The Doctor's Family

But after trying with all her might to stop the wedding, Arabella had a change of heart. Maybe because life was so fragile and unsure or maybe because underneath all her bravado, she still believed in love. How would the formidable Grandpa George have handled this situation? He’d probably hire someone to run the doctor out of town. But George Clayton hadn’t been all bad. She remembered how he’d come into the hospital room when the girls were born. He’d stared down at the three little pink bundles without a word. But a single tear had fallen down his rusty old cheek. Then he’d turned and walked out of the room.

That tear had told her more than any words ever could.

Grandpa George loved his great-granddaughters. And he loved Jasmine, too. He’d want Arabella to fight for her home and for her children, including Jasmine.

Why had God allowed them to love Jasmine, to make the girl one of their own, only to bring Jonathan Turner here with bad news? Would he entice Jasmine with his wealth and position? Or would he promise her the moon but then leave and forget her? Jasmine had suffered enough.

Arabella had suffered enough, too. Was she being selfish, wishing Dr. Turner had never found his niece? Like it or not, Jasmine had grown up and was to be married in December. Arabella would have to let her go, one way or another.

Arabella had a hard time letting go, though. Her own mother had left her here in Clayton when Arabella, a teenager at the time, had refused to move away. She’d stayed for love, or so she thought. She’d married too young, and before she knew it, her marriage had fizzled out like a dud stick of dynamite. People were always leaving her, and she was tired of it.

What next? she wondered.

Outside, the leaves fell from the trees with a gentle abandonment that seemed to Arabella like a release. She wished she could just drift away like that. But she had responsibilities. She had to face reality. She couldn’t let her protective feelings put a wedge between Jasmine and her. There really wasn’t anything she could do, except pray that Jasmine would be happy, no matter where she wound up.

Arabella spent the next hour making soup and baking rolls for lunch. Only she didn’t have an appetite and she couldn’t get Jasmine to come downstairs.

Cade called Arabella’s cell. “What’s wrong with Jasmine? She left me a message, and she was crying.” His voice filled with concern. “Is this about the wedding? Did somebody say something to her? I called back but she wouldn’t tell me anything over the phone.”

“Are you coming over here?” Arabella asked, hoping the boy could comfort Jasmine but dreading all that she’d have to tell him. “We can talk then.”

“I’m finishing up some things with Mr. Jameson at the Circle C. I’ll be over there when I’m done.”

“That’s fine,” Arabella told him. Cade had big plans to become a doctor, but right now he needed a steady income and the Circle C ranch needed workers. Thankfully, Cody paid him a fair wage for a good day’s work. “Come on over when you’re done. I’ll be here through lunch, so Jasmine won’t be alone. Just get here when you can and maybe you can talk to her. She won’t talk to me right now.”

She was glad she’d told the girls’ preschool teacher to take them next door to Mother’s Day Out. Normally, she only sent the girls over there when she had deliveries or other appointments.

Their teacher, Mrs. Black, had readily agreed. “They’ll be just fine, Arabella. The girls love playing with the other kids who stay late. Don’t worry. Enjoy your afternoon.”

Arabella didn’t see how that would be possible. This was one of those day where she wished she could just run away and start fresh. But she busied herself with cooking, something that always soothed her when she was worried about things.

Her cell rang, showing Brooke’s number. “So … what’s up with you and that handsome doctor?”

“He’s new in town,” Arabella told her cousin. “And … he’s Jasmine’s uncle. His name is Jonathan, and he told me her daddy died a short time ago.”

“Oh, that’s horrible. How’s she doing?”

“Not so great. I just told her this morning. Jonathan’s coming over for lunch so he can talk to her.”

“Give Jasmine a hug for me,” Brooke said. “Listen, I heard from Vivienne.”

Arabella braced herself. Had her cousin decided against coming home for the requisite year? “What did she say?”

“She’s visiting friends in Denver right now, but … she lost her job. She said since she’s got nothing to go back to in New York, she’ll be home soon. She’s willing to try the year thing.”

Arabella thought how hard her vivacious cousin had worked to become a successful chef in New York. Vivienne hadn’t been thrilled at the stipulation of having to return to Clayton for a year to receive her inheritance. But now she’d need that money. “Viv is being brave about this. I hope she won’t regret it.”

“I told her I sure am glad I came home, in spite of everything.”

“Me, too,” Arabella replied. “Thanks for the update. Now we need to pray Zach hears from Lucas.”

“I’m on it,” Brooke said before hanging up.

Arabella went back to her cooking, her prayers scattered from her cousin Lucas missing somewhere in Florida to Vivienne at loose ends in Denver and everyone in between. Especially Jasmine … and her uncle.

Jonathan walked up onto the inviting porch of what everyone called Clayton House. The big old Victorian looked pretty from a distance, but up close he could see the signs of wear and tear. The yellow paint was chipped and peeling in places and some of the big white shutters drooped with a heavy-lidded sway. This painted lady had seen better days. The house had to be over a hundred or so years old, so Jonathan took it in with a forgiving eye.

Maybe Arabella Michaels would be the same. Pretty from afar but worn a bit when he got up close. He almost wished that were true. Except last night she’d looked pretty good for a woman who’d come to confront him. He didn’t need the distraction of a pretty woman right now. He had to talk to Jasmine, tell her he wanted to give her a chance for a new life and then get back to his old life. If he kept taking time off from the hospital, he could be out on his own, searching for a new place to work.

The front door creaked open with a groaning cackle. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t hide in the bushes anymore.”

Jonathan gave Arabella a twisted smile. “I’m not hiding in the bushes. I’m right here in plain sight.”

“Then why didn’t you knock on the door? You’ve been standing there for at least five minutes.”

He took in her careless chignon and the soft green sweater she wore over old jeans. And she had on yet another pair of cowboy boots—these a rich, burnished brown that matched her upswept hair. Unlike the house, she did not look worn and frayed around the edges. She looked great. All natural and all attitude.

“I … uh … this is hard,” he said, his tongue tripping over his teeth. “I brought Jasmine a few things.” He shoved the gift bag and a small bouquet of flowers toward Arabella. “The flowers are for you. And … some stuffed animals for your girls.”

Arabella took the flowers and looked down at the big floral bag then back up at him, surprise and sweetness in her eyes. “I see you’ve been to the Flowers and Fancy Finds gift shop.”

“Dorothy recommended it. And asked me several pointed questions about why I wanted to buy frilly gifts.”

“I’ll reckon she did,” Arabella said, standing back. “C’mon on in. I might as well let you know—I told Jasmine everything and now she’s locked in her room. Cade’s supposed to come over in a little while.”

Jonathan’s heart knocked against his chest. “I didn’t want it to be this way.”

“She’s upset about her daddy. In spite of Aaron Turner’s nasty ways, I guess the girl still loved him.”

“He wasn’t always bad,” Jonathan said, following her into what looked like a parlor. He saw antique sideboards and cherrywood tables mixed with a modern brown leather couch and high-back chairs strewn with colorful pillows. In one corner, a massive wicker basket filled with children’s books and toys seemed to fit right in. Family pictures lined the bookshelves. “Maybe if I talk to her …”

Arabella pointed to a floral chair by the fireplace. “Have a seat. I’ll bring in coffee. I made vegetable soup and bread. And I have pie.”

“But—”

She whirled to stare at him, the big bag clutched in one and the flowers in the other. “I’m going up to tell her you’re here. Maybe she’ll come down.” Laying the bag on a side table, she said, “And if she doesn’t, well, you and I still need to have a long talk. So make yourself comfortable. This might take a while.”

Jonathan sat down, nonplussed by her bossy attitude. He was used to bossing people around, but it sure wasn’t as much fun to have the tables turned. He decided this trip wasn’t going to be as short and sweet as he’d imagined.

Things were getting more and more complicated by the minute. And from the frown on Arabella Michaels’s heart-shaped face, he had a feeling this was just the beginning.

Arabella found a crystal vase for the flowers. The fall arrangement contained vines and briar roses mixed in with fat burgundy mums and variegated sunflowers in amber and orange. It wasn’t very big and it wasn’t formal, but the cluster of flowers made a statement.

Was the man sitting in her parlor trying to make a statement, too?

She fussed with the arrangement and then put it in the middle of the long oak dining table. Jonathan’s act of kindness had touched her. But then she figured he was making nice before he met Jasmine and plied her with big-city dreams. And why would a busy single doctor want to deal with a teenager anyway?

Maybe because that teenager was his only family?

Arabella could certainly understand that concept.

She heard footsteps and saw Jasmine moving down the stairs, her eyes red-rimmed, her hair falling in gentle brown ribbons around her face. Before Arabella could say anything the girl marched across the entry hall and into the parlor, stopping inside the arched doorway.

Arabella hurried after her but stopped in the dining area behind Jasmine.

“So you’re my uncle?” Jasmine said it in the form of an accusation, the words sharp like arrows, her voice hoarse and raspy but determined.

Jonathan stood up, his hands going into the pockets of his jeans. “Uh … yes. I’m Jonathan. I’m sorry we had to meet this way.” His expression was filled with a cautious joy, but his eyes held a definite sorrow.

Jasmine didn’t say anything for a split second. Then she crossed her arms at her midsection and said, “And so, my daddy’s dead?”

Jonathan shot Arabella a helpless look and then focused on Jasmine. “Yes, he is. I’m sure you knew he was an alcoholic—”

“Yeah, I did know that. How did he die?”

Another pleading look. “He left a bar late at night and … apparently lost control of his truck on a curve.” He started to say more but held back. Finally, he said, “He died on impact.”

Jasmine raised a hand to her mouth then put her head down. “He wasn’t always so mean. He just couldn’t beat the liquor.”

“I know,” Jonathan said, his eyes burning with what looked like unshed tears. “I understand and I’m so sorry. He wasn’t always like that when we were growing up, either.”

Jasmine’s head came up. “What made him get that way?”

“It was probably the disease.” Jonathan stepped closer. “He followed our father’s example, I think maybe to have something in common with our old man. They used to drink together a lot once my brother got older.”

Jasmine swiped at her eyes. “But you turned out different? How’d that happen?”

He shrugged, his shoulders slumping, the weight of this discussion seeming to wear him down. “I tried to just survive. I … was younger. Aaron took the brunt of things. He wanted to protect me. I only wish I could have protected him.”

Jasmine whirled toward Arabella and rushed into her arms. Arabella grabbed hold and hugged Jasmine tight, warning Jonathan away when he moved toward the girl. “It’s all right. We’ve been through a lot together and we’ll figure this out. It’s gonna be okay, I promise.” She voiced that promise loud enough for the man standing there to hear it.

Jasmine sniffed and looked up at her. “I always thought he’d come back here one day. That he’d want to come back for me. Or maybe he’d show up at my wedding. Now I’ll never see him again.”

Arabella held her own tears inside. It wouldn’t do for her to fall apart, too. She had to be strong to keep Jasmine intact. “Maybe he was trying to get back. We can’t be sure. Maybe he went away to get better and … just didn’t have the strength to make it home.”

Jasmine turned then, her eyes scalding Jonathan. “Maybe if he’d had someone to help him—”

“I didn’t know where he was,” Jonathan said, but it sounded like a pitiful excuse and he seemed to realize that. He dropped his hands to his sides. “I wish things could have been better between us. I tried to stay in touch, but he never answered my calls or my letters. He resented me going away to college.”

Jasmine lifted her head an inch, her chin jutting out. “He used to pick on me about that. Said college was a big waste of time and money. Said I didn’t have enough sense for higher education. I’d do better to get a job right here in Clayton and learn my place in this world.” She held herself, her arms tight against her stomach. “I guess he was right.”

Arabella leveled her gaze on Jonathan. “He was wrong, Jasmine. You’re a very bright girl. If you want to go to college, we can make that happen.”

And she dared the good doctor to dispute that.

Then Arabella had a new thought. Denver had several very good colleges. Maybe the doctor could actually help make Jasmine’s dreams come true. And maybe it was time Arabella stopped wallowing in her own woes and, instead of resenting Jonathan Turner, found a way to help make that happen.

Chapter Four

“I don’t have to go to college right now. I want to marry Cade,” Jasmine said. “He’s smart and he’s looking for scholarships and working on securing student loans. He’s gonna be a doctor like you. How about that?” she inhaled a tiny breath. “After we’re married, he’d going to get started in college and I’m going to work to help support us. That’s our plan.”

Arabella saw the stubborn look on Jasmine’s face. She wouldn’t abandon Cade. And she’d put his dreams ahead of hers. The girl had talked about working while Cade went to college and on to med school. But neither of them had decided whether they should stay here and commute to any of the nearby large colleges or if Cade would live on campus. Either way, it would be hard to start a marriage like that.

Jonathan relaxed a little, a tight smile playing on his lips. “I … can talk to him, answer any questions he might have.” Then he took another step. “How about you though? Don’t you want to continue your education after the wedding?”

Arabella wondered if he’d accepted that there would be a wedding or if he was just fishing.

Jasmine nodded, the motion barely there. “Yes, I’d like to go to college, too. I’ve already checked into taking some courses online. But I don’t mind working while Cade gets his medical degree.” She shrugged. “I like cooking and baking. And there’s no shame in waiting tables until I decide what I want to do.”

Her tone indicated she’d be the one doing the deciding. Arabella was used to this but had to smile at Jonathan’s poleaxed look.

Arabella touched her on the arm. “Let’s talk about all that over lunch,” she said gently. “Cade called earlier. He should be here soon. But we can go ahead and eat since it’s ready. Your favorite vegetable soup and fresh-baked wheat rolls. And I made pumpkin pie for dessert.”

Jasmine wiped at her eyes again. “Cade’s coming?”

“He said he’d be here after he did some chores for Cody.”

Jasmine glanced over at Jonathan. “He has a good job on a big ranch just outside of town. I told you he’s smart and he works hard, too.”

Jonathan focused on Arabella then glanced back at Jasmine. “I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

Arabella motioned for Jonathan. He couldn’t stand there in the parlor all day. “C’mon. Soup’s getting cold.”

He stepped across the hallway and into the dining room. The wall between the kitchen and this room had long ago been opened to form one long room that included the kitchen, a small desk and sitting area and the dining area. Arabella found it a bit disconcerting, the way Jonathan seemed to fill the space and make it smaller.

It had been a long time since she’d had company for lunch. Adult male company, that is. Why hadn’t she bothered to put on some lipstick and comb her upswept hair?

Jonathan shot a wary eye toward Jasmine then asked, “Where are the girls?”

“They attend preschool at the church three days a week,” Arabella said as she poured tea and ladled soup. “I sent them over to Mother’s Day Out for the afternoon. I let them stay there some afternoons when I need to leave them with someone I can trust.”

Jonathan took the iced tea she handed him. “You seem to have such a strong sense of community around here.”

“We do. This little town might have seen better days, but we tend to stick together through thick and thin.”

His guilty look made her wish she hadn’t said that. Did he think she was making a point with him? His next words explained that.

“I … we … grew up in a small town like this. It’s about twenty miles from here, closer to Denver.”

He didn’t mention exactly which town, however.

“We like it here,” Jasmine said, her words quiet but firm.

Jonathan smiled at Jasmine. She was busy placing bright yellow linen napkins around the table. But Arabella didn’t miss the shy look Jasmine shot toward Jonathan. The girl was getting used to the idea of having an uncle apparently.

“Let’s eat,” Arabella said. “We have a couple of hours before I pick up the girls.”

And so they sat down, the three of them. A minute of awkward silence followed, the only sounds the ticking of the grandfather clock in the foyer and the usual whines and groans of the old house.

Then Jasmine reached out a hand to both of them. “I’ll say grace.”

Arabella took the girl’s hand on one side and then, reluctantly, took Jonathan’s hand on the other. And the reaction she’d been expecting, the dread she’d felt coming since he’d shown up, settled over her like a rock slide, swift and accurate. Only now, the dread was mixed with a bit of anticipation, too. She had to inhale a breath to get her bearings.

Because she was holding the hand of a man who’d come here to mess with her carefully controlled, deliberately scheduled life. And that made him far more dangerous than she’d ever dreamed.

Jonathan took the coffee Jasmine handed him. Her tentative smile brought him a small measure of comfort. Was she warming up to him?

Jasmine placed a chunky slice of pumpkin pie in front of him. “Do you want whipped cream on top?”

“No, no,” Jonathan said, eyeing the pie. “This is plenty. I’m not used to eating like this.”

Jasmine glanced over at Arabella. “We always have plenty to eat around here. Arabella is a caterer. She bakes all the bread for the Cowboy Café and makes wedding cakes, too. She can cook for a big group, but you have to book that ahead of time. I help her. She pays me to babysit and help with the baking.”

Jonathan saw the pride in Jasmine’s eyes. He wanted her to feel that same pride about him. “Sounds as if you two have a good thing going.”

Jasmine bobbed her head. “We do. Arabella’s been good to me. She’s like … my mom.”

Bragging and making another point.

He wished he could accuse Arabella of taking advantage of his niece, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Arabella Michaels didn’t act like the type to work anyone too hard. She had a gentleness about her that belied the steel underneath. But she was a good person. He could see that from this cozy, colorful home and her unconditional love for her family.

He and his brother had never known that kind of love. Not after their mother had died when they were still boys.

Arabella wasn’t taking advantage of his niece. She’d given the girl a home and a job. That was different from working the girl too much. And it wasn’t the same—not the way his father had tried to work his brother and him, all the while making them feel somehow responsible for their mother’s death. He was thankful Jasmine had found a good place to live.

But he needed to lay his cards on the table regarding his niece. “Now that we’ve had a chance to get to know each other, Jasmine, I wanted to extend an invitation to you.”

Arabella stood straight up across the breakfast bar, the daring look in her golden-brown eyes nailing Jonathan to his chair.

“What kind of invitation?” Jasmine looked from him to Arabella. “I’d like to hear that.”

He cleared his throat. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, the reason he’d come here. “Now that I know about you and I’ve seen … your situation,” he began, hoping to make sense, “I’d like you to think about the possibility of coming to Denver.”

Jasmine looked confused. “You mean for a visit, right?”

“No, I mean for as long as you want.”

The girl pushed at her long hair. “But … you understand I’m getting married in December?”

“December?” He never dreamed the wedding would be that soon. “Isn’t that a bit rushed? You’ve only been out of high school for a little while, right?”

“I graduated last spring. Cade did, too. But we both have jobs—just until Cade can get everything lined up for college and med school. And Arabella has a room here on the back of the house that Cade and I can use until we decide. It was her grandpa’s room for a while.”

Arabella came around the counter and sat down. “I had to move my grandpa downstairs for a few months before he died. After he passed, I remodeled the room and turned it into an efficiency apartment, thinking I might rent it out. It has a bath and a small kitchen. I offered it to the kids rent-free until they get settled and decide about college.”

“So they’d stay here?” This time, Jonathan’s tone was accusatory, but he didn’t care. Maybe he’d been wrong to assume Arabella didn’t have an agenda. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”

Arabella gave him another stubborn look. “When my grandpa got so sick, all I could think about was that he didn’t want to go to a nursing home. So I brought in a contractor to do some quick remodeling. We opened up a big storage closet and made it into a bathroom for him.” She shrugged. “After he died, I thought about bringing in some extra income since my child-support checks are few and far between. So don’t go guessing that I’m trying to manipulate things for my own benefit.”

“I never suggested—” he began.

“I actually think it might be a good idea for Jasmine and Cade to consider living in Denver. Several fine universities are there and they have talked about that possibility.” She met his eyes. “Having you nearby would ease my mind, that’s for sure.”

Jasmine bobbed her head. “That’s true. It would be even better to know somebody in Denver. Especially a doctor.” She glanced at Arabella. “Cade’s mom lives there, but they’re not close. He won’t even talk about asking her to help.”

Jonathan saw the hope in Jasmine’s eyes and the encouragement in Arabella’s.

Maybe she wasn’t manipulating anything after all. But it would be hard to let her number-one helper leave. “Sorry. It just seems so convenient—wanting Jasmine and Cade to stay here with you.”

Jasmine dropped her fork, her gaze widening. “It’s a good plan—if we decide to do that. We’ll have privacy here before we decide about school. And if Cade goes on to college, I’ll have a place to stay if I need it and he can come home on weekends. You have a problem with that?”

Jonathan saw that he was caught between two forceful personalities. He knew when to back down. “No, but I still want you to consider coming to Denver.” He sent out his own challenge. “You and Cade both. As Arabella said, we have several very good universities. And I have connections.”