Dueling Drs: A Small Town Hospital Romance

“I am. Suzie and I are solid, we can withstand a few disagreements over our siblings’ mistakes. Trust me. I’ve got you.”

I wanted to believe that but there were too many instances in my life where I expected someone to be there for me, my parents, Gavin, boyfriends and friends alike, and when I needed them, they weren’t around. “I appreciate the thought, but I’ll be out of here as soon as its feasible.”

“That’s too bad. I was getting used to the idea of having you and Granddaddy around. Suzie and the girls are too.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Low blow, Gavin.”

He shrugged and flashed another of those charming smiles usually found on the cover of magazines, guitar and denim adds too. “All is fair in love and war, as they say.”

“I love it here but it’s not home, Gavin.” And I couldn’t stand to live in a place where everyone was on Drew’s side, looking at me like I trapped him into something he didn’t want. As if I was planning on having a baby at this stage in my life. “You can just stop in Alabama on your next tour stop or photo shoot.”

Gavin let out a resigned sigh and nodded. “All right, Zola. I support you, no matter what. I promise.”

“Thank you. Suzie is lucky to have you.”

He shook his head and stood. “No way. I’m the lucky one and believe me, I know that.”

“Trust me, you’re both lucky.” It was exactly the kind of relationship I hoped to have one day.

One day.

Drew

“Dr. Wright.” Aaron’s cool greeting when he opened the door told me that Zola had another ally. “Suzie’s in the living room.” Without another word, he released the doorknob and walked away.

“Nice to see you too, Aaron.”

He waved a dismissive hand over his shoulder as I stepped in and closed the door. “I don’t do nice to men who talk to women the way you spoke to my granddaughter.”

“It was an argument.”

“No, it was mean and it was cruel, and frankly I thought you were better than that. Now I know.” He stopped in the living room with a smile for Suzie and a quick kiss for the twins, sparing one last glare for me before he disappeared upstairs.

“That’s a fine greeting for so-called family.”

Suzie laughed and waved me in. “What did you expect, Drew?”

“I don’t know.” I dropped down on the sofa beside my sister and scooped Gigi into my arms. “I really don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t for my friends to be on her side.”

“There are no sides, Drew. There’s a baby involved and you and Zola, and all of us, ought to be thinking about him or her above all else.” Her tone was even and calm, but there was a vein of steel that ran through Suzie’s words. “Are you planning to step up and do the right thing?”

“The right thing for whom?” The words came out on a derisive snort and I shook my head. “Let’s just see if she even is pregnant before you get out the shotgun, okay? Ow! Why’d you do that?”

“Because you really are a jerk. I thought the night of the barbecue was stress or some other underlying issue. Please don’t tell me I was wrong.”

“Why does everyone think there’s some underlying issue?”

“Because you haven’t dated anyone, haven’t been serious about anyone since Sarah died. It’s been years, Drew.”

“I know exactly how long it’s been, Suzie. Every day when I wake up and she’s not here, I know she’s never going to be here again. I know that, dammit.” Gigi started to squirm and I held her to my chest, rocking her gently. “Sorry baby girl, your mother has a way of getting me all riled up.” I kissed the top of her head, soft downy hair smelling like baby and flowers. “Sorry.”

“You can say it so easily to Gigi who can’t talk back, but not to Zola. Wonder why that is?”

“Come on, Suzie.”

“No, Drew, you come on.” She set Berna down and turned to face me. “Zola hasn’t come inside at all this week. Not for dinner or lunch, only to see the girls.”

“And that’s my fault too?”

“No,” she sighed and put a hand on top of mine. “But it’s not, not your fault.”

“Thanks, Suzie.”

She smacked my arm again. “Don’t give me that sarcasm crap, Drew. Don’t act like you’re some innocent, injured party here. You knew what you were doing with her and what it could lead to, didn’t you?”

“I wasn’t thinking straight and that’s all I’m going to say about it.”

“You like her.” The words didn’t go up at the end like a typical question and my eyes shifted from Gigi to my sister.

“What are you talking about?”

“I mean, you like Zola. That’s what this is all about. You like her and you feel guilty and that’s why you were such a raging jerk.”