“Don’t mention it,” she replies, crossing her arms.
“I’d love the chance to repay you for all your generosity, though. So if there’s anything you ever need—not that I think you’ve only been helping me so I’d owe you in return,” I ramble. “But just … let me know if you come up with something … please.”
She snorts. “Okay, Doc. Why don’t we start with a new stick welder for the Camellia High ag shop?”
I clear my throat awkwardly. “I’ll get right on that.”
“You should probably shower first, though,” she says as she skirts by me on the way to her bedroom.
Frankie and Oscar whine when she shuts the door behind her, and I crouch down to console them. “Yeah, I get it, buddy,” I tell Frankie after he lets out a woeful sigh.
After a quick shower, I dress in slacks, a button down, and a tie, and I run into Claire as I’m collecting my things from the laundry room. She’s wearing a pair of jeans with another Camellia High sweatshirt, to my disappointment. I guess a part of me was looking forward to seeing her in her ag teacher uniform.
“Here,” she says, placing a stack of clothes in my arms. “Don’t forget to slip your sister’s dress back into her closet.”
“Right,” I say on an exhale, my eyes still running over her. Now that I think about it, I should have been more excited to see her in one of Daisy’s sundresses last night. But it’s the sight of her in those chest waders I can’t seem to get out of my mind.
“School’s dismissing early for Mardi Gras break, so I’ll be around this afternoon if you need me,” she mumbles, and I gather that’s the reason for her casual Friday wear.
“Yeah, thanks. I guess I’ll try to find a plumber who’s willing to meet me after lunch.”
“Good luck with that,” she says, gesturing for me to go.
I bid her another awkward goodbye and wish her a good day and a nice weekend and thank her one more time before she practically pushes me out the front door and gets into her Bronco. Then I reliveevery embarrassing moment on the way to the clinic where I’ve recently started working.
“Good morning, Dr. Cutie Pie,” I hear as I’m greeted by one of the medical assistants.
“Good morning … ah, Mackenzie, right?”
She nods, grinning proudly when I guess correctly. “Your patient has just arrived, so I’ll get her set up in the ultrasound room whenever you’re ready. But first, you’ve been summoned to Doc Simms’s office. He and Nurse Tenley are waiting for you.” She gestures toward the office of the practice’s owner, and I furrow my brow.
“Oh, okay then. Thanks, Mackenzie,” I reply, walking over to knock below the nameplate readingDr. Francis Simms, OB-GYN. I step inside once the elderly doctor beckons me and exchange greetings with him and the nurse midwife who share ownership of the practice.
“I’m told you wanted to see me?” I ask hesitantly.
“Yes, have a seat, Rowan,” Dr. Simms commands, and I settle into an old leather couch beside Tenley.
“Oh, yeah. This is definitely an ambush, in case you were wondering,” she whispers, her playful smile at odds with her claim.
My brow lifts. “Well, all right.”
Dr. Simms chuckles. “Less of an ambush and more of an offer,” he amends. “But Tenley and I have been talking, and while you’re still a relatively new addition to the family, we want you to know how much we all enjoy having you here at the clinic, staff and patients alike.”
“Thank you,” I say, a smile taking over my face. “I’m glad to be here, and the feeling is mutual.”
“Good,” he affirms. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
I let out a soft laugh and shoot Tenley a silent plea to cut to the chase.
“You’re scaring him, Doc,” she says before turning back to me. “We want you here more often, Rowan. As often as you’d like.” She grins as the offer sinks in.
“But … I don’t think you have enough high-risk patients to fill my schedule for more than one day per week,” I remind them.
“We don’t,” Tenley confirms. “But with the new ultrasound machine we’ve acquired and the recent renovations to the hospital’s L&D ward, we can’t keep up with our caseload in general.”
“I thought bringing Nurse Tenley on board would allow me to slow down and cruise into retirement, but we’ve become busier than ever,” Dr. Simms jokes.
I nod, still trying to make sense of things.
