Page 25 of Sweet Home

“You’re sick too, aren’t you?” West asked Ava’s mom quietly.

She took a deep breath and nodded.

“That’s what I thought,” he said. “If she’s got it, you’ve got it too. And we need you well to take care of her. Were you not going to say anything?”

“It’s your day off,” the lady said softly, shrugging. “It was bad enough to bother you for Ava.”

“It’s never a bother, LeeAnn,” he said, shaking his head. “Now let’s havea look at you.”

The lady sighed in relief, and the grateful expression on her face didn’t disappear, even when he swabbed her throat.

Dulcie felt tears prickle her eyes. Her own experience with doctors was that they were always in a rush. They certainly wouldn’t be coming in on a day off, and they definitely wouldn’t look at more than one patient during a single appointment.

“Okay,” West said at last. “You can choose a prize too, if you want.”

The lady looked up at him in surprise and he winked at her.

“Thank you so much for taking care of us,” she said, smiling.

“It’s my pleasure,” he told her. “Thank you for trusting me with your health. I’m going to go wash up and call in those prescriptions for you both. I want you to rest as much as possible, and drink a lot of clear liquids.”

“Yes, Doc,” LeeAnn promised.

“Deb, can you print out a sheet about strep for LeeAnn?” West asked. “LeeAnn, you and Ava should both be starting to feel much better within forty-eight hours of starting your medicine. But if you don’t, or if you start feeling worse at any time, please call me.”

“We will,” LeeAnne told him.

He headed toward the back again, glancing at Deb and making a quick striking motion across his throat, which Dulcie couldn’t exactly interpret, but Deb just nodded.

“I’ll print that out for you now, LeeAnn,” Deb said with a bright smile.

Ava was sitting on the floor looking sleepy but triumphant, clinging to her prizes—a miniature coloring book and a small pack of crayons.

“Thank you so much,” LeeAnn said, scurrying up to the desk with her wallet out. “How much do we owe you?”

“Doc Lawrence waived your copays,” Deb said lightly, pulling two sheets off the printer and handing them over. “So you’re all set.”

“But, it was his day off…” LeeAnn began.

“I’ve found that it’s best not to argue with him,” Deb confided, smiling and shaking her head. “He’s nice and all, but the man is as stubborn as a mule. Besides, he was right across the street, and he’s always saying he wished patients would come in right away when they’re sick instead of waiting too long. You did just right stopping by today.”

“Thank you so much,” LeeAnn said weakly, taking the sheets. “Please thank him for us. Come on, Ava. Do you want to go home and make some soup?”

Ava allowed herself to be scooped up and carried out, her prizes hugged tightly to her chest. Dulcie watched after them, swallowing over a lump in her throat. When she turned back, Deb was giving her a knowing smile.

“He really cares about them,” Dulcie said softly.

“He sure does,” Deb replied. “He cares about all of his patients.”

Dulcie nodded slowly, her eyes drawn to the wall behind Deb’s desk. It was hung with framed certificates and diplomas, as well as a bulletin board with notes and happy photos of people she figured must behis patients.

It was an impressive display, even more so because it was humbly tucked away behind the desk. But something about seeing it also made Dulcie feel small and unimportant. This man really did have better things to do with his time.

“Hey, thanks for waiting,” West said, coming back out again and buttoning his cuffs back up. “I’m really glad they came in when they did. That couldn’t have worked out better.”

Dulcie smiled and nodded, trying to pull herself out of the low moment.

“Mind if we swing by the store to grab some things for tonight?” he asked her. “Mom and Dad were hoping we could drag you over to their place for dinner.”

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