Free The Forbidden Promise by Helena Rose Page B

a slow caress, causing an unexpected
thrill.
    "It seems that I’m destined to support you," He
whispered.
    Aurora, feeling herself blushing, pulled quickly away from Lucas
and tried to regain control of her emotions.
    “And you don’t miss an opportunity to take advantage of it, I
see," she hissed in a tone sharper than she would have liked.
    Lucas, frowning, glanced at her with stern look.
    “I don’t need subterfuge when I want to hug a woman." He
addressed her with a frown, "I see you’ve also recovered pretty quickly
and you don’t need me anymore."
    Aurora looked down, sorry.
    “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s because I was
frightened. I didn’t think I would find myself in this situation."
    “And what did you think would happen coming to work as a doctor
in this place? These people are poor, but mostly ignorant, and many of them are
accustomed to violence because they haven’t known anything else in life.
They’re certainly not gallant dandies with women. You'll run into more than one
risk coming to work here. Neither the good nuns, nor Dr. Peron will always be
able to protect you."
    “So you also think I shouldn’t be a doctor just because I'm a
woman?"
    “I never said that, indeed, it’s right that women can also prove
their worth outside the home, and if you want to be a doctor, I find your commitment
and your courage admirable. Only you should be more aware of the risks you take
and be careful not to underestimate them."
    Aurora was struck by Lucas’ words.  Lucas smiled and turned
around. He grabbed the brute, still lying on the ground, and took him to the
exit.
    "Go for walk and don’t come back until you’ve learned some
manners," he ordered.
    Aurora paused to look at him, when she felt someone touch her
shoulder.
    "Ma’am," said the poor mother, "please excuse my
husband. But, will you carry on treating my son?"
    "But of course, don’t worry," she said, and then
turning to the other patients asked with a smile, "who would like to be
next?”
    The day ended with Aurora taking care of the last patient, suturing
a suspected stab wound of a large man of few words. Aurora had been careful to
avoid asking him any questions.
    She had stopped for only a short time during the day to eat some
soup cooked by the convent’s cook. Immediately after lunch Dr. Peron had
arrived, bringing with him some medical supplies. He had gone to San Luis where
a pharmacist friend of his had sold him the supplies at a good price.
    "You know doctor, one of the main problems here is the
supply of drugs and medical supplies," he explained.
    Aurora was surprised by Dr. Peron’s attitude who was gentle,
quiet, and with a perpetual look of sadness in his eyes. He had accepted her
without problems, treating her as an equal and seemed honestly happy to be
working with her. Aurora noticed that his hands trembled slightly as he placed
the drugs in the dispensary. Poor thing, with those hands he certainly can’t
operate , she immediately thought.
    In the afternoon the two worked diligently together, helped by
Mother Agostina the head of the infirmary.
    "I think it’s time for you to go home," said Dr. Peron
at the end of the day. "It is almost sunset."
    “Yes, you’re right," said Aurora placing the suture thread
in the dispensary. "It wasn’t bad, for the first day."
    "I would say so,” agreed Dr. Peron. “Your father must be
very proud of you."
    Aurora smiled and nodded.
" Yes, my father is," she said. My mother is certainly not. Who
knows what she’ll say to me, since I didn’t even go home for lunch .
    Determined not to think about it, she said goodbye to the doctor
and the good nuns. Luckily Mother Superior had gone to Father Julian‘s church
to talk about the girls who were to receive their first communion there
shortly. Thank goodness, one meeting this morning was enough so at least I
can be alone for a while. The Mother Superior would certainly have had a
nun or novice escort her home.
    Out in