The Two of Us Read online

  “Yes, she does.” Love and pride rang in Mia’s voice. Misty-eyed, she reached in her purse for a tissue. In Jake’s opinion, Lucy wasn’t the only sister with a good heart.

  After she dabbed her eyes, Mia took Sam’s hand in hers and squeezed. “Lucy is blessed to have you in her life, and so am I. I always wanted a little brother.”

  “You’ve got one,” Sam declared. “I won’t let Lucy down. Or the baby.”

  Jake hoped not, but he’d once been as naïve as Sam. People stumbled, sometimes on their own good intentions.

  The waitress arrived with the bill and handed it to Sam. Jake didn’t bother with their usual check-snatching game. Tonight’s victory belonged to Sam, who signed the receipt, excused himself, and stood. “I’m going up to see Lucy. But, Mia?”

  “Yes?”

  “Would you stay with her tonight? She told me to ask you. She’d like it, and so would I.”

  “I’ll bring the flowers.”

  Standing, Mia hugged Sam long and hard. Jake rose from his chair and clapped Sam on the back. Connie would have been proud tonight.

  As soon as Sam left, Mia turned to Jake. She seemed unsure about what to do next, whether to sit down or to leave. With his breakfast invitation hanging between them, he indicated her chair. “How about coffee?”

  She hesitated just long enough to remind him of that moment outside the coffee shop, when she had turned back and met his gaze. The look in her eyes had been a mix of turmoil and sweetness, and she wore the same look now.

  After a breath, she slid back onto her chair. “Coffee would be nice.”

  While he signaled the waitress and ordered, Mia pulled a notepad and pen out of her purse. “What you’re doing for Lucy and Sam is really nice. Can I get the address where she’ll be living?”

  “1817 Tanner Road.”

  “Your parents own the whole street?”

  “It’s a small ranch and horse property, but they stopped keeping horses a few years ago. My dad and I run the vending machine business. Love-A-Dog Rescue was my mom’s passion. We’re set up for twenty dogs, but we’re down to five. When they’re adopted, we won’t take on any more.”

  “Lucy loves dogs.”

  “How about you?” The question popped out of his mouth. There was no reason to ask, except that he wanted to know. How a person felt about dogs said a lot about their nature.

  Her mouth twisted into a sweet little smile. “If you mean dogs like Pirate, definitely. But if you mean a dog like the flea-bitten stray Lucy brought home that ate the couch? Not so much.”

  “The couch, huh?”

  “Just two cushions and a throw pillow.” Mia shook her head. “I’m glad the owner showed up, because neither of us could bear to take it to the shelter. If Lucy’s physically able, she’ll love working with the dogs.”

  “I’m grateful for anything she can do. We really do need her help.”

  Mia opened her mouth to say something but closed it. The silence thickened until they spoke at the same time.

  “About breakfast—”

  Judging by the dire tone of her voice, she was about to cancel on him, which struck him as wise. That flirtation in the coffee shop had been between strangers who could walk away and not think twice about each other. He and Mia weren’t strangers anymore, and their friendship was potentially complicated.

  “You go first,” he offered.

  “No, you. Please.”

  Jake had no problem speaking his mind. “As much as I’d enjoy having breakfast with you tomorrow, I think it would be smart to stick to being friends.”

  “Because of Lucy and Sam.”

  “Yes.”

  She let out a slow breath. “I feel the same way. Thank you. You just saved me from a somewhat embarrassing speech. That picture I sent of the hen—I don’t usually do things like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Have breakfast with a stranger.”

  “Me either.” Funny how things worked out. She didn’t move to leave, so he said, “So you live in Denver. What part?”

  The question opened a floodgate, and they talked for an hour about easy things like Echo Falls and the craziness of Las Vegas. He told her about his plans for the camp, including how hard it was to find a name for it. “Unofficially I call it Camp Connie, but that won’t fly with teenage boys.”

  “No. But you’ll come up something, I’m sure.”

  “What about you?” Jake asked. “You have a great career that’s going strong.”

  “I do, but I’m hoping to make a big change.” She met his gaze with a look so full of purpose he could imagine her doing anything from scaling Mount Everest to becoming an astronaut. “Have you heard of Mission Medical? They send medical teams overseas. I’m applying for a permanent position in their women and children’s division. They’re based in Dallas, but I could be assigned to work anywhere in the world.”

  “You’d be great at it.”

  “I hope so, but the application process is long—not to mention highly competitive. If God opens the door, it’ll border on a miracle.”

  “Get ready. I happen to believe in miracles.” For one thing, he’d survived a tragedy. For another, neither Sam nor the department blamed him for what happened, though Jake still carried the weight of that mistake.

  He wondered why Mia wanted to join Mission Medical so passionately, but the question struck him as too personal. Instead he focused on the logistics. “Where do you think they would send you?”

  “It could be anywhere. Bangladesh. South America. Even West Africa.”

  Home of Ebola, terrorist groups, and a dozen other high-risk situations. Jake couldn’t bear the thought of Mia on the frontlines in the war against disease and violence. Waves of hot and cold shot through his body, a reminder of the days immediately after the bomb blast. If Pirate had been there, he would have crawled into Jake’s lap and licked his face.

  As Jake fought off the panicky feeling, a familiar numbness settled into his bones. He welcomed the respite, but good feelings faded away along with the bad ones.

  Mia must have seen his expression because she tipped her head in that curious way of hers. Jake didn’t try to explain. He merely smiled back, glad that he’d see her again at the wedding in Echo Falls, maybe dance with her, and definitely be her friend.

  Chapter

  6

  After three cups of coffee with Jake, Mia delivered the wedding bouquet to Lucy and spent the night with her. The caffeine kept her awake, and she and Lucy talked until after midnight about everything from the wedding to babies to men. When Lucy told her more about Jake and how he wanted to honor Connie’s memory with the camp, they agreed on three things. Brad was a jerk; Sam was a prince; and Jake was a hero.

  On Friday afternoon, while waiting for her flight back to Denver, Mia Googled news stories on the blast and gleaned the details. The decision to go into the abandoned building had been Jake’s. The bomb blew out the inside walls, but the building didn’t crumble. Injured himself, he had carried Connie to the curb before he collapsed.

  According to Lucy, Jake rarely talked about that awful day, and neither did Sam. Sam knew Jake didn’t walk on water, but he thought he came close.

  Mia was at peace with the wedding plans, but when her plane landed at DIA, her heart slowed to an aching crawl. She didn’t miss Brad at all, especially after the good time she’d had with Jake, but she missed being in love.

  On the other hand, she didn’t miss it enough to risk another broken heart. Applying to Mission Medical, moving to Dallas, and traveling around the world was far safer for her peace of mind than falling in love again. If God opened the door to Mission Medical, Mia intended to charge through it.

  Saturday afternoon, Lucy called to say she had met Claire and they hit it off. Lucy was moving in with the Tanners the next day, and Sam had gotten out of the lease for the apartment they planned to rent. Instead he would live in Echo Falls and commute to school when the semester started.

 
“Life is good,” Lucy told Mia. “I just hope your dreams come true too.”

  “So do I,” she replied, thinking of Mission Medical.

  On Monday morning, the day of her Skype interview, she saw patients in Dr. Moore’s office as usual. The day was crazy busy, but fifteen minutes before the interview was scheduled to start at one o’clock, Mia managed to close the door to her office. After shoving the clutter out of view, she tested Skype, put on fresh lipstick, and hoped her teddy bear scrubs made her look caring and not silly.

  With her heart thumping, she put her life in God’s hands with a silent prayer. I want your will, Lord. Not mine. If you’re calling me to go overseas, kick the door open wide. I’ll do my best, but the results are up to you. Always.

  As she breathed an “Amen,” the Skype sound twanged, and a photograph of a woman named Sheryl Hastings appeared on the screen. Her braided hair was pulled back into a professional bun, and her ebony skin glowed against a coral top.

  Mia accepted the call and greeted Sheryl with a friendly smile. “Good afternoon.”

  “Good afternoon, Mia, I’m Sheryl Hastings. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Likewise.”

  Sheryl handled the webcam awkwardness like a pro. “As you know, this interview is the first step in a long process. If you make it past today’s screening, we’ll conduct a background check and you’ll move on to a panel interview in Dallas. The final step is a team-building exercise with other applicants.”

  “I read about the process on the website.” She had also read dozens of blogs and social media posts by both applicants and professionals on-site. The team-building exercise worried her, because participants were sworn to secrecy. No one would say exactly what it involved, and Mia liked to be prepared.

  “So—” Sheryl looked down at her notes. “Let’s get started. Tell me about yourself.”

  “I’m twenty-nine, single, and currently see patients as a nurse practitioner in a women’s health practice. I’m also a volunteer coordinator with the free Sunday clinic run by my church. We see patients of all ages with a wide variety of health problems.”

  Sound natural. Not like you rehearsed in front of mirror. Which she had.

  Over the next ten minutes, she shared all the details of her life—her background, why she chose nursing, what a typical day was like in Dr. Moore’s office.

  “You’re a busy lady,” Sheryl remarked.

  “I really do love my work.” Mia hoped she didn’t sound too goody-two-shoes.

  “What did you do prior to joining this practice?”

  “I worked on a med-surg floor at Denver Community Hospital. As much as I enjoyed it, I wanted more independence. I earned my master’s degree and trained with Dr. Moore. She kept me on when I finished school.”

  “Have you ever lived outside of the United States?”

  “I spent eight weeks in Haiti, working as an administrative assistant on a vaccination project. It was a grad school internship.” Fortunately the family of Lucy’s best friend had invited Lucy to live with them for the summer.

  “So you learned something of the logistical problems we face.”

  “Yes.”

  Sheryl made another note. “Have you traveled to any other foreign countries?”

  “No. That’s it.” Mia knew her eight weeks of experience on foreign soil was the bare minimum Mission Medical required. Most applicants had far more, but she hoped her domestic charity work would make up for what she lacked.

  “How about within the United States?” Sheryl asked. “Have you lived anywhere other than Denver?”

  “No. This is my home.”

  “So you’ve never lived anywhere else?”

  “No.” That made three No’s in a row. With her stomach sinking, Mia searched for something to show off her adaptability, but all she could think of was the time she tried calamari and gagged on it. Not impressive.

  But she had another story to tell and other strengths. “While my college friends traveled and gained new experiences, I stayed in Denver to raise my sister. Our mother passed away when I was twenty and Lucy was barely ten. It was tough, but we made it. I’m proud of that.”

  “That’s admirable.”

  “I’m just glad we were able to stay together. God opened a lot of doors in those years.”

  “Like what?”

  This wasn’t the direction Mia expected. “When I needed a job that would let me stay in school and be home for Lucy, I found one doing home-based medical billing. My old Corolla held together for twenty years, and Lucy”—Mia’s biggest challenge of all—“well, she’s full of surprises, but she’s also a very special person.”

  “How so?”

  “She’s outgoing, friendly, and generous to a fault.”

  “What about you, Mia? How are you special?”

  “Me?”

  Sheryl smiled. “That question isn’t on the official list, but I like to ask it.”

  “I’m not special at all.” Mia didn’t like how that sounded, as if she were trying too hard to be humble. “Let me put it this way instead. We all have gifts. Mine are organization, a love of people, and a passion for healing.”

  Sheryl made another note, then paused for several seconds. Finally, with a carefully blank expression, she thanked Mia for her time. “I think that’s all I need.”

  “Wait. Please.” The interview was too short. Sheryl should have asked Mia if she was interested in specific countries and about her ideas for the clinics. Mia leaned forward in her chair, her fingers tight on the armrest. “I’d like to add something.”

  “All right.”

  “I want this position. I know I’m short on foreign experience, but I’m eager to serve. When I set my mind to do something, I finish it. I won’t let you down.”

  Sheryl stared at Mia through the screen. “I appreciate your candor, Mia. In return, I’ll be honest with you. Going overseas requires a high degree of adaptability. The living conditions won’t be what you’re accustomed to. Have you ever gone a week without a hot shower?”

  “No,” she admitted. Even in Haiti, the accommodations during the internship had been comfortable.

  “Have you eaten strange foods?”

  Mia winced. “Just sushi from King Soopers. That doesn’t count, does it?”

  “No, it doesn’t. I’m sorry, Mia, but we don’t want to invest in an applicant who isn’t able to adapt.”

  “No, of course not. But I can adapt. If you’ll give me a chance, I’ll add to my experience.” Her mind flashed to the Safari Café and Jake mentioning Dr. Collins and his plan to retire. “In fact, I can take a step today. There’s a clinic in a mountain community that needs someone fast. I’ll apply for the job.”

  “What would you do there?”

  “General practice.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “I’ll prove to you I’m adaptable.”

  “You’re certainly determined.” Sheryl paused, her expression neutral as she considered Mia’s plea. “Moving to a small town isn’t at all equivalent to what you’d experience in a Third World country, but your willingness to make a big change shows a high degree of flexibility. That’s important.”

  Mia swallowed hard and prayed. Please, God. I need a break here.

  Looking down, Sheryl skimmed her notes. “Your volunteer work is a plus, and your letters of recommendation are outstanding. You have excellent skills, and there’s no doubt you’re dedicated.”

  Mia didn’t breathe until Sheryl peered back through the screen.

  “All right,” the interviewer finally said. “Let’s continue. If Mission Medical accepts your application, which countries most interest you?”

  Air rushed into Mia’s lungs. Her hope would live at least a few more days. “I’ll go anywhere. West Africa. Bangladesh. Wherever the need is greatest.”

  “Foreign languages?”

  “I’m studying French online.”

  Sheryl made another note, asked Mia a few more questions, and wrapp
ed up the interview. “That’s all I need. Do you have any other questions for me?”

  “Not at this time. I’ve done a lot of research. It would be an honor to be part of your organization.”

  “You’ll hear from us by the end of the week. If you make the cut, the next interview will be in Dallas sometime this summer.” Sheryl offered a small smile. “They’ll want to hear about that change you’re making and why.”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  “And, Mia? One more thing.”

  She waited.

  “I want to personally thank you for your time and interest in Mission Medical. This world is a soul-wearying place. We need people like you. We need them everywhere—both here and abroad.” With those final words, Sheryl’s image faded from the computer screen.

  Mia slumped back in her chair. Interviews exhausted her, but she didn’t have a minute to spare if she was going to prove her adaptability. She Googled “Dr. Collins Echo Falls,” picked up the phone, and called his office. A young-sounding receptionist answered on the third ring.

  “Echo Falls Primary Care. This is Kelsey. May I help you?”

  Mia introduced herself and explained that she had heard through a friend about Dr. Collins’s plan to retire. “I’d be interested in filling in on a temporary basis.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I can email my CV right now.” Her curriculum vitae was three pages long and included her education, work experience, and her contributions to three research articles.

  “Can you fax it?” the receptionist asked.

  “Sure.” A fax? Dr. Collins and his practice weren’t exactly on the cutting edge.

  Another phone rang in the background. “Oh. Wait. May I put you on hold?”

  “Of course.” Mia glanced at the computer clock. She had a dozen things to do before starting up with patients, but this was important to her. She tapped her foot against the desk, chewed her lip, then heard a click and a male voice.

  “Ms. Robinson? This is Dr. Collins.”

  She bolted upright. “Yes. Hello, Doctor.”

  “Kelsey tells me you’re interested in working for me.”

  “I am. Very much.”