The Doctor's Return

by Narelle Atkins

  She rolled her eyes. “Sure, but you know it probably won’t work too well.”

  He grinned. “I always wanted to see you round up sheep.”

  Jack laughed. “I’d help you but Kate needs me.”

  “Yeah, as if you’d help. You just want another funny story about me to add to your collection.”

  She didn’t wait for a response, leaping out of the vehicle and onto the gravel road.

  The sheep gave her an inquisitive look. A number of young lambs stayed close to their mothers.

  “Okay, I need you all to move off the road.” She stepped forward, avoiding the sheep droppings in her path. “The mama sheep among you should understand that I have a pregnant sister-in-law in the car who needs to deliver her baby soon.”

  She waved her hands in front of her, and the sheep circled back around her. A few peeled off the road, and Luke crawled along in the Jeep behind her.

  “That’s right, we’re going to get out of the way and not become roadkill for the crows.”

  The sheep wandered in confused loops, mimicking her decision process regarding the research job.

  She quickened her pace and worked her way to the front of the flock. The sheep ran all over the road, a few narrowly missing being hit by the Jeep.

  She glanced back at Luke.

  He pointed at her and laughed.

  She tipped her nose in the air and continued forward, making progress. The sun beat down on her face, and a hint of smoke lingered in the air.

  She moved to the side of the road and Luke brought the Jeep to a halt. She climbed back in, a sheen of perspiration on her face.

  He grinned. “Good job.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” She pulled her seat belt over her shoulder. “Kate, how are you doing?”

  “The same. Thanks for clearing the sheep.”

  “No worries.”

  Jack chuckled. “You could get a new job as a shepherd.”

  Megan poked her tongue out at her brother. “Very funny.”

  Before long the Murray River came into view, and they followed the meandering waterway for half an hour before heading back into the pastureland surrounded by forest.

  Luke braked as they approached an intersection. “We’re not far from the Hume Highway. Kate, are you okay to keep going to Sunny Ridge, or do you want to detour south into Albury? The hospital across the river in Wodonga has a maternity ward.”

  Kate groaned. “I think I’m okay. I’d rather go to Sunny Ridge and try to follow my birth plan with my doctor.”

  Luke tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Are the contractions any closer together?”

  “Not really. It’s about the same. I think you’re safe from having to do the delivery.”

  Megan let out a deep breath. “That’s a relief.” She hadn’t been looking forward to the mess and chaos of a roadside birth.

  Luke smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  Megan stared out the window at the passing scenery, counting down the minutes until they reached Sunny Ridge and she found herself alone with Luke. He wasn’t going to let her off the hook, and she couldn’t avoid the inevitable conversation about her future.

  * * *

  Luke slowed his speed as they cruised into the outskirts of Sunny Ridge, the streetlights glowing in the night sky. After giving Kate a brief stop at a rest area off the highway, they had made good time to Sunny Ridge. Megan was quiet beside him, looking deep in thought.

  Kate grunted and wriggled in her seat. “I’m glad we’re nearly at the hospital.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Are the contractions stronger and faster?”

  “Yep,” Kate said.

  “Don’t forget your breathing. We’ll be at the hospital in less than five minutes.”

  “Thanks, Luke.” Jack wiped a loose strand of hair back off Kate’s damp forehead. “We appreciate your help.”

  “You’re welcome, and I’m glad we’ll get there in time.”

  “Me, too,” Megan said.

  He snuck a sideways glimpse at Megan, small frown lines forming between her brows. What was going on inside her head? Had she made a decision?

  Luke drove into the main hospital entry. “Jack, are you able to take Kate inside while we park?”

  “Sure,” Jack said. “Why don’t you two go to the café? I’ll message you when we have some news.”

  Luke nodded and opened his car door. “That works for us.”

  Jack helped Kate step down onto the sidewalk, her discomfort evident on her weary face.

  Luke met Jack’s concerned gaze. “You’ve made it, and Kate will be in good hands now.”

  “Thanks again.” Jack hitched Kate’s bag over his shoulder and drew his wife close to his side as they headed into the hospital.

  Luke parked his vehicle and they climbed out. He walked in silence with Megan to the café near the maternity ward.

  He paused in the doorway. “Do you feel like dinner? I’m hungry.”

  She nodded. “Sounds good. My appetite has returned now I know Kate and the baby are here and safe.”

  He rolled his shoulders, the tension from the long drive cramping his back and neck muscles. “What do you feel like?”

  “Chicken schnitzel.”

  He did a double take. “Really? That’s my favorite from this café, too.”

  “Emily got me into it. We usually meet here for lunch each week.”

  “Ah, that makes sense. She really likes her schnitzel, drowned in gravy.”

  “Yep. I take it easy on the gravy.”

  They walked over to the counter and placed their orders for schnitzel before selecting a table near a window.

  Megan played with a paper napkin, folding it in different configurations.

  He stretched in his chair, feeling as if he was heading into his usual Saturday night shift with a deficit of sleep. How had this weekend become so exhausting?

  “I like meeting Emily here,” Megan said. “She has been really helpful to talk to about a lot of stuff.”

  “That’s good.” He rested his chin in his hands, his gaze homing in on her. “Have you made a decision?”

  “Not yet. I still have time.”

  He shook his head. “The clock is ticking and Bruce needs an answer.” And he needed an answer, too! Why couldn’t she realize that her procrastination was messing with his head? He was over waiting for her to make up her mind. Either she was in or she was out. She loved him enough to stay or she sought her freedom.

  “I do know this.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’m trying to work it all out.”

  He let out a frustrated breath. “It’s really quite simple. You either want the big research career or you want to explore a more serious relationship with me. You can’t have both.”

  “Can’t you see that’s why this decision is so hard? I don’t want to leave you or Snowgum Creek.”

  The quiet desperation in her words deflated some of his aggravation. “I don’t want you to stay and live with regrets. Or wake up in ten years feeling discontented and wondering where your life would be if you’d done the master’s degree.”

  “I get it, but I’m still blown away by the opportunity to work with Bruce and his team.”

  “Will a satisfying career give you a happy and fulfilling life?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  A waiter arrived with their food.

  Luke’s stomach grumbled and he tucked into his dinner, savoring the tasty chicken dish.

  Megan bent her head and focused on eating. She didn’t make eye contact with him and ignored her latte.

  Luke swallowed a mouthful of schnitzel, unwilling to wait for her to initiate further conversation. “Why did you return to Snowgum Creek?
”

  She looked up, her startled eyes meeting his gaze. “Why does it matter?”

  “There are a million other things you could have done. I really think the key to working out what you want to do with your life is to understand why you felt compelled to return to your hometown.”

  She nodded, switching her focus to the folded-up napkin beside her plate.

  “And avoiding Jason doesn’t count as a reason. You could have easily traveled overseas and guaranteed that you wouldn’t run into him. If anything, Snowgum Creek was a risky option in that respect.”

  “True.” She cleared her throat. “Jason knew where I grew up.”

  “Exactly. And let me ask another question. How does your faith factor into your decision-making process?”

  “I’ve been praying about this decision and reading my Bible.”

  He nodded. “You’ve settled back into the close-knit church community in Snowgum Creek, and you have a number of good friends there as well as your family. Are you prepared to move away from them, and risk losing the close friendships you’ve developed?”

  She shook her head. “We can all still be friends, even if I’m not living in Snowgum Creek.”

  “But it’s not the same when you’re not in regular contact. Life moves on, people change and evolve.” He looked her straight in the eye. “I’m not going to put my life on hold and wait for you to return.”

  She gasped. “I would never expect you to do that.”

  “Then you need to know what you’re losing if you walk away.”

  Her phone beeped and she checked the screen. “Jack said Kate is doing well and the baby will be born very soon.” Her eyes brightened. “I’m going to become an aunt tonight.”

  Chapter 15

  Megan typed a short reply to Jack’s message in her phone, her hands shaky. She couldn’t wait to meet the baby.

  Luke continued to eat his chicken schnitzel. “Did Jack give you any details?”

  “No, he’ll contact us when the baby is born and they’re ready for visitors.” She placed her phone on the table. “I asked him not to tell me if bub is a boy or a girl.”

  “You want a surprise?”

  She nodded. “We’re only a few minutes away, and I can wait until I see them in person.”

  “Sure.” He placed his cutlery on his empty plate. “You realize we still could have a few hours to wait.”

  “I hope not.” She sipped her latte, avoiding Luke’s forthright gaze. His words from earlier hammered away in her head. If she accepted the research job, she could say farewell to any possibility of a long-term relationship with Luke. She swallowed the milky coffee, her throat tight. Could she leave Luke a second time, knowing there was no turning back?

  He held his coffee mug in both hands. “I’ve been thinking about going on a short-term mission trip overseas.”

  She looked up, shocked by his words. “When?”

  “I don’t know yet. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “The aid organizations are always looking for doctors to volunteer in developing countries.” He sipped his latte. “Unlike you, I haven’t traveled a lot overseas.”

  “But you’ve been to a few places.”

  “New Zealand, Hawaii and Bali, but they were all short holidays squeezed in around my work schedule.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “I didn’t know you wanted to travel.”

  “You never asked.” He stretched out in his seat. “I’ve spent years studying and working all the time, and I’ve come to realize that there’s more to life than work.”

  “I agree.”

  “I think it’s time I started broadening my horizons.”

  “That makes sense.” If only she could discern the best option for her future. Could she give up the research opportunity with no regrets?

  Her phone beeped and she glanced at the screen. “It’s my mother.” She scanned the message. “The fires are under control and the roads from Snowgum Creek have reopened. My mom and Doris are half an hour away, and my father is not far behind them in Kate’s car.”

  “I’m glad your family will be here tonight.”

  She nodded. “Would you like another coffee?”

  “I’m good, but don’t let me stop you.”

  She rested her arms on the table. “All this waiting around is starting to drive me crazy.”

  He chuckled. “You’ve never had much patience.”

  “I know.” She glanced at the time on her phone. “When is this baby going to be born?”

  “When he or she is ready.”

  “Ugh. I really don’t like this waiting business.”

  “We’ve been here less than two hours, and it’s kind of normal for me to be hanging around a hospital on a Saturday night.”

  She groaned. “I’m sorry you’re stuck here tonight.”

  “It’s okay. I’m not sorry I’m stuck here with you.”

  She blinked, warmth gliding up her neck and flushing her cheeks. His words gave her hope. At least his initial anger over her secret had lessened, and he was prepared to give her more time.

  Her phone beeped again. Jack. She read his message and gasped.

  Luke grinned. “Bub has arrived.”

  “Yes, I’m so excited. Jack has sent me all the baby statistics, excluding the gender.” She curved her lips into a big smile. “Kate and the baby are doing well, and we can visit in around fifteen minutes.”

  “That’s great news.”

  “I can’t wait to see them.” She stood. “I need to go and get myself photo ready.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You look fine.”

  “Only fine?”

  “Fishing for compliments, are we?”

  “Only from you.”

  His eyes twinkled. “That’s the right answer.”

  She laughed. “I’ll be back soon.” She strode over to the bathroom, her step light. No doubt she needed to freshen up her makeup after a long day of traveling and waiting around the hospital.

  Fifteen minutes later Megan strolled with Luke into the maternity ward reception area. The midwives recognized them, and they chatted for a couple of minutes before being led to a private room.

  Megan opened the door and her gaze homed in on Kate holding a tiny bundle in her arms. “Wow.”

  Jack stood and stepped toward her, a wide smile lighting up her brother’s face. “We have a daughter.”

  “Congratulations.” She hugged her brother, happiness welling up inside her. “She’s tiny.”

  Kate cooed at her baby, her gaze tender. “She’s perfect, and a good size considering she’s two weeks early.”

  Luke shook Jack’s hand. “Congratulations. I’m glad to hear everything went well in the end.”

  “Thanks.” Jack stifled a yawn. “It’s been a long day but Kate was brilliant. I’m in awe of her and what she has accomplished today.”

  Kate looked up, catching her husband’s loving gaze. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  Jack reached for his wife’s hand. “You look wonderful, considering what you’ve been through.”

  Megan stood on the other side of the bed beside Kate. “Does my little niece have a name?”

  Kate nodded. “Sarah. We haven’t decided on a middle name.”

  “I like it.” Megan’s gaze rested on Sarah, named after one of Kate’s oldest and dearest friends who lived in England. “How’s baby Sarah doing?”

  “She was hungry earlier, and has dozed off after having a good feed,” Kate said. “I’m not surprised she’s sleepy.”

  Megan turned to Jack. “Mom and Dad should be here soon.”

  Jack smiled. “They just sent me a message and to
ld me to be prepared for lots of photos.”

  “Yes, I have my phone ready.” Megan’s gaze lingered on her niece, wrapped up in muslin. “She looks so peaceful.”

  “I hope it’s a sign she’ll be an easy baby.” Kate dropped a kiss on her daughter’s head. “Would you like to hold her?”

  “Yes, please,” Megan said. “I can’t remember the last time I cuddled a newborn.”

  Luke moved to her side. “Make sure you support her head.”

  “Okay.” She furrowed her brow. “Since you’re the doctor and used to handling babies, can you pass her over to me?”

  “Sure.” Luke gathered Sarah in his arms and gave her an indulgent smile. “She’s adorable.”

  Megan’s heart softened, the tender look on Luke’s face stirring up unfamiliar feelings. He’d make a wonderful father one day. She could see him as the father of her children, holding her precious baby in his arms.

  She bit her lip, disconcerted by the direction of her thoughts. Was this her destiny? The life that she really wanted, and the reason she was compelled earlier in the year to return to Snowgum Creek?

  Megan lifted her arm and Luke placed Sarah in the crook of her elbow. She drew the baby close to her body and her heart melted, an intense love for the helpless infant flowing through her. “She’s beautiful. I love her scrunched-up little face.”

  Luke chuckled. “She’s looking pretty good. Some babies look a bit beaten-up when they’re first born.”

  “I’m totally in love with my niece.” Sarah’s tiny hand escaped from the muslin, her delicate fingers wriggling as if she was waking up. Megan let out a deep sigh, her maternal instincts kicking into overdrive. One day she wanted to have a precious baby of her own to love and nurture.

  * * *

  Luke leaned back against the wall in Kate’s hospital room, fascinated by the transformation taking place on Megan’s gorgeous face as she held her niece. Megan’s soft, loving gaze was protective, and she dropped a kiss on Sarah’s forehead.

  Jack laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

  Megan lifted a brow. “Huh?”

  “My sister is clucky.”

  Kate giggled. “That’s so true. Jack, take a photo of Megan with Sarah.”