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The two nurses spun toward the young doctors, and Jason hastened to reassure them. “There won’t be any changes in personnel. We need you all to continue running the clinic as smoothly as you have under Dr. Winston’s leadership.”
Lillian and Heidi exchanged a glance, and Heidi rolled her eyes. “There are policies established by the late Dr. Carl Winston. Dr. Randall and Dr. Shiran, you need to study them and remember them. They can’t be changed.”
“We don’t plan to change anything,” Samantha promised.
Steve suppressed a smile at the panicked gleam in the young doctor’s dark eyes and the frown knitting her forehead. They would learn to deal with Heidi without him buffering her orders, criticisms, and comments.
“Dr. Winston, we understand you need a break, an easier, stress-free life,” Lillian said gently, “but you’ll be bored staying at home with nothing to do.”
He snorted. “I’ve no intention of staying home. Actually, I’ll be leaving Cincinnati and the Midwest.”
She shook her head in reproach. “Traveling aimlessly after a life as a dedicated physician is not your style.”
“You’ve done enough of that already this year,” Heidi scolded.
“Who said anything about traveling aimlessly?”
Lillian raised her beautiful hazel eyes on him. “Then what are you planning to—”
“I’ll live somewhere else ... Work somewhere else.” A subtle smile escaped him.
Glaring at him, Heidi crossed her arms. “Exactly where are you going, Dr. Steve?” The dragon was about to shake a menacing finger under his nose.
“To St. John Island.”
“The one in the Caribbean?”
“Exactly. A small, gorgeous island where the ocean is turquoise, the sand golden, and life simple. I fell in love with the place on my first trip.”
“Oh my God, you’re going to live on an island?” Lillian said, her voice dreamy.
He nodded. “On my second trip, I bought a big boat and learned to sail it. On my third trip, I explored the area and met a few people. They badly need doctors on this island.”
“Who cares about the people on the island?” Heidi grumbled, her scathing look meant to brand him a traitor. “We need to get ourselves organized. When’s your last day here?”
“I’ll be here for another month or so and will probably leave at the beginning of June. You guys are well-trained and used to handling difficult situations on your own.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Her voice ice-cold, Heidi squinted at him. “Are you counting on Lillian to keep looking after your pets, watering your plants, and keeping an eye on your house forever?”
Ignoring the sarcasm, he answered as politely as he could. “Eventually, I’ll take Max, Wendy, and Mitzi with me. They’ll learn to swim and survive on a boat.”
“No offense meant, Dr. Steve, but I think the fact that your kids have moved away has addled your brain. Are you closing up the house or renting it?”
“I don’t need a big empty house. Eventually, I’ll sell it.”
“Oh God, no. Not your beautiful mansion.” Lillian seemed in pain.
“Try to understand.” His gaze flitted from Lillian to Heidi.
“We understand, all right.” Heidi bobbed her head in scorn. “The kids left you, so now you’re abandoning us. You’re going to live your life your way.”
“Yes, Heidi. Exactly.” Fed up with his senior nurse’s dictatorial ways, he flashed a saccharine smile. “I plan to live on my boat and open a clinic. Actually I’ve already set my eyes on a warehouse that will become my clinic and the lab attached to it.”
“So this is for real? Youareleaving.” Lillian lowered her head, but he caught a glimpse of the tears brightening her eyes.
Sweet Lillian. He could use a competent nurse in his new clinic. Should he ask her to come with him?
