When Court stepped out from behind the door Neetie yelped, “Mister Doctor,” and jumped into Court’s open arms.
“Hey, buddy. It’s good to see you.” Court hugged Neetie as tightly as the boy was hugging him.
It had almost killed her to leave Court, and it would assuredly be the same when he’d gone this time, but she couldn’t help but be glad to see him. She’d known loneliness that was bone-achingly deep and constant since she’d left him in Boston. With him in Teligu, it was like a part of her had been found. She would embrace him, love him, for however long he was there.
“Mommy Maggie?” Court asked her over Neetie’s shoulder.
She smiled. “It is official.”
“That’s great.”
The boy let Court go, and he stood.
“I live with Mommy Maggie now. She take care of me always.” Neetie took her hand and looked at Court.
“I know she will,” Court said, to her more than to Neetie. “She is good at taking care of people.”
“We move. I have my own room like your house.”
“You do?” Court gave Maggie a questioning look.
“When Neetie came to live with me, I asked for one of the family bungalows. They’re usually reserved for visiting doctors. Those staying long term.”
“I’m glad you got one when you did because none will be available now.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I brought a couple of long-term doctors with me.”
“Really, Court? That’s wonderful.” She grabbed his hand. “How?”
“The Armstrong Foundation is going to pay doctors and nurses for as long as needed, while at the same time offering scholarships to the Mamprusi people to go to medical and nursing school. The understanding is that they’ll work four years here to repay schooling. The hope is they’ll want to stay by that time.”
“Oh, that sounds wonderful. It’s an even better plan than I had in mind.”
“I thought you might like it.”
“I need to go—”
“No, you don’t.” He enclosed her arm with a gentle hand. “This time let someone else do it. We need to talk. About us. Neetie, Raja is waiting at the mess hall for you. She needs someone to eat dinner with, and I brought you something special.”
“What is it? What is it?” Neetie asked, skipping around Court legs.
The boy almost vibrated with excitement. He’d been getting stronger everyday they had been back. Maggie knew how Neetie felt. Court created the same thrill in her.
“How would you like a little ice cream after supper?”
Neetie shouted, “Ya,” and was running down the path toward the mess hall before she and Court stepped out of the building.
Court grinned as he watched the boy then he turned to her. “Where can we talk that we won’t be interrupted?”
“I guess we could go to my bungalow.”
“Hey, Maggie,” one of the nurses called, “can you help me put up bandages before you go to dinner?”
Court’s harsh word came out sharp and blunt at the same time.
Before Maggie could answer, Court took her hand in his and pulled her in the direction of the shed where the trucks were parked. He left her no choice but to go along. She didn’t know what he had in mind, and it didn’t matter. She was just glad to have him there.
Court spoke to the man who handled maintenance on the vehicles. The man nodded then pointed to the big truck they had driven to the village. Court headed for the vehicle.
“What’re you doing?”
“Making sure we’re not disturbed,” he said with impatience.
“But Neetie?”
“Neetie will be fine. Raja is looking after him.”
He opened the passenger door, unceremoniously picked her up and sat her in the seat. She received a quick kiss before he slammed the door closed and jogged around the truck.
“Where’re we going?” she asked as he cranked the truck.
“I don’t know. Just away from here.”
They had been riding west for thirty minutes and Maggie knew little more than she had when they’d left the hospital compound. She wasn’t complaining. Having Court hold her hand seemed like heaven and they could drive forever as long as he was with her. The truck jerked to a sudden stop. She might have bumped her head on the windshield if Court hadn’t let go of her hand and put his arm out to hold her in place.
She twisted round in the seat to face him. “Being a little dramatic today, Doctor?”
“I have to get you alone. I could’ve proposed at a Red Sox game and had fewer interruptions,” he muttered.
She might have laughed at him if it hadn’t been for the heart-stopping word—propose.
“What do you mean, propose?” Maggie hardly dared to breathe.
Court acted as if he hadn’t heard her. She watched his chest expand as he took a gulp of air. He scrubbed his hand across his face. “Could I be doing a lousier job of this?”
“What’s going on, Court?”
Taking both of her hands in his, he looked at her. “I’m trying, in the most inept way I can imagine, to tell you that I want you to marry me.”
Her heart galloped.
“I can’t live without you.” He sounded amazed by the concept.
“I love you too but you know I’m needed here. You have obligations in Boston. We’d end up making each other miserable. Never seeing each other. And it’s not only me any more. I have Neetie to consider.”
He squeezed her hands. “I want Neetie too. And living here won’t be a problem. I’m staying here.”
“What about your work at the foundation?” She hesitated. “What about your practice?”
“Dad’s taking the CEO position again so the foundation doesn’t need me. I’ll be overseeing the work done here on its behalf. And I sold my practice.”
“What? You can’t quit medicine. You’re too fine a doctor. You need to be helping people, it’s who you are.”
Court put a finger across her lips. “Hush, and let me explain.” Taking her hand again, he said, “I had a good long think after you left. I started facing my demons where Jimmy was concerned. Even talked to my parents. Things are better between us—still not great but we’re working on it.” The dry tone in his voice was a contrast to the emotion in his eyes.
She gripped his hands. “I’m proud of you.”
“I became a doctor to honor my brother and now Jimmy. To help others. It’s time I start doing that again. I’ve never felt better about myself than when I was here, working with you. There are plenty of doctors in Boston to care for people but here I’m needed.”
Did she dare to hope? “What’re you trying to say?”
“I’m telling you that I’m not giving up medicine, I’m just giving up my Boston practice. I’m going to practice here at the hospital. A permanent doctor for as long as I’m needed. Here I can make a real difference. This is where I found peace, doing what I love, and most important of all here is where you are. And Neetie. Make it perfect and say you’ll marry me.”
Those eyes she loved so much looked at her earnestly, beseechingly, as if he feared she might say no.
“So did you say how you feel about me?”