“You’re sure she doesn’t need to go to the hospital?” the young woman asks. “Someone on this island must have a boat we could use.”
“I have a sea plane.” Doc glances at Gladys, a hint of a smile curving his lips. “If I thought she needed to be admitted, I’d take her myself. But as long as she doesn’t get worse, I think your girl is going to be just fine.”
“I ain’t anyone’s girl,” Gladys grumbles. “And if these two are stayin’, then so are you, Dr. Sexy Pants.”
Doc’s cheeks tinge a dark crimson. “You don’t need me here, ma’am. Nat and your niece will take good care of you.”
There’s a gleam in Gladys’s eyes now. One I recognize. “I made a mess of potato salad before fallin’ off that ladder and there’s a huge slab of salmon in the fridge. You look like you can handle a grill, Doc. Since I’m supposed to ‘take it easy’ and all.”
“I really should go,” he says.
Before he can pick up his bag, I wrap my fingers around his forearm. He tenses until I give the muscles a gentle squeeze. “I took you away from your dinner. Whatever you were cooking is charcoal by now. Stay. Gladys is an amazing cook. And…I’d feel better if you were here. I’m sure Bella would too. At least for a little while.”
I don’t know why I care that he stays. We have his number. We could call if anything happens. Spending time withanyoneis dangerous. Even Bella. Whenever the young woman comes to visit, I make myself scarce so she doesn’t ask questions I’m not prepared to answer.
Yet now, I’m voluntarily putting myself in a position to make small talk with not one, buttwovirtual strangers.
Doc backs up a step, but doesn’t make a move to pick up his bag again. “Point me to the grill, Gladys.”
CHAPTER SIX
Doc
I shouldn’t be here.Sitting around a table with Nat, Gladys, and her niece. But the desperation in Nat’s voice when she asked me to stay did me in. I doubt she’s used to asking for help any more than I’m used to socializing.
She stays on the fringes of the conversation. Only interacting when one of us asks her a direct question. Deflecting before anything can get too personal. She plays with a piece of sea glass under the table. I’m not even sure she knows she’s running nervous fingers along the smooth edges over and over again.
Gladys leans back in her chair and pierces me with a hard stare. “So, you worked in the ER, Doc?”
“For nine years, ma’am.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “If you expect me to let you sink your teeth into my famous peach pie, you’ll stop with the ‘ma’am’ shit.”
I choke on a sip of water. For the love of God, that better not be a euphemism. Across the table, Nat stifles a laugh.
“Aunt Gladys!” Bella hisses under her breath.
“What?” The older woman frowns. “I didn’t say anythin’ embarrassing. This time.”
Bella leans over and whispers in her aunt’s ear. Gladys starts to cackle.
“Dr. Sexy Pants ain’t interested in my ass, sweet girl. He’s only got eyes for Nat there.”
“Oh, God. Gladys, we talked about this. You promised you’d stop trying to fix me up with—with anyone.”
“I’m tired of watchin’ you wither away here alone, baby girl,” Gladys retorts.
“I’m not ‘withering away.’ I’m doing just fine. Except now, I need some air.” Nat scoots back from the table and darts through the patio door to the deck.
No one says a word for a full minute. Then Gladys huffs. “Well, don’t just sit there, Doc. Go after her. Bella can take care of the pie.” Gladys crosses her arms over her chest and stares me down.
I have to put a stop to this. For Nat’s sake as well as mine. “The only thing I have eyes for, Gladys, is dessert. I’m not a good bet. Nat knows it. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop trying to fix us up.” Despite my words, I stride after the woman who’s starred in more than one of my dreams since we met a few weeks ago.
I find her looking out over the water with her elbows resting on the railing. She’s playing with the smooth, light green piece of glass, and I still her fingers. The heart-shaped bauble falls into my hand.
“The ocean is amazing, isn’t it?” I ask. “To be able to take something broken with all its sharp edges and turn it into…something so soft and beautiful?”
“I found that my first day on the island.” Her tone turns wistful. “Right where your campsite is now. I don’t know why I keep it.”
