“What do you know about it?” Levi growled.
Jack held up his hands in the universal sign to show he wasn’t a threat. “Nothing. I just saw her take some pills from a prescription bottle. She seemed fine, though, so I didn’t think it was a big deal, but maybe I was wrong.”
Levi’s head fell back, and he blinked up at the ceiling.
“Is that it, then? Why you seem stressed out of your mind?”
He pulled his chin down to look back at Jack. “I want to help her, but I’m not a doctor.”
Jack scratched his jaw. “Have you talked to Dr. Smith? Maybe she has some insight.”
Could Dr. Smith help him figure out what he was missing? It was worth a shot. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a busybody, Jack?”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a sourpuss, Levi?”
The two men stared at each other, one grinning like a fool, the other hiding a small smirk behind his thick beard.
“Get out of here.” Jack shooed him away. “I’ll close up the shop for you.”
Levi didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed the keys to his truck and marched out of the service station.
The road to Dr. Smith’s house was more like two tire-worn paths with grass and weeds growing between them than actual road, not unusual for their neck of the woods. He pulled up in front of a barn that had been converted into a house at some point in time. He killed the engine and stepped out of the truck. The sound of a rocking chairmoving over a loose board welcomed him from the direction of the front porch.
“Well, if it isn’t Levi Redding as I live and breathe.” An older Black woman stood from where she’d sat in the rocking chair. He recognized her as the doctor who’d pushed liquids and fever-reducing medicines at him when he’d been too sick to do much else than lie in bed. She gave him a kind smile and waved him over. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence on this fine afternoon?”
He mounted the steps, pausing when he reached the top. A breeze blew from her direction, bringing the scent of strong perfume with it. He fought against the grimace trying to freeze his muscles and forced his lips into a semblance of an answering smile instead. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
“On the contrary. I find myself quite curious as to what has brought you to my doorstep. Let me go get us some tea and we can have ourselves a little chat. Make yourself comfortable.” She gestured to the second rocking chair, then went inside with the slap of the screened storm door following her.
Levi exhaled his pent-up breath and took in a long inhale of fresh country air as he walked over to the chair she’d indicated. The wooden slats of the rocker looked like they had seen better days, and Levi wasn’t sure the frame would hold up under his weight. Maybe he should stand instead.
The screen door opened, and Dr. Smith stepped out, ice cubes tinkling in the full glasses of sweet tea in her hands. “Go ahead and have a seat. These rockers may be weathered with age, but they’re stronger than they look.”
Levi regarded the rocker dubiously but obediently sat. The wood creaked under his weight.
Dr. Smith cackled. “Don’t you look like a giant in a doll shop. Here, sugar.” She handed him one of the cold glasses, then sat in the other rocking chair. “Now, tell me what brings you to my neck of the woods. I know this isn’t a purely social visit.”
Levi rubbed at his neck, chastised to be called out on only seeking the woman’s company when he needed something.
“None of that. I’m just giving you a hard time. My Earl isn’t one to sit around chewing the fat either. In fact, he hightailed it back inside the second he heard your truck heading up the road.”
Levi glanced through the window. “I didn’t mean to scare him off his own front porch.”
“Nonsense.” Dr. Smith waved away his concern. “I’d been talking his ear off, so he’s glad of the reprieve. But enough about him. I want to hear what’s brought you out of hiding. Not feeling poorly again, I hope.”
“No, ma’am.” Levi sipped his tea. It was cold and sweet. “It’s about a friend of mine.”
She observed him with an air of open nonjudgment, as if her very presence created a safe space and invited confidentiality. He could picture her in a white lab coat, stethoscope around her neck as she gave patients the care and attention they needed.
“My friend received a liver transplant quite a few years ago when she was a young girl, and...” How could he succinctly describe all of Hayley’s worries and concerns? And a thought he hadn’t considered previously: Would it be a breach of her privacy and confidence to do so?
“I think I see.” Dr. Smith hummed in a way that made Levi think she really did understand with so few words spoken. “You know, transplant science, especially in regards to the liver, has come a long way in recent years.”
“It has?” Hope perked within the heavy weight inside him.
Dr. Smith nodded. “More and more living-donor transplants are being performed.”
“What’s a living-donor transplant?”
