Page 6 of Beating Heart
“Well, that went well,” I said, not hiding the sarcasm as I reached for the file once they made their way down the hall.
“He’s just a protective dad, but he’s one of the best men I know. I can promise you that. Nash has never cared for surprises, and I should have spoken to him first. I assumed his friends had filled him in because I’d talked to them at the hospital. But with everything that’s been going on with Cutler, I’m guessing it just didn’t come up.”
“Nothing like being neighbors with a guy who clearly can’t stand you,” I said, shaking my head as I followed him out of the room.
“He’ll be a great neighbor once he gets over the shock of me leaving.” He reached for his water bottle and took a sip. “He’s a contractor, so that’ll come in handy if you have any problems at the house once you move in. And I like the idea of you being next door if Cutler has any issues.”
I gaped at him. I certainly wouldn’t be going next door to ask the man to change my lightbulbs, and I wouldn’t expect him to knock on my door every time his son got the sniffles. He clearly noticed my surprise at the way I’d reacted to what he’d said.
“I thought you told me you grew up in Rosewood River. Aren’t you a small-town girl at heart?” he asked me.
I shrugged. “I did, and I am. But I’ve been living in San Francisco for the last decade while I attended school there and did my residency at UCSF.”
“But you know small towns, Emerson. Everyone knows everyone, and we look out for one another.”
I didn’t want anyone looking out for me. I wanted to be alone. I came here to get away. To start fresh.
“Yeah, but I don’t live here, and I’m not from here. I’m very capable of doing my own handiwork around the house.” I glanced down at my phone when it vibrated to see a text from my brother.
“I’m not surprised. You mentioned that you have a large family, right?”
“Yep. I’ve got four brothers, one being my twin, and two cousins who grew up next door to us, also boys. Let’s just say that I know my way around a toolbox and a car engine.”
“Impressive. Not only a doctor but a woman of all trades, huh?” he asked, as Petra called out to him that he had a phone call. “You can take a break while I take this call.”
“You got it.” I made my way down to my new office and sat at my desk as I pulled out my phone.
Easton
What’s up, girl? How’s the first day as a small-town doctor?
Well, the first kid I saw was adorable, but his father was not pleased to have a newbie on staff. So that was fun.
Easton
You know how small towns are. They need time to warm up to new people. That’s why I told you that you should have just come back home instead of picking some random town to go to.
Oh, sure, I could come home and have everyone in town talking about poor Emerson Chadwick. Being a jilted bride sucks as it is. I certainly don’t need everyone gossiping about it. At least no one knows my story here.
Easton
Need I remind you that we’re Chadwicks? We don’t give a shit what anyone thinks of us. And if anyone so much as looks at you wrong, you know you’ve got backup.
I needed to go somewhere new for a while, you know? Take some time to figure out what I want to do with my life. I’ve been so set on how my whole life would play out for so long, and now it’s just—a mess.
Easton
You’ve never been a mess, Em. You are rock fucking solid. Always have been. You just picked an asshole of a man who never fucking deserved you. And if that piece of shit shows his face in this town anytime soon, I promise, he won’t live to see another day.
That’s a bit dramatic.
I chewed on my thumbnail, fighting back the lump in my throat as I thought about all that had happened over the last two months.
Easton
What Collin fucking did to you requires all the dramatics I can muster. He better stay the fuck away. And we all feel that way, so if he knows what’s good for him, he won’t show his face for a while.
Gee. I wonder why I wanted to go somewhere new.
