“Haven’t you ever seen Sleepless in Seattle? The more pathetic you seem, the more women flock to you. It totally worked for Tom Hanks.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Maybe I should try it some time,” she mused.
“I don’t want—that’s not the part I meant.” He pointed beneath the picture of him and Doc. “Read that section.”
Lanie quickly perused the article. “So? She talked to Doc Morrison about you. What’s wrong with that?”
“Did you see what he said about how we didn’t have a contract?”
“And?”
“And, he repeats it three times in the interview. Whereas, I’m specifically quoted that the two of us have a contract.”
“What? You’re worried Doc is going to can you? What have you been doing? Stealing the tongue depressors?”
“It’s not funny, Lanie. Doc and I have a philosophically different way of doing things. I’m not the first guy he offered this position to. He might decide I’m not a good fit for his office. Maybe this is his way of hinting to the good people of Whispering Bay that I’m not going to be staying.”
“Wow. I’ve never heard you sound paranoid before. Let’s say for some crazy reason it doesn’t work out between you and Doc. It’s not like you couldn’t get another job.”
Was Lanie right? Was he being paranoid? Doc’s Mediterranean cruise was six weeks out. What if Doc considered it some kind of test? Sure, Frances Kiefer seemed to have changed her opinion on him. But if other patients complained about him, Nate could very well find himself being asked to leave. Doc hadn’t said that outright, of course, but Doc had a way of skating around a subject that made him nervous. Nate had never been good with subtext. Life would be so much easier if people just said what they really meant.
Lanie was right about one thing, though. He could easily get another job. He knew of four different positions that would take him in a heartbeat. And of course, there was always the surgical fellowship in Miami. He’d already turned it down, but the physician in charge had told him that if he ever changed his mind to reapply, he would be a shoe in.
The thing was, he liked where his life was right now. He liked working with Doc. He liked the office staff. Hell, he even liked Lola. And his personal life was better than ever.
“You really think it’s okay? The article, I mean?” he asked his sister.
“It’s better than okay. The way I read it is that those other doctors who came to work before you didn’t think Whispering Bay was important enough for them, so they went on to bigger jobs. But you, who aren’t even legally bound with a contract, are staying because you’re just that kind of guy. A man of honor and all that. See,” she said pointing to the paper, “it even mentions the handshake.”
“All right,” he conceded, “if you say so. Maybe I am making too much of it.”
“Get used to it, bro. You’re the town’s new hero. Hey, cheer up, it’s better than being the goat.”
*~*~*
The family celebrated her birthday with Lauren’s favorite meal—Felicia’s homemade lasagna followed by key lime pie for dessert. As per tradition, they ate on Momma’s good china. It had been handed down to her by her mother, and one day, Momma said, it would belong to Lauren to hand down to her own children. The thought of handing down Nana’s old china to Henry brought a smile to her face. It was important to have traditions.
Of course, Henry might not be her only child. She’d love to have a daughter. A little girl she could teach to sew and watch old movies with. The image of a girl with serious green eyes and glasses popped into her head. Whoa. That was thinking way too far ahead. She and Nate hadn’t even come out as a couple yet. She told him she’d only remarry if she was crazy in love. Right now, she was crazy in lust. Definitely not the same thing.
After dinner, Henry and Daddy settled down in the patio to play a game of checkers, while Lauren and Momma stayed in the kitchen to help Felicia with the dishes. The article on Nate had come out in this morning’s edition of the Gazette. Lauren had been waiting all evening for Momma to mention it. True to form, Momma didn’t disappoint.
“Lauren, sweetie, did you see the big article on Dr. Miller? What a shame. That hussy from
Miami left him heartbroken and now all he has is a little dog to keep him company.”
Felicia rolled her eyes.
“Yes, it’s a sad situation, all right.” Lauren paused for effect. “Good thing he has a new girlfriend to help take his mind off the hussy.”
“What! Oh. I knew it! You and that friends routine. Someone swooped in right under your nose and stole him from you. Who is it? Please don’t tell me it’s that dingle berry Janie who works at the office. I mean, she’s a sweet girl and all but—”
Lauren couldn’t help herself. She started laughing. Felicia, who’d been around the block a time or two, instantly caught on to the meaning behind Lauren’s laughter. She gave Lauren a big thumbs up.
“What’s so funny?” Momma demanded, waving a soapy plate in the air.
Felicia took the plate from Momma’s hands. “Just in case,” she said. “We don’t want to get excited and break anything.”
“Momma, I’m the girlfriend,” Lauren said.
“What? You!” Momma grabbed her into a hug. “Oh, darling! I’m so happy for you! I knew it!” She spun around to face Felicia. “Didn’t I tell you?”