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“I’ve never felt about anyone the way I felt about my Grant. If you love my godson the way I think you do, you should do something about it.” With a last pat on Vivian’s arm, Janice got up. “I’m amazed I can still get up from that position.” She chuckled. “Go find your man and tell him how you feel. What have you got to lose?”
Vivian shook her head. “It’s not that simple.”
“Anything worth having never is, my dear. I’ve learned a lot about you over the last year, you know? You’re a workaholic, a perfectionist, you seldom wear makeup and mostly have your beautiful hair in that tight bun.” She motioned to Vivian’s hair. “I can’t help wondering if that is because you don’t think you’re good enough. So let me tell you—you are. People in this town, including Carol Bingley, only have good things to say about you. You’re a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman. And any man would be lucky to have you.” She lifted her hands. “Okay, I’m done interfering in your life. May I see the rest of your house?”
Vivian got up. “Of course.” As she opened the door for her guest, she patted the tight bun at the back of her head while she tried to listen to what Janice was saying. Would she ever be able to literally and figuratively let down her hair? Get on a plane and go to Aiden? Did she have the guts to do it? What if he didn’t feel the same way? What if…
“So where do you want your office?” Janice’s voice finally penetrated her thoughts, and taking Janice by the arm, she showed her around.
Excitement, dread, fear—all these emotions were churning around inside of her. Could she be so bold? Go with her instinct telling her to do what Janice had suggested—go and find her man?
For a moment, her heart shifted restlessly inside her before it settled back in place. Of course. This place wouldn’t be home without Aiden; it was as simple as that. She had to tell him that.
Thousands of different thoughts raced through her mind. She was only due back in the ER on Monday. If she could get a flight tonight…
She grabbed hold of Janice’s arm. “Janice, I…” The rest of the words simply wouldn’t come.
Janice looked at her for a few seconds before she smiled. “Of course, my dear. Go, go, go! I’ll lock up and take the key to Annie.”
Laughing, Vivian turned around and sped out of the house. She’d walked here from Annie’s after work, so she’d simply have to run all the way back. There wasn’t any time to waste.
*
Still irritated, Aidenparked his car in the parking space beneath his apartment building. It was Saturday, seven days after their return from Marietta.
He’d forgotten exactly how crowded Portland was. The noise, the traffic, the many, many people—things that had never bothered him before, but ever since his return, he was craving the tranquility of the small town.
And of course, he missed Vivian. The night they’d been together had not only been haunting his dreams, but also every moment of his daily routine. He’d be in a meeting when he’d get a vivid glimpse of her long legs or he’d remember exactly how soft her skin was or he’d think about the sound she made when he entered her…
Cussing a blue streak, he got out of his car. Damn it to hell—four weeks were a damn long time to wait to see her again. Trying to shut down his thoughts, he grabbed the few bags from the trunk of his car.
Craig had sent a message to say he and Riley and Dylan were on their way for a visit. He very well knew they wanted to try and change his mind again to make his relationship with Vivian more permanent, not something he could consider, but sitting around staring at the walls and moping all on his own for another damn night was also not something he wanted to do either.
His cupboards were bare—he hadn’t really had an appetite since he was back—so he had to stop at a store to get a few basic things. They’d probably order something to eat later, but Dylan was always hungry.
He ignored the elevator and took the stairs. The picture he’d seen of Vivian, a little boy, and the dog, flashed in front of his eyes again. A dog? Seriously? Why was he seeing a dog all of a sudden? City life and dogs simply didn’t go together, and he was living and working in a city.
As he reached the door to his apartment, his phone rang. It was Steward, his boss. Strange. As far as he knew, Steward and his family would have gone to their cabin for the weekend.
For a moment, he contemplated not taking the call, but after unlocking the door, he answered. Steward wouldn’t call him on a Saturday evening if it wasn’t important.
The line was bad—he could barely make out what Steward was saying.
“Steward, I can’t hear you.”
“Young girl… hospital… gave her your mobile…” and then nothing.
Aiden looked at the screen of his phone, but the call had ended. The signal was probably not good where Steward and his family were. He tried to call Steward back, but it went straight to voicemail.
As he unpacked the grocery bags, he repeated Steward’s words over and over. What had he tried to say? What young girl? What hospital?
Just then the buzzer sounded. Riley and Craig were here.
*
Annie had openedVivian’s closet and was hauling out her overnight bag before Vivian had finished speaking.
“I haven’t said I’m definitely going!” Vivian got out. “I’m… okay. I did think of going, but now I’m not so sure anymore.”
