Chapter 7

SEVEN

Silas

I'm tired, but it's a good kind. Every time I work on my parents' farm, I go back to being a teenager. The one who had big dreams, and wasn't sure if they'd ever come true. Back then, they were these thoughts I had in the middle of the night when I was laying in bed, thinking about what the future would hold.

Just like I'm doing right now. The only difference this time is I'm thinking about Britt. Reaching over on my nightstand, I grab my phone. She'd mentioned texting me, but I've been busy since I got home. I put in the passcode and grin when I see one from her.

B: Hey hot doc, I just don't think it's fair that not only are you a doctor, but you're a farm boy, too. Like in my youth, I wanted someone with brains, but also someone who could fill out a pair of jeans and wear a ratty t-shirt.

S: Who knew I'd be here making all your dreams come true?

B: And humble, too. Must be hard being perfect.

I snort loudly.

S: Oh I am not perfect by any means. Sometimes I have dessert before dinner, I don't always brush my teeth before bed, and once I drove off without paying for gas at Jack's Convenience Store.

B: So you're a criminal, too? All. The. Buttons.

S: I had fun with you today. Typically, Dad comes with me, but he had some other things to do in Lexington, so I knew I'd be by myself. It was fun seeing your reaction to the goats. I kind of forget how cute they are, and how different the farm is for people who weren't raised there.

B: Trust me, I had a GREAT day. You took your shirt off, and that one time when you put a piece of hay between your teeth? I think you missed your calling as Channing Tatum's double for Magic Mike.

No other woman I've dated or talked with has flirted with me the way she does. It's good for my soul, and my ego.

S: You know, there's one thing I've always wanted to do that you could probably help me with.

B: Oh yeah? What's that?

S: Fuck in the field next to the creek. I always had a fantasy about it, but my dad rode his horse all the time down there. He had a hip replacement earlier this year and can't ride any more, or better yet, my mom won't let him.

I think about not sending the text, but figure I might as well lay it all out for her. There are three little dots, then they disappear before appearing again.

B: Are we talking about daylight or dark?

S: Dark, I'm not looking to catch a charge. Wouldn't look good, ya know?

B: Whenever you're feeling froggy, doc. Let me know. I'll gladly sneak down there with you. It'll give me a thrill, relive my teenage years. I'm assuming we'd be in the bed of your pickup and not on the ground? My back isn't as good as it used to be.

S: Oh yeah, definitely in the truck bed. We're too old to risk hurting ourselves and having to explain to people what we were doing.

B: Okay, hot doc, you name the time, and you're on.

"Evening, Cass." I wave at her as I come on-shift at Bellehaven Memorial. "How's it been going?"

She gives me a tired smile. "Not too bad, busy, but not slammed. I'm scared to say that, because I'm pulling a double tonight."

"I'm sorry that you're tired, but I'm glad you're gonna be here with me. When we work together, it seems to go smoother."

"I agree." She doesn't say anything, but she's eyeing me, and then the words flow out of her mouth. "I saw you and Britt riding in your truck yesterday. You seemed close."

I've been waiting on this, someone to see us, and for there to be questions. One day I'm going to have to answer to both her father and her daughter. Might as well get the first one out of the way. "Not that I owe you an explanation, but we're friends."

Cassie sighs. "Back when she was pregnant with Karli, we both ended up at the old coffee shop Sip, Sip, where Drip is now, almost every morning. I was in school and she would get her one caffeinated drink a day before she went to work. I wouldn't say we're friends, but I'm fond of her, and Karli is the cutest kid I know." She puts her iPad in front of her, crossing her arms over it. "I'm making sure you know what you're getting into with them, and you're not doing this because you think it'll be a quick relationship. Britt had that already. Her ex-husband is a son of a bitch who refuses to grow up. She deserves way more than what she got."

I swallow hard. "While I've been expecting this talk, I was thinking it would be with her dad, not you."

She gives me a no-nonsense look. "Girls gotta stick together."

"Alright. I like her a lot. I'm excited to meet her daughter when she decides I should. Right now we're having fun, and I have a feeling she's scared to let it be any more than what we're doing. I'm letting her lead the way, and I think that's best for now. Is that okay with you?"

Her head tilts to the side, and she purses her lips in thought. "I'll allow it for now."

A laugh bubbles up from my chest. "You're a good one, Cass. Thanks for watching out." I'm about to say something to her when the radio that communicates with our ambulances blares. I'm closest, so I reach over and grab it. "Bellehaven Memorial ER, Dr. Blake."

There's noise in the background as the radio picks up on the other end. "Bellehaven Memorial, this is ambulance 5693, please be advised we are bringing in an officer from the Bellehaven Police Department. Gunshot wound to the shoulder. Vitals are steady, but have some blood onboard. He's lost a lot."

My gaze meets Cassie's. She's terrified. "Is Cam on duty tonight?"

"Yes."

"We're ready," I respond. "Do you have the name of the patient?"

"I do not, but the vest reads L. Hartford."

Cassie almost collapses with relief. "Thank you. We're ready when you get here."

"Copy."

I glance over at Cass. "Do you know who this officer is?"

"Luke Hartford, he's a rookie. Only been on the job a few months. Hopefully he'll be okay. Is it bad I'm relieved?" she whispers.

"No. It's human."

As I wait for the ambulance to get here. I pull my phone out of my pocket and shoot off a text to Britt. When faced with someone's mortality, I have to make sure I understand my own, and I know exactly how I want to do it this time.

S: Tomorrow. We take care of that fantasy.

Almost immediately, the text comes back.

B: Okay.

I put my phone in my pocket when the ambulance pulls into the bay and go right to work.