Courting the Doctor's Daughter (15 page)

“Yes, whenever I can.” But once she finished medical school, she’d be handling patients herself.

“Excellent. I suspect you’re good with patients.”

Smiling at his assessment, Mary gave a tour of the office ending in the backroom where Luke and her father waited. After examining his grades and credentials, the smile on her
father’s face proved this man met all of Henry’s requirements and then some. “I must tell you that the practice isn’t lucrative.” Doc turned shrewd eyes on the applicant. “Knowing the pay is dismal, are you still interested in the position?”

“Yes, sir. Working under the guidance of a veteran doctor is invaluable experience.”

Her father rose, shaking Dr. Sloan’s hand. “In that case, I’d like to offer you the position. If you feel you can work with Dr. Jacobs and me.”

Mary frowned. Had her father learned something she didn’t know? Was Luke staying?

L
uke leaned against the doorframe, his stomach churning with frustration. Down the hall, Sloan leaned closer to Mary, his face animated in conversation. Mary tilted her head, all smiles at whatever the good doctor said.

That very first Sunday, Sloan had attended First Christian Church, squiring Mary like she belonged to him. In the three days since he’d joined the practice, Sloan had complimented Mary’s efficiency, her work ethic and kindness to the patients.

If that wasn’t enough to make it perfectly clear he had an interest in Mary, Sloan found countless ways to confer with her, asking her opinion on the best grocer and restaurants in town. Even which barber she’d recommend, though the man didn’t need as much as a nose hair trimmed. Luke had taken about as much as he could and suggested Frank might want to check with Doc for the name of a barber. Eyes on Mary, Frank had countered—if you want to please a lady, you’re wise to ask her opinion. Mary had blushed and suggested Bill’s Barber Shop across the square. Then she’d glanced at Luke’s nape and the hair brushing his collar, making him all too aware his cut was long overdue.

Sloan was as transparent as glass. And just as slick. Luke itched to toss his well-groomed hide out the door as far as he could throw him.

The worst of it, since Sloan joined the practice, Mary had a new bounce in her step.

Admit it, Jacobs. You’re jealous.

Doc stepped out of the examining room, his gaze following Luke’s. “Are you going to just step aside and leave Mary to Frank?”

“She’s not mine to hand over.”

“I’ve seen something in her eyes when she looks at you. The exact same look I’ve seen in yours. So don’t pretend with me, young man.”

“I won’t deny Mary’s a wonderful person.” The problem—he wasn’t alone in that opinion. Nor could he deny that Frank Sloan had a great deal to offer a woman like Mary. “Sloan’s perfect for her.”

Doc shoved a hand in the pocket of his coat. “I thought maybe you’d be the man for my daughter.”

Eyes downcast, Luke shook his head.

“What makes you the wrong man, Luke?” Henry laid a hand on Luke’s arm. “Can you tell me that?”

Luke swallowed past the lump in his throat. He couldn’t tell him he was Ben’s father. He couldn’t tell him about Lucy. He couldn’t tell him about every ugly part of his life. Since he’d returned to God, he knew the Bible promised God had forgiven him, but that didn’t undo his past. A past Mary and her father could never understand.

Luke pulled his gaze away from the lovebirds. “I…I’m not good enough for Mary,” he said, and then retreated toward the backroom. Doc called after him, but Luke kept going.

Sitting at the table, Luke leafed through a book of herbal remedies, normally a fascinating subject, but the words on
the page swam before his eyes, blending with the image of Mary’s face. Only a selfish man wouldn’t want Mary to find happiness.

In truth, Sloan was kind. Gentle. He made Mary laugh. He’d mentioned his large churchgoing family overflowing with nieces and nephews. No matter how much Luke searched for evidence to the contrary, he couldn’t find one shred of unsuitability about the man. What Luke saw as Sloan’s self-absorption, assuming he could fairly assess the guy, might get on Mary’s nerves, but in the things that mattered, he’d make a good husband. A good father too.

The possibility this man might rear his son sank to his belly with the weight of an iron anchor. Not that he doubted Sloan would treat Ben well. Yet the prospect stabbed at him.

But as much as he cared about Mary, as much as he wanted to spend every waking minute with her and the boys, he wasn’t fit to even contemplate making them his.

So why did he ache to gather them close and promise them forever?

That just proved how little he’d changed. He thought of himself, not of Mary and of her sons. They deserved a man like Sloan, a man who knew how to nurture, how to share his heart. Besides, if Luke told Mary the truth about Ben, she’d never forgive him. Never understand how a man could shirk his responsibilities to the woman who’d carried his child.

He had to get out of town. And soon.

Sloan ambled into the room and sat across from Luke. “Henry said you’re looking for a cure for epilepsy.”

“Yes.”

For a moment, he considered that, then shrugged. “I admire what you’re trying to do, but creating medicine is solitary and doesn’t appeal to me.”

“What does appeal to you?” Luke’s jaw tightened. Besides Mary.

“I enjoy working with patients. Once I’ve gotten experience here, I want to join the staff of an excellent hospital like Johns Hopkins.” He smiled. “To practice with the highest skilled surgeons and doctors in the country, to have access to the finest equipment is a dream I’ve had for a long time.”

The news thudded into Luke’s stomach with the power of a fisted hand. Did Mary fit into that dream? Or did Sloan see her as a temporary diversion?

Or expect her to share his dream and leave with him?

If so, Sloan was dead wrong.

Mary loved this town, loved the people. Luke couldn’t imagine she’d leave all this behind.

And what about Ben? Surely Sloan didn’t expect to go from small-town practice to the best hospital in the country. How would Ben handle being moved from pillar to post while Sloan pursued his goal?

Perhaps Frank Sloan wasn’t ideal after all.

Mary entered her house, greeted by a pile of dirty laundry, dresses to iron and jars of cherries she had to turn into pies before Friday’s school supper. Along with a book she’d borrowed from Addie and had yet to read. A half crocheted baby blanket lay on the arm of the sofa, her gift to Lily, still incomplete. But today, the unfinished work didn’t pull at her.

Her thoughts traveled to Luke. She carried the pleasure of the fishing trip with the boys. To watch her sons having fun, to see Luke’s gentleness with them, to share the innermost part of her being with a man who listened and appeared to understand, to share that extraordinary kiss, had been wonderful—that is until Luke made it crystal clear he wasn’t staying.

Since Frank joined the practice, Luke had backed away from her and the boys. Sometimes he even appeared to
encourage her budding friendship with Frank, though upon occasion she caught Luke glowering at Sloan like an angry bull.

She liked Frank. Liked how he dove feet first into the practice, into the town. He didn’t have a reticent bone in his body. Unlike Luke, he was an open book with no missing chapters. She’d known Frank less than a week, but she knew the names of his friends and family. Where he’d grown up and gone to church. He was a hard worker, eager to please, and the patients had warmed to him quickly.

Now that Frank shouldered his share of the load, Luke had no reason to remain. They had no future. Not that she’d thought otherwise, yet deep down she realized a smidgen of hope had lived, was now dead.

Well, she had more important things to focus on—like what she carried in her handbag. Her pulse tripped in her chest. This letter would reveal if her dreams would be realized or dashed. She closed the door to her room and then dropped onto the bed and eased the packet out of her purse. The unnatural silence of the house did nothing to quiet her pounding heart. With trembling hands, she slid a fingernail under the flap, then hesitated, afraid of its contents.

Breathing a prayer for strength to live with the decision, whatever it was, she unfolded the paper, scanning the page, unable to absorb the exact words, searching for what she had to know.

Congratulations
….
Pleased to inform you that you have been accepted…. Classes begin January fourth, 1899
.

Tears flooded her eyes, and praises to God bubbled from her lips.

She’d been accepted. She’d been accepted. She’d been accepted.

Oh, Daddy, I’ll make you proud of me. I’ll make you so proud.

And her mother too, if from Heaven, Susannah Lawrence knew of her daughter’s accomplishment.

Not everyone would react well to the news, but she wouldn’t let Luke Jacobs dampen her joy. How could she value the opinion of a man who wanted a say in her life but had no intention of sharing it?

Leaving every one of the unfinished tasks behind, Mary rushed from the house. Something she wouldn’t ordinarily do, but today she couldn’t wait a minute longer to talk to her father. As she cut through the string of yards separating their houses, the crisp, sunny day never appeared brighter, more dazzling.

She found him at the kitchen table eating a sandwich before the start of afternoon office hours. The counters were piled high with unwashed dishes, but Mary didn’t care. “Daddy, I have some wonderful news.”

Henry Lawrence turned to her, already smiling at her excited tone. “What?”

“Central College of Physicians and Surgeons has accepted me. I’ll start classes in January.”

Her father’s expression turned puzzled. “Medical school?” Then as her words sank in, a wide smile took over his face, lit up his eyes. “Oh, that’s wonderful, kitten! If anyone should be a doctor, it’s you.”

His words soothed any qualms she held. Years before, Sam had scoffed at the idea. She suspected he’d felt threatened by her plan, like she’d leave him once she had M.D. after her name.

But her father—his approval bubbled up within her until she felt she could burst with joy. “Once I’m a doctor, I can take over the practice and keep your legacy alive in this town.”

He chuckled. “Knowing you, I’m sure you have a plan.”

“I do.” She grinned back at him. “Michael and Philip
don’t need me as much as when they were small, and Carrie Foley will still look after Ben. I can take the train to the city and be back each evening in time to fix supper.” The words rattled out of her like a freight train picking up speed. “With the inheritance from Sam’s father and my savings, I have money for tuition.”

“My daughter the doctor.” Her father beamed. “It’s got a nice ring to it. I’ll help any way I can.” He rose and hugged her. “How did you manage to keep this a secret until now?”

“I filled out the application using Dr. Roberts’s recommendation.”

Henry’s jaw dropped. “That old codger kept it from me.”

“He knew I wanted to surprise you.” She grimaced. “To be honest, if I’d told you and didn’t get accepted, I couldn’t bear the idea of disappointing you.”

“You could never disappoint me. Besides, any medical school that didn’t accept you would be foolish. God gave you a talent for medicine.” His gaze softened, and he raised a palm to her cheek. “I’ll miss you around here, but you must seize this opportunity.”

“I’ll miss the practice too, Daddy, but once I graduate, I’ll be right back here.”

“Where you belong. Why, you practically grew up in this office. You’ve heard my concerns for the seriously ill, joined hands with your mother and me as we prayed for the sick and dying, and in the last several years you’ve assisted in the office. I wouldn’t be surprised if you taught the teaching staff a thing or two.” Grinning, he slipped an arm around her. “Let’s celebrate with dessert at the café.”

“What about your patients?”

“No one is scheduled this afternoon. Luke will be back from lunch soon. If someone comes in, he and Frank can easily handle it.”

Together they left her father’s quarters and ambled into the waiting room where Frank leaned over her desk, checking the appointment book. He looked up and smiled. “You two look mighty cheerful.”

“Mary’s been accepted into medical school. The same school you graduated from.”

“Imagine! Two doctors in the family.” Frank rounded the desk, enfolding her in his arms. “Congratulations, Mary.”

Frank’s embrace didn’t elicit one spark, one flutter. “Thank you,” Mary said, as the outer door opened.

Luke entered. His lips thinned. “Am I interrupting something?”

Meeting that stony, reproving gaze, Mary jerked away guiltily then scowled. Luke had no right to behave as if she’d done something wrong.

She wouldn’t tell him about her acceptance into medical school. She looked at Frank, hoping he’d get the message. “Not a thing. Daddy and I just need a break.”

Frank gave an imperceptible nod, his lips curling with pleasure at sharing a confidence.

Exactly as Mary hoped, so why did his smugness rub against her peace? Perhaps because Luke looked dejected, like a lost little boy. She hurried for her coat.

“Can you two manage without us this afternoon?” her father asked.

A question formed in Luke’s eyes as his gaze roamed their faces. “Sure.”

“Take your time.” Frank slapped Luke on the back. “We can handle whatever arises, right, Doctor?”

Luke’s features hardened into granite, but he nodded, his gaze sweeping over Mary. “Have fun.”

Outside her father turned to her. “I’m surprised you didn’t tell Luke your news.”

“He’ll disapprove.”

“Why?”

Unwilling to talk about Luke’s assertion that her sons would suffer if she pursued medicine, she shrugged. “Let’s not talk about Luke.”

Her father appeared to want to ask more but then gave her a smile. In the crisp fall air, they strolled toward the café, shuffling through the leaves, sharing the peace and quiet of the beautiful fall day.

“I remember when you were about five,” her father said, “I found you with my stethoscope hooked in your ears, listening to your dolly’s chest.”

Mary smiled.

“You said the doll had pleurisy. Guess you overheard that diagnosis at the supper table. But I knew you wanted to be a doctor when you tried to inoculate our cat.” He laughed. “Remember?”

“Oh, yes. It’s a wonder you didn’t regret taking me in.”

“Never.” Her father squeezed her hand. “You gave your mother and me everything. Everything we ever dreamed of.”

In her father’s shining eyes, filled with pride and love, she saw the reflection of God’s love for her. For all His children. No matter their failings. The exact same way she felt about her sons. Her life was part of God’s plan. She smiled, barely able to contain her joy at the sudden certainty she’d never again feel like discarded trash.

They entered the restaurant, all but empty now that the rush of diners had passed. At the table near the window, Henry took her hands. “Darling daughter, you’re a very capable woman and will make a valuable contribution as a doctor. You already possess qualities that can’t be learned from a textbook.” He touched her cheek. “I’m very proud of you.”