Page 15 of The Fault Next Door

The person who ran the office for the clinic introduced the doctor, Michael Moore, around the room, and when he got to Nolan, recognition seemed to flash in the man's eyes. But Nolan had no clue where they would have met. If he'd met this man, he probably would have remembered him.

Dinner was nice, basically meat and potatoes, but it was good. Nolan was glad he wasn’t a vegetarian because the only thing on the menu that came close to vegetarian was a house salad.

The night was winding down and Nolan said goodbye to a group who was leaving then turned around to find the doctor standing close.

“Doctor Moore, I’m glad you’re working here.”

“It will be a change. But one I’m happy for.” Moore stepped closer and flashed an overly white smile. “Have we met before?”

Nolan shrugged. “I don’t remember meeting you. I worked in Virginia for a while and was in Atlanta for school.”

“I’ve lived in Atlanta. I did my residency there.”

“Maybe you were at the hospital when I was. But that was a long time ago, and the ER was busy.”

Moore chuckled. “It was busy. I was in Boston for a few years, then Miami.”

“Wow, this place will be sleepy compared to those cities.”

“I’m honestly looking forward to having a break. The last place I was had me sleeping at the hospital more than in my own bed.”

Nolan shook his head. “Yeah, this is much more laid back. I actually have time to do my paperwork.”

Moore’s lips thinned. “That’s good, kind of. I don’t really like paperwork.”

“True. It’s not the best part of the job, but I’m not stuck at work until eight in the evening or later, and I can actually have a life.”

“Are you married?”

Pain slid through Nolan. He hated answering that question. He was in his heart, but that had broken the day Andrew died, so the true answer just sucked.

“No.”

“Huh, I could have sworn the guy you reminded me of was with someone. I can’t remember if they were married, but it was serious.”

Nolan shrugged. “Not me. Sorry. So I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“Yes, that’s my first official day. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“Same, Doctor Moore. Have a good evening.”

Nolan headed home, his thoughts on Andrew and then Ryder. Why did his neighbor always enter his thoughts when he was mulling over his past with Andrew? He needed to get the guy out of his mind.

He slept well and woke up early for work the next day. He waved to Ryder on his way out, glad he hadn't woken to erotic dreams of the man. Instead, he'd had weird dreams about cows and pigs. Maybe living close to the country was wearing off on him.

Nothing exciting happened at work and he stopped by the store on the way home. His phone rang, and he pulled it out, ready to block another number when he saw Ryder’s name pop up.

“Hey, Ryder. What’s up?”

“I was out in the barn and noticed someone snooping around your house. I went over to talk to them, and they ran off.”

The hair on the back of his neck prickled. “That’s weird.”

“Were you having any more work done on your place?”

“No. No one should be there.”

“Hmmm, that’s odd.”

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