Page 24 of A Hidden Hope

The conversation with Matt last night had cost her a good bit of sleep.

He’d been right—she knew it as much as she hated to admit it.

David had said the same thing, many times.

Wren, and maybe Charlie, had provided a golden opportunity to her.

They deserved more than what she was giving them.

They deserved a proper residency program.

But that meant Dok had to step up her game too.

Planning ahead had never come naturally.

Her ADHD made sure of that. She could handle pressure, think on her feet, and adapt in the moment, but laying out a structured plan was her Achilles’ heel.

It took a Herculean effort—and that was the very reason she kept putting it off.

This last month had exposed her shortcomings in an embarrassing way.

But that was going to change. It was time to face this residency program, head on.

Dok glanced around the bright freshly painted space, still amazed at the transformation. Basement didn’t seem like the right word for it anymore. She needed a better term. Lower level? Ground floor? Bleh. Too industrial sounding. Maybe ... garden level?

She sighed and shook her head. Naming the place wasn’t the priority right now.

She wanted to talk to Wren, Charlie, and Evie before Annie arrived at eight o’clock and the day whooshed away.

She wanted to get everyone on the same page.

It was time to give Wren and Charlie the structure and guidance they needed, and Evie .

.. well, Evie was an unexpected short-term bonus.

Dok heard a horse’s loud, nose-clearing snort, then the familiar rhythmic clip-clopping.

She made her way up the steps to see a horse and buggy pull up outside.

Fern sat confidently at the reins, while Wren and Evie climbed down from the buggy.

Charlie was already on the ground, efficiently unloading three scooters from the back with a practiced ease.

Dok walked along the path and gave Fern a friendly wave. “Want to see what Charlie’s been up to?”

Fern shook her head with a smile. “Another time, maybe. I’ve got a full day ahead of me.”

Dok nodded, not surprised. “Of course you do. Thanks for bringing them in early.”

As Fern shook the harness reins to head off, Dok turned to Wren and Evie. “I’ll let Charlie take the lead for the grand unveiling.”

Charlie, grinning with pride, led the way down the steps. As they stepped into the newly remodeled space, Evie’s eyes lit up. “Wow, this is incredible!” she said, spinning around to take it all in.

For a split second, Dok thought she saw something more than just admiration in Evie’s gaze when it rested on Charlie. Hmm. Was she missing something?

Wren stayed silent, but Dok caught the appreciative glint in her eyes as she surveyed the room. It was clear she was impressed. It would’ve been nice, though, if she had offered Charlie a compliment.

Once the tour was over, Dok gathered them in the waiting area.

“Now that we’ve got the space ready, it’s time to talk about how we’re going to start your training here.

” As they settled into the chairs, Dok continued.

“When I’m in the office, I want to let you both start handling basic patient care, like annual physicals and rechecks.

But if I’m out on a house call, Evie will supervise. ”

Charlie’s head bobbed once or twice. “Sounds good to me.”

Dok turned her attention to Wren, who was shifting uncomfortably in her seat, her hands clasped tightly together. “What about you?”

Wren met Dok’s gaze with an unexpected intensity. “Nothing personal,” she said, flicking a glance in Evie’s direction, which meant it was very personal, “but nurses don’t supervise doctors. I graduated at the top of my class, and it’s only right that you supervise me. That’s why I’m here.”

An awkward silence fell. Dok had anticipated some pushback from Wren, though not in front of Evie. “I assure you, Evie is more than capable of supervising you, especially for routine tasks.”

Charlie nodded in agreement. “Absolutely.”

But Wren wasn’t backing down. “I’m sure Evie’s skills are ... proficient ... but I came here for direct guidance from you, an experienced physician. Not from a recent graduate of nursing school.”

Dok cast a glance at Evie, whose chin was tucked, as if embarrassed. She raised an eyebrow. “If you want direct patient care, then this is how it’s going to work. More often than not, half my time is spent on house calls.”

Wren’s response was quick. “I’ve been ready to join you on those house calls since day one.

You were the one who thought patients wouldn’t be comfortable with anyone else.

Yet Evie goes out with you every day.” She glanced at Charlie.

“If you’re not willing to supervise a resident, maybe you should’ve thought twice about taking one—or two. ”

Dok had the distinct feeling she’d just been outmaneuvered by a rookie.

Exasperating, but she couldn’t help feeling a grudging admiration for Wren.

Matt had seen it first—Wren reminded Dok of herself as a resident.

Gutsy. Bold. Audacious. She’s a mini-me.

“All right,” she said, her tone firm but laced with a fake sigh of resignation.

“Wren, you’re now on house calls with me.

But in the office, you respect Evie’s role as supervisor.

Got it? And remember, until you both pass your boards and are licensed, no treating patients without supervision. ”

Wren gave a quick, no-nonsense nod. She extended her palm out toward Evie. “Pager, please.”

Slowly, Evie took the pager from her pocket and handed it to Wren.

Seriously? Dok barely resisted an eye roll at that power play. She turned her full attention to Charlie and Evie. “And you two? Ready to jump into this new setup?”

Charlie looked at Evie and grinned. “Absolutely.”

Evie’s face lit up, cheeks turning a bright shade of pink—enough confirmation for Dok that there was definitely something brewing here.

But she didn’t have time for that. “All right then,” Dok said, shifting into “let’s get to work” mode.

“Charlie and Evie, you’ve got the morning patients.

Annie should be here soon with the day’s list. Wren, after that, you’re with me on a house call. ”

Fifteen minutes later, Dok and Wren were in the car. “We’re heading to Simon Esh’s,” Dok said, “to help him change out his colostomy bag. Apparently, it’s leaking.” She forced herself to keep her eyes on the road, resisting the urge to grin at Wren’s mortified reaction.

If this young doctor was going to give Dok a run for her money, she might as well make it a lesson worth learning.

Annie shut the basement door and spun around to find Gus standing at the top of the cellar steps.

His hair was tousled by the breeze, and that easy, winsome grin of his sent a little jolt straight through her.

Every time he popped up unexpectedly, her heart did the same little stutter step.

Nerves fluttered in her belly, leaving her slightly lightheaded.

If sunshine could be bottled, it would look like him.

Mr. Wonderful. “Gus! What are you doing here?”

“It’s my day off. I had a few things to do in town, so I thought I’d start at the Bent N’ Dent.” He tipped his head toward the store. “You know, for Sarah’s good coffee.”

Gus didn’t drink coffee. He’d come to see her .

A slow smile escaped.After Hank Lapp had spilled the beans about Annie’s car sickness, Gus had been very empathetic.

Turned out, he’d struggled with it once or twice too.

He understood! When she told him she was working on some remedies and was confident she could manage it, his only response was, “I know you’ll overcome it, Annie. ”

She’d felt such a sweep of relief that she’d even slept well that night, something that hadn’t happened for a while. She’d had to ask the Lord for forgiveness for telling Gus she was confident she could manage it. That was a lie. Annie never lied. She promised the Lord she wouldn’t do it again.

And here he was, this morning, on his day off, just to see her! She felt a little shiver of delight and nervously smoothed her apron.

Gus glanced at the path that led to the basement. “How’s the remodel coming along?”

“It’s done! Charlie did a wonderful job.” A giggle escaped. “The first patient arrived this morning—Hank Lapp, with a rooster under one arm.”

“A rooster?” Gus blinked.

“Hank headed straight to the basement, calling for Dok. He told Dok he was here to ‘inspect the new coop.’ He held out the rooster and said that ‘this one’s been a bit off his crow.’”

Gus laughed. “How did Dok handle that?”

“She just gave him that look she has,” Annie said, furrowing her brows and pointing at Gus.

“‘Hank Lapp, this basement is no coop. It is the ... garden level ... for a medical practice for human beings . You and your crowless rooster can turn around and head back home. And tell Edith to put that rooster in tonight’s supper pot.’ Hank sputtered away, deeply offended.

” She giggled again. “One thing for sure—that man never quits. If there’s a door, he’ll find a way through it. ”

“Speaking of persistence,” Gus said, a probing look on his face, “I thought I’d come to your office and take you to lunch. If you’re free, that is.”

A little thrill ran through her, knowing their special friendship had returned to the way it used to be—easy, comfortable—before her motion sickness got in the way. “I am free, in fact.”

Then his mouth broke into a wide smile. “Good. We’re going on a bus ride.”

Annie’s good mood popped like a balloon.