Blessings

“There. Now you can put it in your treasures box.”

“She don’t got one.”

“Doesn’t have,” Joshua corrected automatically. The girls ignored him, their eyes fixed on Nicole.

“She can start one. It’s never too late.”

“Can I get one, Dad?”

“Me, too?”

“Me, three?”

The woman never even let him get a word in!

“I have an idea. I moved some of my stuff into Miss Winifred’s and I have a whole bunch of boxes. After church perhaps you could each come over and choose one, if your father thinks it would be all right.”

He almost made a face at the thought of more clutter in those messy bedrooms. But just in time, Joshua caught the yearning looks on little faces and knew he had to agree.

“I suppose it would be all right. If you promise to keep them put away.”

Naturally they all solemnly promised. As if!

“Fine.” He twitched his tie into place. “Now let’s get moving. Church will be starting in twenty minutes.”

Joshua let them dash off to retrieve whatever it was little girls took to church. When they were gone, he turned back to face his guest.

“If you’ll excuse us—”

“Actually, that’s another reason I’m here. Miss Winifred left ages ago, but before she did, she ordered me over here to catch a ride with you.” She smiled weakly, as if the last thing she wanted was to ride in his vehicle.

He didn’t blame her. He’d rather ride in that red sports car of hers any day. Her words sank in.

“Aunt Win’s not going? Why not? Is she ill?” Joshua rapped the questions out automatically. “Perhaps I’d better take a look.”

“She’s fine. I told you she’s already left.”

The words halted him. He replaced his bag, closed the closet door, then turned around.

“But why—”

“She had to get to church early. Apparently they decided to hold an impromptu choir rehearsal this morning and she wanted to be there. I wasn’t ready, so she told me about the casserole and said to ride with you.” She frowned at his lack of response. “I could have walked if I’d known how to get there.”

“In those shoes?” He eyed her shapely ankles, the narrow heels and shook his head. “Hardly. What happened to your car?”

Her face grew very pink. “I locked the car keys in. I don’t know how. It’s never happened before. I was certain I’d left them in my pocket.”

Joshua’s radar went on alert.

“You don’t have a spare?”

“That’s the really strange part. I’m positive they were on my nightstand last night, but this morning they’re sitting on the car seat—inside the car. And of course I’d put the roof up. It’s really odd.” Her cheeks remained a bright pink. “I feel like a fool. Miss Winifred said no one would be available to help me until Monday.”

“Yes, that is weird.” Dismay fizzled up Joshua’s spine as a twinkle of doubt surfaced in his mind about those keys. Not again! He’d warned her about matchmaking before. Surely Aunt Win wouldn’t try to pair him up with Dr. Brandt?

But in his heart of hearts Joshua knew his aunt would dare that and more if she thought it would help heave him out of what she considered the pit of his despair.

“Dr. Darling?”

Joshua sighed. It was pointless to hope for a way out. This was a small town where everyone knew everyone else. If he didn’t offer to take her, they’d all be talking about him. Again.

“You’d better call me by my given name,” he muttered at last. “Since we’re neighbors.”

“All right.” She tilted the blue hat forward, just a millimeter. “If you agree to do the same.”

He hesitated. But what could he say? “Fine.”

“Dr. Darling, have I done something to offend you?”

One shoe dangled from his finger as he fought for control and a way to avoid the question.

“Why do you say that?”

“Ah, a true debater. Answer a question by asking another question.” She nodded, a knowing light glimmering in her eyes. “I’ll bet you get away with that a lot.”

“Obviously not enough.” He slipped his other shoe on and tied it slowly, taking his time while his mind whirred. Nothing. “I’ll stand by my question—why do you ask?”

“Because of your attitude, of course.” She sat perched on the edge of her chair not two feet from where he stood.

“My attitude?” Joshua frowned. She said it as if he’d been rude. There was nothing wrong with his attitude. “What attitude?”

She sighed. “Never mind. I know a block when I see one.”

“Dr. Brandt—Nicole. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have an attitude or a—a block, as you put it, about you or anyone else. All I want is a short-term assistant who can function within the parameters I’ve set out without causing additional stress.”

“Do you realize that in the past week you’ve reminded me at least three times, every single day, that I am not a permanent fixture in your office?” She leaned forward, eyes blazing in her beautiful face.

That spark of anger alerted Joshua; he knew he’d gone too far. He stayed exactly where he was and did her the courtesy of quietly listening, though it cost him dearly.

“Hear this, Dr. Darling. I am not staying. I will not be hanging on to your coattails, prevailing upon you to keep me when my six months are over, not even if you beg me on bended knee.”

As if that would happen!

But Joshua got the drift. She was mad. The air around her sizzled, and her blond hair flickered through the air just like the girls’ hair did when there was too much static. He almost smiled.

Big mistake.

“Don’t you laugh at me! I have plans for my future, Dr. Darling, big plans. And they do not include working for, with, or beside you after my term here has been served. There’s no way I’m prepared to give up my dream of surgery and remain secluded in this little town, meting out care to my patients in parsimonious ten-minute intervals. Not one chance in a thousand.”