AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nope,” she said with a sunny smile. “But you keep on trying, Doc.”
“It’s a good thing I like you, impertinence and all.”
“Pfft,” she scoffed. “You couldn’t handle a kissass. You’d walk all over them in five minutes. I talked to Frankie, I know how to keep you in line.”
That made me laugh. “Fair enough.” I raised my hands. The fact Frankie and Katie got along so well was another reason I’d hired her. In her fifties, she sported blue hair, an attitude and had raised four kids—on her own. All of whom were now in college or had just graduated.
Honestly, she could pretty much say whatever she wanted. She kept the office running even when I had to go.
“So,” she said. “What’s up?” Then she flicked a glance to her calendar on the left. “Josh’s birthday presents were ordered. As was Archie’s, but there was a bit of a delay. It should still make it in time. I arranged for flowers at the next two stops for Frankie and I spoke to Ian this morning per your request since you had patients all day, and he said that they would be home for Halloween.”
“That’s what I thought.” Frankie’s message the night before had elements of sadness in it. She hadn’t called. Instead, she texted. She only did that when she wanted to cover her distress. “Can we move?—”
“A few of your appointments around for Tuesday and Wednesday next week? Yes, we can. I already started the process. I had a light day for you on Wednesday already. I can also move Thursday around a bit. I spoke to Ms. H at the center, she can take over the group meetings all week, that way you can go see Frankie on the road.”
Well, there was being on the ball and then there was a creepy level of competency. Not that I was complaining. “Right, anything else I need to know?”
Her grin was so amused. “Only that Jake sent over the updates for the latest costumes the kids want. Charlie had a pediatrician appointment today and Jake said he’s doing great…” She checked her blotter. “The pediatrician does want to check his hearing again in six months. Said it might be nothing, but there was a blip.”
“What kind of blip?” All my good humor fled. This was why I liked going to all of their appointments, but sometimes we just couldn’t make it work.
“Hey, easy there, Pop. You’re gonna find a lot of repetitive tests come up, it doesn’t mean anything until it does. Don’t overthink it or panic. Charlie’s what? Eighteen months old? He was probably playing and didn’t want to cooperate.”
I blew out a breath. That sounded utterly reasonable. Totally. And at the same time…
“Breathe, Pop. Call Jake if you need to, but I bet he tells you the same thing.”
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Does it ever get easier?”
“Worrying about them?” She shook her head. “Nope. You just learn to manage your own expectations and fears. There’s always something. But that’s what love is…managing expectations and fears because you want the best for them.”
“Maybe you should have gotten that doctorate,” I teased, but at the same time… “Thanks, Katie.”
“Anytime, Doc. Anytime. Now—you have thirty minutes before your next appointment. It’s also the last appointment of the day. So why don’t you get some coffee and some food. Call Jake and check on Charlie.”
“I’ll get right on that.” At the door to my office, I paused and said, “Katie…”
“I’ll take care of Friday too. I’d offer Monday, but you have those state assessments due and you wanted to go over them yourself before you made your recommendations.”
“You know, I think I’ll just let you run the office and the schedule from now on.”
Her laughter followed me back to my office. I had to admit though, as assistants slash office managers went, she was the best. I would probably be lost without her.
The coffee I brewed helped perk me up as did the sandwich I ate. When I pulled out my phone, there was another update from Jake.
Jake: Pretty sure Charlie’s pulling one over on the doc and so did the doc. He just didn’t like the headphones. So don’t freak out when Katie gives you the update.
“Too late,” I murmured aloud. Still, he didn’t know I freaked out.
Me: Anything else we need to worry about? Katie said it sounded like all was good.
Jake: Nope. Doctor said he’s still in the 99th percentile and all that jazz. Just like Izzy and Josh. We make good babies.
I snorted, but he wasn’t wrong.
Me: I’m gonna check with Arch, but I want to fly out and meet Frankie and Bubba for my birthday. Do you mind if I’m gone? Won’t be more than three days.
Jake: Pretty sure Archie already got you a ticket, but go ahead and ask him.
