Chapter 7

Nora

After a long morning, I had gone into work late and luckily things weren’t too backed up. There were only two patients in the back and no one had waited more than twenty minutes. Things were going back to normal with many people hearing about the virus and opting to ride it out.

I spent the day thinking about Jeremy’s offer. I wasn’t sure if I could trust him. Sure hanging out would be fun, but if I had to admit my feelings I already had a huge crush. Spending more time with him would only lead to me falling even further and I wasn’t in a place in my life where I could handle a broken heart. It was a small town, and my practice had to come first.

Not only that but he was my neighbor and my sister was in a serious relationship with his brother. Taking all of that into consideration it wasn’t like I’d be able to get away from him to heal when he obliterated my heart.

I couldn’t help but think of Meagan and how devastated she had been that he wasn’t even interested in their child. I’d recommended her to an OB/GYN in the next town over and that was the last I saw of the poor girl. I’d heard through the local gossip in the office that she’d taken him to court. How could someone not even be interested in their own flesh and blood?

What made it worse was his ability to not even seem like he cared, like he was some kind of sociopath whose kindness on the surface made it impossible to see the jerk on the inside. I didn’t want to be duped and taking a chance on him was giving him the ammunition he needed to do just that.

Maybe if I knew more about him? But would that undo what he had done?

I walked to the front of the office where Amy and Beth were chatting. As usual, when I walked into the room they straightened their posture to appear more alert, but they weren’t fooling me, the place was empty and I glanced at the clock and realized if I was going to see Jeremy, I’d have to get a move on.

I slumped as the wind left me. Hadn’t I just internalized all the reasons I shouldn’t be with Jeremy Daniels? Ugh. And there I was contemplating ducking out early to go hang out with him. What’s wrong with me?

About the time I’d pushed the thought out of my head, the door to the front entrance flew open and in walked Jeremy carrying a little boy on his shoulders. The kid had a bandage tied around his leg and it was soaked through with bright red blood. His tear stained face was all smiles, but his little eyes were still ringed with red.

“Now you’ll have stitches just like me. We keep this up and we’ll have to form a club.” Jeremy lifted the boy off his shoulders with little effort and sat him in one of the chairs.

I walked out and met him at the front sign in. “What happened?”

Jeremy let out a long breath. “That’s Jimmy. His mother is on the way. He was climbing up on the dugout to get his glove and the fence got him on his way down.

I glanced at the boy who was now looking at the TV which I always kept on cartoons for the children. “What was his glove up on the dugout for?”

Jeremy shrugged. “His buddy tossed it to him and it landed up there.”

I walked over to kneel in front of the kid and looked up at Jeremy. “Let’s hope your friend tosses a ball better than he does a glove.” For the most part, his scratch was much larger than the gashed opening. “You’ll get about four stitches, Jimmy. Why don’t you go with Nurse Beth and she’ll get you ready?” Beth had already come around the counter and was standing in the doorway with her clipboard.

“Come on, Jimmy. I’ll show you where we hid the good candy while we wait for your mother.”

Jimmy got to his feet and high-fived Jeremy. “Do you think they have chocolate?”

“It’s hard to say, buddy. I tell you what though, I’ll buy you and the whole team ice cream after your next game and you can get any flavor you want.” He patted the kid’s shoulder as he looked up at Jeremy and smiled.

“Awesome!” Jimmy hurried back with Beth and Jeremy turned to face me folding his arms.

“So, I guess you weren’t going to come see me at practice. Guess you got held up with patients, right?” He glanced around the empty waiting room and then put his hands in the pockets of his loose fit jeans.

I closed my eyes a moment and took a deep breath as I tried to think of a gentle way to explain, but then Jimmy’s mother rushed in looking worried and frazzled.

“How is he?” She walked up and placed her hand on Jeremy’s and he shifted on his feet away from me to put his hand on her shoulder.

“He’s fine, Katy, I got the bleeding stopped and he just needs a few stitches. The fence got him, but the good doctor here is going to patch him up and I’ve already taken care of the bill, so you stop your worrying.” He turned and gave me a wink to play along.

“Yes, ma’am, he’s right in the back and already all smiles thanks to Mr. Daniels here.” She didn’t seem put off by him paying for her and didn’t even try to deny the gift, even though in fairness he hadn’t left her much room to argue. These two had a past.

Her face screwed with emotion. “Oh, thank you, Jeremy.” She threw her arms around his neck and he stroked her hair like she was someone important to him.

“No problem.”

Katy leaned back and pushed his hair back. “Looks like you’re leading by example.”

“Yeah, I was in here yesterday so I gave him the lowdown. He’s going to be fine. I better get back to the other kids. I left a parent volunteer in charge and I’m not sure he’s ever held a baseball.” Katy gave him a soft smile and stepped away as I led her to the back, but Jeremy wasn’t finished with me.

“I’ll see you later, Nora?” He had a hopeful look in his eye and gave him a nod and hurried back with Jimmy’s mother.

As we walked down the hall I caught up with Katy who gave me a knowing smile. “Are you two dating?”

“No.” I shook my head, but the blush on my cheeks was probably a dead giveaway that I’d at least kissed him.

She gave me a sideward glance. “He’s a great guy. He was an amazing boyfriend.”

“You dated?” I stopped in my tracks and felt as if she’d just thrown a bucket of ice water in my face.

“Yes. It was a long time ago when we were young.” She let out a little sigh and gave me a warm bittersweet smile.

“Let me guess, he broke your heart?” We stopped just outside of triage where Beth was still marking things down in his chart.

Katy shook her head and her look was suddenly one of regret. “No, I broke his. I left him for my ex, Jimmy’s dad. Boy could I kick myself sometimes, but he’s been great about things and I have my son, so I suppose it all worked out in the end. We’re friends and sometimes that’s better.”

“So, you don’t ever. . .” My eyes drifted to the ceiling. “See each other?”

“No, but if you’re in the market and on his radar, I’d call you a lucky lady.” About that time Jimmy turned around and saw his mother and grinned.

“I see you’re living up to those expectations of a boy.” Katy stepped in and gave him a big hug and our conversation about Jeremy was over. When Beth was done and my supplies were all in place, I scrubbed my hands and stitched him up.

He was a trooper and told his mom about the ice cream Jeremy promised the team.

“That sounds like him.” She shook her head as the boy got distracted with his sutures then she stepped closer.

“Did he really take care of everything? I mean Jeremy— with the bill?”

“You’re all set. He paid it in full.” Or he would when I billed him for it along with the others he’s footed the day before. If he wasn’t careful he’d fund everyone’s healthcare.

He placed her hand over her heart. “Oh, thank goodness. Our insurance deductible is so high that paying out of pocket is the more reasonable option and I’m not sure I’ll make it until payday. I swear that man is a lifesaver.”

“You really think highly of him. Why did you break up with him?” He couldn’t have been so wonderful if she wasn’t happy enough to keep him.

“Well, it may sound horrible, but I assure you, I’ve changed. But I always thought he was too good for me. I was a wild child and my ex seemed like the better fit. And of course, no one knew that he’d be a gorgeous billionaire. He was just a rich, awkward kid at the time and I wanted a sexy bad boy.” She smiled fondly as if remembering the younger Jeremy. “Joke was on me, I guess.”

“I thought he was a bad boy.” Or had I always just assumed.

“Oh, I’m sure he is now with his parents dying and all the money. That kind of thing takes a toll. But look at his brother; the big tough guy with a heart of gold. They’re two branches off the same tree. Their mother raised them right.” She gave me a wink and took her son by the hand as we walked up front together.

I handed her a prescription for Jimmy and had Beth and Amy take care of the rest as her words sank in. I remembered the gorgeous butterfly room and realized the good I’d heard about him strongly outweighed the bad.

Then I remembered something else Katy had said. Could I really be that lucky of a lady?