Page 45 of Doctorshipped
“Who is us?”
“Shannon and Duke, Lexi and Trevor, Rob and Laura, Aiden and Em, Me and Brooks, Chris …”
“You and Brooks?”
Grant’s brow furrows.
I realize the way I said it made us sound like Brooks and I are a couple. Do I want to correct that impression? Maybe. Maybe not. Why would Grant care?
“All of us. We usually grab spots near the fire pit.”
Grant simply nods and follows behind me. I start to take the seat next to Brooks when he offers it to me, but Grant slides into it before I can claim it. Grant gives Brooks a nod and smoothly avoids my look of astonishment.
What did I expect? Grant may have his moments, but he’ll remain oblivious to my feelings, and apparently my presence most of the time. All the more reason to quash my curiosity about him—and to abandon these oddly protective feelings I’ve had for him.
“So, Jayme,” Duke says to me from across the fire pit. “What’s the latest book about?”
I look over at Grant, then back at Duke. “Well, I’ve been working on another book in the vampire series, one that could get picked up by this publisher if things go well and they acquire the series. But, I’ve very recently been inspired to write about a cyborg.”
“A cyborg?”
“Yes. Half-man, half machine,” I say, barely containing my amusement. “And the story will be all about the woman who makes him aware he can safely express his humanity despite the fact that he’s wired to be detached and mechanical.”
“Oh, you’ve got to tell me when that’s finished!” Shannon exclaims. “It sounds so good already.”
Duke looks pensive. Then he asks, “Where do you find your inspiration for all these stories?”
I look over in Grant’s direction and say, “It comes from the most unexpected places.”
16
GRANT
Iallowed Hazel to convince me to make house calls today. Don’t ask me how my cousin talks me into things like going to a farm bonfire and potluck, or traveling from ranch to ranch to provide medical services. But, she does.
I spent half the morning with a family who lives about twenty minutes outside of Bordeaux. The father and two of the teen boys were bitten by a wild raccoon last night. This morning the racoon was still on their property, hissing and making odd noises, so, while local animal control came out to trap the rabid animal, Hazel and I brought the rabies vaccine and administered shots.
It’s safe to say I never had to give rabies shots to the families of the lawyers and businessmen in my private practice in St. Louis.
I’m back in the office this afternoon, waiting for Fiona to come home from her first day of school. I hear the front door open, and instead of Fiona, Jayme’s voice calls out, “Hello?”
I don’t answer.
“Hello? Is anyone home?”
I let out a groan or a grunt. “In here.”
My panel door slides open. “Oh. You are home. Is Fiona home yet?”
“No. She isn’t.”
I sit quietly staring at Jayme. She stares back, smiling despite my lack of hospitality.
“Okay, Chatty Charlie. Well, I thought I’d come by to see how Fiona’s day went and to see if she needs help with her first day of homework. It’s better if we get a jump on it so she feels ahead of things.”
I nod. It’s a good plan.
Jayme walks over, drops a bag at her feet, and plops into one of my chairs. She crosses her arms over her chest, nearly covering the graphic on today’s absurd T-shirt. The image of a yellow rubber chicken who seems to be dancing is surrounded by the caption,I May Look Calm, But In My Head I’ve Just Pecked You Three Times.
