“I don’t know.” Malla shrugged. “But trust me. I have a feeling about this one.”
“Too bad you didn’t have a feeling about you-know-who.” She refused to even say his name.
“The good Lord doesn’t like us to talk badly about people, even if they are no-good, worthless fiancés trying to steal your money and your heart.”
Sara sighed. “I seem to be a poor judge of character when it comes to men.”
“Don’t worry about Ben,” Malla said. “He won’t break your heart.”
Sara shook her head at Malla’s words. Could she be right? Was Ben the one man who could stand up to the formidable Hollis Elliott?
Did she dare let her guard down enough to find out?
“Come, I’ll fix you something to eat. You look tired.” Malla clucked gently. “It’s been a long day, no?”
“Yes. A very long day. I drove to Boulder.” Sara reached for her briefcase and pulled out a small bag. “And I stopped at the Boulder Tea House for that tea you love.”
“Thank you.” Delight lit the housekeeper’s eyes as she took the bag. “Now tell me why you were in Boulder.”
“I’m being courted by the clinic.”
“Oh?”
“They don’t want me to resign, and I’ve been offered some very enticing options.”
“But you’re going to stay in Paradise.” Malla’s words were firm.
“Am I?” She shook her head. “I just wish I knew what was going to happen in September. How can I resign from Boulder when my position here is so uncertain?”
Malla took her hand. “You’re confused, and confusion is not of the Lord.”
Sara released a breath. “I know you’re right, but I still don’t know what to do about it.”
“Where do you feel peace?”
She considered Malla’s words for a moment before she answered. “At the Paradise clinic.”
“Working with Dr. Ben.”
“Yes. Working with Ben.” She was unable to hold back the slow smile that parted her lips.
“Then you have your answer, no?”
“But what about September?”
“One day at a time, Sara. Let the Lord take care of tomorrow.”
Sara shook her head. The very words she had said to Ben drifted back to her now.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Chapter Ten
“Ladies, we are ready to vote.” Bitsy Harmony stood ramrod-straight as she eyed the rows of women like a drill sergeant. A drill sergeant wearing plaid capris with a crisp pink blouse and a white bun anchored on the top of her head. Nonetheless, as far as these troops were concerned, Bitsy was their leader.
Ben glanced around and gave a slight shake of his head. He needed a sanity check because he couldn’t believe that he’d purposely walked into a Wednesday-night meeting of the Paradise Ladies’ Auxiliary. So far it looked like he was going to live to tell about it, too.
There was a hush in the room as Bitsy tapped her gavel on the podium that had been set up in her living room, and everyone, including Ben, waited for her to continue. Bitsy cleared her throat, and the entire room tensed. “All those in favor of the motion to assist Dr. Rogers with the Covert Clinic Chapel Garden Project, please rise.”
There were over three dozen women seated on folding chairs that filled not only the chintz and lace-covered living room, but spilled over into the small dining room. Nearly in unison, every single woman rose.
“The motion passes unanimously.”
Ben released the breath he’d been holding, and he couldn’t help but grin as a titter of laughter spread like a wave through the members. The women smiled, and several clapped their hands in obvious delight. Even Bitsy’s normally austere features had transformed into a joyful countenance at the results of the vote.
“Settle down,” Bitsy said. “Remember, this is an undercover operation. That means we don’t share information with family, friends or the mail carrier. I have passed out Dr. Rogers’s detailed instructions, along with a map of the garden and facility. Anna and Flora are team leaders. Work will commence on Saturday at 0800, and our deadline is September fourteenth.”
“Thank you, ladies,” Ben said.
“Dr. Rogers, we’re honored to be a part of the project,” Bitsy said, once again tapping the gavel. “Is there any more business?” She glanced around. Everyone was silent. “I declare the meeting adjourned and pie served.”
Ben stood and pulled his keys from his pockets as Anna Carter approached. “We haven’t had this much fun at an auxiliary meeting in years, Dr. Rogers. And we have you to thank for it.”
“She’s right,” Flora Downey added. “The last time was when we planned a surprise wedding for the mayor. Of course, eventually we had to tell him he was getting married.”
Ben’s eyes rounded, but he knew better than to ask.
“Dr. Rogers, do you mind if I ask how you’re funding the project?” Anna said.
Ben swallowed and searched for an appropriately vague response. “Money has been allocated.”
“Allocated sounds bureaucratic,” Flora returned.
“Won’t you join us for pie?” Bitsy asked.
“I’d like that,” Ben said, grateful for the interruption. “That peach pie you dropped off at the cabin was the best pie I’ve ever had.”
“Of course it was.” Bitsy glowed under his praise. “I’ve got another all packed up and ready to go.”
“Oh, and Dr. Rogers, I brought that special hybrid tomato plant from Orvis for you,” Anna informed him. “He said to plant it in a sunny location.”
Suddenly he had two dozen mothers. Ben glanced around at the women who filled the tiny cottage. A dull ache filled his heart. He was a grown man, yet today he felt the distance he’d created between himself and his own mother more than ever. He missed her.
He hadn’t returned her calls, and he knew he was hurting her. Every day the bridge grew wider, fueled by his fear that he wouldn’t be able to hold it together long enough for a conversation.
His sister’s death was the obstruction he couldn’t circumvent. He just couldn’t talk about Carolyn. Even to his folks. Avoidance was the only way he knew to save himself.
“Doctor? Are you all right?” Flora Downey gently inquired as she touched his sleeve. “Do you need anything?”
He managed a faint smile for Flora as he composed himself. “I’m good.”
When Ben finally left Bitsy’s house, it was with a peach pie, a raspberry cobbler and a tomato plant in his arms. He shook his head. Sara was right, yet again. The Ladies’ Auxiliary, while a force to be reckoned with, was made up of good people.
Three weeks ago he would have never guessed he’d make friends with the same women who’d been stalking him. He nearly laughed aloud at Sara’s humorous reference to the Ladies’ Auxiliary motorcycle gang, for a moment seeing Bitsy with a helmet atop her tightly wound bun.
These were women who had just voted to give up their Saturdays to support Sara Elliott and the garden project. And they were doing it just because that was what friends and neighbors did.
What a concept. Paradise was teaching him something new every day.
* * *
“How did you say you know my father?” Sara asked. It was the third time this week she’d tried to extract information from him. She was trying for subtle and failing miserably.
Ben’s lips twitched. He pushed in the bottom drawer of the red cart and stood. “This code cart is ready to go. But I can’t find the portable defibrillator.”
“It’s on order.”
“The EKG machine?”
“It came yesterday. I haven’t unpacked it ye
t, and you didn’t answer my question, Ben.”
“I met your father for the first time the other day at your house—well, house seems like an inappropriate term for your homestead. Elliott Ranch looks like a retreat for former presidents. And by the way, why didn’t you mention that your father has a collection of original Western sculptures in his office?”
“My father has more collections than I care to count. Cars in the garage, artwork and sculptures in the office, baseball card memorabilia in the media room.”
“And you harassed me about my espresso machine,” he said.
“That’s because it grieves me when people waste money on things.” She checked over the supplies on her list and closed the cupboard door.
“It’s his money,” Ben pointed out.
“Yes, but it’s not what my mother would have wanted,” Sara countered.
Ben shoved the crash cart back against the wall. “What would she have wanted?” he asked.
“This.” Sara took a deep breath and waved her arm around the exam room they stood in. “Writing a check for new medical equipment would have made her very happy.”
“But does it make you happy, Sara?”
“Yes. It does.” She paused thoughtfully. “So much so that I turned down the position in Boulder and submitted my resignation.”
“Whoa. When did this happen?”
“Monday.”
“Monday, and you didn’t mention it?” He raised his brows.
“I sort of forgot.”
“Forgot? Who forgets they resigned their job?” Ben asked. “I’d bet there’s some deeper meaning in that.”
“The only deeper meeting was a chat with Malla.”
Ben smiled. “I’ve been on the receiving end of a Malla chat.”
“Oh?” She raised her brows.
“That woman is scary insightful.”
“Yes. That’s Malla.”
“So, you’ve committed to Paradise. Should I be worried?” Ben asked.
“Not any more than you were when we met.”
“It’s been almost a month. If you had told me six months ago that I’d be in a town the size of Walmart, with a dog no less, preparing to reinvent my medical career and competing with a smart and beautiful doctor for the same position, I’d have thought you were hallucinating.”
“I’m beautiful?” She cocked her head, eyes wide in question. “Really?”
“This is news to you?” Ben’s gaze skimmed over her features, from her dark lashes that framed her green eyes to her soft, smooth mouth. He found it hard to believe she wasn’t aware of her attractiveness, because he sure was. Since their kiss, he’d worked hard not to be aware.
“Let’s just say that in the past, my father’s money has been more attractive than his daughter when it came to men in my life.”
“You’ve been associating with the wrong men,” he said flatly.
“That’s obvious.” She narrowed her eyes and looked at Ben. “So you’re okay with the fact that one of us is going to be director in a few weeks? And the other one is, well...not?”
“I’m not particularly concerned. I think I’ve been drinking the Paradise Kool-Aid. Or maybe it’s the cinnamon rolls from the café. I want the job, Sara. Oh, I definitely want the job, but since I’ve come to Paradise, I’ve started to realize that there’s a bigger plan for my life.”
“A bigger plan? Hmm.” She nibbled on her lip for a moment, thinking. “Well, I’m glad you have so much certainty. That makes one of us.”
“You’re the one who quoted Proverbs,” he said.
“The author of Proverbs never met my father.”
Ben chuckled. “What’s going on with Hollis?”
“I’m not sure, but he doesn’t look well. Something is off, I can sense that much. He’s avoiding me, too. I can’t even get him to sit still so I can listen to his heart or take his blood pressure.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“The question is, what can I do? I have an appointment with his cardiologist in Denver. Fortunately my father doesn’t remember he signed a HIPAA release form when he had his heart attack.”
“Did it ever occur to you that manipulating his health might be his backup plan to keep you in Paradise?”
“I hope you’re wrong,” she said.
The new office manager, Sue Meredith, popped her head into the clinic exam room. “Excuse me, doctors, but there’s an Orvis Carter in the lobby to see Dr. Rogers.”
“Thanks, Sue,” Ben said.
Sara glanced at the wall clock. “It’s nearly five. Were you expecting Orvis?”
“No, but I owe him one. Probably more than one after that porch.”
She nodded. “Well, I’ve got to get going. I have to drive into Monte Vista for my father, but I’ll be back tomorrow. We’re behind in our accreditation paperwork, and I’d like to get caught up as soon as I can.”
Tomorrow was Saturday. The Ladies’ Auxiliary would be here to begin planting. He followed Sara as she started down the hall.
“You’re coming in tomorrow?”
“Uh-huh,” she said.
“You can’t come in tomorrow,” he said.
Sara turned and looked at him. “Why not?”
“You just said you suspect your father’s condition is worsening. Don’t you think you should be at home? You spend too much time at the clinic as it is.”
She sighed. “I guess you’re right. Okay. Fine. I’ll work from home.”
“Good plan.” He nodded, relieved.
Ben left her at her office and headed to the lobby, where Orvis Carter stood next to the counter with a young boy.
“Orvis, what can I do for you?” Ben shook Orvis’s hand.
“Doc, this is my grandson, Elijah. We call him Eli.”
“Hi, Eli.”
Eli grinned, displaying a gap where his front teeth were missing. Ben pegged the young boy at about five or six years old.
“I hate to bother you, but I wondered if you could have a look at his leg.”
“Sure. Have a seat, Eli. Do you want to tell me what happened?” Ben asked.
“Gramps says I got bit by a spider,” Eli said with a lisp. He sat down in a chair and rolled down his socks, which sported a layer of dirt. Immediately, Ben spotted an expanding area of inflammation.
“When did this happen?” Ben asked.
“I think I felt a bite a few days ago,” Eli said.
Ben nodded. “Can you take off that sneaker for me?”
Close to the ankle bone, the skin was not only red and swollen, but there was also a purplish blister in the center of the inflammation.
Ben frowned. “We need to get him treated as soon as possible.”
“What is it, Doc?”
“If it is a spider, then a brown recluse is my guess. But I’m not the expert.”
Orvis nodded to Ben, and the men moved out of earshot of the boy.
“It’s not fatal, is it?” Orvis asked, concern knitting his brows.
“It’s serious, but perfectly treatable. I don’t suppose you saved the spider?”
“No. Never actually saw it. That boy plays in the dirt so much, we just figured that old spider was still in his shoe.”
“That’s okay. Either way, Eli needs to get to the emergency room since it’s after hours. Or you can drive him into Monte Vista to an urgent care facility.”
“We need an urgent care facility here in Paradise.”
“I agree, and we’re working on that,” Ben said.
“What will they do for Eli at the hospital?” Orvis asked.
“There are several different protocols for spider bites, depending on the severity and the age of the victim. Right now we’ll elevate Eli’s leg,
ice the bite and get him to someone with more experience in this area than me.”
Orvis nodded. “Then I ’spose we’ll go to the emergency room. You’ll go with us, won’t you?”
Ben inhaled. “I don’t have privileges at the Paradise E.R., but I’ll get you all signed in. Will that work?”
“Thank you, Doc.”
Minutes later, Ben stood outside the emergency room doors, psyching himself up and praying he could handle the E.R. He wiped a line of sweat from his brow and leaned over to take a deep, calming breath.
“Ben?”
Ben whirled around, surprised when his gaze met Henry Rhoades’s.
“Dr. Rhoades.”
“Everything all right? You don’t look well.”
Ben straightened. “I’m, ah, fine sir. It’s Orvis Carter. His grandson was bitten by a spider. I need to meet them inside.”
Henry positioned his chair away from the doorway to talk to Ben. “Why don’t I take care of them for you?”
“I’d hate to inconvenience you, sir.”
“Not at all. I’ll give Orvis and his grandson the VIP treatment. After all, they’re friends of yours.”
“Not only friends, but Orvis’s son is building the gazebo for the chapel garden.”
“Then I insist.”
“Thank you, sir.” Ben tried not to look as relieved as he felt.
“No problem. Why don’t you go home and get an early start on the weekend? You and Sara have put in some long hours this week.”
“I might just do that. Thanks.”
“Good. Oh, and Ben?”
Ben turned.
“I’d like to chat with you.”
“Sure. Any time.”
“Schedule an appointment with my secretary for next week.”
“Sara, as well?”
“No, I think the two of us is plenty for this discussion. Don’t you?”
Ben had no chance to respond to the question before the E.R. doors swung open and Henry wheeled himself inside, leaving Ben to wonder what exactly Dr. Rhoades wanted to discuss with him.
Something told Ben that this was going to be one of those uncomfortable heart-to-hearts that he had avoided most of his life. He shoved his hands in his pocket and walked slowly back to the clinic to pick up Mutt.
Mending the Doctor's Heart Page 11
