Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Isaiah whistled to himself as he walked along the sidewalk toward Gwen’s private medical clinic. It had been several days since his injury, and he was on his way to get his stitches taken out. He was looking forward to getting them removed, and he was also looking forward to seeing Gwen again. He was curious to see if she’d warmed up to him at all since the last time he saw her.

He opened the front door of the clinic, and was greeted in a friendly manner by Heidi, who then led him back to the examination room. He sat down, waiting for Dr. Gwen to arrive and feeling a mixture of excited and slightly nervous.

She stepped inside the room, looking prettier than usual in mint green scrubs. Her cheeks were a little flushed, and the added color seemed to bring out the intensity of her eyes.

“How are you feeling?” she asked briskly, still maintaining her no-nonsense doctor’s tone.

“I think I might live after all,” he said, grinning at her. “How are you feeling?”

She gave him a polite smile, but he got the impression that she was trying not to laugh, and that delighted him. “I’m fine, thank you,” she said primly, going to prepare her tools.

She removed his stitches in her quick, dexterous manner. “Keep your hand bandaged for a few more days, until the wound is fully healed. It’s important to keep bacteria out.” She continued to talk as she sanitized his hand and rebandaged it, giving him careful instructions on how to care for his healing cut. He heard everything she was saying, but he was finding it a little difficult to concentrate. He liked the precise, efficient way with which she spoke—he found it impressive that she was so good at her job.

“Anything else, Doctor?” he asked when she had finished bandaging his hand.

“Just don’t intentionally impale yourself again,” she said dryly, and he grinned.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, pleased by her quip and even more pleased about the way her eyes were twinkling. He could see a teasing glint in her eyes, and he liked it. “For your sake, I’ll refrain from impaling myself.”

“For my sake?” she countered, cocking her head. “What about for your own sake?”

“Oh no,” he said, grinning. “Only for you.”

He was allowing himself to be more flirtatious with her, leaning forward and maintaining eye contact with her. She smiled at him, a little coyly, and his chest filled with butterflies.

“I’ll walk you out into the lobby,” she said, hurrying over to the door as if she suddenly felt awkward.

He stood up and followed her, keeping his eyes fixed on the back of her head and trying not to grin too much. He wondered what was going through her mind.

As they stepped through the doorway into the lobby, he heard his sister Olivia’s voice. His eyebrows lifted as he saw Olivia standing at the front desk, talking to Heidi.

“Isaiah!” Olivia said, feigning total surprise when she saw him. “What are the chances we’d be here at the same time?”

He had to suppress a laugh. His sister was pretending it was a huge coincidence that she was there at the same time that he had his appointment, but he knew it wasn’t a coincidence—he’d told Olivia when his appointment was. After a second, he remembered that Olivia had made a point of asking him when his appointment was, so it was clear she had been scheming this moment for a while.

“Hey, sis,” he said, giving her a hug. “I’d say the chances were pretty high,” he added in a wry whisper.

Olivia smiled serenely as they separated, appearing unfazed that he had called her out on her shenanigans. “I’m here to bring some fresh basil from my house plant to Heidi and Gwen. That little guy is overflowing with leaves, I need help eating them all.”

“Aww, thank you!” Heidi said, taking the bag that Olivia handed her. “I’ll go put this in the fridge right now.”

She ducked into the back room, and Olivia turned to Gwen with a smile.

“This one’s for you,” she said, handing her a sandwich bag stuffed with basil leaves. “They taste absolutely delicious on a caprese sandwich—I like to use fresh tomatoes from my aunt Marsha’s garden. She’s got plenty, I’m sure she’d be happy to give you some when they’re grown. They’re so much better than the ones from the store.”

“I haven’t met your aunt yet, I wouldn’t want to impose,” Gwen said, a little stiffly. “But thank you for the basil. This is very nice.”

“Well, we should remedy that!” Olivia said with a guileless smile. Isaiah had to repress an urge to chuckle. “Aunt Marsha is the absolute best. She’s planning on coming by and helping with some of the renovations for Little Clams. Oh!” Olivia placed her hand on her heart, clearly pretending to get an idea at that moment, and Isaiah lifted his eyebrows curiously, wondering what she was going to say. He knew his sister had some kind of scheme up her sleeve.

“I have a great idea,” Olivia gushed. “What if you also help out with some of the renovations at the elementary school? After all, Isaiah needs some help now that he doesn’t have full use of both hands.”

Gwen’s mouth had popped open in surprise, and Isaiah protested quickly. “Olivia,” he said. “She’s a doctor, and a very busy woman. She doesn’t have time to help us renovate the school.”

“Well, I’m actually not that busy,” Gwen said, flushing a little, “but I don’t know the first thing about renovating. I’d be absolutely useless to you.”

“Oh, don’t say that,” Isaiah said, smiling at her. “I’m sure you’d be great at it with a little instruction. I’ve seen how good you are with your hands.”

“See? It’s settled.” Olivia nodded firmly. “Gwen thinks she has the time and Isaiah thinks she has the ability.”

Isaiah felt sure that Gwen was going to say no to the proposition—she seemed as though she was very slowly warming up to him, but that hardly meant that she would be eager to be his renovation pupil. But the doctor seemed to be charmed by Olivia in spite of herself.

“I can donate a few hours out of my week to a good cause,” Gwen said hesitantly. “I’d like to be of what use I can be here in Blueberry Bay. I’m used to working much more than I have been, and I’ve been feeling a little restless.”

“That works out so well!” Olivia said grandly, clapping her hands together. “Thank you so much, Dr. Gwen. You’re helping out a lot of kids.”

“I’d be happy to,” Gwen said, smiling a little less stiffly than usual.

“Come by the elementary school in the evening in a couple of days,” Olivia told her. “We’ll have projects for you to work on then.”

“Sure.” Gwen nodded, and Isaiah could practically see the wheels in her mind clicking and whirring—he felt sure she was a woman who never forgot any kind of engagement.

“Thank you again,” Olivia said warmly, and left the clinic.

“Gwen, I’m sorry,” Isaiah said, turning to the doctor with an apologetic grimace as soon as his sister was gone. “Olivia shouldn’t have asked you to donate your time like that. I know she means well, and she’s getting a bit worried about getting everything done in time for Kids’ Fest, but—” His voice trailed off.

And she’s trying to matchmake the two of us, he thought, and then he felt as though he might be blushing slightly.

“It’s quite all right,” Gwen said, smiling. “I can understand her being worried under the circumstances.” She lifted one eyebrow, fixing him with a knowing look. “Although you told her not to worry, no doubt.”

“You’re correct! How did you know?” He grinned at her.

“You’re so laid-back,” she said, and they shared a chuckle. “And optimistic. I expect you tell everyone not to worry.”

“Again, what are these psychic powers that you possess?”

She laughed. “And I mean it. I’m happy to help. After all, didn’t you suggest that I get to know the town so that I’ll learn how to fit in better here? I can’t guarantee that that will work for me, but I’ll give it a go.”

He grinned at her, feeling thrilled. “Sounds great.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her face for a few moments—he felt so excited that she wanted to become part of Blueberry Bay.

“Why are you grinning like that?” she asked, flushing slightly and looking to the side.

“I like that you’re willing to give Blueberry Bay a try, instead of just sticking to your first impression of the town and never budging on it.”

“Well, I’m here,” she said, shrugging. “I should get to know the place I’m living in.”

“I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it,” he said, cocking his head at her.

“I might,” she blurted, and then she flushed again.

At that moment, Heidi came back to the front desk, smiling cheerfully. “All right, Isaiah, let’s get you all checked out,” she said, sitting down with a breezy attitude.

Isaiah smiled at Heidi and then glanced back toward Gwen—but she’d already disappeared.