Shay watched as Matt bent his long frame until he came to eye level with the boy. “Can you show me where it hurts?”
“All over.” The boy pointed to his thighs and arms.
“Not in any one spot?” Matt’s voice remained even while his manner remained intent.
Joey shook his head.
“Good,” Matt said with a nod. “I need to touch you. Will that be all right?”
Again, Joey nodded.
Matt proceeded to run his hand over the boy’s legs from his feet upward. “I hear you broke your arm. What were you doing when that happened?”
“I fell while I was playing a baseball game.”
Matt glanced back at Shay as if to say maybe she was right about there not being any abuse.
He continued to run his hand confidently over the boy’s limbs. “What position do you play?”
“Shortstop,” Joey said proudly.
“That’s an important position.”
Shay couldn’t help but admire how Matt put the boy at ease. She’d overheard other patients when they were leaving the clinic talking about how much they had liked Matt. She could see why. He had a way with people.
“Joey, do you mind if we take some X-rays of your arms and legs? I know you must’ve had them done when you broke your arm. They don’t hurt. The nurse will take you down the hall for the pictures while I talk to your mom for a minute.”
Joey looked at his mother. She nodded and he slid off the exam table. He winced when his feet touched the floor.
Shay stepped to the door and opened it. Her nurse waited there. “Lucy, will you take Joey for X-rays of his legs and arms.”
As they walked down the hall, Shay returned to Matt and Beth. The two women’s attention focused on Matt. He leaned his hip against the examination table and faced them. Shay swallowed, unsure she’d like what he had to say.
“I think Joey has what is called fibrous dysplasia. It’s a rare disorder.”
“Oh, my.” Beth’s hand covered her mouth.
Shay placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder. Shay looked at Matt. “I thought it might be.”
He gave her a wry smile and spoke to Beth. “We’ll be able to confirm it with the X-rays. It can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. Unfortunately, it’ll require some surgery. Shay can give you the name of a doctor here in Jackson who can oversee Joey’s case. Or if you wish, I’ll be glad to—but you’d have to travel to Chicago.”
Beth took a deep breath. “What do we need to do now?”
Shay stepped away from her. “Beth, why don’t you take Joey out for an ice cream on me and I’ll let you know what the X-rays show. You and Luke can talk about this. I can get names together for who to see. I’ll see that Joey has the best care he can receive.”
Matt stood. “And I’ll do all I can to help as well.”
Shay looked at him and mouthed thank you.
He nodded. “Then I’ll go.”
Shay watched him quietly slip out the door. She hated giving bad news but somehow it had been easier with Matt’s support.
* * *
That evening, Matt rode home with Shay with a heavy heart.
“I checked the X-rays and I’m confident Joey has fibrous dysplasia. His bones look like ground glass. A sure sign. Let me know how I can help.”
Shay looked over at him. “I’m just glad you were here to confirm what I suspected. You were really great with Joey. Especially for a surgeon.”
A wrinkle formed on his forehead. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Surgeons aren’t known for having great bedside manners since most of their patients are asleep.”
“I think I’ve been offended. I have to meet with them before and after surgery. They’re awake then. So, I do have some skills.”
Shay grinned. “Touchy, are you?”
In that area of his life, he was. He’d worked so hard to make his stepfather proud of him and never felt he hit the mark. It was nice to hear he had done well in Shay’s eyes. “Maybe, a little bit. I’ve not always been great with people.”
“That’s hard to believe. I’ve heard nothing but good things about your interactions with patients.”
“That’s good to know. It doesn’t come natural.” He’d too often let his feelings toward his stepfather bleed over into his interactions with people, fearing they would treat him the same as his stepfather did. Jenna had more than once accused him of closing himself off. Maybe he did.
Shay’s phone rang. She punched her hands-free button and spoke into the speaker. “Hello.”
“Hey, Shay. It’s Billy. I’m not gonna be able to play in the game Sunday. Addison called to tell us she’s on her way to the hospital to have the baby.”
“Oh, wow. I understand, Billy. Give Addison my best. Be sure to send pictures. Don’t worry about the game.” She gave Matt a pointed look with a gleam in her eyes. “I’ll find someone to replace you.”
What were they talking about? Shay’s look and her tone of voice didn’t bode well for him. He’d seen it in other women’s eyes when they wanted something.
With a slight lift to her lips Shay said, “I think I already found a replacement. You go on and give that new grandbaby a kiss from me.”
“Thanks, Shay. I hate to miss one of the highlights of the year.”
“There’s always next year. Take care, Billy.” Shay punched the button ending the conversation.
Shay didn’t immediately say anything to him. The conversation hung between them. She was good, he’d give her that. His curiosity finally got the better of him. “What was that about?”
“I’ve got to find a replacement for Billy on my softball team.” She continued to focus on the road.
“You play softball?” Matt shouldn’t have been surprised, but she’d never mentioned it.
“Only once a year.”
Matt turned so he could better see her. “That’s interesting. Why once a year?”
“I organize a community game to raise money for the clinic. We play Sunday afternoon at two. Now we’re short a team member. It’ll be pretty hard for my team to win if I don’t have enough players.” She glanced at him.
“Why haven’t you mentioned this game before?”
Shay shrugged. “I don’t know. I figured you wouldn’t be interested.”
Her tone made him feel guilty. Of what he wasn’t sure. He felt he should defend himself.
“Would you help me out and take Billy’s place? Please.”
His chin dropped and he narrowed his eyes. “Are you begging?”
“It’s something I don’t like to do, but in this case I’m desperate.” Her tone sounded serious, but she grinned.
“Desperate. Interesting word.” Matt pursed his lips and nodded. He had started to enjoy this. “So, I’m better than nothing.”
“That’s not exactly what I was saying.”
He put a hurt tone in his voice. “Sure sounded like that to me.”
She sighed. “Come on, Matt, will you help me out?”
He chuckled. “I’ll do it.”
A bright smile covered her face. “Great. Thank you so much. Have you ever played softball?”
Her obvious jab made him glad he’d agreed. “A couple of times, but I’m much better at baseball.”
“Why am I not surprised? I think you’ll have a good time.”
He’d started to think he might enjoy anything he shared with Shay.
“I’ll pick you up around one o’clock unless you’d like to go to church with me. We’ve a covered dish meal afterward, then we’ll go to the ballpark for the game.”
Overwhelmed, he wasn’t sure he should sign on for all of that. “I don’t know.”
“Come on, Matt, live dangerously. You might be surprised.” She grinned. “You afraid?”
He’d take her challenge. “Okay. What time should I be ready?”
“I’ll pick you up at ten thirty.”
As Shay drove away from his house Matt questioned if he was wading in too far. He liked being a part of this slower pace of life, but he shouldn’t get used to it. Or being around the intriguing and full-of-surprises Shay.
* * *
Shay shifted closer to Matt to give Mr. and Mrs. Griffin room to join them on the church pew on Sunday morning. Having to sit pressed against Matt hadn’t been in her plans. The church buzzed with talk of him attending with her. Maybe she’d gone too far by inviting him. Gossip had been what she’d been avoiding for the last few years. Not that she’d been able to after letting it be known that John had been planning to divorce her. Bringing a man to church with her would only start the tongues going again.
The side of Matt’s solid, warm body pressed against her made her want to forget the fact that they were the topic of the day. She should have known better. It had been a long time since she’d been so close to a man. She glanced at Matt. He acted unaffected.
Grateful the service had begun and for having to stand to sing, which gave her space away from Matt, the distance didn’t last long when he shifted to look over her shoulder to see the hymnal. As disconcerting as she found being near him there was something about it she found desirable, like having someone special in her life. A man who stood strong beside her.
Now her thoughts had turned to those of a sad widow woman desperate for attention, interested in the first handsome man who came along. He hadn’t even shown any real interest in her and here she sat daydreaming of would-haves and could-haves.
Even if he was interested, what could they have but a fling? Matt had no plans to stay in Lewisville. His destiny was Chicago. She never planned to move. This was her home, where she belonged. But how many times would someone like Matt come along? For once in a long while she felt alive again.
She had no idea of what the sermon was about. Her head remained full of Matt and what-ifs. She moved as far as she could away from him, but when she did, he swallowed up the space with his leg coming to rest against hers once more. He appeared to be contently listening with no idea of the conflict he created in her. Not soon enough for her the service came to a close.
Matt let her step out into the aisle in front of him when the service was over. They were immediately stopped by Mrs. Lyles.
“Shay, I haven’t met your visitor.” The woman who had taught Shay in grade school studied Matt.
“Mrs. Lyles, this is Dr. Matt Chapman. He’s helping me at the clinic for a few weeks and playing in the softball game. Matt, this is Mrs. Lyles.”
Matt gave the woman a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“And you too.” Mrs. Lyles smiled in return. “You know Shay is very special to us.”
He looked at Shay with a raised brow then turned back to the woman. “I’m figuring that out.”
Three more women came up behind Mrs. Lyles.
“We want to meet this handsome man,” Mrs. Smith said.
“Yes. Is this the doctor we’ve been hearing all about?” another in the group asked.
Shay introduced the women to Matt, who suffered through the introductions with a polite smile on his lips, before they were interrupted by the pastor who introduced himself and engaged Matt in conversation.
Knowing she’d had enough of the inquisition and that Matt no doubt wanted to run, Shay took his arm at the first break they got and headed for the front door. She led him down the steps, not stopping until they were alone under a large oak tree. “I’m sorry about that.”
“I haven’t been to church in years,” he said, sounding breathless and relieved. “I’d forgotten what it was like to be the new guy.”
She chuckled. “It’s a weekly occurrence without fail here. Sorry about the horde wanting to meet you.”
“No problem. I guess it’s better than no one noticing.”
“I wouldn’t know, but I think I might like experiencing that sometime.” She looked around at people still mingling in front of the church.
“Are they always so...um...protective of you?”
“I’m sorry if they pried.” It would be a long time before she brought another man to church with her. Even for an innocent reason.
“Hey, we’re good. I think it’s nice that you’re so loved and appreciated. Nowhere have I lived that I’ve had that.’
At one time she wouldn’t have seen the close attention as welcome. She’d felt like a disappointment to them for so long. “Have you recovered enough to go under the microscope again?”
He rolled his shoulders. “I think I can handle it.”
She grinned and tugged on his arm. “Then let’s go get something to eat. I promise the food will be worth the pain.”
They walked around the side of the white shiplap building with the high steeple.
Matt stopped. “Wow. This is amazing. I’ve heard of people doing this, but I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Shay looked at the long tables set up end to end underneath the large open pole shed under the hundred-year-old oaks. Ladies worked like ants as they arranged food on one table while others brought it out from the back of the church. Other church members circled around waiting for them to finish their chores. More tables were covered in thin plastic tablecloths and had folding chairs beneath them waiting for hungry people who were already lining up to fill their plates.
Shay watched Matt. His eyes were wide and bright in anticipation. “Yeah, it’s almost like you can hear the tables groaning in pain.”
“I’ve never seen so much food in one place. And I’ve been to a number of fancy banquets.” His awe hung in the air.
He’d just confirmed they were from two different worlds. The nicest event she’d attended had been her own wedding reception held inside the church. “All I can say is welcome to the South. Where we do believe in eating.”
They moved over to where the line had formed and took their places. People continued to come up to speak to her, but they were really interested in Matt.
He whispered in her ear, “Does every new person in town get this kind of treatment?”
“They’re just curious.” She handed him a plate and grinned. “Enjoy filling it up.”
Shay went down one side of the table while Matt moved down the other. She glanced over to see the food piling up on his plate and smiled.
When he joined her at the end of the table, he looked at his plate. “I have no idea where I think I’m planning to put all this.”
She chuckled. “You afraid your eyes are bigger than your stomach, Doc?”
“Yeah.”
“And to think you haven’t even seen the desserts yet.”
He looked around as if searching for that table. “And sweets are my weakness.”
“Come on, let’s find you a place to sit down so you can get started on all that.” Shay looked out over the sea of people. Her mom waved and pointed to two empty chairs across from her and Shay’s father.
“Brace yourself, you’re going to be eating with my parents.”
He hesitated a moment. “I look forward to meeting them. Will they ask a lot of questions about why I’m with you?”
“Maybe. But I’ll handle them.”
He met her gaze. “I can take care of myself, Shay.”
“Okay. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
They took their seats. Before she had a chance, Matt smiled at her parents and introduced himself. He skirted her mother’s questions by digging into the food and making sounds as if he had found nirvana. Shay couldn’t help but laugh.
“This has to be the best potato salad I’ve ever eaten. And this chicken—” he held up a chicken leg “—is so crispy.”
“The potato salad is mine,” her mother
said. “I’m glad you like it. What did you bring, Shay?”
“I made my lemon ice box pie.”
“Matt, you’ll have to try a piece. Shay makes the best pies.”
He looked at Shay as if she’d been keeping something valuable hidden from him. “I didn’t know that. Is that what you handed the lady as we were going into the church?”
Shay nodded.
After that he started asking her mother and father about them and Lewisville, along with the Jackson area. He seemed interested in their remarks.
“Shay, you need to bring Matt to dinner one night. Let him have a good home-cooked meal,” her mother suggested.
“Thanks. That sounds nice,” Matt responded.
Shay wasn’t sure how she felt about that. That sounded as if Matt might be getting too involved in her life. She didn’t want to become overly attached to him.
Together they went to the dessert table. Matt filled his plate, making sure he took a large slice of the pie she’d prepared.
Back at their seats, he raised a fork full of the pie. “This is wonderful. Ms. Gladys will have to step up her game.”
Shay couldn’t deny the pleasure that filled her at Matt’s praise. John had never said anything kind about her cooking or anything else for that matter. In hindsight she could see where he’d been far more interested in himself.
With their plates cleared away, Shay said, “We need to be getting to the ballpark.”
They said their goodbyes to her parents and started toward the car. Shay said, “We’ll change here. It’s much nicer than in the ballfield restrooms.”
When they arrived at the ballpark one of her team members was already busy handing out new team T-shirts. She grabbed hers and Matt’s. As soon as he had his, he stripped out of the shirt he wore. Her mouth went dry as she stared at his toned chest before it disappeared behind the T-shirt.
“Shay, aren’t you going to change your T-shirt?” Matt stuffed his shirt into his bag.
She blinked. “Yeah...uh... I’ll run over to the restroom.”
Taming the Hot-Shot Doc Page 4