Wren’s eyes flashed with irritation. “Doesn’t seem that way. Especially when it comes to house calls.”
Self-confidence! Backbone!“That’s not fair, Wren. Dok needs to see that you’re making an effort to understand the needs of the Amish. They make up half of Dok’s practice. Maybe more. Hiding away in a buggy shop isn’t going to accomplish anything.”
“I’m nothiding. I’m studying.” Wren’s expression tightened. “I shouldn’t have to prove myself to anyone. And I don’t understandwhy she’s always getting pulled out of the office for house calls. It’s a terrible way to run a practice.”
“House calls are very important to Dok, for lots of reasons.” It was one of the reasons Evie wanted to work for her.
Wren pointed the tip of her knife at her. “Most all of those house calls could be handled by sending patients to the ER. Or to urgent care.”
“There is no urgent care in Stoney Ridge. And don’t forget the Amish pay out-of-pocket for their medical bills. No health insurance. Going to the hospital is usually a last resort.” Which Wren would know if she bothered to learn more about them.
Wren went back to chopping carrots on the diagonal, with remarkable precision.
Watching her, an odd thought darted through Evie’s mind. Wren would make an excellent surgeon. A precise skill was required, yet it also meant minimal people interaction. Wren wasn’t much of a people person.
“Did you ever consider surgery?”
Wren turned toward her with an expression that fell somewhere between disbelief and offense. “Did Charlie say something to you?”
“No! I was just watching you, and the thought came to me. I wondered if you’d ever considered it. Seems like you’d make a very good surgeon.”
“Are you giving me advice aboutmyfuture?”
“Um...”Backbone,backbone!“No, not at all. It’s just that ... I know Dok’s schedule is sporadic, but Charlie leaves the basement to observe Dok whenever she has time. She was looking for you today, but you’d left to study for boards.”
“She was hardly in the office today! Besides, she’s the one who told me to use spare time to study until she had a plan for us. We haven’t been here very long.” She lifted the knife in the air. “And I spent most of that first week cleaning out the basement.”
Hardly!Charlie and Hank cleaned it out. Wren supervised.“Still, Dok’s trying to make a choice for partner. She needs to see you make an effort to accommodate the unique needs of her patients.”
“What? What did you say?” The frown seeped from Wren’s face. “Is Dr. Stoltzfus looking for a partner? Is that why she applied for two residents? Is she choosingbetweenus?” She set down her knife. “Does Charlie know about this?”
Oh. Oops.
Evie figured everyone already knew. She thought it was common knowledge. But now that she thought about it, Dok had never actually told her the news. She’d heard it from Sarah Blank, who always sounded like she knew everything. But now it occurred to her that Sarah might not be the most reliable source of information. “Actually ... I don’t know.”
“What don’t you know? If it’s a contest? Or if Charlie knows about it?”
Oh no. Why did Evie start this? She shouldn’t have said anything. “Neither. I know nothing. I don’t know why I even said that. In fact, forget I said anything.”Backbone,backbone!
“Well, not everything,” Evie said. “I meant it when I said you’re going to have to show Dok how much you want this job. You need to become indispensable to her.” Charlie, too, but he’d already found a way to become indispensable as Dok’s construction guy.
Wren stood silently for a moment, then seemed to have an idea. She straightened up, her expression resolute. “You’re right, Evie. I’ll find a way to prove myself. Become indispensable. Thank you for this little pep talk.” She tipped her head, squinting at Evie. “You look positively worn-out. Here.” She pushed the bowl toward Evie on the counter. “Help yourself to this salad. I just remembered something I need to do.” Without another word, Wren turned and left the kitchen to head over to the buggy shop.
The drawbridge was pulled up. Evie watched her go, disappointedthat the moment of intimacy they’d shared had been so brief, so fleeting, but kind of proud of herself for being clear and direct. She’d had a backbone with Wren!
And then she turned around to see the sink full of dirty dishes.
