Blessings. Lois Richer

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.”

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