Page 32 of After You

“Well,” Albert said, “I can email. I don’t know about the other stuff.”

Kyle was giving the other man a knowing smile that Hannah didn’t fully understand, but she said, “That’s fine, Albert. I’m happy to show you some things.” That wouldn’t hurt. It was yoga. That didn’t require a special license. And the chances of her and Albert being someplace together where a yoga instruction was appropriate were slim anyway. But she’d make the offer. That was the least she could do since she was getting in the way of his appointment withKyle.

“Maybe we could meet up at Hope’s place,” Albert suggested. “She’s obviously got space.”

“Hope’s place?” Hannah asked.

“Hope Bennett. She’s married to TJ. She does yoga and has a place on Main,” Albertsaid.

Hannah looked at Kyle. He shrugged. “She does. She’s also into herbs and oils and massage.”

There was a yoga studio in Sapphire Falls? And someone who knew about massage and oils? Hannah was stunned. “Oh, well, you could just ask her for help then.” That was a relief. Less pressure on Hannah and more ongoing help for Albert.

“Oh, yeah, Hope’s sweet. But she’s not you,” Albertsaid.

Hannah swallowed. It was nice that Albert trusted her simply because she was from here and he’d known her for years. It was also a little crazy. Being born and raised in Sapphire Falls in no way made someone an expert in anything other than maybe building bonfires, telling tall tales, predicting weather patterns based on things like the fuzz on caterpillars, and country music. “But she’s from herenow.”

“Sure,” Albert agreed. “And she’s great. But if my doctor has a favorite, I should go with her, right?”

Hannah shot Kyle a glance. She didn’t like the butterflies Albert’s comment kicked up in her stomach. And Kyle was neither confirming nor denying that Hannah was his favorite. He just mostly looked amused. “I’m sure Kyle likesHope.”

“Of course, everyone likes Hope,” Albert said. “But he’s never suggested I talk with Hope about myback.”

“He hasn’t?” She frowned at Kyle. Why wouldn’t he suggest some of Hope’s services to someone in pain? Maybe Hope wasn’t very good. Hannah would hate to think that Kyle was one of those physicians who was closed off to ideas that were a little outside the tradition medicine box. But he really might be. Kyle liked tradition and plans and predictability. Alternative health options probably didn’t fit in hismold.

“Nope. So I think you’re the one I should talk to,” Albertsaid.

“Well, I’ll tell you whatever I can,” Hannah said. She’d stick with the easy-to-understand, basic stuff. Even some clumsily applied trigger-point pressure could relieve a little pain, and that would be something.

“We do have a whole clinic next door that has actual therapy equipment,” Kyle commented casually. “You don’t need to go to Hope’s.”

Right. The PT clinic. “Yes, Albert, you’ve tried physical therapy, I assume?” Hannah asked. Maybe Kyle didn’t refer patients to Hope, but she knew he would recommendPT.

“Eh,” Albert said. “I did it for a while. But it was a long way togo.”

Hannah frowned. She didn’t know enough about his condition specifically and really had no business talking to him about PT. She could show him stretches and talk to him about acupressure. She could also maybe, carefully, bring up acupuncture. But there was no one in town who could offer him those services on an ongoing basis anyway. And people tended to get weird about being stuck with needles.

“Well, if nothing else, I can certainly wait on those hash browns until you and Dr. Amestalk.”

“Oh, don’t be silly,” Albert said, waving her concern away. “This back’s been bugging me a long time and it’s not going to get better in the next few hours. Or worse, for that matter.”

“Are you going to be at Mary’s tonight?” Kyle askedhim.

“Yep.” Albert waggled his eyebrows. “It’s date night.”

“I’m stopping by to check on her rash. I’ll give you a look then,” Kylesaid.

“Sounds good to me,” Albert told him. Then he winked. “Really glad that rash isn’t contagious.”

Kyle grinned and shook his head. “Too much info, Al,” he said. “But tell her to save me a piece of applepie.”

“You got it.” Albert started for thedoor.

“But you can stay,” Hannah protested weakly. Now Kyle was making a double house call? And Albert was waiting several hours to talk to his doctor about his pain? This was ridiculous.

“Nah, now you’ve got me thinking some hash browns sound really good. That might just fix me rightup.”

Kyle chuckled as the door thumped shut behind Albert. “Haven’t seen him move that fast in a while.”

---