Need You Now (Love in Unknown) - By Taylor M. Lunsford Page 0,6

I suppose. I’ve had several patients tell me they’re concerned about your age. That they’d feel more comfortable with someone with a bit more experience. Others have said they don’t want to go to a female doctor.”

“Seriously?” The words came out before she could stop them. That possibility had niggled at the back of her mind before she’d agreed to come home, but she hadn’t thought it would actually be a problem. “What am I, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman? It’s the twenty-first century. What’s wrong with a young female doctor?”

“I know you’ve been up north for ten years, but you know the people here. More than anything, they hate change and they hate anyone who does something out of the ordinary. You’ve always been different from the other girls raised here. Now you’ve come back and you’ve got more education than most anyone else in town and that makes them nervous.” Doc Booth shook his head. “I wish I could say this was going to be easy, but it won’t be. They’ll fight it until they get to know you. I just want you to be prepared.”

Prepared. Okay. A heads up was nice. Not having to worry about it would be better. It certainly explained Sandra’s attitude. Girls in Unknown who stayed in town after high school didn’t usually go to college, let alone medical school. Neither did the men. Those who went on to higher education usually ended up staying in the city.

She straightened her shoulders. “They should be the ones you warn, Doc. I’m a Texas girl. My family’s lived in Unknown longer than most. I don’t plan to give up just because some close-minded people wouldn’t know a good thing if it smacked them in the face.”

“You’ll do just fine, honey.” The old man chuckled. “I’ll do what I can to ease the road for you, but I doubt you’ll need it. You’re one of our own and you’re here to help. People will see that soon enough and I’ll finally be able to take Clara on that European vacation.”

#

Caine loved his job. It was what he’d been born to do. But he never stopped getting a kick out of coaching Little League baseball. The team he coached, the Rangers, was the same team he’d played for as a kid. No matter how busy he was, he insisted his secretary keep his scheduled open so he could make the twice weekly practices and games.

He loved working with the kids, especially on days like today. Hot Texas sunlight beat down on the old field as the boys threw back and forth, working on their limited catching skills. Gage, his assistant coach, crouched down to correct one boy’s attempt at a curve ball. The rich smell of freshly cut grass mixed with the stench of sweaty kids in the humid late spring air. In the distance, he could see the gazebo and maze his grandfather built as a memorial to his ancestors James and Susan Maddox, the founders of the town. James married Susan on the spot where the gazebo stood. It was a testament to the power of love and family that ran deep into the roots of Unknown, into him. God, he loved this town.

“Okay, guys. Let’s line up for batting practice.” A herd of nine-and ten-year-old boys ran to be first in line behind the plate. “Come on, fellas. Half of you grab a base and we’ll practice our fielding while we’re at it.”

The boys at the end of the line dispersed, racing to their favorite positions. Grinning in satisfaction, Caine walked up to the pitcher’s mound where Gage was setting up the pitching machine they’d bought for the team. A basket of balls sat at his feet.

“Ah hell,” Gage muttered. “Look who’s up first.”

Caine glanced over at the boy walking up to the plate, wooden bat trailing behind him. The helmet he wore swamped his small head, making him look like a little bobble head doll. Teddy Allen, the smallest—and klutziest—kid on the team, got into his batting stance, a look of comical determination on his face.

Caine shook his head. “He’s trying his best. Poor kid can’t help it if he’s got two left feet.”

"I know. Still feel bad for him." Gage loaded the first ball in, then dialed back the speed. "Can't be easy for him to be that clumsy."

Teddy swung and missed the first ball by a mile.

"Okay, Ted, it's okay." Caine jogged over to the boy and stood behind him. "Let's try