I had no idea. Last I heard you were going to wait until January to start looking for someone. He turned on the faucet and ran a lunch plate through the stream.
Ive had my eye on this doctor for a while, shes available and the timing is right. Steves smile warmed his words. One of these days I wont have to come into the office at all. The rest of you are so good, Ill be absolutely unnecessary.
You? No chance of that. Steve Swift was one of the most knowledgeable doctors around. No one can fill your shoes.
I dont believe it for a second. Steven chuckled and it was good to hear him sounding happy. My wife is calling. Better go.
Have fun. No more thinking about work. Youre not on call, remember? He slipped a plate into the dishwasher rack, trying to imagine the unathletic man on a snowmobile. And no accidents, got it?
Got it. No worries, Laura has done this before. Were going on a tour up in the mountains. Great, now shes honking. I really do have to go.
Have fun, Steve. He set the phone on the counter, shaking his head. Seeing Steve broadening his horizons was gonna be very interesting. Maybe because although twenty years separated them, they were very alike. Workaholics dedicated to their profession, men of science and men who didnt have room for much else in their lives.
What about the new doctor? And why hadnt Steve said more before this? Why the mystery? Then again, that had been the plan since his health scare. Hed had a minor heart attack, but it had been a wake-up call for Steve. Less time at work, hed said in the break room one day. More time spent living life to the fullest.
Couldnt argue with that. The light clink of the dishes as he loaded the dishwasher kept him company in the lonely room. In Michaels opinion, this was living life to the fullest. He had a job he loved, a comfortable home and a daughter to care for. Speaking of which, he grabbed the phone, dialed his mom and waited for the phone to connect. He swished the soup pan through the water, fit it into the bottom rack and closed the dishwasher door as she answered, sounding breathless.
Am I catching you at a bad time? He reached for the paper towel roll.
No, just came in from running errands. Its cold out there! June Kramer blew out a breath for emphasis and something in the background rustled. The grocery store was crazy. Everyone stocking up for the next storm. They say its going to be a doozy. Hows my granddaughter?
Napping. He peeked around the corner. Yep, still asleep.
Good, she needs rest to heal. Say, I bought cookie makings. Figured she might want to help me with my first batch of Christmas cookies. That ought to be a proper excuse to spend time with her. How does tomorrow sound?
Im sure shell like it. He was thankful to the Lord that his mom was the kind of grandmother who would step in and fill the void in Macies life. His mom was gold in a hundred different ways. Why dont you take her home after church? Ill pack a bag if you want to keep her overnight.
Yes, yes, yes! Oh, youve just made me a very happy grammy. More rustling bags and the sound of a refrigerator opening. Im glad I bought the supplies for her favorite supper.
You were already planning, admit it. He grabbed a paper towel and a spray bottle of eco-friendly cleaner. That I suggested you keep her worked into your master plan.
It did. Your dad will take her to school come Monday, as long as its not a snow day. Then, again, maybe well keep her forever.
Sure, go ahead and try. He squirted the length of counter and wiped it down. In the meantime, I need your help with one of Macies Christmas gifts.
Do you mean the Christmas gift, the only one she wants?
The kitten. No idea how that was going to work out, and he was a little afraid to think about it. Where do I find one? I want a good one. The right one.
He had no idea how to know which one would be the right one. Surely all kittens were nice, but how did he find the one that would be the loving friend Macie wanted?
I have no idea. I know, not what you wanted to hear. But I have my sources. Let me make a few calls and talk to some friends. Ill get back to you.
Mom, youre fantastic.
Dont I know it, she agreed happily.
Relieved, he turned the conversation to what was going on in his parents lives. He listened while he wiped down the table and started sorting clothes in the laundry room. Wind gusted against the side of the house, and the last of the sunlight bled from the sky. He said goodbye to his mom and lit a fire in the fireplace. By the time the new storms first snowflakes fell, the Kramer house felt warm and snug. This was as good as life got, he thought, watching his daughter sleep. He couldnt ask for anything more.
Chapter Four
The weekend flew by. Chelsea barely had time to breathe settling in at homeunpacking her car, putting up the rest of the lights and then there was church on Sunday. Monday morning blew in with a fresh accumulation of snow and a storm that sent snow drifting over roads and made the mile drive into town challenging. She pulled into the little parking lot behind Dr. Swifts medical clinic ten minutes late. Totally hating being late, she shoved open her door, hauled her bag from the passenger seat, slipped on a sheet of ice and landed on her bottom.
Great. Just great. Cold seeped through her wool slacks as she levered back onto her feet, grabbed her keys and prayed Dr. Swift wouldnt be too unhappy with her. Hed been clear. Staff meeting starts at seven-thirty. Halfway to the door she noticed a reflection in a glass window. Her headlights. Double great. With a sigh, she tromped back through the snow. Hurry, hurry, hurry. This was no way to start her first day of work for the man shed looked up to all her life. Steve Swift was not only her new boss but her longtime mentor. Hed encouraged her in her studies and hed been there for their family when Mom had fallen ill
Her right foot slipped, she went down on her knees in the same ice patch shed fallen in earlier. Fabulous. So, maybe she was missing Seattles rain just a little. She pulled herself up holding on to the door handle, unlocked her car, turned off the lights and trekked back through the snow. Really, the day had to get better from here, right?
Her cell chimed the moment she set foot through the back door. Warmth enfolded her, chasing away the chill as she fished her phone out of her bag. A text message stared up at her.
Hope your first day goes well, sweetheart, her father had written. I know youll do great.
That was her dad, always there for her.
Thanks. She hit Send, smiling as she unwound her scarf, imagining him at work at the vet clinic, cradling a cup of coffee and carrying on a conversation with any animals who happened to be in the kennels.
She unwrapped her scarf and her phone chimed again. Not Dad this time.
Praying UR first day is fabulous! Johannas words marched across her screen cheerfully. Meg says U go, girl!
Okay, this was the upside of sisterhood. Maybe being back in Wyoming wasnt so bad. She unbuttoned her coat, shrugged out of it and tapped out an answer. So far I havent broken a leg. Have a great day, 2. Dinner tonight?
At Jeffs Diner, Johanna answered. Six oclock. UR treat.
MY treat? She texted back.
At Jeffs Diner, Johanna answered. Six oclock. UR treat.
MY treat? She texted back.
Becuz U love me and because Im broke.
Hard to argue with that. Shed missed her sisters living so far away. Weather aside, it really was good to be back.
The door swung open without warning. Snow blew in like a blizzard, borne on a strong gust. A tall man dressed in black shouldered in, his silhouette strangely familiar. A dark knit hat hid his sandy-brown hair and for a moment the snow shielded his face, but she knew him even before he rammed the door shut.
Michael Kramer. Doctor Michael Kramer.
What are you doing here? she asked before her brain kicked in. Wait, dont answer that. Let me guess. You work here.
Guilty. He tugged off his hat. He smelled like snow and pine. Very Christmassy. Very nice. My name is on the stationery, at least it was the last time I checked. Are you here to see one of the other doctors?
See one? No, I work here. Im the new
Pediatrician. He blinked in surprise, his gray matter suddenly stuck in neutral. Why hadnt he guessed it? Maybe because when hed first met Chelsea McKaslin, hed had his daughters broken arm on his mind. The second time hed met her, it had taken most of his mental acuity not to dwell on how beautiful she was. Right. Guess I should have known.
So, you didnt read the memo? Blue eyes sparkled up at him, bright with humor.
Yeah, he deserved it. Im focused, I admit it. Id rather practice medicine than the business of medicine.
I hear you there. She swiped a lock of light chestnut hair out of her eyes. Melting snow clung to her like a tiara, twinkling in the light. Steve hired me last month.
That explains it. He led the way down the narrow hall, flipped on a bank of lights and clipped into the break room. No scent of coffee met him. The machine was dark, the lights off. Looked like everyone was running late this morning due to the worsening storm. Im just here two days a week. Im in Jackson the other three. Must have missed the official announcement.
Working here has always been my plan since I was a kid. She seemed at home as she plopped her bag on the edge of the central table and fished out a plastic lunch container. Steve must be running late?
Late? No, he He shook his head, realizing he was watching her sweep over to the refrigerator like shed caught his eyes with a tractor beam. Stop looking, Michael. He yanked open a closet door and shrugged off his snowy coat. Something tells me you didnt hear the news.
No. She plopped her lunch on a rack and closed the fridge door. Concern gentled her eyes so blue they were almost lilac. What about news?
Steve went snowmobiling on Saturday and had a run-in with a tree. Why couldnt he stop looking at her?
Uh-oh, thats never good. She waltzed toward him, slipping out of her winter coat. Her slim eyebrows knit together, her heart-shaped face wreathing with the same tender caring as when shed been helping injured Macie at the cemetery. Is he okay?
Other than a broken femur, sure.
He broke his leg? Her eyebrows shot up, her jaw dropped open. Oh, no, is he looking at surgery?
Apparently its not indicated, but you know the saying, doctors make the worst patients. Steve might not be telling the whole truth. He left a message on my phone last night. He jammed his coat on a hanger and rammed it onto the rod. A faint knock brought him up short. Sounded like someone at the front door. Ill check it out. What are the chances its him and he forgot his keys?
High, Id say. That would be just like the tough, seasoned doctor to come to work when he should be on bed rest. Alone in the room, she slipped her coat around a hanger and hung it up. The silence gave her a moment to digest new developments. So, shed be working with Michael. Awesome.
Her phone chimed again. When she checked the screen, she smiled at Sara Beths message. I know youll work 2 hard today. Dont forget to take a little time and enjoy the moment. U R a doctor now, Chels. Just like youve always dreamed.
Yes, it was a dream, she thought, checking out the coffeemaker. It was prepped and ready to go, so she hit the switch. As it gurgled to life, spitting and popping, she shrugged on her white coat and took a moment to savor the feeling. Shed accomplished one goalgetting hereand now it was time to work toward another, which was being the best doctor she knew how to be.
Dr. McKaslin? Michaels voice rang down the hall. He held open the waiting room door for someone, his face a professional, granite mask. Obviously in doctor mode. We have a patient. Could you take a look at her? Her regular doctor, Dr. Benedict, isnt in yet.
Goody. Trying not to do a Snoopy dance, Chelsea plunged her hands into her coat pockets and said in her most doctorlike voice to the woman stooped over in the doorway, Ill be happy to help you.
The snowblower broke, so I had to shovel our driveway, the young mother explained, stooped over. Snow clung to her blond curly hair and a toddler clutched her right hand. Bad idea. My back seized up and look at me. Im bent over like a capital C. I was on my way to the hospital but the last thing I want to do is wait in the emergency room with Lily, since its flu season. Then I saw your lights on. You have no idea how grateful I am.
Glad we can help. Chelsea shoved open the door to the first examining room she came to. Come on in and lets see whats going on.
Bless you. Mom and adorable tot ambled into the room.
Probably a muscle spasm, Chelsea reasoned, but shed need X-rays to be sure there was no disk injury. She turned to Michael, but he was already gone, pacing down the corridor toward the front office with his shoulders braced and spine straight, likely to fetch the patients file. She couldnt explain why she was even watching him. There was something about the mans effect on her she didnt entirely like.
* * *
You were such a brave girl. After a long day of doctoring, Chelsea held the bowl of Tootsie Pops for Alicia Wigginsworth so she could pick a flavor. Tootsie Pops were a tradition for Dr. Swifts little patients, and now for hers. Grape is my favorite, too.
Alicia nodded in shy agreement before burying her face in her mothers shoulder.
Thanks, Dr. McKaslin. Mrs. Wigginsworth patted her childs back comfortingly. Tell Dr. Swift Im praying for a speedy recovery.
I will. She opened the examining room door, chart in hand. The injection site may be a little sore for a few days. If her fever doesnt start heading down, call. You know the drill.
I do. Ill let you know if there are any problems, the mom promised as she stepped into the hallway.
Goodbye, Alicia. She waved at her patient, who watched her with tear-filled eyes over her moms shoulder. It wasnt easy being little, or being the one who had to give a shot, but in a few days time the sweet little girl should be feeling a whole lot better.
The after-hours corridor echoed as the door to the waiting room whispered shut. The vague, muffled conversation between Mrs. Wigginsworth and Audra at the front desk were the loudest sounds in the echoing hallway.
Looks like you made it through your first day unscathed. Dr. Susan Benedict emerged from the break room, slipping into her winter coat. She was a young doctor, a few years out of residency, tall and slender with lovely long ebony curls. Congratulations. Especially considering it was one of those days. Everyone tripped, fell, shoveled too much, caught a bug or slid off the road.