Amish Country Box Set: Restless Hearts\The Doctor's Blessing\Courting Ruth (43 page)

He put the prism back in his pocket. Did they understand or was he talking over their heads? “If Grace could stay outside all day, without clothes on, all year ’round, and let God’s light touch her skin, her jaundice would be controlled. You men know what it is to be outside all day summer and winter.”

“It would not be possible for a child to live like this.” The elder on the end stroked his beard.

Phillip knew he was reaching them. “That’s right. That’s why we take the blue light and bring it inside and let the sick children sleep under it at night. By using a solar panel, we can change sunlight into electricity to run the lights.”

“But this will not cure her,” Elijah said mournfully.

Phillip returned and sat on the edge of his seat. “No, but work is being done in the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to understand this disease and find a cure. It will be found, but not in time to help Grace. Right now, the only cure for her will be a liver transplant when she is old enough to have one.”

Elijah’s bishop, who had been sitting quietly among the other elders, spoke up at last. “You have given us much to consider. Thank you for coming.”

He was being dismissed. Deflated, Phillip tried one last thing. “Because this defective gene comes from both her father
and mother, we know there will be more children with this disease in your community. We have already seen it in Elijah and Sophie’s families. When the children of those families grow up and marry, they will pass this gene along to their children and their grandchildren. More Amish children will be sick. It is within your power to save them by using the first gift God gave the world. How can you turn your backs on them?”

He held his breath as he waited for their reply.

* * *

Wilma was already at the clinic when Phillip arrived there early on Monday morning. To his surprise, Amber was there, too.

He knew he’d never tire of seeing her face. The thought that he’d be leaving in two weeks was as painful as a knife in his heart. How could he leave her? How could he not?

His new partners in Hawaii were eagerly awaiting his return. Their busy practice needed him there full-time. They had been generous in granting him a two-month leave, but he couldn’t ask them for more time.

Harold was progressing so well that he’d be able to return in a month or so. The clinic might have to close for a few weeks, but it would survive until Harold’s return. It might even prosper if Harold took on a partner of his own.

Phillip wondered if Amber would be as sorry to see him go as he was to leave.

“Well?” Wilma demanded. “What did they decide?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t heard.” He came into the room and parked himself on the corner of her desk. Amber moved to settle herself close beside him.

“When will you hear?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. Soon, I hope.”

Amber laid her hand on his arm. “What if they say no?”

“I won’t think like that.”

Smiling, she nodded. “God brought you here for this reason.”

He had such a short time left in Hope Springs. He was going to make the most of every minute with this wonderful woman. He had a lifetime worth of memories he needed to make.

“But what if they do say no?” Wilma asked.

“If they say no, I have a tough choice ahead of me. I’ll either have to release the child from the hospital to go home and die, or I can petition the court to have her removed from her parents’ custody. In that case, she would go to foster care, but at least she’d be getting the treatment she needs. I’m sure the Amish would take us to court over such a move. They might even win.”

Amber’s hand tightened in a gesture of sympathy. “What will you do?”

He gave her a soft smile. “I honestly don’t know.”

The clatter of hooves outside announced the arrival of a buggy. Phillip stood and waited with his heart pounding as Elijah Knepp walked in. The farmer pulled his hat from his head. “I must speak with you, Phillip White.”

“Please, come to my office.” Phillip led the way and when they were inside the room, he offered Elijah a chair. “
Nee,
I must get back to my fields. I wish to tell you the Church elders have come to a decision regarding Grace.”

“I see.” Phillip swallowed hard. “What was their decision?”

“Grace may have the lights.”

Phillip’s mouth dropped open in relief. Rounding the corner of his desk, he slapped the man on the back. “That’s great news.”

Elijah grinned. “
Ja.
It is
goot.
My Sophie is happy today.”

“I’m sure she must be. I don’t want you to worry. I’ll take care of getting the equipment ordered.”

“My Church will pay for what is needed.”

“Fine. As soon as it’s installed in your house, Grace can come home.” Phillip knew he was grinning like a fool, but he couldn’t stop.

At the door, Elijah said, “My thanks for your efforts to help my daughter and my wife. You have been a gift from
Gott
to my family.”

Pulling open the office door for him, Phillip said, “I’m glad I could help.”

Elijah looked down at his hat and then back to Phillip. “This cure they are looking for, you will help them find it?”

“I’m afraid I must leave that to more qualified doctors.” What he wouldn’t give to be part of that battle.

As the man walked away down the hall, Phillip stared after him. He did want to be a part of finding answers and cures, not waiting for others to do the work. He’d never be content to send grieving parents out his door without being able to give them hope.

Suddenly, he realized he’d been heading down the wrong career path.

Perhaps this had been God’s purpose in bringing him to Hope Springs. To show him where his true calling lay. Not in family medicine like this, but in genetic research.

Amber once said God used her sister’s tragedy to reveal her true calling. In his heart, Phillip knew he was being called, too. Not to follow in his father’s footsteps, but to forge a new path for himself.

I’m listening, Lord. I’m finally listening.

Excitement percolated through his body. He’d need a new degree. It would mean more years of study. He knew just where to make it happen. At his alma mater, the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The door beside his office opened. Amber peeked out. “Well?”

Wilma came rushing down the hall. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

Phillip stepped back into his office. The women crowded in. Holding his arms wide, he grinned. “They said yes.”

Happy screams almost raised the roof. Phillip found himself the center of a group hug and joyful jumping.

Wilma broke away first. “I’ve got to call my husband. We’ve been praying about this all weekend.” She dashed out of the room and headed for her desk.

Shyly, Amber smiled at Phillip and placed both her hands on his chest. “You done good.”

“With your help.” His heart turned over and he pulled her close. She had become as important to him as breathing. How could he live without her?

He loved her. He loved her with all his heart. Would she leave this place and come with him to Hawaii if he told her that? He braced himself to find out.

The outer door of the office opened. Expecting Wilma, he looked over Amber’s head and his mouth dropped open.

Harold, leaning on crutches, stood in the doorway scowling at them. “Don’t let me interrupt. On second thought, what’s going on here?”

With a squeal of delight, Amber tore away from Phillip to embrace his grandfather. “Harold, I’m so glad you’re back. Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”

Wilma squeezed through the door behind them shaking with excitement. She, too, threw her arms around the man. “God has answered my prayers. It hasn’t been the same without you.”

He hugged both women close. “I’m happy to be back. I don’t think I’ll ever leave this town again.”

“Good,” Wilma stated firmly, patting his chest. “Now, maybe things can get back to normal around here.”

Phillip stood back, allowing them their long-awaited reunion. Finally, his grandfather looked up and met Phillip’s gaze over the women’s heads. Harold said, “That’s my plan. I’m here to make sure that things get back to normal as soon as possible.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

A
mber walked slowly toward Phillip’s office the following morning. The door stood open.

Harold’s office, she corrected herself. It would take some time to get used to that again. She stopped in the doorway and watched the man she had come to love more than anyone in her life. Busy packing his few belongings, he didn’t see her.

The dreaded moment was here at last. She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t. “You’re leaving?”

He looked up. His eyes were filled with the same pain and longing that was tearing her heart to shreds. “Yes.”

“When?” She took a step inside the room.

“I’ve got a flight out of Cincinnati at two o’clock. I can make it if I hurry.”

“Today?” He heard the despair in her voice because he stopped packing and came to take her in his arms. Huddled against his chest, she said, “I don’t want you to go.”

If she told him that she loved him, would he stay? Did she have the right to ask him?

He whispered, “You could practice as a CNM in Hawaii. It’s a beautiful, special place.”

Those were the words she both longed and dreaded to hear. “There are no Amish in Hawaii.”

The strength ebbed out of his embrace. “Why are they so important to you?”

“I don’t really know—except I believe this is where God wants me to be.” She looked up. “Why don’t you stay? You know Harold could use the help.”

“Not according to him. He’s in a rush to get back in the saddle. I’m in the way. I’ve changed things.”

“He’s bluffing. He does need help, especially now. He can barely walk.”

“Even if I didn’t have commitments in Hawaii, I wouldn’t stay longer.”

“Of course. It was silly of me to ask.”

He held her at arm’s length. “Let’s not make this any harder than it already is. We knew from the start that I was only here for a short while.”

Her throat ached with unshed tears. “Somehow, I forgot that.”

Gently, he stroked her cheek. “So did I. I never meant to hurt you, Amber.”

“I know that.”

“You are the most amazing person I’ve ever met in my life. Knowing you has been an honor. I’ve learned so much from you about the Amish, about birthing babies and a great deal about myself. If you ever change your mind, you’ll be welcome in Hawaii.”

“I thought we weren’t going to make this harder than it already is?” Her voice caught on the last word and she pressed a hand to her lips as she struggled not to cry. “I’d love to see your island, but Harold is going to need me more than ever. I can’t run out on him now.”

“No, and I shouldn’t ask you to do that.” Defeat laced his words. She stepped away from him and wondered why life had to be so difficult.

Just then, her cell phone rang. As much as she wanted to
ignore it, she couldn’t. One of her patients needed her. The longer she stayed with Phillip the harder it became to say goodbye.

Holding up the phone, she said, “I have to take this.”

She silenced the ringing and put the party on hold. Taking another step away, she said, “Have a wonderful flight. I know you’ll be a great doctor in Hawaii. Send me a postcard of the ocean.”

She turned and ran before the tears started falling again.

* * *

Phillip pressed his fingertips to his eyes to ease the burning pain behind them. Why had God allowed him to find the most perfect woman in the world only to put her out of reach?

A tap at the door made him look up. Harold stood in the doorway. “May I come in?”

“It’s your office.” Phillip turned away to finish putting his few personal belongings in his carry-on case. The last item to go in was Doctor Dog. Phillip drew his hand over the puppet’s silky ears before putting him away.

Harold cleared his throat nervously. “I’m hearing good things about what you did while you were here. I’m a little sorry now that I rushed back.”

Phillip glanced at his grandfather with concern. “Are you well enough to be back to work?”

Holding out his leg cast, Harold said, “I’ll need some physical therapy when this comes off, but they tell me I’ll be as fit as ever. The old noggin gets headaches. Hopefully, those will fade.” Stepping close, Harold said, “I know you didn’t have an easy time here, but I’m proud of the way you handled yourself. Your father would have been proud of you, too.”

“I hope someday I can become as good a doctor as he hoped to be.”

Harold drew back, a puzzled frown on his face. “Your father never wanted to be a doctor.”

Stunned, Phillip stared at his grandfather. “Wait a minute. What are you saying?”

“My boy wanted to be a musician from the time he could reach the piano keys. I know you idolized him, but he drifted from club to club playing his saxophone and guitar. He was always broke, never had a decent place to live. I prayed for him. I paid for his college but he blew that, too.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me this?” It was like Phillip’s world had tipped off its axis.

“Was it your mother who told you Brendan wanted to be a doctor?”

“Yes.”

“What else did she tell you about him?”

“That he loved baseball.”

“I wouldn’t say he loved it, but he enjoyed Little League.”

“And did he surf?”

“As far as I know, he never tried it.”

Phillip sat down, his knees suddenly weak. His entire life he’d done things because he believed they were the things his father wanted to do. It had all been a lie. Why?

He thought back to those times. When his mother wanted him to play ball, he refused at first. Telling him his father had loved the sport had changed his mind. Shortly after that, she began dating his coach.

She’d never brought up the subject of surfing until they moved to California. She had hooked up with more than one beach bum during those years.

He looked up at Harold. “Why did my father join the Marines?”

“Your mother should tell you that.”

Phillip stood and picked up his bag. “This time she will.”