A Secret Amish Love

The man smiled. “That he is,” he said.

“Edith, it’s time for us to leave and let the doctor and his assistant get back to the business of saving lives and making our pets better.”

“I’ll call you later,” James said as the couple headed to the door.

“I’ll check on him often,” Nell added.

The Rogans left, and suddenly James was alone with Nell. He was proud of the way she’d handled herself with Boots’s owners, and he was pleased with how she’d assisted during Boots’s surgery.

He glanced at his watch to see how much time he had before his first afternoon appointment.

“A successful surgery calls for a special lunch.” He grinned. “Hoagies!”

She laughed. “Hoagies?”

“Sandwiches.”

“Ja, that sounds gut,” she said. “But I’ll be bringing in lunch for us tomorrow.”

“Sounds gut to me.” James smiled. “We should check on Boots again before I order lunch.”

After ensuring that the Lab was doing well, they ate lunch, then went back to work. The rest of the day occurred without any major incidents.

By the end of the afternoon, James was tired. When he glanced at Nell, he saw that she looked exhausted, as well.

“Time to call it quits,” he said.

She nodded and reached for the mop and bucket.

He stayed her hand. “We can clean up in the morning.” He eyed her with concern. “Are you all right?”

She blinked. “Ja, why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’ve been quiet.”

“Just thinking.”

“About?

“Boots.”

James smiled. “He’s doing well. I’m glad I called the Rogans. They’re happy to come for him. He’ll do fine as long as they keep him still, leave his collar on and give him his pain medicine on time.”

“And bring him back to see you on Tuesday,” Nell added.

“Yes.”

“Do you need me to do anything else before I leave?”

James shook his head. “No, go on home.” He paused and couldn’t help saying, “Be careful driving.”

She nodded and left. James was slow to follow, but he watched her through an opening in the window blinds. Once her buggy was no longer visible, he took one last look around the clinic to make sure everything was as it should be, then he left, locking up as he went.

As he slipped onto his car’s leather seats, he thought of Nell on the wooden seats in her buggy. He wondered how she’d react if she had the chance to ride in his car. There might be a time that he’d bring her home. He scowled. Probably not, because her time at the clinic was temporary, until Janie came back from vacation.

Nell was a fine assistant, he thought as he put the car in Reverse. She would manage fine until Janie’s return.

A dangerous thought entered his mind, but he pushed it firmly aside. He quickly buried a sudden longing for something—or someone—else in his life other than his work, which had been the most important thing to him for some time.

* * *

Nell answered the phone when James’s receptionist, Michelle, called into the office the next day. “Pierce Veterinary Clinic,” she greeted. “How may I help you?”

The woman on the other end sounded dismayed. “Hello? This is Michelle. Who is this?”

“Hallo, Michelle. It’s Nell. I’m helping James in the office until you or Janie returns.”

“That’s wonderful, Nell,” the woman said. “I was worried about him managing the office alone.” The two women chatted for several moments more, catching up, before breaking the connection. Nell went back to work, relieved that Michelle was glad to learn that she was filling in.

“Who was on the phone?” James asked as he came out to the front desk.

“It was Michelle. She and her son are feeling better, but now her husband and two daughters are sick.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Was she surprised that you answered the phone?”

“Surprised but pleased. She’s been worried about you.” She and Michelle had become friendly since Nell’s first visit to the clinic.

James smiled. “I hope you told her to rest, recuperate and take care of her family.”

“I did.”

“Good.”

Nell glanced at the appointment book on the desk. “Boots Rogan is due any minute for his follow-up.”

“I want to check to make sure he hasn’t bled through his dressing,” James said.

Boots’s appointment went well, and the owner took him home to continue the dog’s recovery.

The afternoon went by quickly, and before they knew it, they’d seen the last appointment. But then an emergency call came in from Abram Peachy, a deacon in Nell’s church district. Their mare Buddy had been injured by another horse.

James grabbed his medical bag. “Nell, will you come?”

“Ja, of course I’ll come.” Nell locked the front door and turned off the lights before she hastened through the back door and met James at his car. She hurried toward the passenger side and hesitated, uncomfortable being in such close quarters with James. He was suddenly there by her side, opening the door for her.

Feeling his presence keenly, she quietly thanked him, then slid onto the passenger seat. She ran her fingers over the smooth leather as James turned the ignition. The interior of the car smelled wonderful.

“Which way do I go?” he asked as he glanced her way.