Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
She applied antibiotic ointment, placed a sterile nonstick pad over the sutures, and wrapped his hand with fresh gauze before securing it with medical tape. “Keep it dry for twenty-four hours. No fish, no knives, and preferably no bourbon while you’re handling pointy objects.”
He grinned. “I’ll try.”
She stepped back and removed her gloves. “There you go.”
“Thanks, Doc.” His eyes twinkled. “Instead of repeatedly injuring myself to see you, how about I ask again? Will you come to dinner with me tonight?”
She kept her professional smile in place. “Sorry. I don’t see my patients in a personal capacity.” Ace was in a completely different category
Ivy poked her head in. “You need anything?”
“Well, hello,” Mick said. “I saw you last time I was here.”
“I’m Ivy.”
“I’m Mick. The doctor turned me down for a date. Are you free?” he asked.
Ivy winked. “Sorry. I never take second place.” She disappeared before he could respond.
May smiled. That woman was immensely likable.
Mick laughed. “What is it about you women in Alaska? You’re all tough to impress.”
“I think it’s because we’re usually fighting off bears,” May said evenly.
He slid off the table, careful to keep his bandaged hand elevated. “I’ll pay at the front like last time. But seriously, what will it take to get you to go out with me?”
The only man she was even remotely thinking about right now was Ace Osprey, and he occupied enough space in her head to crowd out common sense. “It’s not going to happen, Mr. Thompson, but I do appreciate your humor.”
He sighed dramatically and flexed his bandaged fingers. “Is there anybody in town who’s free? I mean, I’m up here on vacation. It’d be nice to have a little fun.”
“If you would quit injuring yourself, you’d have more fun fishing,” she said, smiling as she updated his chart. “Or maybe try a river rafting trip or two. But no more injuries, okay?”
“Yeah.” He glanced down at his neatly wrapped hand.
Movement sounded and another man who looked nearly identical to Mick stood in the doorway. Same build. Same grin. No bandage. “Hey, are you about done? We need to get back to fishing.” The newcomer caught sight of her and stepped fully into the room. “I’m Mick’s brother. I’m the one who’s heard all about the pretty doctor.”
“That must be me,” May replied evenly. “Are you the one who stuck the lure in his neck?”
He snorted. “No, that was our youngest brother. He’s the real idiot. I’m Greg.”
“He’s not an idiot,” Mick shot back. “He just doesn’t know how to fish.”
Greg looked at Mick’s wrapped palm. “And you can’t clean one.”
“I swear, Doctor,” Mick said with a shake of his head. “My brothers are idiots. I got all the brains in the family.”
“Do you fish?” Greg asked her.
The full beards were a good look on them. “Everybody fishes around here,” May said.
“Excellent. You want to come with us today?” Greg asked.
“Hey.” Mick shoved him lightly with his good hand. “You’re married.”
“I know,” the brother said. “I’m trying to help you out. You obviously need it.”
Mick elbowed Greg. “Sorry, Doc. We’ll get out of your hair.” He herded his brother toward the door and paused long enough to give her one last hopeful look before disappearing down the hall.
May finished wiping down the exam table and wished, not for the first time, that she had siblings. Loud, ridiculous, loyal siblings who barged into rooms uninvited and made life messy. She stripped off her gloves and tossed them in the bin before stepping into the hallway. The clinic felt steady. Familiar. Safe.
Ace did not feel safe.
She stared at the wall for a long second. What in the world was she going to do about Ace Osprey? She needed someone to talk to. Before she could overthink it, she pulled her phone from her back pocket and dialed.
“Hey, May,” Amka answered, dishes clanking in the background. “What’s up?”
May forced herself to be calm. “Hi, Amka. I got the new prenatal vitamins in today. I can bring you some.”
“Perfect timing.” Amka laughed softly.
Yeah, the supply plane came once a day during the summer season. “How about lunch?”
“I could do a late one after the rush here,” Amka said. There was a pause. “Why? What’s up?”
“I was hoping we could talk,” May said.
Silence stretched for a heartbeat. “Is everything okay? Am I okay? Is the baby all right?” Amka asked quickly.
“Oh, yeah. You’re fine. This is a friend call, not a doctor call.”
“Sorry,” Amka said with a relieved breath. “You scared me.”
May smacked her forehead. “I mixed it up with the prenatal vitamin comment.”
Amka laughed. “You can call me and mix it up anytime.”
“Good,” May said, her body relaxing. “Then yes. Are you free for lunch?”
“Always,” Amka replied warmly. “If you want, I can make us salads and we can eat in the back room here.”