Not one minute after, Dok’s car disappeared up the narrow road and the medical professionals returned to the office. Two of them, anyway.
Wren Baker was first through the door. “That woman doesn’t stop talking.”
Sarah, she meant. Annie bit her lip. Just wait until Wren met Hank Lapp. As her father always said about Hank: Viel gschwetzt, awwer wennich gsaat.He talked much but said little.
Evie came in next. “Did I see Dr. Stoltzfus’s car drive up the road?”
“Yes,” Annie said. “She was just here for a quick resupply and then she had some house calls. She mentioned that you could see her morning patients, assuming it’s all right with them. Patients will start arriving soon.”
“Excellent,” Wren said, clasping her hands together. “I’m more than ready to get to work.”
“Dok meant just Evie,” Annie said, eyes on the tops of her shoes.
“What?” Wren said, taking a step closer. “What did you say?”
Annie repeated herself, a tiny bit louder.
“Me?” Evie said, looking pleased. “I’d love to.”
Wren’s chin dropped. “Why not a doctor? That makes no sense.”
Terrible! This was a terrible situation that Dok put Annie in. Eyes still on her shoes, she whispered, “She said something about the doctors needing supervision.”
Wren huffed at that.
The door opened again and in walked Charlie, with Sarah beside him. “I noticed Sarah has a bit of gravelly sound to her voice.”
“Annie!” Sarah said, sounding distressed. “He said I have polyps!”
“Actually,” Charlie said, “I said that it’s possible you might have a polyp.” He turned to Annie. “Does Dr. Stoltzfus happen to have a laryngoscope? I can take a look.”
“Apparently, Charlie,” Wren said in atry-to-keep-uptone, “we are not permitted to treat patients without the doctor’s supervision.”
“Ah,” Charlie said. “Oh well. Maybe later, then, Sarah.”
Sarah’s eyes went wide. “But what if I’m dying?”
“No, no,” Charlie said. “You’re not dying. Polyps are usually benign. Harmless.”
Sarah didn’t look convinced.
“The nurse could examine her,” Annie said quietly.
“You see, Charlie,” Wren said, giving him a look, “Dr. Stoltzfus has given Evie carte blanche to treat patients, but not us.”
Charlie didn’t seem concerned. “Well, that’ll work. Evie, let’s get Sarah in an exam room and see about that polyp. I’ll help.”
Wren stepped in front of them. “Not necessary. She has inflammation of the throat, not a polyp.”
“I do?” Sarah’s eyes went wide. “From what?”
“Allergies, I suspect,” Wren said. “You sneezed several times in the store.”
Sarah looked surprised. “Did I?”
“Either way, I think we’d better have a look,” Charlie said. “Evie, follow me.”
“But,” Evie said, “I’ve never been trained to use a laryngoscope.”
