Page 23 of Rescuing Dr. Marian
Trace’s eyes widened. “Hawaii, as in…?”
“Yeah. I, uh, met him on the plane when I was heading there for the wedding. And later, we had a drink?—”
He cut me off. “Foster Blake is yourT-shirt guy?”
My cheeks went hot. “How did you hear about that? You weren’t there.”
“Your Uncle Derek told me about what happened because he was worried about you, but he said no one really got the full story.” Trace crossed his arms in front of his chest. “So what happened between the two of you?”
“Nothing?”
“I see.” Trace leaned against the doorframe, watching me intently. “This going to be a problem?”
“No.” I tried to project nonchalance, even though I knew he wouldn’t buy it. “I was just startled, that’s all. We’re both grown adults. Professionals. Besides, we’ll be working on different aspects of the program.”
“You’ll be sharing a room,” he said, lifting an eyebrow. “Medical and SAR are in the same cabin.”
I groaned, slumping into a chair. “Maybe I should go stay with someone else.” There were plenty of people to choose from, not to mention my grandparents’ lodge only a few miles from here, but I’d hoped to stay on campus since I knew the program meant early mornings and long days.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Living on-site is part of the deal. The program has a demanding schedule, you know that. Besides…” Trace’s expression eased. “I’m hoping you’re going to fall in love with SERA and decide to stay on permanently.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Unlikely. My interview at Stanford is in a few weeks, remember? I’m a level one trauma specialist.”
“Billings is only an hour and a half away, and they havetwolevel one trauma centers.” His eyes bored into me. “Besides, Iseem to recall you had a thing for wilderness medicine at one point. It’s why I wanted you here.”
He was right. We both knew it. Part of the reason I’d said yes to his offer was to spend time in one of my favorite places, breathe mountain air for a little while, and practice the kind of medicine that felt more like an indulgence than a job.
But that didn’t mean I was about to give up on all of my career plans.
“I appreciate the offer,” I said. “But for right now, I should go make sure Foster doesn’t set my shit on fire.”
“Because that’s a normal response when nothing happened?” Trace let out a breath. “Look, Tommy, we need both of you for this program. Figure it out, or I’ll have to send him home. Don’t want to do that, though. Foster’s the best SAR guy around, and I know how much he wants to be here.”
“I’ll talk to him,” I promised, though my heart was threatening to jackhammer its way out of my chest.
Instead of going to the cabin, I took a walk across the wide expanse of grassland toward the fence along the highway in hopes of getting better cell service.
Ella picked up on the second ring. “What’s up? You in the mood for steak? Lennon’s grilling. I haven’t left the office yet, but?—”
“Did you know he was going to be here?” I hissed, my voice barely above a whisper.
She paused. “Who ishein this scenario? Trace?”
“Foster Blake.”
“Foster… Wait!Wait. Hawaii Guy is at SERA?”
“Yes! And we’reroommates.”
Her squeal was so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “Tommy! I told you this was kismet. The universe is giving you a second chance!”
“Or punishing me for being an idiot.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. It was clear she hadn’t known about it, but the coincidence was hard to wrap my head around. “You should have seen his face, El. He looked at me like I was something he’d scraped off his boot.”
“Well, you did kiss him senseless a couple days before you were supposed to be marrying someone else,” she reminded me unhelpfully. “What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. I just…” I lowered my voice. “What if I say something stupid?”
“Then he’ll know you’re human. Stop overthinking it and talk to the guy. Worked pretty damn well last time, right? So follow your gut.”
