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I lingered over the tabletop, scrubbing at the surface well after it was clean. I couldn’t bring myself to face the other patrons until I’d gotten my emotions under control. I shouldn’t have been this upset over losing the affection of two men I barely knew. It was supposed to have been a one-night stand, after all.
Except that it hadn’t been. Oh, I could tell myself I’d just been in it for
fun—for the novelty of it—but I’d have been lying to myself. Because I’d grown to like those guys. More than just like them, if I was being totally honest. There had been a connection between the three of us from the start and sleeping with them had made it that much more real. It had solidified what I’d already been feeling. That what we had was more than a fling…or at least, I’d started to hope it was.
Those two men had been kinder to me than anyone I’d ever known. The way they looked at me, cared for me…it was so different from my relationship with Brad, there was no comparison. It could have been the real deal.
But, now I’d lost their trust. Clearly, whatever connection we had was broken. Maybe that was for the best. I had to focus on staying hidden from Brad—that was all that mattered. Once he was out of my life for good and I knew I was safe, that everyone around me would be too, then I could focus on finding a new relationship. But in the meantime, I couldn’t drag anyone else into my mess. No one deserved that, least of all Cole and Declan.
“Girl, if you scrub any harder you’ll ruin the finish.” Jessie was laughing as she said it and I turned to give her my best imitation of a smile.
“Sorry, guess I was a little distracted.”
Jessie’s smile was understanding, as if she had some idea of what I was going through. She patted one of the bar stools in front of the counter as she went behind it to restock the sugar packets for the dinner crowd. “Have a seat. Your shift is almost over and you look exhausted.”
I couldn’t argue there. I wanted to throw the covers over my head and sleep for a week, but knew the problems would linger.
“What you did yesterday…” Jessie shook her head and placed a glass of water in front of me. “That was incredible.”
I looked down at the glass, unable to meet her eyes. She hadn’t outright asked me how I’d known how to perform a tracheotomy on-the-fly but the question was hanging out there and I knew she was dying to know. That was the funny thing about this town—while they lived for gossip, they still respected a person’s privacy. But I supposed I owed it to her to give her something. After all, she’d taken a chance on me with the job and the apartment. Vouched for Cole and Declan. Still staring down at the water glass, I mumbled, “I’ve had some medical training.”
She gave a snort of laughter. “Yeah, I figured. What I can’t work out is what you’re doing working here as a waitress if you have a background in medicine.”
Again, it wasn’t a question so I wasn’t compelled to answer. To explain that would mean telling her everything and that was too dangerous.
After a brief silence, Jessie seemed to accept that I wouldn’t be offering up any explanations anytime soon. Instead, she changed the topic. “You know Robert Murphy is planning to retire soon.”
I glanced up at her, her hands deftly lining up the little white packets then shoving them in a plastic tray. “Who’s Robert Murphy?”
“The town doctor.” She did a terrible job feigning innocence as she stuck the box of extras back under the counter. “He happened to mention that he’s looking for some part-time help at the office until he finds a replacement.”
Bridgewater needed a new town doctor?
“Oh really?” I tried not to sound too interested, but my mind was already leaping ahead to the possibilities. What if I took over his practice? I could have my dream career and still stay in Bridgewater with Cole and Declan. Assuming they still wanted me. No, they didn’t want me. They weren’t at the diner, were they? It was over. It was a fling, just as I’d wanted. Some of my excitement faded at that thought.
“Robert mentioned that you might be a good fit,” Jessie continued, checking the salt shakers down the line of the counter, grabbing one that needed to be refilled.
I looked up in surprise. “He did? When was that?”
Jessie grinned. “At breakfast. He comes in most mornings for his egg white omelet. You’ve never met him because it’s not your shift.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I knew word spread quickly around here, but I can’t believe a man I’ve never even met heard about it in less than a day and wants to hire me.”
Her eyes widened. “Heard about it? What you did? Young lady, didn’t you see?”
I frowned. “See what?”
Jessie bent down to reach under the counter. “I figured you saw it or I would have shown you first thing. I can’t believe nobody told you before now.”
“Am I supposed to know what you’re talking about?”
Jessie straightened and held up a newspaper in triumph. Her smile widened as she handed it over. “Check it out. You’re famous.”
My stomach sank before I even saw it. I could hear the blood rushing in my ears as I reached for the paper with numb fingers, but I knew what was coming. Even so, seeing the front page with my own eyes was still a shock.
Local Waitress Saves Choking Man.
I did a quick scan of the article and saw my name, Hannah Lauren. This couldn’t be happening. If Brad was looking for me, and I was sure he was, this would get his attention. He’d be looking for Hannah Lauren Winters and if Hannah Lauren showed up in one of his searches—not to mention a Hannah Lauren who could perform a minor surgery—he’d see it. He’d know.
