Page 6 of Love's Cure

When she got to Dr. Johnson’s office, there were two cars parked in front. Thinking she wouldn’t be noticed, she bypassed the office and crossed the grassy lawn to a worn path leading to a dock where a small fishing boat was tied up. A wooden bench sat at the end of the dock, and she headed there. Through the years, she and Dr. Johnson had occasionally sat there talking about everything and nothing.

As she made her way down the path, she realized how much she was going to miss Dr. Johnson. He’d been a stable influence in her life. Growing up with an unpredictable, alcoholic, drug-using mother, she’d needed someone to talk to, and both he and GG had been there for her. Otherwise, she didn’t know how she could’ve raised her sister herself.

Crystal lowered herself onto the bench and stared out at the swirling water of the river that ran along the edge of town. She heard footsteps behind her, and, smiling, turned to face Dr. Johnson and Emmett Chambers.

“I’m glad to see you here, Crystal,” said Dr. Johnson. “I’ve been trying to explain to Emmett how important it is to the practice to be available to patients anytime.”

Crystal rose and gave him a hug, realizing how thin age was making him. “You were always there for me, and I’ll never forget it.”

“You were and still are one of my favorites,” he said, smiling at her. He turned to Emmett. “Crystal is a strong woman who had a lot to handle growing up.”

Crystal felt Emmett’s sympathetic gaze on her. She’d always hated the way people in town had looked at her with pity. She raised her chin. “My mother was an alcoholic druggie who somehow mostly forgot she had two daughters.”

Dr. Johnson placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “It was what it was, and you made the best of it for you and your sister.”

Crystal gazed out at the water. Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to let them fall and expose the pain she still felt.

“Why don’t we go inside and have some of Martha’s famous strawberry lemonade?” said Dr. Johnson. Martha Johnson’s lemonade helped many patients to feel better.

“Okay, that would be nice,” said Crystal. “I’m going to miss her almost as much as I’m going to miss you.”

“Before we go inside, I’ve already warned Emmett that the house needs refurbishing. Crystal, you might just be the one to help him redecorate. An allowance is being given to update some of the appliances. But it desperately needs a young person’s touch. You’ve done such a beautiful job with the Café and your apartment, that you could be a big help here.”

Crystal glanced at Emmett.

“I can use all the help I can get. I’m color blind.” He studied her. “But I can tell your hair is not a normal color. Reds and greens are difficult for me. Sometimes, blue.”

Crystal patted her curls. “I don’t know how much purple you can see, but it’s pretty bright.”

“Very striking,” said Dr. Johnson diplomatically as he led them inside.

Martha Johnson was already taking a pitcher of pinkish lemonade out of the refrigerator when they walked into the kitchen.

“Guess you need some lemonade,” she said. “It’s nice to see you, Crystal. I’m glad you’ve met Emmett. We’re thrilled he’s going to take over for us for one year and hopefully for many years after that. He’s bought the house. We’re hoping he’ll buy the practice.”

Emmett glanced at Crystal. “This way, the Johnsons have the money to leave. Later, if I decide not to stay, they can sell the practice.”

Crystal was pleased that the settlement seemed very fair to the Johnsons. She studied Martha Johnson and hid a tender smile. She was a picture of an old-fashioned grandmother, completed by the apron she wore over her blouse and skirt. Her gray hair was tied back behind her head, and she wore no makeup.

She gazed at Dr. Johnson. Though he seemed more modern with his apparel, he had the stooped appearance of someone who spent a lot of time examining patients. His white hair, blue eyes, and jovial manner had some younger patients wondering if he was Santa Claus. Something he encouraged as he dressed wounds or placed a comforting hand on an overheated brow.

“Please sit down,” said Martha, setting four glasses of lemonade on the table as they took seats. “When I saw you outside talking to Emmett, I had the idea that you might be the perfect choice to help him with the upgrades to this house.”

“I already mentioned that, Martha,” said Dr. Johnson. “Great minds think alike.”

“More like old minds that have lived together for so long,” said Martha smiling at him. She turned to Crystal. “Do you think you could help Emmett out? I feel terrible leaving the house to him in such poor condition. We kept meaning to do some upgrades but then we knew we were selling.”

Emmett turned to Crystal. “If you’re willing, I could use your help.”

“Sure,” said Crystal. “I can also ask my friend, Whitney, to help. She just furnished the renovated cottage she and her sisters now own at the Lilac Lake Inn site.”

“Oh, I think I’ve seen it,” said Emmett. “I wandered around a bit at the Inn.”

“It’s a bit like this house, with its history. Now, it’s very contemporary inside and like this house, focuses on water.”

“That sounds lovely, Crystal,” said Martha. “I knew I was right to ask you to help.” She turned to face Emmett. “Of course, the choice is yours. We just want to make this transfer as pleasant and as easy as possible.”

“With a satisfactory outcome,” added Dr. Johnson.

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