The M.D. Next Door

“I’ve only known her a couple of weeks, of course, but I like her very much.”

“I know she appreciates everything you did for her today. We all do. Thank you for rushing over. I didn’t even realize Alice had called you.”

And of course Seth hadn’t called her, himself, because he hadn’t even known she was a doctor. Meagan still found it startling that he had been unaware of that fact. They hadn’t spent much time together, of course, and had rarely been alone. Their few conversations had focused on Alice, for the most part. She had mentioned she was on a medical leave, but she supposed she hadn’t said from what. But it did seem odd that neither Alice nor Nina had mentioned Meagan’s job to Seth. She guessed they didn’t really think of her in her career much because they had seen her only at home on leave.

Funny, so many people asked almost immediately what she did for a living when meeting her for the first time. She hadn’t gone into medicine to impress anyone, but because she enjoyed the work and the challenges involved but still some people treated her with a bit more deference once they learned what she did. Would Seth act any differently toward her now that he knew she wasn’t the office worker he’d thought, for some reason? She couldn’t imagine why he would.

“I’m glad I could help, and I didn’t mind at all that Alice called,” she assured him. “She’s welcome to come here after school while you look for a replacement for Nina. I’m not cleared to return to work for another couple of weeks, so I’ll be here, and I would enjoy her company.”

“I’ll tell her. I know she enjoys visiting with you. Just feel free to send her home when you get tired or have anything else to do.”

“Of course.”

“So, um—we’re still on

for that charity thing Friday evening?”

“Sure.” That was an odd thing for him to ask, she thought, studying his face in the yellowish porch lighting. “You still want to go, right?”

“Yeah. I mean, Lisa’s here to take care of Nina, and I’m sort of expected to show up…” Apparently realizing he sounded less than gracious, he paused, then finished smoothly, “And I’m looking forward to spending the evening with you, of course.”

She smiled and started to respond lightly, but was interrupted by the buzz of her cell phone. Frowning, she drew it from her pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s my mother. It’s later than she usually calls.”

“I hope everything’s okay.”

She held the phone to her ear. “Mom?”

Seth hovered nearby, looking torn between giving her privacy and wanting to be there for her if she needed anything.

“I know it’s late, but do you feel up to coming over, Meagan? I don’t like the way your grandmother is breathing. Maybe it’s nothing, but she seems to be struggling a little. I’d feel better if you look at her. I tried Mitch, but he’s on call tonight. I was told he’s in an emergency surgery. If you don’t feel up to coming, I can try Maddie. I don’t want to call for an ambulance if I’m just over-reacting.”

What else could go wrong that day? Meagan pushed a hand through her hair, feeling her still-recovering energy waning. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Stay calm, Mom, we’ll take care of her, okay?”

“All right. You’re sure you feel like driving?”

“Of course I do. It’s only a few miles. Don’t worry about me, just take care of Meemaw until I get there.”

She hung up the phone and slipped it back into her pocket, already opening her purse to find her car keys as she spoke to Seth. “My grandmother’s in poor health and Mom wants me to come check on her. It’s probably nothing serious, but Mom will feel better if I look in on her.”

“Is there anything you need? Are you okay to drive? I could take you.”

She smiled, grateful for the offer, though she shook her head. “Thank you, but I’m fine. Trust me, I’m used to being called out late at night.”

“I see. The doctor’s life, huh?”

“Pretty much,” she said, keys in hand now. “My life is much more hectic than this when I’m not on leave.”

“I’m sure it is.”

Something in his tone made her frown a little, but she didn’t have time to analyze it. “Good night, Seth. Let me know if you and Alice need anything. And tell her to feel free to come by after school tomorrow.”

He was already backing toward his car. “I hope your grandmother is okay. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”

Meagan glanced into her rearview mirror as she drove away minutes later. Seth had already driven into his garage and closed the door, she noted. She pictured him guiding his sleepy daughter into the house. And then she made an effort to put that sweet little vignette out of her mind and concentrate on her own family’s needs.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Meagan was just finishing a call with one of her partners, catching up on office business, when she was interrupted by the beep of an incoming call. Seth. She and her partner said their goodbyes and she picked up the other call.

“How’s your grandmother?” he asked.