The Family Doctor. Bobby Hutchinson

needs enemies.”

      Dr. Clark’s face flushed at this obvious insult and he gave a pointed glance at his watch, nodded to everyone and walked out of the room, murmuring excuses about being late for an appointment.

      “Can’t stand to hear the truth,” Dorothy said in a self-satisfied voice.

      “Actually, you were pretty rude to him, Mom.” Georgia’s chin rose, and she returned her mother’s belligerent gaze. “He was only trying to be helpful.”

      “Well, we all know whose side you’re on, don’t we?” Dorothy’s skin flushed magenta, and her eyes narrowed as she glared at her daughter. “Just because you’re hoping to be a doctor yourself doesn’t mean you ought to defend something like this.”

      Georgia swallowed and it was obvious she was holding back tears. “I’m on Tony’s side. All I care about is that he gets better. I don’t think laying blame on anybody is helpful.”

      Kate silently applauded.

      “Well, I’m sure you’d handle everything so much better than I do,” Dorothy said in a sarcastic voice. “Although two divorces aren’t exactly what I’d call an example of good judgment.”

      Georgia’s face flushed and Kate felt a rush of sympathy for her.

      “I don’t think this is any time to be jumping down Mom’s throat, Georgia,” Wilson admonished, again taking his mother’s side. “She’s under a lot of stress here.”

      “We all are,” Georgia said in a trembling voice. “Why does everything always have to turn into a huge fight? We’re in this together. We’re all worried about Tony.”

      There was silence for a few seconds.

      “Georgia’s right,” Judy agreed. “We should pull together instead of arguing at a time like this. And it sounds as if the worst is over, which is a good thing because Peter and I are going to have to leave now, Mom.” Judy pointed at her watch. “Otherwise we’ll get caught in rush hour traffic and be late picking up the kids from school.”

      “School! Oh, my goodness.” Dorothy clapped a hand over her mouth. “I forgot all about McKensy. How could I do such a stupid thing? She’ll be waiting for me when her class gets out. She won’t know why I’m not there.”

      This time, Kate noted, Dorothy’s hysterics rang true.

      “When that call came, I got so upset I didn’t think to make arrangements for her,” Dorothy wailed.

      “We’ll go and get her,” Judy soothed. “We have to pick up Ryan and Tricia anyhow, and we can collect McKensy on the way. Her teacher knows me. We’ll take her home with us for the night, Mom.”

      “She’ll need her teddy and her quilt and some clothes,” Dorothy said, rummaging in her purse. “Here’s the house key—just drop it next door with Mrs. Draycott.”

      After Judy and Peter left, Wilson explained that he had to go back to his office, but he promised he’d come and drive Dorothy home later on.

      “I can drive you, Mom,” Georgia offered. “I’ve got my car.”

      “Oh, I’d rather go with Wilson,” Dorothy said. “There’re things I need to talk over with him.”

      Georgia shrugged. “Whatever you like, Mom.”

      When the nurse told Dorothy she could go in and see Tony for ten minutes, Kate was left alone with Georgia.

      “Sorry about all that,” Georgia said in an embarrassed tone. “I guess it’s pretty obvious Mom and I rub each other the wrong way.”

      “It’s a tense time for all of you.”

      “Yeah, it really is,” Georgia sighed. “I should try and be more patient with her, I guess.”

      Kate felt that Dorothy was the one who should do the trying, but she didn’t say so. “It seems as if you all have busy lives and lots to think about,” she remarked. “Do you have kids, Georgia?”

      “Nope. I was smart enough to know that wasn’t a good idea for me.”

      “McKensy is Tony’s daughter?” Kate knew very little about Tony’s personal life. She vaguely remembered hearing through the hospital grapevine that he had a child and he was divorced, but she’d assumed the child lived with his ex-wife.

      “Yeah. McKensy’s nine, she’s a great kid. Mom lives with Tony and takes care of McKensy for him.” Georgia’s eyes reflected the affection she felt for her niece. “Tony’s the best father any little girl could have.” Kate thought she detected a wistful note in the other woman’s voice.

      “Sounds as if you and Dr. O’Connor are really close.” It was Kate’s turn to sound a little wistful. Her only sister lived in San Diego. Marie was eight years older than Kate, and the age difference had meant that they’d never really gotten to know each other. Kate sent gifts to her niece and nephew for birthdays and Christmas, and now that they had a computer she e-mailed them regularly, but she missed being close to family.

      Georgia nodded. “I always say Tony’s my guardian angel. When my second marriage fell apart, he was there for me, and when I wanted to go back to graduate school and study medicine, he offered to support me.” She swiped at her eyes. “Mom thought it was totally nuts, me going back to school. But Tony convinced me I could do anything I set my mind to. I’d never have made it through the first year if it weren’t for him.”

      Kate was beginning to see Tony O’Connor in an entirely new light.

      “What branch of medicine are you planning to practice?”

      “Obstetrics.” Georgia’s face became animated. “I think bringing babies into the world has to be the most exciting way anyone could spend their working hours.”

      “I agree.” Kate smiled, but deep inside was the usual twinge of sadness and regret that nipped at her whenever babies were mentioned. Because of an ovarian cyst and a resulting hysterectomy when she was nineteen, she could never have babies of her own. Ironically enough, she’d been the kind of little girl who’d had dozens of dolls and played with them long past the time she should have lost interest in them. She’d always dreamed of growing up and having lots of kids, and the operation had sent her into a depression that lasted on and off for several years, until she met Scott and his daughter, Eliza.

      Dorothy came bustling back into the room. “Well, they say he’s improving, but I can’t see it. Go in and see what you think, Georgia.”

      Georgia hurried off and Kate tried again to get to know Dorothy O’Connor. “Georgia was telling me about your granddaughter, McKensy.”

      Kate hoped it was a topic that would steer Dorothy in a more positive direction, even if only for a few moments. The woman was difficult, no doubt about it.

      “McKensy’s my darling girl.” The angry set of Dorothy’s mouth softened into a smile, the first Kate had seen. The older woman looked pretty when she smiled, and the frown lines between her eyes eased.

      “She’s thoughtful, and so smart. Straight A student, just like Tony was.” In the next moment the smile faded and the frown lines reappeared. “It’s just a blessing she took after him and not that flyby-night mother she has.”

      Kate heaved a mental sigh. It seemed that nothing was entirely positive in Dorothy’s view. She didn’t want to pry further into Tony’s private affairs, but she found herself paying close attention when his mother continued with a disapproving sniff. “Fancied herself a singer, Jessica did. Everybody knows what kind of life those singers lead, what with dope and liquor and men. No morals whatsoever.” Her mouth pursed into a prim line. “At least she had enough sense to leave McKensy for Tony to raise, only sensible thing she ever did. I told him before he ever married her what the outcome would be, but he didn’t listen.”

      “How nice that you have a chance to get