Gift from the Sea by Anna Schmidt

instructions. Surely you understand that in times like these such matters demand secrecy even among those involved.”
    “Yet the fact remains—”
    “Perhaps the person could not come. There are still three days until the twenty-fifth, are there not? We could try again.”
    The bed creaked and Maggie knew that Dr. Williams had gotten up. She could hear him replacing instruments in his bag. “Here’s the thing, young man. No one blames you for coming up with some story that might save your hide, but mysterious messengers in blue scarves carrying umbrellas is a little melodramatic, even for times like these.”
    Maggie’s hand shook slightly, rattling the china. She pushed the door open and carried the tray to the bedside table. “Here we are,” she announced as she removed the warming covers and set them aside, releasing steam and the inviting scent of oatmeal with apples and cinnamon in the bargain. She handed Stefan a napkin and then the oatmeal, all without once meeting his eyes.
    “Looks good and smells better,” the doctor said as he snapped his bag shut and headed for the hall.
    Maggie followed him, her mind brimming over with questions, questions she would have thought her father might have answered before sending her off on that wild-goose chase. She watched Dr. Williams climb onto his sleigh and knew this was neither the time nor place to question him.
    “I’ll stop by this evening,” he said. “If he’s truly up to it, then by all means try to get him standing, Maggie. And keep in mind that he has every reason not to want to stand given the fate that likely awaits him. If you need to, use Sean to force him.” He pulled on his gloves and let himself out.
    Maggie watched Dr. Williams snap the reins. The horse tossed his head and started forth. Alone with their prisoner, she marched back down the hall and into his room, closing the door behind her with a bang that made his head jerk up and the spoon clatter back into the bowl. “Now then,” she announced, “since you claim to be so anxious to get back on your feet, suppose we strike a bargain.”
    His eyes narrowed with suspicion and caution.
    “I will help you walk after you tell me what’s going on and why you are involving my father and me in your schemes.”

Chapter Six
    I f Stefan had thought he might have the upper hand in the battle of wits with Maggie because he was a man, even one with compromised health, he was wrong. She stood there, hands planted on her slim hips, her eyes locked on his, defying him to contradict her. He considered his options.
    “I have the whole day,” she reminded him with a little shrug as she turned to leave. “We can do this my way or not at all.”
    “What will you tell the doctor?” he asked when she was out the door and ready to close it. “Has he not ordered you to work with me—to make me stand and then walk?”
    He had barely said the word ordered before she had covered the distance from the door to his bedside and was pointing her forefinger at his nose. “Be very clear about this, Stefan Witte,” she said. “No one ‘orders’ me. Do not for one moment think that because I am a woman and you are a man, you have any special power or rights over me.”
    “But the doctor is—”
    “—in charge of your treatment. However, if you fail infollowing his orders for your care, he understands that I cannot force you. Keep in mind that he and my father are already suspicious of your will to recover, given the fate that awaits you.”
    Stefan scowled at her but she did not blink, only lowered the accusing finger. “Now, if there is nothing else,” she said and turned once again to leave.
    “Please sit,” he said wearily. “We will talk and then we will stand, yes?”
    He saw her study him, searching for some sign that this was a trick. “You’ll tell me about the ruse to meet a contact at the docks?”
    “It was no ruse,” he protested. “You must—I need for you to believe that.”
    “Why