Felix leaned a little on Izzy to make his way up the steps to the office. As they entered a young woman welcomed them and asked them to take a seat. She went to retrieve Dr. Snow.
"Felix, I am glad to see you looking so well. I would like to introduce you to my wife, Nurse Rebecca Snow this is Felix King and his fiancée Izzy Pettibone, who I believe is a nurse also." (Neither Dr. or Mrs. Snow noticed the wary exchange between Felix and Izzy.) There was no verbal response from either of them.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Snow." Felix smiled at the young nurse. "I was unaware that Dr. Snow had married."
"Well, Rebecca is the niece of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. She came to the island after Mrs. Fletcher's stroke and we soon discovered that we had more in common than medicine. Okay, young man I am sure you didn't come all this way to hear me gush about Rebecca. Right this way." Dr. Snow opened the door to the examining room and Felix followed him. Before shutting the door Dr. Snow turned to address Izzy. "Would you like to supervise the examination of your intended Nurse Pettibone?"
Again with eyes as large as a doe, Izzy faltered to speak. "Oh no I trust you Dr. Snow. You know what they say about trying to treat family."
"Well, I will want to discuss some therapy alternatives with you, so I will call you in after I am finished." He did not wait for a response and closed the door behind him.
Izzy and Rebecca discussed their educations and experiences in nursing school. Izzy felt like she hadn't really laughed in years. It was good to speak to someone who didn't have any expectations of her. Well, she did think that she and Felix were engaged, but Izzy couldn't do anything about that at this point. It wasn't long before Dr. Snow opened the door and called her into the exam room.
Izzy physically stalled in the door when she saw Felix bare from the waist up on the exam table. She averted her eyes and kept walking. She was sure that she could remain professional about this situation.
"Well, Izzy, Felix is very lucky that you decided to occupy your time profitably waiting on him to return. Are you familiar to physically therapy for recovering nerves, ligaments, and muscles after a battlefield injury?"
"I am quite well versed on the therapy required. I have worked with many returning soldiers, but I would need information on the extent of the injury."
"You haven't seen the injury?" Dr. Snow seemed a little surprised.
"I only return to town yesterday and have not examined Felix fully." The room was becoming more and more uncomfortable and close. Izzy couldn't believe that Felix hadn't told Dr. Snow that there was no engagement. Even if they were engaged, Dr. Snow should not presume that she would be allowed to examine Felix.
"Well, I would think that daily stretches and increased strengthening would be appropriate. I am not concerned about the leg as much as the arm. A few of the nerves were severely affected by the shrapnel and I want to make sure that full feeling and strength are returned. I am not concerned about infection, but I want the injury closely monitored."
"Izzy, are you familiar with the program for returning men at Halifax General?"
"Yes, I have been working there for several weeks." Izzy said a silent prayer that this conversation wasn't going where she thought it was going.
"This is providential. Is Dr. Michael Smith still there?" Dr. Snow did not seem to notice the extra pause as Izzy carefully thought how to answer.
"Yes, I believe he is Dr. Snow."
"I don't know what brought that Yankee here, but I am not going to question it. Since, you are working there I won't need to arrange the appointment. I think that Officer King would benefit from a consultation with Dr. Smith. You can arrange that correct."
"Uh, I believe so, but wouldn't it be better if you made the referral Dr. Snow." Izzy asked with a hopeful smile. There were several reasons she did not want to make that telephone call.
"I understand. We don't want them to think you are demanding special treatment for your sweet heart. I will have Rebecca ring them up and call you with the date and time."
"Yes doctor." Izzy would agree to anything to get out of that room. Felix just sat there. He know that Iz was mad that he had not corrected Dr. Snow on the status of their relationship, but there seemed to be something even more wrong.
"Okay, please look at the way I have bound his shoulder with pressure evenly applied." Dr. Snow walked to Felix and Izzy followed. She observed the injury and listened to Dr. Snow's suggestions. Then the door opened.
"Dr. Snow, we have had a call from Obadiah Johnson's wife. His has started a fever and she is worried about the infection." Nurse Snow's worried look prompted the doctor to take his leave.
"Tell her I will be right there. Izzy, can you help Felix dress? Felix, I know we still need to discuss your status with the Army, but I am afraid because of that arm of yours that your days of combat are over. We can discuss this after you return from Halifax. Please excuse me."
Dr. Snow left in a flurry. Izzy turned to Felix and wordlessly assisted him back into his shirt and sling. "I will make sure Nurse Snow knows to ring for an appointment." She said and did all of this without eye contact.
After they were alone in the cutter, she spoke up. "Why didn't you tell Dr. Snow about our engagement?"
"What about it?"
"That it was broken."
"I didn't break it." Felix replied with a hint of frustration in his voice.
"How could he not know?"
"Easy, Izzy, neither one of us were here. My folks didn't feel it was there place to tell everyone. I think they were hoping that we would work it out."'
"Well, right now my only concern is making sure that your mother learns the therapy you will need. She and Cecily will have to provide for you."
"Where will you be Iz and what about my visit to Dr. Smith?" Felix asked with a hopeful inflection.
"I don't know Felix. Your mother should be able to accompany you to Halifax to see Dr. Snow. There was no way she would be alone in a room with those two men. I have responsibilities in Halifax." Felix nodded, but she could tell he didn't understand why she wouldn't help.
Izzy slowed Lady down and turned to face him. "Felix, I was so happy to hear that you were safe and you were back. You have to know that we cannot start over where we left off. We are both different people and both need some time and space."
"I understand that you need that Izzy, but I don't." Felix reached for her gloved hand with his uninjured one. She knew that she should pull away, but she could not reject him. She knew that when it all came out he may feel differently, but this was now.
Izzy drove on and eventually pulled her hand from his grip to turn the cutter into King Farm. There they were greeted by Alec and Daniel.