Chapter 629: Iris Miller

"Dr. Ford, we’re willing to take care of this woman and her daughter, we really are! Please don’t be angry. We were wrong just now. We’re all pregnant; we should be helping each other." Seeing Evelyn Ford’s expression darken, several of the pregnant women nearby scrambled to their feet to apologize.

The other pregnant women also looked at Evelyn Ford in a panic. Many of them had lost their families and husbands, and life was already difficult for them. If they were kicked off the truck, there was no way they could make it to Khoros on foot. For the weaker ones, their unborn babies might not last even two days of walking.

The few pregnant women who had just been acting aloof, as if it had nothing to do with them, now panicked as well. In their minds, they saw doctors as service personnel. They believed doctors, like police and soldiers, were supposed to selflessly dedicate themselves to the people, working like slaves without food or drink and never uttering a single complaint.

None of them wanted to take care of anyone else. With no nurses in the convoy, their plan was to guilt-trip the doctor. Yet, they all seemed to forget that their own due dates were approaching. Who would take care of them then? Helping and looking after one another was a matter of exchanging favors. Not one of them wanted to give anything, but they were all brazenly self-righteous when it came to taking.

"Dr. Ford, I’m only six months along. Let me look after the baby. I can consider it practice. She’s such a good baby, she’s sure to be easy to care for." A more perceptive pregnant woman spoke up, picking up the child as she did.

Evelyn Ford’s warning gaze swept across the carriage, and the others who had been itching to make a move quickly shrank back, not daring to say another word.

"The mother will wake up once the anesthesia wears off. If she can’t produce milk, help her apply to the group leader for the infant nutrition subsidy."

The pregnant woman nodded. "Don’t worry, Dr. Ford. I know what to do."

Evelyn Ford glanced at the filth on the floor. The truck carriage was practically a garbage dump, with clutter piled up everywhere and patches of blood staining the ground.

"This carriage is already crowded with so many people, and the air doesn’t circulate. Keep your belongings organized. Clean up any messes on the floor immediately. The convoy isn’t short on water. Every one of you is afraid of getting the short end of the stick, so none of you want to work. Have you ever stopped to think? In an environment this filthy and smelly, do you have any idea how many germs you’re breathing in? A baby can get sick very easily in these conditions. So I’m making a rule right now: except for the new mother, everyone else will take turns cleaning this carriage. What’s your name?" Evelyn Ford asked, looking at the pregnant woman who had taken the baby.

"My name is Iris Miller, Dr. Ford."

Evelyn Ford nodded. "Here, take this notebook and pen. Write down everyone’s name and make a cleaning schedule. If anyone refuses to cooperate, take this notebook to the group leader. He’ll sort it out for you."

Iris Miller froze for a moment. After setting the baby down, she accepted the yellowed, rough-paper notebook and ballpoint pen with both hands.

"Don’t worry, Dr. Ford. I’ll take care of it."

Evelyn Ford nodded. "I’ll be on my way."

Iris Miller was tall and sturdily built, and she was in better health than the others. Evelyn Ford had familiarized herself with the pregnant women’s circumstances. Iris’s husband had lost a hand in the earthquake, and the couple was in the fifth squad. Iris was sharp and clever, so Evelyn was willing to give her a leg up.

Anyone with a key role in the convoy—including squad leaders, group leaders, doctors, soldiers, cooks, water carriers, and drivers—received an extra allowance. This allowance included items like clothes, shoes, canned goods, and eggs.

Iris Miller naturally understood Evelyn Ford’s intentions. On one hand, Evelyn was using her to keep the other pregnant women in the carriage in line. On the other, she was also offering her support and a chance for advancement.

She had made the right choice by stepping forward. As Iris Miller held the notebook, her palm felt hot. The others stared at her with envy and jealousy, never imagining that the unremarkable Iris would catch Evelyn Ford’s eye just like that.

But jealous as they were, no one dared to say a word. Instead, they scrambled to their feet and started cleaning, terrified of being thrown out of the carriage.

When Evelyn Ford returned to their truck, Ronan Kendrick was sitting in her spot with his eyes closed, resting. Everyone else had gone into the space. He had been worried about her being outside alone, so he had waited for her.

Evelyn Ford shut the back doors of the truck, sat down beside him, and rested her head on Ronan Kendrick’s shoulder.

"I’m really craving some durian."

Ronan Kendrick put his arm around her. "Then let’s have some. Do you want to go back to the space now, or eat it here?"

Evelyn Ford chuckled. "Aren’t you afraid the smell will be too much for you?"

"Durian isn’t that bad, really."

"So, are you brave enough to eat it?"

Ronan Kendrick raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn’t I be? At the end of the day, durian is just food."

Evelyn Ford couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She remembered the first time she’d eaten durian in front of Ronan Kendrick. He had grabbed Mina and Lola and fled to a corner, his face a mask of repulsion and misery.

"Alright, let’s go back to the cabin and eat durian. I smell like blood; I need a long soak in the bath."

Ronan Kendrick looked down at her. "Don’t go out to dig the firebreak tomorrow."

"Alright. Too many people have heatstroke anyway. Wendy and I should probably stay at the camp." Dr. Rowe and his team were already overwhelmed, and it wasn’t like they’d be short-handed on the firebreak without her.

Back in the space, Evelyn Ford went straight to the bathroom for a shower. While she wasn’t a neat freak, the heavy smell clinging to her was still uncomfortable.

When she came out of the bathroom, Ronan Kendrick was just coming back inside, carrying a durian.

"I picked a nice plump one for you. Go ahead and eat. I’m going to get washed up."

Evelyn Ford jumped up, threw her arms around Ronan Kendrick’s neck, and planted a loud "SMACK" of a kiss on his cheek.

"You’re my favorite, Kendrick."

Ronan Kendrick chuckled. "You’re not usually this affectionate. I guess I have the durian to thank today."

"That’s not true! I can live without durian, but not without my Kendrick. I couldn’t survive without you."

Ronan Kendrick’s eyes were filled with mirth. He was still smiling as he went into the bathroom.

Evelyn Ford carried the durian into the living room. The others were exhausted from digging the firebreak all day and had gone to bed right after dinner. Zoe and Annie were outside racing their bikes, Taylor Vance was busy in the kitchen, and Zion Lowell came over to call Evelyn to eat.

"Ronan Kendrick’s taking a shower. We’ll eat when he gets out. Mr. Lowell, Mr. Vance, please don’t trouble yourselves. We’re fine with leftovers. You’ve both had a long day, you should go and rest."

Zion Lowell waved a hand dismissively. "It’s no problem, we’re not tired. I asked Taylor Vance to make some poached shrimp. It’ll be ready by the time Ronan Kendrick is done."

Evelyn Ford couldn’t argue with them, so she let them be.

As the durian was pried open, Zoe and Annie caught the scent and came running into the cabin.

"It smells so good!" Zoe said, taking a sniff with a look of pure bliss.

"Here, let’s eat it together. Annie, you try a bite. If you don’t like it, just spit it out."

Evelyn Ford gave them each a piece of the flesh, and the three of them sat down to enjoy the durian. To her surprise, Annie quite liked it. Having finally found her people, Evelyn’s spirits lifted.

"Auntie, can we plant some durian trees?"

Evelyn Ford had never really considered that. After all, durian was a tropical fruit, and the temperature inside the space wasn’t that high. She had no idea if they would even grow.