The Doctor Rocks the Boat by Robin Hathaway

quizzically. “What are you up to, Fenimore?”
    â€œJust a little detective work.” He told him about Chuck Ashburn.
    â€œIsn’t there some other way you could get a look at his file? Make up a story that you’re doing a study on SCD in athletes, and you need data.”
    Fenimore thought about this and shook his head. “Wouldn’t work. He’d be sure to tell Charlie and he’d know what I was up to.”
    â€œWell, I sure wouldn’t risk my whole career on such a venture.” Rafferty looked stern.
    â€œHow’s the family?” Fenimore asked, to change the subject.
    â€œTerrific. Dan Jr.’s flunking algebra. Molly’s in love with a high school dropout. Mikey wants to be a racecar driver when he grows up. And Mary’s sorry she didn’t take the veil.”
    â€œStatus quo.”
    â€œRight.” He laughed. “I can’t wait ’til
you
tie the knot. How’s Jennifer?”
    â€œFine.” Fenimore was amazed to find himself blushing.
    â€œStill hangin’ in there? Well, watch yourself, Doc. She won’t stick around forever. How long you been goin’ together?”
    Fenimore shrugged. “Three or four years.”
    â€œSee—you don’t even know. Bad sign.”
    â€œI’d better get back to the office.” Fenimore was anxious to end the conversation.
    â€œLet’s make a date at the Raven real soon,” Rafferty said.
    â€œYou bet.” Fenimore hurried away.

CHAPTER 11
    F enimore returned to his office and a placid scene: his nurse/office manager busily typing, with a cup of tea at her side; his office assistant busily filing, his iPod firmly attached to his ears; his cat sleeping peacefully on the windowsill, with her paws tucked under her chin. All was right with the world—except for that small nagging doubt Rafferty had planted in his mind about Jennifer. He entered his inner office and gave her a call.
    â€œNicholson’s Books,” her familiar voice answered.
    â€œI’d like a copy of
Gone with the Wind
in Serbo-Croatian.”
    â€œSorry. We just had a run on that and sold our last copy.”
    â€œPshaw! And I wanted to give it to my mother-in-law for her birthday.”
    â€œWell, we have
Wuthering Heights
in Farsi.”
    â€œOh no. She’s afraid of heights.”
    â€œThen how about
Notes from the Underground
in Russian?”
    â€œHmm. Let me think about it.”
    Jennifer cut short the banter. “What’s up?”
    â€œCould you take a drive to the Poconos with me tomorrow?”
    â€œWhat’s in the Poconos?”
    â€œMountains, lakes, pine trees—”
    â€œI mean, why are you going there?”
    â€œFor a physical checkup.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Her voice was sharp with anxiety.
    Feeling guilty, but also gratified, he said, “Nothing. Just routine. But it would be nice to have company.” He paused. “We could make a night of it. It should be pretty this time of year. I’ve got the name of a B & B,” he said hopefully.
    â€œWhy not? I have a helper coming in tomorrow. Dad won’t have to cover the shop alone. What time is your exam?”
    â€œTwo o’clock. I’ll pick you up at eleven.” He hung up before she could change her mind.
    The ride to the Poconos was uneventful. Except for an occasional forsythia bush in bloom and the pale green haze in the treetops where budding leaves were beginning to show, spring was coyly hiding her charms. And the farther north they drove, the more bashful she became.
    â€œWe’re about a week too early,” Fenimore said.
    â€œOh no. I like early spring. I’ll bet if we took a walk in the woods we’d see the skunk cabbage poking up.”
    He glanced at his companion in amazement. “What do you know about skunk cabbage? I thought you were a city girl.”
    â€œNot always. My grandfather had a farm in Lancaster