The Doctor's Secret Son. Deb Kastner

mind that she was a very good doctor. As long as he’d known her, she’d dreamed of having a career in the medical field. She’d always excelled as a student. And she was nothing if not persistent and dedicated. She wouldn’t let any obstacle get in the way of whatever she wanted to do.

       Even if he was the obstacle in question.

       He ignored the tug in his gut and reminded himself to keep his mind on his work. This was no time to visit the past.

       Delia was quick and efficient as she cleaned and dressed the wound. Zach imagined she’d encountered dozens of similar situations on her emergency room rotations in Baltimore, although this time her patient was a neighbor, a man she’d known from her childhood.

       How did she feel about being able to provide medical assistance to someone she was acquainted with? Did she find the same satisfaction in helping a friend as he did?

       Maybe that’s why she’d finally come home.

       He experienced another acute, agonizing stab in his gut. Unlike Spence’s burn, which probably would do little more than leave a scar, Zach’s wounds had never quite healed properly, and he didn’t think they ever would.

       Delia reached for a key to the medicine cabinet and provided Spence with a bottle of prescription painkillers and an antibiotic. She was the pharmacist as well as the doctor in this little town; but, as with the rest of her duties, she handled the transaction with ease.

       She rechecked the wound one last time and pronounced Spence good to go.

       “Ben and I can give you a lift back to your house,” Zach suggested, supporting Spence’s arm as he rolled to a sitting position.

       “I’ve already caused you enough grief,” Spence argued. “I can find some other way home.”

       Delia’s gaze shifted to Zach. She knew him well enough to know he wasn’t going to back down. That wasn’t his way.

       “Nonsense,” Zach said with a shake of his head. “It makes sense for us to give you a ride. Your father can’t drive anymore, and even if he could, he’s the one who’s watching the twins.”

       “Yes, but—”

       Zach cut him off with a wave of his hand. “Ben and I will be happy to take you. Not another word, you understand?”

       Even after Zach’s friendly warning, Spence still looked like he was about to argue some more, at least until Delia laid a hand on his shoulder.

       “Listen to Zach,” she advised. “It’s not like you’ll be inconveniencing them. Short of a kitten stuck in a tree, you’re likely to be the day’s only emergency. Think of it as a favor—you’ll be giving the two of them something productive to do with their time.”

       “Don’t argue with Delia,” Zach added. “Take it from me—she always wins.”

       That hadn’t come out right. He didn’t know why he’d said it. He sounded churlish.

       He definitely wasn’t over her.

       In his youth he’d been devastated by her leaving. Now he was bewildered by her return. Still, he knew he could be handling it better.

       “I don’t know that I always win,” Delia countered, her bottom jaw rocking forward as she tempered her response. “But I hope in this case, Spence, you’ll take my advice.”

       Zach was immediately ashamed of himself. He was a changed man now; and, hopefully, a better one, thanks to God’s grace. It wasn’t like him to bring personal issues into his working life, especially not with a patient present. Seeing Delia again had really done a number on him, much more than he had ever anticipated.

       “I guess I’ll take that ride, if you’re sure it won’t be a bother,” Spence said, caving in to Delia’s persuasive smile.

       “That will be best,” Delia agreed, patting Spence on the shoulder. “Would you like some help getting out to the ambulance? Morphine can make you a little woozy.”

       “I’m good.” Spence stood and found his balance before gingerly taking a couple of trial steps. Zach hovered at one of Spence’s elbows, while Delia stayed next to the other. Her patient was a little shaky, but he appeared stable enough to walk on his own.

       “Don’t forget to take those pain pills when you get home, Spence,” Delia instructed. “The morphine is going to wear off soon and your hand is going to hurt for a while.”

       “I can’t thank you enough, Delia,” Spence said.

       “I’m glad to be here,” she assured him.

       Zach’s breath caught in his lungs. Delia might be glad to be here, but Zach wasn’t sure how he felt about the fact that she’d so suddenly appeared back in his life.

       She had thrown him off balance. Emotionally, he was having a harder time staying upright than Spence was.

       He’d imagined Delia’s return to Serendipity a thousand times, but the stark reality of the moment was completely different than anything his mind could have conjured—never mind his heart.

       “Zach?” Delia called just as he was about to close the door behind him.

       Just her saying his name made a ripple of awareness flow through him. He took a deep breath, casually arched an eyebrow and turned toward her.

       Her eyes were shaded and her expression neutral. It used to be that he had easily been able to read the depths of her heart through her gaze. But he would have thought the time and distance would have changed that ability.

       He was surprised to find that it hadn’t. He could see that she was struggling emotionally with this unexpected reunion, just as he was.

       He questioned her with his eyes. What did she want—or expect from him, for that matter?

       He was aware of the very moment she elevated an emotional barrier. Her gaze turned from a glimmering sapphire to a steel-blue. Clearly, whatever courtesy she had shown him had been for Spence’s sake and not his own. Although, why that should surprise him was beyond his comprehension. Hadn’t he done the same with her—or at least had tried to do?

       He dropped his brow. He didn’t know whether she had put their past aside. He only knew that he couldn’t.

       She had left him without a word. She had broken his heart.

       There was so much he wanted, no, needed, to say to her, but the words would not come. And even if they had, now was hardly the time.

       “Well?” he asked when she continued to stare at him without speaking.

       “I just wanted to say thank you,” she said in a raspy near whisper that sounded dry and strained.

       His brow lowered further. “For what?”

       “For helping me out here today. For being there for Spence. I might have been able to do it without you, but I don’t think he could have.”

       “It’s my job,” he replied curtly.

       “Maybe,” Delia said, shaking her head. “But I don’t think that’s all it is.”

       His mouth twisted but he didn’t deny it.

       “I’m glad I could help,” he said after another extended silence. Help Spence, he added to himself.

       She hesitated, looking as if she had something else to say, but then her jaw tightened and she shook her head almost imperceptibly. “So, I guess I’ll see you around.”

       He nodded. This conversation was over. His gaze broke with hers as he gestured toward the door. “Spence and Ben are waiting for me.”

       He turned and nearly sprinted for the door. It was more of a getaway than an exit.

       How, he wondered, was he ever going to be able to work with her when just seeing her drudged up so many uncomfortable