Page 22 of Hello Doctor

When I looked up, Maya and Liv were rolling on the floor in stitches.

13

Liv

Right before Fletcher walked out the door for work, he said, “I left something for you in the bathroom.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Aren’t you a little old to prank me by leaving a turd in the bathroom?”

His face instantly went red, making me laugh. “Damn it, just go look.”

Maya covered her mouth, pointing at her dad. “YOU SAID THE D-WORD!”

“And don’t you repeat it,” he said, coming to kiss the top of her head. “Love you, bye.”

“Bye,” she said, and I echoed the word too. After the door shut, I said, “Wonder what he left.”

“Let’s go see.” She got off her chair, following me to the guest bathroom. On the counter was a jar of peanut butter with a folded piece of paper on top.

In caseyou have any more gum “accidents.”

Fletcher

I chuckled at the note,and Maya said, “Why did he leave food in the bathroom? That’s so weird.”

Not wanting to give her any ideas, I said, “Sometimes boys are just weird.”

While Maya ate her breakfast, I called the city pool and signed her up for swim lessons, starting this afternoon Fletcher said he and Regina had taken her to infant swim rescue lessons, but that had been it. He was all for Maya getting out and meeting new kids.

As we drove into town, I asked, “What did you and Dad do yesterday while I was at my parents’?”

“We went to Grampy's, and my uncles took me horseback riding!”

“That sounds fun,” I said. “Do you like riding horses?” That was something we could do at my family’s farm too.

“Yeah, but I always ride behind Uncle Hayes and hang on because I don’t want to fall off.”

I glanced over my shoulder at her. “You know, my dad always said you’re not a cowgirl until you fall off a horse at least five times. I think I fell on purpose after that.”

She laughed. “Was he right? Were you a cowgirl after that?”

“I think so.” I shrugged.

I pulled onto the highway, and within a few miles, red and blue lights shined in my rearview mirror. “Shit.”

“LIVVY!” Maya said.

“Shoot!” I corrected. “Shoot.”

“Were you driving too fast?” Maya asked.

“I mean, a few miles over the speed limit, but that shouldn’t be enough to get me pulled over.” Besides, I didnotwant to use my first paycheck on a speeding ticket. I had some catching up to do.

I reached over into the glovebox, getting my registration and insurance, then pulled my driver’s license out of my purse.

A tall, tan officer approached the car and bent over, all dark aviator glasses and chiseled jawline. I’d recognize that face anywhere.

“Uncle Knox!” Maya cried from her booster seat.

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