The treatment area had changed even more than the waiting room. Cream paint unified it, and a modern counter had replaced the old rolltop desk where Doc had once kept a jumble of papers. Charts were neatly filed, and an up-to-date computer system ruled the countertop.
He stopped, assessing the changes, then turned to Rebecca. Shed changed, too. Her bronze hair was tied back from her face, and a matching bronze name pin adorned her neat uniform. Everything about her spoke of efficiency and professionalism. How strange to see little Rebecca so grown-up and businesslike.
Were you responsible for all this? He gestured toward the changes, knowing old Doc wouldnt have modernized a thing if someone hadnt pushed him into it.
She looked startled. I guess I did suggest we were due for some up-to-date touches.
You mean you nagged him until it was easier to say yes. He smiled at her. Dont fib to me, Rebecca. I know both of you too well.
Something like that. She smiled back, but there was a shadow behind it. She was probably still thinking about their unfinished conversation the night before
There you are.
The familiar voice sounded behind Brett, and he swung around.
About time you were getting back here to see us.
Hasnt been that long, has it? He gripped Docs hand, emotion flooding him. It had been too long. Rebecca had been right. Doc Overton was getting old.
The hair he remembered as iron gray was white now, and Docs shoulders stooped, as if hed spent too many years carrying all the medical burdens of the town. The lines in his face formed a road map of wisdom and caring.
Come here, boy. Not content with a handshake, Doc pulled him close for a quick hug, then pounded his shoulder. Good to see you. How are they treating you at that big city hospital?
There was the question he didnt want to answer, and it was the first one out of Docs mouth, of course.
Things are going okay. He managed a smile. It was tough getting used to Philly after all those years in California.
Not enough beaches, huh? Those wise old eyes surveyed him. If you want to succeed in this business, you have to make some sacrifices.
Like having any time for yourself, Rebecca said. She held out a chart. Im sorry to interrupt the reunion, but youre running about an hour behind already.
Doc always runs an hour behind, Brett said. That was probably because Doc had never heard the notion that the physician should spend only ten of his precious minutes with any single patient. And if he heard it, hed dismiss it. He knew his patients too well to rush anyone out of the office. When you were closeted with Doc Overton, you felt as if you were the most important person in the world to him. Dont people still set their clocks by him?
Rebecca smiled, but it was more an automatic response than an agreement. Im afraid people are a bit more impatient than they used to be.
Doc shrugged, lifting his hands. What can I do? This young woman runs the place, and she runs me, too. Well have to get together later.
How about supper tonight? We can catch up. And talk about the future.
Doc nodded. Sounds good, if I get out of here at a decent hour. Ill call you.
Ill see you later, then. He should be ashamed at the relief he felt over putting off the difficult conversation.
Why dont you stay and help out? Rebeccas voice stopped him before he took a step toward the door. Youre licensed in Pennsylvania, arent you? You could see some of Docs overflow and let him get through by lunchtime for once.
You think people really want to consult a doctor they knew when he was a kid? His reluctance surprised him. Maybe it was the thought of treating people he knew so wellpeople whod watched him grow up.
Dont worry about it. Rebecca gave him a challenging look. They accept me as a professional, believe it or not. Theyll listen to you.
His gaze clashed with hers. Shed made her attitude clear last night, even though they hadnt had a chance to talk about it again. She thought it was time he took over for Doc, and she probably couldnt imagine there might be something better than a one-doctor practice, either for the town or for him.
Good idea. Doc nodded. Let folks see a real city doctor for once.
Brett forced a smile. He wasnt about to let little Rebecca push him into saying anything to Doc about his plans in front of her, if that was in her mind. But he could hardly walk away with Doc looking at him so expectantly.
Sure. Ill be glad to see some patients.
He caught the satisfied look on Rebeccas face, and his jaw tightened. Rebecca might have won this round, but if she thought she could manipulate him into doing what she wanted, shed better think again.
Was her plan going to work? The question kept revolving in Rebeccas mind while she found a lab coat for Brett, showed him the examining rooms, led him through her system.
She hadnt been able to sleep after the party, her mind constantly returning to Brett. What had he meant when hed said he was just home on a break? Didnt he realize how much Doc needed him? How much all of Bedford Creek needed him?
It had taken her longer than it should have to realize she needed to pray about it. Even then, shed found herself wrestling with the situation, trying fruitlessly to see an immediate solution.
Finally, exhausted, shed left it in the Lords hands and gone to sleep. And when she woke, the answer seemed so clear.
Brett wouldnt listen to her, and he certainly wouldnt let her tell him what to do. But if she showed him how desperately Doc needed him, hed do the right thing, wouldnt he?
Doubt gripped her. The idealistic boy shed known would have. She wasnt so sure about the sophisticated stranger hed become.
Well, doing something was better than doing nothing. The opportunity to show Brett how much he was needed had come. She had to take advantage of it.
If youre all set, Ill just see which of the patients would be willing to switch to you.
Brett raised an eyebrow. Dont you mean, would agree to be fobbed off on the new guy?
It was going to be tough to keep a professional distance, she thought, if he persisted in looking at her with that devastating smile. Im sure there wont be a problem. Ill just try to keep everyone happy. She shuffled rapidly through the charts.
Is that your main objective in life?
The question caught her by surprise. What do you mean?
He leaned against the counter next to her. Keeping everyone happy. You seem to do a lot of that. He gestured at the renovated office. Youre certainly keeping Doc happy. And making a difference here. Is that why you chose a medical career?
I She bit back the response that sprang to her lips, shocked at her impulse to tell him he was responsible for that decision. That was something Brett didnt need to know about her. I guess, in a way. Doc needs help, and its not easy to find qualified medical personnel who want to come to a small town and work in a one-doctor clinic.
So you felt it was your duty?
He really seemed to want to understand. It wasnt just that. My familys here, and after Dad died, they needed me.
The familiar picture formed in her mind. Her father, his face lined and tired, grasping her hand in his. Youre the responsible one, Rebecca. Youll have to take care of them.
The familiar picture formed in her mind. Her father, his face lined and tired, grasping her hand in his. Youre the responsible one, Rebecca. Youll have to take care of them.
Brett nodded, but she could see the question still in his eyes.
There are plenty of opportunities for physicians assistants these days, he said. You could go almost anywhere.
Im happy here. Why did he assume that just because he couldnt wait to leave Bedford Creek, other people felt that way? Not everyones destined for the medical fast track.
He gave her a wary look. Is that aimed at me, by any chance?
She wouldnt get anywhere by antagonizing him. No, of course not. She picked up a chart. Are you ready for the first patient?
His gaze probed for a moment, as if he tried to see into her thoughts.
Finally he nodded. Bring them on. Im ready.
She put Minna Dawsons chart in Bretts stack and showed him to an exam room. Chronic indigestionand Minna was anxious to get back to the shop. Shed agree to see Brett if that meant moving her appointment up.
Doc fell further behind with every patient; everyone knew that. But everyone didnt know how tired he was. They didnt see the little lapses shed been vigilant at catching and correcting.
Tension knotted her stomach. Doc had to have help, and soon. If only Doc would be honest about how much he needed Brett.
As she took histories for the other patients, did preliminary work-ups, and moved smoothly through the mornings routine, her brief conversation with Brett played over in her mind.
Shed have to be careful. Brett wouldnt respond to her trying to make him feel guilty. She knew that instinctively. Just as he seemed to know too much about her instinctively.
If he saw through her so easily, hed figure out what she intended before shed even started. She couldnt let that happen.
Somehow Rebecca had to see to it he realized this was where he belonged.
Please, God. Please let this work.
Repeating her prayer silently, she went to see how Brett was doing with Minna.
I dont believe it, thats all. Minna sat on the edge of the table, clutching the paper gown around her with both hands, a mix of anger and fear on her face. Youre just making a big mistake!
The womans words rang in Bretts ears. Youre making a big mistake. Those had actually been the supervising physicians words when he found Brett following his ethics instead of the hospital rules. Brett had known in that instant that he would have to sacrifice his fellowship for his principles.
Now he was hearing those words again, and by the look on the womans face, she didnt have much trust in her new doctor.
His jaw clenched. Whether she trusted him or not, he had to make her listen.
Now, Minna, you dont mean that. Rebeccas calm voice cut through the tension in the small room. Just her presence seemed to take the level down miraculously.
Dr. Brett is a fine doctor, she went on, but if youd rather see Dr. Overton, we can arrange that. Im afraid there will be a wait, though. Hes so booked up today. It might delay your getting back to the shop.
The womans death grip on her gown relaxed a little. I cant have that. She scowled. What a mess that girl will make of things if Im not there, and there are plenty of visitors in town today.
Obviously Rebecca knew just what tack to take with the woman. Of course she knew the patients well. The Bedford Creek Clinic wasnt like a city hospital emergency room, where you treated someone and never saw him again.
Now, Mrs. Dawson, I just want to run a simple test, he said. Itll take no time at all. He met Rebeccas gaze over the womans head. EKG, okay?
He saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes, and it nettled him. Who was the doctor here?
Right away, she said, calmly professional whether she doubted his judgment or not.
Dont see why I have to do that. Mrs. Dawsons lips pressed together. Its worse than usual, but it must be my indigestion, see? Doc always gives me a prescription, and that fixes me right up. I dont need any test.
This is like the one we did on your husband last year, Rebecca soothed. You remember. Its just a precaution.
He seized on the word. Just a precaution. Itll only take a few minutes, and then youll be out of here. And if you want, well have Dr. Overton take a look at the results, too.
She nodded slowly. Guess if Doc looks at it, itll be all right.
He suspected he knew what Rebecca was thinking. That he was being presumptuous, that he was overriding Docs opinions. He nodded toward the hall, and Rebecca followed him out.
Youre thinking its her heart? Her golden-brown eyes were troubled.
He shrugged. I dont like the pain shes having, or the rapid pulse. He tried a smile. Could be because I was holding her hand, but I dont think so.
She didnt argue, but he could sense the reservation was still there.
Well, well know soon enough.
He stayed out of the way while Rebecca went to get the EKG machine then returned to the exam room. The last thing the patient needed was any white-coat anxiety at the sight of a new doctor. Especially a new doctor she didnt particularly trust.
He frowned. He was more concerned about Docs reaction. The first patient he saw, and shed put him in the position of contradicting his old mentor. Doc had been treating her for indigestion, not angina.
He shook his head. At least Doc would probably be more forgiving than Dr. Barrett had been when Brett disagreed with him.
The woman should have been sent to the county hospital. Dr. Barretts tone had been icy. They handle the indigent cases.
Brett could have protested that she needed care immediately, but Barrett would have disagreed. He could have said that for the first time in a long while he was doing what God called him to do, but that argument wouldnt have impressed Barrett. As far as Barrett was concerned, he was God in his little medical world, and no hapless resident should try to challenge him.
So Brett had put himself on the line, insisting the woman be admitted and going over Barretts head when he had to. Barrett had given in, but the pay-back had come soon enough. The surgical fellowship hed been a shoo-in for had disappeared.
Here it is. Rebecca came out into the hall with the strip, just as Doc appeared. Obviously she had alerted him, and Brett felt another spurt of annoyance.
Doc reached for the strip. Lets have a look.
His tone was neutral, but Bretts jaw tightened. He didnt like being in opposition to Doc, even though he was sure he was doing the only thing possible.
Doc frowned.
Bretts tension edged up. Hows it look?
The EKG is definitely out of normal range. Doc pushed his glasses into place on his nose, his hand fumbling with them. I should have suspected it was more than indigestion before this. If Id done an EKG last month, it might have shown something then. He handed Brett the strip. Mind if I talk to her? It might come better from me. Shell have to go to the hospital for more tests on her heart.
He shook his head. Of course not. Shes your patient. Shell want to hear it from you.
He should feel good. Hed been right. But he couldnt erase the stricken look from Docs eyes.