Page 30 of Unraveling Rain
He nods, turning to apply more sanitizer. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s a bone callus—very common after a fracture. It might disappear over time, but it’s not something that concerns me regarding your recovery. We’ll do an X-ray, and then you’re free to go for the weekend.”
I give him an appreciative smile as I pull my shirt back on.
“Any good plans? There are beautiful trails to hike in the area,” he says.
A smile spreads across my face as an image of Rain appears in my mind.
“Oh. There’s a smile,” he says, grinning. “I think we’re going somewhere with this hiking.”
Funny how a girl I just met can pull a smile out of me by just thinking about her. What am I, eighteen?
“I guess so,” I say with a shrug, keeping it vague.
“Alright. What I want you to do this weekend is to enjoy the outdoors. Go for a walk, a hike. The views from Blue Ridge are beautiful.”
I nod, about to stand, when he adds, “No swimming, no horseback riding. We can’t afford having you take a fall.”
I never thought of myself as clumsy, but here we are.
“Sounds good. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” I say, shifting in my seat. Feels a little weird to pry, but I’m curious.
“Shoot,” he says, adjusting his glasses.
“Why did you leave Miami?”
The doc chuckles as he releases a deep breath. “The official answer is that it was time for something new—a new professional challenge.”
“And the real answer?” I press.
“I had a terrible divorce and needed to put distance between me and my ex. Now I’m fighting like hell to get full custody and bring my boy home.”
Shit, that’s heavy.
I think of my ex and how bad things could’ve been if we had a kid together. I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s going through.
“I’m sorry, Doc. I didn’t mean…”
He waves me off. “Don’t sweat it. I wouldn’t have shared if I didn’t want to. We’re creating a relationship here, and if I want to earn your trust. I need to be real and upfront.”
I’m grateful for his kindness. With a smile on my face, I get up and make my way to the door.
“Spending time with the feisty redhead is good, just don’t do any strenuous exercises yet.”
I groan, covering my face. “Seriously?”
He barks out a laugh, and I can’t help but join him.
“Small town, big gossip,” he says with a shrug as his laughter dies down. “But they take care of their own, and the MacAllisters are like royalty here. No one will go tell the media about how you spend your free time here.”
I pause at the door, his words lingering.
People can say whatever they want.
Like Rain told her brother last night, we weren’t doing anything wrong.
But the way I’m starting to feel? It won’t stay innocent for long.
Chapter 9
