First Comes Marriage. Sophia Sasson
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the rooms we don’t use.”
Meera nodded as if it made complete sense. But why wouldn’t you maintain your home?
“There’s no kitchen in the guesthouse, so you can use the one in the back here.” He pointed to the only open doorway. “I try to keep the fridge stocked for the ranch hands. Help yourself to anything you want.” He grabbed a set of keys.
“Come on, your house is this way.”
My house? He took her around the side of the building. Meera gaped at the small stone cottage. Pretty rose vines crawled up the side. The front yard was overgrown with weeds, but she could already see the possibility of a proper English garden. Jake opened the front door.
Inside, all the furniture was covered with white sheets.
“You’ll have to dust things out...been a while since anyone was in here.”
Was it her imagination, or did his face flicker with sadness?
He showed Meera two bedrooms, a living room and a bathroom.
“This is quite a guest cottage. Has it always been here?”
“It used to be the servants’ quarters. I gutted it several years ago and made it into a house for...” His expression changed into something Meera couldn’t read. “Into a guesthouse.”
Meera looked around and felt excitement bubble through her. This is just perfect—exactly what I need. It would take some work to clean up, but it was quaint and peaceful and all hers. For a whole month she wouldn’t have to answer to anyone, live up to expectations or deal with her usual obligations. Freedom! Spending a month in this small town was a small price to pay.
“This is wonderful, thank you. What will you charge?”
“How about an exchange of services?”
“I beg your pardon?” Meera’s muscles tightened. Maybe she’d been too quick to judge Jake. She suddenly realized that she had walked into a place all alone, trusting a complete stranger.
“You’re a doctor, right?”
She nodded, relieved.
“My ranch hands haven’t seen a doctor in years. I have twelve people—three women and nine men. I’d like you to give them a physical here on the ranch, make sure they’re good.”
Meera frowned. “Why don’t they have a primary care doctor?”
“They don’t have health insurance. I’ve been looking into gettin’ them some.”
“Oh,” she said simply. She knew America didn’t have a National Health Service, but didn’t people with jobs have benefits? What could she possibly do on the ranch without a proper clinic or medical supplies? Her father had given her his old-fashioned doctor’s bag with a stethoscope and basic supplies when she completed medical school at King’s College. She considered it a sentimental gift but was glad she’d brought it along. “I’d be happy to do what I can for them, but if they need blood work, X-rays or any tests, they’ll have to come to the clinic or possibly the hospital. I really can’t do much by myself here.”
He nodded. “Most of ’em can’t afford to see a doctor. Just having you do a checkup will be more than they’ve gotten in years.”
Years without seeing a doctor? Her father’s medical practice in London was full of affluent patients; that’s why her supervisor had insisted she do this small-town rotation before he would sign off on the completion certificate for her research doctorate. She had tried to talk him into letting her go to New York—her father had even pulled some strings to line up a placement there—but her supervisor wouldn’t budge. He’d said she needed to understand how “real” people received medicine.
Maybe this would work out better than she’d expected. “It’s settled, then. And I insist on paying for my groceries.”
He glanced at her appraisingly, and she warmed under his gaze. “I doubt you’ll put a dent in our stock.” Jake waved as he stepped over the threshold to leave.
She stared at him. Her best friend and cousin, Priya, would look at someone like Jake and get giggly. Meera could objectively acknowledge his handsomeness, but she saw the swagger that came with it. Not at all like Raj.
“Before you leave, could you tell me why the town doesn’t want me to stay?”
He turned back and laughed. “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough.”
Her phone chirped, distracting her. She took it out of her purse and looked at the screen. Her mother probably had another wedding-planning crisis. She needed to take the call.
* * *
“HURRY IT UP, sun’s almost up.” Jake drained his coffee and stood. Most of his staff were gathered for breakfast. It wasn’t quite six in the morning, but the room was brightening. He wondered whether Meera would be up early; she must be jet-lagged. He hadn’t seen her since he’d shown her to the guest cottage last evening.
He would never forget the image of her standing in his barn. She wasn’t what he’d expected. He’d heard about what happened in town yesterday. The way everyone was talking, he figured she would show up at his door eventually. He hadn’t planned on letting her stay—he didn’t need any more gossip about him going around—but something made him change his mind.
What was Meera’s deal, anyway? Why would she want to come to his little town? From the clothes she was wearing, those ridiculous heels, not to mention the fancy luggage, she obviously didn’t need the money.
He felt a punch on his shoulder. “Earth to Jake! What’re the orders, boss?”
He shook his head to clear Meera from his brain, then quickly barked out the day’s assignments.
“Billy John, it’s your turn to make dinner. And please, none of that awful chili you made last time.”
Billy John began to defend himself to a chorus of insults, and Jake slapped him good-naturedly. Suddenly, his eye caught a flash of yellow in the doorway.
“Ah, this is our new renter, or ‘paying guest,’ as she would call herself.” He said the last part in a British accent.
She rolled her eyes. What’s wrong with me?
She peered into the kitchen, her movements tentative. She looked different in a simple yellow sundress; the color complemented her milk-chocolate skin. Her big brown eyes were awestruck, her already petite frame even tinier in the soaring doorway. The room went unusually quiet.
He glanced around his kitchen and realized what an overwhelming sight they all made. Nine burly men and three loud women would intimidate anyone.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Meera Malhotra.” Her voice was soft.
Silent stares greeted her. Jake started to say something when she gave them a disarming smile.
“If you couldn’t tell, I’m not from around here. I’m from London. I’m a doctor, here to do a one-month medical rotation with Dr. Harper.”
“Good luck with that.”
Jake smacked Billy John on the back of his head. Meera’s eyes widened.
Jake quickly interjected. “Now, listen up, I’ve asked Dr. Mal...” He frowned at Meera.
“Malhotra, but please call me Meera.”
“I’ve asked Dr. M. to give you all physicals—” there was a chorus of groans and protests “—which will be mandatory if you want to work here. So shut it. Last one to get their checkup will have to clean the entire house top to bottom.” More groans followed. “And I do mean the whole house.”
“Please don’t worry. I’ll make it as quick and painless as possible,” Meera said soothingly.
The protests and general grumbling continued as everyone