He should feel good. Hed been right. But he couldnt erase the stricken look from Docs eyes.
He stayed out of the way while Doc soothed the woman and talked to the husband called in from the waiting room, and Rebecca made efficient arrangements for her transport to the nearest hospital.
Forty miles away. He stood next to her as she hung up the phone.
Forty miles by mountain road. She grimaced. Its okay for Minna, but sometimes
She let that thought trail off, but he knew what she meant. Forty miles might as well be four hundred, in some cases. Bedford Creek should have a better choice than one overworked doctor or a forty-mile drive.
Now, youre going to be fine. Doc went to the door with Minna and her husband. Theyll take good care of you, and Ill be by to see you tonight.
The fear seeped from the womans face at the words. All right, Doc. If you say so. She looked at him with absolute confidence.
The door closed behind them. Doc came back, rubbing his head wearily.
You shouldnt drive clear over there tonight. The words were out before it occurred to Brett that Doc might take offense at his meddling.
Doc just shrugged. Got to. She wouldnt rest easy if I didnt stop in. She trusts me. He straightened, looking at Brett. That was a good call, Brett. Im glad you were here today.
Funny. Hed forgotten, in all those years away, how much Docs praise meant to him.
Chapter Three
Rebecca took a step back from Bretts smile, her heart thumping. He looked so She wasnt sure what it wasbut then suddenly she knew. He looked as if he belonged here once again, just as shed hoped.
She tried not to jump to conclusions. It was a long way from treating one patient to deciding to stay. But she had to find out what he felt.
I guess you get more exciting cases in Philadelphia, dont you?
Some. He shrugged. But youre involved with peoples whole lives here. Thats worth a lot.
Its satisfying.
So maybe Brett wasnt as happy in his big hospital career as hed thought. Maybe, if she could talk him into helping at the clinic for a while, hed realize this was where he belonged.
She eyed him cautiously as he consulted with Doc over a chart. He glanced up, gave her a quick smile and turned back to their consultation.
Her heart clenched. A quick smilethats all it had been, but it had transported her back in time. She saw herself, an awkward thirteen-year-old, watching as the boy she loved pinned an orchid to her sisters prom gown. Hed looked up for an instant, noticed her and smiled. Then all his love and attention had veered back to Angela, leaving Rebecca alone and bereft.
She swallowed. Ill order sandwiches from the café for lunch. Brett, what would you like? She tried to sound like the cool professional she was.
He turned toward her, his arm brushing hers. Her breath caught in her throat.
If he stayedas he musttheyd be working together every day. She had to find a way to handle that. She couldnt let Brett turn her into a lovesick adolescent again.
She wouldnt, that was all. He obviously still regarded her as his almost-kid sister. Hed never look at her any other way, and she didnt want him to. He wasnt the boy shed fallen in love with, and she wasnt sure she even liked the man hed become.
When lunch arrived from the Bluebird Café, they sat around the table in Docs office with their sandwiches. Rebecca let the conversation flow between the two men, watching them. Doc was so tired, and yet so happy Brett was here. Didnt Brett see that?
Finally Doc pushed the empty sack away and stretched. Good sandwich. He said that every day about the turkey club Cassie sent for him. Do I have enough time to rest my eyes?
She consulted her watch. Plenty of time. You take a quick nap, and Ill call you five minutes before your first appointment.
I dont nap, he said with dignity as he got up. I just rest my eyes.
Right. She smiled at Brett as the door closed behind him. And he snores while he rests his eyes.
Brett smiled back, but then he sobered. Hes getting old. I know you said that, but I didnt believe it until I saw him. I always thought hed go on forever.
He thinks so, too. She tossed the lunch remains in the trash. Thats part of the problem. He wont take it easy. He cant. Im afraid one day hell lie down for his rest and not get up again. Please understand.
Brett frowned. Is he all right? Has he had a thorough work-up?
As thorough as hell let me do. She spread her hands flat on the table. This was the first time shed felt able to talk to someone about this. If only she could tell him everythingbut she couldnt. Shed promised Doc.
Still, it was good to share the worry. Good because it was Brett, whom Doc loved like a son and took pride in.
He claims hes just tired out, thats all. He works a schedule that would exhaust a younger man, and he never takes a break.
Bretts green eyes darkened. There has to be something we can do.
You can take over the practice, the way he planned. She closed her lips on that. It would only lead to another argument.
Maybe hed let you check him out. She hesitated, half afraid to say anything else. If Doc knew shed suggested a checkup, hed be furious. But she had to. No one else would. Look, I know you said you were just here on a break. The word tasted bitter, but she pushed on. But you could help out while youre here.
His frown deepened, creating three furrows between his eyes. Thats not a solution.
Her resolve slipped. The best solution would be for you to stay.
He shoved back his chair, stalked to the window, and stared out at the aspen tree, tinged now with gold. You really think thats what these people need? Horse-and-buggy medicine? A one-doctor town?
She shot to her feet. Docs a good physician. He gives people everything he has.
He lifted his hand as if to stave off her attack. I know that. But I also know its worn him out.
She fought down her anger. Anger wouldnt help. She had to get him to make a commitmentjust a small one.
He needs a rest. Hed get that if you helped out for even a week before you go back to Philadelphia.
Im not going back to Philadelphia. He swung around, but she couldnt see his face clearly with the light behind him.
What do you mean? Your residency
I completed my residency. I thought Id be starting a surgical fellowship, but the one I expected to have isnt going to be there.
His voice sounded flat, denying any emotion, but she knew better. She rose, moving toward him until she could see his expression clearly. It didnt tell her much. He was hiding something; she knew that without analyzing how or why she did.
Then youre free to stay in Bedford Creek, arent you?
His mouth tightened at her persistence. Youd better understand, Rebecca. Im not prepared to settle down in this town for the rest of my life. There are other fellowships out there.
The anger shed been trying to suppress spurted out. So youre just home while you look for a new fellowship. Youre going to ignore the debt you owe to Doc.
Im not ignoring anything. His green eyes sparked with anger. This is between me and Doc.
You havent even told him yet! She wanted to shake him. Didnt he understand what was at stake?
His face hardened, becoming the face of a stranger. Ill tell him when we have supper together tonight. Until then, Id suggest you stay out of it.
Brett found he was still fuming at the memory of that conversation as he drove up Main Street toward the café to meet Doc. Who did Rebecca think she was? She didnt have the right to interfere.
Didnt she? The reasonable question slid into his mind, deflating some of the righteous indignation hed been fueling. She was obviously a big part of what kept the clinic going, so she had a stake in its future, if not in his.
Maybe part of his problem was the whole idea of little Rebecca, the tag-along kid sister, lecturing him about his responsibilities. A rueful smile touched his lips. Hed better admit ithe still hadnt gotten used to the grown-up Rebecca shed become while his back was turned.
Whod have guessed the gawky kid would blossom into a beautiful young woman? Hed found himself wanting to touch her cheek, just to see if it was as soft as it looked. Wanting to tangle his fingers in that silky hair
Whoa, back off. This was little Rebecca he was thinking aboutthe Rebecca hed always thought of as a kid sister. She undoubtedly still considered him a big brother. That was why she felt free to lecture him, just the way she would lecture Quinn. Shed never think of him any other way.
He couldnt possibly be attracted to her. He saw again those golden-brown eyes, warming with a smile for him, and felt a jolt that had nothing brotherly about it. Okay, maybe he could be attracted to her, but he wasnt going to do anything about it.
Nothing about a relationship with Rebecca could be at all casual, and he knew it, so there wasnt going to be anything. The future he had mapped out for himself didnt include the possibility of marriage for a long time. He travels fastest who travels aloneand he intended to keep moving.
So hed ignore the surge of attraction he felt every time he saw Rebecca. Given the way she felt about him right now, that shouldnt be difficult. Shed be only too happy to ignore him.
He pulled into a parking space in front of the Bluebird Café, switched off the ignition and took a deep breath. Telling Rebecca he wasnt staying had been difficult enough. Telling Doc seemed almost impossible.
He got out and stood for a moment. The setting sun edged behind the mountain, sending streaks of orange along the horizon, softening slowly to purple. Hed forgotten how quickly twilight came in the narrow valley, closing in as the sun disappeared.
It had been a long time since hed stood still and watched the sun go down. Peaceful. He could use some of that peace right now, as he prepared to break the news to Doc. He turned, pushed open the door, and saw Doc waiting at a table in the back.
The opportunity he needed didnt come immediately. Doc had already consulted the cardiologist whod seen Minna at the hospital, and he clearly wanted to talk about his diagnosis and treatment plan. It wasnt until Doc had scooped the last bit of chicken gravy onto his roll and popped it in his mouth that he began to run out of shoptalk.
Finally Doc pushed his plate aside and propped his elbows on the red-and-white checked tablecloth. He peered at Brett over the top of the glasses that constantly slid down his nose, his faded blue eyes intent.
Okay, out with it.
Brett discovered he was clutching the checked napkin like a lifeline. What do you mean?
Doc lifted his eyebrows. You think Im so old I cant tell when somethings wrong with you?
No, I guess not. Some of his tension slipped away. Ive been working up my nerve to tell you something.
Wouldnt have anything to do with a difference of opinion you got into with a supervising physician, would it?
He hoped his mouth wasnt hanging open. How did you know that?
Doc shrugged. I still have my sources. You want to talk about it?
The café was empty except for them, and Cassie James, the owner, after checking at least three times to be sure they had everything, had retired to the kitchen.
Theres not much to tell. Brett frowned, studying the bluebird on the heavy white coffee mug. He didnt want it to sound as if he were making excuses for himself. I was doing an ER rotation, and the paramedics brought in a street person in pretty bad shape. Standard procedure was to send them to county, but I felt she wouldnt stand the trip. I scheduled her for surgery. He took a breath, remembering. Dr. Barrett didnt agree, and I had to go over his head.
Were you right?
He reached inside himself for the answer. Was he right? Yes.
Doc nodded sharply. Then thats what matters. Forget Barrett. Hes not as important as he thinks he is.
Unfortunately hes important enough to control who gets the surgical fellowship. And its not going to be me.
He met Docs gaze, and saw instant sympathy reflected there, followed by a sudden spark of hope. He had to get the rest of it out before Doc could build too much on his words.
Doc, I know we used to say Id come back here after my training and take over the clinic so you could retire. He found his throat closing. How could he say that the life Doc loved wasnt the one he wanted?
Doc looked away, seeming to stare out the window that overlooked Main Street. When he looked back at Brett, there was no condemnation in his facejust understanding. Your dreams have changed.
He nodded. Yes, I guess they have. His voice sounded husky, even to himself, and his throat felt tight. I didnt realize then what possibilities there are in medicine. Now
Now you want something more. Doc rearranged his cup and saucer, his hand trembling slightly. Cant say Im surprised. I guess I always figured you might discover talents you didnt know you had.
I dont want to let you down. The strength of that feeling surprised him. Id never want to disappoint you. Ill repay every cent you loaned me. But Id like to try for another surgical fellowship.
There, it was out.
Doc didnt say anything for a long moment. Then he smiled. Any program head who doesnt take you is a fool. He reached out to clasp Bretts hand. Youre going to make us all proud, son.
But you
Im not ready to retire yet, Doc said quickly. The right person will come along to take over the clinic long before Im ready to hang it up. Shoot, what would I do if I quit? Chase a little white ball around a golf course? Not for me.
You might get to like it.
I like what Im doing now just fine. Doc shoved his sleeve back to glance at his watch. Speaking of which, Id better get on the road to the hospital. Minnas expecting to see me.
Ill pay you back, you know. I mean it.
Doc shook his head. Help someone else instead. He put his hand on Bretts shoulder. Its all right, Brett. Youre not letting me down.
It was one thing to hear Doc say the words. It was quite another to believe them. Brett watched Doc make his way to the door, stop to exchange some joking words with Cassie, then go out. His shoulders were stooped, his walk almost a shuffle.