The M.D. Next Door

“Long days.”

“I work fifty, sometimes sixty hours a week. The surgeon’s life,” she said. Though she kept her tone light, she was being candid. Seth should know exactly what her schedule was like.

If he was dismayed, he kept it out of his voice. “I understand. I probably put in that many hours, myself, though I have the luxury of doing some of my work while I’m at home with Alice.”

“I do some paperwork at home, but it would be hard to operate in my living room.”

He chuckled. “I guess it would be.”

Okay, something was coming through in his tone, she decided. His laugh had sounded just a little stilted, his humor a bit forced. Had her hours taken him aback that much, or was she simply imagining those things?

“How are things going over there?” she asked by way of distraction. “How’s Alice?”

“She’s doing well. Next week’s her last week of school, so she’s started studying for final exams.”

“And Jacqui? How’s she doing?”

“So far, so good. She’s a cleaning demon, and a very good cook, though different than Nina. Nina cooked a lot of southwestern dishes, Jacqui’s cooking has more of a Mediterranean flavor. Really good, though.”

“That’s great. She and Alice are still getting along well?”

“So far. They’re starting knitting lessons as soon as school is out. Apparently, Jacqui is quite the professional knitter.”

“She mentioned that when I interviewed her.”

“She’s a real stickler for schedules, too. She and Alice made out a schedule together for the next two weeks. Snack time, study time, piano practice time, Waldo time. She said they’ll make up a new schedule for summer days after school’s out.”

“How does Alice feel about that?”

“She’s not complaining, but the novelty hasn’t worn off yet. We’ll just have to see how it all works out.”

“Tell her I said hello, will you? Both of them, actually.”

“I will. So, I’ll, um—I’ll talk to you later, then.”

“It’s always nice to hear from you,” she assured him, in case there was any doubt.

She couldn’t read his tone when he said, “Good night, Meagan. Get some rest.”

“I will. You, t—”

But Seth had already hung up.

As she set her phone aside, she felt as though he’d disconnected in more ways than just a phone call. She had noted that he’d made no attempt to arrange

another outing with her.

She pushed a hand through her hair. Suddenly she felt much more weary than she had before she’d spoken with Seth.

“I wish we could see Meagan again. Why can’t we ask her over for dinner tonight or something?”

Alice’s tone made Seth grimace. He recognized that one. She was gearing up for a quarrel, mentally prepared to counter anything he might say.

He had barely gotten in the door Friday evening after work, having walked into the kitchen only a few minutes earlier. He’d thought Alice would be pleased that he’d gotten away from the office a little early, especially since he’d had to work a couple hours late the night before, but her thoughts were on the neighbor she hadn’t seen for a week.

He glanced at Jacqui, who was grating parmesan cheese over a pasta, artichoke and caper dish. The scents emanating from the oven were mouthwatering, making him remember he’d had time only for a half a sandwich at lunch. But before he could wash up for dinner, he supposed he had to deal with Alice’s mood.

“We can’t ask Meagan to dinner because she isn’t even home,” he said. “I just passed her house.”