Free Lucy and the Doctors by Ava Sinclair

eyes.
    “I suppose you’re right,” she said. “You’re always right, you and Dr. Crane—my two heroes. My two papas.” She said the latter playfully, but there was no doubt to either man that this was how Lucy perceived them.
    “Of course we’re right,” he said thickly. “Now, how would you like a sweet? I was in the kitchen earlier, and I do believe that I saw the cook making those little pies you adore. Shall we go nick one?”
    Lucy giggled at this, and took Dr. Allard’s hand. As promised, half a dozen little tarts were cooling on the large pine table in the center of the kitchen. After taking one, Thomas settled Lucy in the parlor with some books and her snack, telling her he’d be back in about an hour before heading off in search of Dr. Crane.
    He found his colleague answering correspondence in his office.
    “Thom!” The handsome face lit up with a smile when he saw his friend. “What have you been about this fine Sunday morning?”
    Dr. Allard settled himself into a nearby chair. “Entertaining our little ward,” he said. When he grew quiet, Dr. Crane looked up.
    “Is something wrong?”
    “No… not really.” But Thomas was rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
    “Out with it.” Dr. Crane put down his quill as his colleague moved forward in his chair.
    “Benedict,” he said. “Do you think we’re doing the right thing? With Lucy?”
    “The right thing?” Dr. Crane. “Can you even doubt it? She would have died in that place, Thom.”
    Thomas held up his hands. “No, Benedict. I’m not talking about getting her out of St. Bart’s. I’m talking about, well, how we’re keeping her. Having her here, as our ward. I fear that she’s becoming too fond of the situation.”
    Benedict Crane leaned back in his chair, eyeing his friend. “And why shouldn’t she be fond of it? She asked for a return to a childlike state. It’s allowing her a base from which to spring.” He paused. “Are you sure your fears are not so much for your attachment, rather than hers?”
    “Nonsense!” Thomas Allard stood suddenly and walked a few steps before turning back. “If anything, I’m the more pragmatic of the two. True, we’ve both taken a paternal role with Lucy, but I’m the one guiding her, teaching her, telling her about the outside world. And what do you do, Ben?” He pointed angrily toward the door. “You play with her, for God’s sake! Or do you think I am oblivious to your little games of hide and seek. Do you realize I found Lucy tucked into the dumbwaiter yesterday, giggling? When I asked what she was doing there, she said you were looking for her! The two of you are always about some silly nonsense. And you dare to question my attachment?”
    It was Benedict’s shocked expression that made Thomas realize he was doing something he never did—raising his voice. He instantly fell quiet and took a deep breath as he ran his hand through his thick sandy hair. Walking back to the chair, he sat down with a sigh.
    “I’m sorry, Ben,” he said. “I don’t know what came over me.”
    “I do.” Dr. Crane’s tone was sympathetic. “You care for her, just as I do. We may be men of science, Thom, but we still have hearts. And how could we not lose them to so beautiful a girl?”
    Thomas tapped his fingers on the chair arm and shook his head. “But how can we afford to? We took her in as a study subject. It’s unethical.”
    Benedict nodded. “Only if we let it get out of control. I believe if we deny our feelings, it will only make it worse. What we feel—all three of us—is to be expected. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do what we promised Lucy, which is to give her the safety of paternal care until she’s strong enough to move on.”
    “She says she doesn’t want to.”
    Benedict brushed Thomas’ comment off with a wave of his hand. “She’s allowing herself the luxury of being childish. She doesn’t mean it. Not really. She’ll be ready to move on soon enough, and we’ll