by Tracey Smith
“Is it a boy or a girl?” she asked as he pulled the lace from the shoe.
“I don’t know” Aaron realized. “I’ll go ask. Be right back,” he said as he turned and ran back to the car.
He handed the shoelace to Maggie as soon as he reached her side. Lacey was now propped up and looking much better than she had a few minutes earlier. Her hair was plastered to her face with sweat but at least the color had returned. The baby was wrapped in a blanket in its mother’s arms.
“Courtney wants to know if it’s a girl or a boy,” Aaron said dazedly.
“A boy,” Lacey said, smiling up at him.
Just then the sounds of sirens filled the air as the ambulance arrived. Maggie stepped aside and briefly spoke with one of the paramedics while the others attended to mother and baby. As they loaded Lacey into the ambulance Aaron spoke up.
“Wait. Courtney needs to see that you’re okay before they take you away,” he told them as he turned and ran for the truck, returning shortly with the little girl in his arms. She clung to him, frightened by all the lights and sirens.
“See, what’d I tell ya. Your mama is just fine and look at your new baby brother,” Aaron said, holding the little girl out so she could gaze down at the baby.
“Does it hurt, Mama?” Courtney asked.
“Not anymore, baby.” Lacey promised. “Will you be okay to stay with Maggie until Daddy comes to get you?”
“I want to stay with Aaron,” The little girl insisted, hugging tightly to his neck. Lacey looked up into Aaron’s face, but this time all he saw was gratitude.
“That’s fine, baby. Just be a good girl.” Lacey smiled as they pushed the gurney into the ambulance. They stood on the road watching as it pulled away, Courtney still held firmly in Aaron’s arms.
“How did you know what to do?” Aaron asked Maggie.
“I learned how to deliver a baby when I was in medical school,” she answered.
~16~
Maggie could feel the exhaustion sinking in as they walked through the doors of the hospital. As soon as the ambulance had pulled away Maggie called Andi and asked her to get ahold of Travis Buchannan to let him know what happened. Andi had then called her back with instructions on where they could take Courtney.
After dropping Courtney off with her grandmother, Maggie went home to change out of her ruined dress and clean up. The warm water of the shower had relaxed away the last of her adrenaline rush and she’d wanted nothing more than to climb into bed and collapse. But she needed to check on Lacey and make sure she was okay.
Aaron insisted on driving her to the hospital. He told her that she looked like she was going to fall asleep at any minute and he didn’t want her going alone. He hadn’t yet questioned her about medical school and Maggie was grateful that Aaron was leaving it alone for the time being. She was just too exhausted to have that conversation right now.
They gave Lacey’s name to the front desk receptionist who directed them to the appropriate floor. As the elevator ascended Maggie leaned her head against Aaron’s shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her partially supporting her weight. He’d been right. She could easily fall asleep on her feet. She was glad he was with her despite the awkward silence that was between them.
When the elevator doors opened Maggie was surprised to find a crowd gathered in the hallway in front of them. Nearly all of Sweetwater was crowded into the narrow hospital corridor despite the late hour. Andi must’ve called everyone she knew.
As they approached the crowd people turned to look at them. Most of the faces Maggie was beginning to recognize including Ms. Brandy from the antique store. She was the first to approach.
“The whole town’s buzzin’ about you delivering Lacey’s baby,” Ms. Brandy told her excitedly.
“How is Lacey?” Maggie asked.
“Travis is in with her now,” she said. “I hear you were quite the hero as well,” Ms. Brandy said, turning to Aaron. Maggie didn’t miss the look of surprise that crossed his face.
“Maggie did everything,” he insisted humbly.
“That’s not how little Miss Courtney tells it,” Ms. Brandy told him smiling.
“Aaron!” Courtney’s little voice rang down the hall. They turned to see the little girl pulling away from her grandmother who was seated on the plastic chairs along the wall. Her arms were already full with Courtney’s two brothers so she was able to slip out of her grasp easily. She ran through the crowd, weaving through the bodies with a big smile on her face. When she reached Aaron she literally jumped into his arms.
“Hey, Kiddo, you doing okay?” he asked as he picked her up and hugged her. Maggie realized that every eye was suddenly on them.
“I’ve got another brother!” she told him.
“I know,” Aaron said, still only paying attention to the child and not yet acknowledging the audience that was hanging on their every word.
Just then the door of the hospital room opened and Travis Buchannan stepped out. Almost simultaneously every head in the room turned to him.
“Lacey is doing great and resting comfortably.” Travis addressed the crowd, but his eyes were on Aaron and his daughter. “And my son is a perfectly healthy 6 lbs 7 oz. Even though he was a few weeks early the doctors say he is doing great.”
There was a collective sigh and murmurs of relief and excitement throughout the crowd. Travis began crossing the room, walking straight for Aaron and Maggie. The murmurs died down as people watched with rapt attention. Aaron slowly lowered Courtney down to the floor despite her protests.
Maggie had never seen Travis Buchannan before. He was a broad and intimidating man. She looked to Aaron who stood stoically at her side holding eye contact with the man who was quickly approaching them. Maggie prepared to come to Aaron’s defense if Travis had any harsh words for him.
Travis stopped just in front of Aaron and his expression betrayed nothing of his emotion. At that moment the room had fallen so silent you could have heard a pin drop. Travis extended his hand as a smile broke out across his face.
“Courtney hasn’t stopped talking about you all night,” Travis said as he shook Aaron’s hand. “Thank you for making sure my daughter was okay through this.”
“It was the least I could do.” Aaron nodded and then looked down at the little girl who was beaming up at him. As soon as his hand was free again Courtney slipped her little hand into his.
Travis turned to Maggie next and without a word pulled her into his arms in a crushing embrace. “I owe you everything for what you did for my wife tonight,” he told her. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’m just glad she’s alright,” Maggie said, smiling with relief.
“She’d like to see you,” Travis said. “Both of you.”
Maggie and Aaron followed Travis to the room, sending Courtney back over to her grandmother who smiled at them kindly from her chair. They found Lacey propped up on the hospital bed with a sleeping baby wrapped in her arms. She smiled up at them as soon as they entered.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” she whispered, looking down at her sleeping baby. They stepped up to the side of the bed to gaze down at the tiny infant.
“He’s perfect,” Maggie responded softly.
“Thanks to you.” Lacey smiled up at her.
“You did the hardest part,” Maggie insisted.
“We were talking about names,” Travis spoke up, stepping up beside his wife.
“We’d like to name him Aaron,” Lacey said, looking over to Aaron.
“I don’t know what to say,” Aaron replied. Maggie smiled over at him reaching out to take his hand. “I’m honored.”
“I was wrong about you,” Lacey told him earnestly. Aaron was speechless. Maggie could see him trying to swallow back tears as he bowed his head modestly.
“Of course we considered naming him Maggie,” Travis joked, lightening the mood.
“I think Aaron is much more fitting.” Maggie smiled over at him.
“That’s what L
acey said.” He shrugged as he lifted a bottle of water to take a drink.
“Maybe the next one will be a girl,” Lacey said lightly, causing Travis to choke on his water as quiet laughter filled the room.
“We’ll leave you two to figure that out,” Maggie said. “In the meantime, try to get some sleep,” she advised Lacy, who looked completely exhausted.
“Yes, Dr. Maggie,” Lacey said with a sleepy smile.
~∞~
Lacey’s parting words hung heavy in the air on the silent drive home. Maggie knew she needed to have this conversation with Aaron, she just wasn’t ready for it. Aaron had shared so much about his past with her and she had told him very little about herself. She tried to reason with herself that she hadn’t intentionally kept anything from him, but she knew it wasn’t true. She knew that to share with him her past meant to include him in the decision about her future. She also knew that after the time they’d spent together he deserved to be included.
She hadn’t even realized she’d fallen asleep until Aaron was waking her.
“We’re home,” he said softly as he pulled to a stop in her driveway. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she stumbled from the truck. He crossed around quickly to help her into the house.
He guided her to her room without a word and when she plopped down on the bed he pulled her shoes off for her.
“Will you stay?” she asked as she swung her legs onto the bed and struggled to keep her eyes open.
“If you want me to,” he said softly.
“I want you to,” she yawned. He kicked off his own shoes and climbed into bed beside her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about medical school,” she mumbled almost incoherently as she drifted off into sleep.
“We can talk tomorrow,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and cuddled against her side.
Luckily Maggie wasn’t awake long enough to worry too much about tomorrow.
~17~
Maggie woke slowly the next morning. The first thing she noticed was that she was alone in bed, and she wondered if Aaron had gone home. Then she realized that she could hear something outside. She climbed out of bed, stretching out her sore muscles as she walked to the balcony. She looked out into the backyard and saw several large trucks with cherry picker baskets positioned at the front of the orchards. Aaron was standing below with a group of men gesturing out toward the fields. The harvest was beginning.
Maggie felt a wave of sadness as the implications sank in. Then she suddenly remembered that she was supposed to start work today at Ms. Brandy’s antique store. She quickly scrambled toward the bathroom to shower and change.
Maggie was dressed and out of the house in record time. She couldn’t be late for her first day of work. She regretted that she hadn’t said goodbye to Aaron, but she did leave him a note. A small part of her was grateful for the excuse to put off the inevitable conversation that was coming.
One thing Maggie realized above all else last night was that she still wanted to be a doctor, wanted it more than anything. But she wasn’t ready to say goodbye. She’d been foolish to think that she could have a reckless summer fling and walk away unscathed. She’d been foolish not to realize that she would fall in love.
“I’m so sorry I’m late!” Maggie exclaimed as she walked through the door of the shop. Despite her mad dash she still hadn’t made it on time.
“Honey, after the night you had I’m sure you needed the sleep!” Ms. Brandy replied kindly. “Think nothing of it.”
The morning passed quickly as she showed Maggie around the shop and taught her how to use the register. Business was steady throughout the day. It amazed Maggie that Ms. Brandy seemed to know what occupied each and every nook and cranny of the crowded store. If someone came in looking for a specific item Ms. Brandy knew without hesitation whether or not she had it and exactly where it was located.
As the afternoon wore on the foot traffic from the street slowed down and Maggie was given the chore of dusting the crowded shelves of the curio cabinets that lined the walls. Maggie took her time, meticulously cleaning the shelves as she admired the objects they held. There were delicate china, old silver sets, ceramic pitchers and washing bowls, carved wooden figurines that could have been over a century old. As Maggie moved along she came across an apothecary table that held a display of medical instruments from the early 1800’s. Maggie recognized some of the devices from her text books. She picked up the antique stethoscope and stared down at the object, marveling at how such a delicate item had survived over a century.
“I got that set when old Doc Robbins passed away a few years back. He was the town doctor, just like his father before him. This set had belonged to his grandfather, and I found it boxed up in his attic during the estate sale,” Ms. Brandy said as she walked over to see what had caught Maggie’s attention.
“It’s amazing that it’s in such great condition,” Maggie commented as she gently laid the stethoscope back down in the velvet lined box.
“We haven’t had a town doctor since Doc died. Sure was nice havin’ one around. Now we gotta drive up to the main hospital for every little thing,” Ms. Brandy commented nonchalantly as she walked around Maggie to fluff some silk pillows that were piled on an antique settee.
“There’s no Doc Robbins Jr.?” Maggie asked conversationally.
“Mrs. Robbins never did have any children.” Ms. Brandy shook her head sadly. “Speaking of babies, how exactly did you know how to deliver that little one last night?”
Maggie felt as if she’d walked into a trap. She suspected this conversation had been headed in this direction all along.
“Back in Boston I went to Harvard medical school,” Maggie answered honestly.
“So you’re a doctor?” Ms. Brandy asked in an off-handed way. Maggie assumed her seeming lack of interest was feigned, but she decided that perhaps this would be a good time to practice the conversation that she was going to have with Aaron that evening.
“I didn’t finish school,” Maggie admitted. “So no, I’m not a doctor. Not yet.”
“Hmmm. You know Mercer has a pretty good med program in Savannah,” Ms. Brandy mentioned as she continued to meander through the shop, adjusting and fine-tuning the placement of items on shelves.
Maggie stopped short, still holding the feather duster mid-way to the top shelf of a china hutch. “In Savannah?” she asked. She immediately thought of Aaron and the new job he’d just found in Savannah.
“Harvard may have a big, fancy name. But it ain’t the only place you can learn to be a doctor, and Boston ain’t the only town that needs ‘em,” Ms. Brandy told her, this time facing her and looking her straight in the eye. Then she shrugged casually as she turned to head back up to the front of the shop and greet a customer who had just entered.
Although Ms. Brandy had said very little, she’d given Maggie a lot to think about. Her mind was working over the possibilities the rest of the afternoon.
Maggie left work with high spirits. Perhaps there was hope after all. She was ready to face Aaron, ready to face the future. She didn’t want to put it off any longer, so instead of driving back to Devereaux Manor, she took the turn off on the dirt road that she was sure lead to Aaron’s place. She still hadn’t been there, but it was time. It was time for everything to be put on the table. Maggie was very aware of the fact that the decisions she was facing were not hers alone. Before she could decide whether or not she would stay, she first needed to find out if he even wanted her to. Tonight would be a turning point for them.
As she drove up the rutted out driveway she saw the roof of the old barn coming into view. She decided that she should call rather than just knock on the door. She pulled out her cell phone and smiled when his name was the first to come up on her contact list.
“Hey, beautiful,” Aaron answered.
“Hey there, yourself,” Maggie replied. “Got any plans tonight?” she asked coyly.
“Well, I was hoping to have a hot date,
” he teased.
“Oh… then maybe I should turn around,” she playfully pouted.
“Turn around?” the alarm in his voice did not sound affected.
“Mmmhmm. I was on my way to your place but if you’re busy…” she trailed off smiling at their little game.
“I can come over,” he said quickly, no longer playing the game. His comment reminded her of his reluctance the last time she’d mentioned coming to his house.
“Do you not want me at your house?” she asked bluntly. She was done playing games.
“No… it’s not that… it’s just I don’t want you to have to go traipsing through the woods. It’s much easier for me to come to you,” he stumbled through his excuse.
“I’ve already traipsed,” she replied as she pulled to a stop in front of the old barn. “I drove straight here from work. Should I turn around?”
There was a pause before he answered. “No, just give me a minute, okay?”
“I’ll be right outside,” she answered before he clicked off. She felt her stomach drop. Had she made a mistake in coming here? There was no turning back now.
She stepped out of the jeep and walked around to the small front yard looking up at the old barn. The red paint had faded to mere streaks in the grains of the wood. The structure looked as if it could be a hundred years old, although the metal gambrel roof looked fairly newer. A large set of double doors dominated the front of the façade with a similar loft window located just above it.
The barn itself was surrounded by woods. Any pastureland that may have once bordered it was now consumed by forest. There was a small lawn around it that was dotted with wild flowers. She wondered how many years it had been since this building had actually been used as a barn. At the moment it seemed quite out of place in the middle of a forest.