Starting a photography business had been hard work. When she wasn’t building her portfolio or working on commissions, she was meeting potential clients. Having any kind of social life outside of her female friends wasn’t easy.
She jumped when the headlights of Zac’s truck swung across her living room wall.
With a pounding heart she picked up her wallet and jacket. It was silly to be worried about going on a date but, with everything that had happened over the last couple of days, she couldn’t help it.
What if a reporter or overzealous fan found her in Sapphire Bay? Would they respect her privacy or do what most people had done—exploit her to get what they wanted.
Before Zac was able to knock, she opened the front door. His white shirt accentuated his broad shoulders and made her sigh.
“You look beautiful.”
Willow stared at the daisies he held toward her.
“I picked these from my garden.”
“They’re lovely, but you didn’t have to give me flowers.”
“I wanted to start our date the right way.”
Her smile wobbled as she took the daisies. “In that case, thank you. Do you want to come inside while I find a vase?”
With a quick nod, Zac followed her through the living room and into the kitchen.
She opened a cupboard and tried to think of something interesting to say. But her mind was as blank as the chalkboard beside the refrigerator.
When inspiration hit, it wasn’t the world’s most awe-inspiring question, but it was better than feeling like a tongue-tied teenager. “Did you do anything exciting today?”
“I saw Doc Reilly in his consultation rooms. Emma was there.”
“Is she okay?”
Zac nodded. “She wanted to talk to him about extending his contract in Sapphire Bay. I told Emma and Doc Reilly that I was interested in working here.”
Willow’s hand froze above the vase. “What did they say?”
“Doc Reilly looked as though he wanted to hug me. Emma was relieved she didn’t have to keep pestering him about staying.”
“Having a medical clinic in Sapphire Bay is important to her.”
“Why?”
Willow turned on the faucet and filled the vase with water. “When she was living in Wyoming, she went into premature labor with her twins. She was lucky she lived close to a hospital. If Emma had been here, the twins could have died. When she moved to Sapphire Bay, she couldn’t believe we only had a part-time doctor.”
Zac leaned against the counter. “It happens in a lot of small communities.”
“But we’re not as small as we used to be. Even our school is bursting at the seams with new enrollments. The county is spending a lot of money on our roads, but we need more services to cope with the larger population.” She placed the daisies in the vase and smiled. “On a brighter note, we now have a new doctor. As soon as you tell everyone, you’ll have a long line of patients waiting to see you.”
“I still have some paperwork to complete before I can officially work in Montana. And then there’s the clinical director in Polson. He might not want to hire me.”
“I don’t think that will happen. There aren’t many doctors who are happy to work this far from a major hospital.”
“Except me.”
The serious expression on Zac’s face made her smile fade. “Are you sure this is what you want to do? It will be a big change.”
“I can’t work in refugee camps forever.” He stepped closer to Willow and held her hands. “I want to make Sapphire Bay my home, and I’d like you to be part of my life.”
“What if you change your mind?”
