Page 43 of Choices of the Heart

“Dr. Norwood has been our family physician for nearly thirty years now. Joseph was a young boy when we first began consulting him. He treats most of our friends and associates. His is quite an extensive and successful practice. He is, however, getting older and finds himself wishing to retire.”

Burke nodded; he’d known many doctors who’d chosen not to continue practicing after several decades.

“I sent him a telegram earlier this week, after watching you very competently and compassionately treat the people of this town. I asked Dr. Norwood if he had anyone in mind to take over his practice.”

The beginning of a suspicion began to form in Burke’s mind. He refused to let it become whole, though, because disappointment was always harder to endure than pleasant surprise.

“I heard from him yesterday. He said he had not chosen anyone, and that if I knew of a young, competent physician, in whom I have trust and would recommend, he would welcome that burden being taken from him.”

“He said that?” The words didn’t emerge quite as calm as he would have hoped.

“I think Dr. Norwood is ready to be done. If he can offer his practice to someone who would make a good replacement without having to expend a great deal of energy himself, he would be grateful for it. If you are interested, Dr. Jones, I should very much like to suggest to him that he take you on as his replacement.”

“You have that much faith in me?”

She nodded without any hint of hesitation or uncertainty. “You are not only good at what you do, you care about the people you look after. And you have lived in a large city, so that aspect of this new location would not be unfamiliar to you. You are very personable and are good at putting people of varying backgrounds at ease, which I think Dr. Norwood’s patients would appreciate.”

“I have always tried to do my best,” Burke said.

“It shows.”

Burke stood and paced a little. The offer had caught him entirely unaware. He would not for a moment have suspected anything like this. And yet, it was precisely what he had dreamed of from the moment he’d first begun imagining a career as a doctor.

He would have a thriving practice. Inheriting one that was already functional and operational meant he likely would have an infirmary that he didn’t have to cobble together from loose parts and leftover straw.

And Sophie lived in Baltimore. Sophie would be nearby. Perhaps he could sit with her in a sitting room again, share his memories, enjoy the warmth of her beside him. He could come to know her better. He could hold her. And kiss her. He wouldn’t be running out of time; he’d be granted an endless supply of it.

“I realize,” Mrs. Archer said, “that you leaving with such little warning would place the people of Hope Springs in a difficult situation. They don’t have another doctor or anyone who comes close to your knowledge and expertise. Maura Callaghan could continue working as a midwife, but that doesn’t address most of the difficulties they face here.”

That was the biggest sticking point of all. He was needed in this valley. Without a doctor to take his place, they would be in real difficulty.

“I’m not in need of an immediate answer,” Mrs. Archer said. “I can send a reply telegram indicating that I might know of a doctor who would be a good fit. But I, obviously, will not accept on your behalf.”

“I cannot express how much I appreciate this. Not only the offer to act as an intermediary, but the fact that you thought of me at all. I’m a humble frontier doctor. I long ago stopped thinking of myself as anything remotely impressive.”

She smiled a little. “That is likely one of the reasons why you are so impressive. You don’t flatter yourself but let your work do the bragging for you.”

“How soon are you returning to Baltimore?” he asked.

“In likely two weeks. Joseph says that is about when the earliest of the crops will begin to be harvested, and while Sophie and I would hardly be in the way, I do think it would simplify things for him if he was not attempting to juggle a brand-new child, a wife recovering from childbirth, the harvesting of his crops, and houseguests.”

“That is very considerate of you,” he said.

“I realize I can come across as priggish. But I am not so unbending as those of my upbringing often seem to be. I suppose I could do a bit better about making sure Sophie sees that. She might feel more at ease, more willing to let her guard down a little.”

He hoped they did have the conversation Sophie meant to undertake. They would both likely learn a lot about each other. Of course, if he accepted this new job, he would likely be making the journey with them. He didn’t know if that would be a help or a hindrance.

His mind continued spinning as he made his way from the house. He came upon Sophie making her way up the porch steps just as he stepped out. He couldn’t think of a better person to help him sort his confused thoughts.

“May I talk with you a moment?” he asked.

“Of course.”

He took her hand in his. That had become the way of things between them. He hadn’t kissed her again since the night he missed thecéilí. Until he knew what their futures held, it seemed irresponsible. “I have just had a very unexpected conversation with Mrs. Archer.”

“You have?”

He nodded as they walked slowly along the path in front of the house. They were headed in the general direction of the barn, outside of which was his waiting buggy and horse. “It seems Dr. Norwood back in Baltimore is looking to retire.”

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