Chapter 1

ONE

Silas

I'm tired. Exhausted, really. I thought residency was difficult, but this first year of practicing has been the hardest time of my life. I can't remember when I slept last. I'm on what was supposed to be a twelve, but a multi-vehicle accident on 64 changed all of that. I've been on my feet for going on thirty-six hours, and it just now calmed enough so that I can grab something to eat, and some sleep in the on-call room before I have to report for my next shift. It isn't worth driving the twenty minutes home at this point.

"Long day?" I glance up, clocking that I'm in line at the hospital cafeteria, and I haven't eaten in hours. The person speaking to me is the sweet old lady, Mags, who works the breakfast line.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Yeah. You could say that."

"Honey, everybody who worked in the ED last night is stumbling around here like extras in The Walking Dead. I often wonder if that man worked in a hospital. He's from Lexington, ya know?"

She's a well of knowledge, but most of it is weird facts that she pulls out at the craziest times. Like now. "I do. I read those during college and residency. It kept me from being bored."

"He must be so proud of himself," she continues. "Changing the world by giving people something to read, we all wish we could do that."

I tilt my head to the side and blink slowly. "I don't know, Mags, I'm a doctor, and I do save lives every once in a while. I mean, I won't have a TV show made specifically about me, but I feel like the amount of money I spent to have MD after my name is worth a tiny bit."

Mags winks. "Oh, of course you're a hero, Silas. What can I get you to eat?

Jesus Christ, talk about a punch to the gut. "Give me the platter with bacon and scrambled eggs. Throw a pancake on there, too. I'm sleeping good with a full stomach in about twenty minutes."

"Here ya go, honey. If you need anything else, let me know."

She's given me an extra pancake. It's her way of saying she's sorry for downplaying my role as a doctor. "Thank you, I'll see ya later."

Walking to the seating area, I find a quiet table and have a seat. Like my mama taught me, I close my eyes and say a little thanks to the man upstairs for the food, allowing my mind to be clear, and my hands to be steady. Once I'm done, I dig in, and eat like I haven't done so in months. For a second I come up to get some air, and my eyes lock with a pair I've seen before.

Most people I treat, I don't remember. It has to be a critical situation. In order for me to continue to do my job, I disconnect a lot. This woman, though? I remembered her. I checked in on her every day she was in the hospital, but I didn't want her to know, and I never let her see me. Right now she's glancing at me, a crooked grin spread across her face. I haven't seen her since the night at El Fuego.

"Britt... are you stalking me?" I give her a grin.

She laughs. "I can see how it would look like that."

Her accent comes out hard on the like and that. It reminds me of a simpler time, back before I was a doctor and had to make all these hard decisions. "You know where I work."

"I do." She nods, rolling her lips together. "But I'm here for a final follow up. I was having some pain, and the orthopedist is here while his building is being renovated."

"Pain? Did he help you?" I know the doctor who worked on her and he's one of the best, but she shouldn't be having pain still. It's concerning.

"Yeah. Some more PT has been prescribed, and I should apparently take it easier than I am." She blows out a breath that causes her hair to move. "I'll be fine." Her eyes run over my face. "You look like hell, Dr. Blake."

A chuckle works its way past my throat. "Have a seat, Britt. I feel like hell." I start when she does as I've told her. "Multi-car accident overnight had everyone in the ER."

"Oh my gosh, I heard about that. Or rather, I read about it in Spotted in Bellehaven."

I roll my eyes. "I hate that Facebook group."

"Oh come on." She laughs. "It's the way everyone gets their news in this town."

"Incorrect news. Most people just use it to bitch, but I digress. We've been busy all night. I haven't slept in close to forty-eight hours and I'm tired." It all comes out in a rush of words.

She says nothing, just cracks her knuckles. "I get it, but I just have to make sure I keep my daughter alive, not strangers who come to me for help. There's no way I could ever be as brave as that."

I take the last bite of my pancakes. "Britt, you're a single mom. You're already there."

Slowly she licks her bottom lip, then pulls it in between her teeth, before dipping her head down. "Thanks. Daily I feel as if I'm fucking up. Hearing it? It's nice."

A yawn works its way out of my mouth. "Sorry, I'm exhausted. Now that I've eaten, I have about ten minutes to find a bed."

"I have to go, anyway. Gotta pick up Karli. I saw you and wanted to say hi."

I'm not the type of man who usually lays all his cards on the table at the very beginning, but last night got to me. I personally attended two deaths, and I've been thinking about Britt since I saw her in the ER. "Thank you for stopping in and saying hi. I appreciate it. These last few hours have been difficult, and it's nice to see you. I'd like to see you outside of here, if that's possible."

"Hot doc, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Yeah..." I toss my phone over to her. "Can I get your number so we can plan it? My brain isn't all here right now."

"Sure." She smirks. "Not even a passcode on it? You're a trusting man."

"I've got nothing to hide." I watch as she types in what I assume is her number and name before she slides it across the table toward me.

"Talk to ya later, Dr. Blake?"

"You can count on it."

She gets up and gives me a finger wave before she leaves. When I can't see her anymore, I look down at the phone, before laughing at the name she put in.

Clumsy Cutie.

That she definitely is.