“She’s checking on Dani,” he says. “She might come a bit later, but she also has some paperwork to catch up on at the clinic, so she’s taking advantage of Becca being home to have a childfree afternoon.”
“It’s Boxing Day!”
He shrugs, grinning shamelessly. “She loves her job,loves her clinic. Getting everything neatly in order is her happy place.”
Garrett catches my eye and I smile at him. Then the conversation pivots to army stuff. Like Garrett and his cousins, Zane was in the army, one of many similarities the cousins have discovered over the last two days, although he got out when they bought their mom a ranch in southern Alberta.
Owen nods at Garrett. “How’s training going in 33 CBG?”
“Good. You know.” He glances my way again. “Won’t be there much longer. Roar’s almost finished her training, and we’re not sure where we’re going next.”
“Would you guys ever move back in this direction?”
Garrett’s still looking at me, his gaze hot and searching.
I nod slightly.
“Yeah, we might just. I’ll keep you posted.”
“We’d love to have you in the regiment.”
I lose the rest of the army conversation there, jargon and half-sentences that only they understand. But I like the look on Garrett’s face.
He’s always had complicated feelings about Pine Harbour, but maybe coming home might be good for him. And if it’s not, we won’t stay. I know that with my whole heart now.
I float over to the table where Rafe and Olivia are sitting with my Jules and Cassie. Our cousins Tom and Zander are right behind them. We catch up, and then their food arrives.
I catch the waitress before she heads back to the kitchen. “Can my lunch be put in a takeaway container?”
“Sure.”
I head back to our table. “Owen, do you think Kerry would mind a drop in at the clinic?”
He shakes his head. “For you? Anything.”
I gesture for Garrett to stay sitting. “I’m going to walk down there. Come pick me up when you’re done. No rush.”
I collect my lunch at the counter, then put on my coat and head out into the brisk sunshine before my sisters can catch my eye. It’s a gorgeous day for a walk through town, but I want to take it by myself.
Kerry’s midwifery clinic is right in the heart of town, where two days ago the street was shut down for the Christmas market.
Today, it’s super quiet. All the stores are closed for Boxing Day, but there is a light on at the clinic, and when I try the door, it’s open.
“Hello?” I call out.
“Back here!” Kerry’s head pops out from the office. “Hey! What are you doing here?”
“I left Garrett at Cousin Lunch and brought my French fries to share with you.” I hold up the takeout bag. “I have some questions, and I think you’re the right woman to answer them.”
It’s not Garrett who picks me up. Jules and Cassie barrel into the clinic an hour later.
“You snuck out,” Jules protests. “And I need to leave ASAP.”
“Although when you find out where Jules is going, you won’t feel bad about ditching her,”Cassie adds. “But it’s true that we don’t get much time with you.”
I glance at Kerry.
She beams back.
