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Gene looked around as he waited, but his gaze stopped at a table whose occupants were staring at him. Two elderly women smiled at him. He returned their smiles.
“Dr. Rowland?” the older one of the two asked. She looked like she could be in her late seventies. “One of Martha’s boys?”
“Yes.” He approached their table as recognition nudged his memory. “Mrs. Boyd?”
The older woman’s smile brightened. “You remember.”
“Of course, I do.” He took the woman’s hand for a gentle squeeze. He used to bag groceries as a part-time job as a teenager and often carried Mrs. Boyd’s groceries for her.
“Look at you. A doctor,” Mrs. Boyd said with pride in her voice as if he were her own son. “Dr. Bloom mentioned you were coming to work with him. I’m so glad you came home. We can definitely use more doctors in this town.”
Mrs. Boyd’s companion cackled. “I agree. We need young blood. Dr. Bloom is almost as old as us.”
“Do you know Lucy Ingram, Dr. Rowland?” Mrs. Boyd asked.
“You can call me Gene, Mrs. Boyd,” Gene said, feeling conscious of his title realizing the woman had known him since adolescence.
“Oh, you’ve worked hard for it. I’ll call you Dr. Rowland with pride,” she said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Rowland,” Mrs. Ingram said, offering her hand.
“Pleasure is all mine.” Gene shook the woman’s hand. “You’re not originally from here, are you?”
“I moved down here from Iowa about a decade ago,” Mrs. Ingram answered. “My son and his family live here. I wanted to be close to them and my grandchildren. Plus, the climate here agrees with my bones.”
“Many people are happy you're here to assist Dr. Bloom,” Mrs. Boyd said before Gene could respond.
“Ah, I’m glad to be of help, even temporarily.”
“Temporarily?” both women echoed.
Gene smiled apologetically at their disappointment.
“I’m at your service for the next three months.”
“Oh, that’s something at least,” Mrs. Boyd muttered.
Mrs. Ingram’s gaze sharpened at something behind Gene, and she smiled.
“Perhaps we can convince you to stay.”
“What are you…” Mrs. Boyd’s sentence trailed off and followed her friend’s look, then smiled conspiratorially. “Ah, right.”
“Is Dr. Rowland bothering you, ladies?” Amanda’s annoyed voice cut in.
Gene pivoted on one foot to face her.
“Uh oh, trouble in paradise already?” Mrs. Ingram whispered to Mrs. Boyd.
“No, of course not, dear,” Mrs. Boyd said to Amanda, waving off Mrs. Ingram’s comment. “We were just telling Dr. Rowland how glad we are he’s back in town. We’re hoping he’ll stay for good.”
Amanda leveled her gaze at him. “I don’t think that’s his plan, is it, Dr. Rowland?”
“I still have a few things to consider.” Gene fell back to his diplomatic response. But he pivoted to the older ladies. “It was wonderful seeing you, Mrs. Boyd, and making your acquaintance, Mrs. Ingram. If you would excuse us, I need to discuss something with Amanda.”
“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Boyd said, patting his arm, but gestured for him to bend down closer to her. She whispered, “She’ll make a good wife.”
Gene’s face reddened at the suggestion, and he held back a retort. So, he just smiled awkwardly as he walked away.
