Love in Bloom Read Free

Reynolds is selfish?"
    "I didn't say that.  Sometimes our health, physical or mental, depends on thinking of ourselves first."
    "I suppose I was thinking of myself when I came here," she confessed.
    Doc's expression was wry.  "Taking over my practice is not selfishness."
    Paige sighed and sat on the soft cushions of the sofa.  She ran her fingers over one of the pheasants printed on the arm.  "I fell apart in Africa.  That's not easy to face.  I'm a doctor.  I should be able to handle--"
    "Famine and poverty?  Babies dying from malnutrition?  Hour after hour, day after day, year after year?  You were there three years, Paige, without a break.  What did you expect to happen?  Did you think you could neglect your own needs, your mental health, and not fall apart?"
    "My mother hasn't."  Paige couldn't remember when her mother had shown a weakness of any kind.
    "Ah, your mother.  You think she's a saint.  And she might be.  But we all aren't cut out for sainthood."
    Doc had never talked this way before and Paige was surprised.  "You sound like you don't approve."
    The older man's eyes were sad.  "It's not that I don't approve.  But you didn't belong over there as a child, any more than you belonged stuck in a boarding school during your formative years.  Your father would be alive today if he'd taken a break now and then."
    Always ready to defend the two people she idolized, Paige responded softly, "We took furloughs to get supplies.  We came back to the States once a year."
    "Even when you came here with your parents, they were planning and organizing the entire time.  Those weren't vacations, Paige."
    "They were following their dream--to heal the world together.  And now Mother's keeping that dream alive."
    "But is it your dream?"
    Paige rested her head against the back of the sofa and closed her eyes.  "I thought it was.  Growing up, watching them care for people, no matter what the conditions were.  I thought I wanted that life, too.  That's why I became a doctor."
    "And now?"
    "I just don't know.  But I have a couple of months to figure it out."
    "You know you can stay with me as long as you need to, even when I'm back on my feet.  I promised your father I'd look after you."
    Paige opened her eyes and sat up straight.  "And you've always done a good job.  I wouldn't have gotten through med school without your moral support, let alone my residency after Daddy had his stroke..."  Her voice caught.  Although it had been five years, Paige still missed her dad deeply.  But she considered herself lucky to have Doc.
    She didn't speak about her feelings easily, maybe because of her upbringing.  Showing someone how she felt had always been easier than talking about it.  So she changed the subject.  "What would you like for supper tonight?  Curried chicken or baked haddock?"
    Doc's gaze was sympathetic, as if he knew talking about her father was still painful.  "I think the baked haddock would be easier on my stomach."  He sat forward on the recliner and put his glasses on the end table.  "So what are you going to do about Ben?"
    Paige hopped to her feet and started toward the kitchen.  "I'll make sure I keep an eye on him.  I haven't given up on Clay Reynolds."
    "Give him some time, child.  Let him think about your idea.  Maybe he'll come around.  In fact...there's a square dance Saturday night at Phelps' place.  I bet Clay will be there."
    Paige stopped and turned around.  "You think socializing with him will bring him around?"
    "I think you should follow your instincts and see how set he is about keeping his life to himself.  And remember that old proverb--you catch more flies with honey than vinegar."
    Doc couldn't mean...  "You're not suggesting I put on makeup and bat my eyelashes, are you?"
    "A little makeup wouldn't hurt."  At her affronted look, he chuckled.  "Not that you need it.  You're as pretty as one of my white irises.  But it would do you good to dress up, be with