“Yes, but your receptionist shouldn’t end up as a patient.”
The door to the waiting room opened, and Leah grabbed the top folder on the nearest pile. “It sounds like the first appointment is here. I’d better get out there.”
He stepped back far enough to avoid accidentally grazing her when she passed. Just being near her had already disturbed him enough. He didn’t need any accidental touches turning that fire into a conflagration.
When Leah reached the end of the hallway, her cheerful greeting to the first patient floated back to him. Then she turned and called to him, “I’ll reschedule the three patients you had to cancel Wednesday.”
He nodded, but then she flashed him another one of her sweet smiles, undoing his attempt to douse the flames.
* * *
After she’d checked the last patient out at noon, Leah went back and tapped on Kyle’s partially open office door. He looked up from the file where he was making notes. When their eyes met, Leah forgot why she’d come.
She forced herself to look down and break the connection. With Esther’s warning ringing in her ears, she avoided stepping into his office. “I’m heading into the kitchen now to make lunch.”
“No, you’re not. You’re going to sit at the reception desk while I prepare the meal.”
“But I—” The rest of Leah’s sentence died on her lips as Kyle stood and headed toward her.
“The desk. Now.” His deep, commanding voice accompanied by a caring look sent thrills through her.
He waved a hand to indicate she should go first. On wobbly legs, Leah led the way down the hall.
“You look a bit shaky,” Kyle said, after they reached the waiting room. He reached for her arm and escorted her toward the desk.
His gentle touch made her gait even more unsteady. She was relieved to sink into the chair but was disappointed when he removed his fingers from her arm, leaving behind only the warm imprint of his hand on her skin.
After the door shut behind him, Leah called to reschedule the appointments. When she could walk normally again, she went to the records room to store the morning’s files and double-check the order of the afternoon folders. She set the first two on her desk and then rummaged in her coat pocket for the painkillers to take one with her lunch as directed. They weren’t there. She’d dropped them in the bag of food she’d given Kyle.
She went to the door of the house, intending to call him. Instead, he’d been leaning over to turn the knob, balancing two plates of food. Caught off balance, he almost tumbled forward. Leah grabbed for a slipping plate before it tipped. She managed to keep it upright, but her other arm had shot out to prevent Kyle from falling.
“I’m sorry,” she said breathlessly, but didn’t remove the hand that had grasped his forearm. Then she made the mistake of glancing up, and she was drowning in his eyes.
The door to the waiting room clicked open, and Leah jumped back, almost spilling her plate. No patients had appointments until one thirty. Tearing her gaze from Kyle’s, she turned to greet the new arrival.
“Ben?” Did her face look as guilty as her voice sounded?
“Leah?” Ben’s gaze ricocheted back and forth between her and Kyle. “Dad and I got back from the horse auction in Ohio late last night, and your brother said I’d find you here. I didn’t expect—” His eyes filled with hurt. “Where’s Dr. Hess?”
“The doctor had a heart attack.” Leah couldn’t meet Ben’s eyes. She’d forgotten the big auction was this week. Even worse, she hadn’t even realized he’d been away.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Will he be all right?” Once she’d nodded, he glanced around the room. “Where’s Esther? I’d like to send a get-well message to him.”
“She’s, um, at the hospital with him. I’ve been taking her place.” Leah rushed her words out, wishing she had a different answer for Ben.
“So you and he”—Ben gestured to Kyle with his chin—“are here alone?”
At the emphasis Ben placed on the final word, Leah’s cheeks flamed. “It’s not like that.”
“What is it like? Maybe I’m mistaken, but it looks as if the two of you have been in the house together and intended to eat lunch together.”
What would he think if he knew they’d had dinner together the other night and that Kyle had taken her to the hospital two days ago? Esther had been right that they shouldn’t spend time together.
* * *
Kyle took a deep breath and interrupted their discussion. “Actually, I was in the house by myself,” he told Ben. “And I planned to eat in my office while Leah ate out here.”
He walked over and set his plate on the reception desk. “In fact, why don’t the two of you eat together here, and I’ll have lunch in the house?”
Then he turned his back on them. “Enjoy it, you two.” He made himself cross the room, leaving Leah behind with Ben. Before he closed the door to the house, he said, without turning around, “I’ll be back a little before one thirty to get ready for the first afternoon appointment.”
As much as it bothered him to encourage the two of them to spend time together, he had no right to drive a wedge between Leah and the man she’d chosen to date. While he fixed lunch for himself, he ran over the cases he’d seen that morning, but they did little to distract him from what was happening in the waiting room. Sitting alone in the kitchen, he tortured himself with pictures of the couple enjoying a cozy lunch together.
Did Ben enjoy Leah’s company as much as he did? Did Leah make Ben smile and laugh? Would their conversation die when they stared into each other’s eyes?
Kyle had gulped down a quick lunch and had started washing his plate, when the door opened.
Leah called in, “If you come out whenever you’re finished, I’ll do the dishes.”
Had Ben left already? Kyle’s spirits soared.
“I’m done already. Be right there.” He hurried to the door. This time he inched it open to be sure they didn’t collide, although he wouldn’t have minded if they did.
Leah stood well away from the door, holding two empty plates.
“Is Ben still here?” Kyle checked out the waiting room.
“No. He had to get back to work. He only stopped to find out if we could do something tomorrow.”
“So you ate both those meals?” Kyle raised an eyebrow, and his lips quirked.
Leah giggled. “No. Ben managed to find time to eat. Thank you for doing that.”
“You’re welcome.” Kyle reached for the plates. “I can do the dishes.”
“I’ll take care of them.” Leah headed for the house door, and Kyle stepped to one side to let her pass.
That reminded him—he’d put her pain pills in his pocket earlier, but he’d forgotten to give them to her. He pulled them out. “I’m sorry I didn’t give these to you earlier. You were supposed to take one at lunchtime.”
“Thanks.” Leah stacked the plates so she had a free hand to take the container. She reached tentative fingers to grasp only the lid of the pill bottle without touching his hand. Being around Ben must have reminded her of her commitment.
He needed to get his feelings under control. In a clipped, businesslike voice, he said, “I’ll be in my office when the first patient arrives.”
Had disappointment flickered in her eyes, or was it only wishful thinking on his part?
“Of course.” She opened the door. “I’ll let you know when Laban Zook is ready.”
Another Amish patient? Will he follow my advice or ask Leah for herbal remedies?
Leah had agreed to filling the prescription two days ago, and she’d brought the pills with her rather than relying on her homemade tea. She’d almost closed the door behind her, but Kyle wanted to satisfy his curiosity. “Could I ask you a question?”
A startled expression on her face, Leah glanced over her shoulder. What was she expecting him to say?
For a moment, as he met her sparkling blue eyes, he had a bit of trouble recalling what he’d planned to ask.
Then his gaze dropped to the small pill bottle clutched in her hand. He waved toward it. “When we first met, you championed only natural remedies. I wonder why you’re willing to take those.”
“I don’t want to faint.”
He wouldn’t have minded. Holding her in his arms, having her lean against him for support had been a chance to be close to her, but he wouldn’t ever want her to be in that much pain again. He was happy she’d agreed to take some traditional medicine. “You will be going for the follow-up appointment I made, right?”
“I guess,” she mumbled, turning away.
He had to impress on her how important it was to keep that appointment. Perhaps he could enlist Dr. Hess to convince her once he got home. “If you tell me when it is, I’d be happy to drive you there.”
“Thank you for offering, but I can find a way.” She closed the door behind her with a click of finality.
* * *
Leah leaned her head against the door and blew out a breath. Her frazzled nerves sizzled throughout her body. Being around Kyle kept her off balance and on edge. And his offer to drive her…
Imagining sitting in a car beside him brought back memories of being in his arms the other day. She struggled to banish the touch of his hands, the comfort of his embrace. Before dinner, she’d been mesmerized, staring into his eyes when Ben walked in.
Soothing Ben’s jealousy had drained her. And in feeling guilty about her attraction to Kyle, she agreed to spend tomorrow with Ben after the office closed, when all she wanted to do was rest. She hadn’t planned to take this prescription after today unless the cramping became unbearable.
Leah hurried into the house to clean the dishes and straighten the kitchen. That also brought back memories of laughing and talking with Kyle, sharing a meal together.
They’d had so much fun together. Dr. Hess would be discharged tomorrow, so Esther would be taking over the office duties. After that, she’d probably never see Kyle again. That thought made her ache inside.
Leah treasured each minute she had with Kyle the rest of the afternoon, tucking them away in her heart. She did the same the next morning, watching the clock tick down the seconds until she’d have to say her final good-bye.
Around ten thirty, the door to the house opened. Startled, Leah glanced over to see Esther standing in the doorway, beaming.
Several people in the waiting room jumped up and hurried over to her. Soon she was surrounded by a buzzing crowd. She held up a hand to stop the flow of questions.
“Martin’s fine. He’s home now. They suggested a month’s rest before he eases back into his work schedule, so we’re grateful to have the new, young doctor to fill in for him.”
Esther hadn’t noticed Kyle standing in the entryway to the hall, but Leah couldn’t keep her gaze off him. She held up a finger to let him know she’d be sending the next patient back shortly. After a brisk, impersonal nod that contrasted with the intensity in his eyes when he looked at her, Kyle stared at the chattering group with Esther at its center.
Once again, Esther waved a hand to quiet the noise. “If you’ll all wait a minute, I need to speak with Martin’s assistant for a moment; then I’ll have another announcement.” She hurried over, took Kyle’s arm, pulled him near where Leah was standing, and whispered, “You will be joining our practice, right?”
“Actually, I’m—” Kyle swallowed hard.
Leah’s heart went out to him. How would he tell Esther the news with all these people watching? No doubt he’d planned to have this conversation in private, to let the Hesses down gently.
“That is…” Kyle stumbled along. “I’m very, very grateful to you and Martin for offering me this opportunity. It’s quite an honor…”
“Wonderful.” Esther clapped her hands and moved to the middle of the room. With everyone’s attention riveted on her, she declared, “We’ll be making a formal announcement soon, but Dr. Kyle Miller, who’s been working here this week, will be taking over the practice so Martin can retire.”
The commotion around Esther intensified as well-wishers thanked her and Martin and expressed their regret at losing them.
Kyle shifted in the doorway, his expression like that of a trapped animal. With a sickish look on his face, he ducked back into the hallway, letting the door swing closed behind him. Leah longed to go after him to comfort him, but that would be a mistake. When—and how—would he tell the Hesses his plans for the future?
After the furor died down, Esther approached the desk. “I’m so grateful you could take my place here this week. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“I’m happy to help. You and the doctor have done so much for our family. All the house calls for Mamm…”
Esther waved a dismissive hand. “Martin loves that part of his work. If he had his way, he’d probably be on the road all day.” She lowered her voice. “I didn’t mean to cause such a disturbance by coming in here, but would you and Kyle be able to come into the house for a short while after the office closes at noon?”
Leah hesitated. She’d promised Ben she’d meet him as soon as she was done working.
“I don’t want to disrupt your plans.”
“No, no,” Leah assured her. “It’s not a problem. I don’t know if Kyle’s plans, though.”
“I didn’t expect you to.” The slight frown on Esther’s forehead and the tartness in her voice served as a rebuke. “I’ll check with him.”
During Leah’s next break between patients, she slipped into the file room to call Joel. “Could you tell Ben that the doctor—Dr. Hess, that is—needs me to stay longer? I’m not sure when I’ll be done. Also, can I call you for a ride after I finish talking to him and Esther?”
“I don’t mind coming for you at lunchtime—customers know we’re usually closed then—but I’d rather not leave the shop unattended on a Saturday afternoon. That’s our busiest time.”
Leah smiled to herself. Her brother had been back at the store for only a short while, but he’d already committed to improving the business. Daed would be happy that he let Joel take over.
Her brother’s voice came through the phone. “Are you there? I don’t want to leave you stranded.”
“It’s all right, Joel. I’ll find another way home.”
“It’s freezing out there, but maybe Ben could come for you?”
Why did her gut clench at the thought? “I don’t want to make him run all the way over here, especially not in this weather. Besides, I have no idea how long I’ll be.” Leah had to get back out to the desk. “I’ll call if I change my mind.”
She hung up and hurried into the waiting room. Two patients had arrived. She’d just finished checking them in when her cell phone buzzed.
Sharon’s excited voice came over the line. “I know you have to work until noon today, but if you can come to the Grabers’, I’d like your company. It’s their first baby, so Merv called a little early. I expect we’ll be here for several more hours.”
“I’d love to, but…” She had no way to get there, and she’d promised Ben. She couldn’t break another date.
“You can’t come?” Sharon sounded disappointed. “I’ve missed you this week. I had several prenatal exams and two deliveries. You could have learned a lot.”
“I wish I could have been there, but Ky— the doctor who’s filling in for Dr. Hess needed help.” Help she was quite willing to give.
“I understand. So you have other plans this afternoon?”
“Yes, unfortunately.” Leah shook herself. Unfortunately? What a thing to say about a date with Ben. Had being around the temptation of Kyle soured her relationship with Ben? If so, she needed to get her priorities straight.
Chapter Eighteen
After Esther’s announcement, Kyle struggled with guilt. How could he tell her she’d made a mistake? Why hadn’t he been upfront with them from the start? Coming back here a second time only confirmed to them that he planned to take over the practice. He should have mentioned the fel
lowships he intended to apply for this month. With the deadline for those looming, he needed to send off his applications. Instead he spent his evening hours mooning over Leah, reliving every word, every touch.
To be honest, daydreams about Leah hadn’t been the only distraction. He’d been procrastinating because every time he thought about leaving her, he couldn’t take that final step of submitting the documents.
His hesitation made no sense. Not only was Leah Amish, but she had another relationship. No way could he overcome either of those obstacles. Did he really want to relive his past heartbreak?
Leah tapped at the partially open office door. As soon as she appeared, his heart answered an emphatic yes, but his brain and conscience shouted a stronger no.
“Abel Hochstetler is in room one.”
The smile she flashed at him set his nerves zinging. Once again, his emotions overrode common sense.
“OK.” Kyle rose from the desk, and Leah scurried away, perhaps remembering Esther’s instructions. Or maybe Ben had asked her to stay away from him, which would be for the best.
Right now he had patients to see, and then he’d have to meet with the Hesses. He hated to dash their hopes, but he needed to make his plans clear.
After the last appointment, Kyle made notes in the file and carried it out to the reception desk. Leah had her back to him as she locked the door. The heart-shaped kapp on her head was a good reminder to rein in his interest.
“Where do you want this file?” he asked her.
She turned and took it from him, avoiding his eyes and only grasping the edge of the folder as if to stay as far from his fingers as she could. “I’ll file this and be right in.”
He’d hoped to walk with her. “I can wait for you.”
“It would be better if you don’t,” she said, as she headed down the hallway to the file room. “I’ll lock up the other rooms.”
A flicker of disappointment ran through him, but she was right. And Esther would prefer that they arrive at different times.
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