The Doctor's Devotion Read online

  Why was her mind so focused on Mitch today?

  “Almost forgot. You do that and I’ll whip up a batch of corn bread. Mitch likes it with his chili.”

  Lauren pulled out the chili and eyed Grandpa. “Mind if I make them some dessert?”

  “That’ll be dandy. Mitch loves cobbler like crazy. And from what he tells me, Brock eats anything that doesn’t move.”

  She laughed. “Cobbler it is.” As they prepared cobbler and corn bread side by side, an elated sensation wove into her. A deep sense of companionship and belonging seeped in, as well as the strongest feeling of contentment she’d had in years.

  She tried not to acknowledge how good it made her feel to make dessert for a man. Specifically a man like Mitch.

  Just when did the desire to bless and please him creep in?

  Nevertheless, Grandpa loved cobbler, too. He always doused it with ice cream, a staple in this freezer.

  Memories swarmed her. Good ones that made her smile inside and out. How could she have forgotten all these little nuances and details about life with Lem? “I love you, Grandpa.”

  He paused and grinned. “What brought that on?”

  “Things like this just make me realize how much I miss you. And how much I’ve missed by not coming to spend time with you.”

  “Well, don’t you worry. We’ll make up for lost time this summer. Like today. If I can keep from getting us lost.”

  Lauren laughed and let herself enjoy having something to look forward to. “That’s what you always used to say. Yet you never once got us lost.”

  “Well, I’m not driving today. You and that QRS are.”

  She giggled. “GPS. It’s a satellite navigation system.”

  “If you say so. There’s Mitch with his truck now.”

  Her heart gave a little flutter at the sound that had become familiar in mornings. Mitch’s truck door closing. He stepped in and handed her his keys. “Wanna see where my truck’s navigational and safety stuff is?”

  “Sure.” She tried not to notice how his worn charcoal T-shirt and jeans showcased his impressive physique.

  Mitch accompanied her out and helped her attach the GPS to the dash. “Here’s the emergency brake. Here’s how to put it in four-wheel drive. Try it.”

  She got in and fired up his truck. They drove across Grandpa’s yard. Lauren listened while Mitch explained where all the important controls, knobs and buttons were.

  A hilly snatch of terrain that couldn’t be resisted loomed. She gunned it a little then eyed Mitch, expecting him to scold her for the momentary orneriness.

  Instead, he grabbed a ceiling handle. “Go for it.”

  Wow. She did not expect that. “Really?”

  A slow grin crept across his face, giving it even more appeal. She slammed the pedal to the floor, and the truck peeled out and ramped dusty hills. Mitch whooped like Lem, making Lauren laugh.

  Grandpa was probably wondering what all the dust was about, so she drove back to the driveway like the well-behaved granddaughter she wasn’t.

  Lem stood on his porch, shaking his head and laughing.

  “He’s something, isn’t he?” Mitch eyed Lem fondly. Then faced Lauren. “You have more of his traits than you realize.”

  “What, his penchant toward orneriness?”

  Mitch chuckled. “Well, that, yes. But I mainly meant his uncanny ability to handle life’s problems rather than let the problems handle him.”

  Her grin faded. “I think you’re mistaken. That’s not me.”

  The gleam in his eyes grew fonder, and firmer. “Oh, yeah. It is. You’ll see. You’re the kind whose nettle surfaces the more they’re squeezed. Some strengths shine in weakness, Lauren.”

  “If you say so.”

  No one said anything for long moments. She was taken by how comfortable it was to be alone with him. Did he feel the same way?

  “Thank you, Mitch, for doing this. I know I haven’t been the nicest. So it’s supersweet of you to loan us your truck for the day.” She cut the engine, missing the fun of riding around.

  He smiled. “No problem. I hope the two of you have fun.”

  “I’ll be careful with your baby.”

  He stiffened and paused. Then peered toward the glove box, then away. He nodded more stiffly. “I know you will. I checked all the fluids, oil, transmission, wiper. And she’s gassed up.”

  When a downtrodden look accosted his face before he could mask it, she felt sudden remorse over not inviting him along. Should she?

  “What chores do you have planned today?” she asked.

  “Knocking out another couple items on his to-do list. Fixing the fence and replacing his screen door. Which I need to get out of here.” Mitch reached into the back of the truck and hefted out a solid wood-and-glass carved door as if it was cardstock light.

  She eyed the price tag he ripped off, and…wow.

  “Do you need help paying for that?”

  He shook his head. “Lem went in half. Or thinks he did. He insisted so I kinda fibbed and told him it was only a couple hundred bucks. I didn’t want him to have a flimsy door since he lives alone. This place doesn’t have a high crime rate, but it’s better to be safe.”

  “Thanks, Mitch, for all you do for him.” For some reason, she felt supersentimental about it today. “You could go with us if you want.”

  He rose slowly after setting the door against the siding. “Thanks. But I think I’ll hang here. Brock should be over soon.”

  Wow. She did not like the letdown she felt at his answer. She had wanted special, extended alone time with Grandpa. Mitch was making that possible. She should be happier than a raccoon in Grandpa’s cornfield right now.

  So why wasn’t she?

  Mitch accompanied her inside. His eyes landed on the corn bread and cobbler. His face erupted in elation.

  “Lauren made that.” Lem indicated the cobbler.

  Mitch’s face lit up in surprise and delight.

  Her insides turned to mush as he peered at the cobbler then back at her with deep appreciation.

  What if he didn’t like it? Her nerves quivered.

  He took a piece to taste and pretended to melt to his knees as he savored it. He liked it!

  “Now, that’s perfection right there.” He took a second bite and fastened her with another long look of surprise and approval. “I’m touched and impressed. And my taste buds are very, very happy right now.”

  She felt too giddy to speak, so she just nodded and smiled then turned to wash the already-clean counter so he wouldn’t see the blush and ridiculously gargantuan grin taking over her face.

  Lem came back into the kitchen. “Ready to go?”

  Hmm. Just where had she left her brain? “Yep. Let’s hit the road.”

  Mitch loaded their basket in the truck. “Call if you have trouble.” He gave her a paper with his number on it.

  This made Lauren’s insides feel even more giddy. “We’ll be really late getting back.”

  “Not a problem. Brock’s coming to help before a training op. He’s giving me a ride home after we get some stuff done. Ian will drop me back off here tomorrow to get my truck.”

  “Thanks, Mitch.” Gack! How many times would that sentiment bounce out of her mouth? Maybe she thanked him profusely out of guilt? She’d been so ornery to him. Gratitude overwhelmed her for his giving—and forgiving—heart.

  “Have fun.” He patted the truck then stepped back.

  Lauren and Lem waved as Brock passed them outside Lem’s driveway. “That’s nice of him to help.”

  “Yeah, those PJs are something else. They’ve reformed this community of Refuge.”

  “I have a feeling Mitch and his trauma crew will do the same for Eagle Point.”

  �
�The unemployment rate was sky-high. The center definitely boosted morale. I feel terrible taking time away from his trauma work. I guess he didn’t really expect the place to take off the way it has…so fast anyway.”

  Nor did Lauren expect her pulse rate to take off at every mention of Mitch. Only, today her respect for Mitch and growing intrigue with him overpowered the troublesome jealousy and envy.

  She knew Mitch had to be sick and tired of her repeated mishaps and missteps of giving in to envy. He saw the jealous reaction, sure. But did he see her angst about it after?

  Why all of a sudden did his opinion of her matter so much?

  “I know for a fact he doesn’t mind helping you, Grandpa.”

  That must’ve comforted Lem because he stopped chewing his cheek.

  Lauren and Lem spent the day driving along the Mississippi exploring historic towns, museums and libraries. They stopped at a peach orchard and ate scrumptious homemade cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream.

  “This isn’t as good as yours,” Grandpa doted. “Mitch thought so, too. I know there won’t be a drop of your cobbler left when we get home tonight.”

  She smiled, remembering Mitch’s genuine reaction.

  After having their fill of orchard goodness, they headed to the southernmost tip of Illinois to visit a monument where some of their ancestors from Civil War times were buried.

  They stopped and perused in an historic bed-and-breakfast shop known for its authentic period antiques.

  Lauren purchased Mitch a statue of a doctor holding a little boy’s hand while a nurse gave a shot. When Grandpa eyed her funny, she quickly found a trinket for Brock, too, lest Grandpa get any ideas that she was growing fond of Mitch.

  She absolutely wasn’t. Though tingles walked up her spine, it was best to ignore it.

  “What now, carrottop?” Lem asked once back on the road.

  “Want to go for a hike at one of the state parks nearby?”

  “Wish I could. I can’t go more than a few miles, though.”

  “Oh.” Last time Grandpa could hike circles around her. Could a person age that much in five years? She needed to have a private conversation with Mitch about Grandpa’s health.

  “It’s too hot to hike today anyway,” she said to make Grandpa feel better about his lost stamina. They drove at leisure along a scenic route and spent time perusing specialty shops before driving through a wildlife refuge. “I enjoy seeing the familiar birds, animals, trees and foliage that makes Illinois more beautiful than I remembered.”

  Lem smiled and nodded.

  Memories of times like this with Grandpa also added to its beauty and appeal. Now she’d have new memories to draw upon. The thought of time with Grandpa being reduced to rare memories instead of daily experiences brought a profound sadness upon her. And disconcerting dread. Please don’t take him anytime soon, God.

  Lem adjusted his seat belt. “Remember when we used to drive to the riverfront mansions and pretend like we lived there?”

  “I do.”

  “Let’s.”

  “Today?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  They drove to a gas station, and Lauren filled Mitch’s tank. Then they purchased a jug of homemade tea from the village café.

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this.” A little later, they arrived at their favorite abandoned mansion. Lauren felt like a miscreant, squished between two ivy-colored fence panels. She helped Lem and giggled.

  “What? Pretending isn’t against the law.”

  “No, but sneaking onto private property is.”

  “This is public property. It’s bank-owned. Besides, we won’t harm anything. We’ll just eat in the courtyard and pretend we live here.”

  “Don’t be surprised if the cops show.” She laughed at the thought of Mitch having to bail them out of jail.

  Once on the brick patio, they dusted off a wrought-iron table and two chairs. “Mitch has a similar set at his place.”

  Lauren pursed her lips. “I wouldn’t know.” Lauren spread a tablecloth on the table then put their food on it.

  “The deeper the South, the sweeter the tea.” Lem pulled out the iced-tea jug.

  They enjoyed lunch in the courtyard amid a symphony of singing birds, cicadas and chirping crickets. Two curious baby squirrels kept them company. Their acorn antics provided comic relief. A watchful mama squirrel occupied a branch above the patio. “Mitch would have loved watching all these critters frolic.”

  Lauren ignored the feelings bubbling up with Grandpa’s mention of Mitch. She viewed the abandoned mansion. “I can imagine this place in its prime. It’s sad they’ve let it go to ruin.”

  “They need money or someone to renovate and repair it. A lot of these Mississippi river mansions have been let go.”

  Grandpa inspected artistically carved eaves and whistled. “Mitch’s carpentry skills could do wonders with this place.”

  Lauren set down her water. Every ten minutes of their trip, he’d mentioned Mitch this or Mitch that. It hadn’t bothered her until now. A yucky feeling hit Lauren that jealousy had somehow stowed away in the truck and accompanied them here after all.

  It continued a little later on the road as Lem marveled at four huge funny farm silos they passed. They’d been painted with life-size, to-scale Flour, Sugar, Tea and Coffee logos. “Take a picture for Mitch. He’ll get a kick out of that.”

  “I’d like to give Mitch a kick, all right,” she muttered.

  Grandpa put his hand on his ear. “What’s that? You’d like to give Mitch a kiss?”

  Her face warmed. “No. That is definitely not what I said.”

  Grandpa scratched his cheek and pushed back his cap. “Then I need to get my hearing aid checked. Maybe the battery’s croaking out on me. What did you say?”

  “Nothing important.” Somehow, even without Mitch present, this trip turned out to be all about him.

  Man, was she selfish. To even hear her own thoughts disturbed Lauren to the point she couldn’t stand it anymore. “Grandpa, I have to confess something. I lied to you.”

  “Oh? Well, obviously something’s bothering you, go ahead.”

  “I have major issues with Mitch. Well, he’s not the problem. I am. I am very jealous of your attachment to him.”

  “I’m sorry, love. You mean the world to me. Ya know?”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I just guess I need reassuring right now. How pathetic is that?”

  “Not pathetic at all. We have a God who delights in reassuring us and reminding us of His love and care. His thoughts toward you are always good, Lauren. Even when your mind and heart act a little unruly. He understands your insecurity.”

  She laughed. “Thanks. But it’s more than a little unruly.”

  “A little or a lot unruly, He still loves you. So do I.”

  “Mitch could do without me, though.”

  For some reason, Grandpa smiled slowly.

  And didn’t utter another word for miles.

  “Pull over up here,” Grandpa said as they drove through a gorgeous state park, lush with cyprus and other area trees. Thousands of purple, yellow, white and orange wildflowers carpeted the foot of gorgeous rock faces jutting into blue sky.

  She pulled over to the scenic view area, and they got out of the truck to stretch. Something in the field caught her eye. “Oh! Elderberries. Let’s pick some. Maybe can them together.”

  “Good idea. Mitch’s been wanting to learn how.”

  Her smile deflated. “I meant me and you, but I suppose I could stand him being in the kitchen, too.”

  Grandpa’s mouth curled in and his eyes sharpened. She couldn’t tell if he was perturbed or pleased. She sighed. “See? I’m hopeless.”

  “No, but you are capable of controlling your response to
hard things.”

  He was right. She let herself soak in the surroundings. Sounds. Smells. Sights. The texture of velvety flowers, scratchy branches and marble, smooth rocks. Birds serenaded them with forest tunes that reminded Lauren of animated cartoon movies.

  Lem leaned against a weathered fence. “It’s peaceful here.”

  “How’d you find this place? It’s off the beaten path. Wait. Let me guess…Mitch brought you here.”

  Lem eyed her, head bent and eyebrows squished. He started to look a little like a charging bull.

  “All right, to my credit, I did think good thoughts about him the whole time we were in that military cemetery in Mounds. He must have sacrificed a lot in order to serve our country.”

  “More than you know.” Lem turned a pinecone over and over.

  It suddenly resembled a wooden grenade. “What do you mean?”

  “His girlfriend dumped him for another doctor after having him fork over a fortune for an engagement ring. So you can understand why he’s a little gun-shy of romance right now.”

  Whoa. Why would Grandpa bring that up? “Fine by me because I’m not interested in him like that.”

  Grandpa laughed so hard his throat whistled Dixie.

  “What?”

  “I think part of why your emotions are so out of whack is because deep down, you are interested.”

  She blinked.

  He chuckled. “I’m serious.”

  “So am I.”

  Lem sobered. “I just want you to be okay, carrottop, in the event something was to happen to me.”

  “Don’t talk like that.”

  “I have to. I want peace of mind that you’ll be all right.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I will be fine. And so will you. If Mitch says you’re healthy then you need to trust him.”

  For some reason as they picked more berries along the road, Lauren couldn’t get Mitch’s breakup off her mind. “How long ago did that heartbreak go down with Mitch?”

  “About the same time as yours. Which I find interesting, seeing as how I was praying for God’s will for both of you in a future mate.” Grandpa placed the berries inside their picnic basket, which Lauren carried.

  “You’re reading too much into it. Does he talk about her very much?” Lauren asked as they headed back toward Mitch’s truck.