“Nicole, I—” Joshua stepped forward, realizing she was crying, and reached up to wipe the crystal drop away from her cheek.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, shamed that in all the months she’d been here, he’d never really considered what he’d asked of her.

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” She looked at him. A smile quivered across her lips.

“Then why are you crying? It must have been something I said.”

“It wasn’t that.” She shook her head, pale hair flying around her shoulders. “It was just—everything.”

“Huh?” He studied her, trying to understand.

“The emotion of the moment,” she whispered. “I think I finally realized how proud you must feel sometimes. For a minute, it was almost as if your girls were my daughters, and we’d—” Her voice jerked to a stop. She blinked at him, a shocked look washing over her face.

LOIS RICHER

Sneaking a flashlight under the blankets, hiding in a thicket of Caragana bushes where no one could see, pushing books into socks to take to camp—those are just some of the things Lois Richer freely admits to in her pursuit of the written word.

“I’m a bookaholic. I can’t do without stories,” she confesses. “It’s always been that way.”

Her love of language evolved into writing her own stories. Today her passion is to create tales of personal struggle that lead to triumph over life’s rocky road. For Lois, a happy ending is essential.

“In my stories, as in my own life, God has a way of making all things beautiful. Writing a love story is my way of reinforcing my faith in His ultimate goodness toward us—His precious children.”

Blessings
Lois Richer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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I love the Lord because He listens to my prayers

for help. He paid attention to me so I will call

to Him for help as long as I live.

—Psalms 116:1-2

This book is for those people

in my own blessed community whose support,

kind words and gentle encouragement are

treasures a writer esteems most highly.

And for my boys, C and J, who now understand

glazed eyes, scribbles on bits of paper and

burnt lasagna are “normal” things for this mom.

And, as always, to my husband—

patient doesn’t begin to describe you, dear.

Thanks.

Dear Reader,

Hello again! I’m delighted you’ve chosen to join me in my journey to a small Colorado town that I call Blessing. It’s a perfectly normal town, where heavenly blessings aren’t always easy to spot. In fact, when Dr. Joshua Darling suffers a terrible accident, the word blessing just doesn’t seem to fit! But looks can be deceiving, as God uses pain to bring joy and love to hurting souls—with a little assistance from the town baker and her delicious love cookies. Isn’t it just like God to send his blessings in disguise?

I hope you’ll watch for my next book in the BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE series. Dani DeWitt thought she had the perfect life until her father died and she was forced to return home to the legacy of a ranch steeped in debt. Torn between trying to make the ranch pay and her dreams of becoming a playwright, Dani finds a friend in the town’s newest doctor, Luc Lawrence. But Luc wants to settle down, while Dani knows that staying means revealing the awful secret she’s uncovered. How can giving up her father’s ranch possibly be a blessing in disguise?

I wish for you the greatest love, the strongest faith and the richest blessings from God’s own hand.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter One

“What have you done with my daughter?”

As fresh beginnings went, it stunk.

Barely an hour in a picturesque town with the unusual name of Blessing, Colorado, and already an irate father loomed.

“Where is she? And while you’re at it, Arvilla, direct me to the unfeeling lout who ran over her. I’d like to press charges.”

Blessing? They should have called it Catastrophe Corner!

Dr. Nicole Brandt gulped, fingers tightening on the stainless-steel kidney dish she was holding. The husky male voice continued its furious diatribe, though now it was muffled by the door Nicole’s tiny patient quickly closed.

“That’s my dad,” the little girl whispered. “But don’t worry, he’s just scared. He always talks loud when he’s scared.” Tiny fingers curved around Nicole’s lower arm, infusing warmth. “He’s just pretending to be fierce.”

He’s doing a good job.

“Thanks, sweetie. I hope you’re right.” Nicole led the little tyke back to the table and lifted her onto it. “You’d better wait right here for him. Okay?”

The angel-wisp hair barely moved with the nod before they were interrupted.

“Ruth Ann?”

In a whoosh the door whacked back against the wall, knob thudding into the doorstop with a dull bump. A man stalked in, his long legs swallowing the considerable distance across E.R. room number two with ease. He stopped in front of the child, eyes searching her pale face, hand half-stretched as if he didn’t dare touch.

“Are you all right, baby?” The words dragged out of him.

“I’m fine, Daddy. I hurt my arm.” The little girl smiled sweetly from her perch on the examining table.

“You scared me to death, Ruth Ann Elizabeth.” He closed his eyes, leaned back on his heels and lowered his voice. “To death.”

“I’m sorry, Daddy.” China-blue eyes big as saucers filled with mournful tears. “I didn’t mean to do it. I never do. It just happened, Daddy.”

Nicole smothered a smile as Ruth Ann’s sad tears melted away and a cherubic look flew in to take their place.

“But it’s okay now ’cause the lady fixed it.” She held up her almost dry cast. “See? I got a cast.”

“Huh?” The raven head jerked up from his chest, eyes flew open. He bent over her. “What did you say?”

Nicole stepped forward, wanting to reassure him. Her steps faltered as his enormous shoulders stiffened into a rigid line.

“What lady fixed it, Ruth Ann?” The words hissed out between clenched lips.

“This one.” Nicole waited for him to face her, heart thudding when he did. “I fixed it.”

Wow! Her eyes absorbed his chiseled good looks only until she realized they were marred by an angry frown. He had a right to be upset, Nicole reminded herself. No matter how gently you put it, his little daughter had been injured. Of course he was worried!

“Dr. Nicole Brandt, sir.” She stuck out one hand, smiling. “I just happened to be in the area.”

He didn’t take her hand. Didn’t even acknowledge it was there. Nicole let it drop to her side as his eyes completed their in-depth scrutiny of her blond hair, loosened now from its usual upsweep. With one assessing examination he took in her dusty green shirt, faded jeans and grubby, worn sneakers. Her moving clothes.

“You’re the new doctor.” It was not a question.

Nicole held on to her dignity by a thread.

“Yes, I am. I arrived this morning. I’m sorry about your daughter’s arm. I happened to drive past the accident on my way from a tour of the hospital. The policeman had seen me here earlier. He said the ambulance was busy, but he thought it would be all right if I drove everyone here. Fortunately, the break was clean and easily set.”

“You don’t say?”

Something in the way he said that made Nicole choke back the rest of her rushed explanation. She examined his face more closely. His eyes glowed the same rich blue as his daughter’s, but there were fine lines at the corners. Worry lines. And a harshness lay behind his eyes that Ruthie certainly didn’t have, an icy bitterness that warned her of something he kept banked up, hidden from prying substitute doctors.

She swallowed and tried again. “The housekeeper— Mrs. Tyndall, isn’t it?” His head jerked, once.

“Yes, well, she was there. I brought her and your other daughters with us to the hospital. Mrs. Tyndall assured me she was fully authorized to consent to treatment for Ruthie, and since the nurses didn’t object, I decided—”

“You decided?”

To say he smiled was to overstate that grim uplift of his mouth. So…arrogant. As if he questioned not just her brains, but her ability.

Nicole shrugged the thought away. It was a small-town thing, that’s all. Once she was established in the clinic, had the local guy’s blessing, they’d come to accept her.

She hoped.

“Excuse me? You were saying?” One black eyebrow flicked up at her in silent demand.

“Yes. Sorry.” Nicole flushed, the hot red stain burning her cheeks, then plunging down her neck. She summoned her courage.

“I was going to say that I decided it was best to treat your daughter quickly, get the arm into a cast as soon as possible. Since we did have permission.” She smiled at Ruthie, wishing her father would lighten up. “Kids this age are pretty active.”

“I’m well aware of the antics of children this age.” His eyes frosted over to a glacial chill. “You may remember that I have three of them.”

“Oh.” Actually he might have ten for all Nicole knew. No doubt he thought the nurses had already told her. “Yes, of course, Mr.—?” She glanced up, wondering if he’d ignore the hint, as before.

“Darling,” he finished smoothly. “Joshua Darling. And it’s Doctor.”

“Ah. I see.” Oh, no! Nicole prayed for courage. This was the man she’d be working with? Her heart did a nosedive straight to her toes. Good one, Nici. Alienate him first thing. Excellent beginning.

She forced herself to smile.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Dr. Darling.”

His dubious look cast doubt on her statement. “I’d like to see the X rays. Now.”

“Yes, of course.” She turned to find the nurse who’d hovered while she set the arm, but there was no one else in the room. “I’m sorry, I don’t know where she’s taken them.”

“Arvilla!” Dr. Darling barked the word out loudly enough that the whole hospital could have heard.

“Yes, Doctor. I’m here.” The short, bustling woman handed him a big brown envelope. “I suspected you’d want to see these, so I didn’t file them—yet.”

He snapped the pictures out of the envelope and onto the light screen, peering at the outline for several minutes before he turned his glare on the petite nurse.

“You didn’t suspect I’d want to set my own daughter’s arm?” His blue eyes dared the nurse to flinch. “You know that nobody treats my family but me.”

“You were out of town, Joshua. At the clinic. We didn’t know when you’d be back. Ruthie had a simple fracture. Since Dr. Brandt has already been approved by our board and the forms have all been processed, I saw no reason she shouldn’t go ahead and help your daughter.”

“Really?” Dr. Darling glared for two seconds longer, then returned his gaze to the pictures.

Arvilla looked small, but Nicole just knew she was one of those people with a mighty spirit. She could tell it from the way the nurse refused to back down. That thought cheered her immeasurably when her own knees threatened to buckle under his icy regard.

“She was hurt, Joshua,” Arvilla whispered. “And we could help her. Isn’t that exactly what you would have wanted us to do?”

He sighed then, tiredly, as if he’d had one too many emergencies today. A large capable hand raked through his hair before he gathered the little girl in his arms and hugged her against his chest. His words whispered out over the angel-fair ringlets.

“I’m sorry, Arvilla. Of course you did what’s best for Ruth Ann. I know that. It’s just that I remembered—”

To Nicole’s surprise, Arvilla stretched one chubby arm up and patted the forbidding doctor on the back of his football shoulders, forestalling whatever he’d been about to say.

“I know, Dr. Darling,” she murmured, her eyes kind as they met his. “I understand. And this little monkey is fine, thanks to your new partner. That’s the important thing, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” He glanced over Ruthie’s head, his blue eyes meeting Nicole’s.

The ice didn’t exactly melt, but Nicole thought there was a Chinook in the offing.

“Thank you for helping my daughter.” He set the child down.

“You’re welcome.” She glanced from doctor to nurse, unsure of how she should proceed. “I’m sorry if I did something wrong.”

But Joshua Darling ignored her to kneel on the floor in front of his child.

“What happened, honey? How did you break your arm?”

The little girl fidgeted, her eyes avoiding his until at last she met his scrutiny. “Riding the scooter,” she mumbled.

“In the street?”

He stayed exactly where he was, but Nicole saw the tightness grip his body, felt the tension surge into the room.

“Just on the edge.” Ruthie’s eyes dropped and her bottom lip trembled. “I was showing Roz and Rach how to do a trick an’ it bounced on the curb and flew up. I couldn’t stop it fast enough.” The words tumbled out helter-skelter.

“I’m afraid the scooter is a write-off,” Nicole admitted with a rueful smile. “Perhaps I could help her choose a new one?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Joshua Darling never even looked at Nicole. “When something is ruined because we broke the rules, we can only blame ourselves. Isn’t that right, Ruth Ann?”

“Uh-huh.” She sniffed back a sob, dashing one dirt-smeared fist across her cheek. “I’m really sorry, Daddy.”

“Sorry that you broke it, or sorry that you got caught?” He let her think about it for a minute. “You’re Rosalyn’s older sister, Ruth Ann. She looks up to you. What if she tries to copy you next time and a car comes along? She could be very badly hurt. Being a big sister who disobeys is dangerous. Do you understand?”

Ruthie sniffed, her flaxen head bobbing up and down once in silent agreement. “I won’t ever do it again, Daddy. Promise.”

“Good. Now Arvilla will take you to Mrs. Tyndall and the other girls. Tell Mrs. Tyndall I said you can all go home in a taxi. We’ll talk about your punishment later.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Good.” He kissed the top of her shiny blond head and received a hug in return. “Off you go.”

As the child left the room with the nurse, Nicole watched Dr. Darling rise to his feet. He looked haggard, defeated. His shoulders slumped under the tired tweed of his jacket.

Nicole simply stood, watched and waited.

At last he remembered her, his eyes sliding up to meet hers. At that moment a mask slid over his face, concealing the worry and fear she thought she’d glimpsed. In one second he went from concerned father to the doctor in charge.

“Dr. Brandt, I am truly glad you’ve arrived, though I apologize for the circumstances. I shouldn’t have barked at you so rudely. Please accept my excuse of absolute fear and allow me to begin again. I’m Joshua Darling.” At last he thrust out his hand.

“It’s very nice to meet you.” Nicole shook it, assessing the firm grip. It was the kind of grip you could depend on. “I was actually looking for my new home when I ran into your daughter.”

Uh-oh, bad choice of words. His lips pinched in a grim line as he frowned at her.

“This is Thursday. Surely you realize that you don’t actually start the job until Monday?”

“Oh, I realize that was the arrangement you and Professor Adams came to, but I didn’t want to leave everything till the last minute. I thought I’d get settled in, take a look around the hospital, see the town this weekend and be all ready for work Monday morning.” I also had to get out of the city before my father could change my mind.

Dr. Darling nodded as if her reasons were perfectly normal. He checked his watch, then beckoned.

“Follow me. I have a few scripts to write, then I’ll show you where Aunt Winifred lives, though I can’t fathom how you could miss the place. Not after the detailed description I gave your professor.”

Now might not be the time to admit she hadn’t exactly been looking at the house numbers. Nicole had a hunch Dr. Darling was already suspicious of her abilities, so he’d hardly understand she’d been caught up in the homey scene of kids playing on big green lawns, of dogs barking and porch swings swaying in the April breezes. He probably took all of that for granted, living in a place called Blessing.

Once he’d signed the appropriate paperwork, Nicole trailed behind Dr. Darling out of the hospital and across to the doctor’s parking area. He stopped beside a nondescript beige four-door station wagon that looked as if it had seen many miles of tough country road.

“I’m assuming you have your car with you?”

She nodded, pointed to the red sports car her father had given her last winter. The contrast between it and his couldn’t have been greater. Joshua Darling’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You got them all in that?” he squeaked. “Even Mrs. Tyndall?”

Nicole subdued her smile, nodded.

“It wasn’t easy, but then, we didn’t have far to go.”

“Thank heavens.” He grimaced at the folded-back roof. “Not exactly meant for kids. It might be best to ride with me for now. That way I can point out a few landmarks on the way. I’ll bring you back later to collect…that.” He jerked a thumb at her car. “I have to come back for rounds, anyway.”

“Fine.”

So he didn’t like sports cars. Or maybe it was the color. That was a switch. In Boston the medical residents had tried to bribe her to go out with them just so they could drive it.

Nicole shrugged and told herself she didn’t much care either way, as long as it got her where she wanted to go. It was just a car, not an indication of her personality. In fact, she would willingly have tossed the keys back at her father, returned the expensive vehicle in a second, for a chance to hear him say the words she’d longed for all these years.

But Shane Brandt had never said he loved her, not since her mother’s death twenty-four years ago.

Dr. Darling tugged open the door on the passenger side of his car and Nicole climbed in. He got in the other side, then started the motor.

“I guess we’ll start with the main part of town. That brick building is the office. We’re open Monday to Friday, nine to five. Receptionist, one lab tech and a nurse. Closed for holidays and weekends. Town hall, recreation center, library, church.” He rattled off the information, waving a hand here and there as they rolled along at a sedate twenty-one miles per hour.

“Those are apartments for seniors. Out of fashion though it may be, we still occasionally make house calls there.”

He seemed to be waiting for her to comment, but Nicole only nodded, scanning the pretty town curiously.

“This is the oldest part of Blessing, as you can see by the houses here.”

“It’s lovely.” Nicole gaped at the huge wraparound porches and burgeoning flower beds that perched on vast green lawns like the backdrop in some whimsical fairy tale.

“Most of them have been kept up pretty well. Some are historic sites.” He waved a hand toward a small blue lake. “The newer architectural wonders in Blessing are over there. They don’t take near the same amount of upkeep, have normal heating bills and enjoy a great view.”

“Oh, but these old houses are chock-full of character. They’re charming.”

Except for the one on the far end. It looked…neglected? No, that wasn’t exactly the word. The paint was fine. It was more the shaggy lawn and unplanted flower beds that seemed out of place here in never-never land.

Nicole ignored it and focused instead on the maple-lined streets. “The town is lovely.”

“Yes, it is. This one is Aunt Winifred’s home. It’s way too big for her, of course, but as the self-appointed matriarch of Blessing, she feels compelled to maintain her place in the history of the town. Besides—” he grinned, his lips curving with affection “—she grew up in this mausoleum and won’t hear of leaving it.”

Nicole swallowed, stunned by his good looks when he let go of that forbidding reserve. “I can understand why she doesn’t want to leave,” she murmured, glancing at the house, which she’d admired earlier.

He pulled up to the curb and stopped the car.

“Come on. I’m sure she’s home. It’s Thursday afternoon, after all.”

Whatever that meant.

Nicole climbed out of the car and followed him through the white picket gate and up a sidewalk flanked by hordes of sunny daffodils waving in the gentle breeze. The house was a masterpiece of pure Victoriana. It was the same house she’d been ogling just before Ruthie had clashed with the pavement. So how come this woman—their aunt?—hadn’t offered to help?

They climbed five sparkling-white steps bounded by climbing shrubs and huge clay pots with dark purple pansies peeking out, to arrive at a brilliant red door.

“She’s a bit eccentric, but she has a good heart. This door is about the only thing she’s changed in the place.” Dr. Darling rapped the brass knocker with authority, then twisted the handle to open the door.

“Aunt Winifred? It’s me.”

A woman bustled into the foyer, wiping her hands on an immense white apron as she did. She had to be over sixty, but she was obviously not living in the past. Her soft fawn-colored hair lay in short, stylish waves about her face. She wore a periwinkle-blue blouse tucked into matching slacks, pure white sneakers and a smile as big as all outdoors.

“Joshua! My dear, how are you?” She hugged him exuberantly, as if she hadn’t seen him in months. “Come in. I’m glad I made it back before you arrived. Thursday afternoons are supposed to be my time off, and I usually go shopping. But it’s so busy in the afternoons that buying groceries always takes longer than I expect.” She frowned, brushed his hair back off his forehead. “You look tired, dear. What have those girls been up to now?”

“More of the same, I’m afraid. Ruth Ann broke her arm today.”

“Mercy!” The older woman tut-tutted her dismay, but her eyes were on Nicole. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help.”

One mystery solved.

“Aunt Winifred, this is Dr. Nicole Brandt. She’s going to be working with me. And staying with you, if the deal’s still on.”

“Of course it’s on. How lovely you are, dear. Your hair is quite gorgeous. I always did say blondes have more fun.” Miss Winifred winked as she shook Nicole’s hand firmly. “I’m going to love having company here. This big old house rattles with just me in it.”

“You could move out, you know. Those new condos on the hill are much smaller.” Joshua glanced around, grimacing. “There’s too much work here for you.”

“Nonsense! This place has been standing since Matthais Blessing first built it in 1874. The Blessings have always lived here. Besides, what would I do without my gardens? Come.”

She led them out to a screened porch that sat at the back of the house. Here, too, flowers dotted the deck and the yard beyond in a riot of color.

Nicole cleared her throat. “Excuse me, I don’t think I understood. You mean you’re one of the original founders of this town?” She glanced at Joshua. What about the “aunt” relationship?

“We’re not related by blood,” Joshua muttered.

“Actually, I’m not an original, either.” Miss Winifred fluffed her hair, preening just a little. “I am the last of the direct descendants, however.”

“Yes, of course. Er, that’s what I meant. Sorry.” Nicole winced at her tactless words. “You must be very proud that the town has done so well. It looks like a lovely place to live.”

“It is, rather. We have our problems, but we manage. I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else.” Miss Winifred set a pitcher of iced tea on the table, then fetched three glasses. “Joshua did tell me where you were from, but I’m afraid I’ve forgotten.”

“Boston.” Nicole let it go at that. There was no point in explaining. People seldom understood.

“But how wonderful! I lived in Boston when my father sent me to finishing school.” Miss Winifred smiled. “He thought it was important for me to be trained in society. Of course, people don’t worry about that anymore, but it was a big thing then.”

“My father sent me to Lucerne to be ‘finished.’” Nicole regretted saying it the moment the words left her lips. It sounded pompous, as if she were bragging.

But Miss Winifred merely nodded, her eyes far away. “A lovely place. I always wanted to visit Switzerland.”

“Yes, it is special. But so is this.” Nicole took a sip of the drink, eyes widening at the flavor. “Your tea is wonderful.”

“Raspberry juice, dear. Gives it a hint of fruit flavor without overpowering.” Miss Winifred sat down opposite Joshua. “Boston’s elegant in the springtime, too, of course.”

“Yes. I’ve loved it there. But a change will be nice.”

Up to now Joshua hadn’t said anything. Suddenly he cleared his throat.

“I understand that Blessing is just a short stop on your path,” he said quietly, as if testing Nicole.

Don’t be so touchy! He’s probably worried that you’ll take off at a moment’s notice.

“Well, Professor Adams did say you wanted a temporary doctor,” Nicole reminded him. “I believe that was the arrangement with your first candidate, though I understand he never actually showed up?”

“No, he backed out at the last minute.” His face tightened, lips pinched in a tight white line.

“I see. Well, I can’t commit to staying permanently, but I’m willing to help out for six months or so, less if you don’t need me anymore.”

“That’s fine. I shouldn’t think it would take much longer than six months to find a new partner,” he mumbled, obviously considering the shortness of her visit a blessing.

“But, Joshua, six months isn’t long at all! I had hopes Nicole might enjoy it here and want to settle down.” The older woman seemed disturbed by this news, as if she hadn’t known her houseguest wouldn’t be a permanent resident of the town.

“Oh, I’m sure I shall enjoy every minute, Miss Winifred.” Nicole glanced around. “Especially in this wonderful home. You can just feel the history, can’t you?”

“Besides, Aunt Winifred, in six months she won’t have a chance to tire of the scenery before she heads back to Boston. Isn’t that right, Ms. Brandt?”

Nicole blinked. Was he afraid she’d stick around too long?

“I thought you were a doctor?” Miss Winifred fiddled with the condensation on her glass, forehead furrowed. “I understood you were fully qualified to work with my nephew.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Then why on earth wouldn’t you want her to stay, Joshua? A lovely young woman like this would be a boon to our town.” Miss Winifred studied him curiously. “Certainly the single men will think so.”

She had the same vivid eyes as Dr. Darling, Nicole noted, vaguely surprised by the discovery. Hadn’t he said they weren’t blood relatives?

His sigh was audible.

“I told you all this before, Aunt Win. Remember? I’m looking for a partner, someone permanent, like I had before….” Joshua Darling’s voice died away. His eyes seemed to lose their shine and harden. Clearly he detested explaining.

“Yes, but…”

Nicole jumped into the awkward moment.

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay anyway, Miss Winifred.”

“Oh. Why, dear?” Miss Winifred looked faintly troubled by the words. “Are you engaged?”

“Oh, no. Nothing like that.” Nicole could just imagine her father’s response to that. “I’m waiting for a spot to open up so I can take some advanced surgical training. A professor of mine thought I should use this time to make sure I won’t regret my decision not to stay in general practice.”

“I see.” Miss Winifred seemed disturbed by this news. “That’s too bad.”

“No, it’s good for us, Aunt Win. It gives me a little more leeway to find a new partner. It’s an important decision and I don’t want to rush it, but I can’t spend every waking moment at the office or the clinic. I’ve got to spend some time with the girls, too. Especially now that they’re growing so fast. This way some of the pressure will be off.”

By the look of his face as he raked a hand through his black hair, Nicole thought Dr. Darling needed a break. His head tilted back. He leaned against the wicker chair and closed his eyes, weariness evident in the etched lines on his face.

Nicole felt a rush of sympathy for him. She actually knew very little of his history except that he was a single parent and his partner had left rather abruptly.

“I was told that you run satellite clinics as well as your regular office. How do you manage that and the office hours?” Perhaps there was more than one way she could help.

“It isn’t easy. For the past month I’ve done the clinics every other week. On those days I open the office here in Blessing from five in the evening until nine, after I return from the satellites. Today’s one of those days.”

No wonder he was tired!

“I could go with you tonight, if you like. Just to give you a hand. Surely with two of us, things would go faster?”

He sat up with a jerk, suddenly wide awake.

“That’s, er, very kind of you. But no, I think I can manage for the rest of this week.”

“But why—” She stopped, surprised by the stern look on his face.

“Look, Dr. Brandt. It’s very important to me that my office operates on a certain routine, within prearranged parameters. I don’t make sudden changes and I don’t adjust anything unless I’m certain it will be either cost-effective or serve my patients better. I’ve managed to keep my practice very successful by following a precise organizational method, and I would like, as much as is possible, for you to adhere to that schedule.”

“Well, yes, of course.” Nicole blinked. What on earth have I gotten into? “I was just offering to help.”

“Which I appreciate.” He drained his glass and stood, peering down at her. “But I think you’ve done enough today. Ruth Ann’s arm was above and beyond the call of duty.”

“It was just a cast!”

Nicole hated to have him towering over her, so she stood and faced him. Something strange was at work here. She just wished she knew what it was. Then she saw the little nerve ticking just under his jaw, and realized there were many things her new boss wasn’t saying. Perhaps it was better to back off now, and find out what was behind all this from his “aunt.”

“If that’s your wish, Dr. Darling, it’s perfectly fine by me. If you change your mind, just let me know. Otherwise I’ll see you in the office Monday morning at eight.”

He blinked, then nodded.

“I hope you won’t mind if I catch a ride back with you. My car’s still at the hospital.”

“Yes, of course. And I still have rounds.” He bent to press a kiss against Miss Winifred’s white powdered cheek. “You’re sure you want to do this? It won’t be too much?”

She laughed, a light musical trill.

“I’ll love it. Nicole, you come on back and we’ll get you settled in. Then we’ll have a chat—just us girls.”

That laugh was infectious. Nicole found herself grinning as she climbed into Dr. Darling’s car and waved at the tiny figure surrounded by flowers.

“Your aunt’s quite a woman,” she murmured, retracing the route with her eyes as they traveled.

“Yes, she is. I hope you’ll enjoy it there, but if you feel the need to be on your own, she’ll understand. She possesses a very strong intuition where people are concerned.”

“You sound as if you expect the worst.” Nicole stared at his frown and decided to bite the bullet. “Perhaps it might be better if you just said outright what it is that’s bothering you about my presence here, Dr. Darling.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” He slid into his spot at the hospital, switched off the engine and turned to face her. “I hope you won’t find this offensive.”

“I’ll manage. Please speak freely.” She blinked at the relief that flooded his face. What on earth—

“The position you are filling was only ever meant to be temporary.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “No matter how much you like it in Blessing, no matter what my aunt says, I am not looking to you as a permanent partner.”

“I thought we’d settled all this,” she sputtered, more than a little surprised by the vehemence of his words. “I intend to return to school.”

“Good. Because when I take a partner, I intend for that person to be perfectly suited to my practice. I’ve spent years devising certain strategies that have proven themselves over time. I have no need or desire to change my approach. Whomever I take on will have to accept my ways and get used to them.”

“I see.” She unlatched the door, then twisted to look up at him. “In fact, you’re looking for the perfect partner.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“And apparently you believe that person is not me.” She shrugged. “Well, don’t worry, Dr. Darling. It doesn’t sound like my kind of thing at all.” She took a breath, then let out the words she knew she’d regret. “Actually, what you’re describing doesn’t sound like a partnership at all. More like a dictatorship.”

He didn’t seem offended.

“Maybe it is. Whatever you want to call it, that’s what I intend to have. I hope you’re willing to stay under these conditions, knowing you won’t be a permanent fixture in town.”

Well, really! Could he be any more blunt?

Nicole climbed out of the car, her mind racing with all the things she wanted to say. But only one thing was really important.

She slammed the door, then leaned down to speak through the open window.

“I’m a doctor, just like you, Dr. Darling. My patients always come first. After that, I’ll do my best to follow your, er, dictates. See you Monday.”

As she walked across the pavement to her car, Nicole had to force herself not to dig in her heels. She was so mad!

Cranky, rude, sourpuss—the names bubbled up. Those three sweet, innocent little girls were his daughters? How could such a thing be possible? He was so…cold.

“Welcome to Blessing,” she muttered to herself as she got into her car. She drove out of the lot and took the first right turn back to Miss Winifred’s, plotting her conversation as she went.

Miss Winifred. Yes, I do believe I’ll take you up on your offer of that talk. But I think our main topic of discussion had better be Dr. Joshua Darling.

Nicole pulled up in front of the gorgeous house and switched off her car. All around the sound of children’s laughter permeated the air.

“Yes, indeedy. By the time Monday morning comes around, I ought to be well prepared to deal with Dr. Joshua Darling.” She flicked the trunk lock open and climbed out, preparing to carry her cases inside.

“For my first question—how in the world have the good folks of Blessing allowed a crusty grouch like him to retain the name Darling?”

As beginnings went, maybe that wasn’t a bad place to start.

Chapter Two

Monday morning, armed with determination, her black bag and a prayer for patience, Dr. Nicole Brandt thrust back her shoulders and walked into the offices of Joshua Darling, M.D.

Did I really need this detour on the road to surgery, God?

Since she’d been asking the same question for days now, she didn’t wait for an answer, but sucked up her courage and smiled at the woman behind the desk as she saluted.

“Dr. Nicole Brandt. Reporting for duty.”

The nurse grinned, sharing the joke as she tossed off a slightly lopsided salute in return.

“Penny Zane, Dr. Brandt. And this is Carole Court, our resident lab tech. Edwina Jessop, our receptionist, only comes in for afternoons. You’ll meet her later. We’ve been expecting you.”

“Uh-oh. That sounds ominous. Who squealed on me?” Nicole pulled her lips into a pout of complaint.

“Ruthie. We saw the cast.” Penny’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Don’t ever tell her a secret. She’ll spill it every time, usually at the worst possible moment.”

“I’ll remember that.” Nicole grinned. “She is a sweetie, though, isn’t she? All that wispy fair hair makes me think of a little cherub.”

Carole and Penny shared a look.

“What did I say?” Nicole didn’t understand the flicker of understanding that passed between them. Was there something wrong with Ruthie?

“Dr. Brandt. I’m glad you could make it.” Joshua stood in the doorway, his expression stern. “I’m assuming that you’ve already met my staff and signed the appropriate forms, so we’ll get started.”

He waited a moment, then lifted one black eyebrow in a query that silently spoke volumes. Nicole stifled her sigh and nodded.

“Yes, of course, Dr. Darling.”

“I’ll take your bag and put it in your office while you have a look around, Dr. Brandt.” Penny whisked the article out of Nicole’s hands, her lips barely moving as she leaned closer to whisper, “We’ll do the sign-up later.”

“Thank you, Penny.” Nicole offered her a huge grin of gratitude.

“No problem. If you need anything, just let me know. Technically Dr. Darling is the boss, but I’m really in charge of this place.” She tossed Joshua an impudent grin that was not returned, then sauntered down the hall. Carole followed her.

“Your staff seem very nice,” Nicole murmured, searching for some way to open the discussion.

“They do a good job.”

That wasn’t what she meant, but Nicole let it go. He directed her to a small gloomy room.

“This is your office. Penny or Carole will leave the patient’s file here.” He continued on with a litany of instructions that delineated each and every action she was expected to perform during office hours. “Any questions?”

Nicole blinked.

Questions? She had a ton of them, and most began with why. He had a system, that much was clear. But was it a system that worked as efficiently as it could? Not so far as she could see. Changes rippled through her brain one after the other and she opened her mouth to suggest a few.

But one glimpse at Joshua Darling’s face had her clamping her lips together without uttering a single word. Now was not the time. She was the new kid on the block, hadn’t even seen a single patient, excluding Ruthie. Prudence would be wise.

“I asked if you had any questions, Dr. Brandt.”

“Yes, I heard you.” She swallowed, her eyes trailing around the dull, barren little office.

At least I can change some things in here. It is my office, after all.

“And your answer is?” He shifted from one foot to the other, impatient to begin his own work.

“I think perhaps it would be best if we dealt with my questions as they arise. I’m sure there will be some, but let’s not anticipate them.”

“I’ve found anticipation helps circumvent a number of problems. It makes you prepared, Dr. Brandt.” He stood there, a dubious look on his face. “You’re sure you can handle this? We’re fully booked up for the entire week. If it gets too much for you, I’d like to know as soon as possible.”

He thought she was going to leave him high and dry.

The revelation shocked her. Did he really assume she was such a poor doctor that she’d hightail it out the moment life got complicated? Then he had no idea of Nicole Brandt’s durability. She didn’t run out when things got tough. Not ever.

Pride and determination coursed through her veins. Compared to the rest of her life, this job in Blessing would be a piece of cake.

“I’ll be fine, Dr. Darling. I’m used to being busy. I promise you I won’t collapse under the strain.”

He wasted several more seconds peering at her as if he couldn’t ascertain whether or not she was serious. Then he shrugged.

“Fine. I’ll admit I’m rather relieved to hear that, Dr. Brandt.”

“Feel free to call me Nicole.” She grinned. “After all, in a town this small, everyone must know everyone else’s business. Surely first names wouldn’t be out of place?”

“I prefer to retain a degree of formality in the office, Dr. Brandt. It engenders patient trust.” His eyes flashed an unspoken warning.

The words slipped out before she could control them.

“Are you saying that your patients don’t trust you unless you call them by their surnames?”

As a joke, it fell flat.

His whole body stiffened.

“My patients think of me as their doctor, their physician. When they walk through those doors, they expect me to treat their diseases.” His lips pinched white. “What they believe or chatter about outside of this office is none of my concern. Now, if you’ve nothing else, your first patient is waiting.”

Dr. Joshua Darling turned on his heel and left the room.

“Ouch!” Nicole flopped down on the edge of her desk, her eyes wide with shock. “Why do I feel as if he doesn’t really want me here?”

“Because he doesn’t.” Penny slipped through the door and whipped it closed behind her. “I mean, he does want your help. He can’t possibly function without it anymore. But he hates change and lately he’s had to deal with a lot of that.”

“Miss Winifred told me about his wife. How sad.”

“It was horrible, of course. Cancer always is. But that was only the beginning.” Penny straightened a tilting stack of files and opened the first one on the desk. “Sign here.”

“You mean about his partner leaving for South America?” Nicole took the hint and moved to sit while she scrawled her name across the papers presented. “Yes, I can understand how difficult that must have been.”

“He never said a word, of course, but I think he felt abandoned. They’d been quite close. Then, when you add all of that to his problems at home. Well.” She threw up her hands. “I guess it’s no wonder he gets a little testy now and then. The next one, too, please.”

“At home?” Nicole signed. “What’s wrong at home?”

Penny chuckled. “Stick around, Doc. You’ll understand after a few days. Those little cherubs you saw can wreak a lot of havoc. We’re trying to make allowances for him.”

And that, Nicole guessed as the nurse scurried out of the room, was blatantly obvious. She knew from Miss Winifred that Dr. Darling’s wife had died of cancer almost two years ago. But he was a doctor—he’d seen death before. Of course, it was far worse when it was someone you loved, but he had his daughters. Surely he was learning to cope?

“Your patient is in examining room two, Dr. Brandt. May I show you the way?” He stood in the doorway, watching her.

“No, thanks. I just need a second or two more with this file. I promise I won’t knock your schedule off too far.” She smiled, then glanced back down at the case history.

“See that you don’t.”

Nicole made a face at his back, then snatched up the file and stalked toward the room. Tonight she was going to give Professor Adams a call and beg, bully, even bribe him to push up her place on the waiting list. She’d made up her mind, and coming here had only reinforced it.

General practice was not her forte. Hadn’t she always known that? She wasn’t good with people. She was a loner, used to dealing with her own idiosyncrasies. But when it came to reading others, she’d always been a flop. Wasn’t that why surgery seemed so perfect? Technique was number one with surgeons. People skills came a distant second when you were removing an appendix.

But that’s not the only reason you’ve chosen it, is it?

Nicole paused, her hand on the doorknob.

You think your father will finally love you for yourself if you can do the one thing your mother never achieved.

Sometimes being a loner wasn’t so great, especially when you talked to yourself—and yourself talked back.

Thrusting that little voice to the back of her mind, Nicole opened the door and breezed inside the treatment room, a smile pasted on her face.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Brandt. How can I help you today?”

Twenty past five and she still had three patients to see!

“I’m really glad to have met you. I think you’ll find that medication will take care of your rash with no problem. Okay?”

Nicole tried to hurry the woman, but to no avail. To tell the truth, she’d rather enjoyed the garrulous Millicent Maple. Her words shed new light on Dr. Darling and his rambunctious daughters.

“I’m sorry to babble on so, doctor. But you promise you’ll stop by our bake sale on Friday? We’re featuring quilts, too.”

“I’ll try my hardest.” Nicole waffled her fingers in a wave and scurried out the door.

Maybe he wouldn’t notice. Maybe he was tied up with his own chatty granny, catching up on all the latest Blessing news.

“You’re behind, Dr. Brandt.”

She almost groaned. Instead, Nicole fixed a saccharine-sweet smile on her lips and turned around.

“Yes, I am, Dr. Darling. Since every patient is new, it does take some time to go through the case histories. I’m sure you can understand that. Excuse me.” She opened the door and walked inside, determined to meet each need without watching the clock.

At ten after seven Nicole sat down to finish her files. At twenty after eight, with Penny’s help, she managed to get the whole lot off her desk.

“There we go. All ready to start fresh and clean tomorrow.”

Penny grinned, but her next words were cut off.

“Dr. Brandt, why have you kept my staff overtime?”

Nicole twisted to face him, her face burning.

“Just a moment, please, Dr. Darling.” She turned to Penny. “Thanks so much for all your help. I’m really sorry I’ve kept you so long, but I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

“Not a problem. Actually, I enjoyed it. Good night.” Penny lifted the stack of files, grinned at Dr. Darling and sauntered out of the room.

Nicole closed the door behind her.

“Now, Dr. Darling. What was it you wanted to talk about?”

“Your lack of organization,” he muttered, staring at the mess she’d made of her office.

“I am not disorganized—I am new in this town. I am trying my best to do a good job here, but I will not sacrifice time with my patients to satisfy your need for a timetable. I’m sure that, given time, your ‘quotas’ will be met.” She got up, pulled on her jacket and lifted her purse. “Now, if that’s all, I’ve had a very long day. I’d like to get home.”

She was too tired and too frustrated to wait for his assent. She walked out of her office, out of the building and down the street toward Miss Winifred’s.

It really was a glorious evening. The sun was just beginning its descent and the spring air had cooled off enough to bring a quickness to her step. It felt good to stride along, stretching muscles that had been tense for far too long. Her stomach rumbled as she walked, reminding her that lunch had been a long time ago and rather puny at that.

Once on “her” street, as Nicole had begun to think of it, the tension slipped away as she strolled under awnings of newly budded maples, drawing in the scent of crocus, hyacinth and daffodils that blossomed in every yard but the last.

She paused for a moment at the gate to Miss Winifred’s to stare at the house just down the street, across the way. The Darlings lived there. She should have guessed it that first day, but it had taken Miss Winifred to point it out. There were bicycles strewn across the driveway. Bright pink balls, a green plastic doll carriage and a child’s yellow jacket spilled across the still-shaggy grass.

But there were no flowers in the window boxes or tumbling out of the big urns that sat beside the front porch.

“Hey, it’s her!” Ruthie barreled out the front door and down the steps of her house, clad in a flowered pink nightgown and a pair of fuzzy slippers. “Hi, Doc! Remember me?”

“How could I forget?” Nicole grinned. “Hi, Ruthie. How’s the arm?”

“Oh, it’s all right. I hafta get this cast cut off pretty soon, though. Our class is going to take swimming lessons!”

“Hmm. That sounds like fun, but you’ll have to wear it until your arm is healed.” Nicole listened as the little girl chattered about her life.

“Ruthie? You’d better get your butt in here before Dad gets home.” An older version of Ruthie stood on the doorstep, glaring at her sister.

“Do you remember? That’s Rachel. She thinks she’s the boss, but she isn’t. She’s only one year older than me, and I’m six.”

“Ruthie!”

“Just a minute,” Ruthie yelled over her shoulder. She leaned closer to Nicole, her face screwed up in concern. “Quick! What am I supposed to call you? I can’t just say doctor all the time, can I?” Ruthie’s blue eyes darkened as she considered. “You did mean it when you said we’d be friends?”

It had been a ploy, something to get the child to trust her while she treated the arm. Nicole had never had sisters, never been around young children. She knew diddle about being their friend.

But something in this sprite’s eyes made her want to be Ruthie’s friend.

“Ruthie, I’m warning you!”

“I’m coming.” Dejected, Ruthie turned toward the house, slippers flopping as she walked.

“It’s Nicole. You can call me Nicole, Ruthie. And yes, I’d like to be your friend. If you want to.”

“Good.” Ruthie’s smile transformed her face as she raced back, ignoring her sister’s angry squeal. Her head tipped to one side. “But Nicole is what everyone calls you. You should have a special name, a friend name.” Her face tilted up, curiosity evident in the big blue eyes. “Don’t you have one?”

“A special name?” No one had ever called her anything but Nicole. Except her mother, she suddenly remembered. So long ago, when they’d snuggled together and read stories. That’s where Nici had come from.

“You could call me Nici,” she murmured. “My mother used to call me that.”

“Does she still?”

“She’s dead. She died when I was a little girl.”

“Hey,” Ruthie crowed, eyes blazing. “Just like me! My mom died, too. She always called me Ruthie. Now there’s just me an’ Rachel and Roz.” She lowered her voice, checked over one shoulder. “Sometimes I call her Rosie. An’ there’s my dad, of course. He sometimes calls me Ruth Ann. I like Ruthie better.”

“Then Ruthie it is.”

They grinned at each other like coconspirators. The low rumble of an engine drew Ruthie’s attention. She gulped, then offered a watery smile.

“Whoops! It’s my dad. I gotta go.”

She scurried toward the house, turning when she reached the top stair to smile and lift her hand. Her voice rang through the air as clear as a bell.

“See you tomorrow, Nici.” Then Ruthie slipped into her house.

“Good night, Ruthie. See you tomorrow.” Nicole waited just long enough to watch Dr. Darling try to steer into his littered driveway.

Then she turned and quickly walked through the gate and up to her temporary home, determined not to be there when he bawled those darling girls out for leaving their toys in his way.

The red door opened before she got there.

“My dear, what a long day you’ve had!” Miss Winifred ushered her inside. “Come along, I’ve got a bowl of chili just waiting for you, and some of my fresh kaiser rolls to go with it.”

“Sounds perfect.” Nicole shed her coat and bag at the entrance, then followed her hostess through to the kitchen. “Smells good, too.”

She sat down obediently, whispered a quick grace and sampled the big fluffy roll.

“These are wonderful! Did you have a good day at your bakery?”

Nicole knew for a fact that her hostess had risen before four this morning in order to get a head start, and yet Miss Winifred looked as fresh as she always did.

“Yes, thank you, dear. We had a lovely time. Furly Bowes, she’s my assistant, you know. Well, Furly got there long before me, had all the breads nicely rising. We had our cases filled before nine. I do love it when that happens. Folks appreciate a full selection.”

Miss Winifred walked over to the counter and returned with a plain white box with red script running across one corner. Nicole read it surreptitiously. “Blessing Bakery—made with love.”

“I brought you one of my specialties.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have! Not when I’m such a push-over for anything baked.” Nicole savored the last spoonful of chili with a smile. “We used to have a housekeeper who made shortbread at Christmas. It literally melted in your mouth.”

Now, where had that come from? The people of Blessing, Colorado, didn’t need to know the details of her pathetic past. Nicole lifted the lid of the small square box.

“Oh! It’s a big cookie.”

“One of my love cookies. I only make them when I feel the Lord gives me a special message to pass on.” She sat down across from Nicole, her eyes sparkling. “Go ahead, read it.”

With gentle fingers lest she damage the flaky, heart-shaped cookie, Nicole lifted it out of the box. Vivid red icing spelled out a message.

“All sunshine makes a desert.” Puzzled, she looked across at Miss Winifred. “It’s very nice.”

“Oh, it’s not just nice, dear. Those are words to live by. Problems come to us for a reason and help us appreciate the good times far more than we would have without them. Here, let me pour you some tea to go with that.” She tipped her cornflower teapot, allowing the fragrant aroma of black currents to waft through the room.

“This tea is like nectar.” Nicole sipped again, then broke off a tiny corner of the cookie and ate it. “Your cookies are delicious, too, Miss Winifred. I promise I’ll think about your words.”

“Thank you.” The older woman fiddled with her cup, her forehead wrinkled. Finally she looked up at Nicole. “I haven’t been completely honest with you, dear, and I’m afraid that’s caused you some hurt.”

“What do you mean?”

“Today was difficult, wasn’t it?”

Nicole quickly glanced away. She had no desire to answer.

“I knew it would be.”

“How could you know?” Nicole kept nibbling, working her way around the icing words.

“If nothing else, I can see it on your face. You’re worn out. It’s partly the newness of the job, of course, but I believe it goes deeper than that. My nephew is not an easy man to deal with lately. He’s had too many surprises to render him totally accepting of his situation.”

“What do you mean?”

Miss Winifred sighed heavily, her eyes shiny with unshed tears.

“Joshua loved his wife and family. He loved his work. The inroads he made into giving this community quality care and providing for his family’s future drove him. Then suddenly that future was ripped away. He’s hurting, confused and discouraged. He feels he’s lost control of everything, that nothing is happening the way he wants. To Joshua, control is everything.”

“I don’t suppose losing his wife or his partner was easy.” A rush of sympathy washed over her. It had to be difficult managing under these circumstances, trying to keep everything together.

“No, it wasn’t. It tore apart everything he’d believed was true. Now he’s floundering.”

“He’s more than competent as a doctor. He gives first-rate care to everyone he sees,” Nicole reassured the older woman.

“Medically, yes. He does his job very well. But he remains aloof from it, outside his patients’ problems. He can’t let himself get involved, you see. And that’s a big problem.”

“It is?” What else was a doctor supposed to do, for heaven’s sake?

“Yes, dear. You see, over the past eight years this town has grown used to running to Joshua. They’ve seen him handle situations they never believed could be solved. They’ve grown to trust him with their lives, their children, everything. He’s served on town council, the school board—oh, a host of things.”

“I’m glad.” What else could she say? She, who’d never been deeply involved in anyone else’s life, though she’d longed to.

“But now he’s opted out.”

“Excuse me?” Nicole lifted her head to stare at her hostess. “What do you mean, opted out?”

Miss Winifred shrugged.

“Joshua doesn’t get involved. Oh, he diagnoses whatever’s wrong, just as he always has. He hands out the required prescriptions, deals with the injuries that need treating, repairs the wounds as best he can. But emotionally, he doesn’t get involved.”

“But—” Nicole stopped the words. What in the world could Miss Winifred mean? That Joshua was still mourning? Wasn’t that natural for a man who’d lost a beloved wife?

In a second Nicole’s mind flashed back to her own mother’s death and her father’s grief-stricken state. Surely this little baker woman couldn’t be suggesting that Joshua Darling—

“He’s locked himself into a rigid need for control.” Miss Winifred shook her head sadly. “My sister would have known what to say, how to get him to refocus. I’ve tried, but…” Her voice trailed away, sadness filling its soft tones.

“Your sister?” Nicole was getting lost.

“Joshua’s mother. She was such a bright, vivacious woman. She always wanted children, but they weren’t able to have any. They adopted Joshua when he was nine. He was a sober, determined little fellow even then, but Honey, my sister, could coax the joy out of him with just a word or a touch.”

“What happened to her?”

“She and my brother-in-law holidayed in Florida after they got it into their heads to be sailors. They were celebrating their eighteenth anniversary. A gale damaged their boat. They were lost at sea. Joshua was twelve then. I took him in, raised him. They’d have wanted that.”

“I’m sorry.” Nicole laid her hand over the smooth white fingers.

“Oh, don’t be. Honey never did anything if she couldn’t do it wholeheartedly. That’s why I know she’d know exactly how to deal with Joshua. Unfortunately, I don’t.”

There wasn’t anything Nicole could say. She wasn’t exactly sure what the problem was, but even if she understood completely, Dr. Darling would hardly accept any personal advice she had to offer. He’d made that more than clear.

“That’s why I was so hopeful when I knew you were coming. I believe God sent you here specifically to meet our need, Nicole.” The blue eyes flashed with intensity. “I think He intends to use you to help Joshua reenter life.”

Dread—stark, utter dread—rolled over Nicole, swamping her.

“Miss Winifred, I’m very glad I could come to Blessing, and if I can help out at the office, then I’m glad to do so. But I don’t think you should look for anything more.” She gulped, then took a sip of tea, her throat bone-dry. “Believe me, I’m not anybody’s answer to prayer.”

“Oh, sweetheart, my faith isn’t just in you. It’s in God.” The blue eyes glowed with inner fire. “Someone has to show Joshua that we don’t control the future. Someone has to help him understand that following all his rules and laws isn’t going to protect him from life.”

Miss Winifred got up from the table, rinsed out the teapot and dried it carefully. She set it inside her cabinet, closed the door quietly, then turned and faced Nicole, her intense scrutiny unnerving.

“I believe that someone is you. Good night, dear.”

“Good night.” The words tumbled out of their own accord, which was a good thing because Nicole couldn’t organize her thoughts at all as she climbed the stairs to her room.

Help Joshua Darling?

Her own world had now spun totally out of control, the surgical training she’d so carefully planned delayed by circumstances she couldn’t alter.

Nicole felt the burn down to her soul. She couldn’t even get her own father to see her as anything more than a mere replacement for her mother.

How in the world was she supposed to help a man who already had all the answers he wanted?

Chapter Three

“Rosalyn Alyssa Darling, stop that caterwauling. You’re not suffering from any life-threatening injury. If you will race through the house, you will get hurt. I’ve told you that before.”

Joshua almost groaned right along with Rosie when his youngest daughter sent up another heartrending sob that tugged at his heart. He felt totally helpless. Giving in to his emotions, he gently gathered his baby’s compact little body into his arms and cuddled her close, soothing her sobs as he always had.

“Kiss?” She tilted her chin up for his cure.

“Kiss,” he agreed, dabbing his lips against the alabaster skin and holding them there. She was so delicate, so precious. And such a fireball.

Three seconds after the kiss, she wiggled out of his arms to hurtle herself down the stairs in hot pursuit of her oldest sister.

“Rachel, help Rosie get dressed, will you? Please?”

Another Sunday morning, another two hours of sheer bedlam. Sometimes he wondered why he bothered dragging them all to church. But he knew the answer. Kyla. She’d insisted from the moment Rachel had come into the world that her children would know God in a personal way.

As if anyone could know God like that.

He stuffed the regrets down and concentrated on getting his tie straight. Wouldn’t want anyone to think anything was wrong in the Darling house.

Joshua offered a wry smile to his reflected image, twitching the tie into place as he did. Sheer pride, he owned. Such a stupid quality to hang on to. As if everyone in town didn’t already know something was wrong at the Darlings’. It was evident the moment you looked at the house, never mind what it looked like inside.

Why— He stopped himself, refusing to let the words gain hold in his brain. What difference did it make why it had happened? It had. The point he needed to concentrate on was managing what was left of his future. No matter what happened, the blame could not be laid at his door.

Not again. He’d do everything he had to, to make sure of that.

Control. Sure, steady, unblinking control. That would get him through.

“Uh, Dad? I think you better come down here. Like—now.”

Joshua groaned. What had they done this time?

He took the steps three at a time, ignoring the puddle of clothes left at the bottom.

“Rachel? Where are you?”

“In the kitchen.”

He burst into the room, expecting flames. What he saw made him just as nervous. Nicole Brandt stood inside the door, a white ceramic dish balanced in her hands. Her ash-blond hair fell in a shining curtain around her shoulders. She wore a navy dress with perfectly tailored lapels and a trim white belt. The merest little wisp of a blue hat sat on top of her head. It looked ridiculous.

She looked gorgeous.

Apparently his daughters thought so, too. They stood in rapt attention, mouths gaping. To her credit, the beautiful doctor didn’t bat an eyelash at the unwanted attention.

“Good morning, Dr. Darling. Miss Winifred asked me to deliver this. She said that if you put it in the oven now, at three hundred degrees, it will be ready to eat when church is over.” She held out the dish.

“Oh. That’s very kind of her. Thank you.” Joshua stuffed the dish into the oven and set the temperature. “But why didn’t you use the front door? Surely it’s closer?”

A funny looked washed over her model-perfect features. Chagrin, maybe? No, sheepishness, that was it. She licked her lips, fiddled with the white leather strap over her shoulder, then peeped up at him through her lashes.

“I would have,” she murmured. “But there’s an elephant on your step.”

Ruth Ann burst into delighted giggles, Rachel chuckled and even Rosalyn grinned.

“There’s no elephant!” He forced himself not to smile.

“Well, it’s not exactly an elephant.” She temporized. “But it’s huge and gray and has slobber dribbling all over its face.” Her disgust was obvious.

“Ladybug!” The girls turned and raced to the front door.

Joshua beat them to it.

“No way,” he said firmly, locking the door and setting the chain for good measure. “I do not want that animal traipsing through this house. Mrs. Tyndall can’t keep up with the cleaning as it is.”

“But— Dad!”

“Yes?” He raised his eyebrow at Rachel and saw her wilt.

“Nothing.” One by one the children drifted away to continue their preparations for church, leaving him alone with her.

“So now you can understand why I thought it best to use the back entrance.” Nicole Brandt flicked her eyes up to stare into his. “I hope that’s not a problem? Your dog is, er, rather large.”

He knew she wanted to add something to that. Probably a remark about the beast’s filth. He hastened to correct her.

“Of course I understand. And, no, it’s not a problem at all.” He glanced around, checking. What else? Oh, yes. The dog. “Ladybug does not belong to us, thank heavens. She simply visits frequently because my daughters insist on feeding her table scraps. I’ll phone her owners.”

He made the call quickly, stating his case in a cool, crisp tone. Why didn’t people leave animals that size on the farm? Or tie them up if they had to keep them in town?

“I’m sure they’ll pick her up soon.”

“I hope so.” She turned to peer out a side window. “It’s enormous. Why would anyone call it Ladybug?”

“If you find the answer to that, I’d really like to know about it.” He walked back toward the kitchen, speaking over his shoulder as he went. “It’s a mystery to me. Have a seat if you’re staying.”

“Hmm.” She sat, long, slim legs crossed delicately.

“Will you button my dress up? Please?” Rosalyn held up her favorite fluffy blue dress.

Joshua stifled his groan. It was several sizes too small. He should have given it away ages ago, but Ruth Ann clung to that dress like a lifesaver.

“Not that one, honey,” he murmured, and lifted up a freshly pressed cotton one Mrs. Tyndall had ironed yesterday. “It’s too small, remember? Try this.”

“I like this one.” Her bottom lip jutted out in that stubborn thrust she used to get her own way.

Joshua prepared himself for battle. But before he could speak a word, she intervened.

“I’d love to help you, Rosalyn. You’re such a big girl, aren’t you? How old?” Nicole waited for the requisite number of fingers. “Four? And you still fit into this?” She pretended to squeeze it over the little girl’s head. “Oh, dear.”

“What’s the matter?” Ruthie balanced in the doorway like a stork, one shoe on her foot, the other clutched in her hand.

“Her head’s too big.”

Joshua almost smiled as Nicole pretended to twist the dress this way and that, her fingers pressing down on Rosie’s scalp.

“Way too big. It just won’t fit.” She glanced up at him suddenly, her eyes glowing. “I think we’ll have to operate, Dr. Darling.”

“Operate?” Rachel turned from her stance by the window to stare at Nicole. “On what?”

“On the dress, of course. How else can we get a too-big head into a too-small dress? We may have to operate on the arms, too. They look pretty tiny.” Once more she tried to draw him into the game. “Don’t you think so, Dr. Darling?”

“Hmm. Asking for a second opinion, Dr. Brandt?” He allowed his eyes to indicate his view of this silly game.

“Oh, I think so. Don’t you? When a case is as serious as this I always—” She stopped speaking abruptly.

Joshua forced himself to stop staring into her eyes and figure out what she was doing. He glanced down. Rosie had tossed the favorite dress onto a nearby chair and now began to struggle into the cotton one he’d presented.

“Don’t op’rate on my dress,” she demanded, glaring up at Nicole.

“We were just teasing, honey. It’s your dress, and I wouldn’t dream of damaging it.” Nicole swept a soothing hand across blond frizz that never quite lay down no matter how often Joshua combed it. “It’s a special dress, isn’t it?”

“Uh-huh. My mommy made it for me.”

“Really?” Nicole got up and rescued the tired blue fabric from the chair. “Then we must take very good care of it. One day you can help your little girl into it and tell her about how your mama made this specially.”

A lump came into Joshua’s throat as he watched her slim fingers smooth the fabric into neat folds until the dress was a small square.

“There. Now you can put it in your treasures box.”

“She don’t got one.”

“Doesn’t have,” Joshua corrected automatically. The girls ignored him, their eyes fixed on Nicole.

“She can start one. It’s never too late.”

“Can I get one, Dad?”

“Me, too?”

“Me, three?”

The woman never even let him get a word in!

“I have an idea. I moved some of my stuff into Miss Winifred’s and I have a whole bunch of boxes. After church perhaps you could each come over and choose one, if your father thinks it would be all right.”

He almost made a face at the thought of more clutter in those messy bedrooms. But just in time, Joshua caught the yearning looks on little faces and knew he had to agree.

“I suppose it would be all right. If you promise to keep them put away.”

Naturally they all solemnly promised. As if!

“Fine.” He twitched his tie into place. “Now let’s get moving. Church will be starting in twenty minutes.”

Joshua let them dash off to retrieve whatever it was little girls took to church. When they were gone, he turned back to face his guest.

“If you’ll excuse us—”

“Actually, that’s another reason I’m here. Miss Winifred left ages ago, but before she did, she ordered me over here to catch a ride with you.” She smiled weakly, as if the last thing she wanted was to ride in his vehicle.

He didn’t blame her. He’d rather ride in that red sports car of hers any day. Her words sank in.

“Aunt Win’s not going? Why not? Is she ill?” Joshua rapped the questions out automatically. “Perhaps I’d better take a look.”

“She’s fine. I told you she’s already left.”

The words halted him. He replaced his bag, closed the closet door, then turned around.

“But why—”

“She had to get to church early. Apparently they decided to hold an impromptu choir rehearsal this morning and she wanted to be there. I wasn’t ready, so she told me about the casserole and said to ride with you.” She frowned at his lack of response. “I could have walked if I’d known how to get there.”

“In those shoes?” He eyed her shapely ankles, the narrow heels and shook his head. “Hardly. What happened to your car?”

Her face grew very pink. “I locked the car keys in. I don’t know how. It’s never happened before. I was certain I’d left them in my pocket.”

Joshua’s radar went on alert.

“You don’t have a spare?”

“That’s the really strange part. I’m positive they were on my nightstand last night, but this morning they’re sitting on the car seat—inside the car. And of course I’d put the roof up. It’s really odd.” Her cheeks remained a bright pink. “I feel like a fool. Miss Winifred said no one would be available to help me until Monday.”

“Yes, that is weird.” Dismay fizzled up Joshua’s spine as a twinkle of doubt surfaced in his mind about those keys. Not again! He’d warned her about matchmaking before. Surely Aunt Win wouldn’t try to pair him up with Dr. Brandt?

But in his heart of hearts Joshua knew his aunt would dare that and more if she thought it would help heave him out of what she considered the pit of his despair.

“Dr. Darling?”

Joshua sighed. It was pointless to hope for a way out. This was a small town where everyone knew everyone else. If he didn’t offer to take her, they’d all be talking about him. Again.

“You’d better call me by my given name,” he muttered at last. “Since we’re neighbors.”

“All right.” She tilted the blue hat forward, just a millimeter. “If you agree to do the same.”

He hesitated. But what could he say? “Fine.”

“Dr. Darling, have I done something to offend you?”

One shoe dangled from his finger as he fought for control and a way to avoid the question.

“Why do you say that?”

“Ah, a true debater. Answer a question by asking another question.” She nodded, a knowing light glimmering in her eyes. “I’ll bet you get away with that a lot.”

“Obviously not enough.” He slipped his other shoe on and tied it slowly, taking his time while his mind whirred. Nothing. “I’ll stand by my question—why do you ask?”

“Because of your attitude, of course.” She sat perched on the edge of her chair not two feet from where he stood.

“My attitude?” Joshua frowned. She said it as if he’d been rude. There was nothing wrong with his attitude. “What attitude?”

She sighed. “Never mind. I know a block when I see one.”

“Dr. Brandt—Nicole. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have an attitude or a—a block, as you put it, about you or anyone else. All I want is a short-term assistant who can function within the parameters I’ve set out without causing additional stress.”

“Do you realize that in the past week you’ve reminded me at least three times, every single day, that I am not a permanent fixture in your office?” She leaned forward, eyes blazing in her beautiful face.

That spark of anger alerted Joshua; he knew he’d gone too far. He stayed exactly where he was and did her the courtesy of quietly listening, though it cost him dearly.

“Hear this, Dr. Darling. I am not staying. I will not be hanging on to your coattails, prevailing upon you to keep me when my six months are over, not even if you beg me on bended knee.”

As if that would happen!

But Joshua got the drift. She was mad. The air around her sizzled, and her blond hair flickered through the air just like the girls’ hair did when there was too much static. He almost smiled.

Big mistake.

“Don’t you laugh at me! I have plans for my future, Dr. Darling, big plans. And they do not include working for, with, or beside you after my term here has been served. There’s no way I’m prepared to give up my dream of surgery and remain secluded in this little town, meting out care to my patients in parsimonious ten-minute intervals. Not one chance in a thousand.”

Like you.

Joshua heard everything she didn’t say. He knew she’d seen past his pretense of doctorly concern to the cad he was beneath. He’d been going through the motions of caring for his patients, and she knew it! The thought galled him, but he couldn’t acknowledge it—not here and not now. He just couldn’t.

“I’m glad to hear that, Dr. Brandt, because as you know, I intend to find the perfect partner.” This time he left the remainder unsaid. “Girls! It’s time to leave. Now.”

They came from all corners of the house, black patent Mary Jane shoes tapping overhead, across the oak floors in a cacophony of scurrying steps. One by one, the girls bounded down the stairs and presented themselves in the front hall.

Joshua gulped at the sight.

They had on hats. Strange, gaudy-looking straw boaters that had originally arrived as Easter bonnets from Aunt Win, and had subsequently been decorated with fuzzy chicks of various rainbow colors, tiny bird’s nests and pussy willows.

He thought Rachel’s was almost decent, covered as it was by tiny pink bows and rosebuds. Until he saw the gaping hole at the back and remembered that Ladybug had sampled it. Straw stuck out, tattered and broken.

Deliberately Joshua moved on to Ruth Ann. She was artistic, creative. Surely—but no, her hat had obviously suffered from her one-handed state. The pretty blue ribbons that had once rippled down her back now hung wrinkled and dingy, their ends frayed. Her motif was chicks. Little puffy bits no bigger than Joshua’s pinkie rimmed the brim, peeping down into her face, their stick feet barely secured to the straw.

But it was his baby, his smallest angel, who’d gone all out to imitate their guest. Yards and yards of filmy white cloth not unlike the bathroom curtain swathed her hat, bent the brim so that it drooped down and created a beehive effect that swayed whenever she moved. A bit of the fabric draped over the front of Rosalyn’s hat, completely shielding her eyes and all but the very tip of her little pink nose. The entire concoction was held in place with a thousand safety pins that glittered and shone in the sunlight.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I helped her with the pins,” Rachel informed him with an artless smile.

“Thank you, dear.” Joshua never knew where the words came from. He only knew that his girls had worked feverishly to attain the same fashion statement as Nicole, and failed miserably.

He also knew that anything he said now would be wrong, so he clamped his lips shut, held open the front door and motioned them all outside.

“Thank goodness Ladybug’s gone.”

“Yeah, she would have wrecked our hats.” Ruthie led the way to the car, eased her way in, then turned to help Rosie.

Rachel followed in a stately saunter that threatened to trip them all up if they didn’t get out of her way.

Dr. Nicole Brandt stood beside him watching the procession, a smile twitching at her lips. Finally she looked at him. He was shocked by the merry twinkle dancing in her eyes.

“You did very well, Dr. Darling,” she whispered. “Now keep a stiff upper lip and everything will be just fine.”

“Easy for you to stay.” He didn’t bother to hide his pained expression. He waited for her to walk out the door, then went to close it. Her hand on his arm stopped him.

“Dr. Darling?”

“Yes?” He frowned. What did she want now? Hadn’t she wreaked enough havoc in his life?

“About the casserole.”

“I put it in the oven and set the temperature, as you said.” He tried to close the door again, but her delicately sandaled foot prevented that. “What?”

“You have to turn the oven on,” she whispered.

Her eyes met his in one quick glance, then she went sashaying down his walk as if she belonged there in her pencil-slim dress, fancy high heels and that ridiculous hat.

Joshua turned his back on them all and went inside to switch on the oven. He knew that—he did! It had simply slipped his mind…with so much else going on.

Discomfited by his own forgetfulness in front of his new doctor, he stomped back outside, slammed the door closed so hard the window creaked, and snapped the dead bolt home with his key.

“I love Sundays,” Nicole sang out as soon as he was in the car. “It’s so much fun to gather together and hear Bible stories. I always imagine what it must have been like in those olden days. I love it.”

“Me, too.”

Agreement with Dr. Brandt’s sentiments echoed through his car twice more. What was he raising—parrots?

Joshua kept his mouth clamped shut and concentrated on getting them all to church without disaster. Once there, he chose a parking spot as far from the door as possible in hopes that the wind would take care of the hat problem for him. Unfortunately, the day was totally calm and the hats remained firmly attached to his daughters’ heads.

The girls raced across the lot as fast as they could manage, calling to their friends as they went.

“I don’t think it’s fitting to take those, er, creations, into the house of God,” he muttered, staring up at the gigantic cross that sat atop the church.

“Why on earth not? They worked so hard making them. You should be proud.” Nicole frowned at him fiercely. “Every single time those girls go out of their way to make something special like this, you should be bursting your buttons with pride.”

“Their mother would kill me.”

Dr. Brandt’s eyes grew cool, frosty. The tension between them grew until he could feel the ice crackling.

“I doubt that very much. I think she’d be very proud. But even if it were true, their mother isn’t here. They are. And so are you. They need to know you love them, no matter what.”

What had caused such anger? he wondered. It came from nowhere. One minute she was smiling like a movie star, the next growling at him as fiercely protective as a mother cub.

“I do love them.” Why was he defending himself?

“Have you told them that lately?” She glared.

Joshua stalked away, a spurt of anger burning inside. What right had she to judge? She didn’t have three kids dependent on her. She was free as a bird.

“You can run, but you can’t hide.” The whisper came from behind his left shoulder.

“I’m not running. I just thought I might sneak into the back pew before anybody figured out the three in those ridiculous getups are my daughters.”

Her hand on his arm prevented him from entering the sanctuary. He looked from it to her eyes, and flinched at the challenge he saw there.

“‘Man looks on the outward appearance,’” she whispered. “‘But God looks on the heart.’ And I can tell you right now, Dr. Darling, that those three girls with their funny hats have the purest little hearts in this entire building.”

She stepped past him, walked through the doorway and disappeared inside.

Joshua grimaced at her invisible back. Dr. Nicole Brandt would make a good surgeon. She cut right to the quick without messing about.

The problem was, her condemnation burned all the way to his soul.

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