“John Graves!Haven’t seen you about in ages.”
A wide grin split her father’s face as he headed past the doctor and into the house.He went to the hearth to drop the firewood.Maris had retreated to somewhere behind her.Hopefully out of earshot.Papa brushed the dirt from his hands and turned to face the doctor.
“What brings you out here?”he asked.
An innocent question enough but Serena stiffened.
“You, actually,” he said, looking him over.He stepped inside the house, still clutching the brim of his hat between his tense fingers.“The last time I saw you, you were at death’s door.”
Papa laughed a deep hearty laugh.“Well, I suppose that’s true.But your medicine did the trick.”
“My…ah…medicine?”he asked.
“The elixir,” Maris supplied helpfully, chirping from somewhere behind her.
Serena cringed.Confusion creased the doctor’s face when he turned his gaze from Papa to her.As though she might have the answer.She continued to smile.
“What elixir?”the doctor asked.
“Why, the one you sent with Serena,” Papa said.“Worked like a charm.”
He looked so happy, so proud as he glanced at her but his gaze settled on Maris.Serena bit her lip to keep from saying anything.
“I don’t recall giving Serena an elixir,” the doctor said, eyeing her from his position near the door.
“Dr.Graves, I heard Mr.Brightwood took a fall the other day and twisted his ankle,” Serena said, trying desperately to change the subject.“How is he doing?”
Graves was a bit taken aback.“I intended to look in on him after seeing about your father.”
Serena muscled her way between Papa and the doctor, twisting the kitchen towel tight in her hands.She nudged him toward the open door.“Well, as you can see, he’s quite healthy.Not only is he strong enough to chop firewood, but he’s also been helping in the garden.”
“The weeding,” Papa said in agreement.
“And…you’re all right, then?”The doctor looked back at her father.
“Quite so, though I admit the back is a bit stiff from all the work.”He chuckled, as though he was glad to have the work instead of lying in bed all day.
Serena plastered in a bright smile and waved him toward the door.“There you have it, doctor!Thank you for coming by to check on him.We appreciate it.”
He stepped out, his face a map of confusion.Serena braced a hand on the door, ready to push it closed.
“Please tell Mr.Brightwood we hope he’s better,” she said, her voice a little too high, a little too cheerful.
Dr.Graves nodded.“Good day to you then.”
The doctor lingered a heartbeat too long, his gaze flicking from Serena’s too-bright smile to Papa’s ruddy cheeks.
“Strange,” he muttered, mostly to himself before he tugged on his hat and walked away.
Serena blew out a breath of relief and closed the door.When she turned around, both Papa and Maris stared at her.Papa with a look of disdain.Maris with shock.
“That was rude,” Maris said.“You hustled him out of here like he was a common thief.”
Serena huffed out a forced laugh.“I did not.”
Gripping the kitchen towel, she headed back to the kitchen.
“You did.I’ll not have you treating the village folk like that, Serena,” Papa said, his tone edged with disdain.“They mean well enough.”Then to Maris, “Don’t they, little dove?”
