Summer on Lovers' Island (Jewell Cove 3)

She shrugged. “Well, there’s here, the Italian place, and the Rusty Fern, which is the local pub. The clinic’s only a hop, skip, and a jump away, so the café is perfect for a quick bite.”

He scanned the menu. “I was kind of hoping for some eggs Florentine or something. The menu’s kind of plain, isn’t it?”

“Try the blueberry pancakes with the maple ham. They’re local and delicious.”

He frowned. “I don’t usually eat that many carbs for breakfast.”

Lizzie put down her menu. “Ian, I get it. You think I’m wasting my time here. It’s not fancy or high-class or whatever you’re used to. I was the same way at first, but really, this is not the armpit of the universe.”

He looked taken aback. “I never said it was.”

“I like it here.” She’d thought long and hard last night, and while she hadn’t come to any big conclusions, she’d mulled over her decisions the last few years and why she’d made them.

What she’d come up with had caused her to toss and turn a good portion of the night.

How many of her decisions had been made because of what was expected of her? Had they been what she really wanted? Or had she been trying to be the person she thought others wanted her to be?

That she wasn’t sure hinted at the answer. And it was damned scary to think about. Who was she if not that person?

Her whole identity had been wrapped up in two things. Being a doctor and being Russ Howard’s daughter. Living up to his reputation. Wanting him to be proud.

And then she thought of Charlie, who’d found the courage to ignore familial expectations and instead had found so much happiness.

God, she was so confused. Worst of all, she realized that the only person to burden her with those expectations was herself.

Ian was watching her curiously. “Lizzie, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. It’s just been a lot to think about, Ian. Let’s order, okay? I think better on a full stomach.” She tried a smile and knew it fell flat. He wanted an answer, and she wasn’t going to be able to giv

e him one today.

She ordered a ham and mushroom omelet with a fruit bowl while Ian pursed his lips and finally decided on oatmeal with maple sugar and berries. Linda disappeared again just as the door opened and a line of people came through. A glance outside showed a bus of tourists disembarking for a midmorning coffee break. Linda was going to have her hands full.

“Lizzie? I asked you if you’d made any decision about the job.”

She looked at Ian. Really looked at him. He was good-looking, successful, smart. The hospital had become her home away from home. She’d enjoyed the staff, the work. But she wasn’t ready to go back yet. She’d made a commitment and she had to honor it, at least for a while longer. “I’m sorry, Ian, but I haven’t. I told you I’d think about it, and I will. But I promised Charlie that I would be here for when she had her baby, and I made a promise to Dr. Collins, too. I can’t just ditch them because you say it’s all over and I can come back.”

He balled up his paper napkin. “For heaven’s sake, Lizzie. This is your career we’re talking about. If Charlie is your friend she’ll understand. And haven’t you had enough of playing doctor at a rinky-dink family practice? Come on. You can’t tell me you find it stimulating enough for you.”

The noise in the café grew louder as the crowd increased. Lizzie’s patience was fraying. “Charlie’s my best friend and she shouldn’t have to understand. And as far as this practice, the ER isn’t all glamour, either. Know what? It’s been nice in a way, because it’s not just about patching people up to move them on. It’s getting to know people, having them trust you with their care.” She leaned forward. “The mayor had a heart attack a while back. And while the emergency got my adrenaline up again, I’ve enjoyed the weeks since, too, working with his cardiologist, watching his progress. I don’t usually get to see that part of it. When I say I need time to think about it, I’m not just putting you off. I really do want to think about it, because my next move is an important one. I won’t be rushed. And if that doesn’t work for your time line, so be it.”

She finished, sat back, and took a restorative drink of coffee.

“Lizzie! Hi!”

Lizzie turned her head to see Sarah heading in her direction. “Oh, hi, Sarah.” She could see the woman’s gaze fall on Ian, so Lizzie instantly performed introductions. “Sarah, this is Ian. Ian, Sarah. Sarah is the sister of the doctor I’m working with. And Sarah, Ian’s my old boss.”

Ian held out his hand and shook Sarah’s, getting out of his chair about halfway before sitting down again. “Yes, I’m just in town trying to convince Lizzie how much we need her back.”

Lizzie looked into Sarah’s eyes. “He stayed at the inn last night. Said it was quite comfortable.”

“Well, this is the best breakfast in town.” Sarah smiled brightly, not knowing of course that Ian already had disparaged the variety, or lack of it. “Enjoy yourselves.” She looked at Lizzie again and then her smile turned quizzical. “Hey, I’ve seen that mug before.” She was looking at Lizzie’s stainless one that said, “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor.” “I think Josh had one just like it at the hospital when Jess had her baby.”

Lizzie’s heart froze. Right. The morning after they’d slept together. She’d made him the coffee before he left, and he’d returned the mug to the office. Leave it to the ever-diligent Sarah to notice. Great timing, too.

Lizzie couldn’t think of something to say, and the beat of silence was all it took for Sarah to catch on. Her eyes widened and her smile was a little more forced. “Um, anyway, I was going to grab something to eat, but with this crowd I’ll just head home. I’ll see you around. Nice meeting you, Ian.”

“Likewise.”