I looked at Hadley in question.
“He’s the place you always come back to. But he also sends you out into the universe.”
Warmth flooded my chest. “He does do that.”
Hadley moved in closer. “I think it’s one of the best gifts someone can give us.” Her gaze shifted to Calder as he lifted the table right side up.
There was something in that look. An intimacy that took years and infinite vulnerability to build. But jealousy didn’t hit me like it usually did. Because I knew that the relationship I was building with Beckett was exactly that.
“It’ll take thirty minutes for the rapid test to come back, but I’m fairly confident it will be positive for strep,” Beckett said as he removed his medical gloves.
Our crew of volunteers had split in half. Hadley and Calder used the other side of the tent to treat injury and first-aid types of cases. Beckett handled all illness-related inquiries. I just handed him whatever he needed. Slowly, I was learning more than my fair share of medical jargon.
The woman in her forties shifted on the exam table. “What do I need for that?”
“I have a prescription in stock here that you can take, but it’s also important to rest and drink lots of fluids.”
She grimaced. “I help run the farm. I don’t have time to rest.”
A large man barreled into the tent, glaring at the woman. I couldn’t help but stumble back a few steps towards Beckett. The man didn’t seem to notice my reaction. Instead, he headed straight for our patient. “If that doc says you need to rest, then that’s what you’ll do.”
My shoulders relaxed a little at the man’s words.
Beckett cleared his throat. “Are you Jacqueline’s husband?”
The man nodded and extended his hand. “Chris. What’s wrong with my Jackie?”
“I believe she has strep throat. Very easily fixed. Have you had any symptoms at all? Sore throat? Fever? Nausea?”
“None of that.”
“What about anyone else in your household?”
Jacqueline shook her head. “I’m the only one feeling poorly. It just started yesterday, and the kids were outside for most of the day after school.”
“That’s good,” Beckett told her. “For now, you need to keep your distance from everyone else. Don’t share any cups or food. If anyone else gets sick, I want you to call my office. For now, can you wait in your vehicle while the test is run?”
“I need to do the shopping—”
Chris cut off his wife. “I’ll finish your list. You go back to the truck and rest.” When it looked like Jacquelin
e might argue, he pinned her with a stare.
“Oh, all right.” She snatched the keys from him and started towards a red pickup truck in the parking lot.
Chris blew out a breath. “Lordy, that woman is stubborn.”
I choked on a laugh.
“The best ones are,” Beckett said.
Chris smiled. “Ain’t that the truth? Thanks for what you’re doing here, doc. It can be hard for us to make it into town, and sometimes those doctors’ visits aren’t exactly in the budget.”
“I’m happy to help.” Beckett reached for a card from a little holder. “This has the number to my office. If there’s ever anything urgent that can’t wait, please call. I’ll do my best to help or find someone who can.”
Chris took the card from Beckett and slid it into his wallet. He sent Beckett a grin. “You’re not at all the charlatan they said you were.”
Beckett barked out a laugh. “Try to spread that message around, would you? I’m trying to change my rep.”