Summer on Lovers' Island (Jewell Cove 3)

Lizzie laughed. There was a sizzle as Sarah dropped fish into the hot grease and followed it with a handful of raw potato strips. Tom came up and grabbed a beer for himself and a can of ginger ale for Abby, who sent him a sweet smile. The bocce game ended, and by the time the fish was golden brown and turned out onto a paper towel to drain a bit the whole family was on the deck, a string of patio lights turned on and the mood definitely mellow.

“I love summer,” Rick said, snagging a stool and sitting beside Jess. “I especially love being part of this family. Good times,” he finished, and lifted his soda.

Jess curled up close to him. “And this family loves you, too,” she reminded him.

“You all seem really close,” Lizzie observed. “That’s nice.”

There were some chuckles among the nodding. “Well, we have our moments. But the latest is that Rick and Abby are actually cousins. Their grandmothers were sisters.”

“And you didn’t know about each other?”

Abby and Rick shared a significant look. “It surprised us both,” Abby said, laughing. “Long story. Come over for lunch in the garden and I’ll share it sometime.”

Garden lunches. Normally that would be a little slow for Lizzie’s speed, but it sounded strangely enjoyable. “We’ll make a date.”

Josh leaned against the deck railing, waiting for the conversation to wear itself out. “So, Lizzie, what’s the update on Luke?”

Lizzie sighed as Sarah placed a plate heaped with fish, fries, and coleslaw before her. “Well, he’ll be in the hospital for a while. I had hoped that the damage to the heart was minimal, but he deteriorated on the trip.” She met Josh’s eyes. “He coded once, but we brought him back. When I left he was in the Cardiac ICU, stabilized.”

The mood of the family grew somber. “It’s that bad, then,” Meggie said quietly, her brow furrowed in worry.

“I’m going to check in with his cardiologist tomorrow afternoon, look at his test results.” Lizzie smiled at everyone. “Listen, he came in right away, and got prompt treatment. And Luke strikes me as a strong, vital man. I wouldn’t count him out yet.”

“Thanks for going with him,” Josh said. “I’m glad he wasn’t alone.”

“He’s my patient,” she responded simply, and picked up her fork.

But as the conversation started up again, she thought about her last words

. As an emergency doctor, she triaged, treated, and sent patients on to where they needed to be in order to make room for the next. Sure, now and again she followed up on an interesting case or a patient would stop by the emergency room with a thanks, but for the most part she didn’t follow patients through to their recovery. She didn’t get involved. Luke shouldn’t be any different, but for some reason he was.

“How’s the fish?” Josh asked, pulling up a chair beside her.

“Delicious.” She dipped a piece in homemade tartar sauce and popped it in her mouth. “Best beer batter I’ve ever had.” She winked at Sarah, who winked back.

“Mark puts seasoning salt on his fries. Jess made the coleslaw. It’s our grandmother’s dressing recipe.”

“I was hungrier than I thought,” Lizzie admitted, biting off half a French fry. “Have you ever noticed how fish-and-chips taste better outdoors?”

He smiled. “Almost as good as picnics.”

Her face heated.

“You’re sure Luke is okay?” He asked it in an undertone.

Lizzie wiped her fingers on a paper napkin. “Honestly? No. I don’t like that he coded at all. But the tests will give a better picture. I still don’t understand why you asked me to go with him and not you. He knows you better.”

“Because you’re an emergency doctor and I’m a family physician. And you’re hanging around Jewell Cove when you’re used to a faster pace. I haven’t forgotten that.”

She hadn’t, either. Though she wasn’t remembering as often as she usually did. And that was worrisome.

“You’re a good doctor, Lizzie. I knew he was in good hands.”

Her heart warmed. “Josh, your belief in me is probably misplaced.” It pained her to say it, but it was true. “I’ve made mistakes—”

“Haven’t we all,” he said firmly. “And I’d like to think that your time here has helped you past the burnout you were experiencing last spring.”

It had. More than he realized. It wasn’t not working that was the answer but taking time to enjoy life. Sunsets and walks on the beach and yes, work, but not burning the candle at both ends to escape her problems. “I have to admit, I’m feeling much better these days.”