“I understand she only comes to town on Fridays, parks out front of the store, and waits for someone to bring her groceries. Wonder why she’s coming in today?”
The car neared the store in question, and stopped in the middle of the street, horn blaring.
“John Austin’s in her spot.” As Coop stood, a man exited the store and hurried to the car occupying the space Big Mama wanted.
“Sorry, Big Mama,” he shouted, “didn’t expect you in town today.”
As soon as he moved his truck, the old caddy rolled into it, and the horn blared again.
A young man rushed to the driver’s side window, then gestured wildly for Coop to come.
“Now what,” he muttered as he crossed the street. A quick look inside and he yelled at Sam. “Doc. Get over here.”
When Sam saw the blood on the old woman’s face, she morphed into doctor mode, gently tilting the woman’s chin so she could get a better view of the cut above her left eye. “What happened?”
“Who the devil are you?” snapped the woman, “I want Doc Harper.”
“I’m Dr. Fowler. Did you fall?”
“Well as sure as heck didn’t hit myself in the head with a hammer.”
Sam bit back a grin. The crusty matriarch reminded her of her late grandmother. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
She squinted at Sam, mouth tight, and didn’t answer.
Undeterred, Sam continued to probe her arms and hands. When she touched the left shoulder, the old woman winced. “Coop, she needs to get to the hospital. At the very least, she’s going to need a couple of stitches on her forehead. Her shoulder needs to be x-rayed to make sure it’s not broken. She doesn’t appear to have a concussion, but it can’t be ruled out without some tests.”
“I’m not going to no dang hospital. I want Doc Harper.” She glared at Sam. “And nobody else.”
An hour and a half later, Sam stood beside Doc Harper as he filed away the x-rays. He not only invited her to hang around during the exam, he asked her opinion on the film prior to talking with the patient. In the end, he had his receptionist take the older woman home after Coop arranged to have her car returned there.
“Mable’s a tough old bird,” he said without rancor, “but her bark is much worse than her bite.”
“She’s lucky she ended up with a bruised shoulder and couple of stiches instead of broken bones.”
He closed the file and placed it in the holder outside the exam room, limping a little as he moved about. “Let’s talk in my office.”
Seated across from him, she eyed the clutter on his desk. She’d anticipated this conversation later rather than sooner.
He got right to the point. “I guess you know Barbara Jean is my niece?”
“Yes. We’ve been friends since I moved to Dallas ten years ago.”
“She thinks you’re the person to take over here for me.”
Nervous, she shifted in her seat. “I told her I’d discuss the prospect with you.”
“She said you already quit your job in Dallas.”
“True. But I haven’t decided what I want to do yet.”
“How do you like our little town?”
“It’s only been a few days, but I like it. Nice people, slow pace.”
“She tells me you’re a good doctor.”
“Well, we’re best friends, so I think her opinion may be a little biased, but I appreciate her saying so.”
“Not just her.” He cleaned his glasses with the tail of his crumpled tie and slid them in his pocket. “I did some checking after she suggested you. Lot of folks think the same thing.” He folded his hands on top of a pile of papers. “Let’s cut to the chase, Dr. Fowler. I’m sixty-five. I’m tired. I wanna go fishing with my grandsons, go on a cruise with my wife. Won’t happen if I’m tied to this office.”
Sam’s heart jumped, anticipating his next statement.
“I want someone I can trust to take care of my town, my people. I think you’re that someone.”
Tension seeped away as Sam enjoyed the gentle sway of the rope swing hanging from an ancient pecan tree. The wooden seat, worn smooth from years of use, and the creak and rasp of the thick, braided line as she swung was more therapeutic than any drug. Her gaze drifted to the glitter of sunlight off a pond in the distance, then to the giant pine trees waving in the afternoon breeze. A blue jay chased a robin from a bird feeder at the end of the veranda with a loud squawk, as an orange tabby watched from the corner.
This moment in time, she conceded staying here, taking over Doc’s practice as a workable solution to the dilemma of what to do with her life. But what about later? Would she miss the benefits of city-living? As much as she loved being a doctor, was she really ready to jump back into the grind of hospital rounds and patient appointments?
She pushed the doubts away, refused to let anything negative impose on the tranquility she enjoyed right now. She’d earned the peace and quiet.
A little push with her foot put the ancient swing in motion. She gripped the rope, leaned back and pushed again, sending it higher and higher. She couldn’t stop the laughter bubbling up when Jack played chase with her feet as she flew along the ground. This is how life is supposed to be lived. In the moment. To the fullest.
What about Delaney?
