Child of Promise Read Online Free PDF Page A

both in the clinic and in the home. Then as new patients come or some of my old ones ask for you, you can take on your own. And we can always consult on any that appear unusual or provide exposure to problems you’ve yet to encounter. Eventually, I’d like to cut down to maybe half a day, three or four days a week, and give you the main responsibility. How does that sound?”
    “It sounds perfect. I can start tomorrow!”
    Doc laughed again. “Not too eager, are you?” He shoved back his chair and rose, coming around to stand before her. “Well, why not find yourself a place to stay first, get settled in a bit, and show up for work this coming Monday?”
    Beth grinned sheepishly. “I guess I do sound a little overanxious, don’t I?”
    “Oh, I’m not complaining. I like someone who’s not afraid of a little work and loves doing it. It’s just that following me around for a while also entails any night calls. It’ll be a lot easier on you if you’re already residing in town. Otherwise, every time I have to ring you up on that bothersome telephone, I’ll be waking up the entire MacKay household at Culdee Creek.”
    “You find it bothersome, do you?” Beth chuckled. “My sister Erin absolutely adores it. If she’s not ringing up one of her friends, she’s listening in on someone’s party line. Abby says she’s warned Erin countless times that if she’s not careful the earpiece is going to grow onto the side of her head.”
    Doc chuckled. “Now that’ll make for an interesting new surgical technique, I’d say. A telephonectomy.”
    Beth rose from her chair. “I’ll have to tell Erin. Might scare some sense into her.” She shook her head. “Only nine, and already the child’s as bullheaded and high-spirited as they come.”
    “Not at all like her older sister, is she?” Doc said, an impish glint in his eyes.
    Beth grinned. “No, not anything like me at all.”

    “Sorry, honey. I think you’d be a nice fit here, but I’m full to the gills just now. I’d be glad, though, to put you on my waiting list.”
    Her frustration rising, Beth set down her cup of tea and stared back at Mamie Oatman. She had just spent the better part of an hour sitting in the woman’s parlor being “interviewed” for suitability, only to learn Mamie had no vacancies.
    “And how far down would I be on your waiting list?” Beth asked, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.
    Mamie scrunched her forehead in thought. “Well, there’s Joanna, a chambermaid who works at the hotel, and Ivan, an immigrant Russian man from the creamery, ahead of you. Ivan, though, hopes to bring his family over in the next six months or so. He’ll have to find himself a house by then, so he shouldn’t hold you up long. Joanna, on the other hand . . .”
    Beth sighed. “Well, in the interim, can you recommend another reputable establishment or family who might be willing to take me in? I really need to be quickly available whenever Doc or a patient needs me.”
    Once more, Mamie’s brows migrated out of sight. “Can’t say as how I do.” Then, as if in sudden remembrance, she snapped her fingers. “But I did once hear talk that Millie Starr had been thinking about taking in a boarder. They’ve a room with a private entrance off the back side of the rectory. And with the size of the meals Millie likes to cook, one more mouth wouldn’t present any problem at all.”
    Millie Starr . . . the rectory. Noah. Though well aware she’d see Noah frequently, what with working and living in Grand View, Beth wasn’t so sure she wanted to see him on the daily basis that living in the same house would entail.
    “I’m afraid that wouldn’t do.” Beth pursed her lips. “I wouldn’t want to intrude on their privacy, what with Father Starr being a priest and all.”
    Mamie shrugged. “Suit yourself, but I can’t say as how it’d be such a hardship, knowing Millie like I do. Besides, it’d only be a temporary situation anyway, until a