Page 20 of Come Back to Me

This morning was quiet enough that my colleagues and I could catch up about the goings on in each other’s lives, but it’s noon now and we’ve had four ambulances arrive in the last forty-five minutes. Around one p.m., I walk out of room seven after helping get that patient settled in and I get my first Jack fix. He and Fitz are rolling in an elderly gentleman from a car accident. I help his nurse get him hooked up to the heart monitor, sneak a few glances at Jack, then leave to get back to stocking our emergency carts as part of my ER charge nurse duties for the day.

“Darn it. Why doesn’t anyone restock these things when they use something?” I mutter to myself under my breath. Taking my list of needed supplies, I head into the supply room near the back of the ER and start collecting what I need. I’m almost done when the door opens behind me.

Before I can turn around, a familiar voice and the fresh, clean scent that reminds me of spring rain fills the room. It’s a scent that I associate with Jack, and I catch myself breathing in deeper to get more of it.

“Don’t mind me, Annie. I just need to reach above you to get a bag of IV fluid to replace ours… Then I’ll be out of your way.” He places a hand on my back as he reaches over my head.

If by “don’t mind me,” he means, ‘don’t notice the light touch of my hand on the small of your back or the flexing of my upper arm muscles at your eye level as I reach above you to get the IV fluid,’ then sure, I won’t mind him.

Having gotten what he came for, he removes his hand and turns like he is going to head out the door.

Not wanting to let him walk away, I quickly turn and squeak out, “How’s everything going?”God, I sound like an idiot.

He gives me a sweet smile and answers, “Good. How are you?”

“I’m okay.” I try to think of something to say that will help slow him from leaving. “I’ve actually been thinking…” I want to make myself say something more but can’t seem to spit anything out.

“Okay, thinking is always good. Care to share what about?” he asks with a flirty smile.

“I think we should hang out more… For the sake of the dogs,” I quickly add.

He’s quiet for a few seconds and it’s obvious he’s holding back a smile. “For the sake of the dogs?”

“Yeah, I mean, it’s pretty selfish of us to introduce them, let them become besties and then just cut them off from each other. Don’t you think? Just because I don’t date people I work with, and we do work together, doesn’t mean the dogs should suffer,” I say. God, now I’m rambling. I smile.

He’s openly smirking now. “Incredibly selfish,” he replies. I swear his eyes are laughing at me. “They’d probably hate us for it.”

I nod fervently. “I know Beanie would hate me for sure.”

Before he can reply again, his radio goes off.

“Here,” he says, handing me his cell phone. “Put your number in and I’ll text you so we can figure out when we can next get the dogs together.” His smile is huge, and I love I put it on his face.

I take his phone and enter my number before he heads out to his next call.

CHAPTER 11

JACK

Two days later, I’m pacing around my living room trying to kill time before I leave to go pick up Annie and Bean for our hiking date. I don’t want to arrive at her house too early and risk stressing her out. I do a quick mental check to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. Food, blanket for a picnic, water and water bowl for the dogs are all packed and ready.

Glancing at my watch, I still have five minutes before I can leave. I let my mind wander, and it drifts back to how adorable Annie looked on Monday as she was trying to convince me—and maybe herself—that us hanging out was solely for the benefit of the dogs. I allow myself to think about her for the remaining few minutes and then, as soon as it’s good timing, I grab Gracie’s leash and we bolt out of the door and to the truck.

When I arrive at Annie’s house to pick up her and Bean, she’s gorgeous in running shorts, hiking boots, and a T-shirt. Gracie, of course, goes crazy when she sees her new friend is joining us today.

I help Annie get Bean loaded into the truck and we make the thirty-minute drive to the national park. The conversation comes easy and I’m enjoying getting to know Annie more.

After we arrive, we spend the next two hours hiking through the park, taking the more secluded paths that wind through the woods. We’re rewarded with views of several cascading waterfalls and marvelous rock formations.

This is Annie’s first time here, and she shows no sign of slowing down on the trails. I’m getting pooped, though.

I sigh. “Annie? You getting tired at all?”

She turns to me and smiles. “Nope. I’m good.” She faces forward again and I swear her pace picks up.

“How about hungry?” I try to hide the fact that I’m panting a little.

Annie stops and turns to me, taking in my sweaty self. “Uh, sure. Why don’t we find a place to rest and have lunch?”

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