“Without knowin’ what?” Wyatt asks as he and Jude appear out of nowhere.
“Nothin’,” we reply at the same time before looking between each other and laughing, leaving Jude and Wy looking confused as hell.
Funnily enough, that just makes us laugh even more.
Chapter 11
Blair
The difference between getting ready for today’s date with Sutton and our hiking date last week is like night and day.
I’m not nervous this time, not one single bit. Instead, I’m excited and have been watching the clock the whole time I was at work. As soon as I was able to escape just before three, I was out of there like a bat out of hell–or a woman excited to see the man she’s fallen in ‘like’ with.
I look over to check the time and spot the romance novel Isla gave me to read. I haven’t started it yet, I haven’t even opened it up. I can’t explain why but something is stopping me from taking that step.
Maybe it’s the fact that it’s written by Aster Hollingsworth, the same author who is Alex and Cate’s favorite, and who–coincidentally–is also loved by Birdie and now Isla. There must be some sort of phenomenon where you resist giving in to hype or actively try to avoid it. If there is, that’s what I’m doing.Why do they all want me to read her books anyway?
My phone vibrates on my bed where I left it and I grin when I see the name on the screen.
“Uncle George! How are you?”
“Hey, Blair Bear. How’s my favorite niece doin’?”
I laugh. “I’msotelling my sister that the next time I talk to her.
“I have no doubt. You always did love to rile your sister up.”
“Isn’t that what siblings are for?” I reply cheekily.
“Indeed.” I can hear the mirth in his voice. “And to answer your question, I’m good. These ninety degree plus days down here in the Sunshine State areterrible.” One of many places my uncle is visiting during his long service leave is the Florida Keys. In his words ‘I’ve been savin’ my pennies my whole damn life and it’s high time I start spendin’ them, and I want to do that somewhere hot.’
“Sucha hardship,” I reply wryly.
George sighs. “It really is.” He chuckles. “Anyway, unfortunately this isn’t just a social call. I know we just talked last week but I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything, Uncle. You know that.”
“Yes, I do. That’s why you’re my favorite.” He sighs, and suddenly I’m curious about this favor of his. “I need you to check in on a long-time patient of mine.”
While he’s talking, I walk into the kitchen and grab a notepad and pen from the counter. “Is this not official or anything?” I ask, even though I doubt he’d ever do anything ‘off the books,’ so to speak. Then again, maybe there are some unspoken rules in this mountain town.
“No. It’s nothin’ like that. You’ll find the patient file at the bottom of the locked drawer in my office. Everythin’ you need to know will be in there. It’s just…” His voice drops off and my spidey senses start tingling. “It’s a bit of asensitivesituation, Blair. He has been my patient for the past three years and I’ve only managed to keep it that way because I promised completeconfidentiality. Nobody can know.Especiallyanyone outside of his family.”
“George. What’s going on?” I’m now intrigued and concerned. Who would demand secrecy in order to be treated?
“You’ll see when you read the file. I did a full work up about a month before I left and the agreement was that–barring any deterioration in his health–I’d see him as soon as I returned to town,” he explains. “But the man’s daughter emailed me yesterday. She lives out of town but after talkin’ to him on the phone yesterday, she’s worried that he’s taken a turn for the worse. That’s why she reached out and asked me to visit, she just didn’t know I was takin’ leave for six months.”
A secret patient who is only receiving treatment due to a deal he bartered with my uncle? This can’t be good. “Will this patient even meet with me, George? His agreement is withyou, not with me.”
“That’s all been taken care of already. He’s all bark and no bite, Blair Bear. He’s grumpy and stuck in his ways, thinks he knows best and won’t hear any different. The one thing hehasconceded is that he needs frequent monitorin’,” he explains. “I said before I left town that you’d be his doctor in my absence and since you were my kin, he had to be respectful.”
“Sonothimself?” I snicker and George joins me.
“Thought you’d like that. You’re a much better fit for him as a physician than me anyway, especially with your extensive expertise.”
My heart soars before it sinks because I may love my job, but I can read between the lines and understand what my uncle isnotsaying. This is obviously a terminal case–the worst kind in my opinion because there’s only so much you can do. And given the fact that my uncle has called me to make a special house call, I’m thinking this patient has taken a turn for the worse.
“What’s his diagnosis?” I ask.
