Page 83 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

Chapter Twenty-Four

FORD

I’d Rather Eat Glass

‘The patients are very happy with you, Dr Foster. You’re taking your time with them. Listening even when they tell the same stories over and over. Just yesterday, Ferris, who is always a bit of a grump, told me he thinks you’re a keeper,’ Janice chuckled from the doorway to my office.

‘He’s a nice old guy. Keeps telling me about his prize roses every time he comes in to have his blood pressure checked.’

She gave me a determined look. ‘Dr Sheridan has served the people of this town for over thirty years. This trip with his wife was put off at least five times until she threatened him within an inch of his life if he cancelled again.’

‘I don’t blame her. Traveling the world is exciting.’

‘Thirty years is a long time,’ she said.

‘To be in one place? It sure is.’

‘What about you? Ever considered planting roots somewhere?’ There was a weight to her voice, a knowing look that said gossip about me and Piper had filtered her way.

‘Not right now. I still have a few years before I think about finding a place to stay.’

‘What about here?’

‘This is a nice spot, sure.’

‘So you’d consider coming back? Because once people start filling the doc in on what a good job you’ve done, I think he’d consider bringing you on full-time.’

For a minute I let myself play with the idea. Of finding a cute place in town. Coming in the door every night to Piper. Having her snuggled up naked next to me in the bed we shared.

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t let my mind wander through that fantasy more than a few times. For right now it could not be my reality. I’d signed a contract, and Piper had made it clear that once it was time for me to leave, we had to let go of whatever this was we’d been doing for the last several weeks.

‘That’s not in the cards for me right now. When Dr Sheridan returns I’ll be on my way back across the world. It’s where I’m meant to be.’

She tapped her fingers against her hips. ‘Plans can be broken. Think about it. We could use more help in this community. The longer that show of Torran and Manny’s goes on, the more people will want to move here. We’re already stretched too thin as it is now with one doctor.’

‘I understand, but the timing isn’t right.’

‘Fine,’ she said, defeated. ‘You almost done with your charts? If so, I’ll take them off your hands.’

I stood and handed her a dozen Manila folders. ‘You know you all could come into the twenty-first century and go digital.’

She barked out a laugh. ‘Can you imagine handing a tablet to Ferris or Mrs V and asking them to figure it out?’

‘Good point.’

‘Although, if we had a young doctor around to help teach…’

I shook my head and she clutched the folders to her chest, understanding she wasn’t going to change my mind.

‘We’re done for the night. You headed out?’

‘Yes. I promised Piper I’d head over to the theater. Help with installing the last of the sets.’

She opened her mouth like she wanted to say more. Offer another convincing reason for me to stay. Instead, she said, ‘Have a good evening.’

‘You too,’ I said, hanging my white coat on a peg attached to the wall. After straightening up the desk, I walked to the door. My phone pinged in my pocket. I glanced at the text from Gray outlining all the information for our parents’ wedding anniversary party next weekend. What I should wear. The fact that I was not getting out of giving a toast. The last message made me stop in my tracks:

Bring a date asshole or Mom will find one for you.