Page 7 of A Place Like You

Sutton nods and then, without missing a beat, swivels to face me, her eyebrows raised. “You’re finally hiring someone to help you at the clinic?”

I shoot Regina a disapproving look. “I haven’t decided anything,” I clarify.

“Well, you should seriously consider it. I love babysitting Milo, but sometimes we can’t help you when there’s an emergency at the clinic,” Regina remarks. “Having this new doctor available to cover for you when my favorite boy is sick, or when you need to attend one of his recitals would be helpful.”

Curious, Sutton chimes in, “So, who is this doctor you refuse to hire?”

“It’s one of the Kershaw family members,” Regina pipes up, the last of her words still hanging in the air as she sips her drink.

Sutton’s knowing gaze settles on me. “Wren, you should seriously consider hiring him. This could be our chance to find out more about them.”

“And why am I not surprised that you’re all for it?” Sarcasm drips from every word.

“That’s one of the reasons, but honestly, I think he could help you,” Sutton says.

“We don’t even know if he’s a legitimate doctor,” I argue.

“Finnegan wouldn’t just drop him in front of your door if he wasn’t qualified,” Jez counters before she refills my glass.

“Still, I won’t hire him,” I insist. “There is no way I’m letting him treat any of my patients. Would you trust them to work for you?”

Jez pauses, contemplating my question before responding, “Well, as it happens, two of them will start working for me tonight.”

I gape at Jez, my jaw slightly dropping in disbelief. “That’s a terrible idea.”

She shrugs, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She’s unaffected by my disapproval.“Leave that negativity at the door, shall we?”

Regina chimes in with a chuckle. “And Pessimistic Patty is making her grand entrance.” She turns to Jez. “So, you hired two of the hotties. What did they say during the interview?”

Jez flicks an imaginary piece of lint off her Mountain Range Bar and Grill shirt, the corners of her mouth lift before saying, “Other than they’re your ‘cousins,’” she draws quotes and continues, “and your father sent them my way? Not a whole lot.”

Regina lets out a soft groan, rolling her eyes. “Did I mention one of the Kershaw matriarchs is my new aunt?”

Regina hates it when her father and Finnegan involve her when they bring people into town.

“Which one?” Sutton and I chime in complete unison.

“I believe her name is Fauna . . . no, maybe Flora,” Regina responds.

Sutton bursts into laughter. “So, one of the three good fairies from Sleeping Beauty?”

Regina shoots her a glare. “No. I can’t remember her name, okay? Just go with it, or Dad might lose his shit if he learns that I tell you more than I should about the Endor program.”

“We know how to be discreet,” I grumble. It’s like she doesn’t know us. We’ve never spilled her secrets—or anyone’s, for that matter.

Regina leans forward, her gaze intent. “You should seriously think about hiring that doctor, Wren.”

I let out a firm sigh, crossing my arms over my chest. “No way. He’ll probably pack up and leave in less than a month and—”

“I overheard Dad and one of the Kershaws having a deep conversation. They were talking about a long-term stay here,” Regina interrupts, her voice dropping to a whisper as she scans the bar.

Jez raises an intrigued eyebrow, leaning in closer. “Where did you pick up that juicy piece of information, Gina?”

Regina shrugs nonchalantly. “I was hanging out at the stables. The guy Dad was talking to mentioned something about looking for a job at CQS and about sticking around for a couple of years.”

“Years?” The word slips out of my mouth, and I furrow my brow in confusion. “That’s . . . unexpected.”

The Endor program isn’t known for its long-term stays. Usually, these “visitors” only remain here for a few weeks or months. The longest has been four months—yes, we usually count the days until they leave. It’s one of our hobbies. Well, that and figuring out why they’re here.

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