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  “Sure. And I’ll try to get rid of that mess while you’re out.” Cat eyed the chaotic table, her mouth turned up in a wry smirk.

  Coralee arranged a silk-lined bonnet over her hair and stepped out onto the uneven boardwalk. She ambled past the row of neat wooden storefronts, trying to calm the worries that swirled relentlessly. Pausing, she examined the wares displayed in the window of another new shop, the third one that had opened that week. A sudden light touch on her elbow and a familiar masculine voice startled her out of her reverie.

  “Imagine running into you on my first day home, Coralee Evans.”

  She turned and instantly lost herself in deep brown eyes that brought back a lifetime of memories. Her heartbeat faltered. “Jake! What a surprise to find you back in town. I haven’t seen you since...” Her voice broke as she swallowed around the lump in her throat. “Since Alan’s funeral.”

  The slight edge of coolness in his eyes softened. “Coralee, I’m so—” he began, but she broke in before he could finish, not ready to talk about Alan with him yet.

  “I needed a break from some work at the shop. How about stopping over at Aunt Lily’s for a bite to eat?”

  Jake hesitated, eyes drifting over her. Coralee flushed under his scrutiny. What did he see after all the years apart? Finally he nodded and offered his arm. They crossed the dusty street, weaving between passing wagons and deep ruts. She pointed out some of the changes to the town since the last time Jake had been back. New buildings popped up every day in Spring Hill as immigrants poured into the Nebraska Territory. Coralee searched for small talk that would steer them far from digging up the past.

  “How long have you been in town, Jake?”

  “I got in two days ago. I spent yesterday settling in at the boardinghouse and visiting my folks.”

  “You’ll be staying for a while, then?” She couldn’t hide the surprise in her tone. A town the size of Spring Hill could only support one doctor.

  Before he could answer, they approached the café, pausing to exchange brief greetings with a couple they passed on the sidewalk. The young man held tight to his companion’s hand where it rested on his arm and the lovely lady’s face flushed under his attention. Young love. A sharp pang of loss cut through Coralee’s heart.

  As they continued she caught a glimpse of her and Jake reflected in the pane-glass window and longing washed over her. It had been a long time since she’d walked arm in arm with a gentleman. She deliberately focused her eyes high above them, examining the familiar block letters painted on the building, proclaiming Lily’s Café. She was able to breathe easier when Jake pulled his arm away so he could open the solid wood door and hold it for her to enter.

  Once inside, they found the only empty table in the busy eatery. Jake scooted out a chair for Coralee and waited as she seated herself. “Everything looks just like the last time I was here, years ago.”

  She glanced around the narrow room, trying to see it through Jake’s eyes. The tables scattered throughout were all set with white cloths and simple dishes, clearly used but clean. There was little in the way of decoration, but the dining area was warm and comfortable. What did the space look like to him now, after frequenting the finest dining establishments in St. Louis?

  An awkward silence fell over them as they waited. Coralee drummed her fingers on the table as her gaze was drawn to Jake’s strong face. The tanned features, straight nose and generous mouth she had known since childhood were framed by a few new creases. As he sat there across from her, something in the way he held himself was more attractive than she remembered.

  But thinking about Jake’s good looks would only lead to problems. Coralee snapped out of her thoughts and pulled her eyes away before Jake found her staring. She glanced around the room in an effort to look unaffected, searching for an innocuous topic to break the silence. “Oh, Jake, there’s Aunt Lily, visiting with her customers. She’ll be so glad to see you.”

  She caught Aunt Lily’s eye just as the older woman noticed her companion and rushed over with a cry. “Jake Hadley, as I live and breathe! Young man, you give me a hug.” She enveloped Jake in an embrace as he stood, then stepped back to look him over. “You look good, boy. Your mama said you’ve been working in a fancy hospital in St. Louis?”

  “Yes, I spent the last three years there, after graduating from the university. I learned a lot. I doubt I’ll face many of the same kinds of cases practicing out here, but it was a good place to learn the latest techniques.”

  Coralee caught a whiff of fresh air and soap clinging to Jake as he greeted Aunt Lily. For a moment she was so distracted by his presence that she nearly missed his words.

  “Wait. You’ll be practicing in town? On your own?”

  Pride radiated from him as a smile broke out on his face. “I’ve secured an arrangement to train with Samuel Jay until he retires. Then I’ll inherit the practice. It’s a good opportunity. He’s one of the best doctors in the Nebraska Territory and I’m pleased that he asked me to work alongside him.”

  A chill sliced through Coralee, erasing every trace of the warm attraction she had been feeling. “You’re working with Dr. Jay?”

  Jake glanced at her, obviously noticing the change in her demeanor. “He visits St. Louis several times a year to see his sister and he always stops at the hospital. I spent some time with him there. When he learned that I hoped to come home after my training, he offered me the position.”

  “That’s just fine, young man.” Aunt Lily spoke with a smile but Coralee thought it might be a bit forced. The older woman was certain to be concerned about Coralee’s response to Jake’s announcement. She had good reason to worry. Coralee and Dr. Jay had gone head-to-head more than once in the year since Papa had died and left her his shop. But that man had gone too far this time. He had only been in town for ten years or so, but it was a small community. He had to know how close she and Jake had been. Had he sought out Jake on purpose to hurt her?

  “I’m excited to have a chance to practice medicine here. St. Louis was an interesting change of scenery, but Spring Hill has always been home. And, of course, I need to be close to my folks to help Pa out around the farm when I can. They’re not getting any younger. I never thought the details would line up so I could run a practice here so soon.”

  “Jake, my boy, I’m so pleased for you. You aren’t staying with your ma and pa?”

  “Samuel felt it would be better for me to live in town to start, to be closer to the clinic until I build up a professional relationship with people in the area. After some time, I’ll move out there to help my parents more.”

  Jake continued talking with Lily but Coralee didn’t hear a word. Anger was building up and she just wanted to get away before she embarrassed herself. She cut into their conversation. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to the shop. It was nice to see you, Jake.” She nodded in his direction but couldn’t meet his eyes. “I’ll see you tonight at home, Aunt Lily.” She dropped a light kiss on the older woman’s wrinkled cheek and left before they could stop her. She heard Aunt Lily call her name, but kept going. If she turned around, her temper might well get the best of her.

  She was so aggravated that the walk back to Holbrook’s was a blur. “Coralee?” Cat looked up in surprise from a box of jars she was sorting as her sister stomped into the store and huffed behind the counter. “What on earth happened?”

  “That man!” Coralee tossed her bonnet on the counter, breathless with frustration. “I don’t know what Samuel Jay thinks he’s doing, but I will not stand for it.”

  Cat gently rested her arm around Coralee’s shoulders and walked with her into the small back room. “Sit down and tell me what happened.”

  “Jake Hadley is back in town. And he’s training to take over Dr. Jay’s practice.” Coralee sank into her chair, trying to hold back tears. “Alan’s dearest friend, recruited by
the man who wants to close our shop. Dr. Jay must know our history and have some motive for hiring Jake, of all people. The man has always acted like he would go to the grave running that practice.” Coralee ran a shaky hand over her face, trying to calm herself.

  Cat listened to Coralee pour out her frustrations with the old doctor, but she was never one to jump to conclusions. “Jake is from Spring Hill and I’m sure he’s a great doctor. He would be the most logical choice to take over the practice. Yes, you’ve had trouble with Dr. Jay, but that doesn’t mean Jake is part of it.”

  Coralee snorted. “The old man didn’t even wait until we properly mourned Papa. He started in right away, telling his patients that I’m untrained and incapable. He refuses to come to us for even the most basic supplies.” She rose and started pacing the room, unable to sit still. “Just last week Mrs. Bernard told me he hired her oldest grandson to ride over to the steamboat dock to pick up loads of supplies for him. He’ll do anything he has to in order to hurt our business, including using Jake.”

  “Be that as it may, we know Jake. He would never hurt anyone out of spite, especially not you.”

  But Cat didn’t know Jake as well as her older sister. Coralee had experienced the kind of pain Jake could cause and she would not put herself in that position again. Her focus had to be on how she could keep Papa’s shop open, supporting what was left of her family and giving the people of Spring Hill an alternative to Dr. Jay’s exorbitant fees.

  “I know how important this shop is to you, how running it helped you cope with losing Papa and Alan. We’ll find a way to keep it open.”

  Coralee’s heart softened at Cat’s earnest tone. No matter what, her sisters were behind her as she fought for their future. Her path was clear: she would never have the family she had dreamed of as a girl, but God had given her the shop. She would do everything in her power to make it the success Papa would have wanted. She needed it and the town needed it.

  * * *

  After Coralee rushed from the café, Jake stood for a moment in shock. “What just happened?” he muttered.

  “Well, dear,” Lily chimed in, direct as usual, “you’re working for the man who wants to ruin her livelihood. What do you expect?”

  Jake examined Lily through narrowed eyes, taking in her familiar honest face and work-worn hands. “Lily, I’m not sure what that means.”

  “Means Dr. Jay has it out for Coralee’s business, that’s what, honey.”

  Jake’s mind retraced the conversation with Coralee. “She did seem upset when I mentioned Dr. Jay. But he’s an excellent doctor and a good man. Kind, caring, intelligent. Why would he try to harm Holbrook’s?”

  “Maybe you should ask him about all that, Jake.” Lily patted his hand. “Now, do you need anything for lunch?”

  “No, Lily. Thanks.” Jake’s mind was already turning as he waved goodbye. He walked back to the office, hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his cotton trousers. People flowed around him but he didn’t even notice as he mulled over the turn of events. Samuel Jay couldn’t be as bad as Coralee seemed to think. The older man had already taught him so much and Jake was looking forward to several more years of training under him.

  He took a deep breath and straightened his slumped shoulders. Coralee’s problems with Samuel didn’t need to have anything to do with him. Although the incident had reminded him why coming back to Spring Hill was a risk. Now that he was in town to stay, he would see her far too often. But that was a chance he had to take. His parents needed him.

  Her beauty had taken him by surprise, though. The hard years since he had seen her last had given her a strong, confident air that was appealing. In many ways, she was still the lovely girl he’d grown up with. She only stood as high as his shoulder with the same wavy dark hair, pale blue eyes and delicate nose. But he could read the shadow of loss lingering in her face as clear as day.

  Jake approached the small clapboard building that housed Samuel’s office and living quarters. Nestled near a bend in the creek, it was a peaceful spot in the midst of the busy town. Jake appreciated working in this picturesque little corner after seven years of dirt and noise in the city.

  When he walked through the front door, he heard Samuel conversing with a patient in the exam room. Jake went to his desk at the back of the empty waiting area, settling in with a pile of patient files he needed to read through. But instead of the stack of paper, Jake’s mind would only focus on the image of lovely blue eyes. Before they’d turned cold with anger, that is.

  Jake shook his head and grabbed the first file from the stack. He couldn’t get distracted by a pretty face and he couldn’t let a misunderstanding about motives endanger his position in the practice. He had to get to the bottom of Lily’s comments about his mentor.

  Ten minutes later the exam room door opened and a middle-aged woman with a boy of about seven or eight exited with Samuel Jay. The doctor walked them to the door, giving the mother instructions on caring for the boy’s finger. Jake guessed it must be broken, judging from the splint. He took a moment to gather his thoughts as they left, then stood and stepped toward the doctor as he closed the door.

  “Jake, I trust you had a nice lunch.” The older man turned and placed the papers in his hand on top of the stack on Jake’s desk.

  “Uh, I...” Jake couldn’t quite find the words to confront his employer until Coralee’s angry expression flashed in his mind. This was awkward, but assuming she was right without seeking Samuel’s opinion would be worse. “That is, yes, lunch was fine. But I wanted to ask you about Holbrook’s Apothecary. You haven’t mentioned how you work with the shop, yet.”

  Samuel stiffened and his tone turned cold. “Hadley, I want you to understand this. William Holbrook was capable, although not a person I cared for. But that daughter of his does not belong in the field of medicine. I refuse to allow my patients to be misled by her delusions of knowledge.” The flash of anger faded as a stern look crossed the older man’s face. “I hope you’ll come to recognize that as the truth and that this won’t be an issue in your work. Now, please continue familiarizing yourself with my patients.” Samuel turned on his heel and withdrew to his office without another word.

  Jake stood stock-still for a moment, not sure what to think. He had to admit, although he knew Coralee to be skilled, she didn’t have medical training beyond what her father had taught her. Samuel was a strong proponent of proper education and certification for those who held patients’ lives in their hands, and Jake had to agree. Perhaps the older man wasn’t as aware of Coralee’s considerable experience as Jake. The hours he had spent in the shop with her and Mr. Holbrook had proved to him that she knew what she was doing.

  But as much as he wanted to believe she was still the accomplished girl he had grown up with, Jake didn’t know who she was anymore. Samuel had a reasonable concern and he was now Jake’s mentor. Jake would not take the word of a woman he wasn’t sure he could trust over that of a good and reputable man.

  * * *

  That Sunday, Jake joined his parents, Ezra and Beth, at Spring Hill’s small church. As the service started, he glanced curiously around the building. It had been finished right after he’d left for medical school and housed both church services and the school. Ma would have loved teaching the local children in a building like this when Jake was young rather than at their kitchen table. Would his relationship with Coralee be different if they had attended a more formal school? If so much of their time hadn’t been spent together at Holbrook’s? He couldn’t imagine what he would be doing now if he hadn’t spent so many hours learning basic remedies and a love of medicine from Coralee’s father.

  Jake tried to focus and listen to the sermon but his mind wandered. Coralee sat with her aunt and sisters across the aisle and several rows ahead of his family. Every time he caught a glimpse of her, his attention derailed.

  He knew when he�
��d returned to town that there would be tension between them. But he hadn’t prepared himself for the onslaught of emotions every time he saw her. His heart ached with ugly emotions he thought had healed. Pain from the lingering sting of her rejection when he’d tried to lay his heart out for her. Jealousy that always flared when he remembered how she’d turned to his best friend while he’d been away at school. He was sure now that no length of time could erase that hurt from his heart.

  His trip down memory lane was cut short when the congregation stood to sing a final hymn. As the ending notes faded away, the congregants all turned to greet their neighbors with happy conversation. Noticing that everyone around him was occupied, Jake slipped out the side door. He waited by his parents’ wagon while they socialized, trying to look like he wasn’t hiding. He couldn’t bring himself to face questions from all the folks who would want to welcome him back to town when he had so many unwanted feelings distracting him.

  Finally the couple finished greeting the other churchgoers and joined him. It was a fine spring day, so his mother had packed a picnic for them to share before his parents headed back out to their farm.

  Jake gathered up the picnic basket and blanket before his father could try to reach for them and led the way to a quiet spot by the creek. Soon they had the blanket spread on the grass and Jake helped Pa lower himself onto it. Ma laid out the food and they all filled their plates and said a prayer.

  “Son, how’ve you liked your first few days working with the doc?” Pa shoveled his wife’s delicious cooking in his mouth as he waited for Jake’s response.

  “Just fine, Pa. Samuel is an excellent doctor, just as I thought in St. Louis.” Jake hesitated, not sure if he should bring up Coralee and her accusations against the older doctor. But he needed some perspective on the conflict. “I ran into Coralee the other day.” He tried to sound nonchalant, but judging from the look on his mother’s face, he wasn’t succeeding.

  “Oh, Jake,” Ma breathed, her voice hopeful but laced with traces of worry. “I’ve been praying that you two could start to get along again, now that you’re home for good. How did it go?”