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Allie nodded and scribbled some more. “Tell me what you like best about practicing family medicine.”
He told her how he enjoyed treating patients of all ages, how he liked the problem solving aspect of diagnostics and the satisfaction of doing total care.
“What made you become a doctor in the first place?”
He hesitated. “I’ve always been good at math and science and I wanted to find a way to help other people. To give back to the community.”
“Great answer,” she said enthusiastically. “I might use that as the quote beneath your picture. So…here’s the rough part. Now, you don’t have to answer, but I’ll be honest, people want to know about that YouTube video. I know it got taken down, but not before it had like a couple hundred thousand hits. How are things between you and your girlfriend…” she glanced down at the pad, “Jessica Hart?”
“Jessica and I no longer see each other.”
Allie looked genuinely sad for him. “It must be tough, knowing that your proposal was publicly on display for so many people to watch.”
“I’ll be honest, I really don’t have time to sit around watching YouTube.” That came out more abruptly than he’d meant, but damn it, he was sick of people bringing up that ridiculous video like he was going to go off himself or something.
“Right. Great attitude.” Allie nodded sympathetically. “So, anyone special in your life now?”
Yes. But if he told Allie that, she’d want to know who, and Lauren wasn’t comfortable with them as a couple. “As a matter of fact, there is someone special,” he said. “And he’s right behind you.”
Allie whipped around to see Bianca leading Hector back into the office. “Oh! I saw this little guy when I came down the hallway.” Allie went down on her knees and scratched a grateful Hector behind the ears. “He’s yours? He’s absolutely adorable!”
“Isn’t he?” Bianca said. She let Hector off his leash. “Dr. Miller saved him from being euthanized at the pound. The whole staff adores him.”
“You mean you keep him here in your office while you work? We have to get a picture of you with Hector, as well,” Allie said.
“Sure? Why not?” Nate said.
“How long have you had him?”
Bianca took the liberty of answering for him. “Lanie, that’s Dr. Miller’s sister, brought him here a few weeks after the…you know,” she said, lowering her voice, “after that YouTube video went public. It’s really been very therapeutic. Um, for everyone of course.”
“Ah.” Allie glanced between him and Hector, then nodded like she understood.
What Bianca was implying by that therapeutic crap simply wasn’t true. Nate hadn’t needed Hector to get over losing Jessica. He’d gotten over her just fine.
He smiled and grit his teeth.
Allie stood. “I think I have everything I need. Thank you so much, Nate. I know the people of Whispering Bay are going to love getting to know their new doctor.”
She promised to get in touch with him and told him to be on the lookout for Roger this afternoon.
“Your next appointment is here,” Bianca said, before heading out the door.
“Okay, thanks, I’ll be right there.” He picked up Hector and put him back in his crate. “What do you think, boy? Did I answer all right?”
Hector licked his nose and wagged his tail.
“Yeah, okay, that’s what I thought, too.”
*~*~*
Lauren dropped Henry off at soccer practice then drove over to her parents. She was anxious to see what they thought of her newest designs—a maternity dress with an adjustable waist string and a pair of funky palazzo trousers. Both pieces could easily be used well into the months following pregnancy when most women still needed their clothing to be loose fitting. She’d designed them for Kitty, who had proclaimed both designs gorgeous.
Lauren had to admit, she wished she’d had something like this to wear after Henry had been born. She’d felt so frumpy, walking around campus with her post-pregnancy body still in need of losing those last ten pounds. The last thing any woman needed to be asked after giving birth was when she was due.
Momma had oohed and aahed over the pieces and Felicia had smiled her approval. “Where’s Daddy?” she asked.
“He’s out on the patio reading the paper,” Momma said. Lauren went to head out the back door but Momma stopped her. “Darling, you haven’t filled me in on the Nate Miller situation.”
