Page 44 of Still Afraid

Poirot had picked up his ball and stared at the cane corso.

Chloe whistled. At the call, Poirot broke his stare and ran back to her with the ball. Chloe waved at the newcomers. The burly man smiled and approached her.

Chloe fought the urge to take off running and tried to act nonchalant as she took the ball from Poirot.

“Good morning, miss.” The man still held his dog’s leash. “Your dog seems friendly. What’s his name? This is Tiny.”

Chloe’s worst nightmare: a chatty dog park goer. He’s just trying to be nice. “This is Poirot.” Please don’t ask my name.

“That’s an unusual name.”

“It’s Belgian.” Clearly this man was unfamiliar with Agatha Christie. “Like the famous detective.”

“I thought his name was Sherlock. Interesting.”

Chloe clenched her teeth to keep from laughing out loud. What was this guy’s deal? Why did conversations with strangers have to be so awkward?

“Welp, we’re headed out. Enjoy your time. It’s a beautiful day to be here.” Gah. Now she sounded stupid.

“Leaving so soon? Tiny is very friendly. You don’t have to leave on our account.”

“I have to get to work soon. Sorry. Bye.” She shoved the ball in her bag and patted her side for Poirot to come with her.

He barked at the cane corso as if to say goodbye and followed Chloe.

When she closed the gate behind them, she noticed Mr. Muscles was watching her. Somehow she managed to keep her shudder internal, but he unnerved her to the nth degree. She could not get in her car fast enough.

Poirot gave her a disappointed whimper once inside.

“Sorry, buddy. I had planned to stay longer. But that dude gave me the creeps.”

The guy continued watching while she turned out of the parking lot. What was his problem? Was he a sleaze or something more nefarious?

Chapter Sixteen

Josh glanced at the clock. How was it already three in the afternoon? He’d been going all day. They’d had a few new sick calls come in, and Josh hated turning people away, so they’d squeezed in a few more than they probably should have. He’d barely had time to sit down to do any charting, let alone eat lunch. He’d shoved a protein bar down his throat about an hour ago, but that had not been sufficient.

He ducked into his office to find something but hadn’t even made it behind his desk when a nurse popped her head in and told him his next patient was ready for him.

After letting out a huge poof of air and taking a swig of his coffee—his tepid coffee—he straightened his lab coat and headed to the exam room the nurse had indicated.

Before he even touched the door, he turned to the nurse. “This is the new patient?”

“Yes, Miss Montego. Simply here to establish care. No complaints to be addressed.”

“Perfect.” Josh pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Good afternoon, Miss Montego.” He looked at the woman who sat on the exam table rather than in the chair.

Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders. Breana.

Doorknob still in hand, he froze.

“Hi, Doctor Josh.”

“Breana.” He looked back to the nurse who he’d been speaking with and nodded his head for her to join them. He was not about to be in a room alone with this woman. “I’m surprised to see you.”

“When I heard you were a doctor, I had schedule an appointment. The way you cared for me after that terrible tornado … there just isn’t better care.”

The nurse, Sami, moved to where Breana couldn’t see her and mouthed, “What?”