A Doctor's Vow

“Mildew. I had to tear out the carpet. Then I found some of the floor boards damaged. The roof leaked during the summer.” He scuffed his cowboy boot against a newly installed sheet of plywood. “Renovating this place is like removing an old woman’s makeup. You just keep pulling away layers.”

“I’m not sure I like the allusion.” She frowned. “Why do men always use women as their scapegoats? Cars are ‘she.’ Fires are ‘she.’” Jaclyn saw his shoulders shake with laughter and sighed. “Now I’m bickering! It’s contagious.”

“Yep. That’s why I say forget it. It can get you down if you let it.” Kent pulled off his sunglasses and studied her. “We can’t afford to lose you, or let you get caught up in somebody else’s feud. You’ve got things to do in Hope, remember?”

And suddenly she did remember. “Oh, brother, now I’ve done it.”

“What?” After a moment he stopped and leaned nearer. “You look funny.”

“I feel sick.” She slid off the sawhorse onto an upended pail. “How could I be so stupid?”

“What?”

“Kent, I promised I’d speak at those ladies’ groups.” She watched his smile die.

“What, both of them?”

She nodded. “Separately, of course.”

“Well, in light of today’s argument, maybe they’ll cancel and find somebody else,” he offered.

“By tonight?” She shook her head. “Heddy told me how hard it’s been to get speakers. Hope isn’t exactly sitting in the mainstream of a speaking route. She seemed to like my fundraising ideas and wanted me to tell the Pros about them. Truthfully I was kind of looking forward to it, too. I thought it would make things easier if I provided a little history about my night of terror.” She groaned. “Why didn’t I shut my mouth? Why did I even try?”

“Because you are generous and trying to help. Relax.” Kent pulled out his cell phone and dialed. “Hey, Margie. This is the mayor.” He listened for a minute, laughed and then said, “Is there a ladies’ group meeting tonight?” His blue eyes twinkled as he listened to the response. “Okay. Sounds like a good time. Thanks.” He flipped the phone closed. “It’s on and so are you. Apparently the word has gone out about your fundraising ideas for the church and a fair crowd is expected. Margie said she just talked to Heddy and nothing’s been canceled, not tonight and not tomorrow night.”

“I guess I’ll show up then.” Jaclyn got hung up on the dimple that sometimes appeared when his eyes crinkled with laughter. “Thanks, Kent. I hope you’ll pray for me while I’m there. It’s funny but walking into the church’s basement makes me feel like Daniel going into the lions’ den.”

He chuckled but he didn’t say he’d pray.

She checked her watch. “Yikes! I’ve got an appointment. I have to go.”

“So I guess that means you won’t be by tonight to work,” he teased before she dragged open the door.

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