Opposites Attract: His Country Doctor (The Journal of Medical Romances Book 1)

by Lucy McConnell

  My muscles were all weak, like I’d had the tar beaten out of me. I guessed I had.

  I went across the river, thinking about bulldozers and mayflies and how I’d never get to sit on the porch and tell our kids that story about their great-grandpa, and I wanted to curl up in a ball.

  Thunderclouds were my only companion as I set up the cot in the tool shed and unrolled my sleeping bag. It was warm enough to lie on top, so I did. I stared at the wall and wondered what I’d done, what I could have done better.

  Sleep never came. I tossed and turned as thunder rolled over the river. About four in the morning, I cracked open the door and watched the lightning spiderweb across the sky. Puddles formed all over the yard and soaked the timber.

  Even as sore and heartbroken as I was, I couldn’t deny that I loved her.

  I didn’t think I could ever love like that, but I had.

  I didn’t know how to recover, and my doctor was gone.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Harper

  Saturday morning, I loaded the essentials and started down Highway 136. I had a moving company coming next week for my things. My landlord would let them into the house and make sure things were packed up right. I had broken my lease and lost my deposit, but they were good to work with me about the move.

  As the highway merged into Main Street and headed towards the Mississippi River, I felt like my heart was going to rip from my chest and breathing became difficult. Andrew was everywhere. I rolled down the windows, needing to feel the breeze on my face.

  As we approached the suspension bridge, Astrid put her head on the ledge by the back window and whined. She seemed to be saying that she didn’t want to leave either. “I know, girl.” I reached back and patted her side. “I know.”

  I fought the tears, my vision blurring. As I drove across the bridge, the tears flowed freely, and I broke down and sobbed. I couldn’t stop gasping for breath. Wave upon wave of sorrow lapped over me, pulling me under until I couldn’t drive safely anymore.

  I pulled the car over on the side of the road and put it in park. I clutched my hands to my chest, feeling the emptiness of my arms. I took some deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.

  If this was what I really wanted, why was I struggling so much? I wasn’t a stranger to doing hard things, but this went beyond anything I’d experienced before. It was as if my mind and heart were at war—each fighting for control and neither willing to back down.

  I leaned over in the seat, my head on the console as tears continued to fall. Astrid nudged me with her nose, but I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. I was a shell of a person. There was no spark of life left inside of me.

  A thought popped into my head. It might seem simple, but I hadn’t thought of it before. It was like a revelation, like sun breaking through clouds after a destructive storm.

  I didn’t want to leave Keokuk. I was really happy where I was at … probably for the first time since I was a child safe in my parents’ home. I’d been content here. Content with the rhythm of each day and my place in it. Life didn’t have to be some far-off goal I was always chasing but never allowed myself to achieve.

  I’d grown to love family practice and the relationships I formed with my patients and their families. I also liked the variety of ailments and ages of patients that came through my office. I was never bored.

  Plus, my life outside of work was more than I’d ever hoped for. I didn’t need to go to some big university to be accomplished in this life. I was wonderful in Andrew’s eyes just as I was.

  My soul cheered at the thought. My heart had been trying to tell me all along that this was where I belonged; I’d just been too stubborn to listen.

  I swiped the tears off my face and sat up. “Do you want to go to the farm?” I asked Astrid.

  She wagged her tail and let her tongue flop out of her mouth.

  “Me too.” I swung the car around and headed back for the bridge, my heart pounding in my chest because I was going home, but I wasn’t sure what kind of a welcome I’d get. I’d trampled over Andrew’s heart and he might not trust me with it again. But I had to try.

  I thought over the life I’d planned, and I saw it with new eyes. It was a lonely life. Maybe medicine was enough for some people. They could dedicate their lives to healing and not need love. I wasn’t one of those people. I might have been before Andrew, but he’d ruined me on being single.

  I would apologize. And then I might try dancing. If that didn’t work, I’d buy him a new tractor and beg. He always said I was stubborn. I only hoped I was more stubborn than he was.

  I grinned as an idea started to form. What I needed to do was let him know that my heart had forever changed—that it was his. And that I didn’t plan to leave him ever again.

  For that, I was going to need to get creative.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Andrew

  When I woke up on Saturday morning, it was like waking up in the middle of a bad dream. My heart pounded, and I was covered in sweat. I looked around, trying to get my bearings, and saw the inside of the tool shed.

  I threw my arm over my face, not wanting to see any more. I hadn’t left the nightmare behind in my sleep—I was living it.

  Harper was leaving this morning.

  I stumbled onto my feet and tried to press the wrinkles out of my shirt with my hands. I had a pounding headache, and my mouth felt like I’d swallowed a big bag of cotton. Great start to the day.

  I contemplated going to see Harper off for about three seconds before I squashed that idea. I couldn’t watch her drive away. That was why I’d gone to her office last night. I wanted to be the one who left—I couldn’t stand there in the parking lot alone.

  I put on my boots and stepped outside. The sun had come out after the thunderstorm that raged last night, but I still felt like I lived in a world full of thunder and heavy clouds. Every movement was harder. I locked up the shed and climbed into my old blue truck.

  She started right up. I patted the dashboard. “At least I can trust you, girl.”

  I bypassed going to Grandpa’s for a change of clothes—no one was going to care what I looked like today—and went through the McDonald’s drive-through for breakfast. I still wasn’t hungry, but I had work to do and it would be hard enough with my brain fog; I didn’t need to add hunger to my growing list of problems.

  I pointed the truck toward the east ridge to check on the soybeans. The old John Deere was there, with the mower attached. Rick’s truck was nearby. I growled. A third of the grass had been cut yesterday. It lay in wet clumps, warming in the sunshine and growing moldy.

  I threw my truck into park and barreled out. “Rick!” I yelled.

  Rick was standing on the other side of the tractor, glaring at the sky.

  “Did you even think to check the weather report?” I tore my ball cap off my head and threw it on the ground. “I can’t feed this to the horses.” Wet grass turned moldy in a heartbeat, and moldy hay would make a horse colic. I spun around and kicked the giant tractor wheel, earning myself a bruised foot for my efforts.

  Rick picked up my hat. “I’m sorry about the hay, boss.” He paused for a beat and then added, “And I’m sorry about Harper.”

  News traveled fast in a small town.

  My anger deflated somewhat and was replaced with regret that I’d lit into him like that. At least once a year, we had a storm come through and ruin something. We were kind of lucky it was just a third of the grass. It could have been worse. “Thanks, man.” I took my hat and put it back on.

  “I’ll get the rake and spread this out—see if we can dry it enough for the cows.”

  I nodded. Cows didn’t have as sensitive stomachs as horses. They’d be fine eating this feed. “I’ll do it.” It would just be me and the tractor today. I supposed that was how it was supposed to be.

  “I’ll work on that fence then.” Rick headed to his truck and was gone. Probably glad to be away from me. I was so ornery, I wished I could get aw
ay from me too.

  I drove the tractor over to a shed at the edge of the field and hooked up the tender that was stored there. Maybe we could salvage enough to feed it to the cows and we wouldn’t have to buy feed this winter.

  I was just bringing the tractor back to the field when Aunt Meredith pulled up. “Great,” I mumbled. No doubt she was here to offer her condolences. I loved her for it, but I really just wanted to be alone.

  She waved from the edge of the field and pointed to a lunch sack. She must have thought I’d missed dinner and breakfast. I smiled and pointed to my truck, indicating she should put it in there. She put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

  I grumbled as I set the tractor to idle and climbed down, trudging across the wet grass to get to her. If I got this over with, I could get back to work. As long as the entire town didn’t trek out here to try and make me feel better, I might actually get something done today.

  She had my truck open and was transferring a fresh set of clothing to the seat.

  “Thanks, Aunt Meredith, but I don’t need all that. I’ll be in tonight to shower and change.”

  She handed me a package of her makeup wipes. “Here, clean your face off—and don’t forget to get behind your ears.”

  I stared at her for a minute.

  “Do it,” she demanded.

  I didn’t have it in me to argue, so I popped one out of the package and wiped my face and neck. It felt good, refreshing as my skin tingled. “If you’re trying to give me a makeover to make me feel better, we’re going to have words.”

  She laughed, her eyes sparkling.

  “You’re taking this much better than I am.”

  “Maybe. Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic who believes in love.”

  I harrumphed.

  She pointed to the seat. “There’s clean clothes. Here’s some of those fancy breath strip mouthwash things you’ve been carrying around in your pocket all summer.”

  She handed me a new pack of them. I opened it and popped one in my mouth, sucking in as the intense mint cleared my sinuses. “What’s this about?” I asked.

  She went to her car and came back carrying a large wicker basket full of packages. “This is what this is about.” She handed over an envelope with my name on it.

  I recognized Harper’s handwriting and recoiled. “I don’t want her goodbye letter.” Even as I said the words, I reached out to take it from her.

  She set the basket on the seat and gave me a pointed look. “You’re going to want to open that. Trust me.”

  “I’m sorry, Aunt Meredith, but I really don’t think I can read this. I just want to finish my work. Thank you for coming out and watching over me. I appreciate it.”

  Aunt Meredith frowned. She opened her mouth as if she was going to speak and then closed it again. She glanced behind her, in the direction of the farmhouse, and tossed her arms out to the side. “I can’t make you, but I promise, it’s worth reading.”

  I set the envelope on top of the basket and hugged her. “You’re the best aunt in the world.”

  She huffed. I could tell she wanted to smack me upside the head, but she hugged me instead. I walked her back to her car and held the door while she climbed in. “Read the note, Andrew.”

  I smiled and shut her door, waving as I backed away.

  She rolled her eyes at me and drove away.

  I took my hat off and scratched my head. At least the mint strip had woken me up a little. My headache had calmed to a dull thud every now and again. Maybe it was from hunger. I glanced down at my rumpled clothes. A clean shirt sounded nice. Maybe I’d feel better if I changed.

  With the road empty, and the truck door shielding me from anyone coming from the north, I shucked off my jeans and shirt and changed right there. My eyes landed on the note. Harper had beautiful penmanship when she wasn’t in a hurry. It was full of loops that reminded me of her smile and long swoops that brought to mind the way her ponytail danced as she moved.

  Aw, shoot! I grabbed the envelope and ripped it open. Inside was a single white card. I leaned away, expecting to read the words Dear Andrew. Instead I found …

  Roses are red,

  Violets are blue

  And I need to say

  I’m sorry to you.

  (open the gifts in order starting at #1)

  My heart caught in my chest, and I paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. An apology. Well, at least she understood that she’d broken me. But if this was her way of trying to smooth things over after she’d made me fall in love with her and then ripped that love in two, I didn’t think I could take it.

  But what if there was a reason? Or what if there was some kind of hope? Or what if I was a darn fool for this woman and bound to do whatever she asked because I was still in love with her? Dang it all, I had to know what she’d gone to all this trouble to tell me.

  With a moan, I cautiously found and opened gift #1. It was a heart rate monitor with a tag attached.

  The first day we met

  I bumped into your chest

  And since that moment

  My heart’s had no rest.

  I glanced around, looking for a grey Honda hidden on the side of the field somewhere. Was she watching? I didn’t see anything or anyone, and my shoulders fell.

  This was just her trying to let me down easily. It was a creative way to break ties; I’d give her that. But the fact that she’d put so much thought and effort into letting me go only hurt worse. Why remind me of the day we’d met when we’d never meet again? This only makes it harder. I didn’t want to open any more. I didn’t want to take a sappy journey down memory lane that ended with me standing right where I was and her so far away. It just made my heart ache.

  The next package was round. I was curious about that one. I couldn’t remember anything round in our past. I couldn’t help myself and opened package #2. It was a good thing I was standing outside my truck, because dirt fell when I tore the side open. “What in the world?”

  I pulled the paper off and felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. It was a pie tin full of dried mud.

  The tag read:

  The second time I saw you

  Caught me by surprise

  I was covered in mud

  And tried to hide my eyes.

  I was going to miss my little swamp monster. Something in my chest started to thaw. “All right. Let’s get this over with.”

  Number three turned out to be the tee shirt I’d gotten from winning the baseball tournament. Wait a minute. How did Harper get a hold of this? I looked down the road to where Aunt Meredith had driven off. Pieces fell into place. If Harper grabbed this shirt this morning …

  And recruited Aunt Meredith to deliver it …

  And Aunt Meredith was all smiles and I-believe-in-romance …

  This might not be a goodbye.

  I scrambled for the tag.

  The third time’s the charm

  Or so people say.

  At the softball tournament

  My defenses gave way.

  I searched to find #4. It was little and had wedged in the corner of the basket. I peeled the brown butcher paper away and revealed a tongue depressor.

  “A sore throat I swear”

  Was your complaint that day

  And there in the clinic

  I gave my kiss away.

  I grinned. This didn’t feel like a goodbye anymore. It felt like … hope. My heart was guarded and didn’t want to believe, but I couldn’t stop myself from tearing into the last package with determination. I swallowed hard, preparing for the worst.

  It was a string of white Christmas tree lights.

  So that brings us next

  To our first date

  And our future thereafter

  Some would call fate.

  Sometimes goals change

  In an unexpected way.

  I’m trying to listen

  To what my heart has to say.

  Keokuk’s become
r />   My unexpected home

  Where my heart and my brain

  Sing the same tone.

  This is where

  I’m supposed to be.

  With all of my heart, I ask

  Please forgive me.

  If you can find forgiveness

  In your heart

  Meet me at our home

  I have a head start.

  I clutched the door of the truck and read the last lines … meet me at our home. Could it be? Was she really there, waiting for me?

  I couldn’t wait to find out.

  I raced back to the tractor and turned it off before I ran back to my truck. I couldn’t move fast enough. My feet seemed to find every tuft of grass to slow them down.

  Once at my truck, I shoved everything across the bench seat and threw myself behind the wheel. I retraced my path across the bridge this morning. I’d been a hollow man as I’d come into town, but now I was one full of hope and love.

  Forgive her? She didn’t even have to ask.

  As I pulled up the lane to the house, I let my foot off the gas. What about her dream? What about the plans she’d had since she was five? How was it all going to work out? I wasn’t sure, but if she was here, and she wanted me, we’d find a way.

  I cleared the top of the small hill and held my breath. Harper’s Honda was parked by the shed. There was a table set up in the same spot I’d done for our first date. In the middle of the white tablecloth was another basket. Across the front of the house was a banner that read: A welcome home party for you and for me.

  Harper had been sitting in one of the chairs, but when she saw my truck, she stood up.

  I killed the engine and got out. Soft music filled the silence. This was the playlist I’d used on our salmon dinner and fireflies date.