by Elsie Davis
“Don’t press your luck.” Jake smiled and shook his head, resigned to the fact he was going fishing, but unwilling to give another inch.
He didn’t realize it yet, but Juliet considered herself up to the challenge of changing his mind.
15
Juliet and Olivia looked up from the computer as the overhead doorbell buzzed. Juliet straightened when she noticed it was Jake. It had been two days since they’d last spoken, and at last, her prayers had been answered.
“Well, hello, Dr. K. We were hoping you’d show up,” Olivia said, refuting her claim yesterday that she didn’t expect him to show up at all.
“Don’t get too excited; I’m not here to stay. I need to go over some things with Juliet.” Jake looked good. Comfortable. Too comfortable since he was missing his white clinic coat. He wasn’t here to work.
“Everyone in town is talking about you coming back.” Olivia raised her chin, daring him to contradict her.
“One day to help in an emergency doesn’t change a thing. You can squash the rumors anytime,” Jake said, pinning the receptionist with a glare as if to tell her to butt out.
“Such a shame, the town needs you.” Olivia ignored his warning, not pulling any punches when it came to stating facts.
“What did you need to talk to me about?” Juliet was more than a little curious if his presence didn’t involve staying to help. Hopefully, it would be something that would give her another opportunity to work on Project Return to Work for Jake. She wasn’t giving up yet, no matter what he said.
“I wanted to let you know that although I appreciate your input and concern, I can’t return to the clinic and practice medicine. Therefore, I’ve reposted the open position for a doctor, significantly increasing the benefits and salary in the hopes of attracting someone with excellent experience and staying power.”
Juliet crossed the room to stand next to him. “Apparently, you didn’t think enough about what I said. Jake, this isn’t the right decision, and you know it. It’s time,” she said, lowering her voice.
“You’re wrong. I did think about it. I just don’t agree. However, I did set it up so that you could review the applications from the Sunshine Employment Agency as they came in, making sure the candidate is someone that meets with your approval. It’s important to have a cohesive medical team, and since you’ll be half of it if you stay, you should have major input on the decision.”
Juliet crossed her arms in front of her chest and heaved a sigh. “Except, I’m not here to stay. And what are we supposed to do in the meantime? What if something happens to someone in town and there’s no one here licensed to give the level of the care they need? We had time to get you here in Johnny’s case—we might not be so lucky with another patient.”
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t happen. Hollow Creek is a normally a quiet town.”
Not exactly the answer she wanted to hear. “That’s not good enough,” she ground out, frustrated with his obstinance.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jake asked, the lines of tension across his forehead deepening.
“It means I’ll agree to stay until someone takes the job, and I’ll look over the applications, but only if you agree to one condition. You return to the clinic until the position is filled and the new doctor takes up residence.” She was going to push the limits with Jake. Watching him do the surgical procedure, Juliet had learned how much he cared not only about the clinic, but more importantly, the people in town. “Make that two conditions. You also need to go to church with me.” Might as well go all the way while she had him in a tight spot.
“Juliet—”
“Deal or no deal?” she asked, cutting him off to press forward in her determination to get through to him. “You don’t have a choice if you want me to stay. I’m not working in an environment that I can’t give my patients the best of what they deserve.” Juliet said a silent prayer her bluff would work. She’d never walk out the place without knowing someone had it covered. Luckily, he didn’t know it.
Jake rubbed the back of his neck, clearly not liking the direction the conversation had turned. “This is blackmail.” Juliet could feel the tension radiating toward her as she waited in silence for his decision “No church, and you have yourself a deal. I’m fairly sure the sizable salary I listed will manage to attract someone in short order.”
“One church visit.” The art of compromise was her strong suit—Jake just hadn’t known it before he began negotiations. On a high note, he was negotiating. It meant she had him right where she wanted him.
“Fine. One visit. See you in the morning. I’ve things to attend today to meet your demands.” Jake turned and walked out of the office.
“Smooth work. I do believe you have that man’s number. It’s about time someone else did,” Olivia said, grinning like the Cheshire cate after scoring a bowl of cream.
“Someone else?” She hated to ask but couldn’t stop herself.
“Someone other than his late wife.”
Juliet frowned. “Oh, but that’s not what this is about.” It couldn’t be, even if she wanted it to be. This was about getting to Jake embrace his God-given talents and not holing up in a cabin the rest of his life.
“But it could be. I’ve been telling you to stay and that the town needs you, but I reckon there’s a good chance the doctor does too.” Olivia gazed intently at her, gauging her reaction. Juliet wouldn’t give the woman the satisfaction of thinking she’d figured out some grand behind-the-scenes romance.
“It’s not like that. This is temporary for me, and you know it. I have a job back home,” she insisted.
Olivia shrugged. “And you have a job here, one that’s been offered full-time to my recollection.”
Juliet did recollect, and it was part of her confusion. She’d thought about it over and over, and still, there was clear answer as to whether Hollow Creek was a new door God was opening and where she needed to stay, or if it was meant as a temporary stopover. God would reveal His plan eventually, and until then, she’d just have to wait it out and not make any rash decisions. Unlike the one she’d made when she chosen to stay in the first place.
Realizing what just happened with Jake, Juliet smiled. Not only had he agreed to return to the office, even if it was only short term, but he was also coming to church. Once. She was only the catalyst for Jake to discover a future that could include faith and love, the rest was up to him. And, of course, God.
“Let me get to work and see what I can do to fill the scheduling slots. Lots of folks are going to want to be seen knowing Dr. K is back in the office. I’m not planning on advertising the temporary part, and I suggest you do the same. Otherwise, we’ll be buried alive in the sea of patients catching up on medical care before he takes flight again.” Olivia chuckled.
“Okay, that works for me.” Juliet smiled, scanning her key card to enter the back area. Her first order of business was to clear out of Jake’s office and move next door to the smaller room, hoping he’d feel more settled.
In between patients and moving things, it took her long into the night, but by morning, she had the Wi-Fi hotspot set up and her own laptop connected to the office's mainframe unit. It would be easier to add patient notes and keep up with the schedule Olivia prepared.
Not to mention, she had to go through the applications the employment agency sent over. It wasn’t a task she was eager to do, but Jake had been right. It meant a lot that he trusted her to pick the new doctor, even if it was for all the wrong reasons. He still thought she’d change her mind and stay.
The replacement would need to be someone like Jake. Easy going, smart, and calm under fire, and someone who would love the community as much as he did. He might be a recluse now, but it was clear in every aspect of the clinic, nothing had been too good for Hollow Creek.
By the time Juliet returned the next morning, it felt as though she hadn’t left. It might have been easier to sleep on the couch in Jake’s office, but then the idea of him comi
ng in early and finding her had been enough to make her head home.
The door to the clinic was already unlocked, Olivia beating her here. Juliet hoped the coffee was ready as well, as she was in dire need of some of strong brew. The front room was empty, and she headed for the back offices.
“Olivia,” she called out, spotting the coffee pot in the corner, the fresh aroma wafting toward her. Juliet moved to pour a cup.
“Good morning,” Jake said from behind her.
She spun around and was unprepared for the sight that greeted her. “Good morning,” she managed to get the words out while her brain malfunctioned.
“Hope you like the way I made the coffee. Thought I’d get here early and go over today’s files. Do you have them?” He asked the question as though it were routine and not the first time.
Juliet swallowed, trying to regroup. “I do. They’re on my desk. I’ll get them.”
“You didn’t have to move out of this office. I won’t be here long.”
“Long enough that we didn’t need to share the space that’s rightfully yours.” She left the room, returning moments later with a pile of patient folders. “There might be more coming. Olivia put the word out yesterday you were coming back, and the phone rang off the hook with appointments the rest of the day.”
“That’s fine. They’ll all find out soon enough it’s not for long. At least this way, everyone has a chance to be seen. Any applications come through yet for the position?”
“It’s been less than twenty-four hours,” she said, shaking her head. “But I’ll check while you look these over.” Juliet rolled her eyes and started out the door.
“Thank you.” His gravelly voice warmed her. Jake didn’t want to be here, but clearly, he was going to make the best of it. She hoped he did the same when it came time to go to church.
Juliet sat at her desk and typed in the password on her computer. She sipped her coffee while she waited for the office program to load. After clicking on the tab for online applications, she was more than a little surprised to see three applications already there for her review.
Jake had been right; whatever salary he was offering was attractive enough to make Hollow Creek a new career destination. One by one, she went through each application. One by one, she was less satisfied with the applicant than the one before it. Sure, they were all qualified; that was a no-brainer. But as she read their letters of intent and interest, none held the easy-going passion she was looking for in a candidate. None were like Jake.
And therein lay the problem. Juliet wanted Jake to return to practice, and it was obvious to her he was the perfect person for the clinic. The problem was convincing him to stay, and with applications rolling in, she wouldn’t have long to do it.
Juliet sat there, staring at the screen, trying to figure out how to stall the inevitable—a new doctor. What she needed was time for Jake to get back into the swing of things and change his mind. She returned to the first applicant and hit reply, trying to decide what to say. Suddenly, the answer came to her in a flash. Jake would be furious, but technically, the position had already been filled. They already had a doctor in residence—the trick was keeping him.
God, please forgive me for what I’m about to do. If you’ve led me here to help Jake, this is the only way I can think of to do it.
She penned out a standard thank you for your interest, but the position has been filled letter and did a copy and paste into the reply box. She hesitated only a second before pressing send and then did the same with the other two applications before she had time to reconsider.
Pulling up the agency account, she deleted the entries off the server as though they’d never existed. This way, Jake would never know the difference.
It was for his own good.
16
Jake walked into Juliet’s office, a frown on his face. They’d been working together for a week, and the place had run with smooth efficiency as if they’d worked together for years. “What’s up? You aren’t smiling. Did I forget to restock the bandages or hand sanitizer?” she teased.
“You are nothing but efficient, and you know it. But it’s been a week and you haven’t said anything about the responses to the employment ad posted. I would have thought by now we’d have quite a few takers. So, what’s the problem? Are there no applications are coming in, or are the people not qualified, or is it that they don’t meet up with your expectations?” Jake asked the same question every day, and each time it left her increasingly uncomfortable with what she was doing.
“I’m not seeing what this office needs in the applicants answering the ad.” It was the only hedge answer she could give since she wouldn’t outright lie. Jake was what the office needed; therefore, no other applicant would work.
“Fine. I’ll talk to the agency if nothing happens over the weekend. I had lofty hopes that are quickly diminishing. Maybe the doctors coming out of medical school simply have no interest in a small-town practice because they have to pay for the big-city schools they attended and owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans.”
Juliet would have to nix the idea and come up with a better plan before Monday. “I’m out of here,” she said ignoring his comment. She pulled on a light sweater for her walk home.
Jake glanced at his watch. “Hot date on a Friday night? You normally stick around at least an hour after closing time working on the daily files and catching up notes.” At least he’d noticed she was a hard worker. But tonight, she’d promised herself some down time to spend a quiet evening at home reading a book.
“No, only tired. Once word got out you were in the office, this place has doubled its business,” she said, locking up the files on her desk.
“I guess that’s a good thing.” He chuckled. “I need to increase the revenues to pay for two medical staffers.”
Juliet smiled and shook her head. “One. I’m temporary. And don’t forget your promise to meet me at church. I’ll be out front waiting at eight forty-five on Sunday.” Her casual reminder was more of a way to make sure he hadn’t come up with a lame excuse to avoid showing up for church.
“Still going to hold me to that, huh?” He grimaced. “I was hoping—”
“Be there,” she said firmly, not willing to give an inch on the promise he made. “Have a nice night.” She waved as she walked out the front door, leaving him standing there, shaking his head.
Sunday morning rolled around far quicker than Juliet expected. She put on a blue dress with white flowers that she’d picked up at the five and dime in town. Staying longer than she planned, or for that matter, staying at all, her wardrobe had been ill-equipped to handle the extra load, and she’d been forced to splurge and do some shopping.
Luckily, her roommate had boxed up some things and mailed them. Otherwise, the limited choices in town might have left her hanging out at the laundromat rather than spending money on something she’d never wear again.
She waited outside the church, glancing at her watch every few minutes. At five minutes to the start of the service, Juliet was ready to admit the truth—Jake wasn’t coming. Turning to go inside, she couldn’t help the disappointment washing over her.
A lone figure came around the corner of the church dressed in jeans, a polo shirt, and boots. Jake. She paused to wait, his sudden appearance like a ray of sunshine. Several people stopped to talk to him, a few others waved and continued inside, eager to claim their regular seat for the sermon. When he finally made it to her side, they only had minutes to spare.
“Good morning. I’m so glad you made it,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Good morning. I like to think I keep all my promises, otherwise, they count as lies. Something I can’t abide.” Ouch. Did he know the truth about what she was doing at the office? Or was he just making a point?
Juliet’s stomach twisted in knots. “Shall we go in?”
“Might as well get it over with, unless that is, you’ve changed your mind and will let me off the hook?”
They found seats toward the back of the room. Juliet hadn’t missed the odd looks she and Dr. K drew as they entered the church together. Several people recognized her and waved, but most were paying attention to Jake. The outpouring of kindness since she’d decided to stay in Hollow Creek continued to make her feel welcome and at home.
Juliet pointed to the stage where the praise team prepared to start their worship. “I love the music on Sunday mornings,” she whispered, glancing up at Jake.
His face was lined with tension. One hand went to his forehead as he brushed his palm over the skin, rubbing it as if trying to erase something. A memory?
She reached for his hand, sensing his distress. The sweet sounds of music filled the air. “I just love the music. It’s so uplifting,” she said, leaning close and repeating the words since he hadn’t answered. Anything to draw him out of wherever he’d gone in his head.
“I agree. It’s different than what I remember when I used to come here,” he said, his voice low and tight.
It was news to her that he’d attended church in the past. Good news. “Did you come often?” she asked, hoping for some insight as to what was bothering him.
“I did.” He nodded. “Weekly.”
“I would have never guessed. The music at our church back home has been this band style for quite a while. My father believes it’s a wonderful way to reach out to the younger generation. It works. The place is packed every Sunday.” Juliet tried to remain casual, all the while, her brain racing in overdrive with his revelation.
“Looks to be working here as well. I don’t remember it being this full. What was it like growing up as the preacher’s daughter?” he asked as the music came to a stop and they prepared to transition to the message part of the service.
“Not easy. Part of me rebelled, and part of me embraced it. As I got older, I made my own decision to follow God and accepted Jesus into my heart. It wasn’t until then that I understood what it really meant.”