I guess on the fellowship, I will have less interaction with people as it’s not pets that I will be practicing on. No, it’s wild animals such as elk, moose, wild birds, and maybe a bear or wolf. Funny, I already saw a moose and pig today, and I am still able to head to Smokey Java’s later for a coffee and sandwich. Something tells me that I won’t get that option where I’m going.
There isn’t a Lucas there either.
A year ago, going to Alaska was what I wanted. Now… well, for something that I thought I wanted, I keep doubting it and questioning it.
It isn’t just because of Lucas. I established something for myself before Lucas Kade waltzed into my exam room. This clinic is mine; this town is my home, and Romeo I adopted from my own choice. I didn’t have any of these things when I first divorced, and I was looking for an adventure. But I found these things and made them my own. I am different now; I have a different life.
And in this life. I don’t think I want to go to Alaska. Not when I have everything I want already.
I just saved a freaking moose!
I don’t need to go on a big adventure.
Instantly, I head to the reception desk and grab my phone off the charger. My fingers type away on the phone screen and I hit send with a feeling of confidence with my decision. But as I hit send, Nate’s name flashes across my screen. Why is Lucas’s brother calling me at this time of day?
I swipe and answer.
“Hey, Nate,” I greet him as my hand finds my forehead.
“Abby… uhm, Lucas has had an accident—” I drop the phone before I hear anything more.
I’m positive that I still have feet, but I do not feel them. My chest has a striking pain that is about to make my heart crack.
* * *
I makeit to the emergency room in 11 minutes, because I bypassed a few stop signs. Immediately, I run to the desk.
“Lucas Kade, where is he?” I ask, panicked.
The lady behind the desk looks up from the computer. “Are you family?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. She’s family,” Nate assures her as his strong arm grabs my elbow and guides me down the hall.
“I guess I was Lucas’s next of kin. I inherited that from his divorce, lucky me,” Nate quips, and I don’t understand how he can be so relaxed.
“Is he…?” My voice is shaky.
Nate indicates to the room. “He’s resting. It was a car accident, but he should be on the mend in no time.”
I don’t even wait; I rush into the room to find Lucas lying there with a bandage on his head and connected to a machine that measures his heart rate.
“Lucas,” I cry as I walk to him and sit on the chair next to his bed near his head.
“Abby.” He flinches in pain and a groan escapes him as he tries to adjust himself in bed.
My hands go out to touch his arm. “Don’t move. You need to rest.”
“Abby, I’m sorry I was—”
“I’m not going,” I state firmly. “I’m not going to Alaska… I already informed the fellowship by e-mail, right before Nate called me actually.”
Even hurt, he tries to protest. “Abby, I was wrong. We can do long-distance—”
I take his hand in mine and I squeeze it. “No. I am not going. I wanted to go when I applied, but it doesn’t excite me in the same way anymore. I’m at a different place now in my life… I like this place.”
The corners of his mouth curve up. “This is news I like… But I need to know that you won’t regret it, Abby.”
“Stop it. I know what my decision means,” I remind him.
