“I agree with you,” David said, “but true justice can only come from God. Only he knows what’s in a person’s heart.” He paused to let that sink in. “Two things can be true at the same time.”
From the confused look on her face, he almost wondered if he had spoken in Penn Dutch. He had a habit of doing that—slipping into the dialect at times. He was just about to explain himself when she sprang from the rocking chair and made a quick exit out of the store.
David stared after her in dismay. He was wrong. Wren was nothing like his sister.
Wren Baker was in a mood.
All day, Annie, Evie, and Charlie sensed something was going on with her and they stayed clear. Even Dok. But then Dok sent Evie and Charlie off in her car to deliver insulin to Dan Hostetler, who had a broken leg and couldn’t come into the office for supplies, and Dok was busy in her office, so that left Annie to deal with Wren.
She was at her desk, reading through the dispatcher information in the file Dok had given to her, when she happened to look outside the window and see Silas Eicher, an Amish farmer, shuffling up the path into the clinic. He looked unwell, his face pale and his movements sluggish.
“Silas, please have a seat,” Annie said, motioning to a chair in the waiting area. “I’ll get you in as soon as Dok is free.”
Silas nodded weakly, sinking into the chair with a sigh. Annie’s eyes darted back to Wren, who was now heading their way from the exam room. She’d been hoping Dok would’ve been the one to come in, but she was on a phone consult with another doctor.
“Silas Eicher should be seen before the next patient,” Annie said.
Wren frowned. “Does he have an appointment?”
“No, he’s a walk-in. Dok makes allowances for emergencies.”
Wren looked up, her expression sour, like she’d just taken a bite of a lemon. “Because they’re never real emergencies.”
Annie hesitated. “Silas doesn’t look too good. Maybe—”
Wren cut her off with a curt nod. “I’ll handle it, Annie. Get him settled in the exam room and I’ll be right in.”
Annie bit her lip, feeling the familiar rush of intimidation. She helped Silas into the exam room, her concern growing with each step.
Wren came into the room. “So what seems to be the problem today?” Annie noticed that she didn’t introduce herself andbarely glanced at Silas but spent most of her time looking at his file on the computer monitor.
“Dizzy ... can’t catch my breath,” Silas mumbled.
“Probably just too much hard work in the hot sun.” Wren’s voice was brisk. “I’ll need to take your blood pressure and listen to your heart.”
Annie’s worry grew. She knew Silas well enough to sense something was off.
“Your blood pressure is high,” Wren said. “Higher than last time you were in. I’ll prescribe you something to manage it. And you need to listen to your body. Pace yourself when the weather is this hot.”
“But ... my chest...” Silas’s voice was faint.
Annie’s heart raced. “I’ll go get Dok.” This wasn’t just sunstroke.
“No need to bother her.” Wren didn’t even glance up as she wrote on the prescription pad. “Annie, the pharm rep left some samples of lisinopril. If you’ll get them for me, we can get Silas feeling better right now.”
Annie darted out of the room and went straight to Dok’s office, bursting right in. “We need you.”
Dok’s face tightened with concern. “I’ll call you back.” She hung up the phone.
Annie followed as Dok entered the exam room. Wren was writing a prescription, her back to Mr. Eicher.
“Wren, what’s the situation?” Dok said, her voice calm but firm. She moved closer to Silas, her eyes scanning him quickly.
“It’s just a case of high blood pressure. I’m prescribing him medication.”
“Chest ... feels tight ... can’t breathe,” Silas gasped. He was grasping his left arm.
“This is more than high blood pressure. He’s showing signs of a heart attack.” Dok acted swiftly, her voice taking on an authoritative edge. “Annie, call 911. Now. Then bring me aspirin.”
