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“It’s not that. It’s just personal stuff…” She sighs and drops into the seat in front of my desk. “You know I’m the guardian of my two younger sisters?”
“No.” I’m shocked. “I knew they lived with you, but I figured you were still at home with your parents.”
“My parents divorced when I was a teenager. My father moved out West to pursue his dream of becoming a cowboy. We haven’t heard from him since. And my mother coped by taking drugs. It’s a long story, but I’m my sisters’ guardian now and they are exhausting me. The oldest is sixteen and thinks she doesn’t have to listen and the younger one is thirteen and will one day be determined to do everything on her own and the nextcurled up on my lap crying because she misses our mom. I love them, but I feel like I’m doing everything wrong.”
I am so not prepared for this. I know nothing about raising kids. “I’m pretty sure every parent feels that way. Do you know any parents of teenagers you could talk to? Maybe share stories and advice?”
“I only see the parents of my sisters’ friends when I drop them off for parties or at school functions. I’m not even sure they realize I’m the girls’ guardian and not just their big sister.”
“It’s a small town. Pretty sure word has gotten around.”
“You didn’t know.” She waves a hand. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to talk to the parents of my sisters’ friends about issues I’m having with my sisters. That seems like crossing a line.”
“You’re probably right. Let me talk to some people and see what I can do, okay?”
She nods. “I’ll try anything at this point. The parenting books aren’t helping. Just don’t spread the story about my mom around, please? My sisters don’t want anyone to know she lost custody because she’s addicted to drugs.” She scrubs a hand over her face. “Or that we haven’t seen her in over a year.”
“I won’t tell anyone anything. I promise.”
“Thank you, Dr. Brooks. You’re the best boss.”
“Go home. And don’t let your sisters bully you. You might not be that much older than them, but you’re the adult in their lives and they don’t get to walk all over you.”
Her smile is weak, but I’ll take it as a win. “I’ll try.”
“You’re a rock star, Gentry. I can’t imagine taking on the care of two teenagers now at thirty, much less at twenty-two. I was still in college and partying every weekend at your age.”
She shrugs. “I do it because I have to, not because I’m a hero.”
I watch her leave with a newfound respect for the woman. And I already had a ton of respect for her.
Once she’s gone, I get back to work looking at demographics and trying to figure out where to market and how to lure in new patients. I also finalize a few details for our opening day party, where potential patients can walk in and check out the space, get information and catered food. I’ve even hired a DJ. There are no stops I won’t pull to draw in more patients.
After the sun has set, I pack up and head out. I’m walking to my car when a woman on the street flags me down. She’s wearing a flowery dress and has gray hair and tawny skin that’s nearly wrinkle-free, despite her obvious age.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
She holds out her hand gracefully, and I shake it. Her grip is surprisingly firm for a woman of her age. “Dr. Brooks, I’m Mabel Jones, and I have a few questions for you.”
I slide my hands in my pockets and rock back on my heels. “I’d be happy to answer them. Should we go to my office for some privacy?”
“I’m not asking about my health. I want to know more about you. I don’t like to see doctors I don’t trust and, I mean no offense, but you seem less than trustworthy.”
I feel more than a little untrustworthy myself after lying to a whole town about being engaged to Daisy. “How can I change your mind?”
“Why did you choose Catalpa Creek as the place to open your practice?”
“My friend, Clover Weston, told me about having to drive an hour to find a doctor when she had strep throat last fall. I’d been thinking for a while about settling down and opening my own practice, and it seemed like Catalpa Creek needed a doctor. Then, I came here, and I fell in love with the town. It’s gorgeous, the people are nice, and I love outdoor sports. With the ski resortopening and the university expanding, the town is growing fast and you all need to have enough health services available to the local population.” I shrug. “The short answer is that I saw a need here and I have the ability to fill it.”
She studies me for a few moments. “It is a beautiful town, but I don’t know about nice people here. We get a lot of rude tourists and there are plenty of locals who will be nice to your face and talk about you behind your back. You from the south?”
“I’m from nowhere, really. My family moved around a lot when I was a kid, but I’ve always wanted to settle in one place and stay.”
Her expression softens. “My father was in the military and we moved a lot when I was coming up. My husband and I came here on a vacation before we had children and decided to stay. It’s been good to settle in one place. I never want to leave.”
“I feel the same way.”
Her gaze sharpens. “And the other night when that baby had that high fever? Where were you?”
