “That’s a relief.”
    “How so?” the doctor asked.
    “As you said, he’s not as strong as his shipmates, and in most things, the things that count to the men, he’s not as capable. I’d hate to think of Adam being tormented just because he’s...different. Sailors can be cruel to anyone they believe to be shirking their duties.”
    The doctor grinned, “I think your crew might surprise you.”
    “How so, Doctor?”
    Doctor Miller set his elbows on the arms of his chair and steepled his fingers. “They’re getting to know Adam, coming to appreciate his true worth to the ship...and to you.”
    Will patted his stomach. “I have grown accustomed to having him around.”
    While still lean, the snugness of his breeches around his waist suggested he might have gained a pound or two in the last week. He would have to remember to ask Adam to cut back on the lemon cake.
    “I would not worry,” the doctor said with a touch of humor. “A man can’t help but liking Adam.”
    Will looked up, warning bells pealing. “What do you mean?”
    There was, of course, another concern, one that made Will queasy even considering. He had been ready to dismiss it altogether, but the doctor’s words, nay, his tone suggested he needed to confront the possibility. As captain of the ship, the responsibility for the welfare and morality of the crew lay with him.
    “Adam does things for them.”
    “Like what sorts of things?” Will asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer.
    “He spends time with them. Holds their hand while I tend their wounds. Brings then treats while they are recu  ”
    “He does what ?”
    Confusion wrinkled the doctor’s brow. “Brings them treats?”
    “No, before that.”
    “Holds their hand?”
    “Yes... that .” Will growled.
    “I’m sure he doesn’t mean anything by it, and the men are soothed by his presence. Short of having a woman to comfort them, he’s the next best thing.”
    Will’s blood ran cold at the doctor’s choice of words. With no woman aboard, would they consider Adam the next best thing ?
    “The men show no untoward attention to the boy.” The doctor added, showing he understood at least some of Will’s concerns.
    No untoward attention now, but Adam was clearly an innocent. Encouraging the men, however unintentionally, wouldn’t help his situation. Who knew when he would give the wrong idea to the wrong man?
    Will’s long sigh did little to relieve the strain, but it did give him an opportunity to consider another possibility. Perhaps this was simply a phase Adam was going through. In time, he might add some weight to his slight frame, lose