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Something warm opened up deep inside her. People talked, yes, but they also cared. “Thanks, Jonathan. I’ll be okay.”
“It’s quiet in the ER at the moment. I’ll wait here, just in case.”
The man inside her office was looking at the books on the shelves when she walked in. He was still standing with his back to her when she spoke. “I’m Doctor Miller. I believe you were looking for me.”
He turned around and Vivian grabbed hold of the chair. This couldn’t be happening.
“Yes, I’m so glad I’ve finally been able to reach you. I hope we can talk?”
Stunned, Vivian stared at his outstretched hand. The reporter from Sacramento, the man who’d ruined her reputation and destroyed her career was here. In Marietta. “I can’t believe you showed up here!” she called out, upset and angry. “You ruined my life in Sacramento, and now you’ve followed me all the way here to do the same here? Get out!”
Lifting his hands, he stepped back. “Please, you have every right to be angry with me, but just listen to—”
Vivian was shaking so badly, she could barely talk. “Get out.”
And then Jonathan was in her office. “You’ve heard the lady. She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“Doctor Miller, please listen to me, it’s important—”
But Jonathan hauled him out of her office and closed the door behind them. Shaking, Vivian dropped to her chair. Her legs refused the keep her upright any longer.
*
On his wayback to his apartment, Aiden called Aunt Janice. This morning before he’d left, she’d still been so upset about the confrontation with Mitch and Annie she hadn’t wanted to talk about it.
There was nothing else he could do to persuade Vivian to listen to him if she didn’t even want to answer his texts. Something told him at this point not even a room filled with roses and lilies would work.
“Hi, Aiden, I got your text. Everything okay?”
“No, but I’m trying to fix it. What about you?”
“Well, let me see. I popped into the pharmacy after school, and Carol Bingley made sure everyone around us heard about Mitch punching you yesterday. Rumor has it you kissed his sister yesterday morning. How come I didn’t know that?”
“I don’t believe it. So everyone in town knows what has happened?”
“What can I say? It’s a small town. I’m just sorry for poor Vivian. She doesn’t deserve this. Such a pity you didn’t tell her what you were planning to do.”
“I want to!” he called out in frustration. “But she doesn’t reply to my texts or my calls.”
“And now this chap is here, bothering her. I heard Nurse Jonathan chased him out of Vivian’s office. I shudder to think what Mitch is going to do if he finds out he’s been to see Vivian at her office in the hospital.”
Aiden’s head was spinning. “What chap?”
“That reporter chap. John, James Whatever. The one whom you spoke to. Of course, she’s going to think you told him where he could find her. It’s a pity you left so quickly. Anyway, I have to go. I have a bridge game waiting for me. It was so nice to see you, Aiden. I do hope it won’t be another five years before you visit. I may not be around then!” She chuckled as she ended the call.
Aiden called Webster. Why the hell hadn’t the reporter told him he was already in Marietta when he’d called him?
“O’Sullivan?” James Webster answered his phone.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me you’re already in Marietta when we spoke?”
“I’m sorry, I thought you knew. What difference does it make?”
“I could’ve prepared Vivian, damn it. You ruined her life back in Sacramento and—”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. She didn’t answer my emails; she wouldn’t take my calls, so I had no choice. I have to find a way to talk to her. Any suggestions?”
“No, but if you do anything to hurt her again…”
