Chapter Six
Jessica's landline telephone rang. Cell service was no longer working but good old fashioned telephone service was still functioning, for now.
"Mort, is there a problem?" Jessica didn't bother with pleasantries. The sheriff would only be calling if there was a problem. She passed the phone over to Seth.
George and Jessica stood nearby waiting to find out what was wrong. Seth hung up the phone and turned to them.
"Mort is on his way to try to reach me. There's no power in the whole town, even the hospital has evacuated everyone they could but there are still sixteen patients too critical to move and they're on generators." He sighed. "There was a car accident on Hoover Bend, two cars, five people, three died at the scene, one is critical and the ambulance is on the way to Portland with them but the fifth passenger couldn't be accommodated in the ambulance so Mort wants to bring them here for me to look them over."
Jessica tried to think for a moment. Why bring them to the doctor when the hospital was closer, even if they were working with a skeleton crew. "It's a child?" she asked in horror. Poor thing.
Seth nodded. "A toddler riding with his parents. He was fortunately in a car seat and not on a lap. His parents were killed. The Petermans, they live near Augusta, I only met them a couple of times. He sells carpets and rugs and she's a housewife."
Jessica didn't know them. "And the other two people"
Seth's face fell. "I'm sorry, Jess. It was Roger and Lois Hoey. Roger is critical."
Jessica's eyes filled with tears. Lois Hoey was a good friend of hers. She served on the PTA with her and one of her dearest friends for thirty years. Frank and Roger fished together and Lois stood with her after Frank died, supporting her and encouraging her to continue teaching as a means to help her through her grief.
Both Seth and George moved to comfort her but she shook her head and went into the kitchen. She pulled several thermoses from her cabinet and began pouring coffee in two of them. "Mort and his men will need to keep warm if they have to keep going out in this weather and the coffee at the station is terrible." Her voice wobbled but she was determined to hold it together. There would be times for tears later. She filled two other thermoses with soup.
"George, Jessica has some blankets in the upstairs linen closet. Sorry to send you up there but we can put them in Mort's trunk in case they run across people stuck out in the elements."
George complied and hurried upstairs. He knew Jessica wanted to keep busy now and grieve later.
Mort hurried inside with a squalling toddler struggling to get out of his arms. His deputy carried a diaper bag and a car seat.
Jessica arched her eyebrow at Mort who pushed the child into Seth's arms. "I know it's an imposition, Mrs. F, but we don't have anywhere to take him right now."
"Let's not worry about that, Mort. The poor thing is miserable." She hurried over to assist Seth who had his hands full.
"Screaming is good, Jess. It's when they're quiet that you have to worry." He finally got the child undressed down to his diaper. "The seat was a life saver, I'll bet. He is moving all his limbs without any problems." Seth continued to look the child over, completely unperturbed by the screaming.
The Sheriff and his deputy stayed only long enough to make use of the restroom before thanking Jessica for the thermoses of coffee and soup and the additional blankets. Jessica wished he could take the cold air with them. George promptly got the mop and cleaned up the mess on the kitchen floor from the snow trudged in on their boots. Jessica sat the diaper bag on the table and emptied it. Thank goodness there were plenty of diapers, at least two or three days worth if they were careful. There were wipes, snacks, a sippy cup, and two changes of clothes. She repacked the bag leaving out a diaper and wipes.
Seth deftly changed the child who was now mellow since Jessica offered him a sippy cup of juice. "His name is Sam according to the tag inside his shirt label."
"Seth, do you think he's hungry?" asked Jessica.
"One thing I've learned over the years, Jess, is hungry children rarely are content to sit quietly and wait. My guess is he will need to eat in an hour or so and hopefully go to sleep early."
Jessica might not have the most advanced motherly instincts but years of taking care of children made the task simple enough. Sammie, as she called him, was content to sit on her lap holding a small stuffed toy that had been attached to his car seat.
Seth knew that there would be more accidents so he set about going through his medical bag, making sure he had what he might need and wishing he had packed additional supplies.
George and Jessica watched him.
"Seth, you don't have any women near term, do you?"
"Ayuh, Danielle Logan is due in three weeks. I saw her yesterday and hopefully the tyke won't decide to come sooner. I'm more concerned that my patients might not have sufficient medicine, it's close to the end of the month."
"What are we going to feed this little man?" asked George.
"I thought I'd put some soup in a bowl and let it cool and maybe see if he'll eat some vegetables from it or try to scramble an egg. I just hope he doesn't have allergies so I'll keep it simple."
Seth looked up. "I'll boil a potato and mash it for him. Hopefully his parents haven't filled his body with fast food."
Jessica spoke up before Seth went on a diatribe about the horrors of bringing up children on junk food. "I can boil up some noodles for him."
Seth stood and set about making dinner on Jessica's camp stove and George moved the furniture around to childproof the room as much as possible.
"How old do you think he is?" asked Jessica, looking at Seth.
"Somewhere between eighteen months and about twenty one months, I'd say," he answered. "I asked him but he isn't much of a conversationalist."
Jessica smiled and shook her head. Sammie was a lot calmer now, babbling on occasion. George watched Jessica's nurturing spirit as she comforted the child. He happily played with Jessica and even though she couldn't understand what he was saying, she spoke with him with a smile on her face and George found it difficult to keep his love for her from his expression. Seth was too watchful and he didn't want the man to be uncomfortable or to feel like a third wheel.
Dinner was cheerful. Sammie jabbered on about whatever struck his fancy. His words were unintelligible but he happily talked while eating. He ate his entire dinner and watched as the adults ate theirs. Sammie was fussy as he became sleepy however and for the first time he started asking for 'mama' over and over. Jessica rocked him on her lap and tried comforting him but he wanted his mama.
George lifted Sammie in his arms and began walking in circles around the room while rubbing his back. Eventually the child lay his head on George's shoulder and slowly closed his eyes.
"He should sleep with you, Jess," suggested Seth.
At first Jessica wasn't sure who he meant before the obvious answer sank in. She couldn't stop the blush that formed and Seth turned away so she couldn't see his smirk. She bustled about placing pillows around and setting up a small area on the air mattress. She didn't have to worry about him falling but didn't want him to wander around the room since they had to keep the fire going.
Sammie slept through the night and the adults were grateful. George and Seth were comfortable on their sofas and relatively warm but Jessica had a harder time sleeping. Both men could look down on her and she felt awkward although she tried to remain practical. Sammie was snuggled into her chest and she must have been a source of body heat and warmth because if she shifted away, even slightly, he moved closer until she gave up.
When she woke up Seth and George had already awakened, cleaned up Sammie, and was feeding him breakfast.
"Good morning," she yawned, stumbling into the kitchen. George reached out to steady her. "I hope you both slept better than I did."
"We didn't have a toddler kicking and tossing around during the night. I woke once and the tyke had his feet on your stomach," chuckled Seth. "You'll be happy to hear an ambulance is coming for him in about an hour. They have to transport a patient to Augusta and they're prepared to take him as well."
Jessica sobered thinking about the loss of his parents before giving the tot a smile. He beamed back at her and offered her a bite of a piece of fruit. She pretended to eat and offered it back to him which he gladly took.
"It's still snowing heavily but the wind is beginning to die down and the weatherman says this should be our last night of the storm and tomorrow they'll start having the utility crews out servicing the town," said Seth.
George was content to sip his coffee and listen. He did squeeze her hand when she passed him, something he noticed Seth caught.
After sipping a cup of tea, Jessica took a flashlight and went into the bathroom to clean up before the ambulance arrived. After Sammie was boarded in the ambulance, George rearranged the furniture and Seth left with the ambulance to be dropped off a mile down the road to see a sick patient. Hopefully he will be able to walk home without incident.
Jessica let out a sigh and flopped on the couch. "Didn't think much happened in Cabot Cove, did you?"
"Lass, there's always excitement when I'm with you. I know you always get my heart racing." George gave her a smile and sat down next to her. "Oh, and before Seth returns…" He brought her lips to his by placing his hand behind her neck. What started out simple turned into something deeper and soon they were making out like teenagers.
Eventually they parted but stayed close to each other. "I'm not sure if any of the Christmas parties are still on but just in case, do you have anything to wear?" she asked. "They're mostly casual, slacks and sweaters should be fine."
"How many parties are we talking about?" asked George.
"Once the power is back on, every night including Christmas Eve and since tonight's is canceled, it will probably happen somewhere between Christmas and New Years. We don't have to stay long but I should at least make an appearance." She sighed. "I haven't socialized much these past few months so I feel it's necessary."
George nodded. He figured he knew the reason she hadn't seen her friends much.
"I know it might not be an option but do you think you could come to Boston for a weekend or a few days? I'd love to see the city with you again."
"I looked over my schedule a few days ago to see if I could find a week to visit you in England but I didn't even find four days free. Maybe I can find two or three days. Boston isn't very far and if I fly, it might be possible."
"Surely, you could make an exception for me?" wheedled George.
Jessica frowned. "It was your idea to surprise me instead of giving me a heads up, George."
"I know, lass but I've come far…"
"For work! You didn't come out to see me, George. I know you have a busy schedule but so do I." Jessica tried to keep the irritation out of her voice but she was annoyed.
George picked up her hand. "Lass, let's not fight. I only asked you if you could find a few days. If you can't, then you can't."
Jessica stood and marched into the kitchen to fill the kettle with water. She needed to heat water to wash the dishes. "It just seems to me like I'm the one accommodating you, once again, and you aren't trying to do the same."
"I'm here now!" George tried to keep the volume down but he was annoyed as well. "I'll be in Boston for six weeks! Surely you can find a day or two. Weren't you the one that told me how a friend of yours flew you four hundred miles for lunch and back the same day?" George entered the kitchen and made an effort to keep his voice calm.
"Boston is two hours away by car. You can come up one afternoon and return the next day."
"And so could you, George Sutherland. You aren't working six weeks without time off. You could drive here one day and return the next!" Jessica folded her arms across her chest. "I wish you'd stop telling me what I can do and figure out what YOU'RE going to do." She flinched when George turned and left the kitchen only to slam the door a minute later on his way outside.
Jessica stood at the window watching him struggle to zip his jacket and wrap his scarf around his neck. He reached for the shovel placed next to the dryer and left the porch. He put on his gloves and began shoveling snow, fueled by anger, and she marched into the family room and began folding up her bedding.
Seth returned to a silent house. He had been tempted to try to walk to his house but it was all he could do to make it back to Jessica's house, another mile trying to slog through the snow would have done him in. At least the walkway was cleared on Jessica's street. Someone had been kind enough to clear a path so the last fifty yards were much easier to walk.
The kitchen was empty and so was the family room. Surely they hadn't left the house, did they? Removing his jacket and boots, he walked in his stocking feet over to the sofa to sit to catch his breath.
"George, take off your shirt." The frustrated voice of Jessica drifted over and Seth stood up to find her.
"Seth should be back soon." He heard as he realized her voice was coming from the downstairs bathroom.
"Take it easy, lass," begged George. "I can get my own shirt off."
Seth heard a moan from George and what sounded like frantic removal of clothing.
"Jessie, please."
"Wait, maybe that's Seth I hear." There was silence for a moment and Seth held his breath. "I guess I was wrong."
"Have you done this before?" asked George.
"Well, not in a long time, " admitted Jessica. "I've watched Seth before, so…"
George chuckled. "Was Seth aware you were picking up ideas from him?"
"Don't be silly, of course not." She laughed lightly. "He probably won't be pleased if he came in now…"
Seth backed up silently and went into the kitchen where he stuck his feet into his damp boots and stomped around a bit. "Jess? George?"
"In here, Seth," called Jessica.
Seth walked to the bathroom and knocked on the door. "Do I want to know why both of you are in there?"
Jessica opened the door and Seth peeked inside. George's chest was bare and wrapped in several bandages.
Seth kept his laughter inside but couldn't help commenting. "Let me guess. She finally got fed up and shot you but where's the blood?"
"Seth, this foolish man went out and cleared the sidewalk, nearly a whole block and pulled a muscle in his back." Jessica took another bandage from the package and began unrolling it. "I thought this would give him some support so he won't keep injuring it."
Seth shook his head. Jessica was one of the most capable women he knew but she was terrible at taking care of patients outside of the basics. He unwrapped all the bandages from George and looked him over before re-wrapping him properly.
"I have a muscle relaxer I can give you, George, but rest and minimal movement will help a lot."
George looked down at himself. Seth was definitely much better at dressing a bandage. "Thank you, Seth, and you too, Jessie."
"She didn't do too badly but her dressings are probably as bad as her sponge bathing," chortled Seth as he left the bathroom.
Jessica turned red but opted not to elucidate for George. She assisted him into putting on layers again, first a t-shirt then a button-up shirt, then a lightweight sweater. It wasn't cold in the house but it wasn't very warm either. Jessica was wearing a shirt beneath her sweatshirt along with long underwear and she was still chilly.
The wind had all but disappeared by late afternoon and all three went around the outside of the house looking for areas that might need work. Limb removal wasn't difficult and two of them were able to stack them in a pile on the side of the yard for removal later. Neither would allow George to lift a finger. Electricity wasn't back on but crews were out and they were hopeful that morning might bring power back to the citizens of Cabot Cove.
Dining on clam chowder and dinner rolls, the three housebound adults sat talking about Christmas.
"I sure do dread going home and dealing with the clean up," griped Seth.
"Seth, I'll help you mop up and you said there were only two burst pipes," interjected Jessica. "Just temporarily see patients at the hospital. You know they've offered you rooms to use. They don't want you to retire on them."
"Depending on the damage, I wouldn't mind working out of the hospital for a few weeks. I'll save time doing rounds and delivering babies if everything is in one place. I wouldn't have to be outdoors in the snow as often. I think I could manage for a brief time. I just know how long it takes contractors to complete a job. I spoke with the landlord yesterday and he even thinks the floor will have to be replaced."
"Didn't you tell me you have two conferences to attend in January? That should help since you won't have to live at your place while they work," suggested George.
"You two have sorted my life quickly and efficiently." Seth looked them both in the eyes. "I wonder why you can't do it for yourselves." He got up and started clearing away the table.
George and Jessica looked sheepishly at each other. She rose from the table and held out her hand to him. Grasping her hand they went into the family room.
"Nothing like perspective to put you in your place," commented Jessica. George led her to the sofa, the one he slept on, and sat down with her. He put an arm around her shoulder and she moved a little closer to him. Neither spoke. Lost in thought Jessica drifted off to sleep.