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Then I dropped onto the bed and counted to one hundred so I wouldn’t go downstairs and ask her to stay.
It wasa busy day at the clinic. Patients trickled in, one after the other. There wasn’t a dull moment.
But despite all of this, my head found a way to make space for Ava. In between listening to complaints and prescribing medication, I pictured her smile, heard her laughter, and felt her touch.
A persisting thought that forced its way into that sweet fantasy was my friend’s face.
What would he think about me and Ava together?
I could almost picture his face changing from his usual quick smile to a hard frown. It reminded me of the Thomas I used to know.
“You okay, Doc?” Mr. Harold raised a brow.
He’d come for his checkup without his daughter—surprisingly.
“I’m great.”
“You seem distracted. Your woman giving you trouble?”
I chuckled. “No, sir. I don’t have a woman.”
“Hard to believe.”
I shook my head and read through his chart. “Everything looks good. The wound healed up nicely and I guess I won’t be seeing you for a while.”
“So, you looking for a wife?”
“No—”
“My daughter is a good woman. Has two sons and is married to a doofus of a man, but a divorce can be arranged.”
I laughed. “No need, Mr. Harold.”
“There’s that laugh.” He grinned. “Now you’re more like yourself.”
A shocked sound left me. Did he just try to get me to loosen up? The grumpy old man?
“I’ll be taking my old bones away now, Doc.” He eased off the exam table and adjusted his hat. “Keep that smile on, okay?”
I could do nothing but assent.
As I saw more patients, I stayed in the present, for their sake. Yet, Thomas’s possible reaction to what I had with Ava bugged me to no end.
He’d be mad for sure, but what would he do about it?
The Thomas I knew threw punches first and asked questions later. At least, he was that way when we were kids. It was great when he was defending me, but now?
Would he see me as a threat to Ava? Throw punches to protect her?
I rubbed my jaw. I wasn’t looking forward to any of that. He had a mean right hook.
And just because he owned a grocery store and wore cardigans didn’t diminish that. He was the kid who fiercely protected those he loved.
It was in him.
And I was sure he wouldn’t hesitate to unleash it on me.
“Dr. Cooper?” My nurse’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
