“Good grief, we must have had every mother in town in here. Have you ever seen so many bee stings in one week?” Carole huffed out a sigh of relief, leaned back in her chair and groaned as the clock chimed six.
“No,” Nicole agreed, her head throbbing. “And I don’t want to again. That was too much. What is there, a wasp convention in town? That last one in the eye was awful.”
“Very ugly,” Carole agreed. “I phoned the town office, asked them to send someone to check out the playground, since that’s where most of them were stung. Quite the birthday party.” She rolled her eyes. “Turns out there were several wasp nests, one right under the slides. They’ll remove them tonight.”
“Hello, dears.” Winifred Blessing breezed through the door, looking robust and frustratingly cheerful. “Working late again, I see.”
Guilt immediately overwhelmed Nicole at the reprimand she felt was implied.
“Dr. Darling is working late, too,” she explained in self-defense. “We’ve had so many patients, we’ve been squeezing them in wherever we can.” She saw one eyebrow tilt. “Bee stings,” she explained. “Or hornets, or whatever they are. That’s what has us behind. I hope you haven’t been stung?”
“I wasn’t criticizing, dear. I know how busy you’ve been. And I never get stung. But even if I did, it wouldn’t bother me. I won’t get sick. It’s part of the Blessing heritage.” Suddenly Winifred frowned. “You say Joshua is still here?” She shook her head. “But it’s Mrs. Tyndall’s night off. He should have been home an hour ago!”
“I’m going, Aunt Win. I’m going. Just a few odds and ends to clear up. She won’t mind if I’m a bit late.” Joshua smiled at his aunt, then returned to the file he was holding. “Carole, make a note to book Mrs. Fiddler for blood work, will you? I’ve indicated what I want.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Carole took the file, added it to the pile already loading down her desk. “I’ll do it on Monday, first thing.”
“Joshua, go home. Immediately.”
Nicole had never seen Miss Winifred so angry.
“Is something wrong?” He looked confused by her order. “The girls?” His forehead furrowed, his body stiffened.
“The girls will be without a caregiver if you don’t get yourself home immediately. I’m surprised Mrs. Tyndall hasn’t phoned.”
“Actually she has.” Carole caught his frown and hurried to explain. “I did pass the messages on to you, Doctor.”
Joshua’s forehead wrinkled as he tried to remember. “Did you? I guess I forgot. I’ve only got another half hour—”
Miss Blessing shook her head. “You have no time at all. In fact, I’ll be surprised if the woman doesn’t quit the moment you arrive.”
“Quit?” He stared. “Why would she quit?”
Winifred removed his stethoscope, lifted the lab coat from his shoulders and edged him toward the door.
“Her daughter is scheduled for a C-section tomorrow morning, remember? Mrs. Tyndall was supposed to be at her house in Leamington by six to look after the kids while Annie and George went to the hospital. They must be frantic.” She held open the door and motioned. “You get home right now and let that poor woman have some time with her family.”
Surprisingly, Joshua complied, murmuring meekly, “Yes, Aunt Win.”
“And don’t fuss about dinner. Nicole and I will be over as soon as we’re done here. I put something in the oven.” She shooed him out the door and slammed it behind him. “Poor Edna.”
Nicole’s headache kicked up a notch. She’d dealt with, or rather tried to avoid, Joshua Darling all day long. She had no desire to go to his house tonight and be subjected to more suggestions about how she should be doing her job differently. She’d been in Blessing almost three months and she was doing as well as anyone could with someone peering over their shoulder all the time.
“Miss Blessing…Winifred,” she amended, at that lady’s glower. “I’d like to help you out tonight, truly, but I’m very tired. I’ve got this headache, and I just want to lie down.”
“Lie down? Tired?” Winifred looked scandalized. “I’ve been up since four, child. Done a full day’s work, and then some. The remedy is not to lie down—it’s to change the conditions. I expect you’re tense. Dealing with bawling children all day long would give anyone a headache. Am I right?” She looked to Carole for confirmation, then nodded. “Thought so. When did you last eat?” she demanded, and when Nicole didn’t immediately answer, turned back to Carole.
“I brought my lunch today. Ate it between calls. I don’t think Nicole’s eaten anything.” Carole made a face at Nicole, as if to say she couldn’t help blabbing.
“Ah-ha. Exactly my point. Your weakness and headache stem from malnourishment. A doctor should know better. Come along, dear.” Winifred tut-tutted, then wrapped her arm through Nicole’s and marched her to the door. “We’ll get you home, you can have a quick shower and you’ll feel good as new.”
“My purse,” Nicole heard herself protest weakly, and she saw Carole scurry to her office. She returned seconds later, thrust the bag into Nicole’s outstretched hand and grinned.
“Anything else?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with fun.
“No, thank you, Carole. You’ve been a great help. Now, you get on home yourself. You deserve a good break.”
“Thank you, Miss Blessing. I believe I will. Good night.”
There were several choice remarks Nicole wanted to make, but with Miss Winifred’s arm threaded through hers, marching her along as if in the army, it was all Nicole could do to keep up, wishing that just this once she’d weakened and brought her car to work.
Even so, she had to admit that by the time they made it to Miss Blessing’s big white house, she did feel better. Her headache had lessened to a bearable level and some of the kinks in her body had loosened.
“Away you go, Nicole. Into the shower. Turn it on massage. I find that a great help.” Winifred nodded, then bustled into the kitchen, listing items on her fingers as she went.
There was no way out. Nicole showered, changed and walked back downstairs ten minutes later, dread dragging at her heels.
Loaded down with food from Miss Blessing’s kitchen, she walked across the street and managed to tap one elbow against the door, Winifred trailing behind.
“Nici!” Ruthie stood in the doorway grinning from ear to ear. “Hi, Auntie Win. Did you bring something yummy?”
“Lasagne, garlic bread, a salad, some fruit Jell-o and a bit of cake for dessert.” Winifred eased past Nicole, jerked her head in the general direction of the kitchen. “Come along. Ruthie, you could carry this bag for me.”
Ruthie took the bag and marched forward. Nicole was about to follow when she caught a glimpse of Joshua at the top of the stairs. He stood there staring down at her, a strange look covering his handsome face.
“Hi,” she murmured, bracing herself for a reprimand. Instead he smiled, his blue eyes snapping with something she couldn’t define.
“Couldn’t get away, could you?” He started down the steps, but his eyes never left her face. “I must say I’m delighted.”
“You’re delighted?” The very idea made her frown. “Why?” When he smiled like that, Joshua Darling made the knees go weak.
“Because for most of my life Aunt Win has been ordering me around. It’s particularly satisfying to watch her focus her talents on someone else for a change.” He remained on the last riser, watching her.
“Why are you two just standing here?” Winifred bustled into the room, grabbed Nicole by the arm and tugged. “Come along, dear. You, too, Joshua. I’ve decided it will make a nice change to eat outside, on the deck. The girls are waiting.”
“Yes, Aunt Win,” he murmured obediently as he lifted the box out of Nicole’s arms. He winked at Nicole, and grinned from ear to ear. “We’re coming right now.” He waited for her to precede him. “See what I mean.”
“You don’t have to look so smug,” she muttered, keeping her voice low enough that Miss Winifred wouldn’t hear. “Just remember that I’m not your permanent partner. I’m halfway through my time here. Soon her focus will be back on you.”
The smile drooped a little.
“By the way,” she added, holding the screen door open for him, “how is the search going?”
“Search?” He set the box down on the edge of the table and began unloading it.
“The perfect partner. Have you found one yet?” Something suspicious fluttered through his eyes. “Have you even begun?”
“I’ve hardly had time,” he defended, making a great production about uncovering the salad and setting the cake on top of a side table. “You must admit, it’s been hectic.”
“Yes, but you want to get rid of me, don’t you?” She rearranged some of the dishes and began pouring juice for the girls. “Remember, I can’t stay indefinitely. As soon as a spot opens up—”
“You’re gone.” He nodded. “You’ve told me two hundred times, at least.”
“Who’s gone?” Ruthie plopped down at the table, brushing away a fine sheen of sweat that covered her forehead. “I’m hot.”
“Chasing your sisters around the yard will do that.” Joshua called to his daughters and seated them, then held Miss Blessing’s chair.
Nicole took the opportunity to slip into her own chair. Rachel murmured grace and then Joshua began serving the lasagne.
“Who’s gone?” Ruthie repeated, her mouth full.
Sensing a reprimand was on the way, Nicole spoke quickly. “I am. In another three months.”
As if caught in some crazy time warp, the entire group froze, forks halfway to their mouths, cups raised. All except Dr. Darling. He ignored them all, munching on a piece of steaming garlic bread.
“But you can’t go!” Ruthie wailed. “You just got here. Besides, you’re my best friend.”
Nicole smiled, brushed her hand over the untidy braids.
“Thank you, Ruthie. That’s very kind of you. You’re my best friend, too.” She served herself a little Jell-o, not because she wanted it, but because she needed a minute to organize her words.
“Honey, you know that Dr. Brandt is just a temporary replacement.”
Nicole clamped her lips together, fuming silently. Why did he have to sound so happy about it?
“She came to help us out for a little while, but she’s not going to stay in Blessing. She has to go back to school.”
“Why? Did she fail or something?” Ruthie fixed her big blue eyes on Nicole. “Didn’t you study enough?”
“I didn’t fail anything, Ruthie. I just want to take some more training. I couldn’t get into the school right away, so I came here to work until there’s a spot for me.”
“But we don’t want you to go!” Rachel’s plaintive wail drew a frown from her father. “You make things fun. Like our mom used to.”
Dead silence reigned. All eyes swerved toward Joshua, whose face drained of color, though he kept his head tilted down. Nicole knew he was furious, and that he blamed her for this intrusion into his personal life. But right now she didn’t care about that. She was more concerned with the three little girls, who looked as if she’d abandoned them.
“We have had fun, haven’t we?” She smiled at them, ached to pull their glossy heads to her and hug for all she was worth.
It was a strange feeling for someone like her to have, someone who didn’t know anything about love. But she wanted to know. She wanted to experience the purely giddy sense of knowing that someone would care for you no matter what you did. If only her father could see—
Nicole pushed the past away and searched for words.
“We’ll have lots more fun times. There are a ton of things we can do together. Let’s think about that, plan something special.”
Their sad faces stared at her for several moments. Then they looked at each other, trying to do as she asked.
“We could have a bike ride and go fishing in the lake,” Rachel finally whispered. “We haven’t done that in ever so long.”
“That sounds like fun.” Nicole risked a sideways glance at Joshua, found his gaze focused on his daughters, watching as their small faces came alive with interest.
“Go camping.” Rosalyn blurted the words out, then grinned. “Campfires.”
Suddenly the ideas burst forth, fast and furious. But Joshua simply sat there, part of their group, yet separate, as if he didn’t quite know how to fit in, what to do with their suggestions. Nicole’s heart ached for him. How had he let the special times go? Was it up to her to help him get them back, to rebuild the family bonds that had weakened since his wife’s death? Was that why she was here?
“I think the fishing idea is great,” she told them, already seeing herself reclining on a beach while this little family fished together, laughing and teasing each other about the one that got away. Surely fishing was something a man could do with his children without losing face?
“What kind of hooks do you use?” She glanced at Joshua. Perhaps if she asked him questions directly, he’d get into the spirit and begin to take part.
Instead the girls smothered giggles, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
“What’s so funny?” Nicole frowned at their glee.
“Doesn’t much matter about the hooks, Nici,” Ruthie informed her with a grin. “We use worms to fish.”
“Oh.” Nicole tried to control her shudder of distaste. “I don’t think I’d be very good at it, after all. Maybe fishing’s something you should do with your father.”
“You can’t leave Blessing without at least trying your luck with a pole,” Winifred encouraged. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. I think it would be nice if you all went fishing. Joshua, you could show Nicole how to put the worm on the hook.”
“Uh, no, thanks,” said Nicole. “I have something planned for tomorrow.” She refused to feel guilty at the disappointment flooding three eager faces. “Maybe another time.”
“Tomorrow sounds good.” Joshua resumed eating, some of the color coming back into his face. “You girls get to bed early tonight so we can get up before the birds, and I’ll take you fishing. There are a lot of things we can learn at the lake.”
Winifred leaned closer to Nicole, her voice low as the girls reminded their father of all the equipment they’d need.
“You can read those musty old books anytime,” the older woman hissed. “A little fresh air, some sunshine, that’s just what you need.”
“But—”
“The girls need you, dear. If I know my nephew, and I do, fishing will turn into a forced biology lesson that will only engender lectures and tears. Joshua’s forgotten how to relax and just enjoy the girls. He’s too concerned about their education, their health, all the things he’s losing control over. Help him make this a fun outing for all of them. Please?”
Nicole sighed. Winifred wasn’t playing fair, and she knew it. How could anyone deny themselves the opportunity to spend time with those three adorable minxes, even if it meant holding a fishing rod with a worm on it? She couldn’t. Still, she had to draw the line somewhere, and that line stopped just short of threading worms onto a hook.
“All right. I’ll go fishing. But that’s all. No dinner afterward. No story time, no throwing me together with him.” Unfortunately everyone had stopped talking and the last words emerged rather loudly into the silence. It was obvious that Joshua had heard. His mouth pinched together, and his shoulders jerked to their usual rigid stance.
“I don’t think you have to worry about any more matchmaking, Dr. Brandt. My aunt knows better, don’t you, Aunt Win?” His dark glare dared the older woman to deny it.
Winifred reached over, patted his hand and smiled.
“Now, dear, don’t get so upset. I just want Nicole to see some of our beautiful countryside while she’s here, and she can give you a hand with the girls while she’s doing it. The two of you can forget about all those patients and just relax.” She smiled that winsome smile that said she would ignore any objections. “Now then, does anyone want cake?”
As Nicole sipped her coffee, she watched Winifred and Joshua exchange glances. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, wishing she’d stayed in the shower, and out of this family meal. She was getting too involved, and she knew it. So did Miss Winifred, though she pretended otherwise.
“All right, girls. If you’re finished your meal, you can carry your dishes into the kitchen. Then perhaps your father will throw a few balls so you can practice batting. Your coaches told me you need to work on your softball skills.” In one fell swoop, Miss Winifred had them all organized.
Nicole cleared away the rest of the dishes, loaded the dishwasher and washed the containers too big to fit into it. Every so often she glanced outside, almost mesmerized by the laughing man and his three giggling girls.
“Look at him. When he relaxes, Joshua is a completely different man. Tender, caring,” Miss Winifred murmured, standing just behind Nicole. “He needs to do this more often. If he’d just let go and enjoy them, let them see that he loves them no matter how many rules they break, they’d be so much more secure.”
“I don’t think Dr. Darling requires my help with those girls, not now and not tomorrow.” Nicole rinsed the counter, folded the dishcloth and stepped away. “He seems to be managing just fine.”
“For now.” She nodded. “He’s too tired to maintain his usual posture tonight. It’s easier to just relax. But come tomorrow, he’ll be back to his usual form. You’re the only one I’ve ever seen who refuses to let him bully her, who challenges him to really think about his actions. Joshua needs more of that.”
“Not from me, he doesn’t.” Nicole poured herself another cup of coffee and moved to sit outside on the deck. “I can’t get too involved, Miss Blessing. I don’t want them to fuss when I go, and I will be going,” she warned.
“I know.” Winifred sighed, her face sad. “It’s just— I suppose I’ll have to pray some more,” she whispered.
Pray for what? Nicole wanted to demand. But she said nothing, her eyes on the dark-haired man now sitting cross-legged on the grass, tickling his daughters.
Why, Dad? Why couldn’t you have loved me like that?
“I don’t like worms.”
“What?” Joshua Darling stared at her. “You’re a doctor, you’re heading into surgery. You’re going to touch a lot worse than worms!”
“I’ll be wearing gloves,” she muttered, hiding one hand behind her back when he held out the wiggling thing.
“You want me to find you a pair of surgical gloves so you can fish?” He hooted with laughter. “Dr. Brandt, I would never have believed it. You’re a sissy!”
“Am not!” She glared at him, incensed that he’d try to show her up in front of the girls.
“Sure you are. You’re afraid of a teensy little worm.” He huffed his disgust, threaded the worm on her hook, then dropped the line in the water. “Here.” He held out her rod.
“Thanks.” Nicole grabbed it and hung on for dear life, praying the fish would avoid her worm.
“As I recall, you were the one who thought fishing would be such a delightful excursion for the girls.” His voice mocked her squeamishness.
“I didn’t say I would be fishing,” she muttered. “I assumed I’d be able to sit on the shore, read a book or something, while everyone else was throwing their lines in.”
“Casting,” he corrected. “When you’re fishing, it’s called casting.”
“Whatever.” She turned the little handle, her eyes on the dragonfly flitting over the water. She imagined what it would be like to be free to skim across the water, touching down here and there, fluttering away when danger got too close.
“You have to keep winding or the hook will snag on something.” He watched her turn the little handle at top speed and shook his head. “Too fast. A fish could never keep up with that.”
“You fish your way and I’ll fish mine,” she told him, winding even faster.
The hook burst free of the water, flew in toward shore. Nicole watched in horror as the big juicy worm plopped right onto her shirt.
“Gross!” She jerked the rod out and the hook spun through the air to splat against the smooth water.
“Hey!” Ruthie twisted to glare at her. “If you splash like that, you scare the fish.”
“I’ll just move downstream a little. That way I won’t bother anyone.” Fully conscious of Joshua Darling’s knowing smirk, Nicole marched fifty feet away, turned her back and threw—no, cast—the line the way he’d taught her. She wound slowly for a few minutes, watching the silver minnows that swam near shore. Then her rod made a screeching noise and she couldn’t get it to wind any farther.
“Drat! Now they’ll think I’m a complete incompetent.” She looked over her shoulder, found the others busy with their own fishing. Good. She jerked hard on the rod and watched in amazement as the spool unwound and fishing line spun out across the water.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake.” She chewed on her bottom lip as she rewound the excess line. Then there was a tug, and it began feeding out again. What to do? If she carried the rod with her toward Joshua, it would feed out even more line. She frowned, trying to figure out the next step in this fishing expedition.
“Having problems?” He stood two feet away, behind her, his eyes crinkling at her frustration.
“It’s caught on something. I can’t get it wound up. Every time I try, it undoes again.”
He looked from her face to the water. “Wind slowly,” he ordered, moving to the edge to watch.
“I’ve been winding slowly. It doesn’t help.” She wound and wound, then felt the line jerk before it zipped free again. “You see. There’s something wrong with this fishing pole.”
“There’s nothing wrong, Nicole.” His eyes sparkled with something very close to fun. “You just caught a fish.”
She stared at him, mentally noting that he’d finally called her by her first name without any hesitation.
“I don’t want to catch a fish,” she whispered.
His eyes opened very wide. “You don’t?”
She shook her head.
“Then why did you come fishing?”
“I’m beginning to ask myself that question.” She stared at the rod in her hands. “How do I get my hook back?”
“Keep winding slowly. When it pulls back, you let it go a little, easing it in toward shore. The fish will tire and we’ll catch it.” At her jerk of surprise, he reached out, his hands covering hers. “Careful, you almost lost the rod.”
“Dr. Darling, I don’t want to catch it! I don’t even like fish very much, except to watch them swimming in the water.” She made a face at the rod that had started everything. “Couldn’t we just let it go?”
He shrugged. “I suppose. If you want.” His face told her what he thought of that. “But first you have to get the fish in here, so you can get the hook out.”
“The hook with the worm?” she asked carefully.
He barely managed to conceal his laughter. “Uh-huh.”
“Oh.” Nicole did some fast thinking. “I’ll baby-sit for nothing, anytime you want, if you will please remove the hook from my fish.”
Joshua Darling stared at her, speechless.
“Well?” She was getting sick of winding this thing. Wasn’t the fish tired?
“You are a very unusual woman,” he muttered.
“Now you notice.” The line zipped away again. Nicole sighed, kept winding. “Will you do it?”
He nodded. “An offer I can’t refuse. All right. Try and ease it in to shore, preferably near me.”
She eased as best she could, but the fish had other ideas. It flipped and swam and pulled until her arms ached in their sockets.
“I hate fishing,” she muttered, turning to the side to direct the fish on shore as she pulled back on the rod. “Just to prove who’s boss, I should—oh!” The fish, obviously giving up, flew through the air and landed directly in front of Joshua Darling, splashing him in the process.
“Wow! It’s a big one. Ruthie, come here.”
Ruthie flew across the sand, her eyes huge. “You caught a fish, Nici,” she whispered, awestruck.
“I know.” Nicole glared at the pale white scales, felt her stomach twitch. She fought to control her emotions, knowing he would only laugh at her squeamishness.
“Can you get my camera, honey?” Joshua squatted down, his hands gently working to free the hook from the fish’s mouth. “I think Nicole should have a picture of her fish before I let it go.”
“Let it go?” Ruthie stared. “I thought you told Auntie Win we’d be eating fish for sup—oh.” She saw the glare on her father’s face and ran off to get the camera.
“He bit hard,” Joshua murmured. “It’s in fairly deep.”
“Will it live if you let it go?” Nicole glared at the rod, wishing she’d dropped it into the water before the fish had come along. She watched as the poor slimy thing flopped around in the shallows, its tail flapping madly.
“I think so.” He glanced up, frowned at her, then looked for Ruthie. “Got it?”
“Uh-huh.” The little girl motioned to Nicole. “You squat down by Daddy, put your hand on top of his so it looks like you’re holding the fish.” She adjusted the viewfinder, then frowned. “You have to smile, Nici. A big smile.”
“As if I’m enjoying this?” Nicole kept her voice low, so only Joshua could hear.
“Exactly. Just remember—fishing was your idea.” His hand, despite the cool water, lay warm under hers. “Got it, Ruthie?”
“I jiggled. I better take another one. Don’t move now. Smile, Daddy.”
Joshua felt his mouth move in obedience to his daughter’s command, but in truth, he couldn’t have stopped staring at Nicole if his life had depended upon it. His attention homed in on the clouds filling her eyes and suddenly he realized what was wrong.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like fish or worms—it was the act of killing something that was alive that bothered her. A woman like her, confident, self-assured and smart, was bothered by something like a fish? It seemed incongruous with what he knew of her. And yet—he knew it was true.
“That’s enough, Ruthie,” he murmured. He lifted his hand, watching as Nicole stroked one finger a hairbreadth above the fish. “If we’re going to let him go, it had better be now. Okay?” he asked her.
She nodded. “Yes. Please.”
Joshua eased the fish through the water, loosening his fingers inch by inch until it finally whipped its tail to the left and swam away.
“Will it live?” she whispered, peering up at him, her face devoid of makeup, bare inches from his.
He nodded.
“Oh, thank goodness.” She squeezed his hand, her thousand-watt smile flashing out. “I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been here.”
He didn’t know what to say to that, didn’t know how to respond. She was offering friendship, a common ground to share. Part of him wanted to let go of all the constraints that had bound him to the course of life he’d chosen two years ago and enjoy her company. But the other part choked with fear. He had three children who depended on him, that nagging little voice reminded. Duty, obligation, responsibility. Nothing could get in the way of that, nothing could be allowed to sidetrack him.
Besides, Nicole Brandt was halfway through the required six months. If he didn’t get into action, she’d be gone and he’d be as badly off, or worse. The whole point of her presence was to give him a chance to recruit a partner. He needed to focus on that, not think about befriending her.
“It wasn’t anything.” Joshua jerked to his feet, almost bumping heads with her as he stood.
“Oh!” She blinked, then also rose, stepped away from him. “Well…thanks anyway.”
He nodded, walked back to his own rod, picked it up and cast as if his life depended on it. Nicole Brandt had a way of making him forget things he should be concentrating on and daydreaming about things that could never be a part of his life, and he didn’t like it, Joshua decided. It was dangerous.
He’d learned his lesson the hard way. He wouldn’t forget it now. It was better to stick to business, focus on what had to be done. Alone.
But as he stared over the water, part of him wondered what it would be like to forget about duty—just for a little while.