A little amateur?


    Was that bald old fox really getting so worked up over her?


    "Oh, there you are!" Hannah''s voice chimed in just then. "You came in through the side entrance, dear. I was waiting for you at the main gate."


    "Good day, Mrs. Schwartz," Juniper said, pulling her gaze away and standing up straight to offer a respectful greeting.


    "None of that ''Mrs. Schwartz'' business! Don''t be such a stranger!" Hannah took Juniper''s arm affectionately, her face blooming into a wide smile. "You''re with my good-for-nothing grandson now, so you can just call me Grandma!"


    Grandma? After a few seconds of silence, Juniper''s lips moved, and she slowly managed the word. "Hello, Grandma."


    "Yes!"


    Hannah''s eyes widened in surprise, then crinkled with delight. Honestly, she had just been saying it. Thest few times the girl had visited, she''d been a bit distant, only willing to call her Madam. After all, her grandson hadn''t officially won her over yet, so she didn''t want to push it. She hadn''t expected this! Her grandson was making progress!


    "Wonderful, wonderful," Hannah beamed, her heart swelling with affection as her voice softened. "Why are you standing out here? Why don''t youe inside?"


    Before Juniper could answer, another voice cut in. "Master!"


    In the next second, Dr. Zigmund shot up from his chair like a spring, rushing to the door in disbelief. He stared at Juniper, a mix of surprise and tion on his face. "What are you doing here? I was just nning to find an opportunity to pay you a visit personally."


    In the presence of his Master, Dr. Zigmund''s entire demeanor became incredibly deferential. He bowed slightly and asked, "By the way, that boy Harold, he hasn''t caused you any trouble, has he?"


    Juniper stared at him, her expression unreadable. "What was that I heard a moment ago?" she asked, her voice cool. "Something about a little amateur?"


    "Ah, yes!" The mention of it set Dr. Zigmund off again. He leaned in


    close to Juniper''s ear and whispered conspiratorially, "Hannah met some young quack somewhere and is Convinced she''s a genius with brilliant medical skills."


    genius


    Juniper remained silent, letting him vent.


    "She''s still in high school, hasn''t even had any formal medical training. What kind of genius is that?" Dr. Zigmund felt much better after getting that off his chest in my book, she''s nothing but adittle amateur."  s?novels


    "A little amateur?" Juniper''s eyes narrowed dangerously as she repeated the word.


    Having finished his rant, Dr. Zigmund finally noticed the familiar way Juniper and Hannah were holding onto each other. "Master," he asked, puzzled, "how do you know Hannah?"


    "Master?" Hannah spoke up before Juniper could reply. "Dr. Zigmund, you know Juniper?"


    Juniper? The name sounded familiar to Dr. Zigmund. He was sure he''d heard it recently. Wait a minute. That old codger Kent had just said it. Could it be...?


    Dr. Zigmund''s head snapped up, his eyes wide with astonishment as he stared at Juniper. Young? Still in school? A medical genius? Wasn''t that a perfect description of his Master?


    "Is she..... is she..." Dr. Zigmund''s lips trembled, his tongue tied in shock.


    "Yes, yes!" Hannah nodded enthusiastically, introducing her proudly. "It''s her! She''s the young miracle doctor I was telling you about."


    It really was her. So, his Master and the medical prodigy Hannah had been raving about were one and the same person. And when Hannah had suggested the girl be ! student, what had he called ber? A... little amateur. Oh, dear God!


    This


    "Juniper, you two are...?" Hannah sensed the awkward tension between them and


    knew something was up.