Free The Doctor's Newfound Family by Valerie Hansen Page A

following day she was quick to tell him so. “I can’t believe all you have to know,” Sara Beth said, eyes wide. “Those medical books are amazing. I had no idea the subject was so complicated.”
    “You were able to understand the texts?”
    “Most of them, yes,” she replied, averting her gaze and blushing.
    “I do apologize if some of the chapters upset you, Miss Reese. There was no way I could censor them to protect your refined sensibilities. I would have if I could.”
    She looked up and met his gaze. “I know that. I must admit that there were parts I skimmed rather than read every word. I thought, if it were necessary to know everything, I could always return to those chapters and study them then.”
    “Very wise.” He smiled benevolently. “Truth to tell, most medical men refer to their textbooks often when making a diagnosis. No one could possibly remember every detail well enough to be certain.”
    Sighing, she, too, smiled. “Oh, thank goodness. I was afraid my poor mind was feeble.”
    That made Taylor laugh and Sara Beth felt her cheeks growing warmer as a result. “Well, I was,” she insisted.
    “I totally understand. In medical school I often felt that way.”
    “You went to a real school? Where?”
    “Massachusetts General Hospital. Why do you ask?”
    Embarrassed to have doubted him, she explained, “I had thought… I mean…the doctor who used to come by when Mama and I lived here had apprenticed under another man. I’m impressed that you actually attended a medical college.”
    “That’s becoming more and more common these days,” Taylor said, “although many practitioners of the healing arts are still given licenses after very little real study.”
    “Could I… I mean, might I do the same?”
    “Become a doctor? ”
    Sara Beth could tell by his expression of astonishment and disbelief that he doubted her abilitiesand resolve. Nevertheless, she spoke her mind. “Why not? Surely there are many modest women who would rather be treated by someone like me. Someone who understands their reticence to put themselves in a man’s hands.” She felt her cheeks flame. “Figuratively speaking, of course.”
    “Of course.”
    It didn’t assuage her embarrassment to see that the doctor was struggling to keep a straight face. She couldn’t tell whether he thought her goal was silly or if he was merely amused at her rosy complexion and nervous manner.
    Gathering her courage, she straightened and looked him in the eye, refusing to be cowed. “All I ask is that you give my idea some thought. According to the text I read this morning, there are many women who suffer needlessly because of their modesty. That is perfectly understandable, and if I can somehow assist them, I feel it is my duty to do so.”
    Taylor finally broke into a grin. “Bravo, Miss Reese. I applaud your ambition. But let’s start with some simple nursing duties before you try to take over my job. All right?”
    She didn’t appreciate his laughing at her lofty goals, but she could nevertheless appreciate his opinion. Of course it would be a long time beforeshe was ready to be a real doctor. In the meantime there was plenty to do and even more to learn by observing Dr. Hayward. As long as she applied herself and kept an open mind, she might eventually succeed beyond his or anyone else’s wildest imagination.
    Was that a foolish aspiration? She didn’t think so. Not only did it give her a tangible goal for the future, it helped take her mind off seeking retribution.
    She wasn’t about to forget what had happened to her family. She simply needed something good to look forward to. Something that would perhaps give her life purpose and redirect her thoughts away from vengeance.
    Surely, God was going to even the score, as the Good Book promised. The only question Sara Beth had in that regard was whether or not the Lord was leading her to assist. She was not the kind of person to sit back and let her world spin out of