“You must miss him.”
“I do.” Nathan smiled. “But being up here, I feel closer to him. And I feel like I can look at the bigger picture.”
“Right — you said you come up here when things get overwhelming.”
Nathan sighed and, out of the corner of her eye, Zoe saw him slip off his glasses and start to polish them. “Things get pretty overwhelming sometimes,” he admitted. “My father wasn’t just a great dad to me. He was also a town legend here. Everyone has a story about how he saved their life, or their friend’s or grandmother’s or son’s life. He started the clinic that I run now, so mostly he’d catch some health issues early or something, but there were a few babies he helped deliver in emergencies, and a few times he saved people from choking or gave them CPR. Plus, he was the quarterback of the high school football team, won our annual fishing competition three years in a row, and never missed a town hall meeting.”
“He sounds amazing,” Zoe said.
“He was,” Nathan agreed. “But that also means that I have some pretty big shoes to fill. I need to be the best all the time, because if I’m not, I won’t just be hurtingmyreputation, but his legacy, too.”
“I’m sure people don’t expect you to be perfect,” Zoe said.
“No, butIexpect myself to be,” Nathan replied. He glanced at her. “That’s why the clinic is so personal to me. It’s why, when we have financial struggles, I worry so much. It’s why I’ll sacrifice anything for my patients. And it’s why I’ve been a bit of a stick-in-the-mud.”
Zoe winced at hearing her words repeated to her. “I’m sorry. That was harsh of me. I know you’re just trying to do your best for your patients.”
“It’s okay. I just want you to understand that I’m not trying to be difficult. I’m trying to live up to my father’s legacy.”
Zoe bit her lip. A little of the awkwardness she’d felt after sharing something so personal faded, now that Nathan was sharing personal things with her, too. It didn’t feel like she’d spilled her secrets to a client anymore, but like she was talking with… a friend.
“I know.” She glanced at him. “Maybe we can both try to be a little more flexible.”
“I think we can.” Nathan nudged her shoulder with his own. “I’ll try to smile for pictures.”
“Okay, because, seriously, you have a great smile,” Zoe said. “But in pictures, you look, at best, like the Joker.”
Nathan chuckled. “I deserve that.” He turned to her and, in an excellent Joker voice, quoted, “Why so serious?”
Zoe laughed. This man who was sharing his past with her, laughing, and quoting superhero movies was completely different from the rude doctor she’d gotten to know before.
“I see why your patients like you, you know,” she said. “You really have a way with them, especially the kids.”
“Thanks.” Nathan smiled, and Zoe could see that the compliment meant a lot to him. “I try. And I really do see how great you are at your job. I just don’t want the show to become about scandals and love affairs — I want to show the importance of the work I do and the beauty of Islingburn.”
“I bet we can figure out a way to do that,” Zoe said. She looked back at the gorgeous sunset over the rolling hills. “Islingburn really is beautiful. It’s nothing like New York.”
“Have you always lived there?” Nathan asked.
“Uh-huh. I was born in Brooklyn and moved to Manhattan later, but I’ve always lived in the city. There, the views are beautiful, too, but they’re more about skyscrapers and art than rolling hills and little diners.”
“I’ve never been,” Nathan admitted. “To New York City, I mean.”
“Really?” Zoe turned to him, surprised. “Why?”
“I love Vermont.” Nathan chuckled. “You’re going to think I’m even more of a stick-in-the-mud now, but I feel like I have everything I need right here.” He swept his hand to encompass the town and the view. “I went to college in Burlington and medical school in Boston, but I always just wanted to come back here.”
“I can’t imagine living anywhere but New York,” Zoe admitted. “It’s a bit of an adjustment for me, being here. The air smells funny, and the people are way too nice.”
Nathan laughed. “Too nice? There’s no such thing. And I’ve been plenty rude.”
“A little,” Zoe agreed, nudging his shoulder. “But not by New York standards.”
“You’re really not selling New York to me,” Nathan said.
“I’m nottryingto.” Zoe smiled. “But seriously, thanks for telling me about your dad. He does sound great, and I really think he’d be so proud of you.”
“I hope so,” Nathan said. “Hey, what aboutyourdad? Do you see him much?”
