Blessings

Well, really! Could he be any more blunt?

Nicole climbed out of the car, her mind racing with all the things she wanted to say. But only one thing was really important.

She slammed the door, then leaned down to speak through the open window.

“I’m a doctor, just like you, Dr. Darling. My patients always come first. After that, I’ll do my best to follow your, er, dictates. See you Monday.”

As she walked across the pavement to her car, Nicole had to force herself not to dig in her heels. She was so mad!

Cranky, rude, sourpuss—the names bubbled up. Those three sweet, innocent little girls were his daughters? How could such a thing be possible? He was so…cold.

“Welcome to Blessing,” she muttered to herself as she got into her car. She drove out of the lot and took the first right turn back to Miss Winifred’s, plotting her conversation as she went.

Miss Winifred. Yes, I do believe I’ll take you up on your offer of that talk. But I think our main topic of discussion had better be Dr. Joshua Darling.

Nicole pulled up in front of the gorgeous house and switched off her car. All around the sound of children’s laughter permeated the air.

“Yes, indeedy. By the time Monday morning comes around, I ought to be well prepared to deal with Dr. Joshua Darling.” She flicked the trunk lock open and climbed out, preparing to carry her cases inside.

“For my first question—how in the world have the good folks of Blessing allowed a crusty grouch like him to retain the name Darling?”

As beginnings went, maybe that wasn’t a bad place to start.

Chapter Two

Monday morning, armed with determination, her black bag and a prayer for patience, Dr. Nicole Brandt thrust back her shoulders and walked into the offices of Joshua Darling, M.D.

Did I really need this detour on the road to surgery, God?

Since she’d been asking the same question for days now, she didn’t wait for an answer, but sucked up her courage and smiled at the woman behind the desk as she saluted.

“Dr. Nicole Brandt. Reporting for duty.”

The nurse grinned, sharing the joke as she tossed off a slightly lopsided salute in return.

“Penny Zane, Dr. Brandt. And this is Carole Court, our resident lab tech. Edwina Jessop, our receptionist, only comes in for afternoons. You’ll meet her later. We’ve been expecting you.”

“Uh-oh. That sounds ominous. Who squealed on me?” Nicole pulled her lips into a pout of complaint.

“Ruthie. We saw the cast.” Penny’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Don’t ever tell her a secret. She’ll spill it every time, usually at the worst possible moment.”

“I’ll remember that.” Nicole grinned. “She is a sweetie, though, isn’t she? All that wispy fair hair makes me think of a little cherub.”

Carole and Penny shared a look.

“What did I say?” Nicole didn’t understand the flicker of understanding that passed between them. Was there something wrong with Ruthie?

“Dr. Brandt. I’m glad you could make it.” Joshua stood in the doorway, his expression stern. “I’m assuming that you’ve already met my staff and signed the appropriate forms, so we’ll get started.”

He waited a moment, then lifted one black eyebrow in a query that silently spoke volumes. Nicole stifled her sigh and nodded.

“Yes, of course, Dr. Darling.”

“I’ll take your bag and put it in your office while you have a look around, Dr. Brandt.” Penny whisked the article out of Nicole’s hands, her lips barely moving as she leaned closer to whisper, “We’ll do the sign-up later.”

“Thank you, Penny.” Nicole offered her a huge grin of gratitude.

“No problem. If you need anything, just let me know. Technically Dr. Darling is the boss, but I’m really in charge of this place.” She tossed Joshua an impudent grin that was not returned, then sauntered down the hall. Carole followed her.

“Your staff seem very nice,” Nicole murmured, searching for some way to open the discussion.

“They do a good job.”

That wasn’t what she meant, but Nicole let it go. He directed her to a small gloomy room.

“This is your office. Penny or Carole will leave the patient’s file here.” He continued on with a litany of instructions that delineated each and every action she was expected to perform during office hours. “Any questions?”

Nicole blinked.

Questions? She had a ton of them, and most began with why. He had a system, that much was clear. But was it a system that worked as efficiently as it could? Not so far as she could see. Changes rippled through her brain one after the other and she opened her mouth to suggest a few.

But one glimpse at Joshua Darling’s face had her clamping her lips together without uttering a single word. Now was not the time. She was the new kid on the block, hadn’t even seen a single patient, excluding Ruthie. Prudence would be wise.

“I asked if you had any questions, Dr. Brandt.”

“Yes, I heard you.” She swallowed, her eyes trailing around the dull, barren little office.

At least I can change some things in here. It is my office, after all.

“And your answer is?” He shifted from one foot to the other, impatient to begin his own work.

“I think perhaps it would be best if we dealt with my questions as they arise. I’m sure there will be some, but let’s not anticipate them.”

“I’ve found anticipation helps circumvent a number of problems. It makes you prepared, Dr. Brandt.” He stood there, a dubious look on his face. “You’re sure you can handle this? We’re fully booked up for the entire week. If it gets too much for you, I’d like to know as soon as possible.”

He thought she was going to leave him high and dry.

The revelation shocked her. Did he really assume she was such a poor doctor that she’d hightail it out the moment life got complicated? Then he had no idea of Nicole Brandt’s durability. She didn’t run out when things got tough. Not ever.

Pride and determination coursed through her veins. Compared to the rest of her life, this job in Blessing would be a piece of cake.

“I’ll be fine, Dr. Darling. I’m used to being busy. I promise you I won’t collapse under the strain.”

He wasted several more seconds peering at her as if he couldn’t ascertain whether or not she was serious. Then he shrugged.

“Fine. I’ll admit I’m rather relieved to hear that, Dr. Brandt.”

“Feel free to call me Nicole.” She grinned. “After all, in a town this small, everyone must know everyone else’s business. Surely first names wouldn’t be out of place?”