Harbor of the Heart

by Katherine Spencer

  He winced. “Hard to say. It was tough. A lot harder than the practice tests. I think I passed, but I don’t want to jinx it. All I know right now is I could sleep for a week.”

  “Fine with me. We won’t talk about it anymore. I’m just glad it’s over and you’re back.”

  And their life together could get back to normal now, too. Finally. She didn’t say that aloud, but had a feeling he was thinking the same thing.

  “I’m glad to be back. More than you know.” He forced a smile, his eyes soft and loving. He did look tired, as worn out as she’d ever seen him. Liza suddenly felt guilty for pressing him with questions. She slipped her arm around his waist and led him back to the kitchen.

  “Want something to eat before you take that long nap?”

  “I could eat like a bear—then sleep like one, too,” he said with a laugh.

  Daniel dropped into a kitchen chair and Liza served him dinner—a pasta dish with grilled shrimp and fresh vegetables from the garden.

  “Mmmm . . . this is delicious,” Daniel mumbled around a mouthful. “So, what’s new around here? How are our wedding plans going? Sorry if I didn’t get back to you on all the e-mails. I did love the photos, honey. Everything looks fantastic.”

  The e-mails and photos were questions for him about choices she had to make. He wasn’t supposed to “love” all of them; they weren’t all fantastic. But Liza couldn’t fault him. She had been trying to keep him in the wedding loop, even though she knew he was too busy to help her decide on the centerpieces and appetizers. She now recalled grousing to Molly about Daniel’s failure to respond to her notes.

  “But it will be different once the big exam is over,” she had said. “I’m sure he’ll get more involved in the wedding then.”

  “Ha! Good luck,” Molly had replied. “You’re marrying a doctor, Liza. Get used to it. Matt comes home so late and tired some nights, he’d hardly notice if my hair was on fire. He’s had a wicked tough case this week—a little boy hospitalized with a staph infection. He’s been up in Southport night and day. I’ve hardly seen him.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad. I hope the boy recovers quickly.” There was little more Liza could say. She did know Daniel’s hours would be demanding at times. Her work schedule was demanding at times, too. She could cope with that.

  But it would have to be better than the past few weeks, with her nearest and dearest living in Boston. A new fear began to tug at her. What if Daniel hadn’t passed his exams? Did that mean they would have to go through this all over again next year? And how would that affect their brand-new marriage?

  “Liza,” Daniel said, startling her out of her thoughts. “I was asking you how the wedding plans are going.”

  “They’re going great,” she said. “After you rest up, I’ll show you everything Molly and I decided so far. I have the invitations all addressed and ready to mail out,” she added. A tiny knot of apprehension tightened in her stomach. She tried to ignore it, but it grew.

  Daniel had finished eating and pushed his dish away. He looked up at her with a curious expression. “Something wrong, honey? Is it something about the wedding arrangements?”

  Liza didn’t answer. She looked down at her beautiful engagement ring and twisted it around her finger.

  “Hey, I’m free and clear now, totally at your service, m’lady,” he teased her. “What’s wrong? We shouldn’t keep any secrets from each other now,” he reminded her.

  That was very true. Not that she’d ever kept much from Daniel. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “Let’s just say you don’t pass this time, Daniel. I think you definitely will,” she quickly added. “But I was just wondering . . . if you don’t pass, do you still want to get married?”

  A puzzled expression flickered through his eyes. “Of course I do. What made you ask me that?”

  Liza felt relieved, but not entirely. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s just that I’ve worried lately that you might not feel ready to get married until you’re all settled and ready to practice medicine again. Maybe it’s too many big life changes at once. I would never want you to feel pressured,” she added.

  Daniel’s expression softened. He rose and came to her side of the table, then crouched down next to her and put his arms around her. “You’re a very intelligent, perceptive woman, Liza. But sometimes, you think too much. Did anyone ever tell you that?”

  Liza felt herself starting to smile. “Well . . . maybe.”

  Daniel laughed and kissed her cheek. “I thought you were acting a little funny tonight. But I figured you were just stressed about me finally taking the tests. Of course I still want to get married. I wish we could get married tomorrow. Do you want to drive somewhere tonight and find a justice of the peace? Like people always do in the movies?”

  She laughed, but he really did look serious. She held his face in her hands. “We can’t do that. For one thing, you’re too tired, and for another, my brother and your sister already bought their plane tickets.”

  “Oh, right, the relatives. Well, we can still give them a party. Even though we might be on our honeymoon.”

  Honeymoon? They didn’t have a clue about that yet. As long as the wedding was still on, Liza was content to figure that out later.

  “Let’s stick with the original plan,” she suggested. “I’m sorry to be such a silly worrywart.”

  He smiled at her. “That’s okay. I love you anyway. And always will.”

  He kissed her deeply, reminding her again just how much and how wonderful their life together was going to be. Daniel truly loved her, and they were going forward as one, for better or for worse.

  Chapter Ten

  DANIEL’S friend and mentor, Dr. Jim Mitchell, and his wife, Elaine, were expected on Wednesday. They were traveling to Cape Light by train after Dr. Mitchell’s conference in Boston. Daniel planned to pick them up at the station at noon and had borrowed Liza’s SUV so they would be comfortable. The couple could only stay over one night; their schedule was very tight. But Liza had prepared the inn’s best room for them and had worked with Claire on special menus for their meals.

  Wednesday was a transition day at the inn; there were many guests checking in and checking out. Liza wanted to spend time with the Mitchells, but didn’t think she could manage it until dinner. Daniel probably wanted to spend time alone with Dr. Mitchell anyway, and it was such perfect weather, Liza was sure they would all go down to the beach for the afternoon.

  Claire had cut some flowers from the garden—huge, deep blue, luscious-looking hydrangeas, pink scrub roses, and a few orange tiger lilies. Liza was standing at the kitchen sink arranging them in a blue glass vase when she heard their guests arrive.

  Claire was working at the kitchen table, putting the finishing touches on lunch. “Sounds like they’re here. You go ahead out. I’ll finish that,” she said calmly.

  Liza quickly dried her hands and smoothed down her skirt.

  “You look lovely,” Claire said, as if reading her mind. “I’m sure they’re very nice people if Daniel thinks so highly of them.”

  Liza knew that must be true, but still felt nervous. After a steadying breath, she headed for the foyer. Daniel was already carrying in the bags, with Nolan’s help.

  “Here’s Liza now,” Daniel said, leading the way.

  An older couple followed through the front door. Dr. Mitchell was tall and lean with thick gray hair and piercing, dark eyes. Something about him seemed hawklike, but when he smiled, his expression was warm and kind. Mrs. Mitchell was also tall and slim, with short dark hair cut to her chin. Her eyes were blue, matching her turquoise and silver jewelry—large earrings and a necklace with carved animal figures. They lived in the southwest, in northern Arizona, Liza remembered.

  “This is Liza,” Daniel said, reaching for her hand and pulling her near. “Liza, this is Jim Mitchell and his wife, Elaine.”

 
; Jim took her hand with both of his own in a warm handshake. “So good to meet you, Liza. Daniel told us on the ride over that you’ve just gotten engaged. Congratulations!”

  “What happy news!” Elaine Mitchell added. “You must be very excited—and with Daniel returning to medicine at the same time.”

  “There’s been a lot going on here this summer,” Liza agreed.

  “All good,” Daniel added, hugging her close. “But now we can relax and enjoy the rest of the summer, right, honey?”

  “Starting today. We’ve been looking forward so much to having you here,” Liza said. “Your visit is perfect timing. Let me show you to your room and you can get settled. Come down for lunch whenever you’re ready, and we’ll take it from there.”

  “Sounds like an excellent plan to me,” Dr. Mitchell said, politely allowing the women to precede him to the staircase.

  “I can’t wait to go down to the beach,” Elaine added. “It’s been so long since we’ve been near the ocean. Any ocean, East Coast or West,” she added with a laugh. “I love living in Arizona, but I do miss the seashore.”

  Dr. Mitchell nodded. “I do, too. But there are always pluses and minuses in any choices we make, even when we’re doing something we love to do.”

  Daniel, who was walking beside him, nodded. “Absolutely.”

  He glanced at Liza and smiled. Liza smiled back.

  Had Daniel been reminded that he was giving up his carpentry business—and his entirely freewheeling lifestyle—in order to return to medicine and get married? Maybe, she thought. But he didn’t seem unhappy about it.

  Daniel’s friends oohed and ahhed over the suite of rooms they were staying in, and then again over the lunch of oyster stew and lobster rolls Claire had prepared for them.

  Jim helped himself to a second roll. “I might not have room for dinner, but I can’t help myself. This is such a treat.”

  “Absolutely delicious,” Elaine agreed. “I hope I can waddle down to the beach and don’t take a detour to the room for a nap.”

  “I’ve set up everything on the beach for you—chairs, a blanket, and an umbrella,” Daniel said. “You can definitely take a nap down there.”

  “And then a nice long walk along the water’s edge,” Jim suggested.

  “I’m looking forward to that.” Elaine glanced at Liza. “I’m sorry you can’t join us. But we can see how busy you are.”

  Liza had been called away from the table a few times by phone calls or questions from guests that Claire couldn’t answer.

  “I’m sorry, too,” Liza said sincerely. “But dinner will be much more peaceful, I promise. We’ll have plenty of time tonight to just relax and talk.”

  Elaine smiled. “I hope so. We’ve really been looking forward to getting to know you, Liza.”

  The Mitchells headed down to the beach, and Liza went back to work for the rest of the day. Claire had outdone herself with dinner, cooking magnificent seafood paella that included all of Dr. Mitchell’s favorites and then some.

  Liza and Daniel ate with the Mitchells at a private table on the patio. As Liza expected, the conversation soon turned to the wedding. Everyone she spoke to lately had so many questions, but she enjoyed answering them and relished her role as bride-to-be.

  “So you set a quick date. That was a good idea.” Jim nodded with approval. “Some couples get engaged and spend years planning the wedding. It’s just a party; one day out of your life. They seem to forget the important thing is the rest of your lives together.”

  Elaine was far less pragmatic and much more sympathetic to Liza. “But just a few weeks to pull it all together . . . that is a rush. You poor thing.”

  “Oh, she’s a pro,” Daniel teased Liza. “She thrives on deadlines.”

  Liza rolled her eyes. “Can’t say I had much choice. But we both wanted a small party and wanted to hold it here. So that makes it much easier. Maybe you could come back for the wedding?” she asked. “We would love to have you share our big day.”

  “Yes, come to the wedding,” Daniel said at once. “We can guarantee you more excellent food, and the weather is usually perfect in the fall. And it would mean a lot to us both to have you here.”

  Jim smiled at them, looking pleased by the heartfelt invitation. “Oh, we’d love that, wouldn’t we, Elaine?”

  “No question,” his wife said.

  “But these trips back east are rare,” he went on. “We’re so busy at the clinic right now. We’re down one doc and we can really use two, but I haven’t had any luck filling those positions yet.”

  “Daniel’s told me a little about your clinic, Jim. Is it a large staff?” If he was looking for two more doctors, it was larger than Liza had thought. Much larger than the clinic on the island, which only had a registered nurse, and Daniel, flying under the radar as a EMT all these years.

  “I’ve been out there about four years now, and our services have doubled—maybe tripled—in that time. Though we’re still barely keeping up with the patient demand. We started with a very simple, ‘patch ’em up and send ’em to a real hospital’ operation. But now we’re doing much more—prenatal care, family medicine, and regular visits for children and seniors.”

  “Getting out in front, with more emphasis on wellness and prevention,” Elaine added. “The community is really benefitting.”

  “But there’s so much more we could do. There’s so much need,” Jim Mitchell added.

  “More funding, you mean?” Liza asked.

  Jim laughed. “We can always use money. But right now, the real need is more medical professionals. We especially need doctors—committed physicians who want to make a difference, who want to work in a community where their intervention really counts. People have such a great choice of doctors in this area, even in relatively rural places like this island. Boston with its huge state-of-the-art hospitals is only an hour or two away, and you probably have big hospitals even closer.”

  “Southport is about an hour or so,” she replied.

  “In our village, the clinic is it,” Elaine explained. “There’s no other medical help for hours by car.”

  “That must put the pressure on,” Daniel said.

  “It does,” his friend agreed. “But some people thrive on that sort of pressure. We do a lot with a little, believe me.”

  “It sounds like a challenging but exciting way to practice,” Daniel said.

  “That it is,” Jim replied, “and more.”

  “I have some pictures on my phone of the clinic and our house,” Elaine offered.

  “Do you live on the reservation?” Liza asked, curious.

  “Well, the Navajo reservation covers twenty-seven thousand square miles. If you practice up there, chances are, you’re living on the reservation,” Jim explained. “Besides, I need to be close to the clinic.”

  “He practically lives there,” Elaine said, glancing at her husband with a loving smile.

  “Oh, come on now, it’s not that bad,” he said with a laugh. “Well, on second thought, maybe it is.”

  Elaine had already taken out her phone and brought up the photos. She handed it over to Daniel and Liza to look at together.

  Liza peered down at the screen. The first few photos showed the open desert at sunset. The red rock mountains were beautiful and mysterious-looking, the sunset casting brilliant colors in the sky and amazing shadows across the landscape.

  “I love that part of the country. The landscape is spectacular,” Daniel said. “I’ve only been to Arizona once, to see the Grand Canyon. I’d love to go back sometime.”

  “I’d love to go back there, too. It’s a perfect spot for painting,” Liza said wistfully.

  “Are you an artist, Liza?” Jim asked.

  “I used to be in graphic arts and did some painting of my own in my spare time. One of the reasons I took over the inn was
to have more time for my artwork. But that part hasn’t worked out so far,” she admitted.

  “You’re young; you have plenty of time,” Elaine assured her. “Life is large, full of possibilities.”

  “I think so,” Liza agreed. She looked back at the photos. Daniel was scrolling through them. The next few showed a rough, cinder-block building painted a dark ochre color. It had some sort of odd extension, as if a mobile home had been tacked on, but the picture didn’t take in the entire structure. A large sign with a red cross on a white background indicated that it was the clinic. Surrounded by sandy dirt and a few scrubby-looking bushes, two little dark-haired girls sat on the cement steps. The girls looked adorable, hugging each other, but Liza noticed one wore a dress that was too small for her, and the other wore a jacket with a rip in the sleeve. A woman holding a baby in her arms stood nearby. She looked poor and careworn and didn’t even make an effort to smile at the camera.

  Liza didn’t know what to say. She felt suddenly tense and quiet. She could feel Elaine and Jim watching them, waiting for their reaction.

  “Wow, that looks great. How many exam rooms?” Daniel asked.

  “We started with two, and that mobile unit adds one more and a little lab for on-site blood work,” Jim explained.

  Daniel touched the screen and moved to the next picture.

  Liza could see it was the inside of the clinic. Everything looked plain and utilitarian, with only the minimum of what was needed.

  “Oh, that’s our house,” Elaine said happily as Daniel came to another photo. Liza glanced over his shoulder at another squat, square, cinder-block building. This one was painted pale yellow, with dark green shutters on its tiny windows and a dark green frame around the front door. There were two large ceramic pots on either side of the door, painted with a geometric design.

  But other than those small embellishments, the house looked to Liza very much like a jailhouse in a movie about the Old West. Two spiky cacti poked through the hard earth in the front yard.