Page 30 of Paging Dr. Breakup
“More work, but that’s a fabulous problem to have!” Deirdre made an exhausted face complete with panting until they all chuckled.
“Better than having a problem with the land prospectors,” Lee frowned. “I hate folks who lie,” Lee said, her Georgia accent always surprising to hear in Alaska. “They faked an injury so that they could sue. They’re lower than a snake’s belly in a ditch.”
Cal clenched his hand. He hated that someone had threatened to take Deirdre and Maverick’s property. Hated that they posed a safety risk to people he cared about. Hated having those people anywhere near Yukon Valley. “How’d you expose them, Lee?”
Deirdre nodded. “She heard their plan while she treated the injured man in the ED.”
“Because they didn’t recognize me from when I helped Maverick out in the field, because la-de-da how couldIbe a doctor, right?” She batted her long lashes. “However, as the treating ED doc, it was fair game to document the pertinent history and patient statements right into the chart!” Lee laughed. “Their case hinged on medical notes. I simply made sure the notes were thorough and accurate. If not damning.”
Cal whistled low. “Never heard of weaponizing the medical record. As much as I hate documentation, I’m glad for once it was used for good not evil.”
“It was a real pleasure.” She waggled her fingers. “Hey, seriously, you kids get on out of here and finish your date. Have a great evening.”
Deirdre’s cheeks flushed red. Her mouth opened, then closed.
The nearby unit coordinator covered a snicker. There were literally no secrets in Yukon Valley.
Cal’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the text, brows shooting up. His jaw tightened. “It’s Mom and Pop. Damn it, the timing is bad. This evening keeps getting better and better.” He paused to read the message again. “Mind if we swing by their place?”
“Sure thing,” Deirdre said.
The ER staff definitely watched them leave.
Chapter Eleven
Cal didn’t wantto speed, but Mom’s text rattled him.
Some man had beenpoking aroundthe homestead. His mind immediately went to the investor. This was not how things worked in Alaska, people just showing up on someone’s property and asking questions like this. Damn it.
While Mom and Pop were two of the most rugged and resourceful people Cal knew, he also understood they were vulnerable. His parents were both nearing seventy, still active, but definitely lived in a more isolated setting than Cal liked, out on the homestead. At least they had satellite internet, which meant they had phone service—an improvement from even a few years ago.
But Mom’s cell phone had no signal while out on the property. No towers were close enough to their location. She could only call or text over satellite internet if they were in or near the house.
Pop had the heart issue. Damn it. Many reasons why it was time for them to move to a safer environment and a larger town with services. He pressed on the accelerator, but not enough to lose control on the slushy road.
A light touch on his hand that rested on the gear shift startled him.
“You okay?” Deirdre said.
Her fingers on the back of his hand anchored him. Calmed him. Her mere presence soothed him in ways he wouldn’t fully acknowledge.
The space in this car had become way too small for both of them. He needed air. Distance. A clear head to think through this situation. He gripped the wheel and inhaled her light floral and crisp linen scent. Their stupid sham had been a mistake. He flexed his wrist, enjoying how her palm remained connected to the back of his hand.
Damn it. He should give up the fake relationship.
He had no time for this kind of situation. They had too many other priorities, like dealing with threats to their families.
He squinted through the slush-spattered windshield.
Selfishly, he enjoyed spending time with Deirdre, although he appreciated that her free time was precious and rare. She didn’t need to waste it on him.
For what? He swallowed a hard lump.
Protection. Sure. Their pretend dating acted as a social heat shield for both of them. Giving even a small reprieve to the stressors in Deirdre’s life—that was motivation enough for Cal to continue the charade. Not that he was rationalizing.
He turned his hand halfway over and hooked his thumb over her hand, savoring the warm connection. “Not sure. Mom sounded worried.”
He turned off the state highway and traveled up a long gravel road into the hills outside of town. In the early April evening, at eight thirty, the sun had set. The snowstorm from yesterday had cleared out, revealing stars from horizon to horizon, popping up as twilight faded. This time of year, months of snow melted in the daytime and refroze again every night. Wet rocks and slushy crunches rattled under the vehicle.
