Blaze (Steel Brothers Saga 21)

“How long have you practiced here in Snow Creek?”

“Since Brittany was a little girl. You know that. Wasn’t she in your class?”

“Actually, she was the year between Rory and me.”

“And Rory is…”

“Two years older than I am,” I say.

“Is Rory seeing anyone?” Doc Sheraton asks.

Seriously? He’s not thinking…

“She just had a bad breakup.”

He lifts his eyebrows slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, she just needs some time alone, I think.”

“I see. So why are you asking me about my practice?”

Time to put that Callie quick-thinking gene to good use. “I’m doing some research on the town and its business owners for an article I’m writing. You’ve been here since Brittany was little. I’m trying to remember. I was in elementary school when we moved here, and Brittany was already here, so you’ve been here longer than we’ve been here.”

“I bought the practice when we moved here. Brittany’s mother had just passed away, and we needed a change.”

“Where were you working before?”

“In Wyoming. Around Laramie.”

“Oh. That makes sense. Why Brittany would go back there to live.”

“Yeah, she loves it there. She always talked about home. Even when she was a little girl. She never quite fit in around here. At least she never thought she did.”

Nice segue, Doc. I can dig more about Brittany. Thanks. “Oh? I’m sorry she felt that way.”

“I remember back in high school, she always spoke so highly of you and Rory. How pretty you both were. How popular.”

Pretty? Popular? Those words described Rory’s high school experience but certainly not mine.

“That’s kind of her.”

“The poor girl wanted to fit in so badly. I think she would have done just about anything to be popular.”

Oh, you have no idea.

But I’m not about to tell Daddy Dearest that his little Brittany most likely stole one of his tranquilizer guns and sank darts into Rory’s and my flesh and then let Pat Lamone take compromising pictures of us.

“High school can be difficult,” is all I say.

“It certainly was for her. She seems to have things together now. She seems happy with Pat.”

I force a smile. “I’m so glad.” Then I clear my throat to dislodge the phlegm from the ridiculous lie that just came out of my mouth. “Will I see you at the Steel party tonight?”

“Of course. I’d never miss one of their parties. Will Rory be there too?”

“I’m not sure,” I lie.

“Oh. I’ll see you there, then.”