Chapter 18

“Zinnia, Raymond is a great doctor. You should learn from him if you’re interested,” Henry said, smiling.

“Ha! I knew you had an agenda.” Raymond chuckled. “Every time I come here, you trick me. And you know I don’t take apprentices anymore.”

“Since you brought it up… Zinnia, I see talent in you. How about learning from me?” Raymond said, eyes sparkling. Henry had found a gem – Zinnia was truly talented.

“But I already have a teacher.” Zinnia shook her head. “Thanks anyway, Mr. Spence.”

Henry rubbed his chin – this wasn’t in the report. “More teachers never hurt. Raymond’s skills could really help you,” he said.

Henry was really surprised. He had seen Zinnia buying those medicines and had even watched her do those massages. That was why he said that. Plus, Raymond rarely took apprentices. Medical students nationwide would kill for this chance.

Henry felt bad for Zinnia, his granddaughter he’d just got back in touch with. He’d never used his connections before, but now he wanted to make things go a little easier for her.

“I can only have one master,” Zinnia kept refusing. In her heart, there was only one person who deserved that title.

“Mr. Spence, thanks for the offer,” Zinnia said, apologizing to Raymond.

“No biggie! If you change her mind, come find me—I’ll teach you for free,” Raymond said kindly.

Getting turned down twice didn’t faze Raymond one bit. In fact, his eyes lit up with pride—he knew Zinnia had a backbone. Most folks would’ve jumped at the chance to be his student.

“Our Zinnia’s got a lucky streak with her simple ways.” Henry chuckled, grinning as Raymond took a shine to Zinnia. When Raymond liked someone, his whole face glowed.

“Thanks, Mr. Spence,” Zinnia said, accepting the nod without fuss. She’d learned plenty from her master but knew there was always more to pick up. Nobody knew everything about medicine.

“Zinnia, did your master show you this pressure point thing?” Raymond leaned in. He felt her hand movements looked oddly familiar.

It looked just like the Moore family’s secret trick. But they’d never taught outsiders, and their line was gone. Raymond shook his head, thinking it must be a copycat style.

“Yeah.” Zinnia nodded.

“Henry, you’re lucky to have her,” Raymond laughed.

“What’s all the ruckus? I heard it from the porch.” Sofia walked in.

“Grandma!” Zinnia called out.

“Raymond, you staying for dinner?” Sofia spotted Raymond right away.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Raymond grinned. “Came for your cooking.”

“What’s so funny?” Sofia asked, handing over the shopping bags to a maid.

“Zinnia’s a genius,” Henry beamed. “Raymond quizzed her on medicine, and she nailed it. We might have another doctor in the family.”

“No way? Our Zinnia’s that smart?” Sofia piled on the praise, determined to keep Zinnia’s spirits up.

“If she weren’t already apprenticed, I’d snag her as my last disciple. She’s a gem—you struck gold,” Raymond said, eyebrows wiggling.

Raymond’s white eyebrows were practically twinkling with joy, and his eyes were all lit up. He really wished he’d been the one to scoop up a talent like Zinnia.

Their med talk showed Zinnia knew way more than basics. ‘She’s tackling hard stuff as a teen. Who knows how far she’ll go?’ Raymond marveled inwardly.

“Zinnia, could I meet your master? I’d love to swap notes,” Raymond asked, scholar-curious. Age just made him hungrier for med chats.

“I don’t know his name. I addressed him ‘Master’ and he left recently,” Zinnia answered.

“Left? Oh no… Zinnia, I didn’t mean—” Raymond winced, thinking she meant her master died. He apologized fast.

“It’s okay,” Zinnia said, clueless about the mix-up. She almost mentioned telling Raymond when her master returned but decided against it.

Zinnia was sharp but sometimes slow—leftovers from childhood health stuff.

Henry and Sofia’s hearts ached to hear that.

“Crabs are almost done. Jackson’s home,” Benedict announced, breaking the tension.

“Zinnia, I’m back,” Jackson said as he walked in, eyes locking onto Zinnia. “Grandpa, Grandma, Mr. Spence,” Jackson smiled, greeting everyone.

Raymond beamed at Jackson, “It’s been a while. You’ve changed a lot. You’re more reliable than Yannis.”

“Give Yannis time,” Jackson laughed, referring to his buddy.

“Yeah.” Raymond nodded.

“Crabs are ready. Go wash up, Jackson,” Sofia urged.

Chapter 19