Page 103 of Hello Doctor

I put my arm around my youngest brother. “I love you guys,” I said, my voice rough with emotion.

“We love you too,” Dad said. He patted my back just as Doctor Deb came down the sidewalk.

“See you brought a crowd,” she said with a smirk.

Dad lifted his chin. “More like a cheering section.”

She smiled. “Shall we?”

We all walked inside, and after an hour, the documents were signed.

As we walked outside, Dad said, “Can I take you to the diner to celebrate?"

"I'll have to take a rain check—I have appointments to make,” I said. “I wish I knew Bryce and Ford were coming to town. I would have cleared my schedule.”

Ford spun his finger through the air. “Buys a clinic and thinks he’s a big deal.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Careful, or I’ll be booing you when the season starts.”

“Won’t be able to hear you over all the cheers,” he replied, giving me a quick hug.

Knox shook my hand and Hayes gave me a nod of approval before we parted ways. Bryce promised to come see me over his winter break and Dad told me he’d be at the Griffens' house for dinner tonight.

When I got to the office, Brenda pulled out a confetti popper and shot it in the air. “Congratulations, boss!”

I chuckled, bending to pick up the streamers. “Thanks, Brenda.”

When I dumped the confetti in the trash can, she held up a flyer for me.

“What is this?” I asked, glancing over the paper.

“Doctor Deb’s retirement party is next weekend. But now I suppose it’s also a party for the new owner of the practice.”

I smiled, still in disbelief. It didn’t quite feel real. “Do you need any help getting this ready?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I already have the decorations ordered, catering planned, and these flyers posted around town.”

“First order of business?” I said. “You’re getting a raise.”

She winked. “Thanks, boss.”

“But you don’t have to call me boss,” I said.

Laughing, she said, “It might grow on you.”

“I promise, it won’t,” I teased. I walked back to my office and resumed work, because when all was said and done, I was still a doctor and my first priority was patient care.

At the end of the day, Brenda came and knocked softly on my door.

“Just finishing up some paperwork,” I said, although I was tempted to take it home so I could spend more time with Liv and Maya.

“Um... you might want to check on your truck.”

Drawing my eyebrows together, I looked up at her. “What do you mean?”

Color flooded her cheeks, even more so than the rouge she wore. “I’d rather not say...”

“I’ll take a look.” I got up, straightening my slacks, and walked past her. What could have happened to my truck?

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