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“We called the technician in from the hospital. They should be here soon to take X-rays,” I inform them.
The woman looks at me with gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you so much, Dr. Toomey.”
I smile reassuringly. “No problem. It’s my pleasure to help.”
As we wait for the technician to arrive, I chat with the teenager about his football career and how he’s been doing in school. His mom chimes in every now and then, talking about how proud she is of him.
It’s a simple moment, but it’s one of those times that makes you realize why you got into medicine in the first place. It’s not about the money or prestige. It’s about helping people when they need it most.
When the technician arrives, we take the X-rays and confirm that it’s just a sprain. I wrap the boy’s arm up in a sling and give him some instructions on how to care for it.
“You should start feeling better in a few days,” I say as I write out a prescription for pain medication.
As they leave, I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. At the hospital, I don’t get this much time with patients. Everything is so fast-paced there, and I’m dealing with multiple people at once.
The pace at my mom’s practice is different, though. It’s nothing like what I’m used to, and I like it.
A lot.
Which is surprising.
Maybe I can convince my mom to let me stay on and help out during my break from the hospital. Yes, I have the packing and the petition work keeping me busy, but there are still a few hours left in each day.
As I clean up the exam room, my mom walks in.
“You did a great job today,” she says with a smile.
“Thanks. It was nice to be able to spend more time with the patient and really get to know them,” I say, realizing how much I enjoyed today.
“I’m glad you liked it. And actually, there might be more opportunities for you. You know, if you’re looking to relocate.”
“Mom.” I give her a hard look. “I’m going back to San Antonio.”
She raises her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I won’t push it. But you’re always welcome here.”
I don’t know what to say. As much as I liked helping out this afternoon, I can’t see myself doing it all the time. Being in this town would drive me crazy.
Especially since that would mean seeing Josh all the time.
“Are you headed home now?” she asks.
I nod and wash my hands at the sink.
“Will you stop at Silver Creek and pick up our weekly egg order?”
I stiffen, but she doesn’t seem to notice. Silver Creek is Josh’s ranch.
“Uh, sure,” I say. I won’t be telling her about my complicated feelings about Josh, because if I were to do that, she would start spinning fantasies about me and Josh getting married and (probably) moving in next door to her and Dad.
As I make my way to Silver Creek, my apprehension grows exponentially. I’ve never so much as set foot on Josh’s family ranch, and I never expected to.
Since our time together collecting petitions yesterday, though, he’s been on my mind nonstop. Both the way his smile makesmy stomach flip and the way his words make my hands ball into fists.
I try to shake off those thoughts as I pull up to Silver Creek Ranch. The sprawling property is even more beautiful than I imagined. There are horses grazing in the fields and a large barn off to the side. I take a deep breath and step out of my car, feeling nervous.
There’s a stand at the end of the driveway with coolers for pickups. Maybe I’ll get lucky and I won’t see Josh after all.
As I approach the stand, though, he emerges from the ranch house. He looks just as handsome as he did yesterday, maybe even more so in his cowboy hat and boots.
