On the seat next to me, my phone lit up with a series of text messages. I didn’t bother to grab it but waited until I was back at Brian’s house to read them. Whatever his explanation was, it could wait a few more minutes.
I let myself into the dark house and dropped the picnic supplies onto the kitchen table before sitting down to look at the messages. They were all from Brian, the first one at 6:45 and the last one just a few minutes ago. I read each one in order.
Sue Everly went into labor at her home. Taking her to the hospital. No time for the ambulance.
Just got to the hospital. Waiting with Sue until her husband arrives.Of course, he would do that because that was who Brian was.
Husband is still an hour away. Sorry, sweetheart.
I hope you’re not still at the lake by yourself. I’m so sorry.
If you get this, be careful driving back into town.
Text me when you get home, so I know you’re safe.
Leaving the hospital now. Be home soon.
I sighed and put the phone down on the table. I hoped Sue and her baby were well and that her husband got to the hospital in time for the birth.
And how could I be upset with Brian for missing our date in that situation? I couldn’t, of course. But that didn’t relieve the worries about my relationship.
Headlights swept across the front of the house and a minute later I heard the front door open.
“Caitlin?” Brian called.
“In here,” I said. As soon as he reached me, he pulled me into a hug.
“I’m so sorry. Did you wait long for me?” He kissed the top of my head. It felt so good to lean into his strength, but I couldn’t rely on that or him. Not with the way things were.
“I got back a few minutes ago,” I said, disentangling myself from him. “I just finished reading your messages. I’m glad you were there for Sue.”
“So you’re not mad at me?” He was watching my face closely.
“No, I’m not mad. If anything, your actions were exactly what I’d expect from you.” He was a true servant to the people, willing to give anything of himself to help others. I was strangely proud of him, not that it changed anything between us.
“All I did was drive and then hold her hand at the hospital,” he said, as if it had been nothing.
“Was the baby delivered safely?” I asked.
He nodded. “About five minutes after Sue’s husband arrived. A healthy boy. Sue’s blood pressure was high, but the doctor said that she came through okay as well.”
“That’s good.” I had no idea how to transition to what I needed to say, so I just hoped the words would come out coherently. “Brian, I made a decision while I was out at the lake. A decision that affects both of us. I’m going to move back to Austin as soon as I can and work with Melody to open our tattoo parlor.”
His mouth dropped open, and his hands moved onto my shoulders as if he needed to steady himself. I knew that I’d shocked him, but it was best to be blunt.
“Was it because I wasn’t able to make it tonight?” he asked. “That won’t happen again. I swear. Please, Caitlin, don’t leave. Give me another chance.”
I gave him a tired smile. “I’m proud of who you are and what you do. You may have saved Sue and her baby’s lives tonight, but I can’t stay here and know that whenever something comes up, others will always come before me.”
“That’s not what happened. It’s just that I’m sworn to protect the people of Poplar Springs. That’s the job,” he said.
“I’m not asking you to ignore people in need. But Brian, did you even try to find someone else to drive Sue to the hospital?”
“I…” he started to say, then trailed off.
I smiled as gently as I could. “You saw someone in need, and you sprang into action to help. I know that’s the way you are. But it means that the demands on you and your time are constant. If you trusted someone else on your team to handle the calls and take care of people, it might be different. But you believe that ithasto be youeverytime.” I stopped, almost afraid to go on, but I forced myself. “The baby and I can’t come second, but that’s exactly what we’d be if we stayed here. That’s why I’d like you to move to Austin with me. We could start a life together there.”
He jumped as if I’d hit him with an electric shock. “I can’t?—”
