The Doctor's Blessing Read Online Free PDF Page B

Nissley?”
    “Which Edna Nissley?”
    He struggled to find a description since they dressed alike and seemed so similar. “She’s an older lady. Short, kind of stout. Oh, she drives a gray horse.”
    “That is my husband’s uncle’s wife. The other Edna Nissley is the wife of my husband’s cousin William. Little Edna Nissley is the daughter of my husband’s youngest brother, Daniel.”
    “Okay.” A confusing family history if he’d ever heard one. He glanced at Amber. “I’ll need AP and Lateral X-rays of the left wrist. Mrs. Nissley, is there any chance you may be pregnant?”
    “ Nee. At least, I don’t think so.”
    He looked at Amber. “Make sure she wears a lead apron just in case.”
    “Of course.”
    Ten minutes later he had the films in hand. Putting them up on the light box, he indicated the wrist bones for his patient to see.
    “I don’t detect a break. What you have is a bad sprain and some nasty bruising. I’ll wrap it with an elastic bandage tocompress the swelling. Rest it and ice it. I want you to keep the arm elevated. Is there a problem with doing any of those things?”
    “Can I milk the cow?”
    He tried not to smile. “If you can do it with one hand or with your toes.”
    She grinned. “I have children and a helpful husband.”
    “Good. Here’s a prescription for some pain medication if you need it. See me again if it isn’t better by the end of the week.”
    When Mrs. Nissley left he saw the waiting room was finally empty. A glance at his watch told him it was nearly four in the afternoon. More tired than he cared to admit, Phillip retreated to his grandfather’s office and sank gratefully into Harold’s padded, brown leather chair. If his seventy-five-year-old grandfather kept this kind of pace, he was hardier than Phillip gave him credit for.
    After only five minutes of downtime, a knock sounded at his door. Sighing, he called out, “Yes?”
    Amber poked her head in. “I have a ham sandwich. Would you like to share?”
    His stomach rumbled at the mention of food, reminding him he’d had nothing but one cup of coffee since he’d left the house that morning. “I’d love a sandwich. Thank you.”
    She entered and whisked a plate from behind her back. “I thought you might say that.”
    He took her offering and made a place for the paper dinnerware on his desk. “Why don’t you and Wilma join me?”
    “Wilma has gone home.”
    “Then will you join me?” He held his breath as he waited for her reply.
     
    Amber hesitated. It was one thing to work with Phillip. It was a whole other thing to share a meal with him.
    He said, “Don’t tell me you’ve never joined Harold for a late lunch.”
    “Of course I have.”
    “Then what’s the problem? Afraid I’ll bite or afraid you won’t be able to resist stabbing me with a knife?”
    “All I have is a plastic fork, so you’re safe on that score.”
    “Good.” He lifted the upper slice of bread and peered inside. “You didn’t lace this with an overdose of digoxin, did you?”
    “And slow your heart until it stopped?” She snapped her fingers. “Wish I’d thought of it. Then Dr. Dog could take over. Thanks for the idea.”
    Grinning, Amber left the room and returned to the break room to get her half of the sandwich. It seemed Dr. Phillip had a sense of humor. It was one more point in his favor. The most impressive thing about him, good looks aside, was how he dealt with patients.
    During the long, exhausting day he had listened to them. He discussed his plans of care in simple terms. And he was great with children. She liked that about him.
    He could be a good replacement for Harold. If only she could change his mind about her midwife services.
    Looking heavenward, she said, “Please, Lord, heal Harold and send him back to us quickly. In the meantime, give me the right words to help Phillip see the need the Amish have for my work.”
    With her plate in hand, she returned to his office. She saw he’d been busy