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Palmer waved her hand to dismiss us both. “Nonsense. Those are both hobbies of mine, and I love doing them. If I started to sell my art it would feel more like work.”
Adelaide sighed. “I think you’re afraid to take the leap.”
Palmer ignored her sister and poured three glasses of wine while Adelaide put two slices of pizza on each plate.
“Sorry I was late,” I said. “I had a last-minute meeting after work. Looks like we might have a hurricane coming up this way.”
A look of concern crossed Adelaide’s face, and knowing she was worried about me made my chest feel tight. The last thing I wanted was for her to fret over me. “When?” she asked.
“In about a week, unless something major changes and it gets pushed back into the Atlantic.”
Palmer started to head out of the kitchen with her pizza and wine. “Let’s eat in the living room.”
Adelaide and I followed. Once we sat down, Addie started to ask questions again. “What happens with the ships during a storm?”
I finished chewing before answering her. “Well, they either stay at sea and ride it out, or they come in.”
“I heard the waves were crazy today,” Palmer said.
“Yeah,” I said with a nod. “They were pretty intense.”
“So, if the ships come in during the storm, do you still pilot them?” Addie asked. “Will you land on them in a helicopter?”
I could hear the worry in her voice. If we were going to be in a relationship, she was going to have to learn to trust me. My job was dangerous, and I wasn’t ever going to downplay it to her.
“Not if the winds are bad. Don’t worry.” I reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m always careful.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I knew that Adelaide was aware of the risk of a storm, and I totally understood that I had a dangerous job. There was no way I would ever blame her for worrying. I just needed to make sure I gave her a reason to trust that I knew what I was doing. That I was always practicing safety…that all of us were.
Palmer must have picked up on her sister’s mood because she put her arm around her. “Remember what Mom always said to us about worrying? Why worry when you can pray?”
Adelaide pulled her sister into a hug. “I’ve missed you so much, Palmer.”
“I’ve missed you, too, and I’m so glad you’re back. Speaking of being back…I heard today that Dr. James is looking to hire an office manager before he retires. The new doctor who’s buying his practice is the one who will actually be doing the hiring. Apparently, he’d really like for the office manager to also be a nurse, if at all possible.”
“Dr. James is retiring? Why?” I asked.
Palmer gave me a confused look. “When was the last time you saw him, Gannon?”
I shrugged. “Man, it’s been at least since high school.”
“Well, he’s like seventy now and, according to his wife, he needs to stop working so they can finally travel and enjoy life.”
“I love that,” Adelaide said. “How wonderful to spend the rest of your life traveling and seeing all the places on your bucket list.”
Palmer huffed. “I say go to the places on your bucket list now, while you’re young and can truly enjoy them.”
I held up my wine. “I’ll drink to that.”
“But why does the new doctor want an office manager and an extra nurse?” Adelaide asked.
“I’m not sure,” Palmer said as she stood up and started to collect our plates. “All I know is he’s looking to hire someone. I mean, it’s general practice and all, but I thought you might be interested.”
Adelaide’s eyes lit up as she nodded. “I’m very interested.”
“It’s only part time for now until the new doctor comes into town, which I think is happening this fall.”
Adelaide waved that off. “I’d be fine with that. I have a lot in my savings, so I’m not too worried about working part time.”
I captured Adelaide’s gaze. “You should go in and talk to Dr. James.”
Smiling, she replied, “I think I will. It couldn’t hurt.”
Palmer let out a little squeak of excitement on Addie’s behalf, then headed to the kitchen.
“Need help, Palmer?” Adelaide asked.
“Nope. You guys should head out to the back deck. It’s beautiful out there and the moon is going to come up soon. It’s full tonight.”
Adelaide and I exchanged looks and stood.
“You don’t need to rush home, do you?” she asked.
“Nope.” I took her hand in mine. “I’m off for the next three days.”
“Three days! Well, since I’m not working right now, we should totally take your boat out again.”
Once we’d stepped out onto the back deck, I pulled her into my arms. “Or you could pack a bag and come stay at my house for a couple of days.”
