Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I set the key in the console tray, having no idea what it goes to or what it will open, but it doesn’t matter right now. This, our time together, does, and I’m having the time of my life.
“What did Mrs. Carson mean when she said you were on your way out at the hospital?”
Until now.
CHAPTER 22
BRANDON
“As much as I love our town and diner, I would kill for a fast-food burger and fries right now.” She glances over, still riding the high from our getaway. “And a shake. Chocolate. What kind would you get?”
It doesn’t escape me that she’s detouring the conversation she wants to avoid. “Chocolate,” I reply, though my head is still on what Mrs. Carson insinuated. “Are you leaving Mountain Laurel Cove?”
“No, we’ll just pick up food from the store.”
I have to give it to her, though. When she’s focused, she sticks to that track like a pro. “I meant the hospital.”
“Oh.” She glances over at me. “It’s, um . . .” Her eyes return to the road. “It’s complicated, Brandon.”
The ache in my shoulders dulls on the trails my thoughts are currently trekking. The possibility of Autumn leaving doesn’t sit right. We just connected, or reconnected if we’re counting the relationship I can’t seem to remember, and now she might be leaving? I ask, “Can you elaborate?”
The smile strips away from her face, her expression tensing as her knuckles whiten on top of the steering wheel. I watch as her gaze hardens, and she stares ahead into the distance. “I don’t have plans.”
“You don’t have plans to leave or plans to stay?” I stare at her like this is my business. It’s not, but I don’t know. The past week hasn’t been as horrible as it could have been since she’s been with me. She thinks I don’t need her, and her keeping me company isn’t part of the job description. It’s not really something I can insist she stay and tend to.
Though the burning lick of increasing pain through my muscles from moving that cabinet would say otherwise. Is it so bad to want her to choose me?
We laugh like good friends.
Spend time together in a comfort that doesn’t need to fill any silence.
And I see how she looks at me. It’s the same way I catch glimpses of her when I can. The chemistry between us is out of this world. Add in the right compounds of situation, opportunity, and desire, and we’re going to combust.
She laughs, but it fades quickly. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she says, “That’s an interesting way to phrase it.”
“Mrs. Carson inferred it was a done deal.”
“It’s not.” She pauses, dragging her teeth over her bottom lip in a thought that furrows her brow. “Though, admittedly, I may not have a choice.” Her arms slacken as she continues to drive. “I’d like to be able to do what I trained to do, but I only get to briefly touch on that during my shift.”
She’s a good nurse, caring and attentive. Seems like the kind of qualities they’d want in their nursing staff. “Why is that?”
“I crossed the wrong person at work, and he has more power than I do.”
“He?” If this is some power play by an arrogant . . .
“A doctor.” Fucking knew it. Gliding her hands down the sides of the steering wheel, she glances at me before dragging them back to nine and three. “Mrs. Carson is spreading gossip.”
“Is it gossip or is it true?”
“Can’t they be one and the same?”
I shift in the seat, trying to find more room for my legs but not wanting to look away from her. “Sure, but you once said whispers and warnings go hand in hand. It’s not a rumor if it’s the truth.”
Pride lifts her pretty features. “You remember.”
“I’m trying.” Settling into the seat, I ask, “But what started it all?”
“Want to know the truth, Brandon?” I’ve been hoping we would get here, but her offering makes it better than me feeling like I’m pulling teeth. “It’s not something I’ve told anyone for good reason. I didn’t want to deal with the rumor mill, so I’m not sure who she would have heard anything from. I’m certain it wasn’t from the people involved. But it’s out there, and the story will only get more twisted like a game of Telephone.”
“I won’t tell anyone. You can trust me.”
Her sweet grin brightens my world once again. “I know I can. Thank you.” Taking a quick breath, she leans back on the headrest and says, “It’s not even an interesting story.”
“I’m interested. I’m interested in anything you want to share with me.”
She reaches over again and tugs on my sleeve. “You’re sweet.” Rolling her head to face forward again, she says, “It’s really making something from nothing. We went on a bad date.” Her gaze slides back over to me. “I knew before our entrées were served. He didn’t pick up on the unsubtle hint for a month after I left the restaurant. When he finally got the message after I told him no at least twenty times prior to ‘giving it another shot,’ he accused me of using him to get ahead at the hospital and reported me for harassment.”