Page 54 of A Soldier's Return

Julia hadn’t grown up in Cannon Beach but had spent summers here during her childhood. Will had been her first love, which Melissa found utterly charming.

“He was,” she answered, wondering how they’d gotten on the subject of Eli. She had been doing her bestnotto think about him...which was particularly tough when they worked together each day. The only way she had survived the last few weeks was by staying busy with her classes and Skye and trying not to think about him leaving.

“How soon before his dad is back?”

“We’re still not sure. His own doctors want him to take it easy, but you know Wendell. He is determined to come in next week for at least a few hours a day. Who knows, he might be back before you have the baby. When are you due again?”

“Three more weeks.”

“Your chances are good, then.”

She was aware with every passing day that Eli’s time in Cannon Beach was drawing to a close. The prospect of him leaving filled her with a curious mix of dread and relief. She dreaded knowing he would be gone and she would be left to worry about him possibly being in harm’s way. But she couldn’t deny there would be a certain relief that she wouldn’t have to pretend any more that she wasn’t crazy in love with the man.

She had done her best to keep things polite and professional between them. She helped him in exams, she did triage assessment, she answered phone calls and forwarded prescriptions to him. And every time she was with him, she was aware of her feelings growing stronger by the moment.

He was an excellent doctor, compassionate and kind, as well as a devoted, loving son. She was head over heels and already aching at the idea that he wouldn’t be in her life every day.

She pushed away the worry to focus on their patient. “Do you want Eli to wait a few minutes before doing your checkup, until Will can get here?”

“Better not. He wasn’t sure if he would make it back to town in time. He’s on a job up in Seaside, doing a bathroom remodel for a lady.”

Her husband was a master carpenter who had done some amazing work at Brambleberry House and other places around town.

“I’ll let Eli know you’re ready, then.”

When she opened the door, she found him pulling the chart out of the polished wood holder beside the door, which, she remembered now, Will Garrett had built right around the time she started working for Wendell Sanderson.

“Julia is ready when you are.”

“Thanks.” He gave her the same kind of careful smile they had both become experts at over the last few weeks. She had a feeling he felt as awkward and uncertain around her as she did around him.

He entered the exam room and she followed behind as he shook Julia’s hand with a warm, comforting smile that made Melissa’s ovaries tingle. Darn them.

“How are you feeling? Things are probably getting tight in there.”

“Any tighter and I’m afraid I’m going to bust through the seams.”

“Let’s just take a look at things.”

He listened to the baby’s heartbeat first, then did a quick exam with brisk professionalism.

“Looks like you’re only dilated to a one, so I think it’s safe to say we still have a few weeks to go.”

Melissa adjusted the sheet over her and then helped her sit up.

“The twins were a week early,” Julia said, “but Tess was born the day before her due date and her brother was born the day after his.”

Eli said. “You’re the expert after five of these. I’m sure you can tell me a thousand ways every pregnancy is different, but it’s good to know the pattern.”

“No offense, Dr. Sanderson, but I was telling Melissa I would love it if your dad was back in action by the time I deliver. You’ve been great, but he delivered Will as well as my younger two kids and he’s become kind of part of the family.”

“None taken,” Eli assured her. “I wish I had an answer for you. He’s coming in for a few hours a day next week, though his surgeon and physical therapist want him to take it easy. Maybe he’ll be back just in time to deliver your little girl.”

“I hope so. He’s home, right?”

“Yes. He came home a few weeks ago.”

The day after they had flown kites and walked with Max along the beach, in fact, after rebounding quickly from the temporary setback of his tumble. Melissa had been by to see him twice on her lunch hour and once with Skye after school. All three times she had managed to miss Eli.

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