Page 9 of Clara Knows Best

“The nurse was run out of town on a rail,” Uncle Jim put in helpfully.

“Don’t tell that story in front of the kids,” his wife chided.

“We’re sixteen,” Lorelei reminded her, utterly offended.

“And we already know that story,” her twin sister Eloise added.

“Everyone knows it,” Asher confirmed.

“We don’t need to hear it at the dinner table,” the Colonel spoke up, and the subject was abandoned.

“The fact of the matter is, none of this is my fault,” Dr. Wilder said lightly. “I would just like to make that clear. I planned to have this surgery at our least busy time of year, when I had a full-time partner and a full-time nurse available to cover for me. And then Melinda had to fire Darcy, andthenMelinda’s mother got sick and she had to fly to Toronto. I really do appreciate you coming here to rescue me, Jesse.”

“Well, when you pointed out that you’ve never asked me for anything, how could I refuse?” he asked wryly.

She laughed without remorse. “I know I put you on the spot. But I still appreciate it.”

Clara knew that her mother had always felt a special connection with Jesse, who had followed in her professional footsteps, and his self-imposed exile over the last several years had been painful for her. Maybe this week together would allow the two of them to have more of a relationship going forward.

“I’m going to the Gila Monster to sing karaoke with Yoli,” Clara said to him when he brought two plates for her to load into the dishwasher. “We go once a month. It’s pretty fun. You should join us.”

He gave her a quizzical look. “No, thanks.”

“Are you sure?” she asked carefully.

He did not answer right away. Her hands paused in her work as their eyes met and held. Jesse had great eyes, expressive and dark and thickly lashed, with little crinkles at the outer corners. Was he amused that she had asked? He better not be.

She got a faint whiff of his aftershave, elusive but manly, just as he said, “If I’m being honest—”

“Don’t sugarcoat it,” she joked, knowing that he wouldn’t.

He looked down at her face for another long moment, and then said, “You couldn’t pay me to sing karaoke. It sounds like a total nightmare.”

She laughed, and he smiled at her. It wasn’t a big smile, but it was definitely a smile.

“What about watching other people sing it?”

He took the plate she was holding and placed it in the dishwasher for her. “Even worse.”

“You better stay home, then,” she laughed, shooting her mother a glance.

“That’s what I’m going to do,” he answered.

Dr. Wilder shrugged her defeat, but mouthed silently, “Double or nothing?”

Clara nodded indulgently.

“You’re not going to be driving home tonight, right, Clara?” her mother asked aloud.

“Right, I’m staying at Yoli’s.”

“Not going to drive there, either,” her father said, bringing more plates to the sink.

“We’ll walk. It’s not far at all. I’m not going to be drinking a lot, though. You know I only have one margarita.”

“If you want me to give you a ride to Yoli’s, I will. I wouldn’t mind at all. If that DeWitt guy is hanging around and you don’t want to walk in the dark—”

“Dad, he’s not going to be a problem. Seriously.”

---