Page 8 of Fated Surrender

Connor sighed. “I never should have told you about my side work,” Connor said, returning to his recliner.

“You put your mind and body through the wringer every time you take on one of these cases. It must be bad this time if you can’t hide it from your family.” Doc sat back on the couch.

“I normally leave town when I know it will get this bad, it’s just everyone is still reeling from what happened with the virus and Rebecca’s due soon. If it continues much longer, I’ll tellthem I’m attending another conference,” Connor said, rubbing his forehead.

Doc frowned. “Tell them to call someone else. Connor, bow out on this one. Have you ever heard of the expression ‘Physician heal thyself’?” Doc asked.

“What you’re saying is I’m no good to anyone while my own shit is falling apart?” Connor smiled and continued. “I know all that Doc, but they only call when they have no leads. Iamtheir last resort. So, I can’t bow out, I’d never be able to live with myself if this monster went free because I wasn’t doing everything I could to help catch him.”

Doc Claybourne sighed. “I knew you’d say that. Here, take this. It will help you sleep. When you wake up, eat a large breakfast. I want you to make sure you’re eating three times a day, Connor. If you want to continue working this case, you need to be healthy.” Doc handed him a small bottle.

“Thanks, Doc. I promise to take better care of myself,” Connor swore.

“Good, because you shouldn’t worry your mother,” Doc said, smiling.

“She worries whether we give her cause or not.” Connor grinned.

“Be thankful for that,” Doc said, picking up his bag and travel scale.

“I am. Thanks again for coming out and for not saying anything.” Connor walked him to the door.

“It’s not my place to say anything. Sweet dreams, Connor,” Doc said, giving a small salute.

“Bye, Doc.” Connor closed the door and stared at the bottle in his hand and shrugged. They couldn’t hurt. Walking into the kitchen he got a glass and filled it. He read the directions on the bottle, popped the cap, poured two pills into his hand, and downed it with the water. Yawning, he walked back to hisbedroom and lay down on his bed. He was wondering how long it would take for the pills to kick in when darkness swept him away.

Chapter Two

Groaning, Connor sat up in bed and looked at his clock, then looked out the window, and then back to his clock again. He hated it when he couldn’t tell if it was six a.m. or six p.m. since they both looked the same this time of year.

He picked up his cell phone and shook his head. It was six a.m. the next day. He had slept for nearly twenty hours, which would explain why he had to piss so badly. He got up and took care of business, before jumping into the shower. When he got out his stomach was protesting. That large breakfast was looking like a great idea.

He decided that traditional breakfast food would take too long and popped a frozen pizza in the oven. While that was cooking he munched on an apple. The minutes seemed to drag by before the oven dinged, and he was able to sit down and eat. Before he knew it, he had devoured every slice of pizza. Looking down at the empty platter he had to admit he felt better than he had in a while. Smiling he got dressed and headed to the diner.

Whistling, he opened the diner door and saw that his ma had already started breakfast.

“Good morning, Ma,” he said brightly, feeling more like himself than he had in weeks. Maybe he should listen to his own advice and get help when he needed it.

“Good morning, baby boy, you look better. Did you get any sleep?” she asked.

He nodded and gave her a big hug, lifting her off the ground.

“Connor! You know I hate it when you boys do that,” she said, laughing.

“We know. It’s why we do it. Thanks for sending Doc around.” He kissed her cheek. Whistling, he started to help with breakfast.

“There is the Connor we know,” Damian said, sipping a cup of coffee.

Rian looked him up and down, nodding. “Much better. The bags under your eyes had bags. You’re too sexy for that. There is only one reason on earth to be that tired and I don’t think that’s why you were missing sleep,” Rian said playfully.

“You’re in a chipper mood,” Connor said, cracking eggs on the grill.

“Doc’s sister is arriving in town today. Damian and I are meeting her at the clinic to pick up our goodies. I can’t wait to see what she brought. Over the phone she sounded like she had good taste.” Rian beamed at Connor, excitement all over his face.

“Make sure she swings by the diner. You know, so she can see we have electricity and running water and all,” Connor said, laughing.

“I will. Well I’m off to the clinic. See y’all later,” Rian said before downing his coffee. He and Damian waved and rushed out the door.

“I don’t care how old they get, I still feel like those two need a babysitter,” Ma said, shaking her head.

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