He opened his mouth to protest, then turned back to Meera. He noted the lithe and graceful way she worked. She must be tired and hungry, but she kept at it. He wondered when she would stop surprising him.
He couldn’t deny he was attracted to her, though he couldn’t explain why or how it had crept up on him. But if he’d learned anything from the experience with Jolene, it was that he had nothing to offer a woman, especially not a worldly woman like Meera. Lucky for him, there was no risk of him losing his heart. She would go back home. She had a fiancé, a family, a career. She was most certainly not the kind of woman who would be interested in a man like him. Was she?
CHAPTER EIGHT
“WHEW! HAVE YOU been rolling in manure?” Rose scrunched her nose as Meera walked into the clinic. Meera hadn’t wanted to waste time showering after Rose’s frantic call to come to the clinic. She’d cleaned up with a wet towel, but she knew she looked awful. And yet, I don’t care. It felt liberating not to have to worry about her appearance or how she carried herself.
Rose was waving a hand in front of her nose. Irritation twitched through her. There was nothing she could do to make Rose like her, so why bother trying? The same went for the townspeople. She was only here for a month, and it wouldn’t be the end of the world if, for once in her life, she wasn’t Miss Perfectly Pressed Meera.
“If you must know, I’ve been helping Jake clean up the mess from the fire. I could’ve spent an hour getting cleaned up, but I figure taking care of the patient is much more important.” She put her hands on her hips. “If you’re done turning your nose up at me, perhaps you can help me do just that.”
Rose stared at her.
“Where’s the patient?”
Rose jerked her head toward an examination room.
Meera paused at the doorway. “And please fix the air-conditioning in my office.” It was freeing to accept the fact that Rose would never like her.
Derek Jenkins was on the exam table, his father holding a cold pack to the boy’s head.
Meera braced herself for Marty’s anger. The last time she’d seen him, he’d told her she was a quack.
“Dr. M., will he be okay?” Marty’s face was creased with worry.
She began examining Derek. “What happened?”
“He went to practice and fell.”
“He did what? I didn’t clear him for the game. How was he allowed to play?”
“It’s not Dad’s fault. I talked Coach into it.”
Apparently, medical forms were a mere formality in this town. “Tell me how you fell.”
“I had the ball and I was running for the fifty-yard line, then all of a sudden I couldn’t see in front of me and I fell. The guys tackled me.”
Meera flinched. She finished examining Derek, then turned to Marty.
“He seems fine now, but I’d feel much more comfortable if you went to the regional hospital and got a CT scan of his head to make sure he doesn’t have a bleed. The blurred vision is a sign of concussion, but the fall and tackle could have made it worse.”
“Will he be able to play in the game tomorrow night?”
Meera stared at Marty. “Definitely not.” She lowered her voice and pulled him away from Derek. “I can’t stress how serious this is, Mr. Jenkins. If he already has a bleed, it could be life-threatening and made worse if he plays. You need to get him checked out.”
“He can’t get a CT scan.”
Meera took a breath. What’s wrong with these people? Normally, her patients begged her to do more tests than necessary, convinced they had ailments she couldn’t diagnose.
“Mr. Jenkins, you must understand—”
“I can’t afford a CT scan, doctor. We have no health insurance, I can barely pay for his travel games...where am I gonna get the money to pay for an expensive test?”
Meera closed her mouth.
“Can’t you help him?” Marty pleaded.
The boy needed a CT scan. She couldn’t diagnose anything else without the test. Head injuries were serious in children, and a misdiagnosis could cost Derek his life.
“Is there a program for medical assistance here?” she asked.
Marty shook his head. “We’re not poor enough for medical assistance, but health insurance costs more than I can afford. Please, Dr. M., Derek’s all I got.”
She could hear the desperation in his voice. But what could she do? She thought about Dr. Harper and Dr. Thurm’s admonitions that she had to learn the art of medicine.
“Stay here.”
She walked to her closet office and called Raj.
“It’s late, love.”
Meera explained the situation. Raj was a pediatrician; maybe he had ideas.
“There’s a lot of new literature that says a CT scan is not absolutely necessary for head injuries in children. The risk of radiation could outweigh the diagnostic benefit.”
“But what about the blurred vision?”
“It is a concerning sign but may be the result of a hematoma that will resolve itself. If a CT was available, I would recommend it, but since it’s not, I suggest you do a complete neurological exam on him. If he’s fine, I think it’s also okay to watch him closely for a few days.”
“Thanks Raj.” She stared at the phone as she hung up. Raj was always there for her. It was past his bedtime in London. She knew he had to be up early to do rounds at the hospital, but he hadn’t complained. He was, and always would be, the person she could count on most. Her parents were right; it was important to have someone who could support her career.
She went back into the examination room and repeated the neurological tests on Derek, just to make sure.
“He looks good for now, but I can’t stress enough that he must not play again. He does have a concussion, and he can get very badly hurt.” She gave him instructions on what to watch for and wrote down her cell number in case Derek’s symptoms worsened.
She ushered them out of the room, hoping Derek wouldn’t try anything stupid.
Marty gave Meera a hug. “Thank you, Dr. M.”
Meera stiffened as he enveloped her. “Just make sure he doesn’t play,” she mumbled.
“So, Doc, two, three more days until I can play?”
“Derek...”
“How about you come back in three days,” Rose chimed in. “Dr. Harper...or Dr. M. will give you a physical and then we can decide.” Meera frowned at Rose. She’d been about to remind Derek that he might not play for weeks but that she should see him in a few days just to make sure he was okay.
“That sounds good.”
Derek and Marty left.
Meera spun on Rose, but before she could say anything, the older woman held up a hand to cut her off.
“When he comes back in three days, you tell him it’ll be another three days,” Rose said sagely. “It’s the only way you’re gonna keep him off the field. Oh, and the air-conditioning in your office is fixed.”
Meera smiled, relieved. “Thank you.”
Maybe there were a few things she could learn from her medical rotation in Bellhaven.
After confirming there were no more patients to see, Meera walked out with a spring in her step. If she hurried back, Jake would still be out on the field. Maybe they could have dinner together. She stopped. Why was she thinking about Jake? She was perfectly happy with Raj. His assistance today showed how well-suited they were.
And yet, she couldn’t stop thinking about how she felt working alongside Jake. It unleashed something inside her she couldn’t explain. She was buzzing with a strange energy. And it felt good. Really good!
Maybe it was just endorphins from working in the fields. Her legs, arms and shoulders felt as though someone had run a truck over them, and she was dirty, sticky and in bad need of a good bath—a physical state
she’d avoided ever since she left the orphanage. But it felt real, not orchestrated.
She lifted her head to the sky and let the hot sun and warm breeze kiss her face. This is how I want to feel every day. Totally free!
Brriiinnnngggg...
It was probably Jake. She looked at her screen and an internal balloon deflated.
Mother!
CHAPTER NINE
“COULD YOU REPEAT THAT, please?”
“It’s a Bull Blazin’ Festival.”
“That’s what I thought you said.” Meera tilted Billy John’s head so she could look into his ear.
“It’s my favorite town event. We’ve got bull riding, a grillin’ competition, a pie-eating contest, moonshine...you have to come, Dr. M.”
Did he say moonshine? “I would love to, but I’m going to New York City this weekend. I have an appointment I can’t miss. If I go to the festival, I’ll miss the last bus to the city.”
“You can drive.”
She shook her head. “It’s fine to drive around town, but I’m still not used to driving on the wrong side of the road. I hear drivers in New York City are quite aggressive.”
She put a cuff on his arm to take his blood pressure.
“But you can’t miss it! Everyone’s gonna be there. We get people from all across the county showing up for it.”
Meera smiled indulgently and put a stethoscope on his chest.
“Maybe Jake can drive ya.”
“Pardon me?” Meera had been focused on listening to his heart.
“I could drive you where?” She turned to see Jake walk into the room. Her heart immediately responded, thumping faster.
“Meera needs to go to New York,” Billy John answered for her.
“I’ve been meaning to go up to Jersey, right outside the city, to see someone,” Jake said.
“About what, boss?”
Jake narrowed his eyes at Billy John. “About some used equipment.” His eyes shifted. What wasn’t he saying? He turned to Meera. “I can get Kelly to cover the ranch. Might be fun.”
Meera tried not to show her panic. Drive to New York City with Jake? It would take seven hours. She took a deep breath, forcing air into her lungs. I’ll be all alone with him for a weekend. Two whole days. She had already arranged with Dr. Harper to take Monday off so she could sightsee. Her heart fluttered like the wings of a bee, buzzing with excitement.
“Yeah, that way you can come to the festival.” Billy John looked at her earnestly.
Meera felt Jake’s eyes on her. He was leaning casually against the kitchen counter, long legs in tight-fitting jeans. His T-shirt couldn’t hide the muscles underneath, and a cowboy hat completed the fantasy-worthy look. Her cheeks reddened as his sparkling green eyes locked on to hers. “Why not, Meera? It’ll be much faster than taking the bus. It’s the practical solution, isn’t it?” He raised an eyebrow in challenge.
Meera swallowed. Why not indeed? Only a million reasons. Including the fact that Raj was already upset at her. She’d barely had time to return his calls in the past seven days, and she hadn’t told him about Jake. Not that there was anything to tell.
Her eyes reconnected with Jake’s. Her breath stuck in her chest, her entire body warming deliciously. What was this thing between them? Was it just physical attraction?
Her mother once told her that souls were matched in heaven. Meera had asked how she would know if she met her soul mate. Her mother responded that her janam kundli, her astronomical birth chart, would match her soul mate’s chart. When her parents suggested she marry Raj, they pointed to the fact that their janam kundlis matched perfectly. Not that she completely bought into the birth-chart thing, but given how compatible she and Raj were, it wasn’t surprising that they were somehow meant to be together. Then why does Jake make me feel this way?
“So...?” Billy John’s voice broke the spell.
I can’t spend an entire weekend with him. I don’t need him planting silly doubts in my head. My plans are firm.
Billy John was looking at her expectantly. She didn’t dare make eye contact with Jake again. She smiled graciously. “Let me think about it.”
Billy John punched the air. “Wait till you ride the bull, Doc—it’s gonna rock your world!”
Meera laughed and shook her head. “Let me tell you now, that if I come to the festival, I won’t be riding any bulls. I’ve seen enough Western movies to know it always ends badly for women like me.”
Both Billy John and Jake grinned. “We’ll see about that,” they said in unison.
Meera gave Billy John a clean bill of health, and he headed back out to finish his chores.
“By the way,” Jake said, “you’ll be happy to know that our neighboring ranch let us borrow a grazing field, so you don’t have to worry about those cattle haunting your karma.”
Meera clapped her hands. “Oh, that is such good news! Thank you, Jake.” She was strangely elated at the thought that he had done it for her.
“I didn’t do it for you,” he said, as if he’d read her mind. “It’s better for me if I sell them a few months from now when they’re fatter.”
Her smile disappeared. There’s snotty Jake again. He didn’t understand the lifetime karma of killing cows. “Must you raise cattle? There are so many possibilities. Why can’t you do other things here, like go back to raising horses or—”
Jake stepped closer, his nostrils flaring. “Meera, I’m a rancher. That’s how I’ve chosen to live my life. You asked me not to mock your beliefs—please respect mine.”
She moved back and swallowed. He was right. He might have teased her, but he’d never asked her to stop being who she was. So why had she challenged him? His life was obviously in Bellhaven, and she was going back to London. What did it matter how he ran the ranch? She was here for a few more weeks. That was all.
He mumbled something about work and walked out. She started after him but held back. She had to get to Lily’s house. She’d called her earlier that morning, sounding worked up, and Meera had promised to stop by on her way to the clinic.
When she arrived, Lily was waiting at the doorstep, her eyes rimmed with red. She fell into Meera’s arms. Given how large she was, Meera almost fell over.
“Let’s go inside and sit down. You can tell me all about it.” Meera had a gnawing feeling this was about Joe.
“Well, I called the chapel where we got married, and they sent me a copy of our marriage certificate but the Army won’t accept it—says it isn’t legal.” Lily sobbed uncontrollably and handed Meera a crumpled piece of paper. Meera hugged Lily close until she could speak again.
“We had to apply for a license first. Turns out Atlantic City isn’t like Vegas. They’ll marry you for fun, but you need a license along with the marriage certificate for it to be legal. Says it right there on the certificate, in nice fine print.”
Meera gently smoothed out the paper and read the little italic note at the bottom. It clearly stated that the certificate was not legal without a license from the state.
Meera held Lily while she cried, wondering how she could find Joe and throttle him.
Lily needed an outlet for her grief, but Meera also thought it was time for her to face the cold, hard facts.
“Lily, you didn’t know the marriage wasn’t legal. It doesn’t help you with the army and getting medical benefits, but you must be able to tell someone now. They would understand your intentions were pure. If anyone’s to blame here, it’s Joe. And if you tell Norma Jean, maybe she can help you find him and make him take responsibility. You shouldn’t have to keep this secret anymore.”
Lily shook her head. “Joe wouldn’t do this on purpose. I know him and I’m telling you, Dr. M., something happened or he’s off someplace where he can’t write to me. He wouldn’t willingly do this to me.�
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Meera looked at her in wonder. “How can you still believe in him, Lily?”
“I believe in our love. It’s real.” She clutched her chest. “I know it, Dr. M. I just know it. It might sound stupid, but I know it in my heart and nothing will convince me otherwise.”
Meera sighed and decided to change tactics. “Regardless, you will deliver soon. You need to make preparations, tell people in town so they can help you.”
Lily nodded. “I know I have to tell folks...for my baby. I don’t want anything to happen to him or her, and I’ll need help. I have to take time off work, and I’ll have to get a car seat and stuff. I’ve been reading all about preparations online.”
Meera nodded encouragingly. “It can seem overwhelming, but I’ll be here to help you, too.”
“Will you be here for me? Will you deliver my baby?”
Meera began nodding then stopped. I can’t promise that, can I? I have a plane ticket for three weeks from now. She looked at Lily. The younger woman couldn’t afford a hospital, so if Meera didn’t deliver Lily’s baby, who knew what she would do. And with no prenatal care, Lily could be at high risk. Surely I can stay a few extra days if need be. Mum and Raj will understand if I need to postpone the celebrations, won’t they? Even as she rationalized it, she knew there would be hell to pay if she didn’t get back on time.
“I’ll be right here for you, Lily.” Her voice held more confidence than she felt.
“I’ll announce it at the Bull Blazin’ Festival.”
Meera raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure you want to tell the town in such a public venue?”
“Yes! If I tell them one at a time, they’re each gonna want to hear the story from me directly. If I make a big announcement when they’re all there, at least it’ll save me from all the nosy ladies showing up at my door expecting their own private version.”
“Perhaps you should tell Norma Jean first—she wouldn’t want to hear it at the festival with everyone else.”
Lily bit her lip. “I guess you’re right. She’ll be mighty mad at me, but it’s gotta be done.” She met Meera’s eyes. “You’ll be at the festival, won’t you, Dr. M.?”
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