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“We’ll wear our life jackets, and I’ll be careful.”

He clapped me on the shoulder. “Of course you can borrow the boat. I’ll give you the keys when you come to dinner. And I’ll even refrain from mentioning Maddy to Mom.”

“Liar. You’ll rush home to gossip with her. The two of you will set me up at dinner with all sorts of questions.”

His grin told me I was correct.

I walked him to the front door of the hospital to say goodbye, getting another one of his hugs. This one was short with a slap on the back. A dad-goodbye sort of hug—not an I’m-worried-about-you sort of hug, like the one he’d given me earlier. “You know us well. Prepare yourself. Or be smart and bring her to dinner after your boat ride. The anticipation will keep your mother busy for days.”

And he was gone, his visit short, but typical of Dad.

Filled with love.

Wednesday afternoon, I received a text from Maddy canceling our date.

I am so sorry. We had trouble with the oven this morning and had an emergency one brought in just now. I have to spend the evening baking—we have some special orders for tomorrow that have to be done.

I frowned at her words but replied simply.

I’m sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to seeing you. You’re not alone with all this baking, are you?

Her reply came a few moments later.

I have some help until 8. She’ll help me prep, then I can hang around waiting for things to bake and get iced as they cool. Please forgive me.

PS: I was looking forward to seeing you too.

I called and canceled the reservations I had made. I was busy with some patients for the next while, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Maddy and her working alone in the bakery after eight. She had probably done it before, and I knew there was a security alarm and she only lived upstairs, but I didn’t like it.

I worked until six and went home, feeling restless. After I showered and changed into fresh clothes, I paced my condo, then gave up and decided to follow through on an idea that kept running through my head. I stopped at my favorite takeout, picked up some food, grabbed a jug of iced tea, and drove to the bakery. It was dark but I could see lights on in the back, and I parked the car, heading to the delivery door. I quickly sent Maddy a text message.

It’s me.

Then, lifting my hand, I knocked.

Maddy

My phone buzzed, but before I could pick it up, I heard a knock on the delivery door. It startled me until I looked at the screen and saw Matthew’s text.

It’s me.

I quickly checked the camera by the door, just to be safe. I grinned at Matthew’s expression. He was anxious, staring at his phone, then the door, a frown on his face.

I unlocked the door and opened it. “Dr. VanRyan. Is this a house call?”

He grinned. “Could be.”

“Really, what are you doing here?”

He lifted a bag. “I brought dinner and a pair of willing hands.”

“To do what?”

He waggled his eyebrows with a leer. “Let me in, pretty girl, and I’ll show you.”

I burst out laughing and stood back. “Come on in. I’m curious.”

He stopped as he went past, pressing his mouth to mine. “Hi.”