Sorting Through Life's Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 2

Maeve couldn't help her mind wandering to the man she had secretly pined over for the last ten years. She never told anyone, not even her husband. Her hands went about their work mechanically, the habit and timing never missing. She was so lost in thought that she didn't know that a couple of the other workers had stopped to watch her, wondering how she didn't cut herself when she obviously wasn't looking at what she was doing.

"Hello everyone. How has the day been going?"

Shit, she thought as her hand slipped and she cut a finger with the knife she had been using to cut vegetables with. Her hiss of pain caught his attention and she tried to ignore that it drew his eyes directly to her.

"Darling, what have you done?" Tom grabbed her hand and an offered towel for the blood. "You really should be more careful, this could have been worse than it is," he chastised as he wrapped the fabric around her palm. A woman said something to him and she knew, by the look of disapproval that came onto his face, she had told him that she hadn't been paying attention in the first place.

"Come on, we'll get you to first aid and make sure everything's alright." She tried not to shiver as his hand met the lower part of her back to lead her out.

"So, tell me. What made you come for so long a time. Most volunteers only stay a couple of months. Charlie told me that you've been here for almost a year now." Maeve just looked at him and shrugged. Really, she didn't trust her voice with him this close. Lord, help me not make a fool of myself in front of this man.

"I already know how lovely your voice is, Darling, might as well answer the question." He gave a little chuckle at her shocked expression.

The doctor putting the few stitches she needed in her hand, looked between the two, then spoke a quick sentence. She once again cursed her teenage self for not trying harder in French class. It had been so boring, though. Tom gave her a contemplative look after returning a comment as the stitches were finished up.

"Now, be sure to keep them dry and change the bandage every day to keep it from getting infected."

"I know how to take care of a wound, Tom. Like you said, I've been here nearly a year. To answer that very nosey question, it is none of your business. Thank you for your help, I have to get back to work."

Tom watched her stomp out of the room, and shook his head. She was definitely a tough girl, but the look in her eyes said the question had brought pain, not anger which would explain her response. A couple of nurses who had watched her leave shook their heads as they smiled behind her exit.

"Bonne chance, monsieur." The doctor gave him a pat on the shoulder than sent him off. After all, there were others who needed the space more than a man who was chasing after a woman who didn't want to be chased. Little did he know that they had just become the talk of the compound, with many hoping for it to work out. They had all become very familiar with Maeve and wanted nothing more than to see her happy again.

Tom was wandering towards the kitchen, when he heard the sweetest sound. Someone was singing and it was soft and clear and carried no music with it. He heard the woman's voice, soprano/alto mixed and strong, as she belted out the tune. The closer he got to the doorway the louder it got. He stopped there, so as not to disturb, and his heart gave a little jolt when he saw that it was Maeve. She was moving about, doing her prep work, ear buds in, her voice filling to room. A small smile played on his lips as he watched her. She is not as cold as she puts out. What has happened to her? His thoughts were halted when she turned and dropped the pot she was drying with a loud clatter, he slight jump startling him as well.

"What the hell are you doing lurking in doorways," she asked as she retrieved the pot at her feet.

"Sorry, I heard you singing, which was lovely by the way. I had no intention of scaring you. What are you up to after this?"

Her eyes gazed warily at him. "Why?"

"I was hoping to ask you to have dinner with me."

"Keep hoping," she smirked at him. "I'd rather eat with Sir Benedic than you. Perhaps you can find yourself an Ophelia to follow you around." She left him standing astounded in the middle of the kitchen with her quiet laugh lingering in the air.