“She didn’t know the water was bad,” Dok shot back, frowning. It always amazed her how Matt could recall the most random details while forgetting half the things on the grocery list. “Lately, whenever I’m in the office, Wren’s been at my side like a shadow. I don’t deny that she oversteps sometimes, but that’sonly because she’s eager to put her knowledge into practice. And I happen to know that she spends every spare minute prepping for her boards.”
Matt frowned. “You need to give Charlie a chance. He’s been remodeling your basement for you.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for what he’s done down there. But he doesn’t seem overly concerned about treating patients, not like Wren. And he has boards coming up too. I’m pretty sure he hasn’t even begun to study for them.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Because I’ve overheard Wren nagging him to make time to study. Honestly, I’m not sure how he’s going to pass.”
“You know, Ruth,” Matt said, setting down his fork and leaning in, “this reminds me of when I used to train new recruits. At first, I thought the best ones were always the smartest. But after a while, I learned to look for something else. I’d take someone teachable with passion over a know-it-all any day. Those so-called geniuses often burn out fast.”
Dok lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “Wren’s got that brainy edge that could really make a difference, especially in a rural practice. She’s the one I’m eyeing for a partnership.” She couldn’t believe she said that out loud. She hadn’t even realized she’d been thinking it.
She felt an odd affinity for Wren, something she hadn’t quite put into words. Almost a conviction: that Wren Baker had been sent to her for a purpose.
“That’s only because she reminds you of you,” Matt said with a chuckle. “If you’d had a daughter, she’d be Wren.”
Dok opened her mouth to protest, but the words never came.Wren? Like a daughter?The remark was so unexpected, she couldn’t even process it. She blinked, caught off guard, her brow knitting as Matt’s words bounced around in her head.“If you’d had a daughter,she’d be Wren?”
Matt noticed her squirming and grinned. “It’s like lookingin a mirror. The smart, headstrong doctor with something to prove. Sounds a whole lot like you. She’s a mini-you.”
Dok wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cringe.Wren ... a mini-me?The thought unsettled her, yes, but at the same time, it pleased her.
“And what,” she said at last, a smile tugging at her lips, “would be so bad about that?”
Fern had already gone to bed. Evie had been reading a book on the couch when she felt her pager vibrate and hurried outside to read Dok’s message:“Office @7:30a.m. Bring Charlie and Wren.”
Hmm. Abrupt but significant. Evie wondered what Dok had in mind for Charlie and Wren, because, so far, they weren’t on Dok’s mind much at all. A horse nickered in the pasture, so she wandered over to pat it. She loved being here—the peace and quiet, the open spaces, the natural beauty.
“Velvet nose.”
Evie spun around. Charlie was about two yards away from her, holding on to the handles of a scooter. “Charlie! I thought you were still at Dok’s.”
“I was. Stayed late to finish things up.” He grinned. “It’s done.”
So that’s why he didn’t come to Fern’s for supper. “Done? You mean, the basement is completely done?”
He grinned. “Yeah. I showed it to Dok, and she seemed pretty pleased.”
“In less than a month?”
“It really wasn’t that complicated a project. Nothing load bearing was getting moved, so city planning green-lighted the permits. And then everything kind of fell into place.”
He was being modest. “I hope Dok expressed appreciation to you.”
“She did. And she liked your pictures and paint color. Liked ’em a lot.” He looked up at the sky. “Strawberry moon tonight.”
“What’s that?”
“The moon is full and low in the horizon, and the light gives off a reddish hue.”
“So it’s called a strawberry moon because it’s red?”
“I think Native Americans gave it that name because this is the time of year when strawberries are harvested.”
“Fern’s been making strawberry jam all day! The kitchen smells like a sweet bakery.”
He smiled, and she couldn’t help but smile back. She noticed his eyes, how they crinkled at the corners. Those lashes! Why did guys always get the thick eyelashes?
