Scent of Roses by Kat Martin Page B

testing, of course, but the doctor strongly believed the problem was mental, not physical.
    â€œSo you’ll call Mrs. Santiago with the news?” Elizabeth asked the office nurse. A perk of her job as a family counselor was cooperation from the medical community. She had wanted to know if there was a problem so that she could be there with Elizabeth if the results came back positive.
    â€œI’ll call her right away.” The woman hung up the phone and Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. The feeling was short-lived. Whatever was wrong with Maria had not gone away. At least it appeared to be psychological, not physical. She hoped Dr. James would be able to help.
    As soon as Michael’s patient left the office, Elizabeth went in to see him. “No brain tumor,” she said simply, having kept the doctor up to date on the Santiago girl’s progress and gaining his agreement to help if necessary.
    â€œI’ve got a cancellation this afternoon. See if she can come in around three o’clock.”
    â€œThanks, Michael.”
    He raked a hand through his sandy hair. “I like the Santiagos. They’re hardworking, really good people. I know it hasn’t been easy for them.”
    Not for Maria, married at fifteen, or Raul, who’d been in and out of trouble for years. “No, it hasn’t. I’ll see if she can come in.”
    Driving her husband’s battered old blue Ford pickup, Maria arrived that afternoon right on time. Elizabeth walked into the reception room to greet her and they sat down on the dark brown leather sofa. The area was small but cozy, with an overstuffed chair that matched the sofa, an oak coffee table and an end table with a shiny brass lamp. A stack of magazines sat on the coffee table: Redbook, Better Homes and Gardens and a couple of tattered issues of Family Circle.
    â€œHow are you feeling?” Elizabeth asked Maria, who sat with her hand cupped protectively over her belly.
    â€œI am fine, a little tired, is all.” She looked pretty today, in pink slacks and a pink-striped maternity blouse, her black hair drawn back into a single long braid.
    â€œSleeping any better?”
    Maria sighed. “If you are asking if I have heard any more voices, no, I have not. Besides, Miguel has been home in the evenings before it is time for bed.”
    â€œWell, at least you’ve been able to sleep. Let’s see what Dr. James has to say about what’s been going on.”
    Maria stood up from the sofa. “Will you…will you come in with me?”
    â€œI think the doctor would rather talk to you alone.”
    â€œPlease?”
    Elizabeth looked up to see Michael James standing in the doorway.
    â€œIt’s all right, Maria. If Ms. Conners is free, she is welcome to sit in for a while.”
    Maria cast a hopeful glance at Elizabeth, who nodded, and all three of them went into the doctor’s office. The women sat down in front of his desk and Michael took a seat in the leather chair on the opposite side. He slid a pair of tortoiseshell reading glasses up on his nose and scanned the information in the manila folder on the desktop.
    When he finished, he took the glasses off and set them down on his desk. “Let me start by saying that Ms. Conners has told me a little about what you’ve been experiencing, Maria. I’m sure it’s been very disconcerting.”
    Maria glanced at Elizabeth and the doctor realized she didn’t understand the word.
    â€œI’m sure it’s been extremely upsetting,” he said. “Having an experience like that is bound to be difficult.”
    Maria nodded. “ Sí. I have been very frightened.” She gripped her hands tightly in front of her.
    â€œBefore we get into a more serious discussion, let’s start with something simple. I have two brief tests I’d like to give you. Just answer each question honestly, yes or no, then we’ll see where we