The Doctor's Blessing
Page 19
He took her face in his hands. “I don’t want you to come to Hawaii. I want you to stay here.”
In a flash, she realized he was giving up his dream for her. “You can’t resign from your practice in Hawaii.”
“I already have.”
“But you won’t like practicing medicine here. You know you won’t.”
“I’ll be happy wherever you are, but you’re right. I wouldn’t be content practicing general medicine. Anywhere.”
“Then I don’t understand.”
“I have been mistakenly trying to fulfill my father’s dreams, not my own. God brought me to this town to meet the most wonderful woman in the world.” He flicked the tip of her nose with his finger.
She chuckled. “I’m glad you think so.”
“And He brought me here to show me my true calling. I’m going to be a pediatrician in a new diagnostic center for children with special needs that will open in Hope Springs sometime in the next few years.”
He wasn’t kidding. She knew by the joy in his voice. “A new clinic here?”
His eyes danced with eagerness. “I’ve just come back from Pennsylvania and their genetic research facility for special needs children. It’s a wonderful place. They are doing cutting-edge genetic research among the Amish there. Besides research, they treat children with all types of inherited diseases and they don’t limit their service to just the Amish. They are eager to find out more about the Knepp baby and her parents, and they want to develop a second clinic in this area.”
“You and Dr. Dog will make wonderful pediatricians. But that means you’ll have to go back to school.”
“Believe me, I’ve been looking into it. There’s a combined human genetics and pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s. It’s only three hours away. We can see each other on my days off. It’s a five-year program, but I’ll be board certified in both genetics and pediatrics when I’m done. I’ve already applied. So, you can see why I’m going to need a wife with a good job.”
Pulling back, she asked, “You’re okay with me continuing as a nurse-midwife here?”
“Honey, I know you give your patients the very best of care. I know that because I’ve seen your passion and your skill. I may never be convinced that home deliveries are best, but I will support you one hundred percent.”
Circling his neck with her arms, she smiled softly. “Oh, I think in fifty or sixty years I can get you to come around.”
“What method of persuasion will you be using?” He tightened his hold and gave her a heart-stopping grin. The love in his eyes sent a tingle clear to her toes.
Leaning close, she whispered, “Kisses, lots of kisses.”
Phillip pulled back a little. “Does this mean you’ve changed your maybe to a yes?”
“Yes, yes, yes,” she whispered as she drew his face to hers. The heady feel of his arms and his lips sent her heart tripping with delight.
As their lips touched, Amber sent up a silent prayer of thanks. God had truly brought a wonderful man into her life.
After that, she gave Phillip her full and undivided attention.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed this visit to the fictional Amish community of Hope Springs, Ohio. I know I enjoy going back there and plotting new stories for the characters. This is my second book in the BRIDES OF AMISH COUNTRY series. If you read Kate’s Redemption, I’m sure you recognized some of the characters from that story. Romance and faith walk hand in hand in this little town. Who will fall in love next?
I had a lot of help with this book. Even though I spent many years as a nurse, I knew very little about certified nurse-midwives when I came up with the idea for this story. Happily, my nephew is married to a lovely lady who also happens to be a nurse-midwife, and I was able to pick her brain on numerous occasions. Many thanks, Terrah.
Now, I have to get back to writing An Amish Christmas, the third story in this series. Look for it in December 2010. Blessings,
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Did you learn something new about the Amish in the story? What was it?
Not everyone agrees with allowing home births. Do you feel a woman has the right to that choice? Why or why not?
Do you know anyone who has had a home birth? Is that something you might choose to do? Why or why not?
Faith plays a large role in Amish life. What part, if any, of the Amish culture would you like to incorporate into your own life?
Phillip carried an enormous amount of guilt following his grandfather’s injury. How can we use faith to help us overcome the guilt we carry?
What part of the story did you like the best? Why?
Is there any part of the story you didn’t like? Why?
Amber and Phillip disagreed on principles they both held dear. Have you ever found yourself in conflict with someone you cared about? How does our faith help us in such a situation?
Were you surprised to learn that a modern genetic clinic exists in rural Pennsylvania and that the Amish support it?
Doctor and nurse relationship stories have long been a staple of romance books. Why do you think it works so well?
The majority of doctors do not support home deliveries because of the risk to mother and child and because of the risk of a lawsuit. Do you think our society holds medical workers to an impossible standard? Why or why not?
Do you know someone with a rare genetic condition? How has it affected their life and the life of their family?
Phillip and Amber came from very different religious backgrounds. What growth did you see in their faith? How did that affect the characters?
Phillip made a huge career change at the end of this story. Do you know someone who realized at a late age that they wanted to drastically change their career? Did they? How did their decision affect the ones closest to them?
Why do you think people are so fascinated with the Amish culture?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6498-8
THE DOCTOR’S BLESSING
Copyright © 2010 by Patricia MacDonald
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.SteepleHill.com
*Brides of Amish Country