Page 6 of New Hope

Chapter Three

RIVER

Iturned my stool away from the x-ray I’d been studying and smiled at my patient and his concerned mother. “Good news! There don’t appear to be any fractures.”

“Aw, man!” Joey whined.

“Honey, he said it’s not broken. That’s a good thing,” Jessica explained to her son.

“I know, but Brian Sullivan bet me that there was nothing wrong with my arm. He said if there was, he’d buy me a Snickers. Now, I guess I’ll have to buy him one instead.”

Jessica gave her son an exasperated look which she quickly turned on me as a chuckle escaped my lips before I could stop it. I held my hands up in silent surrender. The two of us had known each other our whole lives and her husband Rick was a close friend of mine. In fact, I had been instrumental in getting the two of them together back in high school. That’s how I knew she’d forgive my little slip. “Sorry,” I mouthed. She shook her head at me, but I could see the humor in her eyes.

I turned my attention back to the pouting ten-year-old. “I never said there wasn’t anything wrong, I just said it wasn’t broken. You still scraped it up pretty bad. In fact, I think I should bandage it, so it doesn’t get infected.”

Joey gave me a hopeful grin. “Really? Will it be a big bandage?”

“The biggest one I have,” I promised.

“That’s awesome!” He started to pump his fist in the air then caught himself, making a big show of cradling it close to his chest instead, as if he thought moving it might cause me to change my mind. His mother and I shared a knowing look, both of us trying to hide our amusement.

Jessica and I chatted with each other as I applied antibacterial ointment over the small lacerations in her son’s skin where he’d fallen on the school’s playground. When I was finished, I reached in my drawer and pulled out a large rectangular bandage, big enough to cover his entire forearm. It was definite overkill, but Joey’s beaming face when he saw the end result was totally worth it.

“There. You’ll be good as new in no time. Just be sure to keep the bandage on and the area clean and dry for at least a day or two. Oh, and tell Brian Sullivan to pay up.” I tossed my gloves into the trash and moved to the sink to wash my hands.

“Thank you, Dr. Adams,” Joey said politely as they stood up to leave. He stared down at his arm proudly.

Jessica was grinning as she rolled her eyes at her son then stepped forward to give me a hug when I was finished drying my hands. “Thanks, River. You’re the best.”

“My pleasure. Tell Rick I said hello and maybe have him talk to his son about the dangers of betting,” I teased.

“Or maybe you could talk to him the next time you get together for poker night.” One perfectly plucked eyebrow arched over her right eye as she dared me to deny it.

I tossed my head back with a laugh. “Touché.”

She gave me a triumphant smile, turned to her son, and ran a hand through his hair. “Are you ready to go home, sweetie?” I watched from the doorway as they headed down the hallway toward the reception area. I could hear Joey trying to talk his mom into getting pizza for dinner, claiming that it would make his arm feel better. I had a feeling my friends had their hands full with that one.

“Looks like you made someone pretty happy.” I turned as Carol walked up beside me, her hair pulled up into a neat bun, a few streaks of gray showing in her otherwise dark hair. The two of us had worked together ever since I’d first opened my practice. She was an excellent nurse and over the years, had become a trusted friend.

“Eh, nothing a little TLC and a bandage couldn’t fix. I wish they were all that easy.”

“You and me both. At any rate, he was your last patient for the day so you’re free to go.”

Checking my watch, I grinned when I realized what time it was. I placed Joey’s file in her waiting hand. “Don’t mind if I do. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Oh, tell Hannah I bought some of those colorful beads I was telling her about. We’ll make bracelets the next time she’s in here.”

“You shouldn’t spoil her, Carol.”

She rolled her eyes at my affectionate scolding. “Pfft. She’s a good girl. Besides, I’m the only female in a house of six. Trust me, it’s just as much for me as it is for her. I’m thrilled to get a chance to do something that doesn’t involve dirt, cars, or armpit noises.”

I laughed. “I imagine so. Well, thank you. She’ll be excited.”

After saying goodbye, I went to my office where I took off my white lab coat, hung it on the back of the door, and made sure there weren’t any urgent messages before heading out to my car. It was a perfect fall day, the temperature a pleasant seventy-five degrees with bright sunshine overhead and white, puffy clouds dotting the sky. I slid on a pair of sunglasses and rolled the windows down, enjoying the fresh, salty breeze coming in off the harbor as I drove through town.

A zing of excitement shot through me when I saw Amy Carlisle arranging a scarecrow on top of a bale of straw outside her flower shop. As a kid, I’d always loved fall in our little town. With visits to the apple orchard, haunted hayrides, and bonfires on cool nights, there was never a shortage of fun things to do in New Hope. And now, I was lucky enough to share it all with my own child.

The lot was already filling up by the time I arrived at the school, and I had to drive down several rows before finally finding an empty spot to park. As I got out of my car, I saw the fleet of buses pulling in behind the school, ready to pick up their crew of kids and take them home.

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