Kitabı oku: «Blessings», sayfa 4

Chapter Four

“It’s not that I want to leave you alone, dear.” Winifred inclined her head, her eyes darting around the foyer packed full with those departing after the service. “It’s just that Furly and I always go out for lunch on Sunday. The poor thing has no family, you know. She depends on me and I don’t want to cancel our date. Silly of me to have forgotten it, really.”

“I’ll be fine.” The words slipped out automatically, though Nicole couldn’t help wondering why the woman hadn’t said something about this lunch date earlier.

“No, you—I know! Why don’t you share lunch with Joshua and the girls? I’m sure they’d enjoy seeing a new face at the table.” She looked delighted with her idea.

Nicole wanted to run.

“Miss Blessing, there’s no need for that. Really. I’ll just make a sandwich. I’ve got a new text I’d like to study anyway.” No way was she going back inside that house with the grouch.

“You can’t!” The words burst out, loud enough to attract attention.

“I beg your pardon?” Nicole stared, amazed that this calm, competent woman seemed so frazzled.

“I—I haven’t any bread. Or buns. I forgot to bring some home yesterday. And there’s no meat. Sandwiches need meat.” She turned, caught sight of her nephew and waved him over. “Joshua, yoo-hoo.”

He came willingly enough, until he spotted Nicole.

“Is something wrong, Aunt Win?”

“No.” Nicole pressed her heels into the floor and refused to look at him.

“Yes,” Winifred said at the exact same moment. “I have a lunch date with Furly and there’s not a thing in the house for Nicole to eat.”

“Nothing to eat? At your house?” Skepticism marred Dr. Darling’s good looks.

“Not a thing, dear. I’ve been a little preoccupied lately and I guess…” She let the sentence trail away.

“You’re feeling all right, aren’t you?” He raised a hand, as if to check her temperature. “Nothing bothering you?”

Winifred backed up.

“I’m fine, dear.” She smiled at him. “I just wanted to ask you if Nicole could share that casserole I sent over for you and the girls. It’s not nice for her to have to eat all alone.”

Nicole held her breath, suppressing the laugh that bubbled up as distaste flooded Dr. Darling’s expressive eyes.

“But—why doesn’t she go with you and Furly?”

“Oh, I couldn’t do that, dear.” Winifred rushed into speech, words tumbling out at a furious pace. “Furly has something rather important that she wants to confide in me, you see. I don’t think she’d open up with someone else around.”

Oh, to be wanted. Nicole felt like a tennis ball being shunted back and forth, from one court to the other.

“Couldn’t she tell you at work tomorrow? You two are alone there for hours.”

“No, Joshua.” The older woman’s voice firmed. “I think it’s best if Nicole eats with you. There’s plenty of that casserole for one more to share.” Winifred leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you, dear.” Then she sailed away, majestically nodding to the left and right at various friends.

Joshua glared at her back, his mouth twisting into a grim line.

“Listen, I’ll look after myself. There’s no need for me to impose on you, other than accepting a ride back.” Nicole almost laughed at the chagrin that washed over his face.

“Of course you’ll ride back with us, and eat lunch, too.” His glance roved the parking lot in front of the church. “We’ll leave as soon as I find the girls.” He turned away to locate his children.

Nicole reached out and stopped him with a hand on his arm. He looked down at her hand, then up into her face.

“Problem?”

“Just because she said it doesn’t mean we have to obey. I’ll be fine. I’ll catch a ride with you, but that’s all. You just enjoy your afternoon off, with your daughters.”

His lips tightened, but he said nothing more until they were driving home.

“I’m afraid I have to insist you eat with us, Dr. Brandt. My aunt expects it. Afterward you may feel free to leave whenever you wish.”

She tried to get out of it up until the moment he turned into his drive.

“I will not change my mind, Dr. Brandt.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake!” Exasperated, she climbed out of the car. “You’ve really got to get over this rigid adherence to rules.” She stomped down his driveway toward Miss Winifred’s.

“Where are you going?”

“To change my clothes. I’ll be back in three minutes. We can eat, and then you’ll be free of me.”

In actual fact, it took Nicole more than five minutes because she made a detour through Winifred Blessing’s kitchen. While it was true that there were no buns or bread hidden away, there was a box with the familiar red Blessing Bakery script. Inside were six featherlight croissants that would have made yummy sandwiches. Nicole snatched the box on her way out.

“Two can play this game, Winifred,” she muttered, retracing her steps across the road.

Ruthie opened the front door before she got there.

“I changed, too.” She scrutinized Nicole’s favorite jeans with a curious look. “You got holes in your pants.”

“I know. It’s because I wear them so often. They’re my favorite. Don’t you have favorite clothes you like to wear?”

The little girl shifted. The door opened wider to reveal her father.

“Don’t ask that,” he warned. One glance took in the disreputable jeans. “Hers aren’t in quite that bad a condition, however.”

Nicole was not in the mood to endure another word of censure. She thrust the box of croissants at him.

“These are for lunch. Compliments of your aunt.” She glanced down as Ruthie’s hand twined into hers.

“Wanna help me set the table?”

“Sure.” It was better than staring at Joshua Darling, Nicole decided. He’d changed, too. The suit and tie replaced by khaki cords and a tan shirt, he looked every inch the respectable family doctor. Not one hair was out of place.

Sheer perversity made Nicole say it. “Are you going to help us with the treasure boxes?”

“Uh—I beg your pardon?” He walked toward the kitchen, as if he could get away from her.

Nicole followed right behind, tugging Ruthie with her.

“You remember, Daddy. We’re going to make treasure boxes so we can keep our special things in them.” Ruthie dragged open a drawer and began hauling out cutlery.

“Oh. Boxes. Yes. Right.” He plopped the croissants onto a plate and set them on the table, then turned to find the butter.

Nicole countered every step he took with her own as she searched for plates, cups, napkins. His impatience at the constant run-ins grew until he finally demanded she sit down and let him work in peace.

“I could make a salad,” she offered, and pulled the ingredients from the fridge.

“I don’t like radishes.” Ruthie frowned, watching carefully as Nicole kept slicing thin red pieces into the lettuce. “An’ me and Rach don’t like those green things, either.”

“You’re kidding?” Nicole slipped a bit of celery into her mouth and crunched on it. “This is my second-favorite food. It’s even better when you put cream cheese on it.”

“Show me.”

Nicole dressed several celery sticks. Ruthie picked up one and let it graze her lips. After a minute she took a bite, nodded and took another one.

“See? I told you.” Nicole divided up some raw carrots and stuck them around the side of the bowl. “You never know if you don’t try it.”

“As a rule, I do not think that is a plan for living for my daughters.” Joshua Darling stood, arms akimbo, watching them. “But in this case, I accede.”

“Because it’s vegetables, you mean? But there are lots of things about living that have to be experienced. You can’t hide out from life.” She stared at him, wondering what had caused that dark cloud at the back of his eyes.

“I wasn’t suggesting you should hide. Merely exercise caution and reason.” He turned and left. Moments later the other two girls came rushing to the table.

They joined hands and repeated a charming grace together, then Dr. Darling began dishing out the casserole, which wafted yummy clouds of fragrant chicken through the air.

Once the others had seen Ruthie take an assortment of the salad ingredients, they began to help themselves, as well. Soon they were all happily chewing on celery.

“How are we going to decorate our boxes?” Rachel asked, her mouth full.

Nicole set down her fork. “How would you like to decorate them? It’s entirely up to you.”

“What should we do, Daddy?” All three turned to Dr. Darling for advice, their little faces hopeful.

He glanced up from his plate, eyes wide.

“I, uh, I’m sure whatever you decide will be very nice,” he finally managed. “Dr.—Nicole will help you.”

“But we want you to help us, too, Daddy.” Ruthie’s big eyes begged him. “It’s Sunday today. You don’t have to do more work today, do you, Daddy? You worked yesterday and Mrs. Tyndall had to take us to her house. We missed our picnic, Daddy.”

“Yeah. And you didn’t even see me do my special song in the school play because you had clinic that night.” Rachel took up the chant.

Nicole risked a look at Dr. Darling. What she saw there sent her head bowing, her eyes on her plate. Hurt? Frustration? She pretended to sip her juice, wishing for all the world that she’d stayed at Winifred’s.

“Children, you know that I’m the only doctor in town right now.”

So what am I? Nicole fumed. Chopped liver?

“When someone gets hurt, I have to help them. I don’t want to miss things, but sometimes I must. You wouldn’t want Mrs. McGregor to sit at home in pain when I could help her, would you?”

“I hurted,” Rosalyn announced. She held up her leg with its tiny bandage.

“I know, sweetie.” Dr. Darling leaned over and pressed a kiss on the injured area. “But that was weeks ago. It’s all better now.”

“Hurts,” the child insisted, and held up her arms for a cuddle.

“Let’s finish our lunch now.” After comforting his youngest, Joshua Darling settled back in his seat and resumed eating. So did everyone else. But there was no conversation.

Once the meal was finished, the girls happily cleared the table, storing the soiled dishes in the dishwasher. When the last glass toppled inside, Ruthie slammed the door shut, then danced over beside Nicole.

“Can we start now?”

“Start?” Nicole glanced from father to child.

“Our boxes.” Ruthie hopped from one foot to the other.

Wishing she could disappear, but loath to break her promise, Nicole finally nodded. “First we’ll have to get the boxes from Miss Blessing’s.”

With Ruthie clasping her hand on one side and Rosalyn on the other, Nicole started toward the front door.

“I’ll be there in a minute.” Rachel stood by her father at the sink, waiting, tea towel in hand, to dry Winifred’s dish once he’d finished washing it.

“Okay.” Nicole led the other two to the front door. Once there, she realized she’d left her purse behind. She told the two girls to wait outside, then started back toward the kitchen.

“But it’d be just for a little while, just an hour this afternoon, Dad. You don’t have to help us, but if you were there, we could talk to you. I want to tell you about our spelling bee. I want you to listen.” Rachel’s voice rang with desperation.

“Rachel, you know there’s nothing I’d rather do than play with you. But I’ve got a lot of—”

“Paperwork. I know.” Rachel sighed loudly. “You’ve always got paperwork.”

“Rachel, it’s my—”

“Your job,” she finished, her voice rising. “Well, sometimes I wish it wasn’t. Sometimes I wish you were a plumber. Avis Arnold’s father takes off every Saturday and every Sunday. They do things together, go places.” Her voice dropped. “Like we used to do with Mom. I wish she was here now. At least she’d have time to listen to me.”

Before Nicole could leave, Rachel burst out of the kitchen, brushed past her and flung herself through the open front door. A second later her father followed, then stopped short when he saw Nicole.

“I’m sorry. I—I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I came back for my purse.” She snatched up the item and walked back through the house. “I needed my keys.”

He never said a word, never gave a sign that he’d heard one word of her halting apology. Instead, he turned and walked back into the kitchen, shoulders slumped, hands drooping at his sides.

Wake up! Nicole wanted to scream at him. They’ll soon be gone and you can work all you want. You won’t ever get back this opportunity. All the hurt feelings she’d felt during her own childhood flooded back with heartrending clarity.

But there was one tiny difference between Joshua Darling and her father, Nicole admitted as she walked across the road, the girls chattering by her side.

Deep down inside, Joshua Darling loved his children.

She had never heard those words from her father’s lips.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” Penny Zane’s whispered question drew Nicole’s attention from the file she’d been studying.

“I’m sure. We’re snowed under. I have nothing to do in the evenings. If you can take it for a week or two, we could clear up the backlog.”

“Give him a breather now and then, you mean?” Penny grinned. “I’m up for it. That overtime money you talked about will go a long way to paying for my new fridge and stove. And Carole is squeezing every cent to cover that wedding she wants.”

“You won’t tell him?” As a plan, Nicole was very aware that her idea lacked in a number of areas. Not the least of which was the secrecy factor.

“Are you kidding? If he finds out, we’re blaming it all on you. He’ll skin you alive,” she warned. “He can’t stand anyone tampering with his system.”

“What’s he going to do—fire me? Then he’d be worse off than before.” Nicole shrugged. “Don’t worry about it, Penny. I’ll be fine. If worse comes to worst, I’ll just go back to school a little earlier than I’d planned. Or something.” She held up the file she was holding. “This was on my desk. I didn’t see this patient.”

Penny leaned over, read the name. “Mr. De Witt. You’re right. Sorry. Carole must have slipped up. That’s Dr. Darling’s patient. Has a lot of pain. Dr. Darling can’t seem to find anything that works.”

“Yes, I noted that when I read it.” Nicole juggled the idea, then made her decision. “Next time he books, would you have Edwina send him to me? I’d like to take a look. I have an idea.”

“You would? Sure.” Penny flipped the chart closed and tucked it under her arm. “He’s back in next week, actually. Checkup. She squeezed him in, so I can move him easily enough.”

“Subtlety, Penny. With a lot of subtlety.” Nicole grinned at the nurse’s tipped-up nose.

“Aren’t I always?” she quipped. Then she walked out the door.

“Isn’t she always what?” Dr. Darling stood in the doorway, his face curious.

“Subtle.” Nicole scanned her list, then tucked it into her pocket. “Are you off now?”

He snorted. “Hardly. I’ve got that pharmaceutical rep to see.”

“He’s gone.”

“Gone?” Joshua frowned at her.

“Yes.” Nicole nodded. “About two hours ago, I think. Had some pressing business at home. Kid’s piano recital, I think he said.” She met his curious stare with a bland smile. “I took the samples he left and the information kit and put them in the lab for you to look over.”

“You did?”

“Uh-huh.” She made a nice neat stack out of her finished files and laid them in her basket.

“Oh. Uh, thanks. Well, then, I’m off to that house call on Morgan.”

“I did that, too.” She stood, picked up her purse and walked toward him. “While you were with that screaming kid. I needed the break, so I left.”

“But your patient?” He frowned, obviously ready to lecture her.

“Canceled. Worked out well, don’t you think?” She stood waiting in the hallway, hoping he’d take the hint. “I don’t think there’s anything else this afternoon, so you might as well head home, just as I intend to.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me, Dr. Brandt?” he demanded, his forehead pleating in an angry frown.

Yes! her brain screamed.

“Why would I do that?” she asked meekly. “It’s your office, after all. I’m just the substitute, not the partner. I have no right to tell you to do anything.” Go home! She pulled the door to and locked it. Then she walked down the hall. At the end of it, she stopped, looked back, saw him staring after her.

“Oh, by the way,” she said quietly. “The lock on my office door broke. I took the liberty of having it replaced. See you.” Having said it, she scurried from the building lest he stop her and ask for the key.

One look at the stack of files behind her desk and he’d know she was up to something.

“I’m glad you like these evening hours, Mr. Wilson. Dr. Darling needs the time with his family, but I’m happy to see anyone who wants to come to these clinics.” Nicole waited until the grocery-store owner had left, made a notation in his file, then added it to the pile on her desk.

“You’re still running behind.” Penny leaned against the counter, one leg crossed over the other. “Mr. Wilson was in there for twenty-two minutes.”

“I know. But it was worth it. I learned a little more about Blessing and he finally believes I know what I’m talking about. Good deal all around.” Nicole glanced around, fully expecting to see Joshua come striding down the hall. “No problems?”

“None. Carole’s already gone. I’ve locked up. Let’s go.”

“Yes.” When she’d come up with the idea of seeing patients after Joshua had left, Nicole hadn’t realized how draining it would be. Now her day was nonstop, but she loved it. The patients were becoming friends, and that was something she’d never experienced before.

She stood outside the back door, waiting for Penny to set the alarm. Car lights swept over them.

“Aunt Win said there were lights on down here. Anything wrong?” Joshua Darling climbed out of his car.

“Nothing wrong, Doc. Just that your partner forgot her keys, so I came down to let her in. She’s kind of a ditz about this alarm, you know.” Penny turned to wink at Nicole.

“She’s not my—”

“I have to go. My show will be on in eight minutes. Bye.” Penny waved a hand, then started jogging toward her home.

“Partner,” Joshua finished, staring after her. “I never knew she was so addicted to television.”

“She’s not addicted. She just has a favorite she doesn’t want to miss.” Nicole studied his wrinkled shirt and dusty pants. “What have you been doing?”

Dr. Darling made a face. “Girls’ club.”

“So you were studying…dusting?” Nicole couldn’t help chuckling at his disgusted grimace.

“They insisted I attend so they could demonstrate the skills they’d learned. Rachel’s apparently been helping Mrs. Tyndall vacuum. Tonight, during her demonstration, the machine broke. I happened to be sitting in the line of fire when the bag disintegrated.”

“Oh.” Nicole tried desperately to control the gurgle of laughter, but it would not be suppressed. She peeked up at him, prayed the gloom of the evening would hide her expression and started laughing.

“It’s not polite to laugh at another’s misfortune,” he chided, but something in his eyes told her he wasn’t offended.

“Sorry, but I have this mental picture.” She giggled again.

“Go ahead, laugh. I have to get home. Aunt Win is trying to put the girls to bed and I know exactly how that will turn out.”

Nicole frowned. “What do you mean? How could it turn out?”

“Surely you’ve noticed that Aunt Win believes in bedtime snacks?” He seemed surprised by her negative response. “Haven’t you seen plates of food left on the counter after you’ve eaten dinner?”

“Yes, but I assumed they were for her. She’s always bustling around—she must use a lot of energy.”

He grinned. “You have no idea about life with Aunt Win, so it’s up to me to broaden your education. Get in, Dr. Brandt. You are about to witness Aunt Win feeding the starving masses.” He held his car door open for her.

“I usually walk after work,” she muttered, but climbed in anyway.

“This isn’t after work.” He started the car and steered down the street.

Nicole pinched her lips together. She’d almost blown it that time. They couldn’t keep the evening clinics a secret forever, of course. But after almost three weeks of secrecy, she was excited about them and determined not to stop, no matter what Dr. Darling said. Two nights a week were nothing to her and she enjoyed the experiences it provided. After all, she was here to learn.

“You’re very quiet. What’s wrong?”

Nicole frowned. “Why should something be wrong?”

“Because you usually have some pearl of wisdom to offer whenever we have three minutes alone. You and my aunt share that trait.” He peered through the windshield at the bike on the driveway and groaned loudly before parking on the street. “Nothing to say, Dr. Brandt?”

“Quite a lot, Dr. Darling. But I’ve decided to give you the night off.” She climbed out of the car, ignoring his gasp of surprise.

“Thank you, I think.” One black eyebrow tilted upward. “You’re too kind.”

“I know.”

He bent, lifted the bike and set it in the bike rack beside the house. “I wonder how many times I’ll have to remind them before they actually learn to put their stuff away?”

“Fair warning, Doc. I could change my mind and tell you what I think about fathers who complain about kids’ toys being in the way.” She grinned, delighted to see she’d stopped any retort he might have made.

“Hmph” seemed to be the best he could manage.

“What is it you wanted me to see?”

“Right this way.” He led the way inside the house, placed one finger in front of his lips and pointed toward the kitchen.

Nicole preceded him, looked inside and gaped.

Three angelic little girls and their guardian angel/great-aunt sat around the kitchen table, scooping up spoonfuls of ice cream covered in sauces, nuts, whipped cream and cherries. Ruthie saw her first.

“Hey, Nici, we’re having a night lunch. Want some?” She held out a spoon of the melting sugary stuff.

“I, uh, I have an allergy to milk products, Ruthie. But thanks anyway.” Conscious of Joshua’s lean body close behind and his snort of disbelief, she stepped into the room, took a chair and placed it beside the little girl. “What’s in there?” she asked curiously, seating herself.

“Everything.”

“The girls have good appetites,” Miss Winifred murmured, licking her own spoon. “We’ve almost finished off this container.”

“Yes, well, I think that’s enough sugar for tonight, girls. We’ll cover your bowls and maybe you can eat the rest tomorrow. Okay?”

Brows lowered on three sticky faces, but one look at Joshua’s unsmiling face sent them scrambling for plastic wrap. The bowls were tucked carefully into the freezer.

“Wash, and brush your teeth thoroughly,” he called as they raced up the stairs. “If you’re quick, you can come back and say good-night.”

They were so quick, Nicole feared for their teeth.

“Good night, Nici.” Ruthie squeezed her arms around Nicole’s waist and hung on, her eyes tightly closed.

Though it was a new sensation, Nicole decided she liked it. Here at last was unconditional love. She loosened the girl’s arms, bent and hugged her properly, brushing a kiss against the top of her head.

“Good night, Ruthie. Sleep well.”

The other two awaited their turn, so she hugged them both and wished them good-night, then watched as they moved to Winifred for her blessing. In a flash they were scooting out the door, bumping up the stairs.

“Hey, what about me?” Dr. Darling frowned at Nicole as if she were to blame for this lapse in affection. “What about my hug?”

“Don’t look at me,” she muttered, then hoped he hadn’t heard.

“I wasn’t.” He had.

Ruthie tore down the steps again, her face crinkled in a smile. “C’mon, Daddy. You only get a hug and a kiss if you tuck us in and listen to our prayers. You know the rule.”

“I’m supposed to be the one who makes the rules around here,” he muttered as he climbed the stairs.

“Thank God for those three sprites.” Miss Blessing began clearing the table. “I don’t know what his life would be like without them.”

Nicole chose not to answer. It was none of her business anyway. She was just a temporary partner, a stand-in at his office.

But maybe, just maybe, if she did her job well, kept the office running as smoothly as possible, he would see how much his three daughters needed him right here.

Was that why God had sent her here?