Prescription For Love

by Boeshaar, Andrea

  He’s a dreamer, Ravyn realized. She looked away and focused on a distant golf cart. Regret flooded her being. She had hoped to get to know Mark better. In fact, she had hoped to fall in love with him and live happily ever after.

  And now who’s the dreamer? Ravyn silently berated herself for her girlish fantasy.

  “Many parts of the country are built up for tourism,” Mark said on a persuasive note. “The capital city, for instance, has an urban feel to it. It’s really a beautiful place.”

  “Where is this place again?”

  Mark hailed the waiter and asked for an ink pen. Then he drew a rough map.

  Ravyn felt her heart plummet to the depths of remorse. The small country was on the other side of the world.

  “I visited there only once, but I immediately developed a burden for the island people.”

  “That’s important.” Ravyn forced herself to say something upbeat and encouraging. “They’ll be lucky to have you there.”

  “I appreciate your saying so.” Mark sent her a curious glance.

  Ravyn didn’t say any more. She already felt the pinch of guilt for her negative responses, but she battled her own emotions. Disappointment weighted her heart like lead. Next to Teala, Mark had become a confidant. She looked forward to seeing him at work. His sense of humor lifted her spirits. His easygoing outlook on life alleviated her day-to-day stress. His faith in Christ strengthened hers.

  And now Ravyn found herself missing Mark already.

  Eleven

  It’s still early,” Mark said, glancing at his wristwatch. “I’m sure we can find something fun to do.”

  “No.” Under the moonlight, he watched as Ravyn shook her head. Several strands of her black hair fell against her face, and the humidity in the air kept them adhered to her pale cheek until she brushed them away. “I should go in.”

  Mark leaned against the white stucco archway that led to the complex’s surface parking lot. He folded his arms across his chest. “Hmm, was it something I said—like I’m going to the mission field?” He couldn’t keep the facetiousness out of his voice. He felt more than a little hurt at Ravyn’s obvious rejection. Then, again, he had anticipated it.

  She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, and Mark fought off a grin. She might be petite, but her feisty spirit more than made up for her small stature.

  “I’m very fond of you, Mark,” she began, “maybe more than I should be, and I don’t want either of us to get hurt.” She raised a hand before he could refute her comment. “I can’t just be your friend, either. The night you kissed me changed our relationship for me.”

  Mark lost his surefootedness as he bore responsibility for his actions. She was right: He had been the one to kiss her, and if it had impaired their friendship, there wasn’t much he could do about it now.

  “Our future goals are very different. Too different.”

  He hated where all this was leading, but supposed he should let her have her say.

  “I hope to end up working in Madison at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. Overseas missions. . .” She shook her head. “Not for me. Besides, if that’s what God wants, I can be a missionary on the job right here at home.” A rueful grin tugged at her pink lips. “Maybe I’m more like my parents than I ever imagined.”

  Mark shifted his stance. “How so?”

  “Mom and Dad chose the theater to try to reach people here in Dubuque. Just recently I’ve been able to see a mission field in my own backyard, too. I think of Jace, our GSW patient in the trauma room. Today’s teens need to know there’s Someone they can turn to with their anger and frustration. They need Christ. As weird as my upbringing was, I at least knew I had Jesus in my heart. Looking back, I can see how He was my source of strength and protection.”

  It did his heart good to hear her talk about the Lord. “I don’t doubt there’s a mission field here at home.”

  “And think of Carla, drunk and vulnerable in a public restroom,” she pressed on. “I hate to even speculate about what might have happened to her if she hadn’t stumbled into you—literally. There’s an obvious a need in her life, too.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  As her words sank in, Mark actually felt hopeful. What he heard Ravyn say was that she was willing to heed the Lord’s voice when it came to serving others. Who could ask for more than that?

  She glanced away. “The way things stand, Mark, there’s really no point in us seeing each other.”

  “Hmm. Interesting. But what do you think God has to say about it?”

  She swung her gaze back to his face and grinned. “You’re very stubborn, aren’t you?”

  He pursed his lips in thought. “I like to think that I am determined.”

  “You say determined. I say stubborn—”

  He laughed. The repartee wasn’t lost on him. “But I’m not ready to call the whole thing off.”

  Still smiling, he leaned toward her, placing a kiss on her cheek. “G’night, Ravyn.” He paused and stared into her dark eyes. She looked lovely under the glow of the moon. On impulse, he touched his lips to hers, stealing another quick kiss. “See you later,” he whispered against her soft cheek.

  Stepping back, he glimpsed her stunned expression and tried not to chuckle. But he grinned all the way through the parking lot and to his car.

  ❧

  With a long sigh, Ravyn entered her condo and dropped her belongings on the kitchen counter. Determined, my foot. Mark Monroe is one of the most mule-headed men I’ve ever met.

  The phone rang and Ravyn searched for the cordless hand-set. She found it in the pillows on the sofa and pushed the Talk button. She half expected it to be Mark, so she felt surprised when her mother’s voice wafted from the earpiece.

  “You’re not supposed to be home.”

  “Yeah, well, here I am.”

  “Teala said you were out with Mark tonight.”

  Ravyn swallowed the last of her annoyance. “I did go out with Mark, but I’m home early.”

  “Home?” Her mom paused. “Does your place feel like home? It’s so odd not having you around here. I miss you.”

  Her mother’s rare admission touched Ravyn’s heart. On the other hand, independence is what Ravyn had wanted for years. “It’s getting to feel like home. It’ll take awhile to get the rooms furnished and decorated to my liking.”

  “I suppose that’s true enough.”

  “Besides, I’ve always worked so much over the past years that I was never at home. You didn’t miss me then.”

  “That’s because I knew your bedroom was just upstairs, not on the other side of Dubuque.”

  Ravyn fought in vain to grasp her mother’s logic. Finally, she gave up. “So, what’s going on, Mom?”

  “Oh, the reason I called—Dad and I wondered if you’d come to church with us tomorrow morning. Lunch afterwards. Our treat.”

  “Sure.” Ravyn didn’t have to think twice. God wanted her time, and she could at least give Him a couple of hours a week.

  “Would you like to ask Mark to join us?”

  “No.” Ravyn expelled a weary sigh. “You might as well know I told him I couldn’t see him anymore.”

  Another pause. “Why on earth did you do that?”

  Ravyn suddenly felt her temples begin to throb. “Mom, don’t sound so panicked. There are other fish in the sea.”

  “Yes, but Mark is such a nice fish.”

  Ravyn smiled at the jest in spite of herself.

  “What happened? Did you two have a spat?”

  “No.” Ravyn kicked off her shoes. “I can already tell that things between us aren’t going to work out.”

  “What a shame.”

  “Yeah, it’s a shame, all right.”

  Ravyn allowed her gaze to wander around the room, and suddenly the stark white walls seemed to have less potential. In fact, they looked more barren than ever.

  In short, she thought, they resembled her heart.

  ❧

 
; “So, how’d the date go?”

  Mark backtracked through the kitchen and spotted his uncle in the den. “Oh, just fine.” He wasn’t in the mood to divulge the details.

  Uncle Chet seemed to read right through him. “ ‘Just fine’? That’s it?”

  Standing at the doorway, Mark nodded out a reply and looked at the TV screen. The NBA semifinals were on. “Who’s winning?”

  “Miami over Detroit.” Uncle Chet lifted the remote and turned off the basketball game. “I’m not really into it.” He lazed back on the plump sofa. “I want to hear about your date with Ravyn.”

  Mark gave him a shrug as he entered the room and sat down. “It started off with an intoxicated coworker at the steak house. She had a gash on her scalp, so we called an ambulance to take her to the hospital. But by the time the medics arrived, Ravyn needed to change clothes.” Mark paused to explain. “Head lacerations can be messy.”

  Uncle Chet raised his hand, palm-side out. “Say no more. I get the picture.”

  “So Ravyn and I ended up leaving for another restaurant at the complex where she lives. Dinner was okay. We made it an early night.”

  “High drama at the steak house spoiled your romantic dinner, huh? That’s too bad.”

  “No, actually, things went okay.” Mark stood. He still didn’t feel ready to discuss the particulars, and he certainly didn’t want his uncle to assume his “investment” wouldn’t pay out. Mark planned to keep his end of the bargain. After all, getting him through med school and onto the mission field had been Uncle Chet’s and Aunt Edy’s dream all along.

  Uncle Chet drew his bushy brows together, looking serious. “How does Ravyn feel about you living overseas doing missionary work?”

  Mark marveled at the older man’s perception. “She respects my decision.” He didn’t add that Ravyn didn’t feel it was her calling. “We’ll see what happens.”

  His uncle lifted the remote and pointed it at the TV. “Keep me posted.”

  “Sure.”

  Mark left the den and jogged up the steps and into his bedroom. He changed into a pair of baggy gym shorts and a comfy T-shirt. After washing up in the bathroom, he collapsed into bed and thanked God for the work He was doing in Ravyn’s life—and his own, too. He also prayed for wisdom. On one hand, he felt obligated to respect Ravyn’s wishes regarding their relationship. On the other hand, Mark wasn’t willing to give up on her yet.

  He closed his eyes and placed the future in God’s hands, determined not to take it back. But first things first. He had a residency to finish.

  Twelve

  The ER was abuzz with activity and Ravyn found herself in the thick of it. Three sick patients demanded her attention, two of them critically ill. It was all she could do to juggle their care. As usual, she did her best to ignore Mark’s presence, although she found it difficult to have to ask him to sign off on orders. Over the course of the last several days, he’d done his best to act aloof and professional toward her, but every now and then forgot himself and behaved as though they were best buddies. More often than not, he caught himself, though, and was quick to apologize. However, he had Ravyn’s emotions swinging like a pendulum.

  And then there was Carla. She went out of her way to avoid Ravyn, but she took advantage of every opportunity to sidle up to Mark. At one point, Ravyn saw the two engaged in conversation and she told herself she didn’t care. Mark could talk with whomever he pleased, and since it was most likely clarification on an x-ray order that Carla needed, he had to discuss it with her.

  Ravyn berated herself for her childish notions. What’s more, she despised the fact that she’d gotten sucked into the ER drama.

  At last the time came for Ravyn to punch out, and she hurried to leave the hospital. Fatigue weighted her every limb, and she couldn’t wait to get home and crawl into bed.

  As she drove uphill toward the west side of town, she passed a fast-food place and her stomach grumbled. Ravyn realized she hadn’t taken a lunch break and the last thing she’d eaten in the past twelve hours was a handful of pretzels from a bag that one of the unit clerks had opened. Pulling a U-turn, she maneuvered her car into the drive-through lane and ordered a breakfast sandwich and orange juice. Then she inched her vehicle toward the window, waiting her turn to pay for her food. She suddenly recalled how in their high school days she and Shelley would often hang out here with their other friends. Then one day she was gone. Vanished.

  A rueful smile curved Ravyn’s lips as she recalled how Shelley always talked about moving to California and becoming a famous actress. Perhaps she’d moved to the West Coast.

  Ravyn completed her exchange with the cashier and drove off with her bagged breakfast. She continued to think about Shelley and, as she did, Mark’s suggestion that she make peace with the past surfaced. Maybe it was time to look up Shelley and give her a call. In talking to her, perhaps Ravyn would be able to put all the hurt, and even betrayal, behind her once and for all.

  At that moment, it occurred to Ravyn that Mark’s re-entrance into her life might have been for the sole purpose of settling matters with him. Could be God never intended for her to develop a romantic relationship with Mark.

  But if that were true, then why did she feel so glum?

  ❧

  “My friend Jen Taylor gave me this phone number. Her sister-in-law keeps in touch with the Jenkinses.”

  Ravyn set down the cardboard box containing the last of her belongings here at her folks’ house, and took the proffered slip of paper. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Somewhere along the line I heard they moved to Florida. Jen said the Jenkinses still live there.”

  “I’ll try this number and see where it leads me. Might be that God doesn’t want me to find Shelley.”

  “Follow His lead, honey.”

  “I will.”

  Ravyn lowered herself onto one of the worn kitchen chairs and watched as her mom sipped her iced tea. She thought Mom resembled a stereotypical gypsy in her colorful, frilly skirt and white T-shirt. Her dark hair was pulled back and carelessly secured with a large silver barrette. Sterling hoops swung from her earlobes.

  “It’s a hot one today, isn’t it? I don’t recall the month of June ever being quite this warm and muggy.”

  “It’s always hot and muggy in June. How ’bout we go to my place and swim in the pool for a while?”

  “Sounds nice, but no can do. I have to be at the university in a half hour to sit in on auditions.” Her mother leaned forward. “Think you’d like to try out for a part in your father’s summer play? It’s air-conditioned in the auditorium.”

  “I’ll pass. Thanks.”

  “Is that sarcasm I detect in your voice?”

  “Me? Sarcastic?” Ravyn grinned at her own quip while running her finger over the scarred kitchen tabletop. The thing looked like it had gone through both World Wars. In fact, most of the furnishings in her parents’ home looked either battered or outdated, although, thanks to Violet and Teala, the house was clean and the furniture dusted.

  Mom laughed and lifted her glass. The ice cubes tinkled. “Mmm,” she said, sipping her brew. “Green tea on ice is fabulous. Are you sure you don’t want a glass?”

  Ravyn shook her head. “Thanks anyway. I have to get going.” She sent her mother a teasing grin. “My air-conditioned condo awaits me.”

  “Oh, go ahead. Rub it in. Pool, central air. . .” Her mother gave a flick of her wrist. “La-dee-da.”

  Ravyn laughed and finger-combed her hair back off her perspiring forehead. “Maybe I’ll have some iced tea after all.” She stood, walked to the fridge, and helped herself.

  “So what do you hear from Mark these days?”

  “Not much. I see him at work once in a while, but that’s it.” Ravyn replaced the pitcher in the fridge and then, glass in hand, reclaimed her seat at the kitchen table. “The last thing he said to me was, ‘Can I borrow your pen?’ and I haven’t seen him or my pen since.”

  The glib remark caused her mother t
o laugh, although Ravyn didn’t add how difficult it was to see Mark when their shifts overlapped. The sight of him tugged on her heart in a painful way, and when their eyes met regret filled her soul. Mark was probably the only guy she’d ever met with whom she’d connected in some odd, supernatural way. He could read her as easily as the daily newspaper and, likewise, she sensed what went through his mind. Their so-called telepathy came in handy in the trauma room last week after a patient was brought in with life-threatening injuries from a motorcycle crash. She had guessed what Mark was going to say before he said it, and Ravyn knew their faith in Christ was, of course, the cornerstone of that mystical connection between them.

  Still, she couldn’t accept his plans for the future, but at the same time, she found herself feeling like she had when Shelley disappeared. A sense of loss crimped her heart. The truth was, losing two friends in one lifetime proved almost more than Ravyn could bear.

  As she drove back to her condo later that afternoon, she heard the Lord’s still small voice from within say, I’ll never leave you. It brought tears to Ravyn’s eyes and suddenly she felt immeasurably humbled. In spite of the fact that she’d neglected God all these years, He remained faithful and true to her.

  ❧

  Mark watched Ravyn flit around the ER like a little hummingbird. She seemed to filter out the nonessential chatter and concentrate on her work, which was commendable for the most part. But he overheard Liz say she was concerned about Ravyn burning out. Apparently, she’d been picking up extra shifts and she didn’t take time out for lunch or her scheduled breaks. She assigned herself to the patients as they arrived instead of “sharing the wealth,” as it were. Liz finally gave her a stern talking-to, saying, “What do you think this is? A one-nurse operation?”

  And now, as Liz relayed the circumstances to a few of her friends, Mark felt saddened to hear it. In fact, he felt partially responsible. He suspected that Ravyn kept herself on the go so she didn’t have to deal with her feelings for him. On the other hand, he could well imagine her calling him an egomaniac for assuming that he was the reason for her intense dedication to the ER. Perhaps it was wishful thinking on his part. For all he knew, she had a lot of debt to pay off—and she had talked about purchasing a new car.